AP FILE PHOTO

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa women’s basketball game against Illinois scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City has been postponed out of abundance of caution due to positive COVID-19 test results within the Fighting Illini basketball program.

The decision was made as part of the protocols established by the Big Ten Conference, Illinois and Iowa Athletics medical staff, and in consultation with university, local and national officials and guidelines.

This game will be postponed and the Big Ten Conference office will coordinate the rescheduling process. If the game is not able to be rescheduled, it would count as a “no contest” for both teams.

Iowa’s game originally scheduled for Thursday night at Penn State was called off earlier this week for the same reason. The Hawkeyes have had five games canceled or postponed so far this season.

Iowa is scheduled to host Northwestern on Jan. 6.

Panther women’s basketball reschedule Evansville and Indiana State games

CEDAR FALLS — Due to health and safety concerns, the Northern Iowa women’s basketball program is postponing its first two Missouri Valley Conference contests.

UNI has determined it is unable to compete in its home games Thursday (Dec. 30) and Saturday (Jan. 1) against Evansville and Indiana State, respectively. The games have been postponed, and the Missouri Valley Conference office will attempt to reschedule the games, if possible.

The MVC’s forfeiture/cancelation policy states that “an institution will be required to play a Conference basketball game if it has eight or more student-athletes and one or more countable coaches available. In the event an institution does not meet the minimum threshold of player/coach availability and the game cannot be rescheduled, it will be declared a ‘no contest.’ In the event an institution meets the minimum threshold of player/coach availability and elects not to play, the game will be considered a forfeit. Notably, an institution may play if it fails to meet those minimum roster standards.”

Ultimate responsibility and public-facing communication regarding decisions to compete, cancel, postpone or delay MVC contests shall rest with the conference office in collaboration with athletics administrators from the two competing institutions.

The Panthers will return to action on Jan. 7 at Valparaiso. Tipoff for the game against the Beacons is set for 6 p.m. UNI will return to the McLeod Center on Jan. 13 to take on Missouri State.

Fans with tickets to either the Evansville or Indiana State games will have their tickets honored for the rescheduled date.