The Michigan State women's basketball team was victorious in its opening game of the 2011 NCAA tournament, beating Northern Iowa on Sunday by a score of 69-66.
The Spartans led the entire game and were actually up 10 points with 10 minutes to go. At this point in the game Northern Iowa started chipping away at the Spartans' lead and were able to get it down to two points with less than four minutes left. Michigan State built the lead back up to six points, but it was cut down to three with 25 seconds left and NIU having the ball. The Panthers had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but a three-pointer was air-balled, giving MSU the 69-66 victory.
Four MSU players scored in double figures against Northern Iowa. Kalisha Keane led the Spartans with 17 points, and Taylor Alton added 14. Lykendra Johnson scored 12 points in only 22 minutes, and Cetera Washington had 11 for the Spartans.
With the win, Michigan State advances to the second round of the women's NCAA basketball tournament. MSU will play Green Bay, which beat Arkansas-Little Rock, 59-55, on Sunday. The Michigan State-Green Bay game will take place on Tuesday at 9:40 p.m.