EAST LANSING, MI. – The No. 23 Michigan State women’s basketball team continued its six-game homestand to start the season against in-state opponent Eastern Michigan on Nov. 9th. MSU was able to take care of the Eagles and won by a final score of 92-60.
The Spartans’ head coach Robyn Fralick knows there are lots of things her team needs to clean up, and this was an important game to learn from.
“I think we learned a lot from this game,” Fralick said. “A lot of things to clean up. I don’t think any of us leave this game feeling like we’re all locked in on all cylinders. Defensively, cleaning up our spacing, cleaning up our rebounding, that’s got to be better.”
In the first quarter the Green and White got off to a very slow start. In the first five minutes of play, Michigan State found itself trailing EMU, 6-5. The rest of the quarter had more back-and-forth action, as both defenses were able to cause trouble for the opposing team’s offense.
MSU’s defense continued to do what it’s done best, and that is causing a flurry of turnovers. The defensive aggressiveness led to nine Eastern Michigan turnovers in the first quarter alone, and 30 in the entire game.
Fralick mentioned the Spartans’ depth, when it comes to the full-court press and how important that is to cause disruption, along with being quick to put pressure on the ball.
“We’ve got good speed,” Fralick said. “Over the course of a game it’s hard to be pressured. We’ve got more people that can come in and bother the ball, and we can move people around in those positions. I thought Spider (Rashunda Jones) did a great job, especially that second quarter got us going with some disruption.”
Heading into the second quarter, Michigan State led 19-15, and the Eagles were able to keep it close for the first few minutes, cutting the MSU lead down to two. However, from that point on the Spartans’ offense came alive and looked like a well-oiled machine after going on a 17-0 run.
The Green and White began to play the complementary style of basketball lots of people are used to seeing from them. As the offense went on a big run, the defense caused EMU’s offense to commit its second and third 10-second violations of the game.
Junior guard Rashunda Jones was one of the many sparks in the second quarter, and she explained how she has quickly learned Coach Fralick’s style and become a contributor to this team.
“I just think when you’re willing to learn you become a better player,” Jones said. “Whatever it was that our team needed in that second quarter is what I was willing to do.”
Michigan State held a comfortable 48-26 lead heading into halftime. When the third quarter began, it was more of the same complementary basketball. MSU’s ability to share the ball was a big part of how the Spartans pulled away.
Four Michigan State players ended the game with double figures in points, including senior guard Jalyn Brown who came off the bench and was able to put up 15 points.
Brown said her experience played a big role in her performance and understanding where she needed to be was huge for the team.
“I think just understanding gaps, understanding where my teammates are going to be so that I don’t have to force any unnecessary shots, I’m able to dish it off,” Brown said. “If they’re sending two, I have to look for the kick out. If not, shoot my pullup. It’s all about just knowing and I think that just takes experience and time.”
Going into the 4th quarter, MSU had a healthy 74-45 lead, and they were able to bring in some players who hadn’t seen much action this season. This included sophomore forward Juliann Woodard who tore her ACL against Penn State in January last season.
Fralick was very proud of how Woodard came into the game and immediately knocked down a three-pointer on her first shot attempt. Fralick told her team how that was the highlight of the game and how ready Woodard was to check in and contribute.
“The first play we run for you (Woodard) and you knock down a three,” Fralick said. “That’s being ready. Her ability to do that was a really cool moment for her and a moment that she’s earned, and we’re excited to continue to get her playing live competitive basketball.”
Next on the agenda for the Spartans is the Youngstown State Penguins. That matchup is set for Wednesday, Nov. 12th at 6:30 p.m. Josh Lee and Brian Rivers will be on the call, and it can be listened to locally on 88.9 FM or streamed at https://impact89fm.org/.
