Hawkeyes fall short

Abstract

Lindsay Bowen scored the go-ahead basket and became MSU's career scoring leader in her final home game with 18 points.

Staff and wire reports

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Iowa women's basketball team's NCAA Tournament hopes may have took a hit Thursday when the Hawkeyes lost in the final minute to No. 14 Michigan State, 73-71.

Iowa (14-10 overall, 7-6 Big Ten) had a chance to win the game at the buzzer. Michigan State missed the front end of a one-and-one with seven seconds left and Crystal Smith rushed the ball up the court to freshman Wendy Ausdemore in the corner. Her 3-point try hit the front of the iron and bounced out.

The Hawkeyes have three regular-season Big Ten games remaining, including a 2 p.m. showdown Saturday with Michigan (6-19, 0-13).

Iowa missed a chance to remain in a tie for fifth place in the conference Thursday by getting shoved around on the inside. Michigan State (20-7, 10-4) outrebounded Iowa 46 to 33, including 20 offensive boards for the Spartans.

Iowa freshman Megan Skouby battled foul trouble early, and the Hawkeyes went to the 3-pointer. Iowa had a season-high in 3-pointers made (10) and attempted (27). Senior Tiffany Reedy had a career-best six 3-pointers and 20 points.

Michigan State led by as many as 10 points early in the second half before Iowa cut into the lead and later went ahead on a 3-pointer by Crystal Smith with 8:47 left to play.

The game was tied 67-67 with 2:55 to play when Skouby missed a pair of free throws. Lindsay Bowen scored the go-ahead basket and became MSU's career scoring leader in her final home game with 18 points.

Spartan freshman Aisha Jefferson added 20 for the Spartans, winners of six straight.

After Reedy's 20, Crystal Smith had 19 and Skouby added 17.