THIS WEEKEND ON AM-1300 KGLO:

=== Friday
– 5:30 pre-game, 6:05 first pitch — Minnesota Twins at Philadelphia

=== Saturday
– 12:30 pre-game, 1:05 first pitch — Minnesota Twins at Philadelphia
– After Twins baseball — NCAA Final Four

=== Sunday
– 11:30 pre-game, 12:05 first pitch — Minnesota Twins at Philadelphia

 

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Iowa senior Megan Gustafson is The Associated Press women’s college basketball player of the year.

She led the nation in scoring for the second consecutive year and is the first player from the school and the Big Ten to win the award.

The 6-foot-3 star received 15 votes Thursday from the 28-member national media panel that selects the weekly AP rankings. Balloting was done before the NCAA Tournament.

Sabrina Ionescu of Oregon received seven votes while Napheesa Collier of UConn three. Asia Durr of Louisville had two votes and Teaira McCowan of Mississippi State one.

Gustafson averaged 27.9 points and helped the Hawkeyes reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 1993. She became only the fourth Division I player to score more than 1,000 points in a season. She tied the NCAA record for double-doubles in a season with 33.

 

 

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State sophomore Lindell Wigginton is declaring for the NBA draft for the second year in a row “with the full intent of staying in.”

Wigginton, who withdrew from last year’s draft at the last minute after a spectacular freshman season, announced his plans Thursday on Twitter.

Wigginton’s numbers dipped a bit last season after a foot injury cost him 10 non-conference games. But Wigginton still averaged 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game off the bench while shooting 40 percent on 3-pointers.

He joins freshman Talen Horton-Tucker as Cyclones who have declared for the draft. Wigginton’s decision will likely push Tyrese Haliburton into the starting role at point guard — and it could also put Iowa State in the market for a graduate transfer backcourt player.

 

 

 

IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeye baseball team continues a home stand this weekend by opening a three game Big Ten series against Rutgers tonight. Injuries have left the pitching staff thin and that was a factor in Wednesday night’s 11-6 loss to Illinois State.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller who says the starting pitching has picked up the slack in a 3-3 start to Big Ten play.

Rutgers has struggled to a 9-17 record but Heller says the Scarlet Knights have a solid pitching staff.

First pitch tonight is scheduled for 6:05. Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 2:05 start. Sunday’s first pitch is scheduled for 12:05, but with rain in the forecast, a decision could be made to move Sunday’s game to make a doubleheader on Saturday.

 

 

IOWA CITY — After being considered a weakness a year ago, a young but experienced linebacking corps will be a strength heading into next season at Iowa. Hawkeye linebacker coach Seth Wallace says a standout defensive line made the transition smooth.

Wallace says the expectations for the linebackers are much higher for next season.

Linebacker Amani Jones has moved to defensive end this spring. Wallace says the move provides much needed depth on the edge and also tweaks the Hawkeyes’ traditional 4-3 look.

Wallace says the linebackers need to help a young defensive line develop.

Iowa started spring practice last week and will have their final practice on April 26th.

 

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves for his fifth shutout of the season and 47th of his career, and the short-handed Boston Bruins beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0. Joakim Nordstrom, David Pastrnak and Zach Senyshyn scored for Boston. Halak, who has split time with Tuukka Rask in goal for the Bruins this season, was rarely challenged by a Minnesota team that was shut out for the 10th time this season and seventh at home. Boston, locked into second place in the Atlantic Division, rested several regulars.

 

 

 

MASON CITY — Halle Espinosa had a career-best four goals to lead the Mason City High girls soccer team to an 11-1 season-opening victory over Webster City last night at home. Valerie Nelson and Gwen Sewell both added two goals. The Mohawks will travel to Iowa Falls-Alden next Tuesday.