Thursday, January 9
University Park, Pa.
7 PM
Michigan State University
at
Penn State
Photo by: Dale Young - MSU Athletic Communications
Spartan Women Conclude Road Swing at Penn State Thursday
1/8/2020 2:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
This is the only meeting during the regular season for the teams.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball concludes a two-game road swing, traveling to Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at Bryce Jordan Center. Both teams are looking to get back on track as the Spartans stand at 8-6 this season and 1-2 in Big Ten play. Penn State is 6-8 overall and 0-3 in league action and is looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
• Sophomore guard Nia Clouden has stepped up her defensive efforts this season. She has 33 steals through 14 games this season. Last season, she had 39 steals in 33 games. This season, she has had seven games with at least three steals.
•After reaching the 1,000 career points mark vs. Indiana on Dec. 28, McCutcheon's 23 points against Michigan give her 1,047 career points. She moves up to No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85).
• Nia Clouden is tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg. She is also fourth in the league in steals, averaging 2.4 spg. The stellar sophomore also stands second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.795).
• Redshirt-junior forward Mardrekia Cook had a standout performance against Michigan on Jan. 5 with a season-high 13 points. It was her third double-figure scoring game of the season and 10th of her career. MSU is 6-4 when Cook reaches double figures.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters Thursday's contest with a 6-8 overall record and a 0-3 mark in conference play.
The Nittany Lions are led by junior Kamaria McDaniel, who ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring with 19.1 points per game and is one of three players in the league to average over 19 ppg. Through the first set of conference games, McDaniel averages 22.3 ppg, which is good for second in the conference.
Penn State freshman MaKenna Marisa averages 10.0 ppg to rank sixth among all Big Ten freshmen in scoring and also averages 4.1 rebounds per game.
PSU is averaging 41.8 rebounds per game, ranking third in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds with 15.0, and holds a rebound margin of +4.3.
The Nittany Lions are searching for their first conference win of the season after dropping the first three contests. Last time out, Penn State battled with Wisconsin on the road, but fell 71-65, despite a 23-point performance by McDaniel.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE
Penn State holds the overall series lead 29-18, including 17-6 in University Park. Michigan State has been closing the gap of late, winning five of the last eight. Last season, the Spartans defeated the Lady Lions, 57-48 in the regular season home finale on Feb. 27. In the last game in University Park, Penn State stopped MSU, 74-59. The Spartans last win at Penn State came in 2016, 74-51, when both Tori Jankoska and Aerial Powers scored 21 points.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
Michigan State women's basketball tied the school record for home wins with a 57-48 victory over Penn State in the home regular-season finale at the Breslin Center. The Spartans tied the 2010-11 squad who also finished the season 15-1 at home.
In the low scoring affair, the Spartans finished in double figures led by freshman guard Nia Clouden, who scored 14 points to go along with four rebounds. Sophomore forward Sidney Cooks added 12 points and six rebounds. Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley had her 18th double-figure scoring game with 10 points and team-highs of seven rebounds and four assists.
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 five times this season and are 1-4 in those games. Michigan State has been out-scored in the final 10 minutes 67-47 in Big Ten contests.
PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Against Michigan, 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 437 points this season, which is 42.1 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 season-high 23 points against Michigan on Jan. 5 give her 1,047 career points. McCutcheon moves up to No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85). She is now just 27 points away from tying Jamie Wesley for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1,075 points. She also added one assist Sunday, giving her 512 for her career, which is second all-time.
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartan freshmen continue to be key contributors this season. Julia Ayrault (5.6 ppg, 19th), Moira Joiner (4.6 ppg, 23rd), Alyza Winston (3.9 ppg, T-27th) and Taiyier Parks (3.9 ppg, 29th) and 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 rookies. Ayrault is fourth among Big Ten freshmen in rebounding with 5.0 rpg and is third in blocks with 1.1 bpg, while Parks is tied for fourth (0.9 bpg).
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 14 games this season, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are the only two players to have started every game. Overall, the Spartans have had seven different starting lineups. Against Nebraska and Michigan, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Taiyier Parks and Nia Hollie. The start for Parks against the Cornhuskers was the first of her MSU career. 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.
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. Alyza Winston is the only other player 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.
CLOUDEN CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 19.8 ppg. She is also second in free throw percentage (.795). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing fourth in steals (2.4 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-) 1,047 512
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 14 games, Michigan State is 15th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in steals per game (11.7 spg). After holding Hartford and LSU to no 3-pointers earlier this season, the Spartans are third in the country and first in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 22.3 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.6) and first in offensive rebounds (16.1).
Individually. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is 51st in the nation and fourth in the league in steals with 33.
In Big Ten contests, Taryn McCutcheon is tied for ninth in scoring, averaging 17.7 ppg. Clouden is tied for first in assists with 4.7 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for fourth in blocks per game (1.7), while McCutcheon is tied for fourth in 3-pointers made with eight.
UP NEXT
After two-straight road games, the Spartans return home to take on Wisconsin on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. Sunday is Alumni Day and Girl Scout Day at the Breslin Center.
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 12 steals against Indiana on Dec. 28, the Spartans reached double figures in takeaways for the 10th time in 14 games. This was the first double-digit steal game since Morehead State on Dec. 15 when MSU also had 12. Freshman guard Julia Ayrault tied her career high with four takeaways. She also had four against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 8. Sophomore guard Tory Ozment also tied her career high with three, which she has now done four times. 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 12.0 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 one against Michigan on Jan. 5 to tally 512 for her career. McCutcheon needs just 62 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 40, behind Nia Clouden who has 46 helpers.
AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 17 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Spartans are 62-6 (.912) against in-state rivals, including a 47-6 (.887 mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 195-61 (.762) against other Michigan schools.
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. Against Nebraska, Michigan State took its first lead of the game at 52-51, capping a 10-0 scoring run, with 5:07 left in regulation and still led by that score with 5:00 remaining. The Spartans have won 201 of their last 214 games (.939) when leading with five minutes left, including 151 of their last 166 (.910). Under Merchant, MSU is now 236-19 (.925) when holding a lead with five minutes to play. The Spartans are now 8-1 this season when leading with five to go, with the only loss coming at Florida State.
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: MICHIGAN 89, MSU 69
Senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored a season-high 23 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team was topped by Michigan 89-69 at the Crisler Center on Sunday afternoon. A tough fourth quarter lifted the Wolverines past the Spartans.
Michigan State falls to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play, while Michigan improves to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in league contests.
McCutcheon's 23 points were just shy of her career-high 25 points against Maryland on Jan. 11, 2018. Redshirt-junior forward Mardrekia Cook also reached double figures in scoring with a season-high 13 points off the bench.
Postgame Notes vs. Michigan
• Senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored a season-high 23 points. It was her first 20-point game of the season and the third of her career. She was just shy of her career-high 25 points in a win against Maryland on Jan. 18, 2018. MSU is 1-2 when McCutcheon hits the 20-points mark.
• Freshman guard Moira Joiner set a new career high with five assists against Michigan. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden was second in assists with four.
• The Spartans lead the overall series with the Wolverines, 72-20, including winning seven of the last nine meetings. Last season, Michigan State swept the series.
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.
• Sophomore guard Nia Clouden has stepped up her defensive efforts this season. She has 33 steals through 14 games this season. Last season, she had 39 steals in 33 games. This season, she has had seven games with at least three steals.
•After reaching the 1,000 career points mark vs. Indiana on Dec. 28, McCutcheon's 23 points against Michigan give her 1,047 career points. She moves up to No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85).
• Nia Clouden is tied for seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 15.1 ppg. She is also fourth in the league in steals, averaging 2.4 spg. The stellar sophomore also stands second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.795).
• Redshirt-junior forward Mardrekia Cook had a standout performance against Michigan on Jan. 5 with a season-high 13 points. It was her third double-figure scoring game of the season and 10th of her career. MSU is 6-4 when Cook reaches double figures.
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters Thursday's contest with a 6-8 overall record and a 0-3 mark in conference play.
The Nittany Lions are led by junior Kamaria McDaniel, who ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring with 19.1 points per game and is one of three players in the league to average over 19 ppg. Through the first set of conference games, McDaniel averages 22.3 ppg, which is good for second in the conference.
Penn State freshman MaKenna Marisa averages 10.0 ppg to rank sixth among all Big Ten freshmen in scoring and also averages 4.1 rebounds per game.
PSU is averaging 41.8 rebounds per game, ranking third in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds with 15.0, and holds a rebound margin of +4.3.
The Nittany Lions are searching for their first conference win of the season after dropping the first three contests. Last time out, Penn State battled with Wisconsin on the road, but fell 71-65, despite a 23-point performance by McDaniel.
SERIES HISTORY VS. PENN STATE
Penn State holds the overall series lead 29-18, including 17-6 in University Park. Michigan State has been closing the gap of late, winning five of the last eight. Last season, the Spartans defeated the Lady Lions, 57-48 in the regular season home finale on Feb. 27. In the last game in University Park, Penn State stopped MSU, 74-59. The Spartans last win at Penn State came in 2016, 74-51, when both Tori Jankoska and Aerial Powers scored 21 points.
LAST TIME VS. PENN STATE
Michigan State women's basketball tied the school record for home wins with a 57-48 victory over Penn State in the home regular-season finale at the Breslin Center. The Spartans tied the 2010-11 squad who also finished the season 15-1 at home.
In the low scoring affair, the Spartans finished in double figures led by freshman guard Nia Clouden, who scored 14 points to go along with four rebounds. Sophomore forward Sidney Cooks added 12 points and six rebounds. Redshirt-junior guard Shay Colley had her 18th double-figure scoring game with 10 points and team-highs of seven rebounds and four assists.
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 five times this season and are 1-4 in those games. Michigan State has been out-scored in the final 10 minutes 67-47 in Big Ten contests.
PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Against Michigan, 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 437 points this season, which is 42.1 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 season-high 23 points against Michigan on Jan. 5 give her 1,047 career points. McCutcheon moves up to No. 26 on MSU's career scoring list, passing Brenda Jezowski (1980-85). She is now just 27 points away from tying Jamie Wesley for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1,075 points. She also added one assist Sunday, giving her 512 for her career, which is second all-time.
FABULOUS FRESHMEN
The Spartan freshmen continue to be key contributors this season. Julia Ayrault (5.6 ppg, 19th), Moira Joiner (4.6 ppg, 23rd), Alyza Winston (3.9 ppg, T-27th) and Taiyier Parks (3.9 ppg, 29th) and 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 rookies. Ayrault is fourth among Big Ten freshmen in rebounding with 5.0 rpg and is third in blocks with 1.1 bpg, while Parks is tied for fourth (0.9 bpg).
SWITCHING STARTERS
Through 14 games this season, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon are the only two players to have started every game. Overall, the Spartans have had seven different starting lineups. Against Nebraska and Michigan, the Spartans used the lineup of Clouden, McCutcheon, Moira Joiner, Taiyier Parks and Nia Hollie. The start for Parks against the Cornhuskers was the first of her MSU career. 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.
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. Alyza Winston is the only other player 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.
CLOUDEN CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is among the best in several categories in the Big Ten. She is currently seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 15.1 points per game. Rutgers' Arella Guirantes leads the league in scoring with 19.8 ppg. She is also second in free throw percentage (.795). She is providing help on the defensive end of the ball as well, standing fourth in steals (2.4 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-) 1,047 512
Brittney Thomas (2007-11) 932 401
Deb Traxinger (1978-82) 926 443
SPARTANS IN THE B1G/NCAA RANKINGS
After 14 games, Michigan State is 15th in the nation and second in the Big Ten in steals per game (11.7 spg). After holding Hartford and LSU to no 3-pointers earlier this season, the Spartans are third in the country and first in the Big Ten 3-point field goal defense, holding teams to 22.3 percent from beyond the arc. MSU is third in the Big Ten in 3-pointers made (7.6) and first in offensive rebounds (16.1).
Individually. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden is 51st in the nation and fourth in the league in steals with 33.
In Big Ten contests, Taryn McCutcheon is tied for ninth in scoring, averaging 17.7 ppg. Clouden is tied for first in assists with 4.7 apg. Sophomore forward Kayla Belles is tied for fourth in blocks per game (1.7), while McCutcheon is tied for fourth in 3-pointers made with eight.
UP NEXT
After two-straight road games, the Spartans return home to take on Wisconsin on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. Sunday is Alumni Day and Girl Scout Day at the Breslin Center.
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 12 steals against Indiana on Dec. 28, the Spartans reached double figures in takeaways for the 10th time in 14 games. This was the first double-digit steal game since Morehead State on Dec. 15 when MSU also had 12. Freshman guard Julia Ayrault tied her career high with four takeaways. She also had four against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 8. Sophomore guard Tory Ozment also tied her career high with three, which she has now done four times. 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 12.0 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 one against Michigan on Jan. 5 to tally 512 for her career. McCutcheon needs just 62 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 40, behind Nia Clouden who has 46 helpers.
AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES STATE
Michigan State has had great success against other collegiate programs in the state of Michigan over the past 17 seasons. Since the beginning of the 2002-03 season, the Spartans are 62-6 (.912) against in-state rivals, including a 47-6 (.887 mark under Coach Merchant. All-time, Michigan State is 195-61 (.762) against other Michigan schools.
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. Against Nebraska, Michigan State took its first lead of the game at 52-51, capping a 10-0 scoring run, with 5:07 left in regulation and still led by that score with 5:00 remaining. The Spartans have won 201 of their last 214 games (.939) when leading with five minutes left, including 151 of their last 166 (.910). Under Merchant, MSU is now 236-19 (.925) when holding a lead with five minutes to play. The Spartans are now 8-1 this season when leading with five to go, with the only loss coming at Florida State.
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: MICHIGAN 89, MSU 69
Senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored a season-high 23 points, but the Michigan State women's basketball team was topped by Michigan 89-69 at the Crisler Center on Sunday afternoon. A tough fourth quarter lifted the Wolverines past the Spartans.
Michigan State falls to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play, while Michigan improves to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in league contests.
McCutcheon's 23 points were just shy of her career-high 25 points against Maryland on Jan. 11, 2018. Redshirt-junior forward Mardrekia Cook also reached double figures in scoring with a season-high 13 points off the bench.
Postgame Notes vs. Michigan
• Senior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored a season-high 23 points. It was her first 20-point game of the season and the third of her career. She was just shy of her career-high 25 points in a win against Maryland on Jan. 18, 2018. MSU is 1-2 when McCutcheon hits the 20-points mark.
• Freshman guard Moira Joiner set a new career high with five assists against Michigan. Sophomore guard Nia Clouden was second in assists with four.
• The Spartans lead the overall series with the Wolverines, 72-20, including winning seven of the last nine meetings. Last season, Michigan State swept the series.
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
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard/Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballRobyn Fralick | Women's Basketball Selection Show Press Conference | March 16, 2025
Sunday, March 16
Robyn Fralick | Women's Basketball Press Conference | Mar. 04 2025
Tuesday, March 04
Michigan State Women's Basketball vs Minnosta | Cinematic Highlight
Sunday, March 02
Coach Fralick Post Game Comments | MINN | Mar. 1 2025
Saturday, March 01