Thursday, January 16
East Lansing, Mich.
6 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Ohio State
Photo by: Dale Young - MSU Athletic Communications
MSU Women Will "Glow Green" Against Ohio State Thursday
1/15/2020 4:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans will conclude a two-game homestand against the Buckeyes.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes its two-game homestand against Ohio State on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. The Spartans will celebrate "Glow Green" day in support of MSU sustainability. Michigan State will debut its black and "action" green uniforms. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington and Brenda VanLengen on the call.
• MSU stands 9-7 overall and 2-3 in league contests after snapping a two-game losing streak against Wisconsin on Jan. 12. The Buckeyes come to the Breslin Center with a 10-6 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play this season.
• Sophomore guard Nia Clouden netted her fifth 20-point game of the season with a game-high 20 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 12. The 20 points was her second-straight double-figure outing.
• The home win against Wisconsin on Jan. 12 was MSU's first home game of the 2020 calendar year. The Spartans remain unbeaten at home at 7-0 this season. With Sunday's 69-52 score, the Spartans are now averaging 84.3 points per game at home, while allowing 51.7 ppg to the visitors.
• With an injury to senior Victoria Gaines, sophomore forward Kayla Belles has stepped up. Against Penn State on Jan. 9, she had a career-high 19 points. Belles netted seven points against Wisconsin, as she now has 41 points (11.3 ppg) in the last four games. Belles also pulled down five rebounds, as she has 25 rebounds (6.3 rpg) in the last four contests.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes come to the Breslin Center with a 10-6 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play this season. They are coached by Kevin McGuff, who's in his seventh season as at the helm of OSU.
Ohio State is coming off a big win versus Penn State, 80-70. Sophomore forward Dorka Juhasz recorded her third double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds, that's also her 14th of her career. Juhasz is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Kierstan Bell is also leading the team in made three-pointers. She has won Big Ten Freshman of the week four times since November.
As a team, the Buckeyes are third in the Big Ten in blocks, averaging 4.8 bpg. Ohio State is also sixth in the league in assists (15.5 apg) just behind Michigan State (15.6 apg). In B1G play, the Buckeyes are fourth in steals with 10.0 spg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE
Ohio State leads the overall season series with Michigan State, 56-28. The series has been streaky of late, as the Buckeyes have won the last three games. Last season, Ohio State defeated Michigan State in Columbus, 65-55. OSU then earned a sweep with a 77-70 win in East Lansing, which was the Spartans only home loss last season. MSU had won three-game in the series with two wins in 2016, including an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on senior day. The Spartans also defeated the Buckeyes in 2017, as Tori Jankoska became MSU's all-time leading scorer and set the single-game scoring record with 42 points.
LAST TIME VS. OHIO STATE
Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored a game-high 23 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team could not overcome the sharp-shooting Ohio State Buckeyes, falling 77-70 on Feb. 21, 2019. It was a battle all game with a total of 18 lead changes.
MSU had its 16-game winning streak halted by OSU, dating back to last season. The Spartans are now 13-1 at the Breslin Center. Freshman guard Nia Clouden earned her third 20-point game of the season with a game-high 23 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists.
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• Senior guard Taryn McCutcheon's three points and four assists against Wisconsin on Jan. 16 gives her 1,064 points for her career, just 11 behind Jamie Wesley (1994-98) with 1,075 points for No. 25 on MSU's career scoring list. Her four assists gives her 519 for her career, continuing to close the gap on her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05), who holds the school record with 574 assists.
• Freshman guard Alyza Winston tallied eight points against the Badgers, her third-highest outing of the season and most since season-high 17 points in the second game of the season, vs. Detroit Mercy (Nov. 8). Winston also tied a season-high with four assists, matching four helpers vs. Hartford (Nov. 24). She swiped a season-best three steals, topping her previous top mark of one steal, set five times, most recently last week at Michigan (Jan. 5).
BEING A BOSS AT THE BREZ
The Spartans continue to dominate at home. Last season, Michigan State set a record with 15 wins at home. Since the 2016-17 season, the Spartans are 42-9 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 25 of the last 26 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 7-0 at home.
BACK ON TRACK
In losses to Michigan and Penn State, Nia Clouden only scored 19 combined points and went 0-for-3 from long range. Clouden got back on track in the win against Wisconsin with her fifth 20-point game of the season, scoring 20 points and adding five assists. She tied her career high with four 3-pointers in the win. The sophomore has five of the Spartans' six 20-point games this season with Taryn McCutcheon earning the other one.
HOME COOKING
The Spartans conclude their two-game homestand against Ohio State on Jan. 16. Michigan State is now 7-0 at home this season, including earning its two Big Ten wins. MSU is averaging 47.9 rebounds per game at home, while averaging 40.4 rpg for the season. The Spartans are scoring 84.3 ppg at home, while putting in 73.8 ppg for the season.
FINAL COUNTDOWN
The fourth quarter has told the tale for the Spartans this season. The Spartans have out-scored their opponents in eight of their nine wins. MSU has allowed over 20 points in the fourth quarter six times this season and are 1-5 in those games. Michigan State has been out-scored in the final 10 minutes 101-81 in Big Ten contests.
REACHING THE PINNACLE
After reaching the 1,000 career points mark vs. Indiana on Dec. 28, Taryn McCutcheon's added three points against Wisconsin on Jan. 12 to give her 1,064 career points. McCutcheon is still No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85). She is now just 11 points away from tying Jamie Wesley for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1,075 points. She also added four assists Sunday, giving her 519 for her career, which is second all-time.
UP NEXT
After taking on Ohio State, MSU will then take on Rutgers, which is tied for first-place on the road on Jan. 20. The Spartans will then return home to take on Northwestern, also tied for first, on Jan. 23. Michigan State will complete the grueling stretch with another team tied for first place, Iowa, on the road on Jan. 23.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 16 games this season, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are the only two players to have started every game. Overall, the Spartans have had eight different starting lineups. Against Penn State, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Nia Hollie. Gaines had become a fixture in the starting five after returning from a sprained ankle and had started six-straight games before missing the game on Dec. 31. Shay Colley and Mardrekia Cook have both missed time to injury, forcing them to come in and out of the starting five.
CLOUDEN CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 19.8 ppg. She is also tied for seventh in free throw percentage (.788). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing fourth in steals (2.5 spg).
EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Guard Taryn McCutcheon is part of an exclusive Michigan State group. She is one of only five players in Spartan history with at least 900 points and 400 assists. Tori Jankoska is the all-time points leader with 2,212 points, while current MSU assistant coach Kristin Haynie holds the all-time assist crown with 574 helpers. McCutcheon and Haynie are now the only Spartans with at least 1,000 points and 500 assists.
Player Pts Assists
Tori Jankoska (2013-17) 2,212 489
Kristin Haynie (2001-05) 1,199 574
Taryn McCutcheon (2017-) 1,064 519
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartan freshmen continue to be key contributors this season. Julia Ayrault (5.5 ppg, 17th), Moira Joiner (5.3 ppg, 20th) and Alyza Winston (3.7 ppg, T-28th) are all in the top 30 in the Big Ten in scoring among freshmen. Ayrault has led MSU in rebounds five times this season, which is the most on the team. Overall, the rookie leads the Spartans on the boards, averaging 5.0 rpg, which is fourth among B1G freshmen. Ayrault is third in blocks with 1.1 bpg, while Taiyier Parks is tied for fourth (0.9 bpg).
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring eight times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led five times, while Julia Ayrault has led twice including tying with McCutcheon once. Kayla Belles and Alyza Winston are the only other players to lead MSU in scoring.
On the boards is a very different story, as eight different players have led the squad in rebounds. Julia Ayrault and Kayla Belles have both led the team in rebounding five times.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 16 games, Michigan State is 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in steals per game (11.4 spg). After holding Hartford and LSU to no 3-pointers earlier this season, the Spartans are fourth in the country and first in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 24.2 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.7) and second in offensive rebounds (15.9).
Individually, sophomore guard Nia Clouden is 45th in the nation and fourth in the league in steals with 38.
In Big Ten contests, Taryn McCutcheon is 13th in scoring, averaging 14.0 ppg, while Clouden is 13.4 ppg. The sophomore is still first in assists with 5.2 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is seventh in blocks per game (1.6), while McCutcheon is tied for third in 3-pointers made with 13.
MASTER THIEVES
With 10 steals against Penn State on Jan. 9, the Spartans reached double figures in takeaways for the 11th time in 16 games. This was the first double-digit steal game since Indiana on Dec. 28 when MSU also had 10. Against PSU, six different Spartans had a steal in the game, led by Nia Clouden's four. This is the most double-figure steal games that MSU has had since Coach Merchant's arrival during the 2007-08 season was 17 during the 2010-11 season. During the 2005-06 season, MSU had 20 double-digit steal games. As a team, Michigan State is averaging 11.4 spg, which is second in the Big Ten.
FREQUENT FLIER
Three Spartans earned international experience during the offseason. MSU head coach Suzy Merchant earned a silver medal as the head coach of U.S. Pan American team that competed in Lima, Peru. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden also participated in the U.S. U19 World Cup Trials in Colorado Spring in May. Redshirt-senior guard Shay Colley continues her quest for the 2020 Olympics continuing training with the Canadian National Team.
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. The Green & White have won 144 of their last 163 games (.883) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 162-28 (.852) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 7-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with its only loss coming against Penn State on Jan. 9.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 202 of their last 215 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 152 of their last 167. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 237-19 (.926) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-1 when leading with five minutes remaining with the only loss coming against No. 8 Florida State.
RETURN TO THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State adds two new coaches to the staff this season in Dean Lockwood and former Spartan All-American Kristin Haynie. Lockwood and Haynie come to Michigan State with extensive basketball roots in the state of Michigan, as well as highly-decorated careers. During his 15-year tenure as an assistant coach at Tennessee, Lockwood won two NCAA titles. Haynie returns to Michigan State where she earned All-American honors, leading MSU to the 2005 National Championship game.
GAME REWIND: MSU 69, Wisconsin 52
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden scored 20 points as the Michigan State women's basketball team celebrated Alumni Day with a 69-52 win over Wisconsin Sunday at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 9-7 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play. Wisconsin slips to 9-7 overall and 1-4 in league action.
For the first time this season, Michigan State had only one player in double figures, but that one player was Clouden who scored 20 points and added five assists. Freshman guard Alyza Winston and sophomore guard Tory Ozment both added eight points. Freshman forward Taiyier Parks scored six points and added a team-high eight rebounds.
Postgame Notes vs. Wisconsin
• Michigan State have won 22 of the last 28 meetings with Wisconsin, including 13 of the last 14 after the Spartans had a 12-game win streak in the series snapped in a loss last year in Madison ... MSU has won the last seven meetings with Wisconsin on the Spartans' home hardwood, now maintaining a 27-6 advantage in the series.
SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of Kendall Bostic (Kokomo, Indiana/Northwestern High School) to a National Letter of Intent. Bostic is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Katie Layden at Northwestern High School in Kokomo, Indiana and AAU basketball for Tony Marlin and the Indiana Flight/Elite. Bostic is ranked No. 16 at her position and No. 67 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Bostic averaged 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 68 percent shooting from the field. Last season, Northwestern captured its second consecutive state championship, as Bostic earned State Championship Player of the Game accolades, along with AP First-Team All-State and Co-Player of the Year honors.
• MSU stands 9-7 overall and 2-3 in league contests after snapping a two-game losing streak against Wisconsin on Jan. 12. The Buckeyes come to the Breslin Center with a 10-6 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play this season.
• Sophomore guard Nia Clouden netted her fifth 20-point game of the season with a game-high 20 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 12. The 20 points was her second-straight double-figure outing.
• The home win against Wisconsin on Jan. 12 was MSU's first home game of the 2020 calendar year. The Spartans remain unbeaten at home at 7-0 this season. With Sunday's 69-52 score, the Spartans are now averaging 84.3 points per game at home, while allowing 51.7 ppg to the visitors.
• With an injury to senior Victoria Gaines, sophomore forward Kayla Belles has stepped up. Against Penn State on Jan. 9, she had a career-high 19 points. Belles netted seven points against Wisconsin, as she now has 41 points (11.3 ppg) in the last four games. Belles also pulled down five rebounds, as she has 25 rebounds (6.3 rpg) in the last four contests.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes come to the Breslin Center with a 10-6 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play this season. They are coached by Kevin McGuff, who's in his seventh season as at the helm of OSU.
Ohio State is coming off a big win versus Penn State, 80-70. Sophomore forward Dorka Juhasz recorded her third double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds, that's also her 14th of her career. Juhasz is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Kierstan Bell is also leading the team in made three-pointers. She has won Big Ten Freshman of the week four times since November.
As a team, the Buckeyes are third in the Big Ten in blocks, averaging 4.8 bpg. Ohio State is also sixth in the league in assists (15.5 apg) just behind Michigan State (15.6 apg). In B1G play, the Buckeyes are fourth in steals with 10.0 spg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. OHIO STATE
Ohio State leads the overall season series with Michigan State, 56-28. The series has been streaky of late, as the Buckeyes have won the last three games. Last season, Ohio State defeated Michigan State in Columbus, 65-55. OSU then earned a sweep with a 77-70 win in East Lansing, which was the Spartans only home loss last season. MSU had won three-game in the series with two wins in 2016, including an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on senior day. The Spartans also defeated the Buckeyes in 2017, as Tori Jankoska became MSU's all-time leading scorer and set the single-game scoring record with 42 points.
LAST TIME VS. OHIO STATE
Freshman guard Nia Clouden scored a game-high 23 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team could not overcome the sharp-shooting Ohio State Buckeyes, falling 77-70 on Feb. 21, 2019. It was a battle all game with a total of 18 lead changes.
MSU had its 16-game winning streak halted by OSU, dating back to last season. The Spartans are now 13-1 at the Breslin Center. Freshman guard Nia Clouden earned her third 20-point game of the season with a game-high 23 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists.
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• Senior guard Taryn McCutcheon's three points and four assists against Wisconsin on Jan. 16 gives her 1,064 points for her career, just 11 behind Jamie Wesley (1994-98) with 1,075 points for No. 25 on MSU's career scoring list. Her four assists gives her 519 for her career, continuing to close the gap on her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05), who holds the school record with 574 assists.
• Freshman guard Alyza Winston tallied eight points against the Badgers, her third-highest outing of the season and most since season-high 17 points in the second game of the season, vs. Detroit Mercy (Nov. 8). Winston also tied a season-high with four assists, matching four helpers vs. Hartford (Nov. 24). She swiped a season-best three steals, topping her previous top mark of one steal, set five times, most recently last week at Michigan (Jan. 5).
BEING A BOSS AT THE BREZ
The Spartans continue to dominate at home. Last season, Michigan State set a record with 15 wins at home. Since the 2016-17 season, the Spartans are 42-9 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 25 of the last 26 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 7-0 at home.
BACK ON TRACK
In losses to Michigan and Penn State, Nia Clouden only scored 19 combined points and went 0-for-3 from long range. Clouden got back on track in the win against Wisconsin with her fifth 20-point game of the season, scoring 20 points and adding five assists. She tied her career high with four 3-pointers in the win. The sophomore has five of the Spartans' six 20-point games this season with Taryn McCutcheon earning the other one.
HOME COOKING
The Spartans conclude their two-game homestand against Ohio State on Jan. 16. Michigan State is now 7-0 at home this season, including earning its two Big Ten wins. MSU is averaging 47.9 rebounds per game at home, while averaging 40.4 rpg for the season. The Spartans are scoring 84.3 ppg at home, while putting in 73.8 ppg for the season.
FINAL COUNTDOWN
The fourth quarter has told the tale for the Spartans this season. The Spartans have out-scored their opponents in eight of their nine wins. MSU has allowed over 20 points in the fourth quarter six times this season and are 1-5 in those games. Michigan State has been out-scored in the final 10 minutes 101-81 in Big Ten contests.
REACHING THE PINNACLE
After reaching the 1,000 career points mark vs. Indiana on Dec. 28, Taryn McCutcheon's added three points against Wisconsin on Jan. 12 to give her 1,064 career points. McCutcheon is still No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85). She is now just 11 points away from tying Jamie Wesley for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1,075 points. She also added four assists Sunday, giving her 519 for her career, which is second all-time.
UP NEXT
After taking on Ohio State, MSU will then take on Rutgers, which is tied for first-place on the road on Jan. 20. The Spartans will then return home to take on Northwestern, also tied for first, on Jan. 23. Michigan State will complete the grueling stretch with another team tied for first place, Iowa, on the road on Jan. 23.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 16 games this season, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are the only two players to have started every game. Overall, the Spartans have had eight different starting lineups. Against Penn State, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Nia Hollie. Gaines had become a fixture in the starting five after returning from a sprained ankle and had started six-straight games before missing the game on Dec. 31. Shay Colley and Mardrekia Cook have both missed time to injury, forcing them to come in and out of the starting five.
CLOUDEN CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 19.8 ppg. She is also tied for seventh in free throw percentage (.788). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing fourth in steals (2.5 spg).
EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Guard Taryn McCutcheon is part of an exclusive Michigan State group. She is one of only five players in Spartan history with at least 900 points and 400 assists. Tori Jankoska is the all-time points leader with 2,212 points, while current MSU assistant coach Kristin Haynie holds the all-time assist crown with 574 helpers. McCutcheon and Haynie are now the only Spartans with at least 1,000 points and 500 assists.
Player Pts Assists
Tori Jankoska (2013-17) 2,212 489
Kristin Haynie (2001-05) 1,199 574
Taryn McCutcheon (2017-) 1,064 519
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartan freshmen continue to be key contributors this season. Julia Ayrault (5.5 ppg, 17th), Moira Joiner (5.3 ppg, 20th) and Alyza Winston (3.7 ppg, T-28th) are all in the top 30 in the Big Ten in scoring among freshmen. Ayrault has led MSU in rebounds five times this season, which is the most on the team. Overall, the rookie leads the Spartans on the boards, averaging 5.0 rpg, which is fourth among B1G freshmen. Ayrault is third in blocks with 1.1 bpg, while Taiyier Parks is tied for fourth (0.9 bpg).
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring eight times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led five times, while Julia Ayrault has led twice including tying with McCutcheon once. Kayla Belles and Alyza Winston are the only other players to lead MSU in scoring.
On the boards is a very different story, as eight different players have led the squad in rebounds. Julia Ayrault and Kayla Belles have both led the team in rebounding five times.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 16 games, Michigan State is 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in steals per game (11.4 spg). After holding Hartford and LSU to no 3-pointers earlier this season, the Spartans are fourth in the country and first in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 24.2 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.7) and second in offensive rebounds (15.9).
Individually, sophomore guard Nia Clouden is 45th in the nation and fourth in the league in steals with 38.
In Big Ten contests, Taryn McCutcheon is 13th in scoring, averaging 14.0 ppg, while Clouden is 13.4 ppg. The sophomore is still first in assists with 5.2 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is seventh in blocks per game (1.6), while McCutcheon is tied for third in 3-pointers made with 13.
MASTER THIEVES
With 10 steals against Penn State on Jan. 9, the Spartans reached double figures in takeaways for the 11th time in 16 games. This was the first double-digit steal game since Indiana on Dec. 28 when MSU also had 10. Against PSU, six different Spartans had a steal in the game, led by Nia Clouden's four. This is the most double-figure steal games that MSU has had since Coach Merchant's arrival during the 2007-08 season was 17 during the 2010-11 season. During the 2005-06 season, MSU had 20 double-digit steal games. As a team, Michigan State is averaging 11.4 spg, which is second in the Big Ten.
FREQUENT FLIER
Three Spartans earned international experience during the offseason. MSU head coach Suzy Merchant earned a silver medal as the head coach of U.S. Pan American team that competed in Lima, Peru. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden also participated in the U.S. U19 World Cup Trials in Colorado Spring in May. Redshirt-senior guard Shay Colley continues her quest for the 2020 Olympics continuing training with the Canadian National Team.
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. The Green & White have won 144 of their last 163 games (.883) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 162-28 (.852) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 7-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with its only loss coming against Penn State on Jan. 9.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 202 of their last 215 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 152 of their last 167. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 237-19 (.926) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-1 when leading with five minutes remaining with the only loss coming against No. 8 Florida State.
RETURN TO THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State adds two new coaches to the staff this season in Dean Lockwood and former Spartan All-American Kristin Haynie. Lockwood and Haynie come to Michigan State with extensive basketball roots in the state of Michigan, as well as highly-decorated careers. During his 15-year tenure as an assistant coach at Tennessee, Lockwood won two NCAA titles. Haynie returns to Michigan State where she earned All-American honors, leading MSU to the 2005 National Championship game.
GAME REWIND: MSU 69, Wisconsin 52
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden scored 20 points as the Michigan State women's basketball team celebrated Alumni Day with a 69-52 win over Wisconsin Sunday at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 9-7 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play. Wisconsin slips to 9-7 overall and 1-4 in league action.
For the first time this season, Michigan State had only one player in double figures, but that one player was Clouden who scored 20 points and added five assists. Freshman guard Alyza Winston and sophomore guard Tory Ozment both added eight points. Freshman forward Taiyier Parks scored six points and added a team-high eight rebounds.
Postgame Notes vs. Wisconsin
• Michigan State have won 22 of the last 28 meetings with Wisconsin, including 13 of the last 14 after the Spartans had a 12-game win streak in the series snapped in a loss last year in Madison ... MSU has won the last seven meetings with Wisconsin on the Spartans' home hardwood, now maintaining a 27-6 advantage in the series.
SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of Kendall Bostic (Kokomo, Indiana/Northwestern High School) to a National Letter of Intent. Bostic is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Katie Layden at Northwestern High School in Kokomo, Indiana and AAU basketball for Tony Marlin and the Indiana Flight/Elite. Bostic is ranked No. 16 at her position and No. 67 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Bostic averaged 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 68 percent shooting from the field. Last season, Northwestern captured its second consecutive state championship, as Bostic earned State Championship Player of the Game accolades, along with AP First-Team All-State and Co-Player of the Year honors.
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