Michigan State women's basketball lights up Rhode Island
Four Michigan State players scored in double figures as the women’s basketball team had its best offensive performance of the season, defeating Rhode Island, 85-48, at the Ryan Center on Thursday.
Freshman guard Taryn McCutcheon had a career-high 15 points with a career-high five 3-pointers to pace the Spartans. Senior Tori Jankoska tallied a game-high 16 points to go along with eight boards, six assists and three steals, while senior Taya Reimer and senior Branndais Agee both added 11 points.
Freshman forward Victoria Gaines also was solid for MSU with nine points and six rebounds.
Michigan State improves to 9-2 this season and has won three straight games. Rhode Island falls to 4-6 with the loss. The Spartans have played seven of their last eight games on the road, going 6-2 doing that stretch.
After Rhode Island scored the first basket of the game, MSU went on 22-0 run led by a pair of 3-pointers from McCutcheon. The Rams fought back and the quarter ended with MSU leading 24-11. Both Agee and Gaines scored seven points in the first period.
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In the second quarter, the Rams found their rhythm, outscoring the Spartans 17-15 in the period. Late baskets by Jankoska and freshman forward Nia Hollie gave MSU the 39-28 halftime lead.
Jankoska took over in the third quarter, scoring seven straight points to push the MSU lead to 53-35. In the third period, Jankoska scored 10 points with three boards, two assists and one steal.
In the second half, MSU outscored URI 46-20 to take as big a lead as 39 points. The Spartans took advantage of 21 Ram turnovers, scoring 31 points off of turnovers.
Michigan State returns home to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center at noon on Dec. 18 against Northeastern.