Iowa downs Michigan, 82-71, to remain atop Big Ten standings

(AP) Jarrod Uthoff scored 23 points and No. 16 Iowa beat Michigan 82-71 on Sunday for its first 5-0 start in the Big Ten in 19 years.

Peter Jok had 14 of his 16 points in the second half for the surging Hawkeyes (14-3, 5-0), who could make a big leap in Monday's rankings after a tumultuous week for many of the nation's top teams.

Iowa, which has won seven straight, broke open a tight game with a 16-3 run midway through the second half, and Jok buried a 3-pointer that made it 76-68 with 2:34 left.

Derrick Walton Jr. had 16 points for Michigan (13-5, 3-2). The Wolverines played their fourth straight game without star Caris LeVert, who was out with a left leg injury.

Iowa's 76-59 blowout win at No. 4 Michigan State on Tuesday further cemented the Hawkeyes status as a legitimate Big Ten contender.

Iowa avoided a letdown against the Wolverines – who were coming off a 70-67 upset of No. 3 Maryland – and joined Indiana atop the league at 5-0.

Perhaps the most encouraging development for the Hawkeyes was that their crucial run came with the likes of Uthoff and point guard Mike Gesell on the bench.

Jok and Anthony Clemmons hit consecutive 3s, and Jok buried another one from the corner to make it 63-52 with 9 minutes left.

Reserves scored 22 points the Hawkeyes, who opened with an 11-0 run and looked set for another easy win.

But even without LeVert, Michigan showed that it's still explosive by scoring 13 straight points to take a 21-20 lead. The Hawkeyes re-asserted themselves, most notably on a breakaway dunk from slow-footed 7-foot center Adam Woodbury, to go ahead 38-33 at halftime.

The Wolverines scored on six straight possessions early in the second half though, hopping back on top 49-47.

Aubrey Dawkins had 12 points for Michigan, which lost for just the second time in nine games.