EAST LANSING — Following her stellar performance on the road at Notre Dame, Nia Clouden has been awarded her first Big Ten women’s basketball Player of the Week honor. 

The 5-foot-8 Sophomore guard scored a career high 28 points and added three rebounds on Thursday night at the Joyce Center. 

Clouden finished with three steals for the second time already this season.And has had at least three in every game thus far.

The sophomore won Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors once last season, and scored 27 points last year in a home upset over a ranked Iowa team.

“She really really invested in the ability to be a triple threat scorer,” Spartans head coach Suzy Merchant said. “Since she’s been here as a freshman she’s been my most consistent player. I think night in and night out she’s going to get to the line, finish at the rim and hit some pull ups.”

With many timely buckets late in the 4th quarter, Clouden frustrated the Fighting Irish faithful. She stifled several Notre Dame runs with her savvy ball screen play and ability to distribute the basketball. 

“She has the same face from the beginning to the end of the game,” Merchant said. “She has a way about her. She has that it factor.”

Clouden and the Spartans will next face off against Oakland on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m.

Follow Sutton Magee on Twitter @suttonmagee12. Contact him at [email protected].