Now 3-0 to start its 2024-25 campaign, MSU handled its second in-state opponent of the season in a 95-49 blowout of Eastern Michigan. Junior guard Theryn Hallock led the way for MSU with 18 points and four assists. Graduate forward Julia Ayrault scored 13 points while grabbing four steals.

The game was won in the first half for the Spartans, who scored 58 points while limiting the Eagles to 25. Right from the tip, Hallock was scoring for MSU, starting with an easy lay-in. 

With MSU missing its leading scorer so far in junior forward Grace VanSlooten due to illness, Hallock took on the role of offensive catalyst for the Spartans. Making her presence felt on all ends of the floor, Hallock started the night 6-for-6 with 14 points. As the game progressed, she added four assists and two steals before sitting for most of the second half.

"Theryn always seems to find her way to the rim," MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said postgame. "She’s got electric speed, a really good change of pace, especially when we defensive rebound, of just bursting on the scene."

The Spartans faced arguably their toughest matchup of the short season so far against an EMU team that features a major scoring threat in junior forward Sisi Eleko. Eleko amassed a double-double, notching 25 points and 12 rebounds. Outside of Eleko, EMU struggled to score.

MSU's defense was relentless, a common theme through three games, forcing 29 turnovers and 18 steals. The Eagles were completely shut down at times. Since MSU's first exhibition, Fralick has ran a tight press that's had success swiping balls away from handlers. 

MSU graduate guard Jaddan Simmons has benefited from the tight press, adding four steals in her first start as a Spartan Monday night. 

"Jaddan came in and did a great job," Fralick said. "I think every game she is getting more and more comfortable. I thought tonight she just did so many things that impact winning: seven rebounds, five offensive, six assists, four steals. She’s really finding her way and how we play."

Coming in as a transfer this offseason, Simmons understands her role in Fralick's scheme.

"Defense is always my number one thing," Simmons said. "When I play I just love to get steals, get rebounds and then get out in transition and find my teammates. That’s my biggest thing."

There were many positives takeaways for the Spartans Monday, but they struggled to shoot from distance. MSU shot 6-for-25 from three-point range. 

Fralick doesn’t see this as a problem, though. Despite MSU's three-point inefficiency against EMU, she was happy with how her team scored.

"If you want to be a really good scoring team, you have to be able to score without shooting well," Fralick said. "And I thought we did a good job finishing in the paint and getting to the free-throw line. Honestly, we got a ton of really good looks by good shooters, so we’re going to keep shooting, those are shots we want."

The Spartans will face Eastern Kentucky at Breslin Center on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. before their first road trip to Kalamazoo this weekend to face Western Michigan.