Sunday, January 12
East Lansing, Mich.
3 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Wisconsin
Photo by: Dale G. Young
MSU Women Celebrate Alumni Day Against Wisconsin Sunday
1/11/2020 12:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans open a two-game homestand
EAST LANSING, Mich.- Michigan State women's basketball opens a two-game homestand against Wisconsin on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. MSU will be celebrating Alumni Day with over 40 alumni returning to be honored at half time. Sunday is also Girl Scout day, as they will pack the stands and will be selling cookies. The Spartans are 8-7 this season and 1-3 in league contests, looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
• Wisconsin comes to East Lansing with a 9-6 overall record and stand 1-3 in Big Ten play. Michigan State had captured 12-straight games in the series before the Badgers won in Madison last season. Overall, the Spartans lead the overall series 45-26.
•After a tough road stretch, the Spartans return home where they will play three of their next four games. For the remainder of January, Michigan State will play four of its final six at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center.
• Nia Clouden is tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.9 ppg. She is also fourth in the league in steals, averaging 2.5 spg. The stellar sophomore also stands tied for seventh in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.788).
• With an injury to senior Victoria Gaines, sophomore forward Kayla Belles has stepped up. Against Penn State on Jan. 9, she had a career-high 19 points. She has scored in double figures six times this season, which is third-most on the team behind Nia Clouden (13) and Taryn McCutcheon (12).SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Wisconsin heads to East Lansing with a 9-6 overall record and a 1-3 mark in conference play. The Badgers earned their league win against Penn State on Jan. 4. Wisconsin has conference losses to Rutgers at home and Purdue and Nebraska on the road. Last time out, the Badgers fell to Nebraska in Lincoln, 65-50, despite an 18-point game by sophomore forward Imani Lewis and her fifth-consecutive double-double.
The Badgers are led by Lewis, who is averaging 14.5 points per game and 8.6 boards per game. Her 14.5 ppg puts her tied for 10th in scoring in the Big Ten while her 8.6 rpg are good for fifth in the league.
SERIES HISTORY VS. WISCONSIN
Michigan State leads the overall series with Wisconsin, 45-26. The Spartans have won 21 of the last 27 meetings, after having their 12-game win streak in the series halted last season with a 79-62 loss at Madison. MSU holds a 26-6 advantage in East Lansing, including winning the last six meetings on the Spartans' home hardwood, last suffering a home loss to the Badgers on Jan. 14, 2010. The last time that MSU and Wisconsin met in East Lansing, the Spartans captured a 69-61 win on Feb. 21, 2018, celebrating Spartan Senior Night in style. Senior guard Branndais Agee captured her third double-double of the season with 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
LAST TIME VS. WISCONSIN
Despite a team-high 24 points from redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, No. 24 Michigan State was stopped by Wisconsin on the road, 79-62, in Madison. Colley was just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds. The other Spartan in double figures was freshman guard Nia Clouden, who scored 16 points to go along with three boards. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines set a new career high with 12 rebounds and tied a career-high with four blocks.
The Badgers were led by Marsha Howard who scored 24 points to go along with nine rebounds. The Spartans started slow, missing their first seven shots of the game, as Wisconsin jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, and Michigan State couldn't recover, as the home team Badgers stretched their lead to 33-13 late in the first half. MSU rallied with a strong fourth quarter to close the gap, but the comeback ran out of time.
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• Sophomore forward Kayla Belles and freshman guard Moira Joiner both had career highs against Penn State on Jan. 9. Belles scored 19 points and added eight rebounds and two blocks. Her previous career high was 12 points, previously against Morehead State on Dec. 15. Joiner scored 15 points against the Lady Lions, reaching double figures for the second time in three games. Her previous high was 13 against Nebraska on Dec. 31. She also added two steals, two assists and two rebounds.
• Sophomore guard Tory Ozment set a new career high with six rebounds against Penn State on Jan. 9. Her previous career high was five, which she has done twice, most recently against Kansas State on Nov. 30.
HOME COOKING
After two-straight road games, the Spartans are looking forward to returning home. Michigan State is 6-0 at home this season, including earning its only Big Ten win. MSU is averaging 50.5 rebounds per game at home, while averaging 41.o rpg for the season. The Spartans are scoring 86.8 ppg at home, while putting in 74.1 ppg for the season.
FINAL COUNTDOWN
The fourth quarter has told the tale for the Spartans this season. The Spartans have out-scored their opponents in seven of their eight wins. MSU has allowed over 20 points in the fourth quarter six times this season and are 1-5 in those games. Michigan State has been out-scored in the final 10 minutes 89-63 in Big Ten contests.
PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Against Michigan on Jan. 5, the MSU bench provided 32 of the Spartans' 69 points, led by a season-high 13 points from redshirt-junior forward Mardrekia Cook. She was just two points shy of her career high of 15 points against Syracuse on Dec. 19. The 32 bench points were the most by MSU since Dec. 15 against Morehead State when the Spartan bench scored 66. The MSU bench has scored 447 points this season, which is 40.2 percent of the Spartan offense.
BIG TIME OVERTIME
In the Spartans 78-70 overtime win over Nebraska on Dec. 31, Michigan State scored 19 points in the five-minute overtime period. The 19 points were the most scored in an overtime period since scoring 18 against Iowa on Feb. 9, 2017. It was also more than MSU had scored in each of the first three quarters of the game.
REACHING THE PINNACLE
After reaching the 1,000 career points mark vs. Indiana on Dec. 28, Taryn McCutcheon's added 14points against Penn State on Jan. 9 to give her 1,061 career points. McCutcheon is still No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85). She is now just 13 points away from tying Jamie Wesley for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1,075 points. She also added three assists Thursday, giving her 515 for her career, which is second all-time.
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartan freshmen continue to be key contributors this season. Julia Ayrault (5.5 ppg, 17th), Moira Joiner (5.3 ppg, 20th) and Alyza Winston (3.7 ppg, T-28th) are all in the top 30 in the Big Ten in scoring among freshmen. Ayrault has led MSU in rebounds five times this season, which is the most on the team. Overall, the rookie leads the Spartans on the boards, averaging 5.0 rpg, which is fourth among B1G freshmen. Ayrault is third in blocks with 1.1 bpg, while Taiyier Parks is tied for fourth (0.9 bpg).
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 15 games this season, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are the only two players to have started every game. Overall, the Spartans have had eight different starting lineups. Against Penn State, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Nia Hollie. Gaines had become a fixture in the starting five after returning from a sprained ankle and had started six-straight games before missing the game on Dec. 31. Shay Colley and Mardrekia Cook have both missed time to injury, forcing them to come in and out of the starting five.
CLOUDEN CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 19.8 ppg. She is also tied for seventh in free throw percentage (.788). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing fourth in steals (2.5 spg).
EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Guard Taryn McCutcheon is part of an exclusive Michigan State group. She is one of only five players in Spartan history with at least 900 points and 400 assists. Tori Jankoska is the all-time points leader with 2,212 points, while current MSU assistant coach Kristin Haynie holds the all-time assist crown with 574 helpers. McCutcheon and Haynie are now the only Spartans with at least 1,000 points and 500 assists.
Player Pts Assists
Tori Jankoska (2013-17) 2,212 489
Kristin Haynie (2001-05) 1,199 574
Taryn McCutcheon (2017-)1,061 515
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring seven times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led five times, while Julia Ayrault has led twice including tying with McCutcheon once. Kayla Belles and Alyza Winston are the only other players to lead MSU in scoring.
On the boards is a very different story, as eight different players have led the squad in rebounds. Julia Ayrault has led the team in rebounding five times.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 15 games, Michigan State is 15th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in steals per game (11.6 spg). After holding Hartford and LSU to no 3-pointers earlier this season, the Spartans are sixth in the country and second in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 24.1 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.6) and second in offensive rebounds (16.3).
Individually. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is 38th in the nation and fourth in the league in steals with 37.
In Big Ten contests, Taryn McCutcheon is tied for ninth in scoring, averaging 16.8 ppg. Clouden is first in assists with 5.3 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for fifth in blocks per game (1.8), while McCutcheon is tied for first in 3-pointers made with 12.
UP NEXT
The Spartans close out a two-game home stand against Ohio State at the Breslin Center on Thursday, Jan. 16 in a game televised on the Big Ten Network. MSU will then play at second-place Rutgers on Jan. 20.
BEING A BOSS AT THE BREZ
The Spartans continue to dominate at home. Last season, Michigan State set a record with 15 wins at home. Since the 2016-17 season, the Spartans are 42-9 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 24 of the last 25 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 6-0 at home.
MASTER THIEVES
With 10 steals against Penn State on Jan. 9, the Spartans reached double figures in takeaways for the 11th time in 15 games. This was the first double-digit steal game since Indiana on Dec. 28 when MSU also had 10. Against PSU, six different Spartans had a steal in the game, led by Nia Clouden's four. This is the most double-figure steal games that MSU has had since Coach Merchant's arrival during the 2007-08 season was 17 during the 2010-11 season. During the 2005-06 season, MSU had 20 double-digit steal games. As a team, Michigan State is averaging 11.6 spg, which is second in the Big Ten.
MAKING HISTORY
Taryn McCutcheon dished out four assists against Morehead State on Dec. 15, as she became just the second player in MSU women's basketball history with 500 career assists. She had three against Penn State on Jan. 9 to tally 515 for her career. McCutcheon needs just 59 more helpers to tie current Spartan assistant coach Kristin Haynie for the all-time assists record with 574. McCutcheon is currently second on the team in assists with 43, behind Nia Clouden who has 53 helpers.
BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is now 19-19 in Big Ten openers, having won six of their last nine. MSU is now 8-5 in league openers in Coach Merchant's 13 seasons. Last season, the Spartans won their opener in East Lansing against No. 16 Iowa, 84-70. The last time that Michigan State played Indiana in a B1G opener was to start the 2017-18 league action with MSU winning 68-46. With the win over Nebraska on Dec. 31, Michigan State is now 25-13 in B1G home openers.
FREQUENT FLIER
Three Spartans earned international experience during the offseason. MSU head coach Suzy Merchant earned a silver medal as the head coach of U.S. Pan American team that competed in Lima, Peru. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden also participated in the U.S. U19 World Cup Trials in Colorado Spring in May. Redshirt-senior guard Shay Colley continues her quest for the 2020 Olympics continuing training with the Canadian National Team.
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 144 of their last 163 games (.883) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 162-28 (.852) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 7-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with its only loss coming against Penn State on Jan. 9.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 201 of their last 214 games (.939) when leading with five minutes left, including 151 of their last 166. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 236-19 (.925) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 8-1 when leading with five minutes remaining with the only loss coming against No. 8 Florida State.
RETURN TO THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State adds two new coaches to the staff this season in Dean Lockwood and former Spartan All-American Kristin Haynie. Lockwood and Haynie come to Michigan State with extensive basketball roots in the state of Michigan, as well as highly-decorated careers. During his 15-year tenure as an assistant coach at Tennessee, Lockwood won two NCAA titles. Haynie returns to Michigan State where she earned All-American honors, leading MSU to the 2005 National Championship game.
GAME REWIND: Penn State 86, MSU 73
Sophomore forward Kayla Belles scored a career-high 19 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Penn State 86-73 in University Park.
Michigan State falls to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while Penn State improves to 7-8 overall and 1-3 in league contests.
The Spartans had four players in double figures led by Belles' 19. The sophomore was 8-of-11 from the field and added a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman guard Moira Joiner added another career high with 15 points, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored 14 points. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden added 11 points and a team-high seven assists.
Postgame Notes vs. Penn State
• Thursday's starting lineup of senior guard Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore guard Nia Clouden, freshman guard Moria Joiner, senior forward Nia Hollie and freshman forward Taiyier Parks, was Michigan State's was eighth different starting lineup of the season. Clouden and McCutcheon are the only two Spartans to have started all 15 games, while Hollie made her third-straight start.
• Sophomore forward Kayla Belles and freshman guard Moira Joiner both had career highs against Penn State. Belles scored 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Her previous career high was 12 points, most recently against Morehead State on Dec. 15. Joiner scored 15 points against the Lady Lions, reaching double figures for the second time in three games. Her previous high was 13 against Nebraska on Dec. 31. She also added two steals, two assists and two rebounds.
SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of Kendall Bostic (Kokomo, Indiana/Northwestern High School) to a National Letter of Intent. Bostic is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Katie Layden at Northwestern High School in Kokomo, Indiana and AAU basketball for Tony Marlin and the Indiana Flight/Elite. Bostic is ranked No. 16 at her position and No. 67 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Bostic averaged 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 68 percent shooting from the field. Last season, Northwestern captured its second consecutive state championship, as Bostic earned State Championship Player of the Game accolades, along with AP First-Team All-State and Co-Player of the Year honors.
She is the daughter of Kevin and Angie Bostic. Her mom, Angie (Cree) Bostic, played basketball at Indiana from, 1991-92.
• Wisconsin comes to East Lansing with a 9-6 overall record and stand 1-3 in Big Ten play. Michigan State had captured 12-straight games in the series before the Badgers won in Madison last season. Overall, the Spartans lead the overall series 45-26.
•After a tough road stretch, the Spartans return home where they will play three of their next four games. For the remainder of January, Michigan State will play four of its final six at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center.
• Nia Clouden is tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.9 ppg. She is also fourth in the league in steals, averaging 2.5 spg. The stellar sophomore also stands tied for seventh in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.788).
• With an injury to senior Victoria Gaines, sophomore forward Kayla Belles has stepped up. Against Penn State on Jan. 9, she had a career-high 19 points. She has scored in double figures six times this season, which is third-most on the team behind Nia Clouden (13) and Taryn McCutcheon (12).SCOUTING WISCONSIN
Wisconsin heads to East Lansing with a 9-6 overall record and a 1-3 mark in conference play. The Badgers earned their league win against Penn State on Jan. 4. Wisconsin has conference losses to Rutgers at home and Purdue and Nebraska on the road. Last time out, the Badgers fell to Nebraska in Lincoln, 65-50, despite an 18-point game by sophomore forward Imani Lewis and her fifth-consecutive double-double.
The Badgers are led by Lewis, who is averaging 14.5 points per game and 8.6 boards per game. Her 14.5 ppg puts her tied for 10th in scoring in the Big Ten while her 8.6 rpg are good for fifth in the league.
SERIES HISTORY VS. WISCONSIN
Michigan State leads the overall series with Wisconsin, 45-26. The Spartans have won 21 of the last 27 meetings, after having their 12-game win streak in the series halted last season with a 79-62 loss at Madison. MSU holds a 26-6 advantage in East Lansing, including winning the last six meetings on the Spartans' home hardwood, last suffering a home loss to the Badgers on Jan. 14, 2010. The last time that MSU and Wisconsin met in East Lansing, the Spartans captured a 69-61 win on Feb. 21, 2018, celebrating Spartan Senior Night in style. Senior guard Branndais Agee captured her third double-double of the season with 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
LAST TIME VS. WISCONSIN
Despite a team-high 24 points from redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley, No. 24 Michigan State was stopped by Wisconsin on the road, 79-62, in Madison. Colley was just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds. The other Spartan in double figures was freshman guard Nia Clouden, who scored 16 points to go along with three boards. Redshirt-junior forward Victoria Gaines set a new career high with 12 rebounds and tied a career-high with four blocks.
The Badgers were led by Marsha Howard who scored 24 points to go along with nine rebounds. The Spartans started slow, missing their first seven shots of the game, as Wisconsin jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, and Michigan State couldn't recover, as the home team Badgers stretched their lead to 33-13 late in the first half. MSU rallied with a strong fourth quarter to close the gap, but the comeback ran out of time.
SPARTAN TIDBITS
• Sophomore forward Kayla Belles and freshman guard Moira Joiner both had career highs against Penn State on Jan. 9. Belles scored 19 points and added eight rebounds and two blocks. Her previous career high was 12 points, previously against Morehead State on Dec. 15. Joiner scored 15 points against the Lady Lions, reaching double figures for the second time in three games. Her previous high was 13 against Nebraska on Dec. 31. She also added two steals, two assists and two rebounds.
• Sophomore guard Tory Ozment set a new career high with six rebounds against Penn State on Jan. 9. Her previous career high was five, which she has done twice, most recently against Kansas State on Nov. 30.
HOME COOKING
After two-straight road games, the Spartans are looking forward to returning home. Michigan State is 6-0 at home this season, including earning its only Big Ten win. MSU is averaging 50.5 rebounds per game at home, while averaging 41.o rpg for the season. The Spartans are scoring 86.8 ppg at home, while putting in 74.1 ppg for the season.
FINAL COUNTDOWN
The fourth quarter has told the tale for the Spartans this season. The Spartans have out-scored their opponents in seven of their eight wins. MSU has allowed over 20 points in the fourth quarter six times this season and are 1-5 in those games. Michigan State has been out-scored in the final 10 minutes 89-63 in Big Ten contests.
PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Against Michigan on Jan. 5, the MSU bench provided 32 of the Spartans' 69 points, led by a season-high 13 points from redshirt-junior forward Mardrekia Cook. She was just two points shy of her career high of 15 points against Syracuse on Dec. 19. The 32 bench points were the most by MSU since Dec. 15 against Morehead State when the Spartan bench scored 66. The MSU bench has scored 447 points this season, which is 40.2 percent of the Spartan offense.
BIG TIME OVERTIME
In the Spartans 78-70 overtime win over Nebraska on Dec. 31, Michigan State scored 19 points in the five-minute overtime period. The 19 points were the most scored in an overtime period since scoring 18 against Iowa on Feb. 9, 2017. It was also more than MSU had scored in each of the first three quarters of the game.
REACHING THE PINNACLE
After reaching the 1,000 career points mark vs. Indiana on Dec. 28, Taryn McCutcheon's added 14points against Penn State on Jan. 9 to give her 1,061 career points. McCutcheon is still No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85). She is now just 13 points away from tying Jamie Wesley for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1,075 points. She also added three assists Thursday, giving her 515 for her career, which is second all-time.
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartan freshmen continue to be key contributors this season. Julia Ayrault (5.5 ppg, 17th), Moira Joiner (5.3 ppg, 20th) and Alyza Winston (3.7 ppg, T-28th) are all in the top 30 in the Big Ten in scoring among freshmen. Ayrault has led MSU in rebounds five times this season, which is the most on the team. Overall, the rookie leads the Spartans on the boards, averaging 5.0 rpg, which is fourth among B1G freshmen. Ayrault is third in blocks with 1.1 bpg, while Taiyier Parks is tied for fourth (0.9 bpg).
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 15 games this season, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are the only two players to have started every game. Overall, the Spartans have had eight different starting lineups. Against Penn State, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Kayla Belles and Nia Hollie. Gaines had become a fixture in the starting five after returning from a sprained ankle and had started six-straight games before missing the game on Dec. 31. Shay Colley and Mardrekia Cook have both missed time to injury, forcing them to come in and out of the starting five.
CLOUDEN CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 19.8 ppg. She is also tied for seventh in free throw percentage (.788). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing fourth in steals (2.5 spg).
EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Guard Taryn McCutcheon is part of an exclusive Michigan State group. She is one of only five players in Spartan history with at least 900 points and 400 assists. Tori Jankoska is the all-time points leader with 2,212 points, while current MSU assistant coach Kristin Haynie holds the all-time assist crown with 574 helpers. McCutcheon and Haynie are now the only Spartans with at least 1,000 points and 500 assists.
Player Pts Assists
Tori Jankoska (2013-17) 2,212 489
Kristin Haynie (2001-05) 1,199 574
Taryn McCutcheon (2017-)1,061 515
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
FINDING CONSISTENCY
Nia Clouden has been the most consistent Spartan this season, leading the team in scoring seven times this year. Taryn McCutcheon has led five times, while Julia Ayrault has led twice including tying with McCutcheon once. Kayla Belles and Alyza Winston are the only other players to lead MSU in scoring.
On the boards is a very different story, as eight different players have led the squad in rebounds. Julia Ayrault has led the team in rebounding five times.
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 15 games, Michigan State is 15th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in steals per game (11.6 spg). After holding Hartford and LSU to no 3-pointers earlier this season, the Spartans are sixth in the country and second in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 24.1 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.6) and second in offensive rebounds (16.3).
Individually. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is 38th in the nation and fourth in the league in steals with 37.
In Big Ten contests, Taryn McCutcheon is tied for ninth in scoring, averaging 16.8 ppg. Clouden is first in assists with 5.3 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for fifth in blocks per game (1.8), while McCutcheon is tied for first in 3-pointers made with 12.
UP NEXT
The Spartans close out a two-game home stand against Ohio State at the Breslin Center on Thursday, Jan. 16 in a game televised on the Big Ten Network. MSU will then play at second-place Rutgers on Jan. 20.
BEING A BOSS AT THE BREZ
The Spartans continue to dominate at home. Last season, Michigan State set a record with 15 wins at home. Since the 2016-17 season, the Spartans are 42-9 at the friendly confines of the Breslin Center. MSU has won 24 of the last 25 games at home. This season, the Spartans are 6-0 at home.
MASTER THIEVES
With 10 steals against Penn State on Jan. 9, the Spartans reached double figures in takeaways for the 11th time in 15 games. This was the first double-digit steal game since Indiana on Dec. 28 when MSU also had 10. Against PSU, six different Spartans had a steal in the game, led by Nia Clouden's four. This is the most double-figure steal games that MSU has had since Coach Merchant's arrival during the 2007-08 season was 17 during the 2010-11 season. During the 2005-06 season, MSU had 20 double-digit steal games. As a team, Michigan State is averaging 11.6 spg, which is second in the Big Ten.
MAKING HISTORY
Taryn McCutcheon dished out four assists against Morehead State on Dec. 15, as she became just the second player in MSU women's basketball history with 500 career assists. She had three against Penn State on Jan. 9 to tally 515 for her career. McCutcheon needs just 59 more helpers to tie current Spartan assistant coach Kristin Haynie for the all-time assists record with 574. McCutcheon is currently second on the team in assists with 43, behind Nia Clouden who has 53 helpers.
BIG TEN OPENERS
Michigan State is now 19-19 in Big Ten openers, having won six of their last nine. MSU is now 8-5 in league openers in Coach Merchant's 13 seasons. Last season, the Spartans won their opener in East Lansing against No. 16 Iowa, 84-70. The last time that Michigan State played Indiana in a B1G opener was to start the 2017-18 league action with MSU winning 68-46. With the win over Nebraska on Dec. 31, Michigan State is now 25-13 in B1G home openers.
FREQUENT FLIER
Three Spartans earned international experience during the offseason. MSU head coach Suzy Merchant earned a silver medal as the head coach of U.S. Pan American team that competed in Lima, Peru. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden also participated in the U.S. U19 World Cup Trials in Colorado Spring in May. Redshirt-senior guard Shay Colley continues her quest for the 2020 Olympics continuing training with the Canadian National Team.
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 144 of their last 163 games (.883) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 162-28 (.852) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. The Spartans are now 7-1 this season when reaching the 70-point mark with its only loss coming against Penn State on Jan. 9.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 201 of their last 214 games (.939) when leading with five minutes left, including 151 of their last 166. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 236-19 (.925) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 8-1 when leading with five minutes remaining with the only loss coming against No. 8 Florida State.
RETURN TO THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State adds two new coaches to the staff this season in Dean Lockwood and former Spartan All-American Kristin Haynie. Lockwood and Haynie come to Michigan State with extensive basketball roots in the state of Michigan, as well as highly-decorated careers. During his 15-year tenure as an assistant coach at Tennessee, Lockwood won two NCAA titles. Haynie returns to Michigan State where she earned All-American honors, leading MSU to the 2005 National Championship game.
GAME REWIND: Penn State 86, MSU 73
Sophomore forward Kayla Belles scored a career-high 19 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team fell to Penn State 86-73 in University Park.
Michigan State falls to 8-7 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while Penn State improves to 7-8 overall and 1-3 in league contests.
The Spartans had four players in double figures led by Belles' 19. The sophomore was 8-of-11 from the field and added a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman guard Moira Joiner added another career high with 15 points, while senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored 14 points. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden added 11 points and a team-high seven assists.
Postgame Notes vs. Penn State
• Thursday's starting lineup of senior guard Taryn McCutcheon, sophomore guard Nia Clouden, freshman guard Moria Joiner, senior forward Nia Hollie and freshman forward Taiyier Parks, was Michigan State's was eighth different starting lineup of the season. Clouden and McCutcheon are the only two Spartans to have started all 15 games, while Hollie made her third-straight start.
• Sophomore forward Kayla Belles and freshman guard Moira Joiner both had career highs against Penn State. Belles scored 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Her previous career high was 12 points, most recently against Morehead State on Dec. 15. Joiner scored 15 points against the Lady Lions, reaching double figures for the second time in three games. Her previous high was 13 against Nebraska on Dec. 31. She also added two steals, two assists and two rebounds.
SIGNING DAY
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of Kendall Bostic (Kokomo, Indiana/Northwestern High School) to a National Letter of Intent. Bostic is a 6-2 forward who plays for head coach Katie Layden at Northwestern High School in Kokomo, Indiana and AAU basketball for Tony Marlin and the Indiana Flight/Elite. Bostic is ranked No. 16 at her position and No. 67 overall by ESPN HoopGurlz. As a junior, Bostic averaged 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game on 68 percent shooting from the field. Last season, Northwestern captured its second consecutive state championship, as Bostic earned State Championship Player of the Game accolades, along with AP First-Team All-State and Co-Player of the Year honors.
She is the daughter of Kevin and Angie Bostic. Her mom, Angie (Cree) Bostic, played basketball at Indiana from, 1991-92.
Players Mentioned
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