Wednesday, January 18
East Lansing, Mich.
7 PM
Michigan State University
vs
#10/9 Iowa
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell
Spartan Women Return Home to Face No. 10/9 Iowa
1/17/2023 2:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Michigan State will play two home games this week.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball returns to the friendly confines of the Breslin Center to face No. 10/9 Iowa on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Tip off time is set for 7 p.m. on BTN+ with Zach Surdenik and Alexis Ayala calling the action.
• The Spartans look to break a three-game losing streak after falling to No. 17/20 Michigan, 70-55, on Jan. 14. MSU now stands 10-8 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten games. Iowa stands 14-4 overall are 6-1 in league action. Last time out, the Hawkeyes dominated Penn State, 108-67, on Jan. 14.
•Michigan State has been a streaky team this season, beginning the season winning six-straight games. The Spartan followed that by losing five-straight and rebounded winning four in a row. On Wednesday, MSU will look to snap its current three-game losing streak.
•Against U-M guard Kamaria McDaniel led MSU with 12 points, registering double-figures for the sixth-straight game as part of posting double-digits in the scoring column for team-leading 14th time this season. McDaniel also led or shared the team-lead for the sixth game, also tops on the team.
•On Saturday guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted MSU's first points of the game with a 3-pointer in the first quarter. With that trey, Ekh tied Taylor Alton (2008-12) for the No. 14 spot on MSU's career 3-pointers made list with 116 career triples.
SCOUTING IOWA
The Hawkeyes improved to 14-4 overall and 6-1 after a dominating 108-67 win over Penn State on Jan. 14. Iowa stands tied for second with Indiana in the league behind Ohio State which is still a perfect 18-0 overall and 7-0 in league play. The Hawkeyes have road B1G wins against Wisconsin and Michigan. Iowa has home league wins against Purdue, Northwestern and Penn State. The Hawkeyes only conference set back came against Illinois in Champaign on Jan. 1. Iowa has been hot of late winning nine of its last 10 games.
All-American Caitlin Clark continues to lead the high-flying Hawkeye offense. She is first in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 26.8 ppg. Her teammate Monika Czinano is sixth in scoring with 17.7 ppg. Clark also leads the league in assists with 7.3 apg. McKenna Warnock stands 10th in the B1G in 3-point field goals made, making 2.1 per game.
Iowa continues to have one of the most potent offenses in the nation. The Hawkeyes are first in the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging 88.1 points per game, while standing ninth in scoring defense, allowing 70.1 ppg. Iowa also leads the B1G in field goal percentage (.500), as well as assists (20.1 apg). Not surprisingly, the Hawkeyes are also first in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.51).
Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder is in her 23rd season in Iowa City. She holds a 477-246 record at the helm of the Hawkeyes. Overall, she is in her 38th season as a head coach with an impressive 833-388.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE HAWKEYES
Iowa leads the overall series with Michigan State, 41-30. The Spartans have a slight advantage at the Breslin Center, 17-15. In Iowa City, the Hawkeyes lead 23-10, while the all-time matchup is tied 3-3 on neutral territory. Iowa has won two-straight in the series, including a 88-61 win in Iowa City last season on Dec. 5, 2021.
The last time that the teams met in East Lansing, the Spartans came away with an 86-82 win on Dec. 12, 2020. In that game, Alyza Winston scored 25 points to go along with a career-high three steals. Junior guard Nia Clouden added 21 points.
MSU has captured the last two games in East Lansing, also coming out on top in 2018. Overall, Iowa has won four of the last five total meetings.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. MICHIGAN
• Michigan State's starting line-up of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh, senior guard Moira Joiner and senior forward Taiyier Parks was the Spartans' first game with that starting five. Overall it was MSU's sixth different line-up this season.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks led MSU with eight rebounds, marking the sixth game this season that she has led the team in rebounding, tying sophomore forward Isaline Alexander for the team lead. Parks has pulled down six or more boards in each of the last five games, as part of six of the last seven contests and eight games overall this season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Redshirt-junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault recorded MSU's lone block on the afternoon, and has now posted at least one block in 11 games, including seven of the last eight games, as she is averaging one swat per game in the last eight contests. Ayrault now leads the team with 13 blocks this season, breaking a tie with sophomore forward teammate Isaline Alexander for the total team lead.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Through seven games in the Big Ten schedule, Ohio State is the only undefeated team remaining in the league, while Iowa and Ohio State are tied for second with matching 6-1 league records. Northwestern is the only team looking for its first league win with an 0-7 mark. Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Rutgers are all 2-5 so far in conference games.
JOINING THE BENCH
Former Michigan State All-American Nia Clouden returns to the Spartan bench this season. During the WNBA offseason, the Connecticut Sun guard will serve as a graduate assistant on Suzy Merchant's staff.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is swiftly climbing the MSU career charts. In just two seasons, Ekh has drained 116 3-pointers, which places her tied for 14th in the MSU record books. She is currently tied Taylor Alton (2008-12). In two seasons, she is shooting .402 from beyond the arc (115-for-286), which places her first all-time in MSU history. Ekh stands five away from tying Spartan All-American Aerial Powers (2013-16), who drained 121 treys in her career. Senior guard Moira Joiner stands 17th all-time with 109 career 3-point field goals.
Ekh's 69 3-pointers as a freshman were the second most all-time for a Spartan rookie. MSU All-American Lindsay Bowen holds the top spot with 77 treys as a freshman during the 2002-03 season.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Against Michigan on Jan. 14, Michigan State used the starting line-up of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh, senior guard Moira Joiner and senior forward Taiyier Parks. It was the Spartans' first game with that starting five. Overall it was MSU's sixth different line-up this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 18 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 17 games.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
The Dec. 29 win over No. 4/3 Indiana was MSU's third opponent ranked in the top 5, after facing then-No. 5/4 Iowa State on Nov. 24, 2022 in Portland, Oregon, and playing at then-No. 3/4 Ohio State on Dec. 11, 2022. Overall, MSU has faced six ranked teams so far this season, taking on No. 18/18 Oregon on Nov. 27 and No. 13/14 Maryland on Jan. 7. On Jan. 14, the Spartans fell to No. 17/20 Michigan. MSU is 1-5 this season against ranked foes.
BREAKING RECORDS
Michigan State's 19 made 3-pointers against Maryland on Jan. 7 broke an MSU record. The previous record was 17 against Morehead State on Nov. 9, 2021. The 19 treys was also tied for the second-most in Big Ten history. The most made was 20 by Maryland in 2020.
LAST TIME VS. THE HAWKEYES
After a tough second half, the Michigan State women's basketball fell to No. 9/11 Iowa, 88-61, in the Big Ten opener on Dec. 5, 2021 at Hawkeye-Carver Arena.
Senior guard Nia Clouden had her streak of 20-point games halted at six, scoring 18 points to lead MSU. Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann had another strong offensive showing with 12 points to go along with six assists. Graduate forward Tamara Farquhar also reached double figures with 10 points.
Iowa was led by a triple-double by Caitin Clark who scored 24 points to go along with 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
MIGHTY MATILDA
Against Maryland on Jan. 7, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh reached the 20-point mark for the second-straight game. She scored 20 points to lead the Spartans, highlighted by 17 points in the second half. Behind a 17-point second quarter against Northwestern, she scored 21 points on Jan. 2. The guard now has six games this season with at least four treys.
After adding 14 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 11 and nine against Michigan on Jan. 14, Ekh is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.9 points per game. She has drained 47 treys in 18 games this season, shooting .412 from beyond the arc. She has scored in double figures 12 times this season, including six of the last seven games.
TAKING DOWN THE TOP
Michigan State's upset of No. 4/3 Indiana is the Spartans' highest win over a ranked team since upsetting No. 4/4 Michigan, 63-57, on Feb. 10, 2022 at the Breslin Center. MSU dealt the Hoosiers their first loss of the season, as Indiana brought a 12-0 overall and 2-0 Big Ten ledger into that contest.
KMAC GETS THE JOB DONE
Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has been a solid force for the Spartans all season. With 12 points against Michigan on Jan. 14, she has now scored in double digits for five-straight games. Overall, she has reached double digits in 14 of MSU's 18 games. She has scored least 20 points four times this year. The guard leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 ppg, which is 17th in the league. She leads the team in points scored this season with 258. The most points she has scored in a season is 290, during her sophomore season at Penn State (2018-19).
MORE MO PLEASE
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In 18 games this season, she has averaged 9.6 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 28.
Against Wisconsin on Jan. 11, she tied her career-high with 20 points, posting a season-best for the second game in a row after 19 points at Maryland (Jan. 7). Joiner matched her career mark of 20 points at Rutgers (1/20/20). The 20 points was Joiner's second-straight double-digit outing as part of the ninth of the season and 22nd of her career. Against Maryland, she tied her career high with five 3-pointers, going 5-for-8 for the game. This was the fourth time in her career that she drained five treys in a game. Joiner added a season-high eight rebounds and tied a season high with five assists.
FREQUENT FLYER
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh returned to the lineup for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 27. After playing against Central Michigan on Nov. 19, Ekh traveled to Sweden for a National Team game against Israel. She arrived in Portland on Friday and scored 14 points for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 25. She also scored 14 points against Georgia Tech on Dec. 1 and 12 against Purdue on Dec. 5.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' eight losses this season, six of the eight defeats have come by a margin of nine points or less. On Nov. 27, MSU fell to No. 18/18 Oregon, 86-78. MSU lost to Georgia Tech on Dec. 1, 66-63, before falling in overtime to Purdue on Dec. 5, 76-71. Against No. 3/4 Ohio State, the Spartans fell, 74-68. Most recently, Michigan State fell to both No. 13/14 Maryland and Wisconsin by a combined 13 points.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 17 games this season, Michigan State has spread out the scoring. Eight different players have led the team in scoring this season. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has led the team in scoring six times this season. Senior forward Taiyier Parks and junior guard Gabby Elliott have both led the team in scoring twice. McDaniel has four 20-point games and has led the team in scoring in all of those games. Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh has led the squad in scoring four times, while senior guard Moira Joiner has been on top three times.
TOPPING THE CHARTS
Michigan State is among the Big Ten's leaders in several categories this season. The Spartans are currently second in the B1G in turnover margin (+7.2) and third in steals (11.5 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (15.3) and third in the conference in assists (18.6 apg). MSU currently stands fourth in the league in scoring margin (+18.5).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is first in the Big Ten in 3-point field percentage, shooting .412. She is also third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.8 Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands fourth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ration (2.52). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 17th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.3 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is eighth in rebounds, averaging 8.0 rpg. Redshirt-junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault stands tied for eight in blocks with 1.00 bpg.
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is 12th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 17.9 apg, behind Iowa (20.1 apg). MSU is also 12th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.3).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 32nd in the NCAA and fifth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.34). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 52nd in the nation and sixth in the league in total free throws made with 69. Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 23rd in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 47.
UP NEXT
Following the battle against the Hawkeyes, Michigan State will host Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. MSU will celebrate Alumni Day and its Title IX game against the Scarlet Knights. Michigan State will then travel to Illinois on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. on BTN
TITLE IX CELEBRATION
Throughout the season, Michigan State will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. MSU Athletics kicked off its year-round celebration on June 23, 2022. While the work in advancing women's athletics is not complete, the Spartans will celebrate the advancements that have been made in the last 50 years.
LEGENDARY SPARTAN
Former Michigan State women's basketball guard Nia Clouden was drafted 12th in the first round by the Connecticut Sun at the 2022 WNBA Draft. Clouden was the 12th Big Ten student-athlete drafted by the Sun franchise (which began as the Orlando Miracle from 1999-2002). Clouden, an Owings Mills, Maryland native, became the eighth Spartan to be selected in the WNBA draft. Tori Jankoska was the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Sky, while Aerial Powers was the fifth overall pick in 2016 going to the Dallas Wings.
SPARTANS: THE NEW CLASS
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent on Thursday, including Jordan Wood (Chicago, Illinois/Carmel Catholic High School) and Bree Robinson (Mississauga, Ontario/ Webb School).
Wood is a 6-4 forward, who is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She attends Carmel Catholic High School and is coached by Ben Berg. Wood is currently ranked No. 62 in the ESPNW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. As a junior, she scored 1,000 points, as well as leading the Corsairs to a Class 3A Illinois State Championship. Last season, she averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in assists (3.2 apg). Robinson is a 5-8 guard, who is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, plays for head coach Matthew Shewmake at the Webb School (Tenn.). She helped lead the Webb school to a Tennessee State Championship, earning First-Team All-District 3 honors in the process. She also has a vast amount of international experience playing for Team Canada. She was the captain for Team Canada, playing in the U16 FIBA Americas in 2021, capturing a silver medal.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 248 of its last 261 games (.950) when leading with five minutes left, including 198 of their last 213. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 282-21 (.931) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 10-0 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 180 of their last 214 games (.841) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 200-45 (.816) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 10-4 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue and Wisconsin went reaching the 70-point mark.
• The Spartans look to break a three-game losing streak after falling to No. 17/20 Michigan, 70-55, on Jan. 14. MSU now stands 10-8 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten games. Iowa stands 14-4 overall are 6-1 in league action. Last time out, the Hawkeyes dominated Penn State, 108-67, on Jan. 14.
•Michigan State has been a streaky team this season, beginning the season winning six-straight games. The Spartan followed that by losing five-straight and rebounded winning four in a row. On Wednesday, MSU will look to snap its current three-game losing streak.
•Against U-M guard Kamaria McDaniel led MSU with 12 points, registering double-figures for the sixth-straight game as part of posting double-digits in the scoring column for team-leading 14th time this season. McDaniel also led or shared the team-lead for the sixth game, also tops on the team.
•On Saturday guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted MSU's first points of the game with a 3-pointer in the first quarter. With that trey, Ekh tied Taylor Alton (2008-12) for the No. 14 spot on MSU's career 3-pointers made list with 116 career triples.
SCOUTING IOWA
The Hawkeyes improved to 14-4 overall and 6-1 after a dominating 108-67 win over Penn State on Jan. 14. Iowa stands tied for second with Indiana in the league behind Ohio State which is still a perfect 18-0 overall and 7-0 in league play. The Hawkeyes have road B1G wins against Wisconsin and Michigan. Iowa has home league wins against Purdue, Northwestern and Penn State. The Hawkeyes only conference set back came against Illinois in Champaign on Jan. 1. Iowa has been hot of late winning nine of its last 10 games.
All-American Caitlin Clark continues to lead the high-flying Hawkeye offense. She is first in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 26.8 ppg. Her teammate Monika Czinano is sixth in scoring with 17.7 ppg. Clark also leads the league in assists with 7.3 apg. McKenna Warnock stands 10th in the B1G in 3-point field goals made, making 2.1 per game.
Iowa continues to have one of the most potent offenses in the nation. The Hawkeyes are first in the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging 88.1 points per game, while standing ninth in scoring defense, allowing 70.1 ppg. Iowa also leads the B1G in field goal percentage (.500), as well as assists (20.1 apg). Not surprisingly, the Hawkeyes are also first in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.51).
Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder is in her 23rd season in Iowa City. She holds a 477-246 record at the helm of the Hawkeyes. Overall, she is in her 38th season as a head coach with an impressive 833-388.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE HAWKEYES
Iowa leads the overall series with Michigan State, 41-30. The Spartans have a slight advantage at the Breslin Center, 17-15. In Iowa City, the Hawkeyes lead 23-10, while the all-time matchup is tied 3-3 on neutral territory. Iowa has won two-straight in the series, including a 88-61 win in Iowa City last season on Dec. 5, 2021.
The last time that the teams met in East Lansing, the Spartans came away with an 86-82 win on Dec. 12, 2020. In that game, Alyza Winston scored 25 points to go along with a career-high three steals. Junior guard Nia Clouden added 21 points.
MSU has captured the last two games in East Lansing, also coming out on top in 2018. Overall, Iowa has won four of the last five total meetings.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. MICHIGAN
• Michigan State's starting line-up of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh, senior guard Moira Joiner and senior forward Taiyier Parks was the Spartans' first game with that starting five. Overall it was MSU's sixth different line-up this season.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks led MSU with eight rebounds, marking the sixth game this season that she has led the team in rebounding, tying sophomore forward Isaline Alexander for the team lead. Parks has pulled down six or more boards in each of the last five games, as part of six of the last seven contests and eight games overall this season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Redshirt-junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault recorded MSU's lone block on the afternoon, and has now posted at least one block in 11 games, including seven of the last eight games, as she is averaging one swat per game in the last eight contests. Ayrault now leads the team with 13 blocks this season, breaking a tie with sophomore forward teammate Isaline Alexander for the total team lead.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Through seven games in the Big Ten schedule, Ohio State is the only undefeated team remaining in the league, while Iowa and Ohio State are tied for second with matching 6-1 league records. Northwestern is the only team looking for its first league win with an 0-7 mark. Michigan State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Rutgers are all 2-5 so far in conference games.
JOINING THE BENCH
Former Michigan State All-American Nia Clouden returns to the Spartan bench this season. During the WNBA offseason, the Connecticut Sun guard will serve as a graduate assistant on Suzy Merchant's staff.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is swiftly climbing the MSU career charts. In just two seasons, Ekh has drained 116 3-pointers, which places her tied for 14th in the MSU record books. She is currently tied Taylor Alton (2008-12). In two seasons, she is shooting .402 from beyond the arc (115-for-286), which places her first all-time in MSU history. Ekh stands five away from tying Spartan All-American Aerial Powers (2013-16), who drained 121 treys in her career. Senior guard Moira Joiner stands 17th all-time with 109 career 3-point field goals.
Ekh's 69 3-pointers as a freshman were the second most all-time for a Spartan rookie. MSU All-American Lindsay Bowen holds the top spot with 77 treys as a freshman during the 2002-03 season.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Against Michigan on Jan. 14, Michigan State used the starting line-up of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh, senior guard Moira Joiner and senior forward Taiyier Parks. It was the Spartans' first game with that starting five. Overall it was MSU's sixth different line-up this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 18 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 17 games.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
The Dec. 29 win over No. 4/3 Indiana was MSU's third opponent ranked in the top 5, after facing then-No. 5/4 Iowa State on Nov. 24, 2022 in Portland, Oregon, and playing at then-No. 3/4 Ohio State on Dec. 11, 2022. Overall, MSU has faced six ranked teams so far this season, taking on No. 18/18 Oregon on Nov. 27 and No. 13/14 Maryland on Jan. 7. On Jan. 14, the Spartans fell to No. 17/20 Michigan. MSU is 1-5 this season against ranked foes.
BREAKING RECORDS
Michigan State's 19 made 3-pointers against Maryland on Jan. 7 broke an MSU record. The previous record was 17 against Morehead State on Nov. 9, 2021. The 19 treys was also tied for the second-most in Big Ten history. The most made was 20 by Maryland in 2020.
LAST TIME VS. THE HAWKEYES
After a tough second half, the Michigan State women's basketball fell to No. 9/11 Iowa, 88-61, in the Big Ten opener on Dec. 5, 2021 at Hawkeye-Carver Arena.
Senior guard Nia Clouden had her streak of 20-point games halted at six, scoring 18 points to lead MSU. Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann had another strong offensive showing with 12 points to go along with six assists. Graduate forward Tamara Farquhar also reached double figures with 10 points.
Iowa was led by a triple-double by Caitin Clark who scored 24 points to go along with 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
MIGHTY MATILDA
Against Maryland on Jan. 7, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh reached the 20-point mark for the second-straight game. She scored 20 points to lead the Spartans, highlighted by 17 points in the second half. Behind a 17-point second quarter against Northwestern, she scored 21 points on Jan. 2. The guard now has six games this season with at least four treys.
After adding 14 points against Wisconsin on Jan. 11 and nine against Michigan on Jan. 14, Ekh is second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.9 points per game. She has drained 47 treys in 18 games this season, shooting .412 from beyond the arc. She has scored in double figures 12 times this season, including six of the last seven games.
TAKING DOWN THE TOP
Michigan State's upset of No. 4/3 Indiana is the Spartans' highest win over a ranked team since upsetting No. 4/4 Michigan, 63-57, on Feb. 10, 2022 at the Breslin Center. MSU dealt the Hoosiers their first loss of the season, as Indiana brought a 12-0 overall and 2-0 Big Ten ledger into that contest.
KMAC GETS THE JOB DONE
Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has been a solid force for the Spartans all season. With 12 points against Michigan on Jan. 14, she has now scored in double digits for five-straight games. Overall, she has reached double digits in 14 of MSU's 18 games. She has scored least 20 points four times this year. The guard leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 ppg, which is 17th in the league. She leads the team in points scored this season with 258. The most points she has scored in a season is 290, during her sophomore season at Penn State (2018-19).
MORE MO PLEASE
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In 18 games this season, she has averaged 9.6 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 28.
Against Wisconsin on Jan. 11, she tied her career-high with 20 points, posting a season-best for the second game in a row after 19 points at Maryland (Jan. 7). Joiner matched her career mark of 20 points at Rutgers (1/20/20). The 20 points was Joiner's second-straight double-digit outing as part of the ninth of the season and 22nd of her career. Against Maryland, she tied her career high with five 3-pointers, going 5-for-8 for the game. This was the fourth time in her career that she drained five treys in a game. Joiner added a season-high eight rebounds and tied a season high with five assists.
FREQUENT FLYER
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh returned to the lineup for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 27. After playing against Central Michigan on Nov. 19, Ekh traveled to Sweden for a National Team game against Israel. She arrived in Portland on Friday and scored 14 points for the Spartans against Oregon on Nov. 25. She also scored 14 points against Georgia Tech on Dec. 1 and 12 against Purdue on Dec. 5.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' eight losses this season, six of the eight defeats have come by a margin of nine points or less. On Nov. 27, MSU fell to No. 18/18 Oregon, 86-78. MSU lost to Georgia Tech on Dec. 1, 66-63, before falling in overtime to Purdue on Dec. 5, 76-71. Against No. 3/4 Ohio State, the Spartans fell, 74-68. Most recently, Michigan State fell to both No. 13/14 Maryland and Wisconsin by a combined 13 points.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 17 games this season, Michigan State has spread out the scoring. Eight different players have led the team in scoring this season. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has led the team in scoring six times this season. Senior forward Taiyier Parks and junior guard Gabby Elliott have both led the team in scoring twice. McDaniel has four 20-point games and has led the team in scoring in all of those games. Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh has led the squad in scoring four times, while senior guard Moira Joiner has been on top three times.
TOPPING THE CHARTS
Michigan State is among the Big Ten's leaders in several categories this season. The Spartans are currently second in the B1G in turnover margin (+7.2) and third in steals (11.5 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (15.3) and third in the conference in assists (18.6 apg). MSU currently stands fourth in the league in scoring margin (+18.5).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is first in the Big Ten in 3-point field percentage, shooting .412. She is also third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.8 Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands fourth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ration (2.52). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 17th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.3 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is eighth in rebounds, averaging 8.0 rpg. Redshirt-junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault stands tied for eight in blocks with 1.00 bpg.
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is 12th in the nation and fourth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 17.9 apg, behind Iowa (20.1 apg). MSU is also 12th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.3).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 32nd in the NCAA and fifth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.34). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 52nd in the nation and sixth in the league in total free throws made with 69. Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 23rd in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 47.
UP NEXT
Following the battle against the Hawkeyes, Michigan State will host Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 3 p.m. MSU will celebrate Alumni Day and its Title IX game against the Scarlet Knights. Michigan State will then travel to Illinois on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. on BTN
TITLE IX CELEBRATION
Throughout the season, Michigan State will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. MSU Athletics kicked off its year-round celebration on June 23, 2022. While the work in advancing women's athletics is not complete, the Spartans will celebrate the advancements that have been made in the last 50 years.
LEGENDARY SPARTAN
Former Michigan State women's basketball guard Nia Clouden was drafted 12th in the first round by the Connecticut Sun at the 2022 WNBA Draft. Clouden was the 12th Big Ten student-athlete drafted by the Sun franchise (which began as the Orlando Miracle from 1999-2002). Clouden, an Owings Mills, Maryland native, became the eighth Spartan to be selected in the WNBA draft. Tori Jankoska was the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Chicago Sky, while Aerial Powers was the fifth overall pick in 2016 going to the Dallas Wings.
SPARTANS: THE NEW CLASS
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent on Thursday, including Jordan Wood (Chicago, Illinois/Carmel Catholic High School) and Bree Robinson (Mississauga, Ontario/ Webb School).
Wood is a 6-4 forward, who is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She attends Carmel Catholic High School and is coached by Ben Berg. Wood is currently ranked No. 62 in the ESPNW HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. As a junior, she scored 1,000 points, as well as leading the Corsairs to a Class 3A Illinois State Championship. Last season, she averaged 14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in assists (3.2 apg). Robinson is a 5-8 guard, who is a native of Mississauga, Ontario, plays for head coach Matthew Shewmake at the Webb School (Tenn.). She helped lead the Webb school to a Tennessee State Championship, earning First-Team All-District 3 honors in the process. She also has a vast amount of international experience playing for Team Canada. She was the captain for Team Canada, playing in the U16 FIBA Americas in 2021, capturing a silver medal.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 248 of its last 261 games (.950) when leading with five minutes left, including 198 of their last 213. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 282-21 (.931) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 10-0 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 180 of their last 214 games (.841) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 200-45 (.816) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 10-4 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue and Wisconsin went reaching the 70-point mark.
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