Indiana started the second half with a 12-0 run, and the Hoosiers never looked back as the Spartans became frustrated on the court, committing foul after foul.

“We have come out game after game, time after time, flat in the second half,” sophomore center Allyssa DeHaan said. “That is terrible and it kills us. We dig ourselves into a deeper hole, and we have great comebacks, but it doesn’t help us at all to dig ourselves into that hole right off the bat.”

After dropping their fifth Big Ten matchup on Sunday against Indiana, the Spartans are back to the drawing board, seeking ways to fix their ongoing offensive struggles this season.

The Spartans (11-9 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) went 4-for-21 from beyond the arc and 24-for-60 from the field.

MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said the team was trying to create opportunities that would allow them to have easier access to the basket.

“It’s a patience thing, a trust thing,” she said. “We’re trying all kinds of stuff … you saw us put a little flex action in to get some good buckets.”

The absence of team chemistry and leadership may be contributing to the lack of connection between the post players and guards, Merchant said.

Freshman forward Kalisha Keane and sophomore center Lauren Aitch fouled out of the game in the second half, leaving the Spartans’ lineup lacking two key players.

The Hoosiers took full advantage of the Spartans’ 22 fouls, which put Indiana in a double-bonus situation, and sank 20-of-31 attempts at the charity stripe.

“We get out of rhythm when people get into foul trouble,” Merchant said. “It makes it really hard, because all of our posts were in foul trouble.”

Merchant said Aitch is the only consistent offensive rebounder the team has and the team is working on changing that, attempting to have three people pursue the basket when the shot is taken.

DeHaan’s emotion came out on the court, sparked by a block early in the game and sinking a 3-pointer soon after to get the crowd roaring.

“I think (Allyssa) is really trying to step up and be a leader,” Merchant said. “She does it in her own way, I think she really wants it for the team and her effort is good.”

DeHaan has said she is working on becoming more emotional and physical on the court.

“People need to know what their roles are, and our shooters need to shoot and our drivers need to drive,” DeHaan said. “When we get to the basket, we need to finish.”

The Spartans tip off against Illinois at 8 p.m. Thursday, in Champaign, Ill.