EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Freshman Kalisha Keane's 18 points were not enough to keep Michigan State from dropping its first conference opener in five years Friday, a 74-63 loss to Minnesota at the Breslin Center.
Keane also had seven rebounds and three steals for the Spartans (8-5, 0-1), who had opened the past four Big Ten seasons with wins.
Freshman Brittney Thomas chipped in 14 points and tied a career-high with five steals.
The Golden Gophers (10-3, 1-0) received 19 points from Emily Fox. Leslie Knight had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Minnesota used a 14-4 run just after the start of the second half to take the lead for good. They also shot nearly 60 percent (28-55) from the field for the game, the highest allowed this season by the Spartans.
