The changes brought some good, as the Spartans were able to pull off a win.

"The spirit of this team today was tremendous," said Lockwood. "It was a team effort first and foremost. They were so connected and defensively they were really dialed in and obviously without Coach Suzy there was that extra motivation to show that we've been taught well."

The matchup got off to a hectic start with the first minute or so plagued by sloppy basketball from both teams, but senior guard Nia Clouden was quickly able to get the Spartan offense going with two quick back-to-back threes. 

Graduate student forward Tamara Farquhar also helped out the offense early by keeping her composure with the shot clock under five seconds, stepping back and knocking down a jumper to give the Spartans a four-point lead and keep the momentum on their side. She also provided most of the rebounding early on.

Farquhar and Clouden were also essential on defense. In the first half, they had a combined four steals and did whatever it took, including at times literally throwing themselves at the ball in order to keep plays going. 

Although MSU took an early lead, the Wildcats clawed their way back to keep it a close game until halftime. The two teams were both evenly matched throughout the first half. MSU only had a two-point lead at halftime and only three more rebounds than Northwestern. Both teams had seven turnovers each. 

In fact, the teams played so similarly that they each gave up a three-pointer with under 20 seconds to go in the first and second quarters. MSU left Northwestern junior guard Layla Hartman to knock down a three-pointer to end the first quarter, while MSU freshman forward Matilda Ekh knocked down a heavily guarded three-pointer to end the half.

After the Spartans came out of the tunnel at the half, it was clear momentum had shifted. The Spartans discussed what they needed to do to get the win in the lockerroom.

"The focus mainly was just on defense and offense as well because we weren't hitting as many shots as we would have liked to and we know that defense has been our problem so far this season so we were really focusing on that," said Clouden

Ekh struggled early to find her shot, but once her textbook shooting form came back to her in the second half, she immediately created the momentum the Spartans needed to get a scoring frenzy going and give MSU an 11-point lead two minutes into the third quarter.

She and Clouden combined for all 11 of MSU's three-pointers. Her defense also came alive later in the game when she forced five offensive fouls on the Wildcats, giving her team more scoring opportunities when they needed it most.

"Both the three and those charges are plays that bring a lot of energy and gives us momentum, so those kind of plays are part of being tough, like we talked about before the game," said Ekh.

Farquhar teamed up with junior center Taiyier Parks to give MSU most of its third-quarter scoring and rebounding. In one scoring play, Farquhar drove to the basket but was stopped by her Northwestern defender and slightly tripped. However, before she lost her footing, she was able to hand it off to Parks who created great position for herself and put the ball in the basket for a quick two points.

The Spartans were able to keep a comfortable lead early in the fourth quarter after generating momentum from Alexander and Ekh drawing offensive fouls on the Wildcats within minutes of each other. The Spartans also had to play tough, yet careful as Clouden and Parks walked the line with four fouls each.

However, they didn't need to worry, as the team rallied with two minutes left to keep a significant lead over Northwestern and get a much-needed Big Ten win. Clouden, Parks and Ekh all finished in double figures.

Michigan State looks to build off this win as they travel to Bloomington to take on Indiana Wednesday and attempt to achieve their first win outside of the state of Michigan.