Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich. – A 17-3 Michigan State run in the third quarter was the deciding stretch of basketball as the Golden Grizzlies lost their second straight game, 84-71.

Freshman Olivia Sims added to an impressive week, shooting a career-high 4-6 from three for 12 points. She added four rebounds, another career high. It was her second game in double figures, and fourth game of the season with two threes or more. 

Oakland returned home for the start of a three-game home stand after falling 69-58 to the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Monday, Nov. 22. The two-game stint against in-state rivals was a break from Horizon League competition, which resumes Thursday, Dec. 2 against UIC.

Michigan State entered the contest on a two-game losing streak after consecutive three-point road losses to Fordham and St. Francis Brooklyn. The Spartans were without senior forward Tory Ozment and junior guard Julia Ayrault due to injuries.

The Spartans opened up the first quarter with two quick buckets to go up 5-2. With three minutes gone, MSU led 9-5. A Breanna Perry three put an end to a 9-0 MSU run. MSU kept their foot on the gas, shooting a high percentage in the first, which gave them a 27-18 lead at the end of the first. 

MSU shot 73% from the floor in the first quarter, consistently working inside for paint baskets. Oakland's offense couldn't keep pace, shooting 42% from the floor and 40% from deep. Both teams shared the ball well, MSU had nine assists and Oakland had five in the first quarter. 

The Golden Grizzlies opened up the second quarter with strong defense, holding MSU scoreless through the first two and a half minutes. Oakland was able to force multiple turnovers and turn it into offense. They went on an 8-0 run to cut the game to one point, 27-26, after Alona Blackwell grabbed an offensive rebound for a putback. 

MSU broke out of their slump in the second, answering Oakland's run with a 10-3 run of their own, holding a 37-29 lead with two minutes left in the quarter. A tight final two minutes put the halftime score at 39-32, MSU. 

Both offenses exited the locker rooms ready to play. Oakland had 12 points in the first four minutes of the second half, MSU had nine. Neither team was missing much, but Oakland was able to regain ground, led by Breedy's seven points in five minutes. Halfway through the third, Oakland tied the game at 48 on a layup from Kayla Luchenbach.

MSU retaliated with a 7-0 run to reclaim a modest lead. Another 10-3 run from the Spartans to close out the third gave MSU a 65-51 lead entering the fourth. 

The fourth quarter was back-and-forth, with neither team gaining an edge. The MSU offense continued pushing, forcing the ball inside and taking paint looks. Oakland outscored MSU in the fourth, 20-19, but the lead entering the fourth was too much to overcome. 

Next up for Oakland is the second of three straight at home. The Golden Grizzlies host the UIC Flames in their third Horizon League contest on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.