IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Once the calendar hits February, avoiding a bad loss can often be as important as earning a big win.
The fourth-ranked Spartans somehow survived their trip to Iowa City on Tuesday night -- and if they can beat No. 3 Purdue on Saturday, their hopes for a Big Ten title will remain intact.
Miles Bridges had 25 points and a crucial steal with five seconds left and fourth-ranked Michigan State rallied past lowly Iowa 96-93 for its seventh straight win.
Nick Ward added 17 points and Joshua Langford had 15 for the tired Spartans (23-3, 11-2 Big Ten), playing their fifth game in 12 days.