Iowa

3 keys to the game for Iowa State women’s basketball vs Utah

Published

2 months ago

February 6, 2026

3 keys to the game for Iowa State women’s basketball vs Utah

AMES – When Iowa State women’s basketball’s long break in the Big 12 season arrived, the team had just gotten back on track.

The Cyclones picked up their fourth-straight win, had knocked off another ranked opponent and were getting some much-needed momentum.

But the way coach Bill Fennelly looks at it, the break couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Our team needed it,” Fennelly said.

The Cyclones (18-5, 6-5 Big 12) will find out if the extended break helped when they begin an important road trip that kicks off when they travel to Utah (16-7, 7-4) for a Feb. 7 game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. The 6 p.m. CT contest will be the Cyclones’ first game since a Jan. 31 win over UCF.

“I think overall it came at a good time for us,” Fennelly said.

It’s easy to see why fans may not have wanted the break to come when it did. Iowa State just regrouped following a five-game losing streak that nearly derailed the season. The Cyclones picked up wins over Cincinnati and Arizona. They then knocked off No. 20 Texas Tech on Jan. 28.

But Fennelly believes his team needed a breather as the roster dealt with injuries. Point guard Jada Williams hadn’t been feeling well. Guard Reese Beaty had missed time with a foot injury. Fellow guard Arianna Jackson missed three games with a knee injury. Forward Addy Brown has been out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.

Those injuries took thier toll on the Cyclones, with Fennelly having to go deep into his bench as they tried to get back on track. With so many players dealing with so many things, simply practicing had gotten difficult. The time off allowed them to get some rest and regroup.

“We had some kids that were physically wobbling and the rest probably outweighed anything,” Fennelly said.

Players got the day after the win over UCF off. The team had light workouts over the next two days and then got another day off. Fennelly hopes that by keeping them off their feet for some time, the Cyclones will be able to sprint to the finish line of the regular season.

It could be a mad dash for Iowa State, which may still be trying to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. At the very least, the Cyclones will be trying to improve their seeding. There will be tons of shots to impress with seven regular season games remaining. The next few days will be huge with road games at Utah and then at BYU on Feb. 10.

“Definitely huge,” said Iowa State senior Sydney Harris.

Here are three things to keep an eye on during the Cyclones’ trip to Utah.

Don’t overlook Utah

Utah’s record doesn’t stand out, but the Utes’ resume certainly does. Utah took down now No. 12 TCU in overtime back on Jan. 3. The Utes also toppled West Virginia, currently ranked No. 20, on Jan. 27. They’re also coming off a 67-57 win at UCF. So, it won’t be an easy matchup for Iowa State.

Can the Cyclones survive the extended road trip?

This will be an important stretch for Iowa State, which won’t be home for a while. The Cyclones play at Utah on Feb. 7 and then travel to BYU on for a game on Feb. 10. Iowa State won’t make the trip back to Ames in between games. The next time the Cyclones play in Ames will be on Feb. 15 against Kansas State. Iowa State has had mixed results on the road, going 3-3 in true road games this season, though they are 2-0 in neutral-site games.

Will there be any rust to shake off for Iowa State women’s basketball?

The Cyclones are coming off one of their uglier wins of the season, a 65-62 victory over UCF on Jan. 31. Iowa State was in control for most of the game, but it still wasn’t pretty. It shot just 25% (9-of-36) from 3-point range and only 54.5% (6-of-11) from the free throw line.

So, with the ugly win and the long layoff, who knows what to expect from Iowa State early on?

Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

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Iowa

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Published

9 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Lawmakers have yet to agree on whether private companies should be allowed to use eminent domain for a proposed carbon capture pipeline, leaving landowners and industry groups waiting on an outcome that could have lasting impacts across the state.

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Iowa

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

Published

22 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:

The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.

The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.

What Iowa bills missed the cut?

Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.

What Iowa bills made the cut?

Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.

What big issues are hung up?

Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.

“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”

What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?

If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.

Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.

Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan

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Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.

Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton

In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Ainley Ulrich, North Union

Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr

At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.

Maryn Franken, Sioux Center

Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.

Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK

Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.

Cora Sauer, Lake Mills

Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.

Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock

Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington

Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.

Maggie McChesney, Glenwood

In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.

KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie

Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.

Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan

Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.

Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic

The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.