Iowa

3 takeaways from Iowa State basketball’s win over Arizona State

Published

2 months ago

March 8, 2026

3 takeaways from Iowa State basketball’s win over Arizona State

AMES — Whether they were Iowa State basketball lifers like Tamin Lipsey or late arrivals through the transfer portal, all of the Cyclones’ seniors embraced the roaring cheers at Hilton Coliseum in one final home game.

Arizona State looked to be a spoiler early, with the Cyclones trailing at the half, but Iowa State responded with a resurgent second-half effort to enjoy an 86-65 win over the Sun Devils and send their seniors off in style to close out the regular season on Saturday, March 7.

The Cyclones (25-6, 12-6 Big 12 Conference) deployed an all-senior lineup in the closing minutes of the game, before coach T.J. Otzelberger pulled Nate Heise, Joshua Jefferson and Lipsey out of the game with 1:10 remaining for a standing ovation from the crowd.

“It was a long day,” Lipsey said. “Just thinking about it right when I woke up in the morning, it hit me more than the past couple days. There’s a lot of emotions from when I stepped on the court for my pre-workout and when we all lined up out there. I was holding back tears sometimes. I saw a bunch of the students with the headbands on. That meant a lot to see that.

“A lot of tears have been in my eyes, as I’ve tried to keep them in a little bit, but I was just grateful for it.”

Lipsey had 16 points, six assists and six steals. Jefferson also chipped in 16 points, with seven boards, two steals and a block. Milan Momcilovic shot 4-of-9 from deep and also finished with 16 points. Off the bench, Jamarion Batemon had 13 points, while Dominykas Pleta had 11.

For Arizona State (16-15, 7-11), Massamba Diop had 12 points, two blocks and seven turnovers. Moe Odum and Anthony Johnson each chipped in 10 points.

Here are three takeaways from Iowa State’s win over Arizona State:

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger on 24-0 run vs Arizona St

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger on the Cyclones’ 24-0 run in the second half of their win over Arizona State.

Tale of two halves, with a decisive 24-0 run for Iowa State

A sloppy finish to the first half for Iowa State allowed Arizona State to go on a 10-0 run over the final 2:04 to take a 41-37 halftime lead. The Cyclones had three turnovers during the Sun Devils’ blitz and quickly saw a nine-point lead disappear.

After the break, Iowa State emerged reinvigorated. It outscored the Sun Devils, 33-7, over the first 13 and a half minutes out of the locker room. At one point during that dominant run, the Cyclones scored 24 unanswered points.

The lopsided second-half showing was an encapsulation of the Cyclones at their best. Iowa State was generating turnovers at a high clip, Arizona State went more than 10 minutes between made shots and various Cyclones were making momentum-boosting plays.

“It obviously starts with Killyan (Toure) and I guarding the ball, but it’s great to see the plays that (Dominykas) Pleta was making and Blake (Buchanan) get up to the ball screen, they can create turnovers and deflections as well,” Lipsey said of the 24-0 run. “When they’re doing that, it’s hard to move the ball against us and score against us, so when all five guys are playing together and playing on a string, rotating like we were in the second half, it’s definitely hard to play us.”

Both teams traded baskets to begin the second half, but Momcilovic and Jefferson each drilled 3-pointers to retake the lead for Iowa State and begin the streak of 24 straight points. Lipsey topped off the run with a 3-pointer of his own to make it 65-45 with 8:38 remaining.

The Cyclones shot 50.0% as a team in the second half. Defensively, they held Arizona State to just 6-of-19 (31.6%) from the floor for the rest of the game after it shot 58.3% in the first half.

Iowa State’s ball pressure was unrelenting. The Sun Devils turned the ball over 23 times, which Iowa State turned into 29 points the other way. Thirteen of those turnovers came in the second half.

“It’s been a surefire way to put ourselves in a great position, to have great on-ball defense, great ball pressure, speed our opponent up and force them to play under duress, get those turnovers and then get out and go in transition,” Otzelberger said. “We just have to do a very consistent job of maintaining that mindset for the full 40 minutes every single game, because when we do that, we’re really tough to play against. We generate those turnovers, get out and go, that’s when we’re at our best.”

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger on Tamin Lipsey senior day

Iowa State basketball coach TJ Otzelberger shared his thoughts on Tamin Lipsey’s impact after senior day.

Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson and Iowa State seniors go out in style

The paths that led them to Ames may be different, but there’s no doubting Iowa State seniors’ gratitude for their time in cardinal and gold.

Lipsey, Jefferson, Heise, Dominick Nelson and Eric Mulder were all honored in the Cyclones’ senior day festivities before Saturday’s game.

Heise was honored again after also being honored in last season’s senior day. He decided to return for a sixth-year of college basketball due to a medical redshirt during his time at UNI.

“I actually asked Heise yesterday or earlier today, because he went through it last year as well, I asked him, ‘How does it work?’ and he had no clue,” Lipsey said. “That’s a funny story, but, yeah, just cherishing the moment was the most important thing.”

The five seniors were greeted with roaring applause from the home crowd during the pregame ceremony. Jefferson and Lipsey received extra cheers when they were introduced as starters one final time at Hilton Coliseum. The crowd was buzzing throughout the game, but they screamed one final time as Jefferson, Lipsey, and Heise checked out in the final minutes.

“Just a ton of gratitude and appreciation,” Jefferson, who also noted coming to Iowa State was the best decision of his life, said. “These people, with open arms, they let me in and I’m very appreciative for the two years I spent here and I’m excited to continue on with this year and continue playing.”

For Lipsey, there aren’t enough words from the hometown hero to describe his emotion.

“The gratitude I have for all the fans and obviously the coaches for believing in me since day one,” Lipsey said. “It’s been a long time, a quick four years, I guess you could say. For me, it’s been really quick, but I’m just thankful for the opportunity and obviously to keep going forward to winning more games.”

Iowa State basketball’s Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson on senior day

Iowa State basketball players Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson digest and react to the Cyclones’ senior day win over Arizona State.

Iowa State underclassmen step up on senior day

The spotlight might have been on the Cyclones’ seniors, but Iowa State also got good performances from a couple of its younger players.

Momcilovic shot 4-of-9 from deep and was tied with Lipsey and Jefferson with a team-high 16 points. He also had a game-high +31 plus-minus rating.

However, there’s no overlooking the contributions made by freshmen Pleta and Batemon off the bench.

Pleta was hyper-efficient and was strong on the glass and with his defensive effort. He had 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, with five rebounds, including three offensive, and two steals in just 14 minutes of action.

“Pleta had one of his best games,” Otzelberger said. “The steal he had early in the second half, where he did the German-Euro-foot-shuffle step, whatever that was, was pretty awesome. That really got our guys going. He had so many energy plays, he played terrific.”

Batemon added 13 points and shot 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, with a couple of his long-range baskets coming at crucial points to ignite his team and the home crowd.

“He just has such gravity to how he plays, so much energy and enthusiasm,” Otzelberger said. “When he’s at his best, when he’s defending and rebounding, his offense really goes well for him.”

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5

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Iowa

Democrats will debate in Iowa US Senate primary shaped by outside money and big-name endorsements

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2026

Press Room

Democrats will debate in Iowa US Senate primary shaped by outside money and big-name endorsements

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Democrats vying to be Iowa’s next U.S. senator are scheduled to debate Thursday, as each seeks to convince voters he’s better positioned to flip the Republican-held seat in a contest that has seen heavy outside spending and high-profile endorsements.

State lawmakers Zach Wahls and Josh Turek are competing in a June 2 primary. It is one of a few remaining competitive Democratic Senate primaries this year, as the party looks to find the best approach to reclaim the U.S. Senate this fall.

Iowa’s Republican Sen. Joni Ernst opted out of a reelection bid, leaving the seat open for the first time since she replaced retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin in 2014. Republican Senate leaders have backed Ashley Hinson, a congresswoman representing northeast Iowa, committing $29 million for her to help keep their thin majority.

Democrats see an opportunity to flip seats in the once-competitive state, despite President Donald Trump’s double-digit win in the last presidential election and an all-Republican federal delegation. But first they need to settle which federal candidate will be at the top of the ticket. Early voting began Wednesday.

An influx of cash has shaped the final stretch

While Wahls and Turek have raised and spent similar amounts, a Democratic political organization, VoteVets, has spent about $7 million to support Turek in the final stretch of the campaign. That’s more than the two candidates have spent combined.

Turek, who is not a veteran, was born with spina bifida after his father’s exposure to chemicals while serving in the Vietnam War. The group has said Turek is uniquely positioned to advocate for veterans’ services, especially health care and military families.

Wahls has criticized the influx of cash as insiders in Washington trying to exert outsized influence, and it’s likely to come up again Thursday, as it did at an Iowa Press debate last week.

Tensions over the future of the party

Wahls has been vocal about who should — or should not — lead Senate Democrats, saying he would not vote for Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York to be the caucus leader.

“The leadership of Chuck Schumer has failed the Democratic Party, it has failed the state and it has failed this country,” Wahls said during last week’s debate. “Dark money has an agenda, and that agenda is to protect the broken status quo and the failed leadership of Sen. Schumer.”

Schumer has tried to keep the focus on Republicans.

Wahls is endorsed by U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who joined him in Iowa for campaign events over the weekend. The progressive senator told voters the Senate needs Democrats who are willing to “get in there and stand up and fight.” Wahls also often highlights the support he’s seen from unions and local elected officials.

Turek responded to Wahls’ criticism saying he’s not a “DC insider.”

“I don’t know these folks,” he said. Turek explained his criteria for leader candidates but stopped short of saying he wouldn’t support Schumer.

“I will go up and ask whoever is deciding to run for leadership … ‘What are you going to do for Iowa? What are you going to do for Iowans? What are you going to do for the middle class?’” Turek said.

In the last week, Turek unveiled a rare endorsement from Harkin, who represented Iowa in Washington for three decades, as well as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Turek also has collected endorsements from sitting U.S. senators, including Illinois’ Tammy Duckworth, New Hampshire’s Maggie Hassan and Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto.

Drawing greater contrast on issues

In the first debate last week, Turek and Wahls were aligned on many issues. Both said that they would not support the Republican president’s tariffs or the war in Iran and that they do support raising the minimum wage and restoring health care access with a public insurance option. They criticized corruption in Washington and proposed higher taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans.

But they also started to draw some contrasts. More of that is likely Thursday.

Wahls referenced a law Turek supported in the Iowa legislature that makes it a state crime to be in the U.S. illegally. Turek defended his vote, saying it was Biden-era legislation and stressed the importance of a secure U.S.-Mexico border. Turek said he also supports an easier path to citizenship and reforms to immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

Turek highlighted his working-class background and contrasted his work for a nonprofit with Wahls’ work for a super PAC focused on electing young Democrats.

___

Follow the AP’s coverage of the 2026 election at https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/.

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Iowa State wrestling adds ex-Hawkeye Dru Ayala from transfer portal

Published

17 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Iowa State wrestling adds ex-Hawkeye Dru Ayala from transfer portal

Iowa State wrestling has added another lightweight through the transfer portal, earning the commitment of former Hawkeye Dru Ayala on Wednesday, May 13.

Ayala has been with the Hawkeyes for two seasons, with an 11-4 record as a true freshman and not competing in 2025-26. The 125-pounder will have at least three years of eligibility remaining.

“Grateful for where I’ve been, excited for where I’m going. Go Cyclones,” Ayala said in an Instagram post.

Before his time in Iowa, Ayala was a four-time state medalist with Fort Dodge. He made the state semifinals all four years and had a 153-16 record. He is the brother of former Hawkeye wrestler Drake Ayala, who recently accepted a position as an assistant coach with the Cyclones.

Iowa State has had multiple major departures with Anthony Echemendia, Christian Castillo, Daniel Herrera and others heading to the transfer portal. As a result, the Cyclones have been busy adding to the roster, with Dru Ayala joining Ayden Smith (Rutgers), Brayden Thompson (Oklahoma State) and Rin Sakamoto (Oklahoma State).

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.

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Candidates for Warren County’s Iowa House District 22 tackle issues

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Candidates for Warren County’s Iowa House District 22 tackle issues

Two candidates are running for the Iowa House District 22 seat encompassing Norwalk, Carlisle, Cumming and Martensdale.

First-term Republican Rep. Samantha Fett faces a challenge from Democrat Rory Taylor, who she defeated in 2024 to fill the open seat.

Both candidates are unopposed for their party’s nomination.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal, statewide and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The primary election is scheduled for June 2.

Click below to see learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key issues:

Political party: Republican.
Age: 46.
Residence: Carlisle.
Occupation: Marketing and communications director for Inspired Life Inc.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Drake University.
Political experience: Moms for Liberty – Warren County, Carlisle School Board member 2019-2021, Warren County Central Committee member, Capitol Region Republican Women, Iowa Federation of Republican Women, National Federation of Republican Women.

Who is Rory Taylor?

Political party: Democrat.
Age: 65.
Residence: Norwalk.
Occupation: Retired.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, minor in political science, Iowa State University.
Political experience: Bevington City Council.

Fett (R): My top issue is strengthening Iowa’s education system. I believe parents should have a leading voice in their children’s education because families want meaningful options. I support high academic standards, safe learning environments and policies that protect children while ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. I will work on policies that continue to focus on all students reaching their potential through measurable, objective achievements and by expanding and enhancing the supply of creative education. Education shapes the next generation, and it remains my highest priority.

Taylor (D): Water quality in our state. We need to increase monitoring the water sources we use for our drinking water. Our nitrate levels are in direct correlation to our cancer rates in the state. We need to work with our farmers to mitigate the problem, not blame them for it!

Taylor (D): We need to restructure the voucher program. Students with financial needs could be accommodated, but not the wealthiest of our population. We need to provide more funding for our AEAs and improvement in teacher pay. Bring back our industrial arts programs.

Fett (R): I support policies that put students and families first. That includes strengthening parental rights, expanding educational options and making sure all education models — public schools, homeschool, private and public charter schools — can succeed. I also support a balanced approach to digital learning, since excessive screen time can affect attention and academic progress. I believe Iowa should set developmentally appropriate limits on digital instruction and prioritize strong foundational skills like reading, writing and real classroom connection so every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Fett (R): I support Iowa’s recent tax changes because the state was collecting far more than it needed. With full reserves, a $2 billion ending balance, and over $4 billion in the Taxpayer Relief Fund, returning money to Iowans is the responsible choice. The 3.8% rate keeps Iowa competitive, and temporary revenue dips were planned for. Looking ahead, I would support additional tax law changes that continue this philosophy: keeping government efficient, ensuring strong reserves and returning excess dollars to taxpayers.

Taylor (D): I do not support all the tax changes. I believe moving Iowa’s tax structure for both corporate and income to be more progressive. This would raise taxes on corporations, higher-income individuals and lower taxes on lower-income individuals.

Taylor (D): Water quality standards: Strengthen, enforce and monitor water quality standards to reduce carcinogens like nitrates and PFAS from agricultural runoff.

Fett (R): I support practical, targeted actions that reduce known risks and strengthen research. Iowa is a major radon hotspot, and radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer. House File 2297 is an important step requiring passive radon mitigation. A cost-effective protection helps ensure families aren’t unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels. I support the pediatric cancer research bill, which provides dedicated funding to advance research and improve outcomes for Iowa children. This investment and reducing environmental risks give Iowa a stronger and more effective path to lowering cancer rates. Chemical regulation: Improve monitoring of pesticides and fertilizer application, ensuring public health is central to agricultural policy. Radon mitigation: Fund widespread radon testing. Protect Medicaid expansion, which supports cancer screening and care for over 180,000 Iowans. HPV vaccine access: Protect access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations to prevent future cancer.

Fett (R): Protecting private property rights is essential. Based on that standard, I do not support using eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines, as these projects do not meet the threshold of traditional public use infrastructure and raise significant concerns for landowners. I have consistently opposed the misuse of eminent domain and will continue standing with Iowa landowners on this issue.

Taylor (D): Public projects, such as infrastructure (highways, bridges) and utilities. And as long as there is fair compensation and due process.

Taylor (D): Voucher program would be a start. And the tax cuts that have been made haven’t stimulated the economy as the Republican Party has suggested they would. I don’t see any other cuts I would suggest. The key is tax revenue, and what we have in place now isn’t working!

Fett (R): Iowa’s recent revenue dip was fully expected when income taxes were reduced. I support a disciplined, responsible approach to budgeting that ensures we fund key priorities like public schools, nursing homes and public safety while still allowing Iowans to keep more of what they earn. The Taxpayer Relief Fund was created specifically to manage temporary revenue decreases during tax reform, providing stability without jeopardizing essential services. My focus is on maintaining disciplined budgeting so Iowa continues meeting its obligations without over taxing families.

Read more about the midterm candidates at: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/news/elections/.

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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