No. 21 MSU Women Open B1G Play With No. 16 Iowa on Alumni Day

EAST LANSING, Mich. - No. 21/22 Michigan State women's basketball concludes a brief two-game homestand against No. 16/16 Iowa in its Big Ten opener on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. The Spartans will also honor past players at halftime on Alumni Day. The Spartans improved to 10-1 with a win over Florida Atlantic on Dec. 20. Iowa is also off to a fast start with a 9-2 mark. The game will be televised on ESPN2 with Eric Frede and Kara Lawson on the call.

• With 15 points against FAU, Sidney Cooks now has five double-figure scoring games. The Spartans are 5-0 this season when she scores in double figures. Since returning to the lineup after an injury, she has scored in double figures in three-straight games (Oregon, Hartford and Florida Atlantic).

• MSU is third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists to turnover ratio (1.56), as well as standing second in the country and tied for first in the league in assists per game (22.4).

• The Spartans have now won seven-straight games for the first time since starting the 2012-13 season with eight-straight wins. Michigan State ends non-conference play with a 10-1 record. With the loss, the Owls fall to 3-8.

• Senior center Jenna Allen registered her third double-double of the season and fifth of her career against FAU. She also had double-doubles against Bowling Green (Nov. 6) and Texas Southern (Dec. 2).

SCOUTING IOWA
Iowa is off to a fast start this season, holding a 9-2 record as it heads into East Lansing. The Hawkeyes have won five-straight games after losing two in a row to Florida State and then-No. 1 Notre Dame. Since the loss to the Irish on Nov. 29, Iowa has earned wins against Robert Morris, Iowa State, IUPUI, Northern Iowa and Drake.

Iowa senior Megan Gustafson is nearing a milestone. With 2,094 points, she is just nine points away from breaking Ally Disterhoft's Iowa scoring record of 2,102 points that was set in 2017. Gustafson is first in the nation and the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 26.5 points per game. She is also the national leader in field goal percentage (.747) and field goals made (121). Gustafson is also second in the league in rebounds, averaging 12.5 rpg. Tania Davis is tied for second in the Big Ten in assists-to-turnover ratio (2.3).

As a team, Iowa is first in field goal percentage (.527) and free throw percentage (.798). The Hawkeyes are right behind the Spartans in scoring offense, scoring 84.7 ppg, compared to MSU's 85.6 ppg.

SERIES HISTORY VS. IOWA
Michigan State and Iowa have an extensive history with the Hawkeyes leading the series, 37-28. The Spartans have won five of the last eight meetings, but Iowa has had success recently winning the last two, including an overtime win last year in East Lansing, 71-68. In that game, Iowa's Megan Gustafson led all scorers with 36 points, while Sidney Cooks led MSU with 16 points.

B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans are rising in the Big Ten rankings this week. MSU is now first in scoring offense, averaging 85.6 ppg, while Iowa is second with 84.7 ppg. The Spartans are also tied for second with Minnesota in scoring margin (+21.1) and second in field goal percentage (.487). MSU is just ahead of Iowa in assists per game with 22.4, compared to 22.2 for the Hawkeyes.

SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has been success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 7-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Michigan State is also 10-0 when recording more assists than its opponents. Six different players have led the team in assists this season, led by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led the team four times.

GETTING HEALTHY
Sophomore forward Sidney Cooks has been battling ankle and achilles' tendon injuries all season. She missed three games and has been working her way back to full strength. Cooks has scored in double figures in three-straight games, including a career-high 19 points at Hartford on Dec. 16. She is now averaging 10.1 points per game this season.

DURING THE STREAK
During MSU's seven-game winning streak, the Spartans have had a +24.0 scoring margin and a +6.7 rebound margin. The winning streak began in Cancun against Kennesaw State on Nov. 23 and has continued through the win against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 20. All the wins have come without redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley in the lineup. Six different Spartans are averaging in double figures in the last six games led by senior Jenna Allen who is scoring 17.6 ppg. Sophomore Sidney Cooks is second, averaging 13.3 ppg. Freshman Nia Clouden (12.9 ppg), freshman Tory Ozment (10.9 ppg), redshirt-junior Victoria Gaines (10.4 ppg) and junior Taryn McCutcheon (10.4 ppg) are also scoring in double figures during the streak. Allen also has been bringing down the boards with 7.9 rpg. As a team, MSU has been providing a lot of help with 169 assists in seven games (24.1 apg), compared to 96 by its opponents (13.7 apg).

BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is 23-13 in home Big Ten openers in 36 years in the league. Last season, the Spartans fell to Rutgers on Dec. 31, 61-58.

Overall, Michigan State is 18-18 all-time in Big Ten openers, having won five of its last seven ... Under Coach Merchant, the Spartans are 7-4 in Big Ten openers ... Last season, MSU earned a dominating 68-46 win over Indiana in Bloomington on Dec. 28, 2017 ... This was the first time since the 2011-12 season that the Spartans have opened B1G play with the Hoosiers.

This is the first time that Michigan State has started Big Ten play against Iowa since Jan. 6, 1984. In that match up the Spartans fell to the Hawkeyes, 70-62.

BACK IN THE POLLS
The Spartans remain in both polls this week, standing No. 21 in both the AP poll and the USA Today Coaches' poll. When MSU was ranked on Dec. 10, the last time that MSU was ranked was Nov. 21, 2016 when the Spartans were No. 23 in the AP poll and No. 19 in the Coaches' poll.

BY THE NUMBERS
Michigan State's 88-82 upset of No. 3 was MSU's first upset win over an AP Poll top 5 team since a 107-105 3OT victory over No. 5 Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2016. It was the Spartans' biggest upset win since a 68-64 upset of No. 3 Tennessee on April 3, 2005 in the NCAA Tournament. It was the highest regular-season win since a 82-73 OT win over No. 3 Notre Dame on Dec. 2, 2004.

Michigan State is now 20-15 at home vs. ranked teams under head coach Suzy Merchant. The Spartans are 1-1 against ranked opponents this season after a 78-74 loss to No. 13 N.C. State on Nov. 22 in Cancun, Mexico.

AMAZING ALLEN
Senior center Jenna Allen netted a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9, which was one shy of her career-best. She also added 23 points in a win against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 20. It was her third 20+ point outing of the season and fourth of her career. Against both Oregon and FAU, Allen tied a career-high with three 3-pointers, matching three triples from at Notre Dame (12/16/17), which was also when her career-high of 28 points came. It was Allen's fifth-straight double-figure scoring outing as part of her ninth in the 11 games this season and 35th of her career.

HELPING HANDS
Michigan State has shared the ball efficiently this season with five different players leading the team in assists through 11 games. Taryn McCutcheon, Nia Clouden, Shay Colley, Victoria Gaines and Jenna Allen have each led the team in single-game assists. McCutcheon has reached the double-digit assists mark twice, tying her career-high of 12 against Bowling Green and dishing out 10 against Texas Southern. Clouden has also reached double-digits in 2018-19, making her mark against Virginia with 11 assists. As a team, the Spartans rank No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 2 nationally in assists per game with 22.4. McCutcheon ranks No. 3 in the conference and No. 36 in the country with 5.5 assists per game, and Clouden is No. 6 in the league at 4.8 apg.

MCCUTCHEON RISING THE CHARTS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon netted 14 points against Oregon on Dec. 9 for her second double-figure game in a row and sixth of season as part of 26th of her career. The junior guard netted three 3-pointers, giving her eight treys in her last two games as part of her sixth game with three or more triples. With three 3-pointers on Dec. 9 McCutcheon now has 151 career treys, which places her tied for sixth on MSU's career 3-pointer list with Victoria Lucas-Perry (2003-07). She is now eight treys away from tying Tanya Place (1991-95) for fifth with 159.

CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 183 of their last 193 games (.948) when leading with five minutes left, including 133 of their last 145. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 218-16 (.932) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 10-0.

IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The Spartans improved to 179-97 (.649) all-time in the month of December. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 62-27 (.697) in the 12th month of the calendar year. The Spartans have won 34 of their last 48 games in December, including 4-0 this season.

SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 34th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.5 apg. She is also 48th in the country and first in the conference in steals per game, averaging 2.6 spg. She has tied her career-high of five steals twice this season. Senior center Jenna Allen is 38th in the country and fifth in the league in field -goal percentage with a 56.8 percentage.

As a team, MSU is up to second in the NCAA and first in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 22.4. Baylor is first in the nation with 23.6 apg. The Spartans are also seventh in the country and first in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 85.6 points per game, as well as ranking 16th in the league and first in the nation in scoring margin at +21.1. MSU also ranks 51st in country and first in the Big Ten in steals per game made with 10.5 spg. Michigan State is fourth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 42.2 percent behind the arc.

MERCHANT HONORED WITH ATHENA AWARD
Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant has been named the recipient of the 2018 ATHENA Leadership Award, as announced by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Merchant was presented her award at a luncheon at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Dec. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who pave paths for other women to follow.

MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With two assists against Florida Atlantic, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is tied for fifth in career helpers with 403 in just three seasons. She is tied with Tamika Matlock (1995-97). McCutcheon is just 40 assists away from tying Deb Traxinger (1978-82)with 443 helpers. She is one of just seven Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark.

She is currently third in the Big Ten and No. 34 in the NCAA with 5.5 assists per game.

FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartans freshmen trio of Kayla Belles, Nia Clouden and Tory Ozment have been solid early on for the Spartans. Clouden tied a season-high 18 points in a win against Florida Atlantic on Dec. 20. Clouden earned her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 assists against Virginia on Nov. 28. Belles in just her second game as a Spartan had 12 points and seven boards against UVa. Ozment has scored in double-figure in four of the last seven games, including a season-high 19 against UVa. During the Spartans' seven-game winning streak, all three freshmen are averaging 5.0 points per game or better. Ozment is fourth on the team in scoring over that seven-game span, averaging 10.9 ppg, while Clouden is third on the team in scoring in the last seven games at 12.9 ppg and Belles adds 5.0 ppg in the last seven contests.

CENTURY MARK
Michigan State's 102 points at Oakland on Dec. 5 was a season-high and the first time topping the 100-point mark this season after 99 points in the season-opener vs. Bowling Green (11/6) as one of three games in the 90s . . . The 102 points was the most points scored since 109 in the wild and thrilling four OT 111-109 loss to Indiana in last season's Big Ten Tournament on March 1, 2018 . . . It was the Spartans' most in a regulation contest since 107 points against Charleston on Nov. 19, 2017 . . . The 102 points scored marks the 10th time the Spartans have reached triple digits under head coach Suzy Merchant, improving to 9-1 . . . Overall it is the 19th time in program history, improving to 17-2, however MSU is 16-0 in games hitting 100 in regulation, along with 1-2 in OT games.

RACKING UP THE HONORS
Michigan State senior center Jenna Allen added to her honors after being named U.S. Basketball Writers Association Ann Meyers Drysdale Women's National Player of the Week on Tuesday. She also garnered ESPNW and Big Ten Player of the week accolades on Monday.

She is the second player to capture the honor this year after UConn's Christyn Williams earned the season's first award.

Allen averaged 21.5 points on 17-of-24 shooting (.708 percent), including a 5-of-8 performance (.625 percent) from beyond the arc over two games last week. For the season, Allen is averaging career-highs across the board with 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She is shooting a career-best .579 percent from the field and .500 percent from 3-point range.

In an upset over No. 3-ranked Oregon on Dec. 9, Allen scored a season-high 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field in a career-high 37 minutes played. The Bedford, Indiana native was 3-of-4 from distance including a triple with 35 seconds left in regulation that all but sealed the game for the Spartans. Allen also hauled in a team-best seven rebounds in the winning effort.

2018 ACC/B1G CHALLENGE RECAP
Michigan State was one of the six Big Ten teams to earn a victory in the 12th annual ACC/Big Ten Women's Basketball Challenge, as the ACC won the Challenge, 8-6. MSU was joined in the win column by Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue and Minnesota. The Spartans' 25-point margin of victory (91-66) was not only the largest margin of victory, but also the highest B1G score. Overall, it was the third-largest margin of victory in the challenge, behind Notre Dame's 34-point margin in 105-71 win over Iowa and 29-point margin in Florida State's 87-58 win over Penn State. MSU's 91 points was the second-highest scored in the Challenge behind Notre Dame's 105 points.

In ACC/B1G Challenge History
2018 - MSU 91, Virginia 66
2017 - Miami 67, MSU 57
2016 - Syracuse 75, MSU 64
2015 - Louisville 85, MSU 78
2014 - MSU 79, Georgia Tech 73 (OT)
2013 - Florida State 60, MSU 58
2012 - MSU 68, N.C. State 51
2011 - Miami 76, MSU 60
2010 - MSU 72, Florida State 64
2009 - MSU 72, North Carolina 66
2008 - Georgia Tech 57, MSU 50
2007 - MSU 68, Clemson 51
Bold = home games

DID YOU KNOW?
The four points allowed in the first quarter against Virginia was the fewest this season. The fewest points MSU has allowed in a first quarter ever was two against Davidson on Nov. 11, 2016. Michigan State also held Kennesaw State to only six points in the second quarter on Nov. 23. That tied the least amount of points allowed by MSU in the second quarter. MSU also gave up only six points against Indiana on Dec. 28, 2017.

SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 32-15 in season openers, but 24-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 9-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 15 of her last 18, including her time at Eastern Michigan.

This is the fifth time in the past seven years Michigan State has opened with wins in five of its first six games.

BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 76-31 (71.0%) following a loss.

MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. Overall, MSU has scored at least 70 points in all 11 games this season. MSU has won 129 of its last 143 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 146-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 10-1 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
Big Ten schools combined to post a .750 winning percentage (117-39) during non-conference play (with one game remaining on Jan. 4 when Rutgers hosts Brown). That mark includes eight non-conference wins against Top 25 opponents by seven different Big Ten programs, most recently when Michigan State toppled No. 3/3 Oregon, 88-82 on Dec. 9 (the highest-ranked opponent MSU has defeated since April 3, 2005, when the Spartans defeated No. 3 Tennessee, 68-64 in the NCAA Women's Final Four at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis).

For the third consecutive week, six Big Ten schools are ranked or receiving votes in the current Associated Press or USA Today/WBCA polls, including four in the Top 25, led by No. 4 (AP)/No. 4 (USA Today) Maryland. Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan State are also ranked in both polls, with the Golden Gophers at No. 12/15, the Hawkeyes at No. 16/16 and the Spartans at No. 21/22. Indiana is receiving votes in both polls, while Michigan is earning votes in the USA Today poll. All told, 11 of the 14 Big Ten schools have been ranked or receiving votes in one or both polls for at least one week this season.

FREQUENT FLIER
Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley spent time overseas this summer playing for the Canadian National Team. Playing in Europe, Colley helped guide Canada to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's World Cup.

FANS CONTINUE TO PACK THE BRESLIN
Michigan State women's basketball continues to pack the Breslin Center, finishing the 2017-18 season 10th in the nation and second in the Big Ten home attendance. The Spartans averaged 5,689 fans in 16 home games this season. MSU had a total of 91,026 fans pass through the gates. This is the 14th-straight season that the Spartans have been ranked in the top 15 nationally in attendance. MSU has had a total attendance of at least 80,000 since 2005-06.

TV TIME
Big Ten schools will be featured on national television at least 78 times during the 2018-19 season. BTN will televise at least 69 games and ESPN2 will carry nine contests. In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, every Big Ten women's basketball conference game, including 126 regular-season contests and all 13 Big Ten Tournament games, will be produced and distributed by BTN, BTN Plus or an ESPN network. During the 2018-19 season at least 12 Michigan State women's basketball games will be televised on either the ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. MSU will also have seven regular-season home contests aired on BTN Plus.

COLLEY EARNS PRESEASON HONOR
To kickoff the beginning of Big Ten Women's Basketball Media Week, the conference released the Preseason Coaches and Media Polls, in addition to the preseason All-Big Ten teams. Michigan State redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley was earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors by the coaches.

Maryland was voted to finish first in both the coaches and the media polls, while Iowa was picked second in both. In the coaches poll, Michigan was voted third, while Minnesota earned the third spot in the media poll. Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Megan Gustafson of Iowa was voted Preseason Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.

Last season, Colley led the Spartans in scoring and was 23rd in the Big Ten, averaging 12.4 points per game. Colley was also tied for eighth in assists with 4.3 apg. In her first season with the Spartans, the guard also ended the season tied for fifth in steals with 1.9 spg.

UP NEXT
After the Big Ten opener against Iowa, Michigan State will then embark on a two-game road trip. The Spartans road B1G opener will be at Northwestern at Jan. 3 and face Indiana on Jan. 6.

LAST TIME OUT
Freshman guard Nia Clouden tied her career high with 18 points as No. 22 Michigan State captured its seventh-straight win, 89-74, against Florida Atlantic at the Breslin Center.

The Spartans have now won seven-straight games for the first time since starting the 2012-13 season with eight-straight wins. Michigan State ends non-conference play with a 10-1 record. With the loss, the Owls fall to 3-8.

Aside from Clouden's performance, the Spartans were led once again by a double-double from senior center Jenna Allen, who scored 23 points and 10 rebounds. She also tied a career high with a team-high four steals. Sophomore forward Sidney Cooks also reached double figures with 15 points.
The Owls were led by 13 points from Ra'Kyra Gabriel, while Glenisha Harkless scored 11 off the bench.

Post-Game Notes vs. Florida Atlantic
• With the starting lineup of Nia Clouden, Taryn McCutcheon, Nia Hollie, Victoria Gaines and Jenna Allen, Michigan State has now had three different starting lineups. McCutcheon, Gaines and Allen are the only three Spartans to have started all 11 games. MSU is 2-0 with this starting lineup.

• The seven-game winning streak is the Spartans longest since winning the first eight games of the season during the 2012-13 season.
• With 15 points sophomore forward Sidney Cooks now has five double-figure scoring games. The Spartans are 5-0 this season when she scores in double figures. Since returning to the lineup after an injury, she has scored in double figures in three-straight games (Oregon, Hartford and Florida Atlantic).

• Freshman guard Nia Clouden tied a new career high with 18 points. She also scored 18 against Kennesaw State at the Cancun Challenge on Nov. 23. She also added a team-high assists and two steals.

WELCOME TO SPARTAN NATION - SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of five National Letters of Intent, including Julia Ayrault (Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan/Grosse Pointe North), Cydni Dodd (Indianapolis, Indiana/Warren Central), Moira Joiner (Saginaw, Michigan/Heritage), Taiyier Parks (Cleveland, Ohio/North Royalton) and Alyza Winston (Muskegon, Michigan/ Muskegon). The class was ranked No. 6 by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz as of Nov. 15.

Ayrault is a 6-2 guard who plays for head coach Gary Bennett at Grosse Pointe North High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Rob Ruhstorfer and the Michigan Mystics. Ayrault is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 75 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game and led Grosse Pointe North to the Class A Final Four. Ayrault set program records of scoring 497 points scored in a season.

Dodd is a 6-5 center who plays for head coach Stacy Mitchell at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana and AAU basketball for Danny Riego and the Indiana Gym Rats EYBL. She is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 84 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Dodd averaged 11.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on 70 percent shooting from the field. Dodd was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Underclass Large School All-State team. Joiner is a 5-10 guard who plays for head coach Vonnie Delong at Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Jeff Taylor and the Michigan Storm. She is ranked No. 13 in her position and No. 57 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Joiner is a three-time Associated Press All-State honoree. In 2018, she led Heritage to the Class A state championship, averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals. Joiner was also named the Associated Press Class A Player of the Year. The three-time captain earned the Army National Guard Team award last season.
Parks is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Matt Stricker at North Royalton High School in North Royalton, Ohio and played AAU basketball for Andre Gault and the SMAC. She is ranked No. 11 in her position and No. 93 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, she averaged 19.0 points to go along with 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. She earned first-team All-Conference honors as both a freshman and a junior.

Winston is a 5-7 guard who plays for head coach Rodney Walker at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, which is the same high school that produced current Spartan Mardrekia Cook. Winston also played AAU basketball for Monique Brown and Michigan Crossover EYBL. Winston is ranked No. 18 in her position and No. 70 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she led the Big Reds to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. As a junior, she averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game.

No. 21 MSU Women Open B1G Play With No. 16 Iowa on Alumni Day

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Allen

Kayla Belles

Nia Clouden

Shay Colley

Mardrekia Cook

Sidney Cooks

Victoria Gaines

Nia Hollie

Taryn McCutcheon

Tory Ozment