Saturday, February 18
East Lansing, Mich.
3 PM
Michigan State University
vs
#8/#8 Maryland
Spartan Women Return to Action Hosting No. 8 Maryland Saturday
2/17/2023 1:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 18 for the first time since a mass shooting on the East Lansing campus on Monday, Feb. 13, when three students were killed and five were hospitalized. The Spartans return to the court after their game against Purdue on Feb. 15 was postponed.
• Tip off time is set for 3 p.m. (ET) on Big Ten Plus with Brendan Schabath and Zach Beavers calling the action. Saturday is also Michigan State's Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Sparrow.
• In its last outing, MSU won its second-straight game with a win against Penn State, 81-75, on Feb. 12. Michigan State now stands 13-12 overall and 5-9 in league action. Maryland has won three-straight games, most recently defeating Illinois, 82-71. The Terrapins are 21-5 overall and 12-3 in B1G play.
•Michigan State played its fourth overtime game of the season against Penn State on Feb. 12, with all four coming in home contests. MSU improved to 1-3 in OT games after losing to Purdue, 76-71, on Dec. 5; to Wisconsin, 84-80, on Jan. 11; and to No. 10/9 Iowa, 84-81, on Jan. 18.
• Taiyier Parks earned a spot on the Big Ten Honor Roll with a solid performance last week. In two games, she averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland comes to East Lansing with a 21-5 overall record and stands 12-3 in Big Ten action. The Terrapins have won three-straight games with home wins over Ohio State and Illinois and a road victory against Northwestern. Maryland's only conference losses came against Nebraska (Dec. 4), Indiana (Jan. 12) and Iowa (Feb. 2).
The Terps are fifth in the league in scoring offense, averaging 79.0 ppg. Maryland also stands eighth in scoring defense, allowing 68.7 ppg. The Terps are first in the B1G in free throw percentage, shooting 79.0 percent from the charity stripe. Maryland has the second-toughest schedule in the nation this season, according to the Massey Ratings. The Terrapins are 5-3 vs. ranked teams this season with three wins over top 10 teams.
Diamond Miller is having a stellar season, standing third in the league in scoring, averaging 19.8 ppg. Miller is also 11th in rebound with 6.6 rpg.Elisa Pinzan is second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (2.68).
Brenda Frese is in her 21st season with Maryland, holding a 556-145 mark with the Terps. Overall, she holds a 525-304 record in 24 season as a head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE TERRAPINS
Maryland leads the overall series with Michigan State, 17-2. The Terps have won the last six games in the series, including a 94-85 win in College Park on Jan. 7. In that battle, the Spartans trailed by as many as 21 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh led the Spartans with 20 points.
Last season, Maryland came away with a tight 67-62 win in East Lansing on Feb. 23, 2022. Maryland leads the series in East Lansing 6-1 and 6-1 in College Park. On neutral territory, the Terps are on top in the series 5-0.
The Spartans earned their first win against the Terrapins on Jan. 11, 2018. Michigan State defeated Maryland, 82-68, with a resounding performance. Almost exactly one year later, the Spartans captured their only home win against the Terps with a 77-60 win on Jan. 17, 2019.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. PENN STATE
• Michigan State played its fourth overtime game of the season on Sunday, with all four coming in home contests. MSU improved to 1-3 in OT games after losing to Purdue, 76-71, on Dec. 5; to Wisconsin, 84-80, on Jan. 11; and to No. 10/9 Iowa, 84-81, on Jan. 18.
• The Spartans have won two in a row, posting their third winning streak of the season after a six-game win streak to open the season (Nov. 7-19), then a four-game win streak to overlap the calendar flip (Dec. 18-Jan. 2).
LEADING THE TEAM
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.
DURING THE WINNING STREAK
Senior forward Taiyier Parks earned a spot on the Big Ten Honor Roll with a solid performance in the Spartans' two wins last week. In two games, she averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. During the two-game stretch, graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel also averaged 17.5 ppg. The Spartans averaged 84.5 ppg in the last two games, while allowing only 69.0. MSU also shot an impressive 82.4 percent from the free throw line (28-for-34).
EKH-CELLENT OUTING
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted 21 points against Penn State on Feb. 12, including draining five 3-pointers. The 21 points tied Ekh's season-high and her most at home, as she matched her season-best of 21 at Northwestern (Jan. 2). The five treys tied her most in a B1G game for the third time this season, also doing so in back-to-back games at Northwestern (Jan. 2) and at Maryland (Jan. 7), and was one shy of her career-high of six triples, done once this season vs. Western Michigan (Nov. 13) as part of three total times of her career.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Michigan State only has three regular-season games remaining this season, holding a 5-9 mark in B1G games. MSU has two home games and one road contests remaining. Indiana stands alone in the Big Ten standings with an 15-1 record, while Iowa is second with a 11-2 mark. Maryland is alone in third with a 13-2 record. MSU is ninth with a 5-9 record, just ahead of Rutgers (5-10) and Penn State (4-11). Northwestern is 14th, holding a 1-14 record in league contests.
UP NEXT
Following the game against the Terrapins, Michigan State will have only two regular-season games remaining. The Spartans will celebrate Senior Day on Wednesday, Feb. 22 against Minnesota at 7 p.m. MSU will end the regular season at Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State played its fourth overtime game of the season on Sunday, with all four coming in home contests. MSU improved to 1-3 in OT games after losing to Purdue, 76-71, on Dec. 5; to Wisconsin, 84-80, on Jan. 11; and to No. 10/9 Iowa, 84-81, on Jan. 18. The Spartans last overtime win came on Dec. 31, 2019 with a 78-70 win over Nebraska in East Lansing. Overall, Michigan State is 35-27 in overtime contests.
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. She also added 16 in a win against Penn State on Feb. 12. Over the two-game span, she averaged 14.5 points. Hagemann's eight helpers against the Lady Lions was her sixth game in a row with five or more assists, making up her 12th game with five or more helpers. She also netted two 3-pointers, draining multiple triples for the second-straight game, while logging her seventh game this season making multiple 3-pointers.
Hagemann is now sixth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 4.8 apg. She is also seventh in steals with 2.00 spg.
LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND
Trailing by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter, the Michigan State women's basketball team battled but fell to No. 13/14 Maryland, 94-85 at the XFINITY Center on Jan. 7, 2023. The Spartans' four-game winning streak was halted, as they slide to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten action.
Michigan State had three players in double figures led by 20 points by sophomore guard Matilda Ekh, who went 5-for-14 from beyond the arc. Senior guard Moira Joiner scored 19 points, tying her career high with five treys. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel scored 15 points, adding five boards. Senior forward Taiyier Parks was one rebound shy of her career high with 12 boards off the bench.
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.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Sunday'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 sixth-straight game that MSU started with that line-up and are now 3-3 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 25 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 24 games.
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.
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.
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 131 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 25 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 36. She has started 10 games so far this season, including the last eight. 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. 12, Joiner netted one 3-pointer to give her 117 for her career, as she passes Taylor Alton (2008-12).
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 (21.3 apg). MSU is also seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.6).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 12th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.63). Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 46th in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 62.
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 24 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 six 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 (+6.6) and third in steals (11.4 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (13.9) and third in the conference in assists (18.1 apg). MSU currently stands fifth in the league in scoring margin (+13.0).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.6. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.6). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 17th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.2 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 13th in rebounds, averaging 6.8 rpg. Hagemann stands second in steals in league contests, averaging 2.6 spg and sixth in assists with 5.5 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 251 of its last 265 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 201 of their last 217. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 285-22 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 13-1 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 184 of their last 219 games (.840) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 203-47 (.812) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 13-6 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois when reaching the 70-point mark.
• Tip off time is set for 3 p.m. (ET) on Big Ten Plus with Brendan Schabath and Zach Beavers calling the action. Saturday is also Michigan State's Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Sparrow.
• In its last outing, MSU won its second-straight game with a win against Penn State, 81-75, on Feb. 12. Michigan State now stands 13-12 overall and 5-9 in league action. Maryland has won three-straight games, most recently defeating Illinois, 82-71. The Terrapins are 21-5 overall and 12-3 in B1G play.
•Michigan State played its fourth overtime game of the season against Penn State on Feb. 12, with all four coming in home contests. MSU improved to 1-3 in OT games after losing to Purdue, 76-71, on Dec. 5; to Wisconsin, 84-80, on Jan. 11; and to No. 10/9 Iowa, 84-81, on Jan. 18.
• Taiyier Parks earned a spot on the Big Ten Honor Roll with a solid performance last week. In two games, she averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game.
SCOUTING MARYLAND
Maryland comes to East Lansing with a 21-5 overall record and stands 12-3 in Big Ten action. The Terrapins have won three-straight games with home wins over Ohio State and Illinois and a road victory against Northwestern. Maryland's only conference losses came against Nebraska (Dec. 4), Indiana (Jan. 12) and Iowa (Feb. 2).
The Terps are fifth in the league in scoring offense, averaging 79.0 ppg. Maryland also stands eighth in scoring defense, allowing 68.7 ppg. The Terps are first in the B1G in free throw percentage, shooting 79.0 percent from the charity stripe. Maryland has the second-toughest schedule in the nation this season, according to the Massey Ratings. The Terrapins are 5-3 vs. ranked teams this season with three wins over top 10 teams.
Diamond Miller is having a stellar season, standing third in the league in scoring, averaging 19.8 ppg. Miller is also 11th in rebound with 6.6 rpg.Elisa Pinzan is second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (2.68).
Brenda Frese is in her 21st season with Maryland, holding a 556-145 mark with the Terps. Overall, she holds a 525-304 record in 24 season as a head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE TERRAPINS
Maryland leads the overall series with Michigan State, 17-2. The Terps have won the last six games in the series, including a 94-85 win in College Park on Jan. 7. In that battle, the Spartans trailed by as many as 21 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh led the Spartans with 20 points.
Last season, Maryland came away with a tight 67-62 win in East Lansing on Feb. 23, 2022. Maryland leads the series in East Lansing 6-1 and 6-1 in College Park. On neutral territory, the Terps are on top in the series 5-0.
The Spartans earned their first win against the Terrapins on Jan. 11, 2018. Michigan State defeated Maryland, 82-68, with a resounding performance. Almost exactly one year later, the Spartans captured their only home win against the Terps with a 77-60 win on Jan. 17, 2019.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. PENN STATE
• Michigan State played its fourth overtime game of the season on Sunday, with all four coming in home contests. MSU improved to 1-3 in OT games after losing to Purdue, 76-71, on Dec. 5; to Wisconsin, 84-80, on Jan. 11; and to No. 10/9 Iowa, 84-81, on Jan. 18.
• The Spartans have won two in a row, posting their third winning streak of the season after a six-game win streak to open the season (Nov. 7-19), then a four-game win streak to overlap the calendar flip (Dec. 18-Jan. 2).
LEADING THE TEAM
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.
DURING THE WINNING STREAK
Senior forward Taiyier Parks earned a spot on the Big Ten Honor Roll with a solid performance in the Spartans' two wins last week. In two games, she averaged 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. During the two-game stretch, graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel also averaged 17.5 ppg. The Spartans averaged 84.5 ppg in the last two games, while allowing only 69.0. MSU also shot an impressive 82.4 percent from the free throw line (28-for-34).
EKH-CELLENT OUTING
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted 21 points against Penn State on Feb. 12, including draining five 3-pointers. The 21 points tied Ekh's season-high and her most at home, as she matched her season-best of 21 at Northwestern (Jan. 2). The five treys tied her most in a B1G game for the third time this season, also doing so in back-to-back games at Northwestern (Jan. 2) and at Maryland (Jan. 7), and was one shy of her career-high of six triples, done once this season vs. Western Michigan (Nov. 13) as part of three total times of her career.
LOOKING AROUND THE LEAGUE
Michigan State only has three regular-season games remaining this season, holding a 5-9 mark in B1G games. MSU has two home games and one road contests remaining. Indiana stands alone in the Big Ten standings with an 15-1 record, while Iowa is second with a 11-2 mark. Maryland is alone in third with a 13-2 record. MSU is ninth with a 5-9 record, just ahead of Rutgers (5-10) and Penn State (4-11). Northwestern is 14th, holding a 1-14 record in league contests.
UP NEXT
Following the game against the Terrapins, Michigan State will have only two regular-season games remaining. The Spartans will celebrate Senior Day on Wednesday, Feb. 22 against Minnesota at 7 p.m. MSU will end the regular season at Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
DID YOU KNOW?
Michigan State played its fourth overtime game of the season on Sunday, with all four coming in home contests. MSU improved to 1-3 in OT games after losing to Purdue, 76-71, on Dec. 5; to Wisconsin, 84-80, on Jan. 11; and to No. 10/9 Iowa, 84-81, on Jan. 18. The Spartans last overtime win came on Dec. 31, 2019 with a 78-70 win over Nebraska in East Lansing. Overall, Michigan State is 35-27 in overtime contests.
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. She also added 16 in a win against Penn State on Feb. 12. Over the two-game span, she averaged 14.5 points. Hagemann's eight helpers against the Lady Lions was her sixth game in a row with five or more assists, making up her 12th game with five or more helpers. She also netted two 3-pointers, draining multiple triples for the second-straight game, while logging her seventh game this season making multiple 3-pointers.
Hagemann is now sixth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 4.8 apg. She is also seventh in steals with 2.00 spg.
LAST TIME VS. MARYLAND
Trailing by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter, the Michigan State women's basketball team battled but fell to No. 13/14 Maryland, 94-85 at the XFINITY Center on Jan. 7, 2023. The Spartans' four-game winning streak was halted, as they slide to 10-6 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten action.
Michigan State had three players in double figures led by 20 points by sophomore guard Matilda Ekh, who went 5-for-14 from beyond the arc. Senior guard Moira Joiner scored 19 points, tying her career high with five treys. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel scored 15 points, adding five boards. Senior forward Taiyier Parks was one rebound shy of her career high with 12 boards off the bench.
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.
GETTING IN THE LINEUP
Sunday'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 sixth-straight game that MSU started with that line-up and are now 3-3 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 25 games. Both Ekh and Hagemann have started 24 games.
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.
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.
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 131 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 25 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 36. She has started 10 games so far this season, including the last eight. 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. 12, Joiner netted one 3-pointer to give her 117 for her career, as she passes Taylor Alton (2008-12).
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 (21.3 apg). MSU is also seventh in the nation and second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.6).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is 12th in the NCAA and third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.63). Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 46th in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 62.
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 24 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 six 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 (+6.6) and third in steals (11.4 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (13.9) and third in the conference in assists (18.1 apg). MSU currently stands fifth in the league in scoring margin (+13.0).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.6. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands third in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.6). Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel is 17th in the league in scoring, averaging 14.2 ppg.
In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 13th in rebounds, averaging 6.8 rpg. Hagemann stands second in steals in league contests, averaging 2.6 spg and sixth in assists with 5.5 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 251 of its last 265 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 201 of their last 217. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 285-22 (.928) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 13-1 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 184 of their last 219 games (.840) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 203-47 (.812) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 13-6 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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