Michigan State dumps Iowa in Big Ten Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS - It was close ... for a while.

Iowa played Michigan State even for the first 10 minutes on the scoreboard. Michigan State then overpowered the Hawkeyes on offense and Iowa couldn't keep up.

Top-seeded Michigan State (25-7) scored on 11 consecutive possessions over a 6-minute stretch to bury Iowa 92-75 in today's Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

With the score tied 22-22, Michigan State attacked Iowa's 2-3 zone with ruthless efficiency. Michigan State pounded eighth-seeded Iowa  (17-16) for 28 points in the post and scored 10 points on second opportunities. The 11-possession run turned into a 24-7 spurt for the Spartans.

"We were right there in the beginning," said Iowa senior Matt Gatens, who score 10 points. "I thougth we got off to a great start. Zach (McCabe) hit like three jumpers in a row but we didn't stop playing.

"I'm really proud of our guys to not give up and fighting through the final buzzer."

McCabe hit three early 3-pointers to help Iowa keep pace with the Spartans. The game was tied 22-22 after Devyn Marble hit a jumper with 11:13 left in the half.

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery received a technical for arguing a foul call against freshman center Gabe Olaseni with less than a minute in the half. McCaffery then mocked official Ted Valentine by folding his arms like the renowned official while Michigan State's Appling shot his free throws.

It was possibly the final game for four Iowa seniors, including Gatens, Bryce Cartwright, Andrew Brommer and Devon Archie. Gatens scored 10 points on Friday and has totaled 1,621 in his Iowa career. He's now in sixth place all-time in Iowa scoring.

Iowa's postseason future is in doubt. It's possible the Hawkeyes will be considered for the NIT but will not compete to another postseason tournament, Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta said Friday.

Iowa freshman Josh Oglesby scored 20 points to lead Iowa. Sophomores Devyn Marble and McCabe each added 13 points. McCabe scored 11 points in the first half.

If Iowa doesn't compete in the postseason, it ends the season with its first winning record since 2007.

"We're heading in the right direction," Iowa freshman Aaron White said. "I felt like after every down we kind of regrouped and learned from it. If we just keep progressing and getting better and keep learning, keep taking coaching well, the ceiling is as high as you can go."