EAST LANSING- Michigan State women’s basketball unofficially started their 2025 season with a dominant win over Michigan Tech. The Spartans got off to a blazing hot start and never looked back en route to a lopsided 101-58 victory.
The game may not count for any official stats or standings, but it serves as a great confidence booster for MSU and gives the coaching staff an idea of what they’re working with.
Here are three main takeaways from the Spartans’ blowout win against the Huskies:
Domination on the boards
The Spartans completely dominated the Huskies on the glass, outrebounding them 51-24. MSU had 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 25 second chance points. Senior forward Marah Dykstra had ten rebounds, while senior forwards Isaline Alexander and Grace VanSlooten had nine and eight rebounds respectively. Alexander kept numerous possessions alive for MSU, grabbing seven offensive boards. The Huskies only had four offensive rebounds as a team.
“With her size, her athleticism, she has a relentless effort through possessions, whether it’s going after offensive rebounds or being able to guard a lot of spots,” MSU head coach Robyn Fralick said. “I thought she did a good job finishing. She did a great job getting to the free throw line. What we love about Grace is just her impact on the game comes through her competitive spirit and her effort.”
Sophomore guard Kenndy Blair also grabbed six rebounds, while senior guard Jayln Brown had five rebounds. The Spartans had five players grab five or more rebounds, and this is one of the main reasons MSU had 44 points in the paint.
Kennedy Blair seizes the moment
Kennedy Blair got the start tonight after having a very limited role last year, and she made the most of it. Blair was one of the main reasons the Spartans got off to such a hot start, scoring seven points in the first quarter. Blair continued her blistering hot performance in the second, reaching 14 points at the half. She suffered an injury scare early in the third quarter but came back into the game.
Blair finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and one steal. Balir shot 6/8 from the floor and added a pair of free throws. She also finished +31 on the night, the fourth highest on the team.
“I feel like just the last couple weeks I’ve been told what my role is, and what my coaches need out of me, and I think that rebounding is just something naturally that I’m good at and I’m athletic…Just let the game go to me,” Blair said postgame. “I thought I had some really good passes that gave me easy layups…I think that my teammates gave me a really good opportunity. Just letting the game come to me, and hopefully next couple games will get more of an offensive flow and be able to just understand what’s going on.”
New transfer class making immediate impact
Fralick was able to bring in four transfers out of the portal, and their presence was felt throughout the game. Dykstra, despite not scoring a bucket, secured double digit rebounds, while Brown had four points, five rebounds, and three assists. Rashunda Jones, however, was excellent for the Spartans. The Purdue transfer finished with eight points, seven assists, and two steals. She had some great passes, highlighted by a beautiful one-handed pass into the corner that led to a three-pointer. Jones also finished +37.
Fralick had high praise for Jones after the game, “She’s so consistent and solid. She does a great job on both sides of the ball. She’s a really reliable defender. She gets in the paint. She has an ability to create separation…so she’s been a great addition. She’s also a really good learner, so she’s been able to pick up on things quickly.”
With the transfer portal being such a huge part of college sports nowadays, getting good additions can completely change a team. The Spartans will need more performances like this throughout the season to compete in a very competitive Big Ten.
The Spartans will officially start the season Tuesday, November 4 at the Breslin Center. MSU takes on Mercyhurst in the first of many non-conference matchups. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. EST.
