The Michigan State women’s basketball team experienced an early exit in this year’s Big Ten tournament.
And the Spartans have only themselves to blame.
MSU committed 24 turnovers in Thursday’s 74-61 loss to 11-seed Iowa in a second-round game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
An 8-0 run to close the third quarter proved to be the difference, with the Hawkeyes turning a 2-point deficit into a 6-point lead. MSU never lead again, doomed by its cough-ups and inability to string together back-to-back buckets late.
Julia Ayrault led MSU with 17 points on 4 of 9 shooting, while forward Grace VanSlooten added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Iowa’s defense frustrated the Spartans all game, mixing between man and zone looks, but especially in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes opened the quarter on a 16-0 run, magnified by eight turnovers from the Spartans in the period.
MSU’s 24 turnovers was one short of tying the school’s season high. The Hawkeyes scored 28 of their points off the Spartans’ miscues.
Iowa was led by Lucy Olsen, who scored a game-high 21 points and chipped in nine assists. Hannah Stuelke added 12 points, Taylor McCabe (12 points) hit four 3-point baskets and Ava Heiden scored 11 points off the bench.
The Spartans (21-9), who received a bye to the second round following an 11-7 season in Big Ten play, were outscored 20-9 in the second quarter and 20-13 in the fourth quarter.
Iowa (21-9) has now won four straight games, a stretch that includes victories over Michigan and two over Wisconsin, including one Wednesday in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament.
The Hawkeyes now advance to the quarterfinals, where they’ll play No. 2 Ohio State on Friday at approximately 9 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).