As Big Ten play begins, Michigan State women's basketball aims to continue high-scoring ways

EAST LANSING — Robyn Fralick wasn't sure how long it would take for the Michigan State women's basketball team to fully grasp a system she and her staff have been teaching for several years.

But the first-year Spartan coach has been pleased with how quickly things have translated so far.

MSU has been one of the nation's top offensive teams through the first month of play, ranking third nationally, as of Thursday, in scoring at 93.9 points per game and second in field-goal shooting (52.3%).

The Spartans (7-1) have totaled at least 80 points in seven of eight games and will try to continue their high-scoring ways as they begin Big Ten play Saturday with a 2 p.m. matchup against Nebraska at Breslin Center.

"I think it's all a byproduct of good team basketball," Fralick said. "I think good shooting percentage is a byproduct of good team basketball and I think high assists is a byproduct of good team basketball. We know we're going to face some really stuff competition coming up, so we've got to find ways to continue that.

"High-assist teams tend to be higher-efficiency offensive teams because you're going to get better shots. That's one I hope we can continue."

Nebraska, which like MSU has suffered a loss to Creighton, will provide one of the toughest challenges yet to the Spartans' offensive success. The Huskers (7-2) have been one of the top defensive teams in the Big Ten, allowing just 57.1 points per game and holding opponents to just 35.1% shooting. Those totals rank in the top three in the Big Ten.

Sophomore Abbey Kimball believes the Spartans' scoring efficiency can translate to the Big Ten if they keep putting in the work and following the plans established by Fralick and staff.

"(It's) just moving the ball and getting great shots," said Kimball, who is one of four Spartans averaging more than 10 points per game. "If we keep getting open shots, we can knock those shots down. I think it's just shot selection and staying positive even when it's not going our way."

▶ INJURY UPDATES: Isa Alexander and Gabby Elliott, who went down with injuries in back-to-back games last month will be out for the rest of the season. Alexander is out with a foot injury, while Elliott injured her knee.

"We miss them every day," Fralick said. "They bring a lot of things to our program."

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.

SATURDAY'S GAME

Nebraska (7-2) at MSU (7-1)

▶ When: 2 p.m.

▶Where: Breslin Center

▶TV: Big Ten Network

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU women's basketball aims to continue high-scoring ways in Big Ten