MSU Women's Basketball Travels to Oakland Wednesday

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In its first true road game of the season, the Michigan State women's basketball team will travel to Oakland on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The Spartans started the season 6-1 for the second time in the last three seasons after having the same beginning to the 2016-17 season.

• Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant earned her 450th career win against Virginia. In her 24th season, Merchant is 451-243, while earning a 250-123 record in 12 seasons at MSU. Merchant earned her 400th career win against Minnesota on Feb. 21, 2016.

• The Spartans' 91 points against Texas Southern was the third time scoring over 90 points this season and tied the second-highest scoring output of the season behind 99 in the season-opening victory over Bowling Green on Nov. 6 (99-69). The Spartans also scored 91 points against Virginia on Nov. 28.

• Jenna Allen continues her hot start to her senior season. The center leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Allen leads MSU with two double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds against Bowling Green on Nov. 6 and 19 points and 10 rebounds versus Texas Southern on Dec. 2.

• MSU has had at least four players score in double figures in six of the first seven games. In the win against Kennesaw State on Nov. 23, the Spartans only had three players in double digits.

SCOUTING OAKLAND
The Golden Grizzlies are 2-6 on the season after losing a pair of road games in Illinois, losing at Illinois State, 62-56, on Nov. 29 and at Bradley, 73-64, on Dec. 1. Oakland is opening up a six-game homestand with Wednesday's game against Michigan State, and the Golden Grizzlies are 2-1 at home so far this season. MSU is Oakland's second Big Ten Conference opponent, as they lost to Indiana, 59-32, at home on Nov. 11.

In last Saturday's loss to Bradley, Oakland rallied from a 35-25 halftime gap that became a 19-point deficit midway through the third quarter by shooting 69 percent (9-of-13) from the field in the fourth quarter, out-scoring Bradley, 23-18, in the frame, but it wasn't enough. Freshman guard Kahlaijah Dean netted a career-high 20 points after missing just one field goal, shooting 8-of-9 field goal shooting, including 4-of-5 from behind the 3-point arc. The senior guard duo of Taylor Jones and LaKyesha Stennis both came off the bench and Jones posted 16 points to go with six rebounds, while Stennis tallied 13 points and six rebounds.

Oakland averages 63.5 points per game, while yielding 70.8 ppg to the opposition for a -7.2 scoring margin. The Golden Grizzlies average a 36.1 field goal percentage, including 31.7 percent from 3-point range, along with 65.5 percent at the free throw line. OU's opponents are shooting 41.1 percent from the field, 39.6 percent behind the arc and 74.7 percent at the charity stripe. Oakland averages 39.1 rebounds per game, but has a -1.6 rebounding advantage, as the opposition averages 40.8 rpg.

Jones leads three Golden Grizzlies in double-figure scoring with 15.5 points and has a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game. She also is Oakland's leading free throw shooter, making 23-of-38 (.605) from the stripe, with 25 more attempts than her next teammate. Jones also leads OU in assists and steals, with 3.8 helpers and 2.0 steals per game. The Bradley contest was the first game this season that Jones came off the bench, having started the previous seven contests. Dean and Stennis add 10.4 points and 10.3 points per game, respectively. Stennis is Oakland's top 3-point threat, making 45.1 percent (23-of-51) behind the arc, while Dean is 13-of-32 (.406) and Jones is 11-of-38 (.289) from distance.

OU head coach Jeff Tungate is in his sixth season at the helm of the Golden Grizzlies, posting a 75-84 record.

SERIES HISTORY VS. OAKLAND
The Spartans lead the overall series against the Golden Grizzlies, 14-4, winning the last 10 meetings. MSU is 5-2 vs. OU in games played in Rochester, winning the last four trips there.

COACHING CONNECTIONS
Michigan State Director of Basketball Operations and Technology, Julie Dombroski, has connections to Oakland. Dombroski was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2014-2016.

TERRIFIC TORY
With a 16-point effort against Texas Southern on Dec. 2, freshman Tory Ozment has scored in double-figures off the bench in three consecutive games. Ozment's streak started with a 15-point outburst against Kennesaw State at the Cancun Challenge on Nov. 23. On Nov. 28, Ozment followed up her Cancun Challenge performance with 19 points against Virginia in the ACC/B1G Challenge. During her streak, Ozment is second on the team in scoring with an average of 16.7 points per game on .531 percent shooting (17-of-32).

HELPING HANDS
Michigan State has shared the ball efficiently this season with five different players leading the team in assists through seven games. Taryn McCutcheon, Nia Clouden, Shay Colley, Victoria Gaines and Jenna Allen have each led the team in single-game assists. McCutcheon has reached the double-digit assists mark twice, tying her career-high of 12 against Bowling Green and dishing out 10 against Texas Southern. Clouden has also reached double-digits in 2018-19, making her mark against Virginia with 11 assists. As a team, the Spartans rank No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 8 nationally in assists per game with 21.4. McCutcheon ranks No. 2 in the conference with 6.9 assists per game and Clouden is No. 7 at 4.9.

MERCHANT HONORED WITH ATHENA AWARD
Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant has been named the recipient of the 2018 ATHENA Leadership award, as announced by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on Monday. The ATHENA Award honors individuals who strive towards the highest levels of professional accomplishment, who excel in their chosen field, have devoted time and energy to their community, and who pave paths for other women to follow.

2018 ACC/B1G CHALLENGE RECAP
Michigan State was one of the six Big Ten teams to earn a victory in the 12th annual ACC/Big Ten Women's Basketball Challenge, as the ACC won the Challenge, 8-6. MSU was joined in the win column by Indiana, Maryland, Ohio State, Purdue and Minnesota. The Spartans' 25-point margin of victory (91-66) was not only the largest margin of victory, but also the highest B1G score. Overall, it was the third-largest margin of victory in the challenge, behind Notre Dame's 34-point margin in 105-71 win over Iowa and 29-point margin in Florida State's 87-58 win over Penn State. MSU's 91 points was the second-highest scored in the Challenge behind Notre Dame's 105 points.

ACC/B1G Challenge History
2018 - MSU 91, Virginia 66
2017 - Miami 67, MSU 57
2016 - Syracuse 75, MSU 64
2015 - Louisville 85, MSU 78
2014 - MSU 79, Georgia Tech 73 (OT)
2013 - Florida State 60, MSU 58
2012 - MSU 68, N.C. State 51
2011 - Miami 76, MSU 60
2010 - MSU 72, Florida State 64
2009 - MSU 72, North Carolina 66
2008 - Georgia Tech 57, MSU 50
2007 - MSU 68, Clemson 51
Bold = home games

DID YOU KNOW?
The four points allowed in the first quarter against Virginia was the fewest this season. The fewest points MSU has allowed in a first quarter ever was two against Davidson on Nov. 11, 2016. Michigan State also held Kennesaw State to only six points in the second quarter on Nov. 23. That tied the least amount of points allowed by MSU in the second quarter. MSU also gave up only six points against Indiana on Dec. 28, 2017.

FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartans freshmen trio of Kayla Belles, Nia Clouden and Tory Ozment have been solid early on for the Spartans. Clouden had a season-high 18 points in a win against Kennesaw State on Nov. 23. Clouden earned her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 assists against Virginia on Nov. 28. Belles in just here second game as a Spartan had 12 points and seven boards against UVa. Ozment has now had three-straight double-figure scoring games, including a season-high 19 against UVa. During the Spartans' three-game winning streak, all three freshmen are averaging over 7.0 points per game. Ozment is averaging 16.7 ppg, while Clouden and Belles, scoring 13.3 and 7.7 ppg.

SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 32-15 in season openers, but 24-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 9-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 15 of her last 18, including her time at Eastern Michigan.

This is the fifth time in the past seven years Michigan State has opened with wins in five of its first six games.

MCCUTCHEON MAKING HER MARK
With 10 assists against Virginia, junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is now seventh in career helpers with 390 in just three seasons. She is just 11 assists shy from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11) with 401.

She is currently second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation in assists per game, averaging 6.9 apg.

BOUNCE BACK ABILITY
In Coach Merchant's first 12 seasons, the Spartans are 76-31 (71.0%) following a loss.

CLOSING IT OUT
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 179 of their last 189 games (.947) when leading with five minutes left, including 130 of their last 141. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 214-16 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, the Spartans are 5-0.

IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
The Spartans are 120-39 (75.5%) all-time in the month of November. Under Coach Merchant, Michigan State is 60-11 (84.5%) in November, with seven of the 10 losses coming against top-10 opponents. The Spartans have won 34 of their last 39 in the month.

SPARTANS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon is currently 13th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 6.9 apg. She is also 35th in the country and first in the league in steals per game, averaging 3.0 spg. She has tied her career-high of five steals twice this season.

As a team, MSU is sixth in the NCAA and second in the B1G in assist per game, averaging 21.4. Iowa is first in the league with 24.4 apg. The Spartans are also 40th in country and first in the Big Ten in steals per game made with 11.4 spg. Michigan State is eighth in 3-point field goal percentage, shooting 41.8 percent from the field.

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. Overall, MSU has scored at least 70 points in all seven games this season. MSU has won 125 of its last 139 games when scoring at least 70 points, and MSU is 142-21 under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This year, MSU is 6-1 when scoring at least 70 with a loss to No. 13 NC State on Nov. 22.

AROUND THE BIG TEN
The Big Ten continues to enjoy a strong composite start this year, having combined to post a .743 winning percentage (75-26) through the first month of the 2018-19 season. That mark includes seven non-conference wins against ranked opponents, with Minnesota and Purdue adding to that total on Nov. 30 with their wins over No. 12/12 Syracuse and No. 21/20 Miami, respectively.

There are three undefeated teams in the Big Ten in Maryland (8-0), Indiana (7-0) and Minnesota (7-0). Michigan State holds a 6-1 record, while Northwestern is 5-1.

FREQUENT FLIER
Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley spent time overseas this summer playing for the Canadian National Team. Playing in Europe, Colley helped guide Canada to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's World Cup.

FANS CONTINUE TO PACK THE BRESLIN
Michigan State women's basketball continues to pack the Breslin Center, finishing the 2017-18 season 10th in the nation and second in the Big Ten home attendance. The Spartans averaged 5,689 fans in 16 home games this season. MSU had a total of 91,026 fans pass through the gates. This is the 14th-straight season that the Spartans have been ranked in the top 15 nationally in attendance. MSU has had a total attendance of at least 80,000 since 2005-06.

TV TIME
Big Ten schools will be featured on national television at least 78 times during the 2018-19 season. BTN will televise at least 69 games and ESPN2 will carry nine contests. In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, every Big Ten women's basketball conference game, including 126 regular-season contests and all 13 Big Ten Tournament games, will be produced and distributed by BTN, BTN Plus or an ESPN network. During the 2018-19 season at least 12 Michigan State women's basketball games will be televised on either the ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. MSU will also have seven regular-season home contests aired on BTN Plus.

COLLEY EARNS PRESEASON HONOR
To kickoff the beginning of Big Ten Women's Basketball Media Week, the conference released the Preseason Coaches and Media Polls, in addition to the preseason All-Big Ten teams. Michigan State redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley was earned Preseason All-Big Ten honors by the coaches.

Maryland was voted to finish first in both the coaches and the media polls, while Iowa was picked second in both. In the coaches poll, Michigan was voted third, while Minnesota earned the third spot in the media poll. Reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Megan Gustafson of Iowa was voted Preseason Player of the Year by both the coaches and the media.

Last season, Colley led the Spartans in scoring and was 23rd in the Big Ten, averaging 12.4 points per game. Colley was also tied for eighth in assists with 4.3 apg. In her first season with the Spartans, the guard also ended the season tied for fifth in steals with 1.9 spg.

UP NEXT
After facing in-state foe Oakland on Wednesday, Dec. 5. The Spartans will then host No. 3 Oregon on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. on ESPN2. Sunday is Toys for Tots Day as well as High School Day.

LAST TIME OUT
Behind senior center Jenna Allen's second double-double of the season, the Michigan State women's basketball team cruised to a 91-45 win over Texas Southern Sunday at the Breslin Center.

The Spartans have now won three-straight games and improve to 6-1 this season, which matches the best start since beginning the 2016-17 season 6-1. The Tigers fall to 2-5 with the loss.

Allen scored a game-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds to pace the Spartans. She now has two double-double this season and three for her career. Freshman forward Tory Ozment had her third-straight double- figure scoring game with 16 points and four assists. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon came close to her first career triple-double with eight points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Texas Southern's Niya Mitchell registered a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Postgame Notes vs. Texas Southern
• The Spartans' 91 points was the third time scoring over 90 points this season and tied the second-highest scoring output of the season behind 99 in the season-opening victory over Bowling Green on Nov. 6 (99-69). The Spartans also scored 91 points against Virginia on Nov. 28.

• Michigan State swiped 10 steals Sunday, marking the third-straight game and sixth time in the seven games this season that the Spartans have swiped double-digit steals.

• The Spartans are averaging 84.1 point per game this season and have scored at least 74 points in all seven games.

WELCOME TO SPARTAN NATION - SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of five National Letters of Intent, including Julia Ayrault (Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan/Grosse Pointe North), Cydni Dodd (Indianapolis, Indiana/Warren Central), Moira Joiner (Saginaw, Michigan/Heritage), Taiyier Parks (Cleveland, Ohio/North Royalton) and Alyza Winston (Muskegon, Michigan/ Muskegon). The class was ranked No. 6 by ESPNW Hoop Gurlz as of Nov. 15.

Ayrault is a 6-2 guard who plays for head coach Gary Bennett at Grosse Pointe North High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Rob Ruhstorfer and the Michigan Mystics. Ayrault is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 75 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game and led Grosse Pointe North to the Class A Final Four. Ayrault set program records of scoring 497 points scored in a season.

Dodd is a 6-5 center who plays for head coach Stacy Mitchell at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana and AAU basketball for Danny Riego and the Indiana Gym Rats EYBL. She is currently ranked No. 14 in her position and No. 84 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Dodd averaged 11.0 points, 6.6. rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on 70 percent shooting from the field. Dodd was named to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Underclass Large School All-State team.

Joiner is a 5-10 guard who plays for head coach Vonnie Delong at Heritage High School in Saginaw, Michigan and played AAU basketball for Jeff Taylor and the Michigan Storm. She is ranked No. 13 in her position and No. 57 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Joiner is a three-time Associated Press All-State honoree. In 2018, she led Heritage to the Class A state championship, averaging 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals. Joiner was also named the Associated Press Class A Player of the Year. The three-time captain earned the Army National Guard Team award last season.

Parks is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Matt Stricker at North Royalton High School in North Royalton, Ohio and played AAU basketball for Andre Gault and the SMAC. She is ranked No. 11 in her position and No. 93 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, she averaged 19.0 points to go along with 16.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per game. She earned first-team All-Conference honors as both a freshman and a junior.

Winston is a 5-7 guard who plays for head coach Rodney Walker at Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan, which is the same high school that produced current Spartan Mardrekia Cook. Winston also played AAU basketball for Monique Brown and Michigan Crossover EYBL. Winston is ranked No. 18 in her position and No. 70 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, she led the Big Reds to the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history. As a junior, she averaged 21.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game.

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Players Mentioned

Jenna Allen

Kayla Belles

Nia Clouden

Shay Colley

Mardrekia Cook

Victoria Gaines

Taryn McCutcheon

Tory Ozment