Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler, right, is fouled by Iowa forward Ladji Dembele, front left, during the first half Thursday in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP photo)

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Jace Richardson scored 22 points and No. 8 Michigan State wrapped up the outright Big Ten regular-season title with an 91-84 victory over Iowa on Thursday night.

Michigan State (25-5, 16-3) won its first conference championship since 2020. The Spartans had secured a share of the crown Wednesday night with Michigan’s loss to Maryland.

Down 58-48 with 12:13 left, Michigan State reeled off a 19-2 run and never trailed again on the way to its sixth consecutive victory. The Spartans scored 61 second-half points.

The Hawkeyes (15-15, 6-13) led 37-30 at halftime, taking advantage of a 22-2 run.

Jaxon Kohler and Jaden Akins each had 15 points for MSU as Jeremy Fears Jr., had 14 and Tre Holloman 11.

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Takeaways

Michigan State: The Spartans struggled to make shots early, but stayed patient and let their defense take in the second half. Michigan State got open looks throughout the second half, especially in transition, shooting 61.3% for the half.

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Key moment

Michigan State’s Coen Carr had back-to-back lob dunks in the big second-half run.

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Key stat

It was the 11th Big Ten title for Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, tying him with Indiana’s Bob Knight and Purdue’s Ward “Piggy” Lambert for the record.

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Up next

Michigan State hosts Michigan on Sunday. Iowa is at Nebraska on Sunday.

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