Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, February 18
East Lansing, Mich.
5:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Michigan State
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Closes Road Trip Wednesday At No. 18 Michigan State
2/17/2026 11:15:00 AM | Women's Basketball
‘Cats set for penultimate road contest of 2025-26 season
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 17, 2026) – Northwestern (8-17, 2-12 B1G) wraps up a two-game road swing on Wednesday evening when it visits No. 18 Michigan State for a 5:30 p.m. CT tip-off inside the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern whittled a 20-point third-quarter deficit down to three in the closing minute of regulation, but could not complete its comeback in an 81-71 defeat at Penn State last Sunday inside Rec Hall in University Park, Pa.
Kat Righeimer enjoyed a breakout performance in leading the 'Cats, as she came off the bench to pour in a career-best 18 points, 16 of which came during the second half. Caroline Lau continued her red-hot play of late, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Lau, who has scored in double figures in seven of the Wildcats' last nine games, averaged 16.5 points and shot at a 43-percent clip from three-point land last week.
Bolstered by three treys apiece from Righeimer and Lau, Northwestern connected on a season-high tying nine threes as it closed the day at 36 percent from beyond the arc.
Grace Sullivan rounded out a trio of 'Cats to score in double figures with 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Sunday marked Sullivan's 23rd game of 10-plus points this season.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State (20-6, 9-6 B1G), which enters the week at No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, has dropped four of its last five games, most recently falling to No. 7 Michigan, 86-65, this past Sunday at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Led by third-year head coach Robyn Fralick, who has now guided Michigan State to three straight 20-win seasons, the Spartans boast one of the Big Ten's top offenses, ranking third in the league and 10th nationally at 83.7 points per game.
Grace VanSlooten paces the Michigan State attack, averaging a team-high 15.0 points. A Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2024-25, VanSlooten has scored in double figures in all but three games this season and has a pair of 20-plus point showings to her name. Kennedy Blair has raised her game since the start of Big Ten Conference play, averaging a team-best 15.0 points against league opposition. Blair, who is shooting just north of 47 percent during conference play, put up 21 points and 12 rebounds in Michigan State's aforementioned loss at Michigan.
SERIES STUFF
Wednesday's penultimate road contest for the 'Cats will serve as the 78th meeting between Northwestern and Michigan State. Winners of four straight encounters, the Spartans own a 48-29 (.623) advantage in the all-time series.
Northwestern will be in search of its first win inside the Breslin Center since a 63-60 triumph on February 7, 2021.
In last season's clash at Welsh-Ryan Arena, Taylor Williams led a group of five Wildcats to score in double figures, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds, as Michigan State fended off a fast start by Northwestern en route to an 89-75 victory.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, February 22 for a 2 p.m. CT clash with in-state rival Illinois.
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern whittled a 20-point third-quarter deficit down to three in the closing minute of regulation, but could not complete its comeback in an 81-71 defeat at Penn State last Sunday inside Rec Hall in University Park, Pa.
Kat Righeimer enjoyed a breakout performance in leading the 'Cats, as she came off the bench to pour in a career-best 18 points, 16 of which came during the second half. Caroline Lau continued her red-hot play of late, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Lau, who has scored in double figures in seven of the Wildcats' last nine games, averaged 16.5 points and shot at a 43-percent clip from three-point land last week.
Bolstered by three treys apiece from Righeimer and Lau, Northwestern connected on a season-high tying nine threes as it closed the day at 36 percent from beyond the arc.
Grace Sullivan rounded out a trio of 'Cats to score in double figures with 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Sunday marked Sullivan's 23rd game of 10-plus points this season.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State (20-6, 9-6 B1G), which enters the week at No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, has dropped four of its last five games, most recently falling to No. 7 Michigan, 86-65, this past Sunday at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Led by third-year head coach Robyn Fralick, who has now guided Michigan State to three straight 20-win seasons, the Spartans boast one of the Big Ten's top offenses, ranking third in the league and 10th nationally at 83.7 points per game.
Grace VanSlooten paces the Michigan State attack, averaging a team-high 15.0 points. A Second Team All-Big Ten selection in 2024-25, VanSlooten has scored in double figures in all but three games this season and has a pair of 20-plus point showings to her name. Kennedy Blair has raised her game since the start of Big Ten Conference play, averaging a team-best 15.0 points against league opposition. Blair, who is shooting just north of 47 percent during conference play, put up 21 points and 12 rebounds in Michigan State's aforementioned loss at Michigan.
SERIES STUFF
Wednesday's penultimate road contest for the 'Cats will serve as the 78th meeting between Northwestern and Michigan State. Winners of four straight encounters, the Spartans own a 48-29 (.623) advantage in the all-time series.
Northwestern will be in search of its first win inside the Breslin Center since a 63-60 triumph on February 7, 2021.
In last season's clash at Welsh-Ryan Arena, Taylor Williams led a group of five Wildcats to score in double figures, finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds, as Michigan State fended off a fast start by Northwestern en route to an 89-75 victory.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, February 22 for a 2 p.m. CT clash with in-state rival Illinois.
Players Mentioned
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