EAST LANSING, Mich. —  In the lone meeting of the regular season against the Spartans, Wednesday night's battle came down to the final seven minutes of play, where the Wisconsin women's basketball team was outlasted by Michigan State, 69-61, in the Breslin Center. 

Wisconsin got a big time performance from junior Marsha Howard, who finished with a season-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, but even Howard's fifth career double-double was not enough to keep up with Michigan State.

After locking horns at 53 with 7:10 to play, Wisconsin would be outscored 16-8 to close the game.

The teams exchanged runs throughout the game, with neither team leading by more than five points at each quarter heading into the fourth quarter. Wisconsin (9-19 2-13 B1G) used a 21-point third quarter to tie Michigan State (16-12 overall) at 47 apiece.

Wisconsin began the game on fire, as Senior Cayla McMorris knocked down 12 first quarter points (4-5) to take a 16-14 lead.

The Badgers experienced a cold streak in the second quarter, hitting only two buckets (2-10), but trailed by just three at the half, 29-26.

Wisconsin held a six-point lead with 4:02 to play in the third quarter, but a technical foul stunted the Badgers' momentum and allowed the Spartans to rally to tie the Badgers with just one quarter to play.

Wisconsin's struggled on the boards all night, losing the rebounding battle, 45-33. The Badgers gave up 19 offensive boards, only grabbing 10 of their own.

Senior Cayla McMorris tallied 15 points, four rebounds and two blocks in the loss. 

Wisconsin shot 38.6 percent (22-57) from the field for the game, as Michigan State finished the day shooting 36.9 percent (24-65).

Both teams committed just 11 turnovers, but dominant Spartan rebounding and eight extra shot opportunities helped top the Badgers, 69-61.

From the court

Head coach Jonathan Tsipis on Marsha Howard's 28-point performance:

"She got to open areas on the floor, and did a tremendous job putting herself in a position to finish. Our guards did a good job at finding her, so I was happy with her effort."

Notes to know:

-The Badgers have now lost the last 12 meetings with Michigan State

- Marsha Howard's 28 points is a season high, and the most points by any Badger since Cayla McMorris scored 31 vs. Saint Francis on Nov. 13, 2016. She also notched the fifth double-double of her career, adding 11 boards.

- Howard makes a career-high 12 field goal's and tied career high with 19 field goal attempt's

- Wisconsin was out-rebounded 45-33

- Cayla McMorris ties career high with two blocks.

Up Next:

Wisconsin heads to Indianapolis on Wednesday to compete in the Big Ten Tournament. The entire tournament can be viewed on the Big Ten Network.