The Spartans needed a wake up call at halftime, despite holding a 36-28 lead, and Coach Tom Izzo happily gave them one.
Michigan State responded by starting the second half with a 12-0 run. Iowa didn’t muster a second half point till Matt Gatens jumper fell through six minutes into the half. By then the Spartans were up 48-30 and were never threatened again by the Hawkeyes.
The #10 ranked team in the country started lackadaisically as the 5-10 Hawkeyes put up an early fight. Consecutive 3-point shots from Chris Allen and Durrell Summers gave Michigan State a 21-13 lead, with 9:30 remaining in the first half, and opened up a 16-4 Spartan run.
Draymond Green kept up his hot streak of recent play with a 12 point, 6 rebound, and 2 assist half to help the Spartans take a double digit lead. However a pair of Brennan Cougill 3-pointers kept Iowa close and cut the lead to 31-26 with two to play in the first half.
The Spartans came out of the break playing like a finely tuned machine that just received an oil change. Izzo’s boys executed their offense to perfection and unselfishly made the extra pass, and the results were wide open lay-ups that are rarely found in college basketball. Kalin Lucas scored the first four points of the second half on his way to a 14 point, 4 assist night.
Green finished with 14 points, 11 boards, and 4 assist. Raymar Morgan and Allen reached double figures with 14 and 12 points respectfully. Freshman Derrick Nix continues to improve in his starting role by getting the Spartans going with four of their first six points.
Michigan State improves to 13-3 and stays unbeaten and on top of the Big Ten standings with a 3-0 record.