“THE SCOREBOARD”
INDIANA BOYS REGIONALS
4A
FINAL: MT. VERNON 74, BROWNSBURG 40
FINAL: SOUTH BEND RILEY 77, WARSAW 71, 2OT
FINAL: LAWRENCE NORTH 80, MOORESVILLE 42
FINAL: CROWN POINT 68, PORTAGE 62, OT
FINAL: HOMESTEAD 42, FW CARROLL 39
FINAL: FISHERS 89, HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) 39
LIVE: TERRE HAUTE NORTH 72, WHITELAND 69, 2OT
FINAL: JEFFERSONVILLE 65, EVANSVILLE HARRISON 40
CLASS 3A
FINAL: SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH 50, COLUMBIA CITY 46
FINAL: EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL 78, HANOVER CENTRAL 55
FINAL: CRISPUS ATTUCKS 57, NORTHVIEW 46
FINAL: NEW PALESTINE 63, GUERIN CATHOLIC 49
FINAL: PRINCETON 61, JENNINGS COUNTY 48 (PHOTOS)
FINAL: BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 55, EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 48
FINAL: DELTA 45, FW BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN 43
FINAL: MACONAQUAH 78, MARION 72
CLASS 2A
FINAL: UNIVERSITY 44, TRITON CENTRAL 43
FINAL: WAPAHANI 53, WESTERN BOONE 45
FINAL: JIMTOWN 56, WESTVIEW 40
FINAL: PARKE HERITAGE 47, CENTERVILLE 41
FINAL: MANCHESTER 54, TIPTON 36
FINAL: GARY 21ST CENTURY 61, FW BISHOP LUERS 46
FINAL: LINTON-STOCKTON 38, PROVIDENCE 32
FINAL: FOREST PARK 56, SOUTH RIPLEY 53
CLASS A
FINAL: HAUSER 70, LUTHERAN 52
FINAL: LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 64, NORTH DECATUR 48
FINAL: CLINTON PRAIRIE 58, LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 55, OT
FINAL: TRITON 63, LAKEWOOD PARK 40
FINAL: KOUTS 56, TRI-COUNTY 45
FINAL: MONROE CENTRAL 66, DALEVILLE 58
FINAL: ORLEANS 56, CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 47
FINAL: CLAY CITY 51, NORTHEAST DUBOIS 42
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WISCONSIN 77 MICHIGAN STATE 74
TENNESSEE 70 AUBURN 65
MEMPHIS 78 TULANE 77
MICHIGAN 81 MARYLAND 80
FLORIDA 104 ALABAMA 82
HOUSTON 72 ARIZONA 64
ST. JOHN’S 82 CREIGHTON 66
DUKE 73 LOUISVILLE 62
COLORADO STATE 83 UTAH STATE 72
VCU 62 LOYOLA 55
ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM 66 N. TEXAS 56
AKRON 76 MIAMI OHIO 74
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
BALL STATE 65 TOLEDO 58
INDIANA COLLEGE BASEBALL SCOREBOARD
CLEMSON 11 NOTRE DAME 7
PURDUE 9 ILLINOIS CHICAGO 3
VALPARAISO 13 ILLINOIS 10
ILLINOIS 14 VALPARAISO 4
NORTHERN KENTUCKY 5 PURDUE FORT WAYNE 1
PACIFIC 14 INDIANA STATE 2
INDIANA COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD
UCLA 2 PURDUE 1
NORTH CAROLINA STATE 6 NOTRE DAME 0
NORTH CAROLINA STATE 5 NOTRE DAME 3
PROVIDENCE 10 BUTLER 0
IOWA 7 INDIANA 6
BALL STATE 7 AKRON 2
VALPARAISO 3 INDIANA STATE 2
SOUTHERN INDIANA AT TENNESSEE STATE CANCELED
INDIANA COLLEGE MEN’S LAX
NOTRE DAME 19 MICHIGAN 7
INDIANA COLLEGE WOMEN’S LAX
NOTRE DAME 18 UC DAVIS 6
NBA SCOREBOARD
BOSTON 115 BROOKLYN 113
OKLAHOMA CITY 113 DETROIT 107
MILWAUKEE 126 INDIANA 119
HOUSTON 117 CHICAGO 114
MEMPHIS 125 MIAMI 91
SAN ANTONIO 119 NEW ORLEANS 115
GOLDEN STATE 97 NEW YORK 94
WASHINGTON 126 DENVER 123
NHL SCOREBOARD
BUFFALO 4 VEGAS 3
PITTSBURGH 7 NEW JERSEY 3
WASHINGTON 5 SAN JOSE 1
MONTRÉAL 3 FLORIDA 1
CAROLINA 5 FLORIDA 0
NY RANGERS 4 COLUMBUS 0
OTTAWA 4 TORONTO 2
TAMPA BAY 6 BOSTON 2
ST. LOUIS 5 MINNESOTA 1
LOS ANGELES 1 NASHVILLE 0
VANCOUVER 6 CHICAGO 2
MLB SCOREBOARD
HOUSTON 6 MIAMI 4
PITTSBURGH 15 BALTIMORE 5
NY YANKEES 7 TAMPA BAY 7
ATLANTA 7 BOSTON 3
ST. LOUIS 9 TORONTO 5
DETROIT 2 PHILADELPHIA 2
CHICAGO WHITE SOX 2 COLORADO 1
KANSAS CITY 13 CINCINNATI 7
SAN FRANCISCO 6 SEATTLE 2
CLEVELAND 7 KANSAS CITY 5
TEXAS 4 LAS VEGAS 3
MILWAUKEE 8 LAS VEGAS 0
MILWAUKEE 4 LA ANGELS 0
ARIZONA 9 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 8
SAN DIEGO 8 SEATTLE 3
MINNESOTA 4 ATLANTA 0
WASHINGTON 4 NY METS 1
HASHIN TIGERS 3 LA DODGERS 0
MLS SCOREBOARD
CHICAGO 2 TORONTO 1
NY RED BULLS 2 ORLANDO CITY 2
AUSTIN 1 LOS ANGELES 0
NEW YORK CITY 2 NEW ENGLAND 1
DC UNITED 0 MONTRÉAL 0
CHARLOTTE 2 CINCINNATI 0
KANSAS CITY 3 MINNESOTA 3
ST. LOUIS 1 SEATTLE 0
SALT LAKE 2 HOUSTON 1
VANCOUVER 1 DALLAS 0
COLORADO 2 SAN JOSE 1
SAN DIEGO 1 COLUMBUS 1
TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
TOP 25 ROUND-UP
Tre Donaldson converted a driving layup with 0.4 seconds left Saturday, lifting No. 22 Michigan to an 81-80 win over No. 11 Maryland in the Big Ten Conference tournament semifinals in Indianapolis.
Derik Queen made two free throws with 5.3 seconds remaining to give the second-seeded Terrapins (25-8) an 80-79 edge. Donaldson then slalomed down the middle of the floor, split defenders in the lane and finished a 12-point, nine-assist performance with the game-winner.
Vladislav Goldin led the third-seeded Wolverines (24-9), who play fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Sunday for the tournament title, with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Danny Wolf added 21 points, 14 boards and four assists, while Nimari Burnett chipped in with 10 points.
Queen poured in a game-high 31 points for Maryland, going 9-for-9 at the foul line. Selton Miguel added 16, while Julian Reese contributed 13. Ja’Kobi Gillespie finished with 10 points and nine assists.
Michigan shot 47 percent from the field and annihilated the Terrapins 47-18 in rebounding, scoring 18 points off 18 offensive boards. Maryland countered by forcing 19 turnovers and cashing them in for 29 points. The game featured 15 lead changes and 12 ties.
No. 1 Duke 73, No. 13 Louisville 62
CHARLOTTE — Tyrese Proctor finished with 19 points as the Blue Devils cranked out a victory against the Cardinals to win their second Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship in three years despite being without its top player again.
Duke won its 23rd ACC tournament title in 36 appearances in the final, boosted by 18 points from Kon Knueppel and 15 from Sion James. Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, the ACC Player of the Year, was out for the second straight game after he exited in the first half of Thursday’s quarterfinal against Georgia Tech with an ankle injury. Khaman Maluach’s eight points and 10 rebounds also helped the Blue Devils (31-3).
Terrence Edwards Jr. pumped in 29 points and Chucky Hepburn added 14 for second-seeded Louisville (27-7), which lost for only the second time since December.
No. 2 Houston 72, Arizona 64
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Milos Uzan scored a career-high 25 points to lead the top-seeded Cougars to a victory over the third-seeded Wildcats in the championship game of the Big 12 tournament.
It was the first time in the 29-year history of the Big 12 championship that the final game did not include at least one team from the former Big 8 Conference. Houston (30-4) won the regular season with a 19-1 record, claiming the league title by four games over second-place Texas Tech and five games over Arizona. The Cougars got 17 points from Emanuel Sharp, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
Arizona (22-12) got 19 points from Caleb Love, 14 from Jaden Bradley and 11 from KJ Lewis.
No. 8 Tennessee 70, No. 3 Auburn 65
Zakai Zeigler scored 20 points, Jordan Gainey had 15 and the Volunteers held off the Tigers in the first semifinal game of the SEC tournament in Nashville.
Chaz Lanier added 12 points for the fourth-seeded Volunteers (27-6), who will play No. 4-ranked Florida in the championship game Sunday afternoon.
Johni Broome had 23 points for the top-seeded Tigers (28-5), Miles Kelly contributed 13 and Denver Jones scored 10.
No. 4 Florida 104, No. 5 Alabama 82
Walter Clayton Jr. recorded 22 points, six assists and three steals and the second-seeded Gators earned a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game with a domination of the third-seeded Crimson Tide in Nashville.
Clayton matched his season best with six 3-pointers as No. 4 Florida (29-4) took a big step toward landing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Gators will face fourth-seeded Tennessee (27-6) in Sunday’s title game. Alijah Martin and Will Richard scored 16 points apiece for Florida, which outscored the Crimson Tide 57-37 in the second half. Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen each scored 11 points as the Gators recorded a season high for points.
Chris Youngblood scored 14 points for No. 5 Alabama (25-8), while Mouhamed Dioubate had 12 points and 12 rebounds, Clifford Omoruyi also scored 12 points and Jarin Stevenson had 10. Crimson Tide star Mark Sears had just nine points on 3-of-10 shooting.
No. 6 St. John’s 82, Creighton 66
NEW YORK — RJ Luis Jr scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half as the top-seeded Red Storm pulled away for a victory over the second-seeded Bluejays to secure its first Big East conference tournament championship since 2000.
The Red Storm (30-4) won their ninth straight game by overcoming an early eight-point deficit a day after rallying from a 15-point deficit to beat Marquette in the semifinals. Selected the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Luis was 1 of 5 in the first half before making 10 of 13 shots as St. John’s dominated the second half. The Red Storm made 14 straight shots to turn a 41-38 deficit with 12:53 left into a 70-55 bulge with 5:16 remaining.
Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 15 on 7-of-10 shooting for the Bluejays (24-10), who lost their fifth title game in five tries since joining the Big East from the Missouri Valley in the 2013-14 season. Jackson McAndrew added 14 as Creighton shot 43.3 percent and misfired on 20 of 26 3-point attempts.
No. 16 Memphis 78, Tulane 77
Dain Dainja scored 23 points with 11 rebounds and the Tigers escaped with a win over the Green Wave in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference tournament in Fort Worth, Texas.
PJ Haggerty added 18 points and nine rebounds for Memphis (28-5), which is the top seed in the tournament. The Tigers advanced to Sunday’s conference title game, where they will face third-seeded UAB, which beat second-seeded North Texas Saturday.
Rowan Brumbaugh scored 22 points to lead fourth-seeded Tulane (19-14). Kam Williams scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Asher Woods chipped in 15 points.
No. 18 Wisconsin 77, No. 7 Michigan State 74
John Tonje poured in 32 points as the Badgers snapped the Spartans’ eight-game winning streak with a Big Ten tournament semifinal victory in Indianapolis.
Tonje delivered 11 points in five minutes during a defining second-half stretch for the Badgers (26-8), who advanced to the title game as the No. 5 seed for the second year in a row. They will face No. 22 Michigan, who rallied to beat No. 11 Maryland 81-80 in the other semifinal matchup. John Blackwell added 14 points. Carter Gilmore contributed 10, five assists and three blocks, including a crucial rejection in the final seconds off the bench for Wisconsin.
Freshman Jase Richardson paced top-seeded Michigan State (27-6) with 21 points and seven rebounds. Jeremy Fears Jr. added 14 points and six assists and Tre Holloman scored 10.
NBA NEWS
ROUND-UP
Jordan Poole swished a 35-foot, 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left to give the visiting Washington Wizards a stunning 126-123 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.
Poole had time to move closer but stopped well behind the 3-point line and hoisted the successful shot that gave the Eastern Conference-worst Wizards (15-51) a two-game season sweep of the Nuggets. Alex Sarr scored a career-high 34 points for Washington, which is 6-4 over its last 10 games.
It was a wild ending as Kyshawn George drilled a wide-open 3-pointer to give Washington a 123-121 lead with 10 seconds remaining. Denver’s Jamal Murray (24 points, seven assists and four steals) hit a tying 15-footer with 5.7 seconds left before the final sequence.
Nikola Jokic had 40 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists for Denver (43-25). Russell Westbrook had 22 points and 11 assists for the Nuggets. Westbrook became the 21st player in NBA history to top 26,000 points. He finished the night with 26,013.
Celtics 115, Nets 113
Kristaps Porzingis returned from a viral infection and scored 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter as visiting Boston continued its recent dominance over Brooklyn by holding on for a victory in New York.
After missing eight games, Porzingis helped the Celtics improve to 13-1 in their last 14 regular-season meetings with the Nets. Jayson Tatum added 20 as the Celtics won for the seventh time in eight games
The Nets lost for the 10th time in 11 games after their late comeback bid fell short. Cameron Johnson scored 23 points to lead Brooklyn and Keon Johnson added 21 as Brooklyn shot 46.7 percent and hit 20 3-pointers.
Rockets 117, Bulls 114
Jalen Green scored a game-high 28 points, helping lead Houston to a victory over visiting Chicago.
Alperen Sengun added 24 points and 15 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet finished with 23 points and seven assists, as Houston won its sixth straight game. Dillon Brooks’ 13 points and Jabari Smith Jr.’s 12 rounded out the balanced scoring night for the Rockets’ starters.
Chicago had its four-game winning streak snapped, despite Coby White’s 23 points and Tre Jones’ 19. Nikola Vucevic chipped in 15 points in the loss.
Bucks 126, Pacers 119
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 10 rebounds as Milwaukee held off visiting Indiana.
The win could prove crucial in NBA playoff tiebreakers. The teams entered the game tied for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee won the season series over the Pacers, taking three of the four matchups.
Damian Lillard had 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks and was 6-for-12 from 3-point range. Aaron Nesmith had a career-high 30 points for the Pacers and Pascal Siakam had 26. Tyrese Haliburton posted 24 points and 15 assists.
Thunder 113, Pistons 107
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 48 points and visiting Oklahoma City outlasted Detroit to continue its winning ways.
Cason Wallace had 20 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 with 10 rebounds for the Thunder, who have won nine of their last 10.
Detroit All-Star Cade Cunningham was ejected late in the third quarter for arguing with the officials. He matched his season low of 11 points to go with nine assists and seven rebounds. The Pistons were assessed a total of five technicals in the quarter.
Warriors 97, Knicks 94
Moses Moody broke a tie with 2:26 to go, Draymond Green added a back-breaking hoop with 25 seconds left and Golden State tightened the defensive screws on New York down the stretch in San Francisco.
Stephen Curry led the way with 28 points for the Warriors, who won their seventh straight. Moody finished with 18 points, while Jimmy Butler chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and a game high-tying seven assists.
Shooting 12-for-21, Karl-Anthony Towns had a game-high 29 points for the Knicks, who closed out a 2-3 Western swing. OG Anunoby totaled 23 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride contributed 19 points apiece.
Grizzlies 125, Heat 91
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points and Desmond Bane added 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to lead Memphis past visiting Miami.
Brandon Clarke scored 12 points, Zach Edey contributed 12 points and eight rebounds and Scotty Pippen Jr. had 11 points and 11 assists off the bench for Memphis, which won for the fifth time in six games. The Grizzlies improved to 10-3 when playing the second game of a back-to back.
Kel’el Ware led the Heat with 19 points and 11 rebounds and Bam Adebayo had 18 points and six boards. Kyle Anderson finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists off the bench for Miami, which has lost seven in a row.
Spurs 119, Pelicans 115
Devin Vassell scored 22 points, including a key 3-pointer with 1:03 to play, as host San Antonio held off New Orleans.
The Spurs have won two of their past three outings and pulled within four games of 10th-place Dallas for a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament with 16 contests left in the regular season. Harrison Barnes and Keldon Johnson added 19 points apiece for San Antonio.
New Orleans’ CJ McCollum led all scorers with 26 points and added a game-high nine assists, while Trey Murphy III had 20 points. The Pelicans lost for the sixth time in seven games and played without Zion Williamson, who missed the game for personal reasons.
NHL NEWS
ROUND-UP
Alex Ovechkin pulled one goal closer to claiming the NHL all-time record and the visiting Washington Capitals used a three-goal first period to claim a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
With a third-period tally that rounded out the scoring, Ovechkin deflected a point shot to net his 887th career goal. He needs seven goals to tie and eight to break the mark set by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin added an assist.
Dylan Strome, Aliaksei Protas, Taylor Raddysh and Trevor van Riemsdyk also scored for the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals, while Tom Wilson, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Lars Eller all collected two assists.
Macklin Celebrini scored for the Sharks, who sit at the bottom of the league standings and have just one win in five games. San Jose starting goalie Alexandar Georgiev was replaced after surrendering three goals on 17 shots in the first period. Georgi Romanov stopped nine of 11 shots in relief.
Lightning 6, Bruins 2
Anthony Cirelli started a two-goal performance with the game-winner during a dominant second period, propelling visiting Tampa Bay past Boston.
After the teams traded first-period goals, the Lightning rattled off three straight goals to break a 1-1 tie and held a 21-0 shots on goal advantage during the middle frame. Darren Raddysh and Nick Paul each registered one goal and one assist, while Victor Hedman and Brandon Hagel also scored for Tampa Bay, which broke a three-game skid (0-2-1).
Elias Lindholm registered a goal and an assist, and Marat Khusnutdinov also scored in the Bruins’ second consecutive loss. Boston’s Jeremy Swayman stopped 34 shots.
Senators 4, Maple Leafs 2
Claude Giroux scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Ottawa defeated host Toronto for its sixth straight victory.
Jake Sanderson, David Perron and Michael Amadio also scored for the Senators, who have won their past five games against the Maple Leafs — three this season. Linus Ullmark stopped 21 shots.
William Nylander and Auston Matthews scored for the Maple Leafs, who have lost five of six. Anthony Stolarz made 21 saves.
Hurricanes 5, Flyers 0
Mark Jankowski continued his hot start with his new team by scoring twice as Carolina extended its winning streak to seven games with a crisp road victory over Philadelphia.
Since a stretch of six losses in eight games, the Hurricanes have held seven straight opponents to two goals or fewer. Pyotr Kochetkov (26 saves) did the heavy lifting in this one. Taylor Hall and Sebastian Aho each chipped in a goal and an assist, while Eric Robinson and former Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere each registered a pair of assists.
Samuel Ersson made 25 saves for Philadelphia, which wrapped up its homestand with a disappointing 1-6-0 record.
Kings 1, Predators 0
Quinton Byfield scored for the sixth straight game at 3:20 of overtime to lift host Los Angeles past Nashville for its fifth consecutive victory.
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves for his second consecutive shutout for the Kings. He has four shutouts overall this season and 35 for his 13-year NHL career. Kuemper had not allowed a goal in seven straight periods entering the overtime, and Los Angeles finished it off when Adrian Kempe made a short centering pass to Byfield and he shot the puck into the net.
Justus Annunen made 20 saves for the Predators, who were coming off a 2-1 loss at the Anaheim Ducks on Friday that snapped a four-game winning streak.
Canadiens 3, Panthers 1
Cole Caufield had a goal with an assist, and Christian Dvorak netted his 100th career goal, as host Montreal beat Florida.
Caufield scored late in the first period, after assisting on Patrik Laine’s power-play goal for the Canadiens, who are in the mix for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Dvorak, meanwhile, added some third-period insurance with his milestone goal, and Sam Montembeault made 21 saves for the Canadiens, who are amid a 7-1-2 stretch and have won a season-high four straight at home.
Mackie Samoskevich continued his stellar first full NHL season with a second-period goal for the Panthers, who lead the Atlantic Division but have lost two of three after winning six in a row. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 12
Rangers 4, Blue Jackets 0
Vincent Trocheck scored two third-period goals and New York beat host Columbus in a battle of Eastern Conference wild-card contenders.
Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin each had a goal and an assist for the Rangers, who moved ahead of the Blue Jackets into sole possession of the second wild-card spot. Igor Shesterkin made 21 saves for his fifth shutout of the season and second straight against Columbus.
Daniil Tarasov made 17 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have lost three straight — the past two by shutout — since beating the Rangers 7-3 last Sunday.
Canucks 6, Blackhawks 2
Conor Garland, Elias Pettersson and Pius Suter each had a goal and an assist as host Vancouver continued its mastery over road-weary Chicago with a dominant win.
Quinn Hughes, Tyler Myers and Nils Aman also scored for Vancouver, which swept the three-game season series by winning their 10th straight contest over the Blackhawks. Arturs Silovs stopped 17 of 19 shots.
Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser scored goals and Ryan Donato had two assists for Chicago, which has lost 10 of the last 11 games away from home. Goaltender Arvid Soderblom struggled, allowing three goals on his first nine shots and finished with nine saves on 15 shots.
Blues 5, Wild 1
Jordan Kyrou scored a hat trick to lead St. Louis Blues to a win over Minnesota in Saint Paul, Minn.
Brayden Schenn added a goal and an assist and Jake Neighbours also scored for St. Louis, which snapped a two-game skid. Jake Middleton scored the lone goal for Minnesota, which dropped to 1-3-1 in its past five games.
Blues goaltender Joel Hofer turned aside 17 of 18 shots to improve to 12-7-3. Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson allowed four goals on 26 shots to fall to 25-15-4.
Sabres 4, Golden Knights 3 (SO)
Jack Quinn and Alex Tuch scored in the shootout to give host Buffalo a come-from-behind win over Vegas.
Rasmus Dahlin scored on a one-timer from just inside the blue line with 14 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. Former Sabre Victor Olofsson scored Vegas’ lone shootout goal.
Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker each scored in regulation for the Sabres, while Bowen Byram had two assists and Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 16 shots. Brett Howden, Pavel Dorofeyev and Jack Eichel supplied the goals in regulation for the Golden Knights, while Hill finished with 34 saves.
Penguins 7, Devils 3
Connor Dewar scored twice and Philip Tomasino added a goal and an assist, leading host Pittsburgh to a victory over New Jersey.
The Penguins extended their win streak to four as Danton Heinen, Rickard Rakell, Erik Karlsson and Kevin Hayes also scored. Tristan Jarry made 24 saves, moving to 4-0-0 since being recalled March 3.
Cody Glass, Timo Meier, and Nico Hischier responded for the Devils, which had their three-game win streak snapped. Jesper Bratt added three assists and Jacob Markstrom stopped 16 shots.
BASEBALL NEWS
ROUND-UP
Shortstop Jeremy Pena smacked a grand slam to fuel a six-run sixth inning as the host Houston Astros claimed a 6-4 win over Miami on Saturday in Palm Beach, Fla.
Astros starter Framber Valdez fired four scoreless innings, striking out six while allowing just three hits and a walk. Nick Hernandez (1-1) claimed the win despite allowing a run in his 1/3 of an inning. Jose Altuve went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the leadoff spot.
Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara also posted four scoreless innings as he amassed two strikeouts with two hits and one walk. Declan Cronin (0-1) took the loss as he surrendered five runs in relief. Nick Fortes and Otto Lopez poked two hits apiece and Agustin Ramirez popped a solo homer in the ninth.
Braves 7, Red Sox 3
Reigning National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale struck out nine in six innings to pace visiting Atlanta over Boston in Fort Myers, Fla.
Sale (1-1) gave up four hits and two runs – solo homers by Alex Bregman and Triston Casas – during his longest stint this spring. The Braves racked up 14 hits, which included three apiece by Nick Allen and Conner Capel.
Quinn Priester (1-1) started for the Red Sox and allowed six hits, three walks and three runs in his 2 2/3-inning stint. Casas accounted for two of the team’s six hits. Jarren Duran added a double.
Pirates 15, Orioles 5
Henry Davis cracked a grand slam in the eighth to cap the late surge that sent Pittsburgh to the win over visiting Baltimore in Bradenton, Fla.
Oneil Cruz, Jack Suwinski, Nick Gonzales and Ji Hwan Bae added two hits apiece for the Pirates while Cruz swiped his fifth and sixth bases. Starter Carmen Mlodzinski allowed one run and struck out three in his three innings.
Dylan Carlson (2-for-2) led off the game with a homer for the Orioles. Rookie Coby Mayo added a single and double in three trips. Starter Thaddeus Ward gave up five hits, three walks and four runs in his 2 2/3 innings, but Gregory Soto (0-1) took the loss for allowing a run in the fourth.
Phillies 2, Tigers 2
Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler each allowed two runs over five innings to trigger the tie in Clearwater, Fla.
Skubal fanned seven without a walk for the visiting Tigers but gave up six hits and two runs. Colt Keith collected two of Detroit’s three hits, which included a two-run double off Wheeler in the first.
Wheeler struck out three while allowing three hits, one walk and two unearned runs for the Phillies. Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh posted two hits apiece while Harper and Trea Turner notched RBIs.
Rays 7, Yankees 7
Tres Barrera drilled a two-run single with two outs in the ninth to cap a three-run inning and give host Tampa Bay the tie with New York in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Rays starter Drew Rasmussen struck out six with no walks over four innings but allowed five hits and three runs. Jose Caballero and Kenneth Piper poked two hits and scored one run apiece.
Jasson Dominguez went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple and Jorbit Vivas rapped three hits for the Yankees. Starter Will Warren fanned four with no walks over four innings but also allowed five hits and three runs.
Cardinals 9, Blue Jays 5
Alex Burleson and Lars Nootbaar cracked home runs as host St. Louis never trailed against Toronto in Jupiter, Fla.
The Cardinals lashed 16 hits as Brendan Donovan (3-for-4), Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, Burleson and Nootbaar each enjoyed multiple-hit days. Starter Andre Pallante (2-0) stretched out to five innings and posted five strikeouts, two walks, six hits and three runs (two earned).
Robert Brooks and Will Robertson provided ninth-inning homers for the Blue Jays, who also got two hits from Ernie Clement. Starter Bowden Francis gave up seven hits and three runs while fanning five during his 3 2/3 innings. Brendon Little (1-1) allowed two runs in the fifth to take the loss.
GOLF NEWS
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – It was a case of damage limitation in difficult, wind-swept conditions Saturday at The Players Championship where J.J. Spaun emerged with a one-shot lead after the third round.
The 34-year-old Californian, who earned his first PGA Tour win at the 2022 Valero Texas Open after 147 career starts, hung tough to card a 2-under-par 70 at the TPC Sawgrass for a 12-under total of 204.
Spaun led by two after sinking a 30-footer for birdie from off the green at the par-5 16th. He then stumbled with a three-putt bogey from long range at the iconic 17th hole before saving par with a 25-foot putt at 18 to stay one shot ahead.
Bud Cauley, who earned a spot in the PGA Tour’s flagship event after Lee Hodges withdrew Monday, was alone in second at 11 under after firing a sparkling six-under 66, while Lucas Glover (71) and Alex Smalley (72) were at 9-under.
Scoring was not at all easy for the late starters as winds strengthened from 15-20 mph in the afternoon, with gusts up to 34 mph. The scoreboard fluctuated wildly, and six players held at least a share of the lead.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, two strokes off the pace overnight, stayed in the title hunt with a 73 that included three birdies and four bogeys. He was in a tie for fifth at 8-under par with Akshay Bhatia (75) and Canada’s Corey Conners (66).
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, the reigning champion who is bidding for an unprecedented third successive Players victory, stood at 5 under after a 72 that included two bogeys in his last three holes.
“It was a tough finish for me,” said Scheffler. “I felt like I did some good things there towards the end and just the shots weren’t going exactly where I thought they were going to. … I did a pretty good job managing it most of the day. It was just really tough out there.”
Due to inclement weather forecast for Sunday afternoon, the PGA Tour moved up start times for Sunday’s final round, with the field teeing off in threesomes from 8-10:01 a.m. ET. Those lower on the leaderboard will start their rounds on the 10th hole.
###Joaquin Niemann shot a 64 to move up the leaderboard and tie Dustin Johnson for the second-round lead at LIV Golf Singapore on Saturday.
Johnson, the first-round leader, recorded a round of 68, following an opening round 63. He and Niemann sit at 11-under 131 for the tournament, three shots ahead of Lucas Herbert (66 on Saturday), Jason Kokrak (66), Cameron Tringale (67) and Sebastian Munoz (68) at Sentosa Golf Club.
Johnson’s 4Aces GC also rose to 20-under, taking a five-stroke lead over Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC in the team competition. Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC, seeking a third consecutive team title, are eight strokes back.
Niemann, of Chile, mixed eight birdies and a bogey in the second round. He and Johnson will play in the leaders’ group in the final round for the first time since 2022 in Boston, a tournament won by Johnson when he holed a eagle putt on a playoff hole.
Both Niemann and Johnson have three LIV tournament wins to go with multiple team victories. Niemann has one win this season, capturing the tournament at LIV Adelaide.
“It’s always fun playing with DJ,” Niemann said. “I’m excited for that tomorrow.”
So is Johnson.
“Obviously I’m in a good position with a chance to win but need to go out and … play really good,” Johnson said. “Obviously there’s a lot of really good players right around the lead, so nothing is safe.”
Kokrak, in the group three shots back at 134, would continue a winning streak by members of Smash GC with an individual title. Teammates Talor Gooch (2023) and captain Brooks Koepka (2024) won the past two seasons in Singapore.
“Good vibes with two teammates that have already won here,” Kokrak said. “I know the golf course well enough. I know what to do. It’s just going out there and actually doing it.”
On the team side, Mickelson’ HyFlyers have yet to win a title. They finished third last week in Hong Kong, with Mickelson in third in the player standings to make his first LIV podium.
Tringale, another player in the race for the individual title, said he wants a victory just as much for the HyFlyers, which also has Andy Ogletree and Brendan Steele on its team.
“We all just want it so bad,” Tringale said. “We want to prove to people that we’re a legitimate team. There’s no reason we can’t do it. We’re all excited about the chance.”
The 4Aces have seven victories to their credit but none since 2023, a drought spanning 22 events.
“Last year was probably a little bit frustrating, and then obviously it’s still early this year, but it seems like we’re all four playing pretty solid right now,” Johnson said of his team. “That’s the key to winning out here is you’ve got to have four players all playing well. If you can do that, then you give yourself a chance to win.”
But he isn’t taking anything for granted.
“The competition is so good out here,” Johnson said. “The quality of players from top to bottom is pretty high. To win as a team, it’s really tough.”
TOP INDIANA HEADLINES
INDIANA PACERS
The Indiana Pacers completed the second night of back-to-back contests in Milwaukee as they took on the Bucks. In a tightly contested race for home court advantage in the playoffs, the Bucks and the Pacers occupy the fourth and fifth seeds in the Eastern Conference. Indiana surged at the end of the fourth quarter, and fought back from multiple 15+ point deficits, but fell to the Bucks, 126-119.
Indiana started the game with hot shooting as three straight 3-pointers – two from Tyrese Haliburton and one from Myles Turner – carried the Pacers from down one point to leading by three points in less than a minute of game time. Milwaukee responded out of a timeout with a 7-2 run that gave the Bucks a four point lead with 4:11 to play in the first quarter.
Milwaukee jumped out to a 10-point lead in the final two minutes of the first frame. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge for the Bucks as he finished the first 12 minutes of play with 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Milwaukee led Indiana after the first quarter, 38-30.
The Bucks carried that momentum into the second quarter as they opened the period with an 11-0 run to open up a 19-point advantage.
Pascal Siakam brought some energy back for Indiana as he recorded a block and two baskets within 31 seconds of game time. He found himself wide open for a dunk before collecting the block on the defensive end. On the next offensive possession, Siakam converted a layup to cut the Bucks’ lead back down to 15 points.
Aaron Nesmith cut the lead down to 10 points as he connected on a 3-pointer to cap a 9-0 run by the Pacers. Indiana grew that run to 11 unanswered points before Milwaukee would find the bottom of the net again.
Siakam proved to be the catalyst for Indiana in the second quarter as he amassed 17 points in the frame. The Pacers danced within 10 points of the Bucks for the majority of the second period, but surged in the final minutes to trail by just five points at halftime, 65-60.
Nesmith shined in the third quarter as he racked up 11 points in the period. The Pacers hovered within 10 points of the Bucks for much of the third, and cut the lead to just four points following a Haliburton steal and score.
The Bucks used a 16-2 run to jump out to another 18-point lead as Antetokounmpo tallied 14 third quarter points, and Milwaukee led after three quarters,100-82.
Milwaukee went on to extend its lead to as many as 16 points with eight minutes remaining in the game. The Pacers answered with a 19-8 run to cut the lead to six points with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, 120-114.
Nembhard drove to the basket and drew a foul on Antetokounmpo in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. The foul was Antetokounmpo’s sixth infraction, and the Bucks were without him for the final two minutes of play.
With under a minute remaining on the game clock, and Antetokounmpo on the bench due to fouls, Milwaukee executed an offensive possession in which it grabbed two offensive rebounds and bled over 25 seconds of time. Siakam and Haliburton trapped Lillard in the backcourt, forcing a turnover and allowing Siakam to convert a layup to bring Indiana within two points with 19 seconds remaining.
A 27-foot 3-point bomb from Andrew Nembhard cut Milwaukee’s lead down to just three points with 12.7 seconds remaining. Nembhard and Nesmith nearly stole the ball as the Bucks inbounded it following Nembhard’s shot, but officials whistled for a defensive foul, awarding the Bucks free throws.
Milwaukee hung on to win, 126-119, and took the season series with the Pacers, 3-1.
A career-high 30 points from Nesmith led the Pacers in scoring, followed by Siakam’s 26 points and Haliburton’s 24. Haliburton notched 15 assists and zero turnovers in the game, and recorded five steals.
INDY FUEL
CINCINNATI- The Fuel headed to Cincinnati for a Saturday night matchup with the Cyclones. After a low-scoring game, it came down to a goal in the final three minutes and Indy took the 2-1 victory.
1ST PERIOD
Just about three minutes into the first period, the Fuel had a huge chance as the puck glided over every part of Cincy’s crease but it somehow stayed out of the net.
Things got chippy quickly between these two teams but the first penalty didn’t come until 9:01 when Cincinnati’s Chris Dodero sat for tripping. The Cyclones killed it off.
Owen Norton headed to the box for hooking at 11:40 right after a great save by Ben Gaudreau in net for the Fuel. Indy headed to the penalty kill and was successful.
Kyle Bollers scored at 16:52 to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead. Immediately after, pushing and shoving ensued between the two teams but no penalties were called.
The period ended soon after, with Indy outshooting the Cyclones 7-6 despite being down 1-0.
2ND PERIOD
At 6:45, Darby Llewellyn scored to tie the game 1-1 with the help of Bryan Lemos and Lucas Brenton.
The tensions boiled over at 10:29 when Indy’s Spencer Cox took a kneeing penalty that turned into a fight between both teams. Cox also ended up with a roughing minor penalty along with Lemos. Cincinnati took the offsetting roughing minors to Dante Sheriff and Rhett Parsons.
As a result, Indy went to the penalty kill for two minutes but killed it off.
At 15:25, Marko Sikic took a tripping penalty, putting the Fuel on the power play once more. The Cyclones were able to kill off that penalty though.
Just as that penalty expired, Bilek and Cincinnati’s Frasca headed to their respective penalty boxes for slashing and they argued all the way there.
As that penalty expired, Frasca caught a breakaway exiting the penalty box but his shot rang off the post just before the buzzer sounded for the end of the second period.
Indy still had the edge in shots 15-12 while heading to the locker room, tied 1-1.
3RD PERIOD
Both teams had a few good chances in the first half of the third period while staying disciplined.
Lucas Brenton took the period’s first penalty at 11:11 for cross checking, but the Fuel ultimately killed it off.
At 17:51, after a long battle in front of the net, Kevin Lombardi put the puck in the net for the late go-ahead goal. With the help of Kyle Maksimovich and Nick Grima, the Fuel went up 2-1. The officials did review this goal but it was called a good goal.
With less than a minute to go, Peksa left the Cincinnati crease in favor of the extra skater. After a whistle, the Cyclones took a time out to plan their final push but they could not make anything happen.
The Fuel took the 2-1 victory after outshooting Cincy 22-21.
INDY IGNITE
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (March 15, 2025) – The tenacity of the Indy Ignite shined bright in their comeback victory today at Grand Rapids. On the heels of an energy-zapping five-set loss two nights prior, the Ignite rallied after dropping the first set to the host Rise, winning by scores of 22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22.
The triumph nudged the Ignite back above the .500 mark for the season at 9-8, also moving them into a third-place tie with Atlanta in the Pro Volleyball Federation standings ahead of the Vibe’s match later today. Grand Rapids fell to 7-10 on the season.
Indy appeared sluggish in the opening set with the Rise after suffering an emotional reverse-sweep loss to league-leading Omaha less than 48 hours earlier. Grand Rapids led the first set 24-16 before the Ignite flickered to life, staving off six straight set points before falling 25-22. Though they dropped the set, the entire Indy team was revitalized with the late spark.
“Anytime you can build momentum even in a losing situation in a set, it’s big deal,” Ignite head coach George Padjen explained. “Volleyball is very momentum driven, so it was important for us to get those points running at the end of game one. It definitely let everybody kind of relax a little bit, understand that we’re very capable of getting a win on the road.”
The second set was tied 15-15 when the Ignite ran off five straight points to take control. Opposite hitter Azhani Tealer, who set PVF records for points (35) and kills (31) in the match against Omaha, sealed the 25-20 second-set win today with her fifth kill of the set. Making her first start of the season, outside hitter Carly Skjodt added three kills, a block and was one of three Indy players with a service ace in the set.
The third set was deadlocked at 14 when the Ignite went on another explosive run, outscoring the Rise 10-3 to put it out of reach. Outside hitter Anna DeBeer scored the last three points on kills during the run, then her kill attempt ruled a block touch by Grand Rapids sealed the third-set win for Indy, 25-19.
Determined not to let the match go to a fifth set, Indy never trailed in the fourth. A 6-1 run sparked by two blocks from middle blocker Lydia Martyn and a service ace each by middle blocker Caroline “CC” Crawford and setter Sydney Hilley pumped the Ignite to an 11-5 lead. Grand Rapids kept battling, however, and closed within a single point four times late in the set, the last at 23-22. The Ignite then scored the final two points – the match-ender on Skjodt’s team-leading 15th kill – to wrap up the victory.
“It was so much fun,” Skjodt said of the chance to start and see extended playing time. “I just love playing volleyball and this group is super fun to compete with every day in practice. Grand Rapids runs a super-quick offense, so we really just were trying to get our bearings that first set. Once we kind of settled in and started being the aggressors a bit more, I think that’s when we started running those points towards the end and that momentum helped us for the rest of the match.”
To go along with her season-best kills performance, Skjodt added two blocks and an ace to total 18 points, and she had eight digs. Padjen said Skjodt’s performance in recent practices earned her a shot to start.
“Carly does a good job every day and you’re cutting hairs when you talk about players at this level,” he said. “They all are very talented and I think that her day-to-day work in the gym has paid off. It’s been really strong the past couple weeks. We saw an opportunity to get someone in with some great playing experience.
“She definitely had a hell of a day today. I was incredibly happy for her that she got the opportunity and took advantage of it.”
DeBeer also totaled 18 points with 13 kills, three blocks, two aces and 11 digs. Tealer (14 points) and Martyn (11 points) scored in double figures for Indy as well, Martyn upping her league-leading kill percentage by connecting on eight of 14 attempts (57.1%). Hilley did her typical masterful job distributing to her offensive weapons, handing out 47 assists.
As a team, the Ignite registered an impressive kill percentage (43.8%) and kill efficiency (28.1%). Defensively, they were strong at the net with 14 blocks, one off their season high.
Indy returns home to host the Columbus Fury (5-11) on Thursday. Tickets for the match at Fishers Event Center are available at Ticketmaster via the Ignite website. The 7 p.m. ET match is also available to stream free on the Roku Channel.
PURDUE BASEBALL
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Logan Sutter connected for a go-ahead grand slam to open the scoring in an eight-run eighth inning as Purdue Baseball rallied for a 9-3 series-clinching victory vs. UIC on Saturday at Alexander Field.
The nightcap of the doubleheader was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the fourth inning with UIC leading 4-0. The teams will attempt to finish the game Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets for either Saturday or Sunday this weekend are valid for admission to Alexander on Sunday.
Jackson Bessette’s home runs to left field in the first and eighth innings gave the Flames (3-15) a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the eighth. Albert Choi’s one-out walk ignited the rally and he later delivered a two-out RBI single to cap the scoring in the eight-run inning, which saw the Boilermakers (17-2) send 13 men to the plate.
Sutter hit Purdue’s fourth grand slam of the season and his second as a Boilermaker. It marked the second Saturday in a row a Purdue player hit a go-ahead grand slam in a comeback win, with Aaron Manias delivering the game-changing swing last weekend in the seventh inning at Minnesota.
Sutter increased his RBI total to 33 with his team-leading sixth home run of the season. He became the fastest Boilermaker ever (by date on the calendar) to reach the 30-RBI mark, eclipsing the previous standard by six days.
Entering the at-bat, Sutter was hitless in his last 12 plate appearances dating back to March 9. However, he was robbed of a two-out RBI double when left fielder Luke Nowak made a nice running catch on the warning track to end the bottom of the seventh.
STREAKS EXTENDED
• Albert Choi – 19-game on-base (as a Boilermaker), 7-game hit
• Brandon Anderson – 18-game on-base
• Lukas Cook: 9-game hit
• Brandon Rogers – 6-game on-base
On the mound, Easton Storey (5+ IP, 2 R, 4 K), Gavin Beuter (2 IP, R, K) and Isaac Milburn (2 IP, 0 R, 2 K) teamed up for nine innings of three-run ball. Storey pitched the majority of his five innings from the stretch after giving up eight hits (seven singles), but he kept the visitors off the scoreboard after Bessette’s first-inning home run.
Purdue threw out runners at third base and home plate to end the fourth and fifth innings, helping Storey’s cause and staying within striking distance on a day in which the lineup produced just two hits through seven innings.
Keenan Spence threw the runner out at third base from right field, preventing UIC from having runners on the corners in the top of the fourth. Lukas Cook easily cut down a runner at the plate after the Flames got aggressive on a two-out infield single the following frame.
The Boilermakers squandered Manias’ leadoff double in the seventh inning when it was still a one-run game. But the fourth time through the lineup proved fruitful. Choi’s one-out walk kept his on-base streak alive at 19 consecutive games and Cook followed with a base hit to extend his hit streak to nine straight games. Brandon Anderson walked in front of Sutter, extending his on-base streak to 18 games in the process.
The bottom of the lineup kept the rally rolling. Houston Russell scored on a wild pitch, Brandon Rogers delivered an RBI single, Rogers and Breck Nowik teamed up for a successful double steal with runners on the corners, and Choi singled home Nowik.
Cook turned a game-ending 6-3 double play. He made his first start of the season at second base — moving to shortstop for the final inning – and made a diving stop to take away a two-out base hit in the second inning. UIC likely would have had runners on the corners for the top of the lineup if not for the play.
Russell reached base safely in three of his four plate appearances. His opposite-field single and some quality first-to-third base running by Manias set the stage for quite possibly the longest sacrifice fly in the history of Alexander Field. Terrick Thompson-Allen made a nice leaping catch at the center field wall in front of the 408 (distance marker) on a ball hit by Spence.
PURDUE SOFTBALL
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Purdue dropped a one-run thriller to No. 6 UCLA in the second game of the opening Big Ten series in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Kyndall Bailey earned the only two hits in the game, hitting her first-career home run to put Purdue ahead in the first inning, and adding a single in the sixth.
On the mound, Purdue used three pitchers in the game with the being starter Kendall Klochack, with Emma Bailey, and Julia Gossett in relief.
BOILER BITS (at #6 UCLA)
Offensive Highlights:
Kyndall Bailey: 2-for-3, RBI, HR
Pitching Breakdown:
Kendall Klochack (L, 5-2) : 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 17 BF
Emma Bailey: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BF
Julia Gossett: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 5 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Boilermakers started off with a bang against No. 6 UCLA, as Kyndall Bailey hit her first-career home run to put Purdue up 1-0 in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, the Bruins answered with a run of their own on back-to-back singles and a walk that loaded the bases, before a fielder’s choice brought one around.
The second inning was scoreless on both sides, before UCLA took the lead in the bottom of the third on a solo home run.
After back-to-back perfect innings in the fourth and the fifth from Kendall Klochack and Emma Bailey, the Boilers caused some trouble in the bottom of the fifth. The Bruins allowed two Boilers to get on after making two errors, but stranded the runners to end the threat.
In the sixth, K. Bailey earned her second hit of the day on a single through the left side, but the Boilers were unable to string hits together to even the score. Julia Gossett came to the mound in the bottom of the inning, and was able to hold the Bruins, stranding two runners with an inning-ending strikeout.
Down to its final at-bat, Purdue went down in order, dropping the one-run battle to UCLA.
UP NEXT
Purdue will return to Easton Stadium for the final game of the series tomorrow, Mar. 16 to take on UCLA in game three to close out the Big Ten opening series.
PURDUE TRACK
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The 2024-25 Purdue Indoor Track & Field season concluded on Saturday with Cameron Miller (200m) and Praise Aniamaka (triple jump) earning First Team All-American honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
The 4x400m relay team of Miller, Connor Czajkowski, Brett Otterbacher and Antoine Spencer earned Second Team All-American selections with their 10th-place finish.
Men’s Notes
• Miller finished third at nationals in 20.49 to earn his fifth First Team All-American selection and second indoors. The 200m and 4x400m All-American nods bring Miller’s total to four as a Boilermaker.
• His third-place finish was the highest of his career (indoors or outdoors) with his previous top finish coming at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships (fourth) with Louisville.
• Aniamaka finished fifth with a jump of 16.14m (52-11.50) to earn his first First Team All-American honor during indoor. He was a Second Team All-American last indoor season with a ninth-place finish.
• He is now a four-time All-American – twice indoor and outdoor. The fifth-place finish is his highest at a nationals meet after he was sixth at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
• The 4x400m relay team finished 10th in 3:08.81. The group that ran on Saturday holds the program record (3:04.95) that won the Big Ten and qualified for the national meet.
• Purdue scored 10 points to finish tied for 26th. The total is the fifth-most points scored in Purdue history.
Women’s Notes
• Jalen Elrod concluded the indoor season on Friday with an eighth-place finish in the pentathlon. She became the first All-American in the pentathlon in program history.
• Zoe Sullivan finished the season 13th at nationals in the 60m hurdles. She joined Devynne Charlton as the only two Boilermakers to earn All-American honors in the 60mH.
Head Coach Tony Miller’s Thoughts on the National Meet
“For the men to score 10 points and the women’s team getting a point for the first time in a long time was awesome. It’s shows what we’re capable of. It was an awesome job for the season. The coaches did a great job as well. Now it’s time to move outdoors and do it all again.”
Coach Miller on Jalen Elrod
“This was an amazing performance. Jalen Elrod being First Team All-American in the pentathlon is unprecedented for our program. It’s the first time our program has had an All-American in that event, that’s an awesome job by her.”
Coach Miller on Miller and Aniamaka
“Cam and Praise becoming First Team All-Americans was phenomenal. It was a great ending to the season for them.”
Next Up
The Boilermakers start the outdoor season March 21-22 in Tampa, Fla. for the USF Alumni Invitational.
NOTRE DAME TRACK
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Jadin O’Brien broke her own school record along with the ACC and facility records en route to earning her third-consecutive NCAA pentathlon champion on Friday afternoon at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.
O’Brien and teammate Alaina Brady were two of the 16 student-athletes competing in the 2025 pentathlon on Friday. Siona Chisholm qualified in the 5000m race to represent the Irish on Friday afternoon.
Jadin O’Brien posted the fastest time in the 60m hurdles among all four heats with a personal-best time of 8.16. Alaina Brady posted a time of 8.48 in the event for sixth overall. O’Brien cleared 1.69m on the high jump as Brady added a 1.63m effort. O’Brien posted the second-best shot put throw of the day with a 14.5m mark. Brady came in at 13.18m for the sixth-best performance in the shot put.
O’Brien held the lead through four events after a 6.19m long jump. She used a big kick out of the final turn of the 800m run to post a time of 2:12.65 for 926 points in the event. Her overall mark of 4596 set a new school record, a new ACC record, and a new facility record while securing O’Brien’s third-consecutive NCAA Championship in the pentathlon.
Brady added a 5.53m long jump and finished the day with a 2:28.18 in the 800m race for a cumulative point total of 3956 to finish 15th.
Chisholm battled for over 2000m of her race but ultimately did not finish.
Day two of the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Notre Dame’s Madison Schmidt will compete in the women’s high jump beginning at noon.
NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Notre Dame Softball team fell in heartbreak fashion in the rubber match at NC State, 3-5 in extra innings after losing in the first game. With the losses, Notre Dame is now 12-15 on the season and 2-4 in ACC play.
Game One
Leading off the inning, Emily Tran reached on an error and stole her sixth base of the season to get into scoring position for the heart of the order. She advanced to third on an Addison Amaral flyout to the warning track in right center with two outs, but was stranded to end the inning.
Kami Kamzik got the nod in game one, making her eighth start of the season. The sophomore was coming off a complete game performance a week ago at Louisville, where she struck out a career-high nine batters.
After holding the Wolfpack scoreless the past 19 innings, NC State finally broke through, scoring three runs in the opening inning off Kamzik, ending her afternoon after only recording one out. Shannon Becker took over and ended the inning with a flyout and strikeout.
NC State tacked on another in the second inning off a RBI double just over the outstretched leap of Anna Holloway at second. The Wolfpack led 4-0 after two.
With two outs in the top of the third, Tran walked and stole another base, but was stranded again. Notre Dame was still looking for its first hit after three innings.
A solo home run in both the bottom of the third and fifth put NC State up 6-0. After five innings, Wolfpack starter Carly Maxton had held the Irish hitless after five innings of play.
In the top of the sixth, Sydney Poeck lined a single into left to break up the potential NC State no-hit bid. NC State would go on to win game one of the doubleheader 6-0.
Game Two
The Irish got back-to-back walks from Poeck and Amaral to put early pressure on NC State, but the Wolfpack pitching continued to have the edge against Notre Dame, as starter Wynne Gore managed to escape the jam unharmed.
Notre Dame went to Micaela Kastor in the rubber match. The junior was making her team-most 12th start of the season. She tossed a scoreless first, including a swinging strikeout to end the opening frame.
Much like game one, the Wolfpack got the bats going after that. Back-to-back two out hits with runners in scoring position got NC State on the board first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-0 lead after two.
In the top of the fourth, Olivia Levitt grounded a ball down the third base line for a single. The Irish third basemen advanced to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Jane Kronenberger ripped a ball off the wall in right center field to score Levitt and cut the lead in half. It was the eighth RBI of the season for the senior outfielder.
NC State threatened again in the bottom of the fourth. With a runner on third and one out, a ground ball hit to Amaral at short was fired home to Rachel Allen to tag out the potential Wolfpack run, and kept the Irish deficit to one after four. That would be the final inning for Kastor, who allowed two earned runs over four innings. She struck out three.
Notre Dame opened up the fifth inning with back-to-back singles from Tran and Poeck at the top of the order for Amaral. And the Irish shortstop delivered. She ripped a ball into left field to score Tran to tie the game and after an errant throw from the left fielder, Poeck came across for the lead. The Irish took its first lead of the day 3-2 in the fifth.
Brianne Weiss got the call from the bullpen to start the bottom of the fifth. The freshman tossed a complete game shutout in her first career start last night. The southpaw continued her dominance, throwing a 1-2-3 inning.
After a strikeout from Weiss to start the bottom of the sixth, NC State loaded the bases with one out. But the freshman in the circle was unrattled, getting a huge swinging strike out followed by a routine fly ball to right to end the Wolfpack threat in the sixth as Notre Dame took the one run lead into the seventh.
To open up the seventh, NC State’s leadoff hitter lined a ball off of Poeck’s glove in left. But Poeck got up and fired the ball in quickly to Holloway at second, tagging out the potential tying run at second for the first out.
But after a 17-pitch at-bat ended in a walk, the Wolfpack were able to manufacture an unearned game-tying run on a bloop single into left field to knot the game at three and send it to extras.
In the top of the eighth, Caroline O’Brien worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a couple of groundouts. But the freshman was stranded 60-feet away from home after a flyout to left that ended the top half of the eighth.
A leadoff double was the catalyst for NC State in the bottom of the eighth. Two batters later, a two-run homer to left center secured the series win for the Wolfpack.
After 27 straight games on the road to open the season, Notre Dame finally returns to Melissa Cook Stadium to host Indiana on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the home opener. The innerstate rivalry will be broadcast on ACC Network. It’s the first of a nine-game homestand for the Irish.
NOTRE DAME HOCKEY
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The 2024-25 hockey season came to a close for the University of Notre Dame Saturday night in a hard fought battle against No. 2/2 and top-overall seed Michigan State 0-1. The loss marked the final game behind the bench for Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach Jeff Jackson, as his 20-year career with the Irish came to a close.
In 20 seasons as the Irish bench boss, Jackson accrued a record of 419-290-74 and is the winningest coach in program history. Jackson’s hall of fame career also includes 601 career Division I victories which ranks ninth all-time and was the winningest active coach through the 2024-25 season.
Sophomore center Danny Nelson won the opening draw for the visitors Saturday inside the sold out Munn Ice Arena as the Irish attack went to work early against the Spartans. The Irish won the first three faceoffs to start the contest and get the Irish in the offensive end less than three minutes into the contest but a successful clear from deep in their own end brought the puck into the Irish zone as Owen Say was forced to make a series of saves early.
Freshman Jimmy Jurcev laid out to block a shot early, denying the Spartans a two-on-one chance at 4:40 of the opening period to keep it scoreless.
The Spartans nearly took the lead just about halfway through the first when a shot from the point ricocheted off the pan of glass directly behind the net and bounced back towards Say. Defenseman Axel Kumlin stood at the ready just outside the crease to sweep the loose puck away.
A shot from Paul Fischer right in front of the Spartan net sent the contest to the first media timeout of the evening as the two teams stood in a 0-0 stalemate with under eight minutes to play in the opening frame.
The Irish found themselves on the powerplay at 14:51 after a crosscheck after the whistle sent an MSU skater to the box. Despite a few chances on net, the Irish were unable to convert on the man-advantage and the score remained locked 0-0 with three minutes left in the period.
A physical first period came to a close with Say turning aside all 17 shots faced in a scoreless contest.
After an early second period save by Say at the opposite end of the net, Blake Biondi raced in all alone up ice but his breakaway chance was denied by Trey Augusitine in the MSU net as neither team was able to find the opening goal through the first four minutes of the second stanza.
The Spartans spent much of the early moments of the second period following the Biondi chance in their offensive end. It was Notre Dame that was whistled first for a penalty in the second stanza as an Irish forward was called for a hook along the far halfwall and the Irish were forced to kill the infraction.
The Notre Dame defense stepped up on the kill partway through the second as Justin Janicke’s block in the slot set up a shorthanded chance for Cole Knuble but his shot sailed slightly wide and the game remained 0-0. In the waning seconds of the penalty kill, Zach Plucinski jumped in front of a shot to keep it off net, notching his 201st career blocked shot as the Irish posted a successful kill and returned to even strength.
A hooking call against the Irish at 10:33 of the second period sent Notre Dame back to the box but the disadvantage didn’t last long as the Spartans were called for the same infraction just seconds later and the ice saw four-on-four play for 1:53.
Both teams managed to kill off their respective infractions unscathed but the Irish were quickly sent back to the penalty box as a loose stick was kicked out of the way and the visitors were called for interference.
The Irish managed to kill off the penalty while nearly breaking the stalemate after the team’s leading scorers Janicke and Knuble connected on a shot that trickled just inches off target.
With under two minutes to play in the second period, the Spartan crowd thought the home squad had gotten on the board as a shot rippled the back side of the net but the score stayed knotted late in the frame.
Notre Dame was called for their third hooking infraction of the night with 1:28 to play in the second period as they were forced to send their penalty kill unit back on the ice for the final seconds of the frame.
The Irish managed to kill off the first 88 seconds of the penalty to carry the 0-0 score into the second intermission Saturday night.
MSU opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the third period as a shot from the near circle hit both pipes before crossing the line as the Spartans made it a 1-0 game with the powerplay goal.
The Irish continued to press halfway through the final period of regulation as they trailed by one with their season on the line.
Senior Hunter Strand nearly had the equalizer on the doorstep with just over four minutes to play but his backhand shot went high over the crossbar and the Irish continued to search for the game-tying goal.
The Irish nearly had another with 2:45 to play as Cole Knuble attempted the wraparound but his shot was picked off at the final second and play continued with the Irish trailing by one.
Owen Say started heading towards the bench with 1:10 to play in the third but an icing against the Irish brought the faceoff back into the Notre Dame end and he was forced to return. Notre Dame called timeout following the icing and opted to send their top powerplay unit on the ice for the final rush.
Despite a last second pressure up ice, the Irish season came to a close as the horn sounded on a 45-save performance by the junior netminder, Say, who tied his career best with the Irish in the loss.
KEY STATS
The Irish combined to post double digit blocked shots for the fourth consecutive postseason game as the Notre Dame defense stepped in front of 15 pucks Saturday night.
Hunter Strand and Jimmy Jurcev boasted a team-high three blocked shots each.
With four shots on goal a piece, graduating forwards Justin Janicke and Blake Biondi led the team in the category.
Owen Say’s 45 saves between the pipes for the Irish in the final game of the season tied his career-high in an Irish sweater.
NOTRE DAME MEN’S LAX
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 8/7 Fighting Irish never trailed in a complete, wire-to-wire 19-7 victory over Michigan on Saturday at U-M Lacrosse Stadium to improve to 4-2 on the season. The 12-goal victory marks the largest by margin in the series against the Wolverines.
The dominant Irish attack was led by Chris Kavanagh, who posted a seven-point performance off four goals and three assists. Jake Taylor, Will Angrick, Devon McLane and Will Maheras each finished with two goals in the winning effort.
Senior FOGO Will Lynch was masterful at the dot, winning 13-of-16 faceoffs and matching his career high in ground balls with 13 to give the Irish possession after possession.
In goal Thomas Ricciardelli turned in an efficient performance, making 10 saves while allowing just six past him.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Irish controlled the majority of the first quarter of play, outscoring the hosts 5-1 over the opening 15 minutes of action. Angrick opened the scoring off a wing dodge on the first possession of the day to make it 1-0 early for Notre Dame.
After a Michigan score leveled it at 1-1 at the 12-minute mark the Irish responded with four straight goals to close out the first frame. McLane scored twice along with goals from Kavanagh and a behind-the-back finish from Taylor to give ND the four-goal advantage.
The Irish were able to extend the lead to five at the half, winning the quarter 3-2 to make the halftime score 8-3. Notre Dame scored the first two goals of the second stanza before Michigan answered with two of their own. Kavanagh then completed his first half hat trick with his third goal at the 3:06 mark to send the Irish to the break up five.
Michigan scored the first goal of the second half to trim the lead to 8-4 and then it was all Irish the rest of the way. The attack erupted for seven goals in the final seven minutes and change of the third quarter to take a commanding 15-4 lead into the final 15 minutes of action. Impressively, all seven goals were scored by different players in the run to blow the game open.
Notre Dame carried its momentum into the fourth quarter, pushing their run to nine straight scores off goals from Maheras and Brock Behrman. After two goals from the hosts Jeffery Ricciardelli got on the scoresheet before Gavin Burlace scored the first of his career as the Irish went on to win by a score of 19-7.
STAT OF THE GAME
Twelve different ? scored for the Fighting Irish in the victory and 10 of the 19 goals came off an assist.
NOTRE DAME NOTES
The Irish improved to 7-1 against Michigan in the all-time series, including each of the last five matchups.
Notre Dame has defeated Michigan by double digits in each of the last three contests.
With four goals on the day, Kavanagh now has 131 career goals, which ranks third all-time in program history.
Kavanagh’s seven points give him 206 in his career, becoming just the fourth player in program history to reach 200-career points. He joins his brothers Pat (301) and Matt (225) along with fellow Irish great Randy Colley (273).
Kavanagh’s hat trick was his fourth hat trick of the season and 24th of his career.
Taylor moved up to a tie for eighth in program history for career goals, as his two-goal performance on Saturday gives him 115 career goals tying him with Chris Dusseau on the all-time list.
Matt Jeffery and Gavin Burlace each scored their first career goal in the win.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame has next weekend off before opening up ACC play at Arlotta Stadium against No. 6/8 Duke at noon ET on Saturday, March 29. The game will air on ESPNU and admission is free.
BUTLER SOFTBALL
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Butler softball team lost it first conference game of the season after a strong Providence offense put up ten runs in a shutout victory. The Friars (6-15, 3-2 BIG EAST) scored all their runs in the first, second, and third innings. The Bulldogs (15-7, 4-1 BIG EAST) will look to rebound in the rubber match of the series on Sunday.
Game 2: Providence 10, Butler 0 (5 innings)
Providence scored two runs on three hits in the first inning and tacked on three additional runs on four singles in the second.
In the third, the Friars plated five, building a 10-0 lead, but were then held scoreless in the fourth.
Katie Petran (3-3) started in the circle for the Bulldogs and took the loss. In 1.2 innings, she allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk. Rylyn Dyer (1.1-IP, 5R, 5H, 2BB) entered in the second inning with runners on first and third with two outs. She retired the side and lasted through the third. Kayla Noerr (1.0-IP, 1H, 1BB) took care of the fourth inning.
Up Next
Butler and Providence will finish the three-game series on Sunday, March 16, in Providence.
BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
CLEVELAND – – For just the second time in program history, the Ball State women’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament.
The top-seeded Cardinals (27-7) earned the Mid-American Conference’s automatic berth with a 65-58 victory over No. 2 seed Toledo Saturday morning in the championship game of the 2025 MAC Tournament in Rocket Arena.
In picking up his 400th career collegiate coaching victory, 13-year head coach Brady Sallee has the Cardinals heading back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2009 season, when then-No. 12 seed Ball State knocked off No. 5 seed and defending national champion Tennessee in the opening round by a score of 71-55.
Leading the way in Saturday’s victory over the Rockets (24-8) was senior Alex Richard who poured in a game-high 28 points, 24 of which came in the second half. It was a heroic effort for Richard, who also led all players with nine rebounds, as she helped the Cardinals rally from down 24-21 at the half to claim the seven-point victory.
Senior Ally Becki also finished in double figures in her final MAC Tournament game, scoring 12 on the day to go along with seven rounds, five assists and a steal.
For their play in Ball State’s run to the tournament title, Becki was named the MAC Tournament MVP, while both Becki and Richard earned a spot on the MAC All-Tournament Team.
The Ball State women’s basketball team will learn its NCAA fate Sunday (March 16) at 8 p.m. when the 2025 NCAA DI Women’s Basketball March Madness bracket is revealed on ESPN.
The 2025 championship will feature 68 teams in the field. The First Four games will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, March 19-20. The first and second round games will take place from Friday through Monday, March 21-24. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds are Friday through Monday, March 28-31.
The 2025 Women’s Final Four is on Friday, April 4, in Tampa, Florida. The national championship game is at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 6, on ABC.
BALL STATE SWIMMING
OCALA, Fla. – Ball State swimming wrapped up its 2024-25 campaign with a championship performance and a program record on Day 3 of the CSCAA National Invitational Championships at the FAST (Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training) Saturday evening.
Junior Payton Kelly added another accolade to her resume as she claimed her first career NIC Championship after posting a finishing time of 49.04 in the 100 freestyle, earning the top position just 0.01 ahead of Queens University Charlotte’s Ryley Heck. At last year’s CSCAA NIC, Kelly placed 10th in the same event with a time of 50.46.
Capping the season on a high note, Kelly was joined by Anna Keen, Ava Butterfield and Callie Tuma who combined to earn a time of 3:20.82 in the 400 freestyle relay, marking a new top time in program history and placing sixth.
In the 1650 freestyle, Tuma dominated her heat with a time of 16:49.15, finishing 23.03 ahead of second place and dropping 16.05 off her season best. Tuma finished the event 14th overall, followed by freshman McKenna Potteiger who placed 29th (17:14.04).
One the men’s side, sophomore Malcolm Slater placed 15th in the 1650 (15:53.93), just one ahead of Tommy Brunner who placed 16th (15:54.66).
With its campaign at a close, The Ball State swimming & diving program now look forward to gearing up for next season’s competitions.
Saturday NIC Results – MEN
SATURDAY EVENING FINALS
1000 Freestyle (First 1000 of 1650 Freestyle)
15th – Malcolm Slater – 9:33.22
17th – Tommy Brunner – 9:35.38
1650 Freestyle
15th- Malcolm Slater – 15:53.93
16th – Tommy Brunner – 15:54.66
400 Freestyle Relay
22nd – Malcolm Slater, Dominick Perkowski, Aidan Biddle, Nathan Harper – 3:06.41
SATURDAY MORNING PRELIMS
200 Backstroke
41st – Nathan Harper – 1:57.35
200 Breaststroke
30th – Aidan Biddle – 2:02.73
200 Butterfly
23rd – AJ Friend – 1:50.13
Saturday NIC Results – WOMEN
SATURDAY EVENING FINALS
1000 Freestyle (First 1000 of 1650 Freestyle)
14th – Callie Tuma – 10:09.65
29th – McKenna Potteiger – 10:24.01
1650 Freestyle
14th – Callie Tuma – 16:49.15
29th – McKenna Potteiger – 17:14.04
100 Freestyle
1st – Payton Kelly – 49.04
400 Freestyle Relay
6th – Anna Keen, Payton Kelly, Ava Butterfield, Callie Tuma – 3:20.82
BALL STATE SOFTBALL
AKRON, Ohio – – The Ball State softball team secured its first Mid-American Conference series win of the season with a 7-2 victory over Akron on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Lee R. Jackson Field.
After splitting Friday’s doubleheader, the Cardinals 15-7 (2-1 MAC) offense came out hot, scoring seven runs over the first four innings to take early control of the contest.
Ball State struck first on an RBI single in the top of the first from senior left fielder Kara Gunter. Then, with junior pitcher Ella Whitney at third, the pair pulled off a successful double steal to make it a two-run game.
The Cardinals doubled its lead in the top of the second, when redshirt senior catcher McKayla Timmons blasted her fourth home run of the series. It was also her third two-run home run of the weekend against the Zips, pushing the score to 4-0.
Senior first baseman Kaitlyn Gibson would follow with a solo shot of her own in the top of the third, extending Ball State’s lead to 5-0. While Akron would get a run in the bottom of the third, the Cardinals capitalized on an error and an RBI single from redshirt junior second baseman McKenna Mulholland to extend the edge to 7-1 in the top of the fourth.
Akron would add a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to cap the scoring, while Ball State’s ninth double play of the season followed two batters later ending any hope for the home squad.
Again, the seven runs were all the support Whitney would need in the circle, as she became the first MAC pitcher this season to register 10 wins. In improving to 10-1 on the season, Whitney limited the Zips to two runs and five hits over her seven innings of work. She also struck out five batters, including getting the final batter of the contest swinging.
NOTES:
– With her MAC-leading 10th home run of the season, Timmons extended her active hitting streak to 14 games and her streak of reaching base safely to 48 games.
– Timmons has blasted at least one home run in each of her last five games, as well as seven of her last nine.
– Whitney finished the weekend with a 2-0 record, 1.50 ERA and a .236 average against … She allowed just 13 hits over 14.0 innings of work while striking out 10 batters.
– Ball State turned in another solid weekend on defense, committing just one error over the three games … It helped raise Ball State’s overall fielding percentage to .975 on the year.
– With her home run in the fifth inning, Gibson became the eighth different Ball State player to go yard this season … The eight players have combined for 26 homes runs, while Ball State’s pitching staff has surrendered just five this season.
UP NEXT:
The Ball State softball team returns to action Tuesday, when it travels to Butler for a 4 p.m. first pitch.
INDIANA STATE BASEBALL
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Pacific took advantage of a trio of home runs and strong pitching from starter Adan Perez as Indiana State fell behind early in dropping the Saturday afternoon contest to the visiting Tigers, 14-2, in eight innings.
The Tigers (10-10) utilized JT Waldon, Kordell Brown, and Jake Tandy home runs in the first two innings on their way to building a 7-0 lead early at Bob Warn Field. The Sycamores (8-11) battled back in the middle frames with an RBI single from Eli Gipson and Carter Beck’s solo home run, but Indiana State was unable to put together a sustained rally in the run-rule shortened game.
Gipson recorded two of Indiana State’s five hits in the contest, while Carlos Pena and Keegan Garis both doubled to highlight the Sycamore offense. Beck’s home run, his fourth of the season and second of the weekend, went over the tree line in right field in the fifth inning.
Colby Morse (2-1) took his first loss of the season allowing seven runs and seven hits while striking out one over 1.2 innings. Carson Seeman went 3.1 strong innings in relief with a season-high five strikeouts, while Jack Armstrong added 2.0 shutout frames with four strikeouts prior to a 1:15 lighting and weather delay at Bob Warn Field. Brady Banker, Wes Lyerly, and Caden Schrader also saw time on the mound in the loss.
The top four batters in the Pacific lineup combined for 11 of the team’s 15 hits, 10 RBIs, and eight runs, while Brown added a three-run home run at the bottom of the order as a part of the Tigers’ power display at the plate. Tandy went 4-for-5 from the plate with three runs and a pair of RBIs to standout at the plate.
Perez (4-0) went 5.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out seven in his fourth win of the season. Josh Souza worked 2.0 scoreless frames, while Justin Iglesias worked a scoreless eighth inning to close out the contest.
How They Scored
JT Waldon put Pacific on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning with a two-out, two-run home run over the tree line in center field, scoring Jake Tandy, to give the Tigers the early 2-0 lead.
Kordell Brown added to the Tigers’ lead in the top of the second inning with a one-out, three-run home run to right center scoring DJ Scott and Brian McClellin to make it a 5-0 Pacific lead.
Jake Tandy put two more on the scoreboard in the top of the second with a two-run home run over the wall in left center bringing home Andrew Sloan to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
Keegan Garis put the Sycamores in the hit column with a leadoff double to left center in the bottom of the fourth and then came around to score on Eli Gipson’s line drive single to right to cut the Pacific lead down to 7-1.
Carter Beck added to the Indiana State totals in the bottom of the fifth inning as the sophomore connected on a 1-0 offering from Pacific starter Adan Perez and drove the ball over the right field wall for the solo home run to cut the lead down to 7-2.
Pacific added to the lead in the top of the sixth inning as Rylan Evans (RBI single) and Andrew Sloan (two-run single) connected on back-to-back RBI hits to make it a 10-2 ballgame.
Following a lighting and weather delay, Pacific returned to the field to score four runs in the top of the eighth to secure the win. Sloan and Tandy connected on back-to-back doubles in the inning, while Waldon and Scott had RBI singles in the frame to provide the final margin.
News & Notes
Colby Morse and Ben Waliczek made their Indiana State starting debuts in Saturday’s contest.
Morse, entered the game without allowing a run over his last 14.2 innings pitched, saw the streak end at 15.1 after surrendering an early two-run home run to JT Waldon in the top of the first inning.
Wes Lyerly and Caden Schrader both made their Indiana State debuts in relief on Saturday afternoon.
Up Next
Indiana State continues the homestand on Sunday afternoon as the Sycamores and Pacific close out the weekend series. First pitch is set for Noon ET with the game to be carried live on 105.5 The Legend.
INDIANA STATE SOFTBALL
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Sycamores (6-19) hosted the Beacons (12-10) for game two of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon, looking to build on their 6-2 victory in Friday’s opener. After a hard-fought battle, Indiana State fell 3-2 in 11 innings, evening the series at 1-1 ahead of Sunday’s finale.
The game remained scoreless until the third inning when Valparaiso broke through. Krug drew a walk before Gallagher launched a two-run homer, giving the Beacons a 2-0 lead.
Indiana State threatened in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with no outs but did not capitalize. Lauren Marsicek recorded the Sycamores first hit of the game with a single to right center.
Whitley Wischmeier reached on a walk, while Madison Poulson reached on an error to load the bases. However, Valpo’s defense held strong, retiring the next three batters to escape the jam.
The Sycamore defense stepped up in the fourth and fifth innings to keep the Beacons from adding to their lead. In the fifth, Morgan Goodrich made a major diving catch in left field, robbing Jackson of a hit and keeping momentum on Indiana State’s side.
Brailey Mills made a smart play in right field, fielding the ball and executing a fielder’s choice to retire Kuhlmann at second while Lopez reached first. Lauren Marsicek then came up big at third, delivering a strong throw across the diamond to get the out and keep the Sycamores within reach.
Indiana State’s offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 2-2. Goodrich continued her strong weekend at the plate, delivering a clutch double to drive in Marsicek, who had reached on a walk, for the Sycamores first run.
Sophie Esposito followed by putting pressure on Valparaiso’s defense, reaching on an error by the second baseman, which allowed Goodrich to score and tie the game.
Valpo threatened again in the seventh, putting two runners on with a single and a walk, but Indiana State’s defense held firm to keep the game tied at 2-2. The Beacons then shut down the Sycamores in order, sending the game into extra innings.
In the ninth, Valpo once again put the go-ahead run in scoring position, advancing a runner to third. Indiana State’s defense came up big, turning a clutch double play to erase a scoring threat.
Shortly after, Abby Widmar made a key catch in foul territory, preventing the Beacons from capitalizing and keeping the game tied.
Valpo finally broke the tie in the 11th inning, taking a 3-2 lead when Lopez delivered an RBI double to bring Krug home. Indiana State turned to Megan Asher in relief, and she immediately made an impact, retiring a batter to limit the damage and strand two runners.
Despite their strong effort, the Sycamores couldn’t respond in the bottom half, ultimately falling 3-2 in extra innings. The series is now tied at 1-1, with the deciding game scheduled for Sunday at noon.
Lauren Sackett took the loss in the game against Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon. She pitched 10.2 innings, allowing eight hits and three runs scored. Sackett issued six walks and struck out six batters.
Up Next:
The Sycamores and Beacons will face off in the finale of the series tomorrow at noon.
PURDUE FT. WAYNE BASEBALL
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – A two-run second inning and three-run sixth inning gave the Northern Kentucky Norse a 5-1 win over the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons on Saturday (March 15) morning in Horizon League baseball action.
The game was moved up two hours to 11 a.m. to beat the rain and was finished in under two and a half hours.
Trent Murphy threw two scoreless innings out of the pen with three strikeouts for the Mastodons. Zane Danielson started and went 5.2 innings. He took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) with five strikeouts.
The Mastodons got on the board in the eighth with a run. Ben Kasparie used a sacrifice fly to knock in Colton Shirley who got on base with a one-out single.
Sage Adams had a pair of hits in the contest.
Jake Paulick hit a two-run home run for the Norse in the sixth inning.
Conner Linn went 7.2 innings for the win for NKU. Aaron Massie threw the final 1.1 to the save.
The ‘Dons fall to 1-16 (0-2 Horizon League). NKU improves to 11-6 (2-0 Horizon League). The two teams will play on Sunday to conclude the three-game series.
VALPO BASEBALL
The Valparaiso University baseball team earned a road doubleheader split against the defending Big Ten Conference regular-season champions on Saturday, prevailing 13-10 over Illinois in the opener before falling 14-4 in seven innings in the nightcap on a windy day at Illinois Field in Champaign, Ill. The Beacons picked up their second win against a Big Ten foe this season in the first game of Saturday’s twinbill.
How It Happened – Game 1
The game started favorably for the Beacons, as Case Sullivan (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) led off with a single and Ryan Maka (Oak Forest, Ill. / Oak Forest) followed with a double. Liam Patton (Barrington, Ill. / Warsaw) did his job with a ground ball to short to drive in the game’s first run.
Illinois started the bottom of the second with back-to-back home runs to take a 2-1 lead.
Redshirt freshman Aidan Thaxton (Chicago, Ill. / St. Ignatius College Prep) led off the third with a solo shot to left, moving the game back to even at 2-2.
Valpo poured on seven total runs in a chaotic third inning. Kevin Denty (Tinley Park, Ill. / Marian Catholic) grounded one up the middle that got through, scoring two. The Illini were charged with two errors in the inning and Valpo benefited from a pair of walks while sending 11 batters to the plate.
The Beacons added on five more runs in the fourth on a pair of home runs. Patton blasted a two-run homer to left, and later Connor Giusti (Hoffman Estates, Ill. / Fremd) added on a three-run job to make it 13-2.
A two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth cut the Beacon lead to nine at 13-4.
Neither team scored again until the bottom of the seventh, when Illinois picked up a run before following with four in the eighth to make it 13-9.
Illinois got one more in the ninth, but Josh Cottrill (Pewaukee, Wis. / Pewaukee) eventually recorded the final out to nail down the victory. The righty worked 1 2/3 innings out of the bullpen and allowed one run on two hits and no walks.
Inside the Game – Game 1
Thaxton’s home run was the first of his collegiate career.
Patton’s home run was his second in as many days after he homered for the first time this season in Friday’s series opener. He has five home runs in a Valpo uniform.
Giusti’s home run was his second of the season and the ninth of his Valpo career.
The three home runs marked a season high for the Beacons.
Starter Harry Deliyannis (Bloomington, Ind. / Bloomington North) picked up the win, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out seven. Adam Guazzo (Huntley, Ill. / Huntley) allowed one run on one hit over two frames in relief.
Valpo picked up its second Big Ten win of the season, knocked off the defending Big Ten regular-season champions and an NCAA Regional team from last season and beat the Illini for the second time in the last three head-to-head matchups after also winning in 2018.
The 13 runs marked Valpo’s second-highest total of the season behind 16 on Feb. 28 vs. Niagara. Valpo has scored double-figure run totals in three of the team’s four wins.
The 11 hits marked Valpo’s second straight game with a double-figure hit total after recording 13 in the series opener. Valpo has notched double-figure hits five times this season.
Maka racked up four hits, equaling a season high. Giusti became the second Valpo player with a four-RBI game this season, joining Patton. The four RBIs represented a career high for Giusti.
How It Happened – Game 2
A solo homer put Illinois on the board in the top of the second, then the Illini plated three in the third to open up a 4-0 edge.
The Beacons sliced that deficit in half in the top of the fourth inning as Sullivan led off with a double before Maka unloaded a 436-foot blast to right that was gone when it left the bat.
Illinois scored twice in the fifth to extend the lead to 6-2.
After Patton led off the seventh with a double, he and Denty crossed the dish on a two-run double by freshman Bryan Hatch (Des Plaines, Ill. / St. Viator) that made it 8-4.
Illinois scored six in the bottom of the seventh to invoke the run-rule on a game-ending grand slam.
Inside the Game – Game 2
Maka’s home run was his third of the season and the 19th of his collegiate career, within two of cracking the program’s all-time top 10.
Maka has reached safely in all 14 games that he has played this season.
Up Next
The Beacons (4-11) will visit Ball State for a midweek matchup beginning at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday in Muncie, Ind. in the final game before the start of Missouri Valley Conference play. Tuesday’s game will air on ESPN+.
VALPO SOFTBALL
In the program’s longest game since joining the Missouri Valley Conference, the Valpo softball team outlasted host Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. Saturday afternoon, picking up its first MVC win of the year in 11 innings, 3-2. Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) earned the win in the circle and drove in the game-winning run, while Mack Gallagher (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East [MSU Moorhead]) connected on her third homer of the year.
How It Happened
Valpo opened the scoring in the top of the third inning. Kayden Krug (Milford, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) led off the frame with a walk and was standing on third base with two outs when Gallagher stepped in and drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall in left center to make it 2-0 Beacons.
It looked like the Sycamores would respond immediately in their half of the third, loading the bases with nobody out on a walk, a single and a Valpo error. But Lopez — who entered in relief prior to the error — bore down and recorded back-to-back strikeouts before getting a grounder to escape the frame with no damage.
The Beacons had a good shot to add to their lead in the fourth, putting runners on the corners with one away and later loading the bases with two outs, but were unable to find the third run.
Indiana State scored a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the fifth, one an unearned tally, to level the score.
A walk and a stolen base put the potential go-ahead run into scoring position with one out for the Sycamores in the bottom of the sixth before Lopez set down the next two batters on strikes to keep it a 2-2 game.
Krug led off the seventh with a single, but Valpo was unable to get a runner past second base in the frame. Meanwhile, Lopez set down the ISU side in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extras.
The best shot for either squad to score in the first three extra innings came for Valpo in the top of the ninth. Krug led off the frame with a double and moved over to third with one out, but a liner to shallow center wasn’t deep enough to let the sophomore score and a foul-out eventually closed the inning.
Valpo had a baserunner in each of the first three extra frames, as Kim Rodas (San Bernardino, Calif./Cajon) drew a two-out walk in the eighth and reached on a two-out error in the 10th, but was left on first both times.
Defensively, Lopez was mowing down the Sycamores in extra innings — a one-out double in the bottom of the 10th the only blemish against her as the game entered the 11th.
Krug reached on an error to lead off the 11th and got over to third with two away. After Gallagher drew a walk, Lopez stepped up and drove the first pitch she saw to the wall in right-center to plate Krug and give the Beacons the 3-2 lead.
The junior then shut the door in the circle, setting down the Sycamores on five pitches in the bottom of the 11th to close out the win.
Inside the Game
The 11-inning contest was Valpo’s longest since going 11 innings in a 4-3 loss in Horizon League play to Oakland April 28, 2017.
The Beacons’ previous longest conference games since joining the Valley were a pair of 10-inning contests they split last season against Bradley.
Valpo has won both of its extra-inning games this season.
The win was Valpo’s first over its in-state foe since a 1-0 win in the series finale in Terre Haute March 20, 2022. The Sycamores had won the previous five games in the series.
Valpo’s pitching and defense surrendered just three hits to the Sycamores on Saturday, matching the season low by a Beacon opponent.
Lopez improved to 6-5 on the season with nine innings of relief work, allowing just two hits and two runs while striking out eight.
Erin Metz (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) started in the circle and struck out four batters in her two-plus innings of work.
Lopez and Metz combined for 12 strikeouts, a single-game high this season for the Valpo pitching staff and the fourth time this year the Beacons have struck out at least 10 batters in a game.
The 12 strikeouts was the most for Valpo pitchers in a game since tallying 12 strikeouts against Saint Louis March 6, 2020.
Gallagher went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, highlighted by her third home run of the season, which boosted her team-leading RBI total to 20 RBIs.
Krug continued her strong week at the plate, reaching base four times as she went 2-for-3 with a walk and a hit by pitch while scoring two runs. It was her fifth multi-hit game of the season and the first time the sophomore has scored multiple runs this year.
Vrastil drew a walk to lead off the game for the second straight day, extending her on-base streak to open her career to 22 straight games. She picked up a single in extra innings to extend her hitting streak as well, that mark currently sitting at 13 games.
Valpo earned the win Saturday despite stranding a season-high 14 runners on base.
Next Up
Valpo (12-10, 1-1 MVC) concludes the opening weekend series with the rubber game against Indiana State Sunday at 11 a.m. CT.
UINDY WRESTLING
INDIANAPOLIS – Derek Blubaugh. National Champion. Again.
The reigning national champion at 197 repeated on the top stage Saturday night, defeating Fort Hays State’s Tereus Henry by a 5-1 decision. Blubaugh is now the first Greyhound to win multiple national titles, as well as earning four-time finalist distinction.
This year’s event is part of the 2025 NCAA Division II National Championships Festival, with competition taking place at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Blubaugh snagged three points in the first period from a takedown, upping his total in the final frame with an escape. At the conclusion of the bout, the redshirt-senior was awarded one more point thanks to his commanding riding time advantage.
With his shutout win in the semifinal, Blubaugh became the first athlete in the UIndy record book to reach the finals in his weight class four times. The Bloomington, Ind., native fended off a last-second reversal by Glenville State’s Nicholas Johnson, surviving with a 2-0 victory late Saturday morning.
Blubaugh finishes his career with 128 wins and ranks third in program history.
Jackson Hoover earned fifth place earlier on Saturday, fighting his way back through the bracket after a first-round loss. Hoover claimed fifth due to a medical forfeit from Grand Valley’s Chris Donovan. The senior opened the day with an exciting 7-6 victory over GLVC rival Joey Semerad of McKendree.
The back-to-back Elite 90 winner was bestowed his All-America trophy during the National Championships Saturday evening.
IU INDY SWIMMING
INDIANAPOLIS – The UIndy Swimming & Diving team punctuated a successful season Saturday, recorded a pair of top-five finishes at the NCAA DII Championships, held at the IU Natatorium in downtown Indy. The UIndy women secured a fourth place among the nation’s best teams, while the men finished fifth.
The teams combined for 66 total All-America nods, eight school records and seven event national championships, with the latter total matching the second-highest number in program history for a single DII Championships.
“We swam great and we also had some tough luck,” Head Coach Brent Noble confided. “It felt like we came here and did what we needed to do and circumstances didn’t quite go our way, so we ended up in fourth and fifth. I think our performances were better than fourth and fifth. But we had a season we should be happy with; we got seven national champions, three of them relay national champions.
“We had a great week. We came away with some things we have to fix, and some things hopefully in the future will go differently. And that’s ok. But I’m happy with the group. I’m happy with the season we’ve had. It truly is a success.”
SATURDAY
Andrea Gomez wrapped up an incredible week with a grueling final day of competition. She bookended the evening finals with a gutsy performance in the mile before capping her week by anchoring the 400 free relay. The senior standout posted a 16:25.93 in the mile to take third place before helping the Hounds—along with Kirabo Namutebi, Andrea Paaske and Isabella Revstedt—to a nineth-place finish in the 400 FR.
She led the Greyhound women with four individual All-America First Team honors on the week, all of them top-three showings and two of them national championships. She is only the third Greyhound woman to recorded two individual event titles in the same week.
UIndy’s breaststrokers continued to rack up points. Celina Schmidt notched a fourth-place showing in the women’s 200 breast, while the Jeremias Pock and Brayden Cole finished second and fourth, respectively, in the men’s race.
In his NCAA Championships debut, Pock emerged as the UIndy men’s biggest point scorer. He compiled seven All-America accolades in all, including winning the 400 IM championship.
Both UIndy teams earned an All-America First Team nod in the 200 back. First, Mia Krstevska took thirdwith the second-fastest time in program history (1:56.19), followed by Silas Buessing’s sixth-place performance and his time of 1:43.79. Like Krstevska, he etched his name in the No. 2 spot in the UIndy annals, though his best mark of 1:43.51 came in the morning prelims.
Namutebi earned All-America Honorable Mention on the 100 free, winning the consolation final with a personal-best 49.67. The men’s 400 free relay of Oskar Sawicki, Aqeel Jospeh, Elais Noe and Pock earned the same accolades with a 14th-place finish in the final race of the week (2:56.88).
FRIDAY
Fifth-year senior Brayden Cole made a life-long memory after pulling off his best performance on the biggest stage. He and fellow-breaststroker (and roommate) Jeremias Pock had been pushing each other all season, culminating in a 1-3 finish in the 100 breast Friday night. After the two improbably tied for the best time in the morning prelims (52.58), Cole broke his own school record with a 51.81 to win the final, followed by Pock in third at 52.24.
“We had some more really good performances tonight,” noted Head Coach Brent Noble. “Brayden winning his first national championship was certainly one of them. He’s dropped about a second each of his five years here to finally end up on top after not making our conference scoring roster his first two years.”
The Greyhounds later capped the evening with another relay national championship—their third of the week. The women’s 200 free team of Kirabo Namutebi, Julia Magierowska, Andrea Paaske and Isabella Revstedt came just four hundredths shy of breaking the five-year-old school record. All four Hounds posted a sub-23 split on the way to a winning time of 1:30.37.
Added Noble: “Our women won the 200 free relay for the fourth time in five years. Three of them have been there before, and the fourth is Kirabo Namutebi, who is the second-fastest woman ever in DII.”
IU INDY BASEBALL
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After dropping game one of the conference-opening series against Illinois Springfield, the University of Indianapolis baseball team won games two and three of the doubleheader against the Prairie Stars.
Cole Hampton led the Greyhounds’ offense, knocking in home runs in both games.
GAME 2 | UIndy 10, UIS 6
The Hounds came out of the gate feeling it behind the plate, jumping to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first after ripping off three hits. Nick Lukac hit a two-run RBI single into center field to score Easton Good and Tré Hondras.
UIndy cushioned the lead to 3-0 at the bottom of the second after Good collected hit second hit of the afternoon, scoring Dom Brown. In the bottom of the first two innings, Dawson Gabe pitched two hitless innings and raked-in four strikeouts.
The Hounds kept the bats hot in the top of the third, extending their lead to 5-0 after a two-run RBI single from Armen Torosian brought Lukac and Cole Hampton home. The Prairie Stars finally got in the scoring column in the bottom of the third, after an Ethan Bowers double scored Jackson Blemer.
Another spurt of offense came for the Hounds in the top of the fourth, as Cole Hampton hit a three-run home run, and Luke Smock’s triple scored Torosian to give UIndy a 9-3 lead.
Hampton knocked in one more run in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Hondras from third, making the score 10-3. UIS got one run back in the bottom of the fifth with a Michael Paule sacrifice fly to score Johnny Wendling.
In the final two innings, the Prairie Stars chipped into the six-run deficit after scoring two runs in the top of the sixth, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to tie it. Gabe pitched a complete game, throwing eight strikeouts, and only gave up five earned runs.
The Hounds ended game two with 11 hits. Honduras, Good, and Lukac each had two hits, while Hampton led UIndy with four RBIs.
GAME 3 | UIndy 3, UIS 0
The Hounds were first on the board after a scoreless first inning, as Cole Hampton went yard with a solo shot in the top of the second inning.
UIS looked to threaten the Greyhound lead in the bottom of the third after a pair of hits and Blemer advancing to first after being hit by a Bennett Rogers pitch. Rogers struck out the next two batters and forced a ground-out to maintain the 1-0 UIndy lead.
Both Rogers and Mark Decicco shut down batters for the ensuing three innings, as both pitchers retired three straight batters in the fourth and sixth. Each team traded hits in the fifth, but Rogers and Decicco allowed nothing further.
The offense for the Hounds came alive in the top of the seventh, as Good doubled into right field with two outs to knock Hampton and Smock home, giving UIndy a 3-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, UIS quickly got two runners on after advancing on a walk and a hit by pitch. Peyton Plym relieved Rogers for the closing effort, and picked up three consecutive outs to win the game.
The Hounds ended game three with six hits, all coming from different players. Rogers only gave up six hits through six innings, and tallied a season-high in strikeouts with 10.
UP NEXT
UIndy looks to close out the conference-opening series in the final game against the Prairie Stars, as game four begins Sunday, March 16, at 1 PM.
MARIAN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
INDIANAPOLIS – For the fifth consecutive year, the Marian women’s basketball team has made it out of their pod in the NAIA National Tournament First and Second Round, as the Knights downed Milligan 76-66, defending their home court one final time with a wire-to-wire victory. Marian’s win stamps their 11th consecutive trip to the NAIA Tournament Final Site, as the Knights head to Sioux City with a record of 26-7.
After their slow start on Friday night, Marian came out of the gate quickly in their NAIA Second Round matchup against the Buffaloes, scoring the first six points of the game. Olivia Faust recovered from shooting woes the night prior and scored four the aforementioned six points, sparking the Knights attack. Abbey McNally scored her second basket of the game at the 5:34 mark of the game to convert the team’s fifth field goal, but the quick attack came to a halt after that, as Marian endured a drought of four minutes with open looks at the rim falling short. Milligan suffered a similar drought as the game eventually held static in a 10-4 contest, with the scoring beginning once more in the final 90 seconds of the period.
Olivia Faust broke Marian’s scoreless spell with 1:26 to go in the opening stanza, while an Abbey McNally three-point play pushed the lead to double figures for the first time at a 15-4 count. The late scores snapped a 4:08 drought, and in the sequence Marian’s defense held the Buffaloes to a 1-6 stretch. As the quarter came to its finish, Milligan snapped their 4:25 famine, getting a three from Jaycie Jenkins at the buzzer to finish the period’s scoring at 15-7 in favor of Marian.
Marian’s late surge carried over into the second quarter as they picked up four of the first six points, but another lengthy drought would soon overtake the Knights’ offense. Kenna Kirby scored with 7:59 to play in the half to give Marian a 19-9 hold, but slowly a collection of missed shots allowed Milligan back into the game. The Buffaloes went on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to four points, holding Marian to a scoreless stretch of nearly five minutes. Kirby snapped the drought to right the ship with a basket at the 3:10 mark, bringing the Knights back to form. Another three-point play from McNally punctuated the home team’s scoring in the period, entering the break with a 26-21 lead.
Both teams shot under 30 percent from the field in the opening half, however the restart in the second half showed no indication of a shooting slump, with both teams hitting at a near-40 percent rate or better in the second half. Marian’s shooting recovery began with a score on their first possession from Kirby, and continued with points in the paint from McNally and Taylor Double. Milligan kept the score close through Marian’s strong attack, with the score holding at 36-32 by the media stoppage.
The lead would swell to seven points for Marian by the 4:02 mark in the quarter, and after a pair of McNally free throws, the Knights’ defense took over as their press forced two quick turnovers and spawned a 6-0 run. Marian reclaimed a double figure lead with the run, pushing their hold on the game to as many as 14 points with their suffocating defense. Milligan would make a late run before closing the quarter, with the period ending with the Knights on top 53-46.
Milligan continued to pressure Marian and make things difficult as the game moved into the fourth quarter, answering a quick score by McNally with six unanswered points. Kirby stopped the bleeding with a split trip at the charity stripe, and helped regain control of the game as a the third-year player pushed the Knights back in front by seven with over five minutes to play. The Buffaloes would keep within striking distance in the waning moments, never letting the hosts run away with the lead, but a three from Olivia Faust at the 2:22 mark and driving layup from Madisyn Bailey with 1:14 to go turned out the lights on any comeback effort.
The Knights converted 5-of-8 free throws in the last minute of the game, icing away their NAIA Tournament Second Round win to advance in the tournament, capping the 76-66 win.
For the 12th consecutive game, Abbey McNally recorded a double-double, as the junior led the team in scoring with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Kirby finished the game with 16 points, and Faust rebounded with a 13 point game. Faust also finished with seven rebounds, and Kirby had a team-high five assists.
Marian’s victory punches a ticket to the final site in Sioux City, Iowa, where the Knights will take on the University of the Cumberlands in a rematch from their November contest. Marian lost the first meeting of the season against the Patriots 103-99 in triple overtime.
MARIAN WOMEN’S LAX
Indianapolis, Ind. – The Marian lacrosse team dominated UHSP on Saturday’s match-up 18-3. The Knights are now 4-3 overall on the season and begin conference play next week.
Marian got off to a strong start in the first quarter recording two unanswered goals from Ella Grace Giedd and Ruby Mason to take the early 2-0 lead. UHSP fired back with a goal at the 12:59 mark to bring the game within one. The Knights rallied with five goals with Esbeydi Montes, Delaney Koles, and Mason recording goals off of a free position shot while Rylie Boezeman and Giedd recorded the other two goals ending the quarter with the 7-1 lead.
The visitors opened up the second quarter with a goal off of a free position shot to bring the Knights lead down to five. Marian continued their dominating fashion with six more goals to take the 13-2 lead into halftime. Koles, Jada Taylor, Allyson Cissell, and Mason recorded goals with Cissell and Taylor scoring while the Knights were man-up over the Eutectics. Taylor and Alex Dean each recorded a goal off of a free-position shot for the Knights.
After halftime Marian slowed down their push with only three goals scored in the quarter. The first goal was from Giedd with the assist from Olivia Dean at the 10:49 mark. Six minutes later Taleah Nool was able to get on the board with an unassisted goal. Cissell wrapped up the quarter with a goal while Giedd recorded the assist to allow the Knights to end the quarter 16-2.
Mason kicked off the final quarter with a man-up goal with the assist from Taleah Nool. A few minutes later Emily Blackburn got on the board with the assist from Giedd to extend the lead 18-2. With less than five minutes remaining the Eutectics made their last push with an unassisted goal to end the game 18-3 in favor of Marian.
Ruby Mason led the team with four goals off of six shots with five on goal. Mason recorded three ground balls and seven draw controls as well. Ella Grace Giedd recorded a hat trick with three goals off of four shots on goal. Giedd led the team in assists with five and recorded six ground balls and four caused turnovers. Jada Taylor, Allyson Cissell, and Delaney Koles each recorded a brace in the game while Taleah Nool, Rylie Boezeman, Esbeydi Montes, and Emily Blackburn each recorded a goal. Defensively Alex Dean recorded five draw controls and one goal on the day. In Goal Katherine Hirsch recorded the win and the start with one save and two goals allowed. Marissa Bardo came in the second half recording two saves and one goal allowed in the win.
Marian will return to action on Wednesday March 19th, as they are set to start WHAC play at Bethel starting at 5 pm.
INDIANA SMALL COLLEGE WEB SITES
UINDY ATHLETICS: https://athletics.uindy.edu/
MARIAN ATHLETICS: https://muknights.com/
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”
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1907 Ty Cobb quarrels with Bungy Cummings, a black groundskeeper who made a friendly gesture toward the Tiger outfielder. When the groundskeeper’s wife intercedes, the ‘Georgia Peach’ reportedly chokes her, and according to Charlie Schmidt, he allegedly stopped the assault by knocking out his teammate.
(Ed. Note: There is speculation this often-told story may not be entirely accurate due to the lack of witnesses corroborating the attack other than Schmidt, who had other disagreements with Cobb during the past year. -LP)
1908 Pirates legend Honus Wagner comes out of retirement when Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss makes him the highest-paid player in the league, offering him $10,000 yearly. The 34-year-old shortstop earns his salary, leading the National League in batting average, hits, total bases, doubles, triples, RBIs, and stolen bases, completing the campaign that historian Bill James cites as the greatest single-season for any player in baseball history.
(Ed. Note: The salary incentive keeps the Flying Dutchman on the field until the middle of the 1917 season. -LP)
1932 Due to the economic depression gripping the nation, Babe Ruth signs a deal for $75,000, a five-thousand pay cut from last season, and 25 percent of the Yankees exhibition games’ net receipts. Legend has it the Bambino signed a blank contract, with the amount filled in later by Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert.
(Ed. Note: In 2019, the printed document sold at an auction for nearly $300,000. -LP)
1953 At the owners’ meeting in Tampa (FL), the American League rejects Bill Veeck’s request to shift the Browns to Baltimore, voting 6-2 to keep the failing franchise in St. Louis. The lack of support from his fellow owners, except for Charles Comiskey of the White Sox, is an effort to oust the independent-minded maverick from the Junior Circuit.
1961 The state of New York approves a bond issue for constructing a 55,000-seat stadium on the 1939-40 World’s Fair site in the Flushing Meadow area of Queens. The Mets’ future home will be named Shea Stadium, honoring attorney William Shea, who brought the National League back to New York.
1994 Former major league starter Eric Show dies of an accidental drug overdose in his room at the Rancho L’Abri, a private rehab center in San Diego (CA). The 37-year-old right-hander finished his 11-year career with Oakland, pitching the first ten years with the Padres, where he established the franchise record for most career wins (100) when he left the team as a free agent in 1990.
2001 Slammin’ Sammy Sosa signs a four-year contract extension keeping the Cub right fielder in the Windy City until 2006. The prolific home run hitter has averaged nearly sixty home runs (179 HRs/3 years) during the last three seasons.
2006 🇲🇽 At Angel Stadium in front of 38,284 enthusiastic fans, Oliver Perez and seven relievers combined to lead Mexico to a stunning defeat of Roger Clemens and the United States, 2-1. The second-round loss eliminates Team USA from the inaugural World Baseball Classic.
2006 Roy Halladay (12-4, 2.41) agrees to a $40 million, three-year contract extension, which could keep the ‘Doc’ with the Blue Jays through the 2010 season. The 2003 American League Cy Young winner’s season was cut short after getting drilled by a line drive hit by Ranger Kevin Mench, resulting in a broken leg.
2006
At the 5:00 p.m. EST airing of the show Daily News Live!, the Mets begin transmitting Sportsnet New York, which will become better known as SNY. The club modeled the team-owned network after similar regional cable television ventures by the Red Sox (NESN, 1984) and the Yankees (YES, 2002).
2010 The Red Sox announce that 19-year-old prospect Ryan Westmoreland has undergone a five-hour surgical procedure to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain. After leaving spring training earlier this month, the highly touted minor league outfielder received the diagnosis at Mass General.
2010 Former L.A. outfielder Willie Davis, the team leader in hits, extra-base hits, and runs, is fondly remembered by his family and friends, including many teammates, at a memorial service in Dodger Stadium. The 69-year-old, known as 3 Dog, was found dead in his home last week.
2015 The Grapefruit League game between the Phillies and Twins marks the first time two current Hall of Fame players have managed against each other. Minnesota manager Paul Molitor, enshrined in 2004, opposes Philadelphia skipper Ryne Sandberg, an inductee a season later.
2019 The Fix, a two-act opera inspired by the Black Sox scandal, premieres at the Ordway Theater in St. Paul (MN). The dramatic work composed by Joel Puckett portrays the century-old events surrounding the White Sox fix of the 1919 World Series against the Reds.
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
March 16
1938 — Temple defeats Colorado 60-36 in the first National Invitation Tournament and the first major postseason basketball tournament.
1947 — Billy Taylor of the Detroit Red Wings sets an NHL record with seven assists in a 10-6 triumph over the Chicago Black Hawks.
1955 — NHL President Clarence Campbell suspends Maurice “Rocket” Richard for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs after striking linesman Cliff Thompson during a melee in a game against the Boston Bruins.
1961 — Montreal’s Bernie Geoffrion becomes the second player to score 50 goals in a season in a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Maurice Richard was the first to do it, in 1945.
1971 — Goaltender Glenn Hall gets his 407th and final NHL victory as the St. Louis Blues post a 6-2 win against the visiting Montreal Canadiens.
1990 — Philip Hutcheson of David Lipscomb University hits a running 5-foot hook shot in the NAIA Tournament to become the all-time scoring champion of college basketball. The 6-foot-8 Hutcheson, who scored in double figures in every college game he played, breaks the record of 4,045 set in 1969-72 by Travis Grant of Kentucky State.
2005 — Norway’s Robert Sorlie wins his second Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in one of the closest races in years. Sorlie completes the 1,100-mile race across Alaska in nine days, 18 hours, 39 minutes and 31 seconds. He’s still in the winner’s circle when Ed Iten of Kotzebue crossed the line 34 minutes later.
2007 — Kobe Bryant scores 33 of his 65 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-111 win over Portland.
2008 — Denver sets NBA season highs for points in a half with 84 and points in a game with a 168-116 rout of the Seattle SuperSonics.
2010 — Lance Mackey wins the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race to become the first musher in the event’s 38-year history to win four consecutive races.
2012 — Kyle O’Quinn has 26 points and 14 rebounds to help No. 15 seed Norfolk State stun second-seeded Missouri 86-84 in the West Regional of the men’s NCAA tournament. C.J. McCollum scores 30 points and Lehigh upsets Duke 75-70 in the South Regional to become the second No. 15 seed to beat a No. 2 during a wild day in the NCAA tournament.
2013 — Mikaela Shiffrin delivers an astonishing second run to overtake Tina Maze and clinch the World Cup slalom title with an improbable come-from behind victory at Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The American teenager trailing Maze by a massive 1.17 seconds after the first leg, finishes ahead of the Slovenian in the second run to win the slalom title in her first full season on the circuit.
2013 — Ted Ligety caps his dominant season in giant slalom with a sixth World Cup win at Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The American skier joins Ingemar Stenmark as the only men in the 47-year World Cup history to get six GS victories in a season. Stenmark’s 10-race sweep in 1978-79 is the record.
2018 — Senior guard Jairus Lyles scores 28 points and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County pulls off the most shocking upset in NCAA Tournament history, defeating Virginia 75-54 to become the first No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in men’s basketball. Virginia enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed after going 31-2 this season, including 20-1 in ACC competition.
2020 – Major League Baseball suspends remainder of Spring Training and delays start of regular season in response to COVID-19 pandemic; return dependent on recommendations by Centers for Disease Control.
TV SPORTS SUNDAY
| MLB SPRING TRAINING | TIME ET | TV |
| Houston vs. NY Mets | 1:10pm | MLBN |
| NBA | TIME ET | TV |
| Philadelphia 76ers vs Dallas Mavericks | 1:00 pm | ABC ESPN+ |
| Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers | 3:30pm | ABC ESPN+ |
| Toronto Raptors vs Portland Trail Blazers | 6:00pm | Sportsnet Rip City |
| Atlanta Hawks vs Brooklyn Nets | 6:00pm | YES FanDuel Sports ATL |
| Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers | 6:00 PM | NBATV FanDuel Sports Ohio FanDuel Sports FL |
| Utah Jazz vs Minnesota Timberwolves | 7:00pm | KJZZ FanDuel Sports North |
| Charlotte Hornets vs Los Angeles Clippers | 7:00pm | FanDuel Sports SoCal FanDuel Sports CHA |
| Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks | 9:00pm | FanDuel Sports OKC FanDuel Sports WIS |
| NHL REGULAR SEASON | TIME ET | TV |
| Vegas Golden Knights vs Detroit Red Wings | 1:00pm | TNT truTV MAX |
| Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche | 3:30pm | TNT truTV MAX |
| Anaheim Ducks vs St. Louis Blues | 6:00pm | ESPN+ Victory+ FanDuel Sports MW |
| Edmonton Oilers vs New York Rangers | 7:00pm | ESPN+ MSG Sportsnet |
| Florida Panthers vs New York Islanders | 7:30pm | ESPN+ Scripps MSGSN |
| Utah Hockey Club vs Vancouver Canucks | 8:00pm | ESPN+ Utah16 Sportsnet |
| Winnipeg Jets vs Seattle Kraken | 9:00pm | ESPN+ KONG Sportsnet |
| MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL | TIME ET | TV |
| Ivy League Championship | 12:00pm | ESPN2 |
| Atlantic 10 Championship | 1:00pm | CBS |
| SEC Championship | 1:00pm | ESPN |
| American Championship | 3:15pm | ESPN |
| Big Ten Championship | 3:30pm | CBS |
| NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Selection Show | 6:00pm | CBS Paramount+ |
| MOTORSPORTS | TIME ET | TV |
| Formula One: Australian Grand Prix | 12:00am | ESPN |
| NASCAR Cup: Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube | 3:30pm | FS1 |
| GOLF | TIME ET | TV |
| PGA Tour: The Players Championship | 1:00pm | NBC |
| SOCCER | TIME ET | TV |
| Serie A: Venezia vs Napoli | 6:30am | Paramount+ fuboTV |
| La Liga: Leganés vs Real Betis | 8:00am | ESPN+ fuboTV |
| EPL: Chelsea vs Leicester City | 9:00am | USA Peacock fuboTV |
| EPL: Tottenham Hotspur vs AFC Bournemouth | 9:00am | Peacock |
| Ligue 1: Olympique Lyonnais vs Le Havre | 9:00am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Serie A: Bologna vs Lazio | 9:00am | Paramount+ fuboTV |
| EPL: Fulham vs Tottenham Hotspur | 9:30am | USA Peacock fuboTV |
| EPL: Arsenal vs Chelsea | 9:30am | Peacock fuboTV |
| Bundesliga: Bochum vs Eintracht Frankfurt | 9:30am | ESPN+ |
| La Liga: Sevilla vs Athletic Club | 10:15am | ESPN+ fuboTV |
| Ligue 1: Montpellier vs Saint-Étienne | 11:15am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Strasbourg vs Toulouse | 11:15am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Ligue 1: Brest vs Reims | 11:15am | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs Holstein Kiel | 11:30am | ESPN+ |
| Serie A: Fiorentina vs Juventus | 12:00pm | Paramount+ fuboTV |
| La Liga: Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad | 12:30pm | ESPN+ fuboTV |
| League Cup: Liverpool vs Newcastle United | 12:30pm | Paramount+ fuboTV |
| La Liga: Osasuna vs Getafe | 12:30pm | ESPN+ fuboTV |
| Bundesliga: Stuttgart vs Bayer Leverkusen | 1:30pm | ESPN+ |
| MLS: Philadelphia Union vs Nashville SC | 2:25pm | FOX MLS Season Pass |
| Serie A: Atalanta vs Internazionale | 2:45pm | Paramount+ fuboTV |
| Ligue 1: PSG vs Olympique Marseille | 2:45pm | Fanatiz beIN Sports |
| EPL: Leicester City vs Manchester United | 3:00pm | USA Peacock fuboTV |
| La Liga: Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona | 3:00pm | ESPN+ fuboTV |
| MLS: Portland Timbers vs LA Galaxy | 4:45pm | FOX MLS Season Pass |
| MLS: Atlanta United vs Inter Miami | 7:00pm | MLS Season Pass |
| Liga MX: Pumas UNAM vs Monterrey | 8:00pm | VIX |
| Liga MX: Pachuca vs Tijuana | 10:00pm | VIX |