Michigan State’s Matilda Ekh seals upset of No. 4 Michigan

Michigan State stunned rivals No. 4 Michigan on Thursday, downing the Wolverines 63-57 in East Lansing.

The Spartans’ upset victory snapped Michigan’s eight-game winning streak, with the Wolverines falling to an 11-2 conference record.

Guard Nia Clouden led the charge for Michigan State, notching 20 points, four assists and two rebounds. Thirteen of Clouden’s points came in the third quarter, with the Spartans outscoring Michigan 23-11 to jump to a 49-40 lead.

Despite a late-game push that put the Wolverines within one, Michigan State was able to hold off their Big-Ten rivals down the stretch. Tamara Farquhar’s 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals added to the Spartans’ tally, while a fourth-quarter three from Matilda Ekh sealed the deal for Michigan State.

Michigan’s Naz Hillmon led all scorers with 27 points, although her 12-for-25 shooting ultimately wasn’t enough to buoy the Wolverines to victory.

The Spartans will take on another top-ranked team on Saturday, facing off against Indiana in Bloomington.

Michigan will get a shot at redemption when they host Michigan State in Ann Arbor on Feb. 24.