Michigan State women's basketball hammers Rhode Island, 82-38

Michigan State women’s basketball led wire-to-wire, defeating Rhode Island, 82-38, Saturday afternoon at Breslin Center.

With the win, the Spartans improved to 6-3 overall, while the Rams fall to 1-8 this season.

Michigan State was led by 17 points from freshman forward Sidney Cooks, which was one point shy of her career high. Cooks was one of four players to reach double figures against the Rams. 

“I love her confidence, and she is aggressive,” MSU coach Suzy Merchant said. “She is coming out and bringing it every night, which is an amazing quality in any type of player but certainly a freshman.”

Sophomore guard Shay Colley added 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a career-high five steals. Sophomore guard Taryn McCutcheon and senior forward Taya Reimer both added 13 points.

“It is good that we have different people every night, but we have got to get some consistency. We are still trying to mesh and jell, and I would like to see more consistency out of people for sure,” Merchant said.

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The Spartans made five straight baskets to take a 17-7 lead with less than two minutes left in the first quarter. McCutcheon helped provide the double-digit lead for MSU with six points in the first quarter.

Michigan State scored the first five points of the second period to push its lead to take a 27-12 lead.

Midway through the second quarter, both teams went cold offensively with MSU going 0-for-6 and URI going 0-for-7. Michigan State responded with a 7-0 run to go up on the Rams, 36-16. The Spartan defense kept Rhode Island under 20 points in the half, leading 40-18, which is the fewest point allowed in the first half this season.

Reimer was solid off the bench in the third quarter with nine points in five minutes. She also drained five of her seven free throws in the third.

MSU allowed a school-record low three points in the final 10 minuted of the game. Senior forward Kennedy Johnson added six points to finish off the Rams.

The Spartans will take a break for finals and return to action at 7 p.m. on Dec. 16 at East Tennessee State.

- MSU Athletic Communications