Michigan State women’s rowing had an uneven Saturday in Belleville, Mich., splitting its double dual race and falling to No. 15 Wisconsin in the morning, but beating the Minnesota Gophers in the afternoon.

In winning the two novice eight events against Wisconsin, the Spartans started out the day strong. The novice eight won their event by nearly a full length. The second novice eight had a tighter race against the Badgers, but ended up winning by a half length and posting the best time of the day.

Though they started off well in the novice events, the Badgers outdid Michigan State in every varsity event the rest of the morning.

In the fours, an error by the Spartans in the first 500 led to the Badgers winning the varsity four race by open water. The second varsity four race was lost by only a length, with the Spartans maintaining contact through the finish line.

MSU was two seats of open water and roughly five seconds behind the Badgers in the second varsity eight race, finishing 6:46.75 to Wisconsin’s 6:41.2.

In the closest race of the morning, the Spartans clocked in one second behind the Badgers at 6:38.38 to Wisconsin’s 6:37.38.

Wisconsin won the morning 42-26.

The Spartans rebounded in the afternoon, defeating Minnesota 43-26 and winning five of the six races.

Both of the novice eight races saw the Spartans down the Gophers by open water, while Minnesota lost by 10 seconds in the second varsity four.

In their only win of either session, Minnesota defeated Michigan State by 15 seconds in the varsity four race.

The Spartans cruised by the Gophers in the second varsity eight race with a nine-second margin at the finish line. MSU won the varsity eight race a full length ahead of the Gophers at 6:46.7.

The Spartans will look to capitalize on their afternoon victories and improve from the morning’s mistakes as they head to South Carolina for the Clemson Invitational on April 19.

Nathaniel Gaynor is the host of Coxswain for Impact Sports.

Photo: Michigan State University Women’s Rowing