After being out-powered, out-run and outshot in the first half, a whole new Spartans squad came out for the second half to win the game, 73-65.

“At halftime, it seemed that we were really dead in the water,” MSU head coach Suzy Merchant said. “We really responded defensively, we had some new spunk and new life with (sophomore guard) Tayeka (Fortner) performing.”

Fortner logged a season-high 16 minutes, scored five points and forced multiple Hawkeyes turnovers — all in the second half.

It was a role reversal as the Spartans (10-7 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) forced 25 turnovers, scoring 36 points off of them and only committing 14 themselves.

Freshman guard Brittney Thomas dominated the second half, stealing the ball and sprinting down the lane for multiple layups.

The turning point came with eight minutes left in the game, when sophomore center Lauren Aitch landed wrong and was hugging her knee — the same knee she tore her ACL in last season. The Spartans immediately went on a 25-9 run to end the game.

“It made me nervous when she went down,” Merchant said. “It probably scared her more than anything.

Aitch returned to the court with four minutes remaining. Upon her return, she was a pillar on the court, sinking a shot with just over three minutes left after gaining her own rebound three times.

“(Aitch) is our best offensive rebounder, she’s a big spark for us,” Merchant said.

Merchant said the whole difference was in the Spartans defense as well as the attitude and effort off the bench.

Fortner, Thomas and senior guard Courtney Davidson made the game for the Spartans, scoring a combined 41 points and providing the emotion and leadership Merchant has been stressing.

The Spartans face Michigan at noon Sunday in Ann Arbor.