Sunday, March 1
East Lansing, Mich.
2 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Penn State
Spartan Women Celebrate Senior Day Against Penn State
2/29/2020 1:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MSU will say goodbye to Shay Colley, Victoria Gaines, Nia Hollie and Taryn McCutcheon.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes the regular season against Penn State on Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. The Spartans will say goodbye to a quartet of seniors in Shay Colley, Victoria Gaines, Nia Hollie and Taryn McCutcheon in a postgame ceremony. It is also 4H Day at the Breslin Center on Sunday.
• The Spartans got back on the winning track with a solid 72-58 win at Illinois on Feb. 26. With the win, Michigan State improved to 15-13 overall and 8-9 in Big Ten play. The Lady Lions stand 7-21 overall and 1-16 in league play. PSU has lost 13-straight games with its last win coming against MSU on Jan. 9.
• Against Illinois, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon dished out five assists, giving her five-straight games with at least three assists. The five helpers give her 96 this season and 568 for her career. McCutcheon is now just seven helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
• Against Illinois on Feb. 26, senior guard Shay Colley played in her second-straight game after missing 14-straight games due to Canadian National Team duties and injury. Colley scored a team-high 14 points, just one points shy of her season high.
• Suzy Merchant moved into eighth place on the Big Ten career wins list after the Spartans' 65-63 victory at Purdue on Feb. 20. Merchant, who is 135-86 (.611) in conference games during her 13 seasons at MSU, passed Ohio State's Nancy Darsch from 1985-97.SCOUTING PENN STATE
The Lady Lions stand 7-21 overall and 1-16 in league play. PSU has lost 13-straight games with its last win coming against MSU on Jan. 9. Penn State averages 66.2 points, while allowing 75.0 ppg.
Kamaria McDaniel leads the team in scoring and is second in the Big Ten, averaging 19.5 ppg. She is one of only three players in the Big Ten averaging over 19.0 ppg along with Rutgers' Arella Guirantes (20.1 ppg) and Northwestern's Lindsey Pulliam (19.2 ppg). McDaniel is also putting in the minutes, standing tied for eighth in the league in minutes played with 34.0 mpg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE
Penn State leads the overall series with Michigan State 30-18, but the Spartans have won the last two in East Lansing. The record at the Breslin Center is an even 10-10 with the Lady Lions leading in University Park, 18-6. The teams are 2-2 on neutral territory. This is the second time in four seasons that the Spartans have faced Penn State on senior day. MSU stopped PSU on Tori Jankoska's senior day on Feb. 22, 2017, 73-64. Earlier this season, Penn State got out early and defeated Michigan state, 86-73, at home on Jan. 9. In that game, MSU was led by a career-high 19 points from sophomore forward Kayla Belles.
LAST TIME VS. THE LADY LIONS
Sophomore forward Kayla Belles scored a career-high 19 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Penn State 86-73 in University Park, Pennsylvania on Jan. 9, 2020.
Michigan State falls to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while Penn State improves to 7-8 overall and 1-3 in league contests.
The Spartans had four players in double figures led by Belles' 19. The sophomore was 8-of-11 from the field and added a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman guard Moira Joiner added another career high with 15 points, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored 14 points. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden added 11 points and a team-high seven assists.
Penn State was led by a double-double from Kamaria McDaniel who scored 24 points and added 11 rebounds.
SWEET CHARITY
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden's efficiency at the charity stripe has put her in the top-10 in single-season free throws made. Her 120 free throws stands tied for ninth all-time in MSU history with Kris Emerson who reached the number during the 1984-85 season. She is just four away from tying Taryn McCutcheon (2018-19) and Allyssa DeHaan (2007-08) for seventh. Aerial Powers holds the single season record with 170 during the 2014-15 season.
PACKING THE STANDS
In their annual Pink Game against Michigan on Feb. 23, the Spartans had a season-high 11,462 people in the stands. The crowd was the 15th highest in MSU history. It was the highest since 12,434 attended the game against Michigan on Feb. 11, 2018.
Overall, the Spartans are 17th in the nation in attendance, averaging 4,937 fans per game. They stand fifth in the Big Ten with Iowa leading the way with 7,017 fans a game.
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-) 1,174 568
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
CHECK OUT THE ROOKIES
Several of the Spartan freshmen are working their way in into the MSU record book. Guard Moira Joiner has had a solid rookie campaign for the Spartans. She has made 36 3-pointers this season, tying Spartan great Kalisha Keane for fifth among MSU freshman. Keane had 36 as a freshman during the 2007-08 season. Joiner is shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, which currently stands second all-time among MSU freshmen. Lindsay Bowen holds the record, shooting 46.4 percent during the 2002-03 season.
Forward Julia Ayrault has 24 blocks as a freshman, which put her one shy of Kelli Roehrig who had 25 during the 2001-02 season. Taiyier Parks is also closing in out Roehrig, as she has 19 blocks as a rookie.
WECLOME BACK COLLEY
Michigan State welcomed back senior Shay Colley against Michigan on Feb. 23. The guard missed 14-straight games due to Canadian National Team duties and injuries. In limited action against the Wolverines, she scored two points with one steal. Against Illinois on Feb. 26, Colley scored a team-high 14 points, just one points shy of her season high. She scored 15 points against Kansas State on Nov. 30. She has now scored in double figures four times in eight games.
Overall, she has played in eight games this season, averaging 9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE
The Spartans have one regular-season game remaining and hold a 8-9 record in Big Ten action. MSU is currently tied for eighth in the standings with Purdue. Rutgers, Michigan and Ohio State are all tied for fifth with 10-7 records. Maryland and Northwestern are tied for first place in the standings with a 15-2 records. Michigan State concludes the regular season against Penn State (1-16).
WATCH OUT COACH
Taryn McCutcheon's five assists against Michigan on Feb. 23 give her 91 for the season and 568 for her career. The senior guard is now just seven helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
NAIL BITERS
The Spartans have had success in close games this season. Michigan State is 5-1 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.
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• The Spartans reached 70 points for the first time since Jan. 9 when they fell to Penn State, 86-73. MSU has reached the 70-point mark for just the third time during Big Ten play. Overall, MSU is now 8-1 when scoring at least 70 points.
• Freshman guard Alyza Winston's eight points tied her season high in Big Ten games, also providing eight points against Wisconsin on Jan. 12. Winston went 3-for-3 from the field with two 3-pointers. Her season-high is 17 points against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 18.
BIG SHOT CLOUDEN
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden has had a flair for the dramatic this season. She has had clutch game winners against Ohio State on Jan. 16 and Purdue on Feb. 20. Against the Buckeyes, Clouden's old-fashioned three-point play with 14 seconds remaining to give Michigan State a one-point lead. The guard also hit a pair of free throws with six seconds left to seal the win. Against Purdue on Feb. 20, Clouden once against came to the rescue in a game with 16 lead changes. Her driving layup with less than two seconds remaining gave MSU the win.
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 47-12 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 28 of the last 32 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 10-3 at home. Michigan State's only losses this season came against No. 22 Northwestern on Jan. 23, against Purdue on Jan. 30 and Michigan on Feb. 23.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 14 points on Feb. 23, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 1,174 points, , still in the No. 21 spot, previously held by Julie Polakowski (1982-86) with 1,143 points. She is now just seven points behind Rene Haynes (2003-07), who scored 1,181 career points. McCutcheon's five assists gives her 96 for the season and 568 for her career. The senior guard is now just 12 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
YOUNG GUNS
A total of 61 of Michigan State's 66 points against Minnesota on Feb. 17 were scored by underclassmen, as senior guard Taryn McCutcheon's five points were the lone upperclassmen points. Sophomore Nia Clouden led the way with 16 points, while freshman Julia Ayrault tied her career high with 14. Clouden, Ayrault and Joiner also combined for 39 points. Clouden and Joiner also combined for 21 rebounds, despite being 5-8 and 5-10, respectively.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 28 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 Michigan on Feb. 23, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Tory Ozment for just the eighth time, earning a 6-2 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 10th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 20.1 ppg. Clouden is also up to second in free throw percentage (.822). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing tied for seventh in steals (1.8 spg). In Big Ten games, Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are tied seventh in assists, providing 3.6 helpers per game.
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring 15 times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led eight 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 11 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 six occasions.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 28 games, Michigan State is 69th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in steals with 252. The Spartans continue to deny their opponents the three-point shot, standing 23rd in the country and first in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is tied for fourth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.0) and second in offensive rebounds (14.1).
In Big Ten contests, Nia Clouden is tied for 18th in scoring, averaging 13.3 ppg. Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are tied for seventh with 3.6 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for sixth in blocks per game (1.5). McCutcheon is 10th in 3-pointers made with 33, while Moira Joiner is tied for 11th with 30.
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 145 of their last 164 games (.884) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 163-28 (.853) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 8-1 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 208 of their last 221 games (.941) when leading with five minutes left, including 158 of their last 173. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 243-19 (.927) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 15-1 when leading with five minutes remaining with the only loss coming against No. 8 Florida State.
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 got back on the winning track with a solid 72-58 win at Illinois on Feb. 26. With the win, Michigan State improved to 15-13 overall and 8-9 in Big Ten play. The Lady Lions stand 7-21 overall and 1-16 in league play. PSU has lost 13-straight games with its last win coming against MSU on Jan. 9.
• Against Illinois, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon dished out five assists, giving her five-straight games with at least three assists. The five helpers give her 96 this season and 568 for her career. McCutcheon is now just seven helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
• Against Illinois on Feb. 26, senior guard Shay Colley played in her second-straight game after missing 14-straight games due to Canadian National Team duties and injury. Colley scored a team-high 14 points, just one points shy of her season high.
• Suzy Merchant moved into eighth place on the Big Ten career wins list after the Spartans' 65-63 victory at Purdue on Feb. 20. Merchant, who is 135-86 (.611) in conference games during her 13 seasons at MSU, passed Ohio State's Nancy Darsch from 1985-97.SCOUTING PENN STATE
The Lady Lions stand 7-21 overall and 1-16 in league play. PSU has lost 13-straight games with its last win coming against MSU on Jan. 9. Penn State averages 66.2 points, while allowing 75.0 ppg.
Kamaria McDaniel leads the team in scoring and is second in the Big Ten, averaging 19.5 ppg. She is one of only three players in the Big Ten averaging over 19.0 ppg along with Rutgers' Arella Guirantes (20.1 ppg) and Northwestern's Lindsey Pulliam (19.2 ppg). McDaniel is also putting in the minutes, standing tied for eighth in the league in minutes played with 34.0 mpg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE
Penn State leads the overall series with Michigan State 30-18, but the Spartans have won the last two in East Lansing. The record at the Breslin Center is an even 10-10 with the Lady Lions leading in University Park, 18-6. The teams are 2-2 on neutral territory. This is the second time in four seasons that the Spartans have faced Penn State on senior day. MSU stopped PSU on Tori Jankoska's senior day on Feb. 22, 2017, 73-64. Earlier this season, Penn State got out early and defeated Michigan state, 86-73, at home on Jan. 9. In that game, MSU was led by a career-high 19 points from sophomore forward Kayla Belles.
LAST TIME VS. THE LADY LIONS
Sophomore forward Kayla Belles scored a career-high 19 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Penn State 86-73 in University Park, Pennsylvania on Jan. 9, 2020.
Michigan State falls to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while Penn State improves to 7-8 overall and 1-3 in league contests.
The Spartans had four players in double figures led by Belles' 19. The sophomore was 8-of-11 from the field and added a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman guard Moira Joiner added another career high with 15 points, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored 14 points. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden added 11 points and a team-high seven assists.
Penn State was led by a double-double from Kamaria McDaniel who scored 24 points and added 11 rebounds.
SWEET CHARITY
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden's efficiency at the charity stripe has put her in the top-10 in single-season free throws made. Her 120 free throws stands tied for ninth all-time in MSU history with Kris Emerson who reached the number during the 1984-85 season. She is just four away from tying Taryn McCutcheon (2018-19) and Allyssa DeHaan (2007-08) for seventh. Aerial Powers holds the single season record with 170 during the 2014-15 season.
PACKING THE STANDS
In their annual Pink Game against Michigan on Feb. 23, the Spartans had a season-high 11,462 people in the stands. The crowd was the 15th highest in MSU history. It was the highest since 12,434 attended the game against Michigan on Feb. 11, 2018.
Overall, the Spartans are 17th in the nation in attendance, averaging 4,937 fans per game. They stand fifth in the Big Ten with Iowa leading the way with 7,017 fans a game.
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-) 1,174 568
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
CHECK OUT THE ROOKIES
Several of the Spartan freshmen are working their way in into the MSU record book. Guard Moira Joiner has had a solid rookie campaign for the Spartans. She has made 36 3-pointers this season, tying Spartan great Kalisha Keane for fifth among MSU freshman. Keane had 36 as a freshman during the 2007-08 season. Joiner is shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, which currently stands second all-time among MSU freshmen. Lindsay Bowen holds the record, shooting 46.4 percent during the 2002-03 season.
Forward Julia Ayrault has 24 blocks as a freshman, which put her one shy of Kelli Roehrig who had 25 during the 2001-02 season. Taiyier Parks is also closing in out Roehrig, as she has 19 blocks as a rookie.
WECLOME BACK COLLEY
Michigan State welcomed back senior Shay Colley against Michigan on Feb. 23. The guard missed 14-straight games due to Canadian National Team duties and injuries. In limited action against the Wolverines, she scored two points with one steal. Against Illinois on Feb. 26, Colley scored a team-high 14 points, just one points shy of her season high. She scored 15 points against Kansas State on Nov. 30. She has now scored in double figures four times in eight games.
Overall, she has played in eight games this season, averaging 9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game.
COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE
The Spartans have one regular-season game remaining and hold a 8-9 record in Big Ten action. MSU is currently tied for eighth in the standings with Purdue. Rutgers, Michigan and Ohio State are all tied for fifth with 10-7 records. Maryland and Northwestern are tied for first place in the standings with a 15-2 records. Michigan State concludes the regular season against Penn State (1-16).
WATCH OUT COACH
Taryn McCutcheon's five assists against Michigan on Feb. 23 give her 91 for the season and 568 for her career. The senior guard is now just seven helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
NAIL BITERS
The Spartans have had success in close games this season. Michigan State is 5-1 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.
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• The Spartans reached 70 points for the first time since Jan. 9 when they fell to Penn State, 86-73. MSU has reached the 70-point mark for just the third time during Big Ten play. Overall, MSU is now 8-1 when scoring at least 70 points.
• Freshman guard Alyza Winston's eight points tied her season high in Big Ten games, also providing eight points against Wisconsin on Jan. 12. Winston went 3-for-3 from the field with two 3-pointers. Her season-high is 17 points against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 18.
BIG SHOT CLOUDEN
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden has had a flair for the dramatic this season. She has had clutch game winners against Ohio State on Jan. 16 and Purdue on Feb. 20. Against the Buckeyes, Clouden's old-fashioned three-point play with 14 seconds remaining to give Michigan State a one-point lead. The guard also hit a pair of free throws with six seconds left to seal the win. Against Purdue on Feb. 20, Clouden once against came to the rescue in a game with 16 lead changes. Her driving layup with less than two seconds remaining gave MSU the win.
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 47-12 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 28 of the last 32 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 10-3 at home. Michigan State's only losses this season came against No. 22 Northwestern on Jan. 23, against Purdue on Jan. 30 and Michigan on Feb. 23.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 14 points on Feb. 23, senior guard Taryn McCutcheon now has 1,174 points, , still in the No. 21 spot, previously held by Julie Polakowski (1982-86) with 1,143 points. She is now just seven points behind Rene Haynes (2003-07), who scored 1,181 career points. McCutcheon's five assists gives her 96 for the season and 568 for her career. The senior guard is now just 12 helpers from breaking the school record of 574 assists, held by her current assistant coach Kristin Haynie (2001-05).
YOUNG GUNS
A total of 61 of Michigan State's 66 points against Minnesota on Feb. 17 were scored by underclassmen, as senior guard Taryn McCutcheon's five points were the lone upperclassmen points. Sophomore Nia Clouden led the way with 16 points, while freshman Julia Ayrault tied her career high with 14. Clouden, Ayrault and Joiner also combined for 39 points. Clouden and Joiner also combined for 21 rebounds, despite being 5-8 and 5-10, respectively.
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 28 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 Michigan on Feb. 23, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Tory Ozment for just the eighth time, earning a 6-2 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 10th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 20.1 ppg. Clouden is also up to second in free throw percentage (.822). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing tied for seventh in steals (1.8 spg). In Big Ten games, Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are tied seventh in assists, providing 3.6 helpers per game.
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring 15 times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led eight 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 11 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 six occasions.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 28 games, Michigan State is 69th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in steals with 252. The Spartans continue to deny their opponents the three-point shot, standing 23rd in the country and first in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is tied for fourth in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.0) and second in offensive rebounds (14.1).
In Big Ten contests, Nia Clouden is tied for 18th in scoring, averaging 13.3 ppg. Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are tied for seventh with 3.6 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for sixth in blocks per game (1.5). McCutcheon is 10th in 3-pointers made with 33, while Moira Joiner is tied for 11th with 30.
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 145 of their last 164 games (.884) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 163-28 (.853) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 8-1 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 208 of their last 221 games (.941) when leading with five minutes left, including 158 of their last 173. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 243-19 (.927) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 15-1 when leading with five minutes remaining with the only loss coming against No. 8 Florida State.
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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