Michigan State’s turnover-forcing identity disappeared Wednesday night, as the Spartans committed a season-high 20 turnovers in an 86-70 loss to No. 22 Maryland at the Breslin Center. Sloppy play and second-quarter struggles allowed the Terrapins to seize control, handing MSU its first back-to-back losses of the season.
Michigan State women’s basketball faces another critical test in February as the Spartans welcome No. 22 Maryland to the Breslin Center. With four ranked matchups this month, MSU continues a stretch that could define its standing in the Big Ten race. Maryland enters on a four-game losing streak but remains dangerous behind breakout guard Oluchi Okananwa and sharpshooter Yarden Garzon. The matchup also carries personal significance for senior guard Jalyn Brown, a Baltimore native, as the Spartans look to bounce back from a narrow overtime loss to Michigan.
In the first top-15 matchup of the Michigan State–Michigan rivalry, the Spartans pushed the Wolverines to the brink in an overtime thriller at Breslin Center. A frantic final sequence and a missed half-court heave sent the game to overtime tied at 81, where Michigan finally created separation to escape with a 94-91 win. Despite the loss, MSU matched Michigan’s physicality possession for possession in a game that showcased the intensity, depth and growing national stature of the Big Ten.
No. 13 Michigan State women’s basketball welcomes No. 9 Michigan to the Breslin Center on Sunday for the first top-15 matchup between the in-state rivals. Both teams enter the contest near the top of the Big Ten standings with nearly identical resumes, combining efficient offenses with disruptive defenses that thrive on forcing turnovers. With conference title implications on the line, the rivalry meeting sets up as a tightly contested battle that could play a pivotal role in the Big Ten race.
Michigan State women’s basketball took care of business on the road before turning its attention to a rivalry matchup. Behind a dominant first half and relentless defensive pressure, the No. 13 Spartans rolled past Purdue 86-65 in West Lafayette, improving to 19-2 and setting the stage for a top 15 showdown with No. 9 Michigan.
Michigan State women’s basketball survived a frantic fourth-quarter scare to defeat USC 74-68 at Breslin Center. The Spartans saw a double-digit lead nearly disappear before redshirt sophomore Kennedy Blair’s clutch and-one and senior Grace VanSlooten’s late steal sealed the victory. Despite shooting just 38.2% from the field, Michigan State’s defense and 19-for-24 free-throw shooting underscored a team message of resilience that has defined its season.
Michigan State women’s basketball walked into one of the Big Ten’s toughest road environments knowing it would be tested. Early foul trouble disrupted the Spartans’ rhythm, forcing key players to the bench and leaving MSU playing catch-up the rest of the night. Despite a stronger second half and a late push led by Rashunda Jones, Michigan State could not overcome its first-half deficit, falling 75-68 to No. 11 Iowa. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak and highlighted the thin margin for error when facing elite opponents on the road.
Michigan State survived a thrilling late-game showdown with No. 24 Nebraska, edging the Cornhuskers 73-71 to secure a program-best 17-1 start. Junior guard Rashunda Jones and sophomore forward Juliann Woodard delivered clutch free throws in the final seconds, while senior guard Jalyn Brown made two critical defensive stops and hit a game-tying 3-pointer to keep the Spartans in control. Despite struggling from beyond the arc, MSU found ways to win, highlighting depth, resilience, and the advantage of playing at home under head coach Robyn Fralick’s dominant 35-4 record at the Breslin Center. The victory sets the stage for a road test Sunday against No. 11 Iowa in Iowa City.
Behind a dominant 102-41 win over Oakland was a career night from Kennedy Blair and a continued defensive dominance. The redshirt sophomore poured in 25 points in just three quarters, fueling a second-quarter explosion that erased an uneven start and showcased why this Michigan State team thrives on pressure and pace. While questions lingered early around MSU’s offensive consistency and Grace VanSlooten’s health, the Spartans’ depth, defensive intensity and Blair’s all-around performance highlighted a group beginning to find its rhythm ahead of a challenging stretch on the road.
Sophomore forward Juliann Woodard provided the spark Michigan State didn’t know it needed, exploding for 17 points in just under 14 minutes to fuel a dominant 101-53 victory. The Spartans overwhelmed their opponent with relentless pressure, forcing 27 turnovers and turning them into 33 points while committing just six themselves — further strengthening the nation’s best turnover margin. Behind Woodard’s scorching second-half shooting, Grace VanSlooten’s steady production and Kennedy Blair’s career-high 15 rebounds, MSU’s depth and defense proved too much to overcome. Even with a late-game injury scare for VanSlooten, the Spartans’ bench and energy carried a statement win at Breslin Center.
Redshirt senior Isaline “Isa” Alexander has returned to full form this season, highlighted by a 20-point, 9-for-9 shooting performance against Western Michigan. Her performance capped a two-year comeback from multiple injuries that kept her largely off the floor and forced her to rebuild both physically and mentally. Alexander’s dedication, discipline and newfound perspective on the game have not only strengthened her basketball IQ but also inspired teammates like Kennedy Blair. Playing a full season for the first time since 2022-23, Alexander is relishing the chance to contribute while reflecting on the journey that brought her back.
Michigan State wasted no time overpowering Western Michigan, exploding out to an 18-0 start and never looking back in a dominant 98-44 win. A perfect 9-for-9 career-high performance from Isaline Alexander and a spark-filled night from Kennedy Blair fueled the Spartans’ surge, pushing MSU to a 4-0 start behind its most complete showing of the season.
No. 24 Michigan State continued its early-season dominance Wednesday night, cruising to a 96-52 win over Youngstown State behind another stifling defensive effort and a breakout shooting performance. The Spartans forced 27 turnovers, hauled in eight offensive rebounds in a gritty second quarter, and saw four players score in double figures — all trademarks of Robyn Fralick’s “team ball” mentality.
No. 23 Michigan State used defensive pressure and balanced scoring to pull away from Eastern Michigan, 92-60. A total of 30 turnovers, 36 points off giveaways and four double-digit scorers defined the Spartans’ second win of the season.
Michigan State women’s basketball opened its season with a record-setting performance, smothering Mercyhurst 125-39 behind a relentless full-court defense that forced 36 turnovers and produced 62 points off takeaways. Head coach Robyn Fralick’s squad showcased its trademark intensity from start to finish, highlighted by standout performances from freshman guard Amy Terrain and veterans Theryn Hallock and Grace VanSlooten. With the win, MSU not only set a program scoring record but also sent a clear message — this year’s team plans to defend and dominate.
Michigan State women’s basketball enters the 2024–25 season ranked No. 23 in the preseason AP Top 25, marking the first time under head coach Robyn Fralick the program has opened the year nationally ranked. Despite graduating guard Julia Ayrault, the Spartans return key contributors Grace VanSlooten and Theryn Hallock while adding several experienced transfers and promising freshmen. MSU will open its season with an exhibition against Michigan Tech on Oct. 22 at the Breslin Center.
The Michigan State University women’s basketball team has begun its 2025 transfer portal push, adding sophomore guard Rashunda Jones from Purdue.
After finishing her final year of college eligibility, MSU women's basketball's graduate forward Julia Ayrault announced on Instagram that she has declared for the WNBA draft.
The 2024-2025 season has come to an end for Michigan State University women’s basketball. After advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, the Spartans fell to No. 2 North Carolina State, 83-49.
The Michigan State University women's basketball team will face off against the two-seeded NC State Wolfpack on their home court on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament. For the Spartans to find success, there are three key factors that the team will have to focus on.