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Drake builds big first-half lead to beat Bradley 69-52

Sports

January 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Nick McGlynn had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Drake built a big first-half lead to beat Bradley 69-52 on Wednesday night. Drake (13-5, 2-3 Missouri Valley Conference) has defeated the Braves (8-10, 0-5) in three of the last four meetings.

The Bulldogs closed the first half on a 26-6 run for a 33-15 advantage at the break. Brady Ellingson made three 3-pointers during the surge. Tremell Murphy scored eight of his 11 points in the first half and finished with a career-high 11 rebounds. Ellingson had 15 points and D.J. Wilkins chipped in with 10.

Elijah Childs had 15 points and a career-best 13 rebounds to lead Bradley. The Braves shot just 19 of 61 (31 percent) from the field that included 12 missed 3-pointers while Drake was 26-of-50 shooting (52 percent). Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye added 13 points and Luqman Lundy had 10 for the Braves.

Haldeman scores 21, Northern Iowa holds off Indiana State

Sports

January 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Spencer Haldeman scored 21 points, Trae Berhow made 3 of 4 from the free-throw line in the final 19 seconds and Northern Iowa defeated Indiana State 69-64 on Wednesday night.

Berhow made the second of two free throws for a three-point lead, 67-64, with 19 seconds remaining. Indiana State’s Cooper Neese missed a 3-pointer and the Sycamores (10-7, 2-3 Missouri Valley) sent Berhow to the line again. He made both to seal the win.

The game was last tied, 53-53, with 4:41 remaining. UNI (8-10, 3-2) led the rest of the way but Indiana State was twice within two points in the final minute and a half. Haldeman made 4 of 8 3-point tries for Northern Iowa, while his teammates went 2 for 15. Berhow made one 3-pointer and went 3 for 4 from the line for six points. Jordan Barnes had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana State.

Iowa State hands No. 8 Texas Tech 1st Big 12 loss, 68-64

Sports

January 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — No. 8 Texas Tech had pulled even when Iowa State guard Nick Weiler-Babb pulled up from just above the free throw line and put the Cyclones back in front. Marial Shayok scored 20 points, Michael Jacobson had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Weiler-Babb knocked down the go-ahead jumper inside two minutes as the Cyclones handed the Red Raiders their first Big 12 loss with a 68-64 victory Wednesday night.

The Cyclones (13-4, 3-2 Big 12) stopped a two-game losing streak coming off a 17-point win over No. 7 Kansas that gave them a 2-0 start in conference. Iowa State matched its win total from last season, the school’s lowest in 16 years.

The Red Raiders (15-2, 4-1) were the last team without a conference loss and missed on a chance for their first 5-0 start in the Big 12, going back to 1996-97. The Red Raiders, whose only other loss was to No. 1 Duke, and Jayhawks are tied for the Big 12 lead.

The Cyclones were just the second team this season to outshoot the Red Raiders, who came in leading the nation in field goal defense at 33.8 percent. Iowa State matched the season high against Texas Tech, shooting 44 percent to 41 percent for the Red Raiders. The highest-scoring offense in the Big 12 overcame 23 percent shooting (5 of 22) from 3-point range.

UP NEXT – Iowa State plays Saturday at home against Oklahoma State, its only game at Hilton Coliseum in this four-game stretch with three on the road against Top 25 teams. The Cyclones play at No. 7 Kansas and No. 18 Mississippi next week.

Rudd, Martin lead West Virginia women by No. 18 Cyclones

Sports

January 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Lucky Rudd and Tynice Martin combined for 42 points, 16 in the fourth quarter when they made 12 of 14 free throws, and West Virginia pulled away for a 73-64 win over No. 18 Iowa State on Wednesday night. Rudd had 22 points, making 11 of 13 free throws, 7 of 8 in the fourth quarter when she had her three steals. Martin had 20 points, nine in the fourth quarter when she was 5 of 6 from the line, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Naomi Davenport added 15 points for the Mountaineers (12-4, 3-2 Big 12), who have won three straight.

Iowa State (13-4, 3-2) led 48-46 entering the fourth quarter when Martin and Rudd promptly made two free throws, which capped a 7-0 run. The Cyclones tied it but a 3-point play by Kari Niblack put West Virginia up for good.

While West Virginia was going 6 of 12 from the field and 15 of 17 from the line in the fourth quarter, Iowa State went 4 of 14, missing all five of its shots from distance, and was 8 of 8 from the line with five turnovers.

Bridget Carleton had 26 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for Iowa State.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 1/17/19

Sports

January 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

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

UNDATED (AP) — Offense wins championships in the new NFL. For the first time since the league expanded to 32 teams in 2002, none of the teams playing in the conference title game have a defense ranked in the top 10 in total yards. Only New England is among the top 10 in fewest points allowed. But, the Chiefs, Patriots, Saints and Rams do possess the four most prolific offenses in the league. That’s the first time the four highest-scoring teams play for the conference championship during the Super Bowl era.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tom Brady is the suave superstar that has been leading the New England Patriots to the AFC title game for two decades. Patrick Mahomes is the energetic young quarterback who has the Kansas City Chiefs on the doorstep of a Super Bowl. Two quarterbacks with different backgrounds and approaches who have achieved the same remarkable success this season.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes picked apart the Patriots in the second half of their regular-season meeting, nearly leading the Chiefs to a comeback win on the road. New England is hoping its effort disrupting Philip Rivers and the Chargers in the divisional round will carry over at Kansas City. Mahomes will be the sixth All-Pro quarterback to face New England in the playoffs during the Belichick-Brady era. The Patriots are 4-1 against the previous five.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska coach Tim Miles is Glynn Watson Jr.’s biggest fan. Watson is the only member of the heralded 2015 recruiting class who stayed four years with the Cornhuskers. The senior point guard has endured lots of losses and hard times in Lincoln. He’s glad he stayed because he looks at this season as an opportunity to help lead Nebraska further than it’s ever gone before in basketball. Miles says Watson’s loyalty deserves to be rewarded.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shamorie Ponds had 22 points and five assists in his return from a back injury and St. John’s broke away from Creighton for an 81-66 victory. Mustapha Heron scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Red Storm, who lost their previous two games.

UNDATED (AP) — Second-ranked Michigan goes into its road game against Wisconsin on Saturday in position to take over the No. 1 spot in The Associated Press Top 25 with a win. The Wolverines are unbeaten in 17 games and have won their last six by at least 10 points. Wisconsin has lost four of its last five. Maryland enters a tough part of its schedule. The Terrapins play seven of their next nine away from home. Iowa’s chances of climbing Big Ten standings depend on the health of Tyler Cook.

UNDATED (AP) — TCU plays at Kansas State to highlight this weekend’s Big 12 action. The Wildcats got preseason player of the year Dean Wade back from an injury, and he helped K-State stun Iowa State 58-57. TCU followed up a two-point loss at Oklahoma by blasting West Virginia by 31 points

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Avery Johnson Jr. scored 14 points to lead Alabama to a 70-60 road victory over Missouri. Johnson _ the son of Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson _ shattered his season high of four points. Donta Hall scored 12 points and hauled in 11 boards, good for the senior forward’s fifth double-double performance in his past six games.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019

News

January 17th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CST

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Some of the Democrats considering running for president in 2020 say they plan to ignore personal needling from President Donald Trump. Sen. Corey Booker of New Jersey tells The Associated Press that he doesn’t want to waste his time on negativity when voters want to hear a positive message. Another potential Trump opponent, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, says it’s a tricky challenge to stand your ground but not allow Trump to define the agenda every day.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators say they have arrested a 32-year-old man who may be linked to several sexual assaults near the University of Iowa campus. Carlos Hivento of Cedar Rapids was arrested last week and charged in the November sexual assault of a 19-year-old girl he allegedly met at an Iowa City bar. Investigators are looking into whether he’s connected to several other assault reports.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is describing comments by Republican Rep. Steve King about white supremacy as “abhorrent.” Presidential press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is praising the move by House Republicans to strip the nine-term Iowa lawmaker of his committee assignments. King was quoted last week by The New York Times as saying: “White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization _ how did that language become offensive?” Those comments were widely denounced as racist.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A Marion man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a woman whose body was found last week on the side of an eastern Iowa highway. The Muscatine Journal reports 35-year-old Douglas Joseph Foster was charged Tuesday in the Jan. 8 death of 20-year-old Lea Ponce, of Fairfield. Investigators say Ponce was last seen alive just after midnight Jan. 7 getting into a pickup truck Foster was believed to have been driving.

Atlantic City Council recognizes 3 employees

News

January 16th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council held a short session Wednesday evening at City Hall. During their meeting, the Council paid tribute to three City employees for their ongoing years of service.

Mayor Dave Jones (Left) and Atlantic Police Sgt. Spencer Walton

Atlantic Police Sergeant Spencer Walton was given a plaque for his 10-years of outstanding service, and in keeping the community safe. Youth Services Librarian Julie Tjepkes, who has served the Atlantic Public Library for 32-years, and Adult Services Librarian Diane McFadden, who has served for 30-years, were also honored with awards.

Mayor Jones, Diane McFadden and Julie Tjepkes.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council passed a Resolution “Approving the Transfer of Funds for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2018-2019.” City Administrator John Lund updated the Council on the budget, which he said should be ready to go out during the Council’s meeting on February 6th.

He said also, the Fire Chief Mark McNees has spoken with township elders about increasing their contribution to the City of Atlantic for fire protection.  He said also there is a buyer interesting in purchasing the Atlantic Senior Center, which is in need of approximately $36,000 in repairs that would eliminate the Senior Center Funds. Lund suggested the Personnel and Finance Committee meet sometime next week with a representative or two from the buyer’s group to discuss what should be done with the building located across the parking lot from City Hall, and then send their recommendation onto the Council. The roof he said is in serious need of repair.

Lund said also, negotiations with the Public Works Union are “In a good place,” as well as with the Police Union. On a related note, Lund mentioned his concern with regard to “The rhetoric coming out of Des Moines, about more ‘property tax reform.'” He said the last time leaders in Des Moines worked on that form of tax reform, it was “Damaging enough,” and he may slow down in the negotiations, especially if they have tentative agreements, to hold onto them until he knows which direction the city is going on. Right now though, both parties seem to be in agreement with a 5-year contract, but that’s dependent on what the legislature does, and Lund does not want to lock the Unions in until there’s a clearer picture on property tax reform.

In his report, Mayor Dave Jones reminded citizens the “See Click Fix” service is seeing a lot of use, but there are numerous complaints that cannot immediately be resolved due to the legal process, while others are being taken care of as soon as possible, but the person who investigates most complaints, Kris Erickson – the Code Enforcement Officer – is part-time, and she does the best she can with the time she has. The Mayor urges citizens to please be patient.

Iowa woman pleads guilty to reduced charges in beating death

News

January 16th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The last of three suspects in the January 2017 killing of a Des Moines man has pleaded guilty to reduced charges of willful injury causing serious injury and robbery. The Des Moines Register reports that 27-year-old Monica Fagan pleaded guilty Wednesday to the charges and faces up to 35 years in prison when she sentenced Feb. 27. She had faced life in prison on a first-degree murder charge in the beating death of 31-year-old Michael Huckleberry.

Fagan admitted Wednesday to helping 26-year-old Sarah Saltz and 51-year-old Ricky Hascall tie-up, rob and beat Huckleberry in his Des Moines apartment. Hascall died in jail last year awaiting trial. Saltz pleaded guilty to robbery and theft for her role and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Marion man charged in Iowa roadside death of woman

News

January 16th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — A Marion man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a woman whose body was found last week on the side of an eastern Iowa highway. 35-year-old Douglas Joseph Foster was charged Tuesday in the Jan. 8 death of 20-year-old Lea Ponce, of Fairfield. Foster was ordered held Wednesday on $3 million cash-only bond.

Investigators say Ponce was last seen alive just after midnight Jan. 7 getting into a pickup truck Foster was believed to have been driving. Her body was found along Highway 38 less than an hour later. An autopsy report says she died of blunt force trauma and that her injuries were consistent with having been hit and dragged by a vehicle.

Foster’s preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 25.

Suspect may be linked to several sex assaults near U. Iowa

News

January 16th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Investigators say they have arrested a 32-year-old Iowa man who is believed to be linked to several sexual assaults near the University of Iowa campus. Carlos Hivento of Cedar Rapids was arrested last week and charged in the November sexual assault of a 19-year-old girl he allegedly met at an Iowa City bar. He’s being jailed pending trial.

Court records show that investigators have uncovered evidence that also links him to a 2017 sexual assault of another woman at a different Iowa City bar. And they are looking into whether he’s connected to at least three other reported assaults, including one days before his arrest.

Police say an examination of one of Hivento’s phones uncovered 1,475 videos of him having sex, using drugs or doing both since September. They’ve seized several other electronic devices.

The University of Iowa Police Department is asking anyone with information to come forward.