CHICAGO — Michigan State rallied from a 13-point second half deficit and then held on at the end to claim a 59-56 victory over Iowa in Friday’s Big Ten tournament quarterfinals at the United Center. Spartan guard Gary Harris calmly hit two free throws with 29 seconds to pad the lead after the Hawkeyes closed to within a point in the final minute. A last-ditch 3-point try by Iowa’s Roy Devyn Marble to tie with five seconds left in regulation missed. Andrew Payne collected 18 points and 10 rebounds while Keith Appling and Harris each added 11 for the No. 3 seed Spartans (25-7). Mike Gesell topped Iowa (21-12) with nine points. Harris’ 3-pointer with 4:10 to play capped a mammoth momentum swing and gave the Spartans their first lead of the game at 50-49. By the 1:54 mark Michigan State appeared in control with a 57-51 lead. But Iowa’s Aaron White hit a 3-pointer and Derrick Nix turned a Spartan…
Continue Reading: Michigan State 59, Iowa 56 (The SportsXchange)
