THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15, 2025

“THE SCOREBOARD”

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL

SCOREBOARD-HOMESTEAD.COM

ANDREAN	64	ILLIANA CHRISTIAN	63
BARR-REEVE	76	WASHINGTON CATHOLIC	12
BLOOMINGTON SOUTH	65	BLOOMINGTON NORTH	48
BLUE RIVER	61	UNION (MODOC)	44
BORDEN	76	NEW WASHINGTON	68
CANNELTON	40	CLOVERPORT (KY.)	28
CARROLL (FORT WAYNE)	34	DEKALB	29
CLAY CITY	62	WEST VIGO	52
EASTBROOK	48	TAYLOR	41
EMINENCE	52	DUGGER UNION	28
EVANSVILLE CENTRAL	63	CASTLE	61
EVANSVILLE REITZ	80	JASPER	65
FORT WAYNE LUERS	66	NEW HAVEN	65
FORT WAYNE SNIDER	67	EAST NOBLE	53
FORT WAYNE WAYNE	66	NORWELL	46
GOSHEN	52	ELKHART CHRISTIAN	35
HANOVER CENTRAL	70	HAMMOND NOLL	57
HAUSER	70	NORTH DECATUR	30
HOMESTEAD	67	FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK	38
INDIANAPOLIS RIVERSIDE	58	TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN	37
LAKEWOOD PARK	61	HAMILTON	24
LINTON	66	EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN	40
LOWELL	65	MERRILLVILLE	53
MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN	73	CROSSPOINTE CHRISTIAN	51
MUNCIE CENTRAL	63	MUNCIE BURRIS	22
PARKE HERITAGE	92	SOUTH VERMILLION	70
PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD	75	INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON	50
SEYMOUR	56	SALEM	17
SHELBYVILLE	65	COLUMBUS EAST	52
SILVER CREEK	66	CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	41
TELL CITY	43	HANCOCK COUNTY (KY.)	40
TERRE HAUTE SOUTH	61	INDIANAPOLIS HOMESCHOOL	40
TIPTON	71	WABASH	36
VICTORY CHRISTIAN	59	DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN	45
WARSAW	59	PENN	55
WASHINGTON	98	NORTH KNOX	32
ACAC TOURNAMENT
ADAMS CENTRAL	78	SOUTHERN WELLS	30
JAY COUNTY	61	SOUTH ADAMS	14
WOODLAN	45	BLUFFTON	29
JOHNSON COUNTY TOURNAMENT
GREENWOOD	64	INDIAN CREEK	59	OT
WHITELAND	69	FRANKLIN	61
GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN	61	EDINBURGH	47
MARION COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SOUTHPORT	54	LAWRENCE CENTRAL	52
BEN DAVIS	75	PERRY MERIDIAN	44
WARREN CENTRAL	48	BREBEUF JESUIT	45
LAWRENCE NORTH	81	INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN	32
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI	62	FRANKLIN CENTRAL	59
PIKE	72	BEECH GROVE	46
DECATUR CENTRAL	83	SPEEDWAY	46
NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)	78	PARK TUDOR	54
NECC TOURNAMENT
WEST NOBLE	71	EASTSIDE	33
GARRETT	56	ANGOLA	55	OT
CHURUBUSCO	51	FREMONT	44
RIPLEY COUNTY TOURNAMENT
SOUTH RIPLEY	63	BATESVILLE	51
RIVERTOWN TOURNAMENT
LAWRENCEBURG	60	SWITZERLAND COUNTY	49
SOUTH DEARBORN	53	RISING SUN	41

USA POLLS

CLASS 4A

1. FISHERS (12-0)     

2. CROWN POINT (9-0)         

3. GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (9-2)

4. WESTFIELD (8-1)  

5. LAWRENCE NORTH (8-2)              

6. ANDERSON (11-1)

7. BEN DAVIS (9-2)   

7. WARSAW (10-3)   

9. NORTHRIDGE (10-1)         

10. EVANSVILLE REITZ (8-0)

CLASS 3A

1. SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (11-1)

2. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (9-3)

3. GUERIN CATHOLIC (12-2)            

4. SILVER CREEK (12-1)        

5. NORTHWOOD (12-1)        

6. INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (8-5)  

7. NEW PALESTINE (10-2)   

8. BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (9-0)

9. SOUTHRIDGE (8-1)            

10. SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (9-1)

CLASS 2A

1. WAPAHANI (10-0)

2. FORT WAYNE LUERS (10-1)

3. GARY 21ST CENTURY (11-2)        

4. PARKE HERITAGE (10-1) 

5. LINTON (8-1)           

6. SOUTH RIPLEY (11-0)       

7. MANCHESTER (11-1)

8. FOREST PARK (8-2)            

9. PROVIDENCE (8-1)            

10. TAYLOR (10-0)

CLASS 1A

1. CLAY CITY (8-1)

2. ORLEANS (5-2)      

3. BLOOMFIELD (8-2)            

4. INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN (10-3)

5. KOUTS (8-1)             

6. CARROLL (FLORA) (7-1)  

7. HAUSER (7-1)         

8. LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (7-5)             

9. CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (8-3)        

10. TRITON (7-1)

INDIANA HS AP POLLS

CLASS 4A

RANK	SCHOOL	TOTAL POINTS	PREVIOUS
1.	FISHERS (9) (12-0)	180	1
2.	CROWN POINT (9-0)	162	5
3.	GREENFIELD (9-2)	117	T3
4.	WESTFIELD (8-1)	100	6
5.	LAWRENCE NORTH (8-2)	98	2
6.	ANDERSON (11-1)	81	T7
7.	WARSAW (10-3)	77	9
8.	EV. REITZ (8-0)	69	T7
9.	INDPLS BEN DAVIS (9-2)	57	10
(TIE)	NORTHRIDGE (10-1)	57	T3

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: 11, AVON 22. 12, LAWRENCE CENTRAL 14. 13, NEW ALBANY 12. 14, PENDLETON HTS. 10. 15, S. BEND RILEY 6. 16, MT.VERNON (FORTVILLE) 6. 17, KOKOMO 6. 18, FT. WAYNE WAYNE 6.

CLASS 3A

RANK	SCHOOL	TOTAL POINTS	PREVIOUS
1.	S. BEND ST. JOSEPH’S (6) (11-1)	174	1
2.	INDPLS CATHEDRAL (3) (9-3)	142	2
3.	SILVER CREEK (12-1)	131	4
4.	NORTHWOOD (12-1)	113	5
5.	GUERIN CATHOLIC (12-2)	111	6
6.	BROWNSTOWN (9-0)	79	8
7.	NEW PALESTINE (10-2)	69	9
8.	SOUTHRIDGE (8-1)	63	7
9.	INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS (8-5)	62	3
10.	NORTHVIEW (11-0)	45	10

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: 11, S. BEND WASHINGTON 29. 12, FT. WAYNE BLACKHAWK 20. 13, PRINCETON 15. 14, HAMILTON HTS. 14. 15, NEW HAVEN 7. 16, EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 6.

CLASS 2A

RANK	SCHOOL	TOTAL POINTS	PREVIOUS
1.	WAPAHANI (7) (10-0)	176	1
2.	FT. WAYNE LUERS (1) (10-1)	154	2
3.	PARKE HERITAGE (10-1)	124	3
4.	GARY 21ST CENTURY (1) (11-2)	120	5
5.	LINTON-STOCKTON (8-1)	116	4
6.	S. RIPLEY (11-0)	115	6
7.	MANCHESTER (11-1)	74	7
8.	TAYLOR (10-0)	63	8
9.	PROVIDENCE (8-1)	62	9
10.	NORTHEASTERN (13-0)	35	NR

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: 11, FOREST PARK 33. 12, TIPTON 8.

INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL

SCOREBOARD-HOMESTEAD.COM

AUSTIN	53	HENRYVILLE	45
BARR-REEVE	57	WASHINGTON CATHOLIC	7
BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE	45	COLUMBUS EAST	32
BEECH GROVE	41	SPEEDWAY	37
BEN DAVIS	41	AVON	40
BLUE RIVER	42	UNION (MODOC)	36
BOONE GROVE	52	CALUMET	40
BREMEN	51	NORTHWOOD	48	OT
CANNELTON	28	CLOVERPORT (KY.)	23
CARMEL	59	COLUMBUS NORTH	50
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN	66	MTI KNOWLEDGE	21
CHARLESTOWN	53	EASTERN (PEKIN)	44
CHESTERTON	63	HOBART	21
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	62	CLARKSVILLE	33
CLOVERDALE	34	WEST VIGO	14
COLUMBIA CITY	54	WAWASEE	24
CONCORD	53	JIMTOWN	21
CORYDON CENTRAL	53	FOREST PARK	29
CRAWFORD COUNTY	65	SPRINGS VALLEY	60
DIXIE HEIGHTS (KY.)	54	EAST CENTRAL	30
EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL	36	PORTAGE	34
EASTERN GREENE	55	SHOALS	38
EASTERN HANCOCK	55	NEW CASTLE	44
ELKHART CHRISTIAN	57	MISHAWAKA MARIAN	36
ELWOOD	47	MUNCIE BURRIS	34
EMINENCE	51	LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN	16
EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL	72	EVANSVILLE MATER DEI	59
EVANSVILLE NORTH	46	JASPER	40
FORT WAYNE NORTHROP	61	BELLMONT	57
FORT WAYNE SOUTH	47	LAKELAND CHRISTIAN	31
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL	78	ANDERSON	38
HAMMOND CENTRAL	81	WHITING	16
HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE)	51	KOKOMO	46
INDIANAPOLIS RONCALLI	61	GUERIN CATHOLIC	40
INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE	48	UNIVERSITY	45
JENNINGS COUNTY	48	FLOYD CENTRAL	43
KANKAKEE VALLEY	42	ILLIANA CHRISTIAN	32
KOUTS	44	TRI-TOWNSHIP	38
LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC	67	WEST LAFAYETTE	27
LAKEWOOD PARK	66	CLINTON CHRISTIAN	16
LANESVILLE	57	TRINITY LUTHERAN	41
LAWRENCEBURG	53	OLDENBURG ACADEMY	46
LOOGOOTEE	42	PIKE CENTRAL	27
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC	51	DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN	33
MARTINSVILLE	38	TERRE HAUTE SOUTH	20
MISSISSINEWA	43	MARION	42	OT
MOORESVILLE	52	INDIAN CREEK	50
MORRISTOWN	46	NORTH DECATUR	41
MUNSTER	58	CROWN POINT	48
NEW PALESTINE	47	TRITON CENTRAL	29
NEW WASHINGTON	47	MITCHELL	36
NORTH MONTGOMERY	45	GREENCASTLE	39
NORTH POSEY	62	HERITAGE HILLS	53
NORTH VERMILLION	42	ATTICA	39
NORTHEASTERN	52	TRI	46
NORTHVIEW	42	CASCADE	27
PARKE HERITAGE	90	SOUTH VERMILLION	60
PERRY CENTRAL	42	PAOLI	25
PLYMOUTH	59	LAPORTE	33
PROVIDENCE	49	SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER)	41
RICHMOND	58	CONNERSVILLE	43
ROSSVILLE	59	FRANKFORT	17
SCOTTSBURG	48	SEYMOUR	45
SHAKAMAK	39	NORTH DAVIESS	36
SHELBYVILLE	46	RUSHVILLE	42
SHERIDAN	57	LAPEL	41
SILVER CREEK	56	MADISON	45
SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH	41	GOSHEN	34
SOUTH DECATUR	55	CROTHERSVILLE	14
SOUTH KNOX	81	WOOD MEMORIAL	40
SOUTHRIDGE	40	NORTHEAST DUBOIS	30
SULLIVAN	57	NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG)	56
TAYLOR	47	MADISON-GRANT	41
TERRE HAUTE NORTH	48	MARSHALL (ILL.)	36
VINCENNES RIVET	37	LINTON	34
WARREN CENTRAL	49	MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE)	42
WASHINGTON	45	PRINCETON	35
WESTERN BOONE	53	CRAWFORDSVILLE	36
WESTERN	56	HAMILTON HEIGHTS	55
WHITE RIVER VALLEY	61	ORLEANS	57
ZIONSVILLE	54	NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS)	43
ACAC TOURNAMENT
SOUTHERN WELLS	46	ADAMS CENTRAL	41
JAY COUNTY	54	SOUTH ADAMS	14
BLUFFTON	67	WOODLAN	52
DELAWARE COUNTY TOURNAMENT
DELTA	92	WES-DEL	9
DALEVILLE	55	COWAN	25
INDIANAPOLIS CITY TOURNAMENT
INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL	59	INDIANAPOLIS HERRON	19
PURDUE POLY ENGLEWOOD	66	HERITAGE CHRISTIAN	60	2OT
INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD	50	INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA	14
COVENANT CHRISTIAN	64	INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS	53
NECC TOURNAMENT
EASTSIDE	51	WEST NOBLE	11
ANGOLA	55	GARRETT	48
FREMONT	53	CHURUBUSCO	15

INDIANA BOYS WRESTLING:

DUAL RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/dualresults.html/boys-dual-results/

TOURNAMENT RESULTS: https://indianamat.com/index.php?/curtournamentresults.html/boys-tournament-results/

INDIANA GIRLS WRESTLING:

STATE FINALS

JANUARY 17

@ CORTEVA COLISEUM

SCHEDULE

8:30 AM ET – GATES OPEN

9:30 AM ET – PARADE OF CHAMPIONS

10 AM ET – FIRST ROUND BEGINS*

* QUARTERFINALS AND SEMIFINALS WILL BE WRESTLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER FIRST ROUND

APPROX. 3:30 PM ET – INTERMISSION

4:15 PM ET – CONSOLATION ROUND BEGINS

7 PM ET – STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES BEGIN

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES

#7 MARQUETTE 85 DEPAUL 83 OT

#21 OLE MISS 74 #4 ALABAMA 64

#1 AUBURN 88 #15 MISSISSIPPI STATE 66

#8 KENTUCKY 81 #11 TEXAS A&M 69

#19 ILLINOIS 94 INDIANA 69

MISSOURI 83 #5 FLORIDA 82

#24 WISCONSIN 70 OHIO STATE 68

#3 DUKE 89 MIAMI OF FLORIDA 54

ARIZONA 81 #25 BAYLOR 70

ELSEWHERE:

XAVIER 69 VILLANOVA 63

BOWLING GREEN 79 BUFFALO 61

MIAMI OHIO 84 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 69

AKRON 85 TOLEDO 78

WESTERN MICHIGAN 94 KENT STATE 83

CENTRAL MICHIGAN 82 EASTERN MICHIGAN 63

VCU 78 ST. LOUIS 62

LOUISVILLE 85 SYRACUSE 61

OHIO 86 BALL STATE 71

BELMONT 71 VALPARAISO 64

ST. JOHN 63 GEORGETOWN 58

WICHITA STATE 68 CHARLOTTE 59

NORTHERN IOWA 73 EVANSVILLE 56

CREIGHTON 84 PROVIDENCE 64

BOISE STATE 96 WYOMING 55

CLEMSON 70 GEORGIA TECH 59

TEXAS TECH 61 KANSAS STATE 57

BYU 85 OKLAHOMA STATE 69

LSU 78 ARKANSAS 74

NEVADA 68 AIR FORCE 62

SAN JOSE STATE 71 NEW MEXICO 70

USC 99 IOWA 89

CENTRAL FLORIDA 95 ARIZONA STATE 89

SAN DIEGO STATE 75 COLORADO STATE 60

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES

#8 MARYLAND 99 #24 MINNESOTA 92

#10 TCU 90 CENTRAL FLORIDA 81

HOUSTON 79 #24 OKLAHOMA STATE 76

BAYLOR 70 #23 UTAH 61

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MONDAY, JAN. 20

NOTRE DAME VS. OHIO STATE (COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME — IN ATLANTA) | 7:30 P.M. | ESPN

NFL PLAYOFFS

DIVISIONAL PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, JAN. 18

AFC:

4:30 P.M.

HOUSTON AT KANSAS CITY (ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN DEPORTES)

NFC:

8:00 P.M.

WASHINGTON AT DETROIT (FOX, FOX DEPORTES)

SUNDAY, JAN. 19

NFC:

3:00 P.M.

LOS ANGELES RAMS AT PHILADELPHIA (NBC, PEACOCK, TELEMUNDO, UNIVERSO)

AFC:

6:30 P.M.

BALTIMORE AT BUFFALO (CBS, PARAMOUNT+)

SUNDAY, JAN. 26

NFC:

3:00 P.M.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (FOX, FOX DEPORTES)

AFC:

6:30 P.M.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (CBS, PARAMOUNT+)

NBA SCORES

CLEVELAND 127 INDIANA 117

OKLAHOMA CITY 118 PHILADELPHIA 102

ATLANTA 122 PHOENIX 117

NEW ORLEANS 119 CHICAGO 113

MILWAUKEE 130 SACRAMENTO 115

DENVER 118 DALLAS 99

BROOKLYN 132 PORTLAND 114

NHL SCORES

WASHINGTON 3 ANAHEIM 0

BOSTON 6 TAMPA BAY 2

COLUMBUS 3 PHILADELPHIA 2

DALLAS 4 TORONTO 1

SAN JOSE 6 DETROIT 3

SEATTLE 4 PITTSBURGH 2

FLORIDA 2 NEW JERSEY 1

OTTAWA 2 NY ISLANDERS 0

ST. LOUIS 2 CALGARY 1

NASHVILLE 5 VEGAS 3

WINNIPEG 6 VANCOUVER 1

MONTRÉAL 5 UTAH 3

COLORADO 3 NY RANGERS 2 OT

TOP NATIONAL RELEASES/HEADLINES

NFL NEWS

BLOWOUTS SHOW THE BRONCOS, CHARGERS AREN’T AS CLOSE TO UPENDING THE CHIEFS AS THEY MAY HAVE THOUGHT

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers felt good about their chances heading into the playoffs in large part because they had played the reigning two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs so tough this season.

Their wipeouts in the wild-card round show they’re not as close to overtaking the Chiefs as they may have thought.

The Broncos (10-8) would have swept Kansas City (15-2) were it not for a blocked field goal as time expired in Week 10 that preserved the Chiefs’ 16-14 escape at Arrowhead, and Denver ended its eight-year playoff drought with a 38-0 shutout of K.C.’s backups in Week 18.

If not for that fluke failure from his field goal protection unit, Sean Payton would be 3-1 against Kansas City since becoming Broncos head coach, and Jim Harbaugh was really close to going 2-0 against Andy Reid this season.

The Chargers (11-7) lost by two and seven points to K.C., which won its ninth consecutive AFC West crown in its quest for an unprecedented three-peat as Super Bowl champs.

The Chargers face-planted 32-12 at Houston on Saturday after taking a 6-0 lead into the second quarter, and the Broncos were blown out 31-7 at Buffalo after grabbing a 7-0 lead just five snaps into the game.

The remaining teams — Baltimore, Buffalo and Houston — in the AFC field all could pose stiff challenges to the Chiefs. But Patrick Mahomes is 15-3 in the playoffs, has won his last seven postseason starts and is 4-0 against the AFC quarterbacks remaining in the playoffs.

Josh Allen is 0-3 against Mahomes in the playoffs and 6-2 against everybody else. Lamar Jackson is 0-1 against Mahomes and 3-3 against others, and Stroud is 2-1 and will face Mahomes for the first time in the postseason Saturday, when Mahomes and several other starters will be coming off a whopping 24 days’ rest.

The Ravens and Bills meet in the other divisional round game while the Chargers and Broncos both look toward next season and ponder the painful lessons learned from their early exits.

Though not nearly as strong as the NFC North, which produced the 15-2 Lions, 14-3 Vikings and 11-6 Packers, all playoff teams, the AFC West sent three teams to the postseason for the first time since 2013.

“One of the things we learned early on is we got to find a way to play these games at home,” coach Sean Payton said.

That would mean upending the Chiefs, who have owned the division ever since Peyton Manning retired in 2016 and have averaged almost 13 wins a season since Mahomes became their starter in 2018.

So, how close are the Broncos to knocking the Chiefs from their pedestal? Several players who were cleaning out their lockers Monday said they felt they were close, although one thought it was a gotcha question.

“I mean, if you look at us, we were in all those games, every single one of them,” left tackle Garett Bolles said of the Broncos’ 3-3 divisional record that included a sweep of Las Vegas and a pair of seven-point losses to the Chargers. “None of them were blowouts. We’re right there. I think that we need to get some more playmakers but everything we have in this locker room, the core value, is here.

“The sky’s the limit for us and I think we’re going to be exactly where we want to be.”

Asked how close he felt the Broncos were to catching the Chiefs, right guard Quinn Meinerz, fresh off his first All-Pro season, was having none of it.

“You’re already assuming the Chiefs,” he retorted.

Well, they have won nine consecutive division titles, second most ever behind the New England Patriots’ 11-year dominance of the AFC East from 2009-19 under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

“We’re not even on to the next season yet,” Meinerz interjected. “I mean, I can’t predict any of that. We just got done playing in the playoffs. I think that’s kind of a, kind of baiting question to ask, to be honest.”

Are you around the corner, at least?

“This is all speculation and I’m not here to speculate,” Meinerz said. “I’m here to talk about what we just accomplished and not necessarily speculate on the future.”

He’ll leave it to his coach to talk about supplanting Kansas City next season, by which time the Chiefs might just have another Lombardi Trophy glistening in their trophy case.

FORMER COWBOYS DEION SANDERS AND JASON WITTEN ARE AMONG NAMES FLOATED AS CLUB’S NEXT COACH

Deion Sanders and Jason Witten are two of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ former — and favorite — players, and both have been floated as potential replacements for coach Mike McCarthy.

Jones and McCarthy agreed Monday to part ways after five seasons together. McCarthy was on an expiring contract and finished 7-10, ending a three-year run of playoff trips with 12-5 records. Dallas was 1-3 in those three postseasons.

There was no update from the club on the coaching search Tuesday, a day after Jones said one would begin following the decision to move on from McCarthy.

Jones made a splashy free agent signing with Sanders in 1995 a few months after the Cowboys lost to Sanders and the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game. The 49ers went on to win the Super Bowl.

The Cowboys won their third Super Bowl in a four-year span in that first season with Sanders, whose five seasons in Dallas matched his longest tenure with any team. Atlanta, which drafted Sanders fifth overall in 1989, also had the Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback for five years.

Sanders just finished his second season as coach at Colorado, and he and Jones talked about the Dallas opening Monday.

Witten was the best tight end in franchise history and is the club leader in games, starts, consecutive starts, catches and yards receiving.

The 11-time Pro Bowler was interested in joining the coaching staff when McCarthy replaced Jason Garrett in 2020, but instead became the head coach at a private school in the Dallas area. Witten’s team just won a state championship.

Witten could fit the mold of Detroit coach Dan Campbell, another former Dallas tight end who led the Lions to the top seed in the NFC playoffs a season after they lost to the Niners in the NFC title game. The Lions host Washington on Saturday night in a divisional game.

A Witten move would be highly unusual since his only coaching experience has been in high school. Campbell had plenty of NFL coaching experience when the Lions hired him in 2021.

Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has strong ties to Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, who is going into the first year of a $240 million, four-year extension. It’s the first contract with a $60 million average annual value in NFL history.

Moore was Prescott’s backup in his final season as a player in 2017, and immediately became his quarterbacks coach in 2018. Just a year later, Moore took over as offensive coordinator and was Prescott’s play-caller for four seasons, including the first three under McCarthy.

Dallas was among the best offensive teams in the league throughout Moore’s time as the play-caller, but the offense faltered at times late as postseason success once again eluded a franchise that hasn’t advanced past the divisional round since the 1995 season.

The Cowboys and Moore split after the 2022 season, and he spent a season with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles. With Moore calling plays, Saquon Barkley became the ninth player to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season.

Philadelphia won the NFC East and beat Green Bay in the wild-card round. The Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams in a divisional game Sunday.

Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn could be another viable candidate. The former Texas A&M player spent two seasons with the Cowboys late in his 15-year career.

Formal interviews with Moore and Glenn would have to wait until after their seasons are over.

Jones’ next coach will be his ninth. The first four were first-time NFL head coaches, starting with Jimmy Johnson when Jones bought the team in 1989. The former University of Miami coach won back-to-back Super Bowls before an acrimonious split with Jones, his college teammate at Arkansas.

Three of Jones’ past four hires had NFL head coaching experience, including Super Bowl winners Bill Parcells and McCarthy. The exception was former Dallas quarterback Jason Garrett, the longest-tenured coach under Jones at nine-plus seasons.

TOM CLEMENTS STEPPING DOWN AS PACKERS’ QBS COACH AFTER WORKING WITH FAVRE, RODGERS AND LOVE

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Tom Clements is stepping down as the Green Bay Packers quarterbacks’ coach after a 25-year NFL career in which he worked with Hall of Famer Brett Favre and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday that the 71-year-old Clements is retiring. Clements had begun a second stint at Green Bay by joining LaFleur’s staff in 2022.

“Man, it’s been a cool ride with him for the last three years,” LaFleur said. “He’s incredibly consistent. What a great man, a great mind. Obviously he’s had the opportunity to coach some of the best. Talk about Favre, Rodgers and then the development of Jordan Love. I mean, that’s pretty cool. I know he’s meant a lot to this organization — his contributions — and he will definitely be missed. I can’t say enough great things about him.”

Clements began his coaching career after quarterbacking Notre Dame’s 1973 national championship team and playing 12 seasons in the Canadian Football League. He was the CFL’s most valuable player in 1987 and won Grey Cup titles with Ottawa in 1976 and with Winnipeg in 1984.

He spent four years as a Notre Dame assistant before beginning a three-year stint as the New Orleans Saints’ quarterbacks coach in 1997. He also coached quarterbacks with the Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-03) and was the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator (2004-05) before coming to Green Bay in 2006.

Clements was in Green Bay for Favre’s final two seasons with the Packers and then for Rodgers’ emergence into one of the league’s top quarterbacks. During Clements’ first stint in Green Bay, Rodgers won his first two MVP awards and led the 2010 Packers to their last Super Bowl title.

Clements was Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach from 2006-11 and offensive coordinator from 2012-14. He left to work with Kyler Murray as the Arizona Cardinals’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2019-20. After spending a year away from the game, Clements returned in 2022 for Rodgers’ final season in Green Bay.

After Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets, Clements remained with the Packers for Love’s first two seasons as Green Bay’s starting quarterback.

LaFleur announced the retirement of Clements as part of a season-ending news conference two days after the Packers fell 22-10 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs. The Packers committed four turnovers without forcing any as they closed their season with a third straight loss.

“Everybody’s kind of gutted,” LaFleur said. “Again, I think if you go out there and you play at your best and you come up short, there’s a different feeling. And you’ve got to give them (credit), I’m not trying to take any credit away from Philly. That’s a really good team. But … you can’t have four turnovers in the game and expect to win the game.”

LaFleur fielded plenty of questions about Love, who threw three interceptions without a touchdown pass against the Eagles. Before Sunday, Love hadn’t thrown an interception in seven straight games.

Love completed 63.1% of his passes this season, down from 64.2% in 2023. Love, who missed two games with a knee injury, threw 25 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions in the regular season after having a 32-11 touchdown-interception ratio in 2023.

LaFleur praised Love’s ability to avoid sacks and noted that dropped passes caused some of the problems when Green Bay struggled to move the ball through the air. LaFleur added that the next step in Love’s development is to become a more vocal leader.

“I think he is an ascending player that is going to get better and better and better,” LaFleur said. “He approaches the game the right way.”

LaFleur also commented on cornerback Keisean Nixon’s Monday remarks that he doesn’t want to return kicks anymore so that he can focus more on defense. Nixon was an All-Pro kickoff returner in 2022 and 2023.

“I love Kei,” LaFleur said. “I do. I love how he competes. I love how he prepares. Not sure why he said what he said.”

TEXANS MOVE ON FROM WR DIONTAE JOHNSON

The Houston Texans on Tuesday waived Pro Bowl wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was playing for his fourth NFL team since March.

In another move, Houston placed rookie tight end Cade Stover on injured reserve.

The team visits the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday afternoon in the AFC divisional round.

The Texans had claimed Johnson off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 23.

Johnson, 28, played for Houston in one regular-season game against the Tennessee Titans and in the AFC wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. He made a total of three receptions for 24 yards on five targets.

With the Ravens, Johnson reeled in just one catch for 6 yards and received a one-game suspension for what the team said was refusing to enter a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 1.

An unrestricted free agent after this season, Johnson was traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to Carolina in March and then was traded from the Panthers to the Ravens in October.

A third-round draft pick in 2019, Johnson had 30 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games (all starts) for the Panthers earlier this season.

In six seasons, the 2021 Pro Bowl selection has 424 career receptions for 4,738 yards and 28 TDs in 89 regular-season games (75 starts) for the Steelers (2019-23), Panthers, Ravens and Texans.

Houston selected Stover in the fourth round of the 2024 draft.

Stover, 24, had 15 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown in 15 regular-season games (nine starts). He was a reserve in the playoff game, catching all four of his targets for 28 yards.

REPORTS: BROWNS PROMOTING TOMMY REES TO OC

The Cleveland Browns are promoting Tommy Rees from tight ends coach to offensive coordinator, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

Rees, 32, will replace Ken Dorsey, who was fired on Jan. 5 after the team finished last in points scored (258) during a 3-14 season.

The Browns’ offense, hampered by rotating quarterbacks and another season-ending injury to running back Nick Chubb, mustered only an NFL-low 15.2 points per game.

Cleveland holds the second overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Dorsey replaced Alex Van Pelt, who was let go within days of the Browns getting routed 45-14 by the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Jan. 13, 2024. The Van Pelt offense ranked 10th in the NFL in points per game (23.3).

Rees previously served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame from 2020-22 and the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Alabama under Nick Saban in 2023.

REPORT: FALCONS, COLTS TO INTERVIEW ‘WINK’ MARTINDALE FOR DC JOB

Former NFL defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale soon could be making his return to the league.

NFL Network reported that Martindale will interview for the defensive coordinator positions with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Martindale accepted the defensive coordinator position at Michigan after parting ways with the New York Giants following the 2023 season.

Martindale, 61, previously served as the defensive coordinator in Baltimore from 2018-21 and in Denver (2010).

The Falcons are looking to fill the position previously held by Jimmy Lake, who was fired on Saturday after one season with the team.

The Colts fired Gus Bradley as their defensive coordinator on Jan. 6 after his third season with the team.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

TEXAS WR ISAIAH BOND JOINS GROWING NUMBER OF LONGHORNS LEAVING EARLY FOR THE NFL

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas junior wide receiver Isaiah Bond announced Tuesday he will enter the NFL draft, becoming the latest Longhorn underclassman to leave the program after reaching the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

Bond transferred from Alabama this season and had 34 catches for 540 yards and five touchdowns for Texas, which reached the CFP for the second consecutive year. But he also struggled with an ankle injury and his production fell off sharply over the second half of the season. He had four catches for 57 yards and no touchdowns over his final five games and missed Texas’ playoff win over Clemson.

Bond is the fourth Longhorn junior to declare for the draft, joining offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., wide receiver Matthew Golden and running back Jaydon Blue.

Texas is still awaiting a decision from three-year starting quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has indicated he will turn pro.

SENIOR BOWL ROSTER

Hancock Whitney Stadium

Mobile, Ala.

Saturday, Feb. 1

QUARTERBACK

Jaxson Dart, Mississippi

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Will Howard, Ohio State

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Tyler Shough, Louisville

RUNNING BACK

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State

RJ Harvey, UCF

Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

Woody Marks, USC

Damien Martinez, Miami

Kalel Mullings, Michigan

Devin Neal, Kansas

Brashard Smith, SMU

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

Marcus Yarns, Delaware

WIDE RECEIVER

Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

Jack Bech, TCU

Pat Bryant, Illinois

Chimere Dike, Florida

Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech

Tai Felton, Maryland

Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Tez Johnson, Oregon

Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech

Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

Xavier Restrepo, Miami

Jalen Royals, Utah State

Arian Smith, Georgia

Kyle Williams, Washington State

TIGHT END

Elijah Arroyo, Miami

Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh

Jake Briningstool, Clemson

CJ Dippre, Alabama

Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech

Gunnar Helm, Texas

Moliki Matavao, UCLA

Mason Taylor, LSU

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Anthony Belton, N.C. State

Logan Brown, Kansas

Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

Ajani Cornelius, Oregon

Garrett Dellinger, LSU

Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Miles Frazier, LSU

Emery Jones Jr., LSU

Marcus Mbow, Purdue

Armand Membou, Missouri

Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

Jonah Monheim, USC

Jack Nelson, Wisconsin

Tate Ratledge, Georgia

Jalen Rivers, Miami

Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech

Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona

Jackson Slater, Sacramento State

Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College

Jalen Travis, Iowa State

Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M

Jared Wilson, Georgia

Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE

Darius Alexander, Toledo

Yahya Black, Iowa

Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon

Alfred Collins, Texas

Joshua Farmer, Florida State

Ty Hamilton, Ohio State

Cam Jackson, Florida

Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech

Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

Deone Walker, Kentucky

EDGE RUSHER

Vernon Broughton, Texas

Jordan Burch, Oregon

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Mike Green, Marshall

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Georgia

Jared Ivey, Mississippi

Landon Jackson, Arkansas

Sai’vion Jones, LSU

Jah Joyner, Minnesota

Kyle Kennard, South Carolina

Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA

Ty Robinson, Nebraska

T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Barryn Sorrell, Texas

Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi

David Walker, Central Arkansas

LINEBACKER

Eugene Asante, Auburn

Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

Shemar James, Florida

Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina

Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota

Nick Martin, Oklahoma State

Jalen McLeod, Auburn

Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia

Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

Tyreem Powell, Rutgers

Karene Reid, Utah

Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

CORNERBACK

BJ Adams, UCF

Trey Amos, Mississippi

Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Tommi Hill, Nebraska

Bilhal Kone, Western Michigan

Mac McWilliams, UCF

Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

Darien Porter, Iowa State

Quincy Riley, Louisville

Jaylin Smith, USC

Upton Stout, Western Kentucky

Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech

Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

SAFETY

Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma

Sebastian Castro, Iowa

Maxen Hook, Toledo

Rayuan Lane III, Navy

Andrew Mukuba, Texas

Caleb Ransaw, Tulane

Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

Jonas Sanker, Virginia

Dante Trader Jr., Maryland

Malik Verdon, Iowa State

Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin

SPECIALISTS

Austin Brinkman, West Virginia (LS)

James Burnip, Alabama (P)

Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida (P)

Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State (K)

Caden Davis, Mississippi (K)

William Wagner, Michigan (LS)

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Caleb Grill racked up 22 points off the bench and sank a pair of clutch free throws with five seconds remaining as Missouri upset No. 5 Florida 83-82 on Tuesday night in Gainesville, Fla.

Grill’s key foul shots came just one second after Alex Condon converted a layup to get the Gators (15-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) within 81-79. Alijah Martin followed with a 3-pointer, but Florida didn’t have enough time to complete a comeback.

Mark Mitchell complemented Grill with 15 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers (14-3, 3-1), while Anthony Robinson II added 12 points and Tamar Bates chipped in 10. Missouri went 11-for-29 from beyond the arc (37.9 percent), with six of those triples coming from Grill (on 10 attempts).

Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. scored a game-high 28 points and nabbed three steals, Martin tallied 14 points and Will Richard added 12 points. Rueben Chinyelu had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Gators, who were 8-0 at home entering Tuesday.

No. 1 Auburn 88, No. 15 Mississippi State 66

Five Tigers scored in double figures and host Auburn survived its first test without its best player, Johni Broome, prevailing against the Bulldogs.

Broome is dealing with a sprained ankle. Chad Baker-Mazara scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the first half for the Tigers (16-1, 4-0 SEC), while Chaney Johnson added 17 points, eight rebounds and four of Auburn’s 10 blocked shots.

Josh Hubbard scored 17 points for the Bulldogs (14-3, 2-2) but made just 2 of 12 field-goal attempts, doing most of his scoring by going 11-for-12 at the foul line. RJ Melendez added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

No. 3 Duke 89, Miami 54

Freshman Kon Knueppel scored a season-high 25 points as the Blue Devils rolled to their 11th consecutive victory, wiping out the Hurricanes in Durham, N.C.

Cooper Flagg, just three days after setting an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record with 42 points against Notre Dame, chipped in 13 points and Khaman Maluach compiled 12 points and 15 rebounds for Duke (15-2, 7-0 ACC).

Lynn Kidd scored 20 points for Miami (4-13, 0-6), which has dropped its past six games. Austin Swartz added 11 points, draining half of the Hurricanes’ six 3-point baskets.

No. 21 Ole Miss 74, No. 4 Alabama 64

Malik Dia set season highs with 23 points and 19 rebounds, and the Rebels used stifling defense to knock off Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Jaylen Murray and Jaemyn Brakefield scored 13 points apiece for the Rebels (15-2, 4-0 SEC), who frustrated Alabama into 21 turnovers. Sean Pedulla totaled 12 points and Matthew Murrell 11 as Ole Miss was victorious for the first time ever in 35 road games against AP Top 5 teams. It won for the first time in Tuscaloosa since 2015.

Aden Holloway scored 15 points, while Mark Sears — the SEC’s leading scorer (19.1 ppg) — had 11 for Alabama (14-3, 3-1), which scored just 28 second-half points.

No. 7 Marquette 85, DePaul 83 (OT)

David Joplin scored a career-high 30 points and opened overtime with back-to-back 3-pointers as the Golden Eagles escaped Chicago with a victory over the Blue Demons.

Joplin made 7 of 13 3-point attempts, none bigger than those two to begin the extra session, where Marquette (15-2, 6-0 Big East) scored 12 of the first 14 points, then hung on to win its sixth straight game.

CJ Gunn scored 21 points and Isaiah Rivera sank four treys in a 43-second span in overtime and finished with 20 points for DePaul (9-9, 0-7). The Blue Demons dropped their fifth straight game overall and their 39th consecutive Big East regular-season contest.

No. 8 Kentucky 81, No. 11 Texas A&M 69

Jaxson Robinson tallied 22 points and the Wildcats won the battle of the boards in a victory over the Aggies in a key early-season SEC clash in Lexington, Ky.

Kentucky (14-3, 3-1 SEC) had a three-point lead at halftime that it expanded to a dozen less than four minutes into the second half. Short-handed Texas A&M (13-4, 2-2) whittled that margin to six with just under seven minutes to play, but the Wildcats pushed their lead to 63-53 less than a minute later and maintained at least an eight-point cushion the rest of the way.

The Wildcats outrebounded Texas A&M 40-30, earned a 28-22 edge in points in the paint and forged a 24-16 advantage in made free throws in a gritty game. Zhuric Phelps led Texas A&M with 21 points, with Pharrel Payne adding 15.

No. 19 Illinois 94, Indiana 69

Kylan Boswell scored 22 points and backcourt mate Kasparas Jakucionis added 21 as the Illini racked up 60 first-half points in a Big Ten rout of the Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ind.

Tomislav Ivisic posted 17 points and 11 rebounds and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn added 12 points as the Illini (13-4, 5-2) recovered from a 10-point home loss to Southern California on Saturday that came without Jakucionis.

Oumar Ballo led Indiana (13-5, 4-3) with 16 points and 15 rebounds before being ejected with 2:24 to go. Luke Goode, who played the previous three years at Illinois, contributed 13 points and Myles Rice scored 12.

No. 24 Wisconsin 70, Ohio State 68

John Tonje scored 17 points and the Badgers held off the Buckeyes’ second-half comeback attempt for a victory in Madison, Wis.

John Blackwell added 15 points for the Badgers (14-3, 4-2), including a foul shot with 1.5 seconds left for a two-point lead. Steven Crowl scored 14 points for Wisconsin, which won its sixth in a row and gave coach Greg Gard his 200th career victory.

The Buckeyes (10-7, 2-4) had a chance to tie or win the game, but Devin Royal stepped out of bounds before he could try to shoot a potential game-winning 3-pointer. Bruce Thornton scored a game-high 21 points for Ohio State, including 19 in the second half.

Arizona 81, No. 25 Baylor 70

Henri Veesaar’s 19 points led the Wildcats to a seventh straight win as they beat the Bears in Tucson, Ariz.

Jaden Bradley had 13 points, five rebounds and six assists for Arizona (11-5, 5-0 Big 12). KJ Lewis finished with 11 points and seven assists.

Baylor (11-5, 3-2), which cracked the AP Top 25 on Monday after winning six of its previous seven games, played mostly with a six-player rotation because Jalen Celestine and Langston Love missed their fourth straight game with ankle injuries. Robert Wright led Baylor with 16 points off the bench and VJ Edgecombe had 14. Duke transfer Jeremy Roach scored 13.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 8 MARYLAND SURVIVES NO. 24 MINNESOTA’S RALLY

Shyanne Sellers scored a season-high 27 points and Kaylene Smikle added 19 as No. 8 Maryland nearly blew a 20-point lead in the final three minutes but held off No. 24 Minnesota 99-92 on Tuesday in College Park, Md.

Smikle hit six consecutive free throws in the final 29 seconds, with four of those coming after a 3-pointer by Annika Stewart trimmed the Golden Gophers’ deficit to 95-92 with 20 seconds to play. Consecutive treys by Sarah Te-Biasu and Sellers had given the Terrapins a 93-73 bulge with 2:59 left, but five Minnesota players contributed to an immediate 16-0 run.

Sellers also supplied nine rebounds and seven assists, although she was responsible for six of Maryland’s 18 turnovers. Allie Kubek scored 15 of her 17 points in the second half for the Terrapins (16-1, 6-1 Big Ten).

Amaya Battle’s 19 points led four scorers in double figures for Minnesota (16-2, 4-2). Battle also notched seven rebounds and six assists. Grace Grocholski added 16 points, Mallory Heyer 15 and Sophie Hart 14 with nine rebounds.

No. 10 TCU 90, UCF 81

Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith combined for 47 points and the Horned Frogs led by double digits most of the way while beating the Knights in Fort Worth, Texas, to stay undefeated in the Big 12.

Prince scored 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting and added seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks as TCU (18-1, 6-0 Big 12) won its ninth straight game. Van Lith’s 20 points came mostly on six 3-pointers, and she added seven assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Kaitlin Peterson produced 33 points and five steals for UCF (7-9, 0-6). Emely Rodriguez chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Achol Akot added 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Baylor 70, No. 23 Utah 61

The Bears put four scorers in double figures and pulled away in the final two minutes to knock off the Utes in Waco, Texas.

Aaronette Vonleh scored 19 points in 21 minutes, Bella Fontleroy was right behind with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five steals, and Jada Walker chipped in 12 points, 12 assists and three steals for Baylor (15-3, 5-1 Big 12).

Gianna Kneepkens and Maty Wilke netted 17 points apiece to carry Utah (13-4, 4-2), which lost for the second time in three games. Reese Ross supplied 12 points and seven rebounds.

Houston 79, No. 24 Oklahoma State 76

Kierra Merchant scored 15 of her 20 points in the middle quarters, and the host Cougars barely hung on to topple the Cowgirls for their first Big 12 win of the season.

Merchant netted nine points in the second period as Houston (5-12, 1-5 Big 12) broke away from a tie game to lead by 11 at the half. She added six more in the third as the cushion grew to 62-42. Gia Cooke provided 16 points for the Cougars, and Eylia Love chipped in 15.

Stailee Heard and Micah Gray led the fourth-quarter charge with a combined 21 points for Oklahoma State (14-3, 4-2). Heard’s 3-pointer made it a three-point game with 15 seconds left, and her steal with five seconds to go gave Oklahoma State a last gasp, but she missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer. Stailee wound up with 17 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Gray and Anna Gret Asi logged 16 points each.

NBA NEWS

NBA ROUNDUP: BUCKS STOP KINGS’ 7-GAME WINNING STREAK

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for 25 points during a 47-point first quarter that propelled the Milwaukee Bucks to a 130-115 win over the visiting Kings on Tuesday night, snapping Sacramento’s seven-game winning streak.

Antetokounmpo finished with a game-high 33 points and Lillard totaled 24 for the Bucks, who rebounded from a 34-point loss against the New York Knicks on Sunday to earn their fourth win in the past five games. Antetokounmpo completed a triple-double with a game-high 13 assists and 11 rebounds.

DeMar DeRozan had a team-high 28 points and De’Aaron Fox recorded a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Kings, who lost for just the second time in nine games since Doug Christie took over as interim coach after Mike Brown was fired.

Domantas Sabonis just missed a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Hawks 122, Suns 117

Trae Young scored a season-high 43 points for Atlanta, which ended Phoenix’s three-game winning streak and beat the Suns for the 11th straight time in Atlanta.

Young made 13 of 31 field goals, giving him 3,556 baskets for his career and pushing him past Al Horford for 10th most in franchise history. He was 6-for-12 on 3-pointers and 11 of 14 on free throws to go along with five assists. Atlanta also got 22 points and a career-high 21 rebounds from Onyeka Okongwu and 19 points from fellow reserve Garrison Mathews, who made five 3-pointers.

Phoenix was led by Devin Booker’s 35 points and Kevin Durant’s 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Thunder 118, 76ers 102

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points on 12-of-15 shooting to guide visiting Oklahoma City over short-handed Philadelphia.

Gilgeous-Alexander also dished out nine assists, joining Isaiah Hartenstein (nine points, 16 rebounds) in barely missing a double-double. Jalen Williams contributed 24 points for the Thunder, while Cason Wallace notched 18 points.

Justin Edwards (25 points) and Jeff Dowtin Jr. (18) set new career highs for Philadelphia, which played without eight of its top 10 players in terms of minutes per game. Joel Embiid (foot), Tyrese Maxey (hand) and Paul George (ankle) were among the absent Sixers as the team lost for the sixth time in eight games. Guerschon Yabusele chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds.

Cavaliers 127, Pacers 117

Donovan Mitchell scored 27 of his game-high 35 points in the first half, helping Cleveland end host Indiana’s six-game winning streak.

Darius Garland added 24 points and seven assists, while Evan Mobley had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Cleveland, which avenged a 15-point home loss to the Pacers on Sunday. Jarrett Allen chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds, and Max Strus had 13 points off the bench.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 23 points, followed by 19 from Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner’s 17. Jarace Walker scored 11, while Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell each had 10 for the Pacers. Nembhard added nine assists.

Nuggets 118, Mavericks 99

Jamal Murray scored a season-high 45 points on 18-of-26 shooting as Denver won at Dallas to finish off a two-game sweep.

Michael Porter Jr. added 13 points and six rebounds for Denver, which has won four straight games and eight of its past 10. Nikola Jokic added 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for his 16th triple-double of the season.

Dallas star Kyrie Irving (back) returned from a five-game absence and scored 11 points in 30 minutes. His rust showed as he shot just 4 of 18. Daniel Gafford scored 13 points and Naji Marshall put up 11 as the Mavericks fell for the seventh time in nine games and lost big man Dereck Lively II to a sprained right ankle.

Pelicans 119, Bulls 113

Trey Murphy III scored a game-high 32 points and Zion Williamson added 21 points and nine assists to lift visiting New Orleans to a victory against Chicago.

New Orleans outscored Chicago 33-27 in the fourth quarter to close a 2-1 road trip. Dejounte Murray (15 points) and Jose Alvarado (12) also scored in double figures for New Orleans, with Alvarado putting up all of his points in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls used a 10-1 run to draw within four points with 33.4 seconds to go before the Pelicans sealed the game at the free-throw line. Zach LaVine paced Chicago with 25 points, Nikola Vucevic posted 22 points and a season-high 15 rebounds and Josh Giddey had seven points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.

Nets 132, Trail Blazers 114

Brooklyn withstood a career-best 39 points from host Portland’s Scoot Henderson to snap a five-game losing streak.

Cameron Johnson, who entered the game with an ankle injury, scored 24 points for Brooklyn. Noah Clowney and Keon Johnson had 20 each.

Henderson, who also dished six assists, connected on 13 of 18 shots from the floor and 8 of 10 from 3-point range. Fellow second-year Blazer Toumani Camara also chalked up a career-high 23 points, and Shaedon Sharpe added 21.

NHL NEWS

NHL ROUNDUP: AVS RALLY LATE, SINK RANGERS IN OT

Devon Toews scored with 37 seconds left in overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche rallied to beat the New York Rangers 3-2 in Denver on Tuesday night.

Artturi Lehkonen and Parker Kelly also scored, Nathan MacKinnon had two assists and Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves for Colorado. With the Avs trailing 2-1, Blackwood came off for an extra skater with 2:14 left, and Lehkonen tied it when he knocked in Mikko Rantanen’s rebound at 18:47.

Sam Carrick had a goal and an assist, Adam Edstrom had a goal and Igor Shesterkin turned away 23 shots for New York, which had its two-game winning streak stopped.

The Rangers dominated the first part of overtime, including several chances on a power play, before the Avalanche capitalized in the final minute of overtime. Logan O’Connor passed it to MacKinnon above the left circle, MacKinnon sent a pass to Toews in the right circle, and he beat Shesterkin on the short side to win it for Colorado.

Sharks 6, Red Wings 3

William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli each had a goal and two assists as visiting San Jose snapped Detroit’s seven-game winning streak.

Nico Sturm, Jan Rutta, Mikael Granlund and Mario Ferraro had the other goals for San Jose, which snapped a three-game losing streak. The Sharks won for just the fourth time in the last 18 games. Alexandar Georgiev made 25 saves.

Vladimir Tarasenko, who had gone without a goal since Dec. 1, scored twice for Detroit. Lucas Raymond had the other goal, and netminder Ville Husso made 18 saves.

Canadiens 5, Utah 3

Kirby Dach scored twice while Lane Hutson, who leads all rookies in points, recorded his first three-assist game to pace Montreal past Utah in Salt Lake City.

Montreal’s Cole Caufield and Mike Matheson both netted one goal and one assist, while Patrik Laine scored a goal to reach the 400-point plateau. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves for the Canadiens, who have won 10 of their last 13 games (10-2-1).

Josh Doan, Nick Bjugstad and Logan Cooley scored for Utah, which has only one win in the past five games (1-3-1) and is on a 2-7-2 skid. Karel Vejmelka stopped 21 shots.

Capitals 3, Ducks 0

Logan Thompson made 19 saves as Washington shut out visiting Anaheim.

It was his first shutout with the Capitals and the fifth of his five-year NHL career. Thompson stretched his point streak to eight games (7-0-1) and improved his season record to 19-2-3. Brandon Duhaime had a goal and an assist and John Carlson and Ethen Frank also scored for the Capitals, who extended their point streak to eight games (5-0-3).

John Gibson made 22 saves for the Ducks, who have lost four of five (1-3-1). Anaheim was shut out for the second time in the past three games after not getting blanked in the first 41 games.

Bruins 6, Lightning 2

David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha each logged a goal and two assists and Jeremy Swayman tied his career-high mark with 43 saves as Boston beat visiting Tampa Bay.

Andrew Peeke and Brad Marchand each had a goal and an assist, while Trent Frederic and Parker Wotherspoon (first NHL goal) also scored for the Bruins, who have followed up a season-worst 0-5-1 skid with consecutive victories.

Victor Hedman had a goal and an assist and Connor Geekie also scored for the Lightning, who had won three of their previous four games (3-0-1). Andrei Vasilevskiy made 18 saves.

Predators 5, Golden Knights 3

Steven Stamkos scored twice and also had an assist and Filip Forsberg added a goal and an assist as Nashville jumped out to a four-goal lead and then held on for a milestone victory over visiting Vegas.

Justin Barron and Ryan O’Reilly also scored for Nashville, which earned the 1,000th win in franchise history (1,000-770-60-190). Justus Annunen made 19 saves for the Predators, who snapped a two-game losing streak.

Vegas’ Pavel Dorofeyev scored his first career hat trick, the fourth multi-goal game of his career and third of the season. Tomas Hertl and Victor Olofsson each had two assists for the Golden Knights, who lost for the third time in four games. Ilya Samsonov finished with 18 saves for the Golden Knights.

Jets 6, Canucks 1

Kyle Connor scored a natural hat trick in the first period and went on to add an assist as Winnipeg crushed visiting Vancouver.

Neal Pionk, Nino Niederreiter and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg. Gabriel Vilardi had three helpers, while Cole Perfetti had two assists. Nikolaj Ehlers and Rasmus Kupari also set up goals. Connor Hellebuyck made 23 stops.

Nils Hoglander scored Vancouver’s only goal, unassisted. Kevin Lankinen made 27 stops for the Canucks, who fell to 1-3-2 in their last six games.

Blue Jackets 3, Flyers 2 (SO)

Kirill Marchenko scored the deciding goal of a shootout to give Columbus a win over the visiting Philadelphia. The Blue Jackets, who are 4-0 in shootouts this season, extended their winning streak to five games.

Zach Werenski scored both Columbus goals in regulation time. Daniil Tarasov stopped 23 of 25 shots, and the Flyers were off target on both of their shootout attempts.

Bobby Brink and Owen Tippett scored for the Flyers, who have earned at least a point in three straight games (2-0-1).

Panthers 2, Devils 1 (SO)

Anton Lundell scored the deciding goal in the third round of a shootout to lift Florida to a win in Newark, N.J.

Jesper Boqvist scored and Spencer Knight made 26 saves for the Panthers, who snapped a two-game skid (0-1-1).

Nico Hischier scored for the Devils, who are 2-0-2 after a four-game losing streak. Jacob Markstrom made 27 saves.

Stars 4, Maple Leafs 1

Logan Stankoven had two goals to snap a 25-game scoring drought and visiting Dallas defeated Toronto.

Matt Duchene added a goal and two assists for the Stars, who have won eight of their past nine games. Mavrik Bourque also scored a goal, Stankoven added an assist and Jake Oettinger stopped 27 shots as Dallas completed a 4-1-0 road trip.

Toronto had won the seven previous games between the teams, most recently a 5-3 victory at Dallas on Dec. 18. Auston Matthews scored and Joseph Woll made 19 saves for the Maple Leafs, who have lost three straight games in regulation for the first time this season.

Kraken 4, Penguins 2

Jamie Oleksiak and Eeli Tolvanen scored 50 seconds apart midway through the third period as Seattle rallied for a victory at Pittsburgh.

Chandler Stephenson and Kaapo Kakko also tallied for the Kraken, who won for just the second time since the start of the new year (2-4-1). Seattle’s Adam Larsson had two assists, and goaltender Joey Daccord made 31 saves.

Philip Tomasino and Bryan Rust tallied for the Penguins, who lost their third in a row and dropped to 1-4-3 over their past eight games. Tristan Jarry stopped 14 of 17 shots.

Senators 2, Islanders 0

Leevi Merilainen authored his second shutout in three starts, recording 24 saves to lead visiting Ottawa to a win over New York in Elmont, N.Y.

Ottawa has won three straight games — all started by Merilainen. Adam Gaudette scored in the second and Artem Zub had an empty-netter in the third for the Senators, who are one point out of the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Goalie Marcus Hogberg, who made his second straight start with Ilya Sorokin sidelined by an illness, recorded 25 saves as the Islanders had their season-high three-game winning streak snapped. New York is in last place in the Metropolitan Division and in 15th place in the Eastern Conference.

Blues 2, Flames 1

Radek Faksa scored the game-winning goal as the St. Louis Blues edged the visiting Calgary Flames 2-1 Tuesday night.

Colton Parayko also scored for the Blues and Jordan Binnington made 26 saves. St. Louis has won two of its last three heading into Thursday’s home rematch against Calgary.

Kevin Bahl scored and Dan Vladar stopped 23 shots for the Flames, whose three-game winning streak came to an end. Faksa put the Blues up 2-1 with 8:49 to play by deflecting Tyler Tucker’s shot from the right point. With Vladar pulled for an extra attacker, the Flames applied pressure playing 6-on-5 but failed to tie the game.

CANADIENS’ EMIL HEINEMAN IS OUT 3-4 WEEKS AFTER GETTING HIT BY A CAR WHILE WALKING IN SALT LAKE CITY

Montreal Canadiens player Emil Heineman is expected to miss three to four weeks after being hit by a car while walking in downtown Salt Lake City a day before playing at the Utah Hockey Club.

The team announced Tuesday that the 23-year-old Swedish forward was out with an upper-body injury after being involved in a pedestrian accident. The Canadiens face Utah on Tuesday night.

Salt Lake City police said in a news release sent to The Associated Press that they received a 911 call around 3 p.m. Monday, and officers were dispatched to the scene near 200 East 500 South and checked the area but could not find the pedestrian or the passerby who reported the incident. Police said officers received information later in the evening from a nearby business, which said it had info likely associated with the crash.

After learning of Heineman’s identity, police said he did not show any signs of serious injuries and was being attended to by team doctors. It was not immediately clear what his injury was.

Police identified all parties involved and said they could not release any additional details. The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating.

Heineman is in his first full NHL season and has 17 points in 41 games with the Canadians. The Leksand, Sweden, native was a second-round pick by Florida in 2000 who was traded to Calgary in 2021 and to Montreal in ’22.

BASEBALL NEWS

POLICE: FORMER ORIOLES P BRIAN MATUSZ LIKELY DIED FROM OVERDOSE

The cause of death of former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz likely is a drug overdose, The Baltimore Banner reported.

A report from the Phoenix Police Department, obtained by the publication, said Matusz was found dead in his home there on Jan. 6 with drug paraphernalia near his body and with a white substance in his mouth.

His mother found his body when she went to his home after being unable to reach him, per the report.

Matusz was 37.

The Orioles selected Matusz with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft. The left-hander posted a 27-41 record with a 4.85 ERA in 279 career games (68 starts) with the club.

“A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-16, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,” the Orioles said in a statement issued Jan. 7. “He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate and always had a smile on his face.”

Matusz was traded to the Atlanta Braves in May 2016 but was released one week later. He joined the Chicago Cubs and pitched three innings against the Seattle Mariners on July 31, 2016, his final appearance.

TENNIS NEWS

CARLOS ALCARAZ RECORDS SECOND-ROUND ROUT IN AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Carlos Alcaraz made quick work of his second-round match at the Australian Open.

The third-seeded Spaniard powered to a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 win over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in 88 minutes on Wednesday in Melbourne, Australia.

Alcaraz, 21, has already surpassed his most recent Grand Slam performance, when he was stunned in the second round of the 2024 U.S. Open by the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp.

Alcaraz never faced a break point, finished with a 14-1 edge in aces and logged 36 winners to seven by Nishioka, who is ranked 65th in the world.

“I’m really happy with the serve today,” Alcaraz said. “This is something that I worked on in the preseason. In the first round I struggled a little bit, so I wasn’t too happy with the serve.

“Yesterday I was more focused on practicing the serve. I spent more time just serving with Juan Carlos (Ferrero, his coach), with my team, and it’s something that I really want to be better. So I’m just glad that today it worked pretty well. Hopefully in the next round it is going to be better.”

Up next for Alcaraz is Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who eliminated 27th-seeded Jordan Thompson of Australia 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Seventh-seeded Novak Djokovic, bidding for his 11th Australian Open title, moved into the third round with a 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.

The Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka, seeded 24th, led 6-3, 3-1 when France’s Hugo Gaston retired. Another Czech player advanced, as Tomas Machac pulled out a 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over the United States’ Reilly Opelka. Each player broke serve just once in the match, with Machac getting his break in the penultimate game.

France’s Benjamin Bonzi defeated Italy’s Francesco Passaro, a lucky loser from qualifying, 6-2, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

NAOMI OSAKA PULLS OFF SECOND-ROUND UPSET AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Naomi Osaka, ranked just No. 51 in the world after a disappointing 2024 season, shook off a slow start en route to a second-round upset win in the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Osaka rallied past 20th-seeded Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in Melbourne, Australia.

A four-time Grand Slam champion, Osaka returned from maternity leave last year and lost in the first or second round of all four major tournaments. The 27-year-old Japan native has not won any event on the WTA Tour since capturing her second Australian Open title to start 2021.

Osaka said getting past Muchova, a 28-year-old Czech player, “means a lot. She’s an incredibly difficult opponent for me to play. She crushed me at the U.S. Open when I had my best outfit ever. I was so disappointed. I was so mad.

“I’m glad I got my revenge. It’s not a bad thing; revenge is competitive. She’s one of the toughest opponents out there.”

Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus powered into the third round, beating Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5. Sabalenka came through at the key moments, converting five of her six break-point opportunities and saving 8 of Bouzas Maneiro’s 11 break points.

Sabalenka erased a 4-1 deficit in the second set.

“She played incredible tennis, especially in the second set,” Sabalenka said of Bouzas Maneiro. “I’m really happy I was able to turn around that set.

“There’s so many players who are playing really well in these conditions … Today’s match proved that. Girls can go there and just play without any fear, without anything to lose. They can put you in really uncomfortable position. You have to go out there and fight and compete and show your best.”

Germany’s Laura Siegemund pulled off a major upset on Wednesday, eliminating fifth-seeded Qinwen Zheng of China 7-6 (3), 6-3.

“Obviously I’m very happy and very proud of my performance,” Siegemund said. “I expected a very, very tough game against this kind of top player. I think she’s one of the best in the world.”

In other early matches on Wednesday, seventh-seeded Jessica Pegula of the United States got past Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2; Serbia’s Olga Danilovic thrashed 25th-seeded Russian Liudmila Samsonova 6-1, 6-2; 14th-seeded Russian Mirra Andreeva edged Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (8); 30th-seeded Canadian Leylah Fernandez overtook Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; and 23rd-seeded Magdalena Frech of Poland recovered to beat Russia’s Anna Blinkova 0-6, 6-0, 6-2.

Also advancing to the third round were Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Denmark’s Clara Tauson.

TOP INDIANA RELEASES/HEADLINES

INDIANA PACERS

GAME REWIND: PACERS 117, CAVALIERS 127

The Indiana Pacers’ 2025 unbeaten streak has come to an end.

The East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (34-5) snapped a six-game Indiana Pacers (22-19) winning streak on Tuesday,  posting a 127-117 victory over the Blue & Gold at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The loss was the first for the Pacers in the new year, and evened the teams’ regular season series 1-1.

After trailing by a point at halftime, the Cavs made seven 3-pointers in the third quarter to lead by 11 going into the final frame. In the fourth quarter, the Pacers played scrappy but ultimately never led.

Seven Pacers players scored in double figures in the loss. Pascal Siakam topped the Pacers with 23 points, Benedict Mathurin added 19, Myles Turner scored 17, Jarace Walker had 11, and Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell each scored 10.

Five-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points on 12-for-23 shooting, Darius Garland had 24 points, and Evan Mobley supplied 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavs.

Pacers All-NBA point guard Tyrese Haliburton didn’t play Tuesday due to a left hamstring strain. Second-year guard Ben Sheppard started in Haliburton’s place, with Nembhard moving to the point with the first five.

Cleveland outshot Indiana just 48.4 to 48.3 percent in the game, but made 15 3-pointers to the Pacers’ 12 treys. Indiana lost the rebounding margin 49-37, including 14-9 on the offensive boards.

The Cavs led 62-61 at halftime despite shooting 52.7 percent as a team. Indiana trailed by as many as 10 points in the second quarter before finishing the half on a 12-5 run to make it a one-point game at the break.

Siakam could hardly miss in the first half, recording 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting, while Mitchell also shot the lights out to start, recording 27 points on 10-for-13 shooting (3-for-5 from 3-point range). Siakam and Mitchell were the only two players in double-digit points in the first half.

Neither team could get much of an edge in the first quarter – with the longest scoring run just 5-0 – until a 10-4 stretch by the Cavs in the final 2:57 of the opening frame helped them to a 37-31 lead.

Siakam and Mitchell carried the offensive loads for their teams early, as Siakam shot 5-for-7 for 12 points and Mitchell recorded 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting (3-for-4 from 3-point range) in the first quarter.

After the Pacers opened the second quarter with an 11-2 run, with Thomas Bryant supplying five points off the bench, the Cavs answered with a 13-3 spree, with four different scorers, to lead 52-44 with 5:31 left in the half.

In the final 2:41 half, the Pacers charged back with a 12-5 streak on four points each by Sheppard and Siakam to make it a one-point game.

Cleveland outscored Indiana 38-28 in the third quarter, making seven 3-pointers,  to take a 100-89 lead into the final frame.

The teams traded baskets to open the third quarter until a 13-3 run, where Max Strus, Georges Niang, and Mobley all hit threes, gave the Cavs a 92-77 advantage with 3:34 left in the period.

While threes by Bryant and Toppin cut the deficit to nine near the end of the third quarter, the Blue & Gold couldn’t get any closer than that before the start of the fourth.

Mathurin scored 12 points in the fourth quarter, and the Pacers outscored the Cavs 28-27 in the frame but it wasn’t enough for the comeback win.

Indiana opened the fourth quarter on back-to-back threes from Mathurin and Toppin, a layup from Mathurin, and a step-back jumper from Walker narrowed the score to 112-106 with 7:12 left in the game.

The Cavs then answered with a 9-3 run, on seven points by Garland, to lead 120-109 with 4:05 left.

With 3:58 remaining, Mathurin received his second technical of the game after disagreeing with a shooting foul called on him, disqualifying him for the rest of the game. Mitchell then hit two free throws for the techs and Mobley split his attempts at the charity stripe for the shooting foul to put the visitors up 123-111 with four minutes left in the game.

The Pacers never cut the deficit to single digits the rest of the way as the Cavs got revenge for their Sunday loss to Indiana at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Indiana will play at the Detroit Pistons on Thursday before concluding the week at home Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Inside the Numbers

Pacers guard RayJ Dennis scored his first NBA points against the Cavs by making a pair of free throws late in the fourth quarter. Indiana signed Dennis to a two-way contract on Jan. 3.

The Cavs made 26 of 31 free throws while the Pacers finished 17-for-22 from the stripe.

Andrew Nembhard recorded a season-high nine assists in the game

The Pacers had 30 total assists and the Cavs finished with 25.

Indiana’s bench outscored Cleveland’s second unit 41-30.

Cleveland had 14 turnovers and the Pacers finished with 11.

You Can Quote Me on That

“In the end, the free throw differential and the rebounding differential was probably a major part of the difference. There were a few times we didn’t get organized quickly enough in transition. They were much more aggressive tonight. They made the adjustments they had to make. The number one thing was their physical aggression, and that showed up with the boards and them getting to the free throw line.” – Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on the loss

“We got shots. Zones are designed to give up low-quality shots. We had a lot of really good looks in the paint, but not at the rim and we didn’t knock a lot of them down. We’ll keep studying it. We’ve seen a lot of zone, we expect to see more zone. It’s just part of the game. I thought as the game went on, we attacked it better. I thought we were better in the second half.” – Carlisle on the Cavs relying heavily on a zone defense Tuesday

“We have the ability to do some diverse things. The group we ended the first half with was small, with Drew and T.J .and Shep and the two bigs, and they made a nice run. But with this alignment, we’re going to have to play big some of the time. When we do that, we’re going to have to be solid. We’re going to have to contain, we have to rebound well, because that’s a strength, and we’re going to have to generate good shots. And so I’ll take a closer look at that when I look at the film.” – Carlisle on playing without Haliburton

“I thought we competed hard, but we didn’t always compete particularly well. We went hard, they just went harder tonight.”  – Carlisle on the loss

“I thought we did well in the first half. We were there hanging around, and we had some good stretches. I think in the second half, they played zone, they made more shots than us. The zone, I thought, sort of slowed us down a little bit … we had to execute better in that. But I thought we played well for periods of time during the game.” – Pascal Siakam on the loss

“We obviously know what Ty can do, like when he brings our team, being a facilitator, being someone that brings energy to the floor. Drew can step in there and make plays for us. He can direct us also. … Everyone needs to step up top to bottom.” – Siakam on the loss

Stat of the Night

The Cavs made seven of their 15 total 3-pointers in the third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 38-28 in the frame.

Noteworthy

Tuesday’s game was the first full game the Pacers haven’t had Tyrese Haliburton on the floor this season.

Cleveland and Indiana will play four times this season. Tied at 1-1 after Tuesday’s result,  the Pacers will host the Cavs on April 10 before concluding their regular season in Cleveland on April 13.

When Indiana traded Caris LeVert to Cleveland in 2022, part of the package included a 2022 second round pick and 2023 first round pick. Those draft picks turned into current Pacers players Andrew Nembhard and Ben Sheppard.

Cavs guard Darius Garland was born in Gary, Indiana, and Craig Porter Jr. is from Terre Haute.

INDY FUEL

PIT STOP: WEEK 13

• INDY FUEL WEEK TWELVE RESULTS 1-3-0-0
• INDY FUEL OVERALL RECORD 14-15-2-2 (5th in Central Division)

GAME 30 – WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 VS WHEELING – 2-1 OT W

The Fuel hosted the Wheeling Nailers on Wednesday night, facing off with them for the first time at home this season. After a goal apiece in the second period, the game headed to overtime and the Fuel took the 2-1 win after a Ryan Gagnier game winner.

GAME 31 – FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 VS WHEELING – 4-1 L

The Fuel hosted the Wheeling Nailers on Friday night for the second of a two-game set against them this week. After giving up two goals in the first period, the Fuel struggled to make a comeback and fell 4-1.

GAME 32 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 AT IOWA – 4-1 L

The Fuel headed to Iowa after two games against the Nailers this week. Despite scoring on the power play, Iowa’s offensive pressure outscored and outshot the Fuel, and Indy lost 4-1.

GAME 33 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 12 AT IOWA – 2-1 L

The Fuel ended their week in Iowa with a Sunday afternoon game where they ultimately fell 2-1 to the Heartlanders after a hard fought third period. 

ROSTER MOVES

• Defenseman DJ King recalled to Rockford 01/13
• Forwards Kyle Maksimovich and Ryan Gagnier recalled to Rockford 01/13

OIL DROPS

• Forward Nathan Burke had his first goal since November 27 against Iowa on Saturday.
• Rookie goaltender Ben Gaudreau is ranked fourth among goaltenders in the league and first for active rookie goaltenders. He has a save percentage of .914 with just a 2.17 goals allowed average.
• Kyle Maksimovich is on a three-game point streak.
• Cam Hausinger is ranked third in the league in shooting percentage with 26.7%

TEAM NOTES

• The Fuel’s overall penalty kill is still strong, they are ranked second in the league at 89.7%.
• The second period is the Fuel’s strongest, with a goal differential of +4.
• Indy is still strong with shot suppression, only allowing an average of 23.48 shots per game.

INDY FUEL WEEK 14 SCHEDULE

• GAME 34 – WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 VS. MAINE
• GAME 35 – FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 VS. KALAMAZOO
• GAME 36 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 VS. CINCINNATI  

FUEL HOPES TO SNAP THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK AGAINST NORTH DIVISION OPPONENT

INDIANAPOLIS– The Indy Fuel look to gain in the win column after a tough weekend in Iowa. This team hasn’t seen the Maine Mainers since 2019 and have never hosted them at home before. It’s a wild Wednesday night of hockey, with both teams needing points.

FORMER MAINERS LOOK TO SHINE

The last time the Fuel took on the Maine Mainers was in 2019, in Maine. The Fuel have never had a home game against this team. However, that one game was special. As the Fuel shut out Maine 6-0, Chase Marchand took the win in net. Fuel legend Spencer Watson had two goals and an assist, plus current Fuel member Nathan Noel also scored. Before rejoining the Fuel this season, Noel played 24 games with the Mainers last season. Bennett Stockdale came to the Fuel this year via trade and newly acquired William Provost also played for Maine last season. Since the Fuel haven’t seen much of Maine during their eleven years of existence, they will turn to those who have played with them to break through offensively. 

FILL IN THE GAPS

Just after returning to the ice from injury, forward Kyle Maksimovich has been recalled to the Rockford IceHogs. Alongside him in the recall were DJ King and Ryan Gagnier. While the Fuel continues to be last in the league in shots for with a 2.09 average, their defense still has them in second place for shots against with 2.27 per game. With some top line guys called up, others on the team will need to step it up with minutes and on special teams play.

INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL

HOOSIERS FALL AT HOME

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Luke Goode clapped for energy, for resolve, for fight from an Indiana huddle seconds before the start of a second half that could define the Hoosiers.

They trailed by 28 points Tuesday night against No. 19/20 Illinois at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall – but weren’t without hope in the final 20 minutes if they pushed, if they battled, if they persevered, if they played to their potential and not to their vulnerability.

If they defended and hit some 3-point shots.

Rebounding, a first-half weakness, became an early second-half strength. The defense picked up, and the energy followed. A 30-point first-half deficit was cut to 16 seven minutes into the second half.

Would a comeback for the ages follow?

It did not. IU (13-5 overall, 4-3 in the Big Ten) lost its second-straight game and its first at home, 94-69. Following an 85-60 Saturday night loss at Iowa, it left the Hoosiers searching for answers.

“We’re not playing tough enough,” Goode said. “We have to be ready, stick to the game plan and the scouting report. We let teams punk us. We have to be better. We have to take pride in what we do.

“It all comes down to defense. We need to have the pride to grind out games.”

Allowing 60 points in the first half, guard Anthony Leal added, was unacceptable.

“It doesn’t matter what we do defensively if we don’t do it with effort and toughness,” he said. “These teams are talented. We know we’re talented, but we aren’t matching anybody’s toughness or togetherness. That’s the problem.”

Added coach Mike Woodson: “Our defensive intensity wasn’t there. Illinois played great. They exploited it.”

Consecutive blowout losses leave the Hoosiers at a crossroad.

“It’s a long season,” Woodson said. “You can’t throw in the towel.

“It’s tough when you prepare and work and do all the things in practice you’re supposed to do, and then guys don’t step up. They didn’t step up against Iowa.

“We can’t let this be a snowball effect. There’s a long way to go. I think we’re good enough to win. I’ve got to get us to believe that.”

Illinois (13-4, 5-2) dominated in made 3-point baskets (11-4), rebounding (51-37) and second-chance points (19-6).

Center Oumar Ballo led IU with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Goode, who played his first three seasons at Illinois, fouled out with 13 points. Guard Myles Rice had 12 points. Guard Trey Galloway had 10 points and five assists.

Back in the Illini lineup was freshman standout Kasparas Jakucionis, who had missed the previous two games, including a home loss to USC, because of injury. He finished with 21 points and five assists.

Jakucionis made instant impact, scoring Illinois’ first five points, then added three more plus an assist, as the Illini took a 12-8 lead after four minutes. Three minutes later, it was 20-8 as the Hoosiers struggled to rebound or defend.

Illinois made it 27-12 midway through the first half with an 11-2 edge in second-chance points created by a 15-6 rebounding advantage. The lead grew to 25, then 28, then 30 as the Illini began draining 3-pointers from any range and rebounding nearly every missed shot.

IU picked up its defense, hit some shots and closed within 55-32. Illinois scored the final five points of the half for a 60-32 lead.

The Hoosiers opened the second half with baskets from Goode and Galloway, four Rice free throws, three rebounds and defended the Illini into three-straight empty possessions. In less than two minutes, the score was 60-40.

30 seconds later, Goode added a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 18. Mackenzie Mgbako’s two free throws with 14 minutes left made it a 64-46 score.

The Hoosiers got no closer. Tempers flared in the final minutes leading to multiple fouls.

“Guys take up for each other,” Woodson said. “In the heat of the battle, anything can happen. I’ll talk with Ballo and Myles. We’ll see where we go from there.”

IU seeks to bounce back at Ohio State (10-6, 2-3) on Friday night. Woodson said it would help to get injured forward Malik Reneau back.

“We’ve got to continue to work. I have to make changes. We miss Malik. He’s a big piece of what we do. I’ve got to put guys in there to get us off to a good start and maintain it for a 40-minute game.”

He called the Iowa and Illinois losses “embarrassing”, “but we’ve still got a lot of Big Ten games left. I’ve got to get us better prepared and ready to play.”

Turning things around, Leal added, means sustaining other team’s punches and delivering some of their own.

“We have to remain composed, take the runs, stay true to our scout. It can’t be done in spurts. That’s what it comes down to.”

PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL

#17 PURDUE TRAVELS TO WASHINGTON TO BEGIN PACIFIC NORTHWEST SWING

GAMEDAY INFORMATION — GAME 18

[17] Purdue (13-4, 5-1) vs. Washington (10-7, 1-5)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. PT | Seattle, Washington

Alaska Airlines Arena

TELEVISION: BTN (Guy Haberman, Don MacLean)

RADIO: Purdue Global Radio Network (Rob Blackman, Bobby Riddell)

THE NOTES TO KNOW

• Riding a five-game winning streak, the No. 17-ranked Purdue basketball team heads to the Pacific Northwest to face Washington and Oregon for the first time in Big Ten Conference action. The Boilermakers will face Washington in Seattle on Wednesday, then head to Eugene to face Oregon on Saturday. It marks Purdue’s first trip to the Pacific Northwest since winning the Phil Knight Legacy in Portland in November 2022.

• The Boilermakers will be making their first appearance in historic Alaska Airlines Arena since Rick Mount’s second and third career games on Dec. 8 and 9, 1967, when Purdue faced the Huskies on consecutive days during Mount’s sophomore season. Mount would score 23 and 30 points in the two games as the Boilermakers and Huskies split the two-game series.

• Purdue is riding a five-game winning streak, its longest of the season, with all five wins coming by at least 18 points. The Boilermakers are also on a five-game Big Ten winning streak (Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, Nebraska), marking the 14th different five-game league winning streak of the Painter era. Purdue has had a five-game league winning streak in 12 of Painter’s 20 years, including five straight seasons.

• Over the last four games (all Big Ten games), Purdue is allowing the opposing team’s starting group to average just 35.8 points per game. The opponent starting five is shooting 52-of-136 (.382) from the field and 13-of-55 (.236) from 3-point range.

• Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Purdue owns a 20-2 record in the month of January, having won 10 straight games. The 10-game winning streak in the month is the third longest nationally (Saint Mary’s – 25; McNeese State – 11).

• Purdue has just 40 turnovers over the last five games. Purdue averaged 12.3 turnovers per game in the first 12 games of the season. In the last five games, Purdue has 107 assists against 40 turnovers (2.68). It has forced 68 turnovers in that span, a margin of plus-5.60 per game.

• In the last four years, Purdue has defeated teams ranked No. 1 (Arizona), No. 2 (Alabama), No. 4 (Marquette), No. 5 (Villanova), No. 6 (Wisconsin, Tennessee, Gonzaga), No. 7 (Tennessee), No. 8 (Duke) and No. 9 (Illinois). All but Alabama and Illinois came away from Mackey Arena.

• Since the calendar flipped to January, Purdue ranks third nationally in efficiency via BartTorvik.com, behind Houston and Kansas.

• Purdue is playing its best basketball of the season, winning the last five games by an average of 22.2 points per game. Purdue is shooting 52-of-130 (.400) from 3-point range, and 105-of-167 (.629) from inside the arc in that span.

• Purdue is now 105-23 since the start of the 2021-22 season, recording the second-most wins in the country (Houston – 109; Connecticut – 104) during that span. The senior class of Caleb Furst (only senior) became the seventh class in school history with 100 career victories.

• The starting backcourt of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer are 76-15 since their arrival at Purdue, starting every game of their tenure. The 76 wins since their arrival are the third most nationally (Connecticut – 81; Houston – 77).

• Braden Smith is the only player in America with 250 points, 125 assists and 75 rebounds. Smith is on pace to become the first player since Loyola Marymount’s Terrell Lowery (1990-91) to average 15.0 points, 9.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and shoot over 40.0 percent from 3-point range.

• Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer both surpassed 1,000 career points in the last week, becoming the first junior teammates nationally to play at one school and reach the 1,000-point club. Trey Kaufman-Renn needs 294 points to join them.

• Trey Kaufman-Renn is one of two players nationally (South Dakota State’s Oscar Cluff) to average 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and shoot at least 60 percent from the field. In Big Ten history, only Chris Webber, Evan Eschmeyer and Brad Miller have done that.

• Purdue, Duke, Gonzaga and Houston are the only programs in America to have made at least a Sweet 16, Elite 8 and Final Four during their last five NCAA Tournament appearances. Purdue reached the Sweet 16 in 2022, the Elite 8 in 2019 and the Final Four in 2024.

PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BOILERS OPEN WEST COAST SWING AT OREGON

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Prepared for its first West Coast swing in the expanded Big Ten, the Purdue women’s basketball team will head to Oregon on Wednesday night for a late 9 p.m. ET tip on B1G+.

Tim Newton will call the game courtside for the Purdue Global Radio Network on 95.3 BOB FM and Purdue Stretch Internet.

GAMEINFORMATION 

Purdue (7-9, 0-5) at Oregon (12-5, 3-3)

Wednesday, Jan. 13

Time: 9 PM ET

TV/Stream: B1G+

Radio: 95.3 BOB FM

Audio: Purdue Stretch Internet

Live Stats: Purduestats.com

LAST TIME OUT

Rashunda Jones scored 11 points off the bench and Kendall Puryear dropped 10 in her first career start, as the Boilermakers fell 87-60 at Mackey Arena on Saturday. The Boilermakers could not find a way to claw into an early lead by the Wolverines. Destini Lombard and McKenna Layden both knocked down a pair of 3-pointers.

NOTES

• Wednesday will be the first meeting between the two ball clubs.

• The Ducks will be Purdue’s 212th unique opponent.

• Purdue enters the week with the No. 1 strength of schedule in the NET.

• Wednesday will be the first game since Dec. 21 in which the Boilermakers will face an unranked opponent.

• Wednesday night will mark the first unranked team Purdue will face in Big Ten play this season. Half of Purdue’s 16 games this season have come against teams in the AP Top 25.

• Jordyn Poole and Kendall Puryear made their first career starts against Michigan on Saturday afternoon. They became the first freshman duo to start a game since Kayana Traylor and Nyagoa Gony did it against Western Illinois in 2018-19.

• Destini Lombard dropped to third in the Big Ten in steals with 40 and second in steals per game with 2.7. Her 12 games this season with two or more steals leads the league alongside USC’s JuJu Watkins.

• Reagan Bass sits 11th in the league with 18 rejections and 1.2 blocks per game.

• McKenna Layden had her best game as a Boilermaker against No. 1 UCLA. The sophomore tallied eight points with four rebounds and a pair of 3-pointers in 27 minutes off the bench.

• The Boilermakers are one of five Big Ten teams to have three different players knock down 20 or more 3-pointers (Michigan, Washington, Nebraska and Minnesota). Destini Lombard leads the team with 26 made triples, while Sophie Swanson and Ella Collier have both connected 20 times from the outside.

• McKenna Layden has been a spark for the Boilermakers since the holiday break. The sophomore has connected five times from behind the arc with 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game over that stretch.

• Rashunda Jones is second on the team in scoring in Big Ten action. The sophomore is averaging 9.4 points with 3.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game, while shooting an even 50% from the field. Jones leads the team with 50 assists on the year.

• Jones’ production has gone up since moving to the bench earlier this season. She is averaging 8.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 23 minutes per game with the second unit.

• Purdue ranks seventh in the Big Ten with 23.8 points per game off the bench.

• Lana McCarthy is one of four freshmen in the Big Ten this season averaging over seven points and five rebounds per game. She is the only league rookie among the group to shoot 50% or better on the year.

• Purdue’s freshmen have combined to score 20 or more points in three of the last 17 games.

• Since the return to action after the holiday break, Purdue is third in the Big Ten with a 36% clip from behind the arc.

• Facing a daunting schedule, eight of Purdue’s nine losses have come to teams in the top 30 of the NET and all have either been Quad 1 or 2 defeats.

PURDUE WRESTLING

#25 PURDUE TO WRESTLE INDIANA IN “MACKEY MANIA”

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Wrestling will compete on a stage fit for a big showdown when it hosts rival Indiana in Mackey Arena on Friday.

The Big Ten Conference dual tabbed as “Mackey Mania” is slated for 7 p.m. ET. Gates will open at 6 p.m. ET and admission will be free of charge.

Early-arriving fans will receive a free special edition “Mackey Mania” Purdue Wrestling t-shirt. Available at the Northwestern Ave entrance while supplies last.

The broadcast for all 10 matches will be available live on B1G+. An intermission will take place after the fifth match.

“We’re very excited to be back in Mackey Arena after a long time away,” head coach Tony Ersland said. “The Indiana dual is always a big one, and that’s especially true this year. The guys are looking forward to competing in a bigger venue with all of our great fans and showing out for them.”

The meet marks almost three years since the last time Purdue wrestled in Mackey Arena.

On Jan. 23, 2022, the Boilermakers hosted Wisconsin in a first-of-its-kind Hoops & Headlocks event. The wrestling team competed in the back half of a doubleheader following a Purdue men’s basketball game against Northwestern.

The No. 17 Boilermakers picked up four ranked wins that day but ultimately fell to the eighth-ranked Badgers.

Matt Ramos is the lone man left on the team who wrestled in the last Mackey match. As a 133-pound sophomore, he pulled a 4-2 upset that day over No. 25 Kyle Burwick for his 13th win of the season.

Undefeated at 18-0 as the consensus No. 1 125-pounder in the nation for six straight weeks, Ramos will lead the Boilermakers as the headliner for “Mackey Mania.”

Purdue is off to an 8-1 start, the team’s best dual record since the 2019-20 season.

The Boilermakers have faced the Hoosiers more times than any other program in school history, with 110 total meetings dating back to Feb. 24, 1914.

IU holds a 64-43-3 advantage in the all-time series, but the Boilers have won 12 of the last 14.

RANKINGS ROUNDUP

Seven Purdue stars found themselves in the weekly InterMat rankings for their respective weight classes.

125 | #1 Matt Ramos

157 | #7 Joey Blaze

184 | #21 James Rowley

174 | #25 Brody Baumann

141 | #27 Greyson Clark

197 | #29 Ben Vanadia

165 | #33 Stoney Buell

The “Big 7” hold a combined record of 84-28 and have outscored their opponents 1,144-536 this season. Collectively, they’ve earned victories over 17 ranked wrestlers.

The Hoosiers have five wrestlers in the weekly rankings.

165 | #12 Tyler Lillard

125 | #22 Jacob Moran

285 | #22 Jacob Bullock

197 | #23 Gabe Sollars

184 | #32 DJ Washington

“Mackey Mania” could feature as many as four ranked matchups, including Ramos-Moran, Buell-Lillard, Rowley-Washington and Vanadia-Sollars.

LAST TIME OUT

After opening Big Ten Conference action with an emphatic 31-13 win over Holloway last Friday, Purdue hit the road for one last non-conference dual at Northern Illinois on Sunday.

Facing a short turnaround with three of the seven ranked wrestlers out of the lineup, the Old Gold & Black prevailed 29-8 with four bonus point victories.

In place of Rowley, Orlando Cruz shined in the 184-pound match, earning a 21-5 technical fall (6:45) to tie the highest score by any Boilermaker all season.

Ramos was challenged in his closest match of the season, but ultimately earned a 5-4 decision over No. 21 Blake West for his 43rd career ranked win.

Baumann, Isaac Ruble and Vanadia each notched major decisions while Buell, Hayden Filipovich and Dustin Norris added wins by decision.

After the upcoming IU match, Purdue will again face a quick turnaround with a Sunday road dual at No. 4 Ohio State.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

Purdue

125 | #1 Matt Ramos / Ashton Jackson

133 | Dustin Norris / Jacob Macatangay

141 | #27 Greyson Clark / Cole Solomey

149 | Isaac Ruble / Wyatt Krejsa

157 | #7 Joey Blaze / Kade Law

165 | #33 Stoney Buell / Delaney Ruhlman

174 | #25 Brody Baumann

184 | #21 James Rowley / Orlando Cruz

197 | #29 Ben Vanadia / Quinn Herbert

285 | Hayden Filipovich / Dominic Burgett

Indiana

125 | #22 Jacob Moran

133 | Angelo Rini

141 | Henry Porter

149 | Matt Hart / Anthony Bahl / Aidan Torres

157 | Ryan Garvick

165 | #12 Tyler Lillard

174 | Derek Gilcher / Roman Rogotzke

184 | #32 DJ Washington / Sam Goin

197 | #23 Gabe Sollars

285 | #22 Jacob Bullock

NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

MOORE SELECTED TO FWAA FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA TEAM

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – True freshman cornerback Leonard Moore earned selection to the 2024 FWAA Freshman All-America Team after a standout season for the Irish.

The FWAA began its Freshman All-America team in 2001. Sam Young (OL, 2006), Ian Williams (DL, 2007), Aaron Lynch (DL, 2011), KeiVarae Russell (DB, 2012), Nyles Morgan (LB, 2014), Justin Yoon (K, 2015), Kyle Hamilton (DB, 2019), Kyren Williams (RB, 2020), Joe Alt (OL, 2021) and Benjamin Morrison (CB, 2022) are the previous players to earn the honor while playing for the Irish.

Moore was also named the 2024 College Football Network Freshman Cornerback of the Year, as well as being named to the Freshman All-America teams for ESPN, The Athletic (First Team), Pro Football Focus, the College Football Network and the 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team.

Moore, now with nine starts under his belt, totaled seven tackles in each of his first two career starts. He has posted two interceptions this season, one against Virginia and one against Navy. 

This season, Moore has totaled 43 tackles, including 2.0 TFL, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a QB hurry. He has made an impact throughout Notre Dame’s CFP run, totaling five tackles, two pass breakups and a TFL against Georgia and allowing just one catch for a 39.6 opposing passer rating against Indiana, according to Pro Football Focus.

Moore recorded five pass breakups in the 49-35 victory at USC, tied for the second-most pass breakups in a single game by any FBS player this season, and the only freshman in the country to achieve the feat in 2024.

In the 35-14 win over Virginia, Moore snagged an interception which led to an Irish touchdown drive, adding a quarterback hurry and three tackles.  In his third-career start in the 51-14 win at No. 24 Navy, Moore snagged his first-career interception on fourth down to cement an Irish victory.

Moore shone in his second-career start, leading the Irish secondary with seven tackles and being the key playmaker on the defining drive of the 31-13 win at Georgia Tech. In addition to his seven tackles, Moore posted a TFL (-16 yards) and two pass breakups.

In his first-career start in Notre Dame’s 31-24 win over No. 15 Louisville, he led the entire defense with seven tackles (six solo), forcing a fumble to return possession to the Irish and leading to a Notre Dame touchdown to take the lead.  With the game tied in the first quarter, Moore executed a textbook punch-out on a Louisville QB run, giving Notre Dame possession at the Irish 47-yard line and leading to a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 14-7 lead. Notre Dame would not relinquish the lead.

BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL

BUTLER AND SETON HALL SET FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT TIP AT HINKLE

The Bulldogs conclude a quick two-game homestand Wednesday, hosting Seton Hall at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Following the game, the Bulldogs will have a mini-bye as the BIG EAST team without a weekend game on the schedule.

Butler (7-10, 0-6 BIG EAST) vs. Seton Hall (6-10, 1-4)

Wednesday, Jan. 15 • 7PM

Hinkle Fieldhouse • Indianapolis, Ind.

TV: FS1 • Chris Vosters & Tre Demps

Audio: Varsity Network App, SiriusXM 388, XM App 978 & TuneIn • @MarkMinner & Nick Gardner (@n_gardner)

• Butler enters the Seton Hall contest off an 80-76 loss to Creighton Saturday afternoon at Hinkle.

• Patrick McCaffery led the Bulldogs with 21 points against Creighton, his second-highest scoring output of the season. It marked his third 20-point game of the season and the tenth of his career.

• Butler has lost nine straight games, which is the program’s longest skid since the 1989-90 season. Butler’s schedule is currently ranked as the 17th-toughest nationally by KenPom.

• Boden Kapke scored a career-best 13 points in Saturday’s game against Creighton, going 3-for-6 from three-point range. It was the second double-figure game of his career; along with Finley Bizjack’s 11 points, Butler held a 24-4 advantage in bench scoring in the game.

• The Bulldogs committed only seven turnovers Saturday against Creighton; Butler has single-digit turnover outputs in six of the last eight games. Butler opened the season with only one single-digit turnover game among the team’s first nine outings.

• Despite the recent success taking care of the ball, Butler ranks 347th nationally in turnover margin (-3.9 per game) as the team generates only 3.5 steals per game (354th nationally) and forces opponents into only 7.7 per game (which is 352nd nationally).

• Butler handed out 17 assists against Creighton, the team’s second-highest number of the season. Jahmyl Telfort led the team with five assists, his fifth game this season with five or more assists.

• Butler is committing only 14.6 fouls per game, which is the 29th-fewest nationally.

• Butler went 8-for-12 from the free throw line against Creighton. That marked a season-low in both made free throws and attempts for the Bulldogs.

• Butler’s average of 17.1 made free throws per game ranks 41st nationally. The Bulldogs attempt 23.3 free throws per game, which is 39th nationally.

• Butler made eight of its 25 attempts from behind the arc against Creighton (32 percent). Butler is 46th nationally, averaging 37.2-percent accuracy from three-point range on the season.

• Butler’s defense is holding opponents to 41.0-percent shooting from the field and 30.2-percent shooting from three-point range on the season; both of those marks are Top 75 nationally.

• McCaffery went 3-for-7 from three-point range against Creighton. His 41.3-percent accuracy from three-point range is fourth in the BIG EAST and 59th nationally. He has hit multiple three-pointers in 13 of the team’s games, including five twice.

• Telfort and Brooks rank among the BIG EAST leaders in scoring; Telfort’s season average of 15.5 points per game ranks tenth, just ahead of Brooks (14.9 per game; 11th). • Andre Screen scored the 1,000th point of his collegiate career in the Jan. 8 game at Providence.

• Screen is eighth in the BIG EAST at 1.5 blocks per game.

• Four different Bulldogs have recorded a double-double this season (Pierre Brooks II, McCaffery, Telfort twice, Screen); four of the team’s five double-doubles have come against BIG EAST opponents.

• The Bulldogs defeated Northwestern and No. 25 Mississippi State in taking the Arizona Tip-Off title over Thanksgiving.

Points on the Pirates

• Seton Hall is 6-10 on the season, including a 1-4 mark in BIG EAST play. The Pirates have lost six of their most recent seven outings.

• Isaiah Coleman leads Seton Hall at 15.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

• The Pirates rank among the Top 100 nationally in only three categories, but allowing only 66.6 points per game is one of those (55th). Seton Hall is 74th in forced turnovers (13.9 per game) and offensive rebounding (12.3 per game; 81st).

• Seton Hall’s average of 64.6 points per game is 340th nationally.

The Series with Seton Hall

• Seton Hall leads the series, 14-10, based largely on winning nine of the most recent 10 tips against Butler. The Bulldogs opened the series by winning seven of the first eight match-ups.

• All 24 meetings in the series have come since Butler joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2013-14 season.

Series:  Seton Hall Leads, 14-10

Streak: Seton Hall, W6

At Hinkle: Seton Hall Leads, 6-5

First Meeting: Jan. 29, 2014; Butler, 64-57 (at SHU)

Last Meeting: Feb. 24, 2024; Seton Hall, 76-54 (at SHU)

BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BULLDOGS TOP HOYAS AT HINKLE 63-53

Butler defeated Georgetown 63-53 on Tuesday night to improve to 12-7 on the season. Back-to-back conference wins have the ‘Dawgs at 2-4 heading into the weekend. Kilyn McGuff hit four 3-pointers on her way to scoring a game-high 18 points.  Sydney Jaynes joined McGuff in double figures with 11.

Each team ended the first quarter with 13 points. The turning point of the first half would follow as BU went on an 8-0 scoring run to push their advantage to 27-21. Jaynes scored six of the eight points during the run, including six-straight. The Bulldogs outscored the Hoyas 17-11 in the second frame to own a 30-24 halftime lead.

Offensive rebounds and points in the paint favored BU at the half and throughout the second half. BU scored 32 of their 63 points inside and won the rebound battle 35-20.

Lily Zeinstra highlighted the third quarter for BU with six points on a pair of 3-pointers. Kelsey Ransom matched her effort with six points and each team would exit that 10-minute stretch with 18 points.

Scoring slowed down in the fourth with Butler limiting Georgetown to just 11 points. The Bulldogs opened the fourth on a 7-0 run to push their lead to 55-43. They led by 11 with three to play and would hang on for the 10-point win.

Inside the Box Score

– Butler is now 8-2 at home

– Sydney Jaynes has scored in double figures in four-straight games

– Kilyn McGuff added five rebounds, four assists and two blocks to her stat line

– Zeinstra had eight points, five rebounds and two assists

– Lily Carmody added eight points, a team-high seven rebounds and two blocks

– Karsyn Norman hit two 3-pointers for six points

– Cristen Carter was perfect from the field with six points and three rebounds

– BU went 7-for-9 from the charity stripe

– Kelsey Ransom led Georgetown with 16 points

– Butler had 14 offensive rebounds

– BU had 19 chance points

Up Next

Butler will play at Xavier on Saturday. The 2 p.m. tip at the Cintas Center will go up at 2 p.m.

BUTLER FOOTBALL

BUTLER FOOTBALL TO OPEN 2025 SEASON AT NORTHERN IOWA

The Butler Bulldogs will play at Northern Iowa over the opening weekend of the 2025 college football season. The Kevin Lynch Era will officially begin on Aug. 30 when the Bulldogs face the Panthers at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The kick-off time will be released at a later date.

“We are excited for the start of the 2025 season,” Head Coach Kevin Lynch stated. “Going to Northern Iowa and competing against a quality opponent from one of the best conferences in all of FCS football will be a great test for us as we prepare for a run at a PFL Championship!”

The contest slated for Aug. 30 will be the first-ever meeting between Butler and Northern Iowa. Two first-year head coaches will be on the sidelines as UNI moved forward this off-season to hire Todd Stepsis after his six-year stint as the head coach at Drake. Coach Lynch takes over at Butler after serving as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Ball State.

This will be the 136th season of football at Butler and the 127th at UNI.

The Bulldogs reached nine wins in 2024, marking their highest win total in a single-season since 2013. Butler became nationally-ranked in the AFCA Coaches Poll for the first time in program history, moving as high as No. 23 after the Senior Day win over St. Thomas.

Last season was the third-straight year for Butler to post a winning record. They went 7-4 in 2023 and in 2022. Their PFL record was steady at 5-3 over the last three years.

Bulldog fans interested in attending games can fill out a 2025 season ticket deposit form. A Butler ticket office representative will then connect with you once season tickets go on sale later this year.

IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOSTS WRIGHT STATE ON WEDNESDAY

INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indy women’s basketball team welcomes the Wright State Raiders to the Jungle on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The Jags and Raiders are set for a 6:30 PM tip. As part of Indy Pro Sports Night, fans who wear any Indiana Professional Sports team jersey will receive free admission. In addition, the first 100 fans will receive a free Jaguars Baseball Cap.

Despite a solid second half from IU Indy, the Jags suffered a tough road loss to Northern Kentucky on Saturday afternoon, 80-63. A slow offensive first half proved costly as the Jags couldn’t overcome the early deficit. Katie Davidson led the Jags with 16 points and three rebounds.

Azyah Newson-Cole earned her first career #HLWBB Freshman of the Week award after her performance in the Jags’ victory over Youngstown State on December 28. The redshirt freshman totaled a career-high tying 13 points as well as five rebounds, two assists and one steal. Newson-Cole continues to hold a strong presence on the court averaging 6.3 points per game and 2.3 assists per game making ten starts for the Jaguars.

While the Jags are averaging 61.5 points per game, Davidson leads the team in scoring with 14.2 points per game since her return to the court. Newcomer Shania Nichols-Vannett however has led the team in scoring for the majority of the season with 10.4 points per game. The sophomore totaled a career-high 37 points in the loss against Southern Illinois which puts her at the top in the Horizon League for total points scored by a player in a single game this season. Faith Stinson adds 9.6 while Nevaeh Foster averages 9.5.

Coach Bruce’s squad was picked to finish tenth in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, just ahead of Robert Morris. The Jags will look to fight their way through the Horizon League in hopes of outdoing their preseason rank. They currently sit in seventh with a 3-5 conference mark. Meanwhile, Wright State is ranked ninth with a 2-6 conference record.

This will mark the 24th meeting for the Jags and Raiders. Wright State leads the all-time series at 15-8.

IU Indy and Wright State are set for a 6:30 PM tip on ESPN+.

IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL

JAGUARS TO HEAD TO ROCHESTER TO FACE REIGNING #HLMBB CHAMPS

ROCHESTER, Mich. – The IU Indianapolis basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday night (Jan. 15) when the Jaguars travel north to face reigning league champion Oakland University inside the Athletics Center O’rena. Wednesday’s game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Head coach Paul Corsaro’s team is coming off an emphatic 95-61 win over Detroit Mercy inside the Jungle last week, despite playing without top scorer Paul Zilinskas. Graduate Jarvis Walker paced six Jaguars in double-digits with 20 points and Sean Craig contributed 19 points and a career-high seven assists. Senior Alec Millender finished with 15 points and tied his career-high with four treys as the Jaguars finished with 18 treys, falling one three shy of tying the program’s single-game record. Freshman DeSean Goode recorded his second double-double of the season with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds en route to earning his second #HLMBB Freshman of the Week Award of the season.

Millender’s fourth and final trey of the night put him at 1,000 points for his collegiate career as he became the third Jaguar to go over 1,000 points this season, joining Zilinskas and Walker.

Two other freshmen – Ron Rutland III (11 points, 3-4 3’s) and Keenan Garner (10 points, six rebounds) – also finished in double-digits in the win.

The 95 points scored and 34-point winning margin were the program’s highest since joining the Horizon League. The last time IU Indy won a league game by that many was a 38-point Summit League win over UMKC in February 2010 on the same night the program retired former NBAer George Hill’s No. 3 jersey.

QUOTABLE

“It feels amazing to get back in that win column. We’ve been so close in so many games, so it was time to get over that hump and it feels amazing. The icing on top was to get that 1,000 points is a great feeling,” Millender said following the win over Detroit Mercy.

SCOUTING OAKLAND

Oakland is 6-12 overall and 3-4 to start Horizon League play with wins over Wright State, Milwaukee and Northern Kentucky. Offensively, OU is scoring 65.1 points per game and shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 27 percent from three-point range. However, defensively, the Golden Grizzlies have held foes to 70.3 points per game and just 44.3 percent from the floor. Individually, Allen Mukeba leads the Golden Grizzlies in scoring (13.1 ppg) and blocked shots (26) while Buru Naivalurua tallies 12.5 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds per game. Two other OU players – DQ Cole (10.6 ppg) and Malcolm Christie (10.1 ppg) – also score in double-digits.

SERIES HISTORY

Oakland leads the all-time series 34-20 and has won the most recent six meetings between the two programs. The series began in 1975. IU Indy is just 4-21 all-time in 25 meetings in Rochester. 

UP NEXT

The Jaguars will return home to host Cleveland State on Sunday (Jan. 19) at 2:00 p.m. inside the Jungle. That game will be broadcast on ESPN+ as Greg Rakestraw (pxp) and Hall of Famer Bob Lovell describe the action from courtside.

BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ELISE STUCK EARNS MAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Graduate senior Elise Stuck (Charlevoix, Mich./Charlevoix) has earned her first-ever Mid-American Conference Player of the Week honor for her performance last week which was announced by the league office today.

Stuck opened the week with a 17-point performance in a win over Eastern Michigan helping the Cardinals score 100+ points against the Eagles. The Michigan native went 5-of-7 (.714) from the field while also draining one from behind the arc.

On Saturday, Stuck once again reached double digits leading the Cardinals with a 20-point performance which tied her career high while also pulling down a personal best 15 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Stuck’s performance helped BSU earn the road victory at Buffalo.

For the week, Stuck averaged 18.5 points per game, shot 72 (13-of-18) percent from the field while averaging 9.0 rebounds per contest. Stuck helped the Cardinals improve its overall record to 12-4 and remain undefeated in league action with a 4-0 ledger.

WBB HITS THE ROAD WEDNESDAY TO TAKE ON KENT STATE IN MIDWEEK #MACTION

Game No. 17 Cardinals vs. Golden Flashes

Ball State (12-4, 4-0 MAC) vs. Kent State (10-6, 3-1 MAC)

Jan. 15, 2025 >>M.A.C Center>>7 pm ET>>Kent, Ohio

Opening Tip:

– Wednesday’s game against Kent State will mark the 69th time in program history the two schools have met with the Golden Flashes leading the all-time series, 44-24. The last time the Cardinals won in Kent was last year on national television when Ball State defeated Kent State, 75-71.

– The last meeting between Ball State and Kent State was at the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal round which saw the Cardinals fall to the eventual MAC Tourney champion Golden Flashes by a 65-50 decision in Cleveland on March 15, 2024.

– Ball State won the home-and-away series last season against Kent State.

– The Cardinals have been road warriors the past four years during Mid-American Conference action. Ball State owns a 29-10 (.736) ledger when playing league games on the road dating back to the 2021 MAC season with its best showing being in 2021 when the Cardinals went 9-1 that year.

– For the second-straight season, the Cardinals have opened Mid-American Conference with a 4-0 ledger. Ball State remains the only team in league play that is undefeated.

– Ball State has won eight-straight MAC regular season games dating back to last year. The Cardinals haven’t lost a regular season league contest since Feb. 24, 2024, which was at Toledo.

– The Ball State women’s basketball team is coming off of a 78-56 victory at Buffalo Saturday which saw Elise Stuck lead the way with a double-double after tying her career best in points (20) while also pulling down a personal high in rebounds with 15.

– Kent State matched the program record with 16 three-point field goals during a 79-64 victory over host Ohio on Saturday afternoon for its first road win during Mid-American Conference play. The Golden Flashes lone loss in league play came against Toledo on Wednesday, Jan. 8 by a score of 79-64.

Net Rankings:

The NCAA Division I net rankings have the Cardinals being ranked in the top 70 coming in at 54. Ball State has earned the highest net ranking out of all the schools in the Mid-American Conference.

Sallee is HOT in January:

It may be cold outside but the Cardinals tend to get hot in the month of January under 13th-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee owns an overall record of 72-29 (.710) in the month of January dating back to his first season in 2012-13.

Forcing Miscues:

Ball State has caused its opponents to commit 306 miscues in 16 games. The Cardinals have been able to turn those turnovers into a total of 339 points so far this season: Old Dominion (21 pts), IU Indy (25 pts), Memphis (22 pts), Northern Iowa (21 pts), No. 16 Northern Carolina (14 pts), Texas A&M (29 pts), Columbia (8), South Dakota State (17), Davidson (24), Northern Kentucky (20 pts), Anderson (46), Miami (31), Central Michigan (22), Eastern Michigan (22) and Buffalo (17).

12-1 at the Half:

The Cardinals own an 12-1 ledger when Ball State ends the first half with the lead. The lone loss came against Columbia University as the Cardinals had a 31-25 edge against the Jack Rabbits at halftime on Nov. 25, 2024 in the last game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Scouting Kent State:

– Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch (15.1 ppg, 4.25 apg) is one of only two players in the conference averaging at least 14 points, four assists and one steal per game. Bridget Dunn (7.8 ppg) ranks sixth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.6 drpg) and 22nd overall in rebounds per game (10.2). Mya Babbitt (12.3 ppg) leads the MAC with 42 three-pointers and has made 40.2% of attempts from beyond the arc.

– The first-ever meeting between Ball State and Kent State was the 1979-80 season. The Golden Flashes won that meeting by a score of 84-59 in Ohio.

– The Flashes are 5-7 vs. Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.

Lachelle Austin Nearing 1,000 Career Points:

The Cardinals welcomed transfer Lachelle Austin to its 2024-25 roster this season. Austin, a senior, is familiar with the Mid-American Conference, playing three years at Eastern Michigan. Austin was one of the Eagles top scorers and has scored in double figure in six of the Cardinals’ seven contests thus far this season. Austin for her career has 961 points and needs just 39 to reach 1,000.

BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS AT LEAGUE-LEADING OHIO

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ball State men’s basketball team got a big first half and game-high in scoring from Mickey Pearson Jr., but couldn’t keep up with Ohio in an 86-71 setback on Tuesday night at the Convocation Center.

Pearson scored the first five points of the game on a 3-pointer and layup to put the Cardinals (8-8, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) ahead 5-0 only a minute into the game. The forward finished the game with 19 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Ohio (10-6, 4-0 MAC) responded to Ball State’s early burst with a 10-0 rally of its own before taking a 45-35 edge into the halftime break. Seventeen of Pearson’s points were scored in the opening period including a triple in the final minute that was the final offense of the half.

The Cardinals cut the deficit to seven points on two occasions in the second half, including at 62-55 with 10:44 to play, but the Bobcats went on a 7-0 scoring run to provide separation.

Jermahri Hill (14 points, five rebounds, three assists) joined Pearson in double figures scoring while Payton Sparks, Jeremiah Hernandez and Juanse Gorosito added eight points each for the Cardinals. Sparks collected 12 rebounds, and Mason Jones (seven points), Joey Hart (five) and Ben Hendriks (two) were also in the scoring column.

The Bobcats had four players with at least a dozen points as part of an offense that shot 54.8 percent (34-62) from the field including 36.4 percent (8-22) from distance. Ball State went 42.9 percent (24-56) on field goals, 50 percent (10-20) on 3-pointers and 68.4 percent (13-19) at the foul line.

Ball State won the rebounding battle 34-29 but committed more turnovers (15-5).

The Cardinals return home to host Toledo at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Worthen Arena.

INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL

SYCAMORES HEAD TO PEORIA FOR MIDWEEK MATCHUP AGAINST BRADLEY

PEORIA, Ill. – Indiana State looks to bounce back against Bradley on Wednesday night, tipping off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.

In the last time on the court, the Sycamores fell at home to the visiting Belmont Bruins, 84-79. Jaden Daughtry led Indiana State in scoring with 23 points on a near-perfect shooting day, going 10-for-11 but started 9-for-9 from the field. Daughtry also recorded four rebounds and two steals. Samage Teel scored 20 points on 7-for-16 shooting, recording six rebounds, a game-tying six assists, and a block. Aaron Gray finished with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Indiana State shot 42.9% from the field (27-for-63), 27.0% (10-for-37) from three, and 62.5% (15-for-24) from the line.

Bradley traveled to UIC and won 61-60 in Chicago, led by Zeke Montgomery who scored 15 points while contributing 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 33 minutes of play. Duke Deen scored 14 points, while Christian Davis scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Bradley shot 35.3% from the field and 66.7% from the free-throw line.

Jaden Daughtry is leading the Sycamores in the last five games, averaging 21.8 points per game shooting 67.9% from the field. Samage Teel is scoring 17.8 points per game on a 44.6% effort from the floor. Camp Wagner is averaging 11.8 points per game, going 35.6% from deep. Daughtry and Teel have combined to shoot 57-for-79 (72.2%) from the free throw line, accounting for 56.4% of the team’s total attempts from the line (79-of-140). In this stretch, Indiana State is shooting 43.8% from the field and 30.0% from deep. K’mani Doughty is leading the team’s three-point shooting effort, hitting 7-of-17 (41.2%).

Looking ahead, the Sycamores host Drake on Saturday evening on ESPNU with the tip set for 6 p.m. ET. Promotions for the game include:

Theme: Black Out

State DM/Riley Children’s Hospital Game

Halftime Entertainment: Tumble Express from Brazil, Ind.

For students:

The first 300 students in The Forest will receive a free slice of pizza, courtesy of President Godard

The first 300 students will receive a free Blackout Cancer shirt

PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL

MASTODONS PLAY AT RAIDERS ON WEDNESDAY

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mastodons take a three-game win streak on the road on Wednesday (Jan. 15) to Wright State to face the Raiders. The ‘Dons have won the last two meetings in Dayton, including an overtime victory last season. Rasheed Bello won his third career Horizon League Player of the Week honor on Monday. Bello is 22nd in the nation in free throw percentage at 90.7 percent. 

Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (13-6, 6-2 Horizon) at Wright State (9-9, 3-4 Horizon League)
When: Wednesday, Jan. 15 | 7 p.m. ET
Where: Dayton, Ohio | Nutter Center
Live Stats: Link
Listen: 1380 AM
Watch: ESPN+
Series History: Wright State leads 12-6. The ‘Dons have won the last two meetings in Dayton. 
Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne 

// The ‘Dons have the most overall wins in the Horizon League at 13.

// The ‘Dons are 2nd in the nation in fewest turnovers per game (9.0) and 3rd in turnover margin (+6.6).

    – The ‘Dons committed no turnovers in a 103-52 win over Defiance on Dec. 20, tying an NCAA record.

    – 12 times this year have the ‘Dons have committed single-digit turnovers in a game.

    – This isn’t new. Last year: 10.4 turnovers/game (11th in the nation), +5.7 turnover margin (4th).

    – In league games, the ‘Dons are averaging 10.3 turnovers.

    – Quinton Morton-Robertson’s 2.39 assist/turnover ratio is 75th in the nation.

// In the nation the Mastodons are:

    – 2nd in fewest turnovers per game (9.0)

    – 3rd in turnover margin (6.6)

    – 10th in 3-pointers per game (10.9)

    – 19th in assist/turnover ratio (1.65)

    – 26th in effective field goal percentage (56.7 percent)

    – 28th in 3-point attempts per game (28.6)

    – 32nd in turnovers forced per game (15.58)

    – 34th in points per game (82.5)

    – 46th in steals per game (8.8)

    – 49th in fastbreak points per game (13.95)

// The Mastodons have opened the season 9-0 at home, the best undefeated home stretch to start a season in the program’s NCAA Division I history. If you’re wondering, the best home performance in a single-season came in 1992-93 when the NCAA Division II Tournament bound ‘Dons went 14-0 at Gates.

// With two wins at home to close out last season, the Mastodon home win-streak is at 11 games. Their last loss in a game in Fort Wayne was Feb. 14, 2024 to Oakland.

// Multiple ‘Dons are shooting 40 percent or better from three this year:

    – Maximus Nelson – 42.0 percent (47-of-112)

    – Corey Hadnot II – 44.4 percent (28-of-63)

    – Rasheed Bello – 40.4 percent (40-of-99)

// The ‘Dons had a season-high 23 fast break points (against a DI team) vs. Youngstown State (Jan. 4).

// Per Ken Pom, the ‘Dons lead the nation in minutes continuity at 73.5 percent. Ken Pom describes the stat as “determining what percentage of a team’s minutes are played by the same player from last season to this season.” The current national average is 34.1 percent.

// Since the 2018-19 season, the ‘Dons have four total games of 24 or more made free throws and three have come this season. The 26 the ‘Dons made against Bethune-Cookman and Robert Morris are tied for the seventh most in the Division I era of the program for made free throws in a game.

// A few ‘Dons have scored their     1,000th point this season:

– Quinton Morton-Robertson (vs. Milwaukee, Jan. 10) and Jalen Jackson (at EMU, Dec. 15)

// Rasheed Bello had 12 assists at Green Bay (Dec. 29). He is the first Mastodon with 12 assists since Jarred Godfrey recorded 12 in the Horizon League Tournament at Cleveland State in 2021 in a triple overtime game. The last Mastodon with 12 assists in a 40-minute contest was John Konchar who had 14 at Denver on Feb. 14, 2019. Bello is the first Horizon League player to reach 12 assists in a league game since Jalen Moore had 14 and 13 for Oakland during the 2021-22 season.

// Notes on the Defiance contest:

– The ‘Dons recorded zero turnovers, just the third team to so since 2004 (per sports-reference.com)

– The ‘Dons were +25 in turnover margin.

// This season the ‘Dons have:

    – made 10 or more 3-pointers 12 times.

    – forced 20 turnovers four times.

    – recorded 19 or more assists four times.

    – shot 50 percent or better nine times.

    – scored 50 points in a half six times. Four times against a Division I opponent.

JALEN JACKSON…:

// … in league play, Jalen Jackson is shooting 58.2 percent (57-of-98).

// … has reached double-figures in every game this season and 20 points seven times.

// … has scored in double-digits in 50-of-55 career games for the ‘Dons.

// … ranks 6th in the nation in total points (363) and 5th in total field goals (128).

// … ranks 26th in the nation and first in the league in made free throws with 87. He is 26th in the nation with 111 free throw attempts, also best in the league.

// … is averaging 6.3 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, 62nd in the nation per Ken Pom.

// … is 29th in the nation with 36 steals.

// … was named to The Sunshine Classic All-Tournament Team (Nov. 2024).

// … has reached double-digit free throw attempts in a game eight times in his career.

// … made 133 free throws last season, 8th in a single-season all-time in program history.

// … has raised his field goal percentage each year of his career (42.4 percent, 49.7 percent to 51.6 percent).

EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL DROPS CONTEST AT UNI

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Four Northern Iowa players reached double figures on Tuesday as the Panthers finished with a 73-56 victory over the University of Evansville men’s basketball team inside the McLeod Center.

UE was led by Tayshawn Comer’s 18 points.  He added 7 boards and 4 steals.  Cam Haffner finished with 13 points while leading the Purple Aces with 8 caroms.  Tytan Anderson tallied 15 points for UNI while Ben Schweiger chipped in a double-double, wrapping the day up with 10 points and 12 boards.

“We missed a lot of easy shots around the rim and picked up several undisciplined fouls,” UE head coach David Ragland said.  “It will be good for us to get back home, be on a normal schedule, and be able to work on things in practice.”

Josh Hughes got the Aces on the board with an early 2-0 lead as both offenses struggled in the early moments.  Following a 1-for-6 start from the field, UNI held a 5-3 lead six minutes in.  Evansville started 1-for-7 with three turnovers before Tayshawn Comer converted a 3-point play to return the lead to UE at 7-5.

Comer quickly struck again on the next Aces possession. Following a 3-point make by UNI, Comer hit from outside to put Evansville back in front at 10-8 inside of the 13-minute mark.  Over the next 10 minutes, Northern Iowa made its move, outscoring UE by a 19-2 margin to go up 27-12.  The offense for UE struggled over that time frame, going 1-for-13 from the field with three turnovers.

Connor Turnbull ended the stretch with a basket as the Aces cut into the deficit over the final minutes, trailing by 14 at the half – 32-18.  Evansville shot 22.2% in the half while turning it over eight times.

It was Turnbull opening the second-half scoring, turning the feed from Tanner Cuff into a dunk, but the Panthers quickly got back on track, opening up their largest lead of 19 points.  A free throw by UNI established a 43-24 advantage inside of 15 minutes remaining.  Evansville did not give up as Cam Haffner’s triple two minutes later got his squad within 14 points at 45-31.

With 7:01 remaining, a field goal from Comer got the Aces even closer at 53-40.  The tides quickly turned back in UNI’s favor as they responded with a 9-1 stretch to take their largest lead of 21 points.  Their lead grew to 23 before Evansville closed to make it a final of 73-56.  UNI shot 40.7% while holding the Aces to 36.4%.  After scoring 18 in the first half, UE erupted for 38 points in the second half while shooting 50% in the final 20 minutes.

Following the road trip, UE is back home for its next two games, beginning on Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against Belmont inside the Ford Center.

SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

RALEY EARNS SECOND OVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK THIS SEASON

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball graduate forward Meredith Raley has been named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week. The league’s communications directors vote upon the OVC’s weekly accolades.

This is Raley’s second OVC Player of the Week honor this season, having earned the first back in November. Raley also represented USI on the 2024-25 OVC Preseason Players to Watch List after being selected to the All-OVC First Team last season.

In two road games last week at Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Raley averaged 27 points while shooting over 73 percent (22-30) from the floor including a pair of three-pointers. Raley also shot 80 percent at the free-throw line while adding 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Raley began the week with an exceptional performance in USI’s 93-69 win at SEMO, dropping a career-best 29 points. The new mark surpassed her previous career high of 27 points, which Raley also set at SEMO two seasons ago. Raley was 12-16 shooting in 32 minutes of action against the Redhawks.

On Sunday, Raley followed the career performance with 25 points at Little Rock. In 33 minutes, Raley was 10-14 shooting and 5-5 at the foul line against the Trojans. Raley also hauled in four rebounds. Sunday’s outing was Raley’s fourth game with 20 or more points this season and the third such game in the last four contests for the Screaming Eagles.

On the season, Raley paces Southern Indiana at 14.8 points per game, fifth best in the OVC. Raley has scored in double figures in 14 games this season. The Haubstadt, Indiana native also tops the squad and the conference with a field-goal percentage of 53 percent. Raley has also grabbed over five rebounds per game and has a team-best nine blocks.

Raley and the Screaming Eagles (12-5, 4-2 OVC) return to action back at Liberty Arena, home of the Screaming Eagles, later this week. Southern Indiana hosts Lindenwood University on Thursday at 5 p.m. before welcoming Western Illinois University for Military Appreciation Day on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both games can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ with radio coverage available on The Spin 95.7 FM and WREF 97.7 FM. Tickets for all home games at Liberty Arena can be purchased online at usiscreamingeagles.com or the USI Ticket Office.

SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL

USI HOSTS LINDENWOOD, WIU AT LIBERTY THIS WEEK

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball returns to the friendly surroundings of Liberty Arena to host Lindenwood University Thursday and Western Illinois University Saturday. Tipoff Thursday for Pajama Night versus Lindenwood is 7:30 p.m., while the start time for Military Appreciation Day Saturday against WIU is 3:30 p.m.

On Military Appreciation Day, veterans and their guests will receive free tickets (limit to five per veteran) with proof of service. Military Appreciation Day is sponsored by the USI Student Veteran Association.

The USI Screaming Eagles (6-10, 1-5 OVC) come home to Liberty Arena looking to get back on track and snap a five-game losing streak. USI was 0-3 on its road swing over the last two weeks and 0-2 last week, falling to Southeast Missouri State University, 77-66, and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 78-58.

Junior guards Damoni Harrison and Sam Kodi led USI last week with 14.0 points and 10.5 points per game, respectively. Harrison also led USI on the three-game road trip with 16.0 points per game, while sophomore forward Stephen Olowoniyi posted 14.7 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per game.

For the season, the Eagles have three players in double-digits for the season, led by junior guard Jayland Randall’s 15.5 points per contest. Randall, who is scheduled to return to action this week after missing the last three games with an injury, is followed by Olowoniyi’s 14.3 points per game. Harrison rounds out the double-digit scorers with 13.6 points per outing overall and a team-best 15.7 points per OVC contest.

The Lions of Lindenwood are 8-9 overall and 3-3 in the OVC after sweeping a home series last week. Lindenwood, which has won five of its last six games, defeated Tennessee State University, 72-62, Thursday and the University of Tennessee at Martin, 82-81, Saturday.  

The Eagles lead the all-time series, 7-1, after splitting the OVC games last year. USI won at Lindenwood, 73-62, while the Lions defeated the Eagles, 67-63, at Liberty Arena.

The Leathernecks of WIU are 8-9 overall, 2-4 in the conference, after losing a pair at home last week. WIU started last week with an 85-83 loss to UT Martin and finished with a 72-52 setback to TSU. The Leathernecks have lost six of their last eight games.

WIU leads the all-time series, 5-1, after taking both games from USI last season. The Leathernecks won at Liberty Arena, 73-68, and in Macomb, Illinois, 78-76.

All of the USI Basketball action can be seen live on ESPN+. The game can also be heard on ESPN 97.7FM (http://listentotheref.com) and 95.7FM The Spin (http://957thespin.com). Tickets for the homestand and all USI home dates are on sale now at USIScreamingEagles.com.

VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL

VALPO RALLIES, BUT BELMONT REBOUNDS TO FEND OFF BEACONS ON TUESDAY IN NASHVILLE

The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team overcame a 16-point first-half deficit to take the lead in the second half, but host Belmont rebounded to finish strong in a 71-64 victory over the Beacons on Tuesday night at the Curb Event Center in Nashville.

How It Happened

Belmont got off to a strong start, jumping out to a 15-4 lead in the first five minutes. Tyler Lundblade hit three early 3s for the Bruins.

The Beacons went to the bench and got an early lift from freshman Justus McNair, who nailed three early 3s and had four in the first half, tallying 14 points prior to the break.

The bulge reached 12 before Valpo chipped it back down to six when freshman All Wright had a traditional 3-point play with 7:47 left in the opening half that made it 27-21.

The Bruins put together another burst to expand the lead to 16 with under five minutes remaining before halftime.

McNair scored the final five points of the half including his fourth 3 with 1:32 on the clock. Neither team could find the well down the final stretch of the half, as Valpo played well defensively by holding the Bruins scoreless for the final 3:45, but the halftime gap stood at 10 at 40-30.

Valpo assembled an 11-3 burst to start the second half, closing to within two at 43-41 at the under-16 media timeout. Valpo got to the basket for good looks, while Belmont missed six of its first seven shots of the half. Isaiah Shaw hit a 15-footer at 14:30 to tie the game at 43, the first tie since the game’s early stages. 

Belmont responded to regain the advantage, and then Darius DeAveiro and Aidan Noyes traded big 3s. Shaw provided a Valpo lift during that stretch.

Schwieger had several big buckets, including a go-ahead shot to give Valpo a 53-52 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining, the first lead of the game for the guests. 

Belmont battled right back as Brigham Rogers scored the next four points to put his team ahead 56-53 with eight minutes to play. A second-chance triple by McNair tied the game at 56, then Shaw scored on the fastbreak to give Valpo the lead again at 58-56.

A 7-0 run by Belmont put the Bruins in front 63-58 with 5:26 to play. Wright hit a 3 to cut it to two, but Valpo went cold down the stretch, as Wright had the team’s only two made field goals in the final 5:14 and the Bruins iced the game at the free-throw line. 

Inside the Game

McNair had two made 3s in the first six conference games of his rookie campaign. He had four in the first half alone and finished with five on Tuesday. After entering the game with 18 total points in his first six conference games, McNair tallied a season-high 19 on Tuesday.

McNair became the first Valpo player to hit five 3s in a game since Isaiah Stafford on Jan. 17, 2024 at Evansville.

Shaw finished with 12 points and six rebounds, his highest scoring output since 15 on Dec. 5 vs. Drake and his season-high on the glass. Shaw tied his career high of six boards set on Nov. 26, 2022 vs. Benedictine Mesa while playing for GCU.

Schwieger had a double-double of 12 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. He eclipsed his previous personal best of 14 rebounds on Nov. 8 of this season vs. Concordia Ann Arbor. Schwieger’s double-double was his fourth of the season and first in league play.

Wright was the fourth Beacon in double figures with 10 points, his 10th time in double figures this year.

Valpo was outshot 30-9 and outscored 21-7 at the free-throw line, the second straight game on this road trip that Valpo faced a major free-throw disparity.

The Beacons shot at a higher field-goal percentage than the opponent on both games of this road trip, outshooting Belmont 36.4 percent to 36.1 percent. Valpo also shot at a higher clip from 3 on Tuesday, shooting 31 percent to the host’s 20 percent.

Turnovers hurt the Beacons in this one, as the Bruins owned a 17-12 edge in the turnover battle.

Valpo had a 47-40 advantage on the glass and a 14-11 edge on the offensive boards.

Up Next

Valpo (10-8, 3-4 MVC) will return home to host UIC on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center. It’s Video Game Night at the ARC with the opportunity to win a PS5 and Nintendo Switch available. To purchase tickets, visit tickets.valpoathletics.com.

UINDY WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

FORMER ALL-AMERICAN HALEY KINDALL NAMED NEXT UINDY VOLLEYBALL HEAD COACH

INDIANAPOLIS – University of Indianapolis Athletics Director Kim Pate announced the first coaching hire of her tenure on Tuesday, as former three-time All-American and national champion Haley Kindall was named the seventh head coach in UIndy volleyball history.

The 2021 AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year, Kindall served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for perennial NCAA tournament program University of West Florida during the 2024 season. She returned to the Argos this past fall following her initial stint from 2021-23.

“I am beyond excited to become the next Head Volleyball Coach here at the University of Indianapolis,” Kindall exclaimed. “From the moment I connected with the UIndy community, I could feel the passion, energy, and commitment to excellence that makes this place so special. Being a part of this incredible university is an honor, and throughout the interview process, it became clear that this is where I am meant to be.”

UWF was one of the best programs in NCAA Division II during Kindall’s time on the bench, winning both the Gulf South Conference regular season and postseason tournament each season. The Argos earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament all three seasons, advancing to the South Region final in 2021 before finishing with an impressive 35-2 record and a No. 5 ranking in the final AVCA national poll. She also helped develop nine All-Americans during her time at UWF.

“I am thrilled to announce that Haley Kindall will lead our Greyhound volleyball program as the next head coach,” shared Pate, UIndy’s new Director of Athletics. “Haley brings tremendous passion for coaching and a heart for mentoring and preparing student-athletes for success in all aspects of life. She is one of the top up and coming volleyball coaches in the collegiate ranks and I’m excited to see this program take off under her leadership. I want to welcome her and her fiance Kai to our Greyhound Family!”

Prior to her time with the Argos, Kindall was an assistant coach at Washburn University during the unique spring season of 2021. The Ichabods went 14-5, falling in the MIAA tournament quarterfinals.

Kindall also spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at her alma mater Wheeling University, Four Cardinals earned AVCA All-America honors under her tutelage, as the program advanced to the national quarterfinals in 2018 and Atlantic Region title match in 2019.

Kindall concluded: “I cannot wait to bring my passion for the game, my drive to develop student-athletes both on and off the court, and my vision for success to this program. Let’s get to work!”

As a student-athlete, Kindall was a standout middle blocker at Wheeling, earning AVCA All-America honors three times (2014-16). The Westerville, Ohio native was also voted an All-Region First Team middle all four seasons, capping her career with both Mountain East and Atlantic Region Player of the Year distinctions in 2016. The Cardinals claimed the 2015 NCAA DII national championship, with Kindall named to the all-tournament team. All told, Wheeling accumulated an incredible 156-17 (.902) record during Kindall’s career and a perfect 76-0 mark in MEC play, advancing as far as the DII national quarterfinals each season.

Kindall left Wheeling as one of the top student-athletes in program history. In total, Kindall recorded 1,573 kills (2.97 kills per set) with an outstanding .374 hitting percentage in 530 sets played. The All-American also finished with 536 career blocks, including 78 solo stops.

Between her playing and coaching career, Kindall has been a part of five NCAA national quarterfinal appearances.

Kindall earned her bachelor’s in Business Marketing with a minor in Art from Wheeling in 2017 before graduating with a Master of Business Administration in 2020. In between, she spent time overseas in Germany for Prowin Volleys TV Holtz in the FIVB Professional League from July 2017 to April 2018.

Haley is engaged to be married to Kai Case later this spring.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT KINDALL

Wheeling head coach Christy Benner:

“I couldn’t be happier for Haley. Having had the honor of coaching her both as a player and assistant coach, I’ve seen her incredible energy and passion for the game. Her wonderful personality and genuine care for her players makes her an ideal mentor; she is the type of coach that brings out the best in everyone around her. Her players will love learning from her, not only because of her volleyball knowledge, but because of the positive, high-energy environment she creates.”

West Florida head coach Melissa Wolter:

“Haley is one of the most brilliant volleyball minds I have ever met. She’s the perfect blend of passionate and tough, personable and caring. She’s a winner, excellent leader, and extremely driven. She has this electric personality that people gravitate towards, which is the recipe for success as a head coach. She immediately raised the level of our program,and I’m excited to see her do the same thing at UIndy.”

Washburn head coach Chris Herron:

“Haley has come from nothing but highly-successful programs, both as a player and a coach. She will take all those experiences and create her own culture and make UIndy a national power.”

INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

“SPORTS EXTRA”

NUMBERS IN SPORTS

3 – 1 – 33 – 14 – 19 – 70 – 24 – 12 – 55 – 16 – 79 – 54 – 45 – 56 

January 15, 1892 – Basketball rules first published in Triangle Magazine, written by James Naismith

January 15, 1934 – Probably the most famous Number 3 in Baseball History, Babe Ruth, of the New York Yankees took an approximate 33% pay cut at the end of his career for a one-year $35,000.

January 15, 1950 – Terry Sawchuk the legendary Goalie of the Detroit Redwings recorded his first shutout in the NHL against the New York Rangers 1-0. The rookie goal tender, wearing the Number 1 on the back of his sweater,  would go on to register an amazing 115 games without allowing a goal during his tenured career between the pipes.

January 15, 1956 – 6th NFL Pro Bowl, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: Eastern Conference beats Western Conference, 31-30; MVP: Chicago Cardinals, RB, Number 33, Ollie Matson.

January 15, 1957 – At the 7th NBA All-Star game Boston Celtics Point Guard, Bob Cousy, sporting his Number 14 jersey, won the game MVP award in front of a home crowd at the Boston Garden. The East team defeated the West 109-97. According to the Boston Globe the next day, Cousy edged out Maurice Stokes of the West based on his late game play-making and ball handling, that befuddled the opposition.

January 15, 1961 – 11th NFL Pro Bowl, LA Memorial Coliseum: Western Conference beats Eastern Conference, 35-31; MVPs were Baltimore Colts Quarterback, Number 19, Johnny Unitas on offense and New York Giants great Linebacker, Number 70, Sam Huff.

January 15, 1964 – San Francisco Giants make champion outfielder Willie Mays (Number 24) the highest-paid player in baseball when they sign him to a new $105,000 per season contract

January 15, 1966 – 5th AFL All Star Game, Rice Stadium, Houston: All-Stars beat Buffalo Bills, 30-19: MVPs were New York Jets Quarterback, Number 12, Joe Namath. On defense Los Angeles Chargers Linebacker, Number 55, Frank Buncom.

January 15, 1967 – Super Bowl I, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA: Green Bay Packers beat KC Chiefs, 35-10; MVP was Green Bay Quarterback Number 12, Bart Starr.

January 15, 1974 – 24th NBA All-Star Game, Seattle Center Coliseum: West beats East, 134-123; MVP was Detroit Pistons Number 16, Bob Lanier

January 15, 1978 – Super Bowl XII, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA: Dallas Cowboys beat Denver Broncos, 27-10. In rare fashion the Most Valuable Players were on the defensive side as Dallas Defensive End, Number 79, Harvey Martin and his Cowboys teammate Defensive Tackle, Number 54, Randy White shared the honor.

January 15, 1981 – St Louis Cardinals legendary Pitcher Number 45, Bob Gibson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility; after a stellar 17 year career, polls 337 votes from Baseball Writers Association of America

January 15, 1986 – Montreal’s rookie goaltender Number 33, Patrick Roy recorded his first of 66 career NHL shutouts, in the Canadiens’ 4-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets at the Forum

January 15, 1987 – Boston Celtics legendary forward, Number 33, Larry Bird was named Man of the Year by ‘The Sporting News’ and Athlete of the Year by ‘Associated Press’; first time one athlete gains both distinctions

January 15, 1994 – New York Football Giants legendary Linebacker, Number 56, Lawrence Taylor announced his retirement from playing in the NFL

January 15, 1997 – Seattle Super Sonics Number 14, Sam Perkins tied  another NBA Number 14, Jeff Hornacek’s NBA single-game record by connecting on 8 straight 3-point field goals during Sonics’ 122-78 win over visiting Toronto. Hornacek set his then-NBA record with eight consecutive three-pointers in a single game against the Seattle Super Sonics on November 23, 1994. Seattle also sets an NBA steals record with 27, on the 1997 game with the Raptors.

FOOTBALL HISTORY

January 15, 1939 – Wrigley Field, Chicago – A new addition to the NFL lineup of games arrived as the first NFL All Star Game. The NFL Championship game winners would have the honor of facing the best players from all the other League squads.The profootballhof.com website informs us that the 1938 NFL Champions were the New York Giants as back on December 11 they won the title over Green Bay 23-17. In this All-Star game the Giants narrowly defeated the All-America All-Stars, 13-10.

January 15, 1956 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – 6th NFL Pro Bowl assembled the League’s top players to battle each other representing their respective Conferences. That season it was the Eastern Conference who edged out their Western Conference rivals by the narrowest of margins, 31-30. The game’s Outstanding Player award was claimed by Ollie Matson the running back of the Chicago Cardinals per the American Football Database. Matson apparently had the play of the game on a 91 yard zig zagging punt return per a Pittsburgh Post Gazette article the morning after the game. 

January 15, 1961 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum -11th NFL Pro Bowl results are once again brought to us via an American Football Database post. In the game the Western Conference knocked off the Eastern Conference, 35-31. The coaches  selected to guide the Pro Bowlers were Buck Shaw of the Philadelphia Eagles and Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers. It was the final contest for the outstanding Quarterback Norm Van Brocklin who hung up his helmet after the game. The game’s MVPs were Baltimore Colts Johnny Unitas and New York Giants Linebacker Sam Huff.

January 15, 1966 – Rice Stadium, Houston – The AFL All Star Game was played for the fifth time to celebrate the top players in the League. The All-Star squad would face the League Champion Buffalo Bills according to the website RemembertheAFL.com. It was the All-Stars who would get the better of the Champs in this game as they beat Buffalo Bills, 30-19. The Most Valuable Players in the game were the Jets quarterback Joe Namath and Frank Buncom the linebacker from the Los Angeles Chargers.

January 15, 1967 – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – The First AFL-NFL World Championship game later referred to as Super Bowl I was played. The AFL put up their Champ the Kansas City Chiefs against the old guard of the NFL the Green Bay Packers. The Packers of Vince Lombardi were the heavy favorites but still a record television audience of over 60 million viewers tuned into watch the game per History.com. To the surprise of most the Chiefs only trailed by four at the halftime break. In the second half Green Bay turned the temperature up a bit and scored a TD set up by a Willie Wood interception and 50 yard return off of KC QB Len Dawson. Elijah Pitts scored two of the Packers touchdowns  and end Max McGee added a third as the Green Bay Packers rolled the Chiefs, 35-10, Green Bay signal caller Bart Starr was recognized as the game’s MVP.

January 15, 1978 – Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans – Super Bowl XII was billed as the Denver Broncos and their Orange Crush Defense against the Dooms Day Defense of the Dallas Cowboys. The Golden Rankings website writes that it was the Dallas D that won out, supported by the high flying Cowboys offense that boasted running back Tony Dorsett and had Roger Staubach managing the huddle. The Cowboys displayed the superior team that day as they won by three scores over the Denver Broncos, 27-10.  For the first time in Super Bowl history there were two MVPs chosen and they were from the defensive side of the ball as Dallas’ defensive end Harvey Martin shared the spotlight with teammate Randy White.

January 15, 1994 – Lawrence Taylor announces his retirement from the NFL per a report on SportsCasting.com. Taylor, known as LT was a member of the New York Giants for his entire Pro career which spanned 13 seasons from 1981 through 1993. He made the Pro Bowl in 10 of those seasons and was voted as the 1986 NFL Most Valuable Player after dropping quarterbacks an amazing 20.5 times behind the line.

January 15, 1995 – Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh – San Diego traveled to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The folks at BoltsfromtheBlue.com have an excellent synopsis of the game. The first half went pretty much how most experts expected it to. The Steelers defense was stout and held the Chargers to a mere 3 points and less than 50 yards of total offense while the Steelers had 10 up on the halftime scoreboard. The powerful Pittsburgh run game was sputtering though as San Diego defense held one the League’s top rushers, Barry Foster to little gain on the ground. The second half had a bit of a surprise as blocking tight end Alfred Pupunu was the target of a quarterback Stan Humphries’ 43 yard touchdown pass play and the Chargers were in the game down by 3. Late in the fourth the Steelers sent an all-out blitz on Humphries who found speedster Tony Martin in single coverage with no safety help and the Chargers scored again. San Diego Chargers denied the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they claimed a 17-13 victory that sent them to the Super Bowl.

January 15, 1995 – Candlestick Park, San Francisco – NFC Championship,: San Francisco 49ers beat Dallas Cowboys, 38-28 per OnthisDay.com.

January 15, 1997 – San Francisco head coach George Seifert announces his resignation after 8 highly-successful NFL seasons with the 49ers. An archived report on the LA Times website gives a great read on the situation.  Seifert was a San Fran native and he acted as the Niners defensive coordinator under Bill Walsh and was on staff in three Super Bowl wins as an assistant coach. When he took over for Walsh in 1989 he led the team to two more Super Bowl victories in 5 seasons. The reasons were unclear for the resignation but George left as the winningest coach in franchise history at 98-30.

Hall of Fame Birthdays

January 15, 1892 – Princeton’s great College Hall of Fame quarterback Hobey Baker was born.

January 15, 1953 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The University of Maryland and Dallas Cowboys fine linebacker Randy White was born. 

January 15, 1957 – Takoma Park, Alabama – Defensive tackle Marty Lyons of Alabama was born. His official college stats as listed on the footballfoundation.org website are 202 tackles and 20 sacks. He was a consensus All-America selection and was on the National Champions Crimson Tide team of 1978.The National Football Foundation selected Marty Lyons to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

January 15, 1959 – Chesapeake, Virginia – The ball hawking UCLA Bruins safety, Kenny Easley celebrates his day of birth. Kenny was a star player for the bruins pretty much from 1977 when he arrived there until 1980. Per the NFF Easley was an All- America three times and in four years he had 19 interceptions and 374 tackles.  Kenny Easley found the doors of the College Football Hall of Fame open to him in 1991. The Seattle Seahawks used the fourth overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft to take Kenny and he played with the franchise for 7 seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 5 of those. He earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1983 as he had a League high 7 interceptions. He did one better the next year when he was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Kenny Easley in 2017.

TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

Jan. 15

1965 — In one of the most notable trades in NBA history, the San Francisco Warriors deal Wilt Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers for Connie Dierking, Lee Shaffer, Paul Neumann and cash.

1967 — The NFL’s Green Bay Packers open the Super Bowl series by defeating the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL, 35-10.

1978 — The Dallas Cowboys take advantage of eight Denver turnovers en route to a 27-10 victory over the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Butch Johnson’s diving catch in the end zone completes a 45-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach and puts the Cowboys ahead 20-3 in the third quarter.

1994 — Ricky Watters of San Francisco scores an NFL postseason-record five touchdowns as the 49ers beat the New York Giants 44-3.

1994 — Lawrence Taylor announces his retirement from the NFL.

1995 — San Diego linebacker Dennis Gibson twice knocks down passes in the end zone — the last one on fourth down — to preserve the Chargers’ biggest NFL victory, a 17-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC championship.

1997 — Patrick Lalime becomes the first goalie since NHL expansion in 1967 to open his career with a 15-game unbeaten streak as Pittsburgh beats Hartford 3-0.

2000 — The Jacksonville Jaguars steamroll their way into the history books and the AFC championship game. In the second-most overpowering playoff performance ever, the Jaguars rout the Miami Dolphins 62-7. The 55-point margin is the second-largest in playoff history.

2001 — Peace College beats Bennett College 98-3 in women’s college basketball as Bennett sets an NCAA Division III women’s record for fewest points scored.

2004 — Michelle Wie shoots a respectable round of 2-over 72, leaving her nine strokes behind the leader after one round at the PGA Sony Open in Honolulu. Wie, 14, is believed to be the youngest player ever on the PGA Tour.

2005 — Michelle Kwan wins her ninth title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, tying Maribel Vinson for the all-time record.

2011 — Kyle Kuric’s lay-up with 4 seconds remaining caps a furious rally by No. 18 Louisville and the Cardinals stun Marquette 71-70. Louisville trails by 18 with 5:44 to go but close the game on a 24-5 run fueled by guard Preston Knowles.

2011 — Sixth-seeded Green Bay routs the Falcons 48-21 in Atlanta as Aaron Rodgers throws for three touchdowns and runs for one. The 48 points are the most for the Packers in a postseason game.

2012 — New York’s Eli Manning throws three touchdown passes and the Giants shock the Green Bay Packers 37-20 in an NFC divisional playoff game. The Packers, 15-1 in the regular season, become the seventh consecutive Super Bowl champ not to advance to the Super Bowl the next year.

2017 — Justin Thomas wins the Sony Open with the lowest 72-hole score in PGA Tour history. Thomas caps off his wonderful week at Waialae that began with a 59 with his second straight victory. He two-putts a birdie from 60 feet on the par-5 18th and closes with a 5-under 65 to set the record at 253. Tommy Armour III shot 254 at the 2003 Texas Open.

2017 — Aaron Rodgers throws a 36-yard pass to a toe-dragging Jared Cook on the sideline, and Mason Crosby kicks a 51-yard field goal on the next play as time expires, sending Green Bay to the NFC championship game with its eighth straight win while thwarting a Dallas rally in a 34-31 victory in the divisional round of the playoffs.

2018 – US Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Simone Biles says she is one of more than 130 women sexually abused by former team doctor Larry Nassar.

2023 — Lakers LeBron James surpasses 38,000 NBA career points, joining only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 113-112 loss to Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.

TV SPORTS WEDNESDAY

NBA REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers	7:30 pm	ESPN MSG NBCS-PHI
Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors	7:30pm	NBCS-BOS Sportsnet
Atlanta Hawks vs Chicago Bulls	8:00pm	CHSN FanDuel Sports SE
Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks	8:00pm	FanDuel Sports FL FanDuel Sports WI
Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves	8:00pm	NBCS-BAY FanDuel Sports North
Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans	8:00pm	KFAA GCSN
Memphis Grizzlies vs San Antonio Spurs	8:00pm	FanDuel Sports SE FanDuel Sports SW
Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets	9:00pm	SCHN ALT
Charlotte Hornets vs Utah Jazz	9:00pm	KJZZ FanDuel Sports SE
Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers	10:00pm	ESPN FanDuel Sports Sun Spetcrum
Brooklyn Nets vs Los Angeles Clippers	10:30pm	YES FanDuel Sports SoCal
NHL REGULAR SEASON	TIME ET	TV
Carolina Hurricanes vs Buffalo Sabres	6:00pm	TNT truTV MAX
Edmonton Oilers vs Minnesota Wild	8:30pm	TNT truTV MAX
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
South Carolina at Vanderbilt	6:00pm	SECN
Western Carolina at VMI	6:00pm	ESPN+
Lafayette at Army West Point	6:00pm	ESPN+
Lehigh at Boston University	6:00pm	ESPN+
Stanford at Wake Forest	6:30pm	ESPNEWS
Davidson at La Salle	6:30pm	ESPN+
Charleston Southern at Winthrop	6:30pm	ESPN+
USC Upstate at UNC Asheville	6:30pm	ESPN+
Kansas at Iowa State	7:00pm	ESPN2
Seton Hall at Butler	7:00pm	FS1
NC State at Virginia Tech	7:00pm	ESPNU
California at North Carolina	7:00pm	ACCN
George Mason at Dayton	7:00pm	CBSSN
Duquesne at George Washington	7:00pm	MNMT
Richmond at St. Bonaventure	7:00pm	YES
UMass at Fordham	7:00pm	SNY
Southern Illinois at Missouri State	7:00pm	MVC
IU Indianapolis at Oakland	7:00pm	ESPN+
Northern Kentucky at Cleveland State	7:00pm	ESPN+
Purdue Fort Wayne at Wright State	7:00pm	ESPN+
Colgate at Navy	7:00pm	ESPN+
Holy Cross at Bucknell	7:00pm	ESPN+
Wofford at Chattanooga	7:00pm	ESPN+
Samford at Mercer	7:00pm	ESPN+
The Citadel at UNCG	7:00pm	ESPN+
ETSU at Furman	7:00pm	ESPN+
UAB at South Florida	7:00pm	ESPN+
Gardner-Webb at Radford	7:00pm	ESPN+
Bowie State at Howard	7:00pm	ESPN+
Penn State at Michigan State	7:30pm	BTN
Florida Atlantic at Tulane	7:30pm	ESPN+
Troy at ULM	7:30pm	ESPN+
Georgia at Tennessee	8:00pm	SECN
Indiana State at Bradley	8:00pm	ESPN+
Murray State at UIC	8:00pm	ESPN+
Utah at TCU	8:00pm	ESPN+
West Virginia at Houston	8:00pm	ESPN+
Southern Miss at South Alabama	8:00pm	ESPN+
Georgia State at Texas State	8:00pm	ESPN+
Pitt at Florida State	9:00pm	ESPNU
Rhode Island at Loyola Chicago	9:00pm	CBSSN
SMU at Virginia	9:00pm	ACCN
Illinois State at Drake	9:00pm	MVC TV
Omaha at Denver	9:00pm	ALT2
Cincinnati at Colorado	9:00pm	ESPN+
Purdue at Washington	9:30pm	BTN
Texas at Oklahoma	10:00pm	SECN
Utah State at UNLV	11:00pm	CBSSN
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL	TIME ET	TV
Central Mich. at Akron	6:00pm	ESPN
Seton Hall at Marquette	9:00pm	FS1
Penn State at UCLA	9:30pm	Peacock
Northwestern at USC	10:00pm	Peacock
SOCCER	TIME ET	TV
Bundesliga: Bochum vs St. Pauli	12:30pm	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Bayern München vs Hoffenheim	2:30pm	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Stuttgart vs RB Leipzig	2:30pm	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Union Berlin vs Augsburg	2:30pm	ESPN+
Bundesliga: Werder Bremen vs Heidenheim	2:30pm	ESPN+
EPL: Everton vs Aston Villa	2:30pm	USA Peacock
EPL: Leicester City vs Crystal Palace	2:30pm	Peacock
EPL: Newcastle United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers	2:30pm	Peacock
Serie A: Internazionale vs Bologna	2:45pm	Paramount+
EPL: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur	3:00pm	Peacock