Sunday, February 12
East Lansing, Mich.
3 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Penn State
Spartan Women Host Penn State on 4-H Day Sunday
2/10/2023 8:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Michigan State will honor 4-H members across the state.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball returns home to take on Penn State on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Breslin Center. Tip off time is set for 3 p.m. on Big Ten Plus with Brendan Schabath and Owen Oszust calling the action. MSU will also be honoring 4-H members from across the state of Michigan.
• The Spartans returned to the winning column with a dominating 88-63 win at Wisconsin on Feb. 8. With the victory, Michigan State evened its record out, holding a 12-12 overall mark and a 4-9 record in league action. Penn State stands 13-11 overall and stand 4-9 in Big Ten play. Last time out, the Lady Lions suffered a 95-51 loss to Iowa on Feb. 5.
• MSU will be playing its fifth-straight game without head coach Suzy Merchant on the bench after suffering a medical incident on Jan. 28. Dean Lockwood will be the Spartans' acting head coach.
•Senior forward Taiyier Parks netted 20 points off the bench against Wisconsin, topping her previous career-high of 18 points, done twice, last vs. Indiana (Dec. 29). The 20 points was her fourth double-figure scoring game in the last five contests.
• Against Wisconsin, MSU drained 12 3-pointers, finishing 12-of-27 (.444), marking the 10th total game this season with double-digit 3-pointers. Kamaria McDaniel led the way with six treys.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State comes to East Lansing with a 17-11 overall record and stands 4-9 in Big Ten action. The Lady Lions have conference wins against Rutgers, Purdue, Wisconsin and Northwestern. Most recently, Penn State fell at home against Iowa, 95-51. PSU started the season winning its first seven games of the season.
Penn State ranks fifth in the nation in steals per game (12.5), 15th in turnovers forced per game (21.1), 33rd in turnover margin (4.3) and 56th in assists per game (15.5). The 12.5 steals per game are first in the Big Ten. Penn State stands eighth in the league in scoring offense (72.6 ppg), while holding the ninth spot in scoring defense (71.1 ppg).
Makenna Marisa is sixth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 17.9 ppg. With 1,673 career points, she stands 11th in Penn State history. Leilani Kapinus is having a stellar season defensively. She is first in the league in steals, averaging 3.5 spg. Marisa is tied with DeeDee Hagemann with 2.0 spg. Marisa also leads the B1G in minutes played, averaging 35.3 mpg.
Carolyn Keiger is in her fourth season with Penn State, holding a 40-67 mark with the Lady Lions. Overall, she holds a 139-132 record in eight season as a head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY LIONS
This is the first of two meetings this season between the Spartans and the Lady Lions. The teams will meet in University Park in the regular-season finale on Saturday, Feb. 25. Overall, Penn State leads the series 31-22, going 17-7 at Bryce Jordan Arena. In East Lansing, the series is knotted 12-12.
The teams split the series last season with both squads winning on the road. MSU won in University Park, 79-58, on Jan. 27, 2022. The Lady Lions won the last meeting at the Breslin Center, taking a 79-71 win on Feb. 21, 2022. Nia Clouden scored 17 points in that battle, while Matilda Ekh added 14.
Before the loss last season, Michigan State had won four games in a row and five of the last seven. The Spartans last win at home against the Lady Lions on March 1, 2020 with a one-sided 99-80 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. WISCONSIN
• Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel's 29 points is her seventh 20-point outing, including third in the last six games, as part of her 17th double-digit scoring game. McDaniel also netted a career-high six 3-pointers on the way to 6-of-8 shooting behind the arc. The six 3-pointers, tops her MSU season high of four at Illinois (Jan. 29) and betters her career-best of five, done twice during her Penn State career, last vs. MSU (1/9/20). The six triples also marked her ninth game with multiple 3-pointers, as well as fifth game with three or more treys.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks and senior guard Moira Joiner pulled down five rebounds apiece. It marks the third-straight game and eighth time in last nine games that Parks led or shared the team-lead on the glass, while marking the second time in last four games that Joiner has led or shared the rebounding lead.
KMAC BACK ON TRACK
After two-straight games of scoring in single digits, graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel returned to form against Wisconsin on Feb. 8. McDaniel's 29 points was her seventh 20-point outing, including third in the last six games, as part of her 17th double-digit scoring game. She also netted a career-high six 3-pointers on the way to 6-of-8 shooting behind the arc. The six 3-pointers, tops her MSU season high of four at Illinois (Jan. 29) and betters her career-best of five, done twice during her Penn State career, last vs. MSU (1/9/20). The six triples also marked her ninth game with multiple 3-pointers, as well as fifth game with three or more treys.
FAMILIAR FACES
Both senior forward Jayla James and graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel will see familiar faces on the opposing bench. James played her freshman season at Penn State in 2019-20, while McDaniel wore the blue and white from 2018-20.
THIEVES IN THE NIGHT
Against Nebraska on Feb. 2, the Spartans forced 19 turnovers, highlighted by 18 steals. The 18 steals are the most in a Big Ten game and the second most this season for MSU. Senior guard Moira Joiner and sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann registered five steals, while senior guard/forward Tory Ozment tied her career high with three. Michigan State's season high in steals came against Oakland on Nov. 15 with 19.
Against Michigan on Feb. 5, MSU kept the thievery going with 17 total steals. Hagemann and Joiner both set career highs with six steals apiece. Senior forward Taiyier Parks also added three.
UP NEXT
Following the game against the Lady Lions, Michigan State will travel to West Lafayette for the second meeting of the season against Purdue on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. After the game against Lady Lions, the Spartans only have four regular-season games remaining.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State has had seven double-digit rebound performances this season by four different players. Sophomore forward Isaline Alexander leads the way with three 10-rebound games. Senior forward Taiyier Parks has reached double digits twice including a team-high 12 boards at Maryland on Jan. 7. Both senior guard Moira Joiner and redshirt-junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault have reached 10 rebounds once this season.
DYNAMITE DEEDEE
Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann tallied 13 points to go with a game-best tying and team-high six assists against Wisconsin on Feb. 8. The 13 points was Hagemann's fourth double-digit outing as part of the ninth this season and 18th of her career. Hagemann's six helpers was her fifth game in a row with five or more assists, making up her 11th game with five or more helpers. She also netted two 3-pointers, draining multiple triples for the first time in the last seven games, while logging her sixth game this season making multiple 3-pointers.
She has been solid on both sides of the ball the last three games. In the last three contests against Nebraska and Michigan, she has averaged 13.7 ppg, 4.7 spg and 6.7 apg. She set a new career high with six steals against Michigan on Feb. 5.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Wednesday's Spartan starting five of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh, senior guard Moira Joiner and sophomore forward Isaline Alexander was the fifth-straight game that MSU started with that line-up and are now 2-3 with that line-up to open the game. Overall, MSU has had seven different line-ups this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 24 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 23 games.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Michigan State only has five regular-season games remaining this season, holding a 4-9 mark in B1G games. MSU has three home games and three road contests remaining. Indiana stands alone in the Big Ten standings with an 13-1 record, while Iowa is second with a 11-2 mark. Maryland is alone in third with a 11-3 record. MSU is 11th with a 4-9 record tied with Penn State and Rutgers. Northwestern is 14th, holding a 1-12 record in league contests.
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.
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 on Jan. 29.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
A 10-point first quarter deficit was too much to overcome as the Michigan State women's basketball team saw its comeback fall short against Penn State, 79-71, on Feb. 21, 2022 at the Breslin Center. With the loss, Michigan State falls to 14-12 overall and 8-7 in Big Ten action. Penn State improves to 11-15 overall and 5-11 in league contests.
Senior guard Nia Clouden led the Spartans with 17 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds. Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh once again reached double figures with 14 points and three assists, going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Graduate forward Tamara Farquhar was near a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
EKH EQUALS CONSISTENCY
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh has been one of Michigan State's most consistent players this season. Against Michigan on Feb. 5, Ekh tied for the team lead with 12 points on 3-for-4 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The Vasteras, Sweden, native tallied double figures for the 16th time this season and 35th in her career. She has only had two games this season without at least one 3-pointer made. With 126 made 3-pointers in her two seasons, she stands 11th all-time at MSU. Next up for Ekh is No. 10 Annalise Pickrel (138, 2010-14), who currently serves as the team's strength & conditioning coach.
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.
MO' MOIRA, MO' SCORING
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In 24 games this season, she has averaged 10.0 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 35. She has started nine games so far this season, including the last seven. 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. Against Wisconsin on Feb. 8, Joiner netted one 3-pointer to give her 116 for her career, tying with Taylor Alton (2008-12).
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is 11th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.0 apg, behind Iowa (20.7 apg). MSU is also ninth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.4).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 15th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.57). Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 55th in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 57.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' 12 losses this season, nine of the 12 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 Illinois, MSU lost by a close 86-76 margin, followed by a 71-67 loss to Nebraska on Feb. 2. Most recently, MSU fell to No. 18/19 Michigan, 77-67.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 23 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 and DeeDee Hagemann have 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 five times, while senior guard Moira Joiner has been on top four 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 (11.5 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (14.1) and third in the conference in assists (18.0 apg). MSU currently stands fifth in the league in scoring margin (+13.3).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.5. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.57). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 12th in rebounds, averaging 6.7 rpg. Hagemann stands second in steals in league contests, averaging 2.5 spg and fifth in assists with 5.3 apg.
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. 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.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 250 of its last 264 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 200 of their last 216. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 284-22 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 12-1 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 183 of their last 218 games (.839) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 202-47 (.811) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 12-6 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 returned to the winning column with a dominating 88-63 win at Wisconsin on Feb. 8. With the victory, Michigan State evened its record out, holding a 12-12 overall mark and a 4-9 record in league action. Penn State stands 13-11 overall and stand 4-9 in Big Ten play. Last time out, the Lady Lions suffered a 95-51 loss to Iowa on Feb. 5.
• MSU will be playing its fifth-straight game without head coach Suzy Merchant on the bench after suffering a medical incident on Jan. 28. Dean Lockwood will be the Spartans' acting head coach.
•Senior forward Taiyier Parks netted 20 points off the bench against Wisconsin, topping her previous career-high of 18 points, done twice, last vs. Indiana (Dec. 29). The 20 points was her fourth double-figure scoring game in the last five contests.
• Against Wisconsin, MSU drained 12 3-pointers, finishing 12-of-27 (.444), marking the 10th total game this season with double-digit 3-pointers. Kamaria McDaniel led the way with six treys.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State comes to East Lansing with a 17-11 overall record and stands 4-9 in Big Ten action. The Lady Lions have conference wins against Rutgers, Purdue, Wisconsin and Northwestern. Most recently, Penn State fell at home against Iowa, 95-51. PSU started the season winning its first seven games of the season.
Penn State ranks fifth in the nation in steals per game (12.5), 15th in turnovers forced per game (21.1), 33rd in turnover margin (4.3) and 56th in assists per game (15.5). The 12.5 steals per game are first in the Big Ten. Penn State stands eighth in the league in scoring offense (72.6 ppg), while holding the ninth spot in scoring defense (71.1 ppg).
Makenna Marisa is sixth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 17.9 ppg. With 1,673 career points, she stands 11th in Penn State history. Leilani Kapinus is having a stellar season defensively. She is first in the league in steals, averaging 3.5 spg. Marisa is tied with DeeDee Hagemann with 2.0 spg. Marisa also leads the B1G in minutes played, averaging 35.3 mpg.
Carolyn Keiger is in her fourth season with Penn State, holding a 40-67 mark with the Lady Lions. Overall, she holds a 139-132 record in eight season as a head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY LIONS
This is the first of two meetings this season between the Spartans and the Lady Lions. The teams will meet in University Park in the regular-season finale on Saturday, Feb. 25. Overall, Penn State leads the series 31-22, going 17-7 at Bryce Jordan Arena. In East Lansing, the series is knotted 12-12.
The teams split the series last season with both squads winning on the road. MSU won in University Park, 79-58, on Jan. 27, 2022. The Lady Lions won the last meeting at the Breslin Center, taking a 79-71 win on Feb. 21, 2022. Nia Clouden scored 17 points in that battle, while Matilda Ekh added 14.
Before the loss last season, Michigan State had won four games in a row and five of the last seven. The Spartans last win at home against the Lady Lions on March 1, 2020 with a one-sided 99-80 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. WISCONSIN
• Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel's 29 points is her seventh 20-point outing, including third in the last six games, as part of her 17th double-digit scoring game. McDaniel also netted a career-high six 3-pointers on the way to 6-of-8 shooting behind the arc. The six 3-pointers, tops her MSU season high of four at Illinois (Jan. 29) and betters her career-best of five, done twice during her Penn State career, last vs. MSU (1/9/20). The six triples also marked her ninth game with multiple 3-pointers, as well as fifth game with three or more treys.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks and senior guard Moira Joiner pulled down five rebounds apiece. It marks the third-straight game and eighth time in last nine games that Parks led or shared the team-lead on the glass, while marking the second time in last four games that Joiner has led or shared the rebounding lead.
KMAC BACK ON TRACK
After two-straight games of scoring in single digits, graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel returned to form against Wisconsin on Feb. 8. McDaniel's 29 points was her seventh 20-point outing, including third in the last six games, as part of her 17th double-digit scoring game. She also netted a career-high six 3-pointers on the way to 6-of-8 shooting behind the arc. The six 3-pointers, tops her MSU season high of four at Illinois (Jan. 29) and betters her career-best of five, done twice during her Penn State career, last vs. MSU (1/9/20). The six triples also marked her ninth game with multiple 3-pointers, as well as fifth game with three or more treys.
FAMILIAR FACES
Both senior forward Jayla James and graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel will see familiar faces on the opposing bench. James played her freshman season at Penn State in 2019-20, while McDaniel wore the blue and white from 2018-20.
THIEVES IN THE NIGHT
Against Nebraska on Feb. 2, the Spartans forced 19 turnovers, highlighted by 18 steals. The 18 steals are the most in a Big Ten game and the second most this season for MSU. Senior guard Moira Joiner and sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann registered five steals, while senior guard/forward Tory Ozment tied her career high with three. Michigan State's season high in steals came against Oakland on Nov. 15 with 19.
Against Michigan on Feb. 5, MSU kept the thievery going with 17 total steals. Hagemann and Joiner both set career highs with six steals apiece. Senior forward Taiyier Parks also added three.
UP NEXT
Following the game against the Lady Lions, Michigan State will travel to West Lafayette for the second meeting of the season against Purdue on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. After the game against Lady Lions, the Spartans only have four regular-season games remaining.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State has had seven double-digit rebound performances this season by four different players. Sophomore forward Isaline Alexander leads the way with three 10-rebound games. Senior forward Taiyier Parks has reached double digits twice including a team-high 12 boards at Maryland on Jan. 7. Both senior guard Moira Joiner and redshirt-junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault have reached 10 rebounds once this season.
DYNAMITE DEEDEE
Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann tallied 13 points to go with a game-best tying and team-high six assists against Wisconsin on Feb. 8. The 13 points was Hagemann's fourth double-digit outing as part of the ninth this season and 18th of her career. Hagemann's six helpers was her fifth game in a row with five or more assists, making up her 11th game with five or more helpers. She also netted two 3-pointers, draining multiple triples for the first time in the last seven games, while logging her sixth game this season making multiple 3-pointers.
She has been solid on both sides of the ball the last three games. In the last three contests against Nebraska and Michigan, she has averaged 13.7 ppg, 4.7 spg and 6.7 apg. She set a new career high with six steals against Michigan on Feb. 5.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Wednesday's Spartan starting five of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh, senior guard Moira Joiner and sophomore forward Isaline Alexander was the fifth-straight game that MSU started with that line-up and are now 2-3 with that line-up to open the game. Overall, MSU has had seven different line-ups this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 24 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 23 games.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Michigan State only has five regular-season games remaining this season, holding a 4-9 mark in B1G games. MSU has three home games and three road contests remaining. Indiana stands alone in the Big Ten standings with an 13-1 record, while Iowa is second with a 11-2 mark. Maryland is alone in third with a 11-3 record. MSU is 11th with a 4-9 record tied with Penn State and Rutgers. Northwestern is 14th, holding a 1-12 record in league contests.
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.
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 on Jan. 29.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
A 10-point first quarter deficit was too much to overcome as the Michigan State women's basketball team saw its comeback fall short against Penn State, 79-71, on Feb. 21, 2022 at the Breslin Center. With the loss, Michigan State falls to 14-12 overall and 8-7 in Big Ten action. Penn State improves to 11-15 overall and 5-11 in league contests.
Senior guard Nia Clouden led the Spartans with 17 points to go along with six assists and six rebounds. Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh once again reached double figures with 14 points and three assists, going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Graduate forward Tamara Farquhar was near a double-double with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
EKH EQUALS CONSISTENCY
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh has been one of Michigan State's most consistent players this season. Against Michigan on Feb. 5, Ekh tied for the team lead with 12 points on 3-for-4 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. The Vasteras, Sweden, native tallied double figures for the 16th time this season and 35th in her career. She has only had two games this season without at least one 3-pointer made. With 126 made 3-pointers in her two seasons, she stands 11th all-time at MSU. Next up for Ekh is No. 10 Annalise Pickrel (138, 2010-14), who currently serves as the team's strength & conditioning coach.
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.
MO' MOIRA, MO' SCORING
Senior guard Moira Joiner has had a resurgence since returning from concussion symptoms that shortened her 2021-22 season. In 24 games this season, she has averaged 10.0 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 35. She has started nine games so far this season, including the last seven. 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. Against Wisconsin on Feb. 8, Joiner netted one 3-pointer to give her 116 for her career, tying with Taylor Alton (2008-12).
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is 11th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.0 apg, behind Iowa (20.7 apg). MSU is also ninth in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.4).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 15th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.57). Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 55th in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 57.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' 12 losses this season, nine of the 12 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 Illinois, MSU lost by a close 86-76 margin, followed by a 71-67 loss to Nebraska on Feb. 2. Most recently, MSU fell to No. 18/19 Michigan, 77-67.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 23 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 and DeeDee Hagemann have 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 five times, while senior guard Moira Joiner has been on top four 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 (11.5 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (14.1) and third in the conference in assists (18.0 apg). MSU currently stands fifth in the league in scoring margin (+13.3).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.5. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.57). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 15th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.5 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 12th in rebounds, averaging 6.7 rpg. Hagemann stands second in steals in league contests, averaging 2.5 spg and fifth in assists with 5.3 apg.
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. 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.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 250 of its last 264 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 200 of their last 216. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 284-22 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 12-1 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 183 of their last 218 games (.839) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 202-47 (.811) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 12-6 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois when reaching the 70-point mark.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballRobyn Fralick | Women's Basketball Selection Show Press Conference | March 16, 2025
Sunday, March 16
Robyn Fralick | Women's Basketball Press Conference | Mar. 04 2025
Tuesday, March 04
Michigan State Women's Basketball vs Minnosta | Cinematic Highlight
Sunday, March 02
Coach Fralick Post Game Comments | MINN | Mar. 1 2025
Saturday, March 01