Michigan State’s Second-Half Push Falls Short Against Iowa’s Dominance

“Michigan State Basketball Falls Short Against Iowa Despite Three-Point Shooting Surge”

Iowa seized control of the game early at Breslin Center on Tuesday night, establishing a commanding 16-point lead in the second half and fending off Michigan State’s efforts to stage a comeback, ultimately clinching a 78-71 victory.

Despite the Spartans’ impressive 10-for-20 performance from beyond the arc, their struggles inside the paint proved costly. Michigan State faltered on numerous close-range opportunities, missing a total of eight layups and encountering difficulties defending Iowa’s interior game. The Hawkeyes capitalized on Spartan turnovers, converting eight miscues into 14 points and outscoring MSU 40-28 in the paint.

Coach Tom Izzo acknowledged Iowa’s dominance in the post, emphasizing the need for adjustments moving forward. He lamented the team’s lackluster energy, describing it as a departure from their usual intensity.

Tyson Walker led Michigan State in scoring with 16 points but faced challenges with his shooting efficiency, going 6-for-16 from the field. Malik Hall contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds, while A.J. Hoggard provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, all scored in the second half.

Despite the defeat, the Spartans remain focused on their upcoming clash against Ohio State, their sole meeting of the season, scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort led all scorers with 22 points, supported by Ben Krikke’s dominant performance inside, registering 18 points and 14 rebounds. Patrick McCaffery chipped in 14 points as the Hawkeyes shot an impressive 50.9% from the field, with efficient scoring inside the arc.

Michigan State looks to bounce back from the setback as they prepare to host Ohio State in a critical matchup on Sunday.

Iowa’s First-Half Surge Puts Michigan State on the Backfoot

Michigan State faced a setback early in the game as starting forward Mady Sissoko encountered foul trouble, forcing him to sit out for the majority of the first half. His absence was compounded by Carson Cooper also getting into foul trouble and having to take a seat on the bench. Despite this, the Spartans managed to maintain a narrow 27-24 lead with both teams exchanging scoring runs, fueled in part by Michigan State’s proficiency from beyond the arc.

However, with Sissoko and Cooper sidelined, Iowa capitalized, embarking on a decisive 15-1 run. The Hawkeyes exploited their advantage in the paint, particularly through the efforts of their 6-foot-9 senior, Patrick McCaffery, who contributed 12 points before halftime, including a three-point play that kickstarted Iowa’s surge.

McCaffery’s steal and subsequent dunk marked the culmination of a 10-0 run for Iowa, extending their lead further. Adding to Michigan State’s woes, Iowa connected on three of their four first-half 3-pointers in the closing minutes, propelling them to a commanding 45-33 lead at halftime.

Reflecting on the defensive breakdown that allowed Iowa’s run, A.J. Hoggard highlighted the Spartans’ inability to stop their opponent’s scoring onslaught. Despite their offensive efforts, including a 7-for-14 performance from beyond the arc, Michigan State struggled to convert crucial opportunities inside the paint, with key players like Tyson Walker and Hoggard facing shooting challenges.

Heading into halftime, Michigan State found themselves trailing significantly, unable to contain Iowa’s offensive firepower and facing an uphill battle to regain momentum in the second half.

In the first half, Michigan State struggled with their shooting, managing only a 37.9% overall field goal percentage. Their performance inside the 3-point arc was particularly lacking, as they only converted 4 of 15 attempts. Additionally, Iowa capitalized on five Spartans turnovers, turning them into nine points before halftime.

Ben Krikke led the charge for Iowa in the first half, tallying 11 points and nine rebounds, while Payton Sandfort contributed 10 points. Iowa maintained an impressive 57.1% shooting accuracy overall and connected on 4 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc.

Second-Half Surge Falls Short Against Iowa

Michigan State’s strategy for the second half was evident from the beginning: focus on attacking Iowa inside to narrow the deficit.

A.J. Hoggard took charge, driving into the paint for four consecutive layups within the first 5 minutes and 31 seconds, showcasing his assertiveness off the dribble. Malik Hall also contributed with a couple of baskets inside, as the Spartans steadily closed the gap, with Hall’s determined drive down the right side and crafty up-and-under layup bringing them within single digits.

Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins contributed to the comeback effort with timely 3-pointers, further reducing Iowa’s lead. Layups by Hall and Walker brought Michigan State within striking distance at 62-56 with 7 minutes and 10 seconds remaining. However, the Spartans encountered difficulties once again in close-range situations, struggling with entry passes and missing shots in the paint.

Iowa capitalized on Michigan State’s struggles, extending their lead to 70-59 with 4 minutes and 20 seconds left to play, courtesy of a layup by Payton Sandfort.