EAST LANSING, Mich. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and relentless defensive pressure, Michigan State weathered a second-quarter storm and a late Southern California rally to secure a 74-68 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball clash Thursday night at Breslin Events Center.

The Spartans, improving to 18-2, used a dominant first quarter to build a cushion they would need later, while the Women of Troy fell to 11-8 despite a heroic scoring effort from their star duo.

Michigan State burst from the gate, attacking the paint and capitalizing on early Southern California fouls to build a 24-17 lead after the first period. The Spartans scored 16 of their first 18 points in the paint or at the free-throw line, with Grace VanSlooten of Toledo, Ohio, and Kennedy Blair of Dearborn, Michigan, leading the charge. Southern California, reliant on the scoring of Kara Dunn and Jazzy Davidson, struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Michigan State’s active defense.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter. The Women of Troy locked down defensively, holding the Spartans to just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting while forcing six turnovers. Simultaneously, Southern California’s offense ignited. A 13-2 run, fueled by Dunn and Davidson, erased the deficit and gave the visitors a 37-36 lead at halftime. Davidson, the freshman from Clackamas, Oregon, was instrumental on both ends, contributing to the defensive stand while scoring nine points in the quarter.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded to start the second half. Michigan State, reeling from the second-quarter onslaught, reasserted itself immediately after the break. The Spartans opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run, reclaiming the lead for good. They tightened their defense, holding Southern California to 12 points in the quarter on 5-of-15 shooting. More importantly, they exploited the Women of Troy’s primary weakness: ball security. Southern California committed eight turnovers in the period, which Michigan State converted into nine points, rebuilding a 53-49 lead heading into the final frame.

Southern California refused to capitulate. Trailing by 13 points with just over six minutes remaining, the Women of Troy mounted a frantic comeback. Dunn, who finished with a game-high 23 points, and Davidson, who added 21 points and five blocks, spearheaded a 14-3 surge. A three-pointer by Londynn Jones of Riverside, California, with 4:37 to play cut the Michigan State lead to 66-65, sending a jolt through the arena.

The Spartans, however, demonstrated the poise of a veteran team. On the ensuing possession, Rashunda Jones of South Bend, Indiana, answered with a crucial three-pointer to push the lead back to four. In the final two minutes, with Southern California forced to foul, Michigan State sealed the game at the free-throw line, making 7 of 8 attempts down the stretch. Blair, who led the Spartans with 21 points, and Rashunda Jones, who scored 16, were calm under pressure.

Turnovers proved to be the decisive statistic. Southern California committed 24 turnovers, leading to 25 points for Michigan State. The Spartans, by contrast, gave the ball away only 12 times. Michigan State also owned a significant advantage at the foul line, making 19 of 24 attempts compared to Southern California’s 7 of 8.

Beyond the scoring leaders, Ines Sotelo of Ourense, Spain, provided a critical all-around performance for Michigan State with 12 points, multiple key steals, and defensive presence. VanSlooten finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. For Southern California, Kennedy Smith of Chino, California, scored 15 points but was hampered by eight turnovers against Michigan State’s aggressive perimeter defense.

The game was part of the Big Ten’s conference challenge schedule. An announced crowd of 4,123 watched at Breslin Events Center.

Southern California will travel to face Michigan on Sunday. Michigan State’s next game is at Purdue next Thursday.