INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL REGIONAL PAIRINGS
CLASS 4A
MICHIGAN CITY
CHESTERTON [19-5] OR VALPARAISO [13-13] VS. NORTHRIDGE [15-10] OR PENN [25-1]
HAMMOND CENTRAL [24-1] OR MUNSTER [24-2] VS. MICHIGAN CITY [18-6] OR MISHAWAKA [19-6]
LOGANSPORT
FORT WAYNE WAYNE [20-4] VS. NOBLESVILLE [19-6]
KOKOMO [21-4] VS. FORT WAYNE NORTH [16-9]
SOUTHPORT
NEW PALESTINE [23-2] VS. BROWNSBURG [20-4]
INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL [19-5] VS. BEN DAVIS [29-0]
SEYMOUR
EVANSVILLE REITZ [19-6] VS. JENNINGS COUNTY [22-2] OR NEW ALBANY [11-13]
BLOOMINGTON NORTH [18-5] VS. COLUMBUS NORTH [17-8]
CLASS 3A
SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON
NORTHWOOD [23-2] OR WEST NOBLE [21-3] VS. LAKE STATION [22-3]
JOHN GLENN [16-10] VS. SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON [18-5]
NEW CASTLE
TWIN LAKES [10-14] VS. FORT WAYNE CONCORDIA [18-6] OR FORT WAYNE DWENGER [11-13]
DELTA [17-9] VS. PERU [17-7]
LEBANON (BROADCAST ON INDIANASRN.ORG)
DANVILLE [18-7] VS. GUERIN CATHOLIC [16-8] OR INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD [15-9]
BEECH GROVE [16-6] VS. INDIAN CREEK [14-8]
WASHINGTON
GREENSBURG [20-6] VS. CORYDON CENTRAL [20-5] OR SCOTTSBURG [19-5]
NORTH DAVIESS [23-5] VS. GIBSON SOUTHERN [13-12]
CLASS 2A
NORTH JUDSON
NORTH JUDSON [23-3] VS. LEWIS CASS [17-7] OR WABASH [17-6]
CENTRAL NOBLE [18-6] OR WESTVIEW [16-8] VS. GARY 21ST CENTURY [19-5] OR ILLIANA CHRISTIAN [19-5]
LAPEL
FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK [23-3] VS. TIPTON [18-6]
WAPAHANI [24-1] VS. CARROLL (FLORA) [22-4]
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (BROADCAST ON INDIANASRN.ORG)
PARK TUDOR [16-8] VS. INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA [17-6]
PARKE HERITAGE [18-9] VS. NORTHEASTERN [21-5]
SOUTHRIDGE
FOREST PARK [9-17] VS. BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL [21-4] OR SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) [21-3]
LINTON-STOCKTON [26-1] VS. NORTH DECATUR [21-5]
CLASS 1A
TRITON
TRI-COUNTY [12-12] VS. MARQUETTE CATHOLIC [19-7]
KOUTS [16-9] VS. BETHANY CHRISTIAN [16-10]
FRANKFORT
FOUNTAIN CENTRAL [22-4] VS. LIBERTY CHRISTIAN [15-9]
SOUTHWOOD [12-12] VS. BLUE RIVER [20-6]
MARTINSVILLE
BLOOMFIELD [24-3] VS. INDIANAPOLIS LUTHERAN [16-7]
JAC-CEN-DEL [17-9] VS. BETHESDA CHRISTIAN [21-4]
LOOGOOTEE
LOOGOOTEE [19-7] VS. NORTHEAST DUBOIS [14-10]
NEW WASHINGTON [12-13] OR RISING SUN [12-13] VS. BORDEN [18-7] OR ROCK CREEK ACADEMY [9-14]
INDIANA SRN POWER POLL (REMAINING TEAMS IN TOURNEY)
4A
- BEN DAVIS (#1 AP POLL)
- PENN (#2)
- CATHEDRAL (#6)
- BROWNSBURG (#8)
- KOKOMO (#5)
- NOBLESVILLE (UR)
- NEW PALESTINE (#10)
- HAMMOND CENTRAL (#3)
- JENNINGS COUNTY (#9)
- CHESTERTON (UR)
(RANKED TEAMS ELIMINATED: #4 CENTER GROVE…#11 GREENFIELD CENTRAL…#12 CARMEL…#13 ANDERSON)
3A
- NORTHWOOD (#1 AP POLL)
- SCOTTSBURG (#11)
- GUERIN CATHOLIC (#12)
- NORTH DAVIESS (#6)
- SB WASHINGTON (#9)
- BEECH GROVE (#14)
- FW CONCORDIA (#13)
- BISHOP CHATARD (UR)
- DELTA (UR)
- GREENSBURG (#15)
(RANKED TEAMS ELIMINATED: #2 MISHAWAKA MARIAN…#3 NORWELL…#4 CONNERSVILLE….#5 OAK HILL…#10 TIPPACANOE VALLEY…#16 BREBEUF…#16 BATESVILLE)
2A
- LINTON STOCKTON (#1 AP POLL)
- BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL (#5)
- FW BLACKHAWK (#3)
- WAPAHANI (#2)
- PARK TUDOR (UR)
- GARY 21ST CENTURY (#7)
- CARROLL FLORA (#10)
- TIPTON (#14)
- WABASH (UR)
- SCECINA (UR)
(TEAMS ELIMINATED: #4 SOUTH SPENCER…#8 PROVIDENCE…#12 SOUTH ADAMS…#13 EASTERN HANCOCK…#15 SOUTH KNOX
1A
- LOOGOOTEE (#4 AP POLL)
- BLOOMFIELD (#1)
- LUTHERAN (#8)
- BETHESDA CHRISTIAN (#6)
- LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (UR)
- SOUTHWOOD (UR)
- BLUE RIVER (#11)
- MARQUETTE CATHOLIC (#10)
- NE DUBOIS (UR)
- BORDEN (UR)
(RANKED TEAMS ELIMINATED: #2 ORLEANS…#5 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN…#7 MORGAN TOWNSHIP…#9 EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN…#12 TRI….#13 TRADERS POINT
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
#1 HOUSTON 67 MEMPHIS 65
#5 PURDUE 76 ILLINOIS 71….MATT PAINTER POST GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTdNlpUJhRU
#15 INDIANA 75 MICHIGAN 73 OT...MIKE WOODSON POST GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dKiqm7iSXw
PENN STATE 65 #21 MARYLAND 64
DRAKE 77 BRADLEY 51
CINCINNATI 97 SMU 74
CENTRAL FLORIDA 84 E. CAROLINA 58
NEBRASKA 81 IOWA 77
TULANE 83 TEMPLE 82
WICHITA STATE 69 S. FLORIDA 49
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/CBK/SCOREBOARD.ASP?CONF=-1&DAY=20230305
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
#1 SOUTH CAROLINA 74 TENNESSEE 58
#7 IOWA 105 #14 OHIO STATE 72
#8 VIRGINIA TECH 75 LOUISVILLE 67
#9 UCONN 81 MARQUETTE 52
#11 VILLANOVA 63 CREIGHTON 61
WASHINGTON STATE 65 #19 UCLA 61
ST. LOUIS 91 MASSACHUSETTS 85 OT
NEVADA 65 FRESNO STATE 53 OT
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/WCBK/SCOREBOARD.ASP?CONF=-1&DAY=20230305
NBA SCOREBOARD
PHOENIX 130 DALLAS 126
INDIANA 125 CHICAGO 122
LA LAKERS 113 GOLDEN STATE 105
BROOKLYN 102 CHARLOTTE 86
PORTLAND 122 ORLANDO 119
HOUSTON 142 SAN ANTONIO 110
OKLAHOMA CITY 129 UTAH 119
NEW YORK 131 BOSTON 129 2OT
MILWAUKEE 117 WASHINGTON 111
LA CLIPPERS 135 MEMPHIS 129
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NBA/SCOREBOARD.ASP
NHL SCOREBOARD
CAROLINA 6 TAMPA BAY 0
PHILADELPHIA 3 DETROIT 1
VEGAS 4 MONTRÉAL 3
NEW JERSEY 5 ARIZONA 4
SEATTLE 3 COLORADO 2
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NHL/SCOREBOARD.ASP
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL – SPRING TRAINING
ARIZONA 6 CLEVELAND 4
TEXAS 7 LA ANGELS 5
LA DODGERS 8 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 4
KANSAS CITY 5 SAN FRANCISCO 1
LA ANGELS 8 CINCINNATI 5
SEATTLE 6 MILWAUKEE 1
SAN DIEGO 10 OAKLAND 3
CHICAGO CUBS 6 COLORADO 5
CINCINNATI 12 OAKLAND 4
BOSTON 4 MIAMI 1
MINNESOTA 6 DETROIT 2
NY YANKEES 10 ATLANTA 6
HOUSTON 6 WASHINGTON 2
PITTSBURGH 5 MINNESOTA 2
NY METS 7 ST. LOUIS 1
BALTIMORE 5 TAMPA BAY 2
TORONTO 16 PHILADELPHIA 4
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/MLB/SCOREBOARD.ASP
COLLEGE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD:
HTTPS://D1BASEBALL.COM/SCORES/?DATE=20230305
COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES:
HTTPS://WWW.NCAA.COM/SCOREBOARD/SOFTBALL/D1
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
2023 BIG TEN MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKET ANNOUNCED
ROSEMONT, Ill. (March 5, 2023) – The Big Ten Conference has announced the full bracket for the 26th Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament presented by TIAA, set to take place March 8-12 at the United Center in Chicago.
All-session and single-session tickets for the 2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament are on sale at the United Center box office and online at UnitedCenter.com/2023BigTenTickets. For more information on this year’s tournament, visit the Big Ten Tournament Central page at bigten.org/MBBT.
All 13 games of this year’s Big Ten Tournament will be televised live, with the first, second and quarterfinal round games from Wednesday through Friday broadcast on the Big Ten Network, as well as on the FOX Sports app. The Big Ten Tournament semifinal and championship games will be televised live on CBS and the Paramount+ app.
Purdue (26-5, 15-5 Big Ten) is the No. 1 seed for the 2023 tournament after collecting its 13th outright Big Ten Championship and league-best 25th title overall. Ranked No. 5 in the nation, the Boilermakers have spent 15 consecutive weeks ranked in the AP top five, including seven weeks at No. 1.
Northwestern (21-10, 12-8) earned the No. 2 seed for the tournament after scoring a 65-53 win over Rutgers on the final night of the season. The Wildcats’ 12 Big Ten wins are the most in program history, while their 21 total wins are tied for second in program annuls.
Indiana (21-10, 12-8) claimed the No. 3 seed with a thrilling 75-73 overtime victory over Michigan. The Hoosiers have been ranked among the AP top 25 for 13 of the season’s 16 weeks. The team’s 12 conference wins are its most since the 2015-16 season when the team went 15-3 in Big Ten play.
Michigan State (19-11, 11-8) secured the No. 4 seed after navigating one of the nation’s toughest schedules. Per KenPom.com, the Spartans have faced the nation’s No. 1 toughest slate of opposing offenses in the country, the 14th-toughest slate of opposing defenses and ranks No. 5 overall in strength of schedule.
Each of the tournament’s top four seeds have earned double-byes and will open tournament play in Friday’s quarterfinal round.
The 2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, March 8 (First Round)
Game 1 (#12 Wisconsin vs. #13 Ohio State) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)
Game 2 (#11 Nebraska vs. #14 Minnesota) – 25 minutes following Game 1 (BTN)
Thursday, March 9 (Second Round)
Game 3 (#8 Michigan vs. #9 Rutgers) – 11 a.m. CT (BTN)
Game 4 (#5 Iowa vs. Game 1 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 3 (BTN)
Game 5 (#7 Illinois vs. #10 Penn State) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)
Game 6 (#6 Maryland vs. Game 2 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 5 (BTN)
Friday, March 10 (Quarterfinals)
Game 7 (#1 Purdue vs. Game 3 winner) – 11 a.m. CT (BTN)
Game 8 (#4 Michigan State vs. Game 4 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 7 (BTN)
Game 9 (#2 Northwestern vs. Game 5 winner) – 5:30 p.m. CT (BTN)
Game 10 (#3 Indiana vs. Game 6 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 9 (BTN)
Saturday, March 11 (Semifinals)
Game 11 (Game 7 vs. Game 8 winner) – 12 p.m. CT (CBS)
Game 12 (Game 9 vs. Game 10 winner) – 25 minutes following Game 11 (CBS)
Sunday, March 5 (Championship)
Game 13 (Game 11 vs. Game 12 winner) – 2:30 p.m. CT (CBS)
NOTES: All times are approximate and subject to change … BTN games are also available on the FOX Sports app … CBS games is also available on the Paramount+ app … for more information, please visit the tournament web site at (bigten.org/MBBT).
TEXAS TECH SUSPENDS ADAMS OVER RACIALLY INSENSITIVE COMMENT
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) Texas Tech suspended coach Mark Adams on Sunday over “an inappropriate, unacceptable, and racially insensitive comment” he made to a player.
Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said he was made aware of the incident Friday and issued a written reprimand before deciding to suspend Adams to investigate further.
The incident occurred in a meeting between Adams and a player, who wasn’t identified, the school said in a news release.
“Adams was encouraging the student-athlete to be more receptive to coaching and referenced Bible verses about workers, teachers, parents, and slaves serving their masters,” the statement said. “Adams immediately addressed this with the team and apologized.”
The school didn’t immediately say who would fill in for Adams as coach for the Big 12 Tournament. Texas Tech (16-15, 5-13 Big 12) is the ninth seed and plays West Virginia on Wednesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
The 66-year-old Adams is in in his second season. He replaced Chris Beard, who left to coach Texas, his alma mater. But Beard was fired this season by the Longhorns after he was charged in a felony domestic violence case; prosecutors later dropped the charge.
The Red Raiders made the Sweet 16 in Adams’ first season but started 0-8 in the Big 12 this season. The team’s hopes for a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament are slim.
Three years ago, Pat Chambers resigned at Penn State after one of his former players revealed the coach said he wanted to “loosen the noose that’s around your neck” when talking to the player about helping him reduce stress. Chambers was hired to coach Florida Gulf Coast this season.
During the 2020-21 season, Creighton coach Greg McDermott apologized for telling his team after a loss to “stay on the plantation” as a way to reminding them to stick together. The school didn’t reveal any disciplinary action against McDermott.
SHEAD SCORES IN LAST SECOND, NO. 1 HOUSTON TOPS MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Jamal Shead scored 16 points, including the winning basket as time ran out, and top-ranked Houston escaped a second-half rally by Memphis for a 67-65 win Sunday in the regular-season finale.
Memphis’ Kendric Davis drove to the basket with nine seconds left and tied the game at 65. Houston chose not to call time out.
Shead then maneuvered along the top of the key, created some space from defender Elijah McCadden with a step-back move, let it go from about 18 feet and saw the ball nestle through the net as the lights around the basket showed time had expired.
“I knew coach (Kelvin Sampson) wouldn’t call time out because we’ve been in that situation before and he trusts me,” Shead said, adding: “God willing, I was able to make that shot.”
Sampson said there was too much time left to call time out after Davis tied the game, noting that it also would have allowed Memphis coach Penny Hardaway to make adjustments, put in better defensive players and switch on all ball-screens.
“The difference is we had them in retreat,” Sampson said. “When you get them back on their heels, then you can get a good shot.”
Tramon Mark matched Shead’s 16 points for Houston (29-2, 17-1 American Athletic Conference), while Marcus Sasser finished with 13. Shead also had seven assists.
Davis led Memphis (23-8, 13-5) with 26 points, while Chandler Lawson added 10.
A second-half run by Memphis, capped by a Davis 3-pointer, provided the Tigers a 56-51 lead. But they couldn’t hold it, and Houston scored 10 straight points.
The matchup between the conference’s top teams came two weeks after the Cougars defeated Memphis 72-64 on Feb. 19.
The first half was physical. Officials allowed some tough play near the basket, but Memphis still benefitted at the free throw line. At one point, Memphis had attempted 12 free throws to only one for the Cougars.
The Tigers couldn’t keep pace with Houston’s 3-point shooting, and the Cougars were up 41-32 at half. Memphis made four 3s before the midway point of the second half and took its first lead, 48-47, with 13 minutes left in the game.
“I had a bad game plan in the first half, and I’ll put this on my back,” Hardaway said. “My guys fourth for me. Got back in the game. Had a chance to win. Held them to 26 points in the second half. We’ll just try to do better next time.”
BIG PICTURE
Houston: The Cougars now have an 11-game winning streak. Houston already secured the top seed in the AAC Tournament, and will look for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Memphis: The Tigers entered the game with a 13-1 record at home. The Tigers, like the Cougars, already secured their spot as the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Houston should easily maintain the No. 1 spot in the Top 25 poll with the win, coupled with losses by No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Kansas.
THEY SAID IT
Sampson was complimentary of the Memphis crowd despite the 11 a.m. local time start, reeling off the litany of other places the Cougars had played on the road this season.
“This is the most raucous,” he said of the FedExForum crowd. “I can’t imagine what they would have been like if this had been a 5 (p.m.) game. Let them get a little Beale Street in them.”
He added that with 11 a.m. tip, “some of them might have come from church.”
UP NEXT
Houston: The AAC’s top seed gets a first-round bye before facing the winner of the game between No. 8 and No. 9 seeds on Friday.
Memphis: The No. 2 seed for the conference tournament will play the winner of the No 7. vs. No. 10 matchup on Friday.
DEVRIES LEADS DRAKE PAST BRADLEY FOR MVC TITLE, NCAA BERTH
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) Tucker DeVries scored 22 points and second-seeded Drake raced to its sixth NCAA Tournament berth with a 77-51 romp past top-seeded Bradley on Sunday in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game.
Garrett Sturtz and Darnell Brodie added 12 points apiece for the Bulldogs (27-7), who were in the title game for the third-straight year, losing the first two to Loyola of Chicago. They last won the tournament in 1996.
Brodie’s 3-pointer, his first attempt of the season, as the shot clock wound down in the closing minute was indicative of the game.
The Bulldogs hit 8 of 14 3-pointers and 28 of 50 overall while the Braves, trying to get to their 10th NCAA tourney, shot 34% (19 of 55).
Jo’Shon Henry scored 10 points and was the only player in double figures for Bradley (25-9). The Braves entered with a 12-game winning streak, including a 73-61 win over Drake on the final day of the regular season to win their first league title since 1996. That game ended Drake’s 10-game winning streak.
“The biggest difference is we had our whole roster,” Drake coach Darian DeVries said. “Our depth was really critical in this game. We have a veteran group and they really, really wanted this game. They’ve been here before and they were really hungry to get this one.”
The Bulldogs are the fifth oldest team in the country with two of the five 25-year older players at the D-I level. But Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, is just a sophomore, and wasn’t around when they got an at-large bid in 2021. Last year DeVries was the MVC Freshman of the Year and this season was the Player of the Year.
“All the guys, but obviously, having your son and being able to share that moment with him, I’m incredibly proud of him,” Darian DeVries said.
“It feels good. It’s what you dream of,” Tucker DeVries said. “I’ve came to this tournament my whole life but to be able to do it in my own shoes, it feels so good.”
The Bulldogs had an early 12-0 run to take a 14-3 lead and later a 16-5 run helped them take a 41-21 lead at the break. Drake was 5 of 10 from 3-point range and 14 of 29 overall while Bradley shot just 26% in the half.
After that, the lead was never below 17 – when Bradley hit a 3 to open the second half – and was as large as 32 after Brodie’s 3.
KENNESAW STATE WINS ASUN TITLE, EARNS 1ST NCAA TOURNEY BERTH
KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) Terrell Burden scored 19 points and made a free throw with less than a second left to rally Kennesaw State to a 67-66 victory over Liberty on Sunday, earning the Bulldogs their first Atlantic Sun Conference championship and their first trip to the NCAA Tournament.
It is a remarkable turnaround for Kennesaw State under fourth-year coach Amir Abdur-Rahim. The Bulldogs finished with a 1-28 record in 2019-20 – Burden’s freshman season and the first under Abdur-Rahim. They went 5-19 in Abdur-Rahim’s second season and 13-18 last year. Now the Bulldogs will bring a school-record 26-8 mark to their first Big Dance.
Kennesaw State can credit its victory to the defensive job it did on Liberty’s Darius McGhee, the ASUN player of the year and the conference’s all-time leading scorer. McGhee made just 6 of 21 shots from the floor and he was 0 for 11 from beyond the arc. McGhee came in averaging 22.7 points per game but finished with 14. Kyle Rode scored a career-high 23 points for the Flames (26-8). The senior made 9 of 14 shots with four 3-pointers.
Chris Youngblood hit all seven of his free throws and scored 16 for Kennesaw State. Demond Robinson pitched in with 10 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Brandon Stroud added 12 points and six boards.
Rode hit two 3-pointers and scored 11 to guide Liberty to a 29-27 lead at halftime.
Kennesaw State battled back to take a 48-43 lead on a 3-pointer by Simeon Cottle with 10:54 left in the game. The Bulldogs stayed in front until Rode hit a 3-pointer to cap an 8-0 run that put the Flames on top 53-51 at the 7:43 mark. Youngblood answered with a 3-pointer, Burden followed with a layup and Kennesaw State reclaimed the lead.
Colin Porter buried a 3-pointer to pull Liberty even at 66 with 23 seconds left. Porter was fouled on a drive to the basket with seven-tenths of a second remaining. He made the first one for the lead and intentionally missed the second one to run out the clock.
The contest marked the first time a game at the KSU Convocation Center was broadcast on national television. The Bulldogs notched their victory before an arena-record crowd of 3,805.
Liberty entered play 3-0 in its previous trips to the ASUN title game.
UNC ASHEVILLE RALLIES TO BEAT CAMPBELL 77-73 IN TITLE GAME
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Drew Pember had 29 points, Tajion Jones scored 16 in the final 7:35 and No. 1 seed UNC Asheville stormed back to beat seventh-seeded Campbell 77-73 on Sunday, winning the Big South Conference Tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time.
Ricky Clemons hit a jumper to give Campbell a 66-52 lead and then Jones took over. The senior guard scored 10 straight points for the Bulldogs (27-7) after Pember made two free throws to cut their deficit to 68-64 with 3:41 to go. Clemons and Jones traded 3-pointers and Pember followed with a three-point play to get UNC Asheville within 71-70.
Clemons hit a jumper with 1:44 to play but the Fighting Camels would not score again. Pember, who has attempted and made more free throws than anyone else in the country, sank a pair. Clemons was fouled but missed both free throws and Jones buried a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs on top 75-73 with 55 seconds left. The last time UNC Asheville had the lead the score was 13-11.
Pember, the Big South’s player of the year, hit 9 of 19 shots but just 1 of 6 from 3-point range. He made 10 of 12 foul shots. Jones sank 9 of 14 shots, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. They each grabbed eight rebounds. Fletcher Abee hit three from distance and scored 11.
Jay Pal scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Fighting Camels. The senior made 11 of 18 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. He added four assists and blocked two shots. Big South freshman of the year Anthony Dell’Orso scored 12 points – just two after halftime – and snagged seven rebounds. Clemons, a former walk-on now a senior, hit two 3-pointers and scored 17 before fouling out.
Pal had 16 points and eight rebounds by halftime to guide Campbell to a 38-35 lead at intermission.
The Fighting Camels (16-18) made their only trip to the Big Dance in 1992, losing to eventual champion Duke in the first round 82-56. Campbell is the sixth No. 7 seed to advance to the Big South title game. All six lost to the top seed.
UNC Asheville sports a 2-4 record in its four previous NCAA tourney appearances.
PENN STATE BEATS NO. 21 MARYLAND WITH WYNTER LAYUP AT BUZZER
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Camren Wynter made a layup with less than a second remaining, capping Penn State’s rally for a 65-64 win over No. 21 Maryland in the regular-season finale.
“Right place at the right time,” Wynter said after the game. “The ball just came to me and I finished it.”
Penn State trailed by as many as 16 points late in the first half, and Wynter got his team back ahead in the second half with an under-the-hoop putback.
Jalen Pickett scored 16 points, Andrew Funk had 14 and Myles Dread had 11 for the Nittany Lions (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten), who snapped a two-game losing skid to the Terps.
Jahmir Young scored 14 of his 26 points in the second half for Maryland (20-11, 11-9), who entered the afternoon looking to earn the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Tournament. Julian Reese had 12 points for the Terps, while Don Carey and Ian Martinez added 11 each.
“Frustrated and angry because we worked hard,” Maryland coach Kevin Willard said. “We’ve battled on the road, we just haven’t been able to finish.”
Penn State, which is looking to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, made 17 of 29 shots – including 6 of 16 from 3-point range – in the second half. It also had a 17-5 run over the final five minutes.
“We’re starting to take some question marks away,” Penn State coach Micah Shrewsberry said. “We’re paying our best basketball right now. This is what we’ve ben aiming for all season. Now, let’s go have fun.”
Penn State jumped out to an early lead, but Maryland surged back with a 14-0 run that included five 3-pointers, including three from Martinez. At the same time, the Nittany Lions went cold for nearly eight minutes, going 0 for 10 from the field.
The Terps earned their biggest lead of the game with five seconds left in the half when Carey sank a jumper to make it 35-19. Pickett cut it to 35-22 with a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer.
“I’m so proud of our guys,” Shrewsberry said. “We weren’t at our best. It took us awhile. I think Pick’s 3 gave us a little bit of hope, a little bit of momentum going into halftime.”
WYNTER’S CHILL
Wynter, a senior guard, transferred from Drexel, saying he believed the Nittany Lions could make an NCAA Tournament run.
He said that “the last couple of games … the only thing that’s been on my mind is helping this team win so we can keep moving on.”
He’s had a knack for late-game heroics lately: Wynter also drained a buzzer-beating 3 in overtime at Northwestern on Wednesday.
BIG PICTURE
Maryland: The Terps entered the day with a chance to be seeded as high as second in the Big Ten Tournament.
Penn State: The team heads into the Big Ten Tournament with 10 conference wins for the third time in program history. While its chances for an NCAA Tournament berth seemed to fade after coughing up a 19-point lead at home to Rutgers, Sunday’s win and a solid conference tourney run could have them in position.
UP NEXT
Both teams will play in the Big Ten Tournament. Game times had not been set as of Sunday afternoon.
NEBRASKA OUTLASTS IOWA DOWN THE STRETCH, WINS 81-77
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Sam Griesel scored 16 points, C.J. Wilcher broke a tie with five key points late in the game, and hot-shooting Nebraska defeated Iowa 81-77 on Sunday to close out the Big Ten regular season.
Wilcher scored on the fast break then added a 3-pointer for an 80-75 Nebraska lead with 2:33 remaining. The Cornhuskers committed fouls on their next three possessions but Iowa came up empty except for two free throws by Kris Murray. Nebraska made only 1 of 3 free throws in the final minute but Iowa failed to capitalize at the other end.
Nebraska shot 60% in the second half (58.5% for the game) and made 8 of 12 3-pointers after halftime.
Wilcher finished with 12 points, Jamarques Lawrence had 15 and Keisei Tominaga 11 for Nebraska (16-15, 9-11 Big Ten). All eight players who scored for the Cornhuskers had at least nine points.
Patrick McCaffery had 23 points off the bench for Iowa (19-12, 11-9) and Murray added 22 to go with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Filip Rebraca added 10 points but missed two key free throws in the final minute. Iowa made 9 of 21 3-pointers in the first half but only 3 of 16 in the second half.
McCaffery made five of Iowa’s nine 3-pointers in the first half and scored 16 points to lead the Hawkeyes to a 43-39 halftime lead. Griesel had 14 points and Tominaga 11 for the Cornhuskers who kept it close by shooting 57% before halftime.
The loss ended Iowa’s seven-game home winning streak.
Nebraska has won four of its last five games.
The conference tournament begins Wednesday in Chicago.
TAR HEELS SLIDE FROM PRESEASON NO. 1 TO NCAA TOURNEY BUBBLE
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) Roughly 20 minutes had passed since his North Carolina team had lost a grind-it-out battle against rival Duke, and Armando Bacot had taken his customary seat behind a small table with his back to a wall-mounted television.
The questions started coming from a reporters surrounding him, probing what had gone wrong. But they weren’t just about one game. They were about an entire season, one that has seen an experienced team open with a No. 1 ranking after a magical ride to the national-title game only to close the regular season in precarious at best standing for a return to the NCAA Tournament.
“Could you have ever thought that you’d be in this position?” one reporter asked.
“No,” Bacot said, “but I’m here.”
The Tar Heels (19-12) are flirting with becoming the first team to open at No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press poll and miss the NCAA Tournament since its expansion to 64 teams in 1985. They’ve struggled to make outside shots or win close games, building a postseason resume filled with far more missed opportunities than high-end wins.
And that has them headed to this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament likely needing multiple victories – and maybe nothing short of the title – to ensure they hear their name called on Selection Sunday.
They open play Wednesday as a No. 7 seed in a second-round game against the Louisville-Boston College winner.
There are multiple answers for what has gone wrong.
Second-year coach Hubert Davis has mentioned his team looking weighed down by some of the high expectations to repeat last year’s run, which included spoiling retiring Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game at Duke and then handing him the final loss of his career in the Final Four during an epic first-ever in the NCAA Tournament between the storied rivals.
“We knew since the start of the season,” starting guard R.J. Davis said. “Just the expectations that were being upholded, just out there in the media, just the noise. … Sometimes you put too much stress on yourself and you try to meet those expectations (instead of) just going out there and just play freely.”
Some problems are obvious, such as flirting with setting a program record for the worst 3-point shooting (.309) in a season – which has made it difficult to space the floor for driving lanes or Bacot inside unlike last year’s late run.
Yet there have also been trouble with details and closing out games, a surprise for a team that returned four starters.
Take Saturday’s 62-57 loss to the Blue Devils. UNC missed multiple shots for the lead or to tie late, the last being Caleb Love’s leaning 3-pointer down 60-57 with 8 seconds left. Yet both Hubert Davis and first-year Duke coach Jon Scheyer mentioned another telling sequence after UNC had hit back-to-back 3-pointers to take a 49-45 lead.
First UNC defender Puff Johnson allowed left-handed Duke wing Mark Mitchell drive to his strong hand and score on a layup.
Then Duke re-inserted Dereck Lively II, a defensive-minded big man who scores through movement and activity moreso than back-to-the-basket moves. Almost immediately, Duke point guard Tyrese Proctor saw Lively pick-and-rolling freely to the basket for a lob and tying dunk that erased momentum.
“That was the moment for us,” Scheyer said, “and that was the moment to dig down.”
“I’ve talked to you guys all year and to the team about the importance of discipline and details,” Hubert Davis said. “That’s a perfect example of discipline and details from a defensive standpoint. Those are things that have been told and taught. Those are the type of things you just can’t do down the stretch.”
Now the Tar Heels can only look forward to what’s left.
They stood at 1-9 in Quadrant 1 games atop the resume, the lone win coming last week against No. 13 Virginia at home. The losses included a four-overtime setback against now-No. 2 Alabama in November.
Of the 38 teams to be AP preseason No. 1 since 1985, nearly half (18) have at least reached the Final Four. Six teams won the championship – most recently, the Tar Heels in 2008-09 – and seven others reached the title game.
And of that group, nary a one has missed the field entirely.
“Yes, we know we’re in a tough spot,” R.J. Davis said. “but we’ve just got to go out there and just hoop.”
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BRACKET RELEASED
Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 — Quarterfinals
Game 1: No. 1 Toledo vs. No. 8 Buffalo, 11 AM ET (ESPN+)*
Game 2: No. 4 Kent State vs. No. 5 Northern Illinois, Time TBA (ESPN+)*
Game 3: No. 2 Bowling Green vs. No. 7 Eastern Michigan, Time TBA (ESPN+)*
Game 4: No. 3 Ball State vs. No. 6 Akron, Time TBA (ESPN+)*
Friday, March 10th, 2023 — Semifinals
Game 5: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 10 AM ET (ESPN+)
Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, Time TBA (ESPN+)*
Saturday, March 11th, 2023 — MAC Championship
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner, 11 AM ET (CBS Sports Network)
*Minimum 30 minutes between completion of prior game in the session
NO. 1 GAMECOCKS, COOKE TOP LADY VOLS 74-58 FOR SEC TITLE
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) South Carolina coach Dawn Staley hugged her players, took selfies with fans, even posing with cheerleaders and the pep band.
“Winning championships,” Staley said. “It never gets old.”
Staley and the top-ranked Gamecocks won their seventh SEC tournament title in the past nine seasons, pulling away from Tennessee in the final two quarters for a 74-58 victory Sunday.
Zia Cooke scored 24 points and tournament MVP Aliyah Boston added 18 points as South Carolina (32-0) continued its perfect season and headed into the NCAAs as the clear-cut favorite for a second straight national title.
The victory was a measure of redemption for the Gamecocks, who were beaten in the finals a year ago by Kentucky – and the program hasn’t lost since.
“The mentality we have to win all over the court,” Cooke said. “This means a lot, but we’re not done yet.”
When it was over, South Carolina players came out to hug each other as the large group of fans – the arena is about 90 minutes away from the Gamecocks’ campus – cheered the latest success.
Boston was named the tournament MVP. She said it’s been a total team effort to get this, from the most experienced starter to the freshmen who don’t see the court as much. “Everyone is buying into the process,” Boston said.
Not that it came easily. Third-seeded Tennessee (23-11), sky high after taking down No. 4 LSU on Saturday night in the semifinals, trailed 39-36 after Rickea Jackson’s 3-pointer early in the second quarter.
The Gamecocks, the SEC regular-season champs, answered with a 16-4 burst powered by Boston and Cooke to open this one up and win their 38th straight dating back to last season’s NCAA Tournament run.
Tennessee was playing in its first SEC final since 2015 and figured to be physically and emotionally exhausted after rallying from 17 points down to stun the Tigers.
Instead, the Lady Vols went toe-to-toe with the SEC’s reigning powerhouse in South Carolina.
Boston made her first five shots of the opening quarter, yet Tennessee answered every one including a basket by a falling Horston to keep things tight at 21-19 after the first 10 minutes.
When South Carolina scored 12 straight points to lead 33-21, Horston had three more baskets and Sara Puckett a bucket off glass to get to half down just 37-31.
But the Gamecocks third-quarter push was too much for Tennessee. Horston led the Lady Vols with 19 points, only five of those coming after halftime.
“We were definitely a little low in the (gas) tank,” Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said.
Rickea Jackson scored 60 points her first two SEC tourney games, but just 16 on 7-of-19 shooting against South Carolina.
The Gamecocks played without starting point guard in Kierra Fletcher. The grad transfer from Georgia Tech had started 29 games this season, but hurt her left ankle after a hard fall in the semifinal win over Ole Miss on Saturday.
Fletcher wore a boot on the affected area. She’ll have nearly two weeks before the Gamecocks open NCAA play at home.
BIG PICTURE
Tennessee: The Lady Vols showed they won’t be overlooked in the postseason after rallying from 17 points down to defeat No. 4 LSU in the SEC semifinals. A top-four seed would be a huge step for a team that had started the season 7-6 after a loss at Stanford the week before Christmas.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks were on a mission this season, a big part of it involved this event which their surprisingly lost to Kentucky after leading most of the way. The No. 1 recruiting class led by Boston, Cooke, Brea Beal and Laeticia Amihere, have won three of the four finals they were in.
SHARING THE HONORS
Staley said Boston gave her all-tournament team trophy to teammate Laeticia Amihere, another senior who totalled 37 points and 13 rebounds in the tournament’s three games. Staley said it was a testament to her players focused on success of everyone on the team.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Tennessee forward Jordan Horston said her team will learn from its defeat and bounce back to excel in the NCAA tournament. She believes if the Lady Vols face South Carolina again, it could be a different result. “We’ve got what it takes to beat them,” Horston said. “We’ve got what it takes to beat anybody.”
UP NEXT
Tennessee will wait to see it will host its first two NCAA Tournament games or have to travel.
South Carolina gets two more games at home to start the NCAAs.
NO. 9 UCONN ROUTS MARQUETTE 81-52 IN BIG EAST SEMIFINAL
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) No. 9 UConn lost to Marquette in February. However, it’s March now and the Huskies are playing at a different level.
Aaliyah Edwards and Dorka Juhasz each put up double-doubles for the second consecutive game, Nika Muhl added another and Connecticut advanced to its 19th straight conference tournament final with an 81-52 rout of the fifth-seeded Golden Eagles in the Big East Tournament on Sunday.
“We definitely have a different edge to us when March comes, when the games really, really, really matter,” Muhl said. “I think our energy was great today, our defense was amazing and we’re just going to continue to keep that up, because now every game matters.”
Edwards scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Juhasz scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Muhl did it a bit differently, with 11 points and 10 assists.
Lou Lopez Senechal added 14 points and Aubrey Griffin had 11 for the Huskies (28-5), who are seeking a 10th straight league tournament title.
Liza Karlen scored 18 points and Mackenzie Hare added 15 for Marquette (21-10).
The top-seeded Huskies held Marquette to 30% shooting, outrebounded the Golden Eagles 45-32 and outscored them 48-8 in the paint.
“The game, as it’s played here in college still, you have to have a tremendous presence in the lane on both ends of the floor,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. “And today, that’s exactly what we did.”
Connecticut never trailed and used an 18-4 run that stretched from the second quarter into the third to blow open the game.
Lopez Senechal scored the Huskies’ first five points, part of an opening 9-2 run and the Huskies led 20-12 after the first quarter.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Jordan King and Hare highlighted an 8-0 Marquette run that cut the UConn lead to 25-20.
But Marquette’s Chloe Marotta, who came in averaging almost 15 points a game, picked up her third foul with 3 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter. She finished with just two points on 1 of 9 shooting.
UConn went on a 12-2 run over the last five minutes of the half to take a 37-22 lead. The Huskies extended that in the third quarter and took their first 20-point lead at 46-26 lead on Aubrey Griffin’s jumper.
The Huskies will play Monday night for their third straight Big East Tournament title since rejoining the league after winning seven straight in the American Athletic Conference.
BIG PICTURE
Marquette: The fifth-seeded Golden Eagles might have earned an NCAA Tournament bid with their 10-point win over No. 4 seed St. John’s in the quarterfinals. The program, which was playing in its seventh consecutive Big East semifinal, also has that 59-52 home win over UConn last month on its resume.
“Our strength of schedule is pretty good, our NET (ranking) looking pretty good,” coach Megan Duffy said. “So, I hope the body of work outside of tonight’s game will be recognized.”
UConn: UConn hasn’t lost in a Big East semifinal since Boston College earned a win in 2004. The Huskies went on to win the national championship that season.
INJURY UPDATE
The Huskies are hoping the return of star guard Azzi Fudd in this tournament could propel them the same way last year’s return of Paige Bueckers from injury late in the season sparked their run to a 14th straight Final Four. Fudd played in her second straight game after missing 22 this season with a pair of knee injuries. She had four points in 20 minutes. Caroline Ducharme, who took a blow to the head on Saturday after recently returning from a concussion, played just 13 minutes and scored two points.
Auriemma said he expects both to be able to play as needed by the time the NCAA Tournament begins.
UP NEXT
UConn will play the winner of the semifinal between No. 11 Villanova and Creighton on Monday night.
NO. 8 VIRGINIA TECH BEATS LOUISVILLE FOR 1ST ACC CROWN
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) Kenny Brooks walked over to an end-zone section of Virginia Tech fans and gave a fist-pumping release as his players climbed steps to cut down a piece of the net.
A few minutes later, Brooks was up there himself, snipping down the final strand hanging from the rim before turning to Hokies fans and leading a “Let’s go Hokies!” chant.
The moment had finally arrived for Brooks and his eighth-ranked Hokies, who continued their late-season tear by beating Louisville 75-67 on Sunday to win the program’s first Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” Brooks said on the court as his players celebrated around him.
It came with another strong scoring effort from Georgia Amoore, who scored 25 points and earned tournament MVP honors for the third-seeded Hokies (27-4). There was two-time league player of the year Elizabeth Kitley adding another 20 points in her role as the inside constant. And there was Taylor Soule, emerging from a scoreless first half to provide the third-quarter lift that helped keep the Hokies on course for their 11th straight win.
Virginia Tech’s first trip to the ACC title game into a strong finishing act, pushing to a double-digit lead before halftime and keeping the Cardinals at arm’s distance the rest of the way. And that capped a three-game run in Greensboro in which the Hokies trailed for a total of 3 minutes, 15 seconds – all in the first quarter of Sunday’s game.
“I think all of us knew we were going to win,” Kitley said. “From the start of the tournament, we’ve been talking about it. Obviously we’ve been taking it day by day, game by game. But definitely throughout the game we all knew that we had it and we didn’t lose our cool, even when they were hitting big shots.”
Before Sunday, the Hokies had been as far as the ACC semifinals only once since joining the league for the 2004-05 season – and that came last year. Now they’re celebrating a milestone victory under Brooks, who has built this program to the top of the league in Year 7.
When the horn finally sounded, Kitley and Kayana Traylor skipped to midcourt to meet the rushing mob of players and coaches from the Hokies sideline headed for a midcourt celebration as the streamers and confetti dropped from the Greensboro Coliseum rafters.
Amoore earned MVP honors of the tournament, while Soule was soon taking photos of teammates lining up to pose with the championship trophy. A bit later, she stood on the stage choking back tears while teammate Clara Ford – who had transferred with her from Boston College – had her arm around her.
“I’m proud,” Soule said.
Chrislyn Carr scored a season-high 27 points to lead fourth-seeded Louisville (23-11), which fell behind by 13 in the first half as Amoore and Kitley got going. The Cardinals got no closer than seven points after halftime until the frantic final seconds, with the Hokies showing the toughness and resilience to turn away every push by Louisville and close this one out.
“I was proud of our kids,” Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. “I thought we kept fighting, continued to fight, and there was no quit in them.”
Louisville made its closest push in the frantic final seconds to within 73-67 on Merissah Russell’s 3-pointer with 28 seconds left. But Kitley hit two critical free throws with 15.1 seconds to go that pushed the lead back to eight for what turned out to be the final margin.
This was the Cardinals’ fourth finals appearance, the first being a title win in 2018 followed by losses to Notre Dame in 2019 and North Carolina State on a late basket in 2021. Their first two wins came against Wake Forest and No. 10 Notre Dame, which had taken regular-season meetings against them.
BIG PICTURE
Louisville: The Cardinals started the year ranked No. 7 but fell out of the poll before December and had remained unranked the rest of the year. But they entered this game having gone 7-2 since the start of February, with both losses coming to the Fighting Irish. That has put them within reach of potentially hosting opening-round NCAA Tournament games,.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies lost since falling Jan. 26 at now-No. 13 Duke. That included a road win at No. 18 North Carolina on Kitley’s last-second shot last week, then romps against Miami and the Blue Devils through the first two games in Greensboro before cutting down the nets Sunday. They’ll carry all that momentum into the NCAAs.
SOULE’S SPARK
Soule had all 13 of her points after halftime, including nine in the third quarter with multiple finishes in the paint as the Hokies poked and probed the Cardinals’ trapping pressure.
UP NEXT
Both Louisville and Virginia Tech await their NCAA Tournament seeding, with the Hokies holding the ACC’s automatic bid to the field.
NBA NEWS
DAVIS LEADS LAKERS PAST WARRIORS 113-105 IN CURRY’S RETURN
LOS ANGELES (AP) Anthony Davis scored 39 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Lakers held on for a 113-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday despite Stephen Curry’s 27 points in his return to the lineup.
The Lakers led most of the game but a 3-pointer by Golden State’s Anthony Lamb tied it at 91 with 5:37 remaining in the game. Los Angeles ran off seven straight points and would go up 103-95 before 3-pointers by Klay Thompson and Curry made it a two-point game with 1:46 remaining.
That would be as close as the Warriors would get though as they missed three straight from beyond the arc and the Lakers converted at the foul line.
Austin Reaves scored 16 points and Troy Brown Jr. 14 for the Lakers, who have split their four games with LeBron James out of the lineup due to a foot tendon injury.
Curry, who missed 11 games due to a left leg injury, was 3 of 11 from the field with eight points after three quarters but scored 19 in the final 12 minutes.
Thompson added 22 points as the Warriors had their five-game winning streak snapped.
Los Angeles took three of the four meetings against the defending NBA champions.
The Lakers jumped out to a 32-12 lead with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter on the strength of a 28-5 run that included 12 points by Davis.
The Warriors countered with a 28-9 rally that was keyed by six 3-pointers. Curry had eight straight points during the run while Donte DiVincenzo and Jordan Poole scored six apiece.
A 3-pointer by DiVincenzo tied it at 57 early in the third quarter before the Lakers scored 10 straight points. Los Angeles had a 78-72 lead at the end of the third quarter.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Draymond Green had 15 points and nine rebounds. …. Thompson scored the first nine points before Poole hit a free throw with 6:43 remaining in the first.
Lakers: Mo Bamba sprained his left ankle during the first quarter and did not return.
UP NEXT
Warriors: Travel to Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
Lakers: Host Memphis on Tuesday.
DURANT TIEBREAKER LIFTS SUNS OVER MAVS IN SHOWCASE OF STARS
DALLAS (AP) Kevin Durant’s tiebreaker jumper was like so many before – right on target in the closing seconds.
Luka Doncic’s potential tying floater moments later in front of the rim was unlike most of his – spinning around and out.
What happened next was familiar – a little bad blood from last season’s playoff series spilling, with Doncic and Devin Booker nose-to-nose before getting double technicals.
Durant scored 37 points, including the go-ahead shot, to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 130-126 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in a thrilling showcase of stars for both teams.
The first meeting between Durant and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving since they were traded by Brooklyn before the deadline last month was even at 126-all when Durant pulled up over Tim Hardaway Jr. and Irving, who scrambled over for the double team when Durant went to his left.
Too late.
“Nobody’s ever going to retreat when they guard me,” Durant said. “So sometimes I’ve got to veer off instead of straight-line driving it. I felt like I had a good handle on the ball. Once I had it on my hip I felt like I was in good position to stop on a dime.”
Irving scored 30 points exactly four years to the day since the last time he faced Durant, when his Boston Celtics blew out Durant and his Golden State Warriors 128-95.
Doncic had 34 points and nine rebounds before the point-blank shot that could have tied it. He grabbed Durant for a foul after the rebound with 3.5 seconds remaining.
After the foul, Doncic and Booker, who scored 36 points, pushed and jawed at each other as officials and team personnel separated them before Durant’s two clinching free throws.
It was the 14th technical of the season for Doncic, two away from a one-game suspension.
The teams finished tied 2-2 in the season series, with playoff seedings in the Western Conference wide open below top-seeded Denver.
The bunched-up standings could mean an early rematch from last season’s West semifinals, when Doncic and the Mavs blew out Booker, Chris Paul and the Suns in Game 7 in Phoenix.
A photo of a goofy-grinning Doncic looking at Booker went viral after that series. The last regular-season meeting of 2022-23 brought more tension.
“I loved it,” said Hardaway, who scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half and was 6 of 8 on 3-pointers. “I know 77 isn’t going to back down from anybody. It was bound to happen at some point, them coming face to face. Just happy it happened here at home.”
Booker said he was talking to the official, but Doncic was skeptical.
“Based on the words, I don’t think so,” Doncic said.
Because Booker said he was talking to an official, the Phoenix star believed Doncic said something first with his expletive-laced message.
“You guys say you don’t want everybody to be friendly-friendly, there you go,” Booker said. “We got some smoke.”
Paul scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter for one of several tiebreaking or go-ahead buckets for both teams.
Phoenix two-way player Ish Wainwright, who was a role player 100 miles (160 km) down the road from Dallas at Baylor before a brief stint as a tight end for the Bears, went 4 for 5 from 3-point range in the second half for 12 points. The last of those 3s put the Suns up two with 2:07 remaining.
Durant was 12 of 17 from the field and 10 of 11 from the line in his first 30-point performance in three games since joining the Suns in a blockbuster deal with the Nets that came days after the Mavs acquired Irving.
Phoenix is 3-0 with Durant, while Dallas dropped to 3-6 since Irving joined the club. The Mavs are 2-3 on a six-game homestand, their longest of the season.
TIP-INS
Suns: Josh Okogie was 0 of 8 on mostly corner 3s when Torrey Craig hit one from the left corner and Wainwright dropped two in a row from the right corner to turn Phoenix’s 93-85 deficit into a 94-93 lead late in the third quarter. … Deandre Ayton had nine points and 16 rebounds. Just three of the points came after the opening minutes, but two were on a putback during the frantic final minute.
Mavericks: F/C Maxi Kleber was inactive after playing two games coming off a hamstring tear that had sidelined him since December. … F Davis Bertans (left calf strain) was available for the first time since Feb. 2.
THIGH ISSUE
Doncic left the court in the second quarter for treatment on a left thigh issue that he said has been affecting him for about a week. He said this was the worst the injury had felt but that it didn’t affect the missed shot late.
35 TIMES TWO
Durant and Booker are the first Phoenix teammates to score at least 35 points in the same game since Booker did it with TJ Warren in 2017.
UP NEXT
Suns: Play Oklahoma City at home Wednesday.
Mavericks: Play Utah on Tuesday to finish the six-game homestand.
QUICKLEY SCORES 38 IN START, KNICKS OUTLAST CELTICS IN 2 OTS
BOSTON (AP) Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high 38 points, playing 55 minutes in place of injured starter Jalen Brunson, and the New York Knicks outlasted the Boston Celtics 131-129 in two overtimes Sunday night for their season-high ninth straight victory.
Quickley had seven points in the second overtime and added eight rebounds and seven assists with Brunson sidelined because of soreness in his left foot.
“It was a huge performance by him,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. “I was going to give him rest at the start of the fourth, but then he knocked down a couple of shots and I thought the game was in the balance right there.”
Julius Randle had 31 points and nine rebounds, and RJ Barrett finished with 29 points and 11 boards for the Knicks, who held on when Boston’s Al Horford front-rimmed a 3-pointer from the right corner just before the final buzzer.
“I just think I rushed it a little bit,” Horford said. “I felt like I didn’t stay with my shot long enough.”
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 40 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and Horford finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Boston, which owned the NBA’s best record for much of the season, has dropped three of four and is a 1 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the Eastern Conference’s top spot.
“We’ve just got to get our swagger back,” Celtics guard Derrick White said. “Find a way to play with each other, have fun out there. I’m sure we’ll get it back here soon.”
Randle had 43 points in a victory at Miami on Friday that included an off-balance, game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
The Celtics were also missing a couple of key players in starting center Robert Williams III (left hamstring tightness) and reserve guard Malcolm Brogdon (right ankle soreness).
Quickley scored New York’s first seven points of the second overtime on a 3-pointer and two driving baskets, skipping in front of Boston’s bench celebrating after the last basket made it 128-123.
“When I laid it up, it was still rolling around, so I kind of skipped it, willed it in,” he said, smiling when explaining his last basket. “I just kept skipping down the floor. I was having fun, though.”
Horford nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner with 29.2 seconds left to push Boston ahead 121-119 in the first OT after Randle’s two free throws had moved the Knicks in front.
But Quickley’s driving one-handed flip in the lane tied it before Tatum missed on his baseline drive, sending it to double OT.
“You celebrate the team and you celebrate winning,” Thibodeau said of Quickley’s dancing, at times, after key baskets. “I want our team to have fun, I want them to have joy, but I don’t want it to get lost and I don’t want it to get twisted.”
Brown’s three-point play with 12.9 seconds left sent it to overtime.
Coming off an embarrassing home loss in their last game when they blew a 28-point lead against Brooklyn, the Celtics had opened a 14-point edge midway into the third quarter. The Knicks closed the quarter with a 9-0 surge and pushed their advantage to 100-89 on Obi Toppin’s driving layup early in the final quarter.
BAD EXAMPLE
Randle was whistled for a technical by referee Brett Nansel when he was showing what happened after being called for an offensive foul. The problem was he used his left shoulder to bump into Nansel’s chest as he was explaining it.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Quickley hit a 3 for the game’s first basket, raising his fingers in celebration. … Brunson was the Eastern Conference’s player of the month for February, averaging 27.3 points, six assists and shooting 52.9%.
Celtics: Coach Joe Mazzulla said Williams could be out “seven to 10 days.” … Tatum was ejected with two technical fouls in the teams’ last meeting, a 109-94 loss in New York.
GIANNIS TRIPLE-DOUBLE HELPS BUCKS OUTLAST WIZARDS 117-111
WASHINGTON (AP) Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points, had a season-high 13 assists and rebounded his intentionally missed shot with a second left for his fourth-triple double of the season as the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks beat the Washington Wizards 117-111 on Sunday night.
Jevon Carter added 20 points while shooting 6 of 10 from beyond the arc, and Jrue Holiday scored 19 in Milwaukee’s victory a night after a home loss to Philadelphia snapped a 16-game win streak.
It was just about over when Antetokounmpo dribbled to the basket and lightly tossed the ball off the backboard to himself for his 10th rebound.
“I was thinking about scoring the ball, but I feel like in those situations it’s best to kind of keep the ball,” Antetokounmpo said. “But yeah, I just try to play the game smart and kind of stole one.”
The Bucks made 22 of their 49 attempts beyond the arc, the most allowed by the Wizards this season, while moving 1 1/2 games in front of Boston for first in the Eastern Conference.
“We feel like we’ve got a lot of depth,” said Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer, who had six players hit multiple 3s. “We’ve got a lot of guys that are good shooters that can get hot from the 3-point line. So that’s part of a good team and being able to play on back-to-backs and make it through the season and be prepared for the playoffs.”
Bradley Beal scored 33 points for the Wizards, who remain 10th in the East and in line for the final play-in tournament spot. Kristaps Porzingis added 24 points and 14 rebounds for Washington, which lost for the second time at home in two nights.
“I’m happy with how hard we played and the product we’re giving our fans,” Porzingis said after Washington overcame an early 17-point deficit to make the game competitive. “Even though we had these two tough losses, I think it’s something positive we can take from these games.”
The Wizards gradually whittled away at the Bucks’ 11-point halftime lead and finally went in front following a during a run that stretched across the late third and early fourth quarter.
The Bucks responded by making five consecutive baskets, including two 3s each from Carter and Grayson Allen to retake the lead. Then Allen and Joe Ingles hit from beyond the arc again during another 12-4, game-sealing stretch.
“It was just taking the ones that was there,” Carter said. “It felt like when I was bringing it down, they just kept backing up, so I just was going to be aggressive in taking the shot.”
TIP-INS
Bucks: Rested forward Khris Middleton (right knee) after he played 27 minutes in Saturday’s loss to Philadelphia. … Had two baskets before halftime that were originally called 2-pointers upgraded to 3-pointers following video review.
Wizards: Sat F Kyle Kuzma after he injured his right knee in a collision in Saturday’s overtime loss to Toronto. “We’ve just got to give it a day or two to calm down,” said Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. … Unseld challenged Porzingis’ foul on Antetokounmpo with 8:19 to play in the third quarter, but it was upheld.
GORAN PLACES
The Bucks signed 14-year veteran Goran Dragic on Saturday as their third point guard, and on Sunday Budenholzer weighed in.
“To get someone of Goran’s quality, we feel very, very fortunate,” Budenholzer said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with the (regular season) schedule. It’s the playoffs and having your best team, and your deepest team. And to have as much coverage as possible for every scenario.”
The 36-year-old Dragic averaged 15.4 minutes, 6.7 points and 2.7 assists in 51 games before the Chicago Bulls waived him on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Bucks: Visit Orlando on Tuesday
Wizards: Visit Detroit on Tuesday
NHL NEWS
TERAVAINEN’S HAT TRICK HELPS CANES ROUT LIGHTNING 6-0
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Teuvo Teravainen had three goals, recent acquisition Shayne Gostisbehere scored in his first Carolina home game and the Hurricanes beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-0 on Sunday.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a goal and four assists and Andrei Svechnikov also scored for the Hurricanes, who’ve won 14 of their past 17 games. Martin Necas added three assists and Gostisbehere added two assists.
Frederik Andersen made 14 saves for his first shutout of the season and 24th of his career. Carolina went 4 for 5 on the power play and outshot Tampa Bay 38-14.
The Lightning lost for the fifth game in a row (0-4-1) and generated little offense, going without a shot on goal in the second period. Andrei Vasilevskiy had 32 saves.
Teravainen’s second career hat trick was secured with 8:57 remaining with his 10th goal of the season.
Gostisbehere was involved in the scoring on three of Carolina’s four power-play goals. His 12th goal of the season was his second with the Hurricanes.
Gostisbehere, a defenseman who was in his second game since being acquired in Wednesday’s trade from the Arizona Coyotes, has four points with his new team.
The Lightning had four shots on goal midway through the game. Shortly after that juncture, Nikita Kucherov, who had two of the shots, left because he was struck in the face by the puck. He later returned.
WORTH NOTING
It was the sixth time in Carolina franchise history that an opponent failed to record a shot on goal in a period … Lightning center Brayden Point’s seven-game goals streak ended. … Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman left barely more than a minute into the second period with an injury.
UP NEXT
Lightning: Home vs. Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Hurricanes: At Montreal on Tuesday.
DESLAURIERS, CATES LEAD FLYERS PAST RED WINGS 3-1
PHILADELPHIA (AP) Nick Deslauriers is mostly a fourth-line grinder for Philadelphia and certainly not on the team to score goals. So when he does punch one in – as he did to help the Flyers snap a four-game losing streak – it’s reason to cut loose.
“The guys are pumped. It’s funny,” Deslauriers said. “When I go to touch hands, they’re all laughing, so it’s great.”
The Flyers needed a lighthearted moment in a week full of more angst for the downtrodden franchise.
Deslauriers, Noah Cates and Scott Laughton scored goals for the Philadelphia Flyers and Carter Hart stopped 24 shots in a 3-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night.
The victory was a needed respite from the bubbling unrest surrounding the franchise.
Flyers fans have been fed up for years – the Wells Fargo Center is no longer one of the more intimidating arenas in the NHL – and anger reached its zenith this past week when general manager Chuck Fletcher declined to make any major deals at the deadline. James van Riemsdyk and Kevin Hayes were among the high-priced veterans that weren’t moved for any kind of prospects or draft picks.
One fan Sunday stuck a paper bag on his head and held signs that read “Fire Fletcher” and “Sell the Team.” Another fan wore a homemade Flyers sweatshirt with “FIRE FLETCHER” on the front. Fletcher was even booed Saturday at an event for season-ticket holders.
The Flyers were just plucky enough against the Red Wings – a day after Detroit lost 4-1 to the Islanders – to win for just the second time since early February.
David Perron scored his 16th goal for the Red Wings early in the first for a 1-0 lead, and Ville Husso had 34 saves.
Deslauriers stole the puck off a sloppy pass from Jake Walman at the far blue line and streaked all alone to score his fifth goal of the season. He put it past Husso for a short-handed goal in the second period and stretched his arms out like a plane as he skated away in celebration.
“You see the bench when he scores. They are so happy for him because of all the dirty he has to do for this team,” coach John Tortorella said. “He makes a good stick-check on the play. Huge play in the game to generate energy on the bench.”
The Flyers went up 2-1 in the second when Nick Seeler’s shot from along the boards was redirected by Cates for his 10th goal. The Flyers haven’t had much to celebrate this season, so both seldom-scorers were mobbed by their teammates for a rare reason to smile in a season that is mercifully near the end.
“It’s more about the team but to work hard and push defensively, but to get rewarded offensively, help the team and try to win a game here is huge,” Cates said. “So, if you can help offensively and defensively it’s a big game and you get some jump.”
Laughton scored an empty-netter in the final minutes in his 500th NHL game.
FEELING RED
The Red Wings are ready to get back home after allowing seven combined goals in consecutive days to the Islanders and Flyers.
“We need to be really exact to be successful,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “We can’t leave mistakes out there. The margin for error is beyond razor thin. What’s really disappointing is both of these games were very winnable and we put ourselves in position to win and we made some plays that didn’t help us.”
LEMIEUX DEBUT
Flyers F Brendan Lemieux made his debut after he was acquired from the Los Angles Kings in a trade deadline deal. Lemieux, son of former NHL player Claude Lemieux, is known more as an agitator and did not score a goal in 27 games with the Kings this season.
“I love it. I’ve always wanted to play in Philly,” he said. “I’ve already had more of an opportunity than I’ve had all year so I’m enjoying it. It’s nice to be playing hockey again and I’m having fun right now.”
UP NEXT
Detroit: Host Chicago on Wednesday.
Flyers: Play Tuesday at Tampa Bay.
GOURDE’S OT GOAL LIFTS KRAKEN TO 3-2 WIN OVER AVALANCHE
DENVER (AP) Yanni Gourde scored 1:24 into overtime, and the Seattle Kraken rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Sunday night for their fourth straight win.
Brandon Tanev and Alexander Wennberg also scored for Seattle and Philipp Grubauer stopped 21 shots against his former team.
Alexandar Georgiev rebounded from a rough game in Dallas the previous night with 32 saves, and Nathan MacKinnon and Denis Malgin had goals for Colorado.
The Kraken controlled the puck in overtime and won it when Gourde got a breakaway and beat Georgiev with a low shot for his 10th goal of the season.
“I didn’t see much of the net,” Gourde said. “He’s a great goalie, he challenged shots a lot. I didn’t see much, just felt that shooting low blocker was my best option.”
It spoiled a bounce-back game for Georgiev. He allowed five goals on 19 shots in a 7-3 loss to the Stars on Saturday and was pulled in the second period but he was sharper Sunday night. Georgiev made seven saves on Seattle’s two-minute 5-on-3 to start the third and 15 overall in the period.
“He played really well. He had some big saves, some timely saves,” Kraken center Jaden Schwartz said of Georgiev. “We had a decent amount of power plays and he made some big ones so we had to just stay with it.”
Colorado managed just seven shots on goal after the second period.
“It was tough sledding tonight, energy-wise,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “Mentally it looked like we were fried. I didn’t think our top guys had a very good night at all.”
The Kraken took advantage of that fatigue to take the season series from the reigning champions.
“I got a ton of respect for this team,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “They’re playing on a back to back so we had to find a way to take advantage of that.”
MacKinnon has points in nine of his last 10 games and leads the team with 74 despite missing three weeks in December with an upper-body injury. His 25 goals are second on the team to Mikko Rantanen’s 41.
MacKinnon gave Colorado the 1-0 lead at 9:19 of the first to extend his goal streak at home to six games.
Georgiev stopped Tanev on a breakaway early in the second but the Kraken tied it on Wennberg’s 12th of the season at 9:52.
Malgin put the Avalanche back in front with a breakaway goal at 11:45, his sixth of the season.
Seattle kept the pressure on throughout the third period and finally broke through when Tanev scored at with 2 1/2 minutes left to send it to overtime.
“Obviously, you’ve got to close down the game,” Andrew Cogliano said. “That’s what it comes down to.”
NOTES: Kraken F Andre Burakovsky missed his 13th straight game with a lower-body injury. Burakovsky won the Stanley Cup with Colorado last season. … Avalanche F Valeri Nichushkin was back in the lineup after not traveling with the team to Dallas due to an illness. He assisted on MacKinnon’s goal. … Seattle’s 21 road wins are the most in the Western Conference and third in the NHL
UP NEXT
Kraken: Host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Avalanche: Host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night.
MLB NEWS
MLB SAYS CLEVINGER WON’T FACE DISCIPLINE IN INVESTIGATION
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Major League Baseball said Sunday it will not discipline Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Clevinger after completing its investigation of domestic abuse allegations.
In a statement, the commissioner’s office said its investigation included interviews of more than 15 people, including Clevinger and a woman who said she is the mother of Clevinger’s child, as well as thousands of electronic communications and other documents.
Clevinger has voluntarily agreed to submit to evaluations by the joint treatment boards under the CBA and to follow any recommendations, according to the statement.
“I had nothing to hide and cooperated fully with MLB,” Clevinger said in a statement released by the players’ union. “This situation has been stressful for my family, and I thank them for their strength and support. I asked everyone not to rush to judgment until MLB’s investigation was concluded, and I appreciate everyone who had faith in me, including the White Sox organization and my teammates.”
In an Instagram post on Jan. 24, Olivia Finestead said she is the mother of Clevinger’s child and alleged he fathered two other children who were not hers. She posted a photo of marks on her body with accompanying words that alleged the injuries were “from when he threw an iPad at me pregnant” and “finally left when he strangled me.”
“Mike Clevinger,” she added, “you really deserve hell I’ve kept quiet now for almost a year and you continue to covertly abuse your infant.” She said Clevinger ”threw chew spit on our baby.”
The Associated Press typically does not identify victims of domestic violence or sexual assault unless they agree to be named or come forward publicly with their allegations, as Finestead had.
The 32-year-old Clevinger finalized a $12 million, one-year contract with Chicago in December. MLB’s probe predates his agreement with the White Sox. When he reported to spring training, Clevinger apologized for being a distraction and told reporters he was confident he would be exonerated.
Clevinger pitched for Cleveland from 2016 until being traded to the San Diego Padres during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
MEN’S GOLF
KITAYAMA EDGES MCILROY, ENGLISH TO WIN ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Kurt Kitayama let an All-Star cast of contenders back into the tournament with a triple bogey, only to beat them all with a clutch birdie and the best lag putt of his life to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday.
With five players tied for the lead with only three holes left, Kitayama pulled ahead with a birdie putt from just inside 15 feet on the par-3 17th hole for the lead. Then, his 50-foot putt on the last hole stopped an inch from the cup.
The tap-in par for an even-par 72 might have been the easiest shot he had all day.
Rory McIlroy roared into the mix with four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn, only to miss a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole for the lead. He had a 70 and finished one shot behind. So did Harris English, who went bogey-free on the weekend at crusty, windy Bay Hill for a 70.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler was a foot away from having a close look at birdie and a chance to take the lead. Instead, his ball spun back into the rough on the 18th and he finished with a bogey.
Jordan Spieth was among six players who had at least a share of the lead over the final two hours. He missed four straight putts inside 8 feet from the 14th through the 17th holes — three of them for par. He took the lead with a 15-foot birdie putt, then played his last five holes in 3 over.
Spieth (70), Scheffler (73), Patrick Cantlay (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (72) all finished two shots behind.
They all had a chance, mostly because of one swing. Kitayama had a two-shot lead when he hit a wild hook out-of-bounds on the ninth hole, leading to triple bogey.
These are the kind of players who kept beating Kitayama — Jon Rahm by one shot in Mexico, Xander Schauffele by one shot in the Scottish Open, McIlroy by one shot in the CJ Cup in South Carolina last year.
This time, the 30-year-old Californian who toiled around the world to earn a PGA Tour card had the final say.
Kitayama finished at 9-under 279 and earned $3.6 million.
“It went south on 9,” Kitayama said. “All of a sudden, I’m not leading any more. I just fought back hard, and I’m proud of myself for that.”
McIlroy tried a bold play on the par-3 14th without knowing he was right in the mix, the start of a bogey-bogey stretch that set him back. He hit the best approach of anyone on the 18th, right over the flag to 10 feet. The putt stayed to the right the whole way.
The finish was such pure theater that five players were tied for the lead deep into the final round, and all of them had chances to win.
“I certainly felt it on the golf course, so I’m sure it was pretty good to watch,” McIlroy said. “It’s hard because the lead was changing hands with guys making bogeys, not really making birdies. So don’t know how people find that entertainment value.
“But it was a great back nine. It was great to be involved with,” he said. “I’m really happy for Kurt. He’s been playing well for a while now and I’m happy to see him get his first win.”
Of the top seven players, all of them have either won majors or played in the Ryder Cup. The exception is Kitayama, who groomed himself for a moment like this with so many close calls against players with polished pedigrees.
Kitayama, who played at UNLV, didn’t find much success on the Korn Ferry Tour and took his trade overseas to the Asian Tour and European tour, with stops along the way on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa and the Japan Golf Tour.
Now he’s No. 19 in the world, with a red cardigan sweater for winning at Arnie’s place and a big feather in his cap for the players he had to beat.
He made it difficult on himself on the 18th, pulling his tee shot into dense rough. His only thought was to “just get it on the green, just give myself an opportunity.”
That was all he needed and he finally has a PGA Tour title to show for it.
Rahm, meanwhile, finished in a tie for 39th — his first time outside the top 10 since the Tour Championship last August. He still managed to stay at No. 1 in the world.
COLOMBIAN ROOKIE ECHAVARRIA WINS PUERTO RICO FOR 1ST PGA TOUR TITLE
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico (AP) — Colombian rookie Nico Echavarria seized control with two straight birdies on the back nine and closed with a 4-under 68 for a two-shot victory in the Puerto Rico for his first PGA Tour title.
Echavarria was soaked on a sunny day at Grand Reserve, with friends and family dousing him with champagne after he tapped in for par.
He tied the tournament record at 21-under 267.
“I’m happy with life right now,” Echavarria said. “After missing four cuts in a row, only making two cuts, you just doubt yourself. I’m very grateful I kept pushing and got it done.”
Akshay Bhatia, who plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, closed with a 65 to finish alone in second. Carson Young, who led through 36 holes, had a 71 and finished third tied with Nate Lashley (69).
Echavarria, a 28-year-old who played at Arkansas, becomes the third Colombian to win on the PGA Tour, joining Sebastian Munoz and Camilo Villegas.
Villegas finished some two hours earlier and stuck around to celebrate with his fellow Colombian. Villegas had sent him a voice message on Saturday, when Echavarria built a two-shot lead, telling him that there would be a moment Sunday when the rookie felt the tournament slipping away.
That came on the sixth hole, where Echavarria escaped with a bogey when it could have been worse. He birdied the seventh, bogeyed the next hole and didn’t make a mistake the rest of the way.
“I was able to keep it together in a stressful moment,” Echavarria said. “I’m grateful he mentored me in that way.”
The victory gets him into The Players Championship, with its $25-million purse next week at the TPC Sawgrass. He also earned a spot in the PGA Championship and has a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour.
Echavarria now lives near TPC Sawgrass, and he dreaded being home that week because all the best are playing down the street.
“I’m glad I got my spot there,” he said.
SOCCER NEWS
BIGGEST LOSS IN 90 YEARS FOR MAN U IN 7-0 ROUT AT LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) Liverpool brought Manchester United crashing down to earth with a stunning 7-0 rout at Anfield on Sunday in the visitors’ worst competitive defeat in more than 90 years.
Only a week after winning the League Cup, United experienced its biggest defeat in the Premier League and the club’s joint-worst loss in all competitions.
United has lost 7-0 on three previous occasions – the last time coming in 1931 against Wolverhampton. The score also eclipsed Liverpool’s previous best victory against United, which was a 7-1 win in 1895.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all struck twice and Roberto Firmino scored the other, with six of the goals coming in an explosive second-half performance.
It also delivered a major blow to Erik ten Hag’s four-pronged pursuit of trophies, with a league title challenge now looking increasingly unlikely.
Liverpool, meanwhile, took advantage of losses for top four rivals Newcastle and Tottenham on Saturday to strengthen its own bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Salah became the Merseyside club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer with 129 goals.
Liverpool may have endured a frustrating campaign so far as Jurgen Klopp’s side has struggled for consistency but Anfield was in raptures at the sight of fierce rival United being humbled on Merseyside.
To add to that, the gap to fourth-place Tottenham is down to three points, with Liverpool still having a game in hand.
While Liverpool eyed the top four, United knew anything other than a win would be a huge blow to its challenge for the title after Arsenal’s late 3-2 victory against Bournemouth on Saturday.
History, however, was not on the visitors’ side, having failed to win at Anfield since 2016. United lost 4-0 in the same fixture last season.
For all of United’s progress under Ten Hag, this was the latest test of his team’s nerve on the big occasion, having already seen losses at Manchester City and Arsenal this season.
And seven days after the Dutch manager won his first trophy at United came this humiliating setback.
Gakpo put Liverpool ahead in the 43rd minute when collecting Andrew Robertson’s pass. He immediately charged into the box, sidestepped Raphael Varane and then swept a shot past David de Gea and into the bottom corner.
United’s players had been guilty of wasting chances of their own before that goal with Bruno Fernandes missing the target with a far post header and Marcus Rashford firing tamely at Alisson with only the goalkeeper to beat.
If United fans expected a response after the break, they were instead left stunned by Liverpool’s explosive start to the second half.
Nunez extended Liverpool’s lead when heading in Harvey Elliott’s cross after Luke Shaw failed to clear the ball.
It was 3-0 in the 50th after Salah’s clever footwork beat Lisandro Martinez and he then clipped a pass for Gakpo to lift over De Gea.
From there it went from bad to worse for Ten Hag as his team still tried to get back into the match.
Liverpool ruthlessly exploited United’s ragged defense, with Salah making it 4-0 in the 66th and Nunez scoring again in the 75th.
It was 6-0 when Salah scored in the 83rd and substitute Firmino stepped off the bench to score in the 88th.
Liverpool’s seven goals came from just eight shots on target.
BIG 10 WRESTLING
PENN STATE CLAIMS BIG TEN WRESTLING TITLE
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Penn State won the 2023 Big Ten Wrestling Championships title on Sunday with a team score of 147.0. The Nittany Lions earned their seventh Big Ten Championship title and the program’s first since 2019. Penn State claimed four individual titles from Roman Bravo-Young (133), Levi Haines (157), Carter Starocci (174) and Aaron Brooks (184).
Iowa finished in second place with 134.5 points, followed by third-place Nebraska with 104.5 points. Ohio State claimed fourth place with 99.0 points and Michigan rounded out the top five with 84.5 points.
Iowa’s Spencer Lee was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships, while Nittany Lions’ Haines received the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award and head coach Cael Sanderson was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the seventh time.
Iowa’s Lee became the first Iowa wrestler in program history to win three Big Ten Championship titles at 125 pounds following an 8-2 win versus Nebraska’s Liam Cronin. At 133 pounds, Penn State’s Bravo-Young posted a 5-2 decision over Minnesota’s Aaron Nagao to successfully defend his third straight title.
Iowa’s Real Woods took home the 141-pound championship following a 2-1 decision against Nebraska’s Brock Hardy. Woods is the second Hawkeye in the last three seasons to claim the 141-pound title. The 149-pound title went to the Ohio State’s Sammy Sasso, who earned a 7-5 win in sudden victory against Minnesota’s Michael Blockhus. The title marked Sasso’s second Big Ten Individual Championship.
Penn State newcomer Haines became the first Nittany Lion wrestler to capture the 157-pound title since Jason Nolf in 2019 with a dramatic 3-1 win in sudden victory against top-ranked Peyton Robb of Nebraska. Top-seeded Dean Hamiti of Wisconsin captured the 165-pound crown following a 9-6 victory against Iowa’s Patrick Kennedy. Hamiti became the first Badger to win the 165-pound title since two-time winner Isaac Jordan in 2015 and 2016.
Penn State’s Starocci successfully defended his 174-pound championship with a 6-1 decision over Nebraska’s Mikey Labriola. At 184 pounds, the Nittany Lions’ Brooks became the seventh wrestler in program history to win at least three individual championship titles by virtue of his 12-2 major decision versus Kaleb Romero of Ohio State.
Silas Allred of Nebraska captured the 197-pound title following a 6-3 victory against Penn State’s Max Dean. The freshman became first wrestler in program history to capture the 197-pound title. Rounding out the group of individual Big Ten Champions was top-ranked Mason Parris of Michigan, who became the first Wolverine since 1998 to win the heavyweight title after defeating Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet 5-3.
The complete list of Big Ten individual awards and All-Big Ten honorees can be found below, while the full results are in the link above.
BIG TEN WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Wrestler of the Year: Spencer Lee, Iowa
Freshman of the Year: Levi Haines, Penn State
Coach of the Year: Cael Sanderson, Penn State
Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships: Spencer Lee, Iowa
2023 ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Spencer Lee, Iowa
Real Woods, Iowa
Mason Parris, Michigan
Silas Allred, Nebraska
Sammy Sasso, Ohio State
Roman Bravo-Young, Penn State
Aaron Brooks, Penn State
Levi Haines, Penn State
Carter Starocci, Penn State
Dean Hamiti, Wisconsin
BIG TEN HOCKEY TOURNAMENT RECAP
Semifinal pairings are set for the Big Ten Hockey Tournament as Michigan State and Ohio State won third-and-deciding games Sunday night on campus sites.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Ohio State scored three unanswered goals to post a 3-1 win over Penn State at Value City Arena.
The third-seeded Buckeyes (20-14-3) claimed the lead late in the second period on Scooter Brickey’s goal at 15:45 and kept sixth-seeded Penn State (21-15-1) off the board in the closing minutes when the Nittany Lions pulled their goaltender for an extra skater.
Ohio State travels to Michigan on Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. ET faceoff from Yost Ice Arena.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The biggest win in Michigan State’s 10-year tenure in the Big Ten might have occurred Sunday as the fifth-seeded Spartans recorded a 4-2 victory over fourth-seed Notre Dame.
Nicolas Muller scored twice for MSU (18-17-2), which won its first-ever series in the tournament. Notre Dame (16-16-5) peppered goaltender Dylan St. Cyr with 39 shots but couldn’t find the equalizer in lone upset of the quarterfinals round.
Michigan State hits the road to face Minnesota Saturday in a 9 p.m. ET start from 3M Arena at Mariucci.
TOP INDIANA NEWS RELEASES
INDIANA PACERS BASKETBALL
Instant Rewind
When the team needed a bucket in one of the biggest moments of the season, Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton called his own number.
With 2.7 ticks left on the clock, with the score tied at 122, Haliburton hoisted a 30-foot shot from the right horn of the Chicago Bulls logo and hit nothing but net to push the Pacers to a 125-122 road win.
If the Pacers (29-36) advance to the postseason, Sunday’s matinee win over the Bulls (29-36) at the United Center could prove a catalyst to their berth.
With the victory, the Pacers (29-36) win the regular season series over the Bulls (29-36), 3-1, and move into the 11th position in the Eastern Conference. The top eight teams in the conference will automatically make the playoffs while the nine and 10 seeds make the Play-In Tournament.
With 22.6 seconds left in the game, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine – who finished with a game high 42 points – was fouled from behind the arc and made two of three free throw attempts to tie it. From there, Haliburton made his shot before the Blue & Gold held off the Bulls’ last game-tying attempt.
Halburton’s final statline was an impressive 29 points, on 11-for-17 shooting (6-for-9 3-point), with 11 assists and three rebounds.
The Pacers’ bench proved key in the win, outscoring the Bulls reserves 57-30. Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin led the second unit with 17 points while Chris Duarte had 15 points and Oshae Brissett added 10.
After LaVine’s 42, DeMar DeRozan had 23 points and Patrick Williams had 14 points.
The Pacers’ bench outscored the Bulls’ reserves 40-7 in the first half, led by 13 points by Mathurin and 12 points from Duarte, as they 67-60 at the break. LaVine had 24 points in the first half for the Bulls.
The Bulls didn’t trail in the first quarter, shooting 65 percent from the field (13-for-20) to lead the Pacers 35-30.
In the opening frame, Haliburton and LaVine both had hot hands. Haliburton made six of seven shot attempts – including 4-for-4 from 3-point range – to account for 16 Pacers points while LaVine hit four of eight shots while sinking five of six free throws for 15 points.
Chicago built a 14-5 lead off three Indiana turnovers to start the game before a 3-pointer and layup by Haliburton got the Blue & Gold back in it at 14-10 with 7:10 left in the first quarter.
Haliburton’s scoring kept the Pacers deficit under 10 points until four straight free throws from LaVine and a dunk by Andre Drummond put the Bulls up 35-25 with a minute on the clock.
In the final 46 seconds, however, a tip-in by Mathurin and a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Duarte cut the Bulls’ lead to five points.
The Pacers and Bulls traded scores until the visitors went on a 14-4 run – on buckets by Mathurin, Duarte, Isaiah Jackson and T.J. McConnell – to go up 56-46 with 5:06 left in the first half.
With 2.2 seconds left, Oshae Brissett drained a 3-pointer as the Pacers entered the locker room with a seven-point lead.
Registering two blocks in the first half, Pacers center Myles Turner passed Rik Smits (1,111) for the second-most blocks by a player in franchise history. Jermaine O’Neal owns the No. 1 spot at 1,245 blocks.
Indiana shot 54.3 percent from the field and the Bulls shot 63.9 percent in the first half.
Out of the break, the Bulls were able to pull within two points of the lead twice before a 9-2 Pacers run, on four points by rookie Andrew Nembhard and a 3-pointer by Buddy Hield, prompted a Chicago timeout as Indiana led 82-73 with 5:44 left in the third quarter.
The Bulls responded with a 9-2 run of their own, but four straight points including a floating buzzer-beater by Haliburton gave the Pacers a 95-89 lead going into the final frame.
Indiana went cold from the field to start the fourth quarter and the Bulls took advantage, going on a 14-1 run from 8:35 to 4:38 on seven points by LaVine, to retake the lead at 111-108.
With 2:47 left in the game, down by two points, Haliburton completed an and-one to put the Blue & Gold up 115-114 with 2:47 remaining before a layup by Turner made it a three-point game.
The game then turned into a back-and-forth affair until Haliburton’s shot proved the game-winner.
Overall, the Pacers made 48 of 94 shots and the Bulls made 45 of 74 attempts. The Pacers hit 16 3-pointers to the Bulls’ 10 treys.
Indiana outscored Chicago 54-46 in the paint and outrebounded the Bulls 35-33, including 13-4 in offensive rebounds.
The Pacers will host the Philadelphia 76ers (41-22) on Monday to kick off a two-game homestand.
Tickets
After a four-game road trip, the Pacers will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 PM ET.
GAME PREVIEW: PACERS VS 76ERS
Fresh off a winning road trip, the Pacers (29-36) return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday night to take on Joel Embiid and the 76ers (41-22) on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Blue & Gold went a full two months without a road win, dropping 11 consecutive games away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, but they ended that drought over the past week. Indiana went 3-1 on the road over the past week, securing a winning road trip on style on Sunday afternoon in Chicago, where Tyrese Haliburton’s 30-foot 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining lifted the Pacers to a 125-122 win over their Central Division rivals.
The Pacers won all three games that Haliburton played in on the trip (he sat out Thursday’s loss in San Antonio due to a sore calf). The All-Star point guard averaged 25.3 points and 10.3 assists across those three wins, shooting 25-for-44 (56.8 percent) from the field and 10-for-19 (52.6 percent) from 3-point range.
The Sixers are coming off a massive win on Saturday night. Philadelphia erased an 18-point deficit to knock off the East-leading Bucks, 133-130, snapping Milwaukee’s 16-game win streak.
Both of the Sixers’ All-Stars came up big in the victory. James Harden dropped 38 points, going 11-for-26 from the field, 5-for-9 from 3-point range, and 11-for-11 from the free throw line, and narrowly missed out on a triple-double, finishing with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Embiid added 31 points and also dished out 10 assists.
Embiid is one of the leading candidates for MVP honors this season. He ranks second in the NBA in scoring at 33 points per game, eighth in rebounding (10.3 per contest), and sixth in blocks (1.6 per game).
Harden, meanwhile, is averaging 22.1 points per game and leads in the NBA in assists, dishing out 10.6 per contest.
It’s no surprise that an offense featuring two players of that caliber is one of the league’s best. Philadelphia averages 116.1 points per 100 possessions, the seventh-best offensive rating in the league, and is third in 3-point percentage (.381). The Sixers also get to the line over 25 times per game and convert 83.2 percent of their foul shots, the best free throw percentage in the NBA.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Buddy Hield, F – Aaron Nesmith, C – Myles Turner
76ers: G – James Harden, G – Tyrese Maxey, F – Tobias Harris, F – P.J. Tucker, C – Joel Embiid
Injury Report
Pacers: Aaron Nesmith – questionable (sore left hip), Kendall Brown – out (right tibia stress fracture)
76ers: TBA
Last Meeting
Jan. 4, 2023: The Pacers erased a 12-point deficit and led 120-116 with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Sixers scored four points over the final 37 seconds to force overtime and ultimately prevailed in the extra session, 129-126, in Philadelphia.
“We never should’ve been in overtime, we know that,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “There were a couple of errors that we made that we will learn from. It’s a tough loss, but I’m really proud of the effort and the way guys hung in because it was not going particularly well, particularly defensively. Everyone just kept playing, giving ourselves a chance.”
Buddy Hield led seven Pacers in double figures in the loss, tallying a team-high 24 points on 6-of-14 3-point shooting to go along with nine rebounds and six assists. Bennedict Mathurin added 19 off the bench, while fellow reserve Jalen Smith scored 16.
Tyrese Haliburton had a double-double with 16 points and 12 assists and Myles Turner finished with 14 points, eight boards, and five blocks.
James Harden had a game-high 26 points and eight assists for the Sixers, who were without All-Star center Joel Embiid due to a sore left foot. Tobias Harris added 19 points and 10 rebounds in the victory, while De’Anthony Melton and Montrezl Harrell each scored 19 as well.
Noteworthy
Indiana is 7-5 on the season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The Pacers have just one back-to-back remaining after Monday — consecutive road games in Boston and Atlanta on March 24 and 25.
The Pacers have lost four straight and six of their last eight against Philadelphia.
Two of Indiana’s next three home games are against the Sixers, who will return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday, March 18.
Pacers center Myles Turner moved past Rik Smits (1,111 career blocks) into second place on the franchise’s all-time blocks list with three blocks on Sunday. Turner now has 1,113 blocks for his career. Jermaine O’Neal is the franchise’s all-time leader with 1,245.
Haliburton now has 31 games this season with 10 or more assists, tied for the most in a single season in franchise history. Don Buse set the mark originally in 1976-77 and Mark Jackson matched it in 1997-98.
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)
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL
HOOSIERS BEAT MICHIGAN IN OVERTIME THRILLER
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Race Thompson got his Indiana Senior Night victory, and if it took longer than expected, who cares?
The Hoosiers’ senior forward didn’t. Neither did fellow seniors Trayce Jackson-Davis and Miller Kopp in the aftermath of Sunday night’s 75-73 overtime victory over Michigan at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
All three thrived when it mattered most, sparking a rally from a 12-point second-half deficit.
“Down the stretch, leaders have to lead, that’s what we did,” Jackson-Davis said.
The win clinched second-place in the Big Ten with a 12-8 record. The No. 15/13 Hoosiers are 21-10 overall and earned a double bye in the upcoming conference tourney at Chicago’s United Center. They won’t play until Friday.
As coach Mike Woodson said during the Senior Night ceremony, they aren’t done yet.
“Somehow, we’ve got to put another Big Ten banner up there. The only way to do that is, we’ve got to go to Chicago and win.”
Jackson-Davis backed that up, and then raised the stakes.
“Gentlemen, we’ve got a lot of ball left to be played. Not only do we have the Big Ten tourney, let’s go get No. 6 (a sixth national championship banner).”
In his final home game, Thompson finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, his 10th career double-double, plus a couple of difference-making overtime steals. Jackson-Davis had 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Kopp had five points and seven rebounds.
Freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino added 13 points.
During the Senior Night ceremony, senior reserves Michael Shipp and Nathan Childress also were recognized.
Jackson-Davis could have left after the coaching transition from Archie Miller to Woodson two years ago. He did not. He could have left after last season with an NBA Draft opportunity. He did not and has records and player-of-the-year opportunities as a result.
In the race for Big Ten MVP, Jackson-Davis finished with 436 points in 20 games, a 21.8 average. Purdue’s Zach Edey had 437 points, a 21.85 average.
“It’s been a long four years,” Jackson-Davis said. “We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs.”
He thanked his teammates and coaches, telling Woodson, “We butt heads sometimes, but it’s all good.”
He thanked his family — telling his mother (Karla Jackson) that she’s the reason why he plays so hard and his father (Ray Jackson) that he’s the reason why he’s a Hoosier; plus told younger brother, Tayven Jackson, a quarterback who transferred from Tennessee to join the IU football team, that it’s “Your turn to shine here now.”
Added Woodson: “When you said you were coming back, I was the happiest guy in the world. Your progress has sky-rocketed. You will be missed – unless you want to come back!”
Woodson was joking. Jackson-Davis is set to enter the NBA Draft.
Thompson has been at IU for six seasons, setting standards for toughness and resiliency.
“I’ve been here for a long time, but it seems like a month ago I was a freshman.”
He thanked teammates and family and the coaches, “For being hard on me when I needed it.” He thanked team trainer Tim Garl and the medical staff for helping him overcome multiple injuries.
Woodson mentioned that, “Race, we had some battles. The beauty of you is you left everything you had on the floor.”
Kopp set a Big Ten record, and tied the national mark, by playing in his 99th NCAA Division I conference game. He played three years at Northwestern before playing the last two seasons for the Hoosiers.
“Last year wasn’t the easier for me. I kept asking myself, why am I here? I’m blessed to have been brought here.”
He thanked his teammates for treating him like family, and thanked his family and the coaches for “Believing in me and showing me every day that I can be better and take that extra step.”
Added Woodson: “I knew what I was getting — a guy who worked; someone who was very professional about his approach. He didn’t fail me. He comes to work every day. He has gotten so much better. He’s had a heck of a season.”
In wrapping up Senior Night, Woodson said told all the seniors that, “I don’t know what I’ll do without you guys. Whatever you need, I will be there. Pick up the phone. Knock on the door. I’ll be there.”
And then a coaching motivator:
“We’ve still got work to do. A lot of work.”
*****
The overtime victory was the reward for all the work after last Tuesday’s disappointing home loss to Iowa.
“We learned a lot from the Iowa game,” Thompson said. “Everybody was fighting to win for each other. There was no way we’re losing this game.
“We played desperate. We won’t lay an egg like that ever again.”
IU dominated the game’s first 15 minutes to build a 14-point lead, then allowed a 29-7 Michigan run in the next eight minutes spanning the first and second half. It fell behind by 12 eight minutes into the second half.
The Hoosiers ratcheted up the defense and offense and surged for a 69-69 tie at the end of regulation before securing the victory.
Along the way, they got key off-the-bench contributions from Tamar Bates (six points), Malik Reneau (four points, three rebounds) and Kaleb Banks.
“Miller and Race were struggling when I took them out (in the second half),” Woodson said. “I was searching. Tamar, Kaleb and Malik gave us positive minutes.”
Bates, who had been struggling recently, came in when starting guard Trey Galloway got in foul trouble. Galloway fouled out with four points and three assists in 25 minutes.
Bates added strong defense against Michigan guard Kobe Bufkin.
“Tamar has had some big games for us, so I went with him,” Woodson said. “He played well down the stretch. He stepped up and did what he needed to do.”
Michigan (17-14, 11-9) lost its second straight overtime road game, following a double-overtime heartbreaker at Illinois. Forward Hunter Dickinson led with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Early on, IU quickly flexed its defensive muscles after giving up an opening three-pointer to Jett Howard. The Wolverines struggled to find open shots and struggled to make them when they did.
Jackson-Davis and Thompson paced an attack-the-basket approach that built a 23-11 lead on 50 percent shooting and a 16-2 edge in points in the paint.
The Hoosiers led 27-13 before Michigan ended the half on a 14-2 run for a 29-27 halftime score. The teams were a combined 3-for-20 from three-point range. Thompson had IU’s lone three-pointer.
The Wolverines hit three straight three-pointers as part of a 15-5 run to start the second half in less than four minutes. Trailing 42-34, Woodson called a time to settle the Hoosiers down.
It worked for 6-for-6 free-throw shooting (four by Jackson-Davis), but Michigan countered with two more three-pointers for a 52-40 lead with 13 minutes left.
The Hoosiers attacked with full-court pressure. Bates hit a three-pointer — his first since Feb. 7 against Rutgers. Jackson-Davis hit a couple of three throws. They closed within 54-47.
Kopp hit a three-pointer. Thompson scored on a hook shot, then dunked off a Jackson-Davis pass and completed the three-point play. IU trailed 60-59.
Michigan countered with a Dickinson three-point play. Bates countered back with another three-pointer to keep the deficit at one. The clock ticked under five minutes, then four, then three.
Jackson-Davis scored four straight points for a 66-65 IU lead. The Wolverines took a three-point lead on Bufkin’s two free throws and a Dickinson basket. Hood-Schifino tied it at 69-69 with a three-pointer with 55 seconds left.
Michigan had a chance to win it at the end of regulation, but Dickinson missed a three-pointer. Jackson-Davis had the same chance, and missed a half-court shot.
IU scored the first six points of overtime, capped by a Kopp three-pointer, forced Michigan into a series of empty possessions, and got the victory.
“This is how our team has been this year with the ups and down,” Jackson-Davis said. “We fight. We knew what was at stake. We knew they’d go on a run, but we never quit.”
INDIANA BASEBALL
BASEBALL DROPS FINALE AT LECLAIR CLASSIC
GREENVILLE, N.C. – An early six run inning was too much for the Indiana baseball program to rebound from versus Long Beach State in a 10-4 loss to close out the LeClair Classic on Sunday (March 5) inside Clark-LeClair Stadium on the campus of East Carolina.
Long Beach State (7-3) struck first with a single run in the second inning and then added six in the third inning to build an early 7-0 lead. Indiana (5-6) struck with one run in the fourth, before LBSU added two in the fifth inning. The Hoosiers answered with three in the sixth, but the Dirtbags got one of those back in the bottom of the frame to make it a 10-4 game and cap the scoring.
Senior PeterSerruto posted his third career three-hit game with a 3-for-4 day at the plate and his first since the 2020 season, when he was at Rutgers. Redshirt senior Matthew Ellis had a pair of hits and drove in two RBIs. Sophomores Carter Mathison and Brock Tibbitts each plated one RBI in the contest.
Starting pitcher Seti Manase (1-1) took the loss with seven runs – one earned – allowed over 2 2/3 innings of work. He allowed six hits, walked one and struck out two. Freshmen Brayden Risedorph and Evan Whiteaker each worked 1 1/3 innings scoreless against the Dirtbags, and classmate Connor Foley threw the final inning scoreless. Sophomore Luke Hayden allowed three runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief.
Nico Zeglin (1-1) threw 5 2/3 innings and allowed four runs – three earned – on five hits to grab the victory. He walked two and struck out seven. Jack Hammond drove in four RBIs with Joey Walls and Eddie Saldivar each with two runs batted in. Kyle Ashworth was on base four times with a pair of walks two base hits.
Scoring Recap
Bottom Second
Jonathon Long singled to start the inning and moved to second on a fielding error in front of a sacrifice bunt that pushed him to third. Jack Hammond delivered the RBI double.
Long Beach State 1, Indiana 0
Bottom Third
A base hit and a walk put two runners on base with two outs and an IU error allowed the first run of the inning to score. A two-run double, two run home run and solo home run followed to end the afternoon for starting pitcher Seti Manase.
Long Beach State 7, Indiana 0
Top Fourth
Bobby Whalen reached on an error, moved to second on a ground out and came in to score on a Brock Tibbitts singled up the middle.
Long Beach State 7, Indiana 1
Bottom Fifth
With one out, Joey Walls was hit by a pitch and Eddie Saldivar followed with a base hit. A passed ball and wild pitch moved the runners up one base before Hammond drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle.
Long Beach State 9, Indiana 1
Top Sixth
After two quick out, five straight Hoosier hitters reached base and three came around to score. Hunter Jessee and Josh Pyne singled in front of a Carter Mathison walk to load the bases. Tibbitts drew a full count walk to push the first run across and Matthew Ellis drove in a pair of runs with a base hit.
Long Beach State 9, Indiana 4
Bottom Sixth
Kyle Ashworth walked to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. An infield single put runners on the corners before Rocco Peppi’s RBI single plated the lone run of the inning.
Long Beach State 10, Indiana 4
Up Next
Returns home to start a strong of 13 of 14 games at Bart Kaufman Field with a Wednesday, March 8 meeting with Purdue Fort Wayne (2-10). The contest will be available on B1G+ and the Indiana Sports Radio Network via
PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Brandon Newman scored a season-high 19 points, Zach Edey added 17, and No. 5 Purdue held on to beat Illinois 76-71 on Sunday to become the first Big Ten team since 2014 to win the league title by three or more games.
The Boilermakers (26-5, 15-5) led by 24 early in the second half before the Illini rallied and eventually tied the game at 67 on a free throw by Matthew Mayer with 1:17 to go. Edey’s layup gave Purdue a 69-67 edge with 56 seconds left, and Illinois turned over the ball with 31 seconds left.
Purdue’s Fletcher Loyer sank two free throws to push the lead to 71-67 after an immediate foul. Mayer missed a 3-point shot and Newman made two free throws to push the lead to 73-67. Luke Goode hit a 3-pointer to close the gap to 74-71 with 7 seconds left, but Newman hit two free throws to seal it.
“For myself, it’s been challenging, there’s been a lot of ups and downs,” said Newman, who averaged 5.6 points entering the game and had 15 points in the first half. “I just want to help my teammates win games. I was able to get some open looks from feeding into the post.”
Painter said Newman has earned more minutes lately with his defensive play.
“If he plays with that kind of effort and energy on the defensive end, you are going to stay in the game,” Painter said. “When you stay in the game, he’s a good enough offensive player he’s going to make shots. He took what the defense gave him.”
Braden Smith added 15 points for the Boilermakers. Edey, who entered the game with 23 double-doubles, finished with six rebounds and was played just 8 minutes in the first half after picking up two fouls.
“It was huge because we built the lead with Zach not being in there,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said.
The Boilermakers led 47-26 at half behind 62% shooting, but dropped to just 29% in the second hal
“It’s kind of been our story,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “It’s a challenging first half. We gave them live ball turnovers, we didn’t execute. It’s been our inability to execute on the offensive side early has been has been real problematic.”
Mayer led the Illini (20-11, 11-9) with 16 points, followed by Terrence Shannon Jr. with 13, Sencire Harris with 11 and Goode’s 10 points. Underwood said the team missed freshman guard Jayden Epps, who was sidelined with a concussion.
Underwood said of the second half that his team “settled in and look like a really good basketball team and made them guard us.”
(POSTGAME NOTES)
Purdue wrapped up the regular season with a 76-71 victory over Illinois in front of the 57th straight sellout at Mackey Arena.
The win improved Purdue to 26-5 overall while finishing 15-5 in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers are guaranteed to win the Big Ten Conference regular-season race by three games, the first time since 2014 (Michigan) that a team has won the league title by at least three games.
Purdue has finished in the top three of the Big Ten standings in seven of the last nine seasons.
Purdue’s 26 regular-season wins are the second most in a regular-season in school history, behind just the 27 wins during the 1987-88 season (27-3 record).
Purdue’s 51 regular-season wins over the last two seasons are tied for the most in a two-year stretch in school history, set three previous times. Overall, Purdue is 55-13 since the start of last season, tied for the fourth-most wins in a two-year span in school history.
Purdue improved to 14-1 under Matt Painter against Illinois when scoring at least 70 points.
Purdue is now 18-5 against KenPom Top 100 opponents this season, the second-most wins nationally (Kansas – 20).
Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith combined for 19 points, giving the duo 669 points this season, the third-most points for a freshman duo in school history. The pair is just the fourth set of freshman teammates to score at least 300 points in a season (2013 – A.J. Hammons, Ronnie Johnson; 2008 – E’Twaun Moore, Robbie Hummel; 1997 – Brian Cardinal, Jaraan Cornell).
Brandon Newman scored a season-high 19 points with six rebounds, a career-high five assists and three steals.
Zach Edey scored 17 points with six rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. He finished the Big Ten Conference season as the league leader in scoring (21.9 PPG), rebounding (13.1) and field goal percentage (.591) in league games only.
Edey joins Ohio State’s Gary Bradds (1963-64) as the only players to lead the Big Ten in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage in the same season.
PURDUE BASEBALL
13-RUN INNING POWERS ANOTHER OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – Purdue baseball scored 13 times in the fourth inning en route to recording its highest run total since 2015, rolling to a 23-4 series-clinching win vs. Akron on Sunday at Ting Stadium.
The Boilermakers (8-4) rallied to win a four-game series after dropping the opening game for the first time since May 2005 vs. Iowa. Purdue scored 53 runs over 20 innings after the Zips (4-7) won 2-1 Friday.
The Boilermakers’ 13-run inning was their biggest since scoring 15 times in the second inning of an April 2013 home win vs. UIC.
Paul Toetz homered to left field in the first and fourth innings, teeing off for his second multi-homer game of the series and third of the season. He’s the first Boilermaker with three multi-homer games in a campaign since Dan Black also had three in 2009. Toetz finished the series 9-for-15 with 11 RBI and has gone deep seven times in the first 12 games.
Evan Albrecht extended his on-base streak to 15 consecutive games and finished the weekend with a remarkable 13 productive plate appearances in 16 trips to the dish while not striking out. Sunday he was 2-for-2 with a double, sac fly, hit by pitch, three RBI and three runs scored. Camden Melvin (3-for-3) and Toetz (3-for-3) also did something productive every time they went to the plate Sunday.
Purdue posted season highs for walks (9) and hit by pitch (7) Sunday. Those totals helped lead to a .500 team on-base percentage for the series.
Eleven of the Boilermakers’ 18 hits Sunday came in the 13-run fourth inning, a frame in which they rolled the lineup over twice – with Jo Stevens batting three times. Purdue hit for the cycle over the course of the first six plate appearances of the frame. Melvin had two of his three hits in the inning.
Calvin Schapira and Logan Danzeisen led the way on the mound with their best outings of the young season. Schapira worked four innings of two-run ball, escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first. Danzeisen retired all four batters he faced. For the series, the Purdue pitching staff limited Akron’s righthanded hitters to a .156 batting average (7-for-45) and excelled with runners in scoring position, accounting for a .179 average against (5-for-28).
The Boilermakers also made three fine plays defensively. As the third baseman, Stevens robbed a likely double down the line with a diving stop to end the second inning. Cam Thompson, Toetz and Stephens teamed up for a flawless relay sequence from right field to third base to cut down the fastest man in the Akron lineup going for a two-out triple in the fourth inning. In the series, it was the second precise relay throw that led to an out for Toetz. Lukas Cook made an impressive leaping catch at shortstop to take away a leadoff single in the seventh inning.
Stevens had two singles and three RBI Sunday, finishing the series 6-for-15 with six RBI. He’s riding an eight-game hitting streak. Couper Cornblum had six stolen bases and six runs scored in the series and has an active nine-game on-base streak.
Mike Bolton Jr.’s RBI triple knocked in the first run of Purdue’s long fourth-inning rally. It was his eighth career triple. CJ Valdez doubled off the top of the left field wall in his first at-bat Sunday. It was originally ruled a home run before the call was changed following a conference among the full crew of umpires. Valdez finished the weekend with five doubles as part of a 6-for-13 series.
The Boilermakers return to action Friday when they open a three-game series at No. 5 Ole Miss. The Boilermakers are set to play a defending national champion for the first time since Ohio State in 1967.
PURDUE SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL COMES FROM BEHIND FOR 5-3 VICTORY
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Purdue softball team (11-6) stormed back from a three-run deficit to take down James Madison (9-5), 5-3 in the team’s final game of the Carolina Classic. Alex Echazarreta tossed six innings for her third win in as many Purdue games.
Despite a slow start which saw three Dukes runs and two Purdue errors in the first two innings, the Boilermakers battled back with a run in the third, one in the fourth and a trio of runs in the fifth inning to secure the victory.
Purdue’s game-winner came on the bat of Becca Edwards’ RBI double to score Tyrina Jones, a shot that hit the top of the right field wall before bouncing back into the field of play.
Jones led the day with two RBI on two hits and a run. Meanwhile, six Boilermakers, including Jones, posted multiple hits in the game.
The Boilermakers secured 12 hits, one shy off their season-best.
With the win, Purdue improves to a three-game win streak, going 3-1 in the Carolina Classic.
Purdue will travel to Fullerton, California for the Cal State Fullerton Tournament next weekend. The tournament will see doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday, followed by a single game on Sunday. The Boilermakers will take on Brown, Cal State Fullerton, Weber State and Long Beach Sate and Sacramento State over the three days.
BUTLER SOFTBALL
BUTLERSOFTBALL DROPS A PAIR IN CARBONDALE
CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Butler softball team suffered a 7-0 shutout to Loyola and then a tough, 4-3, loss in extra innings to Southern Illinois at the Saluki Invitational. The Ramblers (4-13) held the Bulldogs (4-16) hitless in the shutout loss. Butler came from behind to force extra innings against the Salukis (13-2) and took a brief lead before ultimately conceding in the bottom of the eighth.
Game 3: Loyola- 7, Butler- 0 (7 innings)
Loyola broke out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, off of five hits and an error, and forced a Butler pitching change.
In the fourth, the Ramblers took advantage of three hits and another error to extend the lead to 7-0.
Loyola pitcher Peyton Pepkowski did not yield a hit through seven innings of play.
Sydney Cammon (0-3) started for Butler and was tagged with the loss. After allowing four runs (three earned) off five hits and a walk, she was relieved in the first by Kayla Noerr (4.1 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 H, 4 BB). Cammon then re-entered, early in the sixth, to finish the game.
Game 4: Southern Illinois- 4, Butler- 3 (8 innings)
The game was scoreless through four innings, though Butler loaded the bases in the fourth but could not put one across.
In the bottom of the fifth, SIU scored two runs on two hits to jump into the lead.
The Bulldogs rallied to tie things up at 2-2 in the top of the sixth. Kaylee Gross reached on a bunt single, and Ella White sent her home with a two-run home run.
Neither team scored in the seventh, as the game went into extra innings all tied, 2-2.
In the top of the eighth, Cate Lehner, who was placed on second, advanced to third on a Kaylee Gross sacrifice bunt. Teagan O’Rilley then hit a single to right center and pushed Lehner across, giving Butler a 3-2 lead.
In the bottom half, SIU loaded the bases with nobody out. An infield error allowed the Salukis to tie the game at three, and a subsequent bunt single gave SIU the victory.
Mackenzie Griman (2-7) pitched a complete game for Butler and took the loss. Over 7.0 statistical innings, she allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and six walks while striking out three.
Bulldog Bits
Ella White’s home run vs. SIU was her first of the season and the sixth of her career.
Mackenzie Griman’s complete game against SIU was her sixth of the season.
The eight-inning loss to SIU was Butler’s second extra-inning game of the season.
Up Next
Butler remains in Carbondale, Ill., for one more game in the Saluki Invite on Monday, Mar. 6. The Bulldogs will have a rematch with SIU before heading back to Indianapolis.
BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL
BUTLER DRAWS ST. JOHN’S TO OPEN 2023 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT
Ninth-seeded Butler will open the 2023 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament presented by Jeep with a first round match-up against St. John’s.
The full tournament bracket was finalized Saturday evening.
Butler and St. John’s, which is the No. 8 seed, will play Wednesday at 3 p.m. The winner of that contest will advance to play top-seeded Marquette in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
The Bulldogs and St. John’s split a pair of regular season match-ups during the 2022-23 campaign. The Red Storm won in New York Jan. 10 before the Bulldogs took a 68-66 win at Hinkle Fieldhouse Feb. 7.
Butler and St. John’s have never met previously in the BIG EAST Tournament.
The Tournament returns to Madison Square Garden for the 41st consecutive year. The action begins Wednesday, March 8 and runs through Saturday, March 11.
FOX Sports, the conference’s television partner, will continue its wall-to-wall coverage with FS1 televising all nine games in the first three days of the Tournament before the FOX broadcast network carries the championship game on Saturday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. ET. The BIG EAST Tournament at The World’s Most Famous Arena is college basketball’s longest running conference tournament held at the same venue.
BALL STATE BASEBALL
CARDINALS UTILIZE POWER HITTING TO FLY BY MASTODONS
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Ball State baseball team returned to the diamond on Sunday for another matchup with Purdue Fort Wayne. Casey Turturici and Hunter Dobbins belted home runs to power Cardinals by Mastodons, 13-9.
Ball State improved to 7-5 on the season, while Purdue Fort Wayne fell to 2-10.
“Our boys dug deep to pull out a 13-9 victory today,” said Head Coach Rich Maloney. “We received contributions from many different players but the biggest was Justin Conant’s three-run double. Ty Weatherly finished the game for us.”
The Mastodons jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
Nick Gregory led off the bottom of the first with a five-pitch walk. Adam Tellier followed with a double to left center and drove in Gregory.
Blake Bevis was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the second. After Bevis moved to second on a wild pitch, Decker Scheffler singled up the middle and Bevis scored from second. The Cardinals tied it in the bottom of the second.
Ryan Peltier tripled to right with one out in the bottom of the third. Matthew Rivera walked. Rivera and Peltier executed the first and third double steal, as Peltier scored from third. Scheffler picked up another RBI with a bases loaded walk.
Tellier was hit by a pitch with one out in the bottom of the fourth. He then stole second and advanced third on an error. Peltier recorded a sac fly to right as Tellier tagged up from third. BSU held a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth.
Purdue Fort Wayne added two runs in the top of the fifth to cut the deficit to 5-4.
Turturici launched the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the fifth over the right center field wall.
The Mastodons tied it in the top of the seventh with two runs.
Rivera led off the home half of the seventh with a single to left field. Bevis recorded a two-out double. Logan Flood drew a walk to load the bases. Justin Conant followed with a bases-clearing double to right center and put the Cardinals on top 9-6.
Purdue Fort Wayne scored three runs in the top of the eighth to tie the game once again.
Peltier notched a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth to start a rally. Rivera singled to left and moved to Peltier to third. Turturici followed with a ground-rule double and scored Peltier. Grant Miller, who pinch ran for Rivera, scored on a passed ball. Dobbins launched a two-run homer to left field and extended the Cardinal lead to 13-9.
Logan Schulfer got the start for Ball State and went 4 1/3 innings. He struck out four with four earned runs in a no decision. Jacob Hartlaub tossed three innings in relief and struck out four. He gave up five runs, four earned. Ty Weatherly picked up the win in 1 2/3 innings of work. He struck out two batters and did not give up a hit. He improved to 1-1 on the year.
Tellier, Peltier, Rivera, and Turturici all produced multiple hits to lead Ball State. Turturici, Dobbins, Scheffler, and Conant all tallied two RBIs.
Brendan Reid got the loss for Purdue Fort Wayne. He gave up four runs, three unearned.
Ball State returns to action for a Tuesday contest against Florida A&M. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
BALL STATE SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL TOPS STETSON TO CLOSE PLAY IN BULLDOG CLASSIC
ATHENS, Ga. – – Thanks to a sixth-inning, two-run RBI single from second baseman Haley Wynn, the Ball State softball team closed play in the Bulldog Classic with a 3-1 victory over Stetson Sunday morning.
It was the Cardinals (8-7) third win of the tournament and second over the Hatters (14-8) this weekend.
In addition to Wynn’s late-game heroics, pitcher Angelina Russo locked the victory with a solid 3.2 innings of relief. Entering the game with one out and two on base in the bottom of the fourth, she was able to strand the bases loaded after a fielder’s choice.
Russo would go on to pick up her third victory of the season, limiting Stetson to one hit while striking out three.
HIGHLIGHTS
Alyssa Stramaglia started the game in the circle for Ball State, limiting the Hatters to three hits and one run over the first 3.1 innings. She also struck out four.
Left fielder Hannah Dukeman and first baseman Samantha-Jo Mata each tallied a pair of hits for the Cardinals, as Ball State out-hit Stetson 9-to-4 in the contest.
Ball State improved to 7-0 in neutral site games.
SCORING SUMMARY GAME 1 – Ball State 3– Stetson 1
T2 | A sac fly from Dukeman drove in Mata (1-0)
B4 | A solo home run from Marissa Baxter tied the score (1-1)
T6 | Wynn’s two-run single up the middle scored Dukeman and center fielder Remington Ross to give Ball State the victory (3-1)
UP NEXT
The Ball State softball team returns to play Wednesday with a 2 p.m. doubleheader at East Tennessee State.
NOTRE DAME BASEBALL
IRISH TAKE SERIES BUT FALL IN GAME THREE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish fell in the final game of the series at UAB in a 5-2 battle and dropped to 5-4 on the season. The Irish took home the series after winning game one 7-2 on Friday and game two 7-3 on Saturday, but were able to take the sweep today.
How it Happened
While the Irish recorded two singles in the first three innings, Notre Dame struggled to get runs on the board. The Blazers would strike first in the bottom of the third after a strong offensive outing with two doubles and a single that gave UAB a 2-0 edge over the Irish heading into the top of the fourth.
In the top of the fifth, Danny Neri had his second hit on the day with a triple to right field and scored after Estevan Moreno reached first on a UAB error. The Irish closed the gap within one at 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth, but a Blazer home run would extend the lead to three at 4-1.
After a scoreless sixth, Neri would get his bat going again in the top of the seventh as he homered to right field and added another run to the board for the Irish to make it a 4-2 ballgame. The Blazers responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the seventh to take the 5-2 advantage heading into the eighth.
Notre Dame was in scoring position in the top of the ninth after Jack Penney reached via a walk and Nick Juaire recorded an infield single. With one last chance to close the gap and two outs in the innings, the Irish couldn’t connect at the plate and the Blazers would go on to take game three win 5-2.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action on Friday, March 10 for the ACC opener at Georgia Tech. The three-game series will take place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.
NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL
IRISH FALL TO #12/14 DUKE LATE
DURHAM, N.C. – The University of Notre Dame softball team saw its two-run lead erased in the bottom of the seventh inning, falling to the #12/14 Duke Blue Devils Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Irish fought back to take the lead in the top of the final inning, but the Blue Devil offense rallied in the bottom of the inning to secure the win. The Irish fall to 11-6 on the season, and 1-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference action.
Payton Tidd got the start in the circle. The graduate student threw every pitch for the Irish in the game, working into the seventh inning. She limited Duke to five hits, and four runs while striking out five.
The Irish offense had just three hits in the contest. Tidd, Joley Mitchell and Mickey Winchell each added a hit, with Mitchell’s being the loudest with a three-run home run. Her first of the season.
How It Happened
After two scoreless innings, the Blue Devils got on the board. With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Samantha Goddard hit a solo home run to go up 1-0.
Notre Dame took its first lead of the game in the top of the seventh inning. After a fielding error put a runner on, Tidd helped herself with a single up the middle to put two on the bases. On a 1-2 count, Mitchell connected for a three-run home run to take the lead at 3-1.
Duke had an answer in the bottom of the frame. After a single and a walk put two on, Anna Gold homered to right center to give the Blue Devils the walk-off 4-3 victory.
Up Next
The Irish are back in action next Friday as they return to the North Carolina Triangle, taking on NC State in a three-game series.
INDIANA STATE BASEBALL
KENTUCKY WALKS OFF SYCAMORES IN SERIES FINALE ON SUNDAY
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky walked Indiana State off in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday afternoon as the Sycamores fell to the host Wildcats in the series finale at Kentucky Proud Park, 7-6.
Indiana State (2-8) rallied for three runs to take a 6-4 lead in the top of the seventh inning. Joe Kido connected on an RBI groundout scoring Seth Gergely, while Luis Hernandez and Parker Stinson both had RBI singles to put the Sycamores ahead late in the contest.
The Wildcats (9-2) rallied back over their final three at-bats starting with Jase Felker’s RBI single in the bottom of the seventh, while Hunter Gilliam tied the game up with a solo home run in the eighth. Felker delivered the walk-off single in the ninth scoring Ryan Waldschmidt from second base to provide the final margin of the contest.
Luis Hernandez and Parker Stinson both posted multi-hit games in the loss. Stinson and Mike Sears both doubled, while Hernandez drove in a season-high three RBI.
Connor Fenlong went five innings in the no-decision on the mound. The redshirt senior allowed six hits and four runs while striking out three. Joey Hurth, Jared Spencer, and Brennyn Cutts (0-2) all saw time in relief in the contest.
Waldschmidt went a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a pair of doubles, three runs scored and two RBI to lead the Kentucky offense on Sunday. Felker and Grant Smith both had multi-hit efforts, while Jackson Gray added two RBI in the win.
Zack Lee went the first six innings for Kentucky in taking the no-decision on the mound. The Wildcats utilized four relievers in the contest with Ryan Hagenow (1-0) picked up the win after posting two scoreless innings to close out the game.
How They Scored
Indiana State jumped out to the 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Luis Hernandez connected on a two-run single and Mike Sears added an RBI ground-rule double to put the Sycamores ahead early.
Kentucky responded with a four-run bottom of the second to take the lead with Ryan Waldschmidt and Jackson Gray both connecting on two-run doubles in the inning to put UK ahead 4-3.
The Sycamores put together their second three-run inning of the game in the top of the seventh inning as Joe Kido, Hernandez, and Parker Stinson all drove in RBI to go ahead 6-4.
Kentucky took one run back in the bottom of the seventh as Jase Felker singled home Waldschmidt to cut the gap down to 6-5.
Hunter Gilliam tied the game up for UK in the bottom of the eighth with a one-out solo home run to right field knotting the score at 6-6.
The Wildcats walked the game off in the bottom of the ninth inning as Felker connected on a two-out base hit up the middle scoring Waldschmidt from second base to provide the final 7-6 margin.
News & Notes
Josue Urdaneta and Seth Gergely stretched their season-opening on-base streaks to double-digits as the duo both reached safely on Sunday afternoon against Kentucky.
Gergely’s streak sits at 17 consecutive games on base dating back to last season after singling and drawing a walk on Sunday.
Luis Hernandez posted the third three-RBI game of his ISU career and first of the 2023 season.
Randal Diaz hit safely in all three games against the Wildcats to run his hitting streak to six consecutive games.
Mike Sears has also hit safely in each of the last six games and seven of his last eight dating back to February 21 against Florida Gulf Coast.
Grant Magill continued to showcase why he is one of the best defensive catchers in the game with a pair of pickoffs and two runners caught stealing over the three-game series in Lexington.
Up Next
Indiana State remains on the road as the Sycamores travel to Cape Girardeau, Mo. for a midweek series at Southeast Missouri State on March 7-8. Both games at Capaha Field are set to start at 4 p.m. ET.
INDIANA STATE SB
SYCAMORES DEFEAT EKU TO SPLIT FINAL DAY OF COLONEL CLASSIC
RICHMOND, Ky. – Indiana State softball split two games on Sunday to close out the weekend at the Colonel Classic, falling to Ohio University 6-1 while defeating host Eastern Kentucky 6-1 to improve to 7-7 on the season.
Game One
Sycamore starting pitcher Lauren Sackett was cruising through two innings, striking out three to keep the score 0-0. The Bobcats would break the game open in the third, scoring five runs including a three-run home run to put OU up 5-0 in the top of the frame.
Indiana State struggled offensively, getting blanked through five innings. ISU trailed the Bobcats 6-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth after OU added a run via a Sycamore throwing error.
The Sycamores sprinkled four hits throughout the game, including a RBI single from Kaylee Barrett in the sixth which scored pinch-runner Morgan Goodrich to end the OU shutout bid. Barrett’s hit made it a 6-1 game heading into the final frame.
Both teams would go 1-2-3 in the seventh to give OU the 6-1 win over Indiana State .
Lauren Sackett took the loss for ISU, giving up five runs over three innings while striking out three. Lyndsi Adamson threw four innings of relief, giving up just one unearned run on two hits.
Barrett had two of Indiana State’s four hits while Danielle Henning and Olivia Patton had one apiece.
Game Two
The rematch between Indiana State and Eastern Kentucky was scoreless through two innings before the Sycamores were finally able to get their offense going. Annie Tokarek drove in Abi Chipps on a fielder’s choice to give ISU its first lead in the top of the third. Isabella Henning followed her with her second home run of the season, a three-run shot to right field to grow the Sycamore lead to 4-0. Lexi Benko kept the Colonels off the scoreboard in the third, working around a one-out double to keep it 4-0.
In the bottom of the fourth, Benko picked up her 200th career strikeout, continuing her shutout effort through four innings.
Olivia Patton collected her third hit of the game with a leadoff single in the fifth. Danielle Henning would follow her with a fielder’s choice that allowed her to move to second base with just one away. Annie Tokarek drove Henning in with a single to left field to extend Indiana State’s lead to 5-0. Kaylee Barrett would add another run with an infield single that scored Lauren Sackett to make It 6-0 after four and a half innings.
Benko continued to dominate the Colonel bats, recording a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth to keep her shutout intact.
After the Sycamores went down in order to begin the sixth, the Colonels got on the board in the bottom half of the frame with a solo shot to end Benko’s shutout bid.
Indiana State did not score in the top of the seventh, sending Benko back to the circle with a five-run lead to close out EKU. She finished off her complete game and sent ISU home with a 6-1 victory, finishing with three strikeouts while allowing just one run on three hits.
ISU finished with seven hits, getting three from Olivia Patton who now leads the team with 17 on the season. Annie Tokarek finished with a pair of RBI while Isabella Henning had a team-high three. Kaylee Barrett also drove in a run to round out the scoring.
The Sycamores finish the Colonel Classic at 2-2, sweeping both games against the host Colonels.
Up Next
Indiana State will head to Memphis, Tennessee for the University of Memphis Tournament from March 10-12 where they will face North Alabama, Pittsburgh and Memphis.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WBB
HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP BERTH ON THE LINE FOR MASTODON WBB
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – With a trip to the Horizon League Championship game on the line, the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team will play Green Bay at noon on Monday (March 5) in Indianapolis at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
Game Day Information
Who: Green Bay Phoenix
When: Monday, March 6 | Noon
Where: Indianapolis, Ind. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Link – First 50 Purdue Fort Wayne students will be free
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Green Bay | Horizon League
Tourney Talk
This is Purdue Fort Wayne’s first appearance in a semfinal of a league tournament since 2012-13 in the Summit League. They have made three semfinals in the Division I era: 2010-11 and 2012-13 Summit League and the 2022-23 Horizon League. The Mastodons have never made a championship game. This year is also the first time the ‘Dons have ever won two games in a league tournament.
March-esano Mania
Under head coach Maria Marchesano, Purdue Fort Wayne has made the Horizon League Championship semifinal for the first time. Here’s some championship-only stats that feature the Mastodons…
• Audra Emmerson is fifth in scoring average with 17.0 points per game
• Audra Emmerson is second in field goal percentage at 66.7 percent
• Audra Emmerson is first in 3-point percentage at 75.0 percent and 3-pointers made at 4.5 per game
• Amellia Bromenschenkel is ninth with 3.0 assists per game
• Amellia Bromenschenkel is 11th with a 1.50 assist to turnover ratio
• Amellia Bromenschenkel and Jazzlyn Linbo are sixth with 2.0 steals per game
• Destinee Marshall is first with 3.0 steals per game
• Purdue Fort Wayne is second in scoring offense with 69.0 points per game
• Purdue Fort Wayne is second in field goal percentage at 48.1 percent
• Purdue Fort Wayne is first in 3-point field goal percentage at 50.0 percent
• Purdue Fort Wayne is first with 11.0 steals per game
• Purdue Fort Wayne is first with a +6 average turnover margin
• Purdue Fort Wayne is the only team to win two games so far in this tournament
Know Your Foe
Green Bay is 26-4 and advanced to the Horizon League Championship semifinal with an 85-57 win over Wright State. Jasmine Kondrakiewicz scored 18 points, up from her season average of 8.2. Sydney Levy is leading the team at 11.6 points per game
The Series
Green Bay leads the all-time series 8-0. The Mastodons has been knocking on the door for their first win, with the last matchup being a one-possession game with less than 90 seconds left. Amellia Bromenschenkel had an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double in that contest.
Audra 3mm3rson
Audra Emmerson’s 41.2 percent 3-point clip ranks in the top-10 in program history in a season.
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (min. 30 made)
6. Jordan Zuppe (43.3 – 2007-08)
7. Teena Merrell (43.2 – 1988-89)
8. Anne Boese (41.3 – 2010-11)
9. Jessica Henry (41.3 – 1996-97)
10. Audra Emmerson (41.2 – 2022-23)
Survive and Advance
Purdue Fort Wayne’s win over Detroit Mercy in the First Round of the Barbasol Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championship was the Mastodons’ first league tournament win in 10 years. That was a 106-101 2OT win over Western Illinois in the Summit League Championship in 2013.
Things Are Looking Up
Purdue Fort Wayne earned the No. 6 seed for the Horizon League Championship, which marked the highest regular-season finish for the Mastodons since 2013-14. The Mastodons’ 14 wins is also the most since that season.
Sellers Swiper
Shayla Sellers ranks in the top-110 in the country with 57 steals this season.
Defense (Clap, Clap) Defense
Purdue Fort Wayne has held its opponents to 64 points or fewer in 14 games this season. They are 11-4 in such games.
Last Time Out
Purdue Fort Wayne beat IUPUI 73-69 in the Jungle. It was the Mastodons’ first road win at IUPUI since 2011. Audra Emmerson and Amellia Bromenschenkel scored 18 each.
Coming Up
With a win, Purdue Fort Wayne will play the winner of Cleveland State and Northern Kentucky on Tuesday (March 7) at noon for the Horizon League title.
VALPO SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL FALLS TO EASTERN ILLINOIS
Seven straight runs scored by Eastern Illinois were too much for the Valpo softball team to overcome on Sunday in Louisville, Ky., as the Beacons fell to the Panthers by an 8-3 final. Valpo’s scheduled second game of the day against host Bellarmine was canceled due to impending darkness.
How It Happened
Valpo had three batters reach base in the bottom of the first on two walks and a hit batter, but was unable to push across the opening run.
Starting pitcher Caitlin Kowalski (Temperance, Mich./Notre Dame Academy) worked a perfect first inning and then kept EIU off the board in the second after the Panthers put runners on second and third with one out. But Kowalski’s first pitch of the third resulted into a solo homer for EIU’s Maddie Swart as the Panthers took a 1-0 lead.
Valpo got that run back immediately in the bottom of the third. Junior Regi Hecker (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Blue Springs South) drew a one-out walk and came around to score on an RBI single from fifth-year Taylor Herschbach (Lockport, Ill./Lockport Township).
EIU took the lead for good with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fourth, and added another tally in the sixth inning. The Beacons had their chances to add runs to their side of the scoreboard, but stranded the bases loaded in the fourth and left two runners in scoring position in the sixth.
The Panthers pulled away with four runs in the top of the seventh. Valpo put a pair on the board in the bottom half of the frame courtesy of a two-run double by freshman Kim Rodas (San Bernadino, Calif./Cajon), but was unable to cut any further into the deficit.
Inside the Game
After reaching base five times over Saturday’s two games, Hecker one-upped herself by reaching safely in all four of her plate appearances out of the leadoff spot in the order on Sunday, picking up two singles and two walks.
Herschbach and juniors Emily Crompton (Salem, Ill./Christ Our Rock Lutheran) and Alexis Johnson (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) all had two-hit games in addition to Hecker. For Crompton, it was the first multi-hit game of her collegiate career.
While she didn’t pick up a base hit, senior Lauren Kehlenbrink (Ballwin, Mo./Parkway South) found herself on base three times courtesy of being hit by a pitch twice and drawing a walk.
The offense left a season-high 12 runners on base Sunday, nine of whom were in scoring position.
Kowalski pitched a total of 4.1 innings in the start in the circle, striking out four batters. Freshman Cadence Augustine (Beaverton, Mich./Beaverton) took the loss despite surrendering just one earned run in two innings of work.
Next Up
Valpo (3-10) brings its weekend in Louisville to an end on Monday with a single game against Eastern Illinoi. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m. CT, with live video and live stats available via ValpoAthletics.com.
VALPO BASEBALL
VALPO DROPS SERIES FINALE IN LITTLE ROCK
The Valparaiso University baseball team gave up crooked numbers in each of the first three innings as host Little Rock jumped out to a large lead and never looked back in an 18-8, seven-inning loss in the series finale. Valpo still took two of three in the weekend series and holds its best record through nine games since 1985 at 6-3. The Beacons launched three home runs in Sunday’s setback.
How It Happened
Valpo had a chance to score a first-inning run for the third time in the series, but couldn’t cash in on back-to-back walks to start the game as men were stranded at second and third.
The first five Little Rock batters of the game reached base in an eventual five-run opening frame for the Trojans.
Little Rock added to the lead with a pair of two-out runs in the second, upping the advantage to 7-0.
The Trojans doubled the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring seven times including a grand slam to break the game wide open at 14-0.
Valpo got on the board in the top of the fifth when Matt Olive (Minneapolis, Minn. / Blake School) deposited the team’s first hit of the day over the left-field fence for a home run.
The Beacons got two more in that fifth inning as Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) ripped a two-run double to cut the lead to 12 at 15-3. The three-run frame started with two outs and nobody on base.
Valpo knocked its second home run of the day when Alex Ryan (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) jacked a three-run shot in the sixth to cut the lead to 10 at 16-6. For the second straight inning, the uprising started with two outs and nobody on base.
The Beacons continued to do all of their scoring with two outs as Alex Thurston (Fowler, Ind. / Central Central) ripped a two-run homer in the seventh, decreasing the lead to nine at 17-8 and extended the game after Valpo had been down to its final out with the 10-run rule in play.
The aforementioned 10-run rule was invoked in the bottom of the seventh when Little Rock scored for the seventh straight frame.
Inside the Game
Olive’s home run was his first of the season and the third of his career. Olive, who missed most of last season with an injury, last homered on May 27, 2021 vs. Illinois State at the MVC Tournament in Carbondale, a memorable blast that snapped a 5-5 tie in an elimination game.
Ryan’s home run was the second of his career and his first this season. His prior dinger came on May 1 of last season at Southern Illinois.
Thurston’s home run was the second of his career and first this season. He previously homered on April 23 of last season in the second game of a doubleheader vs. Missouri State.
The Beacons notched double figures in the hit column for the sixth straight game, but were outhit 22-10.
Thurston and Olive had multi-hit games.
Up Next
The spring trip continues as Valpo (6-3) will play in one of college baseball’s top environments on Tuesday night at Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss. The first pitch is slated for 6 p.m. on SEC Network Plus. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.
INDIANAPOLIS SOFTBALL
SOFTBALL EXTENDS STREAK WITH TWO WINS AT SALEM
BRIDGEPORT, W.V.—The No. 11 UIndy softball team upped its win streak to eight games with a doubleheader sweep at Salem University Sunday. The Greyhounds pummeled the Tigers with 15 hits in a convincing 9-0 shutout in game one, then pulled off a dramatic comeback win in game two, 5-3.
GAME 1 | UIndy 9, Salem 0 (6 innings)
For the second time this road trip, pitchers Kenzee Smith and Jayden Casebolt combined for a shutout. Smith (10-2) got the start and went five scoreless to get the win, while Casebolt finished the contest by striking out the side in order in the sixth.
The offense, meanwhile, generated seven runs in the first two frames to jump out to a sizable early lead. Both rallies featured an RBI single from Dominique Proctor and a run scored by Shelby Cook.
The loudest hit of the game came in the top of the sixth when Carlie Huelsing delivered a pinch-hit double, scoring Grace Mosele and Sydnee Perry.
GAME 2 | UIndy 5, Salem 3
Contrary to the opener, game two remained in doubt until the very end. The host Tigers managed three unearned runs in the bottom of the third to take a slim 3-2 lead. There the score stayed until the top of the sixth when sophomore Tori Angles came through with her first collegiate home run, a three-run bomb that put the Hounds up for good.
In the circle, starter Kaitlyn Brown (3-0) battled through six innings to eventually earn the win. Smith took the ball in the seventh and escaped a two-on, one-out predicament before slamming the door and earning her first save of the year.
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds will make their annual Spring Break trip to Central Florida next week. They’ll face eight opponents in five days, starting with a matchup with up Molloy University, Saturday, March 11. Some games will have live stats available, some will not. All are scheduled to be available via video stream on a pay-per-view basis.
INDIANAPOLIS MEN’S LAX
BILLIG BREAKS PROGRAM POINTS RECORD, HOUNDS FALL TO #2 LE MOYNE
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio – Drew Billig became the UIndy men’s lacrosse all-time points leader on Sunday afternoon as the No. 7 Greyhounds fell 15-13 against No. 2 Le Moyne in a non-conference neutral site battle. This marks this first loss of the season for the Greyhounds while the Dolphins remain perfect in the early season.
With his goal in the second period, Billig, who was tied with previous-leader Parker Kump at 210 points heading into the contest, etched his name atop the UIndy men’s lacrosse record book. He would go on to score four total points in the game which sits his active career total now at 214.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Le Moyne jumped out early with a convincing 6-0 lead before Ben Foster found the back of the net and got the Hounds on the scoreboard towards the end of the first period. Despite the early deficit, UIndy battled tough with the No. 2-ranked Dolphins and trailed by just four heading into the intermission. Notably, Billig broke the all-time points record with 4:29 remaining in the opening half.
A third period that saw just one goal for the Greyhounds proved to hurt the team the remainder of the way through the contest. A last fighting effort from the Hounds in the final 15 minutes, which saw the team outscore Le Moyne by five, came up just short as the Dolphins had built enough breathing room to hold on for the slim victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-Foster ended with a team-leading five points on five goals scored.
-Dougie Crawford led UIndy on defense with three caused turnovers.
-KC Carlson had six saves while protecting the net.
-UIndy launched a total of 48 shots while Le Moyne had just 29 in return.
-The Hounds scooped up a game-high 28 ground balls while the Dolphins answered with just 23.
UP NEXT
The Greyhounds will be back in action on Wednesday for a non-conference showdown on the road at Walsh. Action is set to begin at 4 p.m. ET.
MARIAN BASEBALL
MARIAN SPLITS WITH GOSHEN IN SERIES FINALE
INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian baseball team completed their season series against Goshen College on Sunday afternoon, playing as the visiting team with the series concluding play at MU Ballpark. The Knights notched their second consecutive win in the series with a 6-4 game one victory, while unsuccessful in game two as Marian fell 3-2. The doubleheader and series split leaves Marian with an 8-8 overall mark and 2-2 Crossroads League record.
GAME 1 | Marian 6-4 Goshen
The Knights wasted no time putting runs on the board as the series resumed, driving in three in the top of the first inning. A double for Kameron Salazar on the third pitch of the game started the offense, while a Trey Heidlage single and RBI double from Jackson Hogg brought in the game’s first run. Dion Wintjes tagged a sacrifice fly to score the second, and four batters later AJ Bordenet scored the third after getting hit with the bases loaded.
Damien Wallace followed the offense’s lead with the quick start, striking out the side in the bottom of the first inning. The Maple Leafs would strike back in the bottom of the second as they picked up three hits with two outs, scoring two runs off Wallace. The righty got out of the jam with a groundout to his infield to end the second, and then benefited from a double play to get out of the third inning by facing the minimum. Marian held their 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the fourth, as Wallace picked up the first two outs with flyouts to the outfield, however back to back errors prolonged the inning allowing Goshen to score an unearned run.
Tied 3-3 going into the top of the fifth inning, the Knights got a lift from Bryce Davenport, who launched a pitch deep and out of right field, with the home run scoring two runs as Dawson Estep touched home after courtesy running for Dion Wintjes. The home run provided a 5-3 lead, and stood as the lone runs scored in the fifth, sixth, and seventh, as Wallace and Daniel Brenneman kept the Maple Leafs off the board. Goshen managed just two base runners in the span, and in the eighth saw their deficit grow as Wintjes slammed a two-out double to the left field wall, scoring Hogg.
Brenneman kept Goshen scoreless with a pair of strikeouts in the eighth, however the right-hander allowed a lead-off walk to begin the ninth, ending his outing. Taylor Soper came out of the bullpen to get the save, doing so but not before getting into a jam. The Maple Leafs loaded the bases in the ninth and scored a run on an RBI groundout, but ended the game with the bases loaded as Trent Sillett grounded out to shortstop, closing the 6-4 Knights win.
Wallace earned the win going six innings on the hill, allowing six hits and three runs in his outing. Both Wallace and Brenneman, who did not allow a hit in two-plus innings, earned four strikeouts. Soper got the save closing in the ninth, facing six batters to earn his second save of the season. At the plate both Hogg and Rylan Huntley led Marian with two hits each, while Wintjes and Davenport each had a pair of RBI.
GAME 2 | Marian 2-3 Goshen
Like the first game, the Knights drew blood in the top of the first inning as Heidlage drew a walk, scoring a few batters later on an RBI single from Davenport. Marian’s lead would be tarnished in the bottom of the first inning as an throwing error on Preston Anderson’s swinging bunt put the outfielder in scoring position. Anderson would tie the game on a sacrifice fly hit off game two starter Craig Nixon, who got out of the first inning allowing just one Goshen run.
Goshen took their first lead since game two of the series in the bottom of the second inning, getting two doubles off Nixon that scored their second run. After allowing the pair of two-base hits, Nixon threw solid, striking out the side in the second, while stranding a hit in the third inning. Marian got the run back for Nixon to tie the game in the top of the fourth, as JJ Rivera and Rylan Huntley delivered back to back singles, with both moving to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. A bloop single from Caden Mason would bring in Rivera to tie the game, but that would be all the damage Marian would manage as they stranded two runners in scoring position.
The game held it’s tie at 2-2 as Nixon got out of his bases loaded jam with a double play in the bottom of the fourth, but in the fifth the senior took an exit after recording one out, leaving two walks on base for Jace Stoops. Stoops walked his first victim, and got the second out on a fly out to left field, allowing Goshen to score the go-ahead run. Stoops ended with a strikeout and pitched a strong solid sixth inning stranding two runners to keep his team in the game, but the Knights were unable to manage a baserunner in their final six outs, ending the series in a 3-2 defeat.
Five different Knights had a hit in the one-run loss, with Davenport and Mason recording the lone RBI for Marian. Nixon took the loss on the mound going 4.1 innings, allowing three runs with two earned. Nixon struckout four batters, and Stoops recorded one strikeout in his 1.2 innings of relief.
The Knights are scheduled to continue their home stand on Friday, March 10 as they begin a four-game series against Indiana Wesleyan. Weather is forecasted for the weekend series, fans are encouraged to stay tuned to @MUKnights on Twitter to follow updates for the series.
SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:
INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/
EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/
WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/
FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/
ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/
ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index
TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index
BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/
DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/
HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/
MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/
HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/
OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx
ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index
IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/
IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/
IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/
PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/
INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx
GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/
GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/
HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php
TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/
VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index
SPORTS EXTRA
NBA STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | Conf GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| 1 Milwaukee | 46 | 18 | .719 | — | 27-6 | 19-12 | 8-4 | 27-14 | 9-1 | 1 W | ||
| 2 Boston | 45 | 20 | .692 | 1.5 | 25-9 | 20-11 | 9-4 | 28-15 | 6-4 | 2 L | ||
| 3 Philadelphia | 41 | 22 | .651 | 4.5 | 24-10 | 17-12 | 7-6 | 24-15 | 7-3 | 1 W | ||
| 4 Cleveland | 40 | 26 | .606 | 7.0 | 27-7 | 13-19 | 12-3 | 24-13 | 6-4 | 1 W | ||
| 5 New York | 39 | 27 | .591 | 8.0 | 19-15 | 20-12 | 8-8 | 28-16 | 9-1 | 9 W | ||
| 6 Brooklyn | 36 | 28 | .563 | 10.0 | 19-12 | 17-16 | 7-8 | 26-17 | 4-6 | 2 W | ||
| 7 Miami | 34 | 31 | .523 | 12.5 | 20-12 | 14-19 | 8-4 | 17-21 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| 8 Atlanta | 32 | 32 | .500 | 14.0 | 18-13 | 14-19 | 5-7 | 19-21 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| 9 Toronto | 32 | 33 | .492 | 14.5 | 20-13 | 12-20 | 4-9 | 20-21 | 7-3 | 1 W | ||
| 10 Washington | 30 | 34 | .469 | 16.0 | 15-15 | 15-19 | 7-3 | 17-21 | 5-5 | 2 L | ||
| 11 Indiana | 29 | 36 | .446 | 17.5 | 18-15 | 11-21 | 5-5 | 20-18 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| 12 Chicago | 29 | 36 | .446 | 17.5 | 18-15 | 11-21 | 6-8 | 23-22 | 3-7 | 2 L | ||
| 13 Orlando | 27 | 38 | .415 | 19.5 | 15-17 | 12-21 | 4-8 | 14-27 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| 14 Charlotte | 20 | 46 | .303 | 27.0 | 11-20 | 9-26 | 7-9 | 11-31 | 5-5 | 3 L | ||
| 15 Detroit | 15 | 49 | .234 | 31.0 | 8-23 | 7-26 | 0-11 | 6-32 | 1-9 | 7 L | ||
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | Conf GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| 1 Denver | 45 | 19 | .703 | — | 29-4 | 16-15 | 10-5 | 32-12 | 8-2 | 3 W | ||
| 2 Memphis | 38 | 25 | .603 | 6.5 | 26-5 | 12-20 | 7-2 | 20-18 | 6-4 | 2 L | ||
| 3 Sacramento | 37 | 26 | .587 | 7.5 | 19-13 | 18-13 | 7-6 | 25-14 | 7-3 | 1 L | ||
| 4 Phoenix | 36 | 29 | .554 | 9.5 | 21-10 | 15-19 | 9-1 | 23-15 | 7-3 | 3 W | ||
| 5 Golden State | 34 | 31 | .523 | 11.5 | 27-7 | 7-24 | 5-8 | 22-16 | 6-4 | 1 L | ||
| 6 Minnesota | 34 | 32 | .515 | 12.0 | 20-14 | 14-18 | 8-7 | 25-20 | 5-5 | 3 W | ||
| 7 Dallas | 33 | 32 | .508 | 12.5 | 21-13 | 12-19 | 8-2 | 24-18 | 4-6 | 1 L | ||
| 8 LA Clippers | 34 | 33 | .507 | 12.5 | 16-15 | 18-18 | 6-7 | 20-21 | 3-7 | 1 W | ||
| 9 New Orleans | 31 | 33 | .484 | 14.0 | 20-11 | 11-22 | 7-4 | 20-16 | 4-6 | 1 L | ||
| 10 Utah | 31 | 34 | .477 | 14.5 | 20-13 | 11-21 | 5-8 | 21-21 | 4-6 | 3 L | ||
| 11 LA Lakers | 31 | 34 | .477 | 14.5 | 16-15 | 15-19 | 4-9 | 18-22 | 6-4 | 1 W | ||
| 12 Oklahoma City | 30 | 34 | .469 | 15.0 | 19-15 | 11-19 | 7-7 | 17-22 | 4-6 | 2 W | ||
| 13 Portland | 30 | 34 | .469 | 15.0 | 17-15 | 13-19 | 5-8 | 21-19 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| 14 San Antonio | 16 | 49 | .246 | 29.5 | 10-22 | 6-27 | 2-10 | 6-34 | 2-8 | 2 L | ||
| 15 Houston | 15 | 49 | .234 | 30.0 | 9-22 | 6-27 | 3-9 | 9-35 | 2-8 | 2 W | ||
Eight teams in each conference qualify for the playoffs.
X – Clinched Playoff Spot, Y – Clinched Division, Z – Clinched Conference
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Boston Bruins | 62 | 49 | 8 | 5 | 103 | 47 | 237 | 132 | 26-2-3 | 23-6-2 | 10-0-0 | |
| 2 Carolina Hurricanes | 61 | 41 | 12 | 8 | 90 | 38 | 212 | 155 | 22-7-2 | 19-5-6 | 7-3-0 | |
| 3 New Jersey Devils | 62 | 41 | 15 | 6 | 88 | 40 | 223 | 170 | 18-11-2 | 23-4-4 | 7-2-1 | |
| 4 Toronto Maple Leafs | 63 | 38 | 17 | 8 | 84 | 38 | 212 | 168 | 23-6-4 | 15-11-4 | 6-4-0 | |
| 5 Tampa Bay Lightning | 63 | 37 | 21 | 5 | 79 | 35 | 220 | 196 | 22-5-4 | 15-16-1 | 2-5-3 | |
| 6 New York Rangers | 63 | 35 | 19 | 9 | 79 | 32 | 209 | 179 | 17-11-4 | 18-8-5 | 4-5-1 | |
| 7 New York Islanders | 65 | 32 | 25 | 8 | 72 | 32 | 188 | 177 | 19-11-3 | 13-14-5 | 5-2-3 | |
| 8 Pittsburgh Penguins | 62 | 31 | 22 | 9 | 71 | 30 | 201 | 199 | 16-9-4 | 15-13-5 | 5-5-0 | |
| 9 Buffalo Sabres | 61 | 32 | 25 | 4 | 68 | 31 | 229 | 218 | 13-16-2 | 19-9-2 | 6-4-0 | |
| 10 Ottawa Senators | 62 | 32 | 26 | 4 | 68 | 30 | 199 | 193 | 19-12-2 | 13-14-2 | 7-2-1 | |
| 11 Florida Panthers | 64 | 31 | 27 | 6 | 68 | 29 | 219 | 217 | 17-10-3 | 14-17-3 | 5-5-0 | |
| 12 Washington Capitals | 64 | 31 | 27 | 6 | 68 | 30 | 199 | 192 | 15-13-3 | 16-14-3 | 3-7-0 | |
| 13 Detroit Red Wings | 63 | 28 | 26 | 9 | 65 | 26 | 188 | 208 | 15-12-4 | 13-14-5 | 3-6-1 | |
| 14 Philadelphia Flyers | 63 | 24 | 28 | 11 | 59 | 23 | 166 | 206 | 12-15-4 | 12-13-7 | 2-6-2 | |
| 15 Montreal Canadiens | 63 | 26 | 33 | 4 | 56 | 22 | 173 | 225 | 14-15-1 | 12-18-3 | 4-6-0 | |
| 16 Columbus Blue Jackets | 63 | 20 | 37 | 6 | 46 | 19 | 163 | 234 | 13-19-2 | 7-18-4 | 4-4-2 | |
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | ||
| 1 Vegas Golden Knights | 63 | 38 | 19 | 6 | 82 | 34 | 203 | 177 | 21-13-1 | 17-6-5 | 7-1-2 | |
| 2 Dallas Stars | 63 | 34 | 16 | 13 | 81 | 31 | 211 | 166 | 17-8-8 | 17-8-5 | 4-3-3 | |
| 3 Los Angeles Kings | 64 | 36 | 20 | 8 | 80 | 30 | 218 | 215 | 19-9-2 | 17-11-6 | 7-2-1 | |
| 4 Seattle Kraken | 63 | 36 | 21 | 6 | 78 | 36 | 220 | 200 | 15-12-3 | 21-9-3 | 6-3-1 | |
| 5 Minnesota Wild | 63 | 36 | 21 | 6 | 78 | 29 | 182 | 168 | 21-10-2 | 15-11-4 | 8-1-1 | |
| 6 Colorado Avalanche | 61 | 34 | 21 | 6 | 74 | 30 | 195 | 174 | 16-10-5 | 18-11-1 | 6-2-2 | |
| 7 Edmonton Oilers | 64 | 34 | 22 | 8 | 76 | 34 | 248 | 216 | 16-12-5 | 18-10-3 | 4-3-3 | |
| 8 Winnipeg Jets | 63 | 36 | 25 | 2 | 74 | 35 | 197 | 176 | 21-10-1 | 15-15-1 | 3-6-1 | |
| 9 Nashville Predators | 60 | 31 | 23 | 6 | 68 | 28 | 175 | 176 | 16-11-3 | 15-12-3 | 6-4-0 | |
| 10 Calgary Flames | 63 | 27 | 23 | 13 | 67 | 26 | 194 | 196 | 15-13-3 | 12-10-10 | 2-5-3 | |
| 11 St. Louis Blues | 62 | 27 | 30 | 5 | 59 | 24 | 191 | 227 | 13-14-4 | 14-16-1 | 3-5-2 | |
| 12 Vancouver Canucks | 62 | 25 | 32 | 5 | 55 | 22 | 209 | 243 | 12-17-1 | 13-15-4 | 4-5-1 | |
| 13 Arizona Coyotes | 63 | 21 | 32 | 10 | 52 | 18 | 171 | 227 | 14-11-3 | 7-21-7 | 4-4-2 | |
| 14 Anaheim Ducks | 63 | 21 | 34 | 8 | 50 | 18 | 161 | 257 | 11-16-2 | 10-18-6 | 4-4-2 | |
| 15 San Jose Sharks | 63 | 18 | 33 | 12 | 48 | 17 | 186 | 240 | 6-18-8 | 12-15-4 | 2-7-1 | |
| 16 Chicago Blackhawks | 62 | 21 | 36 | 5 | 47 | 19 | 153 | 225 | 12-18-3 | 9-18-2 | 5-5-0 | |
Last updated Mar. 6, 1:06 ET
Eight teams in each conference qualify for the divisional playoff format. The top three teams from each division make up the first six spots. The two remaining teams with the highest points, regardless of division, qualify for the final two wild card spots.
X – Clinched Playoff Spot, Y – Clinched Division, Z – Clinched Conference
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1884 High winds tear off the grandstand roof of Manhattan’s Southeast Diamond, but the one-year-old ballpark will be ready for the Gothams’ National League home opener on May 1st. The team, renamed the Giants next season, will win their first dozen games at the repaired facility, located at 5th Avenue and 110th street, commonly referred to as the Polo Grounds because the sport of kings took place in the 1870s at the site.
1907 The courts formally acquit Phillies’ owner A.J. Reach and John Rogers from damages resulting from the 1903 Baker Bowl disaster. A balcony had collapsed at the Broad Street and Lehigh Avenue ballpark, killing 12 and leaving 232 fans injured.
1923 The Cardinals announce that players will wear numbers on their uniforms’ sleeves, with the digits corresponding to their place in the batting order. The Redbirds strongly disapproved of the concept implemented by St. Louis manager Branch Rickey, who acted on a suggestion from sportswriter John Sheridan.
1938 The Phillies trade first baseman Dolph Camilli to the Dodgers for utility player Eddie Morgan and $45,000. The heavy-hitting infielder will spend six seasons in Brooklyn, having his best year in 1941 when he wins the National League MVP after leading the circuit in home runs and RBIs.
1945 In some of the fiercest fighting of World War II, Harry O’Neill is killed in the battle for Iwo Jima. In 1939, the fallen Marine played one game in the major leagues, appearing with the A’s as a catcher.
1948 The Braves acquire All-Star second baseman Eddie Stanky from the Dodgers for Bama Rowell and $60,000. This season, the 32-year-old hard-nosed infielder, known as the Brat, will play a pivotal role in Boston’s National League championship.
1951 Perennial loser Charlie Brown, who made his debut in Charles Schultz’s Peanut comic strip last October, appears in his first baseball game. The team’s pitcher and the manager usually fielded the following lineup first baseman – Shermy, second baseman – Linus, third baseman – Pig-pen, shortstop – Snoopy, right fielder – Lucy, center fielder -Patty, left fielder -Violet, and catcher – Schroeder.
1971 Joe Cronin, the AL president, defers to A’s owner Charlie Finley’s request to allow three balls, rather than four, to constitute a base on balls during an exhibition game against the Brewers. The experiment, designed to add offense and speed up the game, proves tedious for both teams when 19 walks are issued and six homers clear the fence during the 13-9 spring training victory for Oakland.
1973 In a spring training game against the Pirates, Larry Hisle becomes the first designated hitter in major league history. The contention that the new American League rule will add more offense to the game appears correct when the Twins’ DH hits two homers and drives in seven runs.
1976 Before the return of natural grass is in place for Opening Day, approximately a thousand people show up at Comiskey Park to get a piece of the 18,000 square feet of artificial turf covering the infield that Bill Veeck made available to the fans. The new White Sox owner, sensing a lack of public interest during the work stoppage, decided to stage the promotion to spark interest in the upcoming season, reminding fans, “when you go to the ballpark, you are entitled to the smell of freshly cut grass.”
1987 Free agent Andre Dawson signs a blank contract to join the Cubs. The former player for the Expos will win the National League MVP, making him a bargain at $500,000, the amount Chicago decided to pay the All-Star outfielder.
2001 The dedication of two sculptures, located 60 feet, six inches apart, depicting Johnny Podres pitching to Roy Campanella during the seventh game of the 1955 World Series, takes place on the south lawn of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The life-sized bronze statues, designed by figurative sculptor Stanley Bleifeld, were donated by an ardent Dodger fan Sheldon Fireman.
2001 Bill Mazeroski, the 1960 World Series hero who compiled a .260 batting average during his 17 seasons with the Pirates, is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. The group, who met in closed sessions and cast multiple classified ballots, also selected six-time All-Star right-hander Hilton Smith, a pitching standout with the Kansas City Monarchs, often overshadowed by his teammate Satchel Paige.
2005 Suzyn Waldman, making her debut with John Sterling on WCBS-AM (880), the Yankees radio flagship, becomes the first woman in big-league history to be a full-time color commentator. The former radio-talk host on WFAN, the first all-sports radio station in the country, was the first female to broadcast on a nationally telecast baseball game and the first local TV (Yankees) major league play-by-play announcer.
2020 Twenty-eight-year-old outfielder Chris Yelich signs the most extended and richest deal in Brewers’ history, agreeing to a seven-year, $187.25 million contract extension. The agreement most likely keeps the 2018 National League Most Valuable Player, who won the National League’s batting title last two seasons in Milwaukee for the remainder of his career.
BASEBALL’S BEST
WALTER ALSTON BIOGRAPHY
It has been often written and said in baseball circles that ballplayers judged with having less than distinguished playing careers make the best managers. Perhaps the ultimate example of that theory and belief is Walter Alston, whose player record consists of one Major League appearance that resulted in an error and a strikeout in just three innings. While his career as a player was brief, his managerial record of winning over two-thousand games, seven pennants, and four World Series is one of the top marks in baseball history.
As a youngster growing up in Ohio, Alston earned his nickname of “Smokey” due to his exceptional fastball while a high school pitcher. He went on to attend the Miami University where he captained the baseball and basketball teams. Alston earned his degree in 1932, taught for a few years, and then signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1935. After leading the Mid-Atlantic League with thirty-five home runs in 1936 he was called up to the big league club and made his lone appearance for the Redbirds on September 27, 1936, when St. Louis first baseman Johnny Mize was ejected. Alston was sent back to the minor leagues the next season and never returned to the majors.
In 1940, when it became apparent he wasn’t in the Cardinals future plans as a player, Alston was given the opportunity to play and manage Portsmouth in the Mid-Atlantic League where he guided them to a sixth place finish. After two more years as Player/Manager for Portsmouth, Alston was promoted to Rochester as a player only. He was released by St. Louis in 1944, but was signed by former Cardinals General Manager and now Brooklyn President Branch Rickey to play and manage in the Dodger minor league system. He led St. Paul to the Junior World Series Championship in 1949 and was immediately promoted to the Dodgers top minor league job in Montreal. Alston spent four seasons with Montreal and managed many players that went on to help win pennants for the big league club.
Following the 1953 season, Brooklyn Skipper Charlie Dressen insisted on a multi-year contract to continue as Dodger manager. Brooklyn Owner Walter O’Malley balked at the demand and to everyone’s surprise chose the little known Alston to pilot the club. Walt led the Dodgers to a second place finish in 1954, then won the pennant and Brooklyn’s only World Series Championship in 1955, defeating the Yankees in seven games. He followed that with another pennant in 1956 securing his position as Dodger field boss, and continued his ritual of extending his stay as manager on a one year contract basis.
Upon the Dodgers move to Los Angeles in 1958, Alston oversaw the rebuilding of the Dodgers as former Brooklyn stars faded away and were replaced with a new breed that included Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Maury Wills and others. The Dodgers won their first pennant in Los Angeles in 1959, defeating the Milwaukee Braves in a playoff, and then went on to beat the Chicago White Sox in six games to capture the World Series. In 1962 he presided over a Dodger collapse that saw Los Angeles get caught and tied for first place by the Giants, and then lose the pennant to San Francisco in a playoff, blowing a 4-2 ninth inning league in the third and deciding game. It was here the Alston’s patient, by the book, loyalty to his players managerial style was put to the extreme test, as calls went out for his dismissal, and even players questioned his leadership, saying the Dodgers may not have lost the 1962 pennant had they been guided by someone more fiery, such as former Dodger and Giant manager, and current LA coach Leo Durocher.
Alston’s response was predictable and he wasn’t going to change. “Look at misfortune the same way you look at success…Don’t panic! Do your best and forget the consequences”, he said prior to the start of the 1963 season. Once again his philosophy and approach paid off. The Dodgers fought off the surging Cardinals, won the pennant and faced the Yankees in the 1963 World Series. With Koufax, Drysdale and Johnny Podres leading the way with their excellent pitching, Los Angeles swept the mighty Bronx Bombers four straight. After slipping to seventh place in 1964, the Dodgers eked out the 1965 NL pennant and faced off against the powerful Minnesota Twins in the Fall Classic. The Series went to a seventh and deciding game and Alston was faced with one of the most difficult and controversial decisions in World Series history. He had to choose a starting pitcher for the biggest game of the year, and had to decide either on twenty-three game winner Don Drysdale, on his full three days rest, or twenty-six game winner Sandy Koufax, on a short rest of two days. Walt waited until just before game time before announcing in his trademark quiet way that “it will be the lefthander” (meaning Koufax). Sandy justified his Skipper’s confidence, and somewhat of a gamble, by shutting out the Twins, 2-0, to win the Series.
The Dodgers repeated their pennant success in 1966, but were surprisingly swept in four games by the Orioles, as they fell victim to the same dominant pitching they had inflicted on the Yankees in 1963. The Dodgers then began another transition as their stars of the sixties were replaced by a new group of young Dodgers, such as Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and others. Sprinkled in were some veterans such as Jimmy Wynn and Mike Marshall. The result was a 1974 pennant, Alston’s seventh at the helm. He had now won League Championships with three diverse clubs, a veteran power and pitching team in the 50’s, a club based on pitching and speed in the 60’s, and a youthful team blessed with hitting and pitching balance in the 70’s.
On July 17, 1976, Walt Alston became only the sixth manager in Major League history to win 2,000 games. Just before the end of that season he retired as Dodger skipper with 2,040 wins (currently seventh all-time). He ranks 17th in winning percentage (.558), was named National League Manager of the Year six times, and led NL All-Star teams to seven victories. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1983 by the Committee on Baseball Veterans and passed away in 1984, in Ohio, at the age of seventy-two.
BASEBALL YEAR IN REVIEW
YEAR IN REVIEW : 1905 AMERICAN LEAGUE
Off the field…
The “Industrial Workers of the World” (IWW) was founded in Chicago with the hopes of giving more control to unions. The aim of the IWW was to unite in one body all skilled and unskilled workers for the purpose of overthrowing capitalism by using direct action, propaganda, the boycott, and the strike. The IWW was also opposed the use of sabotage, arbitration, collective bargaining, and political affiliation. Unfortunately, recurring controversy during both World Wars along with accusations of treason caused dissention in the ranks from the top-down. From a probable strength of at least 30,000 in 1912, the membership later fell to less than 10,000 in 1930 and in the mid-1990s remained at less than 1,000.
In the American League…
A committee of Washington writers voted for “Nationals” as the new American League team nickname, but the “Senators” continued as the majority fan favorite.
New York Highlanders first baseman Hal Chase set a Major League record on August 5th with thirty-eight putouts during a doubleheader sweep (3-1, 6-5) versus the visiting St. Louis Browns.
In the National League…
On April 26th, Chicago Cubs outfielder Jack McCarthy tied a Major League record after starting three double plays to preserve a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jackson Nelson had originally set the DP record in 1887.
Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop Phil Lewis earned his paycheck and tied a National League record on July 20th, after having eighteen chances for seven assists, six putouts and five errors en route to a 2-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Dave Brain became the first player in National League history to hit three triples in a single game — twice in one season (vs. St. Louis and vs. Boston).
Boston Braves first baseman Fred Tenney completed the season with a National League record one-hundred fifty-two assists. The mark stood until 1986, when Sid Bream of the Pittsburgh Pirates topped it with one-hundred sixty-six.
Around the League…
New York Giants owner John T. Brush, who refused to play the American League pennant winners in 1904, proposed a new set of rules governing future World Series. Later known as the “Brush Rules,” these guidelines relating to the on-field play and off-field finances of the Series are still used to this day.
The National League Board of Directors acquitted St. Louis Cardinal right-hander Jack Taylor on the charges of throwing games. Despite the verdict, Taylor was still fined $300 for using poor judgment and practicing bad conduct.
On May 30th, both leagues posted record attendance figures for the Memorial Day holiday. Due to several doubleheaders, 80,963 attended eight American League games and 67,806 witnessed seven National League events.
FOOTBALL HISTORY
HOF BIRTHDAYS
March 6, 1927 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – The brilliant end of the Oklahoma Sooners from 1946 through 1949, Jim Owens was born.
March 6, 1942 – Dallas, Texas – The quarterback who played at SMU in 1961 then transferred to play the same position in 1963 and 1964 for Tulsa, Jerry Rhome celebrated his birth. The NFF’s bio on Rhome tells how in 1963 Jerry was third in the nation in passing as well the third highest collegian in total offense. He tossed many of those passes to the top receiver in the country, Howard Twilley. For the 1964 season, Jerry was credited with 32 touchdown passes, including seven in one game against Louisville. Rhome was an All-America selection and was named Player of the Year by the Academy of Sports Editors, the Washington Touchdown Club, and the Knute Rockne Club. He received the Walter Camp Trophy and was runner-up in the Heisman vote. Tulsa retired his jersey, No. 17 after the completion of his playing time there. The National Football Foundation carried the gridiron legacy of Jerry Rhome into the College football Hall of Fame in 1998.
March 6, 1943 – Houston, Texas – Ronnie Caveness the two way center and linebacker from the University of Arkansas from 1962 to 1964 was born. The FootballFoundation.org says that Ronnie was a First-Team all-American in his senior campaign of 1964 as he helped the Razorbacks take a share of the National Championship. There were a couple of other notable players on that Championship team of the Razorbacks in ‘64… Jimmy Johnson, a 2012 College Hall of Fame inductee as a coach and 2020 Pro Football HOF enshrinee, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The College Football Hall of Fame included the name of Ronnie Caveness in 2010. Ronnie was picked up in the AFL by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1965, as he spent one year with the franchise before playing out the remainder of his five-year professional career with the Houston Oilers.
March 6, 1950 – Birmingham, Alabama – The Crimson Tide running back from 1969 through the 1971 season, Johnny Musso was born. Johnny was a straightforward bruising back and described in his NFF bio as a bulldozer type of runner. Musso made the All-America selections in 1970 and 1971 and as a senior he was fourth in the Heisman vote. The American Football Coaches Association gave him the Ernie Davis Award. Johnny Musso was selected by the National Football Foundation voters in 2000 to secure a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
NUMBERS IN SPORTS
3 – 9 – 21 – 77
March 6, 1922 – The New York Yankees signed star slugger, Number 3, Babe Ruth to a $52,000 per year contract.
March 6, 1982 – The Highest scoring game in NBA history occurred when the San Antonio Spurs knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks 171-161 after three Over Time sessions!
March 6, 1985 – Legends from the diamond, Enos Slaughter, Number 9 the lefthanded batting right fielder most famously of the St Louis Cardinals during the 1940s, and Arky Vaughan, Number 21 the longtime infielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates are both elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
March 6, 2000 – Ray Bourque the vaunted defenseman and longtime captain of the Boston Bruins was traded to the the Colorado Avalanche. He famously wore the Number 77 on his sweater with both clubs
TV MONDAY
| NCAA BASKETBALL GAMES – MEN’S | TIME ET | TV |
| WCC Quarterfinal: Santa Clara vs. TBD | 12:30am | ESPN2 |
| Houston at Memphis | 12:00pm | CBS |
| Maryland at Penn State | 12:00pm | BTN |
| CAA Quarterfinal: Hofstra vs. William & Mary/Elon | 12:00pm | FloHoops |
| Illinois at Purdue | 12:30pm | FOX |
| Big South Championship | 1:00pm | ESPN2 |
| MVC Championship | 2:00pm | CBS |
| Nebraska at Iowa | 2:00pm | BTN |
| South Florida at Wichita State | 2:00pm | ESPNU |
| Patriot League Semifinal | 2:00pm | CBSSN |
| SMU at Cincinnati | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Temple at Tulane | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| East Carolina at UCF | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| CAA Quarterfinal: UNCW vs. TBD | 2:30pm | FloHoops |
| ASUN Championship | 3:00pm | ESPN2 |
| SoCon Semifinal | 4:00pm | ESPNU |
| Patriot League Semifinal | 4:00pm | CBSSN |
| Michigan at Indiana | 4:30pm | CBS |
| Sun Belt Semifinal | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Southland First Round: #5 vs. #8 | 6:00pm | ESPN+ |
| CAA Quarterfinal: Charleston vs. North Carolina A&T/Stony Brook | 6:00pm | FloHoops |
| SoCon Semifinal | 6:30pm | ESPNews |
| Summit League Quarterfinal: St. Thomas vs. Western Illinois | 7:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Wisconsin at Minnesota | 7:30pm | FS1 |
| Northwestern at Rutgers | 7:30pm | BTN |
| Big Sky Second Round: Eastern Washington vs. Northern Arizona/Idaho | 7:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Sun Belt Semifinal | 8:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Southland First Round: #6 vs. #7 | 8:30pm | ESPN+ |
| CAA Quarterfinal: Towson vs. Delaware/Northeastern | 8:30pm | FloHoops |
| Summit League Quarterfinal: North Dakota State vs. South Dakota | 9:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Big Sky Second Round: Montana State vs. Northern Colorado/Portland State | 10:00pm | ESPN+ |
| COLLEGE BASKETBALL – WOMEN’S | TIME ET | TV |
| Atlantic 10 Tournament | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| ACC Tournament | 1:00pm | ESPN |
| Big East Tournament | 3:00pm | FS1 |
| SEC Tournament | 3:00pm | ESPN |
| Big Ten Tournament | 5:00pm | ESPN |
| Big East Tournament | 5:30pm | FS1 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| PGA: Arnold Palmer Invitational | 12:30pm | GOLF |
| MLB SPRING TRAINING | TIME ET | TV |
| Miami vs Boston | 1:05pm | MLBN |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| Formula One: Bahrain Grand Prix | 10:00am | ESPN |
| IndyCar: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg | 12:00pm | NBC |
| Xfinity:NASCAR Cup: Pennzoil 400 | 3:30pm | FOX |
| NBA REGULAR SEASON GAMES | TIME ET | TV |
| Phoenix at Dallas | 1:00pm | ABC |
| Golden State at LA Lakers | 3:30pm | ABC |
| Indiana at Chicago | 3:30pm | NBCS-CHI Bally Sports |
| Charlotte at Brooklyn | 6:00pm | YES Bally Sports |
| Portland at Orlando | 6:00pm | Root Sports Bally Sports |
| San Antonio at Houston | 7:00pm | ATTSN-SW Bally Sports |
| Utah at Oklahoma City | 7:00pm | Bally Sports ATTSN-RM |
| New York at Boston | 7:30pm | ESPN MSG NBCS-BOS |
| Milwaukee at Washington | 7:30pm | NBCS-WSH Bally Sports |
| Memphis at LA Clippers | 10:00pm | ESPN Bally Sports |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON GAMES | TIME ET | TV |
| Tampa Bay at Carolina | 3:00pm | TNT |
| Montreal at Vegas | 6:00pm | Sportsnet ATTSN-RM |
| Detroit at Philadelphia | 6:00pm | NHLN Bally Sports NBCS-PHI |
| New Jersey at Arizona | 7:00pm | MSGSN Bally Sports |
| Seattle at Colorado | 10:00pm | Root Sports ALT |
| SOCCER MATCHES | TIME ET | TV |
| Serie A: Spezia vs Hellas Verona | 6:30am | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Troyes vs Monaco | 7:00am | beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Real Valladolid vs Espanyol | 8:00am | ESPN+ |
| English Premier League: Nottingham Forest vs Everton | 9:00am | USA |
| Serie A: Sampdoria vs Salernitana | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Reims vs Ajaccio | 9:00am | beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Strasbourg vs Brest | 9:00am | beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Toulouse vs Clermont | 9:00am | beIN Sports |
| Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs Hertha BSC | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Barcelona vs Valencia | 10:15am | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Olympique Lyonnais vs Lorient | 11:05am | beIN Sports |
| English Premier League: Liverpool vs Manchester United | 11:30am | USA |
| Bundesliga: Wolfsburg vs Eintracht Frankfurt | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Internazionale vs Lecce | 12:00pm | Paramount+ |
| La Liga: Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club | 12:30pm | ESPN+ |
| English Premier League: Southampton vs Leicester City | 12:30pm | NBC |
| Serie A: Roma vs Juventus | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Rennes vs Olympique Marseille | 2:45pm | beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Real Betis vs Real Madrid | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Gimnasia La Plata vs Colón | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Independiente vs Instituto | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Huracán vs San Lorenzo | 5:15pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Talleres Córdoba vs Vélez Sarsfield | 7:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Tigre vs Argentinos Juniors | 7:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Liga MX: Querétaro vs Toluca | 8:05pm | TUDN |
| XFL | TIME ET | TV |
| St. Louis at D.C. | 1:00pm | FX |
| Orlando at Arlington | 4:00pm | FX |
| San Antonio at Houston | 8:00pm | ESPN2 |