Spartans Battle Hard but Fall to Oklahoma, 77–71, in Round of 32
· Yahoo Sports
Michigan State falls short for the second straight season in the Round of 32.
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This year, the No. 5 Spartans faced off against the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners. They battled until the very end and looked like they were in a rhythm early, but faltered late and couldn’t find the groove needed to complete a comeback victory.
The Spartans ultimately fell 77–71 to Oklahoma, finishing the season 23–9—their most wins since 2016.
Early in the game, Michigan State was sparked by strong shooting and a resilience that couldn’t be matched. However, as the game went on, Oklahoma’s Madison Beers took over. Credit where it’s due—she dominated down low. At times, it felt like the officials allowed a bit more physicality in her favor, whether due to the crowd or her presence, but regardless, there wasn’t much MSU could do to slow her down.
Beers recorded her fifth consecutive double-double, the most in a row since Angel Reese.
It was a tough day in the paint for Michigan State. Still, the Spartans continued to fight, hanging around even after a third-quarter collapse. They had opportunities in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to one possession, but every missed shot seemed to turn into a fast-paced Oklahoma bucket on the other end.
Michigan State held a five-point lead at halftime, 42–37. The first half featured nine lead changes—the most of any game in the tournament so far—highlighting just how competitive the matchup was early on.
But the third quarter proved to be the turning point. Oklahoma went on a significant run to take control, and they never looked back. Missed free throws from MSU down the stretch only made things more difficult.
Kennedy Blair continued to impress, putting together another strong performance. She finished with 14 points, along with a team-high eight rebounds and three assists. Blair will be a cornerstone for this program moving forward, and what she accomplished this season as a sophomore cannot be overstated. A Second Team All-Big Ten selection, she showed nothing but passion every time she stepped on the court.
Rashunda Jones was electric, especially early on. Coming off the bench, she immediately made an impact, knocking down her first few three-point attempts and scoring nine points early in the second quarter. Later in the half, with the Spartans trailing by two and Blair briefly slowed, Jones stepped up again—driving to the basket for a game-tying and-one that showcased her intensity. She cooled off a bit later when the team needed her most, but still finished with a team-high 20 points, along with four rebounds and two assists.
Grace VanSlooten closed out her final game as a Spartan with 13 points, six rebounds, and one assist. She played with relentless effort from start to finish, leaving everything she had on the court. It was clear she didn’t want this to be her final game.
And that’s the tough reality of March. After dedicating years to the program, VanSlooten and the rest of the seniors now move on. No more practices. No more games. Just the beginning of a new chapter. It’s a reminder that this is more than just basketball—it’s about the journey, the growth, and the memories built along the way.
For Michigan State, that journey has been significant. From missing the tournament to making it three straight years—and now back-to-back seasons with at least one tournament win—this program has taken real steps forward.
The Spartans gave everything they had, but it wasn’t enough. Still, this is a team that can hold its head high. A season that began with a program-best 17–1 start isn’t just a great memory—it’s a foundation to build on.
With Robyn Fralick leading the way and key players like Kennedy Blair returning, the future is extremely bright for Michigan State. But for now, the 2025–26 season comes to a close.