EAST LANSING — Jalyn Brown was a fixture in the starting lineup while spending the last two seasons at Arizona State.
The senior guard is in a different role as she settles in to the latest chapter of her college career in the Michigan State women’s basketball program.
Brown is finding her niche as an impact player off the bench and contributed to the No. 25-ranked Spartans improving to 5-0 with their 101-52 victory over Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Brown was one of three players to score in double figures for the Spartans and contributed 14 points and four rebounds off the bench in the win.
“I just do what I have to do,” said Brown, who was Arizona State’s leading scorer in 2024-25. “Now I’m in a place and even in a mindset where we’ve just got to win. Whatever I’ve got to do for us to win, that’s what I’m going to do. Last season I had to improve on my 3 ball, so it was being more confident shooting the 3 because I can shoot it. It’s being more comfortable looking out for my teammates. Last season I was not necessarily a passer but I feel like in that situation it was very hard for me to do that. Now I can swing it to whoever whenever and they can knock it down.”
Brown has scored in double figures in four of five games this season and is averaging 11.8 points off the bench. Brown said being a former starter has helped in her transition to a reserve role.
“When I am on the bench it actually helps a lot because I’m able to figure out how (opponents) are guarding,” Brown said. “I’m able to figure out where the gaps are going to be. I’m able to figure out what shots are going to be there.
“I think being on the bench gives me a good eye of what’s going to happen.”
In addition to her scoring, Brown has made her mark with her length at the top of MSU’s press.
“We love her length, her speed,” MSU coach Robyn Fralick said. “To be at the top of a press, for us that’s a compliment. It means we trust your length, we trust your speed, trust your ability to trap and disrupt and she’s done a really good job of that.”
VanSlooten, Woodard shine
Grace VanSlooten had 17 points before leaving the game with an injury early in the fourth quarter. There was no immediate update on VanSlooten’s status following the win.
“We’ll see more as we go,” Fralick said. “Hopeful.”
Juliann Woodard matched a career high with 17 points off the bench with 14 points coming in the final quarter. Kennedy Blair added eight points and a career-best 15 rebounds for MSU, which concludes a six-game season-opening homestand when it hosts Oakland at 2 p.m. Nov. 23.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Jalyn Brown finding niche off bench, helps MSU women move to 5-0
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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