Friday, November 19
East Lansing, Mich.
12 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Bryant
Spartan Women Conclude Homestand Against Bryant on Friday
11/18/2021 12:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Michigan State celebrates MSU Day with free admission with MSU ID.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes its season-opening four-game homestand on MSU Day against Bryant on Friday, Nov. 19 at 12 p.m. at the Breslin Center. There is free admission for all current and retired MSU faculty, staff and students with MSU ID.
• This is the first meeting between the Spartans and the Bulldogs. Michigan State is Bryant's first match-up against a Big Ten foe since the 2019-20 season, when the Bears played at both Illinois (lost 69-55 on 11/24/19) and Minnesota (lost 101-56 on 11/26/19).
• The guards have been leading the charge for the Spartans with guard Alyza Winston, Nia Clouden and DeeDee Hagemann holding the top three spots on the stat sheet. Winston and Clouden have both scored in double figures in all three games. Winston in currently seventh in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 18.0 points per game.
• Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 500th career win against Valparaiso on Nov. 16. She now holds a 500-277 career record. She is close to another milestone a 299-157 record at Michigan State. Merchant is looking to become just the second Spartan women's basketball coach to capture 300 wins at MSU. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 12 wins away tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156.
• Michigan State has been distributing the ball really well in the first three games. Michigan State is third in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (24.3), Nebraska is first with 27.0 apg.
SCOUTING BRYANT
The Bears come into East Lansing searching for their first win of the season, having opened with an 0-3 mark far. Bryant opened the season with a 60-56 loss to Iona (Nov. 9) and a 68-54 loss at UMass Lowell (Nov. 13).
Last time out, Bryant was barely beaten by Brown, 63-60, Tuesday night. Brooke Bjelko netted 20 points for her fifth career 20-point game, while Juliette Golden chipped in with a career-high 14 points and Alana Perkins wrapped up the three Bears in double-figures with 12 points, as she has netted double-digits in all three games this season.
Bryant is being out-scored by an average of 63.7 - 56.7 through three games this season. The Bears hare shooting 38.5 percent from the field, 40.0 percent behind the arc and 68.2 percent at the free throw line.
Perkins is Bryant's leading scorer at 14.3 points per game, netting 4.3 made 3-pointers per game, hitting 44.8 percent from distance. Perkins adds 3.0 steals, 1.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. Bjelko is the lone other Bear scoring in double-figures, averaging 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest, leading the team in rebounding.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BULLDOGS
This is the first meeting between Michigan State and Bryant.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 500th career win, holding a 500-277 overall record with the win against Valparaiso on Nov. 16. She is close to another milestone a 299-157 record at Michigan State. Merchant is looking to become just the second Spartan women's basketball coach to capture 300 wins at MSU. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 12 wins away tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156.
Merchant captured her 200th win at Illinois on Feb. 24, 2016. In that game, All-American Aerial Powers also became MSU's all-time leader in double-doubles, passing Mary Kay Itynre with her 44th.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Just three games into the season, the Spartan newcomers are making an immediate impact. Graduate transfer Tamara Farquhar had her first MSU double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Valpo on Nov. 16. Freshman DeeDee Hagemann is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.5 ppg. Freshman Matilda Ekh and Farquhar are also tied for fourth in scoring (9.9 ppg).
HITTING THE ROAD
After starting the season with four-straight home games, the Spartans will hit the road for three-straight games. Michigan State will travel to the Empire State to face Fordham on Sunday, Nov. 21, before taking on St. Francis College on Tuesday, Nov. 23. After Thanksgiving, the Spartans will make the short trek to Rochester to battle with in-state foe Oakland on Friday, Nov. 26.
LOOKING AT THE STAT SHEET
Michigan State had at least four players reach in double figures for the third-straight game. Against Morehead State (Nov. 9), six players scored in double figures, while against Niagara and Valpo four players did. Nia Clouden led all MSU scorers with 18 points, while Alyza Winston (17), Tamara Farquhar (12) and Matilda Ekh (11) all reached double digits.
SOLID FROM THE STRIPE
The Spartans tied a school record going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe against the Beacons on Nov. 16. The last time MSU didn't miss from the free throw line with at least 10 attempts was against Central Michigan in the NCAA Tournament, going 11-for-11 on March, 23, 2019. The last time at the Breslin Center was when MSU went 19-for-19 against Michigan on Feb., 23, 2016.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 34-15 in season openers, but 27-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 12-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 18 of her last 21, including her time at Eastern Michigan. This season, the Spartans earned a dominating 93-31 win over Morehead State on Nov. 9 paced by six MSU players reaching double figures.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 18 points against Valparaiso on Nov. 16, senior guard Nia Clouden continues to rise up the charts. Clouden now has 1,326 career points and is just 44 points from passing Kelli Roehrig (2001-05) for No. 12 on the all-time MSU scoring list. Roehrig scored 1,370 career points in the Green and White. Clouden also now has 342 career assists, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) for No. 13 in all-time assists. Clouden is now just six assists away from passing Kiana Johnson (2011-14) for the No. 12 spot. Johnson had 347 helpers during her time with MSU.
IT'S RAINING THREES
The Spartans set a new school record with 17 3-pointers against Morehead State on Nov. 9. The previous record 15 by Michigan State vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 6, 2018 at the Breslin Center. Michigan State shot 60.7 percent from long range, led by junior guard Alyza Winston's 4-for-7 performance. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain set a new career high with 11 points, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter.
HAGEMANN EARNS B1G HONOR
DeeDee Hagemann was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday. The Detroit, Michigan native captured the first Freshman of the Week honor of the season after a stellar first week of action, scoring in double figures in both games. For the week, she averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while adding 6.0 helpers per contest. She is the first Spartan named Big Ten Freshman of the Week since Nia Clouden on Dec. 31, 2018.
LAST TIME OUT
MSU head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 500th career win, as the Spartans captured a 73-62 win over Valparaiso Tuesday night at the Breslin Center. The Spartans have now started the season 3-0 for seven-straight seasons, while the Beacons fall to 0-3.
For the third game in a row, MSU had at least four players in double figures with senior guard Nia Clouden leading the charge with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, just shy of a triple-double. Graduate student forward Tamara Farquhar had the Spartans first double-double of the season with 12 points and 19 rebounds off the bench, while junior guard Alyza Winston scored 17 points. Freshman forward Matilda Ekh added 11 points for the Spartans.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Currently, masks are required indoors for all individuals. Michigan State University requires all campus visitors, faculty, staff and students to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CLOUDEN
Senior guard Nia Clouden added to her preseason accolades. Clouden was named to the John R. Wooden Award® Women's Preseason Top 50 Watch List and the 2022 Wade Trophy preseason Watch List, as well as the Naismith Watch List. She had already been named to the Lieberman Watch List and earned preseason All-Big Ten honors.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
During the regular season, the Spartans will take on eight teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including B1G foes, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern and Rutgers. MSU opponents Florida Gulf Coast and West Virginia also reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 227 of its last 240 games (.946) when leading with five minutes left, including 177 of their last 192. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 262-19 (.932) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 3-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State women's basketball senior guard Nia Clouden has been named 2021-22 Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media, capturing the honor for the second-straight season. During the 2020-21 season, Clouden was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game. It was the most points per game by a Spartan since Tori Jankoska averaged 22.6 ppg during the 2016-17 season. An Owings Mills, Maryland, native, Clouden earned her third-straight All-Big Ten honor after being named to the first team last season.
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 160 of their last 185 games (.865) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 180-32 (.849) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 3-0 this season when scoring 70 points.
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent, including Theryn Hallock (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ Forest Hills Central High School) and Abbey Kimball (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ West Catholic High School).
Hallock is a 5-11 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, attends Forest Hills Central and is coached by Kristina Prins. As a junior, she averaged 23.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 6.6 steals per game. She reached the 1,000-career point mark as a junior last season. She also earned first-team all-state honors. Hallock is a three-time all-conference honoree, including capturing first-team honors as a junior.
Kimball is a 5-10 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, plays for head coach Jill VanderEnde at West Catholic High School. She is rated No. 80 nationally overall and No. 18 at her position by HoopGurlz. During her junior season, she averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game. Kimball has captured first-team all-conference honors for three-straight seasons.
• This is the first meeting between the Spartans and the Bulldogs. Michigan State is Bryant's first match-up against a Big Ten foe since the 2019-20 season, when the Bears played at both Illinois (lost 69-55 on 11/24/19) and Minnesota (lost 101-56 on 11/26/19).
• The guards have been leading the charge for the Spartans with guard Alyza Winston, Nia Clouden and DeeDee Hagemann holding the top three spots on the stat sheet. Winston and Clouden have both scored in double figures in all three games. Winston in currently seventh in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 18.0 points per game.
• Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 500th career win against Valparaiso on Nov. 16. She now holds a 500-277 career record. She is close to another milestone a 299-157 record at Michigan State. Merchant is looking to become just the second Spartan women's basketball coach to capture 300 wins at MSU. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 12 wins away tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156.
• Michigan State has been distributing the ball really well in the first three games. Michigan State is third in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists per game (24.3), Nebraska is first with 27.0 apg.
SCOUTING BRYANT
The Bears come into East Lansing searching for their first win of the season, having opened with an 0-3 mark far. Bryant opened the season with a 60-56 loss to Iona (Nov. 9) and a 68-54 loss at UMass Lowell (Nov. 13).
Last time out, Bryant was barely beaten by Brown, 63-60, Tuesday night. Brooke Bjelko netted 20 points for her fifth career 20-point game, while Juliette Golden chipped in with a career-high 14 points and Alana Perkins wrapped up the three Bears in double-figures with 12 points, as she has netted double-digits in all three games this season.
Bryant is being out-scored by an average of 63.7 - 56.7 through three games this season. The Bears hare shooting 38.5 percent from the field, 40.0 percent behind the arc and 68.2 percent at the free throw line.
Perkins is Bryant's leading scorer at 14.3 points per game, netting 4.3 made 3-pointers per game, hitting 44.8 percent from distance. Perkins adds 3.0 steals, 1.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game. Bjelko is the lone other Bear scoring in double-figures, averaging 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest, leading the team in rebounding.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BULLDOGS
This is the first meeting between Michigan State and Bryant.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 500th career win, holding a 500-277 overall record with the win against Valparaiso on Nov. 16. She is close to another milestone a 299-157 record at Michigan State. Merchant is looking to become just the second Spartan women's basketball coach to capture 300 wins at MSU. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 12 wins away tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156.
Merchant captured her 200th win at Illinois on Feb. 24, 2016. In that game, All-American Aerial Powers also became MSU's all-time leader in double-doubles, passing Mary Kay Itynre with her 44th.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Just three games into the season, the Spartan newcomers are making an immediate impact. Graduate transfer Tamara Farquhar had her first MSU double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Valpo on Nov. 16. Freshman DeeDee Hagemann is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.5 ppg. Freshman Matilda Ekh and Farquhar are also tied for fourth in scoring (9.9 ppg).
HITTING THE ROAD
After starting the season with four-straight home games, the Spartans will hit the road for three-straight games. Michigan State will travel to the Empire State to face Fordham on Sunday, Nov. 21, before taking on St. Francis College on Tuesday, Nov. 23. After Thanksgiving, the Spartans will make the short trek to Rochester to battle with in-state foe Oakland on Friday, Nov. 26.
LOOKING AT THE STAT SHEET
Michigan State had at least four players reach in double figures for the third-straight game. Against Morehead State (Nov. 9), six players scored in double figures, while against Niagara and Valpo four players did. Nia Clouden led all MSU scorers with 18 points, while Alyza Winston (17), Tamara Farquhar (12) and Matilda Ekh (11) all reached double digits.
SOLID FROM THE STRIPE
The Spartans tied a school record going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe against the Beacons on Nov. 16. The last time MSU didn't miss from the free throw line with at least 10 attempts was against Central Michigan in the NCAA Tournament, going 11-for-11 on March, 23, 2019. The last time at the Breslin Center was when MSU went 19-for-19 against Michigan on Feb., 23, 2016.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 34-15 in season openers, but 27-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 12-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 18 of her last 21, including her time at Eastern Michigan. This season, the Spartans earned a dominating 93-31 win over Morehead State on Nov. 9 paced by six MSU players reaching double figures.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 18 points against Valparaiso on Nov. 16, senior guard Nia Clouden continues to rise up the charts. Clouden now has 1,326 career points and is just 44 points from passing Kelli Roehrig (2001-05) for No. 12 on the all-time MSU scoring list. Roehrig scored 1,370 career points in the Green and White. Clouden also now has 342 career assists, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85) for No. 13 in all-time assists. Clouden is now just six assists away from passing Kiana Johnson (2011-14) for the No. 12 spot. Johnson had 347 helpers during her time with MSU.
IT'S RAINING THREES
The Spartans set a new school record with 17 3-pointers against Morehead State on Nov. 9. The previous record 15 by Michigan State vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 6, 2018 at the Breslin Center. Michigan State shot 60.7 percent from long range, led by junior guard Alyza Winston's 4-for-7 performance. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain set a new career high with 11 points, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter.
HAGEMANN EARNS B1G HONOR
DeeDee Hagemann was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday. The Detroit, Michigan native captured the first Freshman of the Week honor of the season after a stellar first week of action, scoring in double figures in both games. For the week, she averaged 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while adding 6.0 helpers per contest. She is the first Spartan named Big Ten Freshman of the Week since Nia Clouden on Dec. 31, 2018.
LAST TIME OUT
MSU head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 500th career win, as the Spartans captured a 73-62 win over Valparaiso Tuesday night at the Breslin Center. The Spartans have now started the season 3-0 for seven-straight seasons, while the Beacons fall to 0-3.
For the third game in a row, MSU had at least four players in double figures with senior guard Nia Clouden leading the charge with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, just shy of a triple-double. Graduate student forward Tamara Farquhar had the Spartans first double-double of the season with 12 points and 19 rebounds off the bench, while junior guard Alyza Winston scored 17 points. Freshman forward Matilda Ekh added 11 points for the Spartans.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Currently, masks are required indoors for all individuals. Michigan State University requires all campus visitors, faculty, staff and students to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CLOUDEN
Senior guard Nia Clouden added to her preseason accolades. Clouden was named to the John R. Wooden Award® Women's Preseason Top 50 Watch List and the 2022 Wade Trophy preseason Watch List, as well as the Naismith Watch List. She had already been named to the Lieberman Watch List and earned preseason All-Big Ten honors.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
During the regular season, the Spartans will take on eight teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including B1G foes, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern and Rutgers. MSU opponents Florida Gulf Coast and West Virginia also reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 227 of its last 240 games (.946) when leading with five minutes left, including 177 of their last 192. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 262-19 (.932) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 3-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State women's basketball senior guard Nia Clouden has been named 2021-22 Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media, capturing the honor for the second-straight season. During the 2020-21 season, Clouden was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game. It was the most points per game by a Spartan since Tori Jankoska averaged 22.6 ppg during the 2016-17 season. An Owings Mills, Maryland, native, Clouden earned her third-straight All-Big Ten honor after being named to the first team last season.
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 160 of their last 185 games (.865) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 180-32 (.849) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 3-0 this season when scoring 70 points.
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent, including Theryn Hallock (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ Forest Hills Central High School) and Abbey Kimball (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ West Catholic High School).
Hallock is a 5-11 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, attends Forest Hills Central and is coached by Kristina Prins. As a junior, she averaged 23.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 6.6 steals per game. She reached the 1,000-career point mark as a junior last season. She also earned first-team all-state honors. Hallock is a three-time all-conference honoree, including capturing first-team honors as a junior.
Kimball is a 5-10 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, plays for head coach Jill VanderEnde at West Catholic High School. She is rated No. 80 nationally overall and No. 18 at her position by HoopGurlz. During her junior season, she averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game. Kimball has captured first-team all-conference honors for three-straight seasons.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballRobyn Fralick Postgame Press Conference | Oakland
Sunday, November 23
Robyn Fralick Postgame Press Conference | Eastern Illinois
Thursday, November 20
Robyn Fralick Postgame Press Conference | Western Michigan
Sunday, November 16
Robyn Fralick Postgame Press Conference | Youngstown State
Wednesday, November 12