Iowa

FDU women relishing underdog role vs. Iowa in NCAA Tournament

Published

3 months ago

March 20, 2026

FDU women relishing underdog role vs. Iowa in NCAA Tournament

Fairleigh Dickinson coach Stephanie Gaitley is headed back to where it began.

Three years ago, Gaitley’s first game on the sidelines for FDU was at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Caitlin Clark’s team torched the Knights by nearly 60 points.

“Our kids, kind of their eyes were in the headlights, so to speak,” Gaitley told The Post. “And they just kind of weren’t sure what was going to hit them with that sellout crowd.”

Gaitley doesn’t anticipate the same lopsided outcome Saturday when 15th-seeded FDU takes on second-seeded Iowa in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sportsbooks favor the Hawkeyes by more than 30 points. But Gaitley views Saturday’s game as an opportunity to measure FDU’s monstrous growth over the past three seasons.

“Three years ago … we were a completely different team,” Gaitley said. “We’re going in with a different type of mentality right now because of the fact that we built what we built this year and I think the kids are going in with a lot of confidence. They know the task at hand is a difficult one, but they’re welcoming the opportunity and they have, as always, played with that chip on the shoulder.”

FDU experienced a lot of turnover from last year’s team, which went dancing for the first time in program history. Three of the Knights’ starters were seniors; another, Lilly Parke, suffered a torn ACL over the summer.

Sophomore Ava Renninger is the lone starter to return this season.

The Knights stumbled out of the gates, suffering back-to-back losses to Purdue and Notre Dame. Those defeats, while disappointing in the moment, ultimately helped FDU grow together.

Once NEC play came around, the Knights seemingly picked up where they left off.

FDU is starting to build a reputation as the NEC’s undisputed heavyweight champ. They haven’t lost a conference game in more than two years. They joined UConn in being the only Division I program to go undefeated in league play in back-to-back seasons.

Sophomore Ava Renninger is the lone starter to return for FDU this season. Getty Images

Rennington, now a leader on the team, said this season “was even harder” than the last.

“Obviously, the 18-0 looks easy to everyone,” Rennington said. “It was a dogfight.”

There’s a mentality switch for teams such as FDU heading into March Madness. For the majority of the season, the Knights shouldered the pressure of being the team to beat in their conference. They were the vanquishers, the ones expected to win every game.

Come Saturday, FDU is freed of those expectations.

“It’s kind of a pressure cooker when you’re building up from winning 18-0 and then you got to win three more against three teams that you’ve already beaten twice,” Gaitley said. “And so I think this is kind of a relief, switching that role of being the Goliath to being the David.”

FDU head coach Stephanie Gaitley said her team is relishing its underdog role vs. No. 2 seed Iowa. Getty Images

This is the second consecutive season FDU is headed to the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Knights, then a 15 seed, were blown out by second-seeded TCU in the Round of 64.

Rennington remembered being “shell-shocked” last year. FDU was just happy to be included in the NCAA Tournament.

The excitement is still there this time around, but there’s also an eagerness to surprise some people.

Iowa enters March Madness coming off a 51-point loss to UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament’s championship game.

The Hawkeyes’ size could be a problem for FDU.

Iowa boasts a dominant frontcourt, anchored by sophomore center Ava Heiden (17.4 points and 7.3 rebounds) and senior forward Hannah Stuelke (13.4 points and 8.5 rebounds). They’re surrounded by steady shooters, including Chazadi Wright, who’s converting on 45.2 percent of attempts from deep.

But FDU is scrappy, confident and playing freely — a dangerous combination in March.

“We want to show them how good we are,” Rennington said. “A lot of people obviously are going to see us as an underdog, as a 15 seed, and I prefer that perspective than a Goliath because they’re not expecting you to come out. They’re like, ‘Oh, you’re a good team,’ but, like, as an underdog, you can come out and shock a lot of people by coming out and playing Iowa really well.”

“Our kids, they’re fighters,” Gaitley said. “I don’t think these kids are afraid at all. I think they’re just excited about the opportunity.”

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From Juneteenth to Pride, four weekend events happening in Iowa City

Published

10 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Press Room

From Juneteenth to Pride, four weekend events happening in Iowa City

It is a busy weekend in Iowa City as summer officially begins on Sunday. From Iowa City Pride and Juneteenth celebrations, there is no shortage of activity happening around town.

Here are four events to check out.

Enter the whimsical world of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Lower City Park

Thursday to Sunday: Riverside Theatre’s summer tradition, Shakespeare in the Park, has returned to Lower City Park. Catch a free performance of William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” that follows the chaotic events of four entangled lovers and a troupe of actors wandering into a mystical forest. All of the free shows through the weekend start at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrate Juneteenth with live entertainment and community

Friday: The Black Voices Project and Dream City are teaming up to host the community-wide Juneteenth Celebration. At 1 p.m. Friday, June 19, at the South District Market Parking lot, enjoy live music from Kevin Burt, along with community presentations, activities for all ages, and a fashion showcase.

Show your pride at Iowa City Pride events

Saturday: Iowa City Pride is back for the 56th year. Principal events, the Pride Parade and Pride Festival, will start at noon on Saturday, June 20. The festival will be on the Ped Mall, and the parade will begin at College Green Park, working its way downtown along Iowa Avenue and East Washington Street. The festival runs from 12 to 9 p.m.

Catch a romantic comedy under the stars at FilmScene in the Park

Saturday: FilmScene in the Park returns at 9:15 p.m., Saturday, June 20, with a screening of the cult classic “13 Going on 30″ at Chauncey Swan Park. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions, including beer and wine, will be available 30 minutes before the film begins.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_

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Iowa Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday results for June 16, 2026

Published

20 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Press Room

The Iowa Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big with rewards ranging from $1,000 to millions. The most an Iowan has ever won from playing the lottery was $343 million in 2018 off the Powerball.

Don’t miss out on the winnings. Here’s a look at Tuesday, June 16, 2026, winning numbers for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 16 drawing

12-20-53-67-70, Mega Ball: 12

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-3 numbers from June 16 drawing

Midday: 4-2-6

Evening: 0-8-5

Check Pick-3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick-4 numbers from June 16 drawing

Midday: 1-5-4-3

Evening: 2-8-3-9

Check Pick-4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 16 drawing

01-13-21-40-57, Bonus: 01

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Iowa Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 3 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Day): 12:20 p.m. CT daily.
Pick 4 (Evening): 10:00 p.m. CT daily.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Iowa editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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At least 7 tornadoes hit Iowa June 11 as storms swept across Midwest

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Press Room

At least 7 tornadoes hit Iowa June 11 as storms swept across Midwest

It was an active day for severe weather on Thursday, June 11, in Iowa, with at least seven confirmed tornadoes statewide.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service have been surveying storm damage and weather data to confirm more than a half-dozen tornadoes that hit the state. The majority of the tornadoes were rated EF-1, with two producing winds up to 110 mph.

Here’s a roundup of all the confirmed tornado reports from June 11.

Confirmed tornadoes in Iowa on June 11

There were at least 7 confirmed touchdowns in Iowa on June 11.

No injuries or fatalities were reported from any of the tornadoes. Most of the tornadoes occurred between about 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. and were concentrated in southwest Iowa.

5:29 a.m. An EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 110 mph touched down near Thurman in Fremont County, just east of the Missouri River. The tornado tracked 1.5 miles, was 30 yards wide and ended after crossing Interstate 29 at 5:31 a.m., where a home lost most of its roof and trees were damaged, according to the National Weather Service in Omaha.
5:33 a.m. The NWS confirmed an EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 65 mph touched down north of Tabor in Fremont County. The 20-yard-wide tornado traveled 1.7 miles, damaged a few trees near and ended at 5:35 a.m.
5:58 a.m. An EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 mph touched down just east of Coburg in Montgomery County. The tornado tracked just over 7 miles and was up to 100 yards wide, damaging trees and farm outbuildings before ending at 6:08 a.m., according to the NWS.
6:08 a.m. An EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 105 mph formed east of Stanton in Montgomery County. The tornado traveled 5.2 miles, was 75 yards wide and caused extensive damage, including uprooting trees around Viking Lake, causing minor damage to homes, collapsing an outbuilding and downing power lines. The tornado also “lofted grain bins from over a mile away into the interchange of Highway 71 and Highway 34,” according to the NWS. It ended at 6:16 a.m.
6:11 a.m. Also in Montgomery County, an EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 mph developed south of Villisca. The 50‑yard‑wide tornado traveled 1.9 miles, damaging trees, a farm outbuilding and a carport before ending near the county line at 6:13 a.m., according to the NWS
6:26 a.m. An EF-2 tornado with estimated peak winds of 115 mph was confirmed in Adams County. The tornado traveled 6 miles, was up to 200 yards wide and ended at 6:32 a.m.

At around 4:05 p.m. on June 11, a brief tornado occurred near Ainsworth in Washington County, according to the NWS Quad Cities office. No damage was reported, and the tornado’s strength was not reported.

What’s the forecast in Des Moines?

Central Iowa faces a late-night start to severe weather Tuesday, June 16, followed by multiple rounds of storms Wednesday, June 17, including the potential for large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS. The high in Des Moines will reach around 87 degrees, with temperatures dropping to near 60 overnight. Wind gusts could reach as high as 38 mph.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

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