Advertisement

DeeDee Hagemann shows shooting touch, helps Michigan State women's basketball top WMU

EAST LANSING − DeeDee Hagemann made her presence felt last season with her dynamic play-making ability for the Michigan State women's basketball team.

That ability helped the point guard rank among the Big Ten's assists leaders and earn All-Freshman recognition.

Hagemann made it a point in the offseason to improve her shooting so she could become even more dynamic for the Spartans.

And that was on display Sunday afternoon.

Hagemann knocked down five 3-pointers while scoring a career-high 19 points in MSU's 97-49 victory over Western Michigan.

The five made 3s were a career-best for Hagemann, who had not knocked down a shot from behind the arc in the Spartans' first two contests.

Michigan State's DeeDee Hagemann shoots a 3-pointer against Western Michigan, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich.
Michigan State's DeeDee Hagemann shoots a 3-pointer against Western Michigan, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich.

"She's definitely developed (her shot)," MSU sophomore Matilda Ekh said. "We're used to seeing her attacking and setting up others, but she has definitely developed her ability to score and especially shoot. She showed that today."

MSU coach Suzy Merchant was pleased to see the shooting performance from Hagemann, who finished 7 of 9 from the field and 5 of 6 from behind the arc. Ekh also hit 6 of 8 from 3-point range while scoring a team-best 20 points and Merchant said that was vital in helping the Spartans get their defense set.

Hagemann knew there would be opportunities to shoot from outside Sunday with the Broncos liking to pack the middle. And she made the most of the chances when the ball was kicked out to her.

"That was my main focus going into this game and obviously that focus really helped me and I made them," Hagemann said.

Shooting was a focus in the offseason for Hagemann, who worked to improve her mid-range, free throws and success from 3-point range.

"I felt like I was in the gym multiple times just trying to get consistent and just get the rhythm going," Hagemann said. "I felt like that really helped me out and I felt like that showed today."

Ekh and Hagemann were among five players to score in double figures for the Spartans as they moved to 3-0. Kamaria McDaniel had 14 points, while Gabby Elliott had 11 points and six rebounds and Moira Joiner finished with 11 points off the bench.

"They shot the heck out of the basketball," Western coach Shane Clipfell said. "They forced us into turnovers that we couldn’t defend and they got down the court much faster and more consistent than we did going both ways."

Sunday's contest marked a homecoming from a pair of former local stars in Hannah Spitzley (Pewamo-Westphalia) and Maddie Watters (Williamston), who both started for Western Michigan (0-2). Spitzley had six points and four assists in 24 minutes and Watters had three points and two assists in 27 minutes.

More:After thinking career might be over, Moira Joiner relishing return with MSU women's basketball

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: DeeDee Hagemann leads MSU women's basketball past Western Michigan