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INDIANAPOLIS – The Iowa men’s basketball team lost in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament to Michigan for the third straight season, dropping today’s game, 59-52. The Wolverines also swept the season series, defeating Iowa for the third time this season.

The Hawkeyes (10-22) never led in the game and were down by as much as 16 in the first half. But the Hawkeyes kept the game close, battling back late to cut the lead to five with just over a minute to play.

Freshman Cully Payne led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 9 of 16 from the field.

The Hawkeyes were unable to contain Michigan’s top two scorers: Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims. The pair combined for 36 points of the 59 Wolverine points.

-by Mitch Smith