IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — The Iowa women’s basketball team defeated Michigan State 75-68 in a Big Ten Conference game Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes built a 41-29 halftime lead behind strong early quarters. The Spartans mounted a charge after halftime, outscoring Iowa 27-24 in the third quarter, but could not complete the comeback. Iowa’s defense held Michigan State to just 12 points in the final period to secure the victory. Attendance was 14,988. The win improved Iowa’s record to 16-2 overall. Michigan State fell to 17-2.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — In a pivotal Big Ten Conference clash between two of the nation’s top teams, Iowa used a dominant first half and weathered a fierce Michigan State rally to secure a 75-68 victory before a sellout crowd of 14,988 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday. The win improved Iowa’s record to 16-2 overall, while Michigan State, which had its six-game winning streak snapped, fell to 17-2. The game’s most critical phase was its opening act, where Iowa built a commanding lead that ultimately proved insurmountable. The Hawkeyes, led by the dynamic inside-outside combination of Hannah Stuelke and Ava Heiden, exploded for 22 points in the first quarter and extended their lead to 41-29 by halftime. Stuelke, a 6-foot-2 forward from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was relentless from the outset, scoring 11 of her game-high 22 points in the first half while facilitating the offense. Heiden, a 6-4 center from Sherwood, Oregon, provided a formidable post presence, adding 10 points before the break. Michigan State, which struggled with turnovers and defensive rotations early, found its rhythm in a blistering third quarter. The Spartans erupted for 27 points, slicing a 12-point deficit down to just two points on multiple occasions. Guard Jalyn Brown of Baltimore and forward Juliann Woodard of North Vernon, Indiana, spearheaded the charge, combining for 15 points in the period. Brown finished with 16 points, while Woodard contributed 14 off the bench. Forward Grace VanSlooten of Toledo, Ohio, added 17 points and was a force on the glass. Every time the Spartans drew close, however, Iowa had an answer. When Michigan State pulled within 55-53 late in the third, Heiden converted a tough layup and a free throw. When the margin was again two points early in the fourth, Stuelke drove for a layup. The Spartans’ final push came with just over five minutes remaining, as Rashunda Jones of South Bend, Indiana, scored on consecutive drives to make it 71-68. But Michigan State would not score again, missing its final six field goal attempts over the last 4:44 of the game. Iowa sealed the victory at the free-throw line, with Heiden sinking two crucial shots with 45 seconds left to extend the lead to 75-68. Heiden finished with 20 points, two assists and two blocks. Stuelke’s all-around line included 22 points, five assists and a block. Guard Chazadi Wright of Atlanta, Georgia, chipped in 11 points and five assists for the Hawkeyes. Defense and ball security were decisive in the final minutes. Iowa forced three Michigan State turnovers in the last 1:35, with Heiden and Stuelke each coming up with steals. Kennedy Blair of Dearborn, Michigan, also blocked a potential three-pointer from Iowa’s Taylor McCabe in the closing seconds. The Spartans committed 18 turnovers, which Iowa converted into 19 points. The game lived up to its billing as a showdown of elite teams, with Iowa’s early surge and clutch responses down the stretch making the difference. The Hawkeyes, who were installed as 3.5-point favorites, covered the spread, and the total score of 143 surpassed the over/under line of 147.5. Iowa next travels to face Maryland on Thursday. Michigan State returns home to host Southern California on Thursday.

Preview: Michigan State at Iowa in Top-10 Big Ten Showdown IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — A marquee Big Ten Conference clash with national implications is set for Sunday when the Michigan State Spartans visit the Iowa Hawkeyes in women’s basketball. The matchup at Carver-Hawkeye Arena features two of the nation’s hottest teams. Michigan State (17-1, 5-0 Big Ten) carries a 10-game winning streak, its lone loss coming at Wisconsin on Dec. 7. Iowa (15-2, 4-0) has won seven straight since a road loss to then-Connecticut on Dec. 20. The Spartans are led by star forward Grace VanSlooten, who is averaging 17.2 points and 7.4 rebounds over the last eight games. She is coming off a 22-point, four-assist performance in a narrow 73-71 home win over Nebraska on Thursday. Guard Rashunda Jones added 15 points and five assists in that victory. The Hawkeyes counter with forward Hannah Stuelke, who is averaging 15.1 points per game during the winning streak. She nearly posted a triple-double in Thursday’s 74-66 win over Oregon, finishing with 18 points and eight assists. Guard Addison Deal provided a spark off the bench with 18 points. Both teams boast potent offenses, with Michigan State averaging 78.2 points per game and Iowa close behind at 77.8. The game will likely hinge on which defense can generate critical stops. The Spartans have held opponents to 62.2 points per game during their streak, while Iowa’s defense has tightened in conference play, allowing just 62.8 points per game in its four Big Ten wins. This contest is the first of a challenging two-game stretch for each team. Michigan State hosts Southern California next Thursday, while Iowa travels to face Maryland. Sunday’s winner will seize early control of the Big Ten regular-season race.