Michigan State, No. 7 team in the nation, was without Braden Dawson and Adreian Payne for the second straight game (sixth straight without Payne). Unlike, Saturday’s loss to in-state rival Michigan, the shorthanded Spartans stole one from No. 15 Iowa with a 71-69 road victory in overtime on Tuesday night.
Despite missing its top two rebounders, the Spartans matched the Hawkeyes on the glass with 38 boards each. There was a significant difference in free throw attempts with Iowa visiting the line 43 times (69.8 percent) to Michigan State’s 20 attempts (55 percent). Knocking down free throws became big for Iowa. For almost the final 10 minutes of regulation, all of Iowa’s points came from the line. That stretched into overtime until Roy Devyn Marble’s lay-in cut the lead to 71-69.
One of the best offenses in the nation shot 1-for-13 from the field in almost 15 minutes, which spanned the end of regulation and into overtime. Two missed Keith Appling free throws left the door open but Mike Gessell’s layup, as time expired, was no good.
Appling scored 12 points, and Gary Harris ended with nine; both of them logging 40 or more minutes. Appling made a big 3-pointer to put Michigan State up 64-63 in overtime. But several role players stepped up, and make critical plays when Michigan State needed them.
Denzel Valentine scored 12 points while Travis Trice added 10 off the bench, including three 3-pointers. The biggest 3-pointer came from Russell Byrd, who played 18 minutes on Tuesday night -- he had played 22 minutes in the month of January entering the game. The junior, who has struggled with injuries in his time in East Lansing, drilled a corner three to put Michigan State up six.
The frontline was manned by Matt Costello, registered 11 points and 12 rebounds.
It was reported on Tuesday afternoon that Payne could return as early as Feb. 6 against Penn State. Even without Payne (and Dawson), Michigan State gutted out an overtime win against a talented, and deep Iowa team. Makes you wonder what this team is capable of in March with its full arsenal.
Michigan State travels to New York City to take on Georgetown in a non-conference clash at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. Iowa is back in action later on Saturday at Illinois.
