EAST LANSING, MI.— The newly ranked No. 18 Michigan State women’s basketball team celebrated its six senior student athletes for Senior Day as the Spartans took on the Northwestern Wildcats.
MSU found a way to bounce back from its last loss and was able to celebrate its seniors in style, winning handily 104-68 against Northwestern.
Head coach Robyn Fralick mentioned how proud she is of the seniors she has on this year’s team. Fralick credited the seniors for the positive effect they’ve each made during their respective times as a Spartan.
“We’ve counted on them a lot,” Fralick said. “Together, they’ve been able to make a big impact here at Michigan State. In particular this season, some of the things we’ve been able to do; that group’s been instrumental in it.”
The first ten minutes of the contest were dominated by Fralick’s squad. Senior forward Grace VanSlooten put up eight points in the frame and finished her senior night with a team-high 22 points.
Coach Fralick was proud of how VanSlooten bounced back after having a couple of games that didn’t meet VanSlooten’s standard.
“She (VanSlooten) was really tough, and assertive,” Fralick said. “I loved her rebounding. Going into this game, a big emphasis we had was to get extra shots. I thought her physical impact on the game was really good.”
MSU’s control of the game carried over into the second quarter, as Fralick’s squad opened the period on a 16-4 run. VanSlooten continued to shine, but two new bright spots emerged for the Spartans and that was fellow senior forward Marah Dykstra and junior guard Sara Sambolić.
Due to junior guard Rashunda Jones being out with an injury, Sambolić had to fill Jones’ shoes. This was just the second game Sambolić has started this season, and her performance did not disappoint.
Sambolić shared what led to her 13 points and six assists outing.
“My teammates are such good friends, and I know they trust me,” Sambolić said. “I trust them, and with that kind of mentality and relationship, I know I can do anything, so I am comfortable on the court.”
Sambolić and Dykstra combined for 17 MSU points in the first half, and Fralick couldn’t give enough complements about these two players.
“I feel like she (Sambolić) really set the tone,” Fralick said. “I say you can’t get ready when you’re called on. You got to be ready. She was called on and was more than ready.”
“She’s (Dykstra) a winner,” Fralick said. “She’s a mature competitor. Whatever role we’ve asked her to do, she’s done it with a great attitude and the right mindset.”
MSU players excelling in their new roles led to a 55-28 Spartan advantage heading into halftime, and the basketball in the second half was no different than the first.
The Green and White were playing the way they had been before hitting a rough stretch of multiple games against top 10 teams in a row.
Redshirt-sophomore guard Kennedy Blair came out of the locker room aggressive and was looking for any open lane she could take. Blair scored the first five points of the quarter for the Spartans, giving MSU a 30-point lead.
The Wildcats had no answer. Senior forward Grace Sullivan was the lone bright spot for Northwestern, as she led all scorers with 23 points. However, the depth of Fralick’s squad was in full effect, and overpowered Sullivan’s performance.
Dykstra thought herself and her teammates got back to playing for more than their individual selves, and that was a huge part of why the Green and White came out with a win.
“Tonight, I think it was about us playing as a team, playing for each other and playing for something bigger than ourselves,” Dykstra said. “I think that really showed out there; the way we moved the ball and found everyone.”
The final period of the game was drama-free, as the Spartans entered it with a 78-50 lead, and no historic comeback was in the works from the Wildcats. This allowed Fralick to let each of her seniors get their moments to kiss the Spartan logo and walk off the court.
Senior guard Abbey Kimball has been one of the longest tenured MSU players, and she left the Breslin Center on senior night with a bang. She was the last senior to be honored and right before she checked out of the game, Blair found Kimball open for a three-pointer, and she drilled it.
Fralick was especially excited for Kimball to get that moment because of how long she’s been a Spartan, and Fralick has loved watching Kimball grow before her eyes.
“She’s been a captain, but she’s just one of those kids that I’ve seen, her maturity, just so much growth during her time here,” Fralick said. “So, for me that was extra special for her to hit that shot right before the end of the game and be able to be celebrated.”
Senior night may have closed on a good note for the Spartan faithful, but there is plenty of season left to go. Dykstra shared that her team has a next game up mentality and is ready for the next challenge.
“This just gives us an extra boost of confidence going into a tough Minnesota environment this weekend,” Dykstra said. “We have a lot of goals and things we want to accomplish, so getting this win tonight was crucial and now we’re on to the next one.”
The Golden Gophers have been on a hot streak as of late, winning their last nine games. No. 23 Minnesota currently stands at fourth in the Big Ten, and the battle with MSU is set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. The game will be televised on FS1.
