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Iowa 76, MSU 59: Spartans drubbed by 'tougher' Hawkeyes

EAST LANSING – Michigan State promised toughness, energy and intensity.

The Spartans plenty of it Thursday — from Iowa, in abundance.

And for the second time in a little more than two weeks, the Spartans came out flat and got steamrolled.

Make that two losses now for fourth-ranked MSU, both coming to the No. 16 Hawkeyes. Iowa raced away to a 22-point halftime lead and cruised to a 76-59 victory.

The Hawkeyes followed the same blueprint from their 83-70 win on Dec. 29. Be the aggressor. Early and often.

“They dictated the whole game, and we were just on our heels the whole game,” MSU’s Denzel Valentine said.