Michigan State Women’s Basketball Falls at No. 18 Dayton, 60-53

DAYTON, Ohio – The Michigan State women’s basketball lost its first game of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling 60-53 at No. 19/18 Dayton. Sophomore Becca Mills scored a season-high 18 points, while senior Courtney Schiffauer posted a double-double with a season-high 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. The Spartans fall to 8-1 on the year, while the Flyers improve to 10-0.

Dayton scored on its first possession to snap a streak of 198 minutes in which the Spartans had not trailed in a game. However, Michigan State responded with the next six points and did not trail again in the half. MSU’s lead grew to as much as 12 (20-8) with 9:42 until halftime. The Flyers would chip away at the deficit, and went on an 11-0 run over the last 3:03 of the first half and the first 2:36 of the second to take a 30-27 lead. The game would remain a two-possession game until Dayton ran off seven-straight to go up 53-42 with 5:22 left. The Spartans did not give in, scoring the next seven points over a 4:16 span to cut the UD lead to 53-49 with just over a minute left. Dayton would knock down five free throws in the final 36 seconds to seal the victory.

The Spartans shot a season-low 29.7%, including a 2-for-15 (13.3%) effort from the 3-point line.

Schiffauer also added a team-high four assists and a career-high three blocks to her double-double, while playing all 40 minutes for the first time in her career.

Michigan State played without 6-3 sophomore center Jasmine Hines (10.3 points per game this season), who was back home in Central Lake to attend the funeral of one of her high school friends.

The Spartans are off this week for final exams, but return to the court on Sunday, Dec. 16 for a 2 p.m. tip against IPFW at Jenison Field House.

POST GAME NOTES:

- Dayton entered the game ranked fifth in the nation averaging 83.3 points, but were held to a season-low 60 points by MSU.

- The Flyers were also 11th in the nation with 8.2 3-pointers per game, but the Spartans held them to 4-for-16 (25.0%).

- In her two games at UD Arena, Courtney Schiffauer is averaging 16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

- Jasmine Thomas had a season high eight rebounds.