Lansing Sun

Michigan State University's women's basketball team, ranked No. 22/22, secured a 70-60 victory over Rutgers on Wednesday night at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey. This win marks the Spartans' first Big Ten road win of the season and extends their winning streak to two games, improving their overall record to 14-2 and their Big Ten record to 4-2. Meanwhile, Rutgers falls to an overall record of 8-10 and remains winless in league play with a 0-7 record.

The game saw three Michigan State players scoring in double figures. Junior guard Emma Shumate and graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault both contributed 12 points each. Shumate tied her season-high with four successful three-point shots, matching her career high set against DePaul on December 8. Both Shumate and Ayrault celebrated this performance on the eve of their shared birthday on January 16.

Junior forward Grace VanSlooten added another 11 points for the Spartans. The MSU bench played a significant role by outscoring Rutgers' bench, contributing a total of 34 points compared to Rutgers' eight. Ayrault also led the team in rebounds with nine.

For Rutgers, Destiny Adams was notable with a double-double performance, scoring 15 points and securing ten rebounds.

The Spartan defense was effective throughout the game, converting 22 turnovers from Rutgers into 26 points. The game began at a brisk pace with Michigan State establishing an early lead of 16-11 after a successful three-pointer by Shumate at the midway point of the first quarter. By hitting five three-pointers within the first ten minutes, MSU took control early despite leading narrowly at the end of the first quarter with a scoreline of 22-20.

Rutgers briefly took its first lead during the second quarter following free throws by Adams but struggled as MSU responded quickly to regain control after strategic plays including a key steal by Theryn Hallock which resulted in points for MSU before halftime ended evenly at 33 apiece.

Increased defensive pressure allowed MSU to take charge again during the third period where they outscored Rutgers significantly creating separation heading into final stages leading comfortably by nine points (55-46).

As they entered into fourth quarter maintaining momentum Nyla Hampton’s basket gave them decisive edge expanding gap further ensuring solid finish alongside Ayrault’s contribution sealing triumph for Spartans who will now prepare face Illinois Sunday January nineteenth closing current road swing scheduled commence afternoon Eastern Time.