Thursday, February 21
East Lansing, Mich
6 PM ET
Michigan State University
vs
Ohio State
MSU Women Open Three-Game Homestand With Ohio State Thursday
2/20/2019 3:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the second regular-season meeting of the season for the two teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich.- Michigan State women's basketball returns to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center to open a three-game homestand. The Spartans host Ohio State on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington and Shelley Till on the call. MSU stands 17-8 overall this season and 7-7 in B1G play, while Ohio State is an even 12-12 this season and 8-7 in league contests.
• With 13 points on Sunday against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,007 career points in her four years in the Michigan State green and white.
• Despite matching season-lows with eight assists the last two games, MSU remains in the top 10 in the nation in assists. The Spartans are seventh in the nation and second in the league in assists, averaging 19.1 apg.
• Shay Colley's 32 points against Indiana on Feb. 11 were the most points scored by a Spartan women's basketball player since Tori Jankoska scored 42 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 10, 2017. The 32 points is tied for the 14th-most in a single-game by an MSU women's basketball player. She has scored 20+ points six times this season.
• Despite the loss to Nebraska on Feb. 17, the Spartans remained active on the defensive end of the court. MSU ended the game with 10 steals, which was its ninth double-digit steal game of the season.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes tote a 12-12 overall and 8-7 Big Ten ledger into Thursday's match-up with the Spartans. Ohio State has won two in a row as part of three of last four and five of the last seven, most recently a 59-39 win at No. 23 Rutgers on Feb. 14 and edging Wisconsin, 70-68, on Feb. 17. OSU led by 13 points with 4:14 left and held off a late Badger rally to secure the win.
Freshman forward Dorka Juhász was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her performance, netting game-highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds, adding one block, steal and assist. On the season, Juhász leads the Buckeyes with 10 double-doubles. She leads OSU and ranks tied for 21st in the B1G in scoring at 12.1 ppg, as well as topping the team and ranking tied for sixth in the league in rebounding at 8.8 rpg. Juhász is also tied for 13th in the conference in steals (1.3 spg)
Senior guard Carly Santoro is tied for 25th in scoring (11.3 ppg). Fellow senior guard Carmen Grande shares the B1G lead and is tied for 36th in the NCAA in assists (5.0 apg), as well as tied for ninth in the league in steals (1.9 spg) and 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.7), all while ranking eighth in minutes played (34.0 mpg). Senior forward Makayla Waterman is seventh in the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg).
Ohio State is 14th in the B1G in scoring offense (61.8 ppg) and ninth in the league in scoring defense (65.0 ppg) to rank 13th in scoring margin (-3.2). The Buckeyes are 12th in field goal percentage (.399), ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.319) and 13th in free throw percentage (.654). OSU is 12th in rebounding offense (36.1 rpg) and 12th in rebounding margin (-0.3). Defensively, the Buckeyes are seventh in steals (7.5 spg), 10th in blocked shots (4.0 bpg) and 14th in turnover margin (-1.7).
OSU head coach Kevin McGuff is in his sixth season leading the Buckeyes, posting a 135-63 record. McGuff is in his 17th season as a collegiate head coach, logging a 390-162 overall ledger.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE
Ohio State leads the overall series with Michigan State, 55-28, including winning this season's first meeting, 65-55, at Columbus on Jan. 14. MSU was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds. Despite Ohio State leading the overall series, MSU has won three of the last five meetings, including the last two match-ups in East Lansing, highlighted by an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on Feb. 27, 2016. When MSU and OSU meet in February in East Lansing, the Spartans have won four of the last six meetings, winning on Feb. 13, 2003 (65-64), Feb. 20, 2005 (66-64), Feb. 8, 2009 (52-46), Feb. 15, 2014 (70-49), Feb. 27, 2016 (107-105 3OT). Ohio State's February wins in East Lansing came on Feb. 15, 2004 (72-53) and Feb. 24, 2011.
LAST TIME VS. OHIO STATE
No. 17 Michigan State women's basketball team continued its recent road struggles, as the Spartans fell to Ohio State 65-55 at Value City Arena on Jan. 14, 2019. Michigan State was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Michigan State falls to 12-4 this season and 2-3 in the very competitive Big Ten conference. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league play, winning two-straight games. All three of the Spartans' B1G losses have come on the road.
Overall, the Spartans had three players in double figures. Along with Colley, senior center Jenna Allen added 11 points, while junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines tied her career-high with 11 rebounds.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the win against Purdue on Feb. 3, all five of MSU's starters posted double-figures for the first time this season. This was the third-straight game that three or more starters have tallied double-digits.
It marks the first time since Nov. 30, 2014 that the Spartans had all five starters net double-figures in an 85-39 victory over Miami (Ohio), when Anna Morrissey (17), Tori Jankoska (16), Jasmine Lumpkin (13), Becca Mills (10) and Aerial Powers (10) posted double-digits.
ALLEN REACHES A MILESTONE
With 13 points on Sunday against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,007 career points in her four years in the Michigan State green and white.
She has four 20+ point outings this season and five in 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.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Michigan State is currently 13-0 at home this season and has won 16-straight games at home dating back to last season. The Spartans have only finished the season undefeated twice. During the Final Four run of the 2004-05 season, Michigan State went 13-0 at the Breslin Center. Overall that season, MSU was 33-4. During the 1973-74 which was Michigan State's second season, the Spartans were a perfect 6-0 en route to a 13-4 season.
BEST IN CLASS
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is having a stellar rookie campaign. She is among the leaders among freshmen in several categories. The guard is fifth among freshmen in scoring, averaging 11.4 point per game. She is also second in assist with 4.2 helpers per contest and tied for third in steals per game with 1.2. She is tied for the league lead in assist-to-turnover ratio with Northwestern's Veronica Burton (2.2).
LUCKY 77
With 77 points Feb. 11, Michigan State has scored in the 70s in five-straight games. In four of the last five wins, the Spartans have scored 77 points, after netting 77 in a 77-60 upset of No. 9 Maryland (Jan. 17), a 77-60 victory at home vs. Illinois (Jan. 24) and winning at Michigan 77-73 (Jan. 27) before Monday's 77-61 win over Indiana. MSU's lone non-77 points in a victory was 74 in a 74-66 win over Purdue.
GRUELING WEEK
The Spartans concluded their second three-game week of the season, going 1-2 with a win against Indiana on Feb. 11 and losses to Wisconsin (Feb. 14) and Nebraska (Feb. 17). The previous time MSU went 1-2 with a win over Maryland on Jan. 17 and losses to Ohio State on Jan. 14 and Rutgers on Jan. 20.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Spartans are 13-1 this season when out-rebounding the opposition. The 82-71 loss at Nebraska on Feb. 11 was the first time that Michigan State lost when out-rebounding its opponent. MSU had a 36-30 advantage on the board in that game. Michigan State is 3-6 when its opponents have more rebounds.
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
There are now only two teams left in the Big Ten with unblemished home records. Iowa leads the way with a 14-0 home record this season, while the Spartans are also perfect at home with a 13-0 mark.
BIG SHOT SHAY
Junior guard Shay Colley netted a career-high 32 points Feb. 11. She topped her previous season-high of 28 points from at Northwestern (Jan. 3) and her previous career-high of 31 points from at South Dakota (March 22, 2018) in last season's WNIT. Colley's 31-point outing is the first 30+ game this season by a Spartan and the first since Colley's 31 points at South Dakota.
Colley's 32 points is the most points scored by a Spartan women's basketball player since Tori Jankoska scored 42 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 10, 2017. The 32 points is tied for the 14th-most in a single-game by an MSU women's basketball player.
In three games last week, Colley averaged 24.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to lead the team. She shot 48.1 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the charity stripe.
MOTHER NATURE GETS IN THE WAY
The Spartans game against Penn State that was postponed on Jan. 31 was the first time MSU had a game re-schedule since the 2015-16 season. That season storms in the Mid-Atlantic area re-scheduled a matchup between MSU and Maryland twice. The game was originally set to be played on Jan. 23 was finally played on Feb. 5.
The Spartans also had travel woes on the way to Iowa. Michigan State was scheduled to travel to Iowa City on Wednesday, Feb. 6, but were unable to land in Iowa. MSU finally reached Iowa on Thursday morning prior to the game.
CLOUDEN CLEANING UP
Freshman sensation Nia Clouden is climbing up the MSU freshman record charts. She remains seventh in freshman assists with 105 helpers. She is now just one assist away from tying Kim Archer who had 106 assists during the 1983-84 season. Current teammate Taryn McCutcheon holds the record for freshman assists with 169 during the 2016-17 season. Clouden also has scored 279 points this season, which places her No. 15 in freshman scoring, passing Kim Archer (1983-84).
MCCUTCHEON MOVIN' ON UP
With two assists against Nebraska on Feb. 17, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is fourth in career helpers with 451 in just three seasons. She passed Deb Traxinger (1978-82), who had 443 career assists. She is one of just five Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark. McCutcheon is now 12 assists away from passing Christine Powers (1991-95), who had 460. MSU Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie (2001-05) is the all-time career leader in assists with 574 helpers.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
The Spartans improved to 13-0 this season at home this season and have a 16-game home winning streak dating back to last year. MSU continues to have the best home record in the Big Ten for overall games (13-0) and tied with Iowa at 6-0 for the best home mark in the B1G for conference games. Michigan State and Iowa remain the only unbeaten home teams in the league.
MSU's 16-game home winning streak is the longest since a streak of 20 games overlapping the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons.
The Spartans were 11-5 at the Breslin Center last season, while finishing the 2016-17 season 11-3 at home. During the 2015-16 season, MSU went 13-2 in East Lansing. The Spartans most home wins came during the 2010-11 season with 15 wins.
BEATING THE BEST
The Jan. 17 upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State.
The win was MSU's fourth home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season. In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
MSU's losses against ranked teams were against then-No. 15/13 NC State on Nov. 22 and No. 20/23 Rutgers on the road on Jan. 20. The Spartans only other loss to a ranked team was against No. 16/16 Iowa on Feb. 7.
The Spartans are now 4-3 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-17 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant.
PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS
In 25 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points 13 times, including Shay Colley scoring a career-high 32 against Indiana on Feb. 11 and 24 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 14. Senior center Jenna Allen has scored at least 20 points four times with a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9. Colley has scored at least 20-points six times this season. Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored a career-high 27 against Iowa on Dec. 30 and 20 points in the second meeting against Iowa on Feb. 7.
B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans continue to hold several top spots in the Big Ten rankings this week, sitting first in both 3-point field goal percentage (.386) and in 3-pointers made per game (7.6). Michigan State is second in scoring offense with 77.6 ppg, trailing Iowa's leading 80.8 ppg, along with also ranking second in assists (19.1 apg), turnover margin (+2.56) and assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is third in field goal percentage (.452) and steals (8.4 spg).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has had success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 12-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Seven different players have led the team in assists this season, topped by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led MSU eight times.
The Spartans improved to 17-0 when having more assists than their opponents. In MSU's losses to NC State, Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio State and Iowa, the Spartans averaged only 12.5 assists per game, including a season-low nine against Ohio State.
AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 16 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Spartans are 57-5 (.919) against in-state rivals, including a 42-5 (.894) mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 190-60 (.760) against other Michigan schools.
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.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 189 of their last 200 games (.945) when leading with five minutes left, including 139 of their last 152. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 224-17 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 17-1 with the only loss coming against Indiana on Jan. 6.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Spartan guard tandem of freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior Taryn McCutcheon rank fifth and sixth in the B1G and 46th and 58nd in the NCAA, respectively in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clouden has a 2.19 ratio, while McCutcheon stands 2.06. McCutcheon is also 108th in the nation and ninth in the league in assists per game, dishing out 4.4, to go with 10th in the conference and 93rd in the country in total assists (109). McCutcheon is also 45th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.406). Senior center Jenna Allen is 78th in the country and seventh in the league in field-goal percentage with a 49.4 percentage.
As a team, MSU is seventh in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 19.1. Michigan State is also 13th in the country and second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is also eighth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 38.6 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are 22nd in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 77.6 points per game, as well as ranking 55th in the nation and fourth in the league in scoring margin at +9.9. MSU is also 26th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
As of Tuesday, the Big Ten ranked No. 4 in the NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). In addition, seven Big Ten schools are among the top 65 in the NCAA team RPI rankings, including three in the top 25. Iowa leads the group at No. 8, followed by No. 16 Maryland, No. 25 Rutgers and No. 32 Michigan State. Michigan is next at No. 48, followed by Indiana at No. 52 and Purdue at No. 61.
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. 6. 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.
ALLEN AND CLOUDEN CAPTURE B1G HONORS
Michigan State's Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden both captured Big Ten honors on Dec. 31 as announced by the league office. Allen earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, while Clouden garnered the Freshman of the Week honor. Clouden was also named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.
This was Allen's second Player of the Week award this season and second of her career. Clouden captured her first Freshman of the Week honor and became the first Spartan to earn the award since Victoria Gaines on Jan. 2, 2017. This is the first time since the Freshman of the Week award began during the 2009-10 season that MSU has received both honors in the same week. The Spartans are also the first team to sweep the awards this year.
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.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 79 -33 (70.5%) 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 20 of 25 games this season. MSU has won 135 of its last 151 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 153-26 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 17-3 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22 and a loss to No. 16 Iowa on Feb. 7. The Spartans also fell to Nebraska 82-71 on Feb. 17.
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 last 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.
This season, the Spartans are fifth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,335 fans per game. Michigan State packed 9,520 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Iowa on Dec. 30. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,546 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,018 per game.
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.
UP NEXT
After hosting Ohio State, Michigan State closes out the regular season home schedule with two games. The Spartans will take on in-state rival Michigan on Sunday. Feb. 24 and end the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27 against Penn State.
LAST TIME OUT
A ferocious fourth-quarter comeback was not enough as the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Nebraska in Lincoln Sunday, 82-71. The Spartans battled back in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Huskers in the period, but were unable to complete the comeback. In the loss, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th Spartan women's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point mark. Allen was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
For the fifth-straight game, the Spartans were led by junior guard Shay Colley, who scored 17 points to go along with a team-high three assists. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines also reached double figures for MSU with 13 points and seven boards. Freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior guard Taryn McCutcheon both added three steals apiece.
Nebraska used the long ball to stop Michigan State, shooting 50 percent (12-for-24) from beyond the arc. Nebraska had five players in double figures led by 16 points from Hannah Whitish. Leigha Brown was 4-for-5 from long range to score 14 points.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. NEBRASKA
• MSU's starting lineup of junior guards Shay Colley and Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks, freshman guard Nia Clouden and senior forward Jenna Allen was the seventh-straight time this season that the Spartans have started with that quintet.
• McCutcheon made her 25th start of the season and 90th of her career ... Allen also notched her 25th start of the season and 53rd of her career ... Colley started for the 18th time this season and made the 40th start of her career ... Clouden posted her 25th start of the season ... Cooks made her seventh start of the season and 29th of her career.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes tote a 12-12 overall and 8-7 Big Ten ledger into Thursday's match-up with the Spartans. Ohio State has won two in a row as part of three of last four and five of the last seven, most recently a 59-39 win at No. 23 Rutgers on Feb. 14 and edging Wisconsin, 70-68, on Feb. 17. OSU led by 13 points with 4:14 left and held off a late Badger rally to secure the win.
Freshman forward Dorka Juhász was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her performance, netting game-highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds, adding one block, steal and assist. On the season, Juhász leads the Buckeyes with 10 double-doubles. She leads OSU and ranks tied for 21st in the B1G in scoring at 12.1 ppg, as well as topping the team and ranking tied for sixth in the league in rebounding at 8.8 rpg. Juhász is also tied for 13th in the conference in steals (1.3 spg)
Senior guard Carly Santoro is tied for 25th in scoring (11.3 ppg). Fellow senior guard Carmen Grande shares the B1G lead and is tied for 36th in the NCAA in assists (5.0 apg), as well as tied for ninth in the league in steals (1.9 spg) and 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.7), all while ranking eighth in minutes played (34.0 mpg). Senior forward Makayla Waterman is seventh in the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg).
Ohio State is 14th in the B1G in scoring offense (61.8 ppg) and ninth in the league in scoring defense (65.0 ppg) to rank 13th in scoring margin (-3.2). The Buckeyes are 12th in field goal percentage (.399), ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.319) and 13th in free throw percentage (.654). OSU is 12th in rebounding offense (36.1 rpg) and 12th in rebounding margin (-0.3). Defensively, the Buckeyes are seventh in steals (7.5 spg), 10th in blocked shots (4.0 bpg) and 14th in turnover margin (-1.7).
OSU head coach Kevin McGuff is in his sixth season leading the Buckeyes, posting a 135-63 record. McGuff is in his 17th season as a collegiate head coach, logging a 390-162 overall ledger.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE
Ohio State leads the overall series with Michigan State, 55-28, including winning this season's first meeting, 65-55, at Columbus on Jan. 14. MSU was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds. Despite Ohio State leading the overall series, MSU has won three of the last five meetings, including the last two match-ups in East Lansing, highlighted by an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on Feb. 27, 2016. When MSU and OSU meet in February in East Lansing, the Spartans have won four of the last six meetings, winning on Feb. 13, 2003 (65-64), Feb. 20, 2005 (66-64), Feb. 8, 2009 (52-46), Feb. 15, 2014 (70-49), Feb. 27, 2016 (107-105 3OT). Ohio State's February wins in East Lansing came on Feb. 15, 2004 (72-53) and Feb. 24, 2011.
LAST TIME VS. OHIO STATE
No. 17 Michigan State women's basketball team continued its recent road struggles, as the Spartans fell to Ohio State 65-55 at Value City Arena on Jan. 14, 2019. Michigan State was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Michigan State falls to 12-4 this season and 2-3 in the very competitive Big Ten conference. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league play, winning two-straight games. All three of the Spartans' B1G losses have come on the road.
Overall, the Spartans had three players in double figures. Along with Colley, senior center Jenna Allen added 11 points, while junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines tied her career-high with 11 rebounds.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the win against Purdue on Feb. 3, all five of MSU's starters posted double-figures for the first time this season. This was the third-straight game that three or more starters have tallied double-digits.
It marks the first time since Nov. 30, 2014 that the Spartans had all five starters net double-figures in an 85-39 victory over Miami (Ohio), when Anna Morrissey (17), Tori Jankoska (16), Jasmine Lumpkin (13), Becca Mills (10) and Aerial Powers (10) posted double-digits.
ALLEN REACHES A MILESTONE
With 13 points on Sunday against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,007 career points in her four years in the Michigan State green and white.
She has four 20+ point outings this season and five in 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.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Michigan State is currently 13-0 at home this season and has won 16-straight games at home dating back to last season. The Spartans have only finished the season undefeated twice. During the Final Four run of the 2004-05 season, Michigan State went 13-0 at the Breslin Center. Overall that season, MSU was 33-4. During the 1973-74 which was Michigan State's second season, the Spartans were a perfect 6-0 en route to a 13-4 season.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Michigan State has been very different at home and on the road this season. The Spartans are a stellar 13-0 at home this season, including 6-0 in Big Ten play. On the road, MSU is 3-7 overall and 1-7 in league action.
Home Away
Points/game 84.0 70.0
Points allowed/game 64.8 72.3
Rebounds/game 40.3 37.0
Assists/game 23.5 14.1
Turnovers/game 12.7 16.2
FG % .494 .408
3PT FG% .417 .347
BEST IN CLASS
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is having a stellar rookie campaign. She is among the leaders among freshmen in several categories. The guard is fifth among freshmen in scoring, averaging 11.4 point per game. She is also second in assist with 4.2 helpers per contest and tied for third in steals per game with 1.2. She is tied for the league lead in assist-to-turnover ratio with Northwestern's Veronica Burton (2.2).
LUCKY 77
With 77 points Feb. 11, Michigan State has scored in the 70s in five-straight games. In four of the last five wins, the Spartans have scored 77 points, after netting 77 in a 77-60 upset of No. 9 Maryland (Jan. 17), a 77-60 victory at home vs. Illinois (Jan. 24) and winning at Michigan 77-73 (Jan. 27) before Monday's 77-61 win over Indiana. MSU's lone non-77 points in a victory was 74 in a 74-66 win over Purdue.
GRUELING WEEK
The Spartans concluded their second three-game week of the season, going 1-2 with a win against Indiana on Feb. 11 and losses to Wisconsin (Feb. 14) and Nebraska (Feb. 17). The previous time MSU went 1-2 with a win over Maryland on Jan. 17 and losses to Ohio State on Jan. 14 and Rutgers on Jan. 20.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Spartans are 13-1 this season when out-rebounding the opposition. The 82-71 loss at Nebraska on Feb. 11 was the first time that Michigan State lost when out-rebounding its opponent. MSU had a 36-30 advantage on the board in that game. Michigan State is 3-6 when its opponents have more rebounds.
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
There are now only two teams left in the Big Ten with unblemished home records. Iowa leads the way with a 14-0 home record this season, while the Spartans are also perfect at home with a 13-0 mark.
BIG SHOT SHAY
Junior guard Shay Colley netted a career-high 32 points Feb. 11. She topped her previous season-high of 28 points from at Northwestern (Jan. 3) and her previous career-high of 31 points from at South Dakota (March 22, 2018) in last season's WNIT. Colley's 31-point outing is the first 30+ game this season by a Spartan and the first since Colley's 31 points at South Dakota.
Colley's 32 points is the most points scored by a Spartan women's basketball player since Tori Jankoska scored 42 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 10, 2017. The 32 points is tied for the 14th-most in a single-game by an MSU women's basketball player.
In three games last week, Colley averaged 24.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to lead the team. She shot 48.1 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the charity stripe.
MOTHER NATURE GETS IN THE WAY
The Spartans game against Penn State that was postponed on Jan. 31 was the first time MSU had a game re-schedule since the 2015-16 season. That season storms in the Mid-Atlantic area re-scheduled a matchup between MSU and Maryland twice. The game was originally set to be played on Jan. 23 was finally played on Feb. 5.
The Spartans also had travel woes on the way to Iowa. Michigan State was scheduled to travel to Iowa City on Wednesday, Feb. 6, but were unable to land in Iowa. MSU finally reached Iowa on Thursday morning prior to the game.
CLOUDEN CLEANING UP
Freshman sensation Nia Clouden is climbing up the MSU freshman record charts. She remains seventh in freshman assists with 105 helpers. She is now just one assist away from tying Kim Archer who had 106 assists during the 1983-84 season. Current teammate Taryn McCutcheon holds the record for freshman assists with 169 during the 2016-17 season. Clouden also has scored 279 points this season, which places her No. 15 in freshman scoring, passing Kim Archer (1983-84).
MCCUTCHEON MOVIN' ON UP
With two assists against Nebraska on Feb. 17, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is fourth in career helpers with 451 in just three seasons. She passed Deb Traxinger (1978-82), who had 443 career assists. She is one of just five Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark. McCutcheon is now 12 assists away from passing Christine Powers (1991-95), who had 460. MSU Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie (2001-05) is the all-time career leader in assists with 574 helpers.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
The Spartans improved to 13-0 this season at home this season and have a 16-game home winning streak dating back to last year. MSU continues to have the best home record in the Big Ten for overall games (13-0) and tied with Iowa at 6-0 for the best home mark in the B1G for conference games. Michigan State and Iowa remain the only unbeaten home teams in the league.
MSU's 16-game home winning streak is the longest since a streak of 20 games overlapping the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons.
The Spartans were 11-5 at the Breslin Center last season, while finishing the 2016-17 season 11-3 at home. During the 2015-16 season, MSU went 13-2 in East Lansing. The Spartans most home wins came during the 2010-11 season with 15 wins.
BEATING THE BEST
The Jan. 17 upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State.
The win was MSU's fourth home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season. In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
MSU's losses against ranked teams were against then-No. 15/13 NC State on Nov. 22 and No. 20/23 Rutgers on the road on Jan. 20. The Spartans only other loss to a ranked team was against No. 16/16 Iowa on Feb. 7.
The Spartans are now 4-3 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-17 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant.
PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS
In 25 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points 13 times, including Shay Colley scoring a career-high 32 against Indiana on Feb. 11 and 24 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 14. Senior center Jenna Allen has scored at least 20 points four times with a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9. Colley has scored at least 20-points six times this season. Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored a career-high 27 against Iowa on Dec. 30 and 20 points in the second meeting against Iowa on Feb. 7.
B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans continue to hold several top spots in the Big Ten rankings this week, sitting first in both 3-point field goal percentage (.386) and in 3-pointers made per game (7.6). Michigan State is second in scoring offense with 77.6 ppg, trailing Iowa's leading 80.8 ppg, along with also ranking second in assists (19.1 apg), turnover margin (+2.56) and assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is third in field goal percentage (.452) and steals (8.4 spg).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has had success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 12-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Seven different players have led the team in assists this season, topped by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led MSU eight times.
The Spartans improved to 17-0 when having more assists than their opponents. In MSU's losses to NC State, Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio State and Iowa, the Spartans averaged only 12.5 assists per game, including a season-low nine against Ohio State.
AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 16 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Spartans are 57-5 (.919) against in-state rivals, including a 42-5 (.894) mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 190-60 (.760) against other Michigan schools.
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.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 189 of their last 200 games (.945) when leading with five minutes left, including 139 of their last 152. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 224-17 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 17-1 with the only loss coming against Indiana on Jan. 6.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Spartan guard tandem of freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior Taryn McCutcheon rank fifth and sixth in the B1G and 46th and 58nd in the NCAA, respectively in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clouden has a 2.19 ratio, while McCutcheon stands 2.06. McCutcheon is also 108th in the nation and ninth in the league in assists per game, dishing out 4.4, to go with 10th in the conference and 93rd in the country in total assists (109). McCutcheon is also 45th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.406). Senior center Jenna Allen is 78th in the country and seventh in the league in field-goal percentage with a 49.4 percentage.
As a team, MSU is seventh in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 19.1. Michigan State is also 13th in the country and second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is also eighth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 38.6 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are 22nd in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 77.6 points per game, as well as ranking 55th in the nation and fourth in the league in scoring margin at +9.9. MSU is also 26th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
As of Tuesday, the Big Ten ranked No. 4 in the NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). In addition, seven Big Ten schools are among the top 65 in the NCAA team RPI rankings, including three in the top 25. Iowa leads the group at No. 8, followed by No. 16 Maryland, No. 25 Rutgers and No. 32 Michigan State. Michigan is next at No. 48, followed by Indiana at No. 52 and Purdue at No. 61.
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. 6. 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.
ALLEN AND CLOUDEN CAPTURE B1G HONORS
Michigan State's Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden both captured Big Ten honors on Dec. 31 as announced by the league office. Allen earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, while Clouden garnered the Freshman of the Week honor. Clouden was also named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.
This was Allen's second Player of the Week award this season and second of her career. Clouden captured her first Freshman of the Week honor and became the first Spartan to earn the award since Victoria Gaines on Jan. 2, 2017. This is the first time since the Freshman of the Week award began during the 2009-10 season that MSU has received both honors in the same week. The Spartans are also the first team to sweep the awards this year.
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.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 79 -33 (70.5%) 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 20 of 25 games this season. MSU has won 135 of its last 151 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 153-26 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 17-3 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22 and a loss to No. 16 Iowa on Feb. 7. The Spartans also fell to Nebraska 82-71 on Feb. 17.
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 last 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.
This season, the Spartans are fifth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,335 fans per game. Michigan State packed 9,520 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Iowa on Dec. 30. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,546 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,018 per game.
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.
UP NEXT
After hosting Ohio State, Michigan State closes out the regular season home schedule with two games. The Spartans will take on in-state rival Michigan on Sunday. Feb. 24 and end the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27 against Penn State.
LAST TIME OUT
A ferocious fourth-quarter comeback was not enough as the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Nebraska in Lincoln Sunday, 82-71. The Spartans battled back in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Huskers in the period, but were unable to complete the comeback. In the loss, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th Spartan women's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point mark. Allen was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
For the fifth-straight game, the Spartans were led by junior guard Shay Colley, who scored 17 points to go along with a team-high three assists. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines also reached double figures for MSU with 13 points and seven boards. Freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior guard Taryn McCutcheon both added three steals apiece.
Nebraska used the long ball to stop Michigan State, shooting 50 percent (12-for-24) from beyond the arc. Nebraska had five players in double figures led by 16 points from Hannah Whitish. Leigha Brown was 4-for-5 from long range to score 14 points.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. NEBRASKA
• MSU's starting lineup of junior guards Shay Colley and Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks, freshman guard Nia Clouden and senior forward Jenna Allen was the seventh-straight time this season that the Spartans have started with that quintet.
• McCutcheon made her 25th start of the season and 90th of her career ... Allen also notched her 25th start of the season and 53rd of her career ... Colley started for the 18th time this season and made the 40th start of her career ... Clouden posted her 25th start of the season ... Cooks made her seventh start of the season and 29th of her career.
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.
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.
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.
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.
• With 13 points on Sunday against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,007 career points in her four years in the Michigan State green and white.
• Despite matching season-lows with eight assists the last two games, MSU remains in the top 10 in the nation in assists. The Spartans are seventh in the nation and second in the league in assists, averaging 19.1 apg.
• Shay Colley's 32 points against Indiana on Feb. 11 were the most points scored by a Spartan women's basketball player since Tori Jankoska scored 42 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 10, 2017. The 32 points is tied for the 14th-most in a single-game by an MSU women's basketball player. She has scored 20+ points six times this season.
• Despite the loss to Nebraska on Feb. 17, the Spartans remained active on the defensive end of the court. MSU ended the game with 10 steals, which was its ninth double-digit steal game of the season.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes tote a 12-12 overall and 8-7 Big Ten ledger into Thursday's match-up with the Spartans. Ohio State has won two in a row as part of three of last four and five of the last seven, most recently a 59-39 win at No. 23 Rutgers on Feb. 14 and edging Wisconsin, 70-68, on Feb. 17. OSU led by 13 points with 4:14 left and held off a late Badger rally to secure the win.
Freshman forward Dorka Juhász was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her performance, netting game-highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds, adding one block, steal and assist. On the season, Juhász leads the Buckeyes with 10 double-doubles. She leads OSU and ranks tied for 21st in the B1G in scoring at 12.1 ppg, as well as topping the team and ranking tied for sixth in the league in rebounding at 8.8 rpg. Juhász is also tied for 13th in the conference in steals (1.3 spg)
Senior guard Carly Santoro is tied for 25th in scoring (11.3 ppg). Fellow senior guard Carmen Grande shares the B1G lead and is tied for 36th in the NCAA in assists (5.0 apg), as well as tied for ninth in the league in steals (1.9 spg) and 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.7), all while ranking eighth in minutes played (34.0 mpg). Senior forward Makayla Waterman is seventh in the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg).
Ohio State is 14th in the B1G in scoring offense (61.8 ppg) and ninth in the league in scoring defense (65.0 ppg) to rank 13th in scoring margin (-3.2). The Buckeyes are 12th in field goal percentage (.399), ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.319) and 13th in free throw percentage (.654). OSU is 12th in rebounding offense (36.1 rpg) and 12th in rebounding margin (-0.3). Defensively, the Buckeyes are seventh in steals (7.5 spg), 10th in blocked shots (4.0 bpg) and 14th in turnover margin (-1.7).
OSU head coach Kevin McGuff is in his sixth season leading the Buckeyes, posting a 135-63 record. McGuff is in his 17th season as a collegiate head coach, logging a 390-162 overall ledger.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE
Ohio State leads the overall series with Michigan State, 55-28, including winning this season's first meeting, 65-55, at Columbus on Jan. 14. MSU was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds. Despite Ohio State leading the overall series, MSU has won three of the last five meetings, including the last two match-ups in East Lansing, highlighted by an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on Feb. 27, 2016. When MSU and OSU meet in February in East Lansing, the Spartans have won four of the last six meetings, winning on Feb. 13, 2003 (65-64), Feb. 20, 2005 (66-64), Feb. 8, 2009 (52-46), Feb. 15, 2014 (70-49), Feb. 27, 2016 (107-105 3OT). Ohio State's February wins in East Lansing came on Feb. 15, 2004 (72-53) and Feb. 24, 2011.
LAST TIME VS. OHIO STATE
No. 17 Michigan State women's basketball team continued its recent road struggles, as the Spartans fell to Ohio State 65-55 at Value City Arena on Jan. 14, 2019. Michigan State was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Michigan State falls to 12-4 this season and 2-3 in the very competitive Big Ten conference. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league play, winning two-straight games. All three of the Spartans' B1G losses have come on the road.
Overall, the Spartans had three players in double figures. Along with Colley, senior center Jenna Allen added 11 points, while junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines tied her career-high with 11 rebounds.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the win against Purdue on Feb. 3, all five of MSU's starters posted double-figures for the first time this season. This was the third-straight game that three or more starters have tallied double-digits.
It marks the first time since Nov. 30, 2014 that the Spartans had all five starters net double-figures in an 85-39 victory over Miami (Ohio), when Anna Morrissey (17), Tori Jankoska (16), Jasmine Lumpkin (13), Becca Mills (10) and Aerial Powers (10) posted double-digits.
ALLEN REACHES A MILESTONE
With 13 points on Sunday against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,007 career points in her four years in the Michigan State green and white.
She has four 20+ point outings this season and five in 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.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Michigan State is currently 13-0 at home this season and has won 16-straight games at home dating back to last season. The Spartans have only finished the season undefeated twice. During the Final Four run of the 2004-05 season, Michigan State went 13-0 at the Breslin Center. Overall that season, MSU was 33-4. During the 1973-74 which was Michigan State's second season, the Spartans were a perfect 6-0 en route to a 13-4 season.
BEST IN CLASS
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is having a stellar rookie campaign. She is among the leaders among freshmen in several categories. The guard is fifth among freshmen in scoring, averaging 11.4 point per game. She is also second in assist with 4.2 helpers per contest and tied for third in steals per game with 1.2. She is tied for the league lead in assist-to-turnover ratio with Northwestern's Veronica Burton (2.2).
LUCKY 77
With 77 points Feb. 11, Michigan State has scored in the 70s in five-straight games. In four of the last five wins, the Spartans have scored 77 points, after netting 77 in a 77-60 upset of No. 9 Maryland (Jan. 17), a 77-60 victory at home vs. Illinois (Jan. 24) and winning at Michigan 77-73 (Jan. 27) before Monday's 77-61 win over Indiana. MSU's lone non-77 points in a victory was 74 in a 74-66 win over Purdue.
GRUELING WEEK
The Spartans concluded their second three-game week of the season, going 1-2 with a win against Indiana on Feb. 11 and losses to Wisconsin (Feb. 14) and Nebraska (Feb. 17). The previous time MSU went 1-2 with a win over Maryland on Jan. 17 and losses to Ohio State on Jan. 14 and Rutgers on Jan. 20.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Spartans are 13-1 this season when out-rebounding the opposition. The 82-71 loss at Nebraska on Feb. 11 was the first time that Michigan State lost when out-rebounding its opponent. MSU had a 36-30 advantage on the board in that game. Michigan State is 3-6 when its opponents have more rebounds.
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
There are now only two teams left in the Big Ten with unblemished home records. Iowa leads the way with a 14-0 home record this season, while the Spartans are also perfect at home with a 13-0 mark.
BIG SHOT SHAY
Junior guard Shay Colley netted a career-high 32 points Feb. 11. She topped her previous season-high of 28 points from at Northwestern (Jan. 3) and her previous career-high of 31 points from at South Dakota (March 22, 2018) in last season's WNIT. Colley's 31-point outing is the first 30+ game this season by a Spartan and the first since Colley's 31 points at South Dakota.
Colley's 32 points is the most points scored by a Spartan women's basketball player since Tori Jankoska scored 42 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 10, 2017. The 32 points is tied for the 14th-most in a single-game by an MSU women's basketball player.
In three games last week, Colley averaged 24.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to lead the team. She shot 48.1 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the charity stripe.
MOTHER NATURE GETS IN THE WAY
The Spartans game against Penn State that was postponed on Jan. 31 was the first time MSU had a game re-schedule since the 2015-16 season. That season storms in the Mid-Atlantic area re-scheduled a matchup between MSU and Maryland twice. The game was originally set to be played on Jan. 23 was finally played on Feb. 5.
The Spartans also had travel woes on the way to Iowa. Michigan State was scheduled to travel to Iowa City on Wednesday, Feb. 6, but were unable to land in Iowa. MSU finally reached Iowa on Thursday morning prior to the game.
CLOUDEN CLEANING UP
Freshman sensation Nia Clouden is climbing up the MSU freshman record charts. She remains seventh in freshman assists with 105 helpers. She is now just one assist away from tying Kim Archer who had 106 assists during the 1983-84 season. Current teammate Taryn McCutcheon holds the record for freshman assists with 169 during the 2016-17 season. Clouden also has scored 279 points this season, which places her No. 15 in freshman scoring, passing Kim Archer (1983-84).
MCCUTCHEON MOVIN' ON UP
With two assists against Nebraska on Feb. 17, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is fourth in career helpers with 451 in just three seasons. She passed Deb Traxinger (1978-82), who had 443 career assists. She is one of just five Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark. McCutcheon is now 12 assists away from passing Christine Powers (1991-95), who had 460. MSU Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie (2001-05) is the all-time career leader in assists with 574 helpers.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
The Spartans improved to 13-0 this season at home this season and have a 16-game home winning streak dating back to last year. MSU continues to have the best home record in the Big Ten for overall games (13-0) and tied with Iowa at 6-0 for the best home mark in the B1G for conference games. Michigan State and Iowa remain the only unbeaten home teams in the league.
MSU's 16-game home winning streak is the longest since a streak of 20 games overlapping the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons.
The Spartans were 11-5 at the Breslin Center last season, while finishing the 2016-17 season 11-3 at home. During the 2015-16 season, MSU went 13-2 in East Lansing. The Spartans most home wins came during the 2010-11 season with 15 wins.
BEATING THE BEST
The Jan. 17 upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State.
The win was MSU's fourth home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season. In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
MSU's losses against ranked teams were against then-No. 15/13 NC State on Nov. 22 and No. 20/23 Rutgers on the road on Jan. 20. The Spartans only other loss to a ranked team was against No. 16/16 Iowa on Feb. 7.
The Spartans are now 4-3 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-17 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant.
PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS
In 25 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points 13 times, including Shay Colley scoring a career-high 32 against Indiana on Feb. 11 and 24 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 14. Senior center Jenna Allen has scored at least 20 points four times with a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9. Colley has scored at least 20-points six times this season. Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored a career-high 27 against Iowa on Dec. 30 and 20 points in the second meeting against Iowa on Feb. 7.
B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans continue to hold several top spots in the Big Ten rankings this week, sitting first in both 3-point field goal percentage (.386) and in 3-pointers made per game (7.6). Michigan State is second in scoring offense with 77.6 ppg, trailing Iowa's leading 80.8 ppg, along with also ranking second in assists (19.1 apg), turnover margin (+2.56) and assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is third in field goal percentage (.452) and steals (8.4 spg).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has had success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 12-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Seven different players have led the team in assists this season, topped by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led MSU eight times.
The Spartans improved to 17-0 when having more assists than their opponents. In MSU's losses to NC State, Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio State and Iowa, the Spartans averaged only 12.5 assists per game, including a season-low nine against Ohio State.
AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 16 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Spartans are 57-5 (.919) against in-state rivals, including a 42-5 (.894) mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 190-60 (.760) against other Michigan schools.
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.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 189 of their last 200 games (.945) when leading with five minutes left, including 139 of their last 152. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 224-17 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 17-1 with the only loss coming against Indiana on Jan. 6.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Spartan guard tandem of freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior Taryn McCutcheon rank fifth and sixth in the B1G and 46th and 58nd in the NCAA, respectively in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clouden has a 2.19 ratio, while McCutcheon stands 2.06. McCutcheon is also 108th in the nation and ninth in the league in assists per game, dishing out 4.4, to go with 10th in the conference and 93rd in the country in total assists (109). McCutcheon is also 45th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.406). Senior center Jenna Allen is 78th in the country and seventh in the league in field-goal percentage with a 49.4 percentage.
As a team, MSU is seventh in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 19.1. Michigan State is also 13th in the country and second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is also eighth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 38.6 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are 22nd in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 77.6 points per game, as well as ranking 55th in the nation and fourth in the league in scoring margin at +9.9. MSU is also 26th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
As of Tuesday, the Big Ten ranked No. 4 in the NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). In addition, seven Big Ten schools are among the top 65 in the NCAA team RPI rankings, including three in the top 25. Iowa leads the group at No. 8, followed by No. 16 Maryland, No. 25 Rutgers and No. 32 Michigan State. Michigan is next at No. 48, followed by Indiana at No. 52 and Purdue at No. 61.
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. 6. 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.
ALLEN AND CLOUDEN CAPTURE B1G HONORS
Michigan State's Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden both captured Big Ten honors on Dec. 31 as announced by the league office. Allen earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, while Clouden garnered the Freshman of the Week honor. Clouden was also named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.
This was Allen's second Player of the Week award this season and second of her career. Clouden captured her first Freshman of the Week honor and became the first Spartan to earn the award since Victoria Gaines on Jan. 2, 2017. This is the first time since the Freshman of the Week award began during the 2009-10 season that MSU has received both honors in the same week. The Spartans are also the first team to sweep the awards this year.
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.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 79 -33 (70.5%) 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 20 of 25 games this season. MSU has won 135 of its last 151 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 153-26 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 17-3 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22 and a loss to No. 16 Iowa on Feb. 7. The Spartans also fell to Nebraska 82-71 on Feb. 17.
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 last 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.
This season, the Spartans are fifth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,335 fans per game. Michigan State packed 9,520 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Iowa on Dec. 30. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,546 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,018 per game.
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.
UP NEXT
After hosting Ohio State, Michigan State closes out the regular season home schedule with two games. The Spartans will take on in-state rival Michigan on Sunday. Feb. 24 and end the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27 against Penn State.
LAST TIME OUT
A ferocious fourth-quarter comeback was not enough as the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Nebraska in Lincoln Sunday, 82-71. The Spartans battled back in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Huskers in the period, but were unable to complete the comeback. In the loss, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th Spartan women's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point mark. Allen was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
For the fifth-straight game, the Spartans were led by junior guard Shay Colley, who scored 17 points to go along with a team-high three assists. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines also reached double figures for MSU with 13 points and seven boards. Freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior guard Taryn McCutcheon both added three steals apiece.
Nebraska used the long ball to stop Michigan State, shooting 50 percent (12-for-24) from beyond the arc. Nebraska had five players in double figures led by 16 points from Hannah Whitish. Leigha Brown was 4-for-5 from long range to score 14 points.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. NEBRASKA
• MSU's starting lineup of junior guards Shay Colley and Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks, freshman guard Nia Clouden and senior forward Jenna Allen was the seventh-straight time this season that the Spartans have started with that quintet.
• McCutcheon made her 25th start of the season and 90th of her career ... Allen also notched her 25th start of the season and 53rd of her career ... Colley started for the 18th time this season and made the 40th start of her career ... Clouden posted her 25th start of the season ... Cooks made her seventh start of the season and 29th of her career.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes tote a 12-12 overall and 8-7 Big Ten ledger into Thursday's match-up with the Spartans. Ohio State has won two in a row as part of three of last four and five of the last seven, most recently a 59-39 win at No. 23 Rutgers on Feb. 14 and edging Wisconsin, 70-68, on Feb. 17. OSU led by 13 points with 4:14 left and held off a late Badger rally to secure the win.
Freshman forward Dorka Juhász was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her performance, netting game-highs of 21 points and 15 rebounds, adding one block, steal and assist. On the season, Juhász leads the Buckeyes with 10 double-doubles. She leads OSU and ranks tied for 21st in the B1G in scoring at 12.1 ppg, as well as topping the team and ranking tied for sixth in the league in rebounding at 8.8 rpg. Juhász is also tied for 13th in the conference in steals (1.3 spg)
Senior guard Carly Santoro is tied for 25th in scoring (11.3 ppg). Fellow senior guard Carmen Grande shares the B1G lead and is tied for 36th in the NCAA in assists (5.0 apg), as well as tied for ninth in the league in steals (1.9 spg) and 12th in assist/turnover ratio (1.7), all while ranking eighth in minutes played (34.0 mpg). Senior forward Makayla Waterman is seventh in the league in blocked shots (1.6 bpg).
Ohio State is 14th in the B1G in scoring offense (61.8 ppg) and ninth in the league in scoring defense (65.0 ppg) to rank 13th in scoring margin (-3.2). The Buckeyes are 12th in field goal percentage (.399), ninth in 3-point field goal percentage (.319) and 13th in free throw percentage (.654). OSU is 12th in rebounding offense (36.1 rpg) and 12th in rebounding margin (-0.3). Defensively, the Buckeyes are seventh in steals (7.5 spg), 10th in blocked shots (4.0 bpg) and 14th in turnover margin (-1.7).
OSU head coach Kevin McGuff is in his sixth season leading the Buckeyes, posting a 135-63 record. McGuff is in his 17th season as a collegiate head coach, logging a 390-162 overall ledger.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE
Ohio State leads the overall series with Michigan State, 55-28, including winning this season's first meeting, 65-55, at Columbus on Jan. 14. MSU was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds. Despite Ohio State leading the overall series, MSU has won three of the last five meetings, including the last two match-ups in East Lansing, highlighted by an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on Feb. 27, 2016. When MSU and OSU meet in February in East Lansing, the Spartans have won four of the last six meetings, winning on Feb. 13, 2003 (65-64), Feb. 20, 2005 (66-64), Feb. 8, 2009 (52-46), Feb. 15, 2014 (70-49), Feb. 27, 2016 (107-105 3OT). Ohio State's February wins in East Lansing came on Feb. 15, 2004 (72-53) and Feb. 24, 2011.
LAST TIME VS. OHIO STATE
No. 17 Michigan State women's basketball team continued its recent road struggles, as the Spartans fell to Ohio State 65-55 at Value City Arena on Jan. 14, 2019. Michigan State was led by the first double-double of the season by redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, who had 18 points and added 10 rebounds.
With the loss, Michigan State falls to 12-4 this season and 2-3 in the very competitive Big Ten conference. Ohio State improves to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in league play, winning two-straight games. All three of the Spartans' B1G losses have come on the road.
Overall, the Spartans had three players in double figures. Along with Colley, senior center Jenna Allen added 11 points, while junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines tied her career-high with 11 rebounds.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the win against Purdue on Feb. 3, all five of MSU's starters posted double-figures for the first time this season. This was the third-straight game that three or more starters have tallied double-digits.
It marks the first time since Nov. 30, 2014 that the Spartans had all five starters net double-figures in an 85-39 victory over Miami (Ohio), when Anna Morrissey (17), Tori Jankoska (16), Jasmine Lumpkin (13), Becca Mills (10) and Aerial Powers (10) posted double-digits.
ALLEN REACHES A MILESTONE
With 13 points on Sunday against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,007 career points in her four years in the Michigan State green and white.
She has four 20+ point outings this season and five in 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.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Michigan State is currently 13-0 at home this season and has won 16-straight games at home dating back to last season. The Spartans have only finished the season undefeated twice. During the Final Four run of the 2004-05 season, Michigan State went 13-0 at the Breslin Center. Overall that season, MSU was 33-4. During the 1973-74 which was Michigan State's second season, the Spartans were a perfect 6-0 en route to a 13-4 season.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Michigan State has been very different at home and on the road this season. The Spartans are a stellar 13-0 at home this season, including 6-0 in Big Ten play. On the road, MSU is 3-7 overall and 1-7 in league action.
Home Away
Points/game 84.0 70.0
Points allowed/game 64.8 72.3
Rebounds/game 40.3 37.0
Assists/game 23.5 14.1
Turnovers/game 12.7 16.2
FG % .494 .408
3PT FG% .417 .347
BEST IN CLASS
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is having a stellar rookie campaign. She is among the leaders among freshmen in several categories. The guard is fifth among freshmen in scoring, averaging 11.4 point per game. She is also second in assist with 4.2 helpers per contest and tied for third in steals per game with 1.2. She is tied for the league lead in assist-to-turnover ratio with Northwestern's Veronica Burton (2.2).
LUCKY 77
With 77 points Feb. 11, Michigan State has scored in the 70s in five-straight games. In four of the last five wins, the Spartans have scored 77 points, after netting 77 in a 77-60 upset of No. 9 Maryland (Jan. 17), a 77-60 victory at home vs. Illinois (Jan. 24) and winning at Michigan 77-73 (Jan. 27) before Monday's 77-61 win over Indiana. MSU's lone non-77 points in a victory was 74 in a 74-66 win over Purdue.
GRUELING WEEK
The Spartans concluded their second three-game week of the season, going 1-2 with a win against Indiana on Feb. 11 and losses to Wisconsin (Feb. 14) and Nebraska (Feb. 17). The previous time MSU went 1-2 with a win over Maryland on Jan. 17 and losses to Ohio State on Jan. 14 and Rutgers on Jan. 20.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Spartans are 13-1 this season when out-rebounding the opposition. The 82-71 loss at Nebraska on Feb. 11 was the first time that Michigan State lost when out-rebounding its opponent. MSU had a 36-30 advantage on the board in that game. Michigan State is 3-6 when its opponents have more rebounds.
HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE
There are now only two teams left in the Big Ten with unblemished home records. Iowa leads the way with a 14-0 home record this season, while the Spartans are also perfect at home with a 13-0 mark.
BIG SHOT SHAY
Junior guard Shay Colley netted a career-high 32 points Feb. 11. She topped her previous season-high of 28 points from at Northwestern (Jan. 3) and her previous career-high of 31 points from at South Dakota (March 22, 2018) in last season's WNIT. Colley's 31-point outing is the first 30+ game this season by a Spartan and the first since Colley's 31 points at South Dakota.
Colley's 32 points is the most points scored by a Spartan women's basketball player since Tori Jankoska scored 42 vs. Ohio State on Jan. 10, 2017. The 32 points is tied for the 14th-most in a single-game by an MSU women's basketball player.
In three games last week, Colley averaged 24.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game to lead the team. She shot 48.1 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the charity stripe.
MOTHER NATURE GETS IN THE WAY
The Spartans game against Penn State that was postponed on Jan. 31 was the first time MSU had a game re-schedule since the 2015-16 season. That season storms in the Mid-Atlantic area re-scheduled a matchup between MSU and Maryland twice. The game was originally set to be played on Jan. 23 was finally played on Feb. 5.
The Spartans also had travel woes on the way to Iowa. Michigan State was scheduled to travel to Iowa City on Wednesday, Feb. 6, but were unable to land in Iowa. MSU finally reached Iowa on Thursday morning prior to the game.
CLOUDEN CLEANING UP
Freshman sensation Nia Clouden is climbing up the MSU freshman record charts. She remains seventh in freshman assists with 105 helpers. She is now just one assist away from tying Kim Archer who had 106 assists during the 1983-84 season. Current teammate Taryn McCutcheon holds the record for freshman assists with 169 during the 2016-17 season. Clouden also has scored 279 points this season, which places her No. 15 in freshman scoring, passing Kim Archer (1983-84).
MCCUTCHEON MOVIN' ON UP
With two assists against Nebraska on Feb. 17, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is fourth in career helpers with 451 in just three seasons. She passed Deb Traxinger (1978-82), who had 443 career assists. She is one of just five Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark. McCutcheon is now 12 assists away from passing Christine Powers (1991-95), who had 460. MSU Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie (2001-05) is the all-time career leader in assists with 574 helpers.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
The Spartans improved to 13-0 this season at home this season and have a 16-game home winning streak dating back to last year. MSU continues to have the best home record in the Big Ten for overall games (13-0) and tied with Iowa at 6-0 for the best home mark in the B1G for conference games. Michigan State and Iowa remain the only unbeaten home teams in the league.
MSU's 16-game home winning streak is the longest since a streak of 20 games overlapping the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons.
The Spartans were 11-5 at the Breslin Center last season, while finishing the 2016-17 season 11-3 at home. During the 2015-16 season, MSU went 13-2 in East Lansing. The Spartans most home wins came during the 2010-11 season with 15 wins.
BEATING THE BEST
The Jan. 17 upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State.
The win was MSU's fourth home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season. In 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral).
MSU's losses against ranked teams were against then-No. 15/13 NC State on Nov. 22 and No. 20/23 Rutgers on the road on Jan. 20. The Spartans only other loss to a ranked team was against No. 16/16 Iowa on Feb. 7.
The Spartans are now 4-3 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-17 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant.
PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS
In 25 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points 13 times, including Shay Colley scoring a career-high 32 against Indiana on Feb. 11 and 24 points against Wisconsin on Feb. 14. Senior center Jenna Allen has scored at least 20 points four times with a season-high 27 points against Oregon on Dec. 9. Colley has scored at least 20-points six times this season. Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored a career-high 27 against Iowa on Dec. 30 and 20 points in the second meeting against Iowa on Feb. 7.
B1G BY THE NUMBERS
The Spartans continue to hold several top spots in the Big Ten rankings this week, sitting first in both 3-point field goal percentage (.386) and in 3-pointers made per game (7.6). Michigan State is second in scoring offense with 77.6 ppg, trailing Iowa's leading 80.8 ppg, along with also ranking second in assists (19.1 apg), turnover margin (+2.56) and assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is third in field goal percentage (.452) and steals (8.4 spg).
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Michigan State has had success when it spreads the ball around this season. The Spartans are 12-0 when they have 21 or more assists in a game. Seven different players have led the team in assists this season, topped by junior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has led MSU eight times.
The Spartans improved to 17-0 when having more assists than their opponents. In MSU's losses to NC State, Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio State and Iowa, the Spartans averaged only 12.5 assists per game, including a season-low nine against Ohio State.
AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 16 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Spartans are 57-5 (.919) against in-state rivals, including a 42-5 (.894) mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 190-60 (.760) against other Michigan schools.
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.
CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 189 of their last 200 games (.945) when leading with five minutes left, including 139 of their last 152. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 224-17 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 17-1 with the only loss coming against Indiana on Jan. 6.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Spartan guard tandem of freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior Taryn McCutcheon rank fifth and sixth in the B1G and 46th and 58nd in the NCAA, respectively in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clouden has a 2.19 ratio, while McCutcheon stands 2.06. McCutcheon is also 108th in the nation and ninth in the league in assists per game, dishing out 4.4, to go with 10th in the conference and 93rd in the country in total assists (109). McCutcheon is also 45th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.406). Senior center Jenna Allen is 78th in the country and seventh in the league in field-goal percentage with a 49.4 percentage.
As a team, MSU is seventh in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 19.1. Michigan State is also 13th in the country and second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.33). MSU is also eighth in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 38.6 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are 22nd in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 77.6 points per game, as well as ranking 55th in the nation and fourth in the league in scoring margin at +9.9. MSU is also 26th in the country and third in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 45.2 percent from the field.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
As of Tuesday, the Big Ten ranked No. 4 in the NCAA RPI (Ratings Percentage Index). In addition, seven Big Ten schools are among the top 65 in the NCAA team RPI rankings, including three in the top 25. Iowa leads the group at No. 8, followed by No. 16 Maryland, No. 25 Rutgers and No. 32 Michigan State. Michigan is next at No. 48, followed by Indiana at No. 52 and Purdue at No. 61.
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. 6. 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.
ALLEN AND CLOUDEN CAPTURE B1G HONORS
Michigan State's Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden both captured Big Ten honors on Dec. 31 as announced by the league office. Allen earned Big Ten Player of the Week accolades, while Clouden garnered the Freshman of the Week honor. Clouden was also named USBWA National Freshman of the Week.
This was Allen's second Player of the Week award this season and second of her career. Clouden captured her first Freshman of the Week honor and became the first Spartan to earn the award since Victoria Gaines on Jan. 2, 2017. This is the first time since the Freshman of the Week award began during the 2009-10 season that MSU has received both honors in the same week. The Spartans are also the first team to sweep the awards this year.
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.
BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 79 -33 (70.5%) 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 20 of 25 games this season. MSU has won 135 of its last 151 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 153-26 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 17-3 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22 and a loss to No. 16 Iowa on Feb. 7. The Spartans also fell to Nebraska 82-71 on Feb. 17.
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 last 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.
This season, the Spartans are fifth in the Big Ten and 14th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,335 fans per game. Michigan State packed 9,520 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Iowa on Dec. 30. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,546 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,018 per game.
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.
UP NEXT
After hosting Ohio State, Michigan State closes out the regular season home schedule with two games. The Spartans will take on in-state rival Michigan on Sunday. Feb. 24 and end the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 27 against Penn State.
LAST TIME OUT
A ferocious fourth-quarter comeback was not enough as the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Nebraska in Lincoln Sunday, 82-71. The Spartans battled back in the fourth quarter, out-scoring the Huskers in the period, but were unable to complete the comeback. In the loss, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th Spartan women's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point mark. Allen was just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
For the fifth-straight game, the Spartans were led by junior guard Shay Colley, who scored 17 points to go along with a team-high three assists. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines also reached double figures for MSU with 13 points and seven boards. Freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior guard Taryn McCutcheon both added three steals apiece.
Nebraska used the long ball to stop Michigan State, shooting 50 percent (12-for-24) from beyond the arc. Nebraska had five players in double figures led by 16 points from Hannah Whitish. Leigha Brown was 4-for-5 from long range to score 14 points.
POST-GAME NOTES VS. NEBRASKA
• MSU's starting lineup of junior guards Shay Colley and Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore forward Sidney Cooks, freshman guard Nia Clouden and senior forward Jenna Allen was the seventh-straight time this season that the Spartans have started with that quintet.
• McCutcheon made her 25th start of the season and 90th of her career ... Allen also notched her 25th start of the season and 53rd of her career ... Colley started for the 18th time this season and made the 40th start of her career ... Clouden posted her 25th start of the season ... Cooks made her seventh start of the season and 29th of her career.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Players Mentioned
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