Women's basketball tipoff: No. 17 MSU vs. Penn State
What: Penn State at No. 17 Michigan State
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Breslin Center (East Lansing)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: WJIM 1240-AM
Coaches: MSU — Suzy Merchant is 398-212 in her 21st season overall and 197-92 in her ninth with the Spartans. Penn State - Coquese Washington is 156-120 in her ninth season overall and with the Nittany Lions.
Records: MSU is 18-5, 9-3 Big Ten. Penn State is 8-15, 3-9 Big Ten.
Series: Penn State leads 27-16. MSU posted a 71-55 win over the Nittany Lions in January.
MSU
C (4) Jasmine Hines (6-3) 9.8
F (45) Akyah Taylor (5-11) 5.7
F (23) Aerial Powers (6-0) 20.9
G (1) Tori Jankoska (5-8) 15.8
G (10) Branndais Agee (5-11) 12.3
PENN STATE
F (15) Kaliyah Mitchell (6-2) 9.8
F (25) Peyton Whitted (6-3) 9.2
G (3) Brianna Banks (5-9) 13.8
G (11) Teniya Page (5-7) 15.6
G (12) Lindsey Spann (5-6) 12.9
MSU update: The Spartans survived their most difficult stretch of the season by winning three times during a four games in eight days stretch. Now it's about finishing strong with six games remaining in the regular season. That will be key for the Spartans, who have positioned themselves as of now to be in contention to host the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. ESPN bracketology guru Charlie Creme currently has the Spartans as a No. 4 seed, which would be good enough to host. Thursday's contest is one of three remaining home games for MSU, which is closing in on reaching 20 wins for the 12th time in 13 seasons.
Penn State update: Injuries have made it another tough winter for the Nittany Lions, who are hovering near the bottom of the Big Ten standings for a second straight season. Since posting back-to-back road wins over Iowa and Illinois last month, Penn State has dropped four straight. Each of those losses have come by at least 10 points, and that has included a double-overtime setback to Purdue. Thursday's contest is part of a challenging finish to the regular season for Penn State, which has four of its next six games on the road.
Setbacks behind her, Branndais Agee thriving for MSU women
Matchups
Backcourts: Page has been a bright spot for the Nittany Lions and emerged as their leading scorer. She paced Penn State with 16 points in their earlier meeting against MSU and is one of the top freshman scorers in program history for the Nittany Lions. Agee has had the top two scoring games of her career in two of her last three outings. Jankoska had 21 points in the earlier meeting against Penn State and was a key performer in MSU's 71-55 victory. Edge: MSU
Frontcourts: Powers continued her surge through MSU's challenging stretch and has been the leading scorer for the Spartans in each of their last seven games. The junior has scored at least 25 points in each of her last five outings, and that includes two games with 30-plus points. Her strong play has been vital in the Spartans' success, but the presence of Hines has been important as well. Hines is averaging 11.1 points during conference play, while Taylor has been an unsung player. Banks has been a valuable component in the frontcourt for the Nittany Lions and has scored in double figures in 15 of her last 17 games. That included a 14-point performance last month against the Spartans. Edge: MSU
Benches: Season-ending injuries to guards Keke Sullivan, Sierra Moore and Amari Carter have limited the depth for the Nittany Lions. Candice Agee, a center, has been the leading reserve for Penn State and averages 6.2 points and 4.2 rebounds. Jenna Allen has been the Spartans' most consistent performer off the bench and has scored in all but two games this season. Edge: Even
Prediction: Tougher tests loom for the Spartans with road games at Nebraska and Rutgers, but they can't afford to look past Penn State. MSU has done well taking care of business at home this season and will remain perfect at Breslin Center in Big Ten contests this season.
Make it: MSU 73, Penn State 59
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.