Missouri State built an 11-point halftime lead and used an 8 point advantage in the final period to seal a 69-53 win over Drake on Saturday at the Knapp Center. The Bears ended up with four players in double figures, led by 13 from Paige Rocca off the bench.

Drake was led by 16 points from Megan Meyer and 11 from Katie Dinnebier. The Bulldogs dropped to 9-8 on the season and just 1-5 in the Valley.

The Bulldogs will host UNI next Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Knapp Center.

The UNI women’s basketball team picked up a 66-57 win over Southern Illinois in Cedar Falls on Saturday. Karli Rucker scored 18 points to lead the Panthers to their 10th win of the season.

UNI jumped on top big early with a 30-11 first quarter performance. Kam Finley added 11 points and 4 rebounds of the bench to help UNI grab the win.

The Panthers are now 10-5 on the season and 3-1 in MVC play. Next up is a road trip to Des Moines to take on Drake next Friday at 6:00 p.m.

The Iowa State women’s basketball team continued their red hot streak on Saturday with a 74-60 win over Oklahoma State. The Cyclones dominated from the outset with a 24-8 advantage in the opening quarter.

Lexi Donarski scored 23 points and Moran Kane had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Cyclones to their 16th win of the season.

Iowa State is now 16-1 on the season, the best start in school history. The Cyclones are unbeaten in the Big 12 with a 5-0 start to the conference slate.

Next up for the Cyclones is a home game against Texas on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.

AJ Green poured in 22 points and Noah Carter added 17 in the UNI Panthers 69-68 win over Southern Illinois on Saturday in Carbondale. Green shot 11-12 from the free throw line and sealed the win with two from the stripe with 0.8 seconds left to give the Panthers a 69-65 lead. A three at the buzzer by the Salukis provided the final 1-point margin.

UNI grabbed their 5th straight win and are now 9-7 overall with a 5-1 Valley record. Nate Heise helped out the winning effort with 11 points.

Next up for the Panthers is a Wednesday road game at Valparaiso.

The Iowa State men’s basketball team put together a solid outing and pick up a big win over Texas 79-70 on Saturday in Ames. The Cyclones built a lead early and were ahead by seven at half.

The Cyclones built the lead to as many as 15 in the second half but Texas didn’t go away easy. The Longhorns got back within 5 a couple of times late in the game but the Cyclones came up with the plays needed to seal the win.

Gabe Kalscheur had his second straight big game for the Cyclones, dropping in 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting. 6 of those makes were from three point range. The Cyclones shot 57% for the game and forced 20 Longhorn turnovers.

Iowa State improves to 14-3 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12. Next up for the Cyclones is a Tuesday night trip to Texas Tech on Tuesday.

EVANSTON, Illinois — Top 10 wins from Drake Ayala and Max Murin highlighted the University of Iowa wrestling team’s 33-6 win over No. 23 Northwestern on Friday night at Welsh Ryan Arena.

Ayala topped seventh-ranked Michael DeAugustino, 6-5, at 125 pounds and Max Murin defeated No. 4 Yahya Thomas, 4-3, at 149.

Ayala used a cradle to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 advantage in the second period. He opened the third with an escape to build his lead to 6-3, finished with a 6-5 decision, his second consecutive win over a top 10 opponent.

“We like what we have there,” said Iowa head coach Tom Brands. “The story is going to keep writing itself. He will keep writing his own story.”

Northwestern won decisions at 133 and 141 before Murin got the Hawkeyes rolling at 149. Trailing 3-1 in the third, Murin opened with an escape and closed with a takedown in the final 20 seconds to get the 4-3 win.

UP NEXT

The No. 2 Hawkeyes travel to Champaign, Illinois to face No. 21 Illinois on Sunday at 3 p.m. (CT). The dual is televised live on BTN.

The Atlantic Archery Invite on Saturday Jan. 15 is postponed. Too many teams from out of the area are not able to travel to the event due to road conditions.

Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum announced on Friday that he will declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. The junior is listed as the top center prospect in the upcoming draft by many outlets.

Linderbaum has been a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and has been a strong anchor since his redshirt freshman season in 2019 when he earned honarable mention All-Big Ten honors while starting 13 games. Linderbaum was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy in 2020 and won the award this past season as the nation’s top center.

Linderbaum is projected as a first-round pick on most mock draft boards.

Thursday the Hawkeyes received news that three other players will return for the 2022 season. Tight end Sam LaPorta, linebacker Jack Campbell, and wide receiver Charlie Jones all announced that they will come back to play next season.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa announced today a contract extension for head football coach Kirk Ferentz through the 2029 season.  The announcement was made by Gary Barta, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair.

Ferentz just completed his 23rd season as Moon Family Head Football Coach. He is the longest-tenured active head football coach in the country.

“Kirk’s consistent leadership and success over 23 years has been amazing and appreciated as he has led our football program in a first-class manner,” said Barta. “His success over the past 23 years speaks for itself. He is an asset to the University of Iowa and our athletics department as a whole. The foundation of his program is strong, and the future looks bright.”

“Over his three decades with Iowa, coach Ferentz has led our football program with tremendous success and integrity, showcasing how athletics can be an enriching experience for our student-athletes and a corridor for many to learn about our remarkable university,” said UI President Barb Wilson. “This contract reflects our commitment to Kirk and Mary as members of our Hawkeye family.”

Ferentz is Iowa’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing Hayden Fry in 2019. After compiling a 10-4 record in 2021, Ferentz ranks fourth in Big Ten Conference history with 178 career wins and 110 conference victories. Iowa has finished ranked among the Top 25 four consecutive years, the second longest streak in program history.

“I am grateful to President Barb Wilson and Athletics Director Gary Barta for their continued support of our program,” said Ferentz. “I am proud of the success that we have achieved in Iowa City the past 23 years and look forward to many more years of competing at the highest level.”

The 2021 Hawkeye football team won 10 games for the seventh time under Ferentz’ leadership, and the 10th time in program history. The Hawkeye won the Big Ten West Division and earned a bid to the 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl, the 19th bowl bid of Ferentz’ career.

“This contract extension would not be possible without substantial private support,” said Barta. “The pandemic has presented Iowa Athletics with significant financial challenges. We are grateful to the many donors and fans who have contributed directly toward the success of Hawkeye football.”

Ferentz’s total annual compensation under the new agreement will be $7 million and includes a $500,000 base, $5.5 million in supplemental compensation and a $1 million longevity bonus. The contract expires on Jan. 31, 2030. His previous contract ran through the 2025 season. Ferentz and the members of his staff will also continue to be eligible for bonuses based on performance.

(SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa 1/14/22) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging ice anglers and snowmobilers to use caution when going out on the ice after a snowmobile and an ATV broke through the ice on West Okoboji Lake and East Okoboji Lake Thursday night. The individuals were rescued by nearby anglers, and then were treated and released from the local hospital. Greg Harson, district supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau, said he’s received a number of calls Friday from people planning to come to the Iowa Great Lakes and his message is that the ice quality isn’t as good as it has been in the past and to use caution if they plan to operate a snowmobile or atv on the lakes.

“There are a number of areas to avoid, like the points, ice heaves, the bridges and locations where geese are keeping the water open. The pressure ridges are opening and are hard to see. If we get skim ice then covered with snow, that can create a dangerous situation,” he said. “Geese are keeping a large area open on Spirit Lake out from the pump house, so be really careful if going out on Big Spirit this weekend.”

Harson stressed that there is always risk associated with going on any ice and that no ice is 100 percent safe. He said better quality ice is available away from the areas to avoid and encouraged everyone to check the ice thickness frequently and to bring a throwable floatation cushion, 50 feet of rope and a set of ice picks.

“The new snow is going to make identifying these hazards more challenging, and it’s also going to insulate the ice from the cold temperatures and slow its growth. We all look forward to this time of year to enjoy these lakes, but need to think twice and if it doesn’t look right or feel right, do not go out,” he said.