Iowa falters late, falls to Ohio State

IOWA CITY - Iowa's whiff at victory last night faded with a flood of late-game errors and the inability to close a game within its grasp.

The Hawkeyes led No. 20 Ohio State until 3 minutes remained and dictated the pace throughout the game. But as the Buckeyes' offensive attack sharpened, Iowa's defense dulled in a 65-57 loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“We played hard, but we didn't think while we were playing,” Iowa guard Cully Payne said. “(Ohio State junior Evan) Turner got to the rim a little bit, we had some turnovers ... things fell apart a little bit.”

Iowa (8-13, 2-6 Big Ten) led 50-45 with 4:44 left. But the Hawkeyes crumbled defensively, allowing Ohio State to score on its final 11 possessions. What were difficult baskets for the Buckeyes (15-6, 5-3) to convert early became easy points late in the game. Ohio State finished the game on a 20-7 run.

“When it was time to finish, I think we got a little apprehensive,” Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter said.

For most of the game, Iowa played to its strengths and kept Ohio State off balance. Turner was held in check, and Iowa found open looks on offense. Freshman Eric May scored 16 points and produced three blocks that sent the student-heavy crowd into a frenzy.

With Iowa leading 47-42, Turner raced toward the basket but May rejected him with the ball flying in the air. Two possessions later May hit the fourth of his five 3-pointers that gave Iowa another five-point lead.

“Eric May is starting to figure out how to complement his skills and abilities with techniques that are important,” Lickliter said. “He had a heck of an assignment. He did a good job.”

May guarded Turner, mostly because a sprained left ankle limited sophomore Matt Gatens' effectiveness. Gatens was helped from the court in the afternoon shootaround and it appeared he wouldn't play in the game. Instead Gatens fought through the pain and played 38 minutes.

“I'd say that most guys wouldn't have played,” Lickliter said. “He can only judge that, but he couldn't finish shootaround. He left shootaround, somebody was helping him off the court. He goes in, goes through all the treatments and plays 38 minutes.

“It was better to play him than let it tighten up. He showed some real grit.”

Gatens, who has started 53 straight games, scored six points, all coming in the first half. When he left the court, he stood at the end of the bench because sitting down would have tightened up his ankle.

“He had to keep moving, but I'd like for him to catch his breath at some time,” Lickliter said. “He wasn't even close to 100 percent, but like I say, it took a lot of grit. I don't know if there's that many people who could play.”

Turner, who averages 18.6 points and 9.8 rebounds, finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. He scored eight points in the final 1:35 that iced the game.

Iowa enjoyed a raucous crowd of 12,132, due largely to an influx of students who attended the game for free.