By Morris Phillips

At some point, Michigan State needed that 96.3 points a game, and that best-nationally 50.5 average margin of victory to be a factor.

For almost three quarters, Cal made sure the numbers didn’t matter. After that, the Spartans took over, and the numbers were overwhelming.

Trailing 58-42 with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter, MSU took flight, outscoring the Bears by 22 the rest of the way in a 78-72 victory at the Acrisure Classic in Palm Springs on Tuesday afternoon.

“We got a shot of confidence, started to play better, started getting stops without fouling,” coach Robyn Fralick said. “This tournament is what you want, amazing arena, amazing destination, great teams to play against.”

The Bears played the first of 19 men’s and women’s games at Acrisure Arena over a four-day period ending Friday. The crowd was sparse given the 11:00a.m. tip, but the game was nationally televised and played at a high level.

For 28 minutes, the Bears made shots and kept MSU as far as they possibly could from scoring at least 90 points for the sixth time in their seven games thus far. But the Spartans didn’t conduct themselves like they were cooked. And when their persistence at getting to the basket started to work, along with some friendly whistles, they pounced, and Cal was held scoreless for a significant stretch.

A 16-2 run from the point of Cal’s biggest lead wasn’t answered until Lulu Twidale calm sank a three with 6:30 left. Cal still led 65-60, but Michigan State was fully realized. Julia Ayrault, turning and facing with the ball at every opportunity, drew some fouls that eventually would get Marta Suarez and Michelle Onyiah to their fifth fouls. The Spartans got it done at the foul line, making 11 of 14 in the final quarter.

The contrast was jarring as Cal limited MSU to 2 of 19 shooting with three turnovers in the second quarter when they seized control with the finish of an 18-0 run that put them 36-26 four minutes before the half.

Twidale and Suarez keyed that stretch with eight points a piece, while Michigan State saw its shooting get as low as 27 percent from the floor before the break.

Cal (6-1) played without key reserve Jayda Noble, who coach Charmin Smith decided to replace with additional minutes from Gisella Maul, freshmen Lola Donez, and Gabrielle Abigor. Four Bears starters scored in double figures led by Twidale with 20 points.

Ayrault had 22 points, nine rebounds despite missing 13 shots. She also keyed the Spartans’ gritty style and pestering defense that totaled 10 steals and 20 offensive rebounds.

“Michigan State plays very aggressive,” said coach Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt, MSU’s opponent in Tuesday’s championship game. “Watching them today, they play really hard, they press. A lot of what we saw today against Arizona we’re going to see again tomorrow.”

Cal plays Arizona in the consolation game at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday with Michigan State-Vanderbilt to follow at 1:30p.m.