OXFORD, Mississippi – The University of Iowa baseball team dropped the rubber match of a three-game series to Ole Miss, 8-3, on Sunday afternoon at Swayze field.

Iowa outhit Ole Miss 7-5 but fell behind 5-0 after five innings, and 8-0 after seven innings. The Hawkeyes scored three runs in the eighth inning but couldn’t mount a comeback.

“The game started off like it was going to a low scoring pitchers dual,” said head coach Rick Heller. “We had some opportunities offensively, had bases loaded early with no outs and ran into some bad luck. Had the chopper and they got the force at the plate, and then Seegers smoked a ball right at the third baseman to double us off. That is how the day went for us offensively.”

Cade Obermueller started on the bump for the Hawkeyes. He threw four innings and allowed four runs on two hits while walking five and striking out four.

Zach Voelker threw two innings and allowed one run, and Gannon Archer threw 2/3 of an inning allowing two runs. Brant Hogue, Jack Young and Drew Deremer closed out the final 1 1/3 innings for the Hawkeyes without allowing a hit.

“Our top four hitters in the lineup didn’t have a hit today,” said Heller. “Then we went back to giving free bases. It wasn’t a day when Ole Miss was tearing the cover off the ball. You look at the scoreboard we lost, 8-3, but outhit them, 7-5, we pretty much gave them all the runs except the solo home run.

Andy Nelson had a three-hit day for Iowa going 3-for-4 and Reese Moore was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Kyle Huckstorf had a two-run blast to chip away at the Rebel lead.

“It is disappointing,” said Heller. “We can’t get out of our own way, and we are our own worst enemy right now. I liked the way we fought back in the eighth and kept playing. Huck hits that home run and it should have been 3-3 or 3-2 us if we go out and limit the free bases. I was happy that we kept playing. We need to clean it up, period. Simple as that.”

Oklahoma earned the top seed in the 2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship, held March 7-12 in Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center. The Sooners won the Big 12 regular season title outright, posting a 15-3 league record to finish one game ahead of No. 2 seed Texas.

No. 3 seed Kansas State (13-5) and No. 4 seed Iowa State (12-6) captured the final two double-byes into the quarterfinals, which take place Saturday, March 9. Iowa State, involved in a three-team tie at 12-6, earned the tiebreaker by virtue of a 2-1 record against Baylor (2-1 against tied teams) and West Virginia (1-3 against tied teams), then winning the head-to-head matchup with Baylor once West Virginia was dropped from the tiebreaking procedure.

The tiebreaking procedure resulted in Baylor receiving the No. 5 seed and West Virginia slotting into the No. 6 spot. Kansas (11-7) is the No. 7 seed and faces No. 10 BYU (6-12) at 5:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. MT in the second round on Friday, March 8. No. 8 seed Oklahoma State (7-11) faces No. 9 TCU (6-12) in the other second round matchup, set to tip at 1:30 p.m. CT. TCU earned the tiebreaker over BYU due to a 2-0 record in the head-to-head matchups.

Cincinnati (5-13) holds the tiebreaker in the three-way tie for 11th, taking the 11-seed with a 2-1 record against No. 12 seed Texas Tech (2-2 against tied teams) and No. 13 seed Houston (1-2 against tied teams). Cincinnati faces No. 14 seed UCF (3-15) at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET on March 7, following the opening game of the Championship with Texas Tech facing Houston at 5:30 p.m. CT.

2024 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship
Thursday, March 7 – First Round
Game 1: No. 12 Texas Tech vs. No. 13 Houston, 5:30 p.m. CT
Game 2: No. 11 Cincinnati vs. No. 14 UCF, 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET

Friday, March 8 – Second Round
Game 3: No. 5 Baylor vs. Game 1 Winner, 11 a.m. CT
Game 4: No. 8 Oklahoma State vs. No. 9 TCU, 1:30 p.m. CT
Game 5: No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 BYU, 5:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. MT
Game 6: No. 6 West Virginia vs. Winner Game 2, 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 9 – Quarterfinals
Game 7: No. 4 Iowa State vs. Winner Game 3, 11 a.m. CT
Game 8: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Winner Game 4, 1:30 p.m. CT
Game 9: No. 2 Texas vs. Winner Game 5, 5:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. MT
Game 10: No. 3 Kansas State vs. Winner Game 6, 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET

Monday, March 11 – Semifinals
Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 1:30 p.m. CT
Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, 4 p.m. CT/3 p.m. MT/5 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 12 – Championship
Game 13: Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, 8 p.m. CT/7 p.m. MT/9 p.m. ET

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women’s basketball team led wire-to-wire in an 82-62 victory over Valparaiso at the Knapp Center to clinch at least a share of the 2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference regular season title on Saturday afternoon. Seniors Grace Berg, Anna Brown and Taylor McAulay were recognized in a postgame Senior Day ceremony before the Bulldogs cut down the nets to celebrate their 10th all-time MVC regular season championship.

All five Bulldog starters scored in double figures highlighted by a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) from Anna Miller. Berg and Courtney Becker each added a team-high 14 points while McAulay contributed 10 points knocking down a pair of triples. Katie Dinnebier dished out seven assists and put up 11 points.

Valparaiso (5-22, 4-14) stayed within an arm’s length early on. The Beacons trailed by a bucket at 13-11 before Shannon Fornshell drilled a trifecta in the final minute of the opening quarter. Drake (24-5, 17-1) led 17-11 after one frame.

The Bulldogs failed to extend their lead to double digits in the second quarter as the Beacons hung around thanks to Leah Earnest inside and Olivia Brown from the perimeter. Dinnebier scored Drake’s last five points of the first half, first off a driving layup followed by a three-pointer in the waning seconds before halftime. The two teams entered the locker room with the host Bulldogs controlling a 36-28 lead at the break.

Drake began to pull away in the third quarter. About halfway through the third stanza, Berg’s putback fell as she drew a foul for a 48-36 edge. Berg muscled down low near the end of the period to push the margin to 62-47 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Beacons’ deficit ballooned to 20 points at the 4:37 mark of the fourth quarter when Courtney Becker took advantage of a Valpo turnover for a layup on the other end, ahead 76-56.

A balanced effort keyed an 82-62 victory for Drake and the celebration was on. Drake was able to empty their bench and applaud all three seniors in a well-earned home finale victory.

“It’s a really, really special thing to pay tribute to our fans and to be conference champions,” Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman said. “This team is special. What’s unique about this group is that they’re really committed to staying in the moment. We’re excited about our journey and will celebrate today, but we’ve got two more regular season games and an important trip to Hoops in the Heartland, so we’ve got to refocus and take care of business.”

Drake women’s basketball will enter the final week of the regular season with a visit to Evansville on Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m.

Drake finished the regular season unbeaten at home. Tucker DeVries scored 29 points and the Bulldogs withstood a second half rally by Bradley for a 74-66 win, Sunday. Drake is 25-6.

That’s Bulldog coach Darian DeVries. It was Drake’s 21st straight home win. They will be the second seed in the Missouri Valley Tournament in St Louis and open Friday night.

Another record setting day ended with a victory for the sixth ranked Iowa Hawkeye women, Sunday.

Rob Brooks with the call on the Hawkeye Network. Clark finished with 35 points and nine assists as the Hawkeyes led nearly the entire way in a 93-83 win over second ranked and Big Ten regular season champion Ohio State, capping an emotional Senior Day.

Clark surpassed Pete Maravich to become the all-time scoring leader in major college basketball with a free throw just prior to halftime.

It was a regular season finale that included another national television audience, a sold out crowd and several celebrities sitting courtside.

The Hawkeyes finish the regular season 15-3 in the Big Ten and 26-4 overall. Iowa will be second seed in the Big Ten Tournament in the Twin Cities and will open on Friday night.

It will not be the final home game for the Hawkeyes who are expected to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes could meet again next weekend.

That’s Iowa coach Lisa Bluder who feels Clark becoming the all-time women’s scoring record holder was more significant.

The Exira-EHK Spartans girls basketball team ended their season with a 55-35 loss in the regional championship of the Class 2A-Region 3 bracket. The Spartans were led by sophomore Jaelyn Peterson, who 21 points in that game. The Spartans finished their season with a 16-7 overall record and went 11-4 in the Rolling Valley Conference.

The Spartans were led in scoring this season by freshman Taryn Peterson, who scored 447 points and averaged 19 points per game.

The Spartans will only be losing one senior to graduation: Hannah Nelson

Spartans Coach Tom Peterson said it was unfortunate that the Spartans just couldn’t get their shots to fall in regional championship loss to Westwood.

Coach Peterson said he sure loved the kids in the locker room after the Westwood game.

Coach Peterson had the opportunity to coach senior Hannah Nelson since she was a freshman.

Coach Peterson talks about hosting four or five teams for around the area on Wednesday’s and also that his team will be going to some team camps over the summer.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens (steven bains), today (Friday), issued a statement with regard to a decision by the Story County Attorney’s Office, to discontinue prosecution of four sports wagering cases. Bayen said the decision is “disappointing,” and that “Despite their decision, they repeatedly shared with us their belief that the Division of Criminal Investigation’s actions were legal.”

In 2019, sports betting became legal in Iowa.  Bayens said “The sports gambling industry is closely regulated and with that comes significant oversight.  Once sports betting became legal on digital devices, Iowa law required sportsbooks to geo-locate players when placing wagers and to notify accountholders about information being gathered and shared.

To comply with Iowa law, sportsbooks contracted with GeoComply to facilitate geo-location and provide analytical software that allows aggregate data to be filtered. As a state gambling licensee, the company provided the state access to these tools to regulate the industry and enforce Iowa law. GeoComply specifically trained DCI agents on how to use the software and participated in ongoing meetings regarding its use. Agents were trained to review anonymized data points across Iowa for anomalies that called into question regulatory compliance or suggested criminal activity.

During a review of anonymous data points, anomalies were observed at athletic facilities that only individuals associated with NCAA-sanctioned sports teams had access. This was concerning because sportsbooks must seek to prohibit sports wagering by coaches, athletic trainers and players as required by Iowa law. Also, individuals with access to these facilities would possess insider information, could impact outcomes, and tended to be underage.

Given these red flags, agents obtained subpoenas seeking the names on the accounts affiliated with those data points.  When the information was received, it became evident that many account holders lacked any real connection to the places flagged by the data, strongly suggesting fraudulent activity or identity theft. The Department investigated only these accounts.

Throughout the investigation, agents conferred with legal experts. Agents ultimately applied for search warrants to seize the digital devices controlling those accounts which were approved by impartial judges.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the Department’s findings were presented to prosecutors who then made charging decisions.

The investigation uncovered concerns of a seismic magnitude within Iowa’s sports gambling industry.  In 2023 alone, $2.4 billion dollars in sports bets were placed in the state with 91% of those being placed online. Existing guardrails were insufficient to deter the creation of fraudulent accounts, gambling by prohibited persons, or identity theft.

In the eleven months preceding this investigation, sportsbooks in Iowa closed 28,554 sports betting accounts.  In the eleven months since the investigation, they closed 82,559 accounts.”

Commissioner Bayens said also, “I understand why this investigation and the resulting charges have generated so much attention and such strong opinions.  We love our college sports here in Iowa, myself included.  Had this situation not involved college athletes, the public perception may have been entirely different.

As law enforcement officers, we take an oath to uphold the law and we do so without exception, even when it’s difficult.  Throughout the investigation and subsequent prosecution, we continually reviewed our actions and I fully stand behind the investigation and the agents who did the work. I want to thank them and their families for their service to Iowa. “

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell has announced the promotion of Taylor Mouser to offensive coordinator. Mouser will continue to coach tight ends, a position he’s held since the 2021 season.

In addition to Mouser’s promotion, Campbell also announced that Noah Pauley has added passing game coordinator to his responsibilities as wide receiver coach, while offensive line coach Ryan Clanton will assume run game coordinator duties.

Earlier on Friday, Iowa State announced the hiring of Tyler Roehl as assistant head coach and running backs coach, while Jake Waters will shift from running backs to coaching the Cyclone quarterbacks.

Iowa State Offensive Coaching Staff

Taylor Mouser – Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends

Tyler Roehl – Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs

Ryan Clanton – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line

Noah Pauley – Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Jake Waters – Quarterbacks

Mouser is entering his ninth season with the program and his 10^th working on Campbell’s coaching staff, both at ISU and Toledo. He has risen through the ranks, starting as a graduate assistant for the Cyclones in Campbell’s first season in 2016.

“Taylor has been an integral part in the success of our program through the years, working his way up from graduate assistant to this position as offensive coordinator,” Campbell said. “He is well-respected by both our staff and our players and has earned this opportunity. I have great confidence in him and look forward to seeing him in this role.”

Mouser has coached some of the best players in school history, playing a part in the success of Cyclone stars like Charlie Kolar, Breece Hall and Brock Purdy while helping the team qualify for bowl games in six of the last seven seasons.

The tight end position has been stacked throughout his tenure, including All-Big 12 performers Kolar and Chase Allen. Since 2021, Iowa State tight ends have recorded the most receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns among Big 12 teams.

Iowa State Tight End Production Since 2021

191 receptions, 2,202 receiving yards, 21 receiving touchdowns

Kolar broke ISU tight end records in receptions (168), receiving yards (2,1818) and touchdown catches (23) while earning All-America honors three times and winning the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy.

Allen was an All-Big 12 second team recipient four times in his career.

Kolar was a fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, while Allen signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. Both players made their NFL debuts during their rookie season.

In 2023, another of Mouser’s pupils, Benjamin Brahmer, was a Freshman All-American (247Sports and The Athletic). Brahmer broke the ISU freshman tight end record with 28 receptions. Steveo Klotz also earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors.

Last season’s tight end group combined for seven touchdown receptions by four different players, making Iowa State one of seven teams nationally to have four at the position score.

A native of Chandler, Arizona, Mouser earned his bachelor’s degree at Adams State in 2013. He was a graduate assistant for Campbell at Toledo during the 2015 campaign.

Mouser Coaching Experience

2024 – Iowa State – Offensive Coordinators/Tight Ends

2023 – Iowa State – Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends

2021-22 – Iowa State – Tight Ends

2019-20 – Iowa State – Senior Quality Control/Offense

2017-18 – Iowa State – Assistant Director of Scouting

2016 – Iowa State – Graduate Assistant

2015 – Toledo – Graduate Assistant

Caitlin Clark felt the time was right to announce she is headed to the WNBA Draft. The Iowa superstar announced on Thursday she will not use her COVID year and return next season. Senior Day is Sunday when the sixth ranked Hawkeyes host Big Ten regular season champ and second ranked Ohio State.

Clark says her decision was solidified over the past couple of weeks.

Clark says announcing the decision prior to Senior Day was the right move.

With the decision out of the way Clark says she can now focus on her immediate goal of winning a national title.

Clark is expected to be taken by the Indiana Fever with the first pick in next month’s WNBA Draft.

Iowa women’s basketball player Sharon Goodman will not return for her final season with the Hawkeyes. The reserve center has appeared in 26 games this season and is averaging just over five points and three rebounds. She graduates in May and plans on attending nursing school.

Goodman does not plan on entering the transfer portal to play at another school.