MSU women dominate Indiana in Big Ten's 1st round, 97-68

The #5 Michigan State Spartans kicked off the 1st round of the 2012 Big Ten Women's Tournament with a dominating 97-68 win over the #12 Indiana Hoosiers at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse. MSU's point total was the second highest in the 18-year history of the conference tournament.

The Spartans improved to 20-10 overall, winning their 20th game for the ninth straight season. Michigan State is one of 13 teams in the country, and one of two in the Big Ten, to have won at least 20 games in each of the last nine years.

Senior Taylor Alton knocked down 4-of-6 from behind the arc, and tallied 14 points, four rebounds & three assists. MSU is now 16-0 all-time when Alton scores in double-figures. Freshman Becca Mills was also effective off the bench, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 19 minutes.

MSU's two point guards, freshman Kiana Johnson and junior Jasmine Thomas, combined for nine assists and no turnovers in a combined 46 minutes. The Spartans shot 50.8% from the field, including 52.6% from behind the arc, while knocking down 21-of-25 (84%) from the free throw line. Michigan State forced 19 Indiana turnovers, while committing only nine of their own. They also controlled the boards with a 38-29 margin.

Now the Spartans turn their attention to the Big Ten quarterfinals this Friday night to face #4 Purdue at approximately 8:30 p.m.