EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball hits the road for another tough test, taking on Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Williams Arena at 3 p.m. ET. The Spartans improved to 13-4 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten action after a dominating 91-72 win over Northwestern at home on Jan. 17. Andrew Cornelius and Gianna Richie will be on the call for Big Ten Plus.
• Minnesota holds an identical 13-4 overall record and 3-3 mark in league play. Last time out, the Golden Gophers lost to a tough Indiana squad on the road 85-62.
• Graduate guard Moira Joiner is inching near the 1,000 point mark. With 14 points against Northwestern, she now has scored 988 points in her Spartan career. With four 3-pointer against the Wildcats, she also stands sixth all-time in the MSU record books with 174 treys.
• The Spartans' are off to the best start since beginning the 2018-19 season with a 13-4 record. MSU ended that year with a 21-12 record and a 9-9 mark in Big Ten play. That season was the last time that Michigan State reached the 20-win mark. The Spartans reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2018-19 season before falling to Notre Dame in South Bend.
• Junior guard DeeDee Hagemann tallied 10 points and tied a season-high with eight assists. Hagemann's eight assists matched her season-best vs. Wright State (11/12/23). It was her 13th game with three or more helpers, as part of the ninth game with five or more assists.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
The Golden Gophers have an 13-4 overall record and an even 3-3 B1G ledger. Minnesota is 2-2 in its last four games, losing to Maryland (72-64) on Jan. 3, then bouncing back to beat Michigan, 82-66, on Jan. 9, and Nebraska, 62-58 on Jan. 14, before losing at No. 16 Indiana, 85-62, last time out on Jan. 17.
In the loss to the Hoosiers, the Gophers were down 20-13, but five unanswered points pulled them within 20-18, but didn't get any closer. Indiana pulled away for a 47-29 halftime score and stretched the advantage to 64-47 after three quarters and won going away, 85-62. Freshman guard/forward Grace Grocholski led Minnesota with 19 points, which tied her B1G season-best, and is the only B1G freshman to net 19 or more points in two conference contests this season.
Minnesota is seventh in the B1G in scoring offense (76.6 ppg), while ranking second in the league in scoring defense (60.5 ppg), to rank sixth in the conference in scoring margin (+16.1). The Gophers are fourth in the conference in 3-pointers per game (8.1), while ranking seventh in 3-point percentage (.349), along with eighth in field goal percentage (.442) and 12th in free throw percentage (.701).
Individually, three Gophers are averaging 10+ points, led by Braun's 18.7 ppg, which ranks third in the B1G and 37th in the NCAA. She also is second in the conference and seventh in the country in 3-pointers per game (3.12), including second in the league and 13th in the nation in 3-pointer attempts (141), and is eighth in the conference in 3-point percentage (.376). Grocholski adds 10.9 ppg, while Battle tallied 10.6 ppg. Heyer tops the team on the glass, averaging 7.9 rpg, to rank fifth in the B1G. Battle leads
Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit in her first year leading the Gophers, posting a 13-4 record so far, and is in her 17th overall season as a collegiate head coach, amassing a 378-145 mark. Plitzuweit came to Minneapolis after one season at West Virginia.
Plitzuweit has ties to the state of Michigan, as she played at Michigan Tech, earning back-to-back GLIAC Player of the Year awards in 1994 and 1994. She started her coaching career as an assistant at her alma mater (1995-97), as well as at Michigan (2007-12) and was also head coach at Grand Valley State (2002-07).
ONLY NEWBIES
Michigan State head coach Robyn Fralick and Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit are the only two Big Ten women's basketball coaches who are in their first-year at their current B1G posts. Fralick and Plitzuweit have matching 13-4 overall and 3-3 Big Ten records in their first season on their respective benches, entering Saturday's match-up.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE GOPHERS
Michigan State leads the overall series with Minnesota, 47-24. The Spartans have won four of the last five meetings, including last season's Senior Day game in East Lansing, 71-67. MSU is on top in the series at home 27-7, while leading in Minneapolis 17-16. On neutral ground, the Spartans are ahead 3-1.
LAST TIME VS MINNESOTA
Not even a Michigan ice storm could keep the MSU women's basketball team from capturing a 71-67 Senior Day win against Minnesota on Feb. 22, 2023 at the Breslin Center. Due to inclement weather in the East Lansing area, Michigan State athletics moved the game from a 7 p.m. start to a 4:30 p.m. tipoff.
Michigan State had four players in double figures led by 15 points from both sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh and graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel. Senior guard Moira Joiner and sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann both added 11 points.
MAKING THE "MO"ST OF IT
Graduate guard Moira Joiner had a solid senior season, averaging 10.1 points per game during the 2022-23 season. She scored a career-high 302 points with 46 3-pointers. For her encore performance as a Spartan, she is improving on last season. This season, she is averaging 15.9 ppg. She already has scored 270 points just 32 points away from tying last season's point total. With 47 3-pointers, she has already passed last year's total of 46.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. NORTHWESTERN
• MSU led from start-to-finish, marking the fourth time this season that the Spartans have never trailed in the game, including the third time at home, joining Game 4 vs. Evansville (11/19/23), Game 10 vs. Central Michigan (12/17/23), Game 12 vs. Coastal Carolina (12/21/23), with the neutral-court Coastal Carolina contest the lone game away from home in going tip to final buzzer never trailing.
• A total of six Spartans scored in double-figures out of the nine players that saw the court, tying the season-high for most players in double-digit scoring from the win at Penn State (12/30/23) at vs. Evansville (11/19/23). MSU is now 5-1 when five or more players post double-figure points.
• Sophomore guard Theryn Hallock added 15 points off the bench, logging double-figures for the third time in the last five games as part of the seventh total time this season and eighth of her career. Hallock hit two 3-pointers for her second multiple triple outing in the last three games and the fifth time this season.
KEEP ON ROLLING
The Spartans' are off to the best start since beginning the 2018-19 season with a 13-4 record. MSU ended the year with a 21-12 record and a 9-9 mark in Big Ten play. That season was the last time that Michigan State reached the 20-win mark. The Spartans reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2018-19 season before falling to Notre Dame in South Bend.
THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE
The numbers are the Spartans' stat sheets tell a very clear picture of their success. A key part of finding wins is getting Julia Ayrault in double figures in scoring. MSU is 10-2 this season and 19-7 for her career when she reaches the double-digit mark. Similarly, MSU is 9-1 this year when DeeDee Hagemann scores 10 points or more and 20-12 in her career. Michigan State is a perfect 5-0 when, Hagemann has led the team in scoring.
CLOSING IN ON 1,000
Graduate guard Moira Joiner is inching near the 1,000 point mark. With 13 points against Ohio State, she now has scored 974 points in her Spartan career. With one 3-pointer against Ohio State, she also stands sixth all-time in the MSU record books with 170 treys. The last Spartan to reach 1,000 points was All-American Nia Clouden, who ended her career in 2022 with 1,882 points.
MOVIN' ON UP
Several Spartans are moving up the MSU record books. With three blocks against Northwestern on Jan. 17, graduate guard Julia Ayrault now has 112 blocks and stands tied for fifth all-time at MSU, passing Spartan Hall of Famer Liz Shimek (2002-06), who had 108. Graduate guard Moira Joiner now has 174 made 3-pointers and still stands sixth all-time. Even though she is just a junior, guard DeeDee Hagemann already has 365 career assists. Hagemann's eight assists against Northwestern give her 365 for her career, where she is just six away from tying Spartan great Linday Bowen (2002-06), who had 371 during her All-American career.
AYRAULT BREAKING NEW GROUND
Against Northwestern on Jan. 17, graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault logged double-figures for the seventh time in the last eight outings as part of the 13th total game this season and the 26th of her career. She netted a 3-pointer to register at least one triple in the last six games and the 11th game on the season. She now has 41 blocks this season through 17 games, which is the most in a single-season since 2011-12 when Lykendra Johnson had 42 rejections. Ayrault is now two shy of breaking the MSU single-season top 10. All-American Liz Shimek is 10th with 43 during the 2004-05 season.
Ayrault also dished out a career-high six assists, topping her previous career-best of five helpers, done three previous times in her career including two previous times this season, most recently vs. Nebraska (12/9/23).
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT HER...JOINER
Graduate guard Moira Joiner tallied 14 points to go with a game-high seven rebounds. She extend her streak of tallying double-figures in all 17 games this season as part of 19-consecutive double-figure scoring games dating back to the 2022-23 season, in addition to in 20 of her last 21 career games played. Joiner now has scored 10+ points in 46 career games overall, the most of all active Spartans. She leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 ppg, which is 10th in the Big Ten.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE LAND
The Spartans are 14th in the nation field goal percentage, shooting 48.4 percent from the field. Michigan State is also eighth in the country in assists per game, averaging 20.2 apg. They are also first in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.84). The Spartans high-flying offense currently stands 14th in the nation in scoring margin, as well (+21.9). MSU is currently third in the nation in 3-pointers made (9.9/game).
Individually, Julia Ayrault is 18th in the nation in blocks with 41 and 17th in blocks per game (2.4 bpg). DeeDee Hagemann is eighth in the country assist/turnover ratio (3.13).
AROUND THE BIG TEN
This season, Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in scoring margin (+21.9) and second in assists (20.2 apg). The Spartans are also second in the league in 3-point field goals made, averaging 9.94 per game. MSU is tied for first in turnover margin with Ohio State (+7.94) and first in assist/turnover ratio (1.78).
Graduate guard Moira Joiner leads the Spartans in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game, which is 10th in the Big Ten. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault is seventh in rebounding with 7.4 rpg. Junior guard DeeDee Hagemann is eighth in the league in assists, averaging 4.7 apg. Joiner is second in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.416). Ayrault is also second in the conference in blocks, averaging 2.4 bpg, behind Wisconsin's Serah Williams.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Spartans have scored at least 80 points in 12 of the 13 Victories for MSU this season. Michigan State reached the 90-point plateau for the 10th time this season. It was the first time during January that MSU netted 90 points and the first time in the last four games, last topping 90 in a 98-87 win at Penn State on Dec. 30, for the Spartans' two times netting 90+ points in a B1G game.
Game preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
• Minnesota holds an identical 13-4 overall record and 3-3 mark in league play. Last time out, the Golden Gophers lost to a tough Indiana squad on the road 85-62.
• Graduate guard Moira Joiner is inching near the 1,000 point mark. With 14 points against Northwestern, she now has scored 988 points in her Spartan career. With four 3-pointer against the Wildcats, she also stands sixth all-time in the MSU record books with 174 treys.
• The Spartans' are off to the best start since beginning the 2018-19 season with a 13-4 record. MSU ended that year with a 21-12 record and a 9-9 mark in Big Ten play. That season was the last time that Michigan State reached the 20-win mark. The Spartans reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2018-19 season before falling to Notre Dame in South Bend.
• Junior guard DeeDee Hagemann tallied 10 points and tied a season-high with eight assists. Hagemann's eight assists matched her season-best vs. Wright State (11/12/23). It was her 13th game with three or more helpers, as part of the ninth game with five or more assists.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA
The Golden Gophers have an 13-4 overall record and an even 3-3 B1G ledger. Minnesota is 2-2 in its last four games, losing to Maryland (72-64) on Jan. 3, then bouncing back to beat Michigan, 82-66, on Jan. 9, and Nebraska, 62-58 on Jan. 14, before losing at No. 16 Indiana, 85-62, last time out on Jan. 17.
In the loss to the Hoosiers, the Gophers were down 20-13, but five unanswered points pulled them within 20-18, but didn't get any closer. Indiana pulled away for a 47-29 halftime score and stretched the advantage to 64-47 after three quarters and won going away, 85-62. Freshman guard/forward Grace Grocholski led Minnesota with 19 points, which tied her B1G season-best, and is the only B1G freshman to net 19 or more points in two conference contests this season.
Minnesota is seventh in the B1G in scoring offense (76.6 ppg), while ranking second in the league in scoring defense (60.5 ppg), to rank sixth in the conference in scoring margin (+16.1). The Gophers are fourth in the conference in 3-pointers per game (8.1), while ranking seventh in 3-point percentage (.349), along with eighth in field goal percentage (.442) and 12th in free throw percentage (.701).
Individually, three Gophers are averaging 10+ points, led by Braun's 18.7 ppg, which ranks third in the B1G and 37th in the NCAA. She also is second in the conference and seventh in the country in 3-pointers per game (3.12), including second in the league and 13th in the nation in 3-pointer attempts (141), and is eighth in the conference in 3-point percentage (.376). Grocholski adds 10.9 ppg, while Battle tallied 10.6 ppg. Heyer tops the team on the glass, averaging 7.9 rpg, to rank fifth in the B1G. Battle leads
Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit in her first year leading the Gophers, posting a 13-4 record so far, and is in her 17th overall season as a collegiate head coach, amassing a 378-145 mark. Plitzuweit came to Minneapolis after one season at West Virginia.
Plitzuweit has ties to the state of Michigan, as she played at Michigan Tech, earning back-to-back GLIAC Player of the Year awards in 1994 and 1994. She started her coaching career as an assistant at her alma mater (1995-97), as well as at Michigan (2007-12) and was also head coach at Grand Valley State (2002-07).
ONLY NEWBIES
Michigan State head coach Robyn Fralick and Minnesota head coach Dawn Plitzuweit are the only two Big Ten women's basketball coaches who are in their first-year at their current B1G posts. Fralick and Plitzuweit have matching 13-4 overall and 3-3 Big Ten records in their first season on their respective benches, entering Saturday's match-up.
SERIES HISTORY VS. THE GOPHERS
Michigan State leads the overall series with Minnesota, 47-24. The Spartans have won four of the last five meetings, including last season's Senior Day game in East Lansing, 71-67. MSU is on top in the series at home 27-7, while leading in Minneapolis 17-16. On neutral ground, the Spartans are ahead 3-1.
LAST TIME VS MINNESOTA
Not even a Michigan ice storm could keep the MSU women's basketball team from capturing a 71-67 Senior Day win against Minnesota on Feb. 22, 2023 at the Breslin Center. Due to inclement weather in the East Lansing area, Michigan State athletics moved the game from a 7 p.m. start to a 4:30 p.m. tipoff.
Michigan State had four players in double figures led by 15 points from both sophomore guard/forward Matilda Ekh and graduate guard Kamaria McDaniel. Senior guard Moira Joiner and sophomore guard DeeDee Hagemann both added 11 points.
MAKING THE "MO"ST OF IT
Graduate guard Moira Joiner had a solid senior season, averaging 10.1 points per game during the 2022-23 season. She scored a career-high 302 points with 46 3-pointers. For her encore performance as a Spartan, she is improving on last season. This season, she is averaging 15.9 ppg. She already has scored 270 points just 32 points away from tying last season's point total. With 47 3-pointers, she has already passed last year's total of 46.
BY THE NUMBERS VS. NORTHWESTERN
• MSU led from start-to-finish, marking the fourth time this season that the Spartans have never trailed in the game, including the third time at home, joining Game 4 vs. Evansville (11/19/23), Game 10 vs. Central Michigan (12/17/23), Game 12 vs. Coastal Carolina (12/21/23), with the neutral-court Coastal Carolina contest the lone game away from home in going tip to final buzzer never trailing.
• A total of six Spartans scored in double-figures out of the nine players that saw the court, tying the season-high for most players in double-digit scoring from the win at Penn State (12/30/23) at vs. Evansville (11/19/23). MSU is now 5-1 when five or more players post double-figure points.
• Sophomore guard Theryn Hallock added 15 points off the bench, logging double-figures for the third time in the last five games as part of the seventh total time this season and eighth of her career. Hallock hit two 3-pointers for her second multiple triple outing in the last three games and the fifth time this season.
KEEP ON ROLLING
The Spartans' are off to the best start since beginning the 2018-19 season with a 13-4 record. MSU ended the year with a 21-12 record and a 9-9 mark in Big Ten play. That season was the last time that Michigan State reached the 20-win mark. The Spartans reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament during the 2018-19 season before falling to Notre Dame in South Bend.
THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE
The numbers are the Spartans' stat sheets tell a very clear picture of their success. A key part of finding wins is getting Julia Ayrault in double figures in scoring. MSU is 10-2 this season and 19-7 for her career when she reaches the double-digit mark. Similarly, MSU is 9-1 this year when DeeDee Hagemann scores 10 points or more and 20-12 in her career. Michigan State is a perfect 5-0 when, Hagemann has led the team in scoring.
CLOSING IN ON 1,000
Graduate guard Moira Joiner is inching near the 1,000 point mark. With 13 points against Ohio State, she now has scored 974 points in her Spartan career. With one 3-pointer against Ohio State, she also stands sixth all-time in the MSU record books with 170 treys. The last Spartan to reach 1,000 points was All-American Nia Clouden, who ended her career in 2022 with 1,882 points.
MOVIN' ON UP
Several Spartans are moving up the MSU record books. With three blocks against Northwestern on Jan. 17, graduate guard Julia Ayrault now has 112 blocks and stands tied for fifth all-time at MSU, passing Spartan Hall of Famer Liz Shimek (2002-06), who had 108. Graduate guard Moira Joiner now has 174 made 3-pointers and still stands sixth all-time. Even though she is just a junior, guard DeeDee Hagemann already has 365 career assists. Hagemann's eight assists against Northwestern give her 365 for her career, where she is just six away from tying Spartan great Linday Bowen (2002-06), who had 371 during her All-American career.
AYRAULT BREAKING NEW GROUND
Against Northwestern on Jan. 17, graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault logged double-figures for the seventh time in the last eight outings as part of the 13th total game this season and the 26th of her career. She netted a 3-pointer to register at least one triple in the last six games and the 11th game on the season. She now has 41 blocks this season through 17 games, which is the most in a single-season since 2011-12 when Lykendra Johnson had 42 rejections. Ayrault is now two shy of breaking the MSU single-season top 10. All-American Liz Shimek is 10th with 43 during the 2004-05 season.
Ayrault also dished out a career-high six assists, topping her previous career-best of five helpers, done three previous times in her career including two previous times this season, most recently vs. Nebraska (12/9/23).
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT HER...JOINER
Graduate guard Moira Joiner tallied 14 points to go with a game-high seven rebounds. She extend her streak of tallying double-figures in all 17 games this season as part of 19-consecutive double-figure scoring games dating back to the 2022-23 season, in addition to in 20 of her last 21 career games played. Joiner now has scored 10+ points in 46 career games overall, the most of all active Spartans. She leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 ppg, which is 10th in the Big Ten.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE LAND
The Spartans are 14th in the nation field goal percentage, shooting 48.4 percent from the field. Michigan State is also eighth in the country in assists per game, averaging 20.2 apg. They are also first in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.84). The Spartans high-flying offense currently stands 14th in the nation in scoring margin, as well (+21.9). MSU is currently third in the nation in 3-pointers made (9.9/game).
Individually, Julia Ayrault is 18th in the nation in blocks with 41 and 17th in blocks per game (2.4 bpg). DeeDee Hagemann is eighth in the country assist/turnover ratio (3.13).
AROUND THE BIG TEN
This season, Michigan State is second in the Big Ten in scoring margin (+21.9) and second in assists (20.2 apg). The Spartans are also second in the league in 3-point field goals made, averaging 9.94 per game. MSU is tied for first in turnover margin with Ohio State (+7.94) and first in assist/turnover ratio (1.78).
Graduate guard Moira Joiner leads the Spartans in scoring, averaging 15.9 points per game, which is 10th in the Big Ten. Graduate guard/forward Julia Ayrault is seventh in rebounding with 7.4 rpg. Junior guard DeeDee Hagemann is eighth in the league in assists, averaging 4.7 apg. Joiner is second in the league in 3-point field goal percentage (.416). Ayrault is also second in the conference in blocks, averaging 2.4 bpg, behind Wisconsin's Serah Williams.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Spartans have scored at least 80 points in 12 of the 13 Victories for MSU this season. Michigan State reached the 90-point plateau for the 10th time this season. It was the first time during January that MSU netted 90 points and the first time in the last four games, last topping 90 in a 98-87 win at Penn State on Dec. 30, for the Spartans' two times netting 90+ points in a B1G game.
Game preview courtesy of MSU Athletics.
