INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL
INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL-SEMI-STATE
| CLASS 4A | ||||
| HUNTINGTON NORTH | ||||
| FISHERS | 67 | FORT WAYNE SNIDER | 66 | |
| LAKE CENTRAL | 62 | SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON | 57 | |
| FISHERS | 41 | LAKE CENTRAL | 24 | |
| SOUTHPORT | ||||
| BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE | 50 | CENTER GROVE | 43 | |
| LAWRENCE NORTH | 70 | BEN DAVIS | 55 | |
| BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE | 47 | LAWRENCE NORTH | 40 | |
| CLASS 3A | ||||
| LAPORTE | ||||
| TWIN LAKES | 51 | HAMILTON HEIGHTS | 44 | |
| FAIRFIELD | 54 | TIPPECANOE VALLEY | 33 | |
| FAIRFIELD | 42 | TWIN LAKES | 34 | |
| JASPER | ||||
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 52 | GIBSON SOUTHERN | 47 | |
| INDIAN CREEK | 76 | INDIANAPOLIS CHATARD | 47 | |
| CORYDON CENTRAL | 48 | INDIAN CREEK | 42 | |
| CLASS 2A | ||||
| LOGANSPORT | ||||
| LAPEL | 44 | ANDREAN | 32 | |
| CENTRAL NOBLE | 43 | LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC | 42 | |
| LAPEL | 51 | CENTRAL NOBLE | 38 | |
| SHELBYVILLE | ||||
| FOREST PARK | 65 | GREENCASTLE | 48 | |
| NORTH KNOX | 67 | EASTERN HANCOCK | 50 | |
| FOREST PARK | 41 | NORTH KNOX | 36 | |
| CLASS 1A | ||||
| FRANKFORT | ||||
| TRI | 55 | TRI-CENTRAL | 29 | |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN | 55 | WASHINGTON TWP. | 50 | |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN | 58 | TRI | 54 | |
| NEW ALBANY | ||||
| JAC-CEN-DEL | 44 | BLOOMFIELD | 34 | |
| LANESVILLE | 56 | TRINITY LUTHERAN | 41 | |
| LANESVILLE | 45 | JAC-CEN-DEL | 21 |
INDIANA WRESTLING STATE FINALS
RESULTS: HTTPS://WWW.IHSAA.ORG/SITES/DEFAULT/FILES/DOCUMENTS/2022-23%20WRESTLING%20STATE%20RESULTS.PDF
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES
#1 ALABAMA 108 GEORGIA 59
#4 UCLA 78 CALIFORNIA 43
#5 KANSAS 87 #9 BAYLOR 71
#6 TEXAS 85 OKLAHOMA 83 OT
#7 VIRGINIA 57 NOTRE DAME 55
#8 ARIZONA 78 COLORADO 68
KENTUCKY 66 #10 TENNESSEE 54
#12 KANSAS STATE 61 #19 IOWA STATE 55
#13 GONZAGA 97 PEPPERDINE 88
#14 INDIANA 71 ILLINOIS 68
MIKE WOODSON POST GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQPlfl2fQ3E
PLAYER POST GAME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sUlusjMJoQ
#15 MIAMI FLORIDA 96 WAKE FOREST 87
#16 XAVIER 82 DEPAUL 68
#17 ST. MARY’S 71 BYU 65
#18 CREIGHTON 77 ST. JOHN’S 67
#20 UCONN 64 SETON HALL 55
#22 TCU 100 OKLAHOMA STATE 75
#24 PROVIDENCE 85 VILLANOVA 72
INDIANA STATE 80 ILLINOIS STATE 64
WESTERN MICHIGAN 78 BALL STATE 68
MURRAY STATE 74 EVANSVILLE 58
BOSTON COLLEGE 75 FLORIDA STATE 69
RUTGERS 58 WISCONSIN 57
TEXAS TECH 78 WEST VIRGINIA 72
SOUTH CAROLINA 82 LSU 73
ARKANSAS 84 FLORIDA 65
OHIO 76 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 59
GEORGIA TECH 79 FLORIDA TECH 56
MISSISSIPPI STATE 69 OLE MISS 61 OT
MIAMI OHIO 66 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 65 OT
TOLEDO 91 BOWLING GREEN 86
COLORADO STATE 60 FRESNO STATE 57
VIRGINIA TECH 79 PITTSBURGH 72
ARIZONA STATE 67 UTAH 59
TEXAS A&M 69 MISSOURI 60
DUKE 77 SYRACUSE 55
AKRON 86 BUFFALO 66
LOUISVILLE 83 CLEMSON 73
MICHIGAN 84 MICHIGAN STATE 72
WASHINGTON 61 OREGON STATE 47
PENN STATE 76 MINNESOTA 69
VANDERBILT 67 AUBURN 65
USC 85 STANFORD 75
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/CBK/SCOREBOARD.ASP?CONF=-1&DAY=20230218
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
#6 UCONN 60 #14 VILLANOVA 51
#7 IOWA 80 NEBRASKA 60
#8 MARYLAND 66 MICHIGAN STATE 61
#20 GONZAGA 65 ST. MARY’S 51
#22 IOWA STATE 81 BAYLOR 77 2OT
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 84 BALL STATE 77
IUPUI 87 OAKLAND 73
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 63 SOUTHERN INDIANA 59
PURDUE FORT WAYNE 65 NORTHERN KENTUCKY 59
TOLEDO 84 EASTERN MICHIGAN 64
OHIO 83 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 75
SETON HALL 72 XAVIER 59
MIAMI OHIO 72 BUFFALO 67
CLEVELAND STATE 87 WRIGHT STATE 49
COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/WCBK/SCOREBOARD.ASP?CONF=-1&DAY=20230218
NBA SCOREBOARD
BOX SCORES:
NHL SCOREBOARD
COLORADO 4 ST. LOUIS 1
NASHVILLE 7 FLORIDA 3
BOSTON 6 NY ISLANDERS 2
NEW JERSEY 5 PITTSBURGH 2
COLUMBUS 4 DALLAS 1
TORONTO 5 MONTRÉAL 1
CAROLINA 4 WASHINGTON 1
CALGARY 3 NY RANGERS 2
VANCOUVER 6 PHILADELPHIA 2
VEGAS 5 TAMPA BAY 4
LOS ANGELES 6 ARIZONA 5
BUFFALO 4 SAN JOSE 2
SEATTLE 4 DETROIT 2
BOX SCORES: HTTP://HOSTED.STATS.COM/NHL/SCOREBOARD.ASP
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
NBA NEWS
MAC MCCLUNG STEALS THE SHOW, SOARS TO 2023 AT&T SLAM DUNK TITLE
SALT LAKE CITY — The AT&T Slam Dunk Contest was won by a player who technically isn’t in the NBA.
But that will change if the Sixers are just as impressed with their G-League player as the judges were Saturday.
Mac McClung executed perfect 50s on all but one of his dunks to win the contest over Trey Murphy III of the Pelicans in the final.
In his final dunk, McClung delivered a 360-degree plus — meaning, he went 360 plus a few more degrees in an added reversal — that earned him a hug from Dominique Wilkins, a two-time dunk contest winner and one of the judges. For that dunk, McClung, who’s 6-2 and 180 pounds, wore his high school jersey; he broke Allen Iverson’s Virginia scoring record at Gate City High.
McClung is an interesting story. He has only four games of NBA experience. He has spent more time in the G-League, currently with the Delaware Blue Hens, and previously with the South Bay Lakers, where he was the league’s rookie of the year.
But he didn’t stick with the Lakers, or the Warriors, who invited him to camp. McClung says he realizes he needs to improve his ball-handling, which is the only barrier keeping him from the league.
He recorded a 43 1/2-inch vertical leap at the 2021 NBA Combine and became a YouTube sensation from his dunks in high school. He’s the first G-Leaguer to participate in the contest. And he’s also enjoying a solid season in the G-League, averaging 19.1 points, 4.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds in 18 games, shooting 50% from beyond the 3-point line.
McClung won the dunk crowd from the start with a perfect score when he dunked over two friends, tapping the backboard along the way.
The other contestants in the four-player field were KJ Martin of the Rockets and Jericho Sims of the Knicks, who were eliminated in the preliminaries.
The judges were Wilkins and another two-time champ, Harold Miner, along with Lisa Leslie, Karl Malone and Jamal Crawford. The trophy was awarded by Julius Erving, the first dunk champion, and named after him.
LILLARD TAKES HOME THE 3-POINT TITLE AT ALL-STAR SATURDAY
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Damian Lillard represented his school and his brand.
And he did them both proud.
The Portland star won the 3-point contest at the NBA’s All-Star Saturday, topping Indiana teammates Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in the final round.
Lillard wore a Weber State jersey with “Dolla” on the back. Weber State is his college; he performs music under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A. And when he got the trophy, he had a Blazers warmup shirt on for that moment.
“They say the third time’s the charm,” said Lillard, who got his first 3-point title in his third try at the event. “And I’m happy that it happened here. It’s a perfect situation. I’m happy that I did it in my home, coming back here to Utah.”
Lillard won the final round with 26 points. Hield had 25 and Haliburton scored 17.
Lillard played his college games in Ogden, Utah, about a half-hour outside of Salt Lake City. And the historic ramification of finally getting a 3-point title wasn’t lost on him.
“The best shooters in the history of our game, most of them have one of these,” Lillard said as he held the trophy. “I just wanted to get it done at least one time. And now I have it, so I can retire from it.”
Haliburton won the first round with 31 points. Lillard had 26, and Hield had 23.
Eliminated in the first round were Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Utah’s Lauri Markkanen, Miami’s Tyler Herro, New York’s Julius Randle and Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter.
SKILLS CHALLENGE
Utah got a win to open All-Star Saturday night.
The Jazz – a roster composed of Utah players Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton – won the Skills Challenge on Saturday night, prevailing in two of the three competitions.
“It feels good, especially to do it in front of the home team,” Sexton said.
The Rooks were second, with Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Detroit’s Jaden Ivey and Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. getting 100 points.
“I had a lot of fun just doing that even though we took the L,” said Banchero, who was part of the winning squad in Friday’s Rising Stars games. “It was really fun getting out there in front of the fans. Skills Challenge, watched that all the time growing up during All-Star Weekend. So being a part of it was great.”
The Antetokounmpos were third, with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday – a fill-in for injured Milwaukee Bucks teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo – getting shut out.
The Rooks won the team relay for 100 points, after having the best time on a course where teams had to complete a 35-foot outlet pass, do downcourt dribbling, a short jumper, a left corner 3-pointer and then a dunk at the other end.
Next up was the team passing event, won by the Jazz – giving them 100 points – after they were the most accurate in a series of 35-foot outlet passes, 20-foot bounce passes and 25-foot chest passes.
It ended with the Team Shooting event – worth 200 points – with the Jazz prevailing there to clinch the win.
“We did it for Utah, man,” Clarkson said.
AP SOURCES: LOVE, CAVALIERS FINALIZE BUYOUT AS HE EYES MIAMI
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Kevin Love was the last link to Cleveland’s memorable 2016 championship. He’ll chase another title elsewhere.
The five-time All-Star and the Cavs completed a buyout of his contract Saturday, freeing the forward to sign with another team. Love is strongly considering a move to the Miami Heat, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because Love, who was with Cleveland since 2014, must still clear waivers before he can sign with a new team.
Love’s departure ends his tenure with the Cavs that came during the team’s most successful run.
“Kevin represented the organization and the city of Cleveland with the utmost charm and professionalism during his nine seasons in Northeast Ohio,” Cavs president of basketball of operations Koby Altman said. “He also embodied everything a franchise would want in a player, and the admiration and gratitude we have for him will ultimately land his jersey in the rafters of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“We thank Kevin for his impact and wish him nothing but the best, knowing that he has solidified his place in the hearts of Cavaliers fans and this organization forever.”
Other teams are expected to bid for Love, who is making $31.3 million this season, before he finalizes a decision, one of the people told the AP.
“Hopefully he decides to bring his shooting down to 305 so we can end the season on a very high note,” Heat guard Tyler Herro said, referencing the Miami area code.
Unhappy that he had been dropped from the Cavs’ rotation this season, the 34-year-old formally requested a buyout earlier this week. Love sat out Cleveland’s past 12 games before the All-Star break and there was little indication his playing time would increase anytime soon.
Love believes he can still play at a high level, and his postseason experience makes him attractive to any contenders.
“He knows how to win,” Miami center Bam Adebayo said. “He’s been in those battles.”
Love’s time Cavs had its ups and downs, but he’ll be remembered for his role in helping Cleveland overcome a 3-1 deficit to stun the Golden State Warriors in the Finals seven years ago to end the city’s 52-year title drought.
Love figured to have a prominent role this season for the Cavs, but he was slowed by a thumb injury that affected his shot. He’s averaging career-lows of 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 20 minutes per game.
The Cavs’ recent acquisition of forward and sharpshooter Danny Green pushed Love even further down Cleveland’s bench.
But over parts of 15 NBA seasons with Cleveland and Minnesota, Love has averaged 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds. He’s also a 37% career shooter from 3-point range, and helped USA Basketball win both Olympic and FIBA World Cup gold medals.
Miami created the flexibility to absorb at least one player in a buyout situation by trading away Dewayne Dedmon to San Antonio earlier this month in exchange for cash considerations. That essentially opened a roster spot for at least one move.
Cleveland, which entered the break fourth in the Eastern Conference at 38-23, may not want to see Love end up with the Heat, a potential playoff opponent. Miami is seventh in the East at 32-27, a half-game behind No. 6 New York.
Love joined the Cavs after six seasons with the Timberwolves, who traded him to the Cavs for No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.
Accustomed to being the only star in Minnesota, Love struggled to fit in with the Cavs while playing alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. However, over time he began to blend in as Cleveland won four consecutive conference titles after James returned as a free agent.
When James left again, the Cavs locked Love up by signing him to a four-year, $120 million extension that didn’t sit well with some Cleveland fans. Love battled injuries while the Cavs won just 60 games over a three-year span.
However, his willingness to accept a reserve role was key in the team’s turnaround last season, when the Cavs went 44-38 and made the play-in tournament. Also, Love’s public openness about his struggles with mental health issues enhanced his popularity.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
ALABAMA HEADLINES EARLY LIST OF TOP NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDS
Alabama got the best of Houston in a nonconference matchup. That has Crimson Tide holding an early lead on the Cougars for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, too.
The committee that will select the field of 68 revealed its preliminary list of top teams Saturday, with the Crimson Tide taking the top spot over the Cougars due to a head-to-head road win in December – which committee chairman Chris Reynolds said “put them over the top.”
Otherwise, there isn’t much difference when it comes to the teams’ resumes. They’re 1-2 in some order in the AP Top 25, NET (NCAA Evaluation Tool) and KenPom rankings. Alabama entered the weekend with seven wins in Quadrant 1 compared to four for Houston, while both teams were unbeaten against Quadrant 2 opponents.
If the order holds, it would mark the first No. 1 regional seed for Nate Oats’ Crimson Tide in program history. Alabama climbed to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 poll earlier this week for the first time since 2003, though the Tide lost to Tennessee on Wednesday in its first game with that ranking.
Houston hasn’t held a No. 1 seed since 1983, during the “Phi Slama Jama” era of the early 1980s.
Purdue and reigning national champion Kansas were the other No. 1 seeds, with the Boilermakers spending a national-best seven weeks at No. 1 in the AP Top 25 this season. The Jayhawks are trying to become the first repeat champion since Florida in 2006-07 and entered the weekend with a national-best 12 Quadrant 1 wins, while no other team had reached 10.
The nationally televised reveal of the top 16 seeds offers a snapshot of where things stand with a little more than three weeks remaining until the field is set.
Since the first reveal in 2017, the NCAA said 65 of 80 teams have remained in the top 16, while three of the four No. 1 regional seeds each year have stayed there.
Texas, Arizona, Baylor and UCLA were the preliminary No. 2 seeds, followed by Tennessee, Virginia, Iowa State and Kansas State as 3-seeds. Indiana, Marquette, Gonzaga and Xavier rounded out the list as No. 4 seeds.
Reynolds said Creighton, Miami, Saint Mary’s and Connecticut were the top teams to miss the cut.
The selection committee also sorted the top 16 seeds into four regional groupings, starting with Alabama headlining the South bracket that goes through Louisville, Kentucky. Baylor, Virginia and Indiana joined the Tide in the South.
Houston topped the Midwest bracket running through Kansas City, Missouri, followed by Texas, Tennessee and Xavier.
Purdue was the No. 1 seed in the East bracket running through New York, joined by UCLA, Iowa State and Marquette.
Kansas was the top seed in the West bracket running through Las Vegas, followed by Arizona, Kansas State and Gonzaga.
The Big 12 finished with a national-best five teams in the top 16. The Southeastern, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Big East conferences each had two as the only other leagues with multiple teams.
Selection Sunday is March 12, with First Four games beginning two days later. The Final Four will be held in Houston, with the semifinals set for April 1 and the championship game two days later.
NO. 5 KANSAS RALLIES IN 2ND HALF, BEATS NO. 9 BAYLOR 87-71
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) DaJuan Harris scored all 14 of his points in the second half as No. 5 Kansas stormed back from a double-digit halftime deficit and beat No. 9 Baylor 87-71 Saturday.
The Jayhawks (22-5, 10-4 Big 12) outscored the Bears 55-26 in the second half.
“That’s Harris and (Kevin) McCullar,” Kansas coach Bill Self said when asked to describe the turnaround in the second half. “The good looks (Baylor) got in the second half, they didn’t make them. In the first half, even when they got hard looks, they made them.
“Harris can make shots. He just doesn’t take a lot of them.”
Jalen Wilson led Kansas with 21 points and 13 rebounds. KJ Adams added 17 points and Gradey Dick had 16.
“We just had to gain composure,” Wilson said of the second-half surge. “It’s a long game, and we’re never going to quit.”
The Jayhawks are tied with Texas for the top spot in the Big 12 Conference. The Longhorns beat Oklahoma 85-83 in overtime earlier Saturday.
“You can now start talking about the conference race,” Self said. “There’s only four games left and we’re in a good position.”
Baylor is in sole possession of third place, a game behind Kansas and Texas and a game ahead of Kansas State and Iowa State.
“That’s a good game for the Big 12,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said. “You saw what we were capable of in the first half and what Kansas is capable of in the second half.”
Baylor (20-7, 9-5) got nearly all of its scoring from its three-guard combo of Adam Flagler (22 points) Keyonte George (20 points) and LJ Cryer (15 points). The rest of the team combined to score just 14 points.
Baylor shot 9 of 14 from 3-point range in the first half and and 10 for 25 overall. Conversely, Kansas, which hit only 1 of 11 from beyond the arc in the first half finished 6 for 21 from long distance.
The Jayhawks scored the last three points of the first half and the first 10 of the second half to trim a 15-point deficit to 45-42 with less than 2:30 gone in the second half.
“As good as we were in the first half, that’s how bad we were in the second half,” Drew said. “They just killed us in transition.”
When Dick hit a 3-pointer at the 14:29 mark, Kansas had stormed all the way back and led 50-49. The Jayhawks never trailed again and extended the lead to double digits (65-54) at the 10:20 mark of the second half.
“You’re not going to change (the momentum) by making shots,” Wilson said. “It’s going to start by making stops. We needed to be aggressive.”
The Bears led 20-14 at the second media timeout with Cryer (11 points) and Flagler (9) combining for all 20 Baylor points. Baylor used an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 33-21 with 5:07 left. George joined in the scoring, and when he hit a 3-pointer with 3:54, followed by another with 3:32 left, the Bears led 39-23 with all the points coming from the three guards.
Baylor led 45-32 at halftime after hitting nine 3-pointers. George led the Bears with 15 first-half points. Flagler had 14 and Cryer had 13. Jalen Bridges had the only other three points of the half.
Baylor also held a 21-13 advantage on the boards in the first half.
THE TAKEAWAY
Baylor: The Bears need to find other scoring besides their three guards. When they went cold in the second half, the Bears had no answer.
Kansas: The Jayhawks are tough to beat in Allen Fieldhouse. With the quick start to the second half, the crowd got behind the Jayhawks, who rallied.
UP NEXT
Baylor: The Bears travel to No. 12 Kansas State on Tuesday night.
Kansas: The Jayhawks travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for a Big Monday matchup with No. 22 TCU.
KENTUCKY TAKES BIG LEAD, DOWNS NO. 10 TENNESSEE 66-54
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Cason Wallace and Oscar Tshiebwe each scored 16 points and Kentucky rushed to a big lead and beat No. 10 Tennessee 66-54 on Saturday.
The Volunteers (20-7, 9-5 SEC) trailed by 20 points at halftime and lost in their first game since toppling No. 1 Alabama.
The Wildcats (18-9, 9-5) earned their first regular-season sweep of Tennessee since the 2011-12 season. Kentucky defeated the Volunteers 63-56 on Jan. 14 in Knoxville.
Wallace had totaled nine points in the Wildcats’ previous two games.
“He was ready to play,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “He hasn’t been good in afternoon games, and I reminded him (before the game), this team needs everybody.”
Chris Livingston added 12 points and completed a double-double with 10 rebounds. Jacob Toppin had 11.
Coming off their 68-59 home win over Alabama on Wednesday, the Volunteers failed to duplicate the same defensive prowess they displayed against the Crimson Tide, especially in the first half.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes was disappointed in his team’s ability to maintain the focus it had earlier in the week against Alabama, a problem that has plagued his team the entire year.
“I wish I knew about the (inconsistency issues), we’d fix it,” he said. “I think it goes back, and I don’t understand, with as much time as we spend, older guys talking about doing your job, playing your role night in and night out, and not letting emotion get the best of us.”
Tennessee struggled during the first 20 minutes and trailed 39-19 at the break. The Volunteers shot 31% in the first half whole going 1 for 13 from 3-point range.
“What I liked was how we defended and how we rebounded,” Calipari said. “We outrebounded them by eight, you understand, in the country they’re like the best, they’re a plus eight rebounding and we ended up being plus eight in the first half.”
Santiago Vescovi led Tennessee with 17 points and Jahmai Mashack had 16.
Both teams were shorthanded. The Volunteers were minus starter Julian Phillips (hip) and senior reserve Josiah Jordan-James (ankle). Kentucky was missing senior guards Sahvir Wheeler (ankle) and C.J. Fredrick (ribs).
BIG PICTURE
Tennessee: The Volunteers were outrebounded 43-23 in their loss to the Wildcats in Knoxville and didn’t fare much better in the rematch. Kentucky held a 40-32 edge on the glass. … Tennessee never got closer than eight points during the second half.
Kentucky: The Wildcats continue to make a late push for an NCAA Tournament berth and notched their second straight Quad 1 victory and third of the year. Kentucky positioned itself for a higher seed in the SEC Tournament with two weeks remaining in the regular season. “Talking us out of the NCAA tournament does not work,” Calipari said. “You either play yourself in or you play. . we’ve had two losses that you would like to have back. We’ve had other games, really the first game. But you know what? None of that matters now. Everything is just going forward.”
GLORY DAYS
The Wildcats honored its 1996-1998 teams during halftime. Kentucky won the national title in 1996, was runner-up in 1997 and captured its second title in three years in 1998. Former coach Tubby Smith, who guided the Wildcats to the national title in his first season at the helm in 1998, was in attendance as well as former coaches and players from those three teams.
UP NEXT
Tennessee: At Texas A&M on Tuesday.
Kentucky: At Florida on Wednesday.
MILLER, PRINGLE LEAD NO. 1 ALABAMA OVER GEORGIA 108-59
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama is a tough team to catch on the rebound. Just ask Vanderbilt, and now Georgia.
Brandon Miller scored 21 points, Nick Pringle had 19 points and 12 rebounds and Mark Sears made five 3-pointers in the first half to lead No. 1 Alabama to a 108-59 romp over Georgia on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide (23-4, 13-1 Southeastern Conference) rebounded from their first SEC loss by racing to a 54-25 halftime lead and making 16 of 34 3s (47.1%) en route to a season scoring high.
“I think our guys respond well after losses,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said. “I hope we don’t have any more that we have to respond like that.”
It was tied for the third-largest margin in an SEC game for Alabama, though still behind a 57-pointer over Vanderbilt last month. That followed a loss to Oklahoma.
Alabama was coming off a 68-59 loss at No. 10 Tennessee on Wednesday night after rising to No. 1 for only the second time in program history and first in 20 years. Second-ranked Houston hosts Memphis and No. 3 Purdue faces Ohio State on Sunday.
“It was good just to see the ball fall through the net, and the defense was really there in the first half,” Sears said. “It gave us a spark.”
The Bulldogs (16-11, 6-8) hit a lower percentage from the free throw line than Alabama did from 3-point range. Georgia was 13 of 30 (43.3%) on foul shots.
Miller played only 21 minutes and Sears 19 for the Tide. Miller made 3 of 5 3s, and Sears hit 5 of 8 after a perfect first half. Pringle had season highs in both points and rebounds.
Rylan Griffen scored 13 and Noah Clowney 12 for Alabama.
Justin Hill, who made the game-winning basket against LSU on Tuesday night, led Georgia with 17 points. Terry Roberts scored 11 and Braelen Bridges 10.
“I think it’d be hard to forget about this one,” Georgia coach Mike White said. “I haven’t been a part of something like this. I did a very poor job obviously of preparing our guys. We looked rattled from the tip. Alabama’s obviously a better basketball team than we are. They are terrific.
“As good of an offensive team as I’ve seen live or competed against in our league that I can remember.”
Sears and Miller combined for Alabama’s first 20 points and the Tide swiftly built a 30-8 lead. Alabama started 5 of 6 from the floor, all 3s against Georgia’s zone defense, and Miller also made three free throws after getting fouled on another attempt.
He’s only the third Tide player to score 500 points as a freshman and reached the milestone faster than either James Robinson or Collin Sexton.
“It’s honestly crazy, especially with the team we have – how skilled we are, how deep we are,” Pringle said. “Five hundred points already? I don’t think you can have a better freshman year than this.”
BIG PICTURE
Georgia: Fell to 3-9 away from home, where the Bulldogs are 13-2. Hill made both of his 3-point attempts, but the rest of the team was a combined 2 of 11. Was outrebounded 49-26.
Alabama: Won its 11th SEC game by double digits, matching the 1955-56 team for the most in program history. … Has followed up losses with wins by a combined 128 points. … Went over 100 points for the fifth time.
ASSISTS
Alabama had assists on 26 of 39 baskets, getting seven from Jaden Bradley and six from Jahvon Quinerly.
UP NEXT
Georgia visits Arkansas on Tuesday night.
Alabama visits South Carolina on Wednesday night.
NO. 4 UCLA BLOWS OUT CAL 78-43, IMPROVES TO 15-0 AT HOME
LOS ANGELES (AP) This time, the UCLA Bruins had their minds in the game for 40 minutes.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 20 points on his 22nd birthday and fourth-ranked UCLA routed last-place California 78-43 on Saturday night to improve to 15-0 at Pauley Pavilion this season and extend the nation’s longest home winning streak to 23 games.
After falling behind against Stanford two days earlier before pulling out a win, the Bruins stormed to a 25-6 lead against Cal.
“Sometimes it’s very easy to just lose your focus and not care and just try and go for stats or try and shoot the ball every time you get it,” Jaquez said. “I don’t think we did that. We shared the ball really well, everyone played hard, and we got a great win.”
Amari Bailey contorted his body every which way in adding 16 points and nine rebounds for the first-place Bruins (23-4, 14-2 Pac-12). They clinched a first-round bye in next month’s Pac-12 Tournament.
“Just more energy on the ball, more energy defensively,” Bailey said in explaining his performance.
UCLA’s 11th win in a row over last-place Cal was essentially an exhibition game, with the Bruins leading all the way and drawing loud cheers for three dunks by Adem Bona and acrobatic moves around the basket by Bailey.
Jaquez stole the ball and fed Bailey for a one-handed dunk midway through the second half. Bailey returned the favor on the next play, finding Jaquez under the basket for an easy layup that extended UCLA’s lead to 59-22, its largest of the game. Bailey later hit a 3-pointer in front of 13,659, tying the season’s highest attendance.
“Our defense was as good as it could be early in the game and then we held them to 11 field goals,” UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. “The goal was to stay focused, that we were professional and had the right attitude. The results speak for themselves when you do that.”
Kuany Kuany scored 14 points to lead the Golden Bears (3-24, 2-14), who dropped their 11th in a row. They fell to 0-3 against top-5 teams this season, having also lost a pair against No. 8 Arizona.
Trailing 59-22, the Bears scored 10 straight points during their only big run of the game.
The Bruins led 38-15 after a dominant first half. They held the Bears to 18% shooting, outrebounded them 25-14 and outscored them 20-6 in the paint. Cal didn’t score its first basket until six minutes into the game.
BIG PICTURE
California: The Bears finished off another losing road trip, having also been blown out at USC on Thursday. They have four games remaining in the regular season before heading into the Pac-12 Tournament without leading scorer Devin Askew (15.5 points per game). He’s been out since Feb. 1 after surgery for a sports hernia, one of several injuries to befall the team. The Bears have used 12 different starting lineups this season.
UCLA: The Bruins hit the road next week to play at Utah and Colorado. They beat the Utes by 19 points and the Buffaloes by 14 points in January. After that, they close the regular season at home against Arizona State and No. 8 Arizona. UCLA beat the Sun Devils by 12 points and lost at Arizona by six points. … Kenneth Nwuba is day-to-day with a left hip injury. … Abramo Canka missed the game with a non-COVID-19 illness.
BIRTHDAY BOYS
Some in the crowd serenaded Jaquez with a chorus of “Happy Birthday.” Bailey had a birthday on Friday when he turned 19. “I’m not going to disclose the festivities, but there will be some festivities afterwards,” a smiling Jaquez said.
THEY GOT RUSSELL
The fans chanted “We want Russell!” multiple times in the second half, urging Cronin to put in Russell Stong. They got their wish when the fifth-year senior entered with two minutes left. It was his eighth appearance of the season and only his second since Dec. 14. He made one of two free throws, earning wild cheers for the first and an anguished groan for the miss.
UP NEXT
California: Hosts Washington on Thursday.
UCLA: Plays at Utah on Thursday in its final Pac-12 road trip of the season.
NOWELL SCORES 20, NO. 12 K-STATE BEATS NO. 19 IOWA ST 61-55
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) Markquis Nowell hit a 3-pointer from near midcourt with 2:42 remaining to help boost No. 12 Kansas State to a 61-55 win over No. 19 Iowa State on Saturday.
Nowell finished with 20 points. Keyontae Johnson had 15 points for the Wildcats (20-7, 8-6 Big 12). Nowell scored 18 of his points in the second half.
“I just wanted to win,” Nowell said. “I wanted to do anything possible to win today, and that was my mindset.”
Aljaz Kunc led Iowa State (17-9, 8-6) with 15 points.
Without their 3-point leader, Caleb Grill, in the lineup, the Cyclones worked the inside. They had 24 points inside and relied on balanced scoring, led by Kunc.
“We just weren’t as intentional defensively, so I felt like it threw our game off balance,” Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger said. “Credit to K-State for the job they did defensively, but it played a role in stretching us out more.”
Cyclone guards Jaren Holmes and Gabe Kalscheur went a combined 6 for 30 from the floor.
Iowa State entered the game leading the Big 12 in steals and boasting the conference’s best turnover margin. The Wildcats entered with 84 turnovers in the last five games. Yet, Kansas State kept the turnover rate under control with only 11 and generated more points off turnovers with 19.
“Turnovers have been our Achilles heel,” Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang said. “Our guys really locked in on that.”
BIG PICTURE
Kansas State: After losing its last two games to unranked opponents, the Wildcats stayed above .500 in the conference and tied with Iowa State in the standings heading into the final four games of the season.
Iowa State: The Cyclones had an opportunity to sweep the regular-season series against the Wildcats and are in the heart of a tight race inside the top four of the conference. Seeding could become crucial in the Big 12 tournament in March.
UP NEXT
Kansas State: Hosts No. 9 Baylor on Tuesday.
Iowa State: Visits No. 6 Texas on Tuesday.
RICE’S 24 POINTS HELP NO. 6 TEXAS TOP OKLAHOMA IN OT
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) When Texas is engaged in a close game, it can call on experience, energy and poise. The No. 6 Longhorns needed all of that against Oklahoma on Saturday.
Senior reserve Sir’Jabari Rice scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and overtime, and Texas held off the Sooners 85-83.
The Longhorns (21-6, 10-4 Big 12) have not lost two straight games all season. They are 7-0 under interim coach Rodney Terry in games decided by five points or fewer or in overtime, including a 70-69 victory at Oklahoma on Dec 31.
“I see in Texas the veteran, tough mentality,” Oklahoma coach Porter Moser said.
Rice’s fourth 3-pointer of the game gave Texas an 84-77 lead with 2:26 left in overtime.
Oklahoma had a chance to tie or win when Texas’ Tyrese Hunter missed one of two free throws with 6.8 seconds left. But Sam Godwin missed a shot from near the rim, and Texas extended its winning streak against Oklahoma to five games.
Marcus Carr added 17 points for Texas and Timmy Allen had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Both are seniors, as is Dylan Disu, who scored 12.
Though the Longhorns made several clutch shots, Terry cited other factors that were critical.
“We forced 18 turnovers, and we had 19 assists,” Terry said, calling it “the difference in the game.”
Grant Sherfield led Oklahoma (13-14, 3-11) with 18 points, including a 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime. Milos Uzan scored 15 for the Sooners. The Sooners’ top big man, Tanner Groves, fouled out with 2:30 left in regulation.
The Longhorns led by five with 1:30 remaining in regulation, but the Sooners secured two offensive rebounds and Sherfield’s tough 3 came with 7 seconds left.
“(Sherfield) made a great play, a step back, hit a great shot,” Carr said.
Carr missed a jump shot – a chance to win – at the buzzer in regulation.
Oklahoma led 67-61 with six minutes remaining, but Texas took a 70-67 lead a minute later with consecutive 3-point baskets by Rice, a first-year Longhorn who transferred from New Mexico State. Rice’s 24 points are double his average and matched his season best. He converted 8 of 13 field goal attempts, including 4 of 6 3-pointers, and 4 of 5 free throws.
“I’ve said this to everybody: I think Rice is one of the most unheralded players in this league,” Moser said. “He’s so good. Look how efficient he was.”
The game was tied at halftime at 34 largely due to defensive lapses by Texas. The Sooners created a 24-12 edge in points in the paint and had an 8-2 advantage in fast-break points. Sometimes Texas failed to retreat quickly enough in transition, and other times the Longhorns allowed unimpeded drives to the basket.
Fortunately for Texas, it had reserve Brock Cunningham. He scored 10 in the first half – double his average per game – including eight of Texas’ points in a row. Known as an energy guy for his hustle and physical play, Cunningham has developed into a dangerous 3-point shooter and made two in a row in the first half.
“Brock was just tremendous in that first half,” Terry said. “He was playing winning basketball all over the floor.”
BIG PICTURE
Oklahoma: It’s been a rough season in the tough Big 12, which occupied five of the first 12 seeds in the NCAA Tournament selection committee’s bracket preview Saturday. The Sooners are in last place but have a few big moments: snapping a seven-game conference losing streak on Wednesday by beating No. 12 Kansas State in Norman and defeating (now) No. 1 Alabama 93-69 on Jan. 28.
Texas: One issue for the Longhorns is a lack of size; only two players are taller than 6-foot-7. Interior post players Disu (6-9) and Christian Bishop (6-7) missed chunks of the game. Both were in foul trouble early, then Disu left the game twice with injuries, but returned. Bishop and Groves were called for flagrant-1 fouls with 16:40 remaining – their third fouls of the game – and Bishop picked up his fourth foul with 6:20 left.
SHARE OF FIRST
With No. 5 Kansas beating No. 9 Baylor on Saturday, the Longhorns and the Jayhawks are tied for first in the Big 12.
BEARD CHARGES DROPPED
Terry took over after Chris Beard was suspended on Dec. 12 and later fired after his arrest on a domestic violence charge. The third-degree felony charge was dismissed this week.
COMFORTABLE NEW DIGS
A big reason the Longhorns reached first place in the Big 12 is that they’ve been successful in their new home arena, the 10,763-seat Moody Center. It’s been sold out for all 15 games, including the nonconference ones.
Texas is 14-1 at home, losing only to Kansas State; the Longhorns avenged that defeat by beating the Wildcats in Manhattan. Texas also beat Gonzaga and Creighton at Moody when those teams were ranked in the top 10.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma: Hosts Texas Tech on Tuesday.
Texas: Hosts No. 19 Iowa State on Tuesday.
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
SÉNÉCHAL LEADS NO. 6 UCONN PAST SIEGRIST, NO. 14 VILLANOVA
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) Lou Lopez Senechal scored 22 points, including a crucial rainbow jumper late in the fourth quarter, to lead No. 6 UConn to a 60-51 victory over Maddy Siegrist and No. 14 Villanova on Saturday.
“I think she’s been absolutely remarkable,” UConn coach Geno Auriemma said of Senechal. “If we didn’t have Lou, I hate to think where we would be.”
Dorka Juhasz added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Aaliyah Edwards had 13 points and 14 boards for the Huskies (24-4, 16-1 Big East).
Siegrist, the nation’s leading scorer, had 21 points for the Wildcats (23-5, 14-3). Villanova lost just its second contest in the last 16 – both to the Huskies. Lucy Olsen added 13 points for Villanova.
The game was close throughout the first three quarters; the Huskies entered the final quarter leading 44-39. Senechal made a pair of free throws and then swished a 3 from the top of the key to give UConn its largest lead to that point, 49-39, with 8:55 left. UConn pushed its advantage to a game-high 52-40 on Juhasz’s fastbreak layup from Senechal with 7:44 left.
The Wildcats came roaring back, scoring the next 10 points over 3:49 to make it 52-50 with 3:55 to play on Olsen’s drive. The Huskies committed four of their 22 turnovers during the Villanova spurt, which featured back-to-back 3-pointers by Siegrist and Olsen.
Edwards ended UConn’s 4:39 scoring drought with a layup to make it 54-50. Then Senechal nailed her high-arching shot from close range to give the Huskies a five-point advantage that proved enough cushion.
“I just tried to put some arc to it,” Senechal said. “Didn’t think too much and just tried to make the shot.”
FULL HOUSE
At least 100 fans were lined up outside 1 1/2 hours before game time, and fans packed into the Pavilion for just the second sellout in Villanova women’s basketball history. The student section was full and rocking at tipoff, and the national TV cameras focused in on the action on and off the court.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” Auriemma said.
SIEGRIST’S STAR
Most cameras and eyes were on Siegrist, the 6-foot-2 senior from Poughkeepsie, New York, who entered leading the country in scoring (29.4 ppg) and had a hot hand in her last two contests. Siegrist followed a school and conference record 50-point performance last Saturday against Seton Hall with 39 points in a win over St. John’s on Wednesday. Over those two contests, Villanova’s all-time leading scorer made 35 of 52 shots, including 7 of 13 3-pointers, while adding 21 rebounds.
Siegrist displayed her inside and outside scoring skills in a strong first quarter in which she made 5 of 7 shots and scored 10 points. She followed a nifty layup after a back-door cut with a 10-foot baseline fadeaway during one first-quarter sequence. But the Huskies mostly held her in check from that point, and Siegrist finished 8 of 22 from the field, including 1 of 5 from 3-point range. Her point total matched her season low, the third time this season she has scored 21.
Edwards did the bulk of the defensive work against Siegrist.
“I think you have to be physical because she’s a physical player, and Aaliyah is probably the only one on our team that can match that physicality,” Auriemma said. “… As long as (Siegrist) was working hard for everything that she got, I felt like we were doing our part. And then we needed some help from her to miss some shots.”
Siegrist said she felt good, but the shots just weren’t falling..
“Some days it doesn’t go in, and today was one of those days,” she said. “Every time I let it go from my hand, I think it’s going in.”
BIG PICTURE
UConn: The Huskies are in prime position for their 29th Big East regular-season title with three games left. UConn will be look for its ninth straight conference tournament title, and 28th overall, followed by a run at their 12th national title.
Villanova: Siegrist and the Wildcats have three games left in the regular season and likely will have to go through UConn again to win the Big East tournament.
TRAINER’S ROOM
UConn: Azzi Fudd (right knee) missed her 11th straight contest. . Juhasz played through a sprained ankle suffered in practice Friday, Auriemma said.
UP NEXT
UConn: Hosts St. John’s on Tuesday.
Villanova: Hosts DePaul on Tuesday
NHL NEWS
HURRICANES TOP CAPITALS 4-1 IN CAROLINA’S 1ST OUTDOOR GAME
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) The Carolina Hurricanes stepped out of the tunnel in a stadium packed full of buzzing fans, with the lights from cellphone flashlights bouncing along the stands and North Carolina State’s marching band playing to their pregame walk to an outdoor rink.
“Not having experienced one of those,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said, “I don’t know how it could be much better, to be honest with you.”
The Hurricanes did their part on the ice, too.
Martin Necas had a goal and two assists to help the Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Saturday night in their first NHL Stadium Series outdoor game.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Paul Stastny and Teuvo Teravainen also scored for Carolina, which completed a three-game season sweep of their Metropolitan Division foe.
The game was held at Carter-Finley Stadium, home to North Carolina State’s college football team and across the street from Carolina’s home ice at PNC Arena. Delayed two years because of COVID-19 attendance restrictions, the game drew a buzzing sellout crowd of 56,961 fans on a night that felt more like spectacle than a regular-season game.
“That was cool,” Stastny said. “I’m not a big college (football) guy but I always kind of watch those Saturday night games under the lights, when they come down from the tunnel, and that’s what it kind of felt like.”
“There’s no question,” Carolina captain Jordan Staal said, “those are pinch-yourself moments.”
Tom Wilson scored in the third period for the Capitals, who suffered their fourth straight loss. The past three have come without captain and leading goal-scorer Alex Ovechkin, who is away after the death of his father.
“We’ve got to get our confidence back,” Wilson said. “We’ve got to get our swagger back a little bit.”
Carolina finished with a 10th win in 11 games. And this one had the added significance that came with the long-awaited outdoor game – the latest chance for the league to hold one of its marquee events in a so-called “nontraditional” market within its southern footprint.
Temperatures hit the 70s for multiple days earlier in the week, while rain arrived to delay Friday’s practices, but conditions were optimal Saturday: clear and chilly all day, with temperatures dipping into the low 40s by the puck drop and high 30s by the final horn.
The Hurricanes gave their festive crowd plenty of reasons to stay rowdy, starting with Kotkaniemi’s finish in close barely two minutes into the game. Then Carolina scored three goals in a 5 1/2-minute span of the second period to blow this one open.
“We found ourselves chasing them and chasing the game,” Washington coach Peter Laviolette said.
The highlight was Necas hammering a one-timer on the power play from the left side past Darcy Kuemper. The flurry also included Hurricane goaltender Frederik Andersen tallying an assist.
On a night when he finished with 24 saves, Andersen earned a point when he lofted a long pass to Teravainen to ignite a 2-on-1 chance, with Teravainen passing to Necas, who drew Kuemper to his side and sent it back to Teravainen for the easy putaway and a 4-0 lead.
SWEET THREADS
The teams followed outdoor-game tradition by arriving in coordinated and themed attire, from a comfortable afternoon on the links to a throwback to glory days on the high school gridiron.
The Hurricanes walked from PNC Arena in old-timey plaid golf knickers, matching hats and a black top over a white collared shirt with red tie. Defensemen Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin were among those to complete the look by carrying a golf club.
The Capitals exited a school bus sporting blue jeans, a white T-shirt, custom lettermen-styled jackets, knitted caps and toting footballs.
GOLF SURGE
Fittingly, Carolina’s postgame “Storm Surge” on-ice celebration for the fans followed the golf theme.
After leading fans in coordinated claps, the players dropped their gloves to the ice used their hockey sticks to swing at them as though they were teeing off.
NODS TO THE PACK
NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer had said the night would also honor host N.C. State. And there were plenty such touches.
The Wolfpack marching band sat behind one goal at ice level. Mascots Mr. and Ms. Wuf sported Hurricanes gear. And there was the familiar football gameday sight of the motorized cart featuring a large white N.C. State football helmet on a wolf head parked near the Capitals tunnel.
Former Wolfpack basketball greats David Thompson and Dereck Whittenburg – who led N.C. State to NCAA championships in 1974 and 1983, respectively – introduced the Hurricanes as they emerged from the tunnel.
And finally, there was Ripken the Bat Dog – official tee retriever for N.C. State football and bat retriever for the nearby minor-league Durham Bulls baseball team – performing a ceremonial puck drop between Staal and Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom.
UP NEXT
Capitals: Host Detroit on Tuesday night.
Hurricanes: Host St. Louis on Tuesday night.
EBERLE SCORES TWICE, LIFTS KRAKEN OVER RED WINGS 4-2
SEATTLE (AP) Jordan Eberle had two goals and an assist on Saturday night as the Seattle Kraken defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2.
Jamie Oleksiak and Eeli Tolvanen also scored for the Kraken and Philipp Grubauer had 20 saves.
Pius Suter and Dylan Larkin earned goals for the Red Wings, and Ville Husso stopped 21.
Eberle gave Seattle a 1-0 lead at 16:50 in the first. Suter tied the game up for Detroit at 1-1 with 16 seconds left in the period. Eberle put Seattle ahead once again early in the second period with his 13th goal of the season.
Oleksiak made it a 3-1 game with eight seconds left in the second period, with Eberle and Matty Beniers assisting.
Tolvanen’s goal at 4:49 in the third gave the Kraken a 4-1 lead. Larkin put the puck past Grubauer at 17:39.
Beniers finished the game with two assists.
The Kraken beat the Red Wings for the second time in franchise history.
NOTES
Eberle now has 14 points (10 goals, four assists) in his last 12 games against Detroit. . Tolvanen’s third period goal gave him points in each of the Kraken’s past five games, a new career-high. . Detroit defenseman Filip Hronek and left winger Tyler Bertuzzi both played their 300th career game on Saturday. . Saturday was Seattle’s second annual Black Hockey History Night, and the Kraken wore special warmup jerseys to mark the occasion.
UP NEXT
Red Wings: At Washington on Tuesday night.
Kraken: At San Jose on Monday.
LAST-PLACE JACKETS BEAT STRUGGLING WEST-LEADING STARS 4-1
DALLAS (AP) Two overturned goals after an early start on the second night of a back-to-back coming off a road game says it all for the struggling Dallas Stars.
Adam Boqvist broke a tie early in the third period and the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Western Conference leaders 4-1 on Saturday night.
The Stars, starting two hours earlier than normal a night after losing 2-1 in a shootout at Minnesota, lost for the seventh time in nine games. Six of the losses have come at home.
Boqvist’s goal was his second of the season, and Liam Foudy had the first regular-season goal of his career for the Blue Jackets, who successfully challenged two Dallas goals in the second period.
“You’re going to have nights, and you have to find a way to overcome,” said Stars coach Pete DeBoer, whose team is in its first slump of his first season. “Back-to-back, and a tough schedule and some travel and an early start and a couple of overturned goals. We’ve got to find a way to overcome those things.”
Mathieu Olivier gave Columbus a two-goal lead late in the third, and Joonas Korpisalo made 29 saves. Eric Robinson was awarded an empty-net goal after he was brought down by Miro Heiskanen on a breakaway.
Columbus, which came in with the NHL’s worst record won its sixth road game, fewest in the league, and put together consecutive victories for first time in more than two months.
The Blue Jackets are 3-2 since coming back from the All-Star break.
“It’s been a challenging year, no question,” coach Brad Larsen said. “For us as coaches to watch them get results when you put the work in. We’ve played some really good hockey teams in the last stretch here. So hopefully we’ll keep it going.”
Ty Dellandrea scored the only Dallas goal unassisted, but the overturned goals were the story for the frustrated Stars, who haven’t scored more than twice in any of the seven losses on their worst skid of the season.
The first was with Dallas trailing 1-0 when Roope Hintz was called for offsides going to the bench as Jason Robertson waited for a pass at the blue line. Robertson, the Stars’ scoring leader, also appeared close to skating in ahead of the puck before beating Korpisalo one-on-one.
The Stars had pulled even in the second when rookie Wyatt Johnston’s apparent go-ahead goal was disallowed because Jamie Benn’s skate clipped Korpisalo just as Johnston was shooting.
“It hurts,” Dellandrea said. “You score two big goals, and they both get called off. I think it just kind of hurts momentum. You work hard for those. But regardless, we’ve got to score more.”
Foudy put the Blue Jackets in front late in the first period when he slid a loose puck past Scott Wedgewood after Jack Roslovic lost control trying to get off a shot.
“I felt like I was playing some pretty good games lately and our line was playing well,” said Foudy, whose only other NHL goal came in the 2020 playoff bubble. “Obviously getting that goal is big for my self-confidence.”
Less than two minutes after Robertson’s goal was disallowed, Dellandrea stole the puck from Kent Johnson in the Columbus zone and beat Korpisalo to the near post.
Dellandrea’s goal tied it thanks to Wedgewood’s save in open ice on a shot from Boqvist barely 10 seconds after the first successful Columbus challenge. Wedgewood had 33 stops.
POWER OUTAGE
The Stars are on an 0-for-20 slide on the power play after failing with their only chance in the third period. Robertson hit the post early in that man advantage. Columbus also had just one power play.
UP NEXT
Blue Jackets: At Arizona to finish a back-to-back Sunday night.
Stars: Host Chicago on Wednesday night.
BYRAM SCORES TWICE TO HELP AVALANCHE BEAT BLUES 4-1
ST. LOUIS (AP) Bowen Byram scored twice and Mikko Rantanen scored his 200th NHL goal to help the Colorado Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 4-1 Saturday and remain in third place in the Central Division.
Valeri Nichuskin also scored, and Justus Annunen stopped 19 shots in his season debut to give Colorado its third win in four games.
“I thought he was steady,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said of Annunen, who appeared in his third NHL game. “Good outing from him. He didn’t have a lot of work, but made some saves look easy.”
Sammy Blais scored for St. Louis, and Jordan Binnington made 29 saves as the Blues snapped a three-game winning streak less than 24 hours after trading centers Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I don’t know if it was tough to get up for,” Blues center Brayden Schenn said. “It was just a lot of emotion from last night. The trade happened so late.”
Byram recorded his first career multigoal game when he one-timed a feed from Samuel Girard on a power play for his fifth goal of the season to give Colorado a 4-1 lead 9:40 into the third period.
“It’s part of what our identity is,” Bednar said. “Our D have always been active participants in our offense. Bo’s obviously missed some time, but getting back up to speed, we’re starting to see him contribute a little bit more.”
Nichuskin scored his ninth goal of the season on a power play 2:56 into the third period to restore Colorado’s two-goal lead.
The Avalanche converted on both of their power plays in the third period after starting the game 0 for 2.
“It’s been stale a little bit here recently, Bednar said. “I think it’s trying to be too cute and looking for the perfect play. We just encouraged them after the second to shoot the puck, make sure your work ethic and competitiveness is where it needs to be and just getting more competitive, more simple, shoot it and go to the net.”
Blais scored his second goal of the season with 4:32 remaining in the second period to narrow St. Louis’ deficit to 2-1.
“We got one there to make it a one-goal game,” Blues defenseman Justin Faulk said. “We had an opportunity going into the third period to put some pressure on. I took a penalty, and they scored and put us on our heels a little bit. We probably were a little bit on the outside too much and didn’t test the goalie as much as we’d have liked to.”
Byram scored his first goal on a pass from Rantanen 7:27 into the second period to stretch Colorado’s lead to 2-0.
Rantanen scored his team-leading 35th of the season and 200th of his career with 3:23 remaining in the first period to give Colorado a 1-0 lead.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Avalanche D Josh Manson was scratched with the team playing Sunday against Edmonton as the team’s medical staff looks to avoid having him play in back-to-back games coming off a lower-body injury. . Avalanche D Cale Makar returned to the lineup after missing four games with a concussion. … Blues F Pavel Buchnevich left the game with a lower-body injury. Berube said he will not accompany the team to Ottawa.
REVOLVING DOOR
Annunen became the 40th player to suit up for Colorado this season, breaking last season’s record of 39. Annunen was recalled from Cleveland of the American Hockey League with goaltender Pavel Francouz expected to miss about three weeks with a lower-body injury.
SPRINGFIELD SHUTTLE:
Prior to the game the Blues recalled forwards Nikita Alexandrov and Matthew Highmore from Springfield of the AHL to fill the roster spots of recently traded O’Reilly and Acciari. Both are expected to join the team Sunday in Ottawa.
UP NEXT:
Avalanche: Hosts Edmonton on Sunday.
Blues: Visit Ottawa on Sunday to open a two-game trip.
MEN’S GOLF
RAHM LIMITS MISTAKES TO TAKE RIVIERA LEAD AS TIGERS POSTS 67
LOS ANGELES (AP) Jon Rahm has a game for wherever he plays, whether it’s Spain or Dubai, Hawaii or California. That’s what makes the final round at Riviera so daunting for the few people left who have a chance to catch him.
Rahm played bogey-free Saturday in the Genesis Invitational, pulling away from Max Homa and Keith Mitchell late in the round by keeping that clean card. One last birdie on the closing hole gave him a 6-under 65 and a three-shot lead over Homa.
At stake is a chance Sunday to return to No. 1 in the world, a ranking that would fit the level of his play for the last six months.
Rahm was taking nothing for granted.
“Somebody is going to shoot a round of 4, 5, 6, 7 under. It happens every single tournament we play in, so I have to be aware that somebody is going to make a run and I’m going to have to shoot a 60s round for sure to give myself a chance to win,” Rahm said. “Just aware that I need to keep doing what I’ve been doing.”
Tiger Woods lost ground, even if he looked good doing it. Woods had a tap-in eagle on his way to a 67, his lowest Saturday round in an official event since he won the Zozo Championship in Japan in the fall of 2019. Even so, he was 12 shots back.
Homa, who grew up about 30 miles away, attended this tournament as a kid and then won it two years ago, started with a one-shot lead and stayed step-for-step with Rahm. Along with Mitchell, that final threesome combined for 12 birdies and no bogeys through 14 holes on a day when the course played to a 70.31 average.
“I messed that up,” Homa said with a smile.
He hurt his own chances, though certainly not confidence. Homa took bogey from the fairway bunker on the 15th, the hardest hole at Riviera, and then missed another par putt from 10 feet after finding a bunker on the par-3 16th. Homa shot 69.
That was enough to give Rahm an edge, not that he needs much of one.
Homa has six PGA Tour victories – three of them in the last nine months – and he has come from behind in all but one of them.
“It gives me confidence, I guess. It’s a bit of a different test with Jon. He played very flawless golf today,” Homa said. “But I feel like I have haven’t really matched everything up yet this week minus the first day, and even then I felt like I could have driven it a little better. I’m encouraged. I’m excited to do that tomorrow. I’m going to have to play a really good round of golf.”
Mitchell made his only bogey on the final hole and had a 69 to fall four behind. The only other player within five shots was Patrick Cantlay (68).
Mitchell’s only two mistakes was a bad drive into the bunker on the par-5 17th that kept him from reaching the green, and the drive on the 18th that led to a par putt he missed.
“To play 16 good holes without making a mistake is really all you’re looking for in the last group on Saturday,” Mitchell said. “Jon played amazing, so I’m going to have to really do something special tomorrow to catch up to him.”
Rahm has been the best player in golf over the last six months. Dating to the BMW PGA Championship on the European tour, he has finished among the top 10 in nine consecutive tournaments, winning four of them.
All that’s left is a return to No. 1 in the world, and he can do that with a victory Sunday.
For Woods, it felt like a win just being back on the PGA Tour for four straight rounds, something he hasn’t done since the Masters. Then again, he only played three times last year because of his right leg severely damaged in a February 2021 car crash.
He made the cut on the number when the second round was completed Saturday morning, 11 shots off the lead and starting on the back nine in one of the last few groups. That didn’t keep thousands of fans lining the fairway over the next five hours.
Woods made a few birdies on the back nine, and then hit 5-iron onto the front of the green at the par-5 first hole, the ball rolling across the firm turf and a few inches next to the cup before settling 3 feet away for an eagle.
His only bogey came at the seventh.
“I wanted to get in touch with the leaders today, I was hoping to shoot something a little bit lower than I did just so I could reach out to them hopefully with a low round tomorrow,” Woods said. “I might be a little far away.”
That leader is Rahm, and it’s daunting regardless of the margin.
The Spaniard was at 15-under 198, one extra shot to work with on Sunday. Also in range is the oldest 72-hole scoring record on the PGA Tour – 20-under 264 by Lanny Wadkins in 1985. All that matters to Rahm is another victory that would give him the ranking that his game embodies at the moment.
AUTO RACING
DETHRONED KING: PETTY HURT AS JOHNSON TAKES OVER RACE TEAM
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) Richard Petty may still reign as NASCAR’s King, but with Jimmie Johnson wresting control of Petty’s old race team, he is definitively not the boss.
The Hall of Famer essentially has been stripped of power inside his former eponymous team that rapidly rebranded and rebuilt since November. Johnson and Petty are the only living seven-time NASCAR champions – and that appears to be where the similarities end inside Legacy Motor Club’s front office.
The 85-year-old Petty, who is officially Legacy’s ambassador, said Saturday he has bruised feelings and little say in the direction of the race team since Johnson bought into the ownership group.
“It’s been strange to me,” Petty said. “Most of the time, I ran the majority of the show. Jimmie brought all his people in. His way of running things and my way of running things are probably a little bit different. We probably agree on about 50% of what it really comes down to.”
Ahead of the Daytona 500, an unfiltered Petty said he was irked by Johnson’s rise in power. “Yes, it does” bother him, he said.
But Petty conceded it was “probably time for a change” because through several incarnations of his race team – the latest Petty GMS – his cars had never risen above the middle of the pack. GMS founder Maury Gallagher, chairman of Allegiant Air, purchased Richard Petty Motorsports in 2021 and Petty, whose 200 Cup wins as a driver are a record, served as the front man.
Johnson told The Associated Press he was “disappointed” that Petty publicly expressed his displeasure, adding: “Of course, we’ll have conversations.”
“He’s not expressed them to me, for starters,” Johnson said. “Honestly, there are a lot of moving pieces to this. There are business decisions that are taking place between Mr. Gallagher and the Petty family before I ever arrived. Those are details that are just not my place to say.
“But a lot of what Richard is speaking to is based on business decisions that he and his family have made and they aren’t relative to my involvement.”
One of Johnson’s first decisions: Strip the Petty name that dates in NASCAR to 1949.
“When Jimmie came in, it was going to be hard to be Johnson Petty GMS,” Petty said. “Jimmie’s thinking further ahead with his crew and came up with a new name.”
Petty remains NASCAR’s most recognizable personality, wearing his feathered Charlie 1 Horse hats, dark glasses and cowboy boots. He’s never stopped signing autographs, making personal appearances or glad-handing sponsors, though even those responsibilities seem more uncertain under Johnson’s reign.
“They don’t take over the racing part, they take over the front office,” Petty said. “With sponsorships, appearances and all that stuff, Jimmie’s crowd is kind of controlling that. That’s something I never had to put up with, I guess.”
Petty did tip his hat to Johnson’s business acumen: Johnson’s connections with Gibson guitars and music industry relationships, including entertainment giant Live Nation, were instrumental in landing legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses on the hood of Erik Jones’ No. 43 Chevrolet.
“He’s basically going to wind up running the show in four or five years completely,” Petty said. “He’ll probably be the majority owner or the owner of our operation. They’re looking at things completely differently.”
Even with their shared place in NASCAR history, Johnson and Petty were never close before they forged a business relationship. Johnson, though, said he’s always had respect for a driver so famous he inspired a character in “Cars.”
“He’s always been so kind and wonderful to me,” Johnson said. “He’s the last person I fist-pumped before I rolled off pit lane and won my seventh championship.”
Petty and Johnson are among nine drivers who won a NASCAR championship and Daytona 500 set to serve as grand marshals for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Legacy M.C. also fields cars for Erik Jones and Noah Gragson.
“Jimmie’s very observant. He takes on everything,” Petty said. “Jimmie controls everything, basically. You’re making postcards and stuff, he has to approve it. He approves everything. He’s a pretty busy man right now.”
That includes racing. The 47-year-old Johnson returned to NASCAR after a two-year stint in IndyCar and proved he hadn’t lost anything in his first spins in NASCAR’s new car. He qualified on speed for the Daytona 500, flew with the Thunderbirds and topped the first speed chart at practice.
Johnson’s racing career, though, is winding down. He’s just getting started as team owner.
“He’s still young enough where’s going to be around a long, long time,” Petty said.
TOP INDIANA NEWS RELEASES
INDIANA MBB
HOOSIERS TAKE CLOSE CONTEST OVER FIGHTING ILLINI 71-68
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Crunch-time arrived and Jalen Hood-Schifino took a deep breath at the free-throw line. Victory and defeat were within Indiana’s reach Saturday afternoon at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, and pressure was everywhere you looked.
The nationally televised moment wasn’t too big for Hood-Schifino. Not after multiple missed Hoosier chances to take the lead over Illinois, not with 30 seconds left in a 67-67 tie, not with a Big Ten title still within reach and a sold-out crowd ready to roar.
Hood-Schifino hit the free throws, just as he’d hit the tying jumper seconds before, shrugging off 5-for-17 shooting struggles and five turnovers, including a disastrous late-game pass off a timeout that led to an Illini dunk and a coach Mike Woodson rump chewing, as easily as one might dust off a crumb.
“He’s a gamer,” forward Trayce Jackson-Davis said. “He works hard. He has ultimate confidence. It’s next-play mentality, always.”
Twenty seconds later, Illinois guard Jayden Epps couldn’t match Hood-Schifino’s free-throw success, hitting just one of two.
Jackson-Davis capped it off with a press-beating dunk and No. 14/15 IU (19-8 overall, 10-6 in the Big Ten) had a 71-68 victory that secured its third-place Big Ten status.
“We’re hungry,” Woodson said. “This was a separation game even though we’ve got a long way to go. We made the plays coming down the stretch we needed to make.”
Added Jackson-Davis: “We found a way down the stretch to get it done. Getting stops was big for us.”
Start with Hood-Schifino, a freshman forced into a lead point guard role because of senior Xavier Johnson’s broken foot, and sometimes playing like it — until the game is on the line.
Hood-Schifino took what Woodson called a “ridiculous number” of shots, badly messed up an out-of-timeout play, made multiple mistakes and wasn’t rattled.
He never is.
In the final 72 seconds, Hood-Schifino hit a jumper off a pick-and-roll that he basically ran for himself, hit those free throws and helped beat Illinois’ final desperate press. He finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
“At the end,” Woodson said, “he makes the plays down the stretch that count. That’s what I look at. It’s what happens at the end of the game. He made every right play.”
Playing any position as a freshman is difficult. Doing it as a point guard, which means running the offense and taking the lead on defense, is especially challenging.
Hood-Schifino handles it.
“He’s a freshman and freshmen make mistakes,” Woodson said. “You won’t shoot it well all the time. I look at his process. When you lose your starting point guard and turn it over to a freshman to run your club, that’s huge.
“Make no mistake, he’s put us in this position with Trayce and the others.”
Woodson’s understanding has limits. Hood-Schifino’s final turnover reach it.
“It wasn’t pretty what I said to him,” Woodson said. “I was screaming at him. Then, he took it upon himself to run a pick-and-roll and make a shot. Go figure.”
Jackson-Davis sees this every day.
“He’s a freshman and sometimes he’ll struggle. When that happens, I take it upon myself to tell him to keep going.
“He hit a huge shot. That shows how high a focus he has.”
Jackson-Davis passed Woodson for fifth on IU’s career scoring list. Woodson had 2,061. Jackson-Davis’s 26 points on Saturday gave him 1,081 for his career.
“It’s an accomplishment,” Jackson-Davis said. “I’ll look at it more at the end of the year.”
Only A.J. Guyton (2,100), Don Schlundt (2,192), Steve Alford (2,438) and Calbert Cheaney (2,613) are ahead of him.
“As a player, I was never about accolades, but scoring was something I was blessed to be able to do,” Woodson said. “The beauty of it is we both didn’t do it with three-pointers. Trayce doesn’t shoot them and I didn’t have it.
“I couldn’t be prouder of a young man. For him to pass me is special. Just the body of work he’s put in, but he can’t stop there. It’s just points. We’re still staring at Big Ten and national titles. That’s what I’m trying to get him to.”
Jackson-Davis added 12 rebounds and five blocks in 37 minutes. He has played at least 33 minutes in 14 straight games, six times at 39 minutes, twice at 40.
With the postseason looming, Woodson said, “I’ve got to scale him back a little back.”
Miller Kopp bounced back from a poor-shooting game at Northwestern with 12 points on 4-for-5 accuracy from three-point range. Race Thompson had 10 points and six rebounds.
Illinois (17-9, 8-7) was without its best player, guard Terrence Shannon, sidelined by a concussion, yet still pushed IU to the brink of defeat in a game that featured 10 times and four lead changes. The Illini led for 26 minutes to IU’s seven.
“They were fighting and clawing,” Jackson-Davis said. “They showed a lot of heart.”
Added Woodson: “They were trying to move up (in the Big Ten standings), and played that way.”
A physical first four minutes produced a 7-7 tie. Sparked by Jackson-Davis, IU twice pushed ahead by five. Illinois used five three-pointers to rally for a 27-23 lead, then shot ahead 34-26.
Guard Tamar Bates got two free throws from an Illinois technical foul. Thompson scored. Kopp hit a three-pointer. The 7-0 run cut the lead to one. Illinois reached halftime with a 38-35 lead.
Jackson-Davis led with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting. The Illini countered with 6-for-12 three-point shooting. Matthew Mayer had four of them for 16 points.
Woodson wasn’t happy.
“It got heated in the locker room,” Woodson said. “Then we came out in the second half and they jumped on us.”
Illinois surged to a 46-37 lead in the first four minutes of the second half. Woodson called a timeout. Jackson-Davis responded with a basket. The Illini shot their second airball of the half.
Kopp hit a three-pointer, but IU gives up a layup seconds later. Still, a Jackson-Davis layup pulled the Hoosiers within 50-44 with 10:48 left.
Jackson-Davis scored off a rebound, then completed a three-point play via a Kopp assist. Hood-Schifino scored. IU trailed 54-51 with 7:55 left.
Hood-Schifino hit a three-pointer following a furious loose ball scramble. The Hoosiers forced a turnover, then converted on a Jackson-Davis basket for a 56-56 tie. A Kopp three-pointer tied it again at 59-59 with five minutes left.
Layups from Jackson-Davis and Thompson tied it at 61-61 and 63-63, but both missed free throws that would have given IU the lead.
Thompson tied it at 65-65. Hood-Schifino tied it at 67-67, then made a pair of free throws for a two-point Hoosier lead with 30 seconds left.
Epps countered with one free throw. IU beat the press for Jackson-Davis’ clinching dunk to sweep both games against the Illini and win for the ninth time in 11 games. Next up is a Tuesday trip to Michigan State.
“We kept scrapping and scraping, got back in the game and did what we needed to do to win,” Woodson said.
INDIANA SWIMMING
INDIANA EARNS RUNNER-UP FINISH, 15 MEDALS AT BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 8-ranked Indiana women’s swimming and diving finished second at the 2023 Big Ten Women’s Swimming Championships as the four-day event concluded Saturday (Feb. 18) night inside Canham Natatorium.
IU was bested only by No. 6-ranked Ohio State, which tallied 1,425 points to IU’s 1,291.5 over the four days.
Indiana earned its 17th-straight top-three at the conference championships and its 12th championship or runner-up finish during the stretch. The Hoosiers tallied 15 medals, the program’s highest total since 16 in 2016. This year’s haul included six gold, four silver and five bronze medals, and the Hoosiers medaled in all five relays. IU six conference title are the most since the program’s nine in 2017.
During the week, Indiana set program records in the 800-yard freestyle relay (6:58.44), 200-yard freestyle relay (1:27.70) and 200-yard freestyle (Anna Peplowski – 1:43.33).
IU’s final night was not without celebration. Indiana secured five medals on the night including two Big Ten titles. Sophomore Anna Peplowski won the 200-yard backstroke before celebrating with her senior sister Noelle Peplowski for her 200-yard breaststroke title.
“What a fantastic night for the Hoosiers,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “We had two more wins by the Peplowski sisters and a very strong second-place finish in the conference. I’m super proud of this group and there’s more to come at the NCAA meet.”
The sophomore was also named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships a year after she was picked as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year at the conference meet. Peplowski led the conference in scoring with 60 points and captured medals in all seven events swam. She is the Big Ten Champion in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke and helped IU to a title in the 800-yard freestyle. Peplowski’s 200 back title Saturday came as the 13th in program history and first since Kennedy Goss in 2017.
Junior Anne Fowler joined Peplowski as the Big Ten Diver of the Championships. This week, Anne Fowler swept the springboard diving events and joined sophomore teammate Skyler Liu as the only two athletes to qualify for all three diving championship finals.
“It was a great day for the girls,” IU head diving coach Drew Johansen said. “Anne getting into that A final was just a fantastic accomplishment for her, and that’s just a carry-over from the two great performances in the nights before. And then Skyler getting into a third A final, she upped her difficulty to try to win a championship for us. It wasn’t there for us today, but it sets us up for the NCAA meet, so we’re excited.”
Noelle Peplowski’s win in the 200 breast came as her first-career individual gold after claiming silver medals in the event in 2020 and 2022. IU has won seven of the last eight Big Ten 200 breaststroke titles and had three top-six finishers this season, with senior Mackenzie Looze (2:08.58) placing third and sophomore and previous champ Brearna Crawford (2:09.65) taking sixth. Peplowski’s won by nearly two seconds in an NCAA A cut 2:06.01, just half a second off her career-best 2:05.52 set at midseason. Coming into the meet, she was one of just three swimmers under 2:06 this year.
IU’s Saturday celebrations started though in the 1,650-yard freestyle as sophomores Ching Hwee Gan (15:56.55) and Mariah Denigan (15:57.82) finished second and third, respectively. The pairing showed improvement after impressive 10th and 11th-place showings in their first conference meet. Gan earned another silver in the 500 free on Thursday after helping IU take gold in the 800 freestyle relay the night before.
Indiana got its fifth relay medal from the 400-yard freestyle relay squad. The quartet of Anna Peplowski, senior Ashley Turak, freshman Kristina Paegle and Looze went 3:14.71 to edge Wisconsin by a tenth of a second and earn the bronze medal.
TEAM SCORES
1. Ohio State – 1,425
2. Indiana – 1,291.5
3. Michigan – 1,108
4. Wisconsin – 954
5. Minnesota – 768.5
6. Northwestern – 710
7. Purdue – 492.5
8. Penn State – 475
9. Rutgers – 467.5
10. Nebraska – 437
11. Illinois – 215
12. Iowa – 198
AWARDS
Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships: Anna Peplowski, Indiana
Big Ten Diver of the Championships: Anne Fowler, Indiana
Big Ten Freshman of the Year: Katie Crom, Michigan
Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (IU): Sydney Turner
First-Team All-Big Ten: Anne Fowler, Ching Hwee Gan, Mackenzie Looze, Kristina Paegle, Anna Peplowski, Noelle Peplowski
Second-Team All-Big Ten:Elizabeth Broshears, Ashley Turak
RESULTS
1,650 FREESTYLE
2. Ching Hwee Gan – 15:56.55 (Silver, NCAA B Cut)
3. Mariah Denigan – 15:57.82 (Bronze, NCAA B Cut)
200 BACKSTROKE
1. Anna Peplowski – 1:51.81 (Big Ten Champion, NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
8. Mya DeWitt – 1:56.20 (NCAA B Cut)
12. Elyse Heiser – 1:56.30 (NCAA B Cut)
15. Anna Freed – 1:57.71 (NCAA B Cut)
100 FREESTYLE
5. Kristina Paegle – 48.63 (NCAA B Cut)
6. Ashley Turak – 48.66 (NCAA B Cut)
200 BREASTSTROKE
1. Noelle Peplowski – 2:06.01 (Big Ten Champion, NCAA A Cut)
3. Mackenzie Looze – 2:08.50 (Bronze, NCAA B Cut)
6. Brearna Crawford – 2:09.65 (NCAA B Cut)
10. Catherine Graham – 2:12.17 (NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
200 BUTTERFLY
6. Katie Forrester – 1:56.87 (NCAA B Cut, Career Best)
11. Lily Hann – 1:58.52 (NCAA B Cut)
16. Anna Freed – 2:00.38
PLATFORM
4. Skyler Liu – 305.60 (NCAA Zone Qualifier)
7. Anne Fowler – 271.80 (NCAA Zone Qualifier, Career Best)
*X denotes exhibition swim
UP NEXT
Indiana will host the NCAA Zone C Diving Championships March 9-11 inside Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center as Hoosier divers look to punch their tickets to the 2023 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The women’s national meet will run the next week beginning on March 15 and running through March 18.
INDIANA SB
INDIANA SOFTBALL DROPS DOUBLE HEADER TO NO. 4 ARKANSAS, NO. 15 ALABAMA
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Indiana Softball (3-5) dropped the double header against No. 4/4 Arkansas, 7-0, and No. 12/15 Alabama, 10-0, at the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational at Eddie C. Moore Complex on Saturday.
INDIANA 0, ARKANSAS 7
KEY MOMENTS
• The Razorbacks the lead after scoring on a sac fly to left field, 1-0.
• Freshman Taryn Kern was the first to get a hit for the Hoosiers as she sent one down the right field line.
• Junior Aaliyah Andrews and senior Cora Bassett would control the outfield as they caught three consecutive fly outs to close the bottom of the third. Andrews would pick up the first two in center field before Bassett would make a stellar catch in right field to end the inning.
• Arkansas would put three more runs on the board after a two RBI home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
• In the fifth, the Razorbacks tacked on three more after a walk for a two RBI home run and a bases loaded single, 7-0.
• Indiana continued to battle late as they earned two hits in the top of the seventh with a double from sophomore Brianna Copeland followed by a single to left field from Kinsey Mitchell. Freshman Elle Smith would pinch run for Copeland as she advanced to third on the single in scoring position, but the umpire would call her out at the plate.
NOTABLES
• Copeland hit her second double of the season and the 16th of her career.
INDIANA 0, ALABAMA 10 (Five Innings)
• Alabama would get on the board early after an RBI single up the middle in the top of the first.
• Aaliyah Andrews earned a walk two reach base, but the Crimson Tide. ground out to finish the ending. would fo A 2 RBI double down the right field line would
• UA scored three runs to take a 4-0 lead in the top of the third.
• In the bottom of the third, the Hoosiers would earn two hits to reach base. Freshman Cassidy Kettleman singled to the catcher as she bounced one in front of the plate before reaching base. Sophomore Kinsey Mitchell singled to left field as Kettleman advanced to second. Sophomore Brianna Copeland would hit one to right field that looked to be a hit, but Alabama’s right fielder took that one straight into the glove.
• Junior Lindsey Warick gave the Hoosiers another hit in the bottom of the fourth as she doubled down the left field line but couldn’t get anything to convert before the third out.
• The Crimson Tide added four runs in the top of the fifth to extend the lead.
NOTABLES
• Warick hit her first double of the season.
UP NEXT
The Hoosiers will face No. 10 Arizona in their final game in the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational at Eddie C. Moore Complex. The first pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
INDIANA WGOLF
HOOSIERS CLIMB THREE SPOTS AT REYNOLDS LAKE
EATONTON, Ga. – The Indiana Hoosiers women’s golf team moved up three spots in the team standings on the second day of action at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational at Great Waters on Saturday. The team shot a 297 (+9), tied for the second lowest round of the day.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational • Eatonton, Ga.
Great Waters
Par 72 • 6001 yards
Live Results: GolfStat
Team Standings: t-7th/12 – 612 (315-297; +27)
Top Indiana Player: Alexis Florio – 147 (76-71; +3)
CHIP-INS
• Fifth-year senior Alexis Florio vaulted into the top-5 of the individual standings (t-4th) after shooting a 71 (-1) in the second round. She converted a team-high seven birdies on Saturday.
• Junior Dominika Burdová bounced back from a tough first round to shoot a 73 (+1) with a trio of birdies, including back-to-back conversions to close her round.
• Senior Valerie Clancy tapped in a birdie on No. 18 to finish with a 75 (+3).
• Senior Hanna Tanaka downed a pair of birdies on No. 4 and 18 to shoot a 78 (+6).
• Sophomore Beatriz Junqueira knocked down a pair of birdie conversions and finished the round at 82 (+10).
HOOSIERS IN THE STANDINGS
t-4. Alexis Florio – 147 (76-71; +3)
t-26. Valerie Clancy – 153 (78-75; +9)
t-33. Dominika Burdová – 155 (82-73; +11)
t-53. Beatriz Junqueira – 161 (79-82; +17)
t-53. Hanna Tanaka – 161 (83-78; +17)
UP NEXT
Indiana will be paired with Chattanooga and Daytona St. College for the final round of play at Great Waters. The shotgun start will begin at 10 a.m. ET.
INDIANA BASEBALL
HOOSIERS FALL AT AUBURN, 6-1
AUBURN, Ala. – A pair of two-run innings staked Auburn to an early lead on Saturday (Feb. 18) in front of a sellout crowd inside Samford Stadium-Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park as the Indiana baseball program dropped a 6-1 decision in the middle game of the series.
Two runs each in the third and fourth innings pushed Auburn (2-0) out to an early lead and two more in the sixth made it 6-0 in favor of the Tigers. Indiana (0-2) got its lone run in the seventh inning to account for the final margin.
Senior Phillip Glasser chipped in his second straight multi-hit game and was on base three times in the second game of the series. He started the game with a leadoff base hit, doubled in the fourth inning and reached via hit-by-pitch in the sixth inning.
Sophomore Brock Tibbitts and freshman Devin Taylor each chipped in hits in the seventh inning, with Taylor getting his first career hit and RBI with a base hit up the middle. Senior Hunter Jessee reached via walk in the game to move his reached base streak to 21 games dating back to 2022.
The loss went to Ty Bothwell (0-1) with two runs allowed on three hits over 2 1/3 innings of work in the start. He struck out four and walked two in the game. Four relievers worked in the game for IU, with sophomore Cooper Hellman striking out one in a scoreless inning and graduate student Wes Burton throwing a scoreless eighth.
Auburn leadoff hitter Bobby Peirce had three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored in the game, while Bryson Ware chipped in two hits, was hit-by-pitch and scored one run. Ike Irish drove in a pair of RBIs and was on base three times in the game. Joseph Gonzalez (1-0) picked up the win with five scoreless innings and just two hits allowed.
Scoring Recap
Bottom Third
A leadoff walk was followed by a base hit and sacrifice bunt to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Ike Irish delivered the on-out, two-RBI double to left-center field to open the scoring against starting pitcher Ty Bothwell.
at Auburn 2, Indiana 0
Bottom Fourth
The first two batters reached base and a sacrifice bunt moved them into scoring position for Bobby Peirce, who singled through the right side of the infield for a two-RBI knock.
at Auburn 4, Indiana 0
Bottom Sixth
Caden Green singled to start the inning and Peirce doubled down the left-field line to score him from first. Cole Foster followed with an RBI single to extend the Tigers’ lead.
at Auburn 6, Indiana 0
Top Seventh
Brock Tibbitts singled up the middle to start the inning and moved to second on a two-out walk by pinch hitter Bobby Whalen. Devin Taylor pinch hit and sent a ball back up the middle for his first collegiate hit and RBI.
at Auburn 6, Indiana 1
Up Next
Indiana and Auburn wrap up the three-game series with a 2 p.m. ET first pitch on Sunday, Feb. 19 from Plainsman Park. The game is available at IUHoosier.com/audio and via SEC Network+ on the ESPN App.
PURDUE SB
ECHAZARRETA TOSSES ONE-HITTER IN 4-0 SHUTOUT
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Boilermaker softball team shutout NC State, 4-0, led by fifth year pitcher Alex Echazarreta’s one-hitter complete game performance. In the win, Echazarreta secured 11 strikeouts, a season-high and one shy of her career-best.
Purdue closed out the second day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge with back-to-back shutouts, improving the Boilermakers’ record to 5-2 on the season, while NC State falls to 1-6. Purdue’s pair of shutouts mark the first back-to-back-game shutouts in a single day since 2016.
Fifth year UMBC transfer Anna Lonchar had herself a night, blasting her first home run as a Boilermaker in the third inning before following it with a double in the fifth.
Purdue totaled 10 hits in the outing, led by Lonchar and Kiara Dillon’s two apiece. Runs were scored by Tyrina Jones (game-winner), Khloe Banks, Dillon and Lonchar.
The two teams will meet for a final matchup tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET on ACCNx.
PURDUE BASEBALL
PURDUE SPLITS DAY 2 DOUBLEHEADER WITH HOLY CROSS
SUGAR LAND, Texas – Paul Toetz continued his hot start with another home run as part of a six-RBI game but it was Holy Cross that broke out offensively in the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader split with Purdue baseball at Constellation Field.
The Boilermakers (2-1) won game 1 14-4 in seven innings after scoring in all seven frames. The Crusaders (1-2) blew open game 2 with a seven-run top of the ninth, taking the nightcap 12-3.
Toetz connected for a three-run double and a three-run homer to power Purdue’s win. He became the first Boilermaker with a six-RBI game since Kyle Johnson in March 2016. The long home run to left field was his third of the weekend and fifth career in seven games at Constellation Field.
Jake Parr continued his hot start as well with two hits and two RBI in the win. Parr and Toetz both doubled in a four-run second inning that gave Purdue the lead for good.
Holy Cross scored twice in the first inning and never trailed in game 2. The Boilermakers appeared poised to flip the momentum in the late innings after Jo Stevens’ two-out, two-run single cut their deficit to 5-3 in the seventh inning. But reliever Danny Macchiarola retired Purdue’s 3-4-5 hitters in order in the bottom of the eighth followed by Holy Cross batting around in the ninth as the Boilermakers used four pitchers in the frame.
Newcomers Keenan Taylor and Stevens both hit their first home runs as Boilermakers on Saturday. Taylor joined Jake Jarvis as active Purdue players with a pinch-hit homer when he matched the shape and distance of Toetz’s blast to deep left field in the fifth inning of game 1. Stevens’ barreled up for a deep drive to left center in the third inning of the nightcap.
Aaron Suval and Cal Lambert put together solid relief outings in their debuts, highlighting Saturday’s performances on the mound for the Boilermakers.
Suval earned the win in game 1 with four innings of two-hit ball, picking off two base runners – one at first base, one at second base – and inducing a pair of ground ball double plays. The only run he was charged with scored after he left the mound in the seventh inning. Lambert struck out five and did not issue a walk over 3 1/3 innings in the nightcap. The lefty became the first Boilermaker this season to strike out the side, doing so in order vs. the Crusaders’ 3-4-5 hitters in the seventh inning.
Lambert retired nine consecutive batters at one point thanks in part to consecutive diving catches in left field from Camden Melvin. Fresh in the game after pinch hitting with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Melvin took away a pair of would-be bloop singles.
Earlier in the day, it was Melvin and Stevens connecting for consecutive two-out doubles that brought the 10-run rule into effect in the seventh inning.
Parr scored from first base on Stevens’ two-out bloop single down the right field line in the seventh inning of the nightcap. Mike Bolton Jr. followed with a base hit to bring the go-ahead run to the plate, but the Boilermakers were unable to complete the comeback. Purdue put its leadoff man aboard in just two of nine frames in the nightcap and did not record a hit with fewer than two outs until the seventh inning.
The four-game, season-opening series concludes Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
PURDUE MBB
KEADY A FINALIST FOR THE NAISMITH HALL OF FAME
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Former Purdue men’s basketball coach Gene Keady has been named a finalist for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the organization announced Friday night.
Keady is one of 12 finalists up for induction and he has advanced to the finalist stage for the third time in his life, but for the first time since 2006.
The entire Class of 2023 will be announced in Houston, on April 1 at the NCAA Men’s Final Four at 11:00 AM ET as part of the Hall of Fame Class Announcement. Potential Enshrinees from the Direct Elect Committees may also be recognized at the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
The Class of 2023 will be enshrined during festivities in Springfield, Mass., the Birthplace of Basketball, on August 11-12. VIP packages to the 2023 Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend are now available. Single-event tickets will go on sale April 1 following the 2023 Class Announcement at 12:00 PM ET.
Keady is joined by finalists Gene Bess, Pau Gasol, David Hixon, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Gregg Popovich, Dwyane Wade, Jennifer Azzi, Gary Blair, Becky Hammon and Marian Washington.
Keady spent 27 seasons as the head coach of the Western Kentucky University (1978-80) and Purdue University (1980-2005) men’s basketball programs.
Keady, one of the most respected coaches in college basketball history, garnered 550 career NCAA wins and was named National Coach of the Year an amazing six times (1984, ’88, ’94-96, 2000). He is the winningest coach in Purdue’s history (512), won six Big Ten titles (1984, ’87-88, ’95-96) and a record seven Big Ten Coach of the Year awards (1984, ’88, ’90, ’94-96, 2000).
Under Keady’s leadership, Purdue made 17 NCAA tournament appearances in 24 years. He was also inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, where he served as president from 2000-01.
Among the notable coaches that served under Keady’s direction are Bruce Weber, Kevin Stallings, Steve Lavin, Cuonzo Martin and Matt Painter, current Boilermaker head coach.
PURDUE MBB
#3 PURDUE RETURNS HOME TO CLOSE OUT SEASON SERIES WITH OHIO STATE
GAMEDAY INFO
Sunday, February 19, 2023 | 1 p.m. ET
[3] Purdue (23-4, 12-4) vs. Ohio State (11-15, 3-12)
West Lafayette, Ind. | Mackey Arena (14,876)
TELEVISION: CBS | RADIO: Purdue Sports Network
ANNOUNCERS: Spero Dedes, Jim Spanarkel
THE NOTES TO KNOW
• Beginning the stretch run, the No. 3-ranked Purdue Boilermakers return to the friendly confines of Mackey Arena for three of their last four regular-season games, beginning with a Sunday tilt with Ohio State on CBS. Beginning Sunday, Purdue’s last four games will come in a 15-day span, giving the Boilermakers a much-needed break and time to practice entering the stretch run.
• Purdue has suffered back-to-back losses in tough road enviroments, falling to Northwestern (64-58) and Maryland (68-54). Purdue held halftime leads in both of the contests, but couldn’t pull away in both contests.
• The loss to Maryland was Purdue’s first of the season when NOT ranked No. 1 in the country. The Boilermakers are 9-3 when ranked No. 1 in the country, but 14-1 when not ranked in the AP’s top spot.
• Purdue has won 12 Big Ten games for the eighth time in the last nine seasons and is close to locking up a double-bye in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. Purdue is the only program that has received a double-bye in every tournament that has been played under the current format.
• Purdue is 52-12 since the start of last season. The 52 wins over a two-year span are already the eighth most in school history and Purdue needs just five wins to tie the record for most wins in a two-year span (57 in 2017, 2018). Iowa is second among Big Ten teams with 43 wins.
• Purdue is looking for its third straight, two-game regular-season sweep of Ohio State. Before this stretch, Purdue’s last two-game, regular-season sweep came during the 1997-98 season. Purdue hasn’t won three straight against the Buckeyes since Feb. 5, 1997, to Feb. 7, 1998.
• Purdue has MADE 398 free throws this season, while opponents have SHOT just 282. Purdue has made 191 more free throws (398 to 207) than its foes this season, the highest discrepancy in the nation (Purdue +191, Iowa +154, Portland +151, James Madison +145).
• Purdue is shooting 75.7 percent from the free throw line this season, currently the third-highest percentage in school history.
• In the Boilermakers’ last three losses, Purdue is shooting just 13-of-53 (.245) from 3-point range. All three games were on the road. Purdue is 14-0 this season when shooting better than 37.0 percent from 3-point range, but is just 9-4 when under 37.0 percent.
• Purdue has had just 12 offensive rebounds combined in the last two games, resulting in four second-chance points. Purdue has had 17 games this season where it had at least 12 offensive rebounds. In games that Purdue has at least 14 second-chance points, it is 9-0.
• In Purdue’s last five home games (all wins by an average of 14.2 points), it boasts an offensive efficiency of 124.0 and a defensive efficiency of 88.6. It is shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from long distance, while outrebounding foes by 15.8 boards per game. It has averaged at least 1.22 points per possession in four of the five games during that stretch (1.43 – PSU; 1.30 – Iowa; 1.26 – Neb; 1.22 – MSU).
• Purdue has been ranked in the nation’s top five in 24 of the last 34 polls dating to the preseason poll a year ago. Gonzaga (21) and Houston (15) are the only other programs to have at least 15 weeks ranked in the top 5.
• Fifteen of Purdue’s 23 wins have come against the KenPom top-100, the second-highest top-100 wins in the country (Kansas – 16). Purdue and Kansas each have 10, top-50 KenPom victories to lead the country. Purdue’s 108 victories over the top 100 since the start of the 2016-17 season are the fourth most nationally (Kansas – 142; Villanova – 117; Baylor – 110).
• Purdue is in search of its fourth No. 1 seed in school history, previously earning the No. 1 seed in 1988, 1994 and 1996. In addition, Zach Edey is the leader to earn consensus National Player of the Year accolades. The last time Purdue earned a No. 1 seed, it was led by its last consensus National Player of the Year recipient, Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson. Since 2000, eight players have earned consensus National Player of the Year accolades and led their team to a No. 1 seed, including four times in the last eight years (Williamson, Brunson, Mason, Kaminsky).
• Edey needs just seven rebounds to move into the career top 10 rebounds list (749). With eight rebounds, he would become the second player in school history to have 1,250 points and 750 rebounds by the end of his junior season, joining 1980 No. 1 NBA Draft pick, Joe Barry Carroll.
PURDUE SB
WIMPEE RECORDS COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT IN 7-0 VICTORY
RALEIGH, N.C. – Pitcher Mo Wimpee recorded her first career complete game shutout against Syracuse as Purdue (4-2) downed the Orange, 7-0.
In addition to coming one strikeout shy of matching her career-best, Wimpee fed the defense, which accumulated 11 assists and 21 putouts. The senior allowed just two Orange hits, tossing a no-hitter until the fourth inning, where one was allowed with two outs. The second hit came in the seventh inning. With the victory, Wimpee moves to 2-0 on the season.
Junior outfielder Kiersen George led the offensive effort, tallying two runs, an RBI double and a walk in the win.
The Boilermakers took the lead in the first inning, posting two runs, and never looked back. Kiersen George and Alex Echazarreta scored in their first at-bats, thanks to RBI by Anna Lonchar and Tyrina Jones, respectively. Then, in the third inning, Jones added another RBI on a single up the middle, scoring Jade Moy before pinch runner Hailey Hayes found home on a single by Becca Edwards. Insurance runs were added by Kiara Dillon, thanks to an RBI double by George before she scored on a single by Echazarreta.
Purdue takes a 2-0 record heading in the back-half of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Boilermakers will have one more game tonight against host N.C. State at 5:30 p.m. ET on ACCNx. Then, the Boilermakers will close out the conference showdown tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. ET with another matchup against the Wolfpack.
BUTLER BASEBALL
BUTLER SWEEPS FDU IN SATURDAY DOUBLEHEADER
LEXINGTON, S.C. – Head Coach Blake Beemer secured the first two wins of his Bulldog career on Saturday afternoon as the Bulldogs swept the Knights to improve to 2-1 on the season. Butler shut Fairleigh Dickinson out in the first game 3-0 and won the nightcap 16-7.
Joey Urban tripled to score Kyle Van Liere to open up the scoring in game one. He later came around to score on a wild pitch in the second to make the game 2-0. A bases loaded walk would finalize the scoring as Garret Gray reached base on balls to score Xavier Carter.
Aaron Barokas was awesome on the bump. He threw five full innings and limited the Knights to just one hit. Jon Vore came in for relief and Lukas Galdoni would pick up his first save of the season.
Game two was high scoring with BU scoring six in the first, one in the fourth, two in the sixth, four in the seventh and three more in the bottom of the eighth to post a 16-7 win.
Carter Dorighi went 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Jake DeFries was also an impact player with a three-run home run for the ‘Dawgs in the seventh.
On the mound, Cade Thune got the win after a Luke Zmolik start. Zmolik fanned three over the first four innings of the game. Other ‘Dawgs to touch the rubber included Nick Miketinac, Gabe Pancratz and Cole Graverson.
The final game of the weekend between Butler and FDU will be played tomorrow at Noon.
BUTLER SB
BUTLERSOFTBALL SUFFERS LOSSES TO PITT AND NO. 23 MISSOURI
MIAMI – The Butler softball team fell to 1-9 on the season with losses to Pitt and No. 23 Missouri in the FIU Invitational. Teagan O’Rilley led the Bulldogs offense with three hits on the day along with one RBI.
Game 3: Pitt- 9, Butler- 1 (5 innings)
In the top of the third, Cate Lehner tripled and was knocked across by a Kaylee Gross bunt, giving Butler a 1-0 lead.
Pitt answered in the bottom of the third putting five runs across and then adding four more in the fourth.
Kayla Noerr (0-1) started for Butler and took the loss. In 2.0 innings, she gave up 5 earned runs on four hits and seven walks with one strikeout. Rylyn Dyer (2.0 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 H, K) provided relief for the third and fourth innings.
Game 4: No. 23 Missouri- 5, Butler- 1 (7 innings)
Butler took an early lead over the Tigers when a Teagan O’Rilley (2-3, RBI) single in the top of the first knocked Cate Lehner across the plate.
The Bulldogs held the lead until Missouri hit four singles in the bottom of the second, scoring three. The 3-1 score remained until the bottom of the fifth when the Tigers plated two more.
Butler loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with two outs but was unable to extend the game.
Mackenzie Griman (0-5) pitched a complete game against the Tigers and took the loss. In 6.0 innings of work, she allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out two.
Bulldog Bits
Cate Lehner’s triple vs. Pitt was the first of her career.
Teagan O’Rilley notched her first multi-hit game of the season vs. Missouri and her third RBI.
O’Rilley has a hit in all four games at the FIU Invite.
Mackenzie Griman pitched her second complete game of the season, lasting all six innings against Missouri. She also threw a full eight innings against Portland State.
Up Next
Butler plays one more game in Miami on Sunday, Feb. 19. The Bulldogs will have a rematch with FIU at 12:30 p.m. before returning to Indianapolis.
BUTLER WLAX
BULLDOGS FALL TO KENT STATE, 16-11, SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Butler was able to chip away at a halftime deficit but could not overcome Kent State, falling by a score of 16-11 Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field in Indianapolis.
With the result, the Bulldogs fall to 0-2 on the young season. Kent State improves to 2-1.
An early Kent State offensive push gave the visitors a 9-1 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the second period. That eight-goal differential would be the largest of the contest.
Butler would then chip away by scoring four of the final six goals before halftime as Kent State took an 11-5 lead into the intermission. The Bulldogs would out-score KSU, 6-5, in the second half, but could only pull within six on several occasions before the final goal of the game made it a 16-11 decision.
Butler’s 11 goals were split among eight Bulldogs with Kayleigh Colleary, Lauren Dunne and KK Callaghan each scoring two goals.
Jackie Wolford led Kent State with five scores.
Butler had a 34-25 advantage in shots, but KSU goalie Madison Flannigan was able to turn away 13 Butler shots.
Caroline Smith came on in relief in goal, playing the final 41 minutes of the contest. She made four saves and allowed only eight of the goals.
The Bulldogs are on the road next weekend with match-ups at Central Michigan Friday and Detroit Mercy Sunday.
IUPUI SWIMMING
JAGUARS CLOSE OUT THE 2023 HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH RUNNER UP TITLES
INDIANAPOLIS – The IUPUI men’s and women’s swimming and diving team closed out the 2023 Horizon League Championships with two runner-up titles. The women’s team recorded 636.5 points to earn second while the men’s competition came down to the final relay race with Oakland ultimately taking the crown by 11 points.
Emmaleigh Zietlow was named Co-Swimmer of the Meet with Oakland’s Susan LaGrand while Sebastian Otero earned Diver of the Meet. Otero also became one of the only divers in Horizon League history to earn Freshman of the Year. IUPUI swept the freshman of the year category with Gabby Puryear-Lynch earning the women’s Freshman of the Year. The Jags also swept the men’s coaching awards with Eric Barnes earning Men’s Diving Coach of the Year and Damion Dennis defending his title of Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year.
Zietlow kicked off the night with another gold, defending her title in the 1650 free with a time of 16:36.62. Lylah Hutson placed 13th overall and Jackie Bontrager took 14th. In the men’s 1650, Nico Gallego placed ninth overall while Luke Dibley came in 11th.
Emma Theobald earned another silver with a second-place finish in the 200 back with a time of 1:58.30. Malayna Mancinelli took 13th overall. On the men’s side, Dane Charleston placed fifth in the 200 back while Grayson Tidwell placed seventh and Nick Cavanah took eighth. Ben Kimmel swam in the B final where he took the top spot earning himself ninth overall.
In the 100 free, Lilly Brandt placed sixth while Avery Brooks took tenth. Spencer Jyawook once again saw himself on the podium with a silver in the 100 free with a time of 43.61. Kevin Burke placed fourth, Wes Wickens took tenth and Nick Welle earned 16th.
Ali Sippel and Kaylee Dexter went back-to-back with a fifth and sixth place finish in the women’s 200 breast. Logan Kelly set a new meet record with a time of 1:52.86 to take the gold in the men’s 200 breast. Freshman Maxwell Blume came up huge for the Jags with a bronze in a time of 1:58.52.
Puryear-Lynch earned another spot on the podium this week, this time with a gold in the women’s 200 fly in a time of 2:02.29. Zoe Hendrickx took 10 while Jenna Taylor earned 12th. On the men’s side, Nick Dibley closed out his swimming career with a bronze in a time of 1:47.50. Isaac Wilson took fourth while Nick Cavanah earned sixth.
After the 200 fly, we turned to the boards for the women’s 3-meter dive. Sadie Smith earned second with a score of 269.40.
After diving we went back to the competition pool for the final relay of the meet. The women’s 400 free relay made up of Zietlow, Brandt, Brooks and Theobald earned the silver with a total time of 3:26.22. For the men, this race decided the overall winner of the meet. The relay ream made up of Jyawook, Burke, Kelly and Wickens left everything they had in the pool but it wasn’t enough as Oakland outtouched them to take the gold and the overall victory. The Jags still marked their spot on the podium with a silver.
The men’s team finished second with a total score of 841 points while the women’s team recorded a score of 636.5 points to earn the second place trophy.
IUPUI WBB
TURNER, LEWIS LEAD BALANCED JAGUARS PAST OAKLAND, 87-73
ROCHESTER, Mich. – The IUPUI women’s basketball team had a strong bounce back effort on Saturday (Feb. 18), rolling past Oakland University inside the Athletics Center O’rena, 87-73. The Jaguars shot 50 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Golden Grizzlies by a 49-37 margin in the victory.
Jazmyn Turner led five Jaguars in double-digits with 21 points and 10 rebounds and Michigan-native Logan Lewis pumped in 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting. Natalie Andersen (12), Rachel Kent (11) and Destiny Perkins (10) also finished in double-figures.
Kennedie Montue led Oakland (11-15, 6-11 HL) with 15 points.
IUPUI (15-12, 11-7 HL) jumped out early and never let the Golden Grizzlies take the lead, ultimately leading 24-19 at the end of the first quarter. Oakland took a brief 29-27 lead early in the second quarter on a Breanne Beatty three, but the Jaguars countered with a 9-0 run to retake a seven-point lead. The lead grew as large as 10 before halftime before IUPUI settled for a 48-42 advantage at the break.
After Oakland closed within three, IUPUI outscored the hosts 10-2 over the next four minutes, including threes from Jaci Jones and Lewis.
Lewis and Turner powered the offense for much of the fourth quarter and the Jaguars limited the hosts to just 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) shooting over the final 10 minutes.
Defensively, IUPUI held Oakland to just 34.3 percent for the day.
The IUPUI offense stacked up 26 assists on 33 field goals as Kent, Perkins and Lewis had five each.
IUPUI will return home to host Youngstown State on Tuesday night (Feb. 21) at 7:00 p.m. inside the Jungle. That game will be broadcast on ESPN+ as Scott Agness (pxp) describe the action.
IUPUI MBB
IUPUI TO CAP LONG ROAD STRETCH AT DETROIT ON SUNDAY
DETROIT – The IUPUI basketball team will play its final regular season road game on Sunday (Feb. 19) when the Jaguars take on Detroit Mercy at 1:00 p.m. inside UDM’s Calihan Hall. The game will be aired on ESPN+.
The Jaguars have continued to pile up close calls and near misses in Horizon League play, including a four-point defeat at Oakland earlier this week. Freshman DJ Jackson scored a team-high 23 points in IUPUI’s 85-81 defeat and Jlynn Counter tossed in 18 points and seven boards. IUPUI led for much of the game, but yielded a 9-0 run inside the game’s final five minutes before ultimately falling by four. Neither team led by more than six points at any spot during a game that featured 16 ties and 15 lead changes.
Freshman Vincent Brady II scored 14 points and hit four treys for a second straight game while John Egbuta contributed 10 points.
QUOTABLE
“We’re right there, but that’s the difference between playing with underclassmen and playing with seniors. I thought we panicked a couple times and made some careless mistakes and (Oakland) kind of let their upperclassmen play through it. I’m encouraged that we came on the road and put ourselves in a position to win a basketball game in one of the tougher environments in our league. The next step for us is consistently getting over that hump and getting to the finish line,” head coach Matt Crenshaw said following the loss at Oakland.
SCOUTING DETROIT MERCY
Detroit Mercy is 12-16 on the year, 8-9 in Horizon League play and 7-3 at home inside Calihan Hall. The Titans have made national waves as fifth-year senior Antoine Davis is bearing down on the NCAA Division I record for career points as he averages 27.8 points per game while shooting 42.4 percent from three-point range. As a team, Detroit shoots 39.5 percent from three. Beyond Davis, Gerald Liddell averages 15.7 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and Jayden Stone checks in at 13.9 points per game.
UP NEXT
IUPUI will return home to host Robert Morris on Thursday (Feb. 23) at 7:30 p.m. inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
Tidbits heading into Sunday’s game (click here for full game notes)
CRUNCH TIME
With so many new faces and primarily young faces, head coach Matt Crenshaw is still seeking a closer to help in crunch time. IUPUI has gone down to the wire in seven of its past nine losses and is 0-8 this season in games this season decided by seven points or less.
At Robert Morris on Jan. 9, IUPUI trailed 44-29 at halftime, but rallied to come all the way back in the second half. The Jaguars tied the game at 61 all and again at 63-63 before being outscored 14-7 over the game’s first five-plus minutes in the 77-70 loss.
Against Oakland on Jan. 19, IUPUI again rallied from a nine-point deficit and led by as many as four in the closing minutes before a Jalen Moore trey with 3.0 seconds left sent the game to overtime. Oakland outscored the Jags 15-9 in overtime to secure an 83-77 win, keeping the Jags winless in league play.
Against Detroit Mercy on Jan. 21, it was a two-possession game with five minutes remaining before the Titans outscored the Jags 20-12 down the stretch.
At Purdue Fort Wayne, IUPUI rallied from 11 down to cut the Mastodons’ lead to two in the waning minutes, but couldn’t get over the hump late.
At Cleveland State on Jan. 29, the Jaguars rallied from down 20 in the second half to down three with 3:01 to play. However, IUPUI was never able to draw even late in that contest before ultimately falling short, 78-72.
Against Milwaukee on Feb. 2, IUPUI had two chances to tie the score in the closing minute but came up empty on both in a 72-69 home loss to one of the league’s top teams.
The most recent defeat was an 85-81 loss at Oakland in a game that IUPUI led for much of the night before fading in the final minutes.
SEVEN AWARDS; THREE FRESH AWARDEES
IUPUI freshmen have collected seven #HLMBB Freshman of the Week Awards this season as Vincent Brady II has collected four honors, Armon Jarrard has been honored twice and DJ Jackson is a one-time honoree.
Brady is second on the team in scoring (10.9 ppg) and third in rebounding (3.9 rpg) and leads the team in minutes played (31.7 mpg, 15th in the HL) and threes made (51). Brady comes in having made at least one three in 23 straight games and in 26 of the team’s 28 games this season.
A VERY BRADY DUNK
Speaking of Brady, you may have seen him on your timeline recently as his dunk in the closing minutes of IUPUI’s win over Green Bay went viral on social media. Brady threw down a vicious one-handed hammer with 2:40 to play over GB’s Cade Meyer, later earning ESPN’s #SCTop10’s No. 1 play and ‘Dunk of the Day’ honors, along with additional mentions from Fox Sports, NCAA March Madness, House of Highlights and other social accounts. It received just under 1-million views on ESPN’s SportsCenter account alone.
FRESH DUBS
It would appear that Brady will be hovering around double-digits in scoring all season long as he sits at 10.9 points per game entering today’s game, which would break the program’s freshman record.
Earlier this season, he had a stretch of four straight games with 15-or-more earlier this season, becoming the first IUPUI freshman to do so since Alex Young in 2008.
Freshmen scoring in double-digits has been a rarity for the IUPUI program as just two have done so in the program’s Division I-era. The aforementioned Young went on to score 2,286 points in his four-year IUPUI career and current Indiana Pacer George Hill scored 1,619 points in three-plus seasons before being drafted in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft.
Here’s the full list of IUPUI true freshmen to score in double digits for a season in the Division I era (1998-present).
Alex Young – 10.8 ppg (2008-09)
George Hill – 10.7 ppg (2004-05)
COUNTER POINTS
It’s safe to say that sophomore guard Jlynn Counter has emerged as the program’s most important player this season. Here are a few nuggets about the Oklahoma City-native.
-he’s scored 20-or-more in five of IUPUI’s last nine games
-he ranks among the Horizon League’s top-15 in scoring (14.2 ppg), assists (3.3 apg), field goal percentage (49.5%) and free throw percentage (81.8%)
-in Horizon League play, he’s averaging 14.4 points, 4.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game
-he started the year 0-of-14 from three in the season’s first 12 games, but has gone 12-of-36 (33.3 percent) since and made at least one three in seven of IUPUI’s last nine games
BAKERS DOZEN
Senior Marlon Taylor became the 13th different player to start a game this season as he was awarded a start at Oakland on Feb. 15. All 12 of the Jaguars’ scholarship players have started at least one game this season as graduate student Jonah Carrasco started in place of an injured Chris Osten at Cleveland State.
TOPS IN THE COUNTRY
IUPUI is tops in the nation, having had 14 different players miss at least one game due to injury or illness, 12 of whom are scholarship student-athletes. Highest on the list are Zach Gunn (out for the season), Bryce Monroe (24 games missed) and DJ Jackson (11 games). Other scholarship student-athletes who have missed multiple games this season include Daylan Hamilton (10 games), Amhad Jarrard (9 games), Armon Jarrard (7 games), John Egbuta (5 games) and Cooper Dewitt (5 games).
Behind IUPUI, Wyoming and Iona have all had nine student-athletes miss time.
IUPUI has not had a game this season in which the entire roster was available.
THE ONLY ONE IS NO. 1
True freshman Vincent Brady II is the only IUPUI player to have appeared in all 28 games this season and is tied with Chris Osten with a team-high 27 starting nods.
TEN HIT TEN
Freshman DJ Jackson became the tenth different IUPUI player to have a double-digit scoring game for the Jaguars this season, doing so against Detroit Mercy on Jan. 21. Amazingly, of all 10 players who have scored in double-digits this season, none were on the IUPUI roster last season.
CHRIS DON’T MISS
Graduate transfer Chris Osten is currently shooting 67.8 percent for the season, chasing the school record for single-season shooting percentage (Jon Avery – 67.9 percent in 2008-09). The 6-foot-9 forward is shooting an absurd 77.1 percent from the field (54-of-70) at home this year and shooting 73.8 percent in Horizon League games.
Coming into this season, he had scored in double-digits just one time in his Division I career in stops at both Arizona State and Northern Illinois, and never had a double-double. However, in 21 games this season, Osten has hit double-figures 12 times and registered four double-doubles.
SEEING 20-20
IUPUI had a pair of 20-point scorers against Oakland last Thursday as freshman Vincent Brady II had a career-high 23 points (8-16 FG, 4-9 3’s, 3-3 FT) and Jlynn Counter tallied 22 (8-16 FG, 1-2 3’s, 5-6 FT). It marked the first time under head coach Matt Crenshaw that two players have gone for 20-or-more in the same game.
FRESH STARTERS
IUPUI had three freshmen in the starting lineup in the season opener at Iowa State as Vincent Brady II, Amhad Jarrard and Armon Jarrard all got the starting nod. The trio, all of whom are Indianapolis natives, combined on four points, five boards and an assist in their collegiate debut.
A fourth freshman, DJ Jackson, made his first collegiate start on Dec. 31 against NKU.
4K
IUPUI hosted its annual NCAA Readers Become Leaders game on Dec. 12 against Spalding University and had a program best 4,114 fans in attendance. The game attracted roughly 3,500 3rd graders from Central Indiana and stressed the importance of creating reading habits at a young age. The 4,114 fans easily surpassed the previous record for an IUPUI home game – 3,327 against Indiana State inside Conseco Fieldhouse on Dec. 23, 2008.
The previous record for an IUPUI game inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum was 3,159 in the inaugural game against Indiana State on Nov. 14, 2014.
BALL STATE VB
NO. 11 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL EARNS FIVE-SET THRILLER OVER RIVAL PURDUE FORT WAYNE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – In a battle between longtime in-state and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) rivals, it comes to no surprise that tonight’s match would go down to the wire.
No. 11 Ball State (7-5, 2-2 MIVA) dominated in the extra period to take the fifth set 15-8 over Purdue Fort Wayne (10-4, 1-3 MIVA) Saturday night at the Gates Sports Center.
The Cardinals defense played a big role in tonight’s victory after setting a program record in total blocks in a single-match (26.5). It was also the third-most in NCAA rally scoring history.
For the match, Tinaishe Ndavazocheva tallied 16 kills off 33 swings while hitting .364 from the floor. Kaleb Jenness also reached double digit kills with 14 and Felix Egharevba had 10. Egharevba also registered nine block assists as did his teammate Vanis Buckholz.
The Cardinals trailed the Mastodons 14-9 late in the opening set. Ball State fought back though and would eventually knot the score 16-16 off a kill from Jenness. A Jakub Wiercinski service ace along with back-to-back kills from Jenness locked up the first frame for the Cardinals, 25-20.
Ball State controlled the tempo in the second set until a late surge from Purdue Fort Wayne. A few ties and multiple lead changes would make the score 24-24. PFW’s Jon Diedrich’s kill followed by an attack error by the Cardinals earned the Mastodons the second set, 26-24.
After the short break, Ball State made some smart plays at the net during some pivotal moments in the third set. Another service ace from Wiercinski put the Cardinals up 20-17. Purdue Fort Wayne kept playing close to BSU, but a Jenness kill along with a block assist from Dyer Ball and Buckholz locked up set three for BSU, 25-22.
But Purdue Fort Wayne wasn’t going to let its rival walk away without a fight. The Mastodons would send the match into an extra set after taking the fourth frame from BSU, 25-19.
In the fifth set, Egharevba had a kill and a block assist to help give Ball State the early 5-2 edge over PFW. The Cardinals went on to dominate the fifth frame, 15-8.
The Ball State men’s volleyball team continues MIVA action when it plays at Lindenwood Friday at 8 pm ET.
BALL STATE MBB
BALL STATE FALLS TO WESTERN MICHIGAN ON THE ROAD
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s basketball team returned to the court for a Mid-American Conference matchup at Western Michigan on Saturday. Jaylin Sellers tied a season high with 22 points, but BSU fell to WMU 78-68.
Ball State fell to 19-8 overall and 10-4 in conference play, while Western Michigan improved to 7-20 overall and 3-11 in league games.
“You have to give a lot of credit to Dwayne Stephens and Western Michigan,” said Head Coach Michael Lewis. “They’ve lost nine straight, came out and competed, and to be that focused, they looked like the team competing for a championship, not us. We have to give them a lot of credit. Disappointing to say the least but we have to pick ourselves up off the mat.”
Sellers produced a team-high 22 points along with five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Jarron Coleman finished with 15 points, four rebounds, and a team-high four assists. Payton Sparks brought down a team-high eight rebounds to go along with 11 points, two steals, and one assist. Mickey Pearson Jr. added nine points, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
The Broncos opened the game on a 5-0 run. The Cardinals were unfazed and answered with an 8-0 run to take an 8-5 with 16:39 left in the opening stanza. The string of runs continued as WMU followed with a 6-0 run and took an 11-8 lead.
The two sides traded buckets and the Cardinals were able to pull within one, 15-14, with just under 10 minutes left in the half. It remained a back-and-forth battle as the game was tied 21-21 with 6:53 left until the break.
WMU scored the game’s next 10 points and took a 31-21 lead with 4:19 left in the half. Ball State was able to chip away at the lead and trailed, 36-29, at the half.
Ball State cut the deficit to five, 42-37, with just under 15 minutes left in regulation. The Broncos were able to extend their lead to as many as 14, 60-46, with 9:39 left on the clock. The Cardinals clawed back and were able to pull within six, 70-64, with just under three minutes left in regulation.
WMU managed to hold of the comeback bid from BSU and went on to win the game 78-68.
Tray Maddox Jr. tied for a game-high 22 points to lead the Broncos. He added three rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal. Lamar Norman Jr. recorded 20 points with three steals, two rebounds, and two steals. Owen Lobsinger scored 15 points with seven rebounds. Markeese Hastings posted a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Ball State returns to the friendly confines of Worthen Arena for a showdown with Kent State on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.
BALL STATE WBB
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES TOUGH ROAD BATTLE AT NIU
DEKALB, Ill. – Coming off a huge upset win over Bowling Green Wednesday, Northern Illinois carried that momentum into Saturday’s contest to hand Ball State women’s basketball an 84-77 setback in the NIU Convocation Center.
In a battle of two solid defensive squads, the Cardinals (22-5, 12-2 MAC) would rally from as many as 14 down to take a one-point edge late in the third. Unfortunately, the Huskies (14-11, 6-8 MAC) would regain control to secure the win.
The first quarter was close even though the Huskies outscored the Cardinals by five (19-14).
It was the second frame that really gave Ball State fits. BSU had lot of offensive looks that rattled in and out so that would be part of the struggle. The Huskies would then outpace the Cardinals 26-17 to take a 47-35 advantage into the intermission.
After the break, Ball State came out on fire midway through the third quarter as sophomore Ally Becki nailed a jumper that sparked a 13-0 run. Redshirt senior Anna Clephane’s basket at the 1:17 mark gave the Cardinals the lead (52-51) for the first time since early in the opening quarter.
Ball State would end up outscoring Northern Illinois 23-11 in the third to make it a one-possession game (56-54) heading into the final 10 minutes of play. Unfortunately, NIU would control the scoreboard in the final quarter to secure the win.
While the contest came down to the final stanza, the Huskies took a page out of the Cardinals playbook and shot a staggering 52% (10-for-19) from the 3-point line to secure the win. Meanwhile, the Cardinals went 6-for-20 from behind the arc. Rebounding was an issue as well, with the Huskies out rebounding Ball State, 33-28.
Four Cardinals reached double figures in the game, with Clephane leading the way with 19 points. Becki finished the game with 14, while graduate senior Thelma Dis Agustsdottir had 12 and sophomore Madelyn Bischoff ended the game with 11.
The Ball State women’s basketball team returns to Worthen Arena for its final two regular season home games, starting with a Wednesday showdown with Western Michigan. Tipoff is set for 6:30 pm ET.
BALL STATE BASEBALL
CARDINALS DROP DOUBLEHEADER TO THE 49ERS
MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State baseball team returned to the diamond for a doubleheader against Charlotte on Saturday. Ryan Peltier, Casey Turturici, and Matthew Rivera each launched home runs, but BSU fell in both games.
The Cardinals fell to 1-2 on the season, while the 49ers improved to 2-1 after today’s doubleheader.
Game 1 – Charlotte 6, Ball State 4
Peltier picked up where he left off from Friday with a solo home run in the top of the first inning to put BSU up 1-0.
The 49ers answered with three runs in the bottom of the first and took a 3-1 lead into the second inning. CLT added three more runs in the bottom of the third and extended its lead to 6-1.
Peltier led off the top of the fourth with a six-pitch walk. Hunter Dobbins followed with a five-pitch walk. Turturici launched a three-run home run to right center and cut the deficit to 6-4.
The 49ers added a run in the bottom of the fifth, before they added two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Ty Johnson got the start and the loss in 2 innings of work with three strikeouts. He surrendered six earned runs on three hits. Tanner Knapp went 2 2/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts and gave up one earned run on two hits. Will Jacobson and Owen Quinn each went 2/3 of an inning as they made the BSU debuts.
Donye Evans got the win for Charlotte with six strikeouts and four earned runs on two hits in 4 innings of work. Evan Michelson picked up the save with 3 innings in relief.
Game 2 – Charlotte 9, Ball State 5
Game two started as a pitcher’s duel as neither team was able to get anything going in the first two innings.
Dobbins got a rally started with a one-out double to right center in the top of the third. Peltier followed with a five-pitch walk. Both Dobbins and Peltier moved up a base on a wild pitch. Logan Flood singled to left field that scored Dobbins. Peltier then stole third. Decker Scheffler singled to right field and drove in Peltier from third. Behind in the count 0-2, Rivera was unfazed and belted a three-run homer over the left field wall to put the Cardinals up, 5-0.
Charlotte closed the gap in the bottom of the third inning with two runs. In the bottom of the fourth, a three-run homer by Austin Knight tied the game at 5-5. The 49ers added four runs in the home half of the fifth on their way to a 9-5 victory.
Jacob Hartlaub picked up the loss with 4 1/3 innings of work. He struck out four batters and surrendered six earned runs. Logan Schulfer went 1/3 of an inning and gave up three earned runs on one hit. Owen Quinn closed out the game with 1 1/3 innings of relief with two strikeouts.
Paxton Thompson picked up the win with 4 1/3 innings in relief. He struck out eight batters and scattered two hits. Collin Kramer got the start for the 49ers and went 2 1/3 innings. He gave up four earned runs with three strikeouts.
The Cardinals and 49ers close out the four-game series on Sunday, Feb. 19. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
BALL STATE SB
SOFTBALL DROPS PAIR AT UAB
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – – It was a rough afternoon for the Ball State softball program which dropped both ends of a doubleheader to host UAB Saturday at Mary Bowers Field.
Despite six hits in the opener, the Cardinals (1-3) were only able to push one run across the plate in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, it was not enough to counter 12 runs from the Blazers (5-4) over the first four innings.
Sophomore third baseman Emma Richards gave Ball State an early spark with a one-out solo bomb in the top of the second of game two. UAB countered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, however, and held on for the 6-5 victory.
HIGHLIGHTS
Fifth-year senior shortstop Amaia Daniel went 2-for-3 in the opening game, driving in Ball State’s lone run of the contest.
Sophomore pitcher Angelina Russo entered the second game with bases loaded and two outs in the B2 … She got out of the jam and went on to hold UAB to three hits and two runs (one earned) over the final 4.1 innings.
Redshirt sophomore McKayla Timmons provided her second two-run home run of the season in the nightcap
Timmons and Richards each recorded two hits in the nightcap for the Cardinals
SCORING SUMMARY – GAME 1
B1 | UAB struck first with a solo home run from Sierra Frazier (0-1)
B1 | An RBI single from Allyson Smith drove in Lindsey Smith (0-2)
B2 | Lauren Brock singled to drive in Hannah Miles (0-3)
B3 | An RBI double to right center from A. Smith plated L. Smith (0-4)
B3 | Kaily Collett singled up the middle to bring in two more runs (0-6)
B4 | Olivia Valbak opened the inning with a solo home run (0-7)
B4 | A bases-loaded single from Miles cleared the bases (0-10)
B4 | With two on, a throwing error on a bunt single allowed two more runs to score (0-12)
T5 | Junior center fielder Hannah Dukeman deposited a one-out single into center field, scoring on a two-out double from Daniel (1-12)
SCORING SUMMARY – GAME 2
T2 | Richards blasted her first home run of the season, giving Ball State its first lead of the day (1-0)
B2 | Miles took advantage of a pair of walks, driving an RBI single to right field (1-1)
B2 | A passed ball allowed Lilly Crowe to score from third (1-2)
B2 | Valbak drives an RBI double into left (1-3)
B2 | L. Smith draws a bases loaded walk (1-4)
T4 | Freshman pinch runner Ashlee Lovett scored on a bases loaded RBI groundout by junior right fielder Kaitlyn Mathews (2-4)
B5 | An error on a sac bunt helped L. Smith get from first to third and later score on a wild pitch (2-5)
T6 | Timmons smashed her second two-run home run of the season, driving in redshirt senior Jazmyne Armendariz who singled to left to open the inning (4-5)
B6 | Miles uses some heads up running on a sac bunt to go from first to third, then scores on a wild pitch (4-6)
T7 | Remington Ross, who singled with one out, scores on a two-out wild pitch (5-6)
UP NEXT
The Ball State softball team closes play in the Blazer Bash Sunday morning with an 11 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. CT first pitch versus Lindenwood.
NOTRE DAME FB
GERAD PARKER PROMOTED TO OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Gerad Parker, a 12-year Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) coaching veteran, has been named the John and Bobbie Arlotta Family Offensive Coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Notre Dame. Parker most recently served as the Fighting Irish tight ends coach for the 2022 season.
“I am excited to announce Gerad as our new offensive coordinator,” said Notre Dame’s Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman. “I know firsthand the person, teacher, recruiter and innovative football mind he is. I look forward to watching our offense flourish under Gerad’s leadership and direction.”
Parker has been an offensive coordinator in the Big 12 and a passing game coordinator and interim head coach in the Big Ten while coaching wide receivers, running backs and tight ends. Parker has also served in a leadership role as a recruiting coordinator during his career.
Freeman and Parker were on the staff together at Purdue in 2016 and Parker assumed the role of interim head coach for the final six games of the season after the Boilermakers head coach was dismissed. The duo also crossed paths in the spring of 2017 at Cincinnati before reuniting in 2022 at Notre Dame.
Parker arrived at Notre Dame after serving as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia in 2020 and 2021. Challenged to install a new offense during the COVID-19 pandemic-affected season, Parker’s Mountaineer offense improved across the board from its previous iteration in 2019.
Most dramatically, West Virginia improved from 118th in the country in total first downs to 41st, also increasing its third-down-conversion percentage from .346 (118th) to .416 (56th). The team’s pass efficiency jumped from 90th (127.5) to 65th (132.9), time of possession improved from 101st (28:21) to 24th (32:00) and the team’s total offense increased from 119th (321.9) to 50th (412.6).
Those numbers continued to increase in 2021 as the Mountaineers improved to 27th in the country in completion percentage (.640) and 18th in red zone offense (.900).
During his time in charge of the Mountaineer offense (2020-21), West Virginia’s ranked among the top 30 in FBS for time of possession (seventh, 31:37), third down conversions (11th, 141), completion percentage (18th, 64.0) and scrimmage yards (30th, 8,929). WVU appeared in the Liberty Bowl (2020) and Guaranteed Rate Bowl (2021) during Parker’s two seasons in Morgantown.
In his year as the Notre Dame tight ends coach in 2022, Parker helped develop consensus All-American and Mackey Award finalist Michael Mayer through a remarkable senior campaign. Despite his status at the top of opponent scouting reports, Mayer led the Irish with 67 receptions for 809 yards and a Notre Dame single-season tight-end record nine touchdowns.
Sophomore Mitchell Evans also played a key role in Notre Dame’s offensive attack during the ‘22 campaign. Evans saw time under center as a short-yardage quarterback and in his seven rushing opportunities earned five first downs and a rushing touchdown against UNLV. He capped the season by nabbing the game-winning touchdown against South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.
Notable student-athletes developed by Parker throughout his career include –
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame – Consensus All-American, Mackey Award Finalist, Team Most Valuable Player who holds all tight end receiving records at Notre Dame.
Leddie Brown, RB, West Virginia – 1,010 rushing yards in 2020 (the first 1,000-yard rusher at West Virginia since 2017) followed by another 1,000 yards in 2021.
Winston Wright Jr., WR, West Virginia – All-Big 12 Second Team with 47 catches for 553 yards in 2020, followed up in ‘21 with 62 catches for 688 yards and five touchdowns.
Jarret Doege, QB, West Virginia – 5,635 yards, 33 touchdowns and a 64.6 completion percentage in 2020 and 2021.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State – The future first-round NFL selection (16th overall) had his first breakout season under Parker in 2019, catching 27 passes for 488 years (18.1 yards per catch) and five touchdowns.
KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State – 56 catches for 904 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019, earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors by Sports Illustrated and second-team honors from several additional outlets. Hamler was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.
T.J. Rahming, WR, Duke – 75 catches for 811 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018. The ‘18 Duke wide receivers caught 278 passes for 3,199 yards in ‘18 from future first-round draft pick quarterback Daniel Jones.
DeAngelo Yancey, WR, Purdue – finished his career seventh at Purdue in receiving years (2,344) and touchdowns (20) and 16th in receptions (141). Yancey was a fifth-round NFL Draft selection in 2017.
Tommy Shuler, WR, Marshall – school-record 110 receptions for 1,138 yards and six touchdowns in 2012.
Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall – In 2011 and 2012 Dobson piled up 106 catches for 1,347 yards and 15 touchdowns. A second-team All-Conference USA selection, Dobson was eventually selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Before his time at West Virginia, Parker spent the 2019 season as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Penn State. The Nittany Lions offense averaged 35.8 points per game, ranking 15th nationally, was 21st in red zone offense (.904) and averaged 13.3 yards per completion, ranking 33rd nationally.
Prior to Penn State, Parker spent two years on the football staff at Duke as wide receivers coach (2018) and a football operations assistant working with the offense in 2017.
The Blue Devils offense had three All-ACC selections and for the first time in program history had three players with 500 or more rushing yards, while also having a quarterback throw for more than 2,500 yards.
Parker spent the spring of 2017 as the running backs coach at Cincinnati before joining the Duke football staff.
Before his stint with the Blue Devils, Parker spent four seasons at Purdue, where he coached the tight ends (2013-14) and wide receivers (2015-16). He was the recruiting coordinator and also spent the final six weeks of the 2016 season as the Boilermakers interim head coach.
Prior to his time at Purdue, Parker spent two years as the wide receivers coach at Marshall (2011-12). The Thundering Herd led the nation in passing offense, averaging 365.1 yards per game.
Parker spent three seasons at UT-Martin as the running backs coach (2008), wide receivers coach (2009-10) and was the passing game coordinator and recruiting coordinator (2010). He started his coaching career at Raceland High School in Raceland, Kentucky, and spent the 2007 season as a graduate assistant coach at Kentucky.
Parker earned two degrees from Kentucky, his bachelor’s degree in business management in 2003 and his master’s in education in 2005. He was a four-year letterwinner for the Wildcats where he was a Southeastern Conference Scholar Athlete Honor Roll selection (2002-03) and CoSIDA Academic All-District IV Second Team honoree (2004).
A native of Louisa, Kentucky, Parker played at Lawrence County High School and set state receiving records with 238 catches, 4,814 yards and 52 touchdowns.
He, and his wife, Kandi, have three daughters: Kolbi, Gwyneth and Rosalyn and a son, Oliver.
NOTRE DAME BASEBALL
IRISH TAKE DOWN LIPSCOMB 8-4 IN FIRST WIN OF 2023
NASHVILLE, TN – With a big seventh inning, the Irish take home their first win and advance to 1-1 on the season as they took down Lipscomb 8-4 on Saturday afternoon. Notre Dame’s looking to carry their momentum into the final game of the series tomorrow, as the Irish play game three at Dugan Field at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT).
The first three innings were scoreless on both sides, with Radek Birkholz closing out the bottom of the second with three straight strikeouts. Birkholz finished the day with five strikeouts in three innings.
The offense started to roll in the fourth as a Nick Juaire single down the left field line allowed Brooks Coetzee to advance to third. A wild pitch gave Coetzee the scoring opportunity and he capitalized on it, putting Notre Dame on the board and giving the Irish the 1-0 lead.
At the bottom of the fourth, the Bisons responded with a big RBI double that scored three runners. The Irish trailed 3-1 with no outs. Aidan Tyrell took the mound to close out the bottom of the fourth, pitching through four innings and not allowing a hit.
Heading into the top of the seventh the Irish trailed 4-1, but it didn’t take long for Notre Dame to score as they finished the inning with four hits and were hit by five pitches. A double from Danny Neri put runners on third and second for the Irish and after getting hit by a pitch, TJ Williams advanced to first. With bases loaded, Prajzner was able to score off a passed ball and the Irish brought it within two. Followed by an RBI double from Jack Zyska, Williams and Neri scored and it was tied up at 4-4 with no outs.
After a single from Carter Putz, a sacrifice bunt from Jack Penney brought home Zyska and the Irish took their second lead of the game at 5-4. Putz would score off of a wild pitch and after getting hit by the pitch two more times with bases loaded, the Irish tallied three more runs to the board and extended the lead to 8-4.
Matt Bedford took the mound at the bottom of the eighth and pitched two innings, allowing only one hit and no runs. The seven-run seventh inning gave the Irish the 8-4 win in game two and gave John P. and Catherine Murphy head coach Shawn Stiffler his first win at Notre Dame.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame is back in action tomorrow for game three at Dugan Field at 2:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. CT). The series is tied at 1-1 after today’s win.
NOTRE DAME MBB
IRISH HAD CHANCE AT BUZZER BUT DROP 57-55 HEARTBREAKER AT #7/6 VIRGINIA
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Notre Dame men’s basketball (10-17, 2-14) found itself down just three to No. 7/6 Virginia (21-4, 13-3) with three seconds on the clock with graduate guard Trey Wertz on the free-throw line. Wertz made the first and then shot a ‘perfect miss’ as the ball found its way back to him. Wertz calmly dished to Dane Goodwin who was wide open for the game-winning three, but the Luck of the Irish didn’t strike, as ND fell at the buzzer 57-55.
Goodwin, Nate Laszewski, Marcus Hammond and Cormac Ryan combined for 48 of the team’s 55 points. Laszewski led the team in scoring for the 10th time this season, pouring in 18 points – 11 of which came in the second half. The graduate forward also reeled in a team best eight rebounds.
Dane Goodwin secured his 13th game in double figures in the past 15 games, and his 19th overall on the year, with 12 points. Marcus Hammond supplied 10 points while Ryan added eight.
Notre Dame outshot Virginia 39.2 percent to their 36.5 percent.
How It Happened
Early on one would think this had the makings of a high scoring game as both sides traded three-pointers. Three of Notre Dame’s first four made field goals were threes while four of Virginia’s first five were three as well. At the 10:19 media timeout, ND trailed just 15-17.
The good news for the Irish was that the Cavaliers wouldn’t convert a three for the remainder of the first half. The bad news for the Irish, they recorded a 2-for-10 stretch from the field from that spanned nine minutes.
However, a late 3-for-4 flurry, which included buckets from Ryan, Laszewski and Hammond made it a close one at the half, down just 25-29. The Irish were 9-for-23 at the half, while the Cavaliers were just one field goal better at 10-for-26. Laszewski led at the break with seven points.
The Irish, who ended the half on a 10-5 scoring run, scored the first six points of the second half to take their first lead of the game at 31-29.
Laszewski and Goodwin combined for 11 of the team’s first 15 points of the half, keeping lockstep with Virginia at 40-all at 12:55. The Cavs then fired off a quick 5-0 run as Coach Brey was quick to call the timeout to stymie the momentum at 11:27.
Virginia’s Jayden Gardner later opened the lead up to eight but Laszewski had an immediate answer down on the other end to keep it close at 48-53 with 5:51 left. Next, Goodwin followed with his signature post move in the paint and it was a one-possession game yet again.
With one minute remaining, the Irish trailed 52-55 and needed a defensive stop. They got just that and down on the offensive end, Hammond converted both free throws to make it a one-point game with 24 seconds left.
Notre Dame immediately fouled to send Virginia’s Kihei Clark to the free-throw line. He made both. With around 12 seconds on the clock, Goodwin got up a three, but it hit off the front end of the rim.
Next, the Cavaliers then missed the front end of a 1-and-1, giving the Irish another opportunity. Wertz was fouled and sent to the line where he made his first one, making it 55-57. He missed the second one and the rebound was tipped out. The ball found Goodwin who then had another crack at it, this time for the win, but it rimmed out again.
Up Next
Notre Dame returns to the Bend for a Wednesday night showdown with North Carolina. Tip on Feb. 22 inside Purcell Pavilion is 9 p.m. on ESPN.
NOTRE DAME WBB
NO. 10 IRISH HEAD TO PITTSBURGH FOR WEEKEND CLASH
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — After four consecutive games at Purcell Pavilion, No. 10 Notre Dame (21-4, 12-3) is back on the road this weekend at Pittsburgh (10-16, 3-12).
The two teams have already faced each other this year; the Irish topped the visiting Panthers by a score of 69-63 on Feb. 9. At the time, Pittsburgh was coming off of its first conference win of the season. The Panthers clearly were not in town to fold.
Notre Dame can expect a similar situation on Sunday. Pittsburgh has won three of its last four games, the only loss coming in South Bend.
Pittsburgh’s production has come from a far different source than Notre Dame’s. Head coach Lance White’s bench has scored 50+ points in each of his team’s last two outings.
Senior Dayshanette Harris has been hot for Pittsburgh lately, averaging 13.4 points and landing half of her shots (50.0 percent) in Pitt’s last seven games. Forward Liatu King ranks fourth in the ACC in blocks per game (1.4) and fifth in rebounds (7.7). Both players came off the bench at Notre Dame, and Harris had 20 points.
The Irish are coming off of an emotional overtime win against Louisville that took an Olivia Miles buzzer beater to win it, 78-76. It was the first time in seven tries Notre Dame has topped the Cardinals. Miles stole the show with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists, but it was actually Kylee Watson who led Notre Dame with 20 points on the evening.
Notre Dame is 33-4 all-time against Pittsburgh. Sunday’s game — which is also serving as the Panthers’ Senior Day — tips off at 2 p.m. ET on ACCNX.
NOTRE DAME SB
IRISH DROP GAMES TO #13/11 NORTHWESTERN AND OHIO STATE
CLEMSON, S.C. – The University of Notre Dame softball team dropped both ends of its twinbill Saturday at Clemson’s McWhorter Stadium. The Fighting Irish fell to #13/11 Northwestern 2-0 in the morning, and dropped a 6-5 extra inning contest to the Ohio State Buckeyes to end the day. The Irish are now 5-3 on the season.
Against the Wildcats, Micaela Kastor got the start in the circle. The freshman threw 2.0 innings, allowed three hits and walked four. Payton Tidd came on in relief and suffered the loss. Tidd threw 4.0 innings, scattered four hits, two earned runs and struck out six.
The Irish offense never got on track in the first game, finishing with three hits. Karina Gaskins connected with a double as Jane Kronenberger and Lexi Orozco added the other two hits for Notre Dame.
Shannon Becker started in the circle against the Buckeyes. Becker threw 5.2 innings, allowing four hits and four earned runs to go with four strikeouts. Tidd suffered the loss, throwing the final 3.0 innings, allowing a pair of earned runs to go with a strikeout.
The offense added nine hits in the nightcap, with the majority coming from the top of the order. Carlli Kloss, Kronenberger and Rachel Allen all finished with two hits. Allen added a team-best two RBI, and hit her first home run of the season in the loss. Kloss added an RBI double, and Mickey Winchell also drove in a run with a single.
How It Happened – Northwestern
After exchanging zeroes for the first five innings, Northwestern crossed home plate in the bottom of the fifth inning. A lead-off single moved up on a ground out and a strikeout had a runner on second with two outs. A double brought the first run of the game in, followed by a single to center to extend the Wildcat lead to 2-0 after five.
Notre Dame put runners on in five of the seven innings but couldn’t bring any home.
How It Happened – Ohio State
The Irish got on the board first in the second inning. With two outs, the Irish rallied to score a pair. Marquez was hit by a pitch and an error put runners on the corners. Winchell delivered with a single back at the pitcher to score one, and Kloss doubled to left to bring in another.
Notre Dame added solo runs in the third and fourth innings to provide some cushion. Kronenberger led off the third with a double and came around to score when an Allen singled to left. A one-out walk from Winchell and a ground ball got her into scoring position in the fourth. Gaskins knocked a single to right to bring her in and extend the lead to 4-0.
The Buckeyes answered in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two. A lead-off single and a walk put two on for Meggie Otte. Otte tripled to right center to score two before Becker extinguished the threat.
Allen got a run back in the fifth for Notre Dame, hitting a solo home run.
Ohio State brought it to a one-run game in the sixth inning. A two-out rally started with a walk and an RBI double. Two walks sandwiched an infield hit to cut the Irish lead to 5-4 with an inning remaining.
The Buckeyes knotted the game in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. A lead-off double came around on a double to center to knot the game at five.
It took until the bottom of the ninth for the game-winning run to cross home. A hit batter reached and a fielder’s choice kept a runner on first. A double to the wall in the left field corner allowed the run to score from first and the Buckeyes took the game, 6-5.
Up Next
Notre Dame returns to McWhorter Stadium tomorrow morning for its final game of the ACC/B1G Challenge.
NOTRE DAME MLAX
GAME 2 PREVIEW: CLEVELAND STATE
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – No. 2/3 Notre Dame welcomes Cleveland State to Arlotta Stadium at noon on Sunday, Feb. 19. The game will be broadcast live on ACCNX.
GAME DETAILS
Location: South Bend, Indiana | Arlotta Stadium
Schedule: Feb. 19 — Noon ET
Live Stream: ACCNX
Live Stats: UND.com
Twitter Updates: @NDlacrosse
For a more in-depth look at the matchup – Game Notes: Notre Dame
THE CLEVELAND STATE SERIES
• Sunday will be the third meeting all time between Notre Dame and Cleveland State.
• The Irish hold a 2-0 lead in the series.
• Notre Dame won the most recent matchup by a score of 19-5 on March 20, 2021 at Arlotta Stadium.
• Pat Kavanagh (4G, 1A) and Griffin Westlin (2G, 3A) each totaled five points to lead the attack.
• Liam Entenmann made nine saves while allowing just five goals in the victory.
FANTASTIC FEBRUARYS FOR THE FIGHTING IRISH
• Notre Dame is 33-4 in its last 37 games played in February dating back to the 2006 season.
• Fighting Irish head coach Kevin Corrigan is 42-7 in the month of February during his Notre Dame tenure.
• Notre Dame kicked off the 2023 season with a win over Marquette on Feb. 15 by a score of 21-10.
• The Irish split their two February matchups last season, defeating Detroit Mercy before falling to Georgetown.
THE BROTHERS KAVANAGH
• Pat Kavanagh became the fourth Tewaaraton Finalist in program history in 2021 and his brother Chris joined the 2022 squad as an attackman.
• The two brothers combined for 13 points in the season-opening win, Chris recording seven and Pat totaling six.
• Pat led the team during the 2022 season in points (64) and assists (39). He was second in goals (24), caused turnovers (12) and ground balls (39) while Chris was second in points (33) and assists (11) while tied for third in goals (22).
• The brothers have linked up on 13 goals during their career, with one assisting the other’s goal.
• The Kavanagh’s combined for 27 points over the two wins over Syracuse in 2022. Pat had 19 points (7G, 12A) and Chris added eight (4G, 4A).
• In just 12 games in the 2022 season, Pat became the all-time single-season ND assist record holder with 39, breaking his own record from the 2021 season.
• Pat owns the single-game points record at ND, recording 10 points in a game twice, both against Syracuse and both coming on May 1. He recorded 10 points on May 1, 2021 with 5G & 5A and then matched his record on May 1, 2022 with 4G & 6A.
FITTING RIGHT IN
• Notre Dame welcomed four transfers to the 2023 roster and each player made an impact in the opener vs. Marquette.
• Chris Fake and Chris Conlin earned starts in the defense and each caused two turnovers while keeping the Eagles attack at bay.
• Brian Tevlin and Jack Simmons each scored a goal as midfielders, both coming in the first quarter.
THREE-HEADED MONSTER ATTACK
• The Irish trio of Pat Kavanagh, Chris Kavanagh and Jeffery Ricciardelli had a historic opening game against Marquette.
• The three players combined for 19 points, each recording at least six.
• This marked the first time since at least 2000 that Notre Dame had three players record six or more points in the same game.
• With both Chris Kavanagh and Jeffery Ricciardelli scoring five goals apiece, it aslo marked the first time since at least 2000 that two Irish players scored five or more goals in the same game.
THE ATTACK IS BACK
• The Irish return 78.5 percent of their goals from last season (139 of 177).
• Eight of ND’s top 10 scorers from 2022 are on the 2023 roster, including four that finished with 20+ goals.
DOMINATING DEFENSE
• Notre Dame finished 2022 with the best defense in the ACC and a top-10 unit in the country, allowing just 10.08 goals per game.
• The Irish finished last season holding opposing attacks to single-digit scoring outputs in three of the last five games.
• Notre Dame totaled 10 caused turnovers and held Marquette to 10 goals in the season-opening win.
CASHING IN ON THE EMO
• Notre Dame had one of the greatest man-up units in recent memory during the 2022 season, leading the country in efficiency.
• The Irish EMO unit cashed in on 21-of-31 chances (.677) last season.
• The Irish finished 3-for-5 on the EMO in the season-opening win over Marquette.
CHALLENGING SLATE AHEAD
• Notre Dame has never shied away from putting together a challenging schedule and the 2023 slate is no different.
• Of Notre Dame’s 12 regular-season opponents, nine are currently ranked in the top 20 in both the USILA or Inside Lacrosse Top 20 Polls.
OWNING THE OPENERS
• Notre Dame is 36-7 all-time in season openers, including a 30-5 record in the Kevin Corrigan era.
• The Irish have won a program-record 21 straight season openers.
• Notre Dame opened the 2023 season with a 21-10 win over Marquette on Feb. 15.
• The Irish last dropped a season opener in 2002, a 10-9 overtime setback at home against Penn State.
• In home openers, the Irish are 39-4 in program history and 32-3 under Corrigan.
CORRIGAN ALL-TIME DI PROGRAM WINS LEADER
• With the win over No. 1 Duke on April 10, 2021, Baumer Family Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Kevin Corrigan broke the NCAA record for most wins at a DI program with 311, passing Bob Shillinglaw (Delaware).
• Corrigan became just the third coach in NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse history to reach the 300-win mark at a single school with the win over Marquette on April 10, 2019.
• Corrigan is one of just four active Division I coaches to reach the 300-win mark in his career.
• Corrigan has an overall record of 332-172 in his 37 seasons of coaching.
• The head coach is 322-157 in his 35 seasons at Notre Dame.
• Corrigan is the longest tenured men’s lacrosse coach at the DI level.
INDIANA STATE SWIMMING
SYCAMORES MAKE HISTORY WITH SECOND-PLACE FINISH AT 2023 MVC SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Indiana State swimming and diving made school history on Saturday night as the Sycamores posted their first top-two team finish at the 2023 Missouri Valley Swimming & Diving Championships.
The Sycamores finished second overall with 1200.5 points to snap a stretch of four consecutive seasons finishing third in the team standings. Indiana State was runner-up to Missouri State as the Bears took home the team championship with 1326 points. Illinois State (997), Northern Iowa (881), and Southern Illinois (854) rounded out the top five in the team standings.
Marni Gray highlighted the final day of the championships as the senior claimed the 200-yard Fly championship. Gray was fourth overall in the field through the first 100 yards in the event before the Toronto native pulled away from the field with a personal-best 2:00.75. It marked the second time Gray won the 200-yard Fly at the MVC Championships after previously topping the field in 2021.
Alexa Szadorski (100 Free) and Zoe Smith (3M Diving) finished second overall in their respective events to add podium finishes on the field day. Szadorski shattered the ISU school record in the 100-yard Freestyle finishing second in the field in 50.24 to earn All-Conference recognition. Smith became the first diver in ISU history to earn All-Conference recognition in the 3M diving event after finishing second with a score of 276.90.
Overall, Indiana State featured six All-Conference honors and 10 All-Conference Honorable Mentions as the Sycamores saw success from across the roster throughout the championships.
“I’m so proud of and thankful for every member of this team and coaching staff,” head coach Josh Christensen said. “This weekend and this season have been a huge leap forward for our young program. We’ve put so much work into developing our program culture and identity. This weekend solidified what it means to be a Sycamore. We’re excited to keep growing and taking this program to new heights.”
The Indiana State Sycamore senior class was recognized prior to the start of Saturday evening’s finals as a part of the conference’s recognition of all the seniors across the MVC. The 2023 ISU senior class has special meaning to Christensen as the group was a part of his inaugural recruiting class.
“This senior group means the world to me and this program,” Christensen said. “It’s been rewarding to watch them grow and become the women and leaders they are today. They are leaving a tremendous legacy and their fingerprints will be all over the future success this program has.”
Saturday Evening Finals
Olivia DiRuzza and Madie Rutan paced the Sycamores in the 200-yard Backstroke event to open up Saturday evening’s finals at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. DiRuzza led the way finishing sixth overall in the A-Finals in 2:01.07, while Rutan touched the wall in 2:05.72 to place eighth in the field. Kalli Agapios (2:02.40, 11th), Carmen Alard Vegas (2:02.53, 12th), and Alexandria Cotter (2:05.86, 16th) took on the field in the B-Finals to add to the Indiana State point totals.
Alexa Szadorski took a full half-second off the Indiana State record in the 100-yard Freestyle as the sophomore finished second overall in the field in the A-Finals. Szadorski touched the wall in 50.24 to get her first podium finish, while Chloe Farro placed fifth in 50.54 in a new personal-best. Peyton Heagy (51.76, 20th) and Sarah Moreau (52.36, 23rd) competed in the C-Finals for the Sycamores.
Dorotea Bukvic finished seventh in the 200-yard Breastroke field in 2:15.19 to lead the Sycamores in the A-Finals of the event. Kaimi Matsumoto finished second in the B-Finals and 10th overall in 2:16.68 to highlight her evening.
Marni Gray recorded her second career conference championship in the 200 Fly as the senior touched the wall in 2:00.75. Katie Dougherty added a top-five finish in the A-Finals after touching the wall in 2:03.02. Haley Halsall (2:05.59, 12th) and Raine Boles (2:06.72, 15th) finished among the leaders in the B-Finals to wrap up the individual swimming events on the weekend.
Zoe Smith took on the field in the 3M Diving A-Finals as the junior battled her way to a second-place finish in the field. Smith became the second ISU diver to earn All-Conference recognition and first diver to earn the honors in the 3M event after scoring 276.90.
Indiana State set a new school record in the 400-yard Freestyle Relay as the Sycamores cut nearly two full seconds off the previous mark set at the Tim Welsh Classic. Chloe Farro, Kaimi Matsumoto, Peyton Heagy, and Alexa Szadorski combined to touch the wall in 3:22.09 to set a new school mark in finishing third in the event.
Saturday Morning Prelims
Four Sycamores finished in the top-10, while five athletes advanced to Saturday evening’s 200-yard Backstroke finals to open up the competition on the final day of the 2023 MVC Championships. Olivia DiRuzza was the top finisher for the Sycamores in 2:00.54 placing fourth, while Madie Rutan also advanced to the A-Finals in 2:01.49. Carmen Alard Vegas (2:02.90, 9th), Kalli Agapios (2:03.05, 10th), and Alexandria Cotter (2:03.34, 15th) all moved on to the B-Finals to cap the first event.
Chloe Farro took down the ISU record in the 100-yard Freestyle as the sophomore eclipsed her previous-best mark by finishing fifth in the field in 50.82. Alexa Szadorski joined her teammate in the A-Finals with a time of 50.95 to place seventh, while Peyton Heagy (51.82, 19th) and Sarah Moreau (52.10, 23rd) both advanced to the C-Finals.
Dorotea Bukvic was back in the A-Finals in the 200-yard Breaststroke as the sophomore placed seventh in the field in 2:16.33. Kaimi Matsumoto also advanced to the B-Finals for the Sycamores finishing 11th in the field in 2:18.97.
Marni Gray was the top overall finisher in the 200-yard Fly as the senior finished first in the field in the event in 2:01.54. Katie Dougherty joined Gray in the A-Finals after finishing eighth in the field in 2:04.35, while Haley Halsall (2:05.54, 12th) and Raine Boles (2:07.56, 16th) advanced to the B-Finals.
Advanced to A-Finals
200-yard Back: Olivia DiRuzza (2:00.54, 4th), Madie Rutan (2:01.49, 7th)
100-yard Free: Chloe Farro (50.82, 5th), Alexa Szadorski (50.95, 7th)
200-yard Breast: Dorotea Bukvic (2:16.33, 7th)
200-yard Fly: Marni Gray (2:01.54, 1st), Katie Dougherty (2:04.35, 8th)
Advanced to B-Finals
200-yard Back: Carmen Alard Vegas (2:02.90, 9th), Kalli Agapios (2:03.05, 10th), Alexandria Cotter (2:03.34, 15th)
200-yard Breast: Kaimi Matsumoto (2:18.97, 11th)
200-yard Fly: Haley Halsall (2:05.54, 12th), Raine Boles (2:07.56, 16th)
Advanced to C-Finals
100-yard Free: Peyton Heagy (51.82, 19th), Sarah Moreau (52.10, 23rd)
INDIANA STATE MBB
SYCAMORES BREAK SINGLE-SEASON 3-POINTER RECORD EN ROUTE TO SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – In front of the largest crowd at Hulman Center this season, the Indiana State Sycamores broke a program record for 3-pointers made in a single season, but it was free throws that made the difference in an 80-64 win against Illinois State Saturday afternoon.
The Sycamores hit a season-high 30 free throws to help themselves to their seventh straight win, the last six of those coming by double figures. Nearly 6,000 fans were packed into Hulman Center with half of them donning goggles for “Be Like Robbie Day” cheering Indiana State onto six triples in the game to surpass the program record for 3-pointers in a single season. The Sycamores have hit 273 3-pointers so far with more basketball to be played.
With Cameron Henry playing under 10 minutes in the game and not touching the floor in the second half, the Sycamore bench stepped up once again, this time with 33 points. Trenton Gibson led the Sycamores with 17 points in the game, and he has come off the bench with double figures in two straight games and three of his last four. Xavier Bledson added 12 points off the bench.
Cooper Neese and Julian Larry combined to go 13-of-13 at the free throw line and posted 16 and 10 points, respectively. Courvoisier McCauley hit half of Indiana State’s threes in the game and finished with 12 points.
The score stayed tight early on in the game, but the Sycamores started taking advantage of their trips to the line early to begin pulling away, eventually building up to a 10-poinnt lead after seven straight free throws midway through the first half. The Sycamores (20-9, 13-5 MVC) did not allow the Redbirds (10-19, 5-13 MVC) a single lead in the game, and the Indiana State lead reached as high as 20 points in the second half.
After being tied at 8-all with 16:52 to go in the opening frame, Indiana State took a 13-8 lead on five straight free throws and then pushed the lead to 17-10 with a Larry steal that set Neese up for a layup at 14:57. After two straight Redbird buckets made it 17-14, both teams went cold from the floor for nearly nine minutes. Indiana State was able to hit seven free throws in that span while Illinois State hit just three, and McCauley ended the field goal drought for the Sycamores with a triple at 4:52 to make it 27-17.
Gibson hit the record-tying 3-pointer with 1:10 to go in the half, and Illinois State got a three back with 26 seconds left to trail by 11 at 37-26 going into halftime. Indiana State held the Redbirds to 29.6 percent from the field and 1-of-14 from three in the first half.
Tying the 3-pointer record was not enough for Gibson as he officially broke the record with his second three of the day at 17:46 in the second half to put the Sycamores up 44-32. Neese later swiped a pass and fed it to Bledson down low for a layup, and then Gibson drove through contact and finished off the and-one to make it 57-43 at 11:28. McCauley pushed the Sycamore lead to 19 with a three at 9:37, but Illinois State would cut its deficit to 11 points with 6:02 to play. The Sycamores responded with a 9-0 run to go up by 20 at 78-58 with 3:53 to go. Illinois State got a couple buckets back in the last two minutes to cut Indiana State’s margin of victory down to 16 points.
Inside the Numbers
Indiana State outshot Illinois State 43.1 percent to 40.0 percent in the game, but it was the first time the Sycamores have shot any less than 46 percent since the loss at Drake Jan. 24.
Indiana State’s six threes in today’s game are the least amount and first time hitting less than eight threes in a game since the loss at Murray State Jan. 21.
The Sycamores dished out their lowest amount of assists on this seven-game win streak with 11, the first time ISU has had less than 14 since Jan. 24 at Drake.
After committing eight turnovers in the first half, the Sycamores cleaning things up and committed just three in the second half for a total of 11 in the game. Indiana State allowed the Redbirds to score just eight points off turnovers while the Sycamores scored 22 points off Illinois State’s 13 turnovers.
News & Notes
After tying the record last season, the Sycamores officially broke the program record for 3-pointers in a single season today. The record was 270 originally set in 2017-18 but with their six triples today, the Sycamores are currently sitting at 273 triples on the year.
With his three triples in today’s game, Courvoisier McCauley is tied for third on ISU’s program list of 3-pointers made in a single season with 81. He is two 3-pointers away from taking sole possession of second on that list.
With his team-high four assists today, Julian Larry is three assists away from hitting 100 this season. He would join teammate Cameron Henry who hit 100 assists at UIC Wednesday, and it would be the first time two Sycamores have notched 100 assists in the same season since Matt Renn and Michael Menser in 2000-01.
The Sycamores have collected 20 wins for the first time since 2013-14 and just the eighth time overall since joining the Valley in 1976-77.
The Sycamores also notched 13 Valley wins for the first time since 1999-20 when Indiana State won the Valley with a 14-4 league record. The only other time Indiana State has had 13 or more Valley wins was in 1978-79 when the Sycamores went 16-0 in league play and made it to the NCAA Championship game.
Up Next
The Sycamores head to Music City next week for their first and only meeting with the Valley’s top-ranked team Belmont Wednesday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Curb Event Center in Nashville.
INDIANA STATE WBB
SYCAMORES, FLAMES SQUARE OFF IN SUNDAY MATINEE
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State closes its two-game weekend homestand Sunday afternoon when it welcomes UIC to Hulman Center for a 1 p.m. tip. The game will be carried on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Gameday Sponsor and Promotions
Indiana Army National Guard is the game sponsor for Friday’s contest. For more information on our game sponsor, click HERE.
Sunday’s game is Indiana State’s Shoot for a Cure game in recognition of breast cancer awareness. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink, while breast cancer survivors will be recognized on court during a timeout. Terre Haute’s pink Engine of Hope fire truck will be present at the south (Cherry Street) entrance.
Indiana State will recognize head coach Chad Killinger’s 300th career win as a head coach in a pregame presentation.
Last Time Out
Indiana State was unable to get in a rhythm on the offensive end Friday evening, as the Sycamores dropped a 54-47 decision to visiting Valparaiso inside Hulman Center.
Chelsea Cain led the Sycamores with 12 points, while Del’Janae Williams added 10 for the Blue and White. Mya Glanton and Bella Finnegan grabbed a team-leading six rebounds each.
Indiana State trailed for most of the second half, but managed to get within two early in the fourth quarter following an Anna McKendree fastbreak layup. The Sycamores went on a scoring drought of more than five minutes following that basket, though, which proved to be the difference as Valpo went on a 10-0 run during that span. Despite a pair of late baskets, Indiana State’s struggles were too much to overcome.
Milestone Moments
This season has seen a trio of Sycamore reach career milestones, including two which happpened during Indiana State’s recent road trip.
Del’Janae Williams became the 29th player to score 1,000 points at Indiana State by scoring each of the Sycamores’ first nine points at Belmont.
Chelsea Cain hit 1,000 points for her collegiate career with a layup in the first quarter at Evansville. Cain scored 857 points in three seasons at Nicholls State and has 272 points for the Sycamores this year, giving her 1,129 career points.
Head coach Chad Killinger picked up his 300th win as a collegiate head coach with Indiana State’s 82-71 win over Murray State.
All-Conference Charge
After earning honorable mention all-conference honors last season, Indiana State guard Del’Janae Williams has seen her numbers continue to go in the right direction this season as she looks to earn another conference honor.
Williams leads Indiana State in scoring at 13.5 points per game and also adds 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Blue and White. She has scored in double-figures a team-leading 17 times this season, with a season-high 25 points at Valparaiso.
Three’s Company
Indiana State has often found success with a balanced effort, as six of the Sycamores’ 10 wins this season have come when three or more players have scored in double-figures. The Sycamores are 6-3 this season, and 14-9 in head coach Chad Killinger’s tenure, when three or more players score in double-digits.
Lockdown
Indiana State often wins games where it limits the opposition to a low scoring output. The Sycamores are 6-2 this season, and 12-3 in head coach Chad Killinger’s tenure, when opponents have scored 60 points or fewer.
On the flipside, the Sycamores are 4-0 when scoring 70-plus points this season.
Crunch Time
With five games left before the MVC Tournament, Indiana State has a chance to play itself up the standings heading into the Quad Cities.
The Sycamores currently own the ninth seed, but could reach as high as sixth depending on the outcomes of their final five games.
UIC at a Glance
UIC enters Sunday’s game at 14-12 overall and 6-9 in MVC play. The Flames enter the back half of this weekend road trip after a 68-65 overtime loss to Evansville in their last contest.
Josie Filer leads the Flames in scoring and rebounding this season with 12.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, with Jaida McCloud right behind her at 11.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
UIC is no stranger to low-scoring games this season, as the Flames rank among the MVC’s best in scoring defense at 58.2 points per game allowed. The Flames average 56.7 points per game.
Head coach Ashleen Bracey has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in her first season at the helm. UIC already has 12 more wins (14) than it did last season (two).
Series History Against UIC
Indiana State owns a 14-3 advantage in the all-time series, including a 7-0 mark in Terre Haute. The Sycamores also won the earlier contest between the teams this season 59-48, and have won four straight in the series.
Last Game Against UIC (Jan.5, 2023)
Chelsea Cain led all scorers with a season-high 21 points, leading Indiana State to a gritty 59-48 win over UIC inside Credit Union 1 Arena.
The win was Indiana State’s first MVC win of the season and was also the first road win of the year for the Sycamores. Nine different players scored in the game for the Trees, with Del’Janae Williams and Mya Glanton chipping in seven points apiece and Anna McKendree adding six. Indiana State forced 20 turnovers and limited UIC to a 28.3 percent clip from the field.
Indiana State closed the opening quarter on a 5-0 run and led for the remainder of the game. The Sycamores limited the Flames to a shooting percentage below 30 percent in three of the four quarters and hit timely shots on the offensive end when it mattered. Cain scored 17 of her game-high 21 points in the second half.
Up Next
Indiana State heads back on the road for its next two games, starting with a Thursday night tilt at Southern Illinois. Tipoff against the Salukis is set for 7 p.m.
INDIANA STATE SB
SACKETT THROWS NO-HITTER AS SYCAMORES SPLIT PAIR SATURDAY
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – After falling to Marshall 3-2 in a close contest in game one, Indiana State bounced back with an 8-0 victory over Maine where Lauren Sackett tossed a no-hitter in her collegiate debut.
The Sycamores improve to 2-1 on the season and will close out the weekend tomorrow with another pair of contests beginning with a rematch against Marshall at 11:30 a.m. ET. At 2:00 p.m. ET, ISU will take on Chattanooga in the final game of the trip.
Game One
In what was a close contest throughout, Indiana State jumped out to an 1-0 lead in the second after Hannah Welch, making her collegiate debut, scored on a Herd error. The Sycamores held on to their one-run lead until the fifth inning when Marshall tied the game at one.
Cassi Newbanks came into the game in the fifth inning with two outs, replacing starter Lexi Benko who exited after being hit with a groundball. Newbanks got a strikeout to limit the Herd to just one run in the frame. Benko finished her day throwing 4.2 innings, striking out five while allowing just three hits and zero walks.
In the top of the sixth inning, Annie Tokarek put ISU back in front 2-1 with an RBI double that scored Isabella Henning. Tokarek had two of the Sycamores three hits in the contest. Marshall took the lead back in the bottom half of the frame, getting an RBI single and a sacrifice fly to go up 3-2 after six innings.
Kennedy Shade got on with a single to right field in the seventh, but Marshall was able to limit ISU from anything else, securing the 3-2 win over the Sycamores.
Newbanks took the loss for Indiana State, finishing with 1.1 innings pitched and two earned runs. The Sycamores finished with three hits while Marshall had five.
Game Two
Making her first collegiate start, Lauren Sackett got off to a hot start in the circle. She struck out two in the first inning with Annie Tokarek erasing a runner at second to sit Maine down quickly.
After Sackett struck out the side in the second, the Sycamores began their scoring, going up 1-0 on a Kaylee Barrett RBI double that scored Kennedy Shade. Shade had reached with a single and stole second to move into scoring position. Maeve McDonough had a single to center in the frame, collecting her first career collegiate hit.
Sackett recorded her sixth strikeout of the day in the third, bringing the Trees back to the plate where they would extend their lead. Hannah Welch scored on a wild pitch to put ISU up 2-0. Kennedy Shade then drove in Isabella Henning with a fielder’s choice to make it 3-0 Sycamores. Shade would then come around to score on a Marshall error to grow ISU’s lead to four after three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, Indiana State kept their bats going with four hits in the frame. Annie Tokarek drove in a pair with a single to center field, putting ISU up 6-0. Morgan Goodrich, who made her collegiate debut on Saturday, scored as well as Abi Chipps. Isabella Henning followed that up with an RBI single to make it a 7-0 ballgame. Shade continued her strong day at the plate, collecting her second RBI of the afternoon with a single to right field which plated Tokarek to put ISU up 8-0 after four.
Lauren Sackett put the finishing touches on her no-hitter, striking out the final Maine batter to finish with eight strikeouts on the day. She allowed just two baserunners, a hit by pitch in the first inning and a walk in the fourth inning.
Sackett’s no-hitter is the first since her teammate Lexi Benko threw one in a 9-0 win over Quinnipiac on March 14, 2022.
The Sycamores finished the game with 10 hits, getting knocks from six different players.
ISU Debuts
Morgan Goodrich, Lauren Sackett, and Hannah Welch all made their collegiate debuts on Saturday.
Next Up
Indiana State will close out their weekend in Chattanooga on Sunday with a pair of games. ISU will then travel to Tuscaloosa next weekend for the Easton Bama Bash hosted by the University of Alabama which begins on Friday, February 24.
INDIANA STATE BASEBALL
BIG SEVENTH INNING LEADS SYCAMORES PAST QUINNIPIAC ON SATURDAY
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Indiana State broke the game open late with a five-run seventh inning as the Sycamores topped Quinnipiac on field C-10 on Saturday afternoon at the Snowbird Baseball Classic.
The Sycamores (1-1) sent 11 batters to the plate in the five-run inning with ISU taking advantage of Quinnipiac’s pitching in drawing four walks and getting hit by three pitches to break open a 1-0 game. Miguel Rivera, Adam Pottinger, and Mike Sears all recorded RBI hit-by-pitches in the inning, while Seth Gergely and Josue Urdaneta also scored in the inning to provide the Sycamores all the run support they would need.
Five ISU pitchers combined to limit Quinnipiac to four hits while striking out 14 Bobcats in picking up the Sycamores’ first win of the season. Zach Davidson went 3.0 innings in his ISU debut allowing one hit while striking out five. Brayden Lybarger (1-0) picked up his first win in a 3.0-inning relief stint allowing one hit and a walk while retiring five on strikes. Cam Edmonson, Jared Spencer, and Simon Gregerson went the final three innings in closing out the win.
Josue Urdaneta recorded two of Indiana State’s four hits in the win as the redshirt junior second baseman continues his success in the Sunshine State. Urdaneta has hit safely in his last nine games in Florida dating to the start of the 2022 season. Miguel Rivera and Grant Magill also added singles in the win.
Kyle Maves had two of Quinnipiac’s four hits in the contest including the lone extra-base hit in the game, a triple in the top of the ninth inning. Anthony Donofrio provided QU’s lone RBI on a sacrifice fly.
Tim Blaisdell (0-1) took the loss for the Bobcats allowing all four ISU hits and one run while striking out six. Matt Alduino, Sam Favieri, and Ryan Hutchinson went the final three innings to close out the contest.
How They Scored
Indiana State was first on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning as Josue Urdaneta singled home Seth Gergely with a base hit up the middle to give ISU the 1-0 lead.
The Sycamores plated five runs in the bottom of the seventh to break the game open. ISU sent 11 batters to the plate with Gergely, Urdaneta, Jackson Taylor, Randal Diaz, and Luis Hernandez all scoring in the frame to give ISU the 6-0 lead.
Anthony Donofrio drove in Quinnipiac’s lone run of the game in the top of the ninth inning scoring Kyle Maves to provide the final margin.
News & Notes
Josue Urdaneta’s two-hit game marked the 37th multi-hit game of his collegiate career and his second multi-hit game of the 2023 season.
Indiana State and Quinnipiac’s contest marked the first competition between the two programs in their respective histories.
Jackson Taylor drew his first start in the 2023 season at designated hitter, while Luis Hernandez made his first start in right field.
Zach Davidson, Brayden Lybarger, and Simon Gregersen all made their ISU debuts on the pitching mound on Saturday afternoon.
The Sycamores boast an incredible 23:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio through the first two games of the year after posting a 14:2 line on Saturday.
Up Next
Indiana State is back in action on Tuesday afternoon as the Sycamores take on Florida Gulf Coast at the Snowbird Baseball Classic in Port Charlotte. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Live Stats will be available at FGCUAthletics.com, while video will be available on FloSports Baseball ($).
PURDUE FT. WAYNE WBB
WOMEN’S HOOPS CONTINUES TO ROLL AT HOME WITH WIN OVER NKU
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A pair of underclassmen stole the show on Senior Day for the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball team on Saturday (Feb. 18) in the Mastodons’ 65-59 win over Northern Kentucky.
Sophomore Audra Emmerson finished with a career-high 19 points while adding four rebounds and an assist on the most important basket of the game. She was 7-of-11 from the floor and 5-of-8 from three. Junior Amelia Bromenschenkel filled the box score with 14 points, six rebounds, five steals, a block and an assist while shooting 60 percent from the floor.
The Norse led for the majority of the first half but the ‘Dons finished the first on a 5-0 run. Bromenschenkel closed the half with a steal and a layup just before the second quarter buzzer. The Norse had the first basket of the second half to go up 31-30, but that would be their final lead of the game. Emmerson scored eight of her points in the third quarter as the ‘Dons controlled the quarter.
The ‘Dons went up by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter, but the Norse made it a two-point game with under a minute remaining. No worries for the ‘Dons, though. Jazzlyn Linbo finished at the hoop, assisted by Emerson, to put the ‘Dons back up two possessions at 63-59 with 46 seconds left.
Northern Kentucky’s Lindsey Duvall had 21 points and eight rebounds, but committed four turnovers.
Prior to the game Shayla Sellers, Riley Ott, Sylare Starks and Kendal Muxlow were honored prior to the game for Senior Day.
The win moves the Mastodons even with the Norse in league play at 9-9 and a tie for the fifth spot in the standings. The ‘Dons are 12-16 overall and the Norse are now 15-12.
The ‘Dons will fall no lower than eighth in the Barbasol Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championship meaning a home game for the ‘Dons on Feb. 28 unless the ‘Dons rise to No. 5 or higher in the standings, then they would earn a bye in the opening around and play the No. 4 seed in the quarterfinals on March 2.
Purdue Fort Wayne finishes the regular season with a trip to Wisconsin to face Milwaukee and Green Bay next week (Feb. 23 and Feb. 25).
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MVB
MIVA CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH GOES TO NO. 11 BALL STATE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Jon Diedrich tied a career high with 28 kills, but it came in a losing effort on Saturday (Feb. 18) evening on the Arnie Ball Court as the Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball team fell to No. 11 Ball State 3-2 (25-20, 24-26, 25-22, 19-25, 15-8).
It was a rematch of last season’s Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association championship match and the Cardinals picked up the win again. Ball State out-hit the Mastodons .231 to .184, but the most dangerous hitter on the court was Diedrich. He earned his 28 kills by hitting .291 on 55 swings. He also added six digs.
The ‘Dons held a 6-3 advantage in aces with Mark Frazier recording two aces to go with his nine kills. Zach Solomon dished out 47 assists.
After falling behind in the match, the ‘Dons knotted it up with a 26-24 win in set two. They needed to comeback to do it as the Cardinals held a 22-20 lead following a Mastodon service error. A Bryce Walker kill made it 22-21 and then a Ball State attack error tied it at 22. Ball State did not call timeout, and Carlos Mercado followed with a kill to make it 23-22. The Cardinals then asked for time, and it worked as Solomon missed his next serve to knot it at 24. Diedrich delivered a kill for point 25 and a block by Frazier and Ryan Steponaitis delighted the homecoming crowd at Arnie Ball Court for point 26.
The ‘Dons nearly rallied from a 16-10 deficit in the third set. The ‘Dons got it to 23-22 and had a swing to tie it at 23, but a Ball State block put the Cardinals up by two. Ball State earned the next point to win the frame 25-22.
The fourth set was all Purdue Fort Wayne, out-hitting the Cardinals .519 to .167. But it flipped in the deciding fifth set. The Cardinals out-hit the ‘Dons .455 to .000 in the final frame as they jumped out to a 7-2 advantage.
The ‘Dons limited MIVA Preseason Player of the Year Kaleb Jenness to 14 kills on .195 hitting, but blocking was the story of the match, as Ball State recorded 26.5 blocks. That mark was the third-most in a National Collegiate volleyball match in the rally scoring era.
The ‘Dons fall to 10-4 (1-3 MIVA). Ball State improves to 7-5 (2-2 MIVA). The ‘Dons are back in action on Wednesday (Feb. 22) at McKendree.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE SB
MASTODON SOFTBALL WINS TWO MORE GAMES AT BOB HECK CLASSIC
ATLANTA – The Purdue Fort Wayne softball team picked up two wins on Saturday (Feb. 18), defeating Eastern Kentucky 2-1 and Rhode Island 12-3 in the Bob Heck Classic.
GAME 1 – Purdue Fort Wayne 2, Eastern Kentucky 1
Freshman Alanah Jones was dominant in every aspect of game one, pitching all 7.0 innings, striking out five batters and knocking in the game-tying home run in the third.
In the fourth inning, Eastern Kentucky had runners on second and third, but Jones was money from the dish. She struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning and strand the two runners.
The two teams remained tied until the sixth, which was when the Mastodons scored the go-ahead run. Taryn Jenkins doubled to right center to start the inning, then stole third. Then Brooke Wintlend brought her home on a sacrifice fly to left.
The Mastodons closed out the game by catching two foul balls, then Taylor Warne caught a fly ball in left field.
Jones moved to 2-2 with the win. EKU fell to 5-3.
GAME 2 – Purdue Fort Wayne 12, Rhode Island 3
The Mastodons exploded offensively in the second game of the day, plating 12 runs. This was the most runs in a game for Purdue Fort Wayne since February 14, 2020.
Jenkins finished with five RBIs, which marks the fifth-most in a single-game in Mastodon history.
Grace Hollopeter sent a ball over the center field wall for a two-run shot. This was her fourth home run in the last four games.
Warne got her first RBI of the season in the second inning, bringing Wintlend home. In the next at bat, Bailey Manos singled to bring Brayden Lickey around to score.
In the third inning, Jenkins hit a 3-run homer, Warne put a ball in play that saw two Mastodons score after an error, then Hollopeter brought Manos home after a dropped fly ball. This put the Mastodons up 10-0 and in full control of the game.
Rhode Island scored three runs in the fourth, but that was the entirety of their scoring output.
Jenkins hit a second home run in the bottom of the fourth, another two-run shot. This was the icing on the cake, as Alyson Quinlan came in to pitch the final inning of the game. She did not give up a hit in her 1.0 inning of work. Gracie Brinkerhoff picked up her first win of the year in 4.0 innings pitched.
Purdue Fort Wayne improves to 3-7. Rhode Island is now 0-3.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL
BASEBALL GETS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Purdue Fort Wayne baseball team earned their first win of the 2023 season on Saturday (Feb. 18). The Mastodons won game one at Alabama State 4-3 before falling in the nightcap 18-4.
Game One – Mastodons 4, Alabama State 3
Jacob Myer started and finished an out shy of getting the win. He went 4.2, picking up seven strikeouts and allowing one run in the process. Justin Miller fanned one in the ninth to get the save. Brendan Reid picked up the win in relief. He threw 3.1 innings for his first collegiate victory.
The ‘Dons went up 3-0 with a three spot in the fourth. Cade Nelis walked to knock in a run and Colton Shirley singled through the left side for an RBI in the inning.
Alabama State scored one in the fifth and one in the sixth to make the score 3-2. The ‘Dons extended their lead in the seventh on a Jarrett Bickel double on a 2-0 pitch to score Eli Tencza.
Game Two – Alabama State 18, Mastodons 4
Caileb Johnson had two hits and knocked in two runs for the ‘Dons in game two. Jacob Walker earned his first NCAA Division I hit. He also stole a base and was hit by a pitch. Bickel walked twice and scored twice.
Alabama State didn’t open up the game until later, scoring 11 runs from the sixth inning on. The ‘Dons scored a single run in the first and third innings whlie adding a pair in the fifth.
Randy Flores and Kyler McIntosh each had four hits for Alabama State.
Rex Stills took the loss for the ‘Dons. Osvaldo Mendez earned the win for Alabama State.
The ‘Dons are now 1-2. Alabama State moves to 2-1. The two clubs will close out the series on Sunday with a single game.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE MBB
MEN’S BASKETBALL SET FOR SENIOR DAY ON SUNDAY AGAINST WRIGHT STATE
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne men’s basketball program will honor four seniors on Sunday (Feb. 19) in the final regular season home game of the season. Tip at the Gates Sports Center is set for 2 p.m.
Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (15-13, 7-10 Horizon League) vs. Wright State Raiders (16-12, 9-8 Horizon League)
When: Sunday, February 19 | 2 p.m. ET
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: Listen
Tickets: Link
Game Notes (PDF): Purdue Fort Wayne | Wright State
Series Record: Wright State leads 11-3
‘Dons and Ends:
// Sunday is Senior Day for the Mastodons. Ra Kpedi, Jarred Godfrey, Damian Chong Qui and Bobby Planutis will each be honored prior to the game. The group has combined to play in 378 games and score 4,035 points for the Mastodons. (Feature story on the Mastodon Seniors: link)
// Jarred Godfrey broke the program’s all-time scoring record vs. Robert Morris (Feb. 12). He now owns 2,082 points. Godfrey passed John Konchar’s 2,065 points. Godfrey broke the record on a free throw. Konchar also broke the record on a free throw when he set the previous record Jan. 24, 2019 against Omaha.
// Jarred Godfrey is closing in on the program’s all-time 3-point record. Godfrey owns 252 3-pointers. Only Mo Evans (266 from 2013-17) had made more 3-pointers than Godfrey in program history.
// Jarred Godfrey is averaging 20.8 points over the last seven games. This includes a season-high 33 vs. Youngstown State (Feb. 10). He has 11 games of 20 or more points this season.
// Jarred Godfrey is the all-time leader in games played in program history with 149. He set the record on Jan. 25th at Northern Kentucky, when he passed former teammate Cameron Benford (2017-22) who played in 141 games for the previous record mark.
// Ra Kpedi on the season has six double-digit rebound games, including double-doubles at Northwestern (Nov. 18), vs. Oakland (Dec. 3) and vs. Cleveland State (Jan. 16).
// Jarred Godfrey has made 117 free throws this season. He’ll need to make 121 to tie for 10th all-time in program history for single season free throws. Godfrey’s total is already a career best for a single season.
// Ra Kpedi has already passed his rebound total from last season. He owns 225 rebounds this season, and had 208 last year. He’ll need to reach 262 to crack the top 10 in program history in single-season rebounds.
// Ra Kpedi broke into the top 10 in career rebounds against Youngstown State on Friday, Feb. 10. He now owns 505 career rebounds as Mastodon, 8th in program history.
// Ra Kpedi is averaging 8.4 rebounds per game in league play. The last Mastodon to average that many rebounds per game in league play was John Konchar in 9.3 in the Summit League in 2016-17.
// Jarred Godfrey is the only active player in NCAA Division I men’s basketball with 2,000 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 3-pointers and 200 steals. Since 1992-93 only four other student-athletes have finished with such a career stat line. D.J Cooper (Ohio, 2010-13), Kerry Kittles (Villanova, 1993-96), Ricky Minard (Morehead State, 2001-04) and Marreon Jackson (2017-12, Toledo/Arizona State) are the others. (per sports-reference.com)
// The ‘Dons are 13-2 this season when scoring 71 or more points in a game.
// Per sports-reference.com, Ra Kpedi leads the Horizon League in offensive rebounding percentage at 15.2 percent. He is first in the league with 103 total offensive boards.
// Jarred Godfrey owns 630 rebounds, fourth in program history. He is also in the top five in points, assists, steals, field goals, free throws and 3-pointers in program history.
// Jarred Godfrey is shooting 90.0 percent (117-of-130) from the free throw line this season, 9th in the nation. Only once in program history has a player made 50 or more free throws in a season and finished at 90 percent or better. That was Ben Botts in 2009-09, making 65-of-71 (91.5 percent). The best free throw percentage in program history with 100 attempts in a season is Steve Bard in 1987-88 who made 88-of-102 (86.3 percent). The Division I era program record for best single-season free throw percentage in school history is Bryson Scott’s 81.8 percent in 2017-18 on 202-of-247 shooting.
// Ra Kpedi has won the opening tip in 24-of-28 games this season. He also won the tip in overtime against Oakland (Dec. 3).
// The ‘Dons are 17th in the nation in 3-pointers per game (9.6).
// The ‘Dons are 12th in the nation in 3-point defense with teams shooting just 29.0 percent against them from three.
// Jarred Godfrey (2,082), Damian Chong Qui (1,538), Anthony Roberts (1,512), Bobby Planutis (1,168) and Deonte Billups (1,032) have each scored 1,000 career NCAA points.
// With a pair of student-athletes with 1,500 career points at the Division I level (Jarred Godfrey and Damian Chong Qui) ‘Dons are one of 13 teams in the nation with two or three players who have reached that mark in Division I contests.
// The ‘Dons have 15 games of double-digit offensive rebounds this season.
EVANSVILLE SWIMMING
JAHNS BREAKS SCHOOL RECORD, PLACES THIRD IN 200 BACK AT MVC CHAMPIONSHIPS
IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Evansville senior Sarah Jahns (Lilburn, Ga./Parkview) became the first female Purple Ace to break the two-minute barrier in the 200-Yard Backstroke on Saturday, while placing third overall to lead a strong final day in the pool for UE at the MVC Championships in Iowa City, Iowa.
After advancing to the main final with a preliminary time of 2:02.72, Jahns came back in the final and dropped over three seconds off of her time to place third overall with a time of 1:59.06. It topped her own previous school record in the event by over a second, and it allowed her to become the first female Purple Ace to break the two-minute barrier.
“I am so proud of Sarah, and really all of the swimmers, with how they competed today,” said UE head coach Stuart Wilson. “They all gave it their all today, and finished on a high note. For Sarah, I know that beating two minutes in the 200 Back has been a goal of hers this year, and to see her do it, and also earn first team all-MVC honors was outstanding.”
Jahns was one of six Purple Aces to advance to the Saturday night finals. Fellow senior Maya Cunningham (Yakima, Wash./Eisenhower) finished second in the consolation final of the 200-Yard Butterfly with a finals time of 2:04.31, which trails only her own school record in the event all-time at UE.
Sophomore Mari Müller (Zurich, Switzerland) moved into third place on UE’s career chart for the 200-Yard Breaststroke, as she posted a time of 2:18.70 to place 13th overall. Seniors Sage Moore (Lexington, Ohio/Lexington) and Allison McDonald (Cape Girardeau, Mo./Central) finished back-to-back in the “C Final” of the 200 Breaststroke with times of 2:23.99 and 2:24.62, respectively. Junior Iryna Tsesiul (Minsk, Belarus) also posted a time of 2:07.83 in the “C Final” of the 200-Yard Backstroke.
Evansville wrapped up the MVC Championships by placing ninth in the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay event with a time of 3:31.91. Senior Sonsoles Aguayo (Jerez, Spain) led off the relay with one of her top 100-Yard Freestyle times as an Ace, with a split time of 52.93 as the lead leg. She teamed Jahns, Cunningham, and sophomore Sveva Brugnoli (Rome, Italy) for the relay event.
Overall, Evansville placed eighth as a team with a total of 390 points. Members of the UE women’s team will next compete in the CSCAA National Invitational Championship on March 8-11 in Elkhart, Indiana. The UE men’s swimming and diving team will next compete March 1-4 at the Mid-American Conference Championships in Oxford, Ohio.
EVANSVILLE BASEBALL
TROY RALLIES PAST UE, 8-7, IN EXTRA INNINGS
TROY, Ala. – The Troy University baseball team rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and three more in the 10th to rally past the visiting University of Evansville Purple Aces, 8-7, at Riddle-Pace Field in Troy, Alabama.
“We had a couple of chances to close out the game today, but we couldn’t get it done,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “It’s disappointing, because we had some great performances on the mound from (Tyler) Denu and (Jarrett) Blunt today that gave us a chance to win.
“Tomorrow is an important day to try and salvage the weekend.”
Evansville jumped to an early 3-0 lead with two runs in the second and a tally in the fourth powered by a pair of run-scoring singles by fifth-year outfield Danny Borgstrom. Troy would answer back with a two-out, three-run home run by outfielder Shane Lewis in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game, but it would be the only blemish of the day against UE starter Tyler Denu. Denu allowed just the three runs on three hits in 4.2 innings of work, while striking out seven.
After a scoreless fifth inning, UE would use small ball to retake the lead, as a run-scoring sacrifice bunt by fifth-year outfielder Eric Roberts in the sixth inning gave UE a 4-3 lead. Junior second baseman Kip Fougerousse then launched his third home run of the series to right-center field in the seventh inning, a solo shot, to push the lead to 5-3.
Graduate transfer reliever Jarrett Blunt took the two-run cushion to the ninth inning, before making his only mistake of the afternoon, giving up a solo home run to pinch-hitter Brooks Bryan with one out to trim the lead to 5-4. It was the only run allowed by Blunt, who gave up just three hits in 3.2 innings of relief work.
Evansville turned to senior closer Jakob Meyer to try and get the final two outs, but a two-out double by reserve outfielder Hudson Hartsfield plated the game-tying run to force extra innings.
UE was able to score two runs in the 10th inning on bases-loaded walks by Roberts and junior catcher Brendan Hord to take a 7-5 lead. Troy would respond though with back-to-back RBI base hits by Lewis and reserve third baseman Parker Sessions to tie the game at 7-7. Outfielder Kole Myers then plated the game-winning run on a fielder’s choice to win the game 8-7.
Borgstrom led Evansville offensively by going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Fougerousse also had a two-hit game, while Roberts and Hord both drove in two runs. Lewis paced the Troy offense by going 2-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI.
Evansville will try to salvage the final game of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon, as UE will send junior left-hander Donovan Schultz to the mound to face Troy RHP Grayson Stewart. First-pitch is set for 1 p.m. in a contest that can be seen live on ESPN+.
EVANSVILLE SB
SOFTBALL DEFEATS KANSAS CITY TO OPEN HOME SLATE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Hannah Hood went 2-2 with three runs and three RBI to pace the University of Evansville softball team to an 11-6 win over Kansas City in the first official UE game at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James & Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Jenna Nink added two hits, three RBI and a run while Alexa Davis and Lacy Smith scored two runs apiece. Erin Kleffman improved to 2-0 with a 4-inning effort in the circle. She gave up four runs, three earned, on five hits. Elle Jarrett tossed the final three frames and gave up a pair of unearned runs.
Kansas City was led by Ally Vonfeldt, who went 2-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Sydney Nichols added two hits, a run and RBI.
SOUTHERN INDIANA MBB
USI FALLS TO SEMO, 85-80
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball could not overcome a big second half by Southeast Missouri State University and fell 85-80 Saturday afternoon in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The Screaming Eagles go to 15-14 overall and 8-8 in the OVC, while the Redhawks are 15-14, 10-6 OVC.
With 17.7 seconds on the clock and the Eagles trailing by five, 85-80, the game was halted when USI junior guard Tyler Henry (Brooklyn, New York) became ill on the court and was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation. (NOTE: When available, additional information on Henry’s condition may be released.)
With the loss, USI falls into a sixth-place tie with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The Eagles, who clinched a spot in the OVC Tournament Thursday, also are a game out of a tie for fourth and two games out of a tie for second with two games left in the regular season.
USI fell behind early in the first half as SEMO jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and led by as many as nine points, 14-5, in the first six minutes. The Eagles rallied with a 9-0 run to take the lead, 15-14, with 11:14 to play in the half.
After SEMO regained the lead briefly at 16-15, USI went on an 20-9 run to take its biggest lead of the game, 35-24, with 3:38 to play before halftime. The Redhawks responded with a rally to tie the game, 35-35, but the Eagles got the final four points of the half to lead at the break, 39-35.
In the second half, the Redhawks quick jumped in front and registered an 11-points margin, 63-52, before 10 minutes were gone in the final half. USI battle back to cut the deficit to within two points, 79-77, with 1:21 to play, but that would be as close as the Eagles would come in the final 90 seconds.
For the game, USI was led by the 27-point performance of sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana). Swope was eight-of-16 from the field and 11-of-12 from the line, while grabbing a career-high six rebounds.
Henry followed Swope in the scoring column with 20 points on five-of-12 from the field, including four three-point field goals, and six-of-eight from the stripe. Graduate forward Trevor Lakes (Lebanon, Indiana) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 15 points, hitting five three-point bombs.
Next Up For USI:
USI returns the friendly surrounding of Screaming Eagles Arena for the final time in 2022-23 when it hosts Tennessee Tech University for a 7:30 p.m. showdown. The Eagles finish the 2022-23 regular season campaign February 25 when they return to the road to visit Tennessee State University for a 3:30 p.m. contest.
The Golden Eagles of Tennessee Tech saw their record go to 13-16 overall and 9-7 in the OVC after falling to the University of Tennessee at Martin, 100-91. Tennessee Tech was led by forward Jaylen Sebree, who had 25 points in the loss.
USI stumbled in the first-ever meeting with Tennessee Tech, falling 84-69 on the road. The Eagles were led by sophomore guard Isaiah Swope with 15 points, while senior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) had a double-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds.
Tennessee State Tigers posted a 100-85 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and watched their record go to 17-12, 9-7 OVC. The Tigers were led by graduate guard Jr. Clay, who dropped in 40 points.
The Eagles lead the all-time series with Tennessee State, 3-2, after losing the first meeting of the season at Screaming Eagles Arena, 80-76. USI was led by Swope with 24 points.
SOUTHERN INDIANA WBB
EAGLES STORM BACK IN SECOND HALF BUT RUN OUT OF TIME AT SEMO
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball made a big, second-half charge against Southeast Missouri State University on Saturday, but the Screaming Eagles ran out of time in their fight back, getting edged by a 63-59 final score.
Saturday’s game was a tale of two halves for USI. Southern Indiana faced some difficulty settling into the game and finding its flow in the first half. After the break, the Screaming Eagles picked up their intensity and stormed back after finding a flow through the painted area. Junior forward Meredith Raley (Haubstadt, Indiana) and senior forward Hannah Haithcock (Washington Courthouse, Ohio) were significant catalysts in USI’s second-half play. Raley posted a career-high 27 points on Saturday, the second-highest scoring effort by a Screaming Eagle this season. Raley surpassed her previous career mark of 23 points.
Southern Indiana started the game with solid looks from sophomore guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) and Raley. Raley got USI on the scoreboard after getting a layup off an offensive rebound. Minutes later, Shafford dribbled inside the arc from the left side and pulled up to knock down a jumper. USI led 8-6 after five minutes of play. After USI went up 11-7, SEMO went on a 13-0 run to finish the first quarter and grabbed a 20-11 lead.
Three minutes into the second quarter, Haithcock worked hard inside to get a layup to drop through the net, pulling USI within nine, 22-13. Southeast Missouri increased its lead during the middle minutes of the second period. With 2:28 remaining in the first half, senior forward Tara Robbe (Wildwood, Missouri) cashed in with a bucket, making the score 28-15 SEMO. The Redhawks led 33-15 at halftime.
Trailing by 20 early in the third quarter, the Screaming Eagles stormed back in the third period. Raley sparked a small run for USI by getting a basket and a foul at the seven-minute mark of the third. After the five-minute point of the third, Southern Indiana went on a 9-0 run, which included a pair of three-pointers for the Screaming Eagles. Down 13 inside the last two minutes of the third, USI made another run to finish a strong third quarter, trimming the deficit down to eight, 46-38, heading to the fourth quarter.
The combination of Raley and Haithcock in the paint continued to lead the fight back for USI in the fourth quarter. A bucket from Raley and free throws by Haithcock brought USI within four, 50-46, with just under seven minutes left in the fourth. The two forwards each scored again for USI, making it a two-point game by the four-minute mark, 52-50. Southern Indiana got it within one, 53-52, with 3:30 remaining in the fourth period. The Redhawks responded by building back up to a five-point lead, 59-54, with 1:30 left, but USI still fought on. Raley converted a three-point play to get USI back within two at the one-minute mark. However, Southeast Missouri held on the rest of the way, as USI ran out of time in its comeback effort.
Raley set her career mark behind 10-17 shooting from the floor and 6-8 at the line. She also pulled down five rebounds. Haithcock tallied 15 points with nine rebounds. She was 9-10 at the foul line. Southern Indiana went 20-53 for 37.7 percent shooting with three triples. USI was 16-22 for 72.7 percent at the stripe. USI outrebounded SEMO 37-35.
Southeast Missouri was led by sophomore guard Jaliyah Green with 20 points. Junior guard Rahmena Henderson had 14 points. The Redhawks were 22-62 for 35.5 percent from the field with three three-pointers and 16-27 for 59.3 percent at the free-throw line.
With Saturday’s results, Southern Indiana is 11-16 overall and 5-11 in the Ohio Valley Conference, sitting in ninth place in the standings heading into the final week of the regular season. USI is a game back of Morehead State University in eighth place, as only eight of the OVC’s 10 teams make it to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship. With the win, SEMO moved to 13-14 on the season and 8-8 in the OVC, which is good for fourth place.
The Screaming Eagles will return home to Screaming Eagles Arena Thursday at 5 p.m. against Tennessee Tech University for USI’s regular season home finale.
SOUTHERN INDIANA SB
EAGLES CLAIM HISTORIC WIN OVER GREEN BAY
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Senior shortstop Jordan Rager (Fishers, Indiana) had a two-out, RBI- single in the top of the fifth inning and sophomore pitcher Josie Newman (Indianapolis, Indiana) tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings as University of Southern Indiana Softball claimed a historic 1-0 win over Green Bay Saturday morning at UE’s Cooper Stadium.
The victory came in the Screaming Eagles’ first-ever NCAA Division I softball game and comes on the heels of a historic 2022 campaign that saw USI win its third NCAA Division II regional title in the last five years.
USI (1-0) broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning after sophomore outfielder Kennedy Nalley (Huntingburg, Indiana) drew a one-out walk. Nalley advanced to second base after senior first baseman Lexi Fair (Greenwood, Indiana) grounded out to third base.
Following a two-out walk to junior catcher Sammie Kihega (Greenfield, Indiana), Rager hit the first pitch she saw through the middle of the infield to score Nalley.
In the circle, Newman picked up where she left off a year ago as the 2022 NFCA Division II Freshman of the Year finalist struck out seven batters while allowing just two hits and a walk in a relief appearance to pick up the victory.
Newman (1-0), a preseason Ohio Valley Conference Player to Watch, earned the win after coming into the circle with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom half of the second inning. Senior pitcher Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana) started the game and had a perfect first inning, but a pair of walks helped the Phoenix load the bases with no outs in the second frame.
Goodin got the Eagles in position to get out of the second-inning jam with a strikeout before giving way to Newman, who struck out the first batter she faced before getting a foul out for the third out.
Green Bay (2-4) got just three runners on base the rest of the game, with just one runner reaching second base.
The Eagles return to action Sunday at 9 a.m. when take on Green Bay for the second time. USI finishes its season-opening weekend Sunday at 7 p.m. when it squares off against host University of Evansville for the first time in a regular-season contest since 1992.
Notes
Saturday’s win marked the first season-opening victory for the Eagles since the COVID-shortened 2020 season and just the second season-opening win since 2017…former USI third baseman and SAAC president Mary Bean ’22 is an assistant coach for Green Bay. Bean was a four-year starter at third base for the Eagles…both Rager and senior second baseman Rachel Martinez (Chicago, Illinois) went 2-for-3 on the day at the plate. Rager extended her current hitting streak to five games dating back to the end of 2022, while Fair’s walk in the first inning marked the 10th straight game she’s reached base safely in.
SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL
USI GETS A SPLIT WITH WIU SATURDAY
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball battled back in game two to earn a doubleheader split with Western Illinois University Saturday afternoon at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee. USI stumbled in game one, 5-2, before shutting out WIU, 6-0, in the nightcap.
The Screaming Eagles watch their record go to 2-1, while Western Illinois goes to 1-2.
Game 1:
USI had a pair of one-run leads early but lost for the first time in 2023, 5-2, to open the doubleheader. USI took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a solo blast by junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas), his first of the season.
After WIU tied the game in the bottom of the second with a home run of its own, the Eagles regained the lead, 2-1, in the top of the third when junior catcher Parker Stroh (Grand Forks, North Dakota) singled in senior second baseman Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana). The lead was short lived as the Leathernecks posted two in the bottom of the third to take lead, 3-2, and finished the scoring with two more in the fifth for the 5-2 final.
USI junior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles. Robinson (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits, while striking out two in three innings of work.
Game 2:
USI sophomore right-hander Tyler Hutson (Villa Hills, Kentucky) was dominating for five innings and senior centerfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) drove in two runs as the Eagles shutout the Leathernecks, 6-0.
Hutson (1-0) threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out four for his first victory of the season.
At the plate, USI scored twice in the first and second innings to take a commanding 4-0 lead early in the seven-inning nightcap. The Eagles scored their two first inning runs on a bases loaded walk and a wild pitch before Tachioka made it 4-0 with a two-run double in the second inning.
The Eagles sealed the victory with a run in the fourth off of the first collegiate home run of freshman second baseman Caleb Niehaus’ (Newburgh, Indiana) career and in the fifth when junior first baseman Tucker Ebest scored on a wild pitch for the 6-0 final.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles and the Leathernecks conclude the series Sunday with an 11 a.m. single game. Following the end of the four-game series, USI stays on the road and will visit Lipscomb University Tuesday for a 3 p.m. first pitch.
USI opens the 2023 home schedule February 24-26 when the Eagles host Bellarmine University at the USI Baseball Field. The series opens with a 3 p.m. start February 24; continues with a 1 p.m. game February 25; and concludes with a noon contest February 26.
VALPO BASEBALL
BASEBALL DOWNS BIG 12 FOE KANSAS ON SATURDAY
Home runs by Jake Skrine (Longmont, Colo. / Mead [Indiana]) and Kade Reinertson [Huxley, Iowa / Ballard Community) in the sixth inning helped the Valparaiso University baseball team take control of Saturday’s eventual 11-3 blowout of Big 12 foe Kansas in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was the work of Connor Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) that provided the day’s biggest highlight as the right hander retired the final 16 batters he faced as part of seven shutout innings of two-hit ball while walking none and fanning six.
How It Happened
Neither team scored over the first two innings, and it was a “strike him out, throw him out” double play by Lockwood and Reinertson that ended the Kansas second and got the momentum rolling in Valpo’s favor.
Lockwood retired the side in order in both the third and fourth as the game remained scoreless. The Beacons manufactured the day’s first run when Alex Thurston (Fowler, Ind. / Benton Central) and Reinertson lashed singles in the fifth before Alex Ryan’s (Lake Mills, Wis. / Lakeside Lutheran) sac bunt set up a sac fly by Kaleb Hannahs (West Terre Haute, Ind. / West Vigo).
The fireworks began in the top of the sixth as Beacon batters cracked a pair of big flies. It started with two outs and nobody on base when Skrine belted a home run to right to make it 2-0 Valpo. After a single, a pitching change and a walk, Reinertson ripped the big blow of the game, a three-run homer to left to make it 5-0.
Lockwood remained locked in, continuing his streak of consecutive batters sent down in the sixth and seventh frames.
The Beacons tacked on in the eighth, when Reinertson picked up his fourth RBI on a sac fly before Ryan singled in a run and Kyle Schmack (Wanatah, Ind. / South Central) walked with the bases juiced to extend the gap to eight. Ryan, Nolan Tucker (Cedar Lake, Ind. / Hanover Central) and Schmack all scored on separate wild pitches to increase the lead to 11-0 as part of a six-run frame that broke the game wide open.
Lefty Christian Hack (Oak Forest, Ill. / Tinley Park) came on and worked the final two innings, posting a scoreless eighth before Kansas got on the board with three runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Inside the Game
Skrine’s home run was the first of his collegiate career. This is his first season at Valpo after four years at Indiana.
Reinertson’s home run was the first of his collegiate career as well. He entered the day with one RBI in his first 23 career games before posting four in Saturday’s contest.
Valpo has already belted three home runs over the first two games of the season.
This marks Valpo’s second win over a Big 12 opponent during the Brian Schmack Era and first since beating Oklahoma 11-4 on Feb. 24, 2018.
This is Valpo’s first win over a Power-5 conference opponent since knocking off No. 25 Illinois 11-7 on April 17, 2018.
This marked Valpo’s highest single-game run total since beating Southern Illinois 11-10 on May 1 of last season.
Reinertson and Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) enjoyed multi-hit outputs as part of the 11-run outpouring.
The seven innings marked the longest outing of Lockwood’s career after he went no longer than six as a freshman last season. This was the first outing in his collegiate career where he pitched shutout ball while throwing more than three innings. The six strikeouts outdid his previous career high of four.
Up Next
The rubber match between Valpo (1-1) and Kansas will start at noon on Sunday in Corpus Christi, Texas. The game will be broadcast on FloSports (subscription required) with links to live video, audio and stats available on ValpoAthletics.com.
VALPO SWIMMING
WOMEN’S SWIMMING CONCLUDES SEASON SATURDAY
The Valpo women’s swimming team brought its 2022-23 season to an end on Saturday with the final day of competition at the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Championships in Iowa City, Iowa.
How It Happened
A pair of Valpo swimmers posted times among the top-10 in program history in the 200 breast on Saturday. Sophomore Sara Strauss (Spring Lake, Mich./Spring Lake) moved up the chart into fourth position with her time of 2:25.28, while freshman Natalie Eaton (Tulsa, Okla./Jenks) covered the distance in 2:27.44, eighth-fastest all-time at Valpo.
Freshman Emma Schmidt (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley) moved into seventh in program history in the 1650 free with a time of 18:01.76. Her 1000 split of 10:55.07 just narrowly missed cracking the top-10 in that event as well.
In the final individual swim of her collegiate career, senior Sophie Morelock (Milan, Mich./Milan) posted a time of 2:08.49 in the 200 back, less than a half-second off her PR in the event which ranks fourth all-time at Valpo.
Sophomore Haley Hume (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) led the Valpo contingent in the 100 free, touching the wall in 54.95, while freshman Alice Korwel (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park) paced the Beacons with a time of 2:16.17 in the 200 fly.
Valpo’s final relay of the meet ended up being the highest-placed in the program’s record book, as Strauss, Morelock, freshman Caroline Gorski (Melrose Park, Ill./Leyden) and Hume combined to complete the 400 free relay in 3:36.24, good for fifth in program history and the second-fastest time in the last 14 years. Strauss opened the relay with a 53.79 leadoff leg, allowing her to move into a tie for 10th in program history in the 100 free.
Valpo finished in 10th place in the team standings, compiling 187 points over the four-day meet.
VALPO WBB
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GOES FOR WEEKEND SWEEP AT EVANSVILLE SUNDAY
Valparaiso (5-19, 3-12 MVC)
Game #25 – Feb. 19, 2023 – 1 p.m.
at Evansville (11-13, 6-9 MVC)
Meeks Family Fieldhouse (1,164) – Evansville, Ind.
Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The Valpo women’s basketball team goes for a sweep of the weekend road swing through downstate Indiana on Sunday afternoon when it finishes up weekend play at Evansville. The Beacons are coming off their best defensive performance since Dec. 2020 last time out.
Previously: A strong defensive effort and a key 10-0 fourth-quarter run propelled Valpo to a 54-47 road victory over Indiana State in MVC action in Terre Haute, Ind. on Friday evening. Olivia Brown came off the bench to score a game-high 16 points, while Olivia Sims tied her career best with 12 points.
Following Valpo Basketball: Streaming Video: ESPN+
Radio: None
Streaming Audio: YouTube
Links for live coverage: Available via ValpoAthletics.com
Head Coach Mary Evans: Mary Evans is in her fifth year at the helm of the program in 2022-23 and owns a record of 53-87. Evans has made an impact on the program in her first four years, raising the team’s level of play to be competitive in a strong Missouri Valley Conference. Evans’ preferred style of play has been a big part of the program’s turnaround, as Valpo has led the MVC in 3-pointers made per game in each of the last three seasons and in steals per game in two of the last three years.
Series Notes: Valpo leads the all-time series over the Purple Aces 14-10, but the series is even at 5-5 in 10 matchups in Evansville. The Beacons entered this season with a four-game winning streak over the Purple Aces, but in this year’s first matchup, Evansville took advantage of a cold offensive stretch from Valpo in the first half to come away with a 57-45 road win at the ARC. Ali Saunders delivered a team-best 14 points in that game.
U OF I MBB
GREYHOUNDS CELEBRATE SENIORS WITH 18TH STRAIGHT VICTORY
INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 6 UIndy men’s basketball team (24-2, 16-2 GLVC) won its 18th straight game on Saturday, toughening out an 86-79 victory over Southwest Baptist (18-8, 10-8 GLVC) to celebrate its four seniors.
The Greyhounds have now matched their program record (DII era) of 18 consecutive victories, the most since the 1996-97 team opened the campaign 18-0.
Jakobie Robinson led the seniors with 16 points, while Kendrick Tchoua finished with 19 tallies and nine rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
As the Hounds led by 10 with under three minutes left, the visiting Bearcats used a quick 7-0 run to trail by a single possession. Tchoua nipped that in the bud, however, sealing the victory with an o-board putback at the 21-second mark before sinking free throws to make it 86-79.
UIndy and SBU exchanged the lead nine times, but it was a 3-pointer from Jesse Bingham with 10 minutes remaining that put the Crimson and Grey ahead for good. Bruno Williams scored seven of his nine points in the second half, while Josiah Tynes picked the perfect spot for his lone 3-ball after intermission.
The Bearcats led 30-24 with under five minutes left in the first half before Tchoua sparked a 17-8 Greyhound run to close the half. Jarvis Walker was instrumental to the success, scoring eight point off the bench in 12+ minutes before the break. The sophomore converted a 4-point play late in the period before taking advantage at the charity stripe of an SBU technical.
A total of 66 free throws were attempted on Saturday, including 41 for the Greyhounds. It was nearly five years ago on February 15, 2018, that UIndy shot 42 free throws at Missouri S&T.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– The Hounds’ 86 is the most points SBU has allowed this season.
– Sean Craig continues to play meaningful time down the stretch, adding six points and three boards in 22 minutes of action.
– Accounting for one-third of the Hounds’ offensive rebounds was Julian Steinfeld, who nabbed five of the team’s 15 o-boards. Tchoua recorded four.
– UIndy led for more than 28 minutes, including the final 10.
MORE NOTES
Prior to the game, the Greyhounds celebrated four seniors: Aaron Etherington, Ben Nicoson, Robinson, and Williams … the win marks head coach Paul Corsaro’s first against Southwest Baptist … UIndy reclaims the series lead with the victory, 5-4 … the Hounds tie the 2019-20 team with 24 victories and are now just two shy of the all-time program record.
HOUND BYTES
Corsaro on the seniors…
“Aaron, Ben, and Jakobie have been with me since I started here. We’ve been together through the adjustments to where we are now; we trust each other so much. I love those guys.
“Bruno went from being “the man” at Lewis to coming here and buying into our vision here. His leadership has meant so much to this team.”
UP NEXT
UIndy hits the road for one final time this month, as it visits Missouri-St. Louis and Missouri S&T next weekend. Thursday tip in St. Louis is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET against the Tritons.
U OF I MTENNIS
HOUNDS PUNCH TICKET TO ITA CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY WITH WIN OVER WARRIORS
INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Indianapolis men’s tennis team is championship bound at the TA DII National Men’s Team Indoor Championship, scoring a convincing win over region-rival and No. 5-ranked Wayne State University, 4-2. The win sends the Hounds to the championship bout on Sunday where they will face No. 3 St. Leo at 2:30 p.m. in the UIndy Tennis Center.
INS AND OUTS
With the UIndy Tennis Center packed with fans rooting on the Hounds, the air was electric as doubles play began. The Warriors, however, were unaffected as it seemed, fighting off the crowd’s energy to score the first match win of the battle, a doubles win at the No. 2 slot.
The dominant duo of Tom Zeuch and Edgar Destouet faced a rematch of the ITA Midwest Regional Finals on the exact same court they won that regional on, battling the No. 8-ranked pair of Cedric Drenth and Daniel Grey. Much like what had happened in the fall, the Zeuch Destouet combo was too much for the Warriors top doubles pair as they stormed to an early lead and never gave it up, winning 6-4.
With their teammates as their sides, Jason Gerweck and Nikolaj Talimaa were the deciders of the doubles point. It was tied, going back and forth for games up until it was 4-4. That is where the Hounds found their edge, scoring a decisive game nine win to make it 5-4. The warriors battled back tying it once again, but back to back game wins secured the doubles point for the Hounds.
With a lead, the Hounds carried the energy, and yelling, into singles action. Thomas Mathis, much like the match against Barry, was the first Hounds to claim victory, making it 2-0 in favor of the Hounds. The Warriors had not lost their spirit however, fighting back with a win at No. 3 singles over Talimaa. And just minutes later, after an extremely close battle it was 2-2, with Wayne State winning at No. 5 singles over August Ehrnrooth in a three set battle of attrition. With the back-to-back wins, the energy in the bubble felt like it was swinging in the favor of the Warriors.
The trip to the finals came down to the final three matches, but the Hounds only needed two. No. 28 Zeuch, battling familiar foe in Dreneth, made it 3-2 with a straight sets victory at No. 2 singles, using his length to outpace his Warrior-rival.
Destouet was not far behind, as after losing the first set via tiebreak, he dominated. In the second set, Destouet gave up the first game, but went on a tear, winning the next six in a row. With shades of the Barry finale in the air, Destouet made the final blow, a 6-0 masterclass of tennis, winning in three sets and sending the Hounds to the final.
HOUND BYTES
Head Coach Malik Tabet on the Wayne State match…
“What an exciting match again, this tournament has just been awesome to us, and playing Wayne State who is a regional rival too, who in my opinion is one of the better indoor tennis teams in our division, and to be able to play such a high-quality match, it was just awesome. Super excited about how my players, reacted today and handled a tough match.”
Tabet on the packed UIndy Tennis Center…
“It was just an awesome, awesome vibe, Its booming right now. This was crazy and we absolutely love it. My players got transcended by this environment. So I am really hoping to see an even bigger crowd tomorrow.”
UP NEXT
Championship Sunday, Feb. 19, 2:30 p.m., UIndy Tennis Center. BE THERE!
U OF I SOFTBALL
OFFENSE IMPRESSES ON RECORD-BREAKING OPENING DAY
INDIANAPOLIS—The UIndy baseball team opened the 2023 season with a bang, topping the visiting Notre Dame Falcons by scores of 17-1 and 32-7. The latter game featured the highest run total by a Greyhound baseball club in program history. Four different Hounds went yard in the doubleheader, led by Drew Donaldson’s 13 total bases and eight RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Offense exploded right out of the gate for the Hounds in game one, putting up a pair of runs in the first off a Brian Keeney single. From there the floodgates opened with another run in the first coming off a Falcon error. Errors continued to haunt the Falcons in the second, with the Hounds scoring three more unearned runs in the second mark. The biggest punch to Notre Dame College came in the third, when Donaldson grabbed his first two RBIs via a deep drive over the right field fence. The Falcons responded, netting a run off some situational hitting and contact orientated approaches.
The 10-0 score held until the fourth in which Donaldson himself would be the one to break the Greyhound offensive drought with a single up the middle, scoring Will Spear. Just two at bats later, Brady Ware added even more on, sending the second Greyhound ball out of the park, making it 14-1. Keeney made it a double homer inning, launching a two-run bomb just two batters later to make it 16-1. Denton Shepler would score the final run of the first game, poking a single into right field, finding the final score of 17-1.
The early onslaught of offense by the Hounds was one upped in the second contest of the sunny double header, with the Hounds dropping seven runs on the heads of the Falcons. Donaldson was the man to get the scoring started again with a single through the right side, and the benefit of another Falcon error. Shepler in the bottom of the second added to the homer total, sending out of left field to make it 8-0. Easton Good’s two RBI single in the bottom of the second marked the end of the inning.
Quality pitching by the Hounds starting pitching limited any opportunity for Falcon offense through four, only allowing two earned runs. Good yet again made good, scratching another across the plate with another single. Donaldson kept playing contact baseball with a single up the middle to drive two more home, and Caleb Vaughn grabbed his first RBI of the day just one batter later, sending Donaldson home on a double.
With the sun starting to set in the bottom of the sixth, Jared Bujdos cranked a ball into left field just short of the fence, scoring three more runs making the blowout 17-3. The Falcons went on to fight back in the offensive category, scoring three in the seventh, capitalizing on two Hound errors. The Hounds, refusing any attempt at a miraculous comeback, answered with an incredible 10 runs in the bottom of the seventh, making it 29-7. In the long inning, both Reid Rector and Jake Estes grabbed doubles with RBIs in tow.
Fittingly, Donaldson was the final Hound to score some runs, crushing a ball to left field sending home both Adam Rakestraw and Issac Bair to get the Hounds their final score of 32-7.
U OF I WBB
HILL SCORES CAREER HIGH, HOUNDS BEAT SOUTHWEST BAPTIST ON SENIOR DAY
INDIANAPOLIS – Sadie Hill scored a career-high 32 points this afternoon at Nicoson Hall to help the University of Indianapolis women’s basketball team take down Southwest Baptist by a final of 76-65 on Senior Day. With the win, the Hounds improve to 15-11 (11-7 GLVC) while the Bearcats fall to 12-14 (6-12 GLVC).
Hill’s 32 points this afternoon beats her old career high of 25 points, which she has scored twice over the span of her UIndy career. The senior went 11-of-21 from the field and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe while nearing a double-double with eight rebounds. Elana Wells was the next leading scorer in line for UIndy with nine points.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
The Hounds honored both Hill and Mya Scheidt on Saturday afternoon. Scheidt came to UIndy from Crown Point, Ind., in 2018 and has played in 93 total games so far over her five years. A native of Indianapolis, Hill transferred from Murray State University and began her career at UIndy in 2020 where she has played in 58 games so far with 51 total starts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A layup by Patricia Chikamba at the 3:37 mark in the second quarter lifted the Hounds to a 34-25 advantage over the Bearcats early on. Despite facing this deficit, Southwest Baptist rattled off a 7-0 scoring run to stay right in the game. UIndy would end the half on a 6-0 scoring run of its own to take a 40-32 lead into the intermission.
The Bearcats came clawing out of the halftime locker room on a 9-0 scoring burst to take the lead over the Greyhounds at Nicoson Hall. This put the game into a back-and-forth battle as play progressed into the fourth. With the game at 64-62 in favor of UIndy with just 2:29 left, good defense and 10 straight made free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference-maker in the win for the Hounds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-UIndy coughed up just six turnovers, which is a season low.
-The Hounds had an impressive 24-of-27 outing from the free throw line.
-Southwest Baptist out-rebounded the Hounds by 9.
-Wells dished out a team-leading five assists while also grabbing three steals.
UP NEXT
The Hounds are now set for their final stretch of regular season play next week. The team will travel to Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday for a game against the Tritons beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
MARIAN TRACK
MARIAN WINS SECOND STRAIGHT INDOOR CROSSROADS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Marion, Ind. – For the second straight season, the Marian women’s track and field team has won the Crossroads League Indoor Track and Field Championship, as the Knights dominance over the league continued with their victory Saturday afternoon. Marian scored 183.5 over the two-day meet, defeating Taylor who placed second with 151.5 points. On the final day of the championship the Knights had 10 All-Crossroads League performances, taking three championshps by Erin Oleksak, Hanna Reuter, and 4x400m relay team all team.
Marian began their second day of the conference meet with the women’s high jump, as the Knights earned the top five spots. Erin Oleksak won the league championship with a 1.70m jump to hit the NAIA A standard, while Jai-Lyn Norwood and Gina Butz both tied for fifth place clearing 1.59m. While high jump was finishing up, Alli Taylor tied for fifth in the pole vault after clearing 2.77m and moving up to eighth in school records.
The action then began on the track, as Luci Woodrum finished with a 12th place finish in a time of 5:37.52 in the mile. The Knights then picked up 12 points in the 60m hurdles as Oleksak won the finals with a new school record and NAIA A standard time of 8.56. DeJae Hudson finished in a time of 9.35 to take seventh. Shortly after, Marian scored big in the 400m, racking up 21 points as Hanna Reuter won in a time of 59.19, while Norwood came in second at 59.23. Taylor Thomas also earned points for Marian by finishing in sixth.
Moving back over to field events, Norwood led Marian in the triple jump with a jump of 11.78m to finish runner up, followed by Shirmara Anderson in sixth and Hanna Reuter in 11th. In the final women’s field event of the weekend, Arriana Benjamin claimed second in the shot put after an NAIA A standard throw of 14.06m. Nhaydia Watson and Landry Munoz finished in 17th and 20th, respectively.
With the action focused back on the track, Giorgia Mameli and MaKayla Melvin scored for the Knights in the 60m. Mameli clocked a time of 7.73 to take third, while Melvin finished in fifth with a time of 7.87. Rounding out the sprints, Marian earned 12 points in the 200m led behind Mameli’s third place finish in a time of 25.52. Oleksak crossed the finish line in 25.68 for fifth place and Melvin placed seventh in a time of 26.35.
Next in the 800m, Nora Steele led Marian finishing in a time of 2:21.79 to finish in third, followed by Katie Woods in 14th and Kylee Lewellen in 22nd. Liz Loichinger scored an eighth place finish in the 1000m with her 3:13.87 time, while Sabrina Siems finished in 12th with a 3:19.50 time, and Woodrum in 14th. In the 3000m, Ali Ray posted the best time for Marian at 10:37.43 to take 10th, while Lindsay Huston came in 13th and Mari Hudson finished in 23rd.
In the final event of the meet, the women’s 4x400m relay team took first, beating out Indiana Wesleyan. Melvin, Thomas, Reuter, and Mameli made up the Knights’ team, finishing the race with a 4:01.97 time.
After the meet concluded, Jai-Lyn Norwood was named the Crossroads League Female Field Athlete of the Year, while Marian’s head coach Michael Holman was named the Crossroads League Coach of the Year.
Marian will now begin training for the NAIA National Championships, which begin on March 2 in Brookings, South Dakota, held once again at South Dakota State University.
MARIAN WINS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE INDOOR CROSSROADS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP IN DOMINATING FASHION
Marion, Ind. – For the fourth consecutive season, the Marian men’s track and field team dominated in the Crossroads League, winning the CL Indoor Track and Field Championship. The Knights scored 216 as a team, blowig out the field by 86 points as Indiana Wesleyan took second, followed by Mount Vernon Nazarene in third. Marian had 11 All-Crossroads League performances on Saturday, taking four championships by Jacob Netral, Eli Felton, and Tyler Thomas.
Wrapping up Friday’s events were AJ Wrenn and Peyton Doty finished the remaining three events of the heptathlon, adding to Marian’s total points with a fourth and sixth place finish. Wrenn had a total of 3687 points and Doty finished with 2910.
On Saturday, the Knights had four runners place in the 60m dash. Tyler Thomas and Manny Manneh took the top two places, finishing within 0.1 seconds of each other. Both reached an NAIA B Standard, with Thomas finishing in 6.85 and Manneh at 6.86. Armani Glass finished fourth and Will Osafo in seventh. The four scored a total of 25 points for the team. Freshman Gus Martinez, added to the team total with fifth place finish in the 60m hurdles.
The 200m dash saw three back-to-back finishes by the Knights, with Otto De St Jeor finshing in second, Olivier Lifrange in third, and Connor Maple in fourth. Lifrange also received a top there finish in the 400m, placing second with a time of 49.45. Matthew Riehle and Eli Givens each scored points for the team as well, coming in fifth and seventh. Two Knights, Drew Thornton and Maksims Sincukovs, were able to reach the NAIA B standard in the 800m, placing fourth and fifth respectively. Owen Pittman also completed the 800m, finishing eighth. The three runners combined for a total of 10 points.
Robin Aguilar-Gonzalez received a third-place finish in the 1000m, followed by Howard Hendricks in fifth, and Kenneth Hammell in seventeenth. Blake Hipkiss scored a point for the Knights, placing eighth in the one mile with a time of 4:26.55. Nick Frank finished thirteenth. The 3000m saw three Knights compete, with Joe Barrett finishing eighth, Clark Chustz in eleventh, and Grant Monnier in eighteenth.
Senior Eli Felton hit an NAIA B Standard in the triple jump. Felton placed first, jumping 14.06m, with Chase Maxey coming in second. Jordan Pohl and Van Lian totaled seven points in the high jump with a fifth and sixth place finish respectively.
Jacob Netral highlighted the field events, earning Crossrroads League Field Athlete of the Year. Netral placed first in the shot put, reaching an NAIA A Standard with a 17.14m throw. Christian Rios also hit an NAIA A Standard in the shot put, placing second, and Tyler Majors placed fifth.
In the final event of the league meet, Riehle, Givens, Thornton, and Lifrange combined their talents, finishing second in the 4x400m relay in a time of 3:20.81.
Following the meet, head coach Michael Holman was named the Crossroads League Coach of the Year.
Marian will now start preparing for the NAIA National Championships, which begins on March 2 at the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, South Dakota.
MARIAN BASEBALL
MASON’S WALK-OFF STAMPS MARIAN SWEEP OF IUPUC
BEECH GROVE – The Marian baseball team improved their win streak to five Saturday afternoon, taking two games from IUPUC at Beech Grove High School. Marian dominated the opening game 19-10 leaving the yard three times, while coming back in the second game to win on a Caden Mason walk-off. The Knights improve to 5-2 on the year following the two-game sweep.
Game 1 | Marian 19-10 IUPUC
Marian pounced on the Crimson Pride in the first inning, getting a three-up, three-down effort out of Chris Adams to send the bats to the plate. A Jackson Hogg single opened the half inning, with a Rylan Huntley single and a walk to JJ Rivera loading the bases. Caden Jones drew a bases loaded walk, and Dion Wintjes tagged an RBI sacrifice fly to plate the second run of the game. Adams stranded two runners in the second and two in the third, restarting the offense as Huntley and Rivera tagged base hits. The bases loaded quickly after Rivera’s double, and in his second at bat of the season Bryce Davenport hammered a grand slam, bringing in four runs to make it a 6-0 game.
Adams would yield a run in the top of the fourth inning as IUPUC executed a double steal, but Daniel Brenneman limited the damage getting a grounder to end the frame. The Knights responded with three runs in the home half of the fourth, getting an RBI groundout from Trey Heidlage while Rivera delivered a two RBI homerun to make the score a favorable 9-1 margin. Brenneman limited the Pride to just one base runner in the fifth, and Marian added two more as Hogg bombed a two RBI double to score both Johnny Roeder and Davenport.
The offense continued to add runs in each of the final three trips to the plate, getting four in the bottom of the sixth as AJ Bordenet delivered a three RBI homerun, doing so just one plate appearance after Roeder’s RBI double. IUPUC would score five in the top of the seventh as Hunter Reagan and Nolan Macdonald pitched in the frame, with Macdonald getting out of the inning. Another two Marian runs came in the home half with Wintjes logging an RBI single, while Davenport recorded an RBI single of his own.
The final Marian runs of the game came from Wintjes in the bottom of the eighth, who delivered a two RBI double to score both Caden Mason and Rivera. IUPUC would bring in three runs in the ninth off of Jace Stoops with two coming on a home run, but the righty closed strong ending the game with a strikeout.
Marian had 21 hits in the game, getting three hits from Huntley, Hogg, Wintjes, and Rivera, with the outfielder logging one of the three home runs. Davenport had two hits, and led the team with five RBI. On the mound, Adams earned the win going 3.2 innings, striking out six batters in his outing. Brenneman had four strikeouts in his 2.1 innings of relief.
Game 2 | Marian 9-8 IUPUC
In the second game of the day, IUPUC came out with a strong offensive approach, driving home three runs with two coming on a home run against starter Craig Nixon in the top of the first inning. Nixon settled into the game in the second inning stranding two runners, with Marian getting a run back in the home half as Max Steffen launched a solo shot for his first home run as a Knight.
Nixon held the Crimson Pride scoreless stranding a runner in the top of the third while tossing a three-up, three-down fourth to keep the game a two-run margin. Steffen brought Marian within a run in the bottom of the fourth with RBI double to score Rivera, and after Nixon’s perfect fifth, the Knights reclaimed the lead. Trey Heidlage kicked off the rally with a one-out single, and three batters later JJ Rivera delivered an RBI single. The bats continued to make solid contact, with Davenport and Wintjes tagging RBI singles to drive in two more runs.
The big inning drove Marian to their first lead in the second game with a 5-3 edge, but it would not stick long as Nixon gave up a three-run home run in the top of the sixth allowing IUPUC to take the lead back. Nixon was able to get out of the inning with a groundout, ending his day on the mound. After coming up without a run in the home half of the sixth, Marian turned to Michael Mates to pitch the seventh, but the senior was tagged for a two-run home run, unable to keep it a one-run contest.
Trailing 8-5 going into the bottom of the seventh and playing against the night sky, Marian worked quick with Jackson Hogg leading off with a single, while Rylan Huntley launched a two-run homerun to make it a one-run game. The dinger forced a pitching change, and the Knights continued to work as Davenport singled and Wintjes reached on an error. Steffen would walk to load the bases, setting up Caden Mason who delivered a walk-off two RBI double to win the game 9-8.
Mason’s double was his lone-hit of the game, as he delivered his first walk-off hit as a Knight. Hogg led Marian with three hits, while Rivera, Davenport, and Steffen each had two hits. Mates claimed the win on the mound for his first of the season, while Nixon led Marian with five strikeouts as he did not factor into the pitching decision.
The Knights will complete their weekend on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Princeton, Indiana, to take on Oakland City in a two-game series.
MARIAN MBB
MARIAN DEFEATS TAYLOR 85-83 IN DOUBLE-OT SENIOR DAY THRILLER
INDIANAPOLIS – Needing a win to earn a home game in the Crossroads League Tournament, the Marian men’s basketball team won a thriller Saturday afternoon, outlasting Taylor 85-83 in double-overtime to close their regular season. Marian’s win gives them a 20-8 overall mark as they end league play with a 10-8 record.
The Knights got off to a strong start, going through Taeshon Cherry from the start of the game as the senior poured in eight points in the first three minutes of the game. Marian pushed their lead to six moments after the under-16 media timeout, but Taylor slowly got into the game after using a timeout tying the game on an 8-0 run. Knotted at 16-16, Brody Whitaker canned his second shot of the game to recapture the lead, with a pair of three pointers from Luke Heady keeping the home team on top as the clock ticked under 10 minutes to go in the opening half.
Heady’s second trifecta at the 9:36 mark would be Marian’s last score in a three minute spell, as they went cold from the field and allowed Taylor to capture a two-point edge with their 6-0 run. Cherry subsided the storm with a three of his own, turning the game into a back and forth contest. With 3:34 to play before the break, Christian Harvey turned up his scoring powers, scoring 10 straight points against Taylor to help Marian go into the locker room with a 42-37 lead.
Luke Gohmann scored a putback on the opening Marian possession of the second half to make it a seven-point lead, helping them keep distance over Taylor. A three-point swing from Harvey would keep it a six-point game going into the first media timeout of the second half, but was not enough as the Trojans climbed back in front 53-52 over the next four minutes. Trailing by one with 12:33 to play, Marian’s scoring dropped off, as they went under a lengthy cold spell from the field of over seven minutes. In the drought, Marian would manage four points at the charity stripe from Whitaker and Cherry, helping them keep pace with Jason Hubbard and the Trojans.
Marian’s drought was finally answered at the 6:12 mark as Cherry got a shot to fall, putting his team back within two trailing 60-58. Hayden Langkabel would tie the game at the line, and put Marian in the lead with 3:38 to go, but on the ensuing possession Hubbard drew contact against Cherry, earning a three-point play and fouling the Knights forward out of the game. The game went scoreless for one minute, but the crowd erupted with over two minutes to go as Harvey put his team on top 67-65 with a deep three. Anton Webb would answer Harvey with an open layup to tie the game, and despite good looks for both teams including a contested layup for Harvey as time expired, neither team led in the final 1:50.
Going to overtime for the first time this season, Marian stayed composed as the two sides traded scores. Whitaker, Harvey, and Langkabel handled the first three equalizers of the extra session, while Whitaker made it a tie game with 1:05 to go as he calmly drained two free throws. Taylor went to Hubbard on their following possession as they took a lead, but it was short-lived as Christian Harvey raced the floor on a layup to tie the game. The Trojans had a chance to win on the final possession as Gavin Yoon heaved a three-pointer, but it fell short sending the game to a second overtime.
In the second bonus quarter, Marian went on top first, with Whitaker out-scoring Taylor 5-2 in the opening minute. Marian’s lead held until the 2:26 mark as Hubbard connected on a fadeaway, as Taylor went back in front 83-82. Marian went to Langkabel to try and find another lead, and after missing a three, came back on offense after forcing a stop and drained a jumper to put his team in front 84-83. Marian’s defense showed strong late forcing a Hubbard miss and Taylor turnover, padding the lead by a point as Harvey drained a late free throw. Taylor would have one final look with 4.7 seconds remaining, but were unable to hit as Yoon missed a contested three to leave Marian victorious 85-83.
Marian ended the game shooting 41 percent from the floor, playing level with Taylor as each team had three blocked shots and three steals. Harvey led the Knights in scoring with 25 points, while Cherry scored 22 points in 29 minutes of work. Whitaker led the bench unit with 15 points, and Langkabel had 12 points to go with six rebounds. Gohmann led the Knights in rebounding with seven, while adding a team-best three assists.
With Marian’s ninth consecutive win against Taylor, coupled with a loss suffered by Bethel University, the Knights earned the fourth seed in the upcoming Crossroads League Tournament, and will host the quarterfinal round on February 22. Tip on Wednesday night against the Bethel Pilots is slated for 7:00 p.m. in the PE Center.
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 | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Boston | 42 | 17 | .712 | — | 24-7 | 18-10 | 8-1 | 25-12 | 7-3 | 1 W | ||
| Philadelphia | 38 | 19 | .667 | 3.0 | 23-8 | 15-11 | 7-5 | 22-13 | 7-3 | 4 W | ||
| Brooklyn | 34 | 24 | .586 | 7.5 | 18-11 | 16-13 | 6-7 | 24-13 | 5-5 | 1 W | ||
| New York | 33 | 27 | .550 | 9.5 | 16-15 | 17-12 | 5-8 | 23-16 | 6-4 | 3 W | ||
| Toronto | 28 | 31 | .475 | 14.0 | 18-13 | 10-18 | 4-9 | 17-19 | 6-4 | 2 W | ||
| Central Divison | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Milwaukee | 41 | 17 | .707 | — | 24-5 | 17-12 | 8-4 | 23-13 | 10-0 | 12 W | ||
| Cleveland | 38 | 23 | .623 | 4.5 | 25-6 | 13-17 | 11-3 | 22-11 | 8-2 | 1 L | ||
| Chicago | 26 | 33 | .441 | 15.5 | 16-13 | 10-20 | 5-7 | 20-20 | 3-7 | 6 L | ||
| Indiana | 26 | 34 | .433 | 16.0 | 18-14 | 8-20 | 4-5 | 18-17 | 2-8 | 1 W | ||
| Detroit | 15 | 44 | .254 | 26.5 | 8-21 | 7-23 | 0-9 | 6-27 | 3-7 | 2 L | ||
| Southeast Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Miami | 32 | 27 | .542 | — | 19-10 | 13-17 | 7-3 | 15-17 | 5-5 | 2 L | ||
| Atlanta | 29 | 30 | .492 | 3.0 | 15-12 | 14-18 | 5-5 | 17-19 | 4-6 | 2 L | ||
| Washington | 28 | 30 | .483 | 3.5 | 14-12 | 14-18 | 6-3 | 15-17 | 6-4 | 2 W | ||
| Orlando | 24 | 35 | .407 | 8.0 | 14-15 | 10-20 | 3-8 | 12-25 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| Charlotte | 17 | 43 | .283 | 15.5 | 9-18 | 8-25 | 6-8 | 9-29 | 3-7 | 2 W | ||
| Western Conference | ||||||||||||
| Northwest Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Denver | 41 | 18 | .695 | — | 27-4 | 14-14 | 10-5 | 29-11 | 7-3 | 3 W | ||
| Minnesota | 31 | 30 | .508 | 11.0 | 20-13 | 11-17 | 8-7 | 22-19 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| Oklahoma City | 28 | 29 | .491 | 12.0 | 17-12 | 11-17 | 5-6 | 15-17 | 5-5 | 1 W | ||
| Utah | 29 | 31 | .483 | 12.5 | 18-12 | 11-19 | 4-6 | 19-18 | 4-6 | 1 L | ||
| Portland | 28 | 30 | .483 | 12.5 | 16-14 | 12-16 | 5-8 | 20-16 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| Pacific Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Sacramento | 32 | 25 | .561 | — | 17-12 | 15-13 | 5-6 | 20-13 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| LA Clippers | 33 | 28 | .541 | 1.0 | 15-13 | 18-15 | 6-4 | 19-16 | 6-4 | 2 W | ||
| Phoenix | 32 | 28 | .533 | 1.5 | 20-10 | 12-18 | 9-1 | 21-15 | 7-3 | 1 L | ||
| Golden State | 29 | 29 | .500 | 3.5 | 22-7 | 7-22 | 4-6 | 17-14 | 5-5 | 1 L | ||
| LA Lakers | 27 | 32 | .458 | 6.0 | 14-14 | 13-18 | 2-9 | 14-20 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| Southwest Division | ||||||||||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Road | Div | Conf | Last 10 | Streak | |||
| Memphis | 35 | 22 | .614 | — | 24-5 | 11-17 | 6-2 | 17-16 | 4-6 | 1 W | ||
| Dallas | 31 | 29 | .517 | 5.5 | 19-10 | 12-19 | 7-2 | 23-16 | 5-5 | 3 L | ||
| New Orleans | 30 | 29 | .508 | 6.0 | 20-10 | 10-19 | 7-4 | 19-15 | 4-6 | 1 L | ||
| San Antonio | 14 | 45 | .237 | 22.0 | 9-21 | 5-24 | 2-7 | 5-30 | 0-10 | 14 L | ||
| Houston | 13 | 45 | .224 | 22.5 | 8-20 | 5-25 | 1-8 | 7-31 | 2-8 | 7 L |
NHL STANDINGS
| Eastern Conference | |||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | |
| 1 Boston Bruins | 55 | 42 | 8 | 5 | 89 | 40 | 207 | 117 | 23-2-3 | 19-6-2 | 6-3-1 |
| 2 Carolina Hurricanes | 55 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 82 | 34 | 188 | 147 | 19-6-2 | 18-4-6 | 9-1-0 |
| 3 New Jersey Devils | 55 | 36 | 14 | 5 | 77 | 35 | 191 | 147 | 15-10-2 | 21-4-3 | 7-2-1 |
| 4 Toronto Maple Leafs | 56 | 34 | 14 | 8 | 76 | 34 | 191 | 148 | 22-6-4 | 12-8-4 | 6-3-1 |
| 5 New York Rangers | 56 | 33 | 14 | 9 | 75 | 30 | 191 | 152 | 16-9-4 | 17-5-5 | 8-0-2 |
| 6 Tampa Bay Lightning | 55 | 35 | 17 | 3 | 73 | 33 | 195 | 162 | 21-4-2 | 14-13-1 | 6-2-2 |
| 7 Pittsburgh Penguins | 55 | 27 | 19 | 9 | 63 | 26 | 178 | 174 | 15-7-4 | 12-12-5 | 4-4-2 |
| 8 New York Islanders | 59 | 28 | 24 | 7 | 63 | 28 | 171 | 168 | 17-10-3 | 11-14-4 | 5-3-2 |
| 9 Washington Capitals | 58 | 28 | 24 | 6 | 62 | 27 | 175 | 170 | 14-11-3 | 14-13-3 | 3-7-0 |
| 10 Florida Panthers | 59 | 28 | 25 | 6 | 62 | 26 | 205 | 207 | 15-8-3 | 13-17-3 | 5-4-1 |
| 11 Buffalo Sabres | 54 | 28 | 22 | 4 | 60 | 27 | 201 | 187 | 11-14-2 | 17-8-2 | 6-3-1 |
| 12 Detroit Red Wings | 55 | 26 | 21 | 8 | 60 | 24 | 172 | 179 | 14-11-3 | 12-10-5 | 7-3-0 |
| 13 Ottawa Senators | 54 | 26 | 24 | 4 | 56 | 24 | 164 | 174 | 15-12-2 | 11-12-2 | 6-3-1 |
| 14 Philadelphia Flyers | 57 | 22 | 25 | 10 | 54 | 21 | 153 | 183 | 11-14-3 | 11-11-7 | 2-5-3 |
| 15 Montreal Canadiens | 56 | 23 | 29 | 4 | 50 | 19 | 151 | 205 | 14-14-1 | 9-15-3 | 4-5-1 |
| 16 Columbus Blue Jackets | 56 | 18 | 34 | 4 | 40 | 17 | 144 | 209 | 12-17-2 | 6-17-2 | 4-4-2 |
| Western Conference | |||||||||||
| GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | ROW | GF | GA | Home | Road | L10 | |
| 1 Vegas Golden Knights | 56 | 34 | 18 | 4 | 72 | 31 | 184 | 157 | 17-13-0 | 17-5-4 | 6-2-2 |
| 2 Dallas Stars | 57 | 30 | 15 | 12 | 72 | 28 | 185 | 148 | 15-7-7 | 15-8-5 | 3-2-5 |
| 3 Los Angeles Kings | 57 | 32 | 18 | 7 | 71 | 27 | 196 | 193 | 17-9-2 | 15-9-5 | 7-2-1 |
| 4 Seattle Kraken | 56 | 32 | 18 | 6 | 70 | 32 | 197 | 174 | 15-10-3 | 17-8-3 | 5-4-1 |
| 5 Winnipeg Jets | 55 | 34 | 20 | 1 | 69 | 33 | 174 | 143 | 20-8-0 | 14-12-1 | 5-5-0 |
| 6 Colorado Avalanche | 54 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 65 | 26 | 167 | 150 | 13-9-4 | 17-10-1 | 6-2-2 |
| 7 Edmonton Oilers | 56 | 30 | 19 | 7 | 67 | 30 | 209 | 185 | 13-11-5 | 17-8-2 | 5-1-4 |
| 8 Minnesota Wild | 55 | 29 | 21 | 5 | 63 | 23 | 163 | 158 | 17-10-2 | 12-11-3 | 4-5-1 |
| 9 Calgary Flames | 56 | 26 | 19 | 11 | 63 | 25 | 177 | 172 | 15-10-2 | 11-9-9 | 5-3-2 |
| 10 Nashville Predators | 53 | 26 | 21 | 6 | 58 | 24 | 149 | 159 | 15-10-3 | 11-11-3 | 6-4-0 |
| 11 St. Louis Blues | 55 | 26 | 26 | 3 | 55 | 23 | 173 | 198 | 13-13-2 | 13-13-1 | 4-6-0 |
| 12 Vancouver Canucks | 56 | 22 | 30 | 4 | 48 | 19 | 191 | 226 | 11-15-1 | 11-15-3 | 4-5-1 |
| 13 Arizona Coyotes | 56 | 19 | 28 | 9 | 47 | 16 | 152 | 197 | 12-8-2 | 7-20-7 | 5-1-4 |
| 14 San Jose Sharks | 57 | 17 | 29 | 11 | 45 | 16 | 170 | 213 | 5-14-7 | 12-15-4 | 3-5-2 |
| 15 Anaheim Ducks | 56 | 17 | 33 | 6 | 40 | 14 | 141 | 236 | 9-16-1 | 8-17-5 | 4-5-1 |
| 16 Chicago Blackhawks | 54 | 17 | 32 | 5 | 39 | 17 | 131 | 198 | 10-16-3 | 7-16-2 | 3-6-1 |
FOOTBALL HISTORY
February 18, 1994 – According to the OnthisDay.com the Shreveport Pirates joined the Canadian Football League as the fourth US-based team. Unfortunately the team folded one year later in 1995.
HALL OF FAME BIRTHDAYS FOR FEBRUARY 18
February 18, 1893 – Alexandria, Minnesota – The awesome Army Football Center John McEwan claimed his birth date. John McEwan was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in1962 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes.
February 18, 1895 – Laurium, Michigan – The legendary University of Notre Dame fullback George Gipp was born. See more about this legend by clicking on his name.
February 18, 1926 – Washington, D.C. – Len Ford the Defensive End from Michigan University was born. Ford first played professionally with the All American Football Conference’s Los Angeles Dons as a two way end. He was loved by quarterbacks on offense as he routinely hauled in leaping one hand grabs and was a big target at 6’-4” and 245 pounds according to the Pro Football hall of Fame. His specialty was on the defensive side of the ball though. When the AAFC disbanded, a former team of the defunct league, the Cleveland Browns, grabbed Len quickly in a special draft in the NFL. The Browns as a matter of fact changed their whole defensive thought process after acquiring Ford because of his awesome pass rushing skills, in essence creating the 4-3 defensive scheme. Len’s dominance really shined bright in the 1954 NFL Championship game against the Lions, when Ford picked off two passes in the 56-10 route. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Len Ford at the 1976 festivities in Canton.
February 18, 1931 – San Francisco, California – Bob St. Clair was an outstanding tackle from the University of Tulsa. The 6’-9” 273 pound giant of a man found himself as being the third round pick of his hometown 49ers in the 1953 NFL Draft per the ProFootballHOF.com. Bob played 11 seasons in San Francisco named first- or second-team All-NFL nine times and was selected to play in five Pro Bowls. Bob St. Clair happily admired his bronze bust in 1990 when the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined him in their museum.
February 18, 1944 – Pat Bowlen attended Oklahoma and he ended up being one of the most successful NFL franchise owners in League History as his Denver Broncos teams had 21 winning seasons in the 30 years he ran the club per the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Broncos teams that Bowlen owned sold out 400 straight home games! The franchise has won three Super Bowls – XXXII, XXXIII and 50. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Pat Bowlen as a contributor in 2019.
February 18, 1947 – NewPort News, Virginia – The stellar Purdue University halfback Leroy Keyes arrived into this life. The FootballFoundation.org tells us that Keyes got his first big play in college on the defensive side of the ball when as a sophomore against Notre Dame he picked off a fumble in midair and ran 95 yards to score. The 1968 season he was a fulltime offensive running back and he had games where he rushed for 225 yards on 21 carries against Illinois; two touchdowns running and one passing against Notre Dame. But who could forget his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Purdue came from 11 points down to beat Indiana 38-35 during that 1968 season! Leroy Keyes was honored with induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990 after the National Football Foundation tallied their votes.
February 18, 1962 – Crowley, Texas – Gary Reasons the outstanding linebacker from Northwestern State University celebrated his day of birth. The National Football Foundation shares that Reasons set school records with 172 tackles in a season and 394 tackles in his career. He made 24 tackles in a game against McNeese State. Northwestern State honored Gary by retiring his number 34 jersey at the end of his collegiate career. Gary Reasons received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College FOotball Hall of Fame in 1996.
February 18, 1963 – Norman, Oklahoma – The fine quarterback of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chuck Long was born. The NFF says that Long was able to play in five bowl games. How is that, you ask? Well in 1982 he got in for two plays in the Rose Bowl but since it was such a small amount of playing time, the NCAA did not count it as an eligible season. In 1984, he set a national record by completing 22 consecutive passes against Indiana. In 1984, he led the nation in pass completion percentage, .661. The National Football Foundation selected Chuck Long for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1912 Cracker Jacks, a sugar-coated popcorn with a mixture of peanuts confection immortalized in the song,Take Me Out to the Ball Game, introduces ‘A Prize in Every Box.’ In 1914, the manufacturer will insert the first of two company-produced baseball card issues featuring major league players, including those from the short-lived Federal League.
1935 Lou Gehrig signs a one-year deal with the Yankees for a reported $30,000, a seven thousand raise, but less than the $35,000 he had requested. Last season, the All-Star first baseman hit .363 with 49 homers and led the American League with 165 RBIs.
1942 Indian first baseman Hal Trosky tells the Des Moines Register he is leaving the team, citing his recurring migraine headaches, first experienced in 1938, as the reason for his early retirement. The 29-year-old good-hitting infielder, who will finish his 11-year career with a .302 batting average, will attempt a comeback with the White Sox in 1944.
1946 Danny Gardella becomes the first major league player to jump to the Mexican League. The outfielder goes south of the border, lured by a salary of $10,000, more than double the amount offered by the Giants.
1953 After being hit by enemy fire during a combat mission, Ted Williams safely crash-lands his Panther jet at the Suwon’s K-13 Airbase in Korea, skidding along the airstrip for nearly a mile before coming to a stop. The midnight-blue F9F is a total wreck, but the Marine reservist, who quickly evacuates the burning aircraft, suffers only minor injuries.
1970 “….I have decided on the basis of facts developed at these conferences that Mr. McLain’s involvement in 1967 bookmaking activities and his associations at that time leave me no alternative but to suspend him from all organized baseball activities pending the completion of my review of his situation.” – BOWIE KUHN, commissioner of baseball announcing Denny McLain’s suspension. After a five-and-a-half-hour meeting with Denny McLain, the pitcher’s lawyer, William Aiken, and baseball’s security chief, Henry Fitzgibbon, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends the Tigers right-hander indefinitely for bookmaking and his associations at that time. Yesterday, the 1968 Cy Young Award recipient appeared voluntarily before a Federal grand jury in Detroit.
1977 Unlike his previous decisions concerning the A’s, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn does not void a deal as not being in the best interest of baseball when he allows the Rangers to purchase southpaw Paul Lindblad from Oakland for $400,000. The left-handed reliever will appear in 42 games for Texas this season, posting a 4-5 record with an ERA of 4.20 for the second-place club.
1981 When the player-management panel cannot reach a compromise, baseball implements a compensation plan that allows the team signing a ranking free agent to give up a roster player and an amateur draft choice in return. The owners’ move, seen by the players as undermining the value of free agency, will lead to a midseason strike, forcing the cancellation of 713 games.
1983 Fernando Valenzuela becomes the first player to be awarded $1,000,000 via arbitration. The 22-year-old Mexican southpaw has compiled a career record of 34-20 during his three years with the Dodgers.
1987 After signing a contract as a free agent with the A’s less than a month ago, 37-year-old Vida Blue unexpectedly retires from baseball. The veteran southpaw, who played a significant role in the A’s consecutive world championships in 1972, 1973, and 1974, compiled a 209-161 record during his 17-year major league career, including stints with the Giants and Royals.
2002 The 37-year-old Jose Canseco (.258, 16, 49) signs a minor league contract with the lame-duck Expos. The 17-year veteran, the American League Rookie of the Year in 1985 and its MVP a season later, is 38 homers shy of the coveted 500 mark.
2008 In a deal that includes a $10 million club option, sophomore Ian Kinsler (.286, 14, 55) inks a five-year, $22 million contract with the Rangers. With the signing of the 24-year-old second baseman and last season’s contract extension for All-Star shortstop Michael Young, Texas has locked up the middle of their infield through 2013.
2009 Despite his poor performance last season, the Braves give Jeff Francoeur (.239, 11, 71) a significant raise over his previous salary of $460,000, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3,375,000 with the outfielder. The deal, a compromise between their two offers, comes just hours before a scheduled salary arbitration hearing in Arizona.
2010 The Nationals finalize a $2 million, one-year deal that includes the opportunity to earn up to $3 million in performance-based bonuses, with former Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang (1-6, 9.64 ERA). The 29-year-old right-hander, who hasn’t been the same since injuring his foot running the bases in a 2008 interleague game against Houston, underwent shoulder surgery last July and is not expected to pitch in the first few months of the season.
2012 Before a 3-1 loss to the Devils at the Bell Centre, the NHL’s Canadiens pay an emotional tribute to the late Gary Carter with a five-minute video set to The Eagles’ song New Kid in Town. During warmups, the team don No. 8 Carter jerseys with the team’s mascot Youppi!, who once represented the Expos, wearing the former NL club’s colors instead of his usual bleu-blanc-rouge, honoring the memory of the only Montreal player enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
2014 Avoiding arbitration, Homer Bailey (11-12, 3.49) and the Reds agree to a $105 million, six-year deal, including a $25 million mutual option for 2020. The 27-year-old starter from Texas, the author of two major league no-hitters, will continue to be part of Cincinnati’s young rotation, including Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Mike Leake, and southpaw Tony Cingrani, all under the age of 30.
2019 The Dodgers announce the death of 92-year-old Don Newcombe, baseball’s first standout black pitcher who played a pivotal role during the 1950s when the team played in Brooklyn. The right-handed hurler, who posted a career mark of 149-90 along with an ERA of 3.56 earned run average in ten seasons that included brief stints with the Reds and the Indians, won the Cy Young (1956), the MVP (1956), and the Rookie of the Year (1949) awards, a feat matched only by Justin Verlander.
SPORTS IN NUMBERS
33 – 25 – 7 – 15 – 34 – 48 – 13
February 19, 1946 – New York Giants outfielder Danny Gardella is 1st major leaguer to announce he is jumping to the rogue Mexican League. Gardella wore Number 33 during the Giants 1945 season and returned to the National League in 1950 to wear Number 50 with the St Louis Cardinals.
February 19, 1977 – The Oakland Athletics sold the rights to pitcher Paul Lindblad to the Texas Rangers for $400,000. The Southpaw wore Number 25 with his new team in 1977.
February 19, 1977 – Right wing Rod Gilbert, Number 7 scored a goal and added an assist to boot as the New York Rangers fell at the hands of their cross town rivals the New York Islanders 5-2. Gilbert became the first player in Rangers history and the 11th overall in the NHL’s all-time record books to score 1,000 career points.
February 19, 1978 – At the kick off NASCAR race of the season a the 20th Daytona 500, Bobby Allison in the Norris Number 15 Ford takes lead with 11 laps remaining. Allison did so starting from the 33rd qualifying start position which was by far the furthest back for any winner of the Great American Race until 2007.
February 19, 1983 – LA Dodgers lefthanded pitching phenom Fernando Valenzuela won his salary arbitration of $1 million. Fernando wore Number 34 on his Dodgers uniform.
February 19, 2006 – The results of the 48th Daytona 500 had driver Jimmie Johnson driving from Hendrick Motorsports in the Number 48 Lowes Chevy won the 203 lap race. This victory started the NASCAR year off right for Johnson and propelled him on to win his first championship.
February 19, 2019 – The great four-time baseball All-Star Manny Machado agrees to the biggest free-agent contract ever in American sports history. Machado inked a 10 year deal worth $300 million with the San Diego Padres where he ended up displaying the Number 13 proudly on his uniform. Who says 13 is unlucky?
TV SUNDAY
| NCAA BASKETBALL – MEN’S | TIME ET | TV |
| Cincinnati at UCF | 12:00pm | ESPNU |
| Belmont at Drake | 12:00pm | CBSSN |
| Ohio State at Purdue | 1:00pm | CBS |
| North Carolina at NC State | 1:00pm | ESPN |
| IUPUI at Detroit Mercy | 1:00pm | ESPN+ |
| George Washington at St. Bonaventure | 2:00pm | USA |
| Bradley at Southern Illinois | 2:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Tulsa at Temple | 2:00pm | ESPNU |
| Manhattan at Fairfield | 2:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Niagara at Marist | 2:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Rider at Quinnipiac | 2:00pm | ESPN3 |
| Iona at Saint Peter’s | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Canisius at Mount St. Mary’s | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Wright State at Purdue Fort Wayne | 2:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Memphis at Houston | 3:00pm | ESPN |
| Georgetown at Butler | 3:00pm | FS1 |
| East Carolina at SMU | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Northern Kentucky at Cleveland State | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Valparaiso at UIC | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Hartford at Chicago State | 3:00pm | FloHoops |
| Maryland at Nebraska | 5:00pm | FS1 |
| ETSU at Furman | 6:00pm | ESPNU |
| Iowa at Northwestern | 6:30pm | BTN |
| Oregon at Washington State | 7:00pm | FS1 |
| UNLV at Boise State | 9:00pm | FS1 |
| NCAA BASKETBALL – WOMEN’S | TIME ET | TV |
| Arkansas at Georgia | 12:00pm | SECN |
| Davidson at UMasss | 12:00pm | NESN |
| Louisville at Boston College | 12:00pm | ACCN |
| Purdue at Indiana | 12:00pm | BTN |
| Georgia Tech at Florida St. | 2:00pm | ACCN |
| LSU at Florida | 2:00pm | SECN |
| N.C. State at Virginia Tech | 4:00pm | ESPN2 |
| South Carolina at Mississippi | 4:00pm | SECN |
| Wake Forest at North Carolina | 4:00pm | ACCN |
| West Virginia at Texas | 4:00pm | ESPNU |
| NCAA SOFTBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Clearwater Invitational:Nebraska vs. Arkansas | 9:30am | SECN |
| Clearwater Invitational: UCLA vs. Louisiana | 10:00am | ESPNU |
| Incarnate Word at Texas | 1:30pm | LHN |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| PGA: The Genesis Invitational | 1:00pm | GOLF |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| NASCAR Cup: Daytona 500 | 2:30pm | FOX |
| NBA ALL STARS | TIME ET | TV |
| Team Giannis at Team LeBron | 8:00pm | TNT TBS |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Nashville at Minnesota | 2:00pm | Bally Sports |
| St. Louis at Ottawa | 2:00pm | Bally Sports Sportsnet |
| Edmonton at Colorado | 3:00pm | ESPN+ HULU |
| Toronto at Chicago | 6:00pm | ESPN+ HULU |
| Winnipeg at New Jersey | 7:00pm | MSGSN Sportsnet |
| Columbus at Arizona | 8:30pm | NHLN Bally Sports |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Serie A: Atalanta vs Lecce | 6:30am | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: PSG vs Lille | 7:00am | beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Elche vs Espanyol | 8:00am | ESPN+ |
| English Premier League: Manchester United vs Leicester City | 9:00am | USA |
| Serie A: Salernitana vs Lazio | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Serie A: Fiorentina vs Empoli | 9:00am | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Troyes vs Montpellier | 9:00am | beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Rennes vs Clermont | 9:00am | beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Brest vs Monaco | 9:00am | beIN Sports |
| Bundesliga: Union Berlin vs Schalke 04 | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Rayo Vallecano vs Sevilla | 10:15am | ESPN+ |
| Ligue 1: Lens vs Nantes | 11:05am | beIN Sports |
| English Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United | 11:30am | USA |
| Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha BSC | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Spezia vs Juventus | 12:00pm | Paramount+ |
| English Premier League: Newcastle United vs Liverpool | 12:30pm | NBC |
| La Liga: Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club | 12:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Bundesliga: Bayer Leverkusen vs Mainz 05 | 1:30pm | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Roma vs Hellas Verona | 2:45pm | Paramount+ |
| Ligue 1: Toulouse vs Olympique Marseille | 2:45pm | beIN Sports |
| La Liga: Barcelona vs Cádiz | 3:00pm | ESPN+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Unión Santa Fe vs Colón | 3:00pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Boca Juniors vs Platense | 5:15pm | Paramount+ |
| Liga MX: Querétaro vs Mazatlán | 6:00pm | TUDN |
| Argentina Primera División: Independiente vs Defensa y Justicia | 7:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Argentina Primera División: Talleres Córdoba vs Central Córdoba SdE | 7:30pm | Paramount+ |
| Liga MX: América vs Tijuana | 8:05pm | TUDN |