The Drake Bulldogs saw their run a the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament end on Friday with a 63-49 loss to second-seeded Missouri State. Drake had a 15 point lead early in the game as Missouri State struggled from the field but the Bulldogs wore out down the stretch.

Sydney Wilson and Brice Calip both had double-doubles to lead the Lady Bears to the win. Wilson had 17 points and 13 rebounds, 15 of those points after halftime. Calip added 11 points and 10 boards. Missouri State will face UNI in the semifinals on Saturday.

Drake was led by 11 points from Katie Dinnebier and Maggie Bair and Grace Berg each added 9. The Bulldogs end the season at 18-13.

UNI blew past Valporaiso 63-39 to reach the MVC women’s tournament semifinals. Kam Finley led the Panthers with 16 points and UNI locked down defensively in a big way to advance.

The Panthers held the Beacons to just 28.6% shooting and forced 14 turnovers. Grace Boffeli added 10 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

The Panthers move to 21-9 on the season. They will meet second-seeded Missouri State in the semifinals on Saturday at 4:02 p.m. in Moline, Illinois.

The Iowa State women’s basketball team advanced past West Virginia 66-60 at the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City. The Cyclones weathered a couple scoring droughts in the quarterfinal game to advance on to the semifinals Saturday. A 20-9 second quarter advantage propelled the Cyclones to the win.

Emily Ryan and Lexi Donarski each scored 14 points and Ashley Joens had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Cyclones. Iowa State improves to 27-5 on the season.

Next up the Cyclones will face Texas in the semifinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. The game will be televised on ESPN+

The Creighton Bluejays ripped past the top-seeded Providence Friars 85-58 on Friday to reach the Big East Tournament Championship Game. The Bluejays busted out to a 42-27 lead by half and kept their foot on the gas in the second.

Atlantic’s Ryan Hawkins had 8 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Alex O’Connell led four players in double-figures with 18. Arthur Kaluma had 17 and Ryan Kalkbrenner and Trey Alexander each added 15.

The Bluejays improve to 23-10 on the season. They will meet Villanova in the Big East Tournament Championship game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Central Time at Madison Square Garden.

After a slow start Iowa took control at the Big Ten Tournament.

Gary Dolphin and Bobby Hansen on the Hawkeye Network. The Hawkeyes led by as many as 18 in an 84-74 win, Friday, over Rutgers.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. Keegan Murray had 26 points. Jordan Bohannon added 16 as did sophomore guard Tony Perkins.

The Hawkeyes play Indiana in today’s (Saturday’s) semifinals. The Hoosiers stunned top seeded Illinois in Friday’s first game. The tip-off is at Noon.

Friday, March 11

Class 1A Championship

North Linn, Troy Mills 52, Grand View Christian 48

North Linn grinded out a State Title by handing Grand View Christian their only loss of the season.North Linn had a five point lead heading into the fourth quarter and held on. Dylan Kurt had 16 points and 5 rebounds. Tate Haughenbury added 15 points and 6 boards. The Lynx finish at 27-1.

Grand View Christian was led by 15 points and 18 rebounds from 7-footer Daniel Tobiloba. The Thunder finish 26-1.

The Lynx grab their second championship in the past four years. They won the Class 2A title in 2019, were runners-up in 2A in 2020, and runners-up in 1A in 2021. The Lynx also got a little bit of program revenge after losing in the 2018 1A title game to Grand View Christian.

Class 2A Championship

Rock Valley 74, Central Lyon, Rock Rapids 51

Rock Valley jumped out front early with a 17-6 edge in the first quarter and rolled to a title. Landyn Van Kekerix had 26 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block to lead the Rockets. Brys Van Grootheest had another big outing with 25 points and 3 steals. The Rockets finish at 22-5. Central Lyon got 15 points and 3 assists from Zach Lutmer and they end the season at 24-3.

Class 3A Championship

Dallas Center-Grimes 56, Central DeWitt 53

Dallas Center-Grimes built a 9 point lead through three quarters and had to fend off a Central DeWitt rally to win the 3A crown. Jacob Runyan poured in 31 points and had 4 assists to lead the Mustangs. Bo Huston and Cole Glasgow each added 10 points as DC-G finishes 22-5. Central DeWitt got 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists from Shawn Gilbert. They finish the year 20-7.

Class 4A Championship

Ames 68, Johnston 37

The Little Cyclones roared their way to a state championship with a dominating effort against the Dragons. It was 17-8 after the first quarter and a 20-point lead by half. Iowa State signee Tamin Lipsey finished his prep career with a triple-double of 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Trevion LeBeaux dropped in 18 points and had 5 boards. Lucas Lueth added 12 points as the Little Cyclones finish 23-3. Johnston was led by 15 points from Trey Lewis and their season finished with a record of 21-4.