Short-handed MSU women's basketball falls just short in comeback bid against Indiana

EAST LANSING - Nia Hollie last played point guard in her early days of playing basketball as a third-grader.

She didn't quite expect to be playing that position when she arrived in the Michigan State women's basketball program.

But that's where she found herself the entire second half Saturday.

With the injuries mounting among the backcourt players, Hollie delivered a gritty effort for the Spartans, whose bid to overcome a 26-point deficit fell just short in a 69-65 loss to Indiana at Breslin Center.

"I've been around a long time, and it just seemed like that was one of the guttier performances I've seen," Merchant said of Hollie filling in at point guard. "She showed us some things."

Hollie was needed at point guard with Shay Colley out with a knee injury she suffered late in Tuesday's win at Illinois, and Taryn McCutcheon never returning from the locker room after halftime. In her postgame media session, Merchant wasn't sure of the exact ailment for McCutcheon.

Colley and McCutcheon joined Lexi Gussert (arm) and Mardrekia Cook (ACL and Claire Hendrickson (ACL) as the backcourt players out for MSU.

In their absences, Hollie did what she could to help the Spartans, who were down to seven players, keep fighting back.

Hollie finished with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists for MSU, which had a potential tying 3-pointer by Branndais Agee rim out in the closing seconds.

"We did prepare for (me at point guard), but we didn't think it would ever get to playing an entire half," Hollie said. "Looking at it, my teammates all had my back. As soon as she looked at me to be the point guard, my teammates said, 'You got this.' I was like all right, cool, let's go get this win. Obviously, it didn't turn out to be a win, but we fought hard. I think that was important, especially being in a spot that I haven't played in a very long time, and a spot I'm not necessarily used to."

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Tyra Buss had 28 points and made a late free throw to seal the win for Indiana (7-12, 2-6 Big Ten).

Jenna Allen had 16 points to lead MSU (14-6, 4-3), while Agee and Victoria Gaines each scored 10.

Indiana started the contest hot behind Buss, and built a 26-point lead in the middle stages of the second quarter before the Spartans gradually fought their way back to give themselves a chance late.

"That was heartbreaking," Allen said. "Branndais' shot was in and that rolled out. Coming out in that second half and not having Taryn and Nia running the point - I'm just so proud of this team. We fought. We were down 26 and came back. It's just heartbreaking today."

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