Redshirt senior guard Branndais Agee (10) pauses during a break in the game against Iowa on Feb. 1, 2018, at the Breslin Center. The Spartans fell to the Hawkeyes, 71-68 in overtime. (State News | Annie Barker)
Sunday afternoon showcased an ugly and sloppy matchup right from the start as MSU loses its fifth straight, falling to Penn State, 74-59.
Foul trouble and free-throw shooting was the main concern as the team had two players in foul trouble with 5:00 still to go in the first quarter putting Penn State in the bonus early. Michigan State had a total of 26 fouls on the day, which resulted 24 four made free throws for the Nittany Lions opposed to the Spartans five made.
The Spartans have yet to win a game since Jan. 16 against the University of Illinois. Since the lost of redshirt sophomore guard Shay Colley during that game, the team has made very few runs and little to no offensive consistency. It is unknown when Colley is expected to return after injuring her knee.
With Colley out and senior forward Lexi Gussert playing with a fracture in her hand, sophomore guard Taryn McCutcheon stepped up once again, leading the team with 18 points on six 3-point field goals made after coming off a double-double against Iowa. McCutcheon also finished with five assists and four rebounds.
Senior forward Taya Reimer finished with eight points and seven rebounds, while freshman forward Sidney Cooks finished with 10 points and four rebounds on the afternoon.
Michigan state has dropped to 14-10 on the season and now falls to the bottom four of the Big Ten at 4-7.
The Spartans return to East Lansing to face the No. 1 team in the Big Ten, Maryland, this Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. The Spartans surprised the Terrapins earlier this season, beating them 82-68.
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