Jan 3, 2026
Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Aleix Sempere is averaging a double-double for the Iowa Central men’s basketball squad.
The Iowa Central men’s and women’s basketball teams kick off 2026 with a pivotal ICCAC doubleheader vs. Iowa Western here on Saturday.
Tip is set for 1 p.m. inside Hodges Fieldhouse.
First-year head coach Mason Denholm has the Triton men ranked seventh and 13-1 overall, including a 5-1 record in the conference. They rebounded from a two-point loss to No. 10 Kirkwood to defeat Southwestern and Central to conclude 2025.
Seven different players are averaging double figures, led by Jordan Cain’s 16.6 points per game. Aleix Sempere, CJ Mitchell, Tashun Pender, Manny Lueth, Dorian Pruitt and Jalen Wynter all join him, as the team is putting up over 98 points a night.
Sempere is averaging a double-double, collecting 11.2 rebounds per contest. Mitchell averages six assists to lead the team.
Iowa Western (14-0 overall, 5-0 in the league) is ranked 12th. The ICCAC boasts five teams in the Top-12, with DMACC second and Ellsworth fourth.
Zayden Best and Judah Vignery lead the Reivers in scoring.
The Iowa Central women tipped Anoka-Ramsey on New Year’s Eve in Minnesota. The Tritons have earned wins over Southwestern and Central in ICCAC play after back-to-back losses to No. 20 Iowa Lakes and second-ranked Kirkwood last month.
Head coach Graham McFall has the Tritons 4-2 in the league and 5-1 inside Hodges Fieldhouse this year. Trista Ohlmeier leads at over 13 points and nearly 12 rebounds, as Ashlin Jacobsen adds 11 points a game.
The Reivers (6-6, 3-3) are paced by Sydney Donaldson, Kailynne Small and Aniyah Howard. All three have over 100 points scored on the year.
WORTHINGTON, Minn. — The Iowa Central women capped off 2025 with a victory here on New Year’s Eve over No. 1 …
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