Michigan State loses in WNIT final 81-66

Marquette won the WNIT yesterday, defeating Michigan State in East Lansing:

After Marquette took a 29-9 lead, the Spartans made their best run late in the first half and cut the deficit to 11 at 41-30 with 10 straight points.

Monfre’s third wide-open 3 gave the Golden Eagles a 45-33 halftime lead, thanks to 54.5-percent accuracy from the field.

Michigan State never got closer than 10 points again, as Marquette rebuilt its cushion with an 8-0 lead just after the intermission and coasted home with reserves.

The Golden Eagles, who lost five of their last eight games before the WNIT, had 22 assists on 27 baskets and a 42-37 rebounding edge.

The Spartans shot 34.9 percent from the field and just 21.7 percent beyond the arc, a problem all season for a team that never played a WNIT road game.

Congratulations nonetheless to the Spartans, one of the few post season bright spots for the Big 10 this year.