Spartans Dominate Purdue in Statement Road Win, Extend Historic Start
**WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ** - Michigan State women’s basketball is doing more than just winning - they’re making history, and doing it with style.
On Thursday night, the No. 13 Spartans put together a complete team performance, rolling past Purdue 86-65 at Mackey Arena in a game that showcased their depth, balance, and defensive intensity.
All 11 Spartans who saw the floor got on the scoreboard, and four players hit double digits, as Michigan State improved to a program-best 19-2 overall and 8-2 in Big Ten play - their strongest conference start since 1996-97. That season ended in a share of the Big Ten title. This group is starting to look like it has similar ambitions.
The win also marked Michigan State’s second straight and their fourth consecutive victory over Purdue under head coach Robyn Fralick, who fittingly celebrated her birthday with a dominant road win. The Spartans have now taken five of the last six meetings with the Boilermakers, and seven of the last nine. Since 2009, MSU has gone 21-10 in the series, steadily chipping away at Purdue’s all-time lead, which now stands at 44-41.
And they’re doing it on the road, too. MSU improved to 9-2 in games away from East Lansing this season, including 5-2 in true road contests. Meanwhile, Purdue, who had been 10-2 at home coming into the night, fell to 11-10 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
Balanced, Relentless, and Locked In
Senior forward Grace VanSlooten led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. Redshirt sophomore guard Kennedy Blair nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 15 points, eight boards, and seven assists - the kind of all-around stat line that speaks to her growing impact in this offense.
Sophomore forward Inés Sotelo added 12 points, and senior guard Jalyn Brown chipped in 11. The Spartans controlled the glass with a 40-30 rebounding edge and forced eight turnovers in the first quarter alone, setting the tone defensively early and never letting up.
Purdue’s Avery Gordon did her best to keep the Boilermakers in it, leading all scorers with 20 points. But the Spartans’ depth and defensive pressure proved too much.
Fast Start, No Looking Back
The game opened with both teams trading buckets, but once the Spartans settled in, they took control. A quick 6-0 run turned a tight 11-7 lead into a 21-12 advantage, and a layup from Brown pushed the lead to double digits. The defense locked in from there, holding Purdue scoreless for nearly four minutes until Hila Karsh knocked down a three.
MSU closed the first quarter on a 12-0 run, finishing the period up 29-15 - their highest-scoring opening quarter in Big Ten play this season.
Things didn’t get any easier for Purdue in the second. The Spartans opened the quarter with another extended defensive stand, holding the Boilermakers scoreless for nearly three minutes and stretching the lead to 38-18.
A balanced offensive effort - with Blair, Marah Dykstra, and Juliann Woodard each contributing four points in the frame - helped Michigan State outscore Purdue 21-8 in the second. By halftime, it was 50-23, and the Spartans were cruising.
Third Quarter Knockout
Michigan State came out of the break just as aggressive. VanSlooten opened the half with back-to-back steals, setting the tone for a third quarter that turned the game into a rout. A three from senior guard Emma Shumate pushed the lead to 67-31, and VanSlooten’s free throws moments later gave MSU its biggest lead of the night - a 38-point cushion with just over three minutes left in the third.
That 38-point margin held steady through the end of the quarter, with MSU leading 73-40 heading into the final frame.
Closing Strong, Eyes on Rivalry Showdown
Purdue made a small run in the fourth, cutting the lead to 80-50 with under five minutes to play, but the outcome was never in doubt. Dykstra’s late three-pointer sealed the deal, and the Spartans walked off the floor with their fifth straight win in West Lafayette.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. A team clicking on all cylinders, playing unselfish basketball, and showing they can win big on the road in conference play.
Next up? A rivalry showdown.
Michigan State will return home to host No. 9 Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Breslin Center.
Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET in the annual “Go Green, Wear Green” game, and it’s shaping up to be a must-watch matchup between two top-tier Big Ten programs.
The game will be nationally televised on FS1.
If the Spartans keep playing like this, the rest of the conference better take notice. This team isn’t just winning - they’re building something special.