Michigan State rallies for 65-62
win over big underdog Colorado State in women's NCAA Tournament
[March 21, 2026]
By TIM WILLERT
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.
“A heck of a game. Definitely all the elements of March Madness,”
Michigan State coach Robyn Fralick said. “A lot of credit to
Colorado State. We knew coming in they were going to be a stingy
team, a team that hasn’t won or lost games by much of a margin, and
we knew it was going to have to be a bit of a grind-out.”
Brooke Carlson had a career-high 26 points along with 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.
“Two teams really battling out there,” Colorado State coach Ryun
Williams said. “Congrats to Michigan State; I thought they played a
tough fourth quarter. But I couldn't be more proud of my squad. Holy
cow, did we battle. They did everything that we asked them to do
tonight. Just a few plays here or there, and we're probably having a
different conversation.”
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.
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Colorado State guard Brooke Carlson (2) drives to the basket against
Michigan State guard Kennedy Blair (35) during the second half in
the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Friday,
March 20, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
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. Blair's 3 tied it at 47-all.
Michigan State took a 52-49 lead on a 3-pointer by Brown early in
the fourth, and the Spartans never trailed again. Shortly
thereafter, VanSlooten stole the ball and drove the length of the
court for a layup that made it 54-51.
Another double-double for VanSlooten
VanSlooten is one of seven Division I players to reach double
figures in points and rebounds in each of her first three NCAA
Tournament games.
“Yeah, it means a lot,” the 6-foot-3 senior said. “I think I'm just
going out there and doing my job, just rebounding on both sides of
the court, trying not to really pay attention to the numbers and
just do what's best for the team.”
Spartans too strong inside
Michigan State's length proved too much for the Rams to overcome.
The Spartans collected 10 offensive rebounds, had a 12-2 advantage
in second-chance points and outscored the Rams 38-32 in the paint.
“I kind of knew they weren't the biggest inside, and I just like to
really make a point of that and understand that I have a mismatch
and do whatever I can to take advantage of that," VanSlooten said.
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