Lansing Sun

Michigan State's women's basketball team secured a decisive 77-59 victory over Purdue, marking the start of their 2025 season at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. The Spartans, ranked No. 21, ended a two-game losing streak and improved their record to 12-2 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. Purdue fell to 7-7 overall and remains winless in conference games.

Inés Sotelo, a freshman forward, made her first collegiate start memorable by scoring a career-high 16 points and tying her personal best with six rebounds. Senior guard/forward Jocelyn Tate also delivered an impressive performance, matching her career high with 19 points and adding 11 rebounds for her first double-double as a Spartan. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault contributed another double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds.

The Michigan State defense was formidable, forcing Purdue into committing 25 turnovers while achieving 18 steals. Lana McCarthy and Destini Lombard led Purdue's efforts with ten points each.

Michigan State established control early in the game with a strong offensive showing, including four three-pointers that helped them achieve a double-digit lead of 15-5. By the end of the first quarter, MSU led 30-18. In the second quarter, Michigan State went on a significant run, holding Purdue to just three points—setting a school record for fewest points allowed in any second quarter.

The Spartans maintained their advantage throughout the third period despite being outscored by Purdue during that stretch. The Boilermakers attempted to rally in the fourth quarter but could not close the gap significantly as Ayrault scored eight crucial points to secure MSU's victory.

The win extended Michigan State's home winning streak to ten games dating back to last season. Head coach Robyn Fralick's team is off to its best start through fourteen games since the 2012-13 season.

Michigan State will face Nebraska on January 8th at Pinnacle Bank Arena.