Sunday, January 30
Piscataway, NJ
2 PM
Michigan State University
12-8,6-3Big Ten
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45
Rutgers
7-15,0-10Big Ten
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Michigan St.
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45
Spartan Women Capture Fourth Straight With 61-45 Win Over Rutgers
1/30/2022 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior forward Taiyier Parks battles for her third double-double of the season.
PISCATAWAY N.J. - With another balanced performance, the Michigan State women's basketball team captured its fourth-straight victory with a 61-45 win over Rutgers Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey.
The Spartans improves to 12-8 overall this season and 6-3 in Big Ten play. This is the first time since the 2015-16 season that Michigan State has won four-straight league contests. Rutgers falls to 7-15 overall and 0-10 in B1G play.
Michigan State's offense had four players in double figures led by senior guard Nia Clouden's game-leading 17 points also adding six assists. Senior forward Alisia Smith was part of a lethal post duo with 14 points and six boards, while junior forward Taiyier Parks came off the bench for 11 points and 10 rebounds. She now has had three double-doubles this season. Freshman forward Matilda Ekh rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points.
Detroit native Lasha Petree led Rutgers in scoring with 15 points.
The Scarlet Knights came out hot scoring 10 of the first 12 points of the game. The Rutgers offense remained hot as the Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 16-4 lead at the 5:09 mark, as MSU called a timeout. The Spartans responded with an 11-0 run of their own to cut it to a 16-15 RU lead. Michigan State's defense tightened up keeping the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard for over four minutes. Despite the slow start, MSU only trailed 18-15 after the first period.
A Jayla James 3-pointer tied the game at 18-18 early in the second period. Michigan State scored the first eight points of the period to take a 23-18 lead. MSU used another 8-0 push to expand its lead to 31-23 with 1:18 left in the half. The Scarlet Knights went the final five minutes without scoring as MSU took that 31-23 lead into the locker room. The Spartans were able to hold Rutgers to only five points in the second half. The five points was the least allowed in a second quarter since the quarter system began.
MSU took its first double-digit lead 40-29 with under four minutes left in the third quarter after a parks layup. RU battled to get it within five points after a Jailyn Mason bucket, before Ekh came through with a clutch trey to give MSU the 45-37 lead going in to the final quarter.
In the final period, the Spartans led 49-39 before hitting at three-minute scoring drought that allowed RU to cut it to a 49-44 game. After being held scoreless for 4:10, Clouden stopped the streak with a lay up. After an Ekh trey, the Spartans found the double-digit lead again, 55-44 with under four minutes left in the game. Michigan State ended the game with12-1 run over the final 4:08 to secure the win.
After a two-game road trip, the Spartans return home to face No. 22 Maryland on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. {Michigan State Athletics Announces Vaccination Policy For Spectators}
Post-Game Notes:
• Michigan State has now won its last four Big Ten Conference games in a row, the Spartans' first four-game B1G winning streak in the same season since finishing the 2015-16 season with four wins in a row, which started vs. Rutgers (2/18/16) and wrapped up regular-season action as MSU won its first two games of the B1G Tournament ... overall, MSU had a five-game B1G win streak that overlapped the 2015-16 season and the 2016-17 season, as the Spartans' continued their regular-season win streak winning the B1G opener ... the Spartans also had a five-game win streak earlier during the 2015-16 regular-season.
• Michigan State held Rutgers to just five points in the second quarter, which not only is the Spartans' fewest points allowed in a quarter this season, but also matching the second-lowest ever in program history, trailing two points allowed in a quarter twice, in the first quarter vs. Davidson (11/11/16) and in the fourth quarter vs. Illinois (2/24/16) ... it also betters the previous low allowed in the second quarter, bettering the previous mark of six points vs. Indiana (12/28/17).
• Along with the five-point second quarter, the Spartans also held the Scarlet Knights to eight points in the fourth quarter, marking the first time in B1G play this season that the MSU defense held the opposition to two single-digit quarters in the same game, and just the second time overall this season, with the other occurrence coming in the season-opener vs. Morehead State (11/9/21) when the Spartans held them to three single-digit points with eight in the first quarter, six in the third and seven in the fourth.
• MSU limited Rutgers to 45 points, is second-lowest points allowed by the Spartans this season, trailing only 31 vs. Morehead State in the season-opener (11/9/21) ... it is also the lowest score by a Spartan opponent in a B1G game this season, bettering the previous low of 46 by Northwestern (1/16/22), marking the second time in four games in holding the opponent under 50 points as part of the third time overall.
• The 45 points is also the fewest allowed by the Spartan defense since 43 on Feb. 24, 2016 in a 71-43 Victory for MSU over Illinois.
• 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' eighth game this season with that starting five as part of MSU's fourth different starting line-up overall this season.
• With 5:00 left in the game, Michigan State had a 49-44 lead at Rutgers, as MSU is now 11-1 this season when leading with five minutes left ... the Spartans have won 234 of their last 246 (.951) when leading with five to play, including 184 of their last 198 ... in Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 269-20 (.931) when holding a lead with five minutes remaining.
• For the second game in a row, the Spartans had four or more players in double-figures, as senior guard Nia Clouden led the way with a game-high 17 points, followed by senior forward Alisia Smith's 14 points, while junior forward Taiyier Parks and freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted 11 points apiece ... after Thursday's five players in double-figures, Sunday marked the 10th time this season that four or more Spartans scored in double-digits, improving to 8-2 when doing so.
• With a game-high 17 points, Clouden registered her 19th double-digit game of the season and 90th of her career ... Clouden's 17 points gives her 1,701 career points, becoming just the fifth player in Spartan women's basketball history with 1,700 career points, and closing the gap on the No. 4 spot on MSU's career scoring list to Linsday Bowen (2002-06) at No. 4 with 1,739 points.
• Clouden made one 3-pointer Sunday, marking her 37th trey for the season and 123 career 3-pointers, tying Eileen Shea (1987-91) for No. 11 on MSU's career 3-pointers list with 123 and one away from former teammate Branndais Agee (2013-18) at No. 10 with 124 3-pointers.
• Clouden also dished out a game-high six assists, her third-straight game with five or more helpers, as part of the ninth game this season ... after becoming the eighth Spartan women's basketball player to reach the 400-assists plateau last time out, Clouden now has 410 career assists, moving up to No. 6 on MSU's career assists list.
• Parks posted her third double-double of the season and fifth of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, after just missing a double-double last time out with 10 points and eight rebounds in Thursday's win at Penn State ... the 11 points was her seventh game in a row in double-figures as part of her ninth game in the last 10 outings scoring in double-digit, after just one double-digit game in her first six contests and just two in the previous 10 games before her recent spurt.
• The 10 rebounds was Parks' fourth double-digit rebounding outing, as she has scored double-doubles in a two of previous outings ... it was also her fourth game in the last five outings with eight or more boards, as part of the 10th game overall this season with eight or more rebounds, including six of the last eight.
• Smith posted 14 points, registering her second double-digit scoring output in a row and seventh of the season, as part of 13th of her Spartan career ... the 14 points was Smith's highest in a B1G game this season and second-highest overall, trailing her MSU career-high of 20 vs. Marshall (11/30/21).
• Ekh tallied 11 points, including draining three 3-pointers ... Ekh maintains her spot at No. 4 on MSU's list for 3-pointers by a Spartan freshman, needing just one more to catch Taryn McCutcheon (2016-17) at No. 3 with 47 3-pointers ... Sunday was Ekh's fifth game in a row with a 3-pointer, all with three or more treys, part of her ninth game this season with three or more triples and 11th game overall with multiple 3-pointers.
• By making 3-of-8 behind the arc, Ekh is now shotting 43.0 (46-of-107) for the season, maintaining the No. 2 spot on the Spartans' freshman 3-point percentage list, just ahead of current teammate Moira 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 101 3-point attempts is just 16 shy of the No. 5 mark on the freshman 3-pointers attempted list, with Maxann Reese (1996-97) currently holding the No. 5 spot.
• With 11 points, Ekh registered her fifth-consecutive contest scoring in double-digits, part of netting 10+ points in six of the last seven outings and overall her 13th game of the season in double-figures.
• The 11 points moves Ekh to 244 for her first season as a Spartan, now just 22 points shy of cracking 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).
The Spartans improves to 12-8 overall this season and 6-3 in Big Ten play. This is the first time since the 2015-16 season that Michigan State has won four-straight league contests. Rutgers falls to 7-15 overall and 0-10 in B1G play.
Michigan State's offense had four players in double figures led by senior guard Nia Clouden's game-leading 17 points also adding six assists. Senior forward Alisia Smith was part of a lethal post duo with 14 points and six boards, while junior forward Taiyier Parks came off the bench for 11 points and 10 rebounds. She now has had three double-doubles this season. Freshman forward Matilda Ekh rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points.
Detroit native Lasha Petree led Rutgers in scoring with 15 points.
The Scarlet Knights came out hot scoring 10 of the first 12 points of the game. The Rutgers offense remained hot as the Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 16-4 lead at the 5:09 mark, as MSU called a timeout. The Spartans responded with an 11-0 run of their own to cut it to a 16-15 RU lead. Michigan State's defense tightened up keeping the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard for over four minutes. Despite the slow start, MSU only trailed 18-15 after the first period.
A Jayla James 3-pointer tied the game at 18-18 early in the second period. Michigan State scored the first eight points of the period to take a 23-18 lead. MSU used another 8-0 push to expand its lead to 31-23 with 1:18 left in the half. The Scarlet Knights went the final five minutes without scoring as MSU took that 31-23 lead into the locker room. The Spartans were able to hold Rutgers to only five points in the second half. The five points was the least allowed in a second quarter since the quarter system began.
MSU took its first double-digit lead 40-29 with under four minutes left in the third quarter after a parks layup. RU battled to get it within five points after a Jailyn Mason bucket, before Ekh came through with a clutch trey to give MSU the 45-37 lead going in to the final quarter.
In the final period, the Spartans led 49-39 before hitting at three-minute scoring drought that allowed RU to cut it to a 49-44 game. After being held scoreless for 4:10, Clouden stopped the streak with a lay up. After an Ekh trey, the Spartans found the double-digit lead again, 55-44 with under four minutes left in the game. Michigan State ended the game with12-1 run over the final 4:08 to secure the win.
After a two-game road trip, the Spartans return home to face No. 22 Maryland on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. {Michigan State Athletics Announces Vaccination Policy For Spectators}
Post-Game Notes:
• Michigan State has now won its last four Big Ten Conference games in a row, the Spartans' first four-game B1G winning streak in the same season since finishing the 2015-16 season with four wins in a row, which started vs. Rutgers (2/18/16) and wrapped up regular-season action as MSU won its first two games of the B1G Tournament ... overall, MSU had a five-game B1G win streak that overlapped the 2015-16 season and the 2016-17 season, as the Spartans' continued their regular-season win streak winning the B1G opener ... the Spartans also had a five-game win streak earlier during the 2015-16 regular-season.
• Michigan State held Rutgers to just five points in the second quarter, which not only is the Spartans' fewest points allowed in a quarter this season, but also matching the second-lowest ever in program history, trailing two points allowed in a quarter twice, in the first quarter vs. Davidson (11/11/16) and in the fourth quarter vs. Illinois (2/24/16) ... it also betters the previous low allowed in the second quarter, bettering the previous mark of six points vs. Indiana (12/28/17).
• Along with the five-point second quarter, the Spartans also held the Scarlet Knights to eight points in the fourth quarter, marking the first time in B1G play this season that the MSU defense held the opposition to two single-digit quarters in the same game, and just the second time overall this season, with the other occurrence coming in the season-opener vs. Morehead State (11/9/21) when the Spartans held them to three single-digit points with eight in the first quarter, six in the third and seven in the fourth.
• MSU limited Rutgers to 45 points, is second-lowest points allowed by the Spartans this season, trailing only 31 vs. Morehead State in the season-opener (11/9/21) ... it is also the lowest score by a Spartan opponent in a B1G game this season, bettering the previous low of 46 by Northwestern (1/16/22), marking the second time in four games in holding the opponent under 50 points as part of the third time overall.
• The 45 points is also the fewest allowed by the Spartan defense since 43 on Feb. 24, 2016 in a 71-43 Victory for MSU over Illinois.
• 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' eighth game this season with that starting five as part of MSU's fourth different starting line-up overall this season.
• With 5:00 left in the game, Michigan State had a 49-44 lead at Rutgers, as MSU is now 11-1 this season when leading with five minutes left ... the Spartans have won 234 of their last 246 (.951) when leading with five to play, including 184 of their last 198 ... in Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 269-20 (.931) when holding a lead with five minutes remaining.
• For the second game in a row, the Spartans had four or more players in double-figures, as senior guard Nia Clouden led the way with a game-high 17 points, followed by senior forward Alisia Smith's 14 points, while junior forward Taiyier Parks and freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted 11 points apiece ... after Thursday's five players in double-figures, Sunday marked the 10th time this season that four or more Spartans scored in double-digits, improving to 8-2 when doing so.
• With a game-high 17 points, Clouden registered her 19th double-digit game of the season and 90th of her career ... Clouden's 17 points gives her 1,701 career points, becoming just the fifth player in Spartan women's basketball history with 1,700 career points, and closing the gap on the No. 4 spot on MSU's career scoring list to Linsday Bowen (2002-06) at No. 4 with 1,739 points.
• Clouden made one 3-pointer Sunday, marking her 37th trey for the season and 123 career 3-pointers, tying Eileen Shea (1987-91) for No. 11 on MSU's career 3-pointers list with 123 and one away from former teammate Branndais Agee (2013-18) at No. 10 with 124 3-pointers.
• Clouden also dished out a game-high six assists, her third-straight game with five or more helpers, as part of the ninth game this season ... after becoming the eighth Spartan women's basketball player to reach the 400-assists plateau last time out, Clouden now has 410 career assists, moving up to No. 6 on MSU's career assists list.
• Parks posted her third double-double of the season and fifth of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, after just missing a double-double last time out with 10 points and eight rebounds in Thursday's win at Penn State ... the 11 points was her seventh game in a row in double-figures as part of her ninth game in the last 10 outings scoring in double-digit, after just one double-digit game in her first six contests and just two in the previous 10 games before her recent spurt.
• The 10 rebounds was Parks' fourth double-digit rebounding outing, as she has scored double-doubles in a two of previous outings ... it was also her fourth game in the last five outings with eight or more boards, as part of the 10th game overall this season with eight or more rebounds, including six of the last eight.
• Smith posted 14 points, registering her second double-digit scoring output in a row and seventh of the season, as part of 13th of her Spartan career ... the 14 points was Smith's highest in a B1G game this season and second-highest overall, trailing her MSU career-high of 20 vs. Marshall (11/30/21).
• Ekh tallied 11 points, including draining three 3-pointers ... Ekh maintains her spot at No. 4 on MSU's list for 3-pointers by a Spartan freshman, needing just one more to catch Taryn McCutcheon (2016-17) at No. 3 with 47 3-pointers ... Sunday was Ekh's fifth game in a row with a 3-pointer, all with three or more treys, part of her ninth game this season with three or more triples and 11th game overall with multiple 3-pointers.
• By making 3-of-8 behind the arc, Ekh is now shotting 43.0 (46-of-107) for the season, maintaining the No. 2 spot on the Spartans' freshman 3-point percentage list, just ahead of current teammate Moira 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 101 3-point attempts is just 16 shy of the No. 5 mark on the freshman 3-pointers attempted list, with Maxann Reese (1996-97) currently holding the No. 5 spot.
• With 11 points, Ekh registered her fifth-consecutive contest scoring in double-digits, part of netting 10+ points in six of the last seven outings and overall her 13th game of the season in double-figures.
• The 11 points moves Ekh to 244 for her first season as a Spartan, now just 22 points shy of cracking 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).
Team Stats
MSU
RU
FG%
.423
.333
3FG%
.385
.333
FT%
.750
.600
RB
36
30
TO
12
16
STL
10
6
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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