Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Dale Young - MSU Athletic Communications
Spartan Women Open Homestand Against Rutgers Thursday
2/12/2020 3:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
After a pair of road games, MSU returns to the Breslin Center
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a pair of tough road games against ranked teams, the Michigan State women's basketball team returns home to take on Rutgers on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. MSU concludes a two-game homestand, facing Minnesota on Monday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. The injury-plagued Spartans are looking to snap a five-game losing, last falling to No. 19 Northwestern, 85-55, on Feb. 10.
• Michigan State comes into the game with an 11-12 record overall and stands 4-8 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is 17-6 overall and 7-5 in league action. This is the second meeting of the season between the Scarlet Knights and the Spartans as MSU won the battle in New Jersey, 66-55.
• Michigan State is coming off a five-game stretch that featured four top-25 Big Ten opponents, playing three of those four on the road. The last time the Spartans faced four ranked conference opponents through five games was during the 1995-96 season.
• The Spartans have used eight different starting lineups this season. The most recent lineup of Taryn McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Nia Clouden, Nia Hollie and Kayla Belles has started nine straight, the longest streak of the season.
• MSU's injuries continue to pile up with Mardrekia Cook and Victoria Gaines both out for the season. Shay Colley has missed 17 games so far this season. Only seven players have played in all 23 games with Claire Hendrickson, Tory Ozment and Julia Ayrault also missing time due to illness or injury.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
The key to Rutgers success has always been defense. The Scarlet Knights have held 52 of its last 55 opponents under their scoring average. Since the beginning of 2017-18 season, Rutgers has held 81 of its last 87 opponents under its scoring average. Rutgers has reached double-digit steals in six of the last nine games and are 10-2 in games with 10 or more steals. The Scarlet Knights are first in the Big Ten in scoring defense, allowing only 55.3 ppg. In league games, RU is also first in scoring defense, allowing only 60.2 ppg and teams are shooting only 37.5 percent against the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the team and is third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 19.4 ppg. Khadaizha Sanders is tied for fourth in the league in steals, averaging 2.0 spg. Sanders is also sixth in the league in assists with 4.3 apg. Guirantes also a workhorse, leading the league in so
SERIES HISTORY VS. RUTGERS
This is the second meeting between Michigan State and Rutgers this season. In the first battle, the Spartans used a 20-point game from Moira Joiner to propel themselves past the Scarlet Knights, 66-55, on Jan. 20. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles led all players with a career-high 13 rebounds, as MSU out-rebounded Rutgers 47-26. Joiner netted a career-high 20 points, becoming MSU's third different player to post 20+ points, joining sophomore guard Nia Clouden (six 20-point games) and senior guard Taryn McCutcheon (one 20-point game).
Overall, the Spartans and the Scarlet Knights series is tied 5-5. With the win earlier this season, Michigan State snapped a three-game losing streak against Rutgers. At home, the Spartans have a slight edge in the series, 3-2. The Scarlet Knights have the lead in Piscataway, 3-2.
LAST TIME VS. THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
Freshman guard Moira Joiner earned her first collegiate 20-point game, leading the Michigan State women's basketball team to a 66-55 win over Rutgers at the RAC on Jan. 20.
The Spartans have now won three-straight games and improve to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in league contests. Rutgers falls to 15-3 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten action.
Michigan State has had a 20-point scorer for three-straight games now as sophomore guard Nia Clouden had reach the 20-point mark for two-straight contests. Joiner's previous career high was 15 on the road against Penn State on Jan. 9. She had now reached double figures three times this season. Clouden ended the game with 11 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds, while senior Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles led all players with a career-high 13 rebounds, as MSU out-rebounded Rutgers 47-26.
Behind Joiner going 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, the Spartans ended the game 9-for-19 from long range.
BATTLING THE BEST
Michigan State is coming off a five-game stretch that featured four top-25 Big Ten opponents, playing three of those four on the road.
The last time the Spartans faced four ranked conference opponents through five games was during the 1995-96 season. From Jan. 12-21, 1996, the Spartans took on four-consecutive top-25 Big Ten opponents (No. 17/21 Wisconsin, No. 10/11 Iowa, No. 17/12 Northwestern and No. 21/22 Purdue), with three of the four on the road.
Most recently during the 2017-18 season, MSU faced four ranked Big Ten foes through six games spanning from Jan. 23-Feb. 1 (No. 6/18 Michigan, No. 12/14 Ohio State, No. 10/9 Maryland and No. 21/20 Michigan).
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• Michigan State's starting line-up of senior guard Taryn McCutcheon, senior forward Nia Hollie, sophomore forward Kayla Belles, sophomore guard Nia Clouden and freshman guard Moria Joiner, was the ninth-straight game with that starting five for the Spartans, their longest streak of the same starting lineup ... It is MSU's eighth different starting lineup of the season.
• Freshman and sophomore accounted for 45 of Michigan State's 55 points, led by 12 points each by sophomores Nia Clouden and Kayla Belles. There were 14 points that came from the five freshmen, led by five points from freshman guard Alyza Winston.
FIGHTING THE INJURY BUG
Michigan State has been battling injuries all season. Preseason All-Big Ten selection Shay Colley has only played six games this season due to a knee injury. Her last game was against Indiana on Dec. 28. The Indiana game was also the last time that Victoria Gaines played before tearing her MCL. Mardrekia Cook was also lost for the season after tearing her Achilles' tendon in practice on Jan. 29.
By the second half against Maryland on Feb. 3, four of the five starters from the first game of the season were not available to due injury. Game one starters included Shay Colley, Taryn McCutcheon, Nia Clouden, Tory Ozment and Victoria Gaines. Only Clouden finished the game against Maryland, as McCutcheon was injured in the third quarter.
LOGGING IN THE MINUTES
With the multitude of injuries of late, the five Michigan State freshmen have been logging in more minutes of late. Freshman guard Moira Joiner has had a solid rookie campaign for the Spartans. She is 13th among freshman in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 6.8 ppg. She is also third in 3-point field goals made with 30. Julia Ayrault is sixth in rebounding with 4.6 rpg. Taiyier Parks is tied for 10th in rebounding (4.0 rpg), while Joiner is tied for 14th (3.1 rpg.). Ayrault is this tied for first in blocks among freshman with 1.0 bpg.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With nine points on Feb. 10, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 1,120 points, still standing No. 24 on MSU's career scoring list up to No. 22, passing former teammate Jenna Allen (2015-19) with 1,098 points and Becky Cummings (1997-2001) with 1,108 points. McCutcheon is just 23 points shy of the No. 21 spot, held by Julie Polakowski (1982-86) with 1,143 points. McCutcheon's two assists gives her 75 for the season and 547 for her career. The senior guard is now just 27 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
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 45-11 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 26 of the last 29 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 8-2 at home. Michigan State's only losses this season came against No. 22 Northwestern on Jan. 23 and against Purdue on Jan. 30.
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-) 1,120 547
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
FABULOUS FRESHIE
Freshman guard Moira Joiner is looking to place herself among the top rookies in MSU history. She has made 30 3-pointers this season and is just six away from tying Kalisha Keane who had 36 as a freshman during the 2007-08 season. Through 22 games, Joiner is shooting 42.9 percent from long range, which is currently second among MSU freshman all time. Lindsay Bowen holds the record, shooing 46.4 percent and a freshman during the 2002-03 season.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 23 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 Maryland, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Nia Hollie for the ninth-straight game, earning a 3-6 record. Gaines had become a fixture in the starting five before being lost for the season against Indiana on Dec. 28. Shay Colley and Mardrekia Cook have both missed time to injury, forcing them to come in and out of the starting five.
CLOUDEN VS. THE LEAGUE
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently 11th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. Penn State's Kamaria McDaniel leads the league in scoring with 19.9 ppg. Clouden is also third in free throw percentage (.815). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing tied for sixth in steals (1.9 spg). In Big Ten games, Clouden is tied for sixth in assists, providing 3.9 helpers per game. She is also tied for seventh in league games in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7).
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring 12 times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led six times, while Julia Ayrault and Moira Joiner have both led twice. Kayla Belles and Alyza Winston are the only other players to lead MSU in scoring. On the boards is a very different story, as 10 different players have led the squad in rebounds. Kayla Belles has both led the team in rebounding nine times, followed by Julia Ayrault who has had the most rebounds on five occasions.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 23 games, Michigan State is 47th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in steals per game (9.8 spg). The Spartans continue to deny their opponents the three-point shot, standing 72nd in the country and second in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 28.8 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is fourth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.1) and second in offensive rebounds (14.7).
In Big Ten contests, Nia Clouden is tied for 18th in scoring, averaging 13.1 ppg. Clouden is also sixth in assists with 3.9 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for fifth in blocks per game (1.5). Freshman guard Moira Joiner is 10th in 3-pointers made with 23, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon is tied for 13th with 22.
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 204 of their last 217 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 154 of their last 169. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 239-19 (.926) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 11-1 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.
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. 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.
• Michigan State comes into the game with an 11-12 record overall and stands 4-8 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is 17-6 overall and 7-5 in league action. This is the second meeting of the season between the Scarlet Knights and the Spartans as MSU won the battle in New Jersey, 66-55.
• Michigan State is coming off a five-game stretch that featured four top-25 Big Ten opponents, playing three of those four on the road. The last time the Spartans faced four ranked conference opponents through five games was during the 1995-96 season.
• The Spartans have used eight different starting lineups this season. The most recent lineup of Taryn McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Nia Clouden, Nia Hollie and Kayla Belles has started nine straight, the longest streak of the season.
• MSU's injuries continue to pile up with Mardrekia Cook and Victoria Gaines both out for the season. Shay Colley has missed 17 games so far this season. Only seven players have played in all 23 games with Claire Hendrickson, Tory Ozment and Julia Ayrault also missing time due to illness or injury.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
The key to Rutgers success has always been defense. The Scarlet Knights have held 52 of its last 55 opponents under their scoring average. Since the beginning of 2017-18 season, Rutgers has held 81 of its last 87 opponents under its scoring average. Rutgers has reached double-digit steals in six of the last nine games and are 10-2 in games with 10 or more steals. The Scarlet Knights are first in the Big Ten in scoring defense, allowing only 55.3 ppg. In league games, RU is also first in scoring defense, allowing only 60.2 ppg and teams are shooting only 37.5 percent against the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the team and is third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 19.4 ppg. Khadaizha Sanders is tied for fourth in the league in steals, averaging 2.0 spg. Sanders is also sixth in the league in assists with 4.3 apg. Guirantes also a workhorse, leading the league in so
SERIES HISTORY VS. RUTGERS
This is the second meeting between Michigan State and Rutgers this season. In the first battle, the Spartans used a 20-point game from Moira Joiner to propel themselves past the Scarlet Knights, 66-55, on Jan. 20. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles led all players with a career-high 13 rebounds, as MSU out-rebounded Rutgers 47-26. Joiner netted a career-high 20 points, becoming MSU's third different player to post 20+ points, joining sophomore guard Nia Clouden (six 20-point games) and senior guard Taryn McCutcheon (one 20-point game).
Overall, the Spartans and the Scarlet Knights series is tied 5-5. With the win earlier this season, Michigan State snapped a three-game losing streak against Rutgers. At home, the Spartans have a slight edge in the series, 3-2. The Scarlet Knights have the lead in Piscataway, 3-2.
LAST TIME VS. THE SCARLET KNIGHTS
Freshman guard Moira Joiner earned her first collegiate 20-point game, leading the Michigan State women's basketball team to a 66-55 win over Rutgers at the RAC on Jan. 20.
The Spartans have now won three-straight games and improve to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in league contests. Rutgers falls to 15-3 overall and 5-2 in Big Ten action.
Michigan State has had a 20-point scorer for three-straight games now as sophomore guard Nia Clouden had reach the 20-point mark for two-straight contests. Joiner's previous career high was 15 on the road against Penn State on Jan. 9. She had now reached double figures three times this season. Clouden ended the game with 11 points to go along with six assists and five rebounds, while senior Taryn McCutcheon added 10 points. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles led all players with a career-high 13 rebounds, as MSU out-rebounded Rutgers 47-26.
Behind Joiner going 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, the Spartans ended the game 9-for-19 from long range.
BATTLING THE BEST
Michigan State is coming off a five-game stretch that featured four top-25 Big Ten opponents, playing three of those four on the road.
The last time the Spartans faced four ranked conference opponents through five games was during the 1995-96 season. From Jan. 12-21, 1996, the Spartans took on four-consecutive top-25 Big Ten opponents (No. 17/21 Wisconsin, No. 10/11 Iowa, No. 17/12 Northwestern and No. 21/22 Purdue), with three of the four on the road.
Most recently during the 2017-18 season, MSU faced four ranked Big Ten foes through six games spanning from Jan. 23-Feb. 1 (No. 6/18 Michigan, No. 12/14 Ohio State, No. 10/9 Maryland and No. 21/20 Michigan).
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• Michigan State's starting line-up of senior guard Taryn McCutcheon, senior forward Nia Hollie, sophomore forward Kayla Belles, sophomore guard Nia Clouden and freshman guard Moria Joiner, was the ninth-straight game with that starting five for the Spartans, their longest streak of the same starting lineup ... It is MSU's eighth different starting lineup of the season.
• Freshman and sophomore accounted for 45 of Michigan State's 55 points, led by 12 points each by sophomores Nia Clouden and Kayla Belles. There were 14 points that came from the five freshmen, led by five points from freshman guard Alyza Winston.
FIGHTING THE INJURY BUG
Michigan State has been battling injuries all season. Preseason All-Big Ten selection Shay Colley has only played six games this season due to a knee injury. Her last game was against Indiana on Dec. 28. The Indiana game was also the last time that Victoria Gaines played before tearing her MCL. Mardrekia Cook was also lost for the season after tearing her Achilles' tendon in practice on Jan. 29.
By the second half against Maryland on Feb. 3, four of the five starters from the first game of the season were not available to due injury. Game one starters included Shay Colley, Taryn McCutcheon, Nia Clouden, Tory Ozment and Victoria Gaines. Only Clouden finished the game against Maryland, as McCutcheon was injured in the third quarter.
LOGGING IN THE MINUTES
With the multitude of injuries of late, the five Michigan State freshmen have been logging in more minutes of late. Freshman guard Moira Joiner has had a solid rookie campaign for the Spartans. She is 13th among freshman in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 6.8 ppg. She is also third in 3-point field goals made with 30. Julia Ayrault is sixth in rebounding with 4.6 rpg. Taiyier Parks is tied for 10th in rebounding (4.0 rpg), while Joiner is tied for 14th (3.1 rpg.). Ayrault is this tied for first in blocks among freshman with 1.0 bpg.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With nine points on Feb. 10, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 1,120 points, still standing No. 24 on MSU's career scoring list up to No. 22, passing former teammate Jenna Allen (2015-19) with 1,098 points and Becky Cummings (1997-2001) with 1,108 points. McCutcheon is just 23 points shy of the No. 21 spot, held by Julie Polakowski (1982-86) with 1,143 points. McCutcheon's two assists gives her 75 for the season and 547 for her career. The senior guard is now just 27 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
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 45-11 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 26 of the last 29 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 8-2 at home. Michigan State's only losses this season came against No. 22 Northwestern on Jan. 23 and against Purdue on Jan. 30.
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-) 1,120 547
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
FABULOUS FRESHIE
Freshman guard Moira Joiner is looking to place herself among the top rookies in MSU history. She has made 30 3-pointers this season and is just six away from tying Kalisha Keane who had 36 as a freshman during the 2007-08 season. Through 22 games, Joiner is shooting 42.9 percent from long range, which is currently second among MSU freshman all time. Lindsay Bowen holds the record, shooing 46.4 percent and a freshman during the 2002-03 season.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 23 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 Maryland, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Nia Hollie for the ninth-straight game, earning a 3-6 record. Gaines had become a fixture in the starting five before being lost for the season against Indiana on Dec. 28. Shay Colley and Mardrekia Cook have both missed time to injury, forcing them to come in and out of the starting five.
CLOUDEN VS. THE LEAGUE
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently 11th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. Penn State's Kamaria McDaniel leads the league in scoring with 19.9 ppg. Clouden is also third in free throw percentage (.815). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing tied for sixth in steals (1.9 spg). In Big Ten games, Clouden is tied for sixth in assists, providing 3.9 helpers per game. She is also tied for seventh in league games in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.7).
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring 12 times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led six times, while Julia Ayrault and Moira Joiner have both led twice. Kayla Belles and Alyza Winston are the only other players to lead MSU in scoring. On the boards is a very different story, as 10 different players have led the squad in rebounds. Kayla Belles has both led the team in rebounding nine times, followed by Julia Ayrault who has had the most rebounds on five occasions.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 23 games, Michigan State is 47th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in steals per game (9.8 spg). The Spartans continue to deny their opponents the three-point shot, standing 72nd in the country and second in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 28.8 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is fourth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.1) and second in offensive rebounds (14.7).
In Big Ten contests, Nia Clouden is tied for 18th in scoring, averaging 13.1 ppg. Clouden is also sixth in assists with 3.9 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for fifth in blocks per game (1.5). Freshman guard Moira Joiner is 10th in 3-pointers made with 23, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon is tied for 13th with 22.
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 204 of their last 217 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 154 of their last 169. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 239-19 (.926) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 11-1 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.
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. 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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