FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — In a strong performance during the West Palm Beach Classic, Julia Ayrault contributed 15 points and Ines Sotelo added 13 as the No. 15 Michigan State Spartans claimed a 69-38 victory over Montana on Thursday. This win marked an impressive milestone for the team, extending their unparalleled start to the season at 11-0, surpassing their previous best of 8-0 from both the 2012-13 and 2020-21 seasons. Michigan State has now won 16 consecutive regular-season games dating back to the previous season.

The Spartans showcased their dominance during the second quarter, unleashing a 21-0 scoring run that featured seven points each from Ayrault and Theryn Hallock, propelling them to a significant 39-15 halftime advantage. From that point forward, Michigan State maintained a lead of over 20 points for the remainder of the contest. They continued to excel in the third quarter, executing a 19-0 scoring spree, which included six points from Sotelo, resulting in a commanding 65-22 lead. During this stretch, Montana struggled significantly, managing only 5 of 22 shots throughout the entire second and third quarters.

The Spartans capitalized on their defensive efforts, scoring a remarkable 43 points off 30 turnovers committed by Montana. Hallock finished with 11 points, while Grace VanSlooten chipped in with 10 for Michigan State. Ayrault, who nearly recorded a double-double, also grabbed three rebounds, maintaining an impressive average of 19.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game over her last six outings.

On the Montana side, Adria Lincoln led her team with seven points as the Lady Griz fell to 4-6. This matchup was part of a challenging schedule, as Montana had previously faced two other Big Ten teams, securing a win against Washington while suffering a defeat against Minnesota.

Both teams are set to compete again on Friday, with Montana scheduled to face Tulsa, while Michigan State will go up against No. 24 Alabama.