Wednesday, January 12
Columbus, Ohio
7 PM
Michigan State University
at
Ohio State
Spartans Travel to Ohio State Wednesday
1/11/2022 3:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the first meeting between the teams since the 2019-20 season.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball will hit the road for only its second Big Ten road game, taking on Ohio State on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. The Spartans last scheduled B1G road game against Northwestern on Jan. 3 was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Wildcat program.
• The Spartans hold an 8-7 overall record and stand 2-2 in Big Ten action after a 69-59 home loss to Purdue on Jan. 9. Ohio State is 11-3 overall and 3-2 in league games. The Buckeyes have won two-straight games with victories over Illinois and Northwestern. The two teams did not meet last season due to COVID-19. Michigan State won the last meeting between the two teams on Jan. 16, 2020, 68-65 in East Lansing.
• The Spartans have shown great improvement from the charity stripe this season. During the 2020-21 season, MSU shot 67.2 from the free throw line. So far this year, the Spartans stand second in the Big Ten, shooting 77.8 percent from the charity stripe. MSU is led by senior guard Nia Clouden who is first in the league in free throw percentage, shooting 90.6 percent.
• Senior guard Nia Clouden was limited to single-digits for the first time this season with seven points Sunday, snapping streak of 18-straight games in double-digits dating back to last season. Clouden has now tallied double-figures in 46 of last 50 games played and 85 of 102 career games played.
• Against Purdue, junior guard Moira Joiner returned to action for the first time in exactly one month, as she last played Dec. 9, 2021 vs. Illinois, missing the last five games under concussion protocol.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes, who are among teams receiving votes, are 11-3 overall and 3-2 in B1G play, after posting a 74-61 win on the road at Northwestern on Sunday. OSU snared a season-high 43 rebounds and forced 20 turnovers, as the Buckeyes won their second-straight game and fourth in last five. Ohio State's two league losses have come at home to No. 10/8 Indiana (86-66 on Dec. 12), and at No. 9/7 Michigan (90-71 on Dec. 31).
Senior guard Taylor Mikesell is one of three Buckeyes averaging in double-figures, ranking second on the team and sixth in the B1G with 18.4 ppg, as well as leading the league in 3-pointers per game (4.0) and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.479). Mikesell is one of the three players on this week's Big Ten Honor Roll list after her career-best 32 points and matched her career-high with eight triples in OSU's win at Illinois, adding 13 points and three 3-pointers at Northwestern, along with dishing out a career-high six assists to go with five rebounds.
Junior guard Jacy Sheldon leads OSU and is fifth in the B1G with 18.7 ppg, as well as second in the league with 2.0 steals per game, adding 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Junior forward Rebeka Mikulásiková rounds out the Buckeye double-figures trio with 10.8 ppg, along with a team-leading 5.9 rebounds per game, which is 19th in the B1G.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE BUCKEYES
Wednesday is the first meeting on the hardwood between the Spartans and Buckeyes since the 2019-20 season after last season's lone scheduled match-up on Dec. 31 was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Buckeyes' program, and later cancelled.
Ohio State leads the overall season series with Michigan State, 56-29. The series has been streaky of late, as the Buckeyes have won three of the last four match-ups. MSU won in the last meeting on Jan. 16, 2020, as Nia Clouden's old-fashioned three-point play with 14 seconds remaining led the Spartans past the Buckeyes, 68-65, and the guard also hit a pair of free throws with six seconds left to seal the Victory for MSU.
In 2018-19, Ohio State defeated Michigan State in MSU's last trip to Columbus, 65-55, on Jan. 14, 2019. OSU then earned a sweep with a 77-70 win in East Lansing on Feb. 21, 2019, which was the Spartans only home loss of the 2018-19 campaign. MSU had won three-straight games in the series with two wins in 2016, including an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on Senior Day. MSU is 0-4 in the last four trips to Columbus, as the Spartans' last win on the Buckeyes' home court was on Jan. 26, 2014.
FREE POINTS
The Spartans have shown great improvement from the charity stripe this season. During the 2020-21 season, MSU shot 67.2 from the free throw line. So far this year, the Spartans stand second in the Big Ten, shooting 77.8 percent from the charity stripe. MSU is led by senior guard Nia Clouden who is first in the league in free throw percentage, shooting 90.6 percent.
SPARTAN FUN FACTS
POWERFUL PARKS
Against Purdue on Jan. 9, junior forward Taiyier Parks posted a career-high tying 16 points, matching 16 points at Oakland (11/26/21). The 16 points was Parks' sixth double-figure scoring outing this season and 16th of her career. She posted her 16 points on a career-high tying six field goals, marking the seventh time in her career. The 16 points by Parks marked the first time this season that she has led MSU in scoring, as well as the fourth time in her career.
CHANGES AT THE BRESLIN CENTER
Effective January 1, 2022, Michigan State athletics will require spectators at indoor athletic events to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. The policy applies to men's and women's basketball, hockey, wrestling and gymnastics home events. card or a digital image along with a photo ID matching the name on the card. Michigan State University students, faculty and staff can show their University ID as proof of compliance with the university's vaccine mandate
ANATOMY OF RECORD BREAKER
REACHING THE TOP 10
Senior guard Nia Clouden's seven points against Purdue gives her 1,603 for her career, becoming just the sixth person with 1,600 career points, closing in on the No. 6 spot of 1,649 points held by Allyssa DeHaan, who was in attendance Sunday afternoon for Spartan Women's Basketball Alumni Day. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 388, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is 13 assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11).
Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
SHORT BENCH
Losing senior Tory Ozment and junior Julia Ayrault to season-ending injuries at the beginning, MSU was already playing with a short bench. Against Nebraska on Dec. 30, the bench got even shorter. The Spartans played without freshman DeeDee Hagemann and senior Laurel Jacqmain because of COVID-19 protocols and junior Moira Joiner was out with concussion symptoms. Against the Huskers, MSU had nine players available and played eight.
BIG TIME B1G HONOR
Senior guard Nia Clouden was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 27. The Owings Mills, Maryland native had a record setting-week at the West Palm Beach Invitational. Clouden scored 50 points in the Spartans' double overtime loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20. The 50 points is also the most points scored in the NCAA this season. She became just third Big Ten player ever to score 50 points, joining Minnesota's Rachel Banham (2015-16) and Michigan's Naz Hillman (2020-21).
LOOKING ACROSS THE LEAGUE
Senior guard Nia Clouden stands third in the B1G in scoring with 21.5 points per game. Clouden also holds the ninth spot in the league in assists with 4.3 helpers per contest, while freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is up to fifth with 5.3 apg. She is also 10th in the league in assist/turnover ration (1.82). Clouden is also first in the league in free-throw percentage (.906).
As a team, the Spartans are second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.778) and fifth in field goal percentages (.455). Michigan State is third in assists, averaging 17.5 apg.
AROUND THE NATION
The Spartans are distributing the ball really well through the first 15 games. Michigan State is 11th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 263 total assists and are 17th in assists per game, averaging 17.5 apg. MSU is also 16th in the nation in free throw percentage (.778). Senior guard Nia Clouden has been stellar in getting to the line. She is first in the nation in free throws made (106) and 16th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.906). Clouden is also 10th in the country in scoring with 21.5 ppg.
A NUMBERS GAME
Nia Clouden's numbers never cease to amaze this season. She is currently 11th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.451), while also standing first in free throw percentage (.906). From long range, she is shooting .355 percent.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant reached the 300-win mark as head coach of the Spartans against Bryant on Nov. 19. She now holds a 304-194 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 10 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 505-284 record overall.
UP NEXT
After only one game last week, the Spartans return to a more typical schedule, facing Ohio State on Wednesday, Jan. 12 on the road before returning home to take on Northwestern on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. Next week, Michigan State will follow a similar schedule, facing Indiana on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m., before hosting Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. The game against the Gophers is the only other home game this month for MSU.
20 DIMES FOR WINS
MSU is also 6-0 this season when dishing out 20 or more assists. Against Illinois, Michigan State dished out 20 assists for the first time since the game at Oakland (11/26) when MSU had 27. Michigan State also distributed 27 helpers in the win over Niagara (Nov. 14), while also dishing out 20+ assists vs. Morehead State (26), Valparaiso (20) and Bryant (24).
SOLID FROM THE STRIPE
Going 15-for-17 from the free throw line against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20, Nia Clouden tied the MSU record for single-game free throws made. All-American Aerial Powers also went 15-for-17 against Rutgers on Feb. 18, 2016. As a team, Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.780). Clouden matched that record going 15-for-17 from the charity stripe against Nebraska on Dec. 30.
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.
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. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain set a new career high with 11 points, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State women's basketball fell to Purdue, 69-59, on Alumni Day Sunday at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans now hold an 8-7 overall record and have an even mark in Big Ten play, standing 2-2. Purdue improves to 11-4 overall and 2-2 in league action.
Michigan State welcomed back junior guard Moira Joiner who had been out since Dec. 9. Fellow guards DeeDee Hagemann and Laurel Jacqmain also returned to the lineup after missing the game against Nebraska on Dec. 30.
EKH EARNS B1G HONOR
On Dec. 13, guard/forward Matilda Ekh captured her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor after leading the Spartans in scoring in a win against Illinois. She marked a new career high with 20 points in Michigan State's 75-60 win over the Illini on Dec. 9. Ekh has now scored in double figures seven times this season, second only to senior guard Nia Clouden. Fellow freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann also earned B1G Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 15.
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 230 of its last 243 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 180 of their last 195. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 265-20 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 7-1 when leading with five minutes remaining.
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 165 of their last 192 games (.859) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 185-35 (.841) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 8-2 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans scored 71 points in losses to Notre Dame on Dec. 2 and Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20.
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.
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 hold an 8-7 overall record and stand 2-2 in Big Ten action after a 69-59 home loss to Purdue on Jan. 9. Ohio State is 11-3 overall and 3-2 in league games. The Buckeyes have won two-straight games with victories over Illinois and Northwestern. The two teams did not meet last season due to COVID-19. Michigan State won the last meeting between the two teams on Jan. 16, 2020, 68-65 in East Lansing.
• The Spartans have shown great improvement from the charity stripe this season. During the 2020-21 season, MSU shot 67.2 from the free throw line. So far this year, the Spartans stand second in the Big Ten, shooting 77.8 percent from the charity stripe. MSU is led by senior guard Nia Clouden who is first in the league in free throw percentage, shooting 90.6 percent.
• Senior guard Nia Clouden was limited to single-digits for the first time this season with seven points Sunday, snapping streak of 18-straight games in double-digits dating back to last season. Clouden has now tallied double-figures in 46 of last 50 games played and 85 of 102 career games played.
• Against Purdue, junior guard Moira Joiner returned to action for the first time in exactly one month, as she last played Dec. 9, 2021 vs. Illinois, missing the last five games under concussion protocol.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes, who are among teams receiving votes, are 11-3 overall and 3-2 in B1G play, after posting a 74-61 win on the road at Northwestern on Sunday. OSU snared a season-high 43 rebounds and forced 20 turnovers, as the Buckeyes won their second-straight game and fourth in last five. Ohio State's two league losses have come at home to No. 10/8 Indiana (86-66 on Dec. 12), and at No. 9/7 Michigan (90-71 on Dec. 31).
Senior guard Taylor Mikesell is one of three Buckeyes averaging in double-figures, ranking second on the team and sixth in the B1G with 18.4 ppg, as well as leading the league in 3-pointers per game (4.0) and second in the conference in 3-point percentage (.479). Mikesell is one of the three players on this week's Big Ten Honor Roll list after her career-best 32 points and matched her career-high with eight triples in OSU's win at Illinois, adding 13 points and three 3-pointers at Northwestern, along with dishing out a career-high six assists to go with five rebounds.
Junior guard Jacy Sheldon leads OSU and is fifth in the B1G with 18.7 ppg, as well as second in the league with 2.0 steals per game, adding 3.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Junior forward Rebeka Mikulásiková rounds out the Buckeye double-figures trio with 10.8 ppg, along with a team-leading 5.9 rebounds per game, which is 19th in the B1G.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE BUCKEYES
Wednesday is the first meeting on the hardwood between the Spartans and Buckeyes since the 2019-20 season after last season's lone scheduled match-up on Dec. 31 was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Buckeyes' program, and later cancelled.
Ohio State leads the overall season series with Michigan State, 56-29. The series has been streaky of late, as the Buckeyes have won three of the last four match-ups. MSU won in the last meeting on Jan. 16, 2020, as Nia Clouden's old-fashioned three-point play with 14 seconds remaining led the Spartans past the Buckeyes, 68-65, and the guard also hit a pair of free throws with six seconds left to seal the Victory for MSU.
In 2018-19, Ohio State defeated Michigan State in MSU's last trip to Columbus, 65-55, on Jan. 14, 2019. OSU then earned a sweep with a 77-70 win in East Lansing on Feb. 21, 2019, which was the Spartans only home loss of the 2018-19 campaign. MSU had won three-straight games in the series with two wins in 2016, including an epic 107-105 triple overtime win on Senior Day. MSU is 0-4 in the last four trips to Columbus, as the Spartans' last win on the Buckeyes' home court was on Jan. 26, 2014.
FREE POINTS
The Spartans have shown great improvement from the charity stripe this season. During the 2020-21 season, MSU shot 67.2 from the free throw line. So far this year, the Spartans stand second in the Big Ten, shooting 77.8 percent from the charity stripe. MSU is led by senior guard Nia Clouden who is first in the league in free throw percentage, shooting 90.6 percent.
SPARTAN FUN FACTS
- In league games, MSU has three players averaging in double figures. Nia Clouden (18.5 ppg), Matilda Ekh (10.8 ppg) and Alisia Smith (10.3 ppg). Taiyier Parks has also been solid in B1G games, averaging 9.3 ppg.
- The Spartans are second in the Big Ten in free throw shooting (.784). Senior guard Nia Clouden leads the nation with 104 free throws made. Behind the strength of seven offensive boards against Purdue on Jan. 9, Tamara Farquhar is ninth in the B1G in offensive boards, averaging 2.7 per game.
- The MSU freshman have been strong in the scoring column this season with Matilda Ekh scoring in double figures nine times, while DeeDee Hagemann has reached double figures six times.
POWERFUL PARKS
Against Purdue on Jan. 9, junior forward Taiyier Parks posted a career-high tying 16 points, matching 16 points at Oakland (11/26/21). The 16 points was Parks' sixth double-figure scoring outing this season and 16th of her career. She posted her 16 points on a career-high tying six field goals, marking the seventh time in her career. The 16 points by Parks marked the first time this season that she has led MSU in scoring, as well as the fourth time in her career.
CHANGES AT THE BRESLIN CENTER
Effective January 1, 2022, Michigan State athletics will require spectators at indoor athletic events to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. The policy applies to men's and women's basketball, hockey, wrestling and gymnastics home events. card or a digital image along with a photo ID matching the name on the card. Michigan State University students, faculty and staff can show their University ID as proof of compliance with the university's vaccine mandate
ANATOMY OF RECORD BREAKER
- Several records fell against FGCU for Nia Clouden. She set the record for made field goals with 17. She also tied Aerial Powers school record with 15 made free throws.
- With 50 points against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20, Nia Clouden broke Tori Jankoska's record of 42 points, which was set against Ohio State on 1/19/17.
- The 50 points is also the most scored by a DI women's basketball player this season, ahead of Delaware's Jasmine Dickey, who scored 48 against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 26.
REACHING THE TOP 10
Senior guard Nia Clouden's seven points against Purdue gives her 1,603 for her career, becoming just the sixth person with 1,600 career points, closing in on the No. 6 spot of 1,649 points held by Allyssa DeHaan, who was in attendance Sunday afternoon for Spartan Women's Basketball Alumni Day. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 388, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is 13 assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11).
Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
SHORT BENCH
Losing senior Tory Ozment and junior Julia Ayrault to season-ending injuries at the beginning, MSU was already playing with a short bench. Against Nebraska on Dec. 30, the bench got even shorter. The Spartans played without freshman DeeDee Hagemann and senior Laurel Jacqmain because of COVID-19 protocols and junior Moira Joiner was out with concussion symptoms. Against the Huskers, MSU had nine players available and played eight.
BIG TIME B1G HONOR
Senior guard Nia Clouden was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 27. The Owings Mills, Maryland native had a record setting-week at the West Palm Beach Invitational. Clouden scored 50 points in the Spartans' double overtime loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20. The 50 points is also the most points scored in the NCAA this season. She became just third Big Ten player ever to score 50 points, joining Minnesota's Rachel Banham (2015-16) and Michigan's Naz Hillman (2020-21).
LOOKING ACROSS THE LEAGUE
Senior guard Nia Clouden stands third in the B1G in scoring with 21.5 points per game. Clouden also holds the ninth spot in the league in assists with 4.3 helpers per contest, while freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is up to fifth with 5.3 apg. She is also 10th in the league in assist/turnover ration (1.82). Clouden is also first in the league in free-throw percentage (.906).
As a team, the Spartans are second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.778) and fifth in field goal percentages (.455). Michigan State is third in assists, averaging 17.5 apg.
AROUND THE NATION
The Spartans are distributing the ball really well through the first 15 games. Michigan State is 11th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 263 total assists and are 17th in assists per game, averaging 17.5 apg. MSU is also 16th in the nation in free throw percentage (.778). Senior guard Nia Clouden has been stellar in getting to the line. She is first in the nation in free throws made (106) and 16th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.906). Clouden is also 10th in the country in scoring with 21.5 ppg.
A NUMBERS GAME
Nia Clouden's numbers never cease to amaze this season. She is currently 11th in the Big Ten in field goal percentage (.451), while also standing first in free throw percentage (.906). From long range, she is shooting .355 percent.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant reached the 300-win mark as head coach of the Spartans against Bryant on Nov. 19. She now holds a 304-194 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 10 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 505-284 record overall.
UP NEXT
After only one game last week, the Spartans return to a more typical schedule, facing Ohio State on Wednesday, Jan. 12 on the road before returning home to take on Northwestern on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. Next week, Michigan State will follow a similar schedule, facing Indiana on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m., before hosting Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. The game against the Gophers is the only other home game this month for MSU.
20 DIMES FOR WINS
MSU is also 6-0 this season when dishing out 20 or more assists. Against Illinois, Michigan State dished out 20 assists for the first time since the game at Oakland (11/26) when MSU had 27. Michigan State also distributed 27 helpers in the win over Niagara (Nov. 14), while also dishing out 20+ assists vs. Morehead State (26), Valparaiso (20) and Bryant (24).
SOLID FROM THE STRIPE
Going 15-for-17 from the free throw line against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20, Nia Clouden tied the MSU record for single-game free throws made. All-American Aerial Powers also went 15-for-17 against Rutgers on Feb. 18, 2016. As a team, Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.780). Clouden matched that record going 15-for-17 from the charity stripe against Nebraska on Dec. 30.
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.
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. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain set a new career high with 11 points, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State women's basketball fell to Purdue, 69-59, on Alumni Day Sunday at the Breslin Center.
The Spartans now hold an 8-7 overall record and have an even mark in Big Ten play, standing 2-2. Purdue improves to 11-4 overall and 2-2 in league action.
Michigan State welcomed back junior guard Moira Joiner who had been out since Dec. 9. Fellow guards DeeDee Hagemann and Laurel Jacqmain also returned to the lineup after missing the game against Nebraska on Dec. 30.
EKH EARNS B1G HONOR
On Dec. 13, guard/forward Matilda Ekh captured her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor after leading the Spartans in scoring in a win against Illinois. She marked a new career high with 20 points in Michigan State's 75-60 win over the Illini on Dec. 9. Ekh has now scored in double figures seven times this season, second only to senior guard Nia Clouden. Fellow freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann also earned B1G Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 15.
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 230 of its last 243 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 180 of their last 195. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 265-20 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 7-1 when leading with five minutes remaining.
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 165 of their last 192 games (.859) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 185-35 (.841) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 8-2 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans scored 71 points in losses to Notre Dame on Dec. 2 and Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20.
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.
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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