In a thrilling first-round matchup at the NCAA Tournament in Norman, Oklahoma, the No. 5-seeded Michigan State women's basketball team narrowly edged out No. 12-seeded Colorado State with a 65-62 victory. The Spartans showcased resilience and grit at OU's Lloyd Noble Center, setting the stage for an exciting second-round clash.
Next up, Michigan State will face off against the winner of the game between No. 4-seed Oklahoma and No. 13-seed Idaho. As the Spartans prepare for Sunday, March 22, anticipation is building for another high-stakes encounter.
This win marks Michigan State's 23rd victory of the season, a milestone they haven't reached since their impressive 25-9 campaign in 2015-16. Meanwhile, Colorado State wraps up their season with a commendable 27-8 record, demonstrating their prowess on the court.
Leading the charge for the Spartans was senior forward Grace VanSlooten, who delivered a standout performance with a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. VanSlooten's consistency is notable, as she becomes just the seventh Division I player this century to notch a double-double in her first three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Redshirt-sophomore guard Kennedy Blair matched VanSlooten's 18 points and added a career-high three blocks, while senior guard Jalyn Brown contributed 13 points, including three crucial three-pointers.
On the other side, Colorado State's Brooke Carlson put on a show, scoring a career-high 36 points and keeping the Rams competitive throughout the contest.
The game kicked off with Michigan State scoring first, but Colorado State quickly responded with a 9-0 run, taking an early 9-3 lead. The Spartans struggled offensively, enduring a five-minute scoring drought before sophomore forward Inés Sotelo's four consecutive points helped cut the deficit. Michigan State ended the first quarter on a 6-0 run, leading 16-13.
In the second quarter, VanSlooten's offensive burst put the Spartans back in front, though they couldn't fully capitalize on turnovers, ending the half trailing 29-27 despite her nine points in the period.
The third quarter saw continued tension, with Brown hitting a rare three-pointer to close the gap to 39-38. Blair's clutch trey tied the game at 47-47 as the quarter ended.
The Spartans surged ahead in the fourth quarter, building a 58-52 lead and holding Colorado State scoreless for over two minutes. A late three-pointer from Carlson brought the Rams closer, but baskets from Brown and Blair secured the win for Michigan State.
This victory marks the second consecutive year that the Spartans have advanced past the first round, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in their tournament journey.