No. 14 Michigan St holds off E Michigan 69-61

Nov 16, 2014, 04:36 pm

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Aerial Powers had 20 points with 15 rebounds and No. 14 Michigan State held off Eastern Michigan for a season-opening 69-61 victory on Sunday.

Tori Jankoska added 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Spartans (1-0), who watched a 14-point lead shrink to four with 2:27 left.

Anna Morrissey hit a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to halt the late rally by the Eagles (1-1).

Michigan State was held to 33.3 percent from the field, but had a 55-39 edge in rebounding. They erased a seven-point deficit midway through the first half and closed the half on a 13-4 run to lead 34-28 at the break. The Spartans stretched that lead to 56-42 with 8:29 remaining before Eastern Michigan had a late 16-6 surge.

Janay Morton led the Eagles with 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting and Shannise Heady chipped in 10.