Spartan Basketball Archives - La Prensa Latina https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/category/spartan-basketball/ Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:58:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 251388853 Michigan State vs. Ole Miss: Spartans and Rebels Clash in Sweet 16 Showdown https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/michigan-state-vs-ole-miss-spartans-and-rebels-clash-in-sweet-16-showdown/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michigan-state-vs-ole-miss-spartans-and-rebels-clash-in-sweet-16-showdown Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:58:43 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2709 STAFF REPORT The Michigan State Spartans are set to face the Ole Miss Rebels in a Sweet 16 matchup of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 28, at 7:09 p.m. ET (6:09 p.m. CT) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be broadcast on CBS. Team […]

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STAFF REPORT

The Michigan State Spartans are set to face the Ole Miss Rebels in a Sweet 16 matchup of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 28, at 7:09 p.m. ET (6:09 p.m. CT) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

It will be broadcast on CBS.

Team Performances: Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans, seeded second in the South Region, enter the game with a 29-6 record. They secured their Sweet 16 berth by defeating Bryant 87-62 and New Mexico 71-63. Key players include Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, and Frankie Fidler.

Ole Miss Rebels: The sixth-seeded Rebels hold a 24-11 record. They advanced by overcoming North Carolina and Iowa State, with standout performances from Malik Dia, Sean Pedulla, Jaylen Murray, Matthew Murrell, and Jaemyn Brakefield.

Key Factors:

Defensive Strategies: Both teams emphasize defense. Michigan State is known for its strong defensive stats, limiting opponents to 27.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Ole Miss, however, excels in three-point shooting, boasting a 49% success rate. This contrast sets the stage for an intriguing battle between defense and offense.

Rebounding Battle: Rebounding could be pivotal, as Ole Miss has shown inconsistencies in this area. The Rebels will need strong performances on the offensive glass from players like Malik Dia and Dre Davis to counter Michigan State’s rebounding prowess.

Coaching Experience: Michigan State’s Tom Izzo brings extensive tournament experience, having led the Spartans to multiple Final Fours. Ole Miss’s Chris Beard, in his first Sweet 16 appearance with the Rebels, will rely on his coaching acumen to navigate this high-pressure game.

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Lady Spartans Look to Upset Hawkeyes in Big Ten Tournament Matchup https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/lady-spartans-look-to-upset-hawkeyes-in-big-ten-tournament-matchup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lady-spartans-look-to-upset-hawkeyes-in-big-ten-tournament-matchup Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:17:28 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2691 By RAUL GARCIA JR | Lansing News Wire The No. 2 Michigan State Lady Spartans (21-8) are ready to challenge the No. 11 Iowa Lady Hawkeyes (21-9) in the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, aiming to pull off a statement win against one of the conference’s top teams. Lady Spartans’ Defense Could Be the […]

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By RAUL GARCIA JR | Lansing News Wire

The No. 2 Michigan State Lady Spartans (21-8) are ready to challenge the No. 11 Iowa Lady Hawkeyes (21-9) in the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament, aiming to pull off a statement win against one of the conference’s top teams.

Lady Spartans’ Defense Could Be the Difference

Michigan State enters the tournament with a defense-first mentality, anchored by Theryn Hallock and Julia Ayrault, who have been instrumental in shutting down elite scorers all season. The Spartans will need their defensive pressure to slow down Iowa’s high-scoring attack, while Nyla Hampton and Abbey Kimball provide perimeter shooting to keep pace offensively. Isaline Alexander adds strength in the post, giving the Spartans a key advantage on the boards.

Hawkeyes’ Firepower Poses a Challenge

Iowa, led by Hannah Stuelke and Sydney Affolter, remains one of the most potent offenses in the country. Stuelke’s presence in the paint and Affolter’s all-around scoring ability make the Hawkeyes difficult to contain. Freshman Taylor McCabe has also been a consistent threat from beyond the arc, stretching defenses thin. If the Hawkeyes control the pace and hit their shots early, they could take command of the game.

Key Matchups to Watch

  • Hallock vs. Affolter – Can the Spartans’ top defender limit Iowa’s leading scorer?
  • Rebounding Battle – Michigan State must win the boards to prevent Iowa’s second-chance points.
  • Turnovers & Transition Play – The Spartans must avoid turnovers to keep Iowa from running the floor.

With both teams hungry for a deep tournament run, expect an intense battle on the court. Tip-off is set for 8 P.M. as Michigan State looks to take down the Hawkeyes and advance to the next round.

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PHOTO ESSAY: Michigan State Spartans Take Down Wisconsin https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/photo-essay-michigan-state-spartans-take-down-wisconsin/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photo-essay-michigan-state-spartans-take-down-wisconsin Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:54:58 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2617 By Larry Arreguin | Team Arreguin EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a crucial Big Ten showdown at the Breslin Center on March 2, the Michigan State Spartans defended their home court with a thrilling victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, securing a hard-fought 75-68 win.

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By Larry Arreguin | Team Arreguin

EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a crucial Big Ten showdown at the Breslin Center on March 2, the Michigan State Spartans defended their home court with a thrilling victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, securing a hard-fought 75-68 win.

Michigan State Spartans Take Down Wisconsin in Hard-Fought Battle at Breslin Center
Screenshot

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Michigan State Spartans Take Down Wisconsin in Hard-Fought Battle at Breslin Center https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/michigan-state-spartans-take-down-wisconsin-in-hard-fought-battle-at-breslin-center/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michigan-state-spartans-take-down-wisconsin-in-hard-fought-battle-at-breslin-center Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:14:50 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2610 By Larry Arreguin | Team Arreguin EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a crucial Big Ten showdown at the Breslin Center on March 2, the Michigan State Spartans defended their home court with a thrilling victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, securing a hard-fought 75-68 win. Fueled by a raucous home crowd and a dominant second-half performance, […]

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By Larry Arreguin | Team Arreguin

EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a crucial Big Ten showdown at the Breslin Center on March 2, the Michigan State Spartans defended their home court with a thrilling victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, securing a hard-fought 75-68 win.

Fueled by a raucous home crowd and a dominant second-half performance, the Spartans (now 18-11, 10-8 Big Ten) overcame an early deficit and used timely shooting to hold off the Badgers (19-10, 11-7 Big Ten) down the stretch.

Second-Half Surge Seals It for Spartans

Trailing 34-32 at halftime, Michigan State came out firing in the second half, led by veteran guard A.J. Hoggard, who scored 12 of his 18 points after the break. The Spartans turned up the defensive intensity, forcing key turnovers and holding Wisconsin’s top scorer, Tyler Wahl, to just two field goals in the final 10 minutes.

Senior forward Malik Hall played a pivotal role, finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds while providing a steady presence inside. Tyson Walker added 14 points, knocking down clutch shots late in the game to fend off a late Badgers push.

Wisconsin’s Effort Falls Short

The Badgers, led by Chucky Hepburn’s 17 points and Wahl’s 14, kept the game within reach for most of the second half. Wisconsin’s three-point shooting cooled off after a hot start, finishing just 6-of-22 from beyond the arc. Despite winning the rebounding battle 34-31, the Badgers struggled with Michigan State’s defensive pressure late in the contest.

Breslin Center Magic and Tournament Implications

With the victory, Michigan State strengthened its NCAA Tournament resume and gained momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Coach Tom Izzo praised his team’s resilience.

“I’m proud of how we responded in the second half,” Izzo said. “We needed this one, and our guys stepped up when it mattered most.”

The Spartans will look to build on this performance as they prepare for their next test on the road, while Wisconsin will try to bounce back in their final regular-season games.

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No. 22/21 Spartan Women Conclude Road Trip at No. 4/4 USC Wednesday https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/no-22-21-spartan-women-conclude-road-trip-at-no-4-4-usc-wednesday/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=no-22-21-spartan-women-conclude-road-trip-at-no-4-4-usc-wednesday Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:23:43 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2557 Special to the Lansing News Wire This is the first meeting between the teams since 2005. LOS ANGELES, Calif. – No. 22/21 Michigan State women’s basketball will conclude its two-game West Coast road trip, taking on No. 4/4 USC on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on […]

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Special to the Lansing News Wire

This is the first meeting between the teams since 2005.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – No. 22/21 Michigan State women’s basketball will conclude its two-game West Coast road trip, taking on No. 4/4 USC on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on Peacock with Zora Stephenson and Kimberly Adams on the call.

• On Feb. 16, Michigan State dropped a close 75-69 battle to No. 1/1 UCLA in Los Angeles. With the loss, the Spartans fall to 19-6 overall and 9-5 in Big Ten contests. This will be the first meeting between MSU and USC since the Spartans defeated the Trojans in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Minneapolis, 61-59.

• USC defeated Washington on the road on Feb. 16, 69-64. The Trojans have won four-straight games, including defeated then-No. 1 UCLA on Feb. 13. Overall, USC is 23-2 and hold a 13-1 Big Ten record.

• The last time that the Spartans faced back-to-back top-10 teams was during the 2021-22 season. Michigan State upset No. 4/4 Michigan at home on Feb. 10, 63-57. On Feb. 12, the Spartans fell on the road to No. 7/7 Indiana, 76-58.

 With its next B1G win, MSU would post its first back-to-back seasons with 10+ conference wins since 2012-13 and 2013-14, that were the last two seasons of a 12-year streak of double-digit league wins.

SCOUTING USC
After defeating No. 1 UCLA, USC has moved up to No. 4 in this week’s AP poll. The Trojans  last beat Washington on the road, 69-64, on Feb. 16 and have won four-straight games. Overall, USC stands 23-2 and 13-1 in league contests. The Trojans only Big Ten loss of the season came at Iowa, 76-69, in Iowa City on Feb. 2.

The Trojans are first in the Big Ten in scoring offense (82.1), while also standing first in scoring margin (+25.1). USC is third in the league in rebound margin (+8.4). Individually, JuJu Watkins is first in the league in scoring, averaging 24.2 points per game, while Kiki Iriafen is sixth with 17.8 ppg. Watkins is also tied for fourth in blocked shots, averaging 1.88 bpg.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb is in her fourth season at the helm of the Trojans with a record of 85-34 record. During her 15 year career, she has also had stops at UC Santa Barbara and California. She has a career record of 320-162.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE TROJANS   
Much like the series with UCLA. The series between Michigan and USC is brief. The Trojans lead the overall series, 2-1. USC won the first meeting on Jan. 3, 1992 in East Lansing, 56-51. In Los Angeles on Dec. 30, 1992, the Trojans won, 66-50. MSU earned its first win in the series, 61-59 in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament in 2005. The Spartans would eventually play for the National Championship that season.

LAST TIME VS. USC
With quick hands and a sure shot, Rene Haynes spared top-seeded Michigan State the disappointment of an early exit from the NCAA tournament.

Haynes came up with the ball in a wild scramble and made a layup with 2.9 seconds left, giving Michigan State a 61-59 victory over eighth-seeded Southern California in a second-round game on March 21, 2005.

Hearts were pounding on the Michigan State side because it was a scary game for the Spartans (30-3), who were out-hustled and outrebounded by their young, scrappy opponent. But they survived to reach the round of 16 for the first time and will take a 14-game winning streak into the semifinals of the Kansas City Regional on Sunday, meeting the winner of Monday’s late game between Kansas State and Vanderbilt.

NEVER BACK DOWN
The last time that the Spartans faced back-to-back top-10 teams was during the 2021-22 season. Michigan State upset No. 4/4 Michigan at home on Feb. 10, 63-57. On Feb. 12, the Spartans fell on the road to No. 7/7 Indiana, 76-58. The last time Michigan State defeated a top-10 opponents was an 83-78 win against No. 3/3 Indiana in East Lansing on Dec. 29, 2022.

The last time that Michigan State defeated a top-10 opponent in a true road game was a 71-68 overtime win over No. 7/9 Ohio State on Feb. 21, 2010.

PLAYING THE TOP DOG
Michigan State played the No. 1 in the country for the seventh time in program history with Sunday’s match-up vs. top-ranked UCLA. Sunday was the first match-up vs. No. 1 since Nov. 25, 2017 when MSU played No. 1 UConn in Portland, Oregon, at the Nike PK80 Invitational in honor of Phil Knight’s 80th birthday. The Spartans are now 1-6 against No. 1 teams, with their only previous win coming over No. 1 Stanford in the 2005 NCAA Elite Eight, ending in a 76-69 Victory for MSU and the Spartans advanced to the Final Four.

By being ranked No. 22/22, Sunday was the fourth of the seven meetings when MSU was ranked when facing the No. 1 team and the first since Jan. 6, 2007 when No. 19/18 Spartans lost at No. 1/1 Maryland, 97-57.

GETTING IT DONE ON THE CHARITY STRIPE
Against No. 1 UCLA, the Spartans were a perfect from the charity stripe.  They 12-of-12 was also the fourth-highest overall of the 12 times, trailing 19-of-19 vs. Michigan (2/3/16); 14-of-14 vs. Penn State (2/9/03); 13-of-13 vs. Evansville (11/19/23)

19-19 vs. Michigan 85-64 at East Lansing 2/3/16
14-14 vs. Penn State 60-64 at East Lansing 2/9/03
13-13 vs. Evansville 105-49 at East Lansing 11/19/23
12-12 vs. UCLA 69-75 at Los Angeles, 2/16/25
11-11 vs. CMU 91-67 at East Lansing, 12/17/23
11-11 vs. CMU 88-87 at South Bend3/23/19
11-11 at Nebraska 71-82 at Lincoln 2/17/19
11-11 vs. Ohio State 65-64 at East Lansing 2/13/03
11-11 vs. Ohio State 65-59 at Columbus 2/6/82
10-10 vs. Valparaiso 76-62 at East Lansing, 11/16/21
10-10 vs. Wisconsin 81-57 at Madison, 1/15/17
10-10 vs. California 93-62 at Berkeley 12/21/96

QUITE THE TRIO
With 1,279 points, 708 rebounds and 173 blocks, graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault joins a very small club. She is one of only three Spartans with over 1,250 points, 700 rebounds and 150 blocks. All-American Allyssa DeHaan ended her Spartan career with 1,649 points, 919 rebounds and 504 blocks. Kristen Rasmussen finished with 1,493 points, 964 rebounds and 194 blocks.

GRACE THE GREAT
Junior forward Grace VanSlooten tallied 16 points against UCLA to register 10+ points in each of the last 12 games as part of posting double-digit points in 22 of her 24 games played at MSU, missing the Eastern Michigan game (11/11/24) due to illness and held to single digits twice. VanSlooten has now registered double-digit points 74 times out of 87 career games, logging double-digits in 52 games while at Oregon.

NET RANKINGS
In the current women’s basketball NET ranking, the Spartans stand No. 21. They are fourth among Big Ten schools behind No. 5 UCLA, No. 6 USC and No. 16 Ohio State. UConn stands No. 1. The Big Ten has six schools in the top 25 in NET rankings with Michigan standing No. 24 and Maryland holding down the No. 25 spot.

RANKED BIG TEN TEAMS
Six different Big Ten teams are ranked or receiving votes in the AP top 25 poll. UCLA leads the way at No. 3, followed by No. 4 USC, No. 8 Ohio State, No. 21 Maryland and No. 22 Michigan State. This week, Illinois re-entered the poll this week at No. 25. Michigan is also receiving votes in this week’s poll.

AYRAULT ASCENDS THE CHARTS
Julia Ayrault’s 18-point outing gives her 1,279 career points, holding solid at No. 14 on MSU’s career scoring list. Next up at the No. 13 spot is Kelli Roehrig (2013-18) with 1,370 points.

The five rebounds against UCLA on Feb. 16 gives Ayrault 708 career rebounds, holding at No. 12 on MSU’s career rebounding list and just seven away from Branndais Agee (2013-18) with 715 boards. With two triples Sunday, Ayrault now has 123 career 3-pointers, pulling away from a tie with Spartan great Aerial Powers (2013-16) at No. 15 on MSU’s career 3-pointers list with 121 3-pointers and moving up to a tie for No. 14 with Eileen Shea (1987-91) with 123 treys.

She has now played 132 career games, taking over sole possession of No. 9 on MSU’s career games played list, pulling away from a seven-way tie, most recently Tori Jankoska (2013-17).  In her next game played, Ayrault will tie for No. 8 spot held by Aisha Jefferson (2005-10) with 133 games.

BY THE NUMBERS VS. UCLA
• Sunday was also only the second time of the seven that MSU played the No. 1 team on their home court, with the only other time being at No. 1/1 Maryland on Jan. 6, 2007.

• The junior guard Theryn Hallock swiped a team-best and game-high tying four steals. The four swipes tied Hallock’s season high for the third time, including second time in a B1G game, last doing so at Illinois (1/19/25), and also swiping four steals vs. Detroit Mercy (11/20/24).

BALANCED ATTACK
Seven different Spartans have led the team in scoring. Julia Ayrault has led the team in scoring nine times, while Grace VanSlooten is second with eight. Theryn Hallock has been the leading scorer six times, while Jocelyn TateJaddan SimmonsEmma Shumate and Juliann Woodard have led once.

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME
This is the second trip to California this season for MSU. The Spartans won the Acrisure Classic in November with wins over California and Vanderbilt. Prior to the Acrisure Classic, Michigan State had not played in California since the 2016-17 season when MSU played in the Radisson Thanksgiving Classic in Northridge, California. In that tournament, the Spartans defeated Delaware, 88-55, before edging host CSUN, 63-59. In the 2009, NCAA Regional Semifinals, MSU fell to Iowa State in Berkeley.

YOUR STARTING FIVE
Michigan State used the same starting line for the fourth game in a row, with graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault, graduate guard Jaddan Simmons, senior guard/forward Jocelyn Tate, junior guard Theryn Hallock and junior forward Grace VanSlooten. Sunday was the sixth game overall this season with that starting five and MSU is now 3-3 with that starting five for the opening tip.

JOINING THE 1K CLUB
Michigan State currently has four players who have scored at least 1,000 points in their collegiate careers. Most recently junior forward Grace VanSlooten joined the club against Vanderbilt on Nov. 27. She currently has 1,243 career points between Oregon and MSU. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault reached the 1,000-point club against Cal on Nov. 26. During her five years at MSU, she has scored 1,279 points. Graduate guard Nyla Hampton has scored 1,289 points during her time at Bowling Green, Ball State and Michigan State. Fellow graduate guard Jaddan Simmons also has 1,292 points during four seasons at Arizona State her time at MSU. Senior guard/forward Jocelyn Tate is looking to be the next member with 994 points between her two seasons at Bowling Green and two at MSU.

AROUND THE LEAGUE
Michigan State’s 9-5  league record places them sixth in the league right now. It is a tight race in the middle of the standings right now. Ohio State is third with a 11-3 record, while Michigan and Oregon are tied for seventh with 9-6 records.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging 81.5 points per game. The Spartans are also third in scoring margin (+20.0). MSU is second in the league in blocks (5.7 bpg). MSU is second in steals with 13.0 spg and second in assists with 19.2 apg. The Spartans are second in turnover margin (+8.2).Individually, graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault is 16th in the league in scoring (15.3 ppg). Junior forward Grace VanSlooten is third in the league in field goal percentage (.538). Graduate guard Jaddan Simmons is third in the Big Ten assist/turnover ratio (2.31). Senior guard/forward Jocelyn Tate is third in the league in steals (2.24). Graduate guard Nyla Hampton is seventh in steals (2.00 spg).

AROUND THE NATION
After 25 games, the Spartans are 18th in the nation scoring margin, winning games by 19.0 points. Michigan State is eighth in the NCAA and second in the Big Ten in steals per game with 12.9 spg. MSU is ninth in the nation in assists with 18.9 apg and 12th in turnover margin (+7.8).

PACKING THE BREZ
Sunday’s attendance of 11,043 against Michigan was the 18th-best in MSU women’s basketball history, including the sixth-best when playing Michigan. It was the largest crowd since Feb. 23, 2020 vs. Michigan when 11,462 were in attendance.

BRINGING THE BOOM
For the 2024-25 season, Michigan State women’s introduced its new student section – the Breslin Boom. First introduced by Coach Fralick at Michigan State Madness, Spartan students will be encouraged to yell “BOOM” on any big MSU plays.

COMEBACK KIDS
MSU’s 16-point deficit and rally for win on the Nov. 26 win against Cal was the Spartans’ largest comeback win since being down 19 points vs. Penn State on Feb. 22, 2017, rallying from down 46-27 with 7:55 left in the third quarter and rallying for a 73-64 Victory for MSU. In that game, All-American Tori Jankoska was held scoreless in the first half, she rallied with 21 second-half points, for a palindromic double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds.

LOCKED IN DEFENSE
Senior guard/forward Jocelyn Tate is third in the Big Ten in steals, averaging 2.24 spg. Graduate guard Nyla Hampton is seventh (2.00 spg), while graduate guard Jaddan Simmons and junior guard Theryn Hallock are tied for ninth in the Big Ten in steals, averaging 1.84 spg. The MSU defense has been tough all season. Twice this year the Spartans have tallied 22 steals in a game: against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 20 and against Oakland on Nov. 5. The only team in the Big Ten with more steals in a game is USC with 28 against CSUN on Nov. 12. The Spartans are second in the B1G in steals, averaging 12.9 spg. MSU is second in the Big Ten with 322 steals this season, behind Ohio State’s 326.

LAST TIME OUT
 No. 22 Michigan State women’s basketball took the fight to No. 1 UCLA and gave the Bruins all they could handle Sunday night at Pauley Pavilion. However, MSU was overtaken late by a 7-0 UCLA run and the Spartans were topped, 75-69, by the top-ranked Bruins, despite having three players in double figures.

Junior guard Theryn Hallock led the Spartans with a game-high 19 points, adding four steals and three assists. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault scored 18 points, including 11 in the second half alone. Junior forward Grace VanSlooten added 16 points to go along with seven rebounds. Off the bench, graduate guard Nyla Hampton swiped three steals, as part of 10 team steals for MSU on the night. Michigan State was stellar from the free throw line, tying a school record going 12-for-12.

O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
Michigan State head coach Robyn Fralick has announced guard/forward Julia Ayrault and guard Nyla Hampton as team captains, as voted on by the players on the 2024-25 women’s basketball team.

This is Ayrault’s second season as a captain for  the Spartans. She is the first Spartan to be a captain in back-to-back seasons since Jenna Allen during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. Hampton is in her first season with the Spartans, but is familiar with head coach Robyn Fralick. She played three seasons with Bowling Green before transferring to Ball State last season.
AYRAULT NAMED TO ANN MEYERS DRYSDALE AWARD WATCH LIST Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault has been named to the 2024 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Midseason Watch, as selected by members of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

She was one of 50 players named to the midseason watch list. Ayrault is one of seven players from the Big Ten, including Destiny Adams (Rutgers), Lauren Betts (UCLA), Jaloni Cambridge (Ohio State), Cotie McMahon (Ohio State), Kaylene Smikle (Maryland) and JuJu Watkins (USC).

VANSLOOTEN NAMED TO WATCH LIST
Michigan State Women’s Basketball junior forward Grace VanSlooten was named one of the top 10 candidates for the Cheryl Miller Award, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) on Wednesday.

She is one of three Big Ten players on the list along with Indiana’s Yarden Garzon and Ohio State’s Cotie McMahon. The award honors the nation’s top small forwards.

WELCOME TO SPARTAN NATION
Michigan State women’s basketball head coach Robyn Fralick announced the signing of three signees on Wednesday, including Jordan Ode (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove High School), Anna Terrian (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee High School) and Amy Terrian (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee High School).

Ode is a 6-0 guard, who is a native of Maple Grove, Minn. She attends Maple Grove High School and is coached by Mark Cook. Ode is currently ranked No. 33 in the ESPNW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. 

Anna Terrian is a 5-8 guard, who is a native of Pewaukee, Wis., and plays for head coach Jim Reuter at Pewaukee High School. As a junior, she averaged 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Amy Terrian is a 5-8 guard, who is a native of Pewaukee, Wis., plays for head coach Jim Reuter at Pewaukee High School. Terrian is currently ranked No. 89 in the ESPNW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. As a junior, she averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

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Michigan State Dominates Wisconsin https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/michigan-state-dominates-wisconsin/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michigan-state-dominates-wisconsin Fri, 14 Feb 2025 17:28:40 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2422 By LARRY ARREGUIN | Team Arreguin From the opening tip, the Spartans controlled the pace, using relentless defensive pressure and efficient shooting to establish an early lead. Their fast-break execution and perimeter accuracy kept Wisconsin on its heels throughout the game. MSU showcased its depth and balance, with multiple players contributing on both ends of […]

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By LARRY ARREGUIN | Team Arreguin

From the opening tip, the Spartans controlled the pace, using relentless defensive pressure and efficient shooting to establish an early lead.

Their fast-break execution and perimeter accuracy kept Wisconsin on its heels throughout the game. MSU showcased its depth and balance, with multiple players contributing on both ends of the floor. Crisp ball movement and capitalizing on scoring opportunities overwhelmed Wisconsin’s defense.

The Badgers struggled to match MSU’s tempo, particularly in transition, where the Spartans turned key plays into points.Defensively, Michigan State forced turnovers and limited Wisconsin’s second-chance opportunities, dominating the boards. Their defensive intensity remained high in the second half, shutting down any hopes of a Wisconsin comeback. With this commanding win, Michigan State strengthens its position in the Big Ten standings.

Their sharp offensive execution, strong rebounding, and disciplined defense highlight their ability to compete at a high level. Looking ahead, MSU will aim to carry this momentum into its next matchup, while Wisconsin regroups to make key adjustments for the road ahead. Final Score: Michigan State 91, Wisconsin 71

For more exclusive game coverage and action shots, visit www.TeamArreguin.com.

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Lady Spartans bounce back with win over Northwestern Lady Wildcats https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/lady-spartans-bounce-back-with-win-over-northwestern-lady-wildcats/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lady-spartans-bounce-back-with-win-over-northwestern-lady-wildcats Wed, 05 Feb 2025 22:34:06 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2230 Michigan State defeated Northwestern 89-75 on Sunday, rebounding from a 63-59 loss to Oregon on Thursday—their first home defeat of the season. The Spartans (18-4, 8-3 Big Ten) have now won six of their last seven games. Nyla Hampton led the way with a season-high 16 points. After a tough loss Oregon the number 16th […]

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After a tough loss Oregon the number 16th ranked team Michigan State Spartans found themselves down by 15 entering the 4th quarter, they showed incredible heart and grit, cutting the Oregon Ducks’ lead to just 3 points with 4 minutes remaining. Despite the relentless effort, they couldn’t quite close the gap and fell 63-59, suffering their first home loss of the season.

The Spartans now stand at 18-4 (8-3). But one thing’s for sure — this team’s fight is unmatched

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PHOTO ESSAY: No. 21/22 Spartans Win Fourth-Straight with 82-61 Victory over Penn State https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/photo-essay-no-21-22-spartans-win-fourth-straight-with-82-61-victory-over-penn-state/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photo-essay-no-21-22-spartans-win-fourth-straight-with-82-61-victory-over-penn-state Fri, 24 Jan 2025 14:34:03 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2214 By LARRY ARREGUIN | Team Arreguin

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By LARRY ARREGUIN | Team Arreguin

Penn State’s Moriah Murray (#3), led all scorers with 24, hitting 8 3 pointers for the Nittany Lions.

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PHOTO ESSAY: MSU Lady Spartans Tops Washington 80-68 in Home Victory https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/photo-essay-msu-lady-spartans-tops-washington-80-68-in-home-victory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=photo-essay-msu-lady-spartans-tops-washington-80-68-in-home-victory Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:07:05 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2183 The Spartans returned to the winning column, improving to 13-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten contests. The Washington falls to 12-5 overall and 3-2 in league contests. EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 20/21 Michigan State women’s basketball used balanced scoring and solid defense to defeat RV/RV Washington, 80-68, on Alumni Day Sunday afternoon at the […]

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The Spartans returned to the winning column, improving to 13-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten contests. The Washington falls to 12-5 overall and 3-2 in league contests.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 20/21 Michigan State women’s basketball used balanced scoring and solid defense to defeat RV/RV Washington, 80-68, on Alumni Day Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center.

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Washington at Michigan State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women’s Basketball | 01/12/2025 https://laprensalatinamagazine.com/washington-at-michigan-state-highlights-big-ten-womens-basketball-01-12-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=washington-at-michigan-state-highlights-big-ten-womens-basketball-01-12-2025 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:49:18 +0000 https://lansingnewswire.com/?p=2179 The post Washington at Michigan State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Women’s Basketball | 01/12/2025 appeared first on La Prensa Latina.

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