Thrilling Comeback by Michigan State
In a thrilling matchup on Saturday afternoon, No. 12 Michigan State mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat Penn State 81-70, showcased by Grace VanSlooten‘s impressive performance, marking her fifth double-double of the season. The Spartans, now boasting a record of 20-4 overall and 9-4 in Big Ten play, saw VanSlooten lead the way with 20 points and 14 rebounds, combining for a shooting accuracy of 50% by hitting 9 of her 18 attempts from the field. Jalyn Brown also contributed significantly, adding 16 points, while Kennedy Blair chipped in 12 points.
Penn State’s Struggles
On the other side, Penn State’s Kiyomi McMiller stole the spotlight with a career-high 37 points, shooting 16 of 33, including three successful three-pointers and scoring twice from the charity stripe. Freshman Tea Cleante supported with 10 points, although the Nittany Lions, now with a record of 8-16 and just 1-12 in conference play, struggled to maintain their momentum.
Game Highlights
The game initially tilted in favor of Penn State when they surged to a 45-29 advantage during a strong second quarter. However, Michigan State closed the half with a couple of late buckets, reducing the deficit to 45-33. Following halftime, the Spartans flipped the script with a stunning 16-0 scoring streak that lasted until the third quarter, allowing them to seize a 54-52 lead, effectively holding the Nittany Lions scoreless for more than six minutes.
Despite McMiller’s continued efforts, scoring 11 points in the final quarter, Michigan State extended their lead to double digits in the closing minutes. Notably, this comeback marks the Spartans’ largest since 2005, when they overcame a 16-point deficit against Tennessee on their way to the national championship.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Michigan State is set to face No. 2 UCLA on Wednesday, while Penn State will travel to challenge No. 22 Maryland on Thursday.
