Michigan State 77, Iowa 66: 3 Takeaways, Highlights

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Iowa men's basketball team (14-12, 6-7) dropped its second road game of the week, shooting just 32.8 percent in a 77-66 defeat at Michigan State (15-10, 7-5).

Here are three takeaways from the game.

1. Tale of two halves

Iowa men's basketball team dropped its second straight game – both on the road – with a 77-66 loss at Michigan State on Saturday, and the second half was the culprit.

The Hawkeyes led the Spartans at halftime, 32-31, forced 12 first-half turnovers, had a 13-0 points-off-turnovers differential and had nine assists on 12 made shots.

In the second half, Michigan State didn't completely reverse all those numbers, but where Iowa's defense was efficient in the first half – 0.861 points per possession allowed – it allowed easy baskets and several looks in transition in the second half – to the tune of 1.211 points per possession allowed in the second half.

2. Bohannon's tough night

Starting point guard Jordan Bohannon came into the game on a hot streak – 14 points per game in his last four and an eight-assist game at Minnesota. His night never really got off the ground Saturday at Michigan State, though, as he sat most of the first half with two fouls, and never got going offensively.

He finished with no points on 0 of 8 shooting overall, 0 of 6 from 3-point range and one assist.

His absence didn't hurt the Hawkeyes in the first half, but his lack of production did in the second. It wasn't the reason they lost, but it highlighted how much he's helped Iowa in the last several games.

3. Frontcourt carried the Hawkeyes

Aside from Peter Jok's 13 points, most of Iowa's offensive production came from its frontcourt players.

Tyler Cook finished with 13 points and three rebounds, Cordell Pemsl had 10 points and seven rebounds – and shot 6 of 7 from the free throw line – and Ahmad Wagner had seven points and four rebounds.

Bohannon, Isaiah Moss, Christian Williams and Brady Ellingson combined for six points on 3 of 21 shooting from the floor.