Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
Spartan Women’s Basketball Celebrates the 2020 Season Banquet
3/10/2020 4:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Taryn McCutcheon and Nia Clouden share Player of the Year honors.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball honored the 2019-20 season at its annual banquet on Tuesday night, March 10, at the Breslin Center. Six different Spartans players were honored, with senior Taryn McCutcheon and sophomore Nia Clouden sharing the Player of the Year award.
After the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State holds a 16-14 record, falling to Purdue in the second round.
On a festive night celebrated by the team, family and fans, Michigan State honored seniors Shay Colley, Victoria Gaines, Nia Hollie and Taryn McCutcheon.
Clouden and McCutcheon share Player of the Year honors, as the only two Spartans to have started all 30 games. They are also the only two MSU players to average in double figures, with Clouden averaging 14.5 ppg and McCutcheon adding 10.8 ppg. Clouden is tied for eighth in scoring, while McCutcheon is ninth in assists in the league.
McCutcheon also landed Defensive Player of the Year honors, as she was always disrupted on the defensive side of the ball. She is averaging 1.2 spg with a total of 35 steals this season.
Freshman Julia Ayrault was honored with the Sixth Player Award for always providing a spark off the bench. She played in 28 games, leading the team in rebounding with 4.8 rebounds per game. She had two double-double on the season, including bringing down a season-high 11 boards against Morehead State on Dec. 15.
Fellow freshman guard Moira Joiner earned the Pat Canning Coaches Award. In her first season as a Spartan, Joiner is fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.0 ppg. She earned a lot of playing time as a freshman, appearing in all 30 games and starting 25. She is tied for third among Big Ten freshmen in 3-pointers made with 39. Joiner scored a season-high 20 points in a road win against Rutgers on Jan. 20.
Sophomore forward Kayla Belles was awarded the Most Improved Player accolade. She recovered from an injury-plagued freshman campaign to play in all 30 games this season. Belles averaged 6.9 ppg and is second in rebounds, averaging 4.5 rpg.
The Kim Archer Character Award was presented to senior forward Victoria Gaines. The senior showed tremendous spirit despite battling injuries throughout the season.
Other awards presented included the Ray Family collecting the MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member Award.
2020 Michigan State Women's Basketball Banquet Award Winners:
Player of the Year Award: Nia Clouden, Taryn McCutcheon
Defensive Player of the Year Award: Taryn McCutcheon
Most Improved Player Award: Kayla Belles
Sixth Player Award: Julia Ayrault
Pat Canning Coaches Award: Moira Joiner
Kim Archer Character Award: Victoria Gaines
MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member Award: The Ray Family
After the Big Ten Tournament, Michigan State holds a 16-14 record, falling to Purdue in the second round.
On a festive night celebrated by the team, family and fans, Michigan State honored seniors Shay Colley, Victoria Gaines, Nia Hollie and Taryn McCutcheon.
Clouden and McCutcheon share Player of the Year honors, as the only two Spartans to have started all 30 games. They are also the only two MSU players to average in double figures, with Clouden averaging 14.5 ppg and McCutcheon adding 10.8 ppg. Clouden is tied for eighth in scoring, while McCutcheon is ninth in assists in the league.
McCutcheon also landed Defensive Player of the Year honors, as she was always disrupted on the defensive side of the ball. She is averaging 1.2 spg with a total of 35 steals this season.
Freshman Julia Ayrault was honored with the Sixth Player Award for always providing a spark off the bench. She played in 28 games, leading the team in rebounding with 4.8 rebounds per game. She had two double-double on the season, including bringing down a season-high 11 boards against Morehead State on Dec. 15.
Fellow freshman guard Moira Joiner earned the Pat Canning Coaches Award. In her first season as a Spartan, Joiner is fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 7.0 ppg. She earned a lot of playing time as a freshman, appearing in all 30 games and starting 25. She is tied for third among Big Ten freshmen in 3-pointers made with 39. Joiner scored a season-high 20 points in a road win against Rutgers on Jan. 20.
Sophomore forward Kayla Belles was awarded the Most Improved Player accolade. She recovered from an injury-plagued freshman campaign to play in all 30 games this season. Belles averaged 6.9 ppg and is second in rebounds, averaging 4.5 rpg.
The Kim Archer Character Award was presented to senior forward Victoria Gaines. The senior showed tremendous spirit despite battling injuries throughout the season.
Other awards presented included the Ray Family collecting the MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member Award.
2020 Michigan State Women's Basketball Banquet Award Winners:
Player of the Year Award: Nia Clouden, Taryn McCutcheon
Defensive Player of the Year Award: Taryn McCutcheon
Most Improved Player Award: Kayla Belles
Sixth Player Award: Julia Ayrault
Pat Canning Coaches Award: Moira Joiner
Kim Archer Character Award: Victoria Gaines
MVP Ball Club Most Spectacular Member Award: The Ray Family
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballTuesday, September 22
Sunday, March 15
Sunday, March 01
Wednesday, February 18