Suzy Merchant and the Michigan State Spartans Ready to Take on the 2011-2012 Schedule After Beating Grand Valley by 52

Spartans Close Exhibition Schedule with 75-23 Win Over Grand Valley State

Freshman Becca Mills leads MSU with 17 points.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – In a mirror image of its first exhibition game, the Michigan State women’s basketball team got off to a quick start and cruised to victory, topping Grand Valley State, 75-23 on Sunday afternoon at Breslin Center. Freshman Becca Mills led the Spartan attack, scoring 17 points, while senior Taylor Alton went 4-for-4 from behind the arc for 12 points.

The Spartans jumped out to a 19-1 lead over the first 10 minutes, and held the Lakers without a field goal in the first half, taking a 40-7 lead into the break. Grand Valley went 0-for-26 in the first 20 minutes.

Michigan State’s defense was again stout in the second half, holding the Lakers scoreless over the final 10 minutes, posting 20-unanswered points to conclude the game.

Off the bench, redshirt freshman Madison Williams scored seven points, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and blocked five shots in 20 minutes. Freshman Kiana Johnson and senior Porsche Poole, who comprised the Spartan starting backcourt, each dished out four assists.

The Spartan defense held GVSU to 10.4 % (5-for-48) shooting and 10.5% (2-for-19) from behind the arc, while forcing 24 turnovers, grabbing 13 steals and blocking eight shots. MSU also held a 49-39 edge on the boards.

Michigan State committed only nine turnovers and has combined to turn the ball over only 19 times in the two exhibition games.

After the game, the players, staff, administrators, and special guests of the 2010-11 Spartans received their Big Ten Championship rings in a private ceremony at Breslin Center.

The Spartans begin the regular season on Friday when they travel to New Rochelle, N.Y. to face Villanova in the first game of the Iona Tournament. Game tip is scheduled for 1:45 p.m.