Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Women's Basketball Travels to Northwestern Sunday
1/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State hits the road to take on Northwestern for the second time this season. The Spartans take on the Wildcats on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. (ET). Northwestern captured the first meeting of the season 61-57 in the Big Ten opener on Dec. 28.
| Michigan State (8-7, 0-4 B1G) at rv/rv Northwestern (12-2, 2-1 B1G) | |
| Date | Sunday, January 11 |
| Time | 3 p.m. ET |
| Location | Evanston, Ill. | Welsh-Ryan Arena |
| Tickets | Click To Purchase |
| Television | None |
| Radio | WJIM 1240AM | SpartanSportsNetwork.com |
| Game Notes | Michigan State | Northwestern |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Northwestern |
| Internet Coverage | Watch Live | |
| Social Media | @MSU_WBasketball  | Facebook  | Instagram  |
ABOUT rv/rv NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats are 12-2 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten action, and are receiving votes in both national polls. Northwestern started conference play 2-0, including beating Michigan State, 61-57, in both teams' Big Ten openers on Dec. 28 in East Lansing. Northwestern then beat Wisconsin, 68-47, on Jan. 1 in Evanston for the Wildcats' first 2-0 B1G start since the 1995-96 season, before losing at Ohio State, 73-64, on Jan. 4.
Northwestern has four players averaging in double-figures, led by sophomore forward Nia Coffey's 15.9 points per game, which is 13th in the Big Ten overall. Junior guard Maggie Lyon adds 12.9 ppg, followed by junior forward Lauren Douglas with 10.9 ppg off the bench, while sophomore guard Christen Inman is the third starter and fourth Wildcat in double-digits with 10.4 ppg. Coffey leads NU and is ninth in the B1G in rebounding with 8.2 rpg overall. In B1G play, Coffey is averaging a double-double with 12.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg. Sophomore guard Ashley Deary leads the B1G and ranks second in the NCAA in steals with 4.0 per game. Lyon is second in the conference and 21st in the country in three-point field goal percentage (.443), as well as third in the league in three-pointers made per game (2.5).
NU tops the B1G in overall scoring defense (55.9), as well as leading the league and ranking second in the nation in field goal percentage defense (.330), along with first in the conference and eighth in the country in three-point field goal percentage defense (.247). The Wildcat defense also leads the league and is eighth in the nation in steals per game (12.6). Offensively, Northwestern is sixth in the league in scoring offense (74.6 ppg), as well as third in field goal percentage (.455) and fifth in three-point field goal percentage (.333). NU is eighth in free throw percentage (.703).
In B1G action, NU is first in both scoring defense (58.7 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.309), while ranking tied for first in steals (11.0) and second in three-point field goal percentage defense (.228). The Wildcats are ninth in both scoring offense (64.3 ppg) and field goal percentage (.398), 13th in three-point field goal percentage (.204) and fifth in three throw percentage (.765).
SPARTANS VERSUS WILDCATS
Michigan State leads the all-time series with the Wildcats, 41-23, as the loss to NU on Dec. 28 snapped the Spartans' 20-game win streak in the series. Northwestern dominated the series in the 1970s and the 1980s, winning seven of the first nine games. Last season, MSU captured the only meeting between the teams with a 76-56 win in Evanston.
LAST TIME AGAINST NORTHWESTERN - rv/rv NU 61, No. 20/22 MSU 57
Michigan State scored the first five points but Northwestern rallied with a 14-2 run and held on to upset the 20th-ranked Spartans 61-57 in a Big Ten Conference opener on Dec. 28, 2014. Nia Coffey scored 15 points and Christen Inman added 13 as the Wildcats beat the defending conference champions despite 38 percent shooting, being outrebounded 51-39, and outscored in nearly every category. Michigan State hit just 29 percent of its shots - and just 9 of 37 in the first half. Becca Mills scored 21 with a career-high 16 rebounds, but shot just 8 of 20. Aerial Powers added 10 points, 13 boards.
CAREER NOTES VERSUS NORTHWESTERN
Senior forward Becca Mills has a career average of 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in her six career games against Northwestern, boosted by 21 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in the most recent meeting with the Wildcats. Mills is shooting 62.5 percent from behind the arc against NU, making 5-8 in her career, including 3-3 in two games during her freshman season of 2011-12. Mills is also 90.0 percent (9-10) at the free throw line vs. NU, making 4-4 at the charity stripe in this season's first meeting. Senior center Jasmine Hines is averaging 5.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in five career games against the Wildcats. Sophomore forward Aerial Powers is averaging a double-double against Northwestern with a 14.5 ppg and 13.0 rpg average in two career games versus NU, netting 19 points and 13 boards as a freshman, and 10 points and 13 rebounds in this season's first meeting. Additionally, Powers is averaging 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocks against Northwestern. Powers is seeking her first made three-pointer against the Wildcats, as she is 0-5 in her two contests. Fellow sophomore, guard Tori Jankoska is averaging 11.5 points, four rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks, in two career games vs. NU. Jankoska is a perfect 6-6 at the free throw line in two games against the Wildcats, while making three three-pointers.
FROM THE LAND OF LINCOLN
Michigan State has four players overall from Illinois, including two on the Spartans' active roster in senior guard Anna Morrissey (Lincolnshire/Stevenson HS) and freshman guard Jasmine Lumpkin (Bolingbrook/Joliet Catholic Academy), as well as Lumpkin's sister, senior forward Kendra Lumpkin (Bolingbrook/Joliet Catholic Academy) and freshman guard Kiara Carter (Homewood/Homewood Flossmoor HS), who are both injured and not active.
POWERS REACHES THE TOP
With 12 double-doubles in 15 games this season, sophomore forward Aerial Powers is first in the nation and the Big Ten in double-doubles. The sophomore had double-doubles in the first six games and has achieved the feat in the last five games. She has had a double in every game that she has reached double figures in rebounding. For her career, Powers has 22 double-doubles.
CARA'S CAREER DAY
Junior guard Cara Miller had a career day against No. 19/18 Nebraska on Jan. 8. Miller made her first-ever start in the green and white uniform. Miller made the most of her start, netting MSU's first basket of the game, as well as making her first three-pointer of the season, finishing the game with a career-high 12 points, all in the first half. Miller tied her career-high two three-pointers with a pair of treys in the first half.
POWERFUL AERIAL HAS DOMINATING PERFORMANCE
Against Nebraska on January 8, sophomore forward Aerial Powers posted a career-high 35 points, which is tied for the second-most in Michigan State women's basketball history behind the program-record 41 points by Maxann Reese against Iowa on Jan. 22, 1999. The 35 points ties Eileen Shea's 35 points vs. Oklahoma State (3/16/91). The 35 points were the most scored in a Big Ten game this season. She has scored 20+ points in eight games this season and scored more than 30 points twice. Powers registered her 12th double-double of the season and 22nd career double-double with 35 points and 11 rebounds against the Huskers.
Powers finished the night with a career-high seven treys, going 7-12 behind the arc. The seven three-pointers is tied for the third-most in MSU single-game history, tying Maxann Reese with seven against Wisconsin (1/30/98). It was the second-straight game that Powers made three or more treys after four three-pointers at Michigan (1/4), and the third time overall this season with three vs. Oakland (11/26).
SPARTANS IN SYNC
The same day that Aerial Powers set a new career high with seven three-pointers, senior guard Travis Trice from the men's team had a similar night. Power was 12-23 from the field and 7-12 from beyond the arc for a career-high 35 points. In Iowa City,Iowa, Trice was 7-9 from three for 25 points. Both Powers and Trice lead their teams in scoring with Powers averaging 20.3 ppg, while Trice scores 14.3 ppg.
INJURY BUG
It has been difficult keeping players on the court this season for the Spartans after been stung by the injury bug. Against Indiana on Dec. 31, Michigan State was down to seven players after an injury to junior guard Cara Miller. Senior center Jasmine Hines has missed the last seven games. Redshirt-sophomore Branndais Agee and senior Madison Williams will miss the whole season after tearing ACLs in the off-season. With the return of Miller and the addition of former MSU volleyball player Kelsey Kuipers, the Spartans will now dress nine players.
GUSSERT MAKING AN IMPACT
Freshman guard/forward Lexi Gussert has been making an impact of late. Against Michigan on Jan. 4., Gussert was one of three Spartans to score in double figures, scoring 11 points with three rebounds, playing 23 minutes. This was the fourth time that the freshman played 20 or more minutes. Her season high for points scored was 15 in a road win against Loyola Chicago. She made her first start of the season against Nebraska on Jan. 8.
MILLS REACHES MILESTONE
Senior forward Becca Mills reached a Michigan State milestone. Mills' first basket against Michigan on Jan. 4 gave her 1,000 points for her career, becoming the 22nd MSU player with 1,000 career points and first since Lykendra Johnson in 2011-12. This season, Mills is averaging 9.9 points per game. During her career, she has now scored 1,011 points.
SINKING THE THREE
Sophomore Tori Jankoska is rising up the Michigan State career charts, as she now has 94 career three pointers. Jankoska has now passed Syreeta Bromfield for 12th. This season, Jankoska has sunk 30 three pointers to lead the Spartans. She has made 37.5 percent of the three pointers that MSU has made this season.
IN BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is now 17-17 all-time in Big Ten openers, having won four of its last five. Under Coach Merchant, the Spartans are 5-3 in Big Ten openers. This was the second time in the last three years that MSU opened Big Ten play at home, beating Minnesota, 66-51, in the 2012-13 season. This was the first time since the 2002-03 season that Michigan State tipped off Big Ten action against Northwestern, when the Spartans lost to the Wildcats, 52-46, at Evanston.
Suzy Merchant RADIO SHOW
The Suzy Merchant Radio Show is typically held on Wednesdays if no conflicts, from 12-1 p.m. at Reno's East on Abbott Road. It can be heard locally on WVFN 730AM or at SpartanSportsNetwork.com. The tentative schedule for the remaining shows is: Jan. 7 (Wed.), Jan. 14 (Wed.), Jan. 21 (Wed.), Jan. 28 (Wed.), Feb. 4 (Wed.), Feb. 9 (Mon.), Feb. 18 (Wed.), Feb. 23 (Mon.), March 4 (Wed.).
AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 21-34 against ranked teams, including 14-10 at home and 5-15 on the road. As a ranked team against fellow ranked team, MSU is 12-19 versus ranked teams.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE
Powers has 12 double-doubles on the season, which ranks tied for first in the Big Ten and first in the NCAA. Powers is just ahead of fellow Big Ten players Betnijah Laney of Rutgers and Amanda Zahui of Minnesota. Additionally, Powers is one of five players in the Big Ten to average a double-double, also joined by Laney and Zahui, as well as Whitney Bays of Purdue and Cyesha Goree of Michigan, who are also the only five players in the Big Ten to average double-figure rebounds per game.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONS
Michigan State won its fourth Big Ten regular-season championship last season. The Spartans finished the season tied with Penn State atop the conference standings at 13-3. MSU previously won Big Ten regular season titles in 1997, 2005 and 2011. Michigan State has now won at least 10 Big Ten games in 12-straight seasons. It is the longest active streak in the Big Ten (with Penn State second at four). MSU is 140-58 (70.7%) in conference play over the last 12 seasons, trailing only Ohio State (141-57; 71.2%) in wins.
MSU is one of seven Division I teams to have double-digit conference wins in each of the last 12 seasons - Chattanooga, Connecticut, Duke, Green Bay, Liberty and Stanford also reached 10 conference wins in 2013-14.
The Spartans have finished third or better in the conference in each of the last six seasons - winning the title in 2010-11 and 2013-14, placing second in 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2011-12, and third in 2012-13. In all, MSU has finished no worse than third place in nine of the last 10 years.
More recently, MSU has won 57 of its last 79 Big Ten regular season games (72.2%). The Spartans started the 2013-14 season 4-0 in Big Ten action for the fifth time in program history (1987-88, 1989-90, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14). Also, MSU's 8-2 record was tied for the best 10-game start in program history (1996-97, 2004-05, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2013-14).
AWARD WATCH
Michigan State sophomore forward Aerial Powers was named to the John R. Wooden Women's Preseason Top 30 on Monday, November 24. She was one of five players in the Big Ten. The list is comprised of 30 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for college basketball's most prestigious honor. The list was chosen by a preseason poll of national women's college basketball media members. She is also one of 50 women's basketball players chosen for the Naismith Trophy watch list. The list will be trimmed at midseason with a list of 30 announced on Feb. 11.
QUICK HITTERS FROM WEDNESDAY (Nebraska 71, Michigan State 67 - East Lansing, Mich.)
• Sophomore forward Aerial Powers posted a career-high 35 points, which is tied for the second-most in Michigan State women's basketball history behind the program-record 41 points by Maxann Reese vs. Iowa (1/22/99) ... The 35 points ties Eileen Shea's 35 points vs. Oklahoma State (3/16/91).
• Powers registered her 12th double-double of the season and 22nd career double-double with 35 points and 11 rebounds Thursday.
• Powers finished the night with a career-high seven treys, going 7-12 behind the arc ... The seven three-pointers is tied for the third-most in MSU single-game history, tying Maxann Reese with seven against Wisconsin (1/30/98) ... It was the second-straight game that Powers made three or more treys after four three-pointers at Michigan (1/4), and the third time overall this season with three vs. Oakland (11/26).
• Powers has now posted double-digit points in all 15 games this season as well as logging her eighth 20+ outing and third in a row and fourth in last five games ... It was Powers' second 30+ game this season after netting her previous career-best 32 points against Syracuse (1/21) ... Powers made a career-best 12 field goals, topping her previous career-high of 11 field goals, done twice previously, once in the Syracuse game (1/21) and vs. IPFW (12/1/13) ... It is Powers' fifth career double-figure field goal game ... Powers tallied 13 of her points Thursday in the first half, including three three-pointers.
