The Michigan State bench celebrates graduate guard Julia Ayrault (40) making a 3-point basket during a game against the University of Michigan at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Jan. 25, 2025.
It’s not about how you start — it’s about how you finish.
The Michigan State University women’s basketball team proved that point, overcoming a sloppy start to secure a dominant double-digit win in its regular season finale. The Spartans closed senior night with a 73-58 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
MSU never fully lost control of the game, but the start was far from smooth. Both teams went three minutes without a score, gathering a total of six combined turnovers before getting on the board.
Despite the rocky offense, the Spartans stood firm on the hustle stats. They were able to create numerous second-chance opportunities thanks to nine first half offensive rebounds, all while forcing seven turnovers on the other end of the floor.
Head coach Robyn Fralick felt the team lacked its usual cohesion.
"We were choppy," Fralick said postgame. "They were really, really over-helping. They were really pinching."
MSU’s offensive struggles persisted after halftime, relying on scoring bursts to gain slight leads. However, late-quarter lapses allowed Minnesota to stay within reach.
The entire pace of the game changed suddenly in the fourth quarter. MSU outscored Minnesota 27-13 in the fourth quarter, ignited by a clutch three-pointer from graduate forward Julia Ayrault. From then on, it was all MSU, running off of the back of an excited crowd to eventually grab a double-digit lead.
"(Julia Ayrault) hit a big three, because they were up four," Fralick said. "Then she also pumped the crowd up to as loud as I think they had been all night. So it was a dual combination of both making a big shot and then really engaging our crowd in it."
Fueled by Ayrault’s shot and the crowd’s energy, MSU closed out the game with resilient defense. MSU forced four turnovers and locked down the paint to secure the win.
Junior forward Grace VanSlooten led MSU with 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. VanSlooten took over in the fourth which was a large component to why the Spartans won. Four other Spartans also scored in double figures.
After the game, MSU honored its four seniors — Jaddan Simmons, Jocelyn Tate, Nyla Hampton, and Julia Ayrault — in their final Breslin Center appearance.
With the Big Ten tournament approaching, Fralick embraced the celebration as a chance to enjoy the moment before the postseason grind.
"We have been competing consistently against high-level teams, but we can savor tonight," Fralick said. "We have no idea who we’re playing, right? We can savor this with the seniors."
With the win, MSU finished the 2024-25 regular season at 21-8, marking its second consecutive 20-win season. The Spartans finished 13-2 at home and 8-6 on the road.
With the regular season complete, MSU now turns its focus to the Big Ten tournament, set for March 5-9 in Indianapolis.
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