(Radio Iowa) — It appears a bill that would legalize and tax sports betting in Iowa may ban bets on games involving college and university teams FROM IOWA. Representative Vicki Lensing of Iowa City says there were concerns some athletes might be pressured to miss a free throw or drop a pass in order to secure certain outcome. “I’m not assuming that young athletes would be swayed, but we want to take away that temptation,” Lensing says.

A House committee endorsed the proposal to ban bets on the performance of athletes in games or matches involving Iowa college teams today (Wednesday). Another panel in the House also has voted to tack the concept onto the sports betting bill. Lensing says she’d prefer to ban bets on ANY college sport, but she’s pleased there’s momentum for at least banning bets on Iowa college and university teams.

“They are playing for the sport of the game and not to be influenced by money or anything else that might change how they play the game,” Lensing says. Members of the House and Senate are considering a plan that would let the state-licensed casinos offer an “app” for placing bets on professional and college sports. Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton is the House Republican who’s been assigned the task of rounding up “yes” votes for legalized sports betting.

“Historically, gambling bills are not partisan,” Kaufmann said during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting today. “This isn’t going to pass without bipartisan votes and so I commit today to work with all of you to ensure that we have the conversation that can make this palatable for everyone.”

The proposal calls for imposing a state tax on the bets placed on sporting events. Bill backers warn it won’t yield millions in extra revenue for the state, but will police, regulate and tax a currently illegal activity.

The Northwest Missouri State men’s basketball team is on to the Elite Eight after winning the NCAA Division II Central Region Final on Tuesday over Missouri Southern State 82-70.

The Bearcats struggled a bit early but Atlantic alum Ryan Hawkins helped Northwest keep pace by scoring the team’s first 13 points of the game. The Bear cats came alive when Joey Witthus hit a three with more than 11 minutes gone in the game to give the Bearcats the lead. Ryan Welty hit three straight long balls to spark a 17-4 run that put the Bearcats up by 9 at half.

Northwest was strong from the foul line in the second half to secure the win. Ryan Hawkins led all-scorers with 28 points. Freshman Trevor Hudgins finished with 22 and was 12-12 from the free throw line.

Kinzer Lambert had 27 points and 11 rebounds for Missouri Southern State as they finished the season 25-8.

Northwest improved to 35-0 on the season and will now head to Evansville, Indiana for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight March 27-30. The Bearcats will be the top seed in the Elite Eight and will face Mercyhurst in the Quarterfinal round at 2:30pm on Wednesday the 27th.

Ryan Hawkins and Joey Witthus were both named to the NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team.

Brandon Baier of Atlantic was part of a 4 x 100 meter relay team representing the United States that placed 4th in the M10 division at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.  Brandon was joined on the team by  Calvin Massenburg,  Christopher Lloyd Xzavion Tucker and James Enoch Dawson.  They ran a time of :51.22 in the finals.  A team from Hong Kong won the gold medal, a Canadian team was second and a team from Australia took the bronze medal.

Brandon also placed fifth in his division in the 100 meters on Tuesday.  He brings home a bronze medal that he won in the shot put earlier this week.

A welcome home event will be held for Brandon this Saturday morning with a fire truck caravan leading him into Atlantic at 10:30 am.  A reception will be held at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA at about 10:45 am.  All are welcome and encouraged to show their support!

It was the Atlantic boys track team’s turn to hit the track in Ames on Tuesday at the Iowa State High School Classic.

The Trojans took home a title in the 1600 Sprint Medley Relay. The team of Collin Mullenix, Tyler Moen, Zade Niklasen and Chase Mullenix ran a time of 3:38.80.

Atlantic also took 4th in the 4x400M Relay with the team of Zade Niklasen, Tyler Moen, Craig Allen Becker, and Chase Mullenix running 3:27.

Jerry Jorgensen of Treynor took 4th in the 3200M with a time of 9:41.96 and Jack Tiarks was 4th in the High Jump for the Cardinals.

Glenwood’s Zach Vondra took third in the Long Jump.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have signed cornerback Bashaud Breeland to a $2 million contract for the upcoming season that could be worth an additional $3 million with certain incentives. The Chiefs have been looking for a cornerback to replace Steven Nelson, whom they lost in free agency, while providing an upgrade to their beleaguered defense.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Martin Krampelj had 17 points to lead five Creighton players in double figures as the Bluejays defeated Loyola of Chicago 70-61 in the first round of the NIT. Marcus Zegarowski added 12 points for the Bluejays.

The UNI Panthers women’s basketball team earn an invitation to compete in the WNIT. The Panthers (20-12) will travel to Minneapolis for a first round game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-10).

The Panthers and Gophers have met 10 times with the Panthers going 0-5 in Minneapolis in the series.

The opening round game will be played on Friday at 6:30pm.

Check out the full WNIT bracket here: 2019_Post_WNIT_Bracket

After a stellar season the Drake women’s basketball team had their named called for the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs (27-6) drew a 10 seed and will play their opening round game in Iowa City against the 7th-seeded Missouri Tigers (23-10). The game will be played on Friday, March 22nd at 3:00pm Central and be televised by ESPN2.

The Bulldogs could potentially meet up with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round as the Hawks are the 2 in the same section of the bracket.

Drake was the Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions and came up short in the MVC tournament finals to Missouri State this past Sunday.

The Iowa Tennis Coaches Association has released their preseason top 10 rankings for the upcoming boys 2019 season. Atlantic is ranked 10th in the preseason poll in Class 1A.

Class 1A

1. Wahlert Catholic
2. Maharishi, Fairfield
3. Cedar Rapids Xavier
4. Pella
5. Ballard (Tie for 5th)
6. Boone (Tie for 5th)
7. Kuemper Catholic
8. Waterloo Columbus
9. Denison-Schleswig
10. Atlantic

Others receiving votes: Glenwood, Red Oak

Atlantic’s Brandon Baier placed fifth today in the M28 division finals of the 100 meter dash at the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi..  His time was :13.2.  Brandon will compete in his final event, the 4 x 100 meter relay, on Wednesday.