Blair's 30 points weren't enough. A second-half collapse and late miscue sunk Michigan State's tournament hopes against Illinois.
The Spartans opened the Big Ten Tournament tonight as the No. 7 seed with high expectations. However, despite Kennedy Blair putting up a heroic 30-point performance, a lack of three-point shooting and a costly late miscue led to an early tournament exit.
The last time these teams met was in early January, when Michigan State came away with a big win during one of the best starts in program history. In that game, the Spartans led by five at the end of the first quarter, extended the lead to 12 at halftime, and ultimately won by six. Michigan State’s defense played strong, limiting Illinois’ Cearah Parchment to just six points.
Thursday night told a different story.
Michigan State tipped off just its second game in 12 days and initially looked sharp. The Spartans jumped out early thanks in part to Illinois committing four straight turnovers to start the game. But the early momentum quickly faded once the Fighting Illini settled in. Illinois closed the first quarter on an 8–0 run and carried a slim lead into the second quarter.
By halftime, Michigan State found itself trailing 36–29.
Kennedy Blair did everything she could to keep the Spartans within striking distance. She was far and away the best player on the court all night, showcasing both talent and relentless effort. Blair finished the first half with 14 points and also led the team with five rebounds.
Unfortunately for Michigan State, scoring support was hard to come by. The Spartans shot just 37 percent from the field in the first half and went 0-for-7 from three-point range. Outside of Blair, the rest of the team combined for just 15 points before the break.
Blair continued her stellar play in the second half, scoring 16 more points and finishing the night with 30 points and six rebounds. She did everything possible to will the Spartans to victory, and her performance left little doubt about her impact on the game. If Thursday night was any indication, Blair will be a problem for opponents in the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan State needed to settle down offensively in the second half if it wanted a chance to rally. Illinois entered the game 19–0 this season when leading at halftime, making the challenge even steeper for the Spartans.
Grace VanSlooten spent several minutes on the bench in the first half after picking up early fouls, something Michigan State was trying to avoid. Her presence in the paint is crucial for rebounding and interior scoring, two areas where the Spartans struggled during the second quarter.
VanSlooten stepped up in the second half, providing the support Blair needed. She came up with timely rebounds, defensive stops, and key baskets as Michigan State fought back into the game. VanSlooten ultimately finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Jalyn Brown also played a key role in keeping the Spartans competitive. After knocking down a couple of timely baskets earlier, Brown finally broke Michigan State’s three-point drought with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. Her shot marked the Spartans’ first three-pointer of the night and sparked a much-needed offensive surge.
Brown finished with 12 points on the evening.
After falling behind by as many as eight points in the third quarter, Michigan State responded with an 11–0 run to reclaim the lead at 42–41—its first lead since the opening quarter. From there, the game turned into a back-and-forth battle, with both teams refusing to give an inch. By the end of the third quarter, however, Illinois had managed to regain control and held a five-point advantage heading into the final period.
The Spartans stumbled early in the fourth quarter, falling behind by as many as nine points. Still, Michigan State refused to go away quietly. With three minutes remaining, the Spartans had clawed their way back to within four points. Moments later, with just two minutes left, the deficit was trimmed to two.
With nine seconds remaining, Michigan State had possession with a chance to tie or win the game.
The Spartans went to their best player. Blair received the ball but quickly drew a double team. Instead of forcing a contested shot, she kicked the ball out to Jalyn Brown on the perimeter. Unfortunately for Michigan State, a miscue followed as the pass went out of bounds, giving Illinois possession in the closing seconds.
That turnover proved to be the final blow, as the Fighting Illini escaped with a 71–69 victory.
Despite the disappointing loss, Michigan State’s season is far from over. The Spartans are expected to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament, and their next destination will be revealed on Selection Sunday.