INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL
STATE FINALS-SATURDAY MARCH 30
SESSION 1
PUBLIC GATES OPEN AT 9:30 AM ET
10:30 AM ET | CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
BETHESDA CHRISTIAN (23-7) VS. FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY (18-9)
APPROX. 12:45 PM ET | CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (27-4) VS. WAPAHANI (26-2)
FIELDHOUSE CLEARED
SESSION 2
PUBLIC GATES OPEN AT 5 PM ET
6 PM ET | CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
SCOTTSBURG (24-5) VS. SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH (20-9)
APPROX. 8:15 PM ET | CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
BEN DAVIS (23-5) VS. FISHERS (28-1)
STATE FINALS PREVIEW: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2023-24%20Boys%20Basketball%20Preview.pdf
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL SCORES-REPORTED
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SCORES-REPORTED
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES
(NCAA TOURNEY)
MARQUETTE 81 COLORADO 77
PURDUE 106 UTAH STATE 67
DUKE 93 JAMES MADISON 55
CLEMSON 72 BAYLOR 64
ALABAMA 72 GRAND CANYON 61
CONNECTICUT 75 NORTHWESTERN 58
HOUSTON 100 TEXAS A&M 95 OT
SAN DIEGO STATE 85 YALE 57
(NIT)
INDIANA STATE 76 MINNESOTA 64
GEORGIA 72 WAKE FOREST 66
VCU 70 S. FLORIDA 65
UTAH 91 IOWA 82
UNLV 79 BOSTON COLLEGE 70
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES
(NCAA TOURNAMENT)
DUKE 75 OHIO STATE 63
SOUTH CAROLINA 88 NORTH CAROLINA 41
COLORADO 63 KANSAS STATE 50
LSU 83 MIDDLE TENNESSEE 56
OREGON STATE 61 NEBRASKA 51
TEXAS 65 ALABAMA 54
BAYLOR 75 VIRGINIA TECH 72
STANFORD 87 IOWA STATE 81 OT
WOMEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
MARCH 25 – SECOND ROUND
SECOND-ROUND GAMES WILL AIR FROM 2 P.M. TO 10 P.M. ACROSS ESPN, ESPN2 AND ESPNU.
MARCH 29 – SWEET 16
2:30 P.M. – ALBANY 1 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 1, ESPN
4:30 P.M. – “NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE STUDIO PRESENTED BY AT&T,” ESPN
5 P.M. – ALBANY 1 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 2, ESPN
7:30 P.M. – PORTLAND 4 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 1, ESPN
9:30 P.M. – “NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE STUDIO PRESENTED BY AT&T,” ESPN
10 P.M. – PORTLAND 4 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 1, ESPN
MARCH 30 – SWEET 16
1 P.M. – ALBANY 2 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 1, ABC
3:30 P.M. – ALBANY 2 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 2, ABC
5:30 P.M. – PORTLAND 3 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 1, ESPN
8 P.M. – PORTLAND 3 REGIONAL – SWEET 16 GAME 2, ESPN
MARCH 31 – ELITE 8
1 P.M. – ALBANY 1 REGIONAL – ELITE 8, ABC
3 P.M. – PORTLAND 4 REGIONAL – ELITE 8, ABC
APRIL 1 – ELITE 8
7:15 P.M. – ALBANY 2 REGIONAL – ELITE 8, ESPN
9:15 P.M. – PORTLAND 3 REGIONAL – ELITE 8, ESPN
APRIL 5 – FINAL FOUR
7 P.M. – SEMIFINAL 1, ESPN/ESPN+
9:30 P.M. – SEMIFINAL 2, ESPN/ESPN+
APRIL 7 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NBA SCOREBOARD
NEW ORLEANS 114 DETROIT 101
PHILADELPHIA 121 LA CLIPPERS 107
MIAMI 121 CLEVELAND 84
MILWAUKEE 118 OKLAHOMA CITY 93
MINNESOTA 114 GOLDEN STATE 110
LA LAKERS 150 INDIANA 145
NHL SCOREBOARD
WASHINGTON 3 WINNIPEG 0
COLORADO 5 PITTSBURGH 4 OT
NEW JERSEY 4 NY ISLANDERS 0
CAROLINA 2 TORONTO 1
OTTAWA 5 EDMONTON 3
FLORIDA 4 PHILADELPHIA 1
DALLAS 4 ARIZONA 2
TAMPA BAY 3 ANAHEIM 2 OT
BUFFALO 4 CALGARY 1
MONTRÉAL 5 SEATTLE 1
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
SPRING TRAINING
HOUSTON 9 ST. LOUIS 4
DETROIT 3 TAMPA BAY 2
PHILADELPHIA 2 TORONTO 0
ATLANTA 5 BOSTON 5
NY YANKEES 1 PITTSBURGH 0
BALTIMORE 8 MINNESOTA 3
MIAMI 5 NY METS 1
NY METS 10 WASHINGTON 1
CLEVELAND 10 CINCINNATI 7
COLORADO 7 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3
CHICAGO CUBS 9 SEATTLE 9
MILWAUKEE 14 ARIZONA 4
LA DODGERS 5 LA ANGELS 3
MEXICO DIABLOS ROJOS 4 NY YANKEES 3
SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS 8 SAN FRANCISCO 1
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
NO GAMES SCHEDULED
COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES
BUTLER 11 DAYTON 9
BUTLER 9 DAYTON 8
MIAMI 12 NOTRE DAME 10 (10)
GEORGETOWN 4 OHIO STATE 2 (10)
CONNECTICUT 5 RUTGERS 1
IOWA 9 PURDUE 6
MCNEESE 6 NORTHWESTERN 3
ILLINOIS 15 INDIANA 8
MICHIGAN 11 PENN STATE 6
MARYLAND 5 MICHIGAN STATE 4
MINNESOTA 12 SAN FRANCISCO 6
NEW MEXICO STATE AT NEBRASKA CANCELED
WRIGHT STATE 14 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 2
KENT STATE 3 ST. JOSEPH 2
ST. JOSEPH’S 5 KENT STATE 0
WESTERN MICHIGAN 8 EASTERN MICHIGAN 3
EASTERN MICHIGAN 3 WESTERN MICHIGAN 0
BALL STATE 4 TOLEDO 2
BOWLING GREEN 15 AKRON 5
CENTRAL MICHIGAN 7 OHIO 2
INDIANA STATE 8 MISSOURI STATE 5
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 5 VALPARAISO 5
MURRAY STATE 6 EVANSVILLE 5 (10)
SOUTHERN INDIANA 8 TENNESSEE TECH 1
COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES
MARYLAND 12 MINNESOTA 6
NOTRE DAME 2 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 0
MICHIGAN 11 PURDUE 3
PENN STATE 5 INDIANA 2
NORTHWESTERN 11 MICHIGAN STATE 3
NORTHWESTERN 4 MICHIGAN STATE 0
ILLINOIS AT NEBRASKA CANCELED
RUTGERS 8 OHIO STATE 6
SUNDAY’S TRANSACTIONS
BASEBALL
Major League Baseball
American League
BALTIMORE ORIOLES — Optioned RHPs Bryan Baker and Jonathan Heasley to Norfolk (IL).
BOSTON RED SOX — Agreed to terms with RHP Chase Anderson on a one-year contract. Placed RHP Lucas Giolito on the 60-day IL.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX — Agreed to terms with OF Kevin Pillar on a contract. Designated RHP Touki Toussaint for assignment.
NEW YORK YANKEES — Optioned RHPS Cody Poteet AND Ron Marinaccio and LHP Nick Ramirez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL).
OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Acquired RHP Austin Adams from the New York Mets for cash considerations. Transferred RHP Trevor Gott to 60-day IL.
National League
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS — Optioned C Jose Herrera to Reno (PCL).
COLORADO ROCKIES — Acquired OF Jake Cave from Philadelphia in exchange for cash considerations.
HOCKEY
National Hockey League
BUFFALO SABRES — Reassigned F Olivier Nadeau to the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) and F Anton Wahlberg to the Rochester Americans (AHL).
NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Assigned D Tyler Wotherspoon to Utica (AHL). Recalled G Isaac Poulter from Utica.
Minor League
AHL
PROVIDENCE BRUINS — Recalled F Adam Mechura from Maine (ECHL).
NATIONAL SPORTS RELEASES/HEADLINES
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
REPORT: FAU’S DUSTY MAY TO BE MICHIGAN’S NEW COACH
Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May has agreed to become the new head coach at Michigan, ESPN reported Saturday night.
May, 47, replaces Juwan Howard, who was fired after five seasons.
May won 60 games the past two seasons at FAU, leading the Owls to the Final Four in 2023. FAU lost in the first round of this year’s tournament.
Overall, May went 126-69 in six seasons at FAU. His .822 winning percentage the past two years was the fifth best in Division I, according to ESPN.
NCAA TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP: HOUSTON OUTLASTS TEXAS A&M IN OT
Houston overcame crippling foul trouble and a dramatic comeback by Texas A&M to earn a 100-95 victory in overtime on Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament’s South Region in Memphis.
Emanuel Sharp scored a game-high 30 points and Jamal Shead added 21 points and 10 assists for the top-seeded Cougars (32-4), who are off to face No. 4 seed Duke in the Sweet 16 on Friday.
J’Wan Roberts was the only Houston starter to not foul out, but the Cougars still managed to outscore the ninth-seeded Aggies (21-15) 14-9 in the extra session.
LJ Cryer scored 14 of his 20 points after halftime for Houston, and Roberts finished with 13 points, going 6-for-6 from the field. The Cougars canned 51.5 percent of their field-goal attempts in beating Texas A&M for the second time this season.
Tyrece Radford scored 27 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out six assists for the Aggies, while Wade Taylor IV added 21 points but made only 5 of 26 shots from the floor.
No. 2 Marquette 81, No. 10 Colorado 77
Tyler Kolek recorded 21 points, 11 assists and five rebounds to lead the Golden Eagles to a victory over the Buffaloes in Indianapolis.
David Joplin secured the win by making two free throws with 7.4 seconds remaining to send the Golden Eagles (27-9) to the Sweet 16. Marquette will face No. 11 North Carolina State on Friday in Dallas. Kam Jones scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half to lead the Golden Eagles to an 11-point lead at halftime.
KJ Simpson led Colorado (26-11) with 20 points. Tristan da Silva added 17 for the Buffaloes, who fell just short of reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1969.
No. 4 Duke 93, No. 12 James Madison 55
Jared McCain drained eight 3-pointers — a school record in an NCAA Tournament game — and finished with 30 points for the Blue Devils, who never trailed against the Dukes in New York.
Tyrese Proctor (18 points), Jeremy Roach (15 points) and Kyle Filipowski (14 points) also scored in double figures for Duke (26-8), which is in the Sweet 16 for the first time since advancing to the Final Four in Mike Krzyzewski’s final season in 2022.
Terrence Edwards Jr. scored 13 points while T.J. Bickerstaff added 11 points for James Madison (32-4), which reached the second round of the tourney for the first time since 1983. The Dukes were trying to become the first No. 12 seed to advance to the Sweet 16 since Oregon State went to the Elite Eight in 2021.
Midwest Region
No. 1 Purdue 106, No. 8 Utah State 67
Zach Edey once again dominated with 23 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two steals to lead the Boilermakers to a second-round rout of the Aggies in Indianapolis.
Purdue (31-4) advances to play No. 5 seed Gonzaga on Friday in Detroit. Trey Kaufman-Renn finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Fletcher Loyer added 15 points and six assists. The Boilermakers went 8-for-14 from 3-point range in the second half to put the game away.
Great Osobor had 14 points and Josh Uduje added 13 for Utah State (28-7), which fell to 7-25 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
West Region
No. 6 Clemson 72, No. 3 Baylor 64
Chase Hunter scored 20 points and added six assists as the Tigers held off a late charge from the Bears in Memphis.
Clemson, which held a 15-point lead with less than seven minutes left, was clinging to a 66-64 advantage when Baylor’s Ja’Kobe Walter missed two free throws that would have tied the score with 36.2 seconds remaining.
Clemson sealed the outcome by hitting six straight shots at the free-throw line. RJ Godfrey hit four of those free throws and Joseph Girard III added a pair as the Tigers (23-11) earned a spot in the Sweet 16. RayJ Dennis scored 27 points for the Bears (24-11), and Walter finished with 20.
No. 4 Alabama 72, No. 12 Grand Canyon 61
Mark Sears had 26 points, a season-best 12 rebounds and six assists to lead the Crimson Tide to a victory over the Lopes at Spokane, Wash.
Rylan Griffen added 13 points for the Crimson Tide (23-11), who scored the final 10 points of the game to hold off a charge by the Lopes.
Tyon Grant-Foster recorded 29 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots for Grand Canyon (30-5), which was a porous 2 of 20 from 3-point range.
East Region
No. 1 UConn 75, No. 9 Northwestern 58
Donovan Clingan finished two blocks shy of a triple-double as the defending national champion Huskies posted another wire-to-wire win by beating the Wildcats in New York.
UConn (33-3), the nation’s top-ranked team, will face No. 5 San Diego State in the Sweet 16 on Thursday in Boston. UConn has won nine straight games. Clingan had 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks, while Tristen Newton added 20 points and 10 assists.
Northwestern (22-12) lost in the second round for the third time in as many NCAA Tournament trips — all since 2017 under 11th-year coach Chris Collins. Brooks Barnhizer scored 18 points while Ryan Langborg had 13 for the Wildcats.
No. 5 San Diego State 85, No. 13 Yale 57
Jaedon LeDee recorded 26 points and nine rebounds and the Aztecs never trailed while beating the Bulldogs at Spokane, Wash.
Darrion Trammell established season highs of 18 points and four 3-pointers for San Diego State (26-10), which made a season-best 13 treys (in 27 attempts) and led by as many as 31 points.
Bez Mbeng scored 12 points and Matt Knowling added 11 for Yale (23-10). John Poulakidas was scoreless in the first half and had just nine points on 2-of-9 shooting for the Bulldogs. He poured in 28 points in Yale’s stunning 78-76 upset of fourth-seeded Auburn on Friday.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP: STANFORD EDGES IOWA STATE IN OT
Kiki Iriafen finished with a career-high 41 points to go with 16 rebounds and three blocks, and Brooke Demetre came up big in overtime as No. 2 seed Stanford outlasted No. 7 seed Iowa State 87-81 on Sunday in a second-round Women’s NCAA Tournament clash in Palo Alto, Calif.
Demetre hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left to put Stanford back ahead 83-81, then rebounded Iowa State’s missed layup and hit two free throws with 11 seconds to help seal the win in the Portland 4 Region.
Hannah Jump added 15 points for Stanford (30-5). Cameron Brink, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, had just eight points before fouling out with 2:11 left in regulation.
Emily Ryan had a career-high 36 points for Iowa State (21-12), which also got 18 points from Brown and 10 from Audi Crooks.
No. 1 Texas 65, No. 8 Alabama 54
Aaliyah Moore racked up 21 points and 10 rebounds and Big 12 Player of the Year Madison Booker added 21 points as the Longhorns turned it on in the second half to post a win over the Crimson Tide in the Portland 4 Region in Austin, Texas.
The Longhorns (32-4) advanced to the Sweet 16 for the third time in the past four seasons.
Sarah Ashlee Barker led the Crimson Tide (24-10) with 17 points while Aaliyah Nye added 14 and Loyal McQueen had 12.
Portland 3 Region
No. 7 Duke 75, No. 2 Ohio State 63
Reigan Richardson scored 10 of her game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, and the Blue Devils rallied to take down the host Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio.
Duke (22-11) recovered from its initial offensive woes to shoot 51.1 percent for the game, paced by Richardson’s 11 of 18. Ashlon Jackson went 4 of 6 from the field en route to 13 points, while Taina Mair overcame 1-of-9 shooting from the floor to notch 11 points thanks to 8-of-9 foul shooting.
Cotie McMahon led Ohio State (26-6) with 27 points. Jacy Sheldon added 13.
No. 5 Baylor 75, No. 4 Virginia Tech 72
Jada Walker scored 11 of the Bears’ final 13 points en route to a career-high 28, and Baylor knocked off the host Hokies in the Portland 3 Region in Blacksburg, Va.
Baylor (26-7) trailed for only 17 seconds, but the Bears’ advantage never exceeded eight points in what was a close contest throughout. Sarah Andrews added 16 points and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs scored 10 points for Baylor.
Georgia Amoore shot 3-for-11 from beyond the arc en route to 18 points. Matilda Ekh’s 19 points led the way for Virginia Tech (25-8), which was playing without All-America center Elizabeth Kitley due to a torn ACL sustained before the tournament. Clara Strack added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Albany 1 Region
No. 1 South Carolina 88, No. 8 North Carolina 41
The Gamecocks rolled past the Tar Heels, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the 10th consecutive time behind 20 points, nine rebounds, three blocks and three steals from MiLaysia Fulwiley.
South Carolina (34-0) improved its home winning streak to 59 games as Fulwiley, a freshman, shot 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Kamilla Cardoso returned from a one-game suspension and collected 12 points and 10 rebounds. Chloe Kitts also chipped in 12 points, and Ashlyn Watkins and Tessa Johnson each scored 11.
Alyssa Ustby led North Carolina (20-13) with 12 points and six rebounds, while Deja Kelly finished what might have been her final game in a Tar Heels uniform with seven points on 2-of-13 shooting.
No. 3 Oregon State 61, No. 6 Nebraska 51
Talia von Oelhoffen collected 19 points and eight assists to help the Beavers beat the Cornhuskers in Corvallis, Ore.
Oregon State (26-7) is advancing to the Sweet 16 for the sixth time in program history, and the first since 2019. The Beavers were also boosted by 17 points from Timea Gardiner and 10 points from Raegan Beers.
Nebraska (23-12) was paced by Jaz Shelley, who had 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Albany 2 Region
No. 3 LSU 83, No. 11 Middle Tennessee 56
Angel Reese and Aneesah Morrow had double-doubles and the Tigers ran away from the Blue Raiders in Baton Rouge, La.
Reese had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Morrow had 19 points and 13 rebounds, Flau’jae Johnson scored 21 and Mikaylah Williams scored 16 for LSU (30-5).
Savannah Wheeler scored 21 points and Ta’Mia Scott added 15 before fouling out to lead the Blue Raiders (30-5), who saw two other players foul out as LSU made 26 of 37 free throws compared to their 6 of 9.
No. 5 Colorado 63, No. 4 Kansas State 50
Maddie Nolan scored 11 points and Tameiya Sadler had eight of her 10 points during a pivotal third quarter as the Buffaloes defeated the Wildcats in Manhattan, Kan.
The Buffaloes (24-9) used a 15-3 run to take a 10-point lead at the end of the third quarter and advanced to face the winner of Monday’s game between No. 1 seed Iowa and No. 8 seed West Virginia in a regional semifinal next week in Albany, N.Y. Quay Miller added 10 points and 10 rebounds and three other Colorado players finished with nine points.
Gabby Gregory scored 12 points, Serena Sundell had 11 before fouling out and Ayoka Lee added 10 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Wildcats (26-8).
NBA NEWS
REPORTS: NO TIMELINE FOR RETURN OF CELTICS’ JRUE HOLIDAY
Boston Celtics starting point guard Jrue Holiday, who has not played since March 17 due to a right shoulder joint strain that has caused “dead arm,” remains out, with no timetable set for his return, multiple outlets reported.
Holiday, who has earned first-team NBA All-Defensive Team honors in three of the past six seasons, sustained the injury when he hit the Washington Wizards’ Richaun Holmes, who was setting a screen. Holiday came out of the game a few minutes later and has not played since.
“I still want to play. That’s part of the reason I play basketball. But it’s also keeping rhythm. Sometimes, when you’re out for a long time, you break rhythm, but I feel like I’ve been in a good groove and I want to continue to play,” Holiday told The Boston Globe.
Coach Joe Mazzulla said Holiday is “in good shape. He’s doing well. He’s getting better.”
The 15-year veteran and two-time All-Star is averaging 12.8 points per game, the lowest since his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers. But he is on pace for career highs in 3-point shooting (44.5 percent) and rebounds (5.4), to go with 4.9 assists.
The Celtics have built a league-best 57-14 record, leading the Eastern Conference by 11 1/2 games. They have clinched a postseason berth and will win the Eastern Conference title with either their next win or a loss by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Their next game is Monday night for the first of two games against the Hawks in Atlanta.
Holiday played four seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, seven for the New Orleans Pelicans and three for the Milwaukee Bucks, winning the 2021 NBA title.
In a three-team deal on Sept. 27, Milwaukee traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers. Less than a week later, Portland sent him to Boston for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and multiple draft picks.
NBA ROUNDUP: LAKERS SCORE SEASON-BEST 150 VS. PACERS
Anthony Davis posted 36 points and 16 rebounds and LeBron James added 26 points and 10 assists as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the visiting Indiana Pacers 150-145 on Sunday.
Spencer Dinwiddie had 26 points and Austin Reaves added 25 points and eight assists as the Lakers reached a season high in points despite not having D’Angelo Russell (illness). Los Angeles, which has won three games in a row, now faces a challenging six-game road trip that begins Tuesday.
Though the Lakers also earned a victory over the Pacers during the in-season tournament title game, that contest did not count in the regular-season standings. The teams meet again Friday in Indianapolis.
Pascal Siakam had 36 points and 12 rebounds and Myles Turner added 20 points for the Pacers, who entered with five victories in their past seven games. Indiana is now 2-1 on a five-game road trip and remains in Los Angeles to meet the Clippers on Monday.
Pelicans 114, Pistons 101
Zion Williamson powered his way to 36 points, seven rebounds and six assists as New Orleans defeated host Detroit.
CJ McCollum had 23 points and seven assists, while Naji Marshall supplied 14 points and eight rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas added 13 points for the Pelicans.
Chimezie Metu and Malachi Flynn led the Pistons with 17 points apiece. Jaden Ivey, the lone healthy starter, had 16 points.
76ers 121, Clippers 107
Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey scored 24 points apiece as visiting Philadelphia opened the fourth quarter on a 20-4 run and pulled away to beat Los Angeles.
Cameron Payne had a season-high 23 points for the 76ers, who led wire-to-wire and snapped a two-game skid. Kelly Oubre Jr. finished with 12 points and a season-high six assists, and Paul Reed had 10 points.
Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell led the Clippers with 20 points apiece. Paul George scored 18 points, Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and James Harden finished with 12 points and 14 assists.
Heat 121, Cavaliers 84
Bam Adebayo posted 15 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and three assists in just 28 minutes to lead host Miami to a runaway win over Cleveland.
The Heat, who led by as many as 45 points, nearly set a franchise record for the largest margin of victory. The record is 43 points in December 1994 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Miami fell six points short of that mark. Miami got a team-high 18 points from reserve Haywood Highsmith. Starter Jimmy Butler had 15 points and six assists in 24 minutes.
Cleveland, which has lost three straight games, was led by Evan Mobley, who scored 15 points in 21 minutes. He had missed the previous nine games due to an ankle injury.
Timberwolves 114, Warriors 110
Anthony Edwards had 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Minnesota held on to beat Golden State in Minneapolis.
Naz Reid registered a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who finished a three-game regular-season series sweep against the Warriors. Rudy Gobert also notched a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards.
Stephen Curry scored 31 points and shot 5-for-11 from beyond the arc to pace the Warriors. Klay Thompson added 16 points off the bench, and Andrew Wiggins scored 15.
Bucks 118, Thunder 93
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points and grabbed a season-high 19 rebounds to lead Milwaukee past visiting Oklahoma City.
Khris Middleton notched his second career triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Bucks.
Josh Giddey led the Thunder with 19 points. After a hot start, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with just 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and Chet Holmgren finished with six points, going 1-for-10 from the floor. It snapped a 29-game streak for Gilgeous-Alexander scoring at least 20 points.
NHL NEWS
NHL ROUNDUP: ANTHONY CIRELLI SENDS LIGHTNING PAST DUCKS IN OT
Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cirelli scored 59 seconds into overtime and the Lightning beat the host Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on Sunday to stretch their point streak to a season-high seven games.
After intercepting Mason McTavish’s drop pass on an Anaheim rush, Cirelli led a two-on-zero break with Brandon Hagel. Cirelli then finished off a give-and-go for his 16th goal of the season to boost Tampa Bay to 6-0-1 in its past seven games.
Anthony Duclair recorded a goal, producing a point in his seventh game after being acquired by the Lightning at the trade deadline. Luke Glendening broke an 11-game goal-scoring drought. Nikita Kucherov’s team-record 13-game assist streak came to an end.
For Anaheim, Ross Johnston scored for the first time in nearly two years, and Pavel Mintyukov also scored as the Ducks fell to 2-8-1 in their past 11 games. Lukas Dostal stopped 24 shots.
Devils 4, Islanders 0
Jack Hughes collected a goal and an assist in his 300th regular-season game, Kaapo Kahkonen made 36 saves to snap a personal 11-game losing streak and New Jersey scored three times in the second period of a victory over New York in Elmont, N.Y.
The Devils won for the third time in four games and pulled within five points of the Capitals for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders lost for the seventh time in eight games (1-6-1) and trail Washington by four points after snapping a six-game losing streak on Saturday.
Hughes started his 19th multi-point game of the season by setting up Timo Meier’s 12th goal this month, then adding his 24th goal of the campaign. Meier also had an assist. New York goaltender Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves and dropped his sixth straight start.
Avalanche 5, Penguins 4 (OT)
Jonathan Drouin scored 54 seconds into overtime, his second goal of the game, and Colorado rallied to beat Pittsburgh in Denver.
The Penguins led 4-0 with 4:20 remaining in the second period. Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists to extend his point streak to 18 games and his home point streak to 34 games. It is the second-longest home point streak in NHL history, behind Wayne Gretzky’s 40-game run in 1988-89.
Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists. Bryan Rust, Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Jesse Puljujarvi also had goals for the Penguins.
Capitals 3, Jets 0
Alex Ovechkin scored twice to help Washington beat visiting Winnipeg.
T.J. Oshie had two assists and Charlie Lindgren made 27 saves for the Capitals, who moved into the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Connor Hellebuyck, who started after being pulled against the New York Islanders on Saturday, made 16 saves for the Jets, who have lost three in a row after winning four of five.
Hurricanes 2, Maple Leafs 1
Frederik Andersen made 32 saves to bolster his glittering record over the past few weeks as Carolina held off Toronto for a victory in Raleigh, N.C.
Brady Skjei and Sebastian Aho scored in the first period as the Hurricanes stretched their point streak to seven games. Andersen is 6-0-0 since coming back to action after a months-long absence because of a health scare.
Nicholas Robertson scored for the Maple Leafs. Joseph Woll made 41 saves, stopping all 27 shots he faced across the final two periods.
Senators 5, Oilers 3
Defenseman Jakob Chychrun capped a two-goal performance by scoring on the power play with 3:03 left in the third period, fueling host Ottawa past Edmonton.
Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson each collected a goal and two assists and Parker Kelly scored into an empty net. Joonas Korpisalo turned aside 33 shots for the Senators, who overcame Zach Hyman’s 50th goal of the season.
Defenseman Evan Bouchard set up three goals to extend his assist streak to seven games. He also set up three goals in the Oilers’ 3-1 win over the Senators on Jan. 6.
Panthers 4, Flyers 1
Sam Reinhart reached 50 goals this season, scoring twice and adding an assist, as Florida rolled past host Philadelphia.
Vladimir Tarasenko and Carter Verhaeghe also scored for the Panthers, while Brandon Montour chipped in three helpers. Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Sam Bennett also added assists. Anthony Stolarz made 32 stops for Florida.
Bobby Brink got the lone goal for the Flyers. Felix Sandstrom made 11 saves in the loss.
Stars 4, Coyotes 2
Miro Heiskanen scored the go-ahead goal with 5:28 remaining and Jake Oettinger made 26 saves as Dallas won its fourth straight game, beating Arizona in Tempe, Ariz.
Tyler Seguin and Matt Duchene each had a goal and two assists and Jamie Benn also scored for Dallas, which is tied with Colorado in points for first place in the Central Division. However, the Avalanche have a game in hand.
Clayton Keller and Nick Bjugstad both scored and Connor Ingram made 31 saves for Arizona, which had a three-game home winning streak come to an end.
Sabres 4, Flames 1
JJ Peterka broke a third-period tie with a go-ahead goal that sent visiting Buffalo to a crucial victory over Calgary.
Tage Thompson recorded one goal and one assist while Peyton Krebs and Connor Clifton each added a goal for the Sabres, who snapped a two-game skid. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves in the finale of a five-game road trip. He also collected one assist.
Jonathan Huberdeau scored for the Flames, who have lost three consecutive games and have just two victories in their past eight outings. Goalie Dustin Wolf stopped 25 shots.
Canadiens 5, Kraken 1
Alex Newhook scored twice and Kaiden Guhle had a goal and two assists as visiting Montreal routed spiraling Seattle.
Nick Suzuki added a goal and an assist and Mike Matheson also scored for Montreal, which snapped a four-game winless streak (0-2-2) and won for just the second time in its past eight games (2-4-2). Goaltender Cayden Primeau made 36 saves.
Jordan Eberle scored for Seattle, which matched a season worst with an eight-game winless stretch (0-6-2), essentially knocking the Kraken out of the Western Conference’s wild-card race.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
ROYALS RIGHTY MICHAEL WACHA WILL GET X-RAYS AFTER TAKING LINER OFF PITCHING HAND DURING SCRIMMAGE
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Royals right-hander Michael Wacha was hit on his pitching hand during his final inning of spring training Sunday, just before the club was to leave Arizona, and will have X-rays on his middle finger to determine the extent of the injury.
Wacha was pitching in the fifth inning of an intrasquad game when Salvador Perez lined his pitch up the middle. The ball hit Wacha’s right middle finger, and he immediately grabbed the hand as Royals manager Matt Quatraro came out to check on him.
Quatraro said he was optimistic that Wacha would be OK. The Royals are counting on him to fill out an almost entirely revamped rotation after signing the 32-year-old veteran to a $32 million, two-year contract during free agency.
Right-hander Seth Lugo, who signed a $45 million, three-year deal, threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings during the intrasquad game.
The injury to Wacha came one day after the Royals said second baseman Michael Massey likely would begin the season on the injured list. He began dealing with back tightness on Tuesday and has been held out of baseball activity, and he was expected to remain in Arizona while the club heads to Springdale, Arkansas, for an exhibition game Monday.
The Royals are playing their Double-A affiliate Northwest Arkansas before heading to Kansas City. They begin the regular season Thursday with the first of a three-game set against AL Central-rival Minnesota.
REPORT: ROCKIES, TOVAR AGREE TO 7-YEAR, $63.5M DEAL
The Colorado Rockies and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar agreed to a seven-year contract extension, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Tovar’s deal is worth $63.5 million in guaranteed money, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. It reportedly includes an eighth-year club option, which, if exercised, will max his earnings at $84 million.
Completion of the agreement is pending a physical, per Harding.
The extension will delay Tovar’s free agency by at least two seasons.
Tovar, 22, hit .253/.287/.408 with 15 homers, 73 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 153 games for the Rockies last season. His 37 doubles tied the franchise’s rookie record. He was also named a Gold Glove finalist after tallying 13 defensive runs saved in the field, a figure that ranked second among National League shortstops.
The Rockies originally signed Tovar as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela in 2017.
OHTANI TO SPEAK MONDAY FOR 1ST TIME SINCE SCANDAL BROKE
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani plans to speak to the media Monday for the first time since the illegal gambling and theft allegations involving the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his interpreter emerged during the team’s trip to South Korea.
The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers last week when the team opened the season with two games against the San Diego Padres in Seoul.
Manager Dave Roberts endorsed Ohtani addressing the matter publicly.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he said. “I’m happy he’s going to speak and speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation. I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity.”
Ohtani made only a brief appearance in the Dodgers clubhouse before Sunday’s Freeway Series opener against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. The teams are playing three exhibition games before the Dodgers host St. Louis in their home opener on Thursday.
Ohtani was set to bat second as the designated hitter at Dodger Stadium.
PHILLIES OPTION KODY CLEMENS TO TRIPLE-A TO START SEASON
The Philadelphia Phillies optioned infielder Kody Clemens to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
Clemens, the son of former pitcher Roger Clemens, hit .325 this spring with three home runs and 10 RBIs. He had a 1.066 OPS.
He hit .230 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 47 games last season, playing mostly at first base.
The Phillies are set to carry center fielders Johan Rojas and Cristian Pache on their Opening Day roster.
Clemens is hitting .191 with nine HRs and 30 RBIs in 103 career games after being selected in the third round of the 2018 draft by the Detroit Tigers.
RED SOX RELEASE VETERAN 1B C.J. CRON
The Boston Red Sox released veteran first baseman C.J. Cron on Sunday and informed pitchers Joely Rodriguez and Justin Slaten that they made the Opening Day roster.
The Red Sox open the season at Seattle on Thursday night.
Left-hander Lucas Luetge will begin the season at Triple-A. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday there’s a good chance that infielder Bobby Dalbec will make the team.
Cron and Rodriguez signed minor league deals with the club with opt-outs if they didn’t make the major league roster. Both exercised those opt-outs on Friday, giving the Red Sox until Sunday to make a decision.
Cron, 34, was a free agent after playing last season for the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels. He was limited by back issues and batted a combined .248 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs in 71 games.
A first-round selection (17th overall) by the Angels in the 2011 MLB Draft, Cron has played 10 seasons for the Angels (2014-17, 2023), Tampa Bay Rays (2018), Minnesota Twins (2019), Detroit Tigers (2020) and Rockies (2021-23).
Rodriguez, 32, appeared in 11 games for the Red Sox in 2023, posting a 6.55 ERA. He made six relief appearances this spring, posting two saves and a 2.57 ERA.
Slaten’s first game will mark his major league debut. He went 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 40 appearances (one start) between Double-A and Triple-A in 2023.
WHITE SOX SIGN OF KEVIN PILLAR, DFA RHP TOUKI TOUSSAINT
The Chicago White Sox signed veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to a major-league contract on Sunday, two days after they released him.
Right-hander Touki Toussaint was designated for assignment in a corresponding move by the White Sox.
Pillar is expected to serve as depth in the outfield behind Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi and Dominic Fletcher. Pillar batted .250 with five RBIs in 18 games in spring training before he was released by Chicago.
He was penciled into Sunday’s starting lineup in the spring training finale against the Colorado Rockies, batting leadoff and playing right field.
Pillar, 35, batted .228 with nine homers and 32 RBIs in 81 games last season with the Atlanta Braves.
He is a career .257 hitter with 106 homers and 423 RBIs in 1,114 games with the Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Braves.
Toussaint, 27, posted a 4-7 record with a 4.97 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) split between the Cleveland Guardians and White Sox last season.
He is 14-14 with a 5.21 ERA in 77 career games (39 starts) with the Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Guardians and White Sox.
A’S ACQUIRE RHP AUSTIN ADAMS FROM METS
The Oakland Athletics acquired right-hander Austin Adams from the New York Mets on Sunday for cash considerations.
The Athletics selected Adams to their 40-man roster and placed right-hander Trevor Gott on the 60-day injured list. Gott is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire season and part of 2025, MLB.com reported Friday.
Adams, 32, went 0-1 with a 5.71 ERA in 24 relief appearances last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He signed as a free agent with the Mets on Nov. 30.
Adams is 6-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 132 appearances (two starts) with the Washington Nationals (2017-19), Seattle Mariners (2019), San Diego Padres (2020-22) and the Diamondbacks (2023).
Gott, 31, signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Athletics in December.
He went 0-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 64 relief appearances with the Mariners and the Mets in 2023. New York acquired Gott from the Mariners in July.
Gott is 16-15 with a 4.65 ERA in 255 career relief appearances with six teams.
SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP: WILLY ADAMES (3 HRS), BREWERS SMACK D-BACKS
Willy Adames went 3-for-3 with three homers, six RBIs and four runs to lift the host Milwaukee Brewers to a commanding 14-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday in Phoenix.
Adames went deep in the third, fifth and sixth to headline Milwaukee’s 17-hit performance. Brice Turang contributed three hits and two RBIs for the Brewers, who also got home runs from Sal Frelick, Rhys Hoskins and Luis Lara in a rematch of a 2023 National League wild-card series that Arizona won 2-0.
The Diamondbacks scored the first two runs of the game before Arizona starter Merrill Kelly (1-1) fell apart. Kelly was tagged for six runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
Milwaukee starter DL Hall (2-0) went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four without issuing a walk.
Jose Fernandez drove in a pair of runs for the Diamondbacks.
Astros 9, Cardinals 4
Houston rattled off nine unanswered runs and never looked back to beat visiting St. Louis in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Will Wagner and Jon Singleton each had a two-run single to help the Astros build a 9-0 lead. Hunter Brown (3-0) benefited from the run support, and he picked up five strikeouts across 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
Lance Lynn (0-2) saw his spring ERA balloon to 7.90 after giving up six runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings for the Cardinals. St. Louis’ R.J. Yeager went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Tigers 3, Rays 2
Beau Brieske notched a six-out save as host Detroit held off Tampa Bay in Lakeland, Fla.
Brieske kept the Rays off the board while surrendering just two hits. The Tigers moved in front in the seventh when Matt Vierling scored on Ryan Vilade’s double-play grounder.
Jose Siri had a two-run single in the second, but Tampa Bay never scored again.
Orioles 8, Twins 3
Visiting Baltimore leaned on its young stars to pick up a win over Minnesota in Fort Myers, Fla.
Gunnar Henderson, 22, set the tone with a solo shot in the first and Adley Rutschman, 26, provided some insurance with a three-run blast in the seventh. Grayson Rodriguez, a 24-year-old right-hander, opened the game with three scoreless innings.
The Twins collected 12 hits but ended up leaving 10 men on base. Joe Ryan yielded two runs and two hits in five innings and came away with a no-decision. He walked one and fanned five.
Phillies 2, Blue Jays 0
Aaron Nola scattered two hits across 5 2/3 shutout innings and host Philadelphia blanked Toronto in Clearwater, Fla.
Nola issued one walk and recorded four strikeouts. Trea Turner’s single and Alec Bohm’s double each brought home a run in the first for the Phillies.
Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-2) allowed just two runs and five hits across five innings but was pinned with the loss due to Toronto’s poor offensive showing.
Braves 5, Red Sox 5
Boston overcame a three-run deficit, playing to a tie with visiting Atlanta in Fort Myers.
Michael Harris II’s run-scoring single and Sean Murphy’s two-run homer put the Braves up 3-0 in the second. Atlanta was later ahead 5-2, and the Red Sox finally drew even when Allan Castro plated a run with a base hit in the seventh.
Four Boston relievers combined for 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief to allow the Red Sox to stay in the game.
Yankees 1, Pirates 0
Prized offseason acquisition Marcus Stroman logged six strong innings as New York silenced host Pittsburgh in Bradenton, Fla.
Stroman (1-2), signed to a two-year, $37 million deal, allowed four hits, walked two and fanned five before turning things over to the bullpen. Jahmai Jones provided the game’s lone run with an RBI double in the fourth.
Pirates starter Martin Perez worked three shutout innings, walking two and striking out three. He gave up one hit. Pittsburgh mustered just five hits as a team.
Mets 10, Nationals 1
Tyrone Taylor had two hits and two RBIs and Starling Marte had two hits and two runs as New York cruised past visiting Washington in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Pete Alonso also had two hits for the Mets, pushing his batting average this spring to .320. Although the offensive outburst was a welcome sight, two runs were all New York starter Luis Severino (2-0) needed to get the win. He gave up just one run and four hits in five frames.
Nationals reliever Robert Garcia was knocked around for three runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. A groundout resulted in Washington’s only run.
Marlins 5, Mets 1 (ss)
Darren McCaughan recorded three perfect innings in his second start of spring training and host Miami baffled New York’s split squad in Jupiter, Fla.
Andrew Nardi (1-0) followed McCaughan with 1 2/3 innings and gave up Omar Narvaez’s RBI single, but that was all the offense the Mets could muster.
Nick Gordon smacked a go-ahead, two-run single in the fourth for the Marlins, leading to a loss for Tylor Megill (1-3). Megill lasted five innings and was tagged for three runs and three hits. He struck out seven while walking two.
Guardians 10, Reds 7
A three-run top of the ninth handed visiting Cleveland a victory over Cincinnati in Goodyear, Ariz.
Johnny Tincher gave the Guardians an 8-7 lead when he scored on a fielder’s choice, and Daniel Schneemann then stepped up to the plate and virtually wrapped up the victory with a two-run home run.
The teams traded five-run innings — the Cincinnati fourth put the Reds up 6-2, while the Cleveland sixth made it 7-6 in favor of the Guardians. Cincinnati reliever Justin Wilson was charged with all five Cleveland runs during that pivotal burst.
Cubs 9, Mariners 9
RJ Schreck clubbed a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, preventing host Seattle from falling to Chicago in Peoria, Ariz.
The Cubs took a 9-5 lead into the home half of the eighth after striking for six runs in the top of the frame. Owen Caissie ripped a three-run shot and Miguel Amaya, Jonathon Long and Darius Hill each had an RBI double during Chicago’s rally.
Bill Knight had a two-run double before Schreck’s game-tying long ball. Both starters allowed two runs, with the Mariners’ Logan Gilbert going 4 2/3 innings and the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks lasting 3 1/3.
Rockies 7, White Sox 3
Colorado waited until its final three rounds of at-bats to do most of its damage, sinking visiting Chicago in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The Rockies scored twice in the sixth, three times in the seventh and once in the eighth to bury the White Sox. Chicago’s Chuckie Robinson tied things at 3-all with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly, but Hunter Goodman laced a three-run homer in the seventh and Trevor Boone added a solo shot an inning later to wrap up the win.
Although the White Sox took the loss, starter Erick Fedde was solid, permitting one run and two hits in five innings. Colorado counterpart Austin Gomber also went five innings, giving up one run on four hits.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS
USC FLIPS 5-STAR GEORGIA COMMIT JUSTUS TERRY, ADDS TO 2025 CLASS
Southern California landed commitments from two prized 2025 defensive line prospects on Sunday.
Five-star Justus Terry, who committed to his home-state Georgia on Jan. 16, 2023, flipped his allegiance to USC. Also selecting the Trojans on Sunday was four-star recruit Isaiah Gibson.
Terry is ranked as the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman by the 247Sports composite. Gibson is slotted as the No. 8 edge rusher.
Coach Lincoln Riley’s 2025 class now has three commits, with Julian Lewis — the No. 4-ranked quarterback — the other. All three are from Georgia.
Terry, from Manchester, Ga., visited Los Angeles this weekend. He told 247Sports that his decision to decommit from Georgia was a “no-brainer,” citing both coaching and USC’s business school among his reasons.
“Coming from a small town, I wanted to expand my life as much as possible, and I felt like USC is the right place to do that,” he said.
GEORGIA RB TREVOR ETIENNE FACES DUI, OTHER CHARGES
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne faces four misdemenaor charges, including driving under the influence, after his arrest Sunday morning.
According to online records, Etienne posted bonds totaling $1,883 and was released from the Athens-Clarke County Jail at 5:27 a.m., about an hour after he was booked.
He also was charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on the road and affixing materials that reduce visibility of windows/windshield.
The DUI charge was labeled as “less safe,” which means he can be convicted even if his blood-alcohol content measures below 0.08 percent.
“We are aware of the charges and are currently in the process of gathering additional information,” a university statement read. “This is a pending legal matter and we will not have further comment at this time.”
Etienne, 19, transferred from Florida after the 2023 season. In 24 games over two seasons with the Gators, he ran for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 30 receptions for 238 yards and a touchdown.
He is the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne and was projected to start for the Bulldogs when they open the season against Clemson on Aug. 31.
Under Georgia policy, student-athletes convicted of DUI must serve a suspension of at least one game.
This is the latest driving-related issue for Georgia and the first known incident in 2024. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Sunday that at least 15 members of the Bulldogs program were arrested or cited for DUI or speeding last year.
On Jan. 15, 2023, offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting department staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in a crash, with their deaths attributed to both alcohol and speeding.
GOLF NEWS
PETER MALNATI WINS VALSPAR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FIRST TITLE SINCE 2015
Peter Malnati rolled in five birdies, charged up the leaderboard and captured the Valspar Championship title on Sunday in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Malnati, 36, won his second career PGA Tour event and his first since November 2015. The victory qualified Malnati for his first career Masters in three weeks.
Malnati began the day two off the pace before shooting a 4-under 67 in his final round at Innisbrook Resort’s Copperhead Course. On the tee at the 198-yard, par-3 17th hole, he hit a dart to within 6 feet of the cup and walked in the ensuing putt for birdie.
That birdie helped Malnati finish the week 12-under 272. He beat Cameron Young by two strokes after Young bogeyed his final hole en route to a 68.
Chandler Phillips (69) and Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes (70) tied for third at 9 under.
Xander Schauffele tied the low round of the day with a 6-under 65 that featured an eagle and four birdies over his final eight holes; Schauffele tied for fifth at 8 under with Ryan Moore (68), China’s Carl Yuan (68) and Canada’s Adam Hadwin (69).
PADRAIG HARRINGTON ENDURES SHAKY MOMENTS, WINS HOAG CLASSIC
Irishman Padraig Harrington survived a pair of double bogeys to hold off Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and win the Hoag Classic on Sunday at Newport Beach (Calif.) Country Club.
Harrington started the day with a one-shot edge over Jaidee, and both players turned in rounds of 2-under 69, though they got there in wildly different ways.
For Harrington, who finished the three-round tournament at 14-under 199, it was his seventh win on the PGA Tour Champions.
“Yeah, I never make it easy, don’t do it simple,” Harrington said. “I think one of my best traits in golf is when my back’s to the wall, I’m pretty good at taking things on.”
After a birdie at No. 3, Harrington suffered a double bogey at the par-3 fourth hole. Birdies fell at Nos. 7, 12 and 15 to help him claw back, but he suffered an enormous setback at the difficult par-4 16th.
Harrington’s drive went far left into a native area, leaving him to punch out to the fairway. He compounded the mistake when his third shot missed the green and settled in a bunker, leading to his second double bogey.
But Harrington responded with birdies at Nos. 17 and 18 to overtake Jaidee, who could only par the two holes. Harrington made a slippery downhill 15-footer at the par-3 17th before his birdie for the win at the par-5 18th rolled around the cup and in.
“Look, I knew I could finish birdie-eagle if I had to,” Harrington said. “I was very focused, just take it on. I was a little unlucky. I hit a nice tee shot on 17 and where I finished up, we thought it was a fraction to the right.
“And then obviously I hit a bad tee shot on 18, but the second shot worked out really well where it was. I was never not getting up and down from there. When you’re presented with an opportunity, you’ve got to take it.”
Jaidee had his second straight round of 69 by pairing four birdies with two bogeys.
Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain shot a 68 and placed third at 12 under. Canadian Stephen Ames (67) was fourth at 11 under, and Jerry Kelly (67) and South Korea’s K.J. Choi (68) tied for fifth at 10 under.
NELLY KORDA BEATS RYANN O’TOOLE IN SERI PAK CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF
Nelly Korda sank a downhill putt for birdie on the first playoff hole to defeat Ryann O’Toole and win the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship on Sunday in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
Korda, 25, won her second tournament of the season and the 10th of her budding career. She is projected to move to the No. 1 spot in both the world rankings and the Race for the CME Globe.
“Fought really hard the last three days,” Korda said on the Golf Channel broadcast. “The weekend was brutal. (Sunday) was tough. That’s the beauty of the game. It’s fun to play in these conditions and be a little bit more artistic out here.”
Korda began the day two strokes behind the leaders and shot an eventful 2-under 69 at Palos Verdes Golf Club to finish 9-under 275 for the week.
O’Toole fired a 66 to reach 9 under first and likely thought she was done for the day after Korda eagled the par-5 14th hole to jump to 11 under for the tournament.
But Korda’s bogey-birdie-bogey-bogey finish made a playoff necessary.
Korda’s first victory of the year, at the LPGA Drive On Championship, also required a playoff to beat New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.
“I’m aging myself really quickly out here,” Korda said.
The players returned to the par-4 18th hole, and both reached the green in two. O’Toole was slightly farther away and saw her putt kiss the lip of the cup as it rolled by. Korda followed with her winning stroke.
“I can’t be more proud to be in this position,” O’Toole said. “You know, that was actually my first playoff ever, so I really enjoyed it. At least I gave it my best attempt. That putting could have gone either way.”
O’Toole said she didn’t realize a playoff could be in the cards until Korda’s approach at the 18th hole in regulation sailed over the green.
“So I just was like, ‘OK, I think it’s time to go warm up,’” O’Toole said. “We had those putts earlier, like she’s kind of been down here already, so she’s a little familiar with below the hole. But I just stayed patient and hit a solid shot in there, gave it a solid putt, maybe two inches further and it would’ve gone in.”
Alison Lee (72) and Australian Gabriela Ruffels (70) tied for third, one back of the playoff duo at 8 under. South Korea’s Jiyai Shin, who shared the 54-hole lead with Alison Lee, struggled to a final-round 73 and tied for fifth at 7 under with Andrea Lee (68) and Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura (70).
INDIANA SPORTS RELEASES/NEWS
INDIANA PACERS BASKETBALL
GAME REWIND: PACERS 145, LAKERS 150
The Pacers had enough firepower on Sunday night in Los Angeles to come away with a sixth straight road win. Unfortunately for Indiana, the Lakers had a little bit more.
Four Lakers scored 25 points or more as Los Angeles (39-32) bested Indiana (40-32) in a 151-145 shootout.
The Pacers led by double digits at one point in the first quarter, but were outscored by 23 over the next two frames and trailed by 19 entering the fourth. They clawed their way back within four midway through the final frame, but ultimately ran out of gas.
Eight Pacers reached double figures in the loss, with Pascal Siakam leading the way with 36 points on 16-of-29 shooting and 12 rebounds. 27 of Siakam’s points came in the second half, including 19 in the third quarter.
But Anthony Davis matched Siakam with 36 points for the Lakers on 15-of-21 shooting to go along with 16 rebounds, LeBron James added 26 points and 10 assists, while Spencer Dinwiddie (26 points and five assists), and Austin Reaves (25 points, five boards, and eight assists) also had big nights.
Myles Turner finished with 20 points and T.J. McConnell tallied 17 points and seven assists off the bench in the loss for the Pacers, who remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference but saw their lead over Miami and Philadelphia shrink to just a half-game after the Heat and 76ers both won on Sunday. The top six teams in the final standings advance directly to the playoffs, while the teams that finish seventh through 10th must compete in the Play-In Tournament.
“We fought hard,” Siakam said. “I think everyone played hard. It’s tough. A couple calls here and there, the game got away from us a little bit…But there’s no quit on our team. We’ve got guys that want to fight out there. It’s always good to have that and we’re going to need that as we continue to get to the end of the season and into the playoffs.”
Andrew Nembhard and Turner carried the Indiana offense in the early going on Sunday night. Nembhard scored seven of the Pacers’ first 10 points and then Turner scored seven of their next nine.
Turner’s outburst started a 13-2 run by the Blue & Gold that Siakam capped with a poster dunk over Taurean Prince to put the visitors up 25-17. They remained in front for the rest of the opening frame.
Back-to-back threes from Doug McDermott in the final two minutes of the period pushed the lead to 34-23. The Lakers answered with seven straight points before McConnell’s layup on the Pacers’ final possession of the quarter made it 36-30 after one.
Davis carried the offense for the Lakers by scoring 15 points in the first quarter, but James took over early in the second. James scored six points and assisted on five more as the hosts opened the frame with 11-4 run to surge ahead.
After a timeout, the Pacers quickly countered with nine unanswered points, with Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith knocking down 3-pointers and Isaiah Jackson converting an old-fashioned three-point play.
The two teams traded the lead five times over the course of the quarter. A 9-0 Lakers run put the hosts in front 68-62 with two minutes to play in the first half and they maintained the advantage up until halftime, taking a 72-68 lead into the intermission.
The Lakers quickly built a cushion in the second half, with Dinwiddie — starting at point guard in place of an ill D’Angelo Russell — knocking down threes on Los Angeles’ first two possessions to push the lead to double digits.
Pascal Siakam was the Pacers’ offense in the third quarter. The 6-8 forward repeatedly got to the rim, scoring 17 of Indiana’s first 19 points in the frame.
But on the other end, the Pacers couldn’t get any stops. The Lakers erupted for 44 points in the quarter, with Davis and Reaves each tallying 11, Dinwiddie scoring nine, and James adding eight. Los Angeles went 13-for-19 (68.4 percent) from the field, 5-for-8 from 3-point range, and 13-for-14 from the free throw line in the third quarter.
The hosts led by as many 19 in the frame and took a 116-99 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Pacers’ second unit came out firing at the start of the fourth quarter and were able to shoot Indiana back within striking distance. McDermott hit two more threes and another jumper as the Blue & Gold opened the final frame with a 17-7 run to trim the deficit to 123-116 with 8:24 to play.
The starters reentered shortly thereafter and continued the charge. Nesmith’s three with 5:33 to play cut the Lakers’ lead to 127-123.
The margin was still four two minutes later when James drilled a three with 3:29 remaining. On the other end, James stole McDermott’s pass and Reaves eventually converted a layup off a dish from Davis to push the lead back to 136-127.
The Lakers seemingly had the game won with a 144-136 win with under 40 seconds to play. But as the Pacers played the foul game, Toppin hit a three with 37.5 seconds left and then Tyrese Haliburton made two more with 28.5 and 21.6 ticks remaining, the final one cutting the deficit to 148-145.
After Dinwiddie made one of two free throws, Haliburton hoisted another three to try to cut the deficit to one, but James got out to contest the shot and force a miss that sealed the victory for the Lakers.
“Sometimes when you have difficult challenges, it’s easy to drop your head and just say, ‘Hey, it’s not our night,'” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “But our guys don’t do that. The second unit battled their butts off in the second half. That last four, five-minute stretch, the first unit came back in there and they were defiant about hanging in the game.
“At a certain point, you’ve got to play absolutely perfectly and that was going to be very, very difficult. But the level of fight is something that we can continue to build on.”
Nembhard finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting and five assists for Indiana. McDermott tallied 14 off the bench, going 4-for-7 from 3-point range, while Nesmith added 13 while going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Toppin scored 11 and was 3-for-5 from distance as well.
Haliburton had a quiet night offensively until his late flourish, but still managed to record a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists, going 5-for-13 from the field and 2-for-6 from 3-point range.
Prince was the only Lakers reserve to reach double figures, finishing with 14 points in 19 minutes on 6-of-8 shooting (2-of-3 from 3-point range).
The Pacers are now 2-1 on their ongoing five-game road trip. They will be back at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night to face the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back, then wrap up their road trip on Wednesday in Chicago before returning to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for a rematch with LeBron and the Lakers on Friday night.
Inside the Numbers
Siakam’s 36 points were his most since joining the Pacers via trade on Jan. 17 and his 16 rebounds matched his season high, which he set in Friday’s win at Golden State.
The Pacers shot 50 percent from 3-point range, going18-for-36 from beyond the arc on Sunday. It was the 17th time this season that the Blue & Gold made 18 or more threes, but only the second time they’ve done it in the last two months.
Haliburton’s double-double was his 41st of the season, tying him with Dallas’ Luka Doncic for the league lead among guards.
The Pacers’ bench outscored the Lakers’ reserves, 49-28.
McDermott’s 14 points and four 3-pointers were his highest totals since returning to Indiana via trade on Feb. 9.
The Pacers scored a season-high 46 points in the fourth quarter. Their previous high in the final frame was 39 against Detroit on Nov. 24.
Indiana’s 145 points are the most in franchise history in a loss in regulation. Their previous highest output in a regulation loss was 143 points in a four-point loss to Philadelphia on March 6, 2023.
You Can Quote Me On That
“We like to play up-and-down like we did in the first quarter. But when the game’s being stopped a lot, a lot of free throws being shot — that’s really been the story of both games we’ve played (against the Lakers), that they’ve dictated the pace because there’s just been so many free throws shot. We’ve just got to do a better job of not fouling, playing through that, and doing what we can.” -Haliburton on the Lakers dictating the pace of the game
“Any time we were struggling to create shots, he was great. He created something — got to the paint kicked it out, got it in the basket, got an and-one. He was tremendous.” -Carlisle on Siakam
“Just trying to get back into the game, trying to attack the paint as much as I can. To me, I just feel like every time down the floor I can always do that. If it’s not open, I can always make the right play.” -Siakam on his big second half
“Whenever our offense gets stagnant, he’s a guy that we can just throw the ball to, whether it’s the elbow or the post. He kind of can break things loose and get the ball going, break the seal off the basket a little bit. He’s huge.” -Nesmith on Siakam’s offensive impact
“It helps our pace game and our spacing game and obviously our 3-point game. Doug’s also a very good playmaker and he battles on the boards and within the system, he knows his job and he works hard at it.” -Carlisle on McDermott knocking down shots
“With shooting, there’s going to be some weird pockets every once in a while. I wasn’t shooting it great, but I knew every time I shoot the ball, it’s got a chance of going in. So just got to keep that belief and keep firing away. These guys are so unselfish and they were finding me tonight.” -McDermott on rediscovering his rhythm
“Kudos to them, they’re a good team, they’ve got good defenders. I thought Dinwiddie was good, (Cam) Reddish was good again. But I feel like it was more on me than anything. Just not making shots. It happens over the course of the season. Obviously, we’ve been in the struggle. It’s nothing new. Great thing is we play tomorrow.” -Haliburton on the Lakers’ defense against him
Stat of the Night
The Lakers had a massive advantage from the free throw line, where they outscored Indiana by 29 points. Los Angeles went 38-for-43 (88.4), while the Pacers were just 9-for-16 (56.3 percent) from the charity stripe. Reaves alone outscored the Blue & Gold from the free throw line, going 11-for-12. Dinwiddie was 8-for-9, James 8-for-8, and Davis 5-for-5.
Noteworthy
The Lakers have beaten the Pacers twice this season, though only Sunday’s result factors into the regular season standings. The Lakers also prevailed in the Championship of the inaugural In-Season Tournament on Dec. 9 in Las Vegas.
Sunday’s loss snapped a two-game road winning streak for the Pacers in Los Angeles.
The Pacers lost for the first time all season on Sunday when eight or more players score in double figures. They were 5-0 entering the night when that occurred.
Sunday and Monday’s games are the Pacers’ 13th and final back-to-back set of the season. Indiana finishes the year 9-4 when playing on the first night of a back-to-back.
Up Next
The Pacers will stay in Los Angeles to take on Paul George and the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday, March 25 at 10:30 PM ET.
Tickets
After a five-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 PM ET.
GAME PREVIEW: PACERS AT CLIPPERS
Game Preview
After seeing their five-game road winning streak snapped by the Lakers on Sunday night, the Pacers (40-32) will try to start a new streak at the same arena, as they take on the Clippers (44-26) at Crypto.com Arena to conclude their 13th and final back-to-back of the season.
Scoring wasn’t an issue on Sunday for Indiana, as the Pacers went for 145 points, including a Pacers career-high 36 from Pascal Siakam. But the Lakers were even better offensively, with four players scoring 25 or more points in a 150-145 victory.
Free throws were a major issue for the Blue & Gold, as the Lakers went 38-for-43 (88.4 percent) from the charity stripe while Indiana was just 9-for-16 (56.2 percent). The Pacers were whistled for 31 fouls to the Lakers’ 14.
The task of defending without fouling will remain a challenge on Monday against a Clippers team that features three perennial All-Stars in James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.
Thanks in large part to that trio, the Clippers entered Sunday ranking fourth in the league in offensive rating, scoring 118.9 points per 100 possessions, and are also fourth in the league in 3-point percentage (.387).
Leonard leads the way, averaging 23.8 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from 3-point range. George averages 22.5 points and 5.3 rebounds and is a 40.3-percent 3-point shooter, while Harden contributes 17.3 points and 8.5 assists while also shooting 40.3 percent from beyond the arc.
After getting off to a 3-7 start to the season, the Clippers went 31-8 over their next 39 games to surge to the top of the Western Conference standings. Their play has been a little more uneven in recent weeks, as they are just 5-5 over their last 10 games, including a 121-107 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner
Clippers: G – James Harden, G – Terance Mann, F – Paul George, F – Kawhi Leonard, C – Ivica Zubac
Injury Report
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin – out (right shoulder labral tear)
Clippers: Norman Powell – questionable (left lower leg contusion), Russell Westbrook – questionable (left hand fracture), P.J. Tucker – out (sore right calf)
Last Meeting
Dec. 18, 2023: The Clippers came into Gainbridge Fieldhouse and blew out the Pacers, leading by as many as 33 points en route to a 151-127 victory. The Clippers shot 57.1 percent from the field and went 19-for-38 from 3-point range, scoring 37 points or more in all four quarters.
James Harden led all scorers with 35 points and nine assists, going 8-for-11 from 3-point range and put the finishing touches on the victory by hitting six straight threes over a four-minute stretch early in the fourth quarter.
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in the win on 12-of-18 shooting, Ivica Zubac tallied 27 points and 16 rebounds, and Paul George scored 27 against his former team.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with a career-best 34 points off the bench, going 12-for-20 from the field, 3-for-7 from 3-point range, and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Isaiah Jackson was the Pacers’ next-highest scorer with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
Noteworthy
The Pacers have lost four straight road games against the Clippers. Indiana last beat the Clippers in Los Angeles on April 1, 2018.
The Pacers have struggled all season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back, going 2-10 entering Monday.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has 936 career wins, two wins behind the legendary Red Auerbach for 12th place on the NBA’s all-time list.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
After a five-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 PM ET.
INDY FUEL HOCKEY
FUEL DEFEAT K-WINGS 3-2 ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON
INDIANAPOLIS- The Fuel hosted the Kalamazoo Wings on Sunday to finish out a home three-in-three weekend. They looked to win the weekend with two points after splitting the Friday and Saturday games, and they did just that with a 3-2 win over the K-Wings.
1ST PERIOD
Things got off to a hot start with Kalamazoo’s captain Chaz Reddekopp and Chris Cameron dropping the gloves just eight seconds into the game. They were both given five minutes for fighting.
At 12:51, Matt Cairns sat for tripping but the Fuel were able to kill off the penalty before Ayden MacDonald scored at 14:52 to give Kalamazoo the first lead of the game.
With less than a minute to go, Cam Hillis scored to tie it 1-1 for the Fuel. Kyle Maksimovich and Cairns both claimed assists on that goal.
2ND PERIOD
It wasn’t until 15:42 of the second frame that Kalamazoo took the lead again with a goal by Collin Adams to make it 2-1.
At 15:50, Indy’s Vic Hadfield took a tripping call but the Fuel killed it off again.
With 15 seconds left in the second frame, it appeared Hillis scored again but it was called no-goal. After a review, the call remained and it stayed 2-1 in favor of Kalamazoo, although Kalamazoo’s Joyaux did take a hooking penalty that would carry over into the third period.
At the end of the second frame, Indy was outshooting Kalamazoo 22-13.
3RD PERIOD
While still on the power play, Indy’s Brett Bulmer tied the game 2-2 with a goal assisted by Hillis and Bryan Lemos.
At 3:20, Hadfield took a hooking penalty to give Kalamazoo another power play opportunity, however the Fuel killed it off.
Anthony Petruzzelli scored the game winner at 14:11 with the help of Bulmer and Hillis. The K-Wings pulled Hunter Vorva from the net soon after and despite their best efforts, could not score, leading the Fuel to a 3-2 victory.
The Indy Fuel are back in action at Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Wednesday, March 27 against the Toledo Walleye.
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS BASEBALL
POSITION PREVIEW: PROSPECTS, VETERAN CORNERSTONES PROJECTED TO ANCHOR INDY’S ROTATION
The Indianapolis Indians return to Victory Field in just a few weeks to kick off the 2024 campaign, and the starting rotation is expected to be one to watch. Pittsburgh’s farm system features four pitchers on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list – most in professional baseball – and many could see time in Indianapolis during the season before making a splash with the major league club.
Those prospects, combined with MLB veterans to lead, could make Indy’s rotation problematic for International League opponents. As we gear up for the start of baseball season in Indianapolis, we took a look at who could be starting on the bump for the Triple-A squad.
Wily Peralta: If assigned to Indianapolis, Peralta, 34, would bring the most experience to the rotation. The right-hander signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2005 with Milwaukee before making his MLB debut with the Brewers in 2012. Peralta will provide leadership and serve as a resourceful veteran for the younger pitchers in the clubhouse after appearing in 258 major league games (139 starts) across parts of 10 seasons, including a 17-win campaign in 2014. In 2023, he spent the entire season in the Washington Nationals system with Triple-A Rochester and went 3-8 with a 6.31 ERA (72er/102.2ip) and 100 strikeouts in 24 starts. The veteran led Red Wings hurlers in strikeouts, innings pitched and games started.
Paul Skenes: The 6-foot-6 hurler was selected as the top pick in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge), and could skyrocket to the big leagues this season. Considered one of the best pitching prospects in professional baseball since Washington’s Stephen Strasburg and former Pittsburgh Pirate and Indianapolis Indian, Gerrit Cole, the young right-hander provides great promise for the franchise. Skenes, 21, enters the 2024 season as Pittsburgh’s top prospect and sits at No. 3 on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects list. He offers an electric fastball that has been clocked at 102 mph and a wipeout slider that makes him a hitter’s nightmare. In 2023, he rose to Double-A Altoona for two starts after tossing 4.0 shutout frames with the FCL Pirates and Single-A Bradenton.
Anthony Solometo: The Pirates selected Solometo in the second round (37th overall) of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of Bishop Eustace (Pennsauken, N.J.) High School. The 21-year-old southpaw split the 2023 season with High-A Greensboro and Altoona, going 4-7 with a 3.26 ERA (40er/110.1ip) and 118 strikeouts in 24 starts. Following the stellar campaign, he was named a MiLB.com Organization All-Star for a second consecutive season. He enters the 2024 season ranked as Pittsburgh’s No. 4 prospect and No. 82 overall according to MLB Pipeline.
Sean Sullivan: The right-handed Sullivan was selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round (223rd overall) of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of California (Berkeley). He spent the entire 2023 season with Altoona and went 8-4 with a 3.88 ERA (49er/113.2ip) in 24 games (21 starts). Sullivan, 23, ranked among Eastern League qualifiers in ERA (6th), WHIP (6th, 1.27) and batting average against (8th, .245). During the season, he also tossed his first career complete game on Aug. 9 (1) vs. Erie.
Jackson Wolf: The towering left-handed Wolf was traded to Pittsburgh from San Diego on Aug. 1, 2023, with infielder Alfonso Rivas and outfielder Estuar Suero in exchange for veteran southpaw Rich Hill and designated hitter Ji Man Choi. Standing 6-foot-7, the 24-year-old, who enters the 2024 season as Pittsburgh’s No. 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, mixes a fastball that averages 89 mph, changeup, 12-6 curveball and sweeping slider that plays well with his various arm slots and angles. Last year, Wolf posted a 4.13 ERA (57er/124.1ip) and 135 strikeouts between Double-A San Antonio and Altoona. He also secured his first major league win in his debut at Detroit on July 22, 2023 (5.0ip, 6h, 3r, 1bb, 1k) before being sent back to Double-A.
Indianapolis is also expected to see some familiar faces return this season, including left-hander Cam Alldred and right-handers JT Brubaker and Mike Burrows. Brubaker and Burrows are both recovering from Tommy John surgery and are expected to return around the All-Star break.
Players fighting for a major league roster spot include right-handers Jared Jones, Luis Ortiz and Quinn Priester. Depending on how the rotation shapes up in Pittsburgh, Indians fans could see the trio toe the rubber in Indianapolis at some point this season.
POSITION PREVIEW: INDIANAPOLIS OUTFIELDERS HIGHLIGHTED BY VETERANS AND FORMER PROSPECTS
The Indianapolis Indians 2024 outfield corps will soon be roaming the freshly installed grass at Victory Field. This year’s group is likely to feature many experienced veterans.
Gilberto Celestino: Celestino, 25, is a new name that could come through Indianapolis for Opening Day. He was originally signed by Houston as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015, and went on to make his major league debut with Minnesota on June 2, 2021, at Baltimore. After appearing in 23 big-league contests that season, he played in 122 games for the Twins the following year. In 2023, he underwent thumb surgery and spent over two months on the 60-day injured list. In 59 games between Single-A Fort Myers and Triple-A St. Paul, he hit .244 (48-for-197) with 12 doubles, four home runs and 31 RBI. On defense, he split time between left field (11 games), center field (23 games) and right field (19 games).
Billy McKinney: McKinney, 29, has appeared in more major league games (311) than any of Indy’s expected outfield options. He was originally selected by Oakland in the first round (24th overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, and made his MLB debut with New York (AL) on March 30, 2018, at Toronto. Last season, McKinney began the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before ending the season with the Yankees, hitting .227 (29-for-128) with 10 extra-base hits and 14 RBI in the big leagues.
Edward Olivares: Like McKinney, the 28-year-old Olivares brings a major league pedigree to the Indianapolis clubhouse. The Venezuelan was traded to Pittsburgh from Kansas City on Dec. 15, 2023, in exchange for infielder Deivis Nadal. He began the 2023 season on Kansas City’s Opening Day roster and hit .263 (93-for-354) with 23 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 36 RBI.
Joe Perez: The 24-year-old was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent on Aug. 11, 2023, after beginning the season in Houston’s farm system. He split last season between Triple-A Sugar Land, Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis, hitting .272 (119-for-438) with 15 doubles, 20 home runs and 72 RBI. In the field, he can bounce between the corner outfield spots to utilize his powerful arm and can also slot in at second and third base. After receiving just one big-league at-bat with Houston in 2022, the former two-way prep star from Florida seeks a return to the game’s top level..
Connor Scott: Scott, 24, is a product of the same high school in Tampa, Fla. as MLB Hall of Famer Wade Boggs and MLB All-Stars Pete Alonso and Kyle Tucker. Originally selected by Miami with the 13th overall pick in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft, the Pirates acquired him via trade on Nov. 29, 2011, with right-handers Zach Thompson and Kyle Nicolas in exchange for former Indians catcher Jacob Stallings. In 2023, the left-handed hitter spent the entire season with Altoona and hit .196 (51-for-260) with 14 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 37 RBI across 74 games.
Fan favorites Canaan Smith-Njigba, Joshua Palacios, and Indianapolis native Matt Gorski are also projected to return to cover Indy’s outfield, too. Last season the trio combined to play 140 games for the Indians.
POSITION PREVIEW: INDIANAPOLIS TO DISPLAY EXPERIENCED INFIELD GROUP THIS SEASON
Anticipation continues to build for the upcoming season at Victory Field, as Indianapolis awaits the arrival of this season’s Indians squad. Indianapolis’ lineup is likely to be filled with veterans and prospects on the infield clawing for an opportunity in Major League Baseball.
C Carter Bins: Bins, 25, had his 2023 season shortened after beginning the year on the injured list with a lingering knee injury. He appeared in 31 games between the FCL Pirates, Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona last season, hitting .212 (22-for-104) with four doubles, three homers and 17 RBI. He served as Indianapolis’ catcher for 58 games in 2022, logging a .994 fielding percentage (three errors in 520 total chances). He joined Pittsburgh’s young catching corps after being traded to Pittsburgh from Seattle on July 28, 2021, with right-hander Joaquin Tejada in exchange for southpaw Tyler Anderson.
C Grant Koch: Koch, 27, could also share catching duties this season. He was selected by the Pirates in the fifth round (144th overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville). In 2023, Koch hit .255 (49-for-192) with nine doubles and five home runs in 60 games. Behind the dish, he boasted a .998 fielding percentage (one error in 505 total chances).
SS Sergio Alcántara: The Pirates signed the 27-year-old to a minor league contract on Dec. 9, 2023. Last year, he split Triple-A time between Iowa and Reno, hitting .268 (90-for-336) with 27 extra-base hits and a .374 on-base percentage in 98 games. Alcántara has appeared in 192 games at the major league level with four different teams (Detroit, Chicago [NL], San Diego and Arizona), and could be relied on as a leader with the Indians. Primarily a shortstop, he is a versatile defender capable of slotting in at second and third base, too.
SS Andrés Alvarez: Alvarez, 26, was selected by Pittsburgh in the 22nd round (664th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Washington State University (Pullman). He spent the entire 2023 season with Altoona, hitting .215 (73-for-339) with 18 doubles, eight home runs and 35 RBI across 96 games. He split time between shortstop (34 games), second base (31), third base (28) and left field (four).
1B/DH Seth Beer: Beer, 27, was once considered one of the best young prep players in the United States. He was selected by Houston in the first round (28th overall) of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Clemson (S.C.) University and went on to make his MLB debut with Arizona on Sept. 10, 2021. He split the 2023 season with Double-A Amarillo and Reno, hitting .273 (103-for-377) with 22 doubles, 15 homers and 66 RBI in 102 games. Beer was selected by Pittsburgh from Arizona in the MiLB phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 6, 2023, and is expected to serve as another veteran presence in the Indians clubhouse for the 2024 campaign.
3B Jake Lamb: The 33-year-old was selected by Arizona in the sixth round (213th overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Washington (Seattle). After playing nine seasons in the Diamondbacks organization, the veteran third baseman bounced around the league after dealing with a series of injuries. After splitting the 2023 season between Triple-A Salt Lake, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Los Angeles (AL), Lamb was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent on Jan. 11, 2024. The 2017 National League All-Star has performed well in Grapefruit League action, posting a .286 batting average (10-for-35) with three doubles, a home run and five RBI across 15 games. With 96 home runs in 724 career MLB games, few players can match the level of experience Lamb would bring to Indianapolis.
1B Malcom Nuñez: Nuñez, 23, has experience playing first and third base in the minor leagues. He was traded to Pittsburgh from St. Louis on Aug. 1, 2023, with right-hander Johan Oviedo in exchange for former All-Star left-hander José Quintana and righty Chris Stratton. The Cuban native appeared in 67 games for Indianapolis last year and hit .237 (57-for-241) with eight doubles, seven home runs and 34 RBI.
1B Aaron Shackelford: Shackelford, 27, is expected to spend most of the year at first base for Indianapolis. Last season with the Indians, the smooth swinging left-handed hitter batted .223 (79-for-355) with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and 52 RBI across 113 games. He had an excellent start to the year and was named Indianapolis’ May Player of the Month after hitting .278 (20-for-72) with seven home runs in 22 games. He was also a clutch hitter for Indy, having posted a .306 batting average (15-for-49) with 18 RBI with runners in scoring position and two outs.
The Indians infield could also see familiar faces in Nick Gonzales and Alika Williams, who are fighting for spots on the big-league roster. The duo combined to play a total of 135 games last season for the Indians.
POSITION PREVIEW: INDY RELIEVERS LOOK TO SLAM THE DOOR ON OPPOSING TEAMS IN 2024
Following a likely prospect-laden starting rotation, the Indianapolis Indians 2024 bullpen is projected to feature loads of talent with varying levels of big-league experience through minor league signings during the offseason. This, combined with fast-track arms rising through the organization, could make the Triple-A pitching staff a dominant one in the International League.
Ben Heller: The veteran right-hander will most likely be a new face in Indy’s relief plans for the season on tap. The 32-year-old looks to build upon a healthy year in 2023 after suffering several injuries throughout his career. Between Triple-A Durham and Gwinnett in 2023, he went 5-2 with a 3.27 ERA (16er/44.0ip) and 57 strikeouts. Heller also appeared in 19 games with Atlanta to close out the year, logging a 3.86 ERA (8er/18.2ip) and 16 strikeouts. His additional 31 big-league appearances came with New York (AL) over parts of four seasons (2016-17, ’19-20). He was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent on Dec. 11, 2023.
Brent Honeywell: Honeywell, 28, is another right-hander that has missed time from serious injuries. Rated as high as No. 14 on the Baseball America top 100 prospects list entering the 2018 campaign, the Georgia native missed three consecutive seasons (2018-20) with multiple injuries to his pitching arm. In 2023, he spent most of the year in the majors with San Diego and Chicago (AL), posting a 4.82 ERA (28er/52.1ip) and 45 strikeouts in 40 relief appearances. The son of a former pitcher in the Pirates organization (Brent Honeywell Sr.) hopes to return to the majors with an arsenal of pitches that once made him one of the best young pitchers in baseball. He was signed by the Pirates as a minor league free agent on Feb. 12, 2024.
Cameron Junker: Junker, 26, is a 6-foot-5 right-hander with ties to the Hoosier State after playing collegiately at the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.). In 2023, he appeared in 45 games (one start) with Double-A Altoona, going 4-5 with a 3.25 ERA (20er/55.1ip) and 43 strikeouts. On Sept. 23, he was promoted to Indianapolis and tossed 2.0 shutout innings with five strikeouts in his Triple-A debut the next day. He was selected by Pittsburgh in the 10th round (304th overall) of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft.
Isaac Mattson: Mattson, 28, returned to affiliated baseball in the middle of 2023 after beginning the season in the independent Atlantic League. After joining Double-A Wichita on June 22, the righty went 3-1 with a 3.62 ERA (13er/32.1ip), 42 strikeouts and .138 batting average against (15-for-109) in 21 games (one start). The University of Pittsburgh (Pa.) product pitched in four major league games with Baltimore in 2021 and is expected to spend time with Altoona and Indianapolis for the 2024 season with hopes of a big-league opportunity in the Steel City. He was signed by the Pirates as a minor league free agent on Dec. 11, 2023.
Ryder Ryan: The 28-year-old North Carolina native is expected to play a large role in Indy’s bullpen this summer. Last season, he appeared in 48 games with Triple-A Tacoma and went 4-2 with a 3.76 ERA (23er/55.0ip) and 56 strikeouts. The right-hander also tossed a scoreless frame with Seattle in his big-league debut vs. Baltimore, his lone MLB appearance to date. He was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent on Dec. 8, 2023.
Connor Sadzeck: Standing at 6-foot-7, the 32-year-old Sadzeck is another giant pitcher that will appear on the mound at Victory Field this summer. Last season with Triple-A St. Paul, he went 1-3 with one save, a 5.40 ERA (21er/35.0ip) and 42 strikeouts in 25 appearances (two starts). The right-hander provides another depth option for middle relief with major league experience after appearing in 35 games (two starts) with Texas (2018), Seattle (2019) and Milwaukee (2022) over his career. He was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent on Feb. 2, 2024.
Indy’s bullpen could also see some familiar faces return to the fold. Righties Hunter Stratton and Colin Selby are both expected to anchor the back end of the bullpen after making their big-league debuts in 2023. Last season, the two each recorded six saves to lead the team. Former Ball State Cardinal and fellow right-hander, Kyle Nicolas, who made his MLB debut last September, is also expected to return to this year’s group. The Indians bullpen should be a strong supporting cast for the starting rotation.
INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Indiana again has the advantage of playing on its home court in its quest to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. The Hoosiers want this time to be different.
No. 4 seed Indiana (25-5) faces No. 5 seed Oklahoma (23-9) on Monday night in the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
A year ago, the top-seeded Hoosiers fell short in this round, losing 70-68 to No. 9 seed Miami.
“We try not to think much about last year, but I think it’s always in the back of our mind,” Hoosiers senior guard Sydney Parrish said. “This is a new team, a new season. We have a lot of returners, but still can’t compare us to the team we were last year. Still have the chip on our shoulder and never want to feel like we did after our loss last year.”
Hoosiers coach Teri Moren said she always prefers to look forward.
“I think all of our times we’ve come up short on our schedule has taught us a lesson that we can take into this tournament,” Moren said. “But also having this tournament experience we understand how important the start is.”
Moren said the Hoosiers know they are in a great position in front of the home crowd.
“We understand there is a task at hand and we have business to take care of,” she said.
Oklahoma senior Skylar Vann is excited for the challenge.
“I think playing in front of that kind of crowd is going to be fun and special,” said Vann, who averages a team-high 15 points per game. “I think we’re really going to have to just focus on our bubble and what we got going on in the locker room and on the court and be really connected. It’s going to be loud with a lot of distractions.”
Teammate Lexy Keys is ready for the moment as well.
“This is what you play all year for, so I think embracing it and really enjoying the moment is going to be important for us because it’s going to be a really fun atmosphere,” Keys said.
Oklahoma plays its share of tough Big 12 road games, such as Texas and Iowa State.
“You have to handle the environment,” Sooners coach Jennie Baranczyk said. “You’re playing on someone else’s home floor in a big game. You’re playing against a really experienced team. You’re playing a team that’s really hungry. You’ve got to not only match that but you’ve got to get every loose ball, every hustle play, and play really free at the same time. We know we’re going to have to bring it against Indiana. You’ve got to give everything you got.”
Keys said the Hoosiers have a lot of strong shooters and a strong post presence, led by senior Mackenzie Holmes, who leads the Hoosiers with 19.7 points per game.
Moren said she anticipated Oklahoma will seek a faster pace than it played in its 73-70 victory over offensive-minded Florida Gulf Coast in the first round on Saturday.
“What we can’t do is have it become a track meet for us,” said Moren, whose team topped Fairfield 89-56 in the first round. “We don’t want to trade misses with them. We want to understand what a good shot looks like for us.”
ABOUT THE SOONERS
Oklahoma advances to Monday night’s game as it edged out Florida Gulf Coast, 73-70, on Saturday. The Sooners were the regular season champions out of the Big 12 and are led by a trio of double figure scorers in senior forward Skylar Vann (15.0 ppg., 6.9 rpg.), junior guard Payton Verhulst (12.8 ppg., 5.9 rpg.) and freshman forward Sahara Williams (10.3 ppg., 5.4 rpg.). Vann paced OU on Saturday afternoon against the Eagles with 24 points as it needed a 14-point comeback to advance to the Round of 32.
SERIES HISTORY
First meeting
LAST MEETING
First meeting
NOTES
Senior guard Sara Scalia set a new IU NCAA Tournament record with 27 points as she knocked down five 3-pointers in an 89-56 win over Fairfield on Saturday in the NCAA Tournament first round at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Three others scored in double figures with 13 each from graduate student forward Mackenzie Holmes, sophomore guard Yarden Garzon and senior guard Chloe Moore-McNeil.
For the 10th time in school history and for the fifth-consecutive year, the Hoosiers will appear in the 2024 NCAA Tournament They are hosting NCAA Tournament first and second rounds for the third-straight year inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (2022, 2023, 2024). IU is 10-9 all-time in its 10 appearances with two Sweet Sixteens and an Elite Eight appearance.
IU comes into the tournament shooting the nation’s best field goal percentages from the floor (51.0 percent) and from the 3-point line (40.2 percent).
Indiana will face the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time in program history on Monday night. The Hoosiers will meet its first Big 12 foe in four seasons as they last matchup up with a member of the league on Nov. 29, 2019 in a 77-62 loss to Baylor at the Paradise Jam
A combined eight team and individual IU NCAA Tournament records fell in Saturday’s win over Fairfield. The Hoosiers set new team records for points in a game (89), 3-point field goals made (10), 3-point field goal attempts (26), rebounds (44) and assists (25). Scalia set three new individual records with her shooting performance against the Stags with points scored (27), 3-point field goals made (5) and 3-point field goals attempted (10).
UP NEXT
Monday night’s winner advances to the Albany Regional to face either South Carolina or North Carolina in the regional semifinal.
INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS
INDIANA MEN’S TENNIS FALLS TO CORNELL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana Men’s Tennis suffered their first home loss of the season to Cornell on Sunday afternoon at the IU Varsity Courts.
Indiana would come out strong in doubles play to start the afternoon. Michael Andre and Ilya Tiraspolsky would open up the day with a win at No. 1 doubles, 6-3. Facundo Yunis and Luc Boulier would follow that up with a win at No. 2 doubles, 6-3.
Cornell would win at No. 1, 3, 4, and 6 singles to clinch the match, in that order.
With the loss, Indiana’s record moves to 12-5 on the season.
The Hoosiers will be back in action on Friday, March 29, as the Hoosiers host Penn State at the IU Tennis Center.
Final Results
INDIANA 1, CORNELL 4
Singles competition
1. Radu Papoe (COR) def. Sam Landau (IU), 6-2, 6-2.
2. Facundo Yunis (IU) vs. Adit Sinha (COR), 6-4, 6-5, unfinished.
3. Petar Teodorovic (COR) def. Michael Andre (IU), 6-4, 6-4.
4. Eric Verdes (COR) def. Jagger Saylor (IU), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
5. Ilya Tiraspolsky (IU) vs. Nathan Mao (COR), 7-5, 2-6, 1-4, unfinished.
6. Felipe Pinzon (COR) def. Deacon Thomas (IU), 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
Doubles competition
1. Michael Andre/Ilya Tiraspolsky (IU) def. Adit Sinha/Nathan Mao (COR), 6-3.
2 Facundo Yunis/Luc Boulier (IU) def. Eric Verdes/Petar Teodorovic (COR), 6-3.
3. Sam Landau/Carson Haskins (IU) vs. Radu Papoe/Samuel Paquette (COR), 3-3, unfinished.
Order of finish
Singles: 1, 3, 4, 6, unfinished
Doubles: 1, 2, unfinished
INDIANA WOMEN’S TENNIS
IUWT DROPS CONTEST TO NITTANY LIONS, 4-1
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana women’s tennis (6-13, 0-5 B1G) drops their final match of the weekend to Penn State, 4-1, at the IU Tennis Center.
KEY MOMENTS
• Penn state took the doubles point after winning No. 3 doubles. The Hoosiers evened it out after Graduate student Saby Nihalani and freshman Li Hsin Lin earned a 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles. The Nittany Lions eventually took the point with a 7-5 win at No. 1 doubles.
• Indiana fell to 0-3 after PSU earned wins at No. 1 and No. 6 singles. Sophomore Nicole Teodosescu dropped a competitive set one in No. 1 singles, falling 7-5 in a tiebreaker before Penn State clinched the win dominating 6-1.
• Freshman Elisabeth Dunac put the Hoosiers on the board after she won No. 2 singles for her first conference win of the season.
• The Nittany Lions secured the win in No. 3 singles. Saby Nihalani hung in there in the first set after entering a tiebreaker. Nihalani lost the set 7-6 (7-3) before PSU clinched the point with a 6-3 win in set two.
INDIANA 1, PENN STATE 4
SINGLES
Sofiya Chekhlystova (PSU) def. Nicole Teodosescu (IU), 7-6(7-5), 6-1
Elisabeth Dunac (IU) def. Olivia Dorner (PSU), 7-6(7-3), 6-4
Yvonne Zuffova (PSU) def. Saby Nihalani (IU), 7-6(7-3), 6-3
Li Hsin Lin (IU) vs. Jordina Cegarra (PSU), 6-1, 3-6, 6-6 (unfinished)
Lene Mari Hovda (IU) vs. Karly Friedland (PSU), 6-4, 3-6, 2-1 (unfinished)
Alina Lebedeva (PSU) def. Magdalena Swierczynska (IU), 6-4, 6-3
DOUBLES
Karly Friedland/Olivia Dorner (PSU) def. Nicole Teodosescu/Lene Mari Hovda (IU), 7-5
Saby Nihalani/Li Hsin Lin (IU) def. Sofiya Chekhlystova/Yvonne Zuffova (PSU), 6-3
Alina Lebedeva/Jordina Ceggarra (PSU) def. Elisabeth Dunac/Chase Boyer (IU), 6-2
ORDER OF FINISH
Singles: 1, 6, 2, 3
Doubles: 3, 2, 1
INDIANA SOFTBALL
INDIANA FALLS SHORT AT PENN STATE
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ––––– Indiana dropped the series finale at Penn State on Sunday, 5-2, at Nittany Lion Softball Park.
Indiana’s season record now stands at 22-9 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten.
PENN STATE 5, INDIANA 2
KEY MOMENTS
• Indiana took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning when redshirt senior Cora Bassett hit a solo home run to left field.
• Penn State took the lead in the bottom of the third when they added on two runs to make it a 2-1 game.
• Penn State’s Michela Barbanente homered to left field in the bottom of the fourth to bring the score to 3-1.
• The Nittany Lions would add on another two runs in the bottom of the sixth from an RBI single to first and on a groundout to shortstop that scored the runner from third.
• Bassett brought in another run on an RBI single in the top of the seventh to score sophomore Cassidy Kettleman.
NOTABLES
• Bassett’s home run was her eighth of the season. Her RBI season total is now at 20, as well.
• Freshman Aly VanBrandt’s single to third in the top of the fourth was her 27th hit of the season. She leads the team in batting average as a freshman, hitting .391 on the season.
• Junior Brianna Copeland’s three strikeouts brings her season total to 96.
UP NEXT
Indiana will be back in action for a midweek game at Louisville on Tuesday, March 26 with a 6 p.m. first pitch.
INDIANA BASEBALL
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With the chance to win its opening Big Ten series, the Indiana Baseball team (12-12, 1-2 B1G) dug itself a massive hole and never recovered on Sunday (March 24) afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field. Illinois jumped on IU for four runs in the first inning and eight in the third inning, eventually winning the contest 15-8 behind five outstanding innings from starting pitcher Jake Swartz.
The Hoosiers had to call on 10 different pitchers Sunday afternoon. Junior starter Ryan Kraft (L, 1-1) couldn’t make it out of the first inning. IU used four different pitchers in the first three frames of Sunday’s ballgame.
IU’s bats couldn’t get to Swartz who painted the zone with fastballs and was able to land his breaking ball for strikes. Junior outfielder Nick Mitchell had a pair of hits and four RBIs, all coming off the Fighting Illini bullpen in the final four innings. IU cut the lead to six (8-14) in the eighth inning but junior third baseman Josh Pyne grounded out to the shortstop to end the two-out rally.
Jeff Mercer’s squad will get the week off from Big Ten play with five combined games against Middle Tennessee and Butler before heading back into the conference slate on the first weekend of April.
Scoring Recap
Top First
Illinois’ offense came early and often on Sunday afternoon. Camden Janik singled up the middle to drive in the leadoff hitter Cameron Chee-Aloy (who also singled). Drake Wescott hit a fastball on the inside half of the zone over the wall in right for a two-run home run. Jacob Schroeder added a fifth on a double to the wall in right field to score Ryan Moerman from first.
Illinois 4, Indiana 0
Top Third
Moerman hit a hanging breaking ball over the wall in left field for a three-run home run. Cal Hezja followed that up with a double to right-center field before Chee-Aloy drove in a run on an RBI single to right field. Janik scored on a wild pitch from IU reliever Jack Moffitt before Westcott did more damage, driving in a pair on a single to center field.
Illinois 12, Indiana 0
Bottom Sixth
Joey Brenczewski put IU on the board with a soft-hit groundball to the second baseman for an infield single. Devin Taylor came around to score on the play.
Illinois 12, Indiana 1
Top Seventh
Moerman was hit by a pitch from Grant Holderfield with the bases loaded to score Chee-Aloy.
Illinois 13, Indiana 1
Bottom Seventh
Nick Mitchell came through with a productive at-bat in the seventh, lacing a single to center field to score a pair of runs in Morgan Colopy and Tyler Cerny.
Illinois 13, Indiana 3
Top Eighth
Janik continued his productive day with a single to right field to score Hezja.
Illinois 14, Indiana 3
Bottom Eighth
The Hoosiers made a late run at things in the eighth. Colopy doubled into the gap in left to score Jasen Oliver. Cerny hit a ball off the end of the bat that landed in right field to an RBI-single. Brock Tibbitts followed with a one-run single of his own before Mitchell took a fastball down the left field line for a two-run double. Josh Pyne grounded out with a runner on second to end the inning.
Illinois 14, Indiana 8
Top Ninth
Moerman hit his second home run of the day, a solo shot over the bullpen in left field.
Illinois 15, Indiana 8
Top Hoosier Performers
#20 Mitchell, Nick
2-4, 4 RBI, 1 BB
#8 Cerny, Tyler
3-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
Notes to Know
• Nick Mitchell extended his hitting streak to eight with a pair of base knocks on Sunday afternoon. He has the longest current streak on the team and joint-second longest on the team this year.
• Jasen Oliver has a six-game hitting streak of his own. He’s tallied a hit in six of seven ballgames since permanently joining the starting lineup against Belmont.
• Cerny recorded three hits on Sunday afternoon. He is tied for the team lead in multi-hit games (11) and leads the team in base hits (35).
Up Next
IU steps back into non-conference play for the weekend with a visit from Middle Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon. The contest will be streamed on BTN+ or can be heard on the Indiana Sports Radio Network viaIUHoosiers.com/Audio.
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
ZACH EDEY AND NO. 1 SEED PURDUE ROLL INTO SWEET 16 WITH RUNAWAY WIN AGAINST UTAH STATE
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Zach Edey had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 1 seed Purdue cruised into the Sweet 16 by pounding eighth-seeded Utah State 106-67 with an impressive offensive performance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
Trey Kaufman-Renn added 18 points and eight boards for Purdue (31-7), which broke the school’s single-season record for victories. Fletcher Loyer had 15 points, and Braden Smith had all six of his assists in the second half when the Boilermakers shot 65.2% from the field before pulling the starters.
Purdue also set a school record for most points in a March Madness game. Next up is fifth-seeded Gonzaga in the Midwest Region semifinals in Detroit.
Great Osodor, the Mountain West Player of the Year, had 14 points and six rebounds for Utah State. The Aggies (28-7) were outrebounded 49-26, and they headed home still in search of the program’s first regional semifinal since 1970.
The biggest reason this time was Edey, who had another dominant showing in Indianapolis, just 60 miles southeast of campus.
Purdue’s career scoring and rebounding leader looks as if he’s on a mission to add to his legacy following last year’s embarrassing first-round exit at the hands of 16th-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson.
Another win would put Purdue in its first Elite Eight since 2019, when it lost in overtime to eventual national champ Virginia — one year after the Cavaliers became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed, UMBC.
PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
PURDUE OPENS WNIT AT BUTLER MONDAY NIGHT
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team will open its postseason in the second round of the WNIT on Monday night at Butler. Tipoff at Hinkle Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m. with a stream on Butler Athletics YouTube.
Tim Newton and Jane Schott will call the action for the Purdue Global Radio Network on 95.3 BOB FM
GAME INFORMATION
Purdue (13-18) vs. Butler (15-16)
Monday, March 25
Time: 7 PM ET
TV/Stream: Butler Athletics YouTube
Radio: 95.3 BOB FM
Live Stats: Purduestats.com
LAST TIME OUT
The Boilermakers are coming off an 18-day break following their time at the Big Ten Tournament. Jeanae Terry posted back-to-back double-digit rebounding games in the tournament with 27 boards over the two outings. Abbey Ellis tallied 18 points per game, while Mary Ashley Stevenson, Rashunda Jones and Sophie Swanson combined for 33.5 points per game over the two contests.
NOTES
• The Boilermakers lead the all-time series 6-0. The last meeting between the two came back in the 2007-08 season.
• The Boilermakers are making their fifth appearance in the WNIT and second under head coach Katie Gearlds, playing in the event in 1988, 2010, 2018 and 2022 before this season.
• Purdue has reached the postseason in each of the last three seasons for the first time since 2015-16 to 2017-18.
• The Boilermakers’ freshman class will get its first taste of the postseason after leading the Big Ten with 23.5 points per game. That scoring clip was the third highest by a freshman class in Purdue history (34.7 – 1993-94, 28.5 – 1988-89).
• Big Ten Freshman of the Year (media) Mary Ashley Stevenson became just the fourth Purdue freshman in the last 15 years to top 300 points in a season. She joined Shereka Wright as the only Boilermaker rookies in program history with 300 points and 140 rebounds.
• Abbey Ellis enters Monday night with eight straight games in double figures, including four 20-point outings. Ellis is averaging 18.8 points during that stretch.
• After reaching the 1,000-point club late in the regular season, Jeanae Terry is two rebounds shy of 1,000 for her career. She will become the first player in Big Ten men’s or women’s history with 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 700 assists.
• Terry is the first Boilermaker since Whitney Bays (9) in 2014-15 to grab 10 rebounds or more in four straight games.
• Sophie Swanson set the Purdue freshman single-game record with seven 3-pointers against Nebraska in the Big Ten Tournament to score a career-high 25 points. Swanson, Stevenson and Courtney Moses (2010-11) are the only Boilermaker freshmen to score 25 points in the last 15 years.
• Rashunda Jones tallied 13 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals over her last three games, playing over 20 minutes in each outing.
• Swanson and Jones led Big Ten freshmen this season in usage rate, while finishing third and seventh overall, respectively.
• Purdue has made the most of its opportunities at the line with a 79.2% clip this season to rank eighth in the nation and second in the Big Ten. The mark is 1.9% above the single-season record set in 2013-14. Abbey Ellis is second in Purdue history with an 87.3% clip at the line.
• Jeanae Terry needs 13 assists to match Lisa Jahner’s single-season Purdue record for assists (201).
• Abbey Ellis is 41 points shy of reaching 2,000 for her career. She is currently 29th among active Division I scorers.
• Purdue’s freshman class averaged a Big Ten best 23.5 points per game through conference tournament play.
The 2023-24 Purdue women’s basketball season is presented by Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults.
PURDUE SOFTBALL
BOILERMAKERS DROP GAME 2 AT MICHIGAN
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Despite a hot start for the Boilermakers which saw three runs, including a two-run homer by Tyrina Jones in the first inning, Purdue dropped Game 2 at Michigan, 3-11 in five innings.
After Purdue Khloe Banks scored a run on a single by Ashlynn Campbell, Tyrina Jones blasted one beyond the left center field wall for the 3-0 lead, Michigan responded with eight runs in the bottom of the frame.
The Boilermakers totaled six hits in the game, half of which came after the first inning. Four runners were left stranded for Purdue and the Boilermakers made three errors.
Michigan native Kendall Klochack (3-3) received the loss after starting the game. The junior allowed eight runs on six hits and two walks before being relieved by freshman Juliana Raymond, who made her first-ever appearance in a Big Ten game.
One game remains in the series as Purdue and Michigan will meet tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET. The game was moved from its original Friday date due to weather and will be streamed on B1G+.
NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL
LAUDENSLAGER SHUTS OUT NC STATE FOR SERIES SWEEP
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Graduate pitcher Alexis Laudenslager shutout the North Carolina State Wolfpack Sunday afternoon as the Fighting Irish softball team earned a 2-0 win. The win is the University of Notre Dame’s fifth consecutive and ninth in its last 10 games. The Irish improved to 20-10 overall and are now 5-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference action. NC State is now 18-12 and 1-8 in league play.
Laudenslager started in the circle, throwing the complete 7.0 innings. It was her second complete game of the season, and first complete game shutout of an ACC opponent. She struck out eight Wolfpack hitters for the second time this weekend, having totaled eight in Friday’s start.
The Irish offense had six hits in the game, led by a 2-for-3 effort from Emily Tran. Carlli Kloss, Jane Kronenberger, Rachel Allen and Mickey Winchell each tallied a hit. Winchell and Tran drove in runs with Kloss and pinch runner Tenley Sweet scoring.
How It Happened
Sunday’s game boiled down to one inning proving to be the difference. Allen led off with a single up the middle and moved up when Anna Holloway dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Winchell battled with the NC State pitcher, and on the tenth pitch of the at bat, drove a double to left center to drive in the run. Kloss followed with a ground ball to short that was mishandled, allowing Winchell to take third. The Irish tried to manufacture a run, but the first to third situation was handled well by NC State, with Kloss taking third and Winchell out on the play. Tran followed with a single that stayed in the infield to score Kloss and put the Irish up 2-0.
NC State put runners on in all but one inning throughout the day, but Laudenslager proved equal to the task. In the sixth the San Diego-native picked struck out a pinch hitter to squash the rally. The seventh inning saw her issue a one-out walk, but earned another strikeout and got a ground out to retire the threat and earn the win.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action Tuesday evening as they will host Central Michigan at Melissa Cook Stadium. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S LAX
IRISH DOMINATE AT MERCER, BEAT BEARS 20-6
MACON, Ga. — The University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team started off battling with the Bears of Mercer on the road Sunday as the two teams found themselves deadlocked early in the contest. Including a 3-3 tie through 15 minutes of play. After allowing the Bears to tie it up 4-4 in the early stages of the second quarter, the Irish burst out to a 16-2 scoring spurt to capture the 20-6 road victory and improve to 9-2 on the season.
Kelly Denes won the opening draw but a shot by Madison Ahern was saved and transitional play ensued with the Bears ultimately capitalizing to take the early 1-0 lead just 55 seconds in.
The Irish drew even with the Bears off a free position goal from Keelin Schlageter to make it a 1-1 game just minutes into the contest Sunday afternoon.
A free position was awarded on the other end of the field after a stout defensive effort from both squads forced a pair of turnovers. Mercer took advantage of the attempt, burying a shot behind Lilly Callahan in the cage to take the 2-1 lead with just 4:02 elapsed in play.
Denes won the following draw control to give the Irish the early edge at the circle with three draw controls on four chances. MK Doherty took advantage of the Irish possession and made it a 2-2 game still in the early stages of the first quarter.
A pair of saves from Callahan, including one on the free position, kept the game tied late in the opening quarter before Kelly Denes gave the Irish their first lead of the afternoon, splitting defenders and finding the back of the net for the 3-2 score with 3:36 left in the first frame.
Mercer eventually tied it back up with a free position goal in the final two minutes of the quarter, making it a 3-3 game with 1:38 to play in the stanza.
After 15 minutes of play the Irish were all tied up with the Bears, 3-3, despite outshooting the home team with a 10-5 shots on goal margin.
Kasey Choma broke the deadlock with her first goal of the game, and the first of the quarter, when Ahern found her fellow captain rushing in on the goal and flipped a quick pass over to the midfielder for the 4-3 score.
The Bears evened the score again with a free position goal to make it a 4-4 game just over four minutes into the second quarter.
Arden Tierney scored her first of the afternoon, and seventh of the season, to make it a 5-4 game in favor of the Irish with just over 10 minutes to play in the half.
The Irish took the 6-4 lead off a free position attempt when Jackie Wolak found Meghan O’Hare enclosing on the goal out front for her first of the day. Beating both defenders after receiving the Wolak pass, O’Hare gave the Irish their largest lead of the day to that point.
Notre Dame’s scoring streak continued with Madison Ahern dancing through multiple defenders before firing a shot past the Mercer goalkeeper to give her Irish the 7-4 lead.
The Irish closed out the first half on the three-goal scoring streak to take the 7-4 lead into the halftime break after Callahan made two saves late in the frame to keep it a three-goal game.
Notre Dame started the second half with the ball after a late foul against the Bears to end the first half. Kasey Choma took advantage of the powerplay opportunity burying a shot on the free position to double up the lead on Mercer, 8-4, just 54 seconds in.
O’Hare won the first draw control of the half, giving the Irish another shot on the offensive side of the ball where Tierney soon scored her second of the day to give the Irish a 9-4 lead nearly 25 seconds after Choma’s goal.
Mercer eventually capitalized on a long possession in the Irish defensive end to snap the scoring streak at five consecutive goals for the Blue and Gold. The goal came with 7:26 to play in the frame and was their first of the half.
Kathryn Morrissey answered with a shot about six meters from the mouth of the cage, beating the Mercer goalkeeper in the top corner to make it 10-5 in favor of the visitors.
A trio of graduate students extended the Irish lead in the third quarter with Ahern, Wolak and Tierney each finding the goal mouth on consecutive possessions to give Notre Dame the 13-5 lead late in the third quarter.
Ahern scored her third of the day to give the Irish the 14-5 lead with just 35 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Irish took the nine-goal lead into the final quarter of regulation after outscoring their opponent 7-1 in the third frame as they jumped out to the 14-5 lead through 45 minutes played.
Choma scored her third of the day to give the Irish a running clock advantage with a shot off the free position and marked the third Irish player to record a hat trick in the contest.
Wolak followed it up with her second goal of the day just moments later to give Notre Dame the 11-goal differential early in the fourth quarter as the Irish took the 16-5 lead.
The Bears got one back with 8:35 to play in the final quarter, making it 16-6 in favor of the Irish.
Schlager scored her second and third goals of the contest to extend the Irish lead and mark her first career hat trick when she gave Notre Dame the 18-6 edge.
Angie Conley scored her first of the day after subbing in late before Kate Timarky capped off the afternoon with her fifth goal of the season to give Notre Dame their fourth 20-goal game of the season.
Callahan ended the day with her third consecutive 10-save performance as she improved to 9-2 on the season and marked a .625 save percentage.
KEY STATS
With her three goals on the day, Arden Tierney tallied her first career hat trick in an Irish jersey Sunday afternoon.
After recording her hat trick goal late in the third quarter Sunday, Madison Ahern improved to 29 goals on the season and posted her seventh three-plus goal performance of the season.
Four Irish individuals boasted hat trick performances in the win, with a pair notching their first three-goal games ever with the Irish. Tierney was first to hit three goals on the day before Ahern and Choma joined their fellow graduate student with three goals. Keelin Schlageter set a career best in goals her a pair of goals late in the contest to go with her opening goal to mark three on the day, a first for the senior.
The Irish held the edge at the draw circle, 22-5, with Meghan O’Hare leading the team with seven total. A staple at the draw circle, Kelly Denes started the game at the dot and boasted six draw control wins while MK Doherty had five.
Olivia Dooley wreaked havoc on defense Sunday, causing four turnovers in the contest for a team best and scooped up two ground balls in the win. Jackie Wolak ranked second on the team in caused turnovers, forcing three on the day as the team combined for 12 total caused turnovers.
With 10 saves in the cage, Lilly Callahan recorded her third-best save percentage of the season and had her third-consecutive 10-plus save count.
Posting three points in the contest off two goals and an assist, Wolak eclipsed 50 points on the season and owns 34 goals thus far in 2024.
With three ground ball recoveries on the day, Kasey Choma led the team in the category.
After being tied early in the second quarter, the Irish went on to outscore the opposition 16-2 as they captured the 20-6 final and improved to 9-2 on the season.
With 20 goals, coming from 11 different individuals, the Irish eclipsed the 20-goal mark for the fourth time this season.
Four rookies scored in the Sunday afternoon contest at Mercer, with Kathryn Morrissey leading all freshmen scoring with a goal and an assist.
UP NEXT
The Irish return home to close out March when they host Pitt on Saturday, March 30 at 11am. The game will serve as their Daughters 4 Dads contest, an initiative founded in 2015 to support cancer research.
NOTRE DAME SWIMMING
IRISH WOMEN CONCLUDE 23-24 SEASON AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
ATHENS, Ga. — The Notre Dame women’s swimming and diving squad wrapped up its 2023-24 campaign this week with a 32nd place finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships at the University of Georgia. In total, four Irish competed and three of them made their debut at the nation’s top collegiate meet.
Junior diver Calie Brady had the most notable performance of the week for Notre Dame, as she earned All-America Honorable Mention status after finishing 11th in the 3-meter (312.50). Brady — the sole member of the team that had previously competed at NCAA Championships — also finished 19th in the 1-meter (264.90).
Sophomore Grace Courtney accompanied Brady on the boards and notched a pair of top-25 finishes; she took 22nd in the 1-meter (262.00) and 21st in the 3-meter (279.20).
On the swimming side, Maggie Graves dropped a new best time in the 1650 freestyle (16:10.82), a mark that ranks second in program history. She finished 28th overall in the mile field.
Fellow junior Madelyn Christman was also making her debut at the NCAA Championships, and she finished 39th in the 100 backstroke (52.76) and 37th in the 200 backstroke (1:54.77).
The Notre Dame men’s swimming and diving program will conclude head coach Chris Lindauer’s second season in South Bend by competing at the 2024 NCAA Championships in Indianapolis this upcoming week.
NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
NOTRE DAME, OLE MISS SET FOR ROUND OF 32 BATTLE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 2 Notre Dame (27-6) is trying to reach its third consecutive Sweet 16, but a scrappy and defensively stout No. 7 Ole Miss (24-8) stands in its way. The Irish host the Rebels on Monday afternoon at Purcell Pavilion, and it will be the first time the programs have ever played each other.
The Irish are coming off of a 81-67 win over No. 15 Kent State on Saturday, earning the program’s 25th Round of 64 win in history. Notre Dame was led by Sonia Citron, who tied a career-high with 29 points. Anna DeWolfe added 12 points of her own, and Maddy Westbeld grabbed 10 boards.
In her NCAA Tournament debut, AP All-America First Team selection Hannah Hidalgo had 14 points, 11 assists and 6 steals. She is just the fifth player in program history to dish out 11 assists in the Big Dance.
The Rebels defeated No. 10 Marquette, 67-55, on Saturday to reach this point. Madison Scott scored 20 points, notched 6 rebounds and dished out 4 assists against the Golden Eagles. The Rebels brought down 43 rebounds and are one of the better rebounding teams in the SEC, averaging 41.8 boards per game.
Of note, Ole Miss has two ACC transfers on its roster: Kennedy Todd-Williams (North Carolina) and Rita Igbokwe (Pittsburgh). Todd-Williams had 9 points and 7 rebounds against Notre Dame in January 2023.
Monday’s game tips off on ESPN at 2 p.m with Sam Gore and Tamika Catchings on the call. Notre Dame is 19-5 all-time in the Round of 32.
BUTLER SOFTBALL
BUTLER SOFTBALL WALKS IT OFF IN SERIES FINALE WITH UCONN
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team won the final game of a three-game BIG EAST series with UConn in walk-off fashion on a sacrifice fly by Ella White. The Bulldogs (14-17, 3-6 BIG EAST) were up, 1-0, after five complete, but the Huskies (17-12, 5-1 BIG EAST) tied the game in the sixth. UConn took the series, 2-1, though this was their first BIG EAST single-game loss of the season.
Game 3: Butler 2, UConn 1 (7 innings)
Butler loaded the bases in the second inning, but the game remained scoreless through two complete.
In the third, Cate Lehner drew a walk and eventually advanced to third. An Ella White sacrifice fly allowed Lehner to score the first run of the game. The 1-0 lead held through five complete.
In the sixth, UConn hit a single with runners on first and second, tying the game at 1-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Lehner hit an infield single and advanced to third on a throwing error by the third baseman. After Hailey Conger reached on an infield single, White hit another sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Lehner to score and ending the game.
Rylyn Dyer (3.2IP, H, 3BB, 3K) started in the circle for Butler and lasted into the fourth inning. Katie Petran (9-3) entered with two on and two outs in the fourth and finished the game. She allowed one run on three hits and two walks with a strikeout, picking up the win.
Bulldog Bits
Paige Dorsett’s double was her second of the series, her sixth of the season, and the 18th of her career.
Both runs scored by the Bulldogs came on Ella White sacrifice flies to center field, allowing Cate Lehner to score from third base.
Butler’s win over UConn was the second in the history of the series.
Up Next
Butler travels to Ball State for a mid-week non-conference game on Tuesday, March 26. The Bulldogs then host Seton Hall for a BIG EAST series from Thursday, March 28 through Saturday, March 30.
BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BUTLER TO HOST PURDUE IN WNIT SECOND ROUND ACTION
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will play Purdue in the Second Round of the WNIT on Monday night. Tip at Hinkle Fieldhouse is set for 7 PM. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16.
GameDay
Date: Monday, March 25, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Indianapolis, Ind. – Hinkle Fieldhouse
Live Stats: ButlerSports.com – StatBroadcast
Watch: YouTube.com/ButlerAthletics
Bulldog Bits
– Austin Parkinson recorded the 250th win of his head coaching career Thursday against Bowling Green.
– Caroline Strande led Butler to victory with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
– Strande ranks 9th in the BIG EAST in scoring (15.3) and 10th in rebounding (7.1).
– Butler leads the BIG EAST and ranks 4th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (39.0%).
– They made 45 percent of their 3-pointers vs. BGSU going 9-for-20 from behind the arc.
– The Bulldogs rank second in the BIG EAST and 23rd in the nation in made 3-pointers per game (8.5).
– Rachel Kent will make the 142nd start of her career on Monday. She is just one point shy of 1,600!
– Kent has made a 3-pointer in 22-straight games. She had two triples vs. BGSU.
– Kent ranks third in the BIG EAST in made 3-pointers with 73.
– Kent is currently ranked sixth on Butler’s single-season Top Ten list in made 3-point field goals.
– Butler is 7-0 this year when they score 70+ points and 12-3 this season when leading at halftime.
– Butler forced BGSU into 18 turnovers resulting in 23 Bulldog points. BU only committed five turnovers.
– Ari Wiggins had five assists and zero turnovers over 13 minutes on Thursday night.
– 9 of Butler’s 15 wins have come at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Scouting Purdue
The Boilers received a First Round bye in the WNIT, but will now face the Bulldogs after a 13-win campaign in 2024. Purdue notched conference wins over Rutgers, Illinois, Northwestern, and Wisconsin (2x) allowing them to play as the No. 12 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers doubled down and beat Northwestern again in the first round of the conference tournament but were then eliminated in the quarterfinals with a 64-56 loss to No. 5 seed Nebraska. Head Coach Katie Gearlds is in her third season with the program. A former All-American at Purdue, Gearlds returned to her alma mater after spending eight seasons at Marian. She is the winningest coach in Marian history with a 228-50 record (82%). The three-time NAIA National Coach of the Year guided the Knights to back-to-back NAIA National Championship Titles in 2016 and 2017. Her 2024 Purdue team is led by senior guard Abbey Ellis. Ellis averages 14.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. She is one of three players to start in all 31 games this year joining Madison Layden and Jeanae Terry. Purdue is an aggressive team that ranked fifth in the Big Ten in steals per game (7.6). They were also one of the best free throw shooting teams in the league (79%).
All-Time Series
Butler has never defeated Purdue in women’s basketball. The Boilermakers are 6-0 all-time with the first meeting coming in 1986 and the last in 2007. The closet contest was the last one with PU defeating BU 69-53 on Nov. 17, 2007. Every other game was a 20+ point win for the Boilers. Four of the six meetings have been played in West Lafayette. Butler hosted in 1995 and in 2006.
Last Meeting vs. Purdue
Purdue led Butler by 10 at the half and would outscore BU by six over the final 20 minutes to record a 16-point win. The Bulldogs were led by Susan Lester’s 14 points and Purdue’s top option that day was former BU assistant coach FahKara Malone with 16 points.
Bulldog / Boilermaker Connection
Butler Head Coach Austin Parkinson played basketball at Purdue from 2001-2004. He appeared in 120 games, playing nearly 2,000 minutes. Parkinson was a point guard for the Boilers and dished out 386 assists during his time on campus to rank 14th in school history. His father, Bruce Parkinson, remains Purdue’s all-time assist leader with 690! Bruce also ranks 36th all-time in scoring with 1,224 points.
WNIT History
The Bulldogs are playing in the WNIT for the eighth time in program history and with the win over Bowling Green they now enter the Second Round of the tournament for just the fourth time! Butler’s first WNIT win also came against the Falcons in 1998. The ‘Dawgs won at Duquesne in 2009 and recorded two wins in 2019 to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
Tournament Field
The 2024 WNIT field features 11 automatic qualifiers and 37 at-large selections, chosen after consideration of a mix of criteria by WNIT officials. There are 24 teams with 20 or more victories in the bracket. Butler, Purdue, and Purdue Fort Wayne were all selected as at-large qualifiers from Indiana. Providence joins BU in the tournament field giving the BIG EAST a pair of teams in the postseason tournament.
Around the League
UConn, Creighton and Marquette all made the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. UConn will play as a No. 3 seed, Creighton heads into action as a No. 7 seed and Marquette made the cut as a No. 10 seed. The BIG EAST was also well represented in the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Georgetown, St. John’s, Seton Hall, and Villanova all secured postseason berths to the 32-team event.
BIG EAST Honors
Caroline Strande was voted onto the All-BIG EAST Second Team by the conference head coaches and Riley Makalusky earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. Strande is the first Bulldog to earn Second Team accolades since Tori Schickel in 2019. She joins Schickel (2x) and Daress McClung (2x) as the only Bulldogs to appear on the Second Team. Makalusky is the fifth BU rookie to be named to the All-Freshman Team.
Magic Number
60 is the magic number for the Bulldogs this season. The team is 11-5 when scoring 60 points or more and just 4-11 when scoring under 60 points. The same can be stated defensively as BU is 12-2 on the year when they hold opponents under 60 points. They are 3-14 when they allow 60 or more.
Sharpshooters
The top three, 3-point shooters in the BIG EAST Conference are all Butler Bulldogs. Caroline Strande leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage (46.9), Riley Makalusky ranks second (45.3) and Jordan Meulemans is close behind at third (43.6). Rachel Kent gives BU four players in the top seven with her 41.0 percentage from behind the arc. These four players account for 213 of Butler’s 262 made 3-pointers this year (81%). Strande, Makalusky, and Meulemans will all etch their names into the BU record book with these percentages.
Tied a Team Record
Jordan Meulemans made eight 3-pointers in Butler’s win over St. Thomas. She was just one 3-pointer shy of tying the single-game BU individual record and the ‘Dawgs tied their team record with 16 made 3-pointers in that victory.
Grab the Board
Caroline Strande is the top rebounding guard in the BIG EAST. She has led Butler in rebounding 22 times this season (31 games).
Up Next
The winner of the game between Butler and Purdue will face the winner of the Monmouth at Duquesne matchup. Monmouth advanced with a 68-58 win over Buffalo on Thursday night and the Dukes will host the action with their 20-12 overall record.
BUTLER BASEBALL
BUTLER SWEEPS DAYTON IN SUNDAY DOUBLEHEADER
INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler baseball team edged Dayton 11-9 to win game one and a walk-off single by Joey Urban would allow the Bulldogs to come out on top in the nightcap 9-8. The two wins on Sunday moved Butler’s overall record to 10-12.
Keegan Connors and Carter Dorighi highlighted the victory in game one. Connors was inserted into the lineup as the team’s designated hitter and went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and three runs scored. He hit a three-run home run in the third to give Butler a 6-1 advantage and added an RBI double down the rightfield line in the fourth.
Dorighi went 3-for-5 in game one with three RBI and a run scored. His RBI single in the second tied the contest at 1-1. Dorighi scored on a wild pitch in the third and had a two RBI single in the fourth to score Munton and Connors.
Nick Miketinac, Andrew Crumbley and Cole Graverson all tossed three innings to help BU find the win column. Crumbley got the win (2-1) and Graverson the save (4). Crumbley struck out five and limited the Flyers to just one hit. Dayton hit a couple of solo homers off Graverson but the BU relief pitcher struck out five to get the save.
Game two was a wild one with Butler scoring a pair in the ninth to comeback and claim the win. Connors hit a monster home run to straight-away center to give the ‘Dawgs a 2-1 lead in the second. The ‘Dawgs would give up the lead in the third, but would regain it back in the fourth with two home runs. Ian Choi homered to left to put BU in front 5-4 and Dorighi added a solo shot to cushion the lead.
The fifth inning was big for the Flyers as the visitors stringed together some RBI doubles to make the game 8-6. BU got a run back in the sixth off an RBI single from Jack Moroknek and won the game in the ninth with Connors and Urban coming up clutch.
Connors knocked a ball to right field to score Vecrumba and knot the score at 8-8. The walk-off winner was delivered by Urban as he pushed a ball back up the middle of the diamond to start the BU celebration.
Brett Sherrard got the win on the mound for BU in game two and they pinned the loss on Nick Wissman.
Butler will return to action on Thursday afternoon when they host the Indiana Hosiers at 4 PM. Admission is free to the game and those unable to attend can stream the action live on FloSports.com.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S TENNIS
WOMEN’S TENNIS HOLDS ON FOR 4-3 VICTORY OVER EASTERN MICHIGAN
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State women’s tennis team (5-10, 2-1 MAC) faced Eastern Michigan (7-8, 1-2 MAC) for the second time this weekend but this time the Cardinals prevailed pulling off the 4-3 victory over the Eagles Sunday afternoon at the Northwest YMCA.
Jacqueline Pearsall’s three-set thriller over EMU’s Sabina Brichackova would clinch the match for BSU at the No. 6 singles spot.
The Cardinals got off to a hot start by winning the doubles point. Isabelle Tanjuatco alongside Sarah Shahbaz defeated EMU’s top duo of Preen Vichare and Danielle Shved by a 6-2 decision. Shortly after, Annika Planinsek paired up on court No. 2 with Ella Hazelbaker for a 6-3 take down over Linda Claire Eloundou Nga and Andrea Quiroz.
In singles, the Eagles started strong taking a quick 2-1 edge after posting singles victories on courts No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Elana Malykh’s match was tight, but she managed to win in straight sets at the No. 2 slot.
With the score knotted 2-2, Planinsek fought her way back into the match winning in three frames versus Daniella Shved for the second time this weekend on the top court to put the Cardinals back on top. The Eagles would then win on court No. 5, but Pearsall was able to come through for BSU at the No. 6 spot to claim the victory for the Cardinals.
The Ball State women’s tennis team continues Mid-American Conference action when it plays at Western Michigan Friday. First serve is at 10 a.m. at either Sorensen Courts or West Hills Athletic Club.
BALL STATE BASEBALL
JOHNSON’S DOMINANT START AND MILEY/HUSOVSKY HOMERS LEAD TO WIN IN SERIES FINALE AT TOLEDO
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Ball State baseball team used a season-best performance from starting pitcher Keegan Johnson and home runs by Corey Miley and Nick Husovsky to beat Toledo 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Scott Park.
The Cardinals (13-12, 2-7 Mid-American Conference) led 3-2 over the Rockets (10-13, 6-3 MAC) entering the ninth inning and added an insurance tally on a Casey Turturici fielder’s choice that plated Clay Jacobs. Jacob Hartlaub tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his first save of the year.
Miley hit one out to left field in the second inning for his initial home run as a Cardinal before Husovsky did the same in fifth to give the visitors a 3-0 edge. Blake Bevis scored Decker Scheffler on a single in the third inning for the second run of the game.
Johnson (3-0) collected a season-best 11 strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work, scattering four hits to earn the win. Hartlaub struck out two in 2.0 innings for the save, his first of the year, while Toledo’s RJ Shunck (1-3) allowed three runs in 5.0 innings pitched to be hit with the loss.
A total of seven Cardinals rapped out hits for Ball State on the day, and the defense didn’t commit an error to pave the way to the series finale triumph.
“I give our boys a lot of credit for staying the course and winning this game,” head coach Rich Maloney said. “We have a lot of guys banged up but a great team effort pulled us through. Our starting pitchers had a good week. Hopefully we can build on that.”
Ball State returns home to host USI at 3 p.m. on Tuesday before welcoming Ohio for a three-game set starting on Thursday.
INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANA STATE BEATS MINNESOTA IN NIT TO NOTCH 30-WIN SEASON
Ryan Conwell scored 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including 6-for-8 from beyond the arc, to lead No. 1 seed Indiana State to a 76-64 win over Minnesota in the second round of the NIT on Sunday afternoon in Terre Haute, Ind.
Jayson Kent recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana State (30-6). Julian Larry also scored 16 points, and Robbie Avila finished with 11 points and seven assists.
The Sycamores reached the 30-win milestone for only the second time in program history. They joined Larry Bird’s 1978-79 team, which won 33 games.
Indiana State advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will host No. 2 seed Cincinnati.
Pharrel Payne scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Minnesota (19-15). Mike Mitchell Jr. finished with 13 points, Cam Christie scored 12 and Elijah Hawkins had 10.
Indiana State built its lead to 14 points with 14:38 remaining. Conwell converted a four-point play with a 3-pointer and a free throw to give the Sycamores a 52-38 advantage.
The Golden Gophers battled back with an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to 52-49 with 11:46 remaining. Christie made two jump shots to bookend the run, which also included a 3-pointer by Mitchell, two free throws by Dawson Garcia and a layup by Payne.
Larry helped Indiana State find its footing and hold off Minnesota’s challenge. He led a 9-1 run with two layups and two free throws to increase Indiana State’s lead to 61-50 with 9:46 to play. The Sycamores led by at least nine the rest of the way.
Indiana State built a 38-28 lead at the half.
The Sycamores jumped to a double-digit lead in the first 10 minutes. Isaiah Swope made a layup to start a 9-0 run, and Avila finished it off with another layup to put Indiana State on top 18-8 with 10:55 remaining in the first half.
Conwell drained a 3-pointer to increase the Sycamores’ lead to 33-15 with 4:55 before the break.
Minnesota answered with a 12-2 run to pull within 35-27 with 1:48 to go in the half. Christie and Hawkins started the rally with back-to-back 3-pointers.
INDIANA STATE BASEBALL
SYCAMORES SECURE SERIES WIN WITH 8-5 SUNDAY VICTORY OVER MISSOURI STATE
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Luis Hernandez and Randal Diaz both homered in support of strong bullpen appearances from Cam Edmonson and Zach Davidson as Indiana State claimed the series win over Missouri State with Sunday’s 8-5 victory at Bob Warn Field.
Hernandez connected on a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning and Diaz highlighted the six-run second frame with a line drive two-run shot over the left field wall to provide ISU (17-5, 2-1) the early lead over the Bears. Edmonson (3-0) went 3.0 innings in relief striking out seven batters, while Davidson posted 3.0 shutout frames to keep the Missouri State (10-12, 1-2 MVC) bats quiet, before Simon Gregersen (S, 3) closed out the contest with the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning.
The Sycamores trailed 2-0 early before Hernandez connected on a two-out solo home run over the tree line in left field to put Indiana State on the scoreboard. After ISU starter Luke Hayden shut down the Bears in the second inning, the Sycamores sent 11 batters to the plate with Josue Urdaneta (RBI double), Grant Magill (two-RBI triple), Randal Diaz (two-run HR), and Mike Sears (RBI single) all driving in runs to give the Sycamores a 7-2 lead after two innings.
Missouri State battled back on Caden Bogenpohl’s two-run home run in the top of the third and Tyler Epstein’s sacrifice fly in the fifth to cut the ISU lead down to 7-5 midway through the game.
The Sycamores added insurance in the bottom of the sixth as Parker Stinson narrowly missed out on his sixth home run of the season, driving the ball off the top of the center field wall scoring Hernandez from first to provide the final ISU run in the contest.
Edmonson took over on the mound for ISU following Bogenpohl’s home run in the third inning and proceeded to strike out five of the next seven batters he faced to quell the Missouri State momentum in the middle frames. He finished allowing two hits and an unearned run while walking three in his second victory of the week.
Davidson took over in the top of the sixth inning with one runner on base and proceeded to retire nine consecutive batters before allowing the first two to reach base in the top of the ninth with ISU leading 8-5.
Gregersen took over from there striking out Bogenpohl and Carter Bergman in recording his team-leading third save of the 2023 season.
Diaz, Hernandez, Stinson, and Sears all posted multi-hit games for Indiana State as the Sycamore offense connected on 10 hits on a windy day at Bob Warn Field. Diaz and Hernandez both homered, while Magill and Stinson tripled on the day.
Luke Hayden went the first 2.0-innings in the no-decision on Sunday afternoon. The Sycamore right-hander allowed five hits and four runs while striking out two in his sixth start of the season.
Zack Stewart and Dylan Leach both had multi-hit games on Sunday, while Jake McCutcheon and Leach both doubled in the loss.
Tyler Charlton (0-2) took the loss allowing five hits and seven runs over 1.2-innings in the start. Tyler Tscherter, Eric Loomis, Reed Metz, and Garrett Ferguson went the final frames to close out the game.
How They Scored
Missouri State took the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning courtesy of Zack Stewart’s RBI double scoring Jake McCutcheon and Logan Chambers drawing a bases-loaded walk scoring Stewart.
Luis Hernandez put the Sycamores on the board in the bottom of the first inning as the junior first baseman connected on the solo home run over the left field wall to cut the MSU lead down to 2-1.
Indiana State scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning sending 11 batters to the plate highlighted by Randal Diaz’s two-run home run and Grant Magill’s two-run triple to go ahead 7-2. Josue Urdaneta (RBI double) and Mike Sears (RBI single) also drove in runs in the frame.
Caden Bogenpohl put two more in the Missouri State run column in the top of the third inning with a home run over the left field wall scoring Dylan Leach to cut the Indiana State lead down to 7-4.
Missouri State added another run in the top of the fifth inning as Tyler Epstein connected on a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Leach to cut the ISU lead down to 7-5.
Parker Stinson put the Sycamores back in the run column in the bottom of the sixth with a triple off the top of the center field wall scoring Hernandez to give ISU the 8-5 lead.
News & Notes
Luis Hernandez extended his hitting streak to 21 consecutive games following solo home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning. He continues the longest hitting streak in the Mitch Hannahs coaching era dating back to the 2014 season and finished the day 2-for-4 from the plate with three runs scored.
Dominic Listi extended his on-base streak to 22 games on Sunday afternoon after drawing a walk in the bottom of the third inning.
Hernandez and Listi are the first ISU teammates with concurrent 20-game on-base streaks since both Hernandez (26 games – 2023) and Mike Sears (23 games – 2023) overlapped last season.
Indiana State improved to 10-0-1 in Missouri Valley series finales dating back to the end of the 2022 season following Sunday’s win over Missouri State.
The Sycamores won back-to-back regular season series against Missouri State for the first time in program history dating back to the Bears’ entrance into the Valley in 1991. ISU swept the series last year in Springfield before taking two of the three games this season at Bob Warn Field.
Cam Edmonson became the first ISU pitcher to record multiple wins in the same week since Lane Miller accomplished the feat last season. Edmonson went 4.0-innings on Tuesday in ISU’s 15-7 win over Indiana. Miller accomplished the feat last year recording the wins against Purdue (Mar. 28) and UIC (Apr. 2).
Parker Stinson and Grant Magill became the first ISU teammates to triple in the same game since Tyler Nelson and Seth Gergely accomplished the feat back on April 6, 2022, at Purdue.
The Indiana State bullpen combined to post a 1.23 ERA over 14.2 innings against the Bears with 20 strikeouts and a .143 opponent batting average over the three-game series.
Up Next
Indiana State remains at Bob Warn Field on Tuesday afternoon as the Sycamores welcome Purdue University for midweek non-conference action. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. with the game to be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend. Two for Tuesday’s is back at the ballpark with two hot dogs on sale for $5 at the game.
INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S GOLF
ISU GOLF READY FOR OZARKS NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
HOLLISTER, Mo. – Indiana State golf travels to Missouri for the Ozarks National Invitational on March 25-27 at the Ozarks National Golf Club.
Indiana State is one of 12 teams competing. Other schools in the field include Missouri State (host), Bellarmine, Creighton, Lindenwood, Middle Tennessee State, Northern Iowa, Oral Roberts, South Dakota (defending champion), Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Toledo
The schedule for the three-day tournament is as follows:
Monday, March 25: 10 a.m. shotgun start (18 holes)
Tuesday, March 26: 10 a.m. shotgun start (18 holes)
Wednesday, March 27: 9 a.m. shotgun start (18 holes)
The last time out, Briana LeMaire and Chelsea Morrow each finished in the top 10 at the Nevel Meade Invitational.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
MASTODON WBB DOMINATES CINCINNATI 84-58 TO MOVE ON TO WNIT SUPER 16
CINCINNATI – Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball blew out Cincinnati 84-58 in the second round of the WNIT on Sunday (March 24) to advance to the Super 16.
The program’s first win over a Big 12 team came at a good time. It gave the Mastodons their 23rd win of the season, tying the program’s all-time record for wins in a season and extending the Division I era record.
The energy of the day was encapsulated at the end of the third quarter. Audra Emmerson grabbed a rebound on the defensive end, dribbled halfway down the court then banked in the half-court heave. It put the Mastodons up 70-43.
That was the icing on the proverbial cake for the Mastodons, as they had put in the work early to bury the Bearcats. The ‘Dons led 27-12 after the opening quarter. Shayla Sellers and Destinee Marshall knocked in 3-pointers with under 75 seconds left in the quarter to give the ‘Dons a 15-point lead after 10 minutes.
The offense continued to roll into the second quarter when the ‘Dons started with a 9-2 run. Sellers hit a 3-pointer and a floater. Eight consecutive free throws for the Bearcats cut the lead down to 14, but they never got any closer.
After a Cincinnati layup to start the third, the ‘Dons rattled off a 16-2 run to give them the largest lead of the day at 30 points (61-31).
Sellers finished with a game-high 22 points to move her career total to 1321. She is 10th in program history and fourth in the Division I era in career scoring.
Marshall (13), Amellia Bromenschenkel (12), Emmerson (11) and Jazzlyn Linbo (10) joined Sellers in double-figures. Sellers and Bromenschenkel had seven rebounds each. Linbo had a career-high five assists.
The Mastodons shot 30-of-67 from the floor (44.8 percent) and 12-of-29 from 3-point range (41.4 percent) while holding the Bearcats to 17-of-49 from the field (34.7 percent) and 1-for-6 from 3-point range (16.7 percent).
Purdue Fort Wayne improves to 23-12 and will play Saint Louis on Friday. Cincinnati falls to 14-18 as its season comes to a close.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL
RUBBER GAME GOES TO WRIGHT STATE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Nick Sutherlin and Justin Osterhouse each had two hits, but the Purdue Fort Wayne baseball team fell to Wright State 14-2 on Sunday (March 24) in the final game of the Horizon League series.
It was a 1-0 Mastodon lead after three innings. Wright State didn’t get their first hit of the game until the fourth when they put up three runs. A pair of five run innings followed for the Raiders as the defending league champs took a double-digit lead.
Jay Luikart, Boston Smith and Ben Vore each had a home run for the Raiders. Garret Simpson got the win. He is 2-1 after throwing 5.2 innings for the Raiders. Sean Kasper faced one over the minimum through the first three innings but suffered the loss for the ‘Dons. He is 1-1.
Sutherlin finished with a run batted in to add to his day.
Wright State improves to 13-10 (4-2 Horizon League). The Mastodons fall to 9-16 (3-3 Horizon League).
The ‘Dons are at Western Michigan on Tuesday (March 26) before returning to league play at Milwaukee.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL
MASTODONS PLAY IN CIT SEMIFINALS ON MONDAY
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mastodons play at Tarleton State in the semifinals of The 2024 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, presented by BSN SPORTS.
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (22-12) at Tarleton State (25-9)
When: Monday, March 25 | 7 PM ET
Where: Stephenville, Texas | Wisdom Gym
Live Stats: Link
Video: ESPN+
Radio: 1380 The Fan
Series Record: First meeting
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne (PDF) | Tarleton State (PDF)
KNOW YOUR FOE
// Tarleton accepted an invitation to join the WAC and move to NCAA Division I in November 2019. The Texans were in the Lone Star Conference (NCAA Division II) from 1994-2020.
// Acting head coach Joseph Jones was named the WAC Coach of the Year after filling in for head coach Billy Gillispie after the fourth game this season.
// Tarleton State is enjoying its best season in the D1 era with a 25-9 overall record and a program best 16-4 mark in conference play.
// Jakorie Smith earned First-Team All-WAC honors. Senior Gaddy was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year.
‘DONS & ENDS
// A win would advance the Mastodons to the CIT Championship game against Norfolk State. Date and site to be determined.
// The Mastodons’ 22 wins are the fourth most in a season in program history and the third most in the Division I era. Most wins in a season: 25 (2013-14), 24 (2015-16), 23 (1992-93), 22 (2023-24).
// Anthony Roberts enters the game needing three points to reach 2,000 for his career. Quinton Morton-Robertson needs one 3-pointers to reach 100 on the season.
// This is the Mastodons’ seventh postseason appearance. The ‘Dons are 3-6 all-time in postseason games.
– In 2014, the ‘Dons defeated Akron at home 97-91 and fell on the road at VMI 106-95 in the CIT.
– In 2015, the ‘Dons lost 82-77 at Evansville in the CIT.
– In 2016, the ‘Dons earned a berth in the NIT, falling 79-55 at San Diego State.
– In 2017, the ‘Dons defeated Ball State at home 88-80 on March 15, received a bye in the second round and then fell in the quarterfinals at Texas A&M Corpus Christi 78-62 in the CIT.
– In 2018, the ‘Dons fell to Central Michigan 94-89 in the CIT
– In 2022, the ‘Dons fell to Drake 87-65 in the CBI.
– On Wednesday, the ‘Dons won at Bowling Green 77-75 in the CIT for the first road postseason win in program history.
// The ‘Dons were one of only three teams in the Horizon League in postseason play. Oakland (NCAA Tournament) and Cleveland State (CBI) are the others.
// Only twice this season have the ‘Dons committed more turnovers than their opponent. It was against Oakland both times. Only twice this season have the ‘Dons had equal turnovers to their opponent (13 at Pittsburgh and 20 at Northern Kentucky).
// The ‘Dons have single-digit turnovers in 15 games this season. Six times they have had six or fewer in a game.
// The ‘Dons have six games this season in which they never trailed.
// The ‘Dons have held a lead in every game this season, except for two: at Pitt (Dec. 20) and vs. Wright State (Jan. 6).
// Quinton Morton-Robertson has reached the top 5 in single season 3-point field goals.
1. 125 – Max Landis (2015-16)
2. 100 -Mo Evans (2016-17)
3. 99 – Quinton Morton-Robertson (2023-24)
4. 98 – Nick Wise (2001-02)
// Quinton Morton-Robertson’s 99 made 3-pointers ranks him 24th in the nation.
// Both Anthony Roberts and Rasheed Bello are tied for sixth in the program’s Division I era for single-season steals with 61 for the ‘Dons.
// Per Kenpom, Eric Mulder is 12th in 2-point field goal percentage (70.5 percent) in the nation.
// Per Kenpom, Jalen Jackson is third in the Horizon League in fouls drawn with 5.4 per 40 minutes.
TOP 30 NATIONAL RANKINGS:
// 4th in turnover margin (+6.0)
// 10th in turnovers forced per game (16.32)
// 10th in steals per game (9.3)
// 24th in 3-pointers per game (9.5)
// 26th in fast break points per game (13.76)
// 29th in scoring offense (80.9)
// 29th in 3-point attempts per game (26.1)
EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL
WILLSEY HOMERS AS ACES COMPLETE WEEKEND SERIES
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jess Willsey launched her third home run of the season, but it was the pitching of Belmont that limited the University of Evansville softball team to one run on five hits in a 2-1 win on Sunday.
Zoe Frossard picked up a hit in the first while Brooke Voss added one in the second. After recording a hit in the first, the Bruins picked up three singles in the second, but a baserunner leaving early was pivotal in keeping things scoreless.
With two outs in the top of the third, Jess Willsey hit a home run to center field to break the scoreless tie. It did not take long for Belmont to counter as a 2-run double put them in front for the first time.
Both squads left a pair of runners on in the fourth inning while the Bruins left two more on base in the fifth. Down to its final three outs, Taylor Howe hit a 1-out single in the top of the 7th before the Bruins closed out the game with the 2-1 win.
Sydney Weatherford threw the first five innings with two runs scoring on ten hits. Megan Brenton threw a scoreless 6th frame. Alex Clesi made the start, giving up one run on four hits on the way to her fourth win of the season. Ellie Giles picked up the save with three scoreless frames. Evansville finished the game with five hits by five different players.
UE is back home next weekend for a 3-game series against UIC.
EVANSVILLE BASEBALL
HOWELL HOME RUN SENDS MURRAY STATE PAST BASEBALL ACES, 6-5, IN EXTRAS
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Murray State catcher Taylor Howell launched a solo home run leading off the top of the tenth inning on Sunday to snap a 5-5 tie and power the visiting Racers to a 6-5 victory over the University of Evansville baseball team at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.
Howell lifted a 2-0 fastball into the wind blowing out to left field and over the left-field fence for his eighth home run of the year and second home run of the series to help the Racers snap a 5-5 tie in extra-innings. Reliever Thomas McNabb (3-0) then worked a perfect bottom of the tenth inning to nail down the victory for Murray State.
Evansville jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI double by graduate third baseman Brent Widder. UE took that lead into the sixth inning, as starter Donovan Schultz held Murray State to just two base hits through the first five innings. Murray State would erupt for five runs though in the sixth inning, sending 10 men to the plate to take a 5-1 lead.
Evansville would answer back in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run home run to left field by senior shortstop Simon Scherry to trim the deficit to 5-3. UE then got a two-out, two-strike pinch-hit single by junior Evan Waggoner in the seventh inning to tie the game at 5-5.
Evansville would load the bases against McNabb in the eighth inning, but he got a fly out to right to end the threat. The Purple Aces would then get a lead-off double by senior first baseman Kip Fougerousse in the ninth inning, and eventually put men on the corners with two outs, but McNabb once again got out of the jam. McNabb tossed 3.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the victory.
Graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger led UE by going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a hit-by-pitch to extend his on-base streak to 39-straight games. Scherry and Waggoner both drove in two runs for UE. Howell was one of three Racers to have two-hit days, while he drove in two.
With the victory, Murray State moves into a first-place tie in the Missouri Valley Conference standings with a 17-6 overall record and 3-0 conference mark. Evansville, meanwhile, falls to 9-14 overall and 0-3 in the Valley. The Purple Aces return home on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. to host SIU-Edwardsville in non-conference action.
SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL
USI WINS OPENING OVC SERIES WITH 8-1 WIN
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball captured its first Ohio Valley Conference series of the season with an 8-1 win over Tennessee Tech University Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 11-12 overall and 2-1 in the OVC, while TTU goes to 13-11, 1-2 OVC.
The Screaming Eagles have won four series overall this season, matching the season total of series victories in 2023.
USI got the scoring started in the bottom first with a tally in the opening frame. USI senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) started the rally with a double down the right field line before being driven in by a senior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) on a two-out RBI-single to right for the 1-0 lead.
Ellis would end the game with a team-best three-for-four at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI.
USI increased the lead to 5-0 with a four-run surge in the bottom of the third, beginning with a RBI ground out by Ebest and a RBI-single by Ellis. Junior catcher Logan Mock (Livermore, California) followed with a RBI-triple to left for the third run of the frame, while junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Souix City, Iowa) finished the scoring in the frame with a RBI-single through the right side to make the score 5-0.
USI junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) capped off a three-run fifth with a two-run single to extend the USI advantage to 8-0. Crowden tied Ellis for the team-lead with two RBIs in the game.
TTU would get a tally in the top of the eighth before USI closed the door on the 8-1 victory.
USI junior right-hander Gavin Morris (Jeffersonville, Indiana) picked up his team-high tying third win of the season. Morris (3-1) three six scoreless, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out three batters.
Morris was followed to the mound by freshman right-hander Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana) and junior right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky). Weisheit gave up a run on two hits and a base on balls in two innings, while Hutson allowed a hit and struck out three in the ninth.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Screaming Eagles return to the road next week with a visit to Ball State University Tuesday and an OVC series at Morehead State University March 28-30.
SOUTHERN INDIANA SOFTBALL
EAGLES SPLIT SUNDAY SLATE, EARN SERIES WIN AT LINDENWOOD
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Softball claimed its second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference series on Sunday, regrouping from an 8-0 loss to start the day to win a 2-1 rubber match for a series win against Lindenwood University.
The day began with a slow start for the Screaming Eagles (12-12, 6-3 OVC) in the first game. Lindenwood (14-16, 3-6 OVC) struck for an unearned run in each of the first two innings. The Lions added two more runs in the third off a couple of miscues by USI. Then after a solo home run in the fourth, Lindenwood finished game 1 with a crooked number in the fifth on two RBI singles.
USI had a pair of doubles in the first game by junior infielder Hailey Gotshall (Lucerne, Indiana) and senior catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenwood, Indiana), while Lindenwood scored eight runs on eight hits.
In the pitching circle, USI junior pitcher Whitley Hunter (Nashville, Illinois) was charged with the loss, moving to 2-4 this season, after allowing four runs – one unearned – in three innings of work. Lindenwood’s graduate pitcher Amanda Weyh moved to 9-7 on the campaign with five shutout innings.
In game 2, the Lions scored in the first inning on a sac fly to grab an early 1-0 lead. Southern Indiana answered in the top of the third inning. With two outs and runners on the corners, Gotshall put one down the left-field line to bring in the tying run.
As the pitcher’s duel went on over the next two frames, the Screaming Eagles jumped in front in the sixth inning. Once again, Gotshall shot a pitch into the gap, going for three bases to lead off the inning. Next up, senior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenfield, Indiana) punched one to left field to score Gotshall for the lead.
Ahead with the 2-1 advantage, junior pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) continued her strong outing by pitching around a baserunner in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings to bring home the series win for USI.
Newman picked up her 10th win of the season with the complete game. The right-hander allowed only four hits and struck out 10 hitters.
Lindenwood sophomore starting pitcher Avery Wapp dropped to 4-6 in 2024, giving up two runs in six innings pitched.
The Screaming Eagles return home later this week to USI Softball Field, taking on Southeast Missouri State University in a three-game series Friday and Saturday. The series opens with a doubleheader Friday at 1 p.m., followed by a Noon start in Saturday’s series finale. All three games can be heard on 95.7 The Spin. Live stats and coverage links can be found on the USI Softball schedule page on usiscreamingeagles.com.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S GOLF
WOMEN’S GOLF LOOKS TO CONTEND AT THE JULIE
EVANSVILLE, Ind- University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf heads to Batavia, Ohio for The Julie Spring Invitational hosted by Northern Kentucky University at Elks Run Golf Club. The Julie will take place on Monday and Tuesday with 18 holes each day and the course is 5919 yards with a par of 71.
The Eagles are familiar with this event as they competed last year to a 6th-place finish above teams such as Saint Francis University, Thomas More University, and Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois University who are competing again this year.
There will be 12 teams participating in the invitational including: Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Cleveland State University, Youngstown State University, Saint Francis University, Valparaiso University, EIU, Glenville State University, Wayne State University, and Thomas More in addition to USI.
The Eagles are coming off a 15th palace finish out of 16 teams at the Huntsville Intercollegiate on March 4-6. The team scorers for the tournament will be junior Baileigh Schneider (Huntingburg, Indiana), senior Katelyn Sayyalinh (Rockford, Illinois), freshman Alexis Wymer (Bridgeport, Illinois), sophomore Sydni Thurlow (Belleville, Illinois), and senior Halle Gutwein (DeMotte, Indiana). In addition, freshman Ashlynn Weir (Evansville, Indiana) will be competing as an individual.
VALPO BASEBALL
VALPO OUTHITS SIU FOR SECOND TIME IN SERIES, DROPS FINALE IN CARBONDALE
The Valparaiso University baseball team held the advantage in the hit column for the second time in this weekend’s three-game series, but host Southern Illinois prevailed 9-5 in Sunday’s series finale despite being outhit 10-7 at Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. The free-base battle plagued the Beacons in this one as Valpo pitching issued nine walks while SIU hurlers walked none.
How It Happened
After Valpo starter Griffin McCluskey (Normal, Ill. / Normal Community) worked a scoreless first, freshman Kevin Denty (Tinley Park, Ill. / Marian Catholic) started the scoring in the bottom of the second. He yanked one over the right-field fence for a solo shot, representing the team’s first lead of the series.
The lead grew in the top of the fifth thanks to one swing of the bat from Chase Maifield (Fox Lake, Ill. / Grant [Augustana]), who belted a two-run jack to right to widen the advantage to 3-0. Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) was along for the ride after doubling to begin the inning.
McCluskey did not yield a run through four frames and struck out four, but he walked the first two hitters in the fifth and was lifted. This was his first start since Feb. 23 after he missed time with an injury and came out of the bullpen in his last three outings.
McCluskey was eventually charged with two runs based on inherited runners scoring after his exit and SIU got three total in that fifth inning, tying the game. The first four Salukis to come to the plate in that frame all received free passes via three walks and a hit by pitch.
Valpo threatened in the sixth after a leadoff Denty double, but he was stranded 90 feet away as the score remained even at three.
Jablonski retired the side in order in the sixth with help from a nice snag by first baseman Brady Renfro (Antigo, Wis. / Antigo) to capture a line drive.
Southern Illinois scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 7-3 lead. Two walks and a key error aided the SIU cause.
A two-run double in the eighth allowed SIU to boost the lead to 9-3.
An RBI grounder by Liam Patton (Barrington, Ill. / Warsaw [Wabash]) plated a Valpo run in the ninth, then Kaleb Hannahs (West Terre Haute, Ind. / West Vigo) lifted a sacrifice fly to account for the game’s final tally.
Inside the Game
Denty’s home run was his third of the season and first since a two-homer game on March 1 at Elon.
Maifield’s home run was his second of the season and first since March 1 at Elon. This was his 11th collegiate home run including his four years at Augustana.
This marked the first time Valpo batters did not draw a walk since March 3 vs. Binghamton.
Denty, Ryan and Maifield all enjoyed multi-hit games.
Hannahs extended his on-base streak to 22 games.
Up Next
Valpo (8-14, 0-3 MVC) will head to Nashville, Tenn. to continue the road trip with a midweek matchup with No. 3 Vanderbilt on Tuesday. The game will air on SEC Network Plus. Links to live video and stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
VALPO MEN’S GOLF
VALPO TIED FOR SECOND AFTER ONE DAY AT MOBILE BAY INTERCOLLEGIATE
The Valparaiso University men’s golf team got off to a strong start at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate, which began on Sunday at the Magnolia Grove Golf Course in Mobile, Ala. The Beacons are tied for second in a 14-team field, while Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) and Adam Melliere (Zionsville, Ind. / Zionsville) shared the team lead on the opening day of competition.
How It Happened
VanArragon carded a 69 (-2), draining four birdies in the opening round. He is part of a tie for third, one stroke behind a tie for medalist honors between Will Troy of Illinois State and Pieter Rossouw of Texas State.
Melliere carded the best round of his freshman campaign thus far, posting a 69 on Sunday. He joins VanArragon as part of the tie for third in an 80-player field. The rookie drained four opening-round birdies.
Junior Anthony Delisanti (Sanborn, N.Y. / Niagara Wheatfield) rounded out a collection of three Beacons in the top 15, finishing Day 1 at t-15 after posting an even-par round of 71. He had three birdies to counterbalance one bogey and one double in Round 1.
As a team, Valpo is even with Illinois State for second place through one round. The top two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference based on the preseason poll both had even par team performances at 284. The Beacons and Redbirds are behind only tournament leader Texas State in a 14-team field.
Thoughts from Head Coach Dave Gring
“Our ball striking was mediocre at best for us today. We just couldn’t turn the corner and start putting together a bunch of birdies. While we had a lot of quality pars, we only made 15 birdies on the day. The team was averaging around 12 out of 18 greens in regulation and 10 out of 15 fairways and that’s just not enough, especially when you add in the proximity to the hole in regulation. We played the Par 3s at four over and the par 5s at four under, which isn’t bad, but not enough to get our scores below par. It was the second time we had seen and played the course, including yesterday’s practice round. We will have more familiarity tomorrow.”
“Adam had the best ball-striking day on the team and played very solid for us in the #5 position. He hit 15 out of 18 greens and 12 out of 14 fairways in regulation. He had terrific birdies on a few of the toughest holes out there, including #8, #11 and #15 and he had four birdies on the day, with three on the back nine. He was even par through 14 holes and birdied two out of his last four holes. Today’s round was a huge boost for the team, especially when we can get that from our fifth man.”
“We have some windy conditions forecasted for tomorrow and a chance of rain on Tuesday. There’s a good chance that we will play more than 18 holes tomorrow to stay in front of the precipitation as much as possible. We played in some pretty decent wind during the practice round, so the guys have a good idea of what to expect.”
Up Next
The Beacons will play the second round of the three-round event on Monday. A link to live scoring is available on ValpoAthletics.com.
UINDY BASEBALL
KIRKPATRICK PUNCHES OUT 13 AS HOUNDS TRAMPLE SBU IN SERIES FINALE
INDIANAPOLIS – Jackson Kirkpatrick was simply dominant in 4 2/3 innings of work for the UIndy baseball team today, recording 14 total outs, 13 of which came via strikeout. His performance cemented the Greyhounds 14th-straight victory, improving upon the 11-0 streak the Hounds went on last season to start the year.
The collection of victories coincides with conference play as the Hounds have firmly placed themselves first in the GLVC with a record of 12-0, the next closest being Maryville who sits at 9-2.
Outside of Kirkpatrick, it was a team effort from the Hounds as Luis Vergara blasted a grand slam in the eighth to tally four RBIs, and with Cole Hampton hammering a ball down the line in sixth for two of his three RBIs. Will Spear, the second half of the battery, was also lethal from the plate, going 4 for 5 with an RBI triple to his day.
INS & OUTS
The strikeout party got going early for the towering righty, as Kirkpatrick punched out the side, all swinging to get the crowd excited.
The Hounds and Bearcats traded runs in the second frame, with UIndy scratching across a pair, the first coming via the Spear triple, the second from a bases-loaded Drew Donaldson walk. That was the scoring method for the Hounds once again in the bottom of the fourth, this time it being Hampton to make the trot s it became a 3-1 ballgame.
SBU did not go softly into the night however, scoring two on an up-the-middle single, evening it at three-apiece. With the Hounds needing a jolt of energy, Hampton came knocking as with Donaldson at second and Armen Torosian at first, Hamtpon roped a ball down the left field line allowing both runners to score and re-gifting the Hounds the lead.
Even with the lead, the feeling that the big one was still coming for the Hounds was in the air, and it finally did in the bottom of the eighth. After a Dakota Sill bases-loaded single rotated the baserunners, it was Luis Vergara who delivered the death blow to the Bearcats, taking a 2-0 slider way deep to left field for his first grand slam in the Crimson and Grey.
The bullpen was lights out as well in the contest, as Payton Plym, Austin Bestul and E.J. White combined for 4 1/3 innings of scoreless work.
UP NEXT
The Hounds will look to continue their red-hot streak at home as they welcome in the stout Rockhurst Hawks starting on Thursday, March 28. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Greyhound Park.
UINDY SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL INCREASES WIN STREAK TO 20 WITH WINS OVER CARDINALS
INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 6 UIndy softball team twice defeated William Jewell in a conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon. With their win streak at 20, the Greyhounds now have the fifth-longest win streak in team history, surpassing the 19-game run by the 2014 squad.
AME 1 | UIndy 8, William Jewell 0 (5 innings)
The Greyhounds started the day off with a three-run homer hit by Emily O’Connor in the first inning. An RBI single by Lexy Rees capped off the Greyhound’s four-run first. Sydnee Perry and Dominique Proctor both hit two-run singles later in the contest to activate the run rule at five innings.
Ace Kenzee Smith earned her 15th straight win in as many decision, keeping her perfect record intact on the season. The Indianapolis native lower her ERA to a ridiculous 0.29 and increased her strikeout count to 118 after collecting seven during the game.
Braxton Downs and Rees each hit a double, Sydnee Perry tacked on a stolen base, while six different UIndy hitters earned a walk.
GAME 2 | UIndy 5, William Jewell 2
The game was tied up at 2-2 entering the bottom of the sixth. Rees stepped into the batter’s box as the inning’s leadoff hitter. On the second pitch, the fifth-year senior sent a bomb over the centerfield fence for the go-ahead run. The Hounds added two more runs by the final out of the frame, finishing with a 5-2 lead.
Smith earned her second win of the day after entering the tie game in the sixth inning. In two innings, the senior struck out four of seven batters and only allowed one hit. Jayden Casebolt started in the circle for the Greyhounds and pitched five solid innings. She allowed two runs and five hits while striking out three Cardinals.
Megan Nichols finished the game with a stolen base, a double, and a sacrifice fly to her name. Eight of the position players had a base hit, while Proctor added a sac fly.
U NEXT
Undy will take on in-region rival Thomas More on Tuesday, March 26 in Crestview Hills, Ky. This will be the first meeting between the two teams with Thomas More becoming a NCAA DII member before the 2023-24 athletic year. The contest is set to be a doubleheader with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
UINDY WOMEN’S LAX
GREYHOUNDS CLAW BACK INTO WIN COLUMN AT COLORADO MESA
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The No. 12 UIndy women’s lacrosse team put itself back in the win column on Sunday, defeating Colorado Mesa by a score of 18-7 in the programs’ second-ever meeting.
Megan Dunn led all players with eight points on a career-high seven assists and one goal. Joey Fowler netted a career-best six goals in the win, while Madison Phillips recorded a game-high five ground balls and two caused turnovers.
INS & OUTS
The Greyhounds used a big first quarter to set the tone on Sunday, scoring six times in the opening 15 minutes. Four different players tallied a goal, including Mackenzie Winn and Olivia Bladon within 38 seconds of each other early in the frame.
UIndy pulled away in the second half after Colorado Mesa held serve before the break. Another six-goal quarter was sparked by a pair of netters from Winn, with Caroline Krauch joining her teammates in the scoring column.
fter dishing out six assists in the prior 45 minutes, Dunn found the back of the cage at the 13:21 mark of the final frame. Winn then proceeded to score twice more, tying Dunn on the team with 26 goals apiece.
Six Greyhounds combined for 12 free-position attempts, with Ella Fornek capitalizing on each of her opportunities to finish with two goals.
INSIDE THE BOX
– Fowler tallied four consecutive goals in a five-minute span, with the last two assisted from Dunn.
– Olivia Bladon scored once on Sunday, upping her team-lead in goals with 27.
– Rookie goalkeeper Ava Graham made six saves between the pipes.
– Four players caused two turnovers in the win, including Malaena Michielin, who also secured three draw controls and scored once.
– The freshmen defensive duo of Amanda Hurry and Hollis Rang totaled three caused turnovers and two ground balls.
MORE NOTES
UIndy improves to 2-0 against Colorado Mesa … the teams met for the first time in March 2021, with the Greyhounds also winning 18-7 … UIndy blanked Colorado Mesa in the fourth quarter, marking the sixth time this season the Crimson and Grey has held its opponent scoreless in any given period.
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds return home for an in-region battle with Grand Valley State on Thursday at 3 p.m. from Key Stadium. UIndy will then open up GLVC action on Saturday at Lewis.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETICS
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/
MNCHESTER 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/
HOY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 11 – 33 – 32
March 25, 1937 – Shocking breaking news of the day was the discovery that Quaker Oats paid Babe Ruth, Number 3 of the New York Yankees an amazing sum of $25,000 for an endorsement of their product. Remember in this era the average American averaged about $975.00 per year in wages and the average price of a brand new car rolling off of the lot was about $760.
March 25, 1937 – Number 3 of the Montreal Maroons, star defenseman, Lionel Conacher missed the shot on the very first Stanley Cup playoff penalty shot. The Maroons would fall to the New York Rangers who would end up losing the finals to the Detroit Red Wings.
March 25, 1961 – At the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship the Bearcats of Cincinnati defeated cross state rival Ohio State, 70-65 in OT. The Buckeyes’ future Hall of Fame forward Jerry Lucas, Number 11 is Most Outstanding Player for second straight year.
March 25, 1967 – NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship had the John Wooden led UCLA Bruins knocking off the University of Dayton, 79-64. Bruins center Lew Alcindor, Number 33 wins the MOP. We know that he would eventually change his name to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
March 25, 1972 – NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship it once again was UCLA a winner this time over Florida, 81-76. 6th straight title for Bruins; future Hall of Fame center Bill Walton, Number 32 tournament MOP
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1910 Hugh Chalmers, the president of the Chalmers Motor Car Company of Detroit, announces his Model 30, one of the most luxurious autos of its day, will be awarded to the player with the highest batting average this season. Nap Lajoie goes 8-for-9, beating out seven bunts, when Browns’ Red Corriden purposely plays deep at third base, raising the Indian infielder’s final average to .384 to surpass Ty Cobb for the controversial batting title.
1914 Babe Ruth makes the first start of his professional career, defeating the world champion Philadelphia A’s, 6-2, in an exhibition game played in Wilmington (NC). The 19-year-old left-hander tosses a complete game for the International League’s Baltimore Orioles, allowing 13 hits and four walks in the
1934For the third time in six days, track and field Olympian medalist (javelin, hurdles, high jump) Babe Didrikson takes the mound to face a major league team. The Orleans Pelicans’ hurler pitches two scoreless innings against the Indians and lines out in her only at-bat.
(Ed. Note: Earlier this week, Babe Didrikson pitched for the A’s against the Dodgers and the Cardinals with the Red Sox as her opponents.-LP)
1935 The Cubs sell 32-year-old right-hander Pat Malone to the Yankees. The former 20-game winner (1929, 1930) will go 12-4 in 1936 but will post only a 19-13 record in his three-year tenure with the Bronx Bombers.
1945 Tryouts are granted to pitcher Terris McDuffie and first baseman Dave Thomas when a group of blacks appears at the Dodger offices in Brooklyn. The two players will work out at Ebbets Field in front of Branch Rickey on April 7.
1959 Infielder Bill White and third baseman Ray Jablonski are traded to the Cardinals by the Giants in exchange for pitching prospect Don Choate and right-hander Sam Jones. Although southpaw ‘Toothpick Sam’ will have three solid seasons in San Francisco, including a 20-win season, the Redbirds’ new first baseman will become a perennial All-Star and Gold Glover during his eight-year tenure in St. Louis.
1962 The Cubs, who haven’t had a manager since 1960, tap Elvin Tappe to be the team’s first head coach of the campaign after he posted a 42–54 record last year, the best by far of the four who led the club as members of Chicago’s college of coaches. When he gets off to a 4–16 start as the skipper, the 35-year-old veteran returns to the bench, playing 26 games as a backup catcher for the ninth-place team.
1963 The Reds sell journeyman pitcher Johnny Klippstein to the Phillies. After going 7-7 over two seasons with Philadelphia, the 37-year-old box salesman will help the Twins win the pennant in 1965, posting a 9-3 record.
1981 The Phillies trade Bob Walk to the Braves for outfielder Gary Matthews. The team’s new center fielder provides outstanding defense and has three solid seasons at the plate for Philadelphia, with Atlanta’s new right-hander compiling a 12-13 record with a 4.85 ERA during his three-year tenure with the club.
1985 The news is terrible for the Cubs when Circuit Court Judge Richard L. Curry rules that the existing laws banning night games are constitutional. The Chicago’s west-side club brought suit after giving up a home playoff game last season due to Wrigley’s lack of lights.
1989 he Pirates and Indians swap shortstops, with Jay Bell going to the Steel City and Felix Fermin joining the Tribe. Pittsburgh’s new slick infielder will be the team’s starting shortstop for the next eight seasons, winning a Gold Glove in 1993.
1997 The Indians send Kenny Lofton (.317, 14, 67) and Alan Embree (3-1, 2.79) to the Braves for Marquis Grissom (.262, 10, 57) and David Justice (.337, 30, 88). The deal saves Atlanta $5.8 million in salaries and helps the team sign hurlers Greg Maddux ($57.5 million, five-year) and Tom Glavine ($34 million, four-year).
2006 Acknowledging he may never play again, Jeff Bagwell announces he will start the season on the disabled list and seek consultation to determine if removing bone spurs from his shoulder would help prolong his career. The 37-year-old first baseman must stay on the injured list all season for the Astros to collect $15.6 million of the $17 million guaranteed contract from an insurance claim filed in January.
2008 At the corner of Carnegie and Ontario Avenues, Cleveland’s Brilliant Electric Sign Co. installs the brand new Progressive Field sign on the ballpark once known as Jacob Field since 1994. Progressive, a major insurance corporation headquartered in nearby Mayfield, agreed to pay the team $57.6 million for the naming rights for 16 years.
2008 In Japan’s Tokyo Dome, the Red Sox beat the A’s, 6-5, in the earliest major league opener ever played. Manny Ramirez’s tenth-inning double gives Hideki Okajima the victory, who used to pitch in this stadium for the hometown Yomiuri Giants.
2008 Miguel Cabrera (.320, 34, 119), acquired by the Tigers in a trade at the winter meetings with the Marlins, agrees to a $152.3 million, eight-year deal to play with the team. The All-Star third baseman, who had previously agreed to an $11.3 million, one-year contract in January, will compile a .326 batting average and hit 270 home runs during the span of the deal.
BASEBALL YEAR IN REVIEW: 1953 (BASEBALL ALMANAC)
Off the field…
After thre bloody years, one month, and two days of fighting, the Korean War officially ended. In the end the United States suffered 33,327 deaths and 102,000 wounded at a cost of $18 billion dollars. Under the terms of the cease-fire, Korea was re-divided at the 38th parallel (as it was the day the Communists had first attacked). Agreement was quickly reached in almost all areas, with the exception of a prisoner-exchange compromise. The United Nations forces refused to return prisoners who did not want to be repatriated and as a result, sporadic fighting continued over a two-year period until President Eisenhower threatened the use of nuclear weapons to achieve peace.
American Communist Party members turned spies, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, were executed on June 19th after being convicted of espionage for selling the formula for the atomic bomb to the Soviets. They were the first civilians put to death under the Espionage Act of 1917.
In the American League…
Boston Red Sox slugger turned combat ace Ted Williams safely crash-landed his damaged Panther fighter plane after being hit by enemy fire while flying a combat mission in Korea on February 19th. He later returned home from active-duty in August and finished the season with thirteen home runs and an incredible .407 batting average.
New York Yankee Mickey Mantle hit the longest home run in Griffith Stadium history with a five-hundred sixty-five foot “tape-measure” blast off pitcher Chuck Stobbs for a 7-3 victory over the Washington Senators on April 17th.
The St. Louis Browns set the Major League mark for most consecutive home defeats, after losing their 20th game in succession, 6-3 to the visiting Cleveland Indians.
In the National League…
Roy Campanella set the Major League record for most runs batted in by a catcher after smacking a three run home run in a 6-3 Brooklyn Dodgers win over the Philadelphia Phillies on September 7th. Campanella’s total of one-hundred twenty-five runs batted in topped New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra’s mark of one-hundred twenty-four set in 1950. The perennial All-Star had also set the National League mark for most home runs by a catcher the previous day after topping the Chicago Cubs’ Gabby Hartnett who hit thirty-seven in 1930.
Cincinnati’ ball club officially changed its name from the “Reds” to the “Redlegs”, in response to the McCarthy era pressure of anti-communism. They later reverted back to the Reds in 1959.
Former Chicago Cubs pitcher Boyd Tepler was denied in the U.S. Court of Appeals after filing a $450,000 grievance against Major League Baseball and owner William Wrigley. The lawsuit, filed in 1951, accused his coaching staff of negligence that led to a premature career-ending arm injury in 1944.
Around the League…
United States Immigration Commissioner Mackey warned that all Major League alien ballplayers who jumped U.S. pro-contracts faced deportation under the McCarran-Walter Act.
After seventy-seven years, the Boston Braves became the Milwaukee Braves in the first franchise shift in baseball since 1903 when Baltimore moved to New York (Yankees). As a result, Milwaukee assumed Pittsburgh’s place in the Western Division for scheduling purposes and the Brewers were moved to Toledo.
In an effort to prevent the decline of baseball in small towns and cities throughout the country, Senator Edwin C. Johnson offered a bill to give all ball clubs the sole right to ban radio and/or television broadcasts of major league games in their own territories. The bill was intended to restore the equity between large communities and the small areas and was in direct response to the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department who had prohibited teams from banning any broadcasts in 1949.
On June 3rd, U.S. Congress officially cited the research of New York City librarian Robert Henderson that clearly proved Alexander Cartwright had “founded” the game of baseball and not Abner Doubleday. Henderson’s book “Bat, Ball and Bishop”, which was published in 1947, documented Cartwright’s contribution to the origins of the game.
BASEBALL’S GREAT PITCHERS
Kid Nichols
Charles Augstus Nichols was born into a large family on September 14, 1869 in Madison, Wisconsin. His father was a butcher there for many years and briefly served as an alderman. For a few years before Charles was born, his half-brothers James and John were regulars for Madison’s Capital Citys club, which was connected to the National Association of Base Ball Players. After Charles arrived, the names of his brothers Will and George would also occasionally show up in newspaper articles about local baseball games, such as one during 1877 in which Will, about nineteen years old, was the winning pitcher.
READ MORE: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/kid-nichols/
TODAY IN NBA HISTORY
March 25, 1973
The Philadelphia 76ers posted the worst mark in NBA history at 9-73 with Roy Rubin (4-47) and Kevin Loughery (5-26) splitting the coaching chores.
March 25, 1975
Golden State collected a then NBA record 25 steals in a 139-122 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Oakland Coliseum. The Warriors would tie their own record in a game against San Antonio February 15, 1989. Both Warriors teams were supplanted in the record book when Seattle garnered 27 steals against Toronto on January 15, 1997.
March 25, 1978
After defeating Buffalo 112-106 at home, the Phoenix Suns set an NBA record for steals in a season with 1,059.
March 25, 2012
The Atlanta Hawks defeat the Utah Jazz 139-133 in the first quadruple-overtime game in the NBA since the Phoenix Suns 140-139 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in 199.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
1934 — Horton Smith wins the first Masters golf tournament by one stroke over Craig Wood.
1947 — Holy Cross, led by George Kaftan, beats Oklahoma 58-47 in the NCAA basketball championship.
1958 — Sugar Ray Robinson regains the middleweight title for a record fifth time with a 15-round decision over Carmen Basilio.
1961 — Cincinnati ends Ohio State’s 32-game winning streak with a 70-65 win in the NCAA basketball championship. In the third-place game, St. Joseph’s beats Utah 127-120 in quadruple-overtime.
1967 — UCLA, led by sophomore Lew Alcindor’s 20 points, beats Dayton 79-64 for the NCAA basketball championship.
1972 — Bill Walton scores 24 points to lead UCLA to an 81-76 victory over Florida State and the NCAA basketball title.
1972 — Maryland beats Niagara 100-69 in the NIT championship, becoming the first team to score 100 points in the finals of the tournament.
1973 — The Philadelphia 76ers post the worst mark in NBA history at 9-73 under coaches Roy Rubin (4-47) and Kevin Loughery (5-26).
1982 — Wayne Gretzky becomes 1st NHL to score 200 points in a season.
1995 — Scotty Bowman gets his 900th regular-season coaching victory as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Canucks 2-1 in Vancouver.
2006 — Following the tradition of teenage American women pulling off big upsets, 16-year-old Kimmie Meissner uses the performance of her life to soar to the World Figure Skating Championships title.
2008 — Tennessee gives coach Pat Summitt her 100th NCAA tournament win, a 78-52 rout of host Purdue. The win sends the Lady Vols to the NCAA regional semifnals.
2011 — The Southwest regional is the first in NCAA men’s basketball history with three double-digit seeded teams in the semifinals. Virginia Commonwealth, an 11th seed beats 10th seed Florida State 72-71 in overtime and the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks beat No. 12 seed Richmond 77-57 in the region’s other semifinal.
2012 — In the NBA’s first quadruple-overtime game since 1997, Joe Johnson scores 37 points and Josh Smith adds 22 as the Atlanta Hawks beat Utah 139-133. The four overtimes tie for the third-longest game in NBA history.
2016 — Klay Thompson scores 40 points and Stephen Curry adds 33 to help the Golden State Warriors become the second team to post back-to-back 65-win seasons with a 128-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors improve their record to 65-7 following a 67-win season a year ago. The only other team to win at least 65 games in consecutive seasons was Chicago in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
2017 — Arrogate shows his class again in the $10 million Dubai World Cup as he comes from last place to win by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths.
TV SPORTS MONDAY
COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S)
2 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Mississippi at Notre Dame, Second Round
4 p.m.
ESPN — NCAA Tournament: Tennessee at NC State, Second Round
6 p.m.
SPN — NCAA Tournament: Syracuse at UConn, Second Round
6:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Oklahoma at Indiana, Second Round
8 p.m.
ESPN — NCAA Tournament: West Virginia at Iowa, Second Round
8:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Creighton at UCLA, Second Round
10 p.m.
ESPN — NCAA Tournament: Kansas at Southern Cal, Second Round
10:30 p.m.
ESPN2 — NCAA Tournament: Utah at Gonzaga, Second Round
COLLEGE LACROSSE (WOMEN’S)
4:30 p.m.
ESPNU — Northwestern at North Carolina
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
7 p.m.
SECN — Tennessee at South Carolina
MLB BASEBALL
1 p.m.
MLBN — Spring Training: NY Mets vs. NY Yankees, Tampa, Fla.
4
p.m.
MLBN — Spring Training: St. Louis vs. Chicago Cubs, Mesa, Ariz.
8 p.m.
MLBN — Spring Training: Boston at Texas
NBA BASKETBALL
7:30 p.m.
NBATV — Boston at Atlanta
10 p.m.
NBATV — Philadelphia at Sacramento
NHL HOCKEY
8 p.m.
NHLN — Vegas at St. Louis
SOCCER (MEN’S)
11:50 a.m.
FS2 — International Friendly: Azerbaijan vs. Bulgaria, Baku, Azerbaijan
1:50 p.m.
FS2 — International Friendly: Sweden vs. Albania, Solna, Sweden
TENNIS
11 a.m.
TENNIS — Miami-WTA Round of 16; Miami-ATP Early Rounds