A 6-foot-1 man attempted to sexually assault a female MSU student Monday night, MSU police say.

The 18-year-old woman was walking on the sidewalk near Kresge Art Center and the Fairchild Theatre at about 7:50 p.m. when the man came up behind her and pushed her to the ground, MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said.

The man pushed d the woman on her stomach as he put his hands over her mouth, McGlothian-Taylor said.

The woman was able to scream and the man ran in the direction of Kresge Art Center, McGlothian-Taylor said.

MSU police K-9 units checked the area and found no leads, McGlothian-Taylor said.

McGlothian-Taylor said random assault incidents on campus are rare and most assault cases involve acquaintances. But she said students should be aware of their surroundings at night.

"Students need to be reminded that when it's dark to walk in groups and use the buddy system," she said.

Meghan Loughlin, advocate for the MSU Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention, said women should never walk alone on campus. But while walking with a group or alone students should be alert for possible offenders, she said.

"You should know it could be possible," Loughlin said. "You never know what could be lurking in the shadows."

If someone gets into a sexual assault situation, they should yell, scream and kick, Loughlin said. She said women should call the police as soon as possible.

The MSU Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached 24 hours a day at (517)372-6666.

The man has an average build and black hair. He was wearing a blue Windbreaker, dark pants and a baseball cap.

If anyone has additional information, please call the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety at (517)355-2222.