“I don’t know what that is a sign of, but there’s no better time than the present to step up and break that streak,” MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said. “But for us right now it’s just about becoming more consistent — more consistency from our players, our defense and making better reads offensively.”

Merchant has expressed her frustration with the inconsistency throughout the season, but does feel it is getting better as more games are played.

“One game we can’t stop the drive, and the next our post play can’t defend anybody on the block,” she said. “That part has to change.”

Cutting it close

Of the team’s last four wins, two have been last-minute comebacks — which brings to question Merchant’s stress level.

“Obviously it’s nice to blow people out so you don’t have to worry about it,” Merchant said. “But to me, the good thing about that is it says we’re not going to quit, we’re not quitters and kids that will give in to something.”

In the last eight games, in which the Spartans have gone 4-4, the average loss has been by 11.75 points while the average win has been by only 6.5.

“I think our kids have always found a way to fight back,” she said. “I wish they’d find a way to fight earlier or sustain it, but either way it only builds for the future.”

Looking back

Against Michigan, Merchant had the team change from man to zone defense during the second half. It seemed to work as the Wolverines appeared frustrated on the floor and U-M head coach Kevin Borseth slammed his clipboard onto the court during a timeout at the 4:31 mark.

“We’ve been trying to make some changes just to switch things up and get people out of the flow,” Merchant said. “I thought that was effective against U-M and our kids seemed to respond to it.”

To avoid getting “fat and happy” after pulling out the ‘W’ in a close rivalry game, the team focused immediately on their upcoming game Thursday in Iowa.