Iowa .guard Mike Gesell (10) warms up for the team's game against .Northwestern .in the first round of the Big Ten Conference basketball tournament Thursday, March 14, 2013 at the United Center in Chicago. (Brian Ray/The Gazette-KCRG)

CHICAGO — Iowa freshman guard Mike Gesell made his first start in two weeks Thursday against Northwestern.

Gesell had sat out the last four games after suffering a stress reaction in his right foot. He was in a walking boot for more than a week but now is ready to take the court.

The freshman played 23 minutes Thursday night in a 14-point Hawkeye win, scoring 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting (2 of 4 from 3-point range).

Gesell averaged nine points a game and started the Hawkeyes’ first 27 games. Iowa plays fourth-seeded Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament semifinals on Friday night at approximately 8 p.m.