Despite slip-up vs. Oregon, Michigan State women's basketball remains confident

The Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences in the country, especially in basketball. But to be more precise women's basketball. Michigan State women's basketball felt that toughness in its last game, as they fell short against the Oregon Ducks.

The loss was the first for the ladies in the Breslin Center this season, and it certainly hurt in the moment, but it appears it hasn't broken the team's confidence.

It's basketball after all, sure Oregon came into the matchup arguably the worst shooting team in the Big Ten, and they were able to make some big shots down the stretch.

It was primarily a double-digit lead for the Ducks from the start. Still, senior captain Julia Ayrault for the Spartans gave it everything she had, especially in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to a slim margin.

Michigan State's misses at the free throw line down the stretch are what ultimately hurt them, but Ayrault's leadership was a huge point made by Robyn Fralick following the loss.

According to Jania Clowers from the State News, Fralick was appreciative of Ayrault's unwillingness to give up.

"I thought the crowd really got into it, she's a sixth year," Fralick said. "I think she's been in a lot of situations like that. She got going, too, which I thought helped our team."

It was a huge fourth quarter for Julia, as she was held to just three points in the first half. She finished the game with 14 points and nine rebounds. It was a great effort to try and help the team get back in the game.

As for what Ayrault had to say about her grit.

"I think I was pretty frustrated in the first half, and just kind of trying to take a deep breath, and keep playing the game, " Ayrault said. "Obviously missed some free throw down the stretch, which was super frustrating, and that can't happen, but just kind of staying levelheaded."

They could have easily thrown in the towel when they were down by double ditgits, but they didn't. That is something this Spartan team has shown all season, that they are never down for the count.

"I think that's kind of been our theme all year, we're going to fight until the very end," Ayrault said. "And I think even when we're down, we're in the huddles and stuff. We're positive about the fact that we know we can come back."

The loss hurts, but they are still right in the thick of the top five race in the Big Ten, and with a road trip to a struggling Northwestern team this weekend, they can easily bounce back.