Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brandon Johnson made all four his 3-point attempts in overtime and finished with 26 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota in a 102-95 win over No. 4 Iowa. Marcus Carr had 30 points on 6-for-13 shooting from 3-point range and eight assists for the Gophers. They improved to 8-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten despite trailing by seven points with 44 seconds left in regulation. Luka Garza had 32 points and 17 rebounds for the Hawkeyes. They fell to 7-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Franz Wagner had 20 points and No. 19 Michigan scored 10 straight points early in the second half to pull away from Nebraska in an 80-69 victory Friday. Michigan started slow in its first game since Dec. 13 but stunned Nebraska with the two-minute flurry that began with Isaiah Livers’ 3-pointer. Wagner close it with a 25-footer that put the Wolverines up 53-41 with 14:38 remaining. Nebraska put together an 11-2 run, highlighted by a steal and breakaway dunk by Trey McGowens, and cut the Michigan lead to 64-60 on McGowens’ free throws with 6:20 left. The Wolverines countered with a 7-2 spurt, going up 71-62 on Eli Brooks’ fast-break layup with 4:45 remaining.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have reached the precipice of the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a nine-game winning streak that includes some heavy hitters with Super Bowl aspirations of their own. But while records alone suggest the Chiefs finally get a breather to finish off the regular-season, facing the losing Falcons and Chargers, both Kansas City coach Andy Reid and Atlanta counterpart Raheem Morris are in agreement that Sunday’s game could be far tighter than the more-than-10-point spread.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa State has The Associated Press Big 12 offensive and defensive players of the year and the league’s top coach. The awards come after the Cyclones’ best conference season ever. Running back Breece Hall is the unanimous choice for top offensive player with his league-best 130 yards rushing per game and 19 touchdowns. Linebacker Mike Rose was selected the top defender with his 90 tackles and four interceptions that are both tied for the league lead. Iowa State was 8-1 in Big 12 play in the regular season, a school record for conference wins.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have declared receiver Julio Jones and center Alex Mack out for Sunday’s game at Kansas City. Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury. Mack, a six-time Pro Bowl pick, will miss his first game of the season with a concussion. A third starter, left guard James Carpenter, will miss the game with a groin injury. Free safety Ricardo Allen is listed as questionable with a concussion. Allen was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Return specialist Brandon Powell (foot) and defensive tackle Marlon Davidson (knee) are questionable.

UNDATED (AP) — The year in sports was about cancellations, shutdowns, infections and quarantines. Still, for all the anguish, 2020 offered memorable and inspirational moments. Vanderbilt’s Sarah Fuller had one when she became the first woman to play and score in a Power 5 football game. The Los Angeles Lakers honored the late Kobe Bryant the best way they could — by winning their record-tying 17th NBA championship. The Kansas City Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years. And the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a pandemic-shortened season, captured their first World Series title since 1988. A bit of light amid the darkness.

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Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have reached the precipice of the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a nine-game winning streak that includes some heavy hitters with Super Bowl aspirations of their own. But while records alone suggest the Chiefs finally get a breather to finish off the regular-season, facing the losing Falcons and Chargers, both Kansas City coach Andy Reid and Atlanta counterpart Raheem Morris are in agreement that Sunday’s game could be far tighter than the more-than-10-point spread.

UNDATED (AP) — For several NFL stars, speaking out against social injustice meant speaking to youngsters who have experienced racism. Travis Kelce, Derrick Henry, Tyler Lockett and Calais Campbell each spent time this season chatting with students about a film that focuses on social and emotional effects of racism against Black men and boys. The documentary titled “Black Boys” was executive produced by Malcolm Jenkins. The players joined students in virtual class discussions about the film’s exploration identity, opportunity and equity in America.

UNDATED (AP) — Iowa State has The Associated Press Big 12 offensive and defensive players of the year and the league’s top coach. The awards come after the Cyclones’ best conference season ever. Running back Breece Hall is the unanimous choice for top offensive player with his league-best 130 yards rushing per game and 19 touchdowns. Linebacker Mike Rose was selected the top defender with his 90 tackles and four interceptions that are both tied for the league lead. Iowa State was 8-1 in Big 12 play in the regular season, a school record for conference wins.

UNDATED (AP) — After a couple of high-profile Big 12 games during the first true week of conference play, the Big 12 steps back for a long break over the holidays. Nobody has a game until Tuesday, when a handful of teams play non-league games. All of them should be easy wins for the Big 12, though Kansas State may be most vulnerable in its game against Omaha.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — College basketball teams are accustomed to being busy through the holidays and missing family gatherings. This pandemic-altered season feels even more isolated. Campuses are largely empty. There are few if any fans inside the arenas. The Big Ten scheduled four games on Christmas Day. Wisconsin plays Michigan State, Maryland faces Purdue, Michigan visits Nebraska and Iowa takes on Minnesota. Programs across the country have attempted to ramp up mental health support at a time when the potential for anxiety or loneliness has spiked for players along with the rest of society.

(By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer) – KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have reached the precipice of the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a nine-game winning streak that includes some heavy hitters with Super Bowl aspirations of their own.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) waves as he walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The Chiefs won 32-29. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)

But while records alone suggest the Chiefs finally get a breather to finish off the regular-season, facing the losing Falcons and Chargers, both Kansas City coach Andy Reid and Atlanta counterpart Raheem Morris are in agreement that Sunday’s game could be far tighter than the more-than-10-point spread.

(By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer) – Iowa State has The Associated Press Big 12 offensive and defensive players of the year and the league’s top coach. The awards come after the Cyclones’ best conference season ever. Running back Breece Hall is the unanimous choice for top offensive player with his league-best 130 yards rushing per game and 19 touchdowns.

FILE – In this Sept. 26, 2020, file photo, Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose (23) defends during an NCAA football game against TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. Rose was selected as the Big 12 defensive player of the year. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade, File)

Linebacker Mike Rose was selected the top defender with his 90 tackles and four interceptions that are both tied for the league lead. Iowa State was 8-1 in Big 12 play in the regular season, a school record for conference wins.

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Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — No. 9 Wisconsin visits No. 12 Michigan State on Friday afternoon to highlight a Christmas Day schedule featuring four Big Ten matchups. Wisconsin has nine straight Big Ten victories but has lost its last eight matchups with Michigan State. The Spartans are trying to bounce back from a surprising 79-65 loss at Northwestern. The Big Ten’s other Christmas Day games include Maryland at Purdue, No. 19 Michigan at Nebraska and No. 4 Iowa at Minnesota.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Antwann Jones and Denzel Mahoney scored 13 points each to lead No. 13 Creighton to a 66-61 win over 22nd-ranked Xavier, handling the Musketeers their first loss of the season. The Bluejays (7-2, 3-1 Big East) used an 8-0 run to start the second half to open up a 44-34 lead. before the Musketeers (8-1, 1-1) cut it to 64-61 with 10 seconds left on Paul Scruggs’ 3-pointer. Adam Kunkel then got a steal and had a chance to tie the game, but his 3-pointer with a second left rimmed out and allowed Creighton to hold on.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa defensive tackle Jack Heflin is right where he always wanted to be. The Prophetstown, Illinois, native has turned his childhood aspirations into reality, suiting up this season for the No. 17 Hawkeys after four years at Northern Illinois. The 22-year-old Heflin has 21 tackles and a sack playing a key role in anchoring one of the nation’s top defenses, which takes on Missouri in the Music City Bowl next week.

(Radio Iowa) – Off to the first 9-0 start in school history Drake opens the Missouri Valley Conference race on Sunday at Indiana State. It will be the first of two games against the Sycamores under the Valley’s format for this season. Drake coach Darian DeVries

Because of the start of conference play the Bulldogs will stay in Des Moines for Christmas.

DeVries says the Bulldogs know the competition will be raised in the Valley.

The fourth ranked Iowa basketball team returns to action with a Christmas evening game at Minnesota. The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play with a win at home over Purdue. Both teams are
7-1.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says the new look Gophers have made strides.

Iowa senior center Luka Garza does not mind playing on Christmas.

Junior guard Joe Wieskamp says he looks forward to the challenge.

(Radio Iowa) – The Fiesta Bowl will be a homecoming of sorts for Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy. The native of Arizona will lead the Cyclones in their first January bowl game when they plat Oregon on January second.

Purdy was a high school rival of Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough (shuck) and they even train together during the off season.

Purdy says they will put their friendship aside for a few hours on January second.

Sophomore running back Breece Hall says it will be a great way to cap the season.