Led by three players in double-figure scoring, the Drake University women’s basketball team cruised past No. 22 Nebraska, 80-62, Saturday afternoon in the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs’ dominant win marked their first over a ranked opponent in four years.

Katie Binnebier led Drake with 18 points, Sarah Beth Gueldner dropped 16, and Maggie Bair had 17 points.

Following the team’s second-straight game against a ranked opponent, the Bulldogs travel to Miami, Fla., for two games at the FIU Thanksgiving Classic. Drake takes on UMass in its first game Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. CST.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Historians generally agree that the sport of baseball likely came to America from England, but how did the sport get to Iowa? That’s the topic of a free presentation set to take place this Sunday, in Atlantic. John Liepa, long time baseball fan, life-long baseball card collector, historian and professor, will discuss the origins of baseball and how it came to Iowa. His presentation, entitled “How Iowa Met Baseball: The Myths, The History, The players,” serves to dispel some of the myths regarding the invention of baseball, origins and evolution of the early game in the United States, and how the Civil War played a role in accelerating the spread of the game. The very first mention of the game coming to Iowa, he says, was in 1858.

Iowa had 222 major league baseball players over the years, including Hall-of-Famer Bob Feller, from Van Meter.

A Bob Feller baseball card. (photo frpm John Liepa)

He says over 40 Iowans have made it to the Major Leagues, and during their careers played less than 10-games. There were seven Hall-of-Fame inductees.

Leipa will bring a lot of memorabilia with him to use as part of the presentation, including three cases with old baseball cards.

His free presentation will be held Sunday, November 20, 1:30 pm at the American Legion Memorial Building (also known as “The Armory,” in Atlantic. The program is sponsored by Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE), and supported by Atlantic Community Promotion Commission.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes’ run defense will be tested today (Saturday), at Minnesota. Gopher running back Mo Ibrahim is second in the Big Ten by averaging just over 140 yards per game.

While Iowa’s defense gets a lot of praise Ferentz says the Gophers are right there with them.

Ferentz the Gophers combine that defense with a ball control offense.

We’ll carry the game for you here on KJAN, beginning at 1-p.m. The kick-off from Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, is set for 3-p.m.

Iowa State closes out the home season tonight (11/19) against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are 5-5 despite a slew of injuries under first year coach Joey McGuire. Three different quarterbacks have played extensive minutes.

That is ISU coach Matt Campbell who says Tech’s system has allowed them to play so many different quarterbacks.

Campbell says the Red Raiders have veterans in a number of areas.

Kick-off from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames is at 6-p.m.

Class 2A

Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 10, Williamsburg 6

Central Lyon/George-Little Rock grinded out 200 yards rushing and edged out Williamsburg 10-6 to win the 2A title. Zach Lutmer led the ground attack with 140 yards and he also threw for 85 yards and their lone touchdown to Reece Vander Zee. It was only 3-0 in favor of the Lions at halftime on a 22-yard field goal by Matthew Dieren. Williamsburg got their lone score on a 34-yard pass from Carson Huedepohl to Rayce Heitman with 1:42 left in the third quarter but they missed the PAT. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock ends with a perfect 13-0 mark. Williamsburg ends the season at 12-1.

Class 3A

Harlan Community 30, Mount Vernon 23

Harlan Community scored the final three touchdowns of the game to rally for a 30-23 victory over Mount Vernon to repeat as Class 3A Champs. Teagon Kasperbauer found Jacob Birch on a 6-yard toss with 16 seconds left in the third to start the rally. Then in the fourth Kasperbauer found Cade Sears twice, once from 3 yards out with 3:39 left and then a 48-yard bomb with 1:24 left in the game to lift the Cyclones to the win. The Cyclones outgained the Mustangs 291-106. Mount Vernon struggled to find offense without the Class 3A passing leader Joey Rhomburg who didn’t play after suffering an injury late in their semifinal win over Humboldt. Harlan ends the season at 12-1. Mount Vernon also ended their year at 12-1.

Class 1A

Van Meter 35, West Sioux, Hawarden 7

Van Meter used balanced offense and a ball hawking defense to repeat as Class 1A Champions. The Bulldogs picked off 4 West Sioux passes, returning two for touchdowns to boost the win. The Bulldogs repeat at 12-1. West Sioux is runner up again at 11-2.

Class 5A

Southeast Polk 49, Valley, W.D.M. 14

Southeast Polk running back Abu Sama carried the ball 24 times for 372 yards and 6 TDs, breaking IHSAA title game records, and the Rams repeated as 5A champs. They finished with 432 yards rushing as a team and 690 yards of total offense. The Rams finish at 12-1. Valley has their great postseason run stopped and finish 8-5.

Third ranked Northwestern College puts a nine game winning streak on the line this Saturday in the opening round of the NAIA Playoffs at home against 17th ranked Dickinson State. For Northwestern and coach Matt McCarty it is a familiar foe.

McCarty says Dickinson State hangs its hat on defense.

The Blue Hawks lead the nation with 22 interceptions.

The Drake basketball team is getting healthier as the Bulldogs get set to take on Buffalo Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. Senior guard D.J. Wilkins played 21 minutes in a win over Wofford this week while senior point guard Roman Penn played 17 minutes. Wilkins is coming back from ACL surgery after last season while Penn had surgery to repair a broken foot.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries. Wilkins says it will take a few games to improve timing and get into game shape.

Penn says they key right now is getting minutes.

It would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago but Drake will finish with a better record than last season with a win on Saturday at Valparaiso. The Bulldogs started the season 0-8 but have won two straight, including a 27-24 win over Pioneer Football League title contender Butler last week. Drake finished last season 2-9.

That’s Drake coach Todd Stepsis, who says the first win at Stetson in late October changed everything for his team.

After struggling in the fourth quarter most of the season the Bulldogs are now making the plays it takes to win.