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

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Iowa freshman Caitlin Clark finished with 35 points and the fifth-seeded Hawkeyes advanced to the women’s NCAA Sweet 16 with a 86-72 victory over Kentucky. Clark had 24 points in the first half, outscoring the fourth-seeded Wildcats. The Hawkeyes scored the game’s first 11 points and led throughout. They are past the second round for only the third time in their 14 NCAA appearances during coach Lisa Bluder’s 21 seasons. They went to the Elite Eight in the last tourney two years ago. Two-time AP All-American guard Rhyne Howard finished with 28 points for the Wildcats. Iowa will next face top-seeded UConn.

UNDATED (AP) — The National College Players Association says NCAA President Mark Emmert has informed a group of basketball players who started a social media campaign to protest inequities in college sports that he will meet with them after March Madness. NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma says he received a letter from Emmert in response to the advocacy group’s request for a meeting between the head of the NCAA and three players who started the #NotNCAAProperty protest. Michigan’s Isaiah Livers, Rutgers’ Geo Baker and Iowa’s Jordan Bohannon are pushing for the NCAA to change its rules restricting athletes from earning money for personal sponsorship deals, online endorsements and appearances. The players said they were disappointed with the delay and requested to meet by Friday.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — There aren’t two bigger stars in the women’s NCAA Tournament this year than Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. It’s almost as if the freshmen are playing a personal game of horse on the national stage. After one delivers a highlight-filled performance, the other delivers a top-this moment. In one of the most anticipated matchups, they’ll meet for the first time in their college careers in the Sweet 16 this weekend with Bueckers leading UConn against Clark and her Iowa teammates. ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo says the game will be entertaining for all basketball fans and that “we need Iowa and UConn to play each other the next three years!”

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Isaiah Mobley scored 17 points, younger brother Evan had 10 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 6 seed Southern California routed Kansas 85-51 to reach the Sweet 16. It was the worst loss in 49 trips to the NCAA Tournament for the No. 3 seed Jayhawks. USC ended the first half on an 11-0 run to take a 40-21 lead and never looked back. Marcus Garrett scored 15 points to lead Kansas, which was out-rebounded 43-27.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Big man Drew Timme is an understated player for top-ranked Gonzaga. With teammates like Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs, it could be easy to overlook Timme. But he has already put together a great season and two standout games in the NCAA Tournament. He scored a career-high 30 points against Oklahoma. The Bulldogs face Creighton in the Sweet 16 later this week.