Women's Basketball Shuts Down Illinois, 62-57

Feb. 9, 2002

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Behind a career-best 25 points by sophomore forward Julie Pagel, the Michigan State women's basketball team snapped a two-game losing streak with a 62-57 victory over Illinois (13-9 overall, 6-6 Big Ten) on Saturday night (Feb. 9) at the Breslin Center.

"The coaches told me to shoot and I shot," said Pagel on her career day. "It was great feeling, especially when it helps the team win. This is a big win for our morale. We have lost a few close games, but it feels good to win again."

The score was knotted up at 33 all entering the second half. The Fighting Illini opened the second half on an 18-10 run to take a 51-43 lead with a little over nine minutes to play. However, the Spartan defense would turn it up and hold the Illini to six points the remainder of the game while going on a 15-6 run to take a 58-57 lead with two minutes remaining.

But, the hero of the game had to be Pagel. With MSU clinging to a three-point lead (60-57) down the stretch, Pagel stole the ball away from the Illini defender and was fouled. Pagel calmly walked to the free throw line and canned a pair to seal the Spartan victory, 62-57.

"It was a very interesting and exciting game," said MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie. "I was very pleased with our defensive performance as a team. We had a lot of different people on this team that gave us sparks."

"I think that (Julie) Pagel personified what this team is about. She hurt her back and could have made excuses on why she would not play but she didn't. She probably came up with her best effort this year."

The Spartans, who converted 23 Illini turnovers into 30 points, were led by Pagel with 25 points. Vnemina Reese added nine points off the bench, while Candice Jackson chipped in eight points.

Illinois, who played without their starting point guard Shavonna Hunter, was led by Cindy Dallas with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Iveta Marcauskaite added 16 points and seven rebounds.

Michigan State (15-9 overall, 5-8 Big Ten) heads out on the road to face Penn State this Thursday (Feb. 14), at 7 p.m.

Spartan Notebook
The MSU-Illinois game also marked a very "S"pecial celebration. Approximately 200 women, who participated in athletics at Michigan State before women's athletics became a varsity sport, were recognized at halftime of the game. The group of individuals included women who participated at MSU in the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Sophomore forward Julie Pagel recorded her 13th game this season in double figures with a career-best 25 points. The 25 points marked the third 20-point plus game of her career.

MSU's 62-57 victory over Illinois marked the Spartans first win over the Illini since Feb. 16, 1997 - a span of nine games.

The Spartans are 12-4 when scoring 60 or more points this season.

The 57 points allowed by Michigan State marked the 12th time this season that the Spartans have held opponents to 60 points or less.