Women's Basketball Welcomes No. 3-Ranked Oregon on Sunday

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball hosts No. 3 Oregon at the Breslin Center on Sunday, Dec. 9at 3 p.m. Sunday's showdown will be nationally televised on ESPN2. The Spartans are 7-1 having won their last four games after a season-high 102 points in a 102-58 win at Oakland on Wednesday. Oregon brings a 7-0 record to East Lansing. Sunday is Toys for Tots Day as well as High School Day.

• Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 450th career win against Virginia. In her 24th season,Merchant is 452-243, while earning a 251-123 record in 12 seasons at MSU. Merchant earned her 400th career wins against Minnesota on Feb.21, 2016.

• MSU's 102 points 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.

• Jenna Allen continues her hot start to her senior season. The center leads the team in scoring,averaging 15.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Allen leads MSU with two double-doubles with 17 points and 15 rebounds against Bowling Green on Nov. 6 along with 19 points and 10 rebounds versus Texas Southern on Dec. 2.

• Michigan State had six players in double-figures for the first time this season in Wednesday's 102-58 win at Oakland. All nine Spartan players that saw action scored at least five points.

SCOUTING OREGON
The 3rd-ranked Ducks bring a 7-0 record into East Lansing for Sunday's showdown with the Spartans. Oregon's last game was last Sunday, Dec. 2, beating Long Beach State, 110-48, at home. The Ducks are 3-0 on the road this season, 3-0 at home and 1-0 on a neutral court. In the win over Long Beach State, sophomore forward Erin Boley netted a career-high 24 points and junior guard Sabrina Ionescu dished out a school-record 17 assists, as the Ducks topped the century mark for the third time with a season-high scoring output. Oregon lead the NCAA in scoring offense at 94.7points per game, while holding the opposition to 56.6 ppg for a nation-best +38.1 scoring margin. The Ducks are shooting 54.3 percent (233-of-429) from the field, which ranks second in the country. UO is fourth in the NCAA in 3-pointers per game(11.1), as well as eighth in the nation at 42.2 percent(78-of-185) from 3-point range. The Ducks also lead the country shooting 85.0 percent (119-of-140) at the free throw line. Oregon has a +9.1 rebounding advantage, pulling down 36.7 rebounds per game,while holding opponents to 27.6 rpg.Ionescu leads five Duck starters in double-figures with 18.0 points, averaging nearly a triple-double by adding an identical 8.6 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game, with 60 rebounds and 60 assists in the seven games. She is shooting 53.1 percent (43-of-81) from the field, with an even better 55.0 percent (22-of-40)behind the arc, adding 81.8 percent (18-of-22) at the free throw line. Junior forward Ruthy Hebard adds17.4 points and 8.0 rebounds, along with 1.4 blocks per game. Sophomore forward Satou Sabally and Boley have 14.9 and 14.0 scoring averages, respectively, while senior guard Maite Cazorla rounds out the high-scoring starting five with 12.0 ppg. Oregon head coach Kelly Graves is in his fifth season at the helm of the Ducks, posting a 100-47 record.Graves has a 482-209 overall record in 22 seasons as a collegiate head coach, with previous stops at Saint Mary's (1997-2000) and Gonzaga (2000-2014).

SERIES HISTORY VS. OREGON
This is the third meeting between MSU and Oregon, with the Ducks winning the previous two, in 2002 and in 2016. This is Oregon's first trip to East Lansing, as the previous two meetings in the series were both in Eugene.

TERRIFIC TORY
With a 16-point effort against Texas Southern on Dec. 2 followed by a 13-point outing at Oakland on Dec. 5, freshman Tory Ozment has scored in double-figures off the bench in four consecutive games, averaging 15.8 points per game during that stretch. Ozment's streak started with a 15-point outburst against Kennesaw State at the Cancun Challenge on Nov. 23. On Nov. 28, Ozment followed up her Cancun Challenge performance with 19 points against Virginia in the ACC/B1G Challenge. During her streak, Ozment is second on the team in scoring with an average of 15.8 points per game on .524 percent shooting (22-of-42), adding 3.5 assists per game.

HELPING HANDS
Michigan State has shared the ball efficiently this season with five different players leading the team in assists through seven games. Taryn McCutcheonn, 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. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 6 nationally in assists per game with 21.6. McCutcheon ranks No. 2 in the conference and No. 18 in the country with 6.3 assists per game and Clouden is No. 6 in the league at 5.0 apg.

DISHING IT OUT
MSU's dished out 23 assists at Oakland on Dec. 5, which is the Spartans' third-straight game with 20+ helpers and the fifth time this season. Michigan State's season-high is 27 helpers, done in the previous two games, vs. Virginia (11/28) and vs. Texas Southern (12/2).

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.

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.

TORCHIN' THE NETS
The Spartans' 51.4 percent (36-of-70) field goal shooting at Oakland was their third-straight game and fourth time this season shooting over 50 percent . . . MSU made 10 3-pointers vs. Oakland, marking the second double-digit trey outing of the season behind 15 triples in the season-opener vs. Bowling Green (11/6) . . . Michigan State netted a season-high 76.9 percent (20-of-26) at the free throw line Wednesday, also a season-best for makes at the charity stripe.

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.

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.

FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartans freshmen trio of Kayla Belles, Nia Clouden and Tory Ozment have been solid early on for the Spartans. Clouden had a season-high 18 points in a win against Kennesaw State on Nov. 23. Clouden earned her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 assists against Virginia on Nov. 28. Belles in just here second game as a Spartan had 12 points and seven boards against UVa. Ozment has now has four-straight double-figure scoring games, including a season-high 19 against UVa. During the Spartans' four-game winning streak, all three freshmen are averaging 7.0 points per game or better. Ozment is second on the team in scoring over that four-game span, averaging 15.8 ppg, while Clouden is third on the team in scoring in the last four games at 13.8 ppg and Belles adds 7.0 ppg in the last four contests.

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.

MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With 10 assists against Virginia, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is now seventh in career helpers with 392 in just three seasons. She is just nine assists shy from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11) with 401. She is currently second in the Big Ten and No. 18 in the NCAA with 6.3 assists per game.

MCCUTCHEON MOVING UP TREY LIST
After netting a season-high five 3-pointers at Oakland on Wednesday, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 144 career 3-pointers, climbing up to tie for No. 7 on MSU's career 3-pointers list, matching Christine Powers (1991-95).

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

CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 180 of their last 190 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 131 of their last 142. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 215-16 (.931) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 6-0.

IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The Spartans improved to 177-97 (.646) all-time in the month of December. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 60-27 (.690) in the 12th month of the calendar year. The Spartans have won 32 of their last 46 games in December, including 2-0 this season.

SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 18th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 6.3 apg. She is also 50th in the country and first in the conference in steals per game, averaging 2.8 spg. She has tied her career-high of five steals twice this season.

As a team, MSU is sixth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assist per game, averaging 21.6. Iowa is first in the league with 23.1 apg. The Spartans are also 12th in the country and first in the country in scoring offense, netting 86.4 points per game, as well as ranking 13th in the league and second in the nation in scoring margin at +25.4. MSU also ranks 42nd in country and first in the Big Ten in steals per game made with 11.0 spg. Michigan State is ninth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 41.8 percent behind the arc.

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 eight games this season. MSU has won 126 of its last 140 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 143-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 7-1 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
The Big Ten continues to enjoy a strong composite start this year, having combined to post a .743 winning percentage (75-26) through the first month of the 2018-19 season. That mark includes seven non-conference wins against ranked opponents, with Minnesota and Purdue adding to that total on Nov. 30 with their wins over No. 12/12 Syracuse and No. 21/20 Miami, respectively.

There are three undefeated teams in the B1G in Maryland (8-0), Indiana (8-0) and Minnesota (8-0). Michigan State holds a 7-1 record, while Wisconsin is 7-2.

Eight Big Ten schools are ranked or receiving votes in the current Associated Press or USA Today/ WBCA polls, led by No. 7 (AP)/No. 7 (USA Today) Maryland. Minnesota and Iowa are also ranked in both polls, with the Golden Gophers at No. 14/18 and the Hawkeyes at No. 16/16. Indiana and Michigan State are receiving votes in both polls, while Northwestern and Purdue are earning votes in the AP poll and Michigan is doing likewise in the USA Today balloting.

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
Michigan State does not play during the week due to finals week on campus, returning to action next weekend by traveling to Connecticut to take on Hartford on Sunday, Dec. 16 in a 2 p.m. tipoff.

LAST TIME OUT
Jenna Allen and Taryn McCutcheon combined for 35 points to rally Michigan State women's basketball from an early deficit at Oakland, before erupting for a 19-0 run to lead the Spartans to a 102-58 victory for MSU Wednesday night at Oakland's O'rena. Four Spartan starters posted double-figures as part of a season-high six different players netting double-digits on the way to MSU registering a season-high 102 points.

During a stretch overlapping the end of the first quarter and start of the second stanza, McCutcheon and Allen combined to be the only Spartans to score over a span of 28-straight points, as MSU rallied from an early 11-3 deficit. After a timeout, the Spartans closed out the first frame with a 17-4 run that later became a 19-0 run, as MSU turned that early deficit into a 31-15 lead and never looked back as the Spartans recorded their 11th consecutive win over the Golden Grizzlies and now lead the all-time series 15-4, including winning the last five trips to Rochester in moving to 6-2 in games there.

Junior guard McCutcheon finished with a season-high 19 points, including a span of scoring 10-straight points for MSU. McCutcheon drained a season-best five 3-pointers, one shy of her career-high. Senior forward Allen ended with 16 points, as she has posted double-figures in seven of the eight games this season.

Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored 15 points and dished out a game-high tying six assists, matched by fellow freshman, forward Tory Ozment, for a career-high for helpers to go with 13 points, her fourth-straight game in double-figures. Junior forward Victoria Gainess added 12 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds, boosting MSU to a 43-35 rebounding advantage. Junior forward Nia Hollie chipped in with 10 points off the bench, teaming with Ozment to lead the Spartan reserves to 34 bench points.

All nine Spartan players that saw action scored at least five points, including a career-high six points by junior forward Nathy Dambo.

Women's Basketball Welcomes No. 3-Ranked Oregon on Sunday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jenna Allen

Kayla Belles

Nia Clouden

Shay Colley

Nathy Dambo

Victoria Gaines

Nia Hollie

Taryn McCutcheon

Tory Ozment

Women's Basketball Welcomes No. 3-Ranked Oregon on Sunday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jenna Allen

Kayla Belles

Nia Clouden

Shay Colley

Nathy Dambo

Victoria Gaines

Nia Hollie

Taryn McCutcheon

Tory Ozment

Related Videos