Wednesday, December 2
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM ET
Michigan State University
vs
Detroit Mercy
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
MSU Women's Basketball Hosts Detroit Mercy Wednesday
12/1/2020 4:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans will play the second of the five non-conference games.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball will play the second of five non-conference games on Wednesday, Dec. 2 against Detroit Mercy. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on the Big Ten Network+. MSU started the season with a 77-44 win over Saint Francis on Nov. 27.
• Detroit Mercy head coach AnnMarie Gilbert is familiar with the Breslin Center. She spent five seasons (2002-07) as an assistant coach at Michigan State, including being the recruiting coordinator from 2005-07 under Joanne P. McCallie.
• After missing the final 13 games of the season with a torn Achilles' tendon, redshirt-senior forward Mardrekia Cook made a triumphant return in the 2020-21 season-opener against Saint Francis on Nov. 27. In 19 minutes of action, she scored three points with four rebounds and three assists.
• Graduate senior Lauren Rewers and freshman Kendall Bostic both played their first games for the Green & White against SFU. Bostic scored 15 points to go along with six rebounds to lead MSU. Her 15 points were the most in a MSU debut since Sidney Cooks tallied 17 against Robert Morris in 2017. Rewers posted two points with one rebound and one block.
• Michigan State is 22-7 all-time against Detroit Mercy, including winning the last 17 in a row. Last season, the Spartan were dominating in a 110-52 win on Nov. 8.
SCOUTING DETROIT MERCY
Detroit Mercy comes to East Lansing with an 0-2 record to start the season. The Titans lost a pair of home games to Xavier (73-81) and Indiana State (79-84). Through two games, Kaela Webb is UDM's leading scorer averaging 19.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Markyia McCormick is also averaging in double figures with 17.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg. The Titans are averaging 76.0 ppg in two outings, while allowing 82.5 ppg.
Head coach AnnMarie Gilbert is in her first season at Detroit Mercy. She's the 12th head coach in UDM women's basketball history and has 18 years of head coaching experience.
SPARTAN CONNECTIONS
UDM head coach AnnMarie Gilbert is familiar with the Breslin Center. She spent five seasons (2002-07) as an assistant coach at Michigan State, including being the recruiting coordinator from 2005-07. During her tenure, she helped the Spartans to a record of 120-44 and five NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, including one Big Ten title, one Big Ten tournament title and an NCAA Final Four and national championship game appearance in 2005. She was an assistant coach during the playing time of current MSU coach assistant coach Kristin Haynie.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE TITANS
Michigan State is 22-7 all-time against Detroit Mercy, including winning the last 17 in a row. Last season, the Spartan were dominating in a 110-52 win on Nov. 8. The 110 points by the Spartans was the first time in the series that either team broke the century mark and the 58-point margin of victory was the largest in the series, topping a 40-point win in an 82-42 victory for MSU on Nov. 21, 2010 in East Lansing. The last time that Detroit Mercy defeated Michigan State was Dec. 20, 1994 in Puerto Rico, as the Titans earned a 75-70 win.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Due to the delayed start of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spartans will play only five non-conference games, all which will be played at the Breslin Center.
After taking on Detroit Mercy the Spartans will play a pair of Big Ten bouts against Iowa on the road (Dec. 9) and home against Iowa (Dec. 12). MSU will conclude non-conference action with a trio of games. In a five-game span, the Spartans will take on Central Michigan on Dec. 18, Northern Illinois on Dec. 20 and Oakland on Dec. 22.
PASSING THE BALL
Michigan State distributed the ball nicely in the season opener against Saint Francis on Nov. 27. The Spartans recorded 25 assists in the win with five different players having at least three helpers. Sophomore forward Julia Ayrault recorded a career-high four assists. Junior guard Nia Clouden had her third double-digit assist game with 10 helpers. It was her first since the 2018-19 season. She was just one shy of matching her career-high 11 assists. Redshirt-senior Mardrekia Cook, sophomore Moira Joiner and junior Tory Ozment all added three assists each.
KEEPING THEM OFF THE SCOREBOARD
The eight points allowed in third quarter were the least allowed in a third period in MSU history. Previously, the low was nine points by Detroit Mercy and Loyola Chicago both in 2015.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Five Big Ten teams are ranked in the latest Associated Press Poll with Indiana leading the way at No. 13. Maryland and Northwestern sand No. 14 and No. 15, respectively. Ohio State is currently No. 19, while Michigan moved up to No. 24 this week. Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern have yet to play a game.
MEET THE NEWBIES
The Spartans have several new faces this season, including the lone freshman Kendall Bostic (Kokoma, Ind.). Michigan State welcomes four transfers, including graduate transfer Lauren Rewers (Coeur D'Alene, Idaho). Rewers is eligible immediately after graduating from Hawai'i this summer. Redshirt-sophomore Jayla James (Penn State), redshirt-junior Alisia Smith (Penn State) and redshirt-junior Janai Crooms (Ohios State) are awaiting clearance from the NCAA to play immediately.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 34-15 in season openers, but also 26-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 11-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 17 of her last 20, including her time at Eastern Michigan.
FAST BIG TEN START
MSU will open conference play on Dec. 9 at Minnesota, which will be the earliest Big Ten opener since falling to Indiana on Dec. 6, 2009. The Spartans first home Big Ten game will be against Iowa on Dec. 12. Michigan State will play a total of three league contests in December, concluding with a New Year's Eve road battle against Ohio State.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Michigan State fans will fans will be without all-time assist leader Taryn McCutcheon, who graduated and is now playing in Iceland. Victoria Gaines, Shay Colley and Nia Hollie have also graduated. Forward Kayla Belles has transferred to BYU after getting married over the summer.
BRINGING BACK THE NUMBERS
The Spartans return 64.0 percent (1,326 of 2,072 points) of their scoring led by junior guard Nia Clouden's 436 points (14.5 points per game), that topped MSU and ranked eighth in the B1G. MSU also returns 66.4 percent (779 of 1,174 rebounds) of its rebounds, with sophomore forward Julia Ayrault the leading returner on the glass with her 134 rebounds last year (4.5 rpg), which shared top honors on the team. Additionally, the Green & White return 60.3 percent (270 of 448 assists) of its assists, with Clouden also the leading returner with 100 helpers (3.3 apg), which ranked second on the team overall last season behind departed Taryn McCutcheon. Clouden also ranked tied for 14th in the B1G in assists.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Things will look very different in the Breslin Center to start the season. Currently, there will be no fans in the stands, including the families of the players. Crowd noise will be piped and the music will be going to get the players hyped up. From the comfort of home, fans can look for familiar faces in the cardboard cutouts in the stands. All postgame media will be done via Zoom this year.
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 147 of their last 166 games (.886) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 165-28 (.855) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 1-0 this season when reaching the 70-point mark.
ERASE HATE
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is proud to launch the Erase Hate campaign for the 2020-21 season. The Erase Hate campaign aims to put the focus on student-athlete driven programming to address social injustice issues.
Throughout this season, women's basketball players work to help lift up the voices of underrepresented groups both on campus and across the Greater Lansing area.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 210 of their last 223 games (.942) when leading with five minutes left, including 160 of their last 175. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 245-19 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 1-0 when leading with five minutes remaining .
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State junior guard Nia Clouden has been named Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. During the 2019-20 campaign, Clouden finished the season first on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, which was also eighth in the Big Ten. She also tied for 14th in the league in assists (3.3 apg) and 11th in steals (1.7 spg). Last season, Clouden captured second-team All-Big Big Ten honors after being named to the honorable mention squad as a freshman.
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 146 of their last 165 games (.885) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 164-28 (.853) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 9-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with its only loss coming against Penn State on Jan. 9.
• Detroit Mercy head coach AnnMarie Gilbert is familiar with the Breslin Center. She spent five seasons (2002-07) as an assistant coach at Michigan State, including being the recruiting coordinator from 2005-07 under Joanne P. McCallie.
• After missing the final 13 games of the season with a torn Achilles' tendon, redshirt-senior forward Mardrekia Cook made a triumphant return in the 2020-21 season-opener against Saint Francis on Nov. 27. In 19 minutes of action, she scored three points with four rebounds and three assists.
• Graduate senior Lauren Rewers and freshman Kendall Bostic both played their first games for the Green & White against SFU. Bostic scored 15 points to go along with six rebounds to lead MSU. Her 15 points were the most in a MSU debut since Sidney Cooks tallied 17 against Robert Morris in 2017. Rewers posted two points with one rebound and one block.
• Michigan State is 22-7 all-time against Detroit Mercy, including winning the last 17 in a row. Last season, the Spartan were dominating in a 110-52 win on Nov. 8.
SCOUTING DETROIT MERCY
Detroit Mercy comes to East Lansing with an 0-2 record to start the season. The Titans lost a pair of home games to Xavier (73-81) and Indiana State (79-84). Through two games, Kaela Webb is UDM's leading scorer averaging 19.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Markyia McCormick is also averaging in double figures with 17.0 ppg and 4.0 rpg. The Titans are averaging 76.0 ppg in two outings, while allowing 82.5 ppg.
Head coach AnnMarie Gilbert is in her first season at Detroit Mercy. She's the 12th head coach in UDM women's basketball history and has 18 years of head coaching experience.
SPARTAN CONNECTIONS
UDM head coach AnnMarie Gilbert is familiar with the Breslin Center. She spent five seasons (2002-07) as an assistant coach at Michigan State, including being the recruiting coordinator from 2005-07. During her tenure, she helped the Spartans to a record of 120-44 and five NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, including one Big Ten title, one Big Ten tournament title and an NCAA Final Four and national championship game appearance in 2005. She was an assistant coach during the playing time of current MSU coach assistant coach Kristin Haynie.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE TITANS
Michigan State is 22-7 all-time against Detroit Mercy, including winning the last 17 in a row. Last season, the Spartan were dominating in a 110-52 win on Nov. 8. The 110 points by the Spartans was the first time in the series that either team broke the century mark and the 58-point margin of victory was the largest in the series, topping a 40-point win in an 82-42 victory for MSU on Nov. 21, 2010 in East Lansing. The last time that Detroit Mercy defeated Michigan State was Dec. 20, 1994 in Puerto Rico, as the Titans earned a 75-70 win.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Due to the delayed start of the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Spartans will play only five non-conference games, all which will be played at the Breslin Center.
After taking on Detroit Mercy the Spartans will play a pair of Big Ten bouts against Iowa on the road (Dec. 9) and home against Iowa (Dec. 12). MSU will conclude non-conference action with a trio of games. In a five-game span, the Spartans will take on Central Michigan on Dec. 18, Northern Illinois on Dec. 20 and Oakland on Dec. 22.
PASSING THE BALL
Michigan State distributed the ball nicely in the season opener against Saint Francis on Nov. 27. The Spartans recorded 25 assists in the win with five different players having at least three helpers. Sophomore forward Julia Ayrault recorded a career-high four assists. Junior guard Nia Clouden had her third double-digit assist game with 10 helpers. It was her first since the 2018-19 season. She was just one shy of matching her career-high 11 assists. Redshirt-senior Mardrekia Cook, sophomore Moira Joiner and junior Tory Ozment all added three assists each.
KEEPING THEM OFF THE SCOREBOARD
The eight points allowed in third quarter were the least allowed in a third period in MSU history. Previously, the low was nine points by Detroit Mercy and Loyola Chicago both in 2015.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Five Big Ten teams are ranked in the latest Associated Press Poll with Indiana leading the way at No. 13. Maryland and Northwestern sand No. 14 and No. 15, respectively. Ohio State is currently No. 19, while Michigan moved up to No. 24 this week. Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern have yet to play a game.
MEET THE NEWBIES
The Spartans have several new faces this season, including the lone freshman Kendall Bostic (Kokoma, Ind.). Michigan State welcomes four transfers, including graduate transfer Lauren Rewers (Coeur D'Alene, Idaho). Rewers is eligible immediately after graduating from Hawai'i this summer. Redshirt-sophomore Jayla James (Penn State), redshirt-junior Alisia Smith (Penn State) and redshirt-junior Janai Crooms (Ohios State) are awaiting clearance from the NCAA to play immediately.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 34-15 in season openers, but also 26-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 11-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 17 of her last 20, including her time at Eastern Michigan.
FAST BIG TEN START
MSU will open conference play on Dec. 9 at Minnesota, which will be the earliest Big Ten opener since falling to Indiana on Dec. 6, 2009. The Spartans first home Big Ten game will be against Iowa on Dec. 12. Michigan State will play a total of three league contests in December, concluding with a New Year's Eve road battle against Ohio State.
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Michigan State fans will fans will be without all-time assist leader Taryn McCutcheon, who graduated and is now playing in Iceland. Victoria Gaines, Shay Colley and Nia Hollie have also graduated. Forward Kayla Belles has transferred to BYU after getting married over the summer.
BRINGING BACK THE NUMBERS
The Spartans return 64.0 percent (1,326 of 2,072 points) of their scoring led by junior guard Nia Clouden's 436 points (14.5 points per game), that topped MSU and ranked eighth in the B1G. MSU also returns 66.4 percent (779 of 1,174 rebounds) of its rebounds, with sophomore forward Julia Ayrault the leading returner on the glass with her 134 rebounds last year (4.5 rpg), which shared top honors on the team. Additionally, the Green & White return 60.3 percent (270 of 448 assists) of its assists, with Clouden also the leading returner with 100 helpers (3.3 apg), which ranked second on the team overall last season behind departed Taryn McCutcheon. Clouden also ranked tied for 14th in the B1G in assists.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Things will look very different in the Breslin Center to start the season. Currently, there will be no fans in the stands, including the families of the players. Crowd noise will be piped and the music will be going to get the players hyped up. From the comfort of home, fans can look for familiar faces in the cardboard cutouts in the stands. All postgame media will be done via Zoom this year.
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 147 of their last 166 games (.886) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 165-28 (.855) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 1-0 this season when reaching the 70-point mark.
ERASE HATE
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant is proud to launch the Erase Hate campaign for the 2020-21 season. The Erase Hate campaign aims to put the focus on student-athlete driven programming to address social injustice issues.
Throughout this season, women's basketball players work to help lift up the voices of underrepresented groups both on campus and across the Greater Lansing area.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 210 of their last 223 games (.942) when leading with five minutes left, including 160 of their last 175. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 245-19 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 1-0 when leading with five minutes remaining .
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State junior guard Nia Clouden has been named Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. During the 2019-20 campaign, Clouden finished the season first on the team in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game, which was also eighth in the Big Ten. She also tied for 14th in the league in assists (3.3 apg) and 11th in steals (1.7 spg). Last season, Clouden captured second-team All-Big Big Ten honors after being named to the honorable mention squad as a freshman.
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 146 of their last 165 games (.885) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 164-28 (.853) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 9-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with its only loss coming against Penn State on Jan. 9.
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