Jaxson Boswell

LE GRAND — The East Marshall boys’ basketball team led from wire-to-wire, dominating North Tama for an 83-37 triumph in Thursday’s Class 1A District 6 semifinal.

The top-seeded Mustangs (17-6) moved through the Redhawks (14-9) with ease, jumping out to a 15-2 lead after the opening quarter. East Marshall led 38-20 by halftime before outscoring North Tama 27-6 in the third period.

Jaxson Boswell led five double-digit scorers for the Mustangs, making three 3-pointers on his way to 16 points. Jackson Bidwell had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Cael Curphy finished with 15 points and five boards.

Jackson Busch added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Eli Burns scored 11 points off the bench.

East Marshall will host Baxter (19-5) in Tuesday’s district finals in Le Grand.

UNI’s conference football schedule announced

CEDAR FALLS — The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its 2026 league schedule, setting the slate for eight conference games over a nine-week period this fall.

Northern Iowa opens league play at home on Sept. 26 against reigning FCS finalist Illinois State. The Panthers are 14-4 all-time against Illinois State inside the UNI-Dome, but haven’t beaten the defending national runners-up since 2023.

UNI’s bye arrives in the second week of league play before hosting North Dakota on Oct. 10 for Homecoming. The Panthers’ first road game in conference play follows with a trip to Youngtown State on Oct. 17. The road swing continues into Oct. 24 with a visit to Southern Illinois.

Northern Iowa entertains Indiana State on Halloween, Oct. 31, in search of its ninth-straight win over the Sycamores. The Panthers stay home and host South Dakota State on Nov. 7, their final home game of the 2026 season.

UNI closes conference play on the road Nov. 14 at South Dakota and Nov. 21 at Murray State.