No. 18 Michigan State women's basketball routs Northwestern 104-68

Grace VanSlooten scores 22 points as Spartans cruise to victory

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The No. 18 Michigan State women's basketball team defeated Northwestern 104-68 on Wednesday. Grace VanSlooten led the Spartans with 22 points, while Kennedy Blair added 17 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and five steals. Michigan State shot 53% from the field and made 13 of 26 3-pointers to pull away in the second quarter.

Why it matters

The win keeps Michigan State in the hunt for a high seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament, as they improve to 21-6 overall and 10-6 in conference play. Northwestern, meanwhile, drops to 8-18 on the season and 2-13 in the Big Ten, continuing their struggles in a rebuilding year.

The details

Michigan State took control of the game early, building a 55-28 halftime lead after a dominant 32-14 second quarter. The Spartans shot the ball extremely well, connecting on 53% of their field goals and 50% of their 3-point attempts. Grace VanSlooten led the way with 22 points, while Kennedy Blair stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and five steals. Northwestern was led by Grace Sullivan's 23 points, but couldn't keep pace with the Spartans' offensive onslaught.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Grace VanSlooten

A standout sophomore forward for the Michigan State Spartans, VanSlooten led the team with 22 points in the victory.

Kennedy Blair

The senior guard for Michigan State recorded a well-rounded stat line of 17 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and five steals.

Grace Sullivan

The leading scorer for Northwestern, Sullivan poured in 23 points in the losing effort.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been locked in from the start. Our defense set the tone and allowed us to get out in transition and make some shots.”

— Grace VanSlooten, Michigan State Forward (Michigan State Athletics)

What’s next

Michigan State will look to continue their strong play when they travel to take on No. 23 Minnesota on Sunday. Northwestern, meanwhile, will try to bounce back when they face Illinois, also on Sunday.

The takeaway

Michigan State's dominant performance showcased their offensive firepower and defensive intensity, as they continue to position themselves for a high seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament. The loss is another setback for a struggling Northwestern team that is still in rebuilding mode this season.