The Michigan St. Spartans roared back against Iowa to win 59-56, overcoming a 12-point second half deficit to continue on to the Big Ten tournament semifinals.
Michigan State vs. Iowa final score: Spartans seize lead late, win, 59-56
Michigan State trailed for almost 36 minutes, but used a 22-2 run to overtake and beat Iowa in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
Jonathan Daniel
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MSU did not lead in the game until Gary Harris made a three-pointer with 4:11 to play. Harris ended with 13 points while forward Adreian Payne scored 18 and added 10 rebounds.
Iowa was up, 47-35, with 10:26 left in the second half before the Wolverines’ offense came to life with a 22-2 run that included the Harris three pointer.
A 7-0 run by Iowa in the final two minutes made for an exciting finish, but Roy Devyn Marble and Melsahn Basabe each missed a three pointer that would have tied the game in the closing seconds. Marble finished with eight points and four assists, while Basabe neared a double-double with eight points and eight rebounds.
Iowa shot 46 percent from the floor without a single player recording double figures, helped by 24 bench points. They held Michigan State’s offense under 40 percent from the field, but also allowed 14 offensive rebounds.
After avoiding the upset, the Wolverines move on to face No. 2 Ohio State at 3 p.m. ET Saturday.
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