Michigan State University
Iowa
Women's Basketball Falls To Iowa
2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 1, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Iowa handed Michigan State a 71-56 defeat at the Breslin Center on Thursday night (Feb. 1). With the win, Iowa improved to 11-8 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten. Michigan State drops to 8-12 overall and 2-7 in conference play.
Iowa jumped out to an early 22-10 lead thanks in part to 10 points by Randi Peterson. Michigan State answered the Iowa charge, going on a 13-8 run to cut the Iowa lead to eight (31-23) on a three-point play by Becky Cummings. A three-point play by Christie Pung helped MSU pull within three (34-31) with 1:58 left in the first half. Iowa answered with a three pointer by Leah Magner to extend the lead to six (37-31) before a Pung jumper put MSU down by four (37-33) at the half.
The Hawkeyes opened the second half on a 5-0 run extending their lead to nine (42-33). Back-to-back baskets by Julie Pagel and Erin Skelly helped the Spartans pull within five (42-37) with 17:11 remaining. Iowa slowly extended the lead to 12 (57-45) on a Randi Peterson layup and led by as many as 23 (70-47) in the second half. MSU scored the final six points of the game.
Michigan State was led by freshman forward Julie Pagel, who posted her third career double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Becky Cummings came off the bench to add 12 points, while Christie Pung finished with nine.
Randi Peterson led Iowa with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Lindsey Meder added 14 points, while Jennie Lillis finished with eight.
Michigan State heads out on the road to face Wisconsin this Sunday (Feb. 4), at 1:30 p.m. CST. The game can be seen live on Midwest Sports Channel. The MSU-UW game also can be heard live on The Fan 730 AM - WVFN or at www.msuspartans.com.
Spartan Notebook -- Becky Cummings, who had missed the past three games due to injury, finished with 12 points and three rebounds in her first extensive action since the Illinois game on Jan. 14.
-- Julie Pagel posted her third career double-double with a career-best 20 points and 11 rebounds.
-- MSU has dropped five straight Big Ten Conference contests.
