BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Interstat) — The Michigan State women’s basketball team opened Big Ten play with an authoritative 80-60 victory over Indiana on Thursday at Assembly Hall. The Spartans used consistent scoring, posting 19, 21, 21 and 19 points across the four quarters, to steadily pull away from the Hoosiers. Michigan State’s defense clamped down after halftime, holding Indiana to just 25 second-half points. Grace VanSlooten led all players with 18 points and 14 rebounds for Michigan State. Shay Ciezki scored 16 points for Indiana. The Spartans improved to 13-1 overall, while the Hoosiers fell to 11-4.

Preview: Michigan State at Indiana in Big Ten Women’s Basketball Showdown BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Interstat) — A pivotal early conference clash tips off the new year when the Michigan State Spartans visit the Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten women’s basketball matchup on Thursday at Assembly Hall. The Spartans (12-1, 1-0 Big Ten), riding a five-game winning streak, bring one of the nation’s most potent offenses to Bloomington. Their lone loss came at Wisconsin on Dec. 7. They are led by dynamic guard Kennedy Blair, who is averaging 14.2 points and 6.2 assists over her last five games. Blair is coming off a triple-double performance with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a 70-64 win over Rutgers on Sunday. Indiana (11-3, 0-1) looks to rebound from a disappointing 71-48 home loss to Minnesota on Monday. The Hoosiers’ offense runs through guard Shay Ciezki, a prolific scorer who has averaged 23.0 points over her last six contests, including a 31-point outburst against Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 11. Her playmaking will be critical against Michigan State’s pressure defense. The Spartans have dominated non-conference play, winning 11 games by an average margin of 36.5 points. Their balanced attack features four players averaging double figures, with center Ines Sotelo providing a strong interior presence alongside Blair’s perimeter play. Indiana’s defense, which allowed Minnesota to shoot 50% from the field, faces a stern test against a Michigan State team averaging 86.2 points per game. The Hoosiers will need a significant improvement on the boards after being outrebounded 42-24 by the Golden Gophers. This game marks the conference home opener for Indiana. Michigan State aims to solidify its status as a Big Ten title contender with a key road victory. The Spartans have won three straight in the series, including a 76-58 victory in their last meeting in East Lansing. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.