Saturday, February 25
University Park, Pa.
2 PM
Michigan State University
at
Penn State
MSU Women’s Basketball Closes Out Regular Season at Penn State
2/24/2023 2:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the second meeting of the season between the two teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball will conclude the regular-season schedule, traveling to Penn State on Saturday, Feb. 25. Tip off time is set for 2 p.m. on Big Ten Plus with Austin Groft and Maren Walseth calling the action.
• Saturday is just the third game for MSU 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. Michigan State students returned to class on Monday, Feb. 20.
• In its last outing, MSU celebrated Senior Day with a 71-67 win over Minnesota on Feb. 22. The Spartans improved to 14-13 overall 6-10 in Big Ten action. Penn State lost to Purdue last time out 86-62 on Feb. 22 and are now 13-15 overall and 4-13 in league play.
• Sophomore Matilda Ekh scored 15 points aided by a career-high 10 free throw makes. Ekh's 10-for-10 showing at the line made her the 12th Spartan to end a game with a 1.000 free throw percentage with a min. of 10 attempts. The last time a MSU player went 10-for-10 at the line was Nia Clouden against Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2022.
• Sophomore DeeDee Hagemann currently stands fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.0 apg and sixth in steals with 2.0 spg.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters the regular-season finale with a 13-15 overall record and a 4-13 mark in the Big Ten. The Lady Lions started the season winning seven-straight games. Penn State has league wins against Rutgers, Purdue, Wisconsin and Northwestern. The Lady Lions have lost five in a row, including a tough 81-75 overtime loss to Michigan State on Feb. 12.
The Lady Lions are 11th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 71.3 ppg, while standing in 11th in scoring defense, allowing 72.3 ppg. Penn State is second in the league in steals with 11.4 spg.
Makenna Marisa is currently sixth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 17.9 ppg. She is also ninth in the conference with 4.2 apg. She has been doing it all for the Lady Lions, playing an average of 35.5 minutes per game which is second in the league. Leilani Kapinus is 12th in the B1G in rebounding with 6.5 boards per game.
Carolyn Keiger is in her fourth season with Penn State, holding a 40-71 mark with the Lady Lions. Overall, she holds a 139-136 record in eight season as a head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY LIONS
This is the second meeting this season between the Spartans and the Lady Lions. The Spartans captured the first game in East Lansing with a tightly-contests overtime win, 81-75, on Feb. 12. Overall, Penn State leads the series 31-23, going 17-7 at Bryce Jordan Arena. In East Lansing, the Spartans have a slight edge 13-12. On neutral ground, MSU leads 3-2.
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.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. MINNESOTA
• Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann tallied 11 points against the Golden Gophers, recording double-figures in scoring for the 11th time this season and 20th time in her career. Hagemann finished with a game-high six assists in addition to two offensive rebounds. She was one of four Spartans on the night in double figures.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks finished with a game-high 11 rebounds, her third game of the season in double figures on the glass and 13th of her career. She was one rebound shy of her career-high 12 rebounds set at Maryland on Jan. 7.
LEADING THE TEAM
MSU will be playing its seventh-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.
THE BRAINY BALLERS
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh and sophomore forward Isaline Alexander were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team on Feb. 21. All honorees must have at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) their current institution.
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.
UP NEXT
Michigan State will now prepare for the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tournament runs from March 1-5 at the Target Center
DID YOU KNOW?
Against Minnesota on Feb. 22, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh scored 15 points aided by a career-high 10 free throw makes, reaching double digits for the 19th time this season and 38th time in her collegiate career. Ekh's 10-for-10 showing at the line made her the 12th Spartan in program history to end a game with a 1.000 free throw percentage with a minimum of 10 attempts. The last time a Michigan State player went 10-for-10 at the line was Nia Clouden against Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2022.
THANK YOU SENIORS
Against Minnesota on Feb. 22, Michigan State honored a trio of seniors in graduates Kamaria McDaniel and Stephanie Visscher and senior Jayla James. In their final games at the Breslin Center all three made starts. McDaniel scored 15 points, while Visscher added seven. James added a pair of rebounds and a steal.
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.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann dished out a season high-tying nine assists against the Terrapins on Feb. 18, matching her previous mark set against Michigan on Feb. 5. The Detroit native also matched her career high with one block against Maryland. Over the last eight games, Hagemann has had at least five helpers per game. She has averaged 7.4 apg during that eight game span. She has also scored in double figures six times during the last seven games. Hagemann is now fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.0 apg. She is also sixth in steals with 2.0 spg. In Big Ten contests, she is sixth with 5.8 apg.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
Michigan State women's basketball captured its first overtime win of the season with an 81-75 victory over Penn State on 4-H Day at the Breslin Center on Feb. 12.
After scoring only two points last time out at Wisconsin, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh led Michigan State with 21 points, going 5-for-8 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Senior forward Taiyier Parks had her second-straight double-digit scoring performance with 15 points and eight boards. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann scored 16 points and added a game-high eight assists.
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
Wednesday the Spartans' used the Senior Day starting five of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, graduate guard Stephanie Visscher, senior forward Jayla James and sophomore forward Isaline Alexander for the first time this season.
MSU had used the lineup of McDaniel, Hagemann, Matilda Ekh, Moira Joiner and Alexander for seven-straight games. The Spartans were 3-4 with that line-up. Overall, MSU has had eight different line-ups this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 27 games. Hagemann has started 26 games, while Ekh has been in the starting lineup 25 times.
AMAZING AYRAULT
Redshirt junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault finished as Michigan State's leading scorer against Maryland on Feb. 18, scoring 15 on a 4-for-7 evening from the floor. Ayrault's scoring output surpassed her previous season high of 13 set against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 18. The Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, native scored in double figures for the second time this season and 14th time in her career. Ayrault additionally matched her season high in blocks with two rejections against the Terrapins. She also matched her career high in 3-point makes with a trio of field goals from downtown. Her previous career high was set against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 18.
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 1-8 this season against ranked foes with a losses to No. 22/22 Illinois on Jan. 29 and No. 8/8 Maryland on Feb. 18.
EKH EQUALS CONSISTENCY
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh has been one of Michigan State's most consistent players this season. Against Maryland on Feb. 18, Ekh was second on the team in scorers with 11 points, making treys on the day. The Vasteras, Sweden, native tallied double figures for the 18th time this season and 37th in her career. She has only had two games this season without at least one 3-pointer made. Ekh leads the team in 3-pointers made this season with 65.
With 134 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 27 games this season, she has averaged 9.7 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 37. She has started 11 games so far this season, including nine of the last 10. 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 Minnesota on Feb. 22, Joiner netted two 3-pointers to give her 120 for her career. She is one trey away from tying Spartans All-American Aerial Powers (2013-16), who had 121 in her MSU career.
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is 10th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.0 apg, behind Iowa (21.1 apg). MSU is also 13th in the nation and three in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.0).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is seventh in the NCAA and two in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.7). Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 50th in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 66.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' 13 losses this season, 10 of the 13 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 and lost to No. 8/8 Maryland 66-61 on Feb. 18.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 26 games this season, Michigan State has spread out the scoring. Nine different players have led the team in scoring this season. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has led the team in scoring nine 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 seven times, while senior guard Moira Joiner has been on top four times. Redshirt-junior guard/forward was the top scorer for the Spartans against Maryland on Feb. 18.
TOPPING THE CHARTS
Michigan State is among the Big Ten's leaders in several categories this season. The Spartans are currently third in the B1G in turnover margin (+6.1) and third in steals (11.1 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (13.7) and third in the conference in assists (18.0 apg). MSU currently stands fifth in the league in scoring margin (+12.0).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.5. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands second in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.7). Senior forward Taiyier Parks is 20th in the league in rebounding, averaging 5.5 rpg. In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 13th in rebounds, averaging 6.5 rpg. Hagemann stands third in steals in league contests, averaging 2.5 spg and fifth in assists with 5.7 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 252 of its last 266 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 202 of their last 218. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 286-22 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 14-1 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 185 of their last 220 games (.841) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 204-47 (.813) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 14-6 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans have losses to Oregon, Purdue Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Illinois when reaching the 70-point mark.
• Saturday is just the third game for MSU 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. Michigan State students returned to class on Monday, Feb. 20.
• In its last outing, MSU celebrated Senior Day with a 71-67 win over Minnesota on Feb. 22. The Spartans improved to 14-13 overall 6-10 in Big Ten action. Penn State lost to Purdue last time out 86-62 on Feb. 22 and are now 13-15 overall and 4-13 in league play.
• Sophomore Matilda Ekh scored 15 points aided by a career-high 10 free throw makes. Ekh's 10-for-10 showing at the line made her the 12th Spartan to end a game with a 1.000 free throw percentage with a min. of 10 attempts. The last time a MSU player went 10-for-10 at the line was Nia Clouden against Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2022.
• Sophomore DeeDee Hagemann currently stands fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.0 apg and sixth in steals with 2.0 spg.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters the regular-season finale with a 13-15 overall record and a 4-13 mark in the Big Ten. The Lady Lions started the season winning seven-straight games. Penn State has league wins against Rutgers, Purdue, Wisconsin and Northwestern. The Lady Lions have lost five in a row, including a tough 81-75 overtime loss to Michigan State on Feb. 12.
The Lady Lions are 11th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 71.3 ppg, while standing in 11th in scoring defense, allowing 72.3 ppg. Penn State is second in the league in steals with 11.4 spg.
Makenna Marisa is currently sixth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 17.9 ppg. She is also ninth in the conference with 4.2 apg. She has been doing it all for the Lady Lions, playing an average of 35.5 minutes per game which is second in the league. Leilani Kapinus is 12th in the B1G in rebounding with 6.5 boards per game.
Carolyn Keiger is in her fourth season with Penn State, holding a 40-71 mark with the Lady Lions. Overall, she holds a 139-136 record in eight season as a head coach.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE LADY LIONS
This is the second meeting this season between the Spartans and the Lady Lions. The Spartans captured the first game in East Lansing with a tightly-contests overtime win, 81-75, on Feb. 12. Overall, Penn State leads the series 31-23, going 17-7 at Bryce Jordan Arena. In East Lansing, the Spartans have a slight edge 13-12. On neutral ground, MSU leads 3-2.
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.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. MINNESOTA
• Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann tallied 11 points against the Golden Gophers, recording double-figures in scoring for the 11th time this season and 20th time in her career. Hagemann finished with a game-high six assists in addition to two offensive rebounds. She was one of four Spartans on the night in double figures.
• Senior forward Taiyier Parks finished with a game-high 11 rebounds, her third game of the season in double figures on the glass and 13th of her career. She was one rebound shy of her career-high 12 rebounds set at Maryland on Jan. 7.
LEADING THE TEAM
MSU will be playing its seventh-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.
THE BRAINY BALLERS
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh and sophomore forward Isaline Alexander were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women's Basketball Team on Feb. 21. All honorees must have at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) their current institution.
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.
UP NEXT
Michigan State will now prepare for the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The tournament runs from March 1-5 at the Target Center
DID YOU KNOW?
Against Minnesota on Feb. 22, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh scored 15 points aided by a career-high 10 free throw makes, reaching double digits for the 19th time this season and 38th time in her collegiate career. Ekh's 10-for-10 showing at the line made her the 12th Spartan in program history to end a game with a 1.000 free throw percentage with a minimum of 10 attempts. The last time a Michigan State player went 10-for-10 at the line was Nia Clouden against Ohio State on Feb. 27, 2022.
THANK YOU SENIORS
Against Minnesota on Feb. 22, Michigan State honored a trio of seniors in graduates Kamaria McDaniel and Stephanie Visscher and senior Jayla James. In their final games at the Breslin Center all three made starts. McDaniel scored 15 points, while Visscher added seven. James added a pair of rebounds and a steal.
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.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann dished out a season high-tying nine assists against the Terrapins on Feb. 18, matching her previous mark set against Michigan on Feb. 5. The Detroit native also matched her career high with one block against Maryland. Over the last eight games, Hagemann has had at least five helpers per game. She has averaged 7.4 apg during that eight game span. She has also scored in double figures six times during the last seven games. Hagemann is now fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 5.0 apg. She is also sixth in steals with 2.0 spg. In Big Ten contests, she is sixth with 5.8 apg.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
Michigan State women's basketball captured its first overtime win of the season with an 81-75 victory over Penn State on 4-H Day at the Breslin Center on Feb. 12.
After scoring only two points last time out at Wisconsin, sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh led Michigan State with 21 points, going 5-for-8 from beyond the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Senior forward Taiyier Parks had her second-straight double-digit scoring performance with 15 points and eight boards. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann scored 16 points and added a game-high eight assists.
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
Wednesday the Spartans' used the Senior Day starting five of graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel, sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann, graduate guard Stephanie Visscher, senior forward Jayla James and sophomore forward Isaline Alexander for the first time this season.
MSU had used the lineup of McDaniel, Hagemann, Matilda Ekh, Moira Joiner and Alexander for seven-straight games. The Spartans were 3-4 with that line-up. Overall, MSU has had eight different line-ups this season. McDaniel is the only Spartan to have started all 27 games. Hagemann has started 26 games, while Ekh has been in the starting lineup 25 times.
AMAZING AYRAULT
Redshirt junior guard/forward Julia Ayrault finished as Michigan State's leading scorer against Maryland on Feb. 18, scoring 15 on a 4-for-7 evening from the floor. Ayrault's scoring output surpassed her previous season high of 13 set against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 18. The Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, native scored in double figures for the second time this season and 14th time in her career. Ayrault additionally matched her season high in blocks with two rejections against the Terrapins. She also matched her career high in 3-point makes with a trio of field goals from downtown. Her previous career high was set against Detroit Mercy on Dec. 18.
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 1-8 this season against ranked foes with a losses to No. 22/22 Illinois on Jan. 29 and No. 8/8 Maryland on Feb. 18.
EKH EQUALS CONSISTENCY
Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh has been one of Michigan State's most consistent players this season. Against Maryland on Feb. 18, Ekh was second on the team in scorers with 11 points, making treys on the day. The Vasteras, Sweden, native tallied double figures for the 18th time this season and 37th in her career. She has only had two games this season without at least one 3-pointer made. Ekh leads the team in 3-pointers made this season with 65.
With 134 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 27 games this season, she has averaged 9.7 points per game. She is having her most productive season as a Spartan. She is second on the team in 3-pointers with 37. She has started 11 games so far this season, including nine of the last 10. 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 Minnesota on Feb. 22, Joiner netted two 3-pointers to give her 120 for her career. She is one trey away from tying Spartans All-American Aerial Powers (2013-16), who had 121 in her MSU career.
AROUND THE NATION
This week, Michigan State is 10th in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 18.0 apg, behind Iowa (21.1 apg). MSU is also 13th in the nation and three in the Big Ten in turnover margin (+6.0).
Individually, sophomore DeeDee Hagemann is seventh in the NCAA and two in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.7). Sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh is 50th in the NCAA and third in the B1G in 3-pointers made with 66.
CLOSE CALLS
In the Spartans' 13 losses this season, 10 of the 13 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 and lost to No. 8/8 Maryland 66-61 on Feb. 18.
BALANCED ATTACK
Without All-American Nia Clouden to dominate the box score this season, the Spartans are looking for a more balanced attack. In 26 games this season, Michigan State has spread out the scoring. Nine different players have led the team in scoring this season. Graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel has led the team in scoring nine 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 seven times, while senior guard Moira Joiner has been on top four times. Redshirt-junior guard/forward was the top scorer for the Spartans against Maryland on Feb. 18.
TOPPING THE CHARTS
Michigan State is among the Big Ten's leaders in several categories this season. The Spartans are currently third in the B1G in turnover margin (+6.1) and third in steals (11.1 spg). MSU is also first in the league in offensive rebounds per game (13.7) and third in the conference in assists (18.0 apg). MSU currently stands fifth in the league in scoring margin (+12.0).
Sophomore guard Matilda Ekh is third in made 3-pointers per game with 2.5. Sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann stands second in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.7). Senior forward Taiyier Parks is 20th in the league in rebounding, averaging 5.5 rpg. In conference games, senior forward Taiyier Parks is tied for 13th in rebounds, averaging 6.5 rpg. Hagemann stands third in steals in league contests, averaging 2.5 spg and fifth in assists with 5.7 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 252 of its last 266 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 202 of their last 218. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 286-22 (.929) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 14-1 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 185 of their last 220 games (.841) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 204-47 (.813) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is 14-6 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
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballRobyn Fralick Postgame Press Conference | Michigan Tech
Wednesday, October 22
Robyn Fralick | Women's Basketball Press Conference | Oct. 21 2025
Tuesday, October 21
Robyn 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