Michigan State rallies for 65-62 win over big underdog Colorado State in women's NCAA Tournament
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Grace VanSlooten and Kennedy Blair each scored 18 points, and Michigan State rallied in the second half to beat Colorado State 65-62 in the first round of the women's NCAA Tournament on Friday night. VanSlooten added 10 rebounds for Michigan State (23-8), the fifth seed in the Sacramento Region.
The Spartans will play either No. 4 seed Oklahoma or No. 13 seed Idaho in the second round on Sunday.
Brooke Carlson had 26 points, six rebounds and three assists for No. 12 seed Colorado State (27-8), which played without leading scorer Lexus Bargesser. She suffered a non-contact injury during the Rams' Mountain West Conference Tournament title run.
Hannah Ronsiek missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer that would have forced overtime. Carlson had 11 points and five rebounds in the first half for Colorado State, which used a 9-0 run early to build a 29-27 advantage at the break. Michigan State, an 18 1/2-point favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook, connected on one of its first 14 3-point tries.
VanSlooten had nine points and seven rebounds to keep the Spartans close. Michigan State doubled its 3-point output in the third quarter and both were important. Jalyn Brown connected to pull the Spartans within 39-38.