Monday, February 17
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Minnesota
Michigan State Concludes Homestand Against Minnesota Monday
2/15/2020 1:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans will "Glow Green" for the second game this season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes its two-game homestand, hosting Minnesota on Monday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. The Spartans snapped a five-game losing streak with a hard-fought 57-53 win over Rutgers on Feb. 13. With five regular-season games remaining MSU is looking move up the Big Ten standings, currently standing 10th with a 12-12 overall record and a 5-8 league mark.
• The Spartans snapped a season-high five-game losing streak on Feb. 13 with a 57-53 win over Rutgers at home. MSU is now 12-12 with a 5-8 B1G record. Minnesota is 15-10 and 5-9 in league play. This is the only regular season meeting between MSU and Minnesota.
• Sophomore guard Nia Clouden has now scored in double-figures in 21 of the 24 games, including the last five. The sophomore guard also added four rebounds and a tied for the team lead with five assists against Rutgers on Feb. 13.
• The Spartans have used eight different starting lineups this season. The most recent lineup of Taryn McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Nia Clouden, Tory Ozment and Kayla Belles has started. Michigan State is 3-1 with this lineup.
• MSU's injuries continue to pile up with Mardrekia Cook and Victoria Gaines both out for the season. Shay Colley has missed 18 games so far this season. Only seven players have played in all 24 games with Claire Hendrickson, Tory Ozment and Julia Ayrault also missing time due to illness or injury.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
After the departure of Destiny Pitts, Taiye Bello leads Minnesota in scoring, averaging 12.3 ppg, while Jasmine Powell is scoring 11.5 ppg. The Gophers have four remaining players that are averaging in double figures in scoring. As a team, Minnesota is second in the league in 3-pointers made, averaging 7.6 treys per game.
Bello posted her team-leading 17th game in double figures this year, recording 14 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds against Ohio State. In league games, Bello is first in rebounding with 9.8 rpg. Sara Scalia is eighth in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 38.1 percent.
The Gophers lead the Big Ten and rank 21st in the country in free throw percentage at 76.1 percent, making 340 of 447 attempts. That figure is on pace to be the third-best in Minnesota history and the best since the 2012-13 campaign. The next closest Big Ten team to Minnesota in percentage is Iowa, which ranks 60th at 73.8 percent.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MINNESOTA
This is the only regular-season meeting between the Spartans and the Golden Gophers. Minnesota comes to East Lansing with a 15-10 record overall and a 5-9 record in Big Ten action. The Gophers have lost two-straight games after winning three in a row prior to that. In its last outing, Minnesota fell to Ohio State on the road, 99-76.
Overall, Michigan State leads the series with Minnesota, 43-23, with the Spartans winning seven of the last 10. Last season, both teams won at home with MSU defeating Minnesota 86-68 on Jan. 9. The Gophers returned the favor in Minneapolis, earning the win, 81-63, on March 3. The Spartans hold a 24-7 series advantage in games played in East Lansing.
LAST TIME VS. THE GOLDEN GOPHERS
Michigan State women's basketball closed out regular-season action with an 81-63 loss to Minnesota at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on March 3, 2019.
Michigan State had its two-game winning streak halted in the regular-season finale and fall to 19-10 overall and 9-9 in Big Ten action. Minnesota improves 20-9 overall and ends league play with a 9-9 mark. The Gophers earn the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 Indiana.
NAIL BITERS
The Spartans have had success in close games this season. Michigan State is 4-1 in games decided by five points or less with MSU's only loss came against LSU, 58-56 on Nov. 29. The Spartans are winning conference games by a close margin as well. In five Big Ten wins, MSU is winning by a margin of 8.6 points. On Jan. 16, Michigan State defeated Ohio State, 68-65 at home, while earning a 57-53 win at home against Rutgers on Feb. 13.
SWEET CHARITY
The free-throw line has not always been kind to the Spartans this season. Michigan State is 13th in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, shooting 65.6 percent from the charity stripe. In the last three games those numbers are improving, as the Spartans are shooting 91.4 percent from the line (32-of-35). Free throws helped seal the win against Rutgers, going 12-for-13 in the 57-53 win. Sophomore Nia Clouden is leading the way, as she is third in the league in free throw percentage (79.2 percent).
BATTLING THE BEST
Prior to the win against Rutgers, 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
• The win against Rutgers on Feb. 13 was the first time that Michigan State has defeated Rutgers twice in a season. The Spartans improved to 6-5 all-time against the Scarlet Knights, including going 4-2 at the Breslin Center. MSU had lost three-straight to RU prior to the Spartans winning twice this season.
• Taryn McCutcheon's five assists gives her 80 for the season and 552 for her career. The senior guard is now just 22 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
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.
MSU was able to get McCutcheon, Ozment and Ayrault back for the game against Northwestern on Feb. 10.
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 is four on the team in minutes, averaging 22.8 mpg. Joiner has had a solid rookie campaign for the Spartans. She is 13th among freshman in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 6.9 ppg. She is also third in 3-point field goals made with 33. Julia Ayrault is tied for fifth in rebounding with 4.5 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 second in blocks among freshman with 0.9 bpg.
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 46-11 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 27 of the last 30 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 9-2 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-) 1,136 552
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 16 points on Feb. 13, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 1,136 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 seven points shy of the No. 21 spot, held by Julie Polakowski (1982-86) with 1,143 points. McCutcheon's five assists gives her 80 for the season and 552 for her career. The senior guard is now just 22 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
FABULOUS FRESHIE
Freshman guard Moira Joiner is looking to place herself among the top rookies in MSU history. She has made 33 3-pointers this season and is just three away from tying Kalisha Keane for fifth among MSU freshman, who had 36 as a freshman during the 2007-08 season. Through 24 games, Joiner is shooting 41.8 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 and making 77 treys.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 24 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 Rutgers, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Tory Ozment for just the fourth time, earning a 3-1 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 14.3 points per game. Penn State's Kamaria McDaniel leads the league in scoring with 19.4 ppg. Clouden is also third in free throw percentage (.813). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing eighth in steals (1.9 spg). In Big Ten games, Clouden is seventh in assists, providing 4.0 helpers per game. She is also tied for seventh in league games in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8).
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 seven 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 10 times, followed by Julia Ayrault who has had the most rebounds on five occasions.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 24 games, Michigan State is 58th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in steals per game (9.7 spg). The Spartans continue to deny their opponents the three-point shot, standing 58th in the country and second in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is fourth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.2) and second in offensive rebounds (14.7).
In Big Ten contests, Nia Clouden is tied for 19th in scoring, averaging 12.8 ppg. Clouden is also seventh in assists with 4.0 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is eighth in blocks per game (1.4). Freshman guard Moira Joiner is eighth in 3-pointers made with 27, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon is tied for 11th with 26.
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 205 of their last 218 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 155 of their last 170. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 240-19 (.927) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 12-1 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.
• The Spartans snapped a season-high five-game losing streak on Feb. 13 with a 57-53 win over Rutgers at home. MSU is now 12-12 with a 5-8 B1G record. Minnesota is 15-10 and 5-9 in league play. This is the only regular season meeting between MSU and Minnesota.
• Sophomore guard Nia Clouden has now scored in double-figures in 21 of the 24 games, including the last five. The sophomore guard also added four rebounds and a tied for the team lead with five assists against Rutgers on Feb. 13.
• The Spartans have used eight different starting lineups this season. The most recent lineup of Taryn McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Nia Clouden, Tory Ozment and Kayla Belles has started. Michigan State is 3-1 with this lineup.
• MSU's injuries continue to pile up with Mardrekia Cook and Victoria Gaines both out for the season. Shay Colley has missed 18 games so far this season. Only seven players have played in all 24 games with Claire Hendrickson, Tory Ozment and Julia Ayrault also missing time due to illness or injury.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
After the departure of Destiny Pitts, Taiye Bello leads Minnesota in scoring, averaging 12.3 ppg, while Jasmine Powell is scoring 11.5 ppg. The Gophers have four remaining players that are averaging in double figures in scoring. As a team, Minnesota is second in the league in 3-pointers made, averaging 7.6 treys per game.
Bello posted her team-leading 17th game in double figures this year, recording 14 points to go with a team-high seven rebounds against Ohio State. In league games, Bello is first in rebounding with 9.8 rpg. Sara Scalia is eighth in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 38.1 percent.
The Gophers lead the Big Ten and rank 21st in the country in free throw percentage at 76.1 percent, making 340 of 447 attempts. That figure is on pace to be the third-best in Minnesota history and the best since the 2012-13 campaign. The next closest Big Ten team to Minnesota in percentage is Iowa, which ranks 60th at 73.8 percent.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MINNESOTA
This is the only regular-season meeting between the Spartans and the Golden Gophers. Minnesota comes to East Lansing with a 15-10 record overall and a 5-9 record in Big Ten action. The Gophers have lost two-straight games after winning three in a row prior to that. In its last outing, Minnesota fell to Ohio State on the road, 99-76.
Overall, Michigan State leads the series with Minnesota, 43-23, with the Spartans winning seven of the last 10. Last season, both teams won at home with MSU defeating Minnesota 86-68 on Jan. 9. The Gophers returned the favor in Minneapolis, earning the win, 81-63, on March 3. The Spartans hold a 24-7 series advantage in games played in East Lansing.
LAST TIME VS. THE GOLDEN GOPHERS
Michigan State women's basketball closed out regular-season action with an 81-63 loss to Minnesota at Williams Arena in Minneapolis on March 3, 2019.
Michigan State had its two-game winning streak halted in the regular-season finale and fall to 19-10 overall and 9-9 in Big Ten action. Minnesota improves 20-9 overall and ends league play with a 9-9 mark. The Gophers earn the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 Indiana.
NAIL BITERS
The Spartans have had success in close games this season. Michigan State is 4-1 in games decided by five points or less with MSU's only loss came against LSU, 58-56 on Nov. 29. The Spartans are winning conference games by a close margin as well. In five Big Ten wins, MSU is winning by a margin of 8.6 points. On Jan. 16, Michigan State defeated Ohio State, 68-65 at home, while earning a 57-53 win at home against Rutgers on Feb. 13.
SWEET CHARITY
The free-throw line has not always been kind to the Spartans this season. Michigan State is 13th in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, shooting 65.6 percent from the charity stripe. In the last three games those numbers are improving, as the Spartans are shooting 91.4 percent from the line (32-of-35). Free throws helped seal the win against Rutgers, going 12-for-13 in the 57-53 win. Sophomore Nia Clouden is leading the way, as she is third in the league in free throw percentage (79.2 percent).
BATTLING THE BEST
Prior to the win against Rutgers, 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
• The win against Rutgers on Feb. 13 was the first time that Michigan State has defeated Rutgers twice in a season. The Spartans improved to 6-5 all-time against the Scarlet Knights, including going 4-2 at the Breslin Center. MSU had lost three-straight to RU prior to the Spartans winning twice this season.
• Taryn McCutcheon's five assists gives her 80 for the season and 552 for her career. The senior guard is now just 22 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
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.
MSU was able to get McCutcheon, Ozment and Ayrault back for the game against Northwestern on Feb. 10.
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 is four on the team in minutes, averaging 22.8 mpg. Joiner has had a solid rookie campaign for the Spartans. She is 13th among freshman in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 6.9 ppg. She is also third in 3-point field goals made with 33. Julia Ayrault is tied for fifth in rebounding with 4.5 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 second in blocks among freshman with 0.9 bpg.
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 46-11 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 27 of the last 30 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 9-2 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-) 1,136 552
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 16 points on Feb. 13, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 1,136 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 seven points shy of the No. 21 spot, held by Julie Polakowski (1982-86) with 1,143 points. McCutcheon's five assists gives her 80 for the season and 552 for her career. The senior guard is now just 22 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
FABULOUS FRESHIE
Freshman guard Moira Joiner is looking to place herself among the top rookies in MSU history. She has made 33 3-pointers this season and is just three away from tying Kalisha Keane for fifth among MSU freshman, who had 36 as a freshman during the 2007-08 season. Through 24 games, Joiner is shooting 41.8 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 and making 77 treys.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 24 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 Rutgers, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Tory Ozment for just the fourth time, earning a 3-1 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 14.3 points per game. Penn State's Kamaria McDaniel leads the league in scoring with 19.4 ppg. Clouden is also third in free throw percentage (.813). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing eighth in steals (1.9 spg). In Big Ten games, Clouden is seventh in assists, providing 4.0 helpers per game. She is also tied for seventh in league games in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8).
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 seven 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 10 times, followed by Julia Ayrault who has had the most rebounds on five occasions.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 24 games, Michigan State is 58th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in steals per game (9.7 spg). The Spartans continue to deny their opponents the three-point shot, standing 58th in the country and second in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is fourth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.2) and second in offensive rebounds (14.7).
In Big Ten contests, Nia Clouden is tied for 19th in scoring, averaging 12.8 ppg. Clouden is also seventh in assists with 4.0 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is eighth in blocks per game (1.4). Freshman guard Moira Joiner is eighth in 3-pointers made with 27, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon is tied for 11th with 26.
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 205 of their last 218 games (.940) when leading with five minutes left, including 155 of their last 170. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 240-19 (.927) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 12-1 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.
Players Mentioned
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