After trading baskets for the first six minutes, a pair of 3-pointers from sophomore centers Lauren Aitch and Allyssa DeHaan paired with a free throw from senior guard Courtney Davidson gave the Spartans an early six-point lead.

It didn’t last, though, as Indiana responded with a 13-4 run to take a 26-23 halftime lead.

The Hoosiers (12-7, 5-2) came out on fire in the second half, going on a 12-0 run with four Indiana players tallying points in the opening four minutes.

“I think it really was a lack of our focus, we consistently struggled,” MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said. “We have to do a better job taking care of the basketball and staying focused.”

Foul trouble started early for MSU. Freshman forward Kalisha Keane only played six minutes in the first half after picking up three fouls. Keane and Aitch eventually fouled out.

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

With their numerous fouls, the Spartans put Indiana in the double-bonus with eight minutes left in the second half. The Hoosiers sank 20 of their 31 free-throw attempts while MSU went 4-for-10 at the line.

“We just don’t come together, there’s not a lot of presence of leadership there,” Merchant said. “I think we’re really missing that.”

MSU racked up 19 turnovers, 13 of which came in the first half, in the game while Indiana stayed consistent at five per half.

“I definitely think we hurt ourselves on that,” Aitch said. “(Indiana) had good defense, but it’s just a mental break down.

“We kicked ourselves in the beginning of the second half with turnovers – it’s something we need to turn around.”

The loss came in front of 10,024 fans, the second highest attendance of the season. This marks the third home conference loss of the season.

MSU returns to the road at 8 p.m. Thursday against Illinois.