Spartans Battle Hard but Fall to Oklahoma, 77–71, in Round of 32
Spartans' tournament dreams fade after a valiant effort. Oklahoma's late surge and Beers' dominance prove too much in the Round of 32 battle.
Michigan State falls short for the second straight season in the Round of 32. This year, the No. 5 Spartans faced off against the No.
4 Oklahoma Sooners. They battled until the very end and looked like they were in a rhythm early, but faltered late and couldn’t find the groove needed to complete a comeback victory. The Spartans ultimately fell 77–71 to Oklahoma, finishing the season 23–9—their most wins since 2016.
Early in the game, Michigan State was sparked by strong shooting and a resilience that couldn’t be matched. However, as the game went on, Oklahoma’s Madison Beers took over. Credit where it’s due—she dominated down low.
At times, it felt like the officials allowed a bit more physicality in her favor, whether due to the crowd or her presence, but regardless, there wasn’t much MSU could do to slow her down. Beers recorded her fifth consecutive double-double, the most in a row since Angel Reese. It was a tough day in the paint for Michigan State.