Once the clock hit 3:40 in the fourth quarter, it all started.
The classic Michigan State basketball tradition of kissing the Spartan helmet at center court began with senior forward Grace VanSlooten, as the squad held a comfortable 31-point lead on Senior Day.
No. 18 MSU women’s basketball (20-6, 9-6 Big Ten) had plenty of reasons to celebrate Wednesday evening. The Spartans not only secured a win for their seniors but also scored 100 points against a Big Ten opponent, dominating Northwestern (8-17, 2-12 Big Ten) 104-68 to end a two-game losing streak and gain momentum in the closing stretch of the season.
"One of the themes we’ve had this week was, 'get the train back on the tracks,' and we felt like we needed to get back some basic things," MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said. "Love our third quarter, but for the most part, I just thought we played with a better urgency through 40 minutes."
From the opening tipoff, the Spartans were already in unusual territory, playing without one of the three players who had started every game this season, junior guard Rashunda Jones.
The squad found itself without its starting guard for the first time all season due to a lower-leg injury suffered last game. That unfortunate situation forced junior guard Sara Sambolić into her first career start — and she stepped up.
Through the opening 10 minutes, Sambolić scored six of the team’s 23 points, including knocking down the squad’s first 3-pointer.
"She was awesome," Fralick said. "I feel like she really set the tone, and credit to her for staying ready. I say you can’t get ready when you’re called on, you got to be ready. And she was called on and was more than ready."
While parts of MSU’s offense — such as Sambolić’s early output — were unexpected, the Spartans' defense looked familiar. The aggressive, turnover-heavy system that has defined this squad made its presence felt immediately.
In the first quarter alone, MSU recorded five steals, a trend that continued throughout the night. The Spartans finished with 13 steals and forced 17 Northwestern turnovers while committing just five of their own.
