Mike Gesell
(Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com)
Iowa’s late season meltdown continued at Ohio State. Leading by six down the stretch the eighth-ranked Hawkeyes were outscored 12-2 to finish the game in a 68-64 loss.
After starting Big Ten play 10-1 the Hawkeyes have lost four of five and look lost on the offensive end of the court.
Iowa guard Mike Gesell had a game tying layup blocked in the waning seconds.
“It is disappointing the way we were not able to close out the game”, said Gesell. “We need to be better in that area and get key stops when we need them.
Iowa made only three of 12 from three point range and went the final four minutes and seven seconds without a field goal. The Hawkeyes also turned the ball over 15 times.
” We are turning the ball over and we are not executing”, said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. “We are not getting to loose balls and we are playing more tentatively than we should be playing.”
Gesell and Jarrod Uthoff both had 16 points and Peter Jok had 12 as the Hawkeyes fall to 11-5 in the Big Ten and 20-8 overall.