Thursday, January 27
University Park, Pa.
7 PM
Michigan State University
at
Penn State
MSU Begins Two-Game Road Trip at Penn State Thursday
1/26/2022 3:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Spartans and the Lady Lions.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball hits the road for a pair of games this week. The Spartans start the road trip, taking on Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. MSU will conclude the road swing at Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. for its final game of January.
• The Spartans have now won two-straight games after a 74-71 win over Minnesota on Jan. 23. MSU also stands 4-3 in league contests. The Lady Lions have lost two-straight and hold a 9-9 record overall and are 3-5 in Big Ten games.
• Michigan State's starting line-up of senior guard Nia Clouden, freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann, graduate forward Tamara Farquhar, freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh and senior forward Alisia Smith was the Spartans' sixth game this season with that starting five as part of MSU's fourth different starting line-up.
• The 25 points by Nia Clouden against Minnesota gives her 1,668 career points, tying her for No. 5 spot on MSU's career scoring list, matching Kisha Kelley (1991-95) with 1,668 points, and surpassing Alyssa DeHaan (2006-10) at No. 6 with 1,649 points. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 399, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is two assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11).
• On Jan. 23, graduate forward Tamara Farquhar had a game-high 11 rebounds, while senior forward Alisia Smith added 10 rebounds, marking the second time this season that two Spartans had 10 or more rebounds, joining Florida Gulf Coast (12/20/21) when Farquhar had 16 boards and junior forward Taiyier Parks had 13 rebounds.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State is looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Iowa, 107-79 at home on Jan. 25. Overall, the Lady Lions have an even 9-9 record and stand 3-5 in the Big Ten. PSU has league wins over Northwestern, Illinois and Rutgers.
Penn State has one of the most prolific scorers in the country in Mckenna Marisa. She is seventh in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 22.3 ppg. Marisa is now second in the Big Ten in scoring. Ali Bingham is third in the league in blocks (1.2 bpg), while Shay Hagans stands fourth in blocks (2.0 spg.) Bingham is the only other Lady Lion averaging in double figures with 10.5 ppg.
Penn State is eighth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 72.0 ppg, while allowing 72.8 ppg. The Lady Lions are seventh in the league in 3-points per game, making 7.0 per game.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY LIONS
Overall, Penn State leads the series lead 30-22, including 17-8 in University Park. The series is tied in East Lansing 11-11 with MSU having a slight edge on neutral territory, 3-2.
The tide is starting to turn in the series with MSU winning seven of the last 10, including the two outings last year.
In the last meeting, MSU had four players in double figures, which led the No. 7-seeded Michigan State women's basketball team past No. 10-seeded Penn State, 75-66, in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Spartan sophomore class scored 46 of MSU's 75 points with guard Alyza Winston leading the way with 23 points.
FAMILIAR FACES
Junior forward Jayla James and senior forward Alisia Smith are both in their second season at MSU after transferring from Penn State. Both played one season with PSU head coach Carolyn Kieger.
MAMMA MIA
With 23 points against Minnesota, freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh now has 218 points this season, needing just 48 more points to crack MSU's single-season scoring by a freshman Top 15 list, as the No. 15 spot is currently at 266 points by Bella Engen (1994-95). with a team-high five 3-pointers Sunday, Ekh now has 40 on the season, cracking into the Top 5 list for treys by a Spartan freshman, topping teammate Moira Joiner with 39 triples in the 2020-21 season for the No. 5 spot, and needing just one more to match Maxann Reese (1996-97) with 41 treys. Ekh's five triples also moves her to 43.5 percent (40-of-92) for the season, currently good for the No. 2 spot on the freshman 3-point percentage list, just ahead of Joiner's .386 (30-of-101) in 2020-21, and behind the record holder Lindsay Bowen (2002-03) at .464 (77-of-166).
Ekh's six 3-pointers is tied for seventh for all time treys made in a game. The last time a Spartan reached that mark was Alyza Winston against Iowa on Dec. 12, 2020.
MOVING ON UP
The 25 points by Clouden gives her 1,668 career points, tying her for No. 5 spot on MSU's career scoring list, matching Kisha Kelley (1991-95) with 1,668 points, and surpassing Alyssa DeHaan (2006-10) at No. 6 with 1,649 points. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 399, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is two 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.
BATTLE OF THE BEASTS
Thursday's game features two of the best scorers in the country. Makenna Marisa stands seventh in the nation in scoring (22.3 ppg), while Nia Clouden is ninth (21.5 ppg). Clouden has the top individual performance in the Big Ten this season with 50 against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 21. Marisa is tied for the fourth-best with 33 against Duquesne on Dec. 18.
SPARTAN FUN FACTS
BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
Graduate forward Tamara Farquhar had a game-high 11 rebounds against Minnesota on Jan. 23, while and senior forward Alisia Smith added 10 rebounds. This marked the second time this season that two Spartans had 10 or more rebounds, joining Florida Gulf Coast (12/20/21) when Farquhar had 16 boards and junior forward Taiyier Parks had 13 rebounds.
Farquhar's 11 rebounds was her third double-digit rebounding outing in the last four games as part of her sixth overall this season. Smith's 10 boards was a new MSU career-high for the senior forward, topping seven boards, that she had done twice this season, last doing so vs. Nebraska (12/30/21). Overall, it was Smith's ninth career double-digit rebounding outing, as she had a career-high 14 boards in a game vs. Jacksonville (12/2/18).
FINDING THE DIFFERENCE
In Michigan State's 10 wins the Spartans are averaging 81.0 ppg, while allowing only 61.0 ppg. Nia Clouden and Matilda Ekh are both leading the team in scoring in both wins and losses. Clouden is scoring 20.6 ppg in wins and 22.6 ppg in losses. Ekg is averaging 13.3 ppg in wins and 10.6 ppg in losses. The biggest difference in the wins and losses is taking care of the ball. In MSU's losses, the Spartans are turning over the ball 17.9 time per game and only 13.9 in wins.
WHERE DO WE STAND?
With a 4-3 conference record, Michigan State is currently sixth in the Big Ten standings with Indiana standing as the only undefeated team in the league with a 6-0 record. Michigan is second with an 8-1 mark followed by Iowa (6-1), Ohio State (7-2) and Maryland (5-3). Rutgers is the only team in the Big Ten still looking for a conference win with an 0-8 record.
DOING MORE WITH LESS
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. On Jan. 17, the Spartans announced that they would be without junior guard Moira Joiner for the rest of the season.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh's 23 points against Minnesota on Jan. 23 was her second 20-point outing in the last three games, and second-highest of the season behind her career-high 27 points at Ohio State (1/12/22) ... it was Ekh's third total 20-point game this season, also netting 20 vs. Illinois (12/9/21) ... Ekh is now also tied for the most 20+ points games by a Spartan freshman since Clouden had three 20-point outings in 2018-19.
ANATOMY OF RECORD BREAKER
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 Hillmon (2020-21).
LOOKING ACROSS THE LEAGUE
Senior guard Nia Clouden is third in the B1G in scoring with 21.5 points per game behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark (25.4 ppg) and Penn State's Makenna Marisa (22.3 ppg). Clouden also holds the 10th spot in the league in assists with 4.2 helpers per contest, while freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is fourth with 5.3 apg. Hagemann is also 13th in the league in assist/turnover ration (1.7). Clouden is also second in the league in free-throw percentage (.891). In league contests, Hagemann is second in assists, averaging 6.3 apg, while Clouden is seventh in scoring with 19.9 ppg.
As a team, the Spartans are third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.762) and fifth in field goal percentages (.449). Michigan State is second in assists, averaging 17.9 apg.
AROUND THE NATION
The Spartans are distributing the ball really well through the first 18 games. Michigan State is 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 322 total assists and are 14th in assists per game, averaging 17.9 apg. MSU is also 32nd in the nation in field goal percentage (.449). Senior guard Nia Clouden has been stellar in getting to the line. She is first in the nation in free throws made (122) and 24th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.891). Clouden is also ninth in the country in scoring with 21.3 ppg.
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 306-194 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also nine 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 507-284 record overall.
UP NEXT
MSU will conclude the trip at Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. The Spartans then return home for National Girls and Women in Sports Day against Maryland on BTN on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
20 DIMES FOR WINS
MSU is also 8-0 this season when dishing out 20 or more assists. The 20 helpers against Northwestern on Jan. 12. was the first time MSU head reach that mark since Dec. 9. 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), Bryant (24) and Minnesota (22).
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 third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.762). 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.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind 14 fourth-quarter points by senior guard Nia Clouden, the Spartans battled to a 74-71 win over Minnesota Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center. Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant returned to the bench after missing the Northwestern game on Jan. 16 due to COVID-19 protocols.
EKH EARNS ANOTHER B1G HONOR
On Jan. 24, guard/forward Matilda Ekh captured her second Freshman of the Week honor after leading the Spartans to a win against Minnesota on Jan. 23, scoring 23 points. Ekh also dished out a career-high six assists, topping her previous high of four, done twice in previous two games, at Ohio State (1/12/22) and vs. Northwestern (1/16/22). She also garnered the honor on Dec. 13. Ekh is now also tied for the most 20+ points games by a Spartan freshman since Nia Clouden had three 20-point outings in 2018-19. 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 232 of its last 244 games (.951) when leading with five minutes left, including 182 of their last 196. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 267-20 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-1 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 166 of their last 194 games (.856) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 186-36 (.838) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 9-3 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. MSU also fell to Ohio State, 89-83 on Jan. 12.
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State's 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 have now won two-straight games after a 74-71 win over Minnesota on Jan. 23. MSU also stands 4-3 in league contests. The Lady Lions have lost two-straight and hold a 9-9 record overall and are 3-5 in Big Ten games.
• Michigan State's starting line-up of senior guard Nia Clouden, freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann, graduate forward Tamara Farquhar, freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh and senior forward Alisia Smith was the Spartans' sixth game this season with that starting five as part of MSU's fourth different starting line-up.
• The 25 points by Nia Clouden against Minnesota gives her 1,668 career points, tying her for No. 5 spot on MSU's career scoring list, matching Kisha Kelley (1991-95) with 1,668 points, and surpassing Alyssa DeHaan (2006-10) at No. 6 with 1,649 points. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 399, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is two assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11).
• On Jan. 23, graduate forward Tamara Farquhar had a game-high 11 rebounds, while senior forward Alisia Smith added 10 rebounds, marking the second time this season that two Spartans had 10 or more rebounds, joining Florida Gulf Coast (12/20/21) when Farquhar had 16 boards and junior forward Taiyier Parks had 13 rebounds.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State is looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Iowa, 107-79 at home on Jan. 25. Overall, the Lady Lions have an even 9-9 record and stand 3-5 in the Big Ten. PSU has league wins over Northwestern, Illinois and Rutgers.
Penn State has one of the most prolific scorers in the country in Mckenna Marisa. She is seventh in the NCAA in scoring, averaging 22.3 ppg. Marisa is now second in the Big Ten in scoring. Ali Bingham is third in the league in blocks (1.2 bpg), while Shay Hagans stands fourth in blocks (2.0 spg.) Bingham is the only other Lady Lion averaging in double figures with 10.5 ppg.
Penn State is eighth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 72.0 ppg, while allowing 72.8 ppg. The Lady Lions are seventh in the league in 3-points per game, making 7.0 per game.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY LIONS
Overall, Penn State leads the series lead 30-22, including 17-8 in University Park. The series is tied in East Lansing 11-11 with MSU having a slight edge on neutral territory, 3-2.
The tide is starting to turn in the series with MSU winning seven of the last 10, including the two outings last year.
In the last meeting, MSU had four players in double figures, which led the No. 7-seeded Michigan State women's basketball team past No. 10-seeded Penn State, 75-66, in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Spartan sophomore class scored 46 of MSU's 75 points with guard Alyza Winston leading the way with 23 points.
FAMILIAR FACES
Junior forward Jayla James and senior forward Alisia Smith are both in their second season at MSU after transferring from Penn State. Both played one season with PSU head coach Carolyn Kieger.
MAMMA MIA
With 23 points against Minnesota, freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh now has 218 points this season, needing just 48 more points to crack MSU's single-season scoring by a freshman Top 15 list, as the No. 15 spot is currently at 266 points by Bella Engen (1994-95). with a team-high five 3-pointers Sunday, Ekh now has 40 on the season, cracking into the Top 5 list for treys by a Spartan freshman, topping teammate Moira Joiner with 39 triples in the 2020-21 season for the No. 5 spot, and needing just one more to match Maxann Reese (1996-97) with 41 treys. Ekh's five triples also moves her to 43.5 percent (40-of-92) for the season, currently good for the No. 2 spot on the freshman 3-point percentage list, just ahead of Joiner's .386 (30-of-101) in 2020-21, and behind the record holder Lindsay Bowen (2002-03) at .464 (77-of-166).
Ekh's six 3-pointers is tied for seventh for all time treys made in a game. The last time a Spartan reached that mark was Alyza Winston against Iowa on Dec. 12, 2020.
MOVING ON UP
The 25 points by Clouden gives her 1,668 career points, tying her for No. 5 spot on MSU's career scoring list, matching Kisha Kelley (1991-95) with 1,668 points, and surpassing Alyssa DeHaan (2006-10) at No. 6 with 1,649 points. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 399, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is two 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.
BATTLE OF THE BEASTS
Thursday's game features two of the best scorers in the country. Makenna Marisa stands seventh in the nation in scoring (22.3 ppg), while Nia Clouden is ninth (21.5 ppg). Clouden has the top individual performance in the Big Ten this season with 50 against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 21. Marisa is tied for the fourth-best with 33 against Duquesne on Dec. 18.
SPARTAN FUN FACTS
- Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh took five charges in the win against Northwestern.
- In league games, Nia Clouden is seventh in the league in scoring (19.9 ppg), while Matilda Ekh stands 11th (15.9 ppg). DeeDee Hagemann is second in B1G games in assists per game (6.3 apg).
- The MSU freshman have been strong in the scoring column this season with Matilda Ekh scoring in double figures 11 times, while DeeDee Hagemann has reached double figures six times.
BATTLING ON THE BOARDS
Graduate forward Tamara Farquhar had a game-high 11 rebounds against Minnesota on Jan. 23, while and senior forward Alisia Smith added 10 rebounds. This marked the second time this season that two Spartans had 10 or more rebounds, joining Florida Gulf Coast (12/20/21) when Farquhar had 16 boards and junior forward Taiyier Parks had 13 rebounds.
Farquhar's 11 rebounds was her third double-digit rebounding outing in the last four games as part of her sixth overall this season. Smith's 10 boards was a new MSU career-high for the senior forward, topping seven boards, that she had done twice this season, last doing so vs. Nebraska (12/30/21). Overall, it was Smith's ninth career double-digit rebounding outing, as she had a career-high 14 boards in a game vs. Jacksonville (12/2/18).
FINDING THE DIFFERENCE
In Michigan State's 10 wins the Spartans are averaging 81.0 ppg, while allowing only 61.0 ppg. Nia Clouden and Matilda Ekh are both leading the team in scoring in both wins and losses. Clouden is scoring 20.6 ppg in wins and 22.6 ppg in losses. Ekg is averaging 13.3 ppg in wins and 10.6 ppg in losses. The biggest difference in the wins and losses is taking care of the ball. In MSU's losses, the Spartans are turning over the ball 17.9 time per game and only 13.9 in wins.
WHERE DO WE STAND?
With a 4-3 conference record, Michigan State is currently sixth in the Big Ten standings with Indiana standing as the only undefeated team in the league with a 6-0 record. Michigan is second with an 8-1 mark followed by Iowa (6-1), Ohio State (7-2) and Maryland (5-3). Rutgers is the only team in the Big Ten still looking for a conference win with an 0-8 record.
DOING MORE WITH LESS
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. On Jan. 17, the Spartans announced that they would be without junior guard Moira Joiner for the rest of the season.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh's 23 points against Minnesota on Jan. 23 was her second 20-point outing in the last three games, and second-highest of the season behind her career-high 27 points at Ohio State (1/12/22) ... it was Ekh's third total 20-point game this season, also netting 20 vs. Illinois (12/9/21) ... Ekh is now also tied for the most 20+ points games by a Spartan freshman since Clouden had three 20-point outings in 2018-19.
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 second-most scored by a DI women's basketball player this season, just behind Kansas State's Ayoka Lee who set the Division I scoring record with 61 points on Jan. 23.
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 Hillmon (2020-21).
LOOKING ACROSS THE LEAGUE
Senior guard Nia Clouden is third in the B1G in scoring with 21.5 points per game behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark (25.4 ppg) and Penn State's Makenna Marisa (22.3 ppg). Clouden also holds the 10th spot in the league in assists with 4.2 helpers per contest, while freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is fourth with 5.3 apg. Hagemann is also 13th in the league in assist/turnover ration (1.7). Clouden is also second in the league in free-throw percentage (.891). In league contests, Hagemann is second in assists, averaging 6.3 apg, while Clouden is seventh in scoring with 19.9 ppg.
As a team, the Spartans are third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.762) and fifth in field goal percentages (.449). Michigan State is second in assists, averaging 17.9 apg.
AROUND THE NATION
The Spartans are distributing the ball really well through the first 18 games. Michigan State is 16th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 322 total assists and are 14th in assists per game, averaging 17.9 apg. MSU is also 32nd in the nation in field goal percentage (.449). Senior guard Nia Clouden has been stellar in getting to the line. She is first in the nation in free throws made (122) and 24th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.891). Clouden is also ninth in the country in scoring with 21.3 ppg.
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 306-194 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also nine 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 507-284 record overall.
UP NEXT
MSU will conclude the trip at Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. The Spartans then return home for National Girls and Women in Sports Day against Maryland on BTN on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
20 DIMES FOR WINS
MSU is also 8-0 this season when dishing out 20 or more assists. The 20 helpers against Northwestern on Jan. 12. was the first time MSU head reach that mark since Dec. 9. 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), Bryant (24) and Minnesota (22).
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 third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.762). 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.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind 14 fourth-quarter points by senior guard Nia Clouden, the Spartans battled to a 74-71 win over Minnesota Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center. Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant returned to the bench after missing the Northwestern game on Jan. 16 due to COVID-19 protocols.
EKH EARNS ANOTHER B1G HONOR
On Jan. 24, guard/forward Matilda Ekh captured her second Freshman of the Week honor after leading the Spartans to a win against Minnesota on Jan. 23, scoring 23 points. Ekh also dished out a career-high six assists, topping her previous high of four, done twice in previous two games, at Ohio State (1/12/22) and vs. Northwestern (1/16/22). She also garnered the honor on Dec. 13. Ekh is now also tied for the most 20+ points games by a Spartan freshman since Nia Clouden had three 20-point outings in 2018-19. 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 232 of its last 244 games (.951) when leading with five minutes left, including 182 of their last 196. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 267-20 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 9-1 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 166 of their last 194 games (.856) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 186-36 (.838) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 9-3 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. MSU also fell to Ohio State, 89-83 on Jan. 12.
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State's 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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