EAST LANSING– In game three of Michigan State’s early season home stint, the Spartans took down in-state adversary Eastern Michigan 95-49. While the win was not as clean as the first two of the season, MSU still dominated much of the game.
Here are some of the takeaways from the 49-point victory from the Breslin Center.
No VanSlooten, No Problem
While junior forward Grace VanSlooten did not appear due to an illness, the rest of MSU’s interior attack picked up the slack. Finishing the game with 60 points in the paint and going 24-27 on layups.
“Just doing a good job finishing and a lot of it is when we can create an advantage,” MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said. “Whether that’s off a turnover, whether that’s off a defensive rebound. we can create an advantage and really put pressure in the paint and on the rim.”
This performance from inside made for over 63% of MSU’s final score. Freshman center Ines Sotelo led the way for MSU with 13 points, which tied for the second most on the team. The Ourense, Spain native also hauled in four rebounds on the night.
“She’s [Sotelo] getting more and more comfortable, she has a really good feel, really good ball skills,” Fralick said. “We’re really excited about her. Freshman with her size, versatility, and athleticism. In the way we play and press she fits in so many ways.”
“I feel like I’m finding my place here,” said Sotelo. “I’m improving the games more than in practice. I feel like in this game I was getting better.”
The Spartans also secured 13 offensive rebounds, five of which came from graduate guard Jaddan Simmons, and got rewarded with 18 second-chance points.
Hallock and Ayrault Stay Hot
The guard duo of junior Theryn Hallock and graduate Julia Ayrault remained the focal point of MSU’s backcourt. In the first quarter alone, Hallock scored 14 of MSU’s 29 points. To accomplish this, went a perfect 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from three.
Getting out and running was also key for Hallock, who was largely responsible for the team’s fast break attack scoring 26.
“Theyrn always seems to find her way to the rim, she’s got electric speed, really good change of pace,” Fralick said. “There was a play where it was like a long rebound she tipped out and literally outran three people, and that to me is Theryn. She just has an ability to make plays.”
As for Ayrault, she never missed in the first half, going 5-5 on field goals and scoring 11. In a game where both saw limited second-half action, Hallock finished as the team’s leading scorer with 18 points and recorded four assists. Ayrault ended with four boards, and four steals, and scored 13.
More Pressure, More Steals, More Buckets
Similar to their win against Yale, the Spartans made every inbound for the Eagles a battle by sending presses throughout the game. This defensive gambit continued to pay off, as the continued pressure earned MSU 29 turnovers.
The offensive ability to convert on giveaways also stuck around for the Spartans, as they finished with 40 points off turnovers. While this was MSU’s lowest forced turnover total of the season so far, the average through the first three games is 31.
“I love our team’s effort, I love our connectedness, and happy to find a way to win,” Fralick said.
The Spartans will conclude their four-game run at the Breslin Center against Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, Nov 14, with tip set for 6:30 p.m.
