Sunday, January 23
East Lansing, Mich.
2 PM
Michigan State University
vs
Minnesota
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
MSU Women Host Minnesota Sunday
1/21/2022 7:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Spartans host the Gophers on Girl Scout Day.
Effective January 1, 2022, Michigan State athletics will require spectators at all indoor athletic events to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event. Michigan State's indoor mask mandate remains in effect for all home athletic events. Please visit the FAQ page for more information.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After having its game against Indiana postponed on Jan. 17, the Michigan State women's basketball team returns to action, hosting Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Breslin Center. This is the Spartans' final home game of January.
• The Spartans improved to 9-8 overall record and 3-3 in Big Ten action after a dominating home win against Northwestern on Jan. 12. Minnesota has lost two-straight games after a 105-49 loss at home to No. 25 Iowa on Jan. 20. The Golden Gophers are 9-10 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten action.
• Michigan State went 11-for-23 from the 3-point line, which was good for 47.8 percent against Northwestern. This is just the fourth-time this season that MSU has reach double figures in treys, going 3-1 in those contests.
• With 19 points last game, senior guard Nia Clouden now has 1,643 career points. She is just the sixth person with 1,600 career points, closing in on the No. 6 spot of 1,649 points held by Allyssa DeHaan. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 394, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is seven assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11). Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
• MSU head coach Suzy Merchant announced on Tuesday that junior guard Moira Joiner will miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Joiner, who hails from Saginaw, Michigan, has been placed in MSU's concussion protocols multiple times this season by the MSU Sports Medicine team. She joins Julia Ayrault (foot) and Tory Ozment (ACL), who are both out for the season.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Minnesota is looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Iowa, 105-49 at home. The Golden Gophers also lost to Ohio State at home 83-75. Overall, Minnesota is 9-10 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play. The Gophers have league wins against Rutgers and Wisconsin.
The Gophers have four players averaging in double figures led by Sara Scalia, who is 11th in the league with 15.6 ppg. Jasmine Powell is second with 12.6 ppg, followed by Deja Winters and Kadi Sissoko with 11.3 and 10.9 ppg, respectively. Powell is third in the league in assists, averaging 5.5 apg, while Deja Winters is fifth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.427).
Minnesota is 10th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 69.0 ppg, while allowing 70.8 ppg. The Gophers are second in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.372).
Minnesota has one Michigander on the team in junior guard Jasmine Powell, who hails from Detroit and attended Detroit Country Day.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE GOPHERS
Overall, Michigan State leads the overall series with Minnesota, 45-23. In East Lansing, the Spartans hold a 25-7 record against the Gophers. In Minneapolis, Michigan State is up in the series 17-15. On neutral territory, the Spartans have a slight edge, 3-1.
Michigan State has won six of the last eight meetings, including the last two. The last time the Gophers defeated the Spartans was on March 3, 2019, winning 81-63.
Last season, the teams met only once with MSU earning the 81-68 win on Dec. 10, 2020. Nia Clouden and Alyza Winston combined for 45 points, both topping 20 points in MSU's Big Ten opener. Michigan State improves to 3-0 overall this season and 1-0 in Big Ten action. Michigan State is now 20-19 in Big Ten openers, having won seven of their last 10. With the win, the Spartans improved to 3-0 for the sixth-straight season.
MAMMA MIA
Freshman Matilda Ekh now has 195 points this season, needing just 71 more points to crack MSU's single-season scoring by a freshman Top 15 list, as the No. 15 spot is currently at 266 points by Bella Engen (1994-95). With six 3-pointers Sunday against Northwestern, Ekh now has 35 on the season, needing just four more to crack the Top 5 list for treys by a Spartan freshman, as teammate Moira Joiner (2020-21) is at No. 5 with 39 triples.
Ekh's six 3-pointers is tied for seventh for all time treys made in a game. The last time a Spartan reached that mark was Alyza Winston against Iowa on Dec. 12, 2020.
FROM DOWNTOWN
Michigan State went 11-for-23 from the 3-point line against Northwestern on Jan. 16, which was good for 47.8 percent. This is just the fourth-time this season that MSU has reach double figures in treys, going 3-1 in those contests.
SPARTAN FUN FACTS
ONE-TWO PUNCH
Junior forward Taiyier Parks and graduate forward Tamara Farquhar have been a strong combination on the boards for the Spartans. Farquhar has led the team in rebounding nine times this season, while Parks has held the lead six times.
Both Spartans are in the top 15 in the Big Ten in rebounds. Farquhar is 11th, averaging 6.5 rpg, while Parks is 14th, bringing down 6.4 rpg.
Parks is also have a stellar year scoring the ball. Against Purdue on Jan. 9, junior forward Taiyier Parks posted a career-high tying 16 points, matching 16 points at Oakland (11/26/21). The 16 points by Parks marked the first time this season that she has led MSU in scoring, as well as the fourth time in her career. Overall, she has scored in double figures eight times this season, including the last four.
LOGGING IN THE MINUTES
With injuries and COVID-19 protocols, the Spartans have had several players logging in the minutes. Freshmen Matilda Ekh and DeeDee Hagemann are averaging 32.4 and 30.2 minutes per game, respectively. Senior guard Nia Clouden is ninth in the league in minutes played with 34.2 mpg. In league contests, Clouden is averaging 36.7 mpg, while Ekh is playing 35.2 mpg.
DOING MORE WITH LESS
Losing senior Tory Ozment and junior Julia Ayrault to season-ending injuries at the beginning, MSU was already playing with a short bench. Against Nebraska on Dec. 30, the bench got even shorter. The Spartans played without freshman DeeDee Hagemann and senior Laurel Jacqmain because of COVID-19 protocols and junior Moira Joiner was out with concussion symptoms. Against the Huskers, MSU had nine players available and played eight. On Jan. 17, the Spartans announced that they would be without junior guard Moira Joiner for the rest of the season.
JOINER TO MISS REMAINDER OF THE SEASON
MSU head coach Suzy Merchant announced on Tuesday that junior guard Moira Joiner will miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Joiner, who hails from Saginaw, Michigan, has been placed in MSU's concussion protocols multiple times this season by the MSU Sports Medicine team.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted a career-high 27 points, against Ohio State on Jan. 12 becoming the second Spartan player to score 25+ points in a game this season, joining senior guard Nia Clouden's 50-point and 32-point outings. Earlier this season, Ekh became the first Spartan freshman to tally 20 points in a game since Clouden during the 2018-19 season with Ekh's previous career-high of 20 points vs. Illinois (12/9/21), and Ekh's 27 points topped the Spartans' most recent 20-point high score outing by a freshman topping Clouden's 23 points as a freshman also vs. Ohio State (2/21/19), and also matching the most by a freshman, equaling Clouden's mark of 27 points vs. Iowa (12/30/18).
ANATOMY OF RECORD BREAKER
REACHING THE TOP 10
With 19 points against Northwestern on Jan. 16, Senior guard Nia Clouden now has 1,643 career points. She is just the sixth person with 1,600 career points, closing in on the No. 6 spot of 1,649 points held by Allyssa DeHaan. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 394, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is seven assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11). Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists. Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
BIG TIME B1G HONOR
Senior guard Nia Clouden was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 27. The Owings Mills, Maryland native had a record setting-week at the West Palm Beach Invitational. Clouden scored 50 points in the Spartans' double overtime loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20. The 50 points is also the most points scored in the NCAA this season. She became just third Big Ten player ever to score 50 points, joining Minnesota's Rachel Banham (2015-16) and Michigan's Naz Hillman (2020-21).
LOOKING ACROSS THE LEAGUE
Senior guard Nia Clouden is third in the B1G in scoring with 21.3 points per game behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark (26.2 ppg) and Penn State's Marisa Makenna (21.5 ppg). Clouden also holds the ninth spot in the league in assists with 4.1 helpers per contest, while freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is fourth with 5.3 apg. She is also 12th in the league in assist/turnover ration (1.7). Clouden is also second in the league in free-throw percentage (.888). In league contests, Hagemann is second in assists, averaging 6.6 apg, while Clouden is seventh in scorin with 19.0 ppg.
As a team, the Spartans are third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.768) and sixth in field goal percentages (.452). Michigan State is second in assists, averaging 17.7 apg.
AROUND THE NATION
The Spartans are distributing the ball really well through the first 17 games. Michigan State is 14th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 300 total assists and are 15th in assists per game, averaging 17.6 apg. MSU is also 31st in the nation in free throw percentage (.768). Senior guard Nia Clouden has been stellar in getting to the line. She is second in the nation in free throws made (112) and 25th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.888). Clouden is also ninth in the country in scoring with 21.3 ppg.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant reached the 300-win mark as head coach of the Spartans against Bryant on Nov. 19. She now holds a 304-194 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 10 wins away from tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156. Merchant also reached 500 career wins against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Overall, she holds a 505-284 record overall.
UP NEXT
After taking on the Gophers, the Spartans hit the road for two games. Michigan State will travel to Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. MSU will conclude the trip at Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.
20 DIMES FOR WINS
MSU is also 7-0 this season when dishing out 20 or more assists. The 20 helpers against Northwestern on Jan. 12. was the first time MSU head reach that mark since Dec. 9. Against Illinois, Michigan State dished out 20 assists for the first time since the game at Oakland (11/26) when MSU had 27. Michigan State also distributed 27 helpers in the win over Niagara (Nov. 14), while also dishing out 20+ assists vs. Morehead State (26), Valparaiso (20) and Bryant (24).
SOLID FROM THE STRIPE
Going 15-for-17 from the free throw line against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20, Nia Clouden tied the MSU record for single-game free throws made. All-American Aerial Powers also went 15-for-17 against Rutgers on Feb. 18, 2016. As a team, Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.780). Clouden matched that record going 15-for-17 from the charity stripe against Nebraska on Dec. 30.
The Spartans tied a school record going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe against the Beacons on Nov. 16. The last time MSU didn't miss from the free throw line with at least 10 attempts was against Central Michigan in the NCAA Tournament, going 11-for-11 on March, 23, 2019.
IT'S RAINING THREES
The Spartans set a new school record with 17 3-pointers against Morehead State on Nov. 9. 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. 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
With dominating defense and timely shooting, the Michigan State women's basketball team earned a 65-46 win over Northwestern Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center. The Spartans earned the win with associate head coach Dean Lockwood at the helm, as head coach Suzy Merchant missed the game in COVID-19 protocols.
EKH EARNS B1G HONOR
On Dec. 13, guard/forward Matilda Ekh captured her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor after leading the Spartans in scoring in a win against Illinois. She marked a new career high with 20 points in Michigan State's 75-60 win over the Illini on Dec. 9. Ekh has now scored in double figures seven times this season, second only to senior guard Nia Clouden. Fellow freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann also earned B1G Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 15.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CLOUDEN
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.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 231 of its last 243 games (.951) when leading with five minutes left, including 181 of their last 195. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 266-20 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 8-1 when leading with five minutes remaining.
MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. The Green & White have won 165 of their last 193 games (.855) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 185-36 (.837) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 8-3 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans scored 71 points in losses to Notre Dame on Dec. 2 and Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20. MSU also fell to Ohio State, 89-83 on Jan. 12
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State's Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent, 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. 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.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After having its game against Indiana postponed on Jan. 17, the Michigan State women's basketball team returns to action, hosting Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Breslin Center. This is the Spartans' final home game of January.
• The Spartans improved to 9-8 overall record and 3-3 in Big Ten action after a dominating home win against Northwestern on Jan. 12. Minnesota has lost two-straight games after a 105-49 loss at home to No. 25 Iowa on Jan. 20. The Golden Gophers are 9-10 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten action.
• Michigan State went 11-for-23 from the 3-point line, which was good for 47.8 percent against Northwestern. This is just the fourth-time this season that MSU has reach double figures in treys, going 3-1 in those contests.
• With 19 points last game, senior guard Nia Clouden now has 1,643 career points. She is just the sixth person with 1,600 career points, closing in on the No. 6 spot of 1,649 points held by Allyssa DeHaan. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 394, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is seven assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11). Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
• MSU head coach Suzy Merchant announced on Tuesday that junior guard Moira Joiner will miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Joiner, who hails from Saginaw, Michigan, has been placed in MSU's concussion protocols multiple times this season by the MSU Sports Medicine team. She joins Julia Ayrault (foot) and Tory Ozment (ACL), who are both out for the season.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
Minnesota is looking to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to Iowa, 105-49 at home. The Golden Gophers also lost to Ohio State at home 83-75. Overall, Minnesota is 9-10 overall and 2-5 in Big Ten play. The Gophers have league wins against Rutgers and Wisconsin.
The Gophers have four players averaging in double figures led by Sara Scalia, who is 11th in the league with 15.6 ppg. Jasmine Powell is second with 12.6 ppg, followed by Deja Winters and Kadi Sissoko with 11.3 and 10.9 ppg, respectively. Powell is third in the league in assists, averaging 5.5 apg, while Deja Winters is fifth in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (.427).
Minnesota is 10th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 69.0 ppg, while allowing 70.8 ppg. The Gophers are second in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.372).
Minnesota has one Michigander on the team in junior guard Jasmine Powell, who hails from Detroit and attended Detroit Country Day.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE GOPHERS
Overall, Michigan State leads the overall series with Minnesota, 45-23. In East Lansing, the Spartans hold a 25-7 record against the Gophers. In Minneapolis, Michigan State is up in the series 17-15. On neutral territory, the Spartans have a slight edge, 3-1.
Michigan State has won six of the last eight meetings, including the last two. The last time the Gophers defeated the Spartans was on March 3, 2019, winning 81-63.
Last season, the teams met only once with MSU earning the 81-68 win on Dec. 10, 2020. Nia Clouden and Alyza Winston combined for 45 points, both topping 20 points in MSU's Big Ten opener. Michigan State improves to 3-0 overall this season and 1-0 in Big Ten action. Michigan State is now 20-19 in Big Ten openers, having won seven of their last 10. With the win, the Spartans improved to 3-0 for the sixth-straight season.
MAMMA MIA
Freshman Matilda Ekh now has 195 points this season, needing just 71 more points to crack MSU's single-season scoring by a freshman Top 15 list, as the No. 15 spot is currently at 266 points by Bella Engen (1994-95). With six 3-pointers Sunday against Northwestern, Ekh now has 35 on the season, needing just four more to crack the Top 5 list for treys by a Spartan freshman, as teammate Moira Joiner (2020-21) is at No. 5 with 39 triples.
Ekh's six 3-pointers is tied for seventh for all time treys made in a game. The last time a Spartan reached that mark was Alyza Winston against Iowa on Dec. 12, 2020.
FROM DOWNTOWN
Michigan State went 11-for-23 from the 3-point line against Northwestern on Jan. 16, which was good for 47.8 percent. This is just the fourth-time this season that MSU has reach double figures in treys, going 3-1 in those contests.
SPARTAN FUN FACTS
- Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh took five charges in the win against Northwestern.
- In league games, Nia Clouden is seventh in the league in scoring (19.0 ppg), while Matilda Ekh stands 14th (14.7 ppg). DeeDee Hagemann is second in B1G games in assists per game (6.6 apg).
- The MSU freshman have been strong in the scoring column this season with Matilda Ekh scoring in double figures 10 times, while DeeDee Hagemann has reached double figures six times.
ONE-TWO PUNCH
Junior forward Taiyier Parks and graduate forward Tamara Farquhar have been a strong combination on the boards for the Spartans. Farquhar has led the team in rebounding nine times this season, while Parks has held the lead six times.
Both Spartans are in the top 15 in the Big Ten in rebounds. Farquhar is 11th, averaging 6.5 rpg, while Parks is 14th, bringing down 6.4 rpg.
Parks is also have a stellar year scoring the ball. Against Purdue on Jan. 9, junior forward Taiyier Parks posted a career-high tying 16 points, matching 16 points at Oakland (11/26/21). The 16 points by Parks marked the first time this season that she has led MSU in scoring, as well as the fourth time in her career. Overall, she has scored in double figures eight times this season, including the last four.
LOGGING IN THE MINUTES
With injuries and COVID-19 protocols, the Spartans have had several players logging in the minutes. Freshmen Matilda Ekh and DeeDee Hagemann are averaging 32.4 and 30.2 minutes per game, respectively. Senior guard Nia Clouden is ninth in the league in minutes played with 34.2 mpg. In league contests, Clouden is averaging 36.7 mpg, while Ekh is playing 35.2 mpg.
DOING MORE WITH LESS
Losing senior Tory Ozment and junior Julia Ayrault to season-ending injuries at the beginning, MSU was already playing with a short bench. Against Nebraska on Dec. 30, the bench got even shorter. The Spartans played without freshman DeeDee Hagemann and senior Laurel Jacqmain because of COVID-19 protocols and junior Moira Joiner was out with concussion symptoms. Against the Huskers, MSU had nine players available and played eight. On Jan. 17, the Spartans announced that they would be without junior guard Moira Joiner for the rest of the season.
JOINER TO MISS REMAINDER OF THE SEASON
MSU head coach Suzy Merchant announced on Tuesday that junior guard Moira Joiner will miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Joiner, who hails from Saginaw, Michigan, has been placed in MSU's concussion protocols multiple times this season by the MSU Sports Medicine team.
FANTASTIC FRESHMAN
Freshman guard/forward Matilda Ekh netted a career-high 27 points, against Ohio State on Jan. 12 becoming the second Spartan player to score 25+ points in a game this season, joining senior guard Nia Clouden's 50-point and 32-point outings. Earlier this season, Ekh became the first Spartan freshman to tally 20 points in a game since Clouden during the 2018-19 season with Ekh's previous career-high of 20 points vs. Illinois (12/9/21), and Ekh's 27 points topped the Spartans' most recent 20-point high score outing by a freshman topping Clouden's 23 points as a freshman also vs. Ohio State (2/21/19), and also matching the most by a freshman, equaling Clouden's mark of 27 points vs. Iowa (12/30/18).
ANATOMY OF RECORD BREAKER
- Several records fell against FGCU for Nia Clouden. She set the record for made field goals with 17. She also tied Aerial Powers school record with 15 made free throws.
- With 50 points against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20, Nia Clouden broke Tori Jankoska's record of 42 points, which was set against Ohio State on 1/19/17.
- The 50 points is also the most scored by a DI women's basketball player this season, ahead of Delaware's Jasmine Dickey, who scored 48 against Eastern Michigan on Nov. 26.
REACHING THE TOP 10
With 19 points against Northwestern on Jan. 16, Senior guard Nia Clouden now has 1,643 career points. She is just the sixth person with 1,600 career points, closing in on the No. 6 spot of 1,649 points held by Allyssa DeHaan. Clouden is still No. 8 in all-time Spartan assists with 394, passing Eileen Shea (382) and Kim Archer (381). She is seven assists away from tying Brittney Thomas (2007-11). Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists. Clouden joins Tori Jankoska as the only MSU players to finish their careers in the top 10 in scoring and assists.
BIG TIME B1G HONOR
Senior guard Nia Clouden was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 27. The Owings Mills, Maryland native had a record setting-week at the West Palm Beach Invitational. Clouden scored 50 points in the Spartans' double overtime loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20. The 50 points is also the most points scored in the NCAA this season. She became just third Big Ten player ever to score 50 points, joining Minnesota's Rachel Banham (2015-16) and Michigan's Naz Hillman (2020-21).
LOOKING ACROSS THE LEAGUE
Senior guard Nia Clouden is third in the B1G in scoring with 21.3 points per game behind Iowa's Caitlin Clark (26.2 ppg) and Penn State's Marisa Makenna (21.5 ppg). Clouden also holds the ninth spot in the league in assists with 4.1 helpers per contest, while freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is fourth with 5.3 apg. She is also 12th in the league in assist/turnover ration (1.7). Clouden is also second in the league in free-throw percentage (.888). In league contests, Hagemann is second in assists, averaging 6.6 apg, while Clouden is seventh in scorin with 19.0 ppg.
As a team, the Spartans are third in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.768) and sixth in field goal percentages (.452). Michigan State is second in assists, averaging 17.7 apg.
AROUND THE NATION
The Spartans are distributing the ball really well through the first 17 games. Michigan State is 14th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with 300 total assists and are 15th in assists per game, averaging 17.6 apg. MSU is also 31st in the nation in free throw percentage (.768). Senior guard Nia Clouden has been stellar in getting to the line. She is second in the nation in free throws made (112) and 25th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.888). Clouden is also ninth in the country in scoring with 21.3 ppg.
MERCHANT MILESTONES
Spartan head coach Suzy Merchant reached the 300-win mark as head coach of the Spartans against Bryant on Nov. 19. She now holds a 304-194 record at Michigan State. Karen Langeland is the all-time leader with a 376-290 record at MSU. Merchant is also 10 wins away from tying Langeland for the most Big Ten wins by a MSU coach with 156. Merchant also reached 500 career wins against Valparaiso on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Overall, she holds a 505-284 record overall.
UP NEXT
After taking on the Gophers, the Spartans hit the road for two games. Michigan State will travel to Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. MSU will conclude the trip at Rutgers on Sunday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.
20 DIMES FOR WINS
MSU is also 7-0 this season when dishing out 20 or more assists. The 20 helpers against Northwestern on Jan. 12. was the first time MSU head reach that mark since Dec. 9. Against Illinois, Michigan State dished out 20 assists for the first time since the game at Oakland (11/26) when MSU had 27. Michigan State also distributed 27 helpers in the win over Niagara (Nov. 14), while also dishing out 20+ assists vs. Morehead State (26), Valparaiso (20) and Bryant (24).
SOLID FROM THE STRIPE
Going 15-for-17 from the free throw line against Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20, Nia Clouden tied the MSU record for single-game free throws made. All-American Aerial Powers also went 15-for-17 against Rutgers on Feb. 18, 2016. As a team, Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage (.780). Clouden matched that record going 15-for-17 from the charity stripe against Nebraska on Dec. 30.
The Spartans tied a school record going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe against the Beacons on Nov. 16. The last time MSU didn't miss from the free throw line with at least 10 attempts was against Central Michigan in the NCAA Tournament, going 11-for-11 on March, 23, 2019.
IT'S RAINING THREES
The Spartans set a new school record with 17 3-pointers against Morehead State on Nov. 9. 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. 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
With dominating defense and timely shooting, the Michigan State women's basketball team earned a 65-46 win over Northwestern Sunday afternoon at the Breslin Center. The Spartans earned the win with associate head coach Dean Lockwood at the helm, as head coach Suzy Merchant missed the game in COVID-19 protocols.
EKH EARNS B1G HONOR
On Dec. 13, guard/forward Matilda Ekh captured her first Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor after leading the Spartans in scoring in a win against Illinois. She marked a new career high with 20 points in Michigan State's 75-60 win over the Illini on Dec. 9. Ekh has now scored in double figures seven times this season, second only to senior guard Nia Clouden. Fellow freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann also earned B1G Freshman of the Week honors on Nov. 15.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CLOUDEN
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.
CLOSING OUT THE GAMES
The Spartans have been extremely effective closing out games over the last couple years, winning 231 of its last 243 games (.951) when leading with five minutes left, including 181 of their last 195. In Coach Merchant's tenure, Michigan State is 266-20 (.930) when holding a lead with five minutes left. This season, MSU is 8-1 when leading with five minutes remaining.
MAGIC NUMBERS
In head coach Suzy Merchant's tenure, when two numbers on the scoreboard were achieved it typically has been a sign of a MSU win. The Green & White have won 165 of their last 193 games (.855) when scoring at least 70 points, and the Spartans are 185-36 (.837) under head coach Suzy Merchant when hanging at least 70 points on the scoreboard. This season, MSU is now 8-3 this season when scoring 70 points. The Spartans scored 71 points in losses to Notre Dame on Dec. 2 and Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 20. MSU also fell to Ohio State, 89-83 on Jan. 12
MEET THE NEW SIGNEES
Michigan State's Suzy Merchant announced the signing of two National Letters of Intent, 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. 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.
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