Michigan State women shake off rust, avoid upset to start NCAA Tournament

Michigan State women's basketball hadn't played a game in more than two weeks. It took a while to shake off the rust, but the Spartans did just that in the nick of time to beat Colorado State, 65-62, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night in Norman, Okla. Michigan State (23-8), the No.

5 seed, avoided the upset by No. 12 Colorado State (27-8), the Mountain West champion that was playing in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in a decade. Michigan State was playing for the first time since March 5.

And it seemed to show for much of Friday night's game, starting 1-for-15 from 3-point range. For the game, the Spartans shot just 19% (4-for-21) from 3-point range. Redshirt sophomore guard Kennedy Blair (Dearborn Divine Child) led Michigan State with 18 points, including a big basket with under a minute left to extend the lead to five points, 64-59.

She also had three blocks. Senior forward Grace VanSlooten added 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Brooke Carlson led Colorado State with 26 points, including a 3-pointer with under 40 seconds left to pull her team within 65-62.