First-half offensive struggles continued

MSU's last two matchups before the NCAA Tournament were both losses, with first-half shooting performances the main culprit in each.

In its last regular-season game against Ohio State, MSU fell 87-68 after trailing 49-26 at halftime, largely due to shooting just 28% from the field. Similar trends continued against Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament in a 71-69 loss, as MSU shot just 37% from the field and failed to make a single 3-pointer before the break.

The Spartans' first-half shooting slump continued against CSU as they shot 34% from the field and just 7% from three, making just one of their 14 attempts. That struggle once again led to a halftime deficit — this time a more manageable 29-27 in favor of the Rams.

Out of halftime, the team regrouped and finally found some offensive rhythm, shooting 45% from the field and 43% from three. That efficiency allowed them to pull away in the second half, barely outscoring CSU 38-33.

Seniors stepped up when needed

One of the most important advantages in the NCAA Tournament is experience — it’s what allows lower seeds to pull off upsets and higher seeds to handle business. That advantage was on full display Friday, as forward Grace VanSlooten and guard Jalyn Brown combined for 31 of MSU’s 65 points.

In her two seasons in East Lansing, VanSlooten has relished the NCAA Tournament stage.

Against the Rams, she continued to be the reliable scorer she's been all season, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The performance pushed her NCAA Tournament averages with the Spartans to 16.7 points and 10.3 rebounds, recording a double-double in all three appearances.

She carried the offense in the second quarter, accounting for eight of the team's 11 points in the frame — a reminder of the poise that comes with a seventh NCAA Tournament appearance.

Alongside VanSlooten, Brown added 13 points but more importantly shot 3-of-6 from three, knocking down three of the team's four 3-pointers. Her biggest came at the 9:35 mark of the fourth quarter — a shot that gave MSU its first lead since 5:39 in the second quarter; one they would not relinquish.

The two stepped up when their teammates struggled and gave the team just enough to survive and advance.

Blair continues to leave her mark on all aspects of the game

The last time redshirt sophomore guard Kennedy Blair stepped on the court, she dropped 30 points in the Big Ten Tournament. Against the Rams, her scoring total may not have matched that, but her level of impact certainly did.

Blair finished with 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and three blocks. Two of her blocks came in the final 1:30 of the third quarter and helped MSU tie the game heading into the fourth — a pivotal sequence that included Blair draining a 3-pointer to level it, punctuating an eight-point quarter.

Her clutch buckets didn't stop there. With under two minutes remaining, she drove to the basket on back-to-back possessions and converted both times, giving MSU just enough cushion down the stretch.

The redshirt sophomore who earned All-Big Ten second-team honors is the engine of this offense. When she's playing well, having fun and sharing the ball, the Spartans are at their best. Her performance will continue to be the clearest indicator of how deep MSU's run goes.

Looking ahead

With the win, the Spartans will return to action Sunday at 8 p.m. to face off against No. 4 Oklahoma with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.