Mia Johnson's hard work is finally paying off.

Johnson, who transferred to MSU from Saint Louis after the 2004-05 season, had to sit out last season due to NCAA regulations. Now, after a year of playing on the scout team and getting to know the system, the sophomore guard is making the most of her opportunity.

An intense player on the court, Johnson has become MSU's most aggressive player.

"Without question, she's a competitor," MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "That kid's a fighter. She's got a fighting spirit in her, reminiscent of (Lindsay) Bowen's to me.

"Bowen was a beast, she was always out there to win and Mia's got a little bit of that churning inside her. She's going to find a way. That's very good."

Johnson was Conference USA's fifth-leading scorer at Saint Louis in 2004-05, averaging 17.1 points per game. Johnson said she decided to leave Saint Louis after Jill Pizzotti did not return as head coach because Pizzotti was what attracted her to the school.

McCallie had recruited Johnson out of high school, so the ties were already there.

"I know that I came to a better program that has a lot more," Johnson said. "Everything was better coming to Michigan State. I didn't lose anything as far as I look at it."

The change in schools means an upgrade from Conference USA to the Big Ten.

"It's a big transition," Johnson admitted. "You're playing against bigger, more aggressive ballplayers. The Big Ten is known to have those big, girthy type players. That's the biggest transition along with the aggressiveness and the physical play."

She seems to have made a smooth transition, as she is averaging 10.9 points and four rebounds per game in Big Ten play, including her performance Sunday against Illinois, where she went 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. When it was all over, she finished with a game-high 22 points — her highest total at MSU.

"Mia just needs some time to be playing again after sitting out," McCallie said. "And playing, of course, in the Big Ten and getting used to how things go. It's been really good to see her be (offensive minded)."

Although the year off was tough, Johnson said it was beneficial in terms of learning about her teammates and the program.

"You have to look at your game," she said. "You have to know what to do in this type of system, this type of program. It's really important. I felt like a freshman coming in. Everything was new and I had to get acclimated to everything and learn what was expected of me."

It's no secret Johnson is a stellar offensive player, but McCallie would like to see the rest of her game come around.

"She's a great shooter, but it's the rest of her game I worry about," McCallie said. "Her defense, her rebounding. I'd like to see Mia get some more rebounds. Her on-ball defense is very aggressive, but her off-ball defense is not as strong. There are elements of improvement for Mia."

Johnson's teammates think she handled the time off well — and she is quickly blossoming as a player and a leader.

"Being off for a year is tough," senior guard Victoria Lucas-Perry said. "It's hard to keep your focus, and she's definitely tried to become a more vocal leader and become more involved in the team."

Johnson has a lot of potential — putting it all together will be the key. But McCallie believes she can do it.

"We have great confidence in Mia," she said.