The women’s basketball team was caught out of its element Wednesday night against Iowa.

The Spartans (15-11 overall, 5-10 Big Ten), a defensive-minded team, attempted to run with the Hawkeyes (16-9, 9-6), which resulted in a 69-59 loss.

MSU had been holding its opponents to 60.6 points per game, the second best in the Big Ten.

“We gave up a lot of points in the first half - far too many for our defense,” MSU head coach Joanne P. McCallie said of the 39 first-half points. “I think that’s what came back to bite us in the second half.”

Despite the up-tempo game, the Spartans held a 46-44 lead four minutes into the second half.

But the Hawkeyes proved too strong offensively. Iowa responded with an 11-2 run to seize the lead for the rest of the night.

MSU pulled within seven but would never get closer.

For senior forward Abby Salscheider, the game was particularly disappointing. As the last home game of the season, Senior Night, it was the final contest at Breslin Center for Salscheider and junior guard Vnemina Reese -