Mincy scores 17 as No. 7 Maryland beats Michigan State 85-56

Posted January 21, 2015 10:00 pm

By DAVID GINSBURG

Michigan State guard Cara Miller, left, and Maryland center Brionna Jones struggle for possession of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) The Associated Press

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Laurin Mincy scored 17 points, Lexie Brown added 12 and seven assists and No. 7 Maryland breezed past injury-riddled Michigan State 85-56 Thursday night for its 10th straight victory.

The Terrapins (16-2, 7-0 Big Ten) opened the second half with a 10-2 run to extend their 11-point halftime lead to 47-28. The margin swelled to 24 with 14 minutes left, and Maryland cruised to the finish in its 10th home win without a loss.

Five players scored in double figures for the Terrapins, including Brionna Jones with 12 and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough with 11.

Playing in its first season in the Big Ten after a 61-year run in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Maryland is the lone unbeaten team in league play.

Aerial Powers scored 28 for the Spartans (9-10, 1-7), who have lost eight of 10.

Michigan State dressed only eight players, one of them a former volleyball player at the school who did not get in the game. The Spartans were ranked in the Top 25 through the final week of December, but now their run of six consecutive NCAA tournament appearances in serious jeopardy.

Maryland made 50 percent of its field goal attempts and limited the Spartans to 3-for-24 shooting from beyond the arc.

Mincy, a senior guard, went 7 for 13 from the floor. She contributed a three-point play and a layup to the 10-2 spurt to start of the second half. Mincy also played a key role before halftime, collecting eight points, two assists and a steal.

Maryland missed six of its first seven shots and was outrebounded 10-2 in falling behind 8-3. It was 11-7 before Jones scored five points in a 13-2 run that put the Terrapins ahead for good.

The Spartans exercised patience during most of their possessions, which slowed down the pace and helped them close to 25-22 with 5:45 left in the half.

Maryland then peeled off 10 straight points, including three straight baskets by reserve Kiara Leslie, for a 13-point cushion.

Powers and Becca Mills combined for 19 of Michigan State's 26 first-half points.

TIP-INS

Michigan State: The Spartans fell to 0-4 against Maryland, including a defeat in the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament. ... Michigan State is 21-36 against ranked opponents in coach Suzy Merchant's seven-plus seasons, including 5-16 on the road.

Maryland: The Terrapins are 183-32 at home under coach Brenda Frese, who arrived in 2002. Maryland is 9-2 at home against Big Ten teams during that stretch, the last defeat coming against Ohio State in 2003.

UP NEXT

Michigan State: hosts Wisconsin on Sunday.

Maryland: travels to Indiana on Sunday.

Maryland center Brionna Jones, right, blocks a pass attempt by Michigan State forward Aerial Powers as Powers is pressured by Jones and Laurin Mincy during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) The Associated Press

Michigan State forward Aerial Powers (23) reaches for a rebound in front of Maryland guard Lexie Brown, left, and center Malina Howard during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) The Associated Press

Maryland center Brionna Jones, right, reacts in front of Michigan State forward Kennedy Johnson after being fouled while scoring a basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) The Associated Press

Michigan State forward Becca Mills, right, shoots over Maryland guard Laurin Mincy during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) The Associated Press

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