Grace VanSlooten scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading the Michigan State women to a a 64-50 victory over Harvard in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday in Raleigh, N.C.
The victory moved the Spartans in the second round where they will face host North Carolina State on Monday with an opportunity to play in the Sweet 16.
Jocelyn Tate added 13 points for the Spartans while Harvard was led by Harmoni Turner, who scored 24 points.
Foul troubles deplete Spartan lead
The Spartans opened the game with a 6-0 run, forcing three Crimson turnovers in the first 2½ minutes. Harvard was forced to take a time out following a 3-pointer from junior guard Theryn Hallock, putting Michigan State up by nine.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Harvard guard Harmoni Turner scored her team’s first two points after picking up a foul from Jocelyn Tate.
The foul troubles would continue as the Spartans gave up three more fouls within the last three minutes of the quarter. Turner and Crimson forward Abigail Wright knocked down their four shots, cutting the lead to two.
Tate scored two more free throws moments later bringing her point total to eight, ending the quarter at 15-11.
Harvard steps up its defense
The Spartans continued to build on their lead, despite the Crimson increasing their defensive intensity.
Turner and teammate Elena Rodrigues each picked up a steal and a block, contributing to the Spartans’ six turnovers in the quarter. Michigan State spent the final five minutes of the half struggling to find their next bucket after center Ines Sotelo hit a layup with 5:20 left, making it 22-15.
VanSlooten made two free throws after picking up a foul from Rodriguez, along with Turner making two more field goals, giving her 12 points at the half with the Spartans leading 24-19.
Spartans hold on
The Crimson scored six straight points and cut the lead to one, but Michigan State bounced back.
VanSlooten scored the Spartans’ next five points, extending the lead to six. After forcing two turnovers, Michigan State hit back-to-back 3-pointers forcing Harvard to take a time out and the lead hit 12.
Harvard would cut the lead down to as little as seven, but VanSlooten hit a foul shot, ending the quarter with a 10-point lead.
Next up NC State
Michigan State went on an 8-1 run to open the fourth quarter, including four from VanSlooten in the first two minutes. Harvard called a timeout to find its rhythm following a Hallock jumper that grew the lead to 53-39.
The Crimson struggled with its fouls as guard Saniyah Glenn fouled out and Turner picked up her fourth.
The Spartans pushed the pace and extended the lead to 21, before settling with a 14-point win.
Michigan State will be trying to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. The Wolfpack, which defeated Vermont earlier Saturday, is seeking to return to the third round for the second consecutive season.
Contact Eric Guzmán: [email protected]; 313-222-1850. Follow him on X: @EricGuzman90
.
