Sunday, November 14
East Lansing, Mich.
2 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Niagara
MSU Women's Basketball Hosts Niagara Sunday
11/13/2021 11:28:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Free admittance on Military Appreciation Day.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball continues its four-game homestand, taking on Niagara on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. on Military Appreciation Day. The Spartans started the season with a resounding, 93-31, win over Morehead State on Tuesday.
• Against Morehead State all 13 Spartans in uniform saw action. The Michigan State freshmen also made an immediate impact. Mathilda Ekh scored 11 points, while DeeDee Hagemann added 10. Ekh also earned a spot in the starting lineup.
• This week, senior guard Nia Clouden added to her preseason accolades. Clouden was named to the John R. Wooden Award® Women's Preseason Top 50 Watch List and the 2022 Wade Trophy preseason Watch List, as well as the Naismith Watch List. She had already been named to the Lieberman Watch List and earned preseason All-Big Ten honors.
• Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant is nearing a couple milestones. With the win against Morehead State, she holds a 297-157 record at MSU, along with a 498-277 career record. Merchant is looking to become just the second Spartan women's basketball coach to capture 300 wins at MSU. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU.
• Junior guard Alyza Winston had a stellar opening game for the Spartans with a game-high 20 points. She now has four career 20-point games. Winston also added a career-high six steals, which was twice as many as her previous career high of three against Iowa Dec. 12.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
The Purple Eagles will be playing their second game in the Mitten State and their third of the season. Niagara lost to Oakland on Friday 77-64. In their season opener, the Purple Eagles defeated Loyola Maryland 81-71. In the first two contests, NU has averaged 72.5 ppg, while allowing 74.0. It holds a slight rebounding margin 33.5-32.5.
So far this season, Niagara has been led by the Parker sisters. Angel Parker leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.0 points per game, while adding 5.5 assists per game. Aaliyah Parker is second in score with 14.5 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 9.5 rpg. Against Oakland, the sisters score more than half of Niagara's points.
SERIES HISTORY VS. EAGLES
Michigan State holds an overall series lead over Niagara 1-0, but it was a very memorable win. The first time that the teams met MSU came away with a 116-50 win on Nov. 8, 2008 in East Lansing, In that game, Michigan State also set the record for margin of victory, winning by 66 points. MSU came close to matching that margin against Morehead State on Tuesday, winning by 62 points. Michigan State also set the record for points scored in a game.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Currently, masks are required indoors for all individuals. Michigan State University requires all campus visitors, faculty, staff and students to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Against Morehead State in the season opener, the Spartans put up some big number with six players reaching double figures. This is the first time since Dec. 2, 2020 against Detroit Mercy that six Spartans scored in double figures with Alyza Winston (20), Nia Clouden (15), Mathilda Ekh (11), Laurel Jacqmain (11), Moira Joiner (10) and DeeDee Hagemann (10) all reaching double figures.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 34-15 in season openers, but 27-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 12-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 18 of her last 21, including her time at Eastern Michigan. This season, the Spartans earned a dominating 93-31 win over Morehead State on Nov. 9 paced by six MSU players reaching double figures.
IT'S RAINING THREES
The Spartans set a new school record with 17 3-pointers. The previous record 15 by Michigan State vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 6, 2018 at the Breslin Center. Michigan State shot 60.7 percent from long range, led by junior guard Alyza Winstons 4-for-7 performance. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain set a new career high with 11 points, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter.
LAST TIME OUT
Six players scored in double figures as the Michigan State women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a resounding 93-31 win over Morehead State Tuesday night at the Breslin Center.
Junior guard Alyza Winston led all scorers with 20 points to go along with a career-high six steals, while senior guard Nia Clouden added 15 points and seven assists. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain had a career-high 11 points off the bench, while freshman Mathilda Ekh also had 11 in her Spartan debut. Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann and junior guard Moira Joiner both added 10.
MEET THE NEWBIES
MSU introduces five freshmen to the team this season, featuring Miss Basketball DeeDee Hagemann (Detroit, Mich.), Brooklyn Rewers (Coeur D'Alene), Isaline Alexander (Keswick, Ontario), Mathilda Ekh (Vasteras, Sweden) and Lauren Walker (Marietta, Ga.). The Spartans also added graduate transfer Tamara Farquhar who comes to MSU from Purdue.
CLOUDEN NAMED TO LIEBERMAN WATCH LIST
Michigan State women's basketball senior guard Nia Clouden was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and WBCA Preseason Watch List for the Nancy Lieberman Award.
Now in its 23rd year, the award recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Clouden, a native of Owings Mills, Maryland, was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring last season, averaging 18.7 points per game. A first-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, Clouden also averaged 3.9 assists per game last season. She shot a career-best 46.4 percent from the field, along with 32.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.0 percent from the charity stripe.
Last season, Clouden was one of only six players in the Big Ten with multiple 30-point games, recording three. She scored a career-high 34 points at Michigan on Feb. 16.
BRINGING BACK THE NUMBERS
The Spartans return 84% of their scoring from last season, including its top seven scorers. Despite season-ending injuries to senior Tory Ozment and Julia Ayrault, MSU still brings back much of its firepower. Combined senior guard Nia Clouden and junior guard Alyza Winston averaged 29.3 points and 5.9 assists per game. Senior forward Alisia Smith averaged a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game, while adding 8.7 ppg.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
During the regular season, the Spartans will take on eight teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including B1G foes, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern and Rutgers. MSU opponents Florida Gulf Coast and West Virginia also reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 225 of its last 238 games (.945) when leading with five minutes left, including 175 of their last 190. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 260-19 (.932) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 1-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State women's basketball senior guard Nia Clouden has been named 2021-22 Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media, capturing the honor for the second-straight season.
During the 2020-21 season, Clouden was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game. It was the most points per game by a Spartan since Tori Jankoska averaged 22.6 ppg during the 2016-17 season. An Owings Mills, Maryland, native, Clouden earned her third-straight All-Big Ten honor after being named to the first team last season.
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 158 of their last 183 games (.864) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 178-32 (.847) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 1-0 this season when scoring 70 points.
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, including Theryn Hallock (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ Forest Hills Central High School) and Abbey Kimball (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ West Catholic High School).
Hallock is a 5-11 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, attends Forest Hills Central and is coached by Kristina Prins. As a junior, she averaged 23.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 6.6 steals per game. She reached the 1,000-career point mark as a junior last season. She also earned first-team all-state honors. Hallock is a three-time all-conference honoree, including capturing first-team honors as a junior. Last season, her team finished seventh in the nation in the UAA national finals. Hallock is also a top candidate for 2022 Miss Michigan Basketball.
She is the daughter of Ty and Jennifer Hallock. Ty played football at MSU, before playing in the NFL. Her brothers, Tanner, played football at MSU, while her brother, Tate, is currently a redshirt-sophomore on the Spartan football team.
Kimball is a 5-10 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, plays for head coach Jill VanderEnde at West Catholic High School. She is rated No. 80 nationally overall and No. 18 at her position by HoopGurlz. During her junior season, she averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game. Kimball has captured first-team all-conference honors for three-straight seasons. Kimball was selected to the Michigan Associated Press All-State first team and the Grand Rapids Dream Team first team. The three-time captain also scored her 1,000th career point as a junior last season. Last season, Kimball scored 27 points to lead West Catholic to the Regional Final. She is also a candidate for 2022 Miss Michigan Basketball. She is the daughter of Rick and Jeanne Kimball.
• Against Morehead State all 13 Spartans in uniform saw action. The Michigan State freshmen also made an immediate impact. Mathilda Ekh scored 11 points, while DeeDee Hagemann added 10. Ekh also earned a spot in the starting lineup.
• This week, senior guard Nia Clouden added to her preseason accolades. Clouden was named to the John R. Wooden Award® Women's Preseason Top 50 Watch List and the 2022 Wade Trophy preseason Watch List, as well as the Naismith Watch List. She had already been named to the Lieberman Watch List and earned preseason All-Big Ten honors.
• Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant is nearing a couple milestones. With the win against Morehead State, she holds a 297-157 record at MSU, along with a 498-277 career record. Merchant is looking to become just the second Spartan women's basketball coach to capture 300 wins at MSU. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU.
• Junior guard Alyza Winston had a stellar opening game for the Spartans with a game-high 20 points. She now has four career 20-point games. Winston also added a career-high six steals, which was twice as many as her previous career high of three against Iowa Dec. 12.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
The Purple Eagles will be playing their second game in the Mitten State and their third of the season. Niagara lost to Oakland on Friday 77-64. In their season opener, the Purple Eagles defeated Loyola Maryland 81-71. In the first two contests, NU has averaged 72.5 ppg, while allowing 74.0. It holds a slight rebounding margin 33.5-32.5.
So far this season, Niagara has been led by the Parker sisters. Angel Parker leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.0 points per game, while adding 5.5 assists per game. Aaliyah Parker is second in score with 14.5 ppg and leads the team in rebounding with 9.5 rpg. Against Oakland, the sisters score more than half of Niagara's points.
SERIES HISTORY VS. EAGLES
Michigan State holds an overall series lead over Niagara 1-0, but it was a very memorable win. The first time that the teams met MSU came away with a 116-50 win on Nov. 8, 2008 in East Lansing, In that game, Michigan State also set the record for margin of victory, winning by 66 points. MSU came close to matching that margin against Morehead State on Tuesday, winning by 62 points. Michigan State also set the record for points scored in a game.
MASK UP, MICHIGAN
Currently, masks are required indoors for all individuals. Michigan State University requires all campus visitors, faculty, staff and students to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Against Morehead State in the season opener, the Spartans put up some big number with six players reaching double figures. This is the first time since Dec. 2, 2020 against Detroit Mercy that six Spartans scored in double figures with Alyza Winston (20), Nia Clouden (15), Mathilda Ekh (11), Laurel Jacqmain (11), Moira Joiner (10) and DeeDee Hagemann (10) all reaching double figures.
SEASON OPENERS
All-time, the Spartans are now 34-15 in season openers, but 27-2 when the opener is in East Lansing. Coach Merchant is 12-3 in season openers at MSU, and has won 18 of her last 21, including her time at Eastern Michigan. This season, the Spartans earned a dominating 93-31 win over Morehead State on Nov. 9 paced by six MSU players reaching double figures.
IT'S RAINING THREES
The Spartans set a new school record with 17 3-pointers. The previous record 15 by Michigan State vs. Bowling Green on Nov. 6, 2018 at the Breslin Center. Michigan State shot 60.7 percent from long range, led by junior guard Alyza Winstons 4-for-7 performance. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain set a new career high with 11 points, highlighted by back-to-back-to-back treys in the fourth quarter.
LAST TIME OUT
Six players scored in double figures as the Michigan State women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season with a resounding 93-31 win over Morehead State Tuesday night at the Breslin Center.
Junior guard Alyza Winston led all scorers with 20 points to go along with a career-high six steals, while senior guard Nia Clouden added 15 points and seven assists. Senior guard Laurel Jacqmain had a career-high 11 points off the bench, while freshman Mathilda Ekh also had 11 in her Spartan debut. Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann and junior guard Moira Joiner both added 10.
MEET THE NEWBIES
MSU introduces five freshmen to the team this season, featuring Miss Basketball DeeDee Hagemann (Detroit, Mich.), Brooklyn Rewers (Coeur D'Alene), Isaline Alexander (Keswick, Ontario), Mathilda Ekh (Vasteras, Sweden) and Lauren Walker (Marietta, Ga.). The Spartans also added graduate transfer Tamara Farquhar who comes to MSU from Purdue.
CLOUDEN NAMED TO LIEBERMAN WATCH LIST
Michigan State women's basketball senior guard Nia Clouden was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and WBCA Preseason Watch List for the Nancy Lieberman Award.
Now in its 23rd year, the award recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women's college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman.
Clouden, a native of Owings Mills, Maryland, was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring last season, averaging 18.7 points per game. A first-team All-Big Ten selection a year ago, Clouden also averaged 3.9 assists per game last season. She shot a career-best 46.4 percent from the field, along with 32.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78.0 percent from the charity stripe.
Last season, Clouden was one of only six players in the Big Ten with multiple 30-point games, recording three. She scored a career-high 34 points at Michigan on Feb. 16.
BRINGING BACK THE NUMBERS
The Spartans return 84% of their scoring from last season, including its top seven scorers. Despite season-ending injuries to senior Tory Ozment and Julia Ayrault, MSU still brings back much of its firepower. Combined senior guard Nia Clouden and junior guard Alyza Winston averaged 29.3 points and 5.9 assists per game. Senior forward Alisia Smith averaged a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game, while adding 8.7 ppg.
PLAY THE BEST TO BE THE BEST
During the regular season, the Spartans will take on eight teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament, including B1G foes, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern and Rutgers. MSU opponents Florida Gulf Coast and West Virginia also reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 225 of its last 238 games (.945) when leading with five minutes left, including 175 of their last 190. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 260-19 (.932) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 1-0 when leading with five minutes remaining.
CLOUDEN EARNS PRESEASON HONORS
Michigan State women's basketball senior guard Nia Clouden has been named 2021-22 Preseason All-Big Ten by both the coaches and media, capturing the honor for the second-straight season.
During the 2020-21 season, Clouden was fifth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game. It was the most points per game by a Spartan since Tori Jankoska averaged 22.6 ppg during the 2016-17 season. An Owings Mills, Maryland, native, Clouden earned her third-straight All-Big Ten honor after being named to the first team last season.
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 158 of their last 183 games (.864) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 178-32 (.847) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 1-0 this season when scoring 70 points.
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, including Theryn Hallock (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ Forest Hills Central High School) and Abbey Kimball (Grand Rapids, Michigan/ West Catholic High School).
Hallock is a 5-11 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, attends Forest Hills Central and is coached by Kristina Prins. As a junior, she averaged 23.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 6.6 steals per game. She reached the 1,000-career point mark as a junior last season. She also earned first-team all-state honors. Hallock is a three-time all-conference honoree, including capturing first-team honors as a junior. Last season, her team finished seventh in the nation in the UAA national finals. Hallock is also a top candidate for 2022 Miss Michigan Basketball.
She is the daughter of Ty and Jennifer Hallock. Ty played football at MSU, before playing in the NFL. Her brothers, Tanner, played football at MSU, while her brother, Tate, is currently a redshirt-sophomore on the Spartan football team.
Kimball is a 5-10 guard, who is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, plays for head coach Jill VanderEnde at West Catholic High School. She is rated No. 80 nationally overall and No. 18 at her position by HoopGurlz. During her junior season, she averaged 22.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 5.0 steals per game. Kimball has captured first-team all-conference honors for three-straight seasons. Kimball was selected to the Michigan Associated Press All-State first team and the Grand Rapids Dream Team first team. The three-time captain also scored her 1,000th career point as a junior last season. Last season, Kimball scored 27 points to lead West Catholic to the Regional Final. She is also a candidate for 2022 Miss Michigan Basketball. She is the daughter of Rick and Jeanne Kimball.
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