With the help of Blair’s noteworthy performance off the bench, MSU women’s basketball defeated Yale 100-44 Friday night. Blair had 12 points in 13 minutes and shot 4-for-6 from the field while grabbing three steals and seven rebounds. She helped MSU pick up its defense after the Spartans began to take their foot off the gas in the third quarter.

As the regular season eases in, Blair said she's just excited to be back on the court, playing.

"I mean, it feels awesome," she said postgame. "I'm given the opportunity; I'm always going to make the most of it. So, feels good to be back and healthy and be able to play with some of my teammates. And finally get to go after a year and a half I took off."

In the first three games of the season, Blair has come off the bench in the second half. She's made the most of her minutes, proved against Yale, regardless of quantity. 

"I just love basketball and I haven't been able to play in a long time," Blair said. "And I think that whenever I'm getting the chance, I'm always going to give 100% effort. And I'm not going to just go out there and jog around and not do anything. I love to get everybody involved and I just feel like it comes a long way. But it's just always having that next-play mentality and bringing a lot of energy whenever I get the chance."

Blair followed head coach Robyn Fralick to MSU from Bowling Green. She grew up in Michigan and MSU runs deep in her family. Blair expressed her gratitude to Fralick for having the chance to continue under her leadership and see moments like Friday.

"When coach Fralick offered me the opportunity to come here, I mean, it was one of the greatest days that I've ever had," Blair said. "And I'm really thankful for it, and I'm really thankful for coach Fralick and the opportunity she's given me. I think she really trusts me after coming off an injury. You can either be really bad or come back and have a great attitude. And I think that she's allowed me to do that and she's motivated me and made me a better person and a better player."

Fralick said Blair has adjusted well to this year's group after her injury and is continuing to grow. That's started with being in top shape. 

"So proud of her," Fralick said. "She came back in the best level of fitness she's ever been in. Which, when that's at a high level, you can get better at basketball. And so she's been able to really work on basketball. And I think my favorite thing about Kennedy is she's a hooper, she's fearless. She has an ability to make plays for herself and she has an ability to make plays for others. She did that at a really, really high level tonight."

MSU (2-0) will play again at Breslin Center on Monday, Nov. 11 against Eastern Michigan. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m.