MICHIGAN State caused a massive boilover in the Big Ten Conference, stunning the previously undefeated Indiana in a vital NCAA women’s win overnight. In front of home fans at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, the underdogs, the crowd witnessed a brilliant ball-handing display from guard DeeDee Hagemann who shone to guide the Spartans to a five-point victory, 83-78.

Coming into the match, Indiana was ranked second in the Big Ten Conference, having won its first 12 matches, only behind fellow undefeated team Ohio State (14-0). Michigan State was 11th in the conference, boasting an overall 8-5 record, but had claimed the victories in their past two matches. Few would have predicted what was about to unfold.

After an even start to the match, Michigan State went on an eight-point streak towards the end of the first term, and while Mackenzie Holmes pegged back the deficit with an And-One chance in the final 40 seconds, the favourites trailed by four points. Indiana caught up midway through the second term, though Kamaria McDaniel was becoming a problem for the visitors.

Her consistent scoring – along with Hagemann’s slick passing put the lead back out to six points in the final minute of the first half. Holmes’ again came good with six straight points either side of the main break to tie the scores at 35 points apiece. It was like a one player show for the fourth seeds, with Michigan State sharing it around in the third, as Taiyier Parks and Matilda Ekh both started to get their hands on the ball.

With Holmes coming off for a break, the home side quickly built a double-digit lead. With Holmes returning and then Yarden Garzon starting to run hot, the Hoosiers cut the 11-point margin back to just three with 47 seconds left on the clock in the third. A steadying triple from Hagemann and then an And-One from the foul put the lead back out and it was six points with 10 minutes to play.

When Holmes produced her own And-One chance in the opening two and a half minutes, the scores were level and it looked like Indiana would run over the top of the Spartans. Parks had other ideas with five straight points for her side, while McDaniel and Ekh put the lead out to as much as seven points. Holmes continued to stack up the points in a remarkable effort, and almost seemingly was dragging her team back into the game.

With 1:21 left in the game, Holmes brought her fourth quarter contribution up to 12 points and cut the lead back to four. Ekh steadied with back-to-back free throws, and when Hagemann nailed one herself with 39 seconds on the clock, the Spartans held a seven-point advantage. There were a few nervous moments for the Spartans as they only nailed one of two free throws in between five points from the Hoosiers.

Three points, 26 seconds was the scenario. Hagemann lost the ball in a crucial turnover, but won it back after Sara Scalia – who had been strong in the last term – turned it back over. Earning a foul and sent to the free thrown line, McDaniel made no mistake this time, icing the game. A late three-pointer missed for the favourites, but when Parks secured the last two free throws, the Spartans were home, and enjoyed a massive upset win, 83-78.

Hagemann was incredible with 15 points, eight assists and five steals, but it was her balanced work across the attacking end that stood out. She nailed three of five from beyond the arc, and then four of five from the charity stripe. Her eight assists were a game-high, in a match where clinical passing was crucial. McDaniel would provide the high-volume scoring with 24 points, while Ekh helped out with 18 points and contributed across all facets with five rebounds and three assists. Parks was huge off the boards with 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals in just 20 minutes on court.

For Indiana, Holmes was a one-player wrecking ball, putting up 32 points at 70.6 per cent from the field, and securing eight of 10 from the line. Not only did she step up on the scoring front, but worked hard defensively to pull down 12 rebounds. Garzon chipped in with 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks, while Chloe Moore-McNeil helped herself to 11 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Michigan State players can now enjoy bringing in the New Year before a January 2 clash at Northwestern, who sit below them in the Big Ten Conference with a 50 per cent win-loss record.