Headline: Surprising Upset Shakes Up Big Ten Championship Race
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Jace Richardson led No. 8 Michigan State to a 91-84 victory over Iowa, securing the outright Big Ten regular-season championship. Michigan State claimed its first conference title since 2020, clinching the title after Michigan’s loss to Maryland on Wednesday.
Trailing 58-48 with 12:13 remaining, Michigan State staged a remarkable 19-2 run to take control of the game and secure its sixth straight win. The Spartans dominated the second half, scoring 61 points and never relinquishing the lead.
Michigan State was fueled by strong performances from Jaxon Kohler and Jaden Akins, who each contributed 15 points, while Jeremy Fears Jr. and Tre Holloman added 14 and 11 points, respectively. On the other side, Josh Dix led Iowa with 18 points, with Payton Sandfort and Seydou Traore each adding 15 points.
Key Takeaways:
– Michigan State’s offense clicked in the second half, shooting 61.3% and capitalizing on open looks.
– Iowa struggled after a strong first half, continuing to face challenges after losing key player Owen Freeman to injury in February.
Key Moment:
Michigan State’s Coen Carr energized the team with back-to-back lob dunks during the pivotal second-half run.
Key Stat:
This victory marked Tom Izzo’s 11th Big Ten title as Michigan State’s coach, tying him with legendary coaches Bob Knight and Ward “Piggy” Lambert.
Upcoming Games:
Michigan State will face Michigan on Sunday, while Iowa will take on Nebraska. Stay updated on the latest AP Top 25 college basketball rankings and news throughout the season. For more information, visit https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball.
