Friday, November 26
Rochester, Mich.
3 PM
Michigan State University
at
Oakland
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Michigan State Concludes Road Trip at Oakland Friday
11/25/2021 10:36:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MSU stopped the Golden Grizzlies at home last season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes its arduous three-game road swing at Oakland on Friday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. The Spartans are looking to halt a two-game losing streak after a pair of road losses in New York.
• The Spartans currently stands 4-2 this season with a quartet of home wins. After completing a three-game road swing, Michigan State will return home to take on Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Dec. 2, before opening Big Ten action against No. 11 Iowa on Dec. 5 on the road.
• With 21 points against St. Francis on Nov. 23, senior guard Nia Clouden continues to rise up the charts. She now has 1,390 career points and is just 12 points away from passing Eileen Shea (1987-91) for No. 11 on the all-time MSU scoring list. Clouden currently has 356 career assists standing 11th all time. She is looking to join All-Americans Tori Jankoska and Lindsey Bowen as the only Spartans to end their MSU careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
• Freshman Matilda Ekh has been stellar in the first six games of the season. She is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game one of three plays scoring in double figures. She has scored in double figures in four games, including a season high 14 against St. Francis on Nov. 23.
• Junior forward Taiyier Parks had her first double-digit-rebound performance against St. Francis on Nov. 23 with 10. She and graduate student Tamara Farquhar are the only Spartans to reach that mark this season.
SCOUTING OAKLAND
The Golden Grizzlies will look to mount a comeback after a loss in Ann Arbor on Nov. 22 to top-25 ranked Michigan, 69-58. After trailing by 18 points in the first half, Oakland trimmed the margin to 12 at halftime. Down 50-36 late in the third, a 12-0 Golden Grizzlies run pulled the visitors within 50-48 with 7:27 to play, and later got within one point twice a 54-53 and 56-55, but couldn't tie or take the lead, and the Wolverines pulled away for the win.
Oakland is 2-3 overall this season with wins against Niagara and Robert Morris and will play their second-straight game against an in-state, Big Ten opponent on Friday at home. The loss at Michigan was the first road game of the season for the Golden Grizzlies, posting a 2-2 mark in home games.
Oakland averages 68.0 points per game this season with 31.6 rebounds, allowing 71.2 ppg from opponents and 39.0 rpg. So far this season, the Golden Grizzlies are shooting 41.2 percent from the floor and 31 percent at long range. They are led by Kahlaijah Dean, who averages 18.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg and has dished out 11 assists while grabbing 13 steals. Dean is also shooting 34.9 percent from 3-point range (15-of-43), making nearly half of Oakland's 36 3-pointers as a team. Dean ranks fourth in the Horizon in scoring, tied for second in 3-pointers/game (3.0), fifth in steals (2.6 spg), seventh in 3-point FG percentage (.349) and tied for 12th in fRee throw percentage (.714).
Jeff Tungate has amassed a 104-136 in his ninth season as head coach of the Golden Grizzlies, after being an associate head coach for the Oakland men's basketball team for the previous six seasons.
SERIES HISTORY VS. GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
Michigan State owns a 17-4 all-time record against Oakland including a 6-2 advantage on the road, which is where they will face off against the Golden Grizzlies on Friday. The last meeting between the two teams came on December 22, 2020 and went in favor of the Spartans in a 94-56 victory. Michigan State has won the last 13 straight matchups against Oakland dating back to 1983.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant reached the 300-win mark as head coach of the Spartans against Bryant on Nov. 19, holding a 300-189 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 12 wins away from tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156. Merchant also reached 500 career wins against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Overall, she holds a 501-279 record and stands 200-157 at Michigan State.
LOOKING ACROSS THE NATION
Michigan State is among the nation's best in several categories. The Spartans are third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in total assists with 118. MSU is 16th in the NCAA and fourth in the Big Ten in assists per game with 19.7 apg. The Spartans are also 11th in the nation and fifth in the league in shooting percentage (50.1).
Senior guard Nia Clouden stands eighth in the B1G in scoring with 18.2 points per game, while junior guard Alyza Winston is tied for 13th with 15.2 ppg. Clouden also holds the sixth spot in the league in assists with 5.3 helpers per contest.
SWEDISH SENSATION
Freshman Matilda Ekh has been stellar in the first six games of the season. She is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game one of three plays scoring in double figures. She has scored in double figures in four games, including a season high 14 against St. Francis on Nov. 23.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 21 points against St. Francis on Nov. 23, senior guard Nia Clouden continues to rise up the charts. Clouden now has 1,390 career points and is just 12 points away from passing Eileen Shea (1987-91) for No. 11 on the all-time MSU scoring list. Shea scored 1,401 career points in the Green and White. Clouden also now has 356 career assists, She is now just six assists away from passing Spartan All-American and teammate of assistant coach Kristin Hayne (1998-02) for the No. 10 spot. Bowen had 371 helpers during her time with MSU.
Clouden is looking to join Bowen and Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL
December weather can be brutal, but the Spartans schedule is also fearsome. Michigan State has six games scheduled in the final month of 2021 and four of them are against teams currently ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. MSU opens the month on Dec. 2 taking on (RV) Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Spartans then open up Big Ten action on Dec. 5 at No. 9/11 Iowa. At the West Palm Invitational Dec. 20-21, MSU will take on No. 22/23 West Virginia and No. 25/RV Florida Gulf Coast.
SCORING DROUGHT
In the Spartans two losses this week, the noticeable difference is lack of offensive production. Michigan State is only scoring 65.5 points per game during the two loss losing streak. During that same stretch, MSU has only allowed 68.5 ppg. While Nia Clouden is averaging 21.5 ppg during the last two games, production across the board has been down.
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.
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
Michigan State women's basketball fell to St. Francis Brooklyn 66-63 on Tuesday at Pope Physical Education Center.
Senior guard Nia Clouden had her third-straight 20-point game with 21 points to go along with four assists and two steals. Freshman forward Matilda Ekh added 14 points and a career-high four steals. Junior Moira Joiner was solid off the bench with seven points and six rebounds, while junior forward Taiyier Parks had her first double-digit rebound performance of the season with 10 boards.
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.
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 161 of their last 186 games (.866) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 181-32 (.850) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 4-0 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.
• The Spartans currently stands 4-2 this season with a quartet of home wins. After completing a three-game road swing, Michigan State will return home to take on Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Dec. 2, before opening Big Ten action against No. 11 Iowa on Dec. 5 on the road.
• With 21 points against St. Francis on Nov. 23, senior guard Nia Clouden continues to rise up the charts. She now has 1,390 career points and is just 12 points away from passing Eileen Shea (1987-91) for No. 11 on the all-time MSU scoring list. Clouden currently has 356 career assists standing 11th all time. She is looking to join All-Americans Tori Jankoska and Lindsey Bowen as the only Spartans to end their MSU careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
• Freshman Matilda Ekh has been stellar in the first six games of the season. She is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game one of three plays scoring in double figures. She has scored in double figures in four games, including a season high 14 against St. Francis on Nov. 23.
• Junior forward Taiyier Parks had her first double-digit-rebound performance against St. Francis on Nov. 23 with 10. She and graduate student Tamara Farquhar are the only Spartans to reach that mark this season.
SCOUTING OAKLAND
The Golden Grizzlies will look to mount a comeback after a loss in Ann Arbor on Nov. 22 to top-25 ranked Michigan, 69-58. After trailing by 18 points in the first half, Oakland trimmed the margin to 12 at halftime. Down 50-36 late in the third, a 12-0 Golden Grizzlies run pulled the visitors within 50-48 with 7:27 to play, and later got within one point twice a 54-53 and 56-55, but couldn't tie or take the lead, and the Wolverines pulled away for the win.
Oakland is 2-3 overall this season with wins against Niagara and Robert Morris and will play their second-straight game against an in-state, Big Ten opponent on Friday at home. The loss at Michigan was the first road game of the season for the Golden Grizzlies, posting a 2-2 mark in home games.
Oakland averages 68.0 points per game this season with 31.6 rebounds, allowing 71.2 ppg from opponents and 39.0 rpg. So far this season, the Golden Grizzlies are shooting 41.2 percent from the floor and 31 percent at long range. They are led by Kahlaijah Dean, who averages 18.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg and has dished out 11 assists while grabbing 13 steals. Dean is also shooting 34.9 percent from 3-point range (15-of-43), making nearly half of Oakland's 36 3-pointers as a team. Dean ranks fourth in the Horizon in scoring, tied for second in 3-pointers/game (3.0), fifth in steals (2.6 spg), seventh in 3-point FG percentage (.349) and tied for 12th in fRee throw percentage (.714).
Jeff Tungate has amassed a 104-136 in his ninth season as head coach of the Golden Grizzlies, after being an associate head coach for the Oakland men's basketball team for the previous six seasons.
SERIES HISTORY VS. GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
Michigan State owns a 17-4 all-time record against Oakland including a 6-2 advantage on the road, which is where they will face off against the Golden Grizzlies on Friday. The last meeting between the two teams came on December 22, 2020 and went in favor of the Spartans in a 94-56 victory. Michigan State has won the last 13 straight matchups against Oakland dating back to 1983.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant reached the 300-win mark as head coach of the Spartans against Bryant on Nov. 19, holding a 300-189 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 12 wins away from tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156. Merchant also reached 500 career wins against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Overall, she holds a 501-279 record and stands 200-157 at Michigan State.
LOOKING ACROSS THE NATION
Michigan State is among the nation's best in several categories. The Spartans are third in the nation and first in the Big Ten in total assists with 118. MSU is 16th in the NCAA and fourth in the Big Ten in assists per game with 19.7 apg. The Spartans are also 11th in the nation and fifth in the league in shooting percentage (50.1).
Senior guard Nia Clouden stands eighth in the B1G in scoring with 18.2 points per game, while junior guard Alyza Winston is tied for 13th with 15.2 ppg. Clouden also holds the sixth spot in the league in assists with 5.3 helpers per contest.
SWEDISH SENSATION
Freshman Matilda Ekh has been stellar in the first six games of the season. She is third on the team in scoring, averaging 10.3 points per game one of three plays scoring in double figures. She has scored in double figures in four games, including a season high 14 against St. Francis on Nov. 23.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
With 21 points against St. Francis on Nov. 23, senior guard Nia Clouden continues to rise up the charts. Clouden now has 1,390 career points and is just 12 points away from passing Eileen Shea (1987-91) for No. 11 on the all-time MSU scoring list. Shea scored 1,401 career points in the Green and White. Clouden also now has 356 career assists, She is now just six assists away from passing Spartan All-American and teammate of assistant coach Kristin Hayne (1998-02) for the No. 10 spot. Bowen had 371 helpers during her time with MSU.
Clouden is looking to join Bowen and Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL
December weather can be brutal, but the Spartans schedule is also fearsome. Michigan State has six games scheduled in the final month of 2021 and four of them are against teams currently ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes. MSU opens the month on Dec. 2 taking on (RV) Notre Dame in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Spartans then open up Big Ten action on Dec. 5 at No. 9/11 Iowa. At the West Palm Invitational Dec. 20-21, MSU will take on No. 22/23 West Virginia and No. 25/RV Florida Gulf Coast.
SCORING DROUGHT
In the Spartans two losses this week, the noticeable difference is lack of offensive production. Michigan State is only scoring 65.5 points per game during the two loss losing streak. During that same stretch, MSU has only allowed 68.5 ppg. While Nia Clouden is averaging 21.5 ppg during the last two games, production across the board has been down.
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.
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
Michigan State women's basketball fell to St. Francis Brooklyn 66-63 on Tuesday at Pope Physical Education Center.
Senior guard Nia Clouden had her third-straight 20-point game with 21 points to go along with four assists and two steals. Freshman forward Matilda Ekh added 14 points and a career-high four steals. Junior Moira Joiner was solid off the bench with seven points and six rebounds, while junior forward Taiyier Parks had her first double-digit rebound performance of the season with 10 boards.
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.
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 161 of their last 186 games (.866) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 181-32 (.850) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 4-0 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.
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