Michigan State Falls to UCLA in Hard-Fought Matchup

Categories: College University Athletics

A crucial moment during the intense game between Michigan State and UCLA.

News Summary

On February 16, 2025, the Michigan State women’s basketball team faced the top-ranked UCLA Bruins in an intense game at Pauley Pavilion. Despite a strong effort, the Spartans lost 75-69. Led by Theryn Hallock’s 19 points, they held a narrow lead late but couldn’t secure the victory. UCLA, missing their starting center, relied on key performances from their players to finish strong. With this loss, Michigan State’s record against ranked teams drops to 1-6, while UCLA improves to 24-1 as they adapt to recent challenges.

Michigan State’s Tough Loss Against Top-Ranked UCLA in LA

Los Angeles was buzzing on February 16, 2025, as the Michigan State women’s basketball team took on the heavily favored UCLA Bruins at the iconic Pauley Pavilion. The excitement of a match-up between the No. 22 ranked Spartans and the top-ranked Bruins brought fans to their feet, hoping Michigan State could pull off a remarkable upset against one of the best teams in the nation.

The Game Overview

Despite a valiant effort from the Spartans, the game ended with a close score of 75-69 in favor of UCLA. Fans witnessed an intense back-and-forth battle, with Michigan State showcasing impressive skills but ultimately falling short. The Spartans were on the brink of claiming what would have been their second victory over a No. 1 ranked team in program history, which added to the tension in the air.

Challenges for UCLA

UCLA came into the game missing their starting center, Lauren Betts, who was sidelined with a right foot injury. Wearing a protective boot on the sidelines, Betts’s absence was felt, but the Bruins were determined to hold their ground. In her place, Janiah Barker stepped up big time, recording an impressive 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, proving her worth on the court. Furthermore, Timea Gardiner made significant contributions with 18 points, including a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with just 44.8 seconds left on the clock.

Hallock Shines for the Spartans

For Michigan State, Theryn Hallock put forth an outstanding performance, leading all scorers with a game-high 19 points. The Spartans also saw strong support from Julia Ayrault, who netted 18 points, and Grace VanSlooten, who added 16 points along with 7 rebounds. It was clear that the team was hungry for victory and fighting hard.

A Thrilling Fourth Quarter

The game was thrilling until the very end. As the fourth quarter approached, Michigan State held a narrow lead of 69-68 with just 2 minutes and 14 seconds left to play. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalize on this momentum and fell silent offensively, failing to score again. Meanwhile, UCLA took control, finishing the game strong by scoring the final seven points. Key contributions came from Kiki Rice, who nailed 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the last moments of the match.

Looking Ahead

This game marked a challenging moment for the Spartans, bringing their record against No. 1 ranked teams to 1-6 overall. With the loss, Michigan State moved to a season record of 1-6 against ranked teams, while UCLA improved to 24-1, looking to carry their momentum forward following a recent defeat to sixth-ranked USC.

Next Matchups

For Michigan State, the road doesn’t get any easier as they prepare to face No. 6 USC in their next match. Meanwhile, UCLA will host Illinois, where they hope to continue their strong performance. The Spartans have a chance to bounce back, but they’ll need to focus on improving their defensive rebounding, a crucial factor that was highlighted by their coach after the game.

As basketball fans reflect on this showdown, it’s clear that both teams will learn and grow from this experience, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting remainder of the season. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as the Spartans aim to turn the tide in their upcoming match against USC!