Michigan State Triumphs Over Indiana in Big Ten Women’s Basketball

No. 24 Michigan State rolled past Indiana, grabbing an 80-60 win in a lively Big Ten matchup. Jalyn Brown, making her first career start, led the Spartans with a season-high 20 points.

Grace VanSlooten chipped in with her third double-double of the season. Indiana couldn’t shake off their conference woes and stayed winless in Big Ten play.

Michigan State’s Dominant Performance

Michigan State really put their foot on the gas in the second half. The Spartans shot a sharp 53% from the field, showing off their offensive rhythm.

They played tough defense, shutting down Indiana’s scoring chances and grabbing points off turnovers. It was the kind of effort that gets fans talking.

Key Players and Contributions

Jalyn Brown came out firing, dropping 18 of her 20 points before halftime. That early burst set the tone for the rest of the squad.

Grace VanSlooten brought muscle inside, finishing with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Rashanda Jones stepped up in the second half, scoring 10 of her 12 points, including six during an 11-1 run late in the fourth quarter.

Kennedy Blair added 13 points, helping round out a balanced attack. The Spartans looked like a team clicking on all cylinders, at least for the night.

Indiana’s Struggles Continue

Indiana just can’t seem to catch a break in Big Ten play, dropping to 0-3 in the conference. Their lineup has taken some heavy hits from injuries and departures, and it’s showing on the court.

They started the season strong, but now? Keeping momentum in conference games has been tough, to say the least.

Impact of Roster Changes

Indiana’s roster has changed a lot since the fall. Redshirt freshman Sydney Fenn is out for the season after knee surgery.

Sophomore forward Zania Socka-Nguemen, who was pulling down 9.0 rebounds a game, hasn’t played since late November. Then there’s sophomore guard Valentyna Kadlecova, who left after 11 games to play pro ball back in the Czech Republic.

All these shake-ups left Indiana with just seven players suited up against Michigan State. That’s a tough spot for any team.

Looking Ahead

With this win, Michigan State moved to 13-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Next up, they’ll host Illinois on Sunday, hoping to keep the momentum going.

Upcoming Challenges for Indiana

Indiana, now sitting at 11-4, heads out to face Maryland on Sunday. The Hoosiers need to find some answers fast if they want to get their season back on track.

Michigan State faced Indiana in a matchup that really showed what each team brings to the table. The Spartans leaned on a balanced offense and pushed hard on defense.

Indiana struggled throughout the game, and you could see their roster issues taking a toll. Their Big Ten campaign isn’t getting any easier.

If you want to dig into more details, check out the coverage at Fox Sports.