Michigan State and Suzy Merchant know they need their guards come tournament time. A passionate speech may have given the guards all the necessary motivation.
Michigan State on senior day got a win for a class that has went through the trials and tribulations of basketball.
Claire Hendrickson hits the shot of her career, and MSU bigs dominate as the team wins the last regular season game of the year.
MSU is locked in as the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten Tournament next week.
This matchup not being played will mark the seventh game Michigan State has missed this season.
MSU women's basketball fell to Rutgers and so did their chances of getting an at-large big to the NCAA Tournament.
The Spartans were without two crucial players in Julia Ayrault (concussion) and Mardrekia Cook (knee) due to injury and that left the Spartans shorthanded in a very physical ball game.
"It was a great moment for her and our team," coach Suzy Merchant said after the women's basketball team beat Purdue.
Late game heroics from Alisia Smith and Tory Ozment stole a win at home as Michigan State moves to 12-6.
Michigan State will look to complete the season sweep on Purdue, who is 1-9 since losing to the Spartans back on Jan 3.
Naz Hillmon and Nia Clouden's battle was one for the record books as they combined for 65 points in the latest edition of the rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State.
This edition of the rivalry was different than any other, but the passions and emotions didn't change.
Despite a career-high 34 points from Nia Clouden, the Spartans fell short in Ann Arbor.
MSU and Michigan will play at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 16.
The Spartans had a complete team effort on offense as they improve to 11-5 on the year.
MSU and Penn State face-off at noon
Michigan State needed a stop down one, and they got one from their heart and soul of the squad, Janai Crooms.
MSU's scoring droughts have killed them all year in a top-heavy Big Ten.
Michigan State falls short against Northwestern despite coming back and regaining the lead after trailing by as much as 21 in the first half.
MSU and Northwestern will face-off in East Lansing at 3 p.m.