Kornacki: Tide Turns in Michigan-Michigan State Rivalry
2/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The tide has turned in the Michigan-Michigan State women's basketball rivalry.
The Wolverines fought off a late charge by the Spartans in Thursday night's 72-59 win in East Lansing to sweep the season series for the first time since 1999-2000.
There was sheer joy on the court for Michigan after its signature victory, which was its first at Breslin Center since 2001.
"I think it is one of my proudest moments as a coach because when I got to the University of Michigan, Michigan State was the team in the state," said Kim Barnes Arico, who is in her third year as the Wolverines' head coach. "They were a top-20 team and NCAA Tournament team, year in and year out. That is something we strive to be."
The Spartans shared the Big Ten regular-season championship last season, and have played in six consecutive NCAA Tournaments. They swept Michigan last year and had won three straight in the series before the Wolverines came out on top, 74-65, against then 24th-ranked MSU on Jan. 4 at Crisler Center.
Barnes Arico said: "For our kids to be able to come in here and win for the first time in 2001, when they were in elementary school, is just a great accomplishment for our seniors and the players in our program. I am really proud that we were able to do that. It is such a rivalry game. I thought it was a great atmosphere and a great basketball game."
Senior forward Cyesha Goree showed the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman guard Katelynn Flaherty came off the bench to score 19 points with three rebounds, three assists and zero turnovers in 25 efficient minutes.
"I thought our kids did a great job of holding together, sticking together and making big shots down the stretch," Barnes Arico said. "We made our free throws, Madison (Ristovski) had a tremendous block down the stretch. Everyone who played gave us really good minutes and contributed."
-- Shannon Smith
Senior captain Nicole Elmblad sealed the outcome by hitting four clutch free throws in the final two minutes. The Spartans cut what had been a 22-point lead with 17:06 remaining to a tenuous, six-point lead with 1:58 left. But that's when Elmblad hit her first two free throws, and she nailed two more with 1:15 remaining for a 68-59 lead that put the Wolverines back in control.
Senior guard Shannon Smith and Flaherty both hit a pair of free throws in the final 50 seconds as Michigan (14-8, 6-5 Big Ten) was perfect on all eight attempts at the charity stripe in the final two minutes.
It was an emotional victory for Smith, whose father, Kevin, was a first-team All-Big Ten guard in 1982, when he led the Spartans in scoring with 15.6 points per game and was a team captain.
"I just saw his MVP trophy when we left," said Smith, who had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists in the win. "It was pretty cool. I know that he played in the state championship at Michigan (Crisler Arena) as well, so I got to play on two courts that he played on. It meant a lot for 'em to play at Michigan State because both my parents (mother Ramada) went there and I grew up watching and going to Michigan State men's games.
"I have been there so many times so it was a humbling experience for me to finally get to play on that court. I am very excited that we were able to win. I know how big the rivalry is and it meant a lot to the seniors, the team and the coaching staff that we were able to sweep Michigan State. It is really cool to be part of something that hasn't happened in a while."
Sophomore guard Siera Thompson also came up big with 16 points and six rebounds.
Ten steals played a role in the victory, and Smith, Elmblad and guard Danielle Williams had three apiece.
Flaherty had 40 points and eight three-pointers in the two wins over the Spartans, while Goree had 31 points and 20 rebounds in the games and Thompson had 33 points.
"It is always nice to do things that haven't been in a while," said Goree. "I am proud of the team and how we came out and played. We mentioned this before the game that we were going to need a full team effort if we wanted to get this win. It was about doing all the little things that count in the end. We all came out and battled hard and got the win."
• Wolverines Sweep Spartans for First Time Since 1999-2000
