"I was proud of them," MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said. "I really challenged our group about the focus required over 40 minutes, the discipline, playing the game the right way. I thought we took some steps forward in that."

Fralick’s squad’s stifling defense stemmed from a constant full-court trap, making it difficult not only for Mercyhurst to inbound the ball but even harder to move it past half court. The pressure allowed MSU to rack up steals throughout the game, leading to easy fast-break points.

The Spartans finished with 24 steals, most coming in the second and third quarters, helping them completely put away a game that was already lopsided after the first, 36-6.

Impressive — but not unfamiliar. MSU finished last season averaging 12.2 steals per game while forcing opponents into 21.6 turnovers on average.

It is a relentless defensive style that can be difficult for freshmen to adjust to, especially on top of the usual challenges of adapting to the college game. But freshman guard Amy Terrain made it look effortless, plugging right into the system and succeeding immediately.

"Amy’s just got such a competitor spirit," Fralick said. "She’s got a deep belief in herself, which is a really critical part of competing."

In her first collegiate game, Terrain scored 15 points — all on three-pointers — shooting 5-of-8 from the field and recording her first points just over a minute after entering the game.

"I’ll accept whatever role I have this year, just be there for my teammates and do whatever this team needs," Terrain said. "There’s still growth happening, but I think with the experience I came in with, it’s definitely helped."

Redshirt sophomore guard Kennedy Blair also opened the season with an impressive performance, taking on the role of floor leader at point guard. She finished with a full stat line: 14 points, five rebounds, 12 assists, one block and three steals.

"I tease her, freshman year we couldn’t put her in drills because she’d mess them all up," Fralick said. "This summer she was very committed, got herself in high-level fitness and really improved so many skill parts of her game. What we saw tonight, we see consistently in practice."

MSU’s two main pillars also started the season strong. Senior guard Theryn Hallock and senior forward Grace VanSlooten led the team in scoring. Hallock finished with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and added six steals, while VanSlooten scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting with five steals.

Winning by a 125-39 margin isn’t just impressive — it’s historic. The Spartans’ 125 points marked the most in program history, an achievement Fralick credited to the team’s unselfish play.

"When you have a willing, passing team and an unselfish team, you get better shots," Fralick said. "We kept finding ways and skipping it and making the extra pass and trusting each other. And when that happens, there’s confidence, there’s an energy in that and you make more shots."

MSU will look to carry its momentum and defensive intensity into its next game Sunday against Eastern Michigan at 2:00 p.m. in East Lansing.