Michigan State looks to rebound against Penn State in Big Ten clash

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Michigan State Spartans aim to halt a two-game skid when they visit the Penn State Lady Lions in a Big Ten Conference women’s basketball matchup Saturday at Bryce Jordan Center.

Michigan State (19-4, 8-3 Big Ten) enters following consecutive losses, including an 86-70 defeat to Maryland on Wednesday. The Spartans had previously dropped a 94-91 overtime decision to Michigan on Feb. 1, sandwiching those losses around an 86-65 road win at Purdue.

Penn State (8-15, 2-9) is coming off one of its best performances of the season, an 85-82 overtime victory at Purdue on Wednesday. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Lady Lions.

The game features a compelling guard matchup. Michigan State’s Grace VanSlooten, a versatile wing, is averaging 17.1 points per game. She scored 19 points with four blocks against Maryland and had a 22-point outing in a win over Nebraska last month.

She will be countered by Penn State’s dynamic Kiyomi McMiller, who is coming off a career-high 30 points and nine assists in 42 minutes against Purdue. McMiller has scored 20 or more points in four of her last seven games, including a 27-point, 11-rebound, five-assist effort in a close loss to Rutgers.

The Spartans have dominated the recent series, winning the last five meetings. Their balanced attack, which includes Kennedy Blair (15 points, seven assists vs. Maryland) and Emma Shumate, will test a Penn State defense allowing 80.2 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten.

Michigan State’s defense, which had been a strength during its 19-2 start, will focus on containing McMiller and post player Gracie Merkle, who added 19 points against Purdue.

The Lady Lions will need another high-output performance to challenge a Spartan team seeking to regain its footing in the conference race before a pivotal stretch that includes games against UCLA, Michigan and Ohio State.

Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon. The Spartans’ next game is at home against UCLA on Feb. 11. Penn State travels to Maryland on Feb. 12.