Madison Williams, the senior who has been battling an ACL tear on both of her knees, got the start at center on Senior Day. She is one of five Spartans who will be honored following the contest with No. 19 Rutgers, a contest they lead 27-20 at halftime.

The 6-foot-7 center received her first opportunity in conducting the opening tip-off at the Breslin Center after being immediately subbed in for freshman Lexi Gussert. 

Dropping down to her knees on center court to kiss the MSU logo, tears were shed as Williams made her way back to the bench to cheer on her teammates for the final home game of the season. 

Losers of four of their last five games, #MSU finished the first 20-minutes of play shooting 39.3 percent from the floor and turning the ball over just nine times to give the green and white the lead. 

The Spartans were up as much as eight with 10:50 left on the clock after Tori Jankoska drained her second three-pointer from beyond the arc. The sophomore leads the team with 10 points. 

Rutgers, who is coming off an 80-56 beat down on Illinois this past Tuesday, last garnered a lead at the 17:31 mark and has been behind ever since. Kahleah Copper leads the Scarlet Knights with seven-points. 

Gaining ground in the Big Ten standings is on the line for the Spartans with two games remaining on the schedule. A win today would put MSU tied for ninth with the Fighting Illini with a 5-11 conference record.