Lansing Sun

Trailing by 17 points in the first half, the Michigan State women's basketball team was unable to complete a comeback against Maryland, losing 72-66 at the XFINITY Center. The Spartans now hold an 11-2 overall record and are 1-1 in Big Ten play, while Maryland remains undefeated at 12-0 and 2-0 in league action.

Junior guard Theryn Hallock led Michigan State with a season-high 20 points after returning to the starting lineup. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault achieved her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and a season-high tying 12 rebounds. Senior forward Jocelyn Tate contributed a career-high of ten rebounds along with four assists and three steals.

The Spartans forced Maryland into committing 25 turnovers but were outscored by the Terrapins' bench, marking the first time this season that MSU's reserves were outperformed. Kaylene Smikle led Maryland with 19 points.

Michigan State began strong, scoring the first five points before Maryland took control with a series of runs that put them ahead by nine at the end of the first quarter. Despite cutting into Maryland's lead multiple times throughout the game, including tying it up in the fourth quarter, MSU could not regain control.

The Spartans will return home to face Purdue on January 1st at Breslin Center.

"Michigan State suffered its second loss of the season and have lost back-to-back regular-season games for the first time since Feb. 8 and 11 last season," stated Michigan State Women's Basketball Post-Game Notes.

"The Spartan bench was out-scored by the Terps' reserves, marking the first time this season that MSU's bench was out-scored by its counterparts," added further notes from Michigan State Women's Basketball Post-Game Notes.

Ayrault's performance continues her streak of scoring double figures in all games played this season. She also moved up on MSU's career scoring list during this game. Meanwhile, Hallock has consistently scored in double figures over recent games and marked her third outing with at least twenty points this season.

Tate's contributions included a notable three-pointer early in the game as well as leading MSU in assists for two consecutive games. Graduate guard Nyla Hampton registered four blocks for Michigan State during Sunday's match-up against Maryland.