Michigan State was given all it could handle by Iowa in both teams' first game of the 2011 Big Ten tournament. The Hawkeyes had the ball with a chance to take the lead in the final 30 seconds, but a turnover gave the ball back to the Spartans, allowing them to seal their 66-61 victory with free throws.
Trailing by two at the half, Iowa came out and played quite well during the final 20 minutes. Actually, the Hawkeyes went on an 8-0 run during the first part of the second half and led MSU by a score of 53-45. At this point in the game it looked like Michigan State's bubble was about to burst, but the Spartans battled back with a 14-2 run. They wouldn't trail again, and Durrell Summers knocked down four free throws at the end of the game to ensure their NCAA tournament hopes were still alive.
Draymond Green played a heck of a game for Michigan State, scoring 21 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out four assists. Kalin Lucas and Keith Appling also scored in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
For Iowa, two players scored in double digits. Bryce Cartwright had 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. Also, Matt Gatens scored 13 points.
Today's victory means Michigan State is moving on to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament to face second-seeded Purdue tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. A win would likely clinch MSU's NCAA tournament hopes, whereas a loss would keep them sweating until Selection Sunday.
Here is a look at the updated Big Ten tournament bracket:
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Northwestern (beat Minnesota, 75-65, in first round)
No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 5 Illinois
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No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 7 Michigan State (beat Iowa, 66-61, in first round)
No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 6 Penn State/No. 11 Indiana
For more on the 2011 Big Ten tournament, check out SB Nation Detroit's StoryStream.