Thursday, January 14
Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
7 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
Illinois
Spartan Women's Basketball Opens Road Trip at Illinois Thursday
1/13/2021 12:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MSU will take on Illinois and Michigan before returning home.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball opens a two-game road trip against Illinois on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. ET at the State Farm Center. The Spartans are looking to snap a two-game losing streak after winning their first eight games of the season. MSU comes to Champaign with an 8-2 record and 3-2 mark in league play. The Illini are 2-6 overall and 0-5 in B1G action.
• Michigan State has won eight-straight games in the series against Illinois. The Spartans have a slight edge in Champaign, leading 18-15.
• Junior guard Tory Ozment logged double-digits for the first time in last four outings with 11 points against Nebraska on Jan. 10. It was her fifth double-figure scoring contest of the season and 12th of her career. She also tied her career-high with three steals.
• After 10 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (21.0 apg) and fifth in the NCAA and third in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.62). Michigan State is 26th and fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +5.50 margin.
•Junior guard Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point against Maryland on Jan. 7. She now has 1,032 points in her MSU career, still standing No. 28 on the MSU career scoring list, passing Jill Prudden (1974-78) with 1,012 points, and now two points shy of the No. 27 spot held by Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Illinois stands 2-6 overall this season and 0-5 in league play after a, 70-50, loss to Michigan on Jan. 10. The Illini have Big Ten losses to Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan. Illinois' two wins came against Indiana State and Omaha.
Illinois has three players from Michigan. Jenae Terry hails from Detroit and attended Wayne Memorial High School, while Aaliyah McQueen is from Flint and went to Carman-Ainsworth High School. Aaliyah Nye is a native of East Lansing and went to East Lansing High School.
Overall, Illinois is averaging 60.1 ppg, while allowing 71.6 ppg. The Illini bring down 38.3 rebounds per game and averages 10.8 assists per game. Kennedi Myles is sixth in the Big Ten in rebounding, averaging 7.8 rpg. Terry is tied for ninth in steals with 2.0 spg. Terry and Myles lead the team in scoring with 10.6 ppg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE ILLINI
This is the 73rd meeting between the Spartans and the Illini. Michigan State leads the overall series 44-28, including winning the last eight games. The last time Illinois capture a win was on Jan. 23. 2014 with the Illini taking a 61-51 victory in East Lansing. The last time that Illinois won in Champaign was a 56-46 win on Feb. 2, 2007. Overall, Michigan State leads the series in Champaign, 18-15. Last season, the Spartans came out on top 72-58 on Feb. 26, 2020. Shay Colley led the team in scoring with 14 points, while Nia Clouden had her second double-double of the season.
LAST TIME VS. ILLINOIS
In its road Big Ten finale, the Michigan State women's basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat Illinois, 72-58, Wednesday at the State Farm Center.
Michigan State was led by senior guard Shay Colley who scored 14 points to go along with four rebounds and one assist. Colley has played in two-straight games after missing 14-straight games. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden also earned her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Seven different Spartans scored at least five points in the win. Freshman guard Moira Joiner added 11 points as well, adding seven rebounds.
MSU also dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Illini, 50-35.
JOINING THE CLUB
Junior guard Nia Clouden, a native of Owings Mills, Maryland, scored her 1,000th career point with a jumper from the left wing with 9:43 left in the third quarter for her 14th point in the game. Clouden becomes the 29th player in MSU women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. She now has 1,032 points in her Spartan career, climbing up to No. 28 on the MSU career scoring list, passing Jill Prudden (1974-78) with 1,012 points, and now two points shy of the No. 27 spot held by Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points.
She became the seventh player in the last seven years to reach the 1,000-point mark.
Years Player Points
2020-21 Nia Clouden 1,032
2019-20 Taryn McCutcheon 1,119
2018-19 Jenna Allen 1,098
2017-18 Branndais Agee 1,250
2015-16 Tori Jankoska 2,212
2014-15 Aerial Powers 1,817
2014-15 Becca Mills 1,157
SEEING THE SMALLER NUMBERS
MSU's defense held Nebraska to 68 points on Jan. 10, tying the fewest allowed in a Big Ten game this season, matching 68 vs. Iowa (12/12/20). Michigan State was held to a season-low 64 points on Sunday, the first time MSU has been held under 70 points this season.
IN THE LOSSES
There have been a few trends in MSU's two losses this season. Opponents have come out with fasts starts, out-scoring the Spartans 87-63 in the first half in the two losses. Michigan State has responded nicely in the second half, winning the second half 88-74. Nia Clouden has come through in the losses, averaging 23.o ppg with 4.5 apg. Julia Ayrault is second in scoring with 12.o ppg.
NOTES ON NIA
The 32 points against Maryland on Jan. 7 was Nia Clouden's fifth game this season with 20+ points, all coming in the last seven games ... it was her 15th career game with 20+ points ... The Spartan junior guard has led Michigan State in scoring for the nine times in 10 games ... She has led MSU in points 31 times in her career ... This season, Clouden has now netted double-digits in all 10 contests, as part of 21-straight games in her career, now with double-figures in 37 of her last 40 games played, tallying double-figures in all but three games last season ... In her career, Clouden has now scored in double-figures in 60 of 73 career games played.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the Big Ten, Nia Clouden ranks fifth in scoring (19.9 ppg), as well as standing sixth in steals (2.3 spg). Two Spartans standout in assists per game with Clouden holding down the eighth spot (4.9 apg), and fellow junior Tory Ozment standing 10th (4.6 apg.). Sophomore Julia Ayrault is fifth in blocks (1.4 bpg), while fellow sophomore Alyza Winston is tied for eighth in 3-pointers made (2.1/game).
As a team, the Spartans are first in assists (21.0 apg), third in steals (9.8 spg) and fifth in blocks (4.4 bpg).
FILLING OUT THE ROSTER
During the month of December, Michigan State had three player become eligible. Junior guard Janai Crooms, a transfer from Ohio State, was cleared to play on Dec. 4 and has had an immediate impact. Against Oakland on Dec. 22, she had a season-high 10 rebounds. Penn State transfers Alisia Smith and Jayla James found out they were eligible on Dec. 22, just in time to play against Oakland. Smith, a junior forward, scored nine points in her Spartan debut.
SPARTANS AGAINST THE NCAA
After 10 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (21.0 apg) and fifth in the NCAA and third in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.62). Northwestern is first in the nation and the league (1.81). Michigan State is 26th and fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +5.50 margin. The Wildcats are also first in the NCAA and first in the league (13.38). Nia Clouden is in the top 25 in two categories. She stands 25th in total assists with 49 and 24th in field goals made with 75.
TUNING INTO THE SPARTANS
The Big Ten Network announced a pair of Michigan State games that will be broadcast on BTN. The in-state rivalry between MSU and Michigan in Ann Arbor will be televised on BTN on Monday, Jan. 18 at 12:30 p.m. as part of a MLK Day celebration. On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Spartans will host Indiana at 6 p.m. Remaining televised games have yet to be determined.
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.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Only two Spartans, Tory Ozment and Nia Clouden, have started all 10 games this season. Julia Ayrault and Alyza Winston made their seventh starts of their careers, all in the last seven games this season. Meanwhile, Clouden made her 73rd career start in playing in her 73rd career game. Ozment started for the 22nd time of her career in playing her 58th game. Taiyier Parks started for the eighth time this season in the 10 games as part of her 11th career start, while playing in her 40th career game.
MAKING IT RAIN
Against Oakland on Dec. 22, MSU finished with a season-high 65.0 percent shooting from the field (39-of-60), cooling off from over 70 percent partway through the fourth quarter, which would have topped the school record of 67.2 percent vs. Bowling Green (12/23/86). Michigan State's 39 field goals was also a season-best.
The Spartans also set a school record, shooting 92.3 percent in the third quarter, going 12-of-13. Nia Clouden led the way with 11 of the Spartans' 31 points. Sophomore guard Moira Joiner also scored seven points.
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. Starting with the game on Jan. 7, a limited number of family member of the players will be allowed. 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 154 of their last 173 games (.890) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 172-29 (.860) 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 the only loss coming against Maryland on Jan. 7.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 217 of its last 230 games (.943) when leading with five minutes left, including 167 of their last 182. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 252-19 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 7-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Five Big Ten programs are ranked in this week's Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 polls with Michigan State and Iowa receiving votes. The Big Ten's five Top 25 programs are second among all conferences. Maryland (No. 9/9), Michigan (No. 13/12) and Ohio State (No. 15/15) are all at their highest rankings this season, with Michigan's current No. 12 coaches' poll position tying the best in program history and the No. 13 AP ranking second-best in the school's record book.
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.
• Michigan State has won eight-straight games in the series against Illinois. The Spartans have a slight edge in Champaign, leading 18-15.
• Junior guard Tory Ozment logged double-digits for the first time in last four outings with 11 points against Nebraska on Jan. 10. It was her fifth double-figure scoring contest of the season and 12th of her career. She also tied her career-high with three steals.
• After 10 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (21.0 apg) and fifth in the NCAA and third in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.62). Michigan State is 26th and fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +5.50 margin.
•Junior guard Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point against Maryland on Jan. 7. She now has 1,032 points in her MSU career, still standing No. 28 on the MSU career scoring list, passing Jill Prudden (1974-78) with 1,012 points, and now two points shy of the No. 27 spot held by Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Illinois stands 2-6 overall this season and 0-5 in league play after a, 70-50, loss to Michigan on Jan. 10. The Illini have Big Ten losses to Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan. Illinois' two wins came against Indiana State and Omaha.
Illinois has three players from Michigan. Jenae Terry hails from Detroit and attended Wayne Memorial High School, while Aaliyah McQueen is from Flint and went to Carman-Ainsworth High School. Aaliyah Nye is a native of East Lansing and went to East Lansing High School.
Overall, Illinois is averaging 60.1 ppg, while allowing 71.6 ppg. The Illini bring down 38.3 rebounds per game and averages 10.8 assists per game. Kennedi Myles is sixth in the Big Ten in rebounding, averaging 7.8 rpg. Terry is tied for ninth in steals with 2.0 spg. Terry and Myles lead the team in scoring with 10.6 ppg.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE ILLINI
This is the 73rd meeting between the Spartans and the Illini. Michigan State leads the overall series 44-28, including winning the last eight games. The last time Illinois capture a win was on Jan. 23. 2014 with the Illini taking a 61-51 victory in East Lansing. The last time that Illinois won in Champaign was a 56-46 win on Feb. 2, 2007. Overall, Michigan State leads the series in Champaign, 18-15. Last season, the Spartans came out on top 72-58 on Feb. 26, 2020. Shay Colley led the team in scoring with 14 points, while Nia Clouden had her second double-double of the season.
LAST TIME VS. ILLINOIS
In its road Big Ten finale, the Michigan State women's basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat Illinois, 72-58, Wednesday at the State Farm Center.
Michigan State was led by senior guard Shay Colley who scored 14 points to go along with four rebounds and one assist. Colley has played in two-straight games after missing 14-straight games. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden also earned her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Seven different Spartans scored at least five points in the win. Freshman guard Moira Joiner added 11 points as well, adding seven rebounds.
MSU also dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Illini, 50-35.
JOINING THE CLUB
Junior guard Nia Clouden, a native of Owings Mills, Maryland, scored her 1,000th career point with a jumper from the left wing with 9:43 left in the third quarter for her 14th point in the game. Clouden becomes the 29th player in MSU women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. She now has 1,032 points in her Spartan career, climbing up to No. 28 on the MSU career scoring list, passing Jill Prudden (1974-78) with 1,012 points, and now two points shy of the No. 27 spot held by Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points.
She became the seventh player in the last seven years to reach the 1,000-point mark.
Years Player Points
2020-21 Nia Clouden 1,032
2019-20 Taryn McCutcheon 1,119
2018-19 Jenna Allen 1,098
2017-18 Branndais Agee 1,250
2015-16 Tori Jankoska 2,212
2014-15 Aerial Powers 1,817
2014-15 Becca Mills 1,157
SEEING THE SMALLER NUMBERS
MSU's defense held Nebraska to 68 points on Jan. 10, tying the fewest allowed in a Big Ten game this season, matching 68 vs. Iowa (12/12/20). Michigan State was held to a season-low 64 points on Sunday, the first time MSU has been held under 70 points this season.
IN THE LOSSES
There have been a few trends in MSU's two losses this season. Opponents have come out with fasts starts, out-scoring the Spartans 87-63 in the first half in the two losses. Michigan State has responded nicely in the second half, winning the second half 88-74. Nia Clouden has come through in the losses, averaging 23.o ppg with 4.5 apg. Julia Ayrault is second in scoring with 12.o ppg.
NOTES ON NIA
The 32 points against Maryland on Jan. 7 was Nia Clouden's fifth game this season with 20+ points, all coming in the last seven games ... it was her 15th career game with 20+ points ... The Spartan junior guard has led Michigan State in scoring for the nine times in 10 games ... She has led MSU in points 31 times in her career ... This season, Clouden has now netted double-digits in all 10 contests, as part of 21-straight games in her career, now with double-figures in 37 of her last 40 games played, tallying double-figures in all but three games last season ... In her career, Clouden has now scored in double-figures in 60 of 73 career games played.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the Big Ten, Nia Clouden ranks fifth in scoring (19.9 ppg), as well as standing sixth in steals (2.3 spg). Two Spartans standout in assists per game with Clouden holding down the eighth spot (4.9 apg), and fellow junior Tory Ozment standing 10th (4.6 apg.). Sophomore Julia Ayrault is fifth in blocks (1.4 bpg), while fellow sophomore Alyza Winston is tied for eighth in 3-pointers made (2.1/game).
As a team, the Spartans are first in assists (21.0 apg), third in steals (9.8 spg) and fifth in blocks (4.4 bpg).
FILLING OUT THE ROSTER
During the month of December, Michigan State had three player become eligible. Junior guard Janai Crooms, a transfer from Ohio State, was cleared to play on Dec. 4 and has had an immediate impact. Against Oakland on Dec. 22, she had a season-high 10 rebounds. Penn State transfers Alisia Smith and Jayla James found out they were eligible on Dec. 22, just in time to play against Oakland. Smith, a junior forward, scored nine points in her Spartan debut.
SPARTANS AGAINST THE NCAA
After 10 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (21.0 apg) and fifth in the NCAA and third in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.62). Northwestern is first in the nation and the league (1.81). Michigan State is 26th and fifth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +5.50 margin. The Wildcats are also first in the NCAA and first in the league (13.38). Nia Clouden is in the top 25 in two categories. She stands 25th in total assists with 49 and 24th in field goals made with 75.
TUNING INTO THE SPARTANS
The Big Ten Network announced a pair of Michigan State games that will be broadcast on BTN. The in-state rivalry between MSU and Michigan in Ann Arbor will be televised on BTN on Monday, Jan. 18 at 12:30 p.m. as part of a MLK Day celebration. On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Spartans will host Indiana at 6 p.m. Remaining televised games have yet to be determined.
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.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Only two Spartans, Tory Ozment and Nia Clouden, have started all 10 games this season. Julia Ayrault and Alyza Winston made their seventh starts of their careers, all in the last seven games this season. Meanwhile, Clouden made her 73rd career start in playing in her 73rd career game. Ozment started for the 22nd time of her career in playing her 58th game. Taiyier Parks started for the eighth time this season in the 10 games as part of her 11th career start, while playing in her 40th career game.
MAKING IT RAIN
Against Oakland on Dec. 22, MSU finished with a season-high 65.0 percent shooting from the field (39-of-60), cooling off from over 70 percent partway through the fourth quarter, which would have topped the school record of 67.2 percent vs. Bowling Green (12/23/86). Michigan State's 39 field goals was also a season-best.
The Spartans also set a school record, shooting 92.3 percent in the third quarter, going 12-of-13. Nia Clouden led the way with 11 of the Spartans' 31 points. Sophomore guard Moira Joiner also scored seven points.
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. Starting with the game on Jan. 7, a limited number of family member of the players will be allowed. 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 154 of their last 173 games (.890) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 172-29 (.860) 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 the only loss coming against Maryland on Jan. 7.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 217 of its last 230 games (.943) when leading with five minutes left, including 167 of their last 182. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 252-19 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 7-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Five Big Ten programs are ranked in this week's Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 polls with Michigan State and Iowa receiving votes. The Big Ten's five Top 25 programs are second among all conferences. Maryland (No. 9/9), Michigan (No. 13/12) and Ohio State (No. 15/15) are all at their highest rankings this season, with Michigan's current No. 12 coaches' poll position tying the best in program history and the No. 13 AP ranking second-best in the school's record book.
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.
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