The game started slow for the Spartans, who only scored 39 points in the first half. Eastern Kentucky played tough defense while the Spartans struggled to find the basket. In the second half, however, MSU gained the upper hand.

Four MSU players scored in double-digits. Graduate forward Julia Ayrault led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds. Junior forward Grace VanSlooten added 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

While early in the season, Thursday night helped MSU head coach Robyn Fralick see her team's potential and also where it's struggled.

"I thought it was a good challenge for us tonight," Fralick said postgame. "I thought the first half was the first time we’ve really been kind of tested early in the game and frustrated, and I loved our second half response to be able to make some changes and play better."

MSU's response coming out from halftime was adequate, but when it comes to more competitive play, there is much for MSU to learn.

"In the middle of frustration, how do we connect?" Fralick said. "How do we do the next right thing? And that got tested and I think that’s an area of growth for our team to do the next right thing. Adjusting quicker will be a good lesson for us."

Entering Thursday, the Spartans had outscored each of their opponents by at least 45 points. When they move onto Big Ten play and match up against power conference teams, it’s grinding games like Thursday that helps teams learn where to improve.

Even in a dominant game, VanSlooten saw how the rough-and-tumble first half fueled the team and knows the importance of adjusting quicker moving forward.

"We learned that we can’t come out flat," VanSlooten said. "Especially when we’re playing Big Ten teams and more competitive teams. If we come out flat then we’re done. We learned how you practice is how you play, so treating every moment like 'this is a game, we need to be serious and full go.'"

With eight new players coming into the program during the offseason, the theme has been veterans stepping up and forming culture.

VanSlooten saw this veteran presence immediately upon entering East Lansing.

"It started when I got here, (Theryn Hallock) was super welcoming with open arms and she’s just a good person to get along with and she makes it really easy," VanSlooten said. "It really wasn’t hard to figure out that chemistry at all."

This chemistry was on display Thursday night when freshman guard Juliann Woodard came off the bench to score 16 points on 100% shooting in only six and a half minutes of play. Once the clock hit triple zeros, the team rushed to Woodard in excitement. 

"It meant the world," Woodard said. "I know they all have my back, whether it’s a good day or a bad day, and I just appreciate that. And I also have everyone’s back, so it’s nice to have a team behind you."

This chemistry and connectedness between MSU players is what can help a team adjust from a rough first half.

"I think we can get through any adversity that is thrown at us, and I think that we’re ready for whatever," Woodard said. "It doesn’t matter who they are, we’re going to be ready. I love our competitiveness and I believe in the coaching staff."

MSU will go on the road for the first time this season on Sunday, Nov. 17 to face off against Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.