EAST LANSING, Mich. – In a remarkable display of teamwork and skill, Jaddan Simmons netted 18 points while Julia Ayrault contributed 17 points along with 12 rebounds, leading the No. 24 Michigan State Spartans to a commanding 89-61 victory over DePaul on Sunday. This win marks a historic achievement for the program, as the Spartans improved their record to 9-0 for the first time ever.
The Spartans received additional support from Emma Shumate, who added 12 points, and Jocelyn Tate, who chipped in with 10 points. A strong defensive effort was highlighted by Grace VanSlooten, who was instrumental in securing four of the team’s 14 blocks. Furthermore, Michigan State showcased their offensive prowess with 24 assists distributed across 31 successful baskets.
From the onset, Michigan State established dominance, outshooting DePaul 47% to 22% in the first half. The Spartans maintained a substantial lead, going into halftime with a score of 42-25. The gap widened as the game progressed, peaking at 32 points when Kennedy Blair converted a three-point play, thereby extending the score to 89-57 with just two minutes left on the clock.
On the other side of the court, Jorie Allen was a standout for DePaul, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Grace Carstensen and Taylor Johnson-Matthews also made notable contributions, each scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively.
In overall statistics, Michigan State concluded the game hitting 51% of their shots, whereas DePaul struggled offensively, managing only 29%. This victory heightened Michigan State’s lead in their historical series against DePaul to 5-0, following a previous win in Chicago last season by a score of 102-64.
Jill Pizzotti continues to lead DePaul as the interim coach while longtime head coach Doug Bruno remains on medical leave.
