The teams combined for 23 fouls in the first half, with Dayton getting in the bonus with more than nine minutes remaining. The Spartans then committed their tenth foul with just under eight minutes in the half.

Dayton kicked off the game on a 5-0 run, but a 3-pointer by redshirt freshman forward Aerial Powers followed by a layup by senior forward Annalise Pickrel gave the Spartans a 7-5 lead. Powers is second in scoring for the Spartans with nine points while freshman guard Tori Jankoska as a 11 points and six rebounds. Dayton junior guard Andrea Hoover has been a thorn in MSU’s side with her game-leading 10 points.

The Spartans extended their lead to 13-7, but hit a cold streak later on. .

The whistle spree and an MSU scoring drought that lasted more than three minutes allowed the Flyers to come back and a 19-18 lead with nine minutes remaining.

Jankoska played a key role in the last five minutes, burying two 3-pointers to help MSU grab the 11-point lead.

MSU’s defense didn’t allow Dayton to do too much more in the half, as they forced the Flyers into 11 turnovers, seven missed layups and 18 percent shooting. MSU has had their turnover troubles as well, committing 12 of their own.