Freshman guard Brittney Thomas would add a free throw at the two-second mark to seal the 65-62 Spartans victory.

“We were struggling to find a way to get things done (lately),” MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said. “I thought we saw kids really battling out there and competing and we had good balance for the first time in a long time.”

The Spartans (12-9 overall, 4-5 Big Ten) ended the first half up by seven points, 40-33, before starting the second half trading baskets with Illinois (11-8, 3-5 Big Ten) for the first three minutes.

MSU guarded the lead until Illinois forward Jenna Smith was fouled by sophomore center Lauren Aitch and sunk her two free throws to tie it up at 51. The tie was the first of four ties in the final 10 minutes of the game.

All five of the Fighting Illini’s Big Ten losses have been by fewer than eight points, with two games by only one point.

“I have never experienced anything like this as a coach. Ever,” Illinois head coach Jolette Law said. “Every game that we’ve lost has come down to the things we did not do.”

Law noted that allowing MSU 40 points in the first half was something she has never done in her career as well.

Junior guard Mia Johnson led the Spartans with a game-high 20 points — including five points in the last three minutes to spark the team.

“We just all went out and played together, we had to just make sure to go through the game, stay focused,” Johnson said.

MSU finished the game 24-of-58 from the field and 6-of-18 behind the arc with 17 turnovers.

The Spartans have now won two straight road games and continue on the road for their 1 p.m. Sunday game against Minnesota.