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Midwest Sports Headlines: 1/4/21

Sports

January 4th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw for 302 yards and accounted for four touchdowns against a team of mostly Kansas City backups, and the Chargers rolled to a 38-21 victory. The Chiefs turned their attention to the postseason and Los Angeles will now focus on the precarious future of coach Anthony Lynn. The Chiefs already had wrapped up the No. 1 seed and the AFC’s lone first-round bye, so coach Andy Reid chose to take rest over reps by sitting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, safety Tyrann Mathieu and several of his best players. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that Lynn could be fired as soon as Monday, despite the Chargers winning their final four games.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Joanne Allen-Taylor scored 16 points to lead a balanced attack that included Charli Collier’s double-double and No. 19 Texas defeated Iowa State 74-59. Collier and Karisma Ortiz both scored 14 points with Collier grabbing 14 rebounds. Ortiz, who had four 3-pointers, hit one to give the Longhorns a 36-33 lead at the half. Allen Taylor hit a 3 and a short jumper as Texas quickly pushed the lead to 10 to open the third quarter. Ashley Joens scored 19 points for the Cyclones but the conference’s leading scorer (25.9) went 4 of 17 from the field.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Breece Hall ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns, Brock Purdy accounted for two scores and No. 12 Iowa State grinded out a 34-17 win over No. 25 Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cyclones used their ball-control offense to dominate the time of possession and keep Oregon’s offense off the field for long stretches to win their first New Year’s Six bowl. Hall, an AP All-American, had 34 carries and his ninth 100-yard game this season. Purdy, who went to high school in nearby Gilbert, threw for 156 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-29 passing, adding a touchdown on the ground.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Shanquan Hemphill had 17 points to lead five Drake players in double figures as the Bulldogs won their 12th straight game to open the season, defeating Southern Illinois 73-55. D.J. Wilkins added 14 points for the Bulldogs. Roman Penn chipped in 11, Joseph Yesufu scored 10 and Darnell Brodie had 10. Lance Jones led the Salukis with 18 points.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Shamar Givance scored a career-high 22 points, including key free throws with 23 seconds left, and Evansville defeated Northern Iowa 70-64, completing a weekend sweep of the Missouri Valley Conference preseason favorites. Evan Kuhlman had 14 points for Evansville. Jawaun Newton added 11 points and six rebounds. Samari Curtis had six rebounds. Austin Phyfe had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Panthers. Trae Berhow added 11 points and seven rebounds. Berthow helped close a 12-point gap, scoring eight in a 16-11 run that brought Northern Iowa to within five, 67-62 with 1:21 left.