PIC: Former Iowa star Gabbie Marshall supports Hawkeyes as she attends clash against Michigan State

Former Iowa Hawkeyes star Gabbie Marshall was in attendance at the Breslin Center to support her alma mater in their Big Ten opener against Michigan State on Sunday afternoon. Marshall posted a photo on her Instagram story and added the caption:

"Go Hawks!!!"

Iowa icon Gabbie Marshall at Hawkeyes vs Michigan State game. IG image via @gabbie.marshall

Unfortunately for Marshall, the No. 21 Hawkeyes fell to the No. 17 Spartans in a close contest, 68-66.

Gabbie Marshall played for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2019 to 2023 and averaged 6.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assista per game. In 2022 and 2023, she helped the team make back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament title game alongside star point guard, Caitlin Clark.

After her fifth season, Marshall retired from basketball, opting to graduate instead of declaring for the 2024 WNBA draft.

Gabbie Marshall watches as Iowa falls short vs Michigan State

Former Iowa basketball player Gabbie Marshall was in attendance as the Hawkeyes fell to a narrow 68-66 defeat to the Michigan State Spartans on Sunday afternoon. Junior Hannah Stuelke led Iowa with 18 points and eight rebounds while Lucy Olsen followed with 13 points and three rebounds. Kylie Feuerbach also contributed 12 points and three rebounds.

The first quarter was a tight one, as Stuelke led Iowa with seven points, while Feuerbach hit a 3-pointer. However, the Spartans scored 5-0 to stay in front and closed the quarter with a 16-12 lead.

The Hawkeyes dominated the second quarter, surging ahead with a 7-1 run with six minutes remaining. Stuelke and Olsen, who each scored five points, helped Iowa to outscore Michigan State 21-12 and closed the quarter with a 33-28 advantage.

Jan Jensen's Hawkeyes maintained a nine-point lead in the third quarter, with Olsen scoring two three-pointers. However, the Spartans rallied and closed the gap with a 6-0 scoring run to close out the third, and outscored the Hawkeyes 21-19.

In the final quarter, Michigan State staged a big comeback and went on a 14-0 scoring run. The Spartans put themselves in front with 5:45 remaining and edged out Iowa to claim victory in the end.

Following the end of the game, Iowa coach Jensen took X (formerly Twitter) to commend her team for their valiant efforts despite the loss.

"We played in a typical, hard fought B1G road game against a tough Michigan State team & came up just short. We’ll go back to drawing board & continue to work. Thx to our fans who came & to all who watched. We appreciate you," she wrote.

Next, Iowa will host Northern Iowa at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Friday, Dec. 20.