“This (game) will define who we are for the rest of the season,” senior forward Cetera Washington said. “I’m saying that just because we’ve had that win streak and we lost a game. It’s like how will we respond.”

Junior forward Taylor Alton said she loved the way the team immediately regrouped and put even more passion and energy into getting ready for the showdown with the Hoosiers (8-10, 2-4).

“You know the second we got into the locker room (after Ohio State) we wanted to start breaking down the game,” Alton said. “We wanted to get in there, break the game down, see what we did wrong and get in the gym and focus on Indiana.”

The Spartans will face a challenge in Jori Davis, who is leading Indiana in points (17.9), rebounds (113) and steals (41).

MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said defending Davis will take a full team effort.

“I think we’re in a situation where we’re going to have to do things to her to limit her touches,” Merchant said. “Switching out, switching up different people on her. Definitely I think with the ball screen defense maybe adjusting what we do there to fit her and take away her strengths.”

Davis also has attempted 151 free throws this season, 100 more than any other Hoosiers player.

“Really just have to get in a defensive stance and not give her a step,” Washington said. “We want to force her to take jumpers. We’d rather her take jumpers than get to the rim and try and get an and-one.”

In recent weeks, Alton has seen a lot more minutes, and although she is shooting 48 percent from the 3-point line, she believes her defense has helped her see the court.

“I think for me, I really try to focus on defense,” Alton said. “That’s where I’ve always been trained. My defense will create my offense. If I’m playing intense on defense then I can be more relaxed on offense and get more good looks and shots.”

However, after the team hit only 29 percent of their shots and 8.7 percent from behind the arc, Alton said her role in the game at Indiana will consist of one thing: shooting.

“I’m really trying to be able to hit down my shots,” she said. “My team, if they’re going to pass me the ball, they’re going to expect me to shoot it.”

Washington said that the whole team wants to regroup after its shooting woes and that most of practice has been centered around making sure shots find the basket.

“You see a lot of us in here getting up shots right now,” she said. “That game was really about knocking down shots and we didn’t do that, so that’s going to be a huge focus when we head down to Indiana.”

Following the loss to Ohio State, Merchant said her team seemed flat and wondered what happened to the passion and fire they usually exhibit.

Alton said she is 100 percent confident the Spartans will have their edge back Thursday.

“No doubt in my mind,” Alton said. “We definitely will have the fire and we’re going to be ready to go.”