Lansing Sun

Michigan State University's women's basketball team secured a commanding 69-38 victory over Montana in the West Palm Beach Classic on Thursday. The Spartans, ranked No. 15/17, improved their record to 11-0, marking the best start in the program's history. Meanwhile, Montana's Lady Griz fell to 4-6 with their third consecutive loss.

The game saw four Michigan State players scoring in double figures. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault led with 15 points in just 18 minutes of play. Freshman center Inés Sotelo contributed off the bench with a career-high tying 13 points, alongside two steals and a block. Junior guard Theryn Hallock added 11 points, four assists, and two steals, while junior Grace VanSlooten scored 10 points.

This match was notable as it marked the first time in Michigan State's history that an opponent did not attempt a free throw. The Spartans were successful on ten out of thirteen attempts from the free-throw line.

Adria Lincoln led Montana with seven points, though no Lady Griz player reached double figures.

Michigan State maintained control throughout much of the first period but only led by five at its conclusion. A significant turning point came during a second-quarter run where they scored 21 consecutive points, extending their lead significantly by halftime.

In the third quarter, Michigan State continued to dominate with another scoring run that expanded their lead to 56-22. Eight different Spartans scored during this period, with Sotelo contributing six points.

Despite being outscored in the final quarter when bench players took over for Michigan State, the outcome was never in doubt.

The Spartans will next face RV/No. 24 Alabama on Friday at 4:30 p.m., concluding their participation in the West Palm Beach Classic before the holiday break.

Several noteworthy statistics highlight Michigan State's current season performance:

• The team's current unbeaten streak of eleven games is unprecedented for them and is part of a larger sixteen-game regular-season winning streak stretching back to last year.

• They remain one of four undefeated teams within the Big Ten Conference.

• Their defensive efforts held Montana to just thirty-eight points—a season-low for both teams involved.

• The Spartan defense forced thirty turnovers from Montana—marking this as one among several instances this season where they've compelled opponents into such high turnover numbers.