Thursday, February 3
East Lansing, Mich.
6 PM
Michigan State University
12-9,6-4Big Ten
62
vs
67
No. 17/14 Maryland
16-6,8-3Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Maryland
21
11
22
13
67
Michigan St.
15
10
22
15
62
MSU’s Winning Streak Halted by No. 17/14 Maryland
2/3/2022 9:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Nia Clouden’s big second half not enough for Spartans.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Despite senior guard Nia Clouden's 18 second-half points, Michigan State women's basketball had its four-game winning streak halted by No. 17/14 Maryland on the 36th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day in East Lansing, Michigan on Thursday.
The Spartans fall to 12-9 overall this season and 6-4 in Big Ten play. Maryland improves to 16-6 overall and 8-3 in league action, winning four-straight games.
Michigan State had three players in double figures led by 22 points by Clouden who also added five rebounds and four assists. Senior forward Alisia Smith was two points shy of her Michigan State career high with 18 points to go along with eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Smith has scored in double figures in three-straight games. Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh added 10 points and was just shy of her career high with seven boards. The Spartans had 50 of their 67 points come Clouden, Smith and Ekh.
The Terrapins were led a game-high 25 points from Angel Reese, who attended the same St. Frances Academy high school as Clouden.
Maryland used a balanced attack to jump out to a quick 13-7 lead midway through the first period. After being down as many as seven points, the Spartans trimmed it to a 17-15 game after a Jayla James free throw. In the first quarter, MSU was led by six points from Smith as Maryland was up 21-15 after the first 10 minutes.
In the second period, the Terps opened up their first 10-point lead after a pair of Reese free throws. The two high-scoring offenses were held in check in the first half. The Spartans were held scoreless for four minutes, before an Ekh free throw broke the spell. A Clouden basket with under two minutes left in the half made it a 32-25 game, which is how the half ended. Neither team shot particularly well in the second quarter with, both shooting 26.7 percent.
MSU scored the first five points of the second half, highlighted by a Clouden 3-pointer. MSU was able to cut it to a 45-40 Terrapin advantage after another Clouden trey with 3:01 left in the period. Clouden was clutch in the period with 15 points, including going 5-for-7 from long range. The senior had only four points in the first half.
The Spartans continued to battle in the fourth period with a Tamara Farquhar jumper making it a 58-53 contest with under seven minutes left. Michigan State held Maryland without a field goal for over four minutes to stay within reach. The Spartans got as close as two points after a Clouden 3-pointer made it a 62-60 game with 2:29 remaining, but the Terps always had a response. Reese completed her stellar day, making her free throws done the stretch to seal the Maryland victory.
After a brief stint at home, the Spartans return to the road to take on Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. ET.
Post-Game Notes: vs. Maryland 2-3-22
• Michigan State's longest B1G winning streak since 2015-16 season was halted at four-straight with Thursday's loss, MSU's first loss since Jan. 12.
• 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' seventh-straight game as part of the ninth total game this season with that starting five as part of MSU's fourth different starting line-up overall this season.
• MSU's 20 assists Thursday night was the Spartans' fourth 20-assist game in last five contests and 10th of the season.
• Senior guard Nia Clouden netted a team-high 22 points, including 18 after halftime, as Clouden was stymied to just two points in each of the first two quarters, before erupting for six 3-pointers in the second half for her 18 points.
• Clouden's six 3-pointers was a new career-high, topping her previous mark of five triples set vs. Northwestern (1/16/22).
• The 22 points was Clouden's third 20-point outing in her last six games as part of her 12th 20-point game of the season and 30th of her career ... it was her 20th double-figure contest of the season and Clouden now has 91 career double-digit games.
• With 22 points, Clouden now has 1,733 points, just six shy from the No. 4 spot on MSU's career scoring list held by Linsday Bowen (2002-06) with 1,739 points.
• Clouden's six 3-pointers gives her 43 for the season and 129 for her career, moving from a tie for No. 11 to No. 10 on MSU's career 3-pointers list, pulling away from a tie at No. 11 with Eileen Shea (1987-91) with 123 triples, and passing former teammate Branndais Agee (2013-18) at No. 10 with 124 3-pointers, and now closing in on former Spartan player and current MSU assistant director of sports performance Annalise Pickrel (2010-14) at No. 9 with 138 3-pointers.
• Clouden dished out four assists Thursday, notching her fifth game in a row with four or more helpers and was her 90th of the season and gives her 414 for her career, maintaining the No. 7 spot on MSU's career assists mark, continuing to close gap on No. 5 spot held by Deb Traxinger (1978-82) with 443 helpers.
• Senior forward Alisia Smith netted 18 points and was two rebounds shy of a double-double with eight boards.
• Smith played an MSU career-high 35 minutes, the second-most of her career overall, trailing only 36 minutes, coincidentally also vs. Maryland, on Jan. 20, 2019, during her second season at Penn State ... the 35 minutes Thursday night topped her Spartan career-high for the second-straight game, as her previous MSU high was last time out, at Rutgers (1/30/22), the only two games playing over 30 minutes, as her previous MSU career-high before Rutgers was 28 minutes, vs. Nebraska (12/30/21).
• Smith's 18 points was her most in a B1G game this season and second-highest overall of the season ... it was her most in a B1G game this season for the second game in a row, after tallying 14 points last time out, at Rutgers (1/30/22) ... the 18 points was Smith's second-highest overall this season behind her MSU career-high of 20 points vs. Marshall (11/30/21), and tied for her third-highest overall of her Spartan career, along with last season's high of 19 points at Wisconsin (1/24/21) and matching 18 points vs. Purdue (2/21/21).
• 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).
• The 18 points was Smith's third double-digit scoring outing in a row as part of her eighth of the season and 13th of her Spartan career ... the three-straight double-figure games is Smith's longest streak of not only the season, but her MSU career, and the longest since the first five games of the 2018-19 season at Penn State, the second of her three seasons as a Nittany Lion.
• Smith's eight rebounds was her fourth-consecutive game with six or more boards, as she is averaging 10 points and 7.5 boards in her last four games ... overall, the eight boards was Smith's seventh game in last nine outings with five or more rebounds as part of the 12th time this season.
• Smith added two blocks, her second-straight game with two rejections and tied her season-high for the sixth time ... she also added two steals, her first game with multiple steals since a career-high three vs. West Virginia (12/21/21) and was her fourth game with multiple steals.
• Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted 10 points to post her sixth-straight game in double-figures as part of seven of the last eight contests and overall her 14th game with 10+ points this season.
• The 10 points gives Ekh 254 for her freshman campaign, needing just 12 more to tie for the No. 15 spot on MSU's freshman scoring list, held by Bella Engen (1994-95) with 266 points ... with two 3-pointers, Ekh notched her 12th game overall with multiple 3-pointers ... Ekh now has 48 triples for the season, passing Taryn McCutcheon (2016-17) at No. 3 on MSU's list for 3-pointers by a Spartan freshman, with 47 3-pointers ... next up at No. 2 is Tori Jankoska (2013-14) with 64 triples.
• Ekh was 2-of-7 from distance, and she is now shooting 48-of-114 for the season, good for 42.1 percent, 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 114 3-point attempts is just three 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 117.
• Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann dished out a game-high seven assists, her 10th game with five or more assists in the last 11 contests, as part of the 13th overall game this season.
• Hagemann's seven helpers Thursday night gives her 104 for her freshman season, becoming just the eighth Spartan women's basketball player to register 100 assists as a freshman, needing just two more helpers to tie for the No. 7 spot on MSU's assists by a freshman list.
The Spartans fall to 12-9 overall this season and 6-4 in Big Ten play. Maryland improves to 16-6 overall and 8-3 in league action, winning four-straight games.
Michigan State had three players in double figures led by 22 points by Clouden who also added five rebounds and four assists. Senior forward Alisia Smith was two points shy of her Michigan State career high with 18 points to go along with eight rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Smith has scored in double figures in three-straight games. Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh added 10 points and was just shy of her career high with seven boards. The Spartans had 50 of their 67 points come Clouden, Smith and Ekh.
The Terrapins were led a game-high 25 points from Angel Reese, who attended the same St. Frances Academy high school as Clouden.
Maryland used a balanced attack to jump out to a quick 13-7 lead midway through the first period. After being down as many as seven points, the Spartans trimmed it to a 17-15 game after a Jayla James free throw. In the first quarter, MSU was led by six points from Smith as Maryland was up 21-15 after the first 10 minutes.
In the second period, the Terps opened up their first 10-point lead after a pair of Reese free throws. The two high-scoring offenses were held in check in the first half. The Spartans were held scoreless for four minutes, before an Ekh free throw broke the spell. A Clouden basket with under two minutes left in the half made it a 32-25 game, which is how the half ended. Neither team shot particularly well in the second quarter with, both shooting 26.7 percent.
MSU scored the first five points of the second half, highlighted by a Clouden 3-pointer. MSU was able to cut it to a 45-40 Terrapin advantage after another Clouden trey with 3:01 left in the period. Clouden was clutch in the period with 15 points, including going 5-for-7 from long range. The senior had only four points in the first half.
The Spartans continued to battle in the fourth period with a Tamara Farquhar jumper making it a 58-53 contest with under seven minutes left. Michigan State held Maryland without a field goal for over four minutes to stay within reach. The Spartans got as close as two points after a Clouden 3-pointer made it a 62-60 game with 2:29 remaining, but the Terps always had a response. Reese completed her stellar day, making her free throws done the stretch to seal the Maryland victory.
After a brief stint at home, the Spartans return to the road to take on Minnesota on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. ET.
Post-Game Notes: vs. Maryland 2-3-22
• Michigan State's longest B1G winning streak since 2015-16 season was halted at four-straight with Thursday's loss, MSU's first loss since Jan. 12.
• 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' seventh-straight game as part of the ninth total game this season with that starting five as part of MSU's fourth different starting line-up overall this season.
• MSU's 20 assists Thursday night was the Spartans' fourth 20-assist game in last five contests and 10th of the season.
• Senior guard Nia Clouden netted a team-high 22 points, including 18 after halftime, as Clouden was stymied to just two points in each of the first two quarters, before erupting for six 3-pointers in the second half for her 18 points.
• Clouden's six 3-pointers was a new career-high, topping her previous mark of five triples set vs. Northwestern (1/16/22).
• The 22 points was Clouden's third 20-point outing in her last six games as part of her 12th 20-point game of the season and 30th of her career ... it was her 20th double-figure contest of the season and Clouden now has 91 career double-digit games.
• With 22 points, Clouden now has 1,733 points, just six shy from the No. 4 spot on MSU's career scoring list held by Linsday Bowen (2002-06) with 1,739 points.
• Clouden's six 3-pointers gives her 43 for the season and 129 for her career, moving from a tie for No. 11 to No. 10 on MSU's career 3-pointers list, pulling away from a tie at No. 11 with Eileen Shea (1987-91) with 123 triples, and passing former teammate Branndais Agee (2013-18) at No. 10 with 124 3-pointers, and now closing in on former Spartan player and current MSU assistant director of sports performance Annalise Pickrel (2010-14) at No. 9 with 138 3-pointers.
• Clouden dished out four assists Thursday, notching her fifth game in a row with four or more helpers and was her 90th of the season and gives her 414 for her career, maintaining the No. 7 spot on MSU's career assists mark, continuing to close gap on No. 5 spot held by Deb Traxinger (1978-82) with 443 helpers.
• Senior forward Alisia Smith netted 18 points and was two rebounds shy of a double-double with eight boards.
• Smith played an MSU career-high 35 minutes, the second-most of her career overall, trailing only 36 minutes, coincidentally also vs. Maryland, on Jan. 20, 2019, during her second season at Penn State ... the 35 minutes Thursday night topped her Spartan career-high for the second-straight game, as her previous MSU high was last time out, at Rutgers (1/30/22), the only two games playing over 30 minutes, as her previous MSU career-high before Rutgers was 28 minutes, vs. Nebraska (12/30/21).
• Smith's 18 points was her most in a B1G game this season and second-highest overall of the season ... it was her most in a B1G game this season for the second game in a row, after tallying 14 points last time out, at Rutgers (1/30/22) ... the 18 points was Smith's second-highest overall this season behind her MSU career-high of 20 points vs. Marshall (11/30/21), and tied for her third-highest overall of her Spartan career, along with last season's high of 19 points at Wisconsin (1/24/21) and matching 18 points vs. Purdue (2/21/21).
• 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).
• The 18 points was Smith's third double-digit scoring outing in a row as part of her eighth of the season and 13th of her Spartan career ... the three-straight double-figure games is Smith's longest streak of not only the season, but her MSU career, and the longest since the first five games of the 2018-19 season at Penn State, the second of her three seasons as a Nittany Lion.
• Smith's eight rebounds was her fourth-consecutive game with six or more boards, as she is averaging 10 points and 7.5 boards in her last four games ... overall, the eight boards was Smith's seventh game in last nine outings with five or more rebounds as part of the 12th time this season.
• Smith added two blocks, her second-straight game with two rejections and tied her season-high for the sixth time ... she also added two steals, her first game with multiple steals since a career-high three vs. West Virginia (12/21/21) and was her fourth game with multiple steals.
• Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted 10 points to post her sixth-straight game in double-figures as part of seven of the last eight contests and overall her 14th game with 10+ points this season.
• The 10 points gives Ekh 254 for her freshman campaign, needing just 12 more to tie for the No. 15 spot on MSU's freshman scoring list, held by Bella Engen (1994-95) with 266 points ... with two 3-pointers, Ekh notched her 12th game overall with multiple 3-pointers ... Ekh now has 48 triples for the season, passing Taryn McCutcheon (2016-17) at No. 3 on MSU's list for 3-pointers by a Spartan freshman, with 47 3-pointers ... next up at No. 2 is Tori Jankoska (2013-14) with 64 triples.
• Ekh was 2-of-7 from distance, and she is now shooting 48-of-114 for the season, good for 42.1 percent, 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 114 3-point attempts is just three 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 117.
• Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann dished out a game-high seven assists, her 10th game with five or more assists in the last 11 contests, as part of the 13th overall game this season.
• Hagemann's seven helpers Thursday night gives her 104 for her freshman season, becoming just the eighth Spartan women's basketball player to register 100 assists as a freshman, needing just two more helpers to tie for the No. 7 spot on MSU's assists by a freshman list.
Team Stats
MD
MSU
FG%
.387
.393
3FG%
.267
.333
FT%
.714
.545
RB
42
40
TO
10
14
STL
7
6
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
6
FTM
0
Pts
18
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
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