Michigan State women's basketball fends off Western Michigan

EAST LANSING - Jenna Allen rolled her ankle a few days ago.

The Michigan State junior forward then rolled it again Saturday during the team's prep.

She overcame that and served as a bright spot for the Spartan women's basketball team Sunday afternoon as they hung on for a 65-62 victory over Western Michigan at Breslin Center.

Allen had a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Spartans ended a two-game losing streak.

"It was just kind of a mind over matter thing," Allen said. "I didn't feel 100 percent, but I knew they needed me. I just came out and played for my sisters."

Allen's efforts were key as the Spartans (5-2) overcame a sluggish showing and fatigue to grind out a victory over Western (4-4).

"I thought Jenna was really good," MSU coach Suzy Merchant said. "I wasn't sure she was even going to play. She's playing on a half a leg and has a double-double."

Branndais Agee had 13 points off the bench before fouling out, while Taya Reimer added 11 points, including six in the final six minutes, for a MSU squad trying to discover who on its deep roster it can rely on in tight games.

"That's a little bit of the danger of playing a lot of people early is you don't know who is going to emerge," Merchant said. "That's what we're trying to find out.

"We certainly want everybody to step up, but there's a point where someone starts taking ownership of this team."

Taryn McCutcheon made a big play late by hitting a floater with 24 seconds remaining that gave MSU a three-point edge. Western Michigan never got off a game-tying shot on its final possession as its bid to play an overtime game against the Spartans for the second straight season fell short.

"We fought until the end," said Western junior forward and Waverly graduate Breanna Mobley, who had six points in her return home.

"I think (this game) is going to give us momentum and show us the little things that we need to tune up. We gained a lot of positive things."

Holt graduate Kamrin Reed had five points for Western in her return home.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.