Spartans travel to Michigan on Saturday
EAST LANSING (AP) -- Freshman Keith Appling pulled through for Michigan State on Senior Night, scoring 18 points to help the Spartans beat Iowa 85-66 Wednesday night in their last scheduled home game.
Michigan State (17-12, 9-8 Big Ten) has won four of six to improve its shot of earning a 14th straight NCAA tournament bid.
The Spartans play rival Michigan on Saturday in a matchup of teams on the bubble.
The Hawkeyes (10-19, 3-14) have lost six straight games in the conference for a second time under first-year coach Fran McCaffery.
The Spartans took control with an 11-2 run midway through the second half, building a big lead they easily maintained.
Michigan State's Kalin Lucas scored 17 and Draymond Green had 12 points.
Melsahn Basabe and Matt Gatens each had 13 points, Bryce Cartwright scored 11 and Jarryd Cole added 10 for the last-place Hawkeyes.
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