2025 off to a strong start
After winning their first 11 games to begin the season, the MSU Women’s Basketball Team lost two straight games against a pair of ranked opponents, Alabama and Maryland, to close out the 2024 calendar year. The winning ways returned on the first day of the new year with a commanding victory over a visiting Purdue team. Michigan State came out strong and dominated the first two quarters, especially the second where they outscored the Boilermakers 18-3 to lead 48-21 at halftime.
In the second half, MSU took their foot off the gas somewhat, allowing Purdue to outscore them in each of the final two quarters, but not enough to make the game interesting. The closest the game got in the second half was fifteen points (with three minutes remaining) before the Spartans stretched it out a bit to the final score of 77-59.
Head Coach Robyn Fralick made a change to the starting lineup in response to the two-game skid, moving interior player Grace VanSlooten to the bench and replacing her with freshman Ines Sotelo of Spain. Ines responded by scoring 16 points on 6-10 shooting and also contributing six boards, one assist, one block, and three steals in 26 minutes. VanSlooten still got 28 minutes of playing time and left her mark on the game with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Leading the team on Wednesday was Jocelyn Tate with 19 points including a 3-6 effort from beyond the arc as well as 11 rebounds. And Julia Ayrault also had a double-double, dropping in 11 points and ten boards.
MSU is now 2-1 in conference play. The next game is a week from today when the Women travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, to take on the 10-4 Cornhuskers.
VICTORY FOR MSU!