Thursday, January 28
College Park, Md.
4 PM
Michigan State University
at
Maryland
Spartan Women's Basketball Opens Road Trip at No. 7/10 Maryland Thursday
1/27/2021 1:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After a re-shuffling of the schedule, Michigan State now travels to No. 7/10 Maryland on Thursday, Jan. 28 at the XFINITY Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m., with the Chris Vosters and Meghan McKeown on the call for the Big Ten Network. The Spartans were originally scheduled to play the Terrapins on Feb. 10. MSU was originally schedule to take on Michigan on Jan. 26 in East Lansing and in Ann Arbor on Jan. 28, before the UM athletic department went on pause.
• MSU's 32-point margin of victory against Wisconsin on Jan. 24 was not only its largest in a B1G game this season, but also the Spartans' largest margin of victory in a league game under head coach Suzy Merchant.
• With road Big Ten wins against Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, the Spartans have won their opening three road league contests for the first time since the 2013-14 season. That year, MSU won five-straight B1G games to begin the season .
• After 11 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (20.8 apg) and third in the NCAA and first in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.7).
•Junior guard Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point against Maryland on Jan. 7. She now has 1,047 points in her MSU career, Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points for No. 27 on the all-time list. She is now just 28 points away from tying Jamie Wesley with 1,075 points.
SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS
Maryland had its 10-game winning streak snapped against Ohio State on Monday with the Buckeyes earning the 88-86 win in Columbus. The Terrapins are now 11-2 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten action. Maryland is one of four teams with only one loss in league play along with Indiana (7-1), Michigan (5-1) and Ohio State (5-1).
The Terps are first in the nation in scoring, averaging 92.0 ppg, while MSU is 18th with 81.5 ppg. Maryland is also eighth in the nation in assists per game, averaging 19.1 apg. The Terrapins are also among the league's best in rebounding, standing second in rebounds per game (43.3 rpg).
Individually, Maryland has five players averaging in double figures led by Ashley Owusu who is scoring 18.9 ppg, which is fifth in the league. Diamond Miller (17.4 ppg) and Kate Benzan (15.8 ppg) stand 11th and 16th, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MARYLAND
The Spartans and the Terrapins will meet for the second time during the regular season. Earlier this season, Maryland edged Michigan State, 93-87, in East Lansing on Jan. 7. Maryland native Nia Clouden led all scorers with 32 points in that contest. Last season in College Park, it was all Terps with Maryland winning 93-54. The Terrapins out-scored the Spartans 45-22 in the first half to take control. Ashley Owusu led all scorers with 22 point.
Overall, Maryland leads the overall series 14-2. Michigan State has one win in East Lansing and one win in College Park. The Spartans win at home came on Jan. 11, 2019 with a resounding, 77-60, victory. Michigan State's first-ever win against Maryland came on Jan. 11, 2017, 82-68.
LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND
Junior guard Nia Clouden's career-high 32 points were not enough as the No. 23/24 Michigan State women's basketball team was edged by No. 12/12 Maryland at the Breslin Center on Jan. 7.
Clouden's career night also included becoming the 29th member of MSU's 1,000-point club with her first basket of the second half. Alongside her 32 points, the junior also added five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
For the third-straight game, sophomore guard Julia Ayrault reached double figures with 17 points, while fellow sophomore Alyza Winston reached double figures with 11 points, while tying her career high with four assists. Mardrekia Cook doubled her season high with 10 points.
FRIENDLY FIRE
Owings Mills, Maryland native Nia Clouden will see a familiar face on the opposing bench in Angel Reese. Both players attending St. Frances Academy together.
BEST OF THE BEST
Junior guard Nia Clouden joins a select group of company as one of only three players in the Big Ten that are in the top 10 in points, assists and steals per game. Clouden is fourth in scoring (19.5 ppg), sixth in assists (5.0 apg) and seventh in steals (2.2 spg). Rutgers' Arella Guirantes is third in scoring (25.8 ppg), fifth in assists (5.5) and second steals (3.1 spg.). Northwestern's Veronica Burton rounds out the list. She is 10th in scoring (17.4 ppg), seventh in assists (5.0 apg) and first in steals (4.6 spg.)
JOINING THE CLUB
Against Maryland on Jan. 7, Nia Clouden 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 became the 29th player in MSU women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. She now has 1,047 points in her Spartan career, climbing up to No. 27 on the MSU career scoring list, passing 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 1,047
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
BACK ON TRACK
After being held to a season-low 64 points on Jan. 10 against Nebraska, Michigan State exploded for 94 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 24.
MSU's 32-point margin of victory was not only its largest in a B1G game this season, but also the Spartans' largest margin of victory in a B1G game under head coach Suzy Merchant. It was MSU's fourth 30-point margin of victory under Merchant, joining 31 vs. Northwestern, 3/4/11; 30 vs. Indiana, 2/13/13 and 30 vs. Northwestern, 1/3/18.
THE STARTING 5
Nia Clouden is the only Spartan to have started all 11 games this season, making her 74th career start in playing in her 74th career game. Janai Crooms and Alisia Smith both made their first starts of their Spartan career against Wisconsin, as the duo both transferred to MSU from Ohio State and Penn State, respectively, in the offseason. Crooms played in her ninth game in a Green & White jersey, while Smith was playing in her fifth game on Sunday. Julia Ayrault and Alyza Winston made their eighth starts of their careers, all in the last eight games this season.
HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
After zero turnovers in the first half against Wisconsin on Jan. 24, the Spartans finished by committing just a season-low five turnovers, their second single-digit miscue total of the season, behind seven vs. Central Michigan (12/18/20).
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.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the Big Ten, Nia Clouden ranks fourth in scoring (19.5 ppg), as well as standing sixth in assists (5.0 spg). She is also seventh in steals with 2.2 spg. Junior guard Tory Ozment also stands 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 11 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (20.8 apg) and third in the NCAA and first in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.70). Michigan State is 18th and fourth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +6.0 margin. The Wildcats are first in the NCAA and first in the league (11.0).
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.
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 155 of their last 175 games (.886) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 173-29 (.856) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 9-1 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 218 of its last 231 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 168 of their last 183. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 253-19 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Five Big Ten programs, the second-most of any Division I conference, are appearing in the latest Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 polls, with two others receiving votes in one or both polls. Nine different Big Ten teams have been ranked or receiving votes in one or both polls at some point this season. The Spartans' received votes in the WBCA/USA Today poll.
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.
• MSU's 32-point margin of victory against Wisconsin on Jan. 24 was not only its largest in a B1G game this season, but also the Spartans' largest margin of victory in a league game under head coach Suzy Merchant.
• With road Big Ten wins against Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin, the Spartans have won their opening three road league contests for the first time since the 2013-14 season. That year, MSU won five-straight B1G games to begin the season .
• After 11 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (20.8 apg) and third in the NCAA and first in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.7).
•Junior guard Nia Clouden scored her 1,000th career point against Maryland on Jan. 7. She now has 1,047 points in her MSU career, Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) with 1,034 points for No. 27 on the all-time list. She is now just 28 points away from tying Jamie Wesley with 1,075 points.
SCOUTING THE TERRAPINS
Maryland had its 10-game winning streak snapped against Ohio State on Monday with the Buckeyes earning the 88-86 win in Columbus. The Terrapins are now 11-2 overall and 7-1 in Big Ten action. Maryland is one of four teams with only one loss in league play along with Indiana (7-1), Michigan (5-1) and Ohio State (5-1).
The Terps are first in the nation in scoring, averaging 92.0 ppg, while MSU is 18th with 81.5 ppg. Maryland is also eighth in the nation in assists per game, averaging 19.1 apg. The Terrapins are also among the league's best in rebounding, standing second in rebounds per game (43.3 rpg).
Individually, Maryland has five players averaging in double figures led by Ashley Owusu who is scoring 18.9 ppg, which is fifth in the league. Diamond Miller (17.4 ppg) and Kate Benzan (15.8 ppg) stand 11th and 16th, respectively.
SERIES HISTORY VS. MARYLAND
The Spartans and the Terrapins will meet for the second time during the regular season. Earlier this season, Maryland edged Michigan State, 93-87, in East Lansing on Jan. 7. Maryland native Nia Clouden led all scorers with 32 points in that contest. Last season in College Park, it was all Terps with Maryland winning 93-54. The Terrapins out-scored the Spartans 45-22 in the first half to take control. Ashley Owusu led all scorers with 22 point.
Overall, Maryland leads the overall series 14-2. Michigan State has one win in East Lansing and one win in College Park. The Spartans win at home came on Jan. 11, 2019 with a resounding, 77-60, victory. Michigan State's first-ever win against Maryland came on Jan. 11, 2017, 82-68.
LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND
Junior guard Nia Clouden's career-high 32 points were not enough as the No. 23/24 Michigan State women's basketball team was edged by No. 12/12 Maryland at the Breslin Center on Jan. 7.
Clouden's career night also included becoming the 29th member of MSU's 1,000-point club with her first basket of the second half. Alongside her 32 points, the junior also added five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
For the third-straight game, sophomore guard Julia Ayrault reached double figures with 17 points, while fellow sophomore Alyza Winston reached double figures with 11 points, while tying her career high with four assists. Mardrekia Cook doubled her season high with 10 points.
FRIENDLY FIRE
Owings Mills, Maryland native Nia Clouden will see a familiar face on the opposing bench in Angel Reese. Both players attending St. Frances Academy together.
BEST OF THE BEST
Junior guard Nia Clouden joins a select group of company as one of only three players in the Big Ten that are in the top 10 in points, assists and steals per game. Clouden is fourth in scoring (19.5 ppg), sixth in assists (5.0 apg) and seventh in steals (2.2 spg). Rutgers' Arella Guirantes is third in scoring (25.8 ppg), fifth in assists (5.5) and second steals (3.1 spg.). Northwestern's Veronica Burton rounds out the list. She is 10th in scoring (17.4 ppg), seventh in assists (5.0 apg) and first in steals (4.6 spg.)
JOINING THE CLUB
Against Maryland on Jan. 7, Nia Clouden 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 became the 29th player in MSU women's basketball history to reach the 1,000 career points plateau. She now has 1,047 points in her Spartan career, climbing up to No. 27 on the MSU career scoring list, passing 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 1,047
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
BACK ON TRACK
After being held to a season-low 64 points on Jan. 10 against Nebraska, Michigan State exploded for 94 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 24.
MSU's 32-point margin of victory was not only its largest in a B1G game this season, but also the Spartans' largest margin of victory in a B1G game under head coach Suzy Merchant. It was MSU's fourth 30-point margin of victory under Merchant, joining 31 vs. Northwestern, 3/4/11; 30 vs. Indiana, 2/13/13 and 30 vs. Northwestern, 1/3/18.
THE STARTING 5
Nia Clouden is the only Spartan to have started all 11 games this season, making her 74th career start in playing in her 74th career game. Janai Crooms and Alisia Smith both made their first starts of their Spartan career against Wisconsin, as the duo both transferred to MSU from Ohio State and Penn State, respectively, in the offseason. Crooms played in her ninth game in a Green & White jersey, while Smith was playing in her fifth game on Sunday. Julia Ayrault and Alyza Winston made their eighth starts of their careers, all in the last eight games this season.
HOLDING ONTO THE BALL
After zero turnovers in the first half against Wisconsin on Jan. 24, the Spartans finished by committing just a season-low five turnovers, their second single-digit miscue total of the season, behind seven vs. Central Michigan (12/18/20).
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.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Around the Big Ten, Nia Clouden ranks fourth in scoring (19.5 ppg), as well as standing sixth in assists (5.0 spg). She is also seventh in steals with 2.2 spg. Junior guard Tory Ozment also stands 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 11 games, the Spartans are currently third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in assists per game (20.8 apg) and third in the NCAA and first in the B1G assists to turnover ratio (1.70). Michigan State is 18th and fourth in the Big Ten in turnover margin +6.0 margin. The Wildcats are first in the NCAA and first in the league (11.0).
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.
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 155 of their last 175 games (.886) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 173-29 (.856) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 9-1 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 218 of its last 231 games (.944) when leading with five minutes left, including 168 of their last 183. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 253-19 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Five Big Ten programs, the second-most of any Division I conference, are appearing in the latest Associated Press and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)/USA Today Top 25 polls, with two others receiving votes in one or both polls. Nine different Big Ten teams have been ranked or receiving votes in one or both polls at some point this season. The Spartans' received votes in the WBCA/USA Today poll.
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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