EAST LANSING —One of the things coach Robyn Fralick has emphasized in the Michigan State women’s basketball program is connected and team play on the court.
That was missing on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
And that resulted in the No. 13-ranked Spartans now facing their first losing streak of the season.
MSU was handed its most lopsided setback of the season, suffering an 86-70 setback to No. 19-ranked Maryland at Breslin Center.
The loss was the second straight for MSU, which fell 94-91 in overtime to Michigan at Breslin on Sunday, Feb. 1. The Spartans (19-4, 8-4 Big Ten) have dropped their last three games against ranked opponents.
“For me personally it was our most disappointing game of the season,” Fralick said. “I thought we were missing team-ness, toughness on both sides of the ball. Disappointing effort.”
Maryland (18-6, 6-6) ended a four-game losing streak, picking up its first victory since beating USC on the road on Jan. 15.
The Terps hit their final eight shots from the field in the second quarter to stretch their lead to 10 at halftime and remained in control. MSU got within six in the early stages of the third quarter but never got any closer. Maryland led by as much as 19.
“We didn’t play like us today,” MSU’s Emma Shumate said. “It didn’t feel like us today. I think our defense wasn’t connected and our offense was flat.”
Grace VanSlooten had 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to lead MSU.
The Spartans return to play at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at Penn State.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU women’s basketball stumbles to Maryland in ‘most disappointing game of season’
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
