No. 10 Michigan St. Stops No. 11 UConn

Posted 7:46AM on Thursday 30th December 2004 ( 20 years ago )

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- Lindsay Bowen dominated from the perimeter and Kelli Roehrig was outstanding in the paint in 10th-ranked Michigan State's 67-51 victory Wednesday night over fading Connecticut Bowen scored 21 points, making five of seven shots from 3-point range. Roehrig had 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots for the Spartans (11-1). It was the worst home loss for the 11th-ranked Huskies (6-3) since a 16-point defeat to Miami on Feb. 21, 1992. Barbara Turner led UConn with 16 points. The Huskies shot just 33 percent. The three-time defending NCAA champs continue to struggle. They haven't lost three games this early since the 1991-92 season. The Spartans made it look easy with a 20-6 surge early in the second half. Bowen hit two 3-pointers in that stretch. Michigan State led by as many as 21 points in the closing minutes, when Bowen's jumper with 2:34 left put the Spartans ahead 64-43. The 6-foot-4 Roehrig gave the Spartans the early inside edge. The center had eight points in the first half and drew a crowd every time she touched the ball. That helped open the perimeter, and the Spartans capitalized with three 3-pointers in the half and held a 30-26 lead at the break. It was the first time this season UConn trailed at halftime. The Spartans are off to their best start in program history, knocking off three ranked Big East teams. The Spartans beat then-No. 18 Boston College on Nov. 21 before upsetting No. 6 Notre Dame on Dec. 2. The Huskies were 201-5 at home over the past 11 years coming into the game. The loss was their seventh at the Hartford Civic Center in 54 games.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/12/144320