Lansing Sun

Michigan State's women's basketball team, ranked No. 21/19, will host Purdue on January 1 at the Breslin Center. This game marks Michigan State's return home since December 15. The matchup will be available for streaming on B1G+ with Alexis Ayala and Jack Stager providing commentary.

Following a recent defeat to No. 8 Maryland, Michigan State has now experienced back-to-back losses for the first time since February last season. The Spartans currently hold an 11-2 overall record and are 1-1 in Big Ten play.

Purdue arrives with a 7-6 overall record and is winless in their two Big Ten games so far, having faced Iowa and Maryland. Despite this, Purdue has played a challenging schedule that includes South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Kentucky.

Michigan State's defense continues to perform strongly by forcing turnovers from opponents, achieving this feat against Maryland as well as in previous games against Alabama and Montana.

Julia Ayrault of Michigan State ranks tenth in the Big Ten for scoring and fifteenth for rebounding. Meanwhile, Purdue’s Destini Lombard leads her team in scoring alongside Reagan Bass.

The historical series between these teams sees Purdue leading slightly over Michigan State with past encounters showing competitive results.

Michigan State head coach Robyn Fralick announced Julia Ayrault and Nyla Hampton as captains for the current season. Grace VanSlooten was named to the Cheryl Miller Award preseason watch list recognizing top small forwards nationally.

The Spartans have added new recruits including Jordan Ode from Minnesota and Anna Terrian along with Amy Terrian from Wisconsin to bolster their roster moving forward.