Iowa Surprises Michigan State

The Iowa Hawkeyes came into the Big Ten tournament at Chicago knowing they had to win four games in four days to make the NCAA tournament. They’re halfway there.

Refusing to back down even with the entire team in serious foul trouble, Iowa (21-10) held on for a 71-69 victory over No. 13 Michigan State Friday night in the quarterfinals.

The Spartans’ Alan Anderson, a 90% free-throw shooter, missed two from the line with less than seven seconds left and Iowa’s Jack Brownlee came up with the rebound.

Brownlee was fouled and made the second free throw, and Jeff Horner stole Michigan State’s inbounds pass.

Michigan State was 15 of 30 from the free-throw line, and had 14 turnovers. Anderson had 18 points but made only five of 10 free throws for the Spartans (22-6), who lost for the third time in 15 games.

The loss means that Michigan State’s seniors will leave without winning any Big Ten titles -- regular season or tournament. They came to campus after the Spartans won four consecutive titles from 1998 to 2001.

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No. 1 Illinois 68, Northwestern 51 -- After losing for the first time this season, the Illini (30-1) just wanted another win. They rebounded from their first loss by routing the Wildcats (15-16) in the quarterfinals.

James Augustine led the Illini with 15 points and eight rebounds, Luther Head scored 14 and Roger Powell Jr. added 11. Dee Brown, the Big Ten player of the year, had five points and six assists.

Illinois Coach Bruce Weber’s 81-year-old mother, Dawn, died later Friday after surgery to repair a torn aorta.

She had undergone surgery after complaining of chest pains before the game.

Weber was at the hospital when his mother died, said Kent Brown, Illinois’ sports information director. He will coach the Illini today against Minnesota.

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No. 23 Wisconsin 60, Ohio State 49 -- The Badgers (21-7), who won the Big Ten tournament a year ago, advance to play Iowa in the semifinals. The Buckeyes (20-12) had no chance for the NCAA or NIT because of a self-imposed ban on postseason play to mitigate possible NCAA penalties stemming from violations committed under former coach Jim O’Brien.

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Minnesota 71, Indiana 55 -- Vincent Grier scored 16 points and the Golden Gophers (21-9) enhanced their chances for an NCAA tournament bid with the victory over the Hoosiers (15-13).