No. 5 Iowa State ends Spartans’ undefeated streak
DeeDee Hagemann dribbles the ball down the court during Michigan State’s 109-44 victory over Florida A&M on November 17, 2022. Photo Credit: Sarah Smith/WDBM
November 25, 2022
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Michigan State women’s basketball team fell to the No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones in the first game of the Phil Knight Invitational. The Cyclones took the game by storm, defeating the Spartans 80-49 on Thursday night.
“We couldn’t make a shot,” head coach Suzy Merchant said. “We had open looks, open layups and we couldn’t make free throws. It was a night of disaster on offense.”
The 6-foot-6 Iowa State center Stephanie Soares recorded a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. She had six blocks to go along with her impressive run against MSU.
“Even when we were at the rim clean, she [Soares] made us nervous,” Merchant said. “Even on the bench, it felt like she was going to block our shots.”
The Spartans had a sluggish first half against the Cyclones, making only six baskets out of the 30 total shots in the first and second quarters.
MSU went 0-10 from deep in the first half. The Spartans only made two three-pointers against the Cyclones.
Final score at the Chiles Center.#RiseUp × #SpartanStrongHER pic.twitter.com/n58K6Q2kq1
— Michigan State Women's Basketball (@MSU_WBasketball) November 25, 2022
Although Iowa State did not have their best shooting half, having only shot 36%, they dominated the paint and the perimeter to score 37 points.
MSU guard DeeDee Hagemann and guard Gabby Elliot combines for 20 points against the Cyclones. Although Hagemann struggled from the free-throw line in the first half, only shooting 2-5, Kamaria McDaniel went 5-6 from the line.
Hagemann led the Spartans in scoring with 14 points.
Coming out of halftime, the Spartans scored 10 points in the first six minutes of the third quarter but remained in a 20-point deficit throughout the rest of the game.
The Spartans were outscored 16-12 in the third quarter.
“It was certainly disappointing,” Merchant said. “On Sunday, we’ll have another opportunity to step up, and there are lessons that we have to learn.”
Iowa State continued to power through in the final quarter, scoring 24 points to finalize the 80-49 win over the Spartans.
Michigan State will face No. 18 Oregon on Nov. 27 to end their West Coast trip. The Cyclones will play in the championship game against UNC.
Tip-off for the Spartans is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST.
