Putting up a fight until halftime, the women’s basketball team could not catch up to out-of-state rivals Ohio State in the second half, falling 76-62.
MSU, who now has an overall record of 11-11 (3-8 Big Ten), broke their two-game winning streak on a rare Monday night game against the Buckeyes. Ohio State freshman Kelsey Mitchell lead the game with 31 points, driving her team up to an overall record of 15-7 (7-3 in the Big Ten).
Following Mitchell, sophomore Aerial Powers scored 25 points and 13 rebounds, tying for the most rebounds with Ohio State freshman Alexa Hart.
The Spartans took their time to shoot in the first half, and were only behind by one point at the end of the period, 30-29.
Early in the second half, MSU was eager and missed many of its shots, not taking time to setup plays and pass the ball.
MSU turnovers also gave Ohio State the chance to widen their lead.
Sophomore Tori Jankoska was a key player in the second half, keeping the Spartans within a reachable distance of the Buckeyes, even though the Spartans could not catch up.
Jankoska was nominated Co- Big Ten Player of the Week with Minnesota sophomore Amanda Zahui B. this week and scored a career high 28 points on the Spartans victory against Indiana last Wednesday.
Now it’s time for the Spartans’ in-state rival Michigan to travel to East Lansing and play MSU on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Breslin Center.
The Wolverines have an overall record of 13-8 (5-5 in the Big Ten), since they lost to No. 15 Nebraska, 75-60, on Sunday.
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