Wisconsin stops Iowa

IOWA CITY — Stripes laced Carver-Hawkeye Arena and a bright, gold student section was filled to the top. Yet a big, noisy crowd clad in black-and-gold failed to elevate No. 8 Iowa against border nemesis Wisconsin 67-59 Wednesday night and questions now abound about the state of the program entering the season's final stretch.

The Hawkeyes (20-7, 11-4) have lost three of their last four and slumped into third place in Big Ten play. A team that was the odds-on league favorite two weeks ago now enters the final week of regular-season play in a funk.

Iowa dropped its sixth straight to the Badgers (18-10, 10-5), and this one stings more than the others. Three times Iowa led by at least six points in the second half, yet the Hawkeyes failed to extend their lead each time. Iowa had its chances late in the game, yet it was Wisconsin that converted.

'They hit timely threes and we didn't is really what it comes down to,' Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said.

With 6:01 left, Iowa guard Peter Jok drilled a jumper to tie the game at 56-56. Iowa's offense fizzled from there with its final eight shots missing their mark. Iowa scored on only two of its final 11 possessions and missed two of five free throws.

Iowa knotted the score at 56-56 on Jok's jumper, but Wisconsin capitalized on two offensive rebounds, which led to a Bronson Koenig 3-pointer to go ahead by three points. Jok chopped the deficit to 59-58 with a pair of free throws.

While Iowa struggled, Wisconsin sizzled. Three of the Badgers' final four baskets were 3-pointers. Nigel Hayes stepped up with a 3-pointer with 1:39 left to put the Badgers up 62-58. Uthoff was fouled on Iowa's next possession, but he missed the front end of a one-and-one. Wisconsin guard Zak Showalter drove inside for a layup to extend the lead to 64-58.

On Iowa's next possession, Big Ten steals leader Ethan Happ snagged the ball from Iowa point guard Mike Gesell, which led to a pair of Koenig free throws. It was over.

Iowa had 14 turnovers, the most since giving up 17 at Iowa State. Many of the turnovers were unforced, making matters worse for the team.

'It's very uncharacteristic turnovers especially against a team like Wisconsin that is more pack line (defense), not necessarily pressuring trying to force the turnovers,' Iowa point guard Mike Gesell said.

'We were a little casual with the ball,' McCaffery said.

The Badgers led 35-34 at halftime. The Hawkeyes opened with a 7-0 run, then Wisconsin scored the next five points on a 3-pointer and a drive to the basket. Iowa forward Nicholas Baer put back an Anthony Clemmons miss to give the Hawkeyes a 47-41 lead, then Wisconsin chipped away. Clemmons scored on a runner to go up 51-45, then the Badgers quickly drilled two 3-pointers and a dunk to take the lead at 53-51.

Three times in the second half Iowa led by six points and each time Wisconsin quickly closed the gap.

The first half wasn't perfect, but it was fiercely competitive. The Badgers led 35-34 at halftime, which included seven lead changes.

Each team led by four points early in the game, then quickly lost the lead. Koenig finished with 15 points for the Badgers. Jok led all scorers with 21.

Center Adam Woodbury grabbed 18 rebounds, including 10 offensive to pace the Hawkeyes.

Iowa, which has lost two straight, travels to Ohio State on Sunday.

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