Spartans' winning streak snapped with loss to Iowa

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Following a four-game stretch in which its defense was superb, the MSU women’s basketball team couldn’t get stops when it mattered most Sunday, falling 77-66 to Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

The loss snaps MSU’s four-game winning streak.

“We could just never get into that groove on offense and create anything and get over the hump much, because we kept putting them to the foul line,” MSU head coach Suzy Merchant told the Spartan Sports Network after the game. “It’s just something we have to learn from.”

Both teams came out with a hot hand, as the Hawkeyes (12-11 overall, 5-7 Big Ten) led 13-12 in the first 5:30. Both teams would cool off some from there, and Iowa took a 30-29 lead into halftime.

The beginning of the second half changed the game. Freshman guard Jasmine Thomas opened the half with a bucket to give MSU a one-point lead, but Iowa would fire off a 15-2 run to take a 45-33 lead.

The Spartans (15-8, 6-6) tried to crawl back, going on a 10-2 run of their own. As was the story of the game, MSU couldn’t stop the Hawkeyes.

Iowa continually drove to a wide-open basket or drove into the paint and kicked out for 3-pointers. Iowa shot 7-of-19 from beyond the arc.

MSU tried to cut it down again. Iowa led 65-51 with a little more than six minutes to play, and MSU was able to bring it within seven on multiple occasions late, but couldn’t get any closer. The Hawkeyes closed out the game with free throws.

After playing aggressively on the offensive end Thursday against Penn State, MSU lacked that spark against Iowa. The Spartans went to the line 12 times, but seven of those came in the final minutes.

“We were disappointed in the foul situation,” Merchant said. “In the first half we didn’t get them to the bonus, and that was a big game plan.”

The lack of aggressiveness also showed on the glass. Iowa pounded the Spartans 36-26 on the boards. It only was the third time MSU has been outrebounded this season.

“I think that was something we were disappointed in,” Merchant said. “We did not do a very good job of rebounding the basketball, there’s no question about that. It’s inexcusable on our part.”

All five Iowa starters scored in double figures, led by guard Kachine Alexander, who recorded game highs in both points (23) and rebounds (10).

For MSU, three scored in double figures. Senior center Allyssa DeHaan paced the Spartans with 13. Thomas and senior forward Aisha Jefferson chipped in 12 each.

Junior guard Brittney Thomas fouled out late but had a career-high 10 assists.

DeHaan also picked up four blocks on the day, giving her 479 for her career. She now is one block away from tying the all-time NCAA record, held by Texas Christian’s Sandora Irvin. St. Mary’s junior forward Louella Tomlinson is right on her heels, however, with 478. Tomlinson had seven blocks in St. Mary’s win Saturday.

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