EAST LANSING- No. 7-seed MSU Women’s Basketball advances to the Round of 32 in the NCAA tournament after a dominant 64-50 win over No.10-seed Harvard, earning their first tournament victory since 2019.
The Spartans saw three players in double figures, led by junior forward Grace VanSlooten, who put up 17 points and 10 rebounds, securing her sixth double-double of the season.
Senior guard Jocelyn Tate was an asset on the defensive end, putting up a team-high of four steals with 13 points, and junior guard Theryn Hallock had 10 points with three assists.
MSU finished with 11 steals on the night, breaking a school record of number of steals in a single season with 384.
The Spartans have been known for their defensive pressure and fast-paced transitions, and their aggressive style of play gives them the edge to capitalize off turnovers.
In the second round, MSU is going to go head-to-head with No. 2-seed NC State as it hopes to earn an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. MSU leads the all-time matchup against the Wolfpack 2-1, with their last meeting in 2018.
The Spartans will need to keep the momentum going if they hope to take down NC State, a team that is 27-6 overall and second in the Atlantic Coast.
Scouting NC State
No. 2-seed NC State is 27-6 overall, and 16-2 in conference play. The Wolfpack is coming off a 75-55 win over No. 15-seed Vermont in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
NC State is led by senior guard Aziaha James, who averages 17.8 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. James is followed by sophomore guard Zoe Brooks, who averages 14.4 PPG and 4.8 RPG.
Two more players average scoring in double figures for the Wolfpack, senior guard Madison Hayes and senior guard Saniya Rivers, Hayes leading the team in rebounds with 7.2 per game, followed by Rivers with 6.6 rebounds per game.
NC State averages 76.8 points with 41.1 rebounds per game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 32.5% from the arc.
MSU must be a huge presence on the glass and prevent the Wolfpack from getting second-chance points.
Multiple Spartans need to score in double figures if they hope to compete with the offensive prowess of NC State and stay alive in the tournament.
No. 7-seed MSU will take on No. 2-seed NC State for the second round of the NCAA tournament this Monday, Mar. 24 at Reynolds Coliseum at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN.
