EAST LANSING- No. 22 Michigan State Women’s Basketball is fresh off a loss to in-state rival Michigan. This loss against the Wolverines puts the Spartans at 18-5 overall and 8-4 in conference play. 

The loss against Michigan was uncharacteristic for MSU, when just less than a month ago, the Spartans traveled to Ann Arbor and dominated the Wolverines, winning 88-58. 

Sunday’s performance at the Breslin Center was a completely different story. 

The offense struggled immensely, scoring their second lowest point total of the season, with the lowest team FG% of the season, shooting 31.8% from the field. 

The defense was the only thing keeping the Spartans in it. Junior forward Grace VanSlooten put up convincing numbers, scoring 15 points with 12 rebounds, nine offensive. 

“She got us a lot of extra possessions, was tough inside, I thought she did a good job finishing through contact, her motor was really good,” head coach Robyn Fralick said. 

MSU also outrebounded Michigan with 39 total, however the offense could not find ways to finish, and the Spartans would lose 71-61. 

This Wednesday, MSU will stay home to host Wisconsin, a game they must win to keep their predicted five seeding for the tournament.  

Scouting Wisconsin 

Wisconsin is currently sitting at 11-13 overall and 2-11 in conference play. The Badgers are ranked 14th in the Big Ten behind Washington. 

Wisconsin is on a three-game losing streak, two of the losses being to unranked teams, Purdue and Illinois. Before the losing streak, the Badgers beat Michigan 82-75. 

Against Illinois, Wisconsin went 35.4% from the field and shot 4-10 from the arc.  

The leading scorer for the Badgers against the Fighting Illini was 6’4” junior forward Serah Williams, who put up 14 points with five rebounds.  

Williams also leads the team in points per game, averaging 19.1, the next closest being sophomore center Carter McCray with 9.8 PPG, and junior guard Ronnie Porter with 8.6 PPG. 

MSU will host Wisconsin at the Breslin Center this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.