Nothing has been going MSU’s way in the past two weeks as the Spartans lose their sixth straight to No. 10 Maryland on Thursday night, 76-68.
The Spartans upset the Terrapins earlier in the season on the road and it looked as if it was going to be the same tonight. MSU kept it tonight only trailing Maryland, 36-29, at halftime. However, MSU could not find a basket in the third quarter which led to Maryland taking over including a 7-0 run in less than 45 seconds.
Trailing 61-45 heading into the fourth, MSU came out hot with a 7-0 run and cut the deficit by nine. With under a minute left the Spartans would not go away hitting back-to-back 3-pointers, including senior forward Taya Reimer’s third 3-pointer of the season. Reimer finished with a double-double scoring 15 points and bringing in 11 rebounds.
MSU battled hard in the comeback, but it was not enough even though the team outscored the Terrapins in the fourth, 23-15.
Positives for MSU came from the bench as they got 37 points from the second unit opposed to Maryland’s seven.
MSU drops to 14-11 on the season and 4-8 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are in the bottom four and are in danger of playing in the first round of the 2018 Big Ten Tournament.
"I am frustrated, but I also understand why," head coach Suzy Merchant said. "I thought our kids fought really hard and I don't think we're feeling sorry for ourselves and I think we're working to get better."
Redshirt sophomore Victoria Gaines finished with a season-high of 16 points and added seven rebounds.
"It was just too many turnovers," Gaines said. "Rebounds as well. We just need to limit our turnovers and once we do that we'll be good, along with making open shots."
The Spartans continue their four-game homestand against rival University of Michigan this Sunday at noon. MSU has already lost to U-M earlier this season, falling to the No. 21 Wolverines 74-48 on Jan. 23 in Ann Arbor.
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