Michigan State women’s basketball has been on a tear this season, and if you’re new to the party — welcome.
The Lady Spartans added another statement victory last night, knocking off the USC Lady Trojans 74–68. The win improves Michigan State’s tremendous start to 18–2 and gets them back on the right side of things after falling to Iowa last weekend. USC drops to 11–8 on the season following the loss.
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USC held a one-point lead at halftime, and the game stayed back-and-forth throughout the third quarter. But in crunch time, Michigan State showed its true physicality and flat-out out-bullied the Trojans. The Spartans stretched the lead to double digits at one point before ultimately coming away with a six-point win.
Defense and toughness were the two major storylines for Michigan State after the victory.
The win also continued a recent trend of Michigan State closing games with confidence, composure, and physical play when the pressure is at its highest.
The Spartans were led by Kennedy Blair, who finished the night with 21 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
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At one point, Blair extended her arms like Inspector Gadget and shimmied through the defense for an outstanding layup. She shot 8-of-15 from the field and 5-of-6 from the stripe.
Grace VanSlooten chipped in 16 points, along with a team-leading nine rebounds and three assists. Rashunda Jones also added 16 points of her own, while Ines Sotelo finished with 12 points. Jalyn Brown added seven, and Emma Shumate was the lone bench scorer, contributing a bucket.
It was a fairly even contest until late in the game. The battles inside were what truly allowed the Spartans to pull away. Michigan State won the offensive rebounding battle 11–9 but lost the overall rebounding battle 42–33. MSU shot just 38% from the field compared to USC’s 47%.
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The Spartans also lost the free-throw percentage battle, shooting 79% to USC’s 88%, but the real story was volume. Michigan State lived at the line, attempting 24 free throws compared to USC’s eight.
Michigan State’s defense was brutally tough all night, racking up 14 steals and forcing 24 USC turnovers, compared to just 12 by the Spartans. Those turnovers turned into 25 points for MSU versus 18 for USC — a seven-point difference in a six-point game that loomed large for the Trojans.
Michigan State trampled USC defensively, especially late, handcuffing the Trojans on nearly every late possession.
The Spartans now sit fifth in the Big Ten with a 7–2 conference record, trailing UCLA, Iowa, Ohio State, and Michigan, all of whom have one or zero conference losses.
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Next up, the 18–2 Spartans head to Purdue to take on the 10–9 Boilermakers, who sit with just two Big Ten wins on the season.
Michigan State can’t afford to fall into a trap game against Purdue. There’s a chance this team could be looking ahead to what comes next. After facing the Boilermakers, the Spartans will have an epic rivalry showdown awaiting them against the Lady Wolverines.
