The M State lady Spartans hosted the number one ranked team in the nation, the Rochester Yellowjackets on Saturday afternoon in Fergus Falls. Rochester recorded their twentieth straight win by beating M State 75-51. The loss was the fifth in a row for the lady Spartans.
Rochester started the game on a 10-0 run and led 26-6 after one quarter. The two teams each scored 16 second quarter points, leaving Rochester with a 42-22 lead. A 24-5 third quarter increased their lead to 66-27, however, M State outscored the visitors 24-9 over the final 10 minutes, including a 19 point run that brought the score from 73-32 to 73-51.
Myia Ruzek led five players in double figures for Rochester with 21 points. Jada James finished with a dozen, Sophie Andring had 11 and two players, Olivia Christianson and Kandace Sikkink contributed 10 each. Ravyn Miles score d8 points and dished out 9 assists. James had a team high 5 steals. Rochester shot 47.6% (30-63) from the field and held a 33-28 edge on the boards.
Lindsey Kurz (14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks) and Emily Dehler (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists) led the way in the final home game of their M State careers. The Spartans shot 40% (20-50) from the floor and 40% (8-20) from 3-point range.
The lady Spartans (10-15, 2-9 MCAC South) will close out the season with road games at St. Cloud on Wednesday and at Ridgewater on Saturday.