Thursday, February 2
Lincoln, Neb.
8:30 PM ET
Michigan State University
at
Nebraska
MSU Closes Out Road Swing at Nebraska Thursday
1/31/2023 7:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the only regular-season meeting between the two teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes its two-game road swing against Nebraska on Thursday, Feb. 2 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tip off time is set for 8:30 p.m. (ET) on the Big Ten Network with Sloane Martin and Brenda VanLengen calling the action.
• The Spartans opened the road trip with a tough 86-76 loss to No. 22/22 Illinois on Jan. 29. Michigan State currently stands 11-10 overall and 3-7 in Big Ten action. Nebraska is coming off an 80-76 loss to No. 10/8 Iowa on Jan. 28. The Cornhuskers are 12-9 overall and are 4-6 in league contests.
• MSU will be playing its second-straight game with out head coach Suzy Merchant on the bench after suffering a medical incident on Jan. 28. Dean Lockwood will act as interim head coach.
• The Spartans continue to distribute the ball well this season, standing ninth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists (18.1 apg). Michigan State is also third in the league in steals, averaging 11.0 spg.
• Against Illinois, senior guard Moira Joiner notched 11 points for her third-consecutive game in double-figures as part of five times in the last six games, with 12 double-figure scoring games on the season and 26th of her career. Joiner also led MSU in rebounding with six boards Sunday, marking the third time this season and ninth time in her career.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Nebraska holds a 12-9 overall record and stands 4-6 in league contests. Last time out, the Huskers dropped a 80-76 battle with Iowa in Iowa City on Jan. 28. Nebraska has lost six of its last eight games, earning wins against Purdue and Penn State during that stretch.
The Huskers have endured an injury-plagued season that has forced them to use various starting lineups. Only Jaz Shelley and Alex Markowski have started all 21 games this season. Shelley is first on the team in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game, while Markowski is second with 12.2 ppg. Shelley is five three-pointers away from 129 in her Husker career, which would put her into the top 10 on Nebraska's career three-point list.
The Huskers are first in the BIg Ten in field goal percentage defense (.378) and 11th in field goal percentage (.410). Nebraska stands second in 3-point field goals made with 8.2 just ahead of the Michigan State with 8.0.
Nebraska head coach Amy Williams is in her seventh season at the helm of the Husker squad. Williams holds a career record of 301-202 and a 108-93 mark at Nebraska.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE CORNHUSKERS
Nebraska holds the series lead with Michigan State, 9-5. The Spartans are looking for their first-ever win in Lincoln with the Huskers winning the first five meetings. This is the first time the teams have met at Pinnacle Bank Arena since Nebraska came away with an 82-71 win on Dec. 31, 2019. At the Breslin Center, the Spartans have a slight 5-3 advantage. Nebraska won the only meeting at the Big Ten Tournament, 86-58 in 2014.
MSU has won two of the last three meetings with Nebraska, including a 72-69 win in East Lansing on Dec. 30, 2021. In that game, MSU All-American led the Spartans with a game-high 32 points.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. ILLINOIS
• Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann notched 10 points and dished out a game-best eight assists, tying her season-high for the second-straight game and third time overall this season. Hagemann led MSU in assists for the 14th time this season and 28th time in her career. The 10 points was also Hagemann's first double-digit scoring outing in the last four games as part of the sixth total time this season and 15th of her career.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks posted her second-straight double-figure scoring outing with 13 points off the bench, part of her seventh double-digit scoring game this season and 30th of her career.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
The Spartans can always count on sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann to be MSU's top distributor. In the last five games, she has accumulated 27 assists, averaging 5.4 apg. For the season, she leads the team with 93 total helpers.
UP NEXT
Following the game against the Cornhuskers, Michigan State returns home to host No. 18/19 Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. Sunday is National Girls and Women in Sports Day which the Spartans will celebrate with all the MSU women's teams. It is also Go Green, Wear White day with a white rally towel giveaway.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Big Ten action, Michigan State has four players in double figures in 3-pointers led by sophomore forward Matilda Ekh, who has 22. Senior guard Moira Joiner has netted 17 treys, while graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has scored 15. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann is the final Spartan with double-digit treys with 11.
RISING TO THE OCCASION
Against Rutgers, freshman guard Abbey Kimball shattered her career high in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Her previous career-best mark of seven was set in MSU's last game against Iowa on Jan. 18 inside the Breslin Center. Kimball also set a new career highs in minutes played (16), assists (two) and steals (two), also matching her career high in rebounds with a pair. Over the last four games, she has increased has scored 31 points, averaging 7.8 ppg.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Against Illinois on Jan. 29, 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 sophomore forward Isaline Alexander. The Spartans' are 1-1 with that starting five. Overall, MSU has had seven different line-ups this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 21 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 20 games.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Passing the half-way point of the Big Ten schedule, Indiana has taken the top spot in the league with a 10-1 conference mark with Iowa close behind with a 9-1 record. MSU stands alone in ninth with a 3-7 conference record. The Spartans have had a tough first half of the season, playing all five top teams already (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland and Ohio State).
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 120 3-pointers, which places her 14th in the MSU record books. In two seasons, she is shooting .399 from beyond the arc (120-for-301), which places her second all-time in MSU history. Ekh stands one treys away from tying Spartan All-American Aerial Powers (2013-16), who drained 121 treys in her career. Senior guard Moira Joiner stands 16th all-time with 112 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.
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 and No. 10/9 Iowa on Jan. 18. The Spartans dropped to 1-7 this season against ranked foes with a loss to No. 22/22 Illinois.
LAST TIME VS. NEBRASKA
Playing short-handed, the Michigan State women's basketball teams handed Nebraska its first loss of the season 72-69 on Dec. 30, 2021 at the Breslin Center.
Playing without junior guard Moira Joiner, freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann and senior guard Laurel Jacqmain, the Spartans were forced to use a bigger lineup. With a game-high 32 points, senior guard Nia Clouden moves to No. 7 all-time in Spartan career scoring with 1,596 points, passing Maxann Reese (1996-00) with 1,589 points and Kris Emerson (1983-87) with 1,590 points.
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.
Against Rutgers on Jan. 22, Ekh registered 13 points on 1-for-6 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The Vasteras, Sweden, native tallied double figures for the 14th time this season and 33rd in her career. Ekh also dished out a season-high five assists for the second-straight game, surpassing her previous season-best mark of four set against Northwestern on Jan. 2, and just one shy of her career-high six helpers vs. Minnesota (1/23/22).
TAKING DOWN THE TOP
Michigan State's upset of No. 4/3 Indiana on Dec. 29 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.
KMAC'S CONSISTENCY
Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel had her six-game double-figure scoring streak stopped with three points against Rutgers on Jan. 22. She quickly returned to form against Illinois with 23 points on Jan. 29. Overall, she has reached double digits in 16 of MSU's 21 games. She has scored least 20 points six times this year. The guard still leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.6 ppg, which is 15th in the league. She leads the team in points scored this season with 307. The most points she had scored in a season is 290, during her sophomore season at Penn State (2018-19).
MO' MOIRA, MO' SCORING
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In 21 games this season, she has averaged 9.9 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 31. She has started six game so far this season, including the last four.
Joiner recorded a double-double for the first time in her collegiate career, booking 11 points and 10 rebounds in addition to three assists against No. 10/9 Iowa on Jan. 18. With 11 points against Illinois on Jan. 29, Joiner reached double figures in scoring for the 12th time in 2022-23 and the 25th time in her career. Joiner's one 3-pointer was her 112th career trey, as she is No. 16 on MSU's career 3-pointers list, passing Rene Haynes (2003-07).
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is ninth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.1 apg, behind Iowa (20.2 apg). MSU is also 10th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.4).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 20th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.51). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 76th in the nation and eighth in the league in total free throws made with 80. Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 61st in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 51.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' 10 losses this season, seven of the 10 defeats have come by a margin of 10 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, Wisconsin and No. 10/9 Iowa by a combined 16 points. Against No. 22/22, MSU lost by a close 86-76 margin.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 21 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 eight times this season. Senior forward Taiyier Parks and junior guard Gabby Elliott have both led the team in scoring twice. McDaniel has six 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 (+6.4) and third in steals (11.0 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (14.6) and third in the conference in assists (18.1 apg). MSU currently stands sixth in the league in scoring margin (+14.7).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is second in the Big Ten in 3-point field percentage, shooting .389. She is also third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.6. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.51). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.6 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 12th in rebounds, averaging 6.8 rpg. Hagemann stands sixth in assists in league contests, averaging 4.9 spg.
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.
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.
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 249 of its last 263 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 199 of their last 215. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 283-22 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 11-1 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 182 of their last 217 games (.839) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 201-47 (.810) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 11-6 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois when reaching the 70-point mark.
• The Spartans opened the road trip with a tough 86-76 loss to No. 22/22 Illinois on Jan. 29. Michigan State currently stands 11-10 overall and 3-7 in Big Ten action. Nebraska is coming off an 80-76 loss to No. 10/8 Iowa on Jan. 28. The Cornhuskers are 12-9 overall and are 4-6 in league contests.
• MSU will be playing its second-straight game with out head coach Suzy Merchant on the bench after suffering a medical incident on Jan. 28. Dean Lockwood will act as interim head coach.
• The Spartans continue to distribute the ball well this season, standing ninth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists (18.1 apg). Michigan State is also third in the league in steals, averaging 11.0 spg.
• Against Illinois, senior guard Moira Joiner notched 11 points for her third-consecutive game in double-figures as part of five times in the last six games, with 12 double-figure scoring games on the season and 26th of her career. Joiner also led MSU in rebounding with six boards Sunday, marking the third time this season and ninth time in her career.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Nebraska holds a 12-9 overall record and stands 4-6 in league contests. Last time out, the Huskers dropped a 80-76 battle with Iowa in Iowa City on Jan. 28. Nebraska has lost six of its last eight games, earning wins against Purdue and Penn State during that stretch.
The Huskers have endured an injury-plagued season that has forced them to use various starting lineups. Only Jaz Shelley and Alex Markowski have started all 21 games this season. Shelley is first on the team in scoring, averaging 12.8 points per game, while Markowski is second with 12.2 ppg. Shelley is five three-pointers away from 129 in her Husker career, which would put her into the top 10 on Nebraska's career three-point list.
The Huskers are first in the BIg Ten in field goal percentage defense (.378) and 11th in field goal percentage (.410). Nebraska stands second in 3-point field goals made with 8.2 just ahead of the Michigan State with 8.0.
Nebraska head coach Amy Williams is in her seventh season at the helm of the Husker squad. Williams holds a career record of 301-202 and a 108-93 mark at Nebraska.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE CORNHUSKERS
Nebraska holds the series lead with Michigan State, 9-5. The Spartans are looking for their first-ever win in Lincoln with the Huskers winning the first five meetings. This is the first time the teams have met at Pinnacle Bank Arena since Nebraska came away with an 82-71 win on Dec. 31, 2019. At the Breslin Center, the Spartans have a slight 5-3 advantage. Nebraska won the only meeting at the Big Ten Tournament, 86-58 in 2014.
MSU has won two of the last three meetings with Nebraska, including a 72-69 win in East Lansing on Dec. 30, 2021. In that game, MSU All-American led the Spartans with a game-high 32 points.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. ILLINOIS
• Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann notched 10 points and dished out a game-best eight assists, tying her season-high for the second-straight game and third time overall this season. Hagemann led MSU in assists for the 14th time this season and 28th time in her career. The 10 points was also Hagemann's first double-digit scoring outing in the last four games as part of the sixth total time this season and 15th of her career.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks posted her second-straight double-figure scoring outing with 13 points off the bench, part of her seventh double-digit scoring game this season and 30th of her career.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
The Spartans can always count on sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann to be MSU's top distributor. In the last five games, she has accumulated 27 assists, averaging 5.4 apg. For the season, she leads the team with 93 total helpers.
UP NEXT
Following the game against the Cornhuskers, Michigan State returns home to host No. 18/19 Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. Sunday is National Girls and Women in Sports Day which the Spartans will celebrate with all the MSU women's teams. It is also Go Green, Wear White day with a white rally towel giveaway.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Big Ten action, Michigan State has four players in double figures in 3-pointers led by sophomore forward Matilda Ekh, who has 22. Senior guard Moira Joiner has netted 17 treys, while graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has scored 15. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann is the final Spartan with double-digit treys with 11.
RISING TO THE OCCASION
Against Rutgers, freshman guard Abbey Kimball shattered her career high in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Her previous career-best mark of seven was set in MSU's last game against Iowa on Jan. 18 inside the Breslin Center. Kimball also set a new career highs in minutes played (16), assists (two) and steals (two), also matching her career high in rebounds with a pair. Over the last four games, she has increased has scored 31 points, averaging 7.8 ppg.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Against Illinois on Jan. 29, 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 sophomore forward Isaline Alexander. The Spartans' are 1-1 with that starting five. Overall, MSU has had seven different line-ups this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 21 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 20 games.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Passing the half-way point of the Big Ten schedule, Indiana has taken the top spot in the league with a 10-1 conference mark with Iowa close behind with a 9-1 record. MSU stands alone in ninth with a 3-7 conference record. The Spartans have had a tough first half of the season, playing all five top teams already (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland and Ohio State).
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 120 3-pointers, which places her 14th in the MSU record books. In two seasons, she is shooting .399 from beyond the arc (120-for-301), which places her second all-time in MSU history. Ekh stands one treys away from tying Spartan All-American Aerial Powers (2013-16), who drained 121 treys in her career. Senior guard Moira Joiner stands 16th all-time with 112 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.
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 and No. 10/9 Iowa on Jan. 18. The Spartans dropped to 1-7 this season against ranked foes with a loss to No. 22/22 Illinois.
LAST TIME VS. NEBRASKA
Playing short-handed, the Michigan State women's basketball teams handed Nebraska its first loss of the season 72-69 on Dec. 30, 2021 at the Breslin Center.
Playing without junior guard Moira Joiner, freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann and senior guard Laurel Jacqmain, the Spartans were forced to use a bigger lineup. With a game-high 32 points, senior guard Nia Clouden moves to No. 7 all-time in Spartan career scoring with 1,596 points, passing Maxann Reese (1996-00) with 1,589 points and Kris Emerson (1983-87) with 1,590 points.
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.
Against Rutgers on Jan. 22, Ekh registered 13 points on 1-for-6 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The Vasteras, Sweden, native tallied double figures for the 14th time this season and 33rd in her career. Ekh also dished out a season-high five assists for the second-straight game, surpassing her previous season-best mark of four set against Northwestern on Jan. 2, and just one shy of her career-high six helpers vs. Minnesota (1/23/22).
TAKING DOWN THE TOP
Michigan State's upset of No. 4/3 Indiana on Dec. 29 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.
KMAC'S CONSISTENCY
Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel had her six-game double-figure scoring streak stopped with three points against Rutgers on Jan. 22. She quickly returned to form against Illinois with 23 points on Jan. 29. Overall, she has reached double digits in 16 of MSU's 21 games. She has scored least 20 points six times this year. The guard still leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.6 ppg, which is 15th in the league. She leads the team in points scored this season with 307. The most points she had scored in a season is 290, during her sophomore season at Penn State (2018-19).
MO' MOIRA, MO' SCORING
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In 21 games this season, she has averaged 9.9 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 31. She has started six game so far this season, including the last four.
Joiner recorded a double-double for the first time in her collegiate career, booking 11 points and 10 rebounds in addition to three assists against No. 10/9 Iowa on Jan. 18. With 11 points against Illinois on Jan. 29, Joiner reached double figures in scoring for the 12th time in 2022-23 and the 25th time in her career. Joiner's one 3-pointer was her 112th career trey, as she is No. 16 on MSU's career 3-pointers list, passing Rene Haynes (2003-07).
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is ninth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.1 apg, behind Iowa (20.2 apg). MSU is also 10th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.4).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 20th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.51). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 76th in the nation and eighth in the league in total free throws made with 80. Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 61st in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 51.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' 10 losses this season, seven of the 10 defeats have come by a margin of 10 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, Wisconsin and No. 10/9 Iowa by a combined 16 points. Against No. 22/22, MSU lost by a close 86-76 margin.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 21 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 eight times this season. Senior forward Taiyier Parks and junior guard Gabby Elliott have both led the team in scoring twice. McDaniel has six 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 (+6.4) and third in steals (11.0 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (14.6) and third in the conference in assists (18.1 apg). MSU currently stands sixth in the league in scoring margin (+14.7).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is second in the Big Ten in 3-point field percentage, shooting .389. She is also third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.6. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.51). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.6 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 12th in rebounds, averaging 6.8 rpg. Hagemann stands sixth in assists in league contests, averaging 4.9 spg.
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.
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.
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 249 of its last 263 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 199 of their last 215. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 283-22 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 11-1 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 182 of their last 217 games (.839) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 201-47 (.810) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 11-6 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois when reaching the 70-point mark.
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