Freshman guard Tori Jankoska has a game-high 12 points. Jankoska started in place for junior guard Kiana Johnson, who did not travel with the team due to personal matters.

Following a poor performance in Thursday’s loss against Illinois, redshirt freshman guard Aerial Powers was assertive early, scoring five of MSU’s first 11 points. But after picking up two fouls, she was benched for the remainder of the half.

Ohio State got its offense rolling early, as six Buckeyes contributed to an 18-11 advantage eight minutes into the game. A 13-0 Spartan run soon followed once redshirt junior center Madison Williams entered the game.

Williams had a couple blocks and a jump shot during the run, and her presence was huge defensively for MSU. Redshirt freshman guard Branndais Agee nailed a jumper with 7:28 remaining to give MSU a 21-20 lead, and Jankoska made a 3-pointer at the 7:07 mark to force an Ohio State timeout.

Buckeye sophomore guard Ameryst Alston scored after a layup by Klarissa Bell to snap the run at 13-0, but a Pickrel layup on the next possession forced another Ohio State timeout.

The Buckeyes cut the deficit to 33-31 with under two minutes remaining. But Agee and junior forward Becca Mills scored the last points of the half to preserve the lead.