Wednesday, February 27
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM ET
Michigan State University
vs
Penn State
MSU Completes Home Schedule Against Penn State Wednesday
2/26/2019 6:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans have two regular-season games left this season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball closes out the home portion of the 2018-19 schedule hosting Penn State on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. The Spartans will also be concluding a three-game homestand. The game was originally schedule for Thursday, Jan. 31 but was postponed due to inclement weather in East Lansing. The Spartans improved to 18-9 overall and 8-8 in Big Ten contests after a 74-64 win over Michigan on Feb. 24. Penn State stands 12-15 overall and 5-11 in league contests.
• The Spartans are looking to tie the school record for home wins. The 2010-11 MSU squad was 15-1 at home. Both squads only losses came at the hands of Ohio State.
• Michigan State celebrated Senior Day against Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 24. The Spartans lone senior Jenna Allen led the team with 18 points in MSU's second win against the Wolverines.
• With double-figures scoring efforts from Jenna Allen (18), Shay Colley (12), Mardrekia Cook (11), and Nia Clouden (11), the Spartans are now 7-2 on the season when four players reach double digits. Michigan State last had four players score 10 or more points on Feb. 3 in a 74-66 victory over Purdue which featured 20 point outbursts by Sidney Cooks and Colley.
• Shay Colley is eighth in the league in scoring with 15.1 ppg. Jenna Allen is 19th in the B1G in scoring, averaging 12.8 ppg. Allen is also seventh in field goal percentage, shooting 48.9 percent.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
On the second try, the Lady Lions will take on Michigan State in a game that was originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31. Penn State comes to East Lansing with a 12-15 overall record and a 5-11 B1G record. The Lady Lions have won two-straight games despite leading scorer Teniya Page missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
Page is the first player in PSU history to reach at least 2,000 career points, 400 career assists and 400 career rebounds. She reached the milestone on Feb. 6 at Ohio State when she reached her fifth assist of the game and 400th of her career.
As a team, Penn State ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 7.6 steals per game, and have two players ranked in the top seven. Amari Carter is tied for fourth in the B1G with 1.7 steals per game, while Siyeh Frazier is tied for seventh with 1.6 spg.
As a team, Penn State is ranked eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 68.6 ppg, and 14th in scoring defense, allowing 70.9 ppg. In league contests, the Lady Lions in turnover margin (+2.3).
Coquese Washington, like MSU head coach Suzy Merchant, is in her 12th season. Washington holds a 209-165 record leading the Lady Lions.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE
Michigan State trails the overall series with Penn State, 29-17. The teams have split the last four meetings. In the last outing in University Park, Taryn McCutcheon scored a game-high 18 points as MSU fell to Penn State, 74-59, at Bryce Jordan Center on Feb. 4, 2018. McCutcheon tied then-career high with six made treys, also adding five assists and four rebounds for the Spartans. Sidney Cooks was the other Spartan in double figures with 10 points and four boards. The last time the teams met in East Lansing was on Feb. 22, 2017 on Tori Jankoska's Senior Day where the Spartans captured a 73-64 come-from-behind win.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
With four in double figures, the No. 23/21 Michigan lley all scored 14 points, while redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines added 11 points and seven boards in the win. McCutcheon also added at game-high six assists.
Michigan's Naz Hillmon recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, while Amy Dilk and Deja Church both scored 13.
BRINGING IT AT BRESLIN
Michigan State is currently 14-1 at home this season after having its 16-game winning streak stopped against Ohio State on Feb. 24. The Spartans home streak dated back to last season. MSU is looking to tie the school record for home wins. The 2010-11 MSU squad was 15-1 at home. Both squads only losses came at the hands of Ohio State. The 2005-06 team finished 14-1 at home, while the 2008-09 squad as 14-2.
PACKING THE HOUSE
Michigan State's 74-64 win over Michigan brought in a season-high 11,368 fans into the Breslin Center. The crowd was the 14th best in the nation this season. It was also the third-best in the Big Ten. Overall, the 11,368 fans were the 15th-most fan in the Breslin Center in school history. The Spartans' highest attendance was 14,797 fans against Michigan on Feb. 13, 2011.
DOWN TO THE WIRE
Michigan State has only two games left in the regular season, including one at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. With an 8-8 Big Ten record, MSU is currently tied for sixth in the league standings. The Spartans are tied with Minnesota and Northwestern with the 8-8 marks. Maryland captured a share of the Big Ten title with a 14-3 record, while Iowa is second with a 13-4 mark. The Spartans have a home game against Penn State (Feb. 27) and one regular-season road game left at Minnesota on march 3.
ALLEN REACHES A MILESTONE
With 13 points on Feb. 21 against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,029 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.
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.
MCCUTCHEON MOVIN' ON UP
With six assists against Michigan on Feb. 24, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon moved up to third in career helpers with 461 in just three seasons. She passed Christine Powers (1991-95), who had 460. She is one of just five Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark. McCutcheon is now 29 assists away from passing All-American Tori Jankoska (2014-17), who had 489. MSU Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie (2001-05) is the all-time career leader in assists with 574 helpers.
BEST IN CLASS
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is having a stellar rookie campaign. She is among the B1G leaders among freshmen in several categories. The guard is fifth among freshmen in scoring, averaging 11.8 point per game. She is also tied for first in assists with 4.1 helpers per contest and fourth in steals per game with 1.2. Clouden also has a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is second in the league behind Northwestern's Veronica Burton (2.4).
DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Michigan State finished with 12 steals against Michigan against Michigan, the 10th time MSU has reached double-digit steals this season. The Spartans are 7-2 in games which they reach 10 or more steals and are 5-0 when finishing with 12 or more steals. MSU last finished a game with 12 or more steals on December 20 in an 89-74 win over Florida Atlantic.
With 25 caused turnovers on Sunday, Michigan State matched its season-high which was previously set on November 23 in a 75-51 victory over Kennesaw State. The Spartans have now caused 20+ turnovers on seven occasions this season and are 6-1 in those games. MSU last caused 20+ turnovers on February 17 in an 82-71 loss at Nebraska
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Spartans are 14-2 this season when out-rebounding the opposition. The 77-70 loss against Ohio State on Feb. 21 was just the second time that Michigan State lost when out-rebounding its opponent. MSU had a 43-31 advantage on the board in that game. Michigan State is 3-6 when its opponents have more rebounds.
The Spartans out-rebounded Michigan, 37-31, marking the third straight game Michigan State has out-rebounded their opponent.
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 the last five games, Colley averaged 20.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game to lead the team. She shot 40.8 percent from the field and 87.2 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 CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Freshman sensation Nia Clouden is climbing up the MSU freshman record charts. She moved up to sixth in freshman assists with 111 helpers, passing Kim Archer who had 106 assists during the 1983-84 season. Clouden is now just six assists away from tying Spartan great Kristin Haynie for fifth in freshman assists. Current teammate Taryn McCutcheon holds the record for freshman assists with 169 during the 2016-17 season. Clouden also has scored 318 points this season, which places her No. 8 in freshman scoring, passing Director of Basketball Operations Julie Pagel Dombroski who scored 313 points as a freshman during the 2000-01 season.
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 27 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points 14 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 to go along with scoring 23 against OSU on Feb. 21. She has scored at least 20-points three times this season.
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 (.373) and second in 3-pointers made per game (7.4). Michigan State is second in scoring offense with 77.2 ppg, trailing Iowa's leading 80.3 ppg, along with also ranking second in assists (18.6 apg), turnover margin (+2.7) and assist/turnover ratio (1.3). MSU is also third in steals (8.4 spg) and fourth in field goal percentage (.447).
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 18-0 when having more assists than their opponents. In MSU's losses, the Spartans averaged only 11.6 assists per game, including a season-lows Wisconsin and Nebraska.
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 58-5 (.921) against in-state rivals, including a 43-5 (.896) mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 191-60 (.761) 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 201 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 139 of their last 153. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 224-18 (.926) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 17-2 with the only losses coming against Indiana on Jan. 6 and Ohio State on Feb. 21.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Spartan guard tandem of freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior Taryn McCutcheon rank sixth and seventh in the B1G and 56th and 68th in the NCAA, respectively in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clouden has a 2.09 ratio, while McCutcheon stands 2.02. McCutcheon is also 103rd in the nation and ninth in the league in assists per game, dishing out 4.4. McCutcheon is also 59th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.394). Senior center Jenna Allen is 84th in the country and seventh in the league in field-goal percentage with a 48.9 percentage.
As a team, MSU is eighth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 18.6. Michigan State is also 17th in the country and second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.30). MSU is also 15th in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 37.3 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are 25th in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 77.2 points per game, as well as ranking 57th in the nation and fifth in the league in scoring margin at +9.2. MSU is also 34th in the country and fourth in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 44.7 percent from the field.
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.
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 80 -34 (70.2%) 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 22 of 27 games this season. MSU has won 136 of its last 153 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 154-27 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 18-4 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 and Ohio State on Feb. 21.
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 third in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,706 fans per game. Michigan State packed 11,368 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Michigan on Feb. 24. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,515 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,080 per game.
UP NEXT
After hosting Penn State, Michigan State closes out the regular season at Minnesota on Sunday, March 3.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State women's basketball completed the series sweep with a 74-64 win over Michigan on Senior Day, paced by an 18-point performance by its lone senior Jenna Allen.
The Spartans celebrated Senior Day on Sunday, despite having on more home contest due against Penn State on Feb. 27. The game against the Nittany Lions was originally scheduled for Jan. 31 and was moved due to inclement weather in East Lansing.
This was the first game since the 77-73 win at Michigan on Jan. 27 that redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley and freshman guard Nia Clouden were not the leading scorers. Allen was one of four Spartans to reach double figures with her 18 points. Colley reached double figures with 12 points, while redshirt-sophomore guard Mardrekia Cook and Clouden both scored 11. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added a team-high six assists.
The Spartans also tied a season high, forcing 25 Wolverine turnovers.
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.
• The Spartans are looking to tie the school record for home wins. The 2010-11 MSU squad was 15-1 at home. Both squads only losses came at the hands of Ohio State.
• Michigan State celebrated Senior Day against Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 24. The Spartans lone senior Jenna Allen led the team with 18 points in MSU's second win against the Wolverines.
• With double-figures scoring efforts from Jenna Allen (18), Shay Colley (12), Mardrekia Cook (11), and Nia Clouden (11), the Spartans are now 7-2 on the season when four players reach double digits. Michigan State last had four players score 10 or more points on Feb. 3 in a 74-66 victory over Purdue which featured 20 point outbursts by Sidney Cooks and Colley.
• Shay Colley is eighth in the league in scoring with 15.1 ppg. Jenna Allen is 19th in the B1G in scoring, averaging 12.8 ppg. Allen is also seventh in field goal percentage, shooting 48.9 percent.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
On the second try, the Lady Lions will take on Michigan State in a game that was originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31. Penn State comes to East Lansing with a 12-15 overall record and a 5-11 B1G record. The Lady Lions have won two-straight games despite leading scorer Teniya Page missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
Page is the first player in PSU history to reach at least 2,000 career points, 400 career assists and 400 career rebounds. She reached the milestone on Feb. 6 at Ohio State when she reached her fifth assist of the game and 400th of her career.
As a team, Penn State ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 7.6 steals per game, and have two players ranked in the top seven. Amari Carter is tied for fourth in the B1G with 1.7 steals per game, while Siyeh Frazier is tied for seventh with 1.6 spg.
As a team, Penn State is ranked eighth in the league in scoring, averaging 68.6 ppg, and 14th in scoring defense, allowing 70.9 ppg. In league contests, the Lady Lions in turnover margin (+2.3).
Coquese Washington, like MSU head coach Suzy Merchant, is in her 12th season. Washington holds a 209-165 record leading the Lady Lions.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE
Michigan State trails the overall series with Penn State, 29-17. The teams have split the last four meetings. In the last outing in University Park, Taryn McCutcheon scored a game-high 18 points as MSU fell to Penn State, 74-59, at Bryce Jordan Center on Feb. 4, 2018. McCutcheon tied then-career high with six made treys, also adding five assists and four rebounds for the Spartans. Sidney Cooks was the other Spartan in double figures with 10 points and four boards. The last time the teams met in East Lansing was on Feb. 22, 2017 on Tori Jankoska's Senior Day where the Spartans captured a 73-64 come-from-behind win.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
With four in double figures, the No. 23/21 Michigan lley all scored 14 points, while redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines added 11 points and seven boards in the win. McCutcheon also added at game-high six assists.
Michigan's Naz Hillmon recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards, while Amy Dilk and Deja Church both scored 13.
BRINGING IT AT BRESLIN
Michigan State is currently 14-1 at home this season after having its 16-game winning streak stopped against Ohio State on Feb. 24. The Spartans home streak dated back to last season. MSU is looking to tie the school record for home wins. The 2010-11 MSU squad was 15-1 at home. Both squads only losses came at the hands of Ohio State. The 2005-06 team finished 14-1 at home, while the 2008-09 squad as 14-2.
PACKING THE HOUSE
Michigan State's 74-64 win over Michigan brought in a season-high 11,368 fans into the Breslin Center. The crowd was the 14th best in the nation this season. It was also the third-best in the Big Ten. Overall, the 11,368 fans were the 15th-most fan in the Breslin Center in school history. The Spartans' highest attendance was 14,797 fans against Michigan on Feb. 13, 2011.
DOWN TO THE WIRE
Michigan State has only two games left in the regular season, including one at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. With an 8-8 Big Ten record, MSU is currently tied for sixth in the league standings. The Spartans are tied with Minnesota and Northwestern with the 8-8 marks. Maryland captured a share of the Big Ten title with a 14-3 record, while Iowa is second with a 13-4 mark. The Spartans have a home game against Penn State (Feb. 27) and one regular-season road game left at Minnesota on march 3.
ALLEN REACHES A MILESTONE
With 13 points on Feb. 21 against Nebraska, senior center Jenna Allen became the 27th player in Spartan history to reach the 1,000 career points milestone. She now has 1,029 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.
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.
MCCUTCHEON MOVIN' ON UP
With six assists against Michigan on Feb. 24, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon moved up to third in career helpers with 461 in just three seasons. She passed Christine Powers (1991-95), who had 460. She is one of just five Spartans to reach the 400-assist mark. McCutcheon is now 29 assists away from passing All-American Tori Jankoska (2014-17), who had 489. MSU Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie (2001-05) is the all-time career leader in assists with 574 helpers.
BEST IN CLASS
Freshman guard Nia Clouden is having a stellar rookie campaign. She is among the B1G leaders among freshmen in several categories. The guard is fifth among freshmen in scoring, averaging 11.8 point per game. She is also tied for first in assists with 4.1 helpers per contest and fourth in steals per game with 1.2. Clouden also has a 2-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is second in the league behind Northwestern's Veronica Burton (2.4).
DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Michigan State finished with 12 steals against Michigan against Michigan, the 10th time MSU has reached double-digit steals this season. The Spartans are 7-2 in games which they reach 10 or more steals and are 5-0 when finishing with 12 or more steals. MSU last finished a game with 12 or more steals on December 20 in an 89-74 win over Florida Atlantic.
With 25 caused turnovers on Sunday, Michigan State matched its season-high which was previously set on November 23 in a 75-51 victory over Kennesaw State. The Spartans have now caused 20+ turnovers on seven occasions this season and are 6-1 in those games. MSU last caused 20+ turnovers on February 17 in an 82-71 loss at Nebraska
CRASHING THE BOARDS
The Spartans are 14-2 this season when out-rebounding the opposition. The 77-70 loss against Ohio State on Feb. 21 was just the second time that Michigan State lost when out-rebounding its opponent. MSU had a 43-31 advantage on the board in that game. Michigan State is 3-6 when its opponents have more rebounds.
The Spartans out-rebounded Michigan, 37-31, marking the third straight game Michigan State has out-rebounded their opponent.
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 the last five games, Colley averaged 20.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game to lead the team. She shot 40.8 percent from the field and 87.2 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 CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Freshman sensation Nia Clouden is climbing up the MSU freshman record charts. She moved up to sixth in freshman assists with 111 helpers, passing Kim Archer who had 106 assists during the 1983-84 season. Clouden is now just six assists away from tying Spartan great Kristin Haynie for fifth in freshman assists. Current teammate Taryn McCutcheon holds the record for freshman assists with 169 during the 2016-17 season. Clouden also has scored 318 points this season, which places her No. 8 in freshman scoring, passing Director of Basketball Operations Julie Pagel Dombroski who scored 313 points as a freshman during the 2000-01 season.
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 27 games this season, the Spartans have had a player score at least 20 points 14 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 to go along with scoring 23 against OSU on Feb. 21. She has scored at least 20-points three times this season.
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 (.373) and second in 3-pointers made per game (7.4). Michigan State is second in scoring offense with 77.2 ppg, trailing Iowa's leading 80.3 ppg, along with also ranking second in assists (18.6 apg), turnover margin (+2.7) and assist/turnover ratio (1.3). MSU is also third in steals (8.4 spg) and fourth in field goal percentage (.447).
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 18-0 when having more assists than their opponents. In MSU's losses, the Spartans averaged only 11.6 assists per game, including a season-lows Wisconsin and Nebraska.
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 58-5 (.921) against in-state rivals, including a 43-5 (.896) mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 191-60 (.761) 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 201 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 139 of their last 153. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 224-18 (.926) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 17-2 with the only losses coming against Indiana on Jan. 6 and Ohio State on Feb. 21.
SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
The Spartan guard tandem of freshman guard Nia Clouden and junior Taryn McCutcheon rank sixth and seventh in the B1G and 56th and 68th in the NCAA, respectively in assist-to-turnover ratio. Clouden has a 2.09 ratio, while McCutcheon stands 2.02. McCutcheon is also 103rd in the nation and ninth in the league in assists per game, dishing out 4.4. McCutcheon is also 59th in the country and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.394). Senior center Jenna Allen is 84th in the country and seventh in the league in field-goal percentage with a 48.9 percentage.
As a team, MSU is eighth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assists per game, averaging 18.6. Michigan State is also 17th in the country and second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.30). MSU is also 15th in the nation and tops in the league in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 37.3 percent behind the arc. The Spartans are 25th in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, netting 77.2 points per game, as well as ranking 57th in the nation and fifth in the league in scoring margin at +9.2. MSU is also 34th in the country and fourth in the league in field goal percentage, shooting 44.7 percent from the field.
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.
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 80 -34 (70.2%) 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 22 of 27 games this season. MSU has won 136 of its last 153 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 154-27 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 18-4 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 and Ohio State on Feb. 21.
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 third in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation in attendance, averaging 5,706 fans per game. Michigan State packed 11,368 fans into the Breslin Center as MSU stopped Michigan on Feb. 24. Purdue leads the league in attendance, averaging 6,515 fans per game, while South Carolina is first in the nation with 11,080 per game.
UP NEXT
After hosting Penn State, Michigan State closes out the regular season at Minnesota on Sunday, March 3.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State women's basketball completed the series sweep with a 74-64 win over Michigan on Senior Day, paced by an 18-point performance by its lone senior Jenna Allen.
The Spartans celebrated Senior Day on Sunday, despite having on more home contest due against Penn State on Feb. 27. The game against the Nittany Lions was originally scheduled for Jan. 31 and was moved due to inclement weather in East Lansing.
This was the first game since the 77-73 win at Michigan on Jan. 27 that redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley and freshman guard Nia Clouden were not the leading scorers. Allen was one of four Spartans to reach double figures with her 18 points. Colley reached double figures with 12 points, while redshirt-sophomore guard Mardrekia Cook and Clouden both scored 11. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon added a team-high six assists.
The Spartans also tied a season high, forcing 25 Wolverine turnovers.
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.
Players Mentioned
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