Iowa
Takeaways from Iowa State basketball record-setting win vs Alcorn State
T.J. Otzelberger talks new Iowa State basketball scoring records
T.J. Otzelberger talks new Iowa State basketball scoring records
AMES — At one point during the second half of Iowa State basketball’s win over Alcorn State on Dec. 3, Nate Heise knocked down a 3-pointer and the PA announcer was halfway through saying Milan Momcilovic’s name before offering a quick correction.
With the way things were going on Wednesday night, could you blame him?
Not only did Momcilovic start by going 8-for-8 from beyond the arc, but it also felt like the rest of the Cyclones couldn’t miss.
No. 9 Iowa State bulldozed visiting Alcorn State, 132-68, setting team scoring and 3-point records along the way.
Coach T.J. Otzelberger called a timeout, not even two minutes into the game, to settle his team down after a sloppy start that led to an Alcorn State 7-0 run, fueled by uncharacteristic turnovers. His players got the message and quickly put things out of reach with a 29-4 run.
The Cyclones (8-0) held a commanding 65-28 lead by halftime. They led by as much as 66 points, with 5:58 left in the game.
Momcilovic finished with a game-high 27 points and five steals. Jamarion Batemon added 26 points and shot 7-of-10 from deep off the bench. Joshua Jefferson had a 24-point, 10-assist double-double in a turnover-free outing. Heise and Killyan Toure each had 13 points, while Dominykas Pleta added 12.
Here are three takeaways from the Cyclones’ win:
Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State basketball’s recent offensive success
Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State basketball’s recent offensive success
Iowa State basketball sets several team records
The Cyclones’ 22 made 3-pointers and 132 total points are new program single-game records.
With just under six minutes to go, Jefferson ran out in transition and considered going for a layup before kicking it out to an open Momcilovic. The junior converted with a corner 3-pointer that gave the Cyclones their largest lead of the night and officially broke the program’s 3-point record.
Iowa State previously made 18 3-pointers in a 92-89 overtime win at Kansas on Feb. 4, 2017.
Batemon caught fire in the second half, recording 17 of his 26 points after the break. He also sank one final long-range basket with under a minute to go, helping the Cyclones officially set the record at 22.
“It was amazing to just have that kind of fun with your guys,” Batemon said. “We work for it every day, so to see that kind of performance like that, it was amazing to see.”
The Cyclones also broke another record from that same season. On Nov. 20, 2016, Iowa State defeated The Citadel, 130-63.
Batemon’s final 3-pointer also gave the Cyclones the single-game team scoring record.
Iowa State was unselfish in its record-setting performance, with assists on 33 of 46 baskets.
The Cyclones also set new marks for most points scored in a single half by an Otzelberger-led team. Iowa State had 60 points in the second half against Syracuse last week, but it followed up by dropping 65 first-half points against the Braves and then 67 second-half points to finish off Alcorn State.
The program record for most points in a single half was 76 points against Omaha on Dec. 31, 1991.
“We’re not necessarily in this to try to break records; we want to play to a standard and play the best we can every possession,” Otzelberger said. “It’s great to see some of our guys with their confidence get going, shooting the ball the way that they are, so we’ll just continue to do the hard work and play one possession at a time, but for the work they put in, they should feel good about the way they shared the ball, the way they shot the ball. Now we need to continue to get better doing it.”
Cade Kelderman and Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State scoring records
Cade Kelderman and Jamarion Batemon on Iowa State scoring records
Iowa State’s scorching-hot shooting display
Over Iowa State’s last 60 minutes of basketball action, which includes the second half of the Cyclones’ 95-64 slaughter of Syracuse on Nov. 26, Iowa State has amassed 192 points. That’s an impressive 3.2 points per minute.
Since the second half against Syracuse, Iowa State is shooting a blistering 68-of-96 overall (70.8%) and 28-for-41 (68.3%) from beyond the arc.
When you break it down by half against Alcorn State, Iowa State shot 22-of-29 (75.9%) and 10-for-12 from deep in the first half. There was a slight dip after the break, but the Cyclones hardly missed a beat, shooting 24-of-36 (66.7%) and 12-of-18 from long range.
“It was a lot of fun,” Iowa State guard Cade Kelderman said. “Felt like everyone on our team couldn’t miss.”
Defensively, Iowa State generated 27 turnovers, which turned into 48 points the other way.
The Cyclones also won on the glass, once again, outrebounding Alcorn State, 32-18. Iowa State had 10 offensive rebounds, which turned into 20 second-chance points.
It was an all-around dominant performance.
“Our defense has to set the tone for everything,” Otzelberger said. “How we dictate and the physicality we play with always translates to the same thing on the offensive end, so our greatest performances defensively usually translate to things going well offensively.”
Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger on Dom Nelson’s health
Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger on Dom Nelson’s health
Iowa State guard Dominick Nelson is day-to-day, Cade Kelderman ready to step up
Dominick Nelson didn’t get to join in on the high-scoring affair and was a noticeable addition to the Cyclones’ injury list.
He did not play against Alcorn State and is day-to-day with a groin injury, according to Otzelberger.
“In the game against Syracuse, something that he kind of tweaked it — a lower-body, groin (injury),” Otzelberger said. “When we got back, it was a little bit more sore than we thought. Didn’t have great burst or range of motion. He’ll continue to be evaluated, he’s getting workouts in and when he’s ready to be reintegrated, we will do that, but I’d say at this point he’s day-to-day.”
Iowa State coach T.J Otzelberger on guard Cade Kelderman
Iowa State coach T.J Otzelberger on guard Cade Kelderman
With Nelson and Tamin Lipsey dealing with groin injuries, it looks like the Cyclones will be counting on Kelderman to step into the rotation.
The Waukee native carved a niche for himself as a dependable player who could fearlessly step into extended minutes at the end of last season when the Cyclones were bogged down by injuries. The junior guard played well enough that he was promoted from walk-on to scholarship player.
Kelderman had seen some action this year, sparingly, but against Alcorn State, he entered the game early in the first half and reappeared throughout. He had seven points, seven assists, four steals and no turnovers through 16 minutes.
“We knew that his opportunity would come and more opportunities are going to continue to come his way, so what I really value and appreciate about Cade is he’s an everyday guy,” Otzelberger said. “He’s a competitor, he’s a winner and when you call his number, he’s going to step up for you. We saw that again here today.”
Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @erapay5.
The first month of the Iowa high school wrestling season has been filled with scintillating individual performances. Here’s a look at seven standouts who have been racking up bonus points in December.
Drew Anderson (Riverside)
The Class 1A state runner-up last year at 132 is up to 144 this season and he’s 14-0 with 11 technical falls, a pair of pins and a forfeit win. Anderson, a junior in his second season at the school, already owns the Riverside school record for technical falls with 28. Anderson is on pace to more than double the previous Riverside tech record of 23.
Urijah Courter (West Marshall)
Courter won the 2A title last season at 113 after placing third as a freshman at 106. He’s up to 120 this season. Courter is 14-0 this season with 10 pins and two technical falls. His ledger also includes a 6-5 win against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont’s Simon Bettis in a rematch of last season’s state title bout.
Cooper Hinz (Jesup)
Entering the holiday break, Michigan commit and two-time state medalist Cooper Hinz is 22-0 with 21 wins via pin, technical fall or forfeit. His other victory was a 4-1 overtime decision against returning state placewinner Cain Rodgers of North Fayette Valley. More impressively, all of Hinz’s pins and technical falls have all come in the first period.
Lincoln Jipp (Bettendorf)
Jipp placed fifth at 138, third at 165 and second at 175 in Class 3A during his first three seasons. Now he’s up to 215 — 77 pounds more than where he started his career as a freshman. The North Carolina recruit pinned his way through the prestigious Dan Gable Donnybrook. He’s 16-0 with 10 pins, four technical falls and a forfeit.
Mason Koehler (Glenwood)
The returning 2A champ at 215 is 20-0 with 18 pins and a major decision. His only two matches that went the distance came at the Council Bluffs Classic, where he defeated Nebraska standout Ryan Boehle of Grand Island 14-4 and Minnesota hammer Joe Kruse of Totino-Grace 9-2. The rest of Koehler’s matches this season ended in first-period pins. He has already registered a six-second pin and another in nine seconds this season.
Jaxon Miller (Carlisle)
Miller is a three-time state medalist, a two-time finalist and returning state champ in Class 3A. He placed fourth as a freshman at 145 before making trips to the finals at 157 and 165. He’s 16-0 this season with 13 first-period pins, two technical falls and a forfeit.
Keaton Moeller (Starmont)
Moeller placed third in 1A as a freshman at 145 before winning a state title at 150 as a sophomore. He missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL in football. Now he’s back as a senior at 190 and Moeller hasn’t missed a beat. He’s 13-0 with five pins, six technical falls and a pair of forfeits. He has yet to wrestle a full period this season.
Iowa High School Premium Rankings
Check out the Iowa High School Wrestling Premium Rankings, which are generated by using an athlete’s complete match history to predict a wrestler’s performance against others in their weight class by considering factors such as win-loss records, the quality of their victories (pins, technical falls, major decisions), the strength of their opponents and overall historical performance patterns. The data is updated every Monday, sourced from the Trackwrestling season results. Since each team is responsible for maintaining their season results, any data discrepancies for a wrestler should be addressed by contacting their coach to manage the information within the season. This includes the weight class assigned. Wrestlers are eligible to be ranked after competing in five matches at a single weight.
is
As No. 14-ranked Iowa women’s basketball (10-2, 1-0 Big Ten) returns from the Christmas break, the Hawkeyes will begin the bulk of their Big Ten slate today as they welcome Penn State (7-5, 0-1 Big Ten) to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Iowa looks to rebound from its 90-64 loss against No. 1 UConn on Dec. 20, where its sloppy play (26 turnovers leading to 41 UConn points) ultimately proved to be its undoing against the Huskies.
Entering today’s game, sophomore center Ava Heiden leads the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game on 64.4% shooting from the floor, with senior forward Hannah Stuelke (13.4) and sophomore guard Chit-Chat Wright (11.7) also averaging double-figure scoring.
Defensively, Wright leads the team in steals per game with 1.6, while Heiden tops the squad in blocks with 1.2 denials per contest.
As tipoff nears between the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions, follow along for live updates, the latest score, and highlights of the action:
Hawkeyes are on fire offensively through the first quarter of play (shooting 10-for-16 from the floor), while also dominating the defensive glass (leading 7-2 in defensive rebounds) and keeping Penn State off-synch.
Chit-Chat Wright leads everyone with 12 points on 4-for-4 from the floor, 2-for-2 from 3-point territory, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
Timeout Penn State.
Hawkeyes are on a roll offensively since the Nittany Lions’ appeal, with a 14-0 scoring run that forces a Penn State timeout.
Penn State’s appeal was successful on the foul call, but the shot clock violation on the Nittany Lions still stands.
Nittany Lions retain their timeout.
Timeout Penn State.
The Nittany Lions are appealing the foul call on Gracie Merkle and the ensuing shot clock violation.
Both teams are shooting well to start the game.
On its game day availability report, sophomore Emely Rodriguez remains out. Graduate starting guard Kylie Feuerbach is also “questionable.”
Watch Iowa vs. Penn State
TV: Big Ten Network
Tip-off Time: 3 p.m. CT
Iowa women’s basketball schedule
All times CT
- Nov. 3 vs. Southern: Iowa 86, Southern 51
- Nov. 9 vs. Evansville: Iowa 119, Evansville 43
- Nov. 13 vs. Drake: Iowa 100, Drake 58
- Nov. 16 at Northern Iowa: Iowa 74, UNI 41
- Nov. 20 vs. Baylor (WBCA Showcase in Orlando): Iowa 57, Baylor 52
- Nov. 22 vs. Miami (WBCA Showcase in Orlando): Iowa 64, Miami 61
- Nov. 26 vs. Western Illinois: Iowa 86, Western Illinois 69
- Nov. 30 vs. Fairfield: Iowa 86, Fairfield 72
- Dec. 6 at Rutgers: Iowa 79, Rutgers 36
- Dec. 10 at Iowa State: Iowa State 74, Iowa 69
- Dec. 13 vs. Lindenwood: Iowa 102, Lindenwood 68
- Dec. 20 vs. UConn (Champions Classic): UConn 90, Iowa 64
- Dec. 28 vs. Penn State: Big Ten Network, 3 p.m.
- Jan. 1 vs. Nebraska: Big Ten Network, 1 p.m.
- Jan. 5 at Northwestern: Big Ten Network, 7:30 p.m.
- Jan. 11 at Indiana: Big Ten Network, 4 p.m.
- Jan. 15 vs. Oregon: FS1, 8 p.m.
- Jan. 18 vs. Michigan State: Big Ten Network, 7 p.m.
- Jan. 22 at Maryland: NBC, 5 p.m.
- Jan. 25 vs. Ohio State: Peacock, 1 p.m.
- Jan. 29 at USC: Peacock, 8 p.m.
- Feb. 1 at UCLA: Fox, 3 p.m.
- Feb. 5 vs. Minnesota: Big Ten Network, 6 p.m.
- Feb. 11 vs. Washington: BTN+, 6:30 p.m.
- Feb. 16 at Nebraska: Fox, 11 a.m.
- Feb. 19 at Purdue: BTN+, 6 p.m.
- Feb. 22 vs. Michigan: Fox or FS1, 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.
- Feb. 26 vs. Illinois: Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
- March 1 at Wisconsin: BTN+, 2 p.m.
- March 4-8 Big Ten Tournament
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Records have fallen, stars have shined and there has also been plenty of heartbreak, heartache and sadness along the way.
Here is a look at some of the top sports stories that made headlines throughout 2025 in Iowa high school athletics.
The Rams swept both the state wrestling duals and traditional team titles in Class 3A this past winter, scoring a state tournament record 259.5 points. They clinched the traditional crown before the final day when Cooper Martinson, Justis Jesuroga, Nico DeSalvo and Eddie Woody all won individual championships.
Down in Class 1A, Don Bosco remained the premier program in the state, winning a seventh consecutive state championship. The Dons, who have claimed 17 titles all-time, also won state duals. Hayden Schwab, Hendrix Schwab, Kaiden Belinsky and Dawson Youngblut were all individual champs.
By winning a third state wrestling championship each last year, Fort Dodge’s Dreshaun Ross and Blake Fox from Osage moved closer to joining the exclusive four-timers club. Ross and Fox will both be going for a fourth individual state wrestling championship this winter.
The Johnston girls basketball team ended last year with a second consecutive Class 5A state championship, besting Dowling Catholic in the finals. The Dragons came into this season having won 52 consecutive games, as Notre Dame commit Jenica Lewis now leads them. In the finals last year, Kelli Kalb scored 13 points and Amani Jenkins grabbed 18 rebounds.
A loaded Valley boys basketball team captured its third consecutive Class 4A state championship this past winter, besting Waukee Northwest in the finals, 61-47. They became just the second 4A team to win three consecutive titles, as Jayden McGregory scored 26, Zay Robinson 15 and Trevin Jirak had 13 with 10 rebounds. McGregory is now headed to Missouri to play football, Robinson entered the transfer portal after playing one season of football at Iowa State and Jirak is at Iowa playing basketball.
Western Dubuque runner and future Oregon Duck Quentin Nauman has been virtually untouchable when it comes to distance running. Back in the spring, Nauman completed the distance triple crown at the Drake Relays, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. He again did the same at state, setting multiple records in the process. In the fall, Nauman won another state cross country title, again setting a meet record.
Ranked as one of the best players in the country for her grade, Sophia Schlader showed why to the rest of Iowa by leading Waukee Northwest to the Class 5A state softball title this past summer. Schlader and the Wolves bested Linn-Mar in the finals, 1-0 in eight innings. The freshman struck out 15 batters, tying her own 5A state mark, as she finished the week with 35 strikeouts. Her 15th K of the finals came with the bases loaded and two outs.
In the span of 24 hours, Pella won the first state baseball championship in program history and first state softball title in school history. The Dutch baseball team did it first, besting Dubuque Wahlert in the Class 3A finals, 3-1, on a game-winning hit by Landyn Bethards. Teagan Hoekstra pitched a complete game, striking out seven. The No. 8 seed in softball, Pella took out No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier in the quarterfinals and North Polk in the finals for head coach Katie Banowetz, who was to be married one day later.
Pella’s Marissa Ferebee cemented her own place in the history books, winning a third consecutive Class 3A state cross country championship this past fall. The future Arkansas Razorback also was a state champion in track and field in the spring in the 3,000-meter run. She helped the Dutch earn a fourth consecutive team state cross country title, as well.
The Iowa high school football season was hit hard by a number of forfeits, as teams cited too few of healthy players to compete on the gridiron. One of those was defending eight-player state champion Remsen St. Mary’s, as the Hawks called a game at halftime and sat on the sidelines for multiple weeks to get enough healthy and experienced players ready to continue. Others called the season off entirely or did not even field a varsity team this past fall.
For the first time since the classification was created, someone other than Southeast Polk won the Class 5A title. That somebody? Ten-time state champion Dowling Catholic, as Ian Middleton led the Maroons past Iowa City Liberty, 27-10. Middleton ran for 206 yards and scored two touchdowns on 34 carries in the finals.
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