No. 9 Michigan State 60, Gonzaga 45

11/26/2005 8:46 PM

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) - This Michigan State team wasn't about to let Gonzaga pull off an upset.

Victoria Lucas-Perry had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Liz Shimek added 13 second-half points as No. 9 Michigan State beat Gonzaga 60-45 in the Paradise Jam tournament on Saturday night.

The Spartans protected their No. 9 ranking just four days after the men's teams from both schools met in the semifinals of the EA Sports Maui Invitational. In that game, No. 8 Gonzaga beat No. 12 Michigan State 109-106 in triple overtime.

Gonzaga stayed close through the first half of this game, with Katy Ridenour hitting a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer to pull Gonzaga within 21-20 at the break.

Michigan State moved out to a 47-35 lead in the second half, before Gonzaga rallied, closing within six points.

``It was really good to see our team do what we can,'' said Shimek, who also had six rebounds and four assists.

Rene Haynes hit a breakaway jumper and made a steal to protect the lead for the Spartans, who forced 23 turnovers.

``I thought they were really strong in the first 20 minutes,'' Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie said. ``But anytime you hold a team to 45 points, that's good.''

Stephanie Hawk led Gonzaga with 18 points and eight rebounds.

``Turnovers down the stretch hurt us,'' Gonzaga coach Kelly Graves said. ``We're definitely a team that's going to get a lot better.''