“THE SCOREBOARD” INDIANA SRN BOYS BASKETBALL POLLS 4A FISHERS 6-0 CROWN POINT 3-0 LAWRENCE NORTH 5-0 PIKE 5-1 PLAINFIELD 7-0 CARMEL 5-0 MT. VERNON 6-1 CHESTERTON 5-0 HOMESTEAD 4-1 SB RILEY 4-0 3A CATHEDRAL 5-0 SILVER CREEK 7-0 NORTHVIEW 5-0 RONCALLI 5-0 PRINCETON 5-1 COLUMBIA CITY 5-0 SHELBYVILLE 6-1 GUERIN CATHOLIC 4-2 BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 3-1 GREENWOOD 5-2 2A PARKE HERITAGE 6-0 OAK HILL 5-0 CENTERVILLE 6-0 PARK TUDOR 3-0 LINTON 5-1 WESTVIEW 7-1 PAOLI 4-0 SHENANDOAH 5-0 GARY 21ST CENTURY 4-3 SOUTH RIPLEY 1A KOUTS 6-0 BARR-REEVE 6-0 HAUSER 5-1 BLOOMFIELD 5-1 TRITON 6-1 ORLEANS 4-1 ROSSVILLE 5-1 LOOGOOTEE 6-2 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 4-2 WEST CENTRAL 7-0 ========== INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SAGARIN RATINGS 4A PLAINFIELD CARMEL CHESTERTON PENN FISHERS LAWRENCE NORTH PIKE CROWN POINT NEW ALBANY MT. VERNON 3A SILVER CREEK NORTHVIEW CATHEDRAL FW BLACKHAWK RONCALLI SHELBYVILLE PRINCETON FAIRFIELD CRISPUS ATTUCKS GUERIN CATHOLIC 2A PARKE HERITAGE TRITON CENTRAL OAK HILL WESTVIEW GARY 21ST CENTURY LAPEL CENTERVILLE SCECINA FOREST PARK PAOLI 1A BARR-REEVE HAUSER WOOD MEMORIAL KOUTS NE DUBOIS LOOGOOTEE WEST CENTRAL NORTH DAVIESS ORLEANS TRITON =========== INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL MONDAY SCHEDULE ALL TIMES EASTERN BLOOMINGTON NORTH AT EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL 2:00 PM CHRIST THE KING JESUIT (ILL.) AT PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY 12:30 PM COLUMBUS NORTH AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH 7:30 PM DECATUR CENTRAL AT INDIANAPOLIS RITTER 7:30 PM EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL AT NORTH KNOX 2:30 PM FAITH CHRISTIAN AT CASCADE 7:30 PM HOMESTEAD AT LEO 7:30 PM NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) AT INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL 5:30 PM OPH (ILL.) AT SOUTH VERMILLION 7:30 PM SOUTH BEND ST. JOSEPH VS. REYNOLDSBURG (OHIO) TBA SOUTHPORT AT INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECH 7:30 PM CARROLL COUNTY (KY.) CLASSIC SOUTH DEARBORN VS. BULLITT CENTRAL (KY.) 1:15 PM GIBSON COUNTY TOURNAMENT NORTH POSEY AT PRINCETON 1:00 PM R1 SOUTH KNOX VS. OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (KY.) 2:30 PM R1 DANVILLE AT WOOD MEMORIAL 1:00 PM R1 EVANSVILLE CENTRAL VS. GIBSON SOUTHERN 2:30 PM R1 LOSER GAME 1 VS. LOSER GAME 2 7:00 PM CON WINNER GAME 1 VS. WINNER GAME 2 8:30 PM SF LOSER GAME 3 VS. LOSER GAME 4 7:00 PM CON WINNER GAME 3 VS. WINNER GAME 4 8:30 PM SF HIGHLAND TOURNAMENT GRIFFITH VS. BOWMAN ACADEMY 11:00 AM R1 WHITING AT HIGHLAND 12:30 PM R1 LOSER GAME 1 VS. LOSER GAME 2 5:30 PM CON WINNER GAME 1 VS. WINNER GAME 2 7:00 PM SF LAKELAND CHRISTIAN TOURNAMENT ST. THOMAS MORE VS. LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 10:00 AM POOL A CLINTON CHRISTIAN VS. BETHANY CHRISTIAN 11:30 AM POOL B ILLIANA CHRISTIAN VS. ST. THOMAS MORE 1:00 PM POOL A WHITKO VS. CLINTON CHRISTIAN 2:30 PM POOL B LAKELAND CHRISTIAN VS. ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 4:00 PM POOL A BETHANY CHRISTIAN VS. WHITKO 5:30 PM POOL B WHITEFIELD (KY.) TOURNAMENT SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH) VS. TBA TBA ============ INDIANA SRN GIRLS BASKETBALL POLLS 4A NORWELL 12-1 CENTER GROVE 11-0 WARSAW 11-1 PIKE 11-1 HOMESTEAD 10-2 BLOOMINGTON SOUTH 10-0 LAWRENCE CENTRAL 10-2 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 11-2 VALPARAISO 9-1 PENDLETON HEIGHTS 10-2 3A WASHINGTON 11-2 BELLMONT 12-1 GREENSBURG 7-3 SILVER CREEK 7-3 JENNINGS COUNTY 9-2 CHARLESTOWN 7-2 RONCALLI 12-3 DELTA 9-2 MADISON 7-2 NEW PALESTINE 10-3 2A RENSSELAER CENTRAL 11-1 LAPEL 11-0 SOUTH KNOX 10-2 EASTSIDE 12-0 NORTH KNOX 10-2 BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 11-2 BREMEN 12-1 WHITKO 9-1 BLUFFTON 11-3 LEWIS CASS 10-1 1A MARQUETTE CATHOLIC 12-0 BORDEN 9-1 FREMONT 12-1 ELKHART CHRISTIAN 10-2 ORLEANS 9-2 EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 8-2 KOUTS 10-3 SPRINGS VALLEY 9-2 TRINITY LUTHERAN 8-1 OLDENBURG ACADEMY 10-1 ========== INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SAGARIN RATINGS 4A PIKE WARSAW HOMESTEAD NORWELL HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN BROWNSBURG VALPARAISO FLOYD CENTRAL LAWRENCE CENTRAL MCCUTCHEON 3A BELLMONT SILVER CREEK GREENSBURG RONCALLI WASHINGTON CATHEDRAL JENNINGS COUNTY COLUMBIA CITY DELTA NORTHVIEW 2A WHITKO NORTH KNOX SOUTH KNOX LAPEL TRITON CENTRAL EVANSVILLE MATER DEI EASTSIDE PROVIDENCE RENSSELAER CENTRAL BLUFFTON 1A MARQUETTE CATHOLIC BORDEN FREMONT TRINITY LUTHERAN ELKHART CHRISTIAN EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN ORLEANS KOUTS ROSSVILLE SPRINGS VALLEY =========== INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL MONDAY’S SCHEDULE ALL TIMES EASTERN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AT TRINITY LUTHERAN PPD. CONNERSVILLE AT LAPEL 7:30 PM EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL VS. PADUCAH TILGHMAN (KY.) 3:00 PM HAGERSTOWN AT MONROE CENTRAL 7:00 PM INDIANAPOLIS ARSENAL TECH AT PERRY MERIDIAN 7:30 PM LANESVILLE AT PROVIDENCE 1:30 PM MONROVIA AT TRI-WEST 7:00 PM MUNCIE CENTRAL AT WAPAHANI 6:30 PM NEW ALBANY AT SALEM 7:30 PM NORTH DECATUR AT COLUMBUS EAST 7:30 PM NORTH NEWTON AT LAKE STATION 8:00 PM NORTHEASTERN AT MISSISSINAWA VALLEY (OHIO) 7:30 PM OWEN VALLEY AT SHAKAMAK 7:30 PM PAOLI AT ORLEANS 7:30 PM PIONEER AT LAPORTE 6:30 PM SILVER CREEK AT AUSTIN 7:30 PM SOUTH VERMILLION AT WEST VIGO 7:30 PM SOUTHRIDGE AT EVANSVILLE BOSSE 7:00 PM TERRE HAUTE NORTH AT MOORESVILLE 7:30 PM WEST WASHINGTON AT SCOTTSBURG 7:30 PM WHITE RIVER VALLEY AT NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 7:30 PM CARROLL (FLORA) TOURNAMENT TIPTON VS. WESTERN BOONE 6:00 PM R1 UNIVERSITY AT CARROLL (FLORA) 6:00 PM R1 WESTERN VS. LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC 7:45 PM R1 FAITH CHRISTIAN VS. LEWIS CASS 7:45 PM R1 GIBSON COUNTY TOURNAMENT INDIAN CREEK VS. OWENSBORO CATHOLIC (KY.) 10:00 AM R1 NORTH POSEY AT PRINCETON 11:30 AM R1 EVANSVILLE REITZ VS. GIBSON SOUTHERN 10:00 AM R1 DANVILLE AT WOOD MEMORIAL 11:30 AM R1 LOSER GAME 1 VS. LOSER GAME 2 4:00 PM CON WINNER GAME 1 VS. WINNER GAME 2 5:30 PM SF LOSER GAME 3 VS. LOSER GAME 4 4:00 PM CON WINNER GAME 3 VS. WINNER GAME 4 5:30 PM SF HALL OF FAME TOURNAMENT WARSAW VS. EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 11:00 AM R1 PLAINFIELD VS. NORWELL 12:30 PM R1 LOSER GAME 1 VS. LOSER GAME 2 6:00 PM 3RD WINNER GAME 1 VS. WINNER GAME 2 7:30 PM 1ST LAKELAND CHRISTIAN TOURNAMENT BETHANY CHRISTIAN VS. CLINTON CHRISTIAN 10:00 AM POOL B HAMILTON VS. LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 11:30 AM POOL A CLINTON CHRISTIAN VS. NOBLE-WHITLEY HOMESCHOOL 1:00 PM POOL B ST. THOMAS MORE AT LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 2:30 PM POOL A NOBLE-WHITLEY HOMESCHOOL VS. BETHANY CHRISTIAN 4:00 PM POOL B ST. THOMAS MORE VS. HAMILTON 5:30 PM POOL A MONTINI CATHOLIC (ILL.) TOURNAMENT HAMMOND NOLL VS. FREMD (ILL.) 11:30 AM R1 HAMMOND CENTRAL VS. ST. CHARLES EAST (ILL.) 2:30 PM R1 MERRILLVILLE VS. TBA TBA RICHMOND TOURNAMENT BEECH GROVE VS. MARION 1:00 PM R1 PURDUE ENGLEWOOD VS. CHARLESTOWN 3:00 PM R1 BEN DAVIS VS. GUERIN CATHOLIC 5:00 PM R1 PARK TUDOR AT RICHMOND 7:00 PM R1 WHITEFIELD (KY.) TOURNAMENT SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH) VS. TBA =========== INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING https://indianamat.com =========== MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25 #23 FLORIDA 90 COLGATE 60 #13 VANDERBILT 98 WAKE FOREST 67 #16 ALABAMA 92 KENNESAW STATE 81 #20 TENNESSEE 94 GARDNER WEBB 52 #2 MICHIGAN 102 LASALLE 50 #5 UCONN 72 DEPAUL 54 #4 IOWA STATE 91 LONG BEACH STATE 60 #7 GONZAGA 91 OREGON 82 #15 NEBRASKA 78 NORTH DAKOTA 55 ELSEWHERE: PITTSBURGH 80 PENN STATE 46 BAYLOR 111 SOUTHERN 67 NC STATE 76 OLE MISS 62 SMU 99 CENTRAL ARKANSAS 82 PURDUE FT. WAYNE 72 NOTRE DAME 69 OKLAHOMA STATE 94 CAL STATE FULLERTON 89 MURRAY STATE 85 VALPO 79 SMU 99 CENTRAL ARKANSAS 82 CHARLOTTE 88 ILLINOIS CHICAGO 76 OT UNC GREENSBORO 131 VIRGINIA LYNCHBURG 53 BRADLEY 73 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 69 CLEMSON 68 CINCINNATI 65 OREGON STATE 78 ARIZONA STATE 75 SOUTH FLORIDA 94 MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY 69 ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM 72 UNC CHARLOTTE 47 MIAMI FLORIDA 105 N. FLORIDA 67 TCU 80 FLORIDA A&M 56 DRAKE 66 EVANSVILLE 65 USC 102 UC SANTA CRUZ 63 WICHITA STATE 88 EASTERN KENTUCKY 57 CALIFORNIA 74 COLUMBIA 56 MILWAUKEE 81 CLEVELAND STATE 71 ILLINOIS STATE 85 INDIANA STATE 65 SAN FRANCISCO 94 MORGAN STATE 64 MINNESOTA 78 CAMPBELL 50 UC DAVIS 93 IDAHO STATE 83 IDAHO 83 CAL POLY 80 OT UC IRVINE 74 NORTH DAKOTA STATE 73 NORFOLK STATE 72 UTEP 71 =========== WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25 #10 IOWA STATE 79 KANSAS 76 #6 MICHIGAN 97 OAKLAND 54 #5 LSU 110 UT ARLINGTON 45 #2 TEXAS 70 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 51 #18 NORTH CAROLINA 93 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 74 #22 WASHINGTON 90 PACIFIC 50 TEXAS TECH 61 #15 BAYLOR 60 #24 MICHIGAN STATE 115 INDIANA STATE 66 #20 NOTRE DAME 110 BELLARMINE 38 #14 OLE MISS 86 OLD DOMINION 57 #19 USC 61 CALIFORNIA 57 GEORGIA 82 COPPIN STATE 55 VIRGINIA TECH 79 RADFORD 47 MIAMI FLORIDA 85 KENNESAW STATE 55 PURDUE 93 JACKSON STATE 62 WISCONSIN 81 IU INDY 72 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 68 DAVIDSON 59 AKRON 94 LEMOYNE 68 DETROIT MERCY 59 DELAWARE STATE 46 DAYTON 75 EVANSVILLE 66 DUQUESNE 84 PITTSBURGH 69 INDIANA 71 WESTERN CAROLINA 44 SOUTH FLORIDA 86 NAVY 74 GEORGE WASHINGTON 75 NORTHWESTERN 62 MISSOURI 84 N. ALABAMA 57 EAST CAROLINA 81 CAMPBELL 59 PROVIDENCE 68 GEORGETOWN 61 OT TEXAS A&M 93 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 60 CLEMSON 84 N. FLORIDA 62 WEST VIRGINIA 101 HOUSTON 46 OKLAHOMA STATE 91 CINCINNATI 63 ST. JOSEPH’S 73 DELAWARE 66 BRADLEY 62 NORTHERN KENTUCKY 61 RICHMOND 70 PENN STATE 54 MERCER 72 TULANE 67 TULSA 74 FLORIDA 67 ALABAMA 77 TROY 59 MINNESOTA 68 DRAKE 43 MOUNT ST. MARY’S 65 IONA 55 SMU 74 SOUTHERN 62 PORTLAND 98 PORTLAND STATE 53 SAN JOSE STATE 61 SACRAMENTO STATE 56 GONZAGA 68 UC RIVERSIDE 62 LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 76 SOUTHERN UTAH 68 STANFORD 64 OREGON 53 ARIZONA STATE 79 COLORADO 63 =========== COLLEGE FOOTBALL MONDAY, DEC. 22 2 P.M. | UTAH STATE VS. WASHINGTON STATE | FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL (BOISE, IDAHO) | ESPN TUESDAY, DEC. 23 2 P.M. | LOUISVILLE VS. TOLEDO | BOCA RATON BOWL (BOCA RATON, FLA.) | ESPN 5:30 P.M. | WESTERN KENTUCKY VS. SOUTHERN MISS. | NEW ORLEANS BOWL (NEW ORLEANS, LA.) | ESPN 9 P.M. | OHIO VS. UNLV | FRISCO BOWL (FRISCO, TEXAS) | ESPN WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24 8 P.M. | CAL VS. HAWAI’I | HAWAI’I BOWL (HONOLULU, HAWAI’I) | ESPN FRIDAY, DEC. 26 1 P.M. | NORTHWESTERN VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN | GAMEABOVE SPORTS BOWL (DETROIT, MICH.) | ESPN 4:30 P.M. | NEW MEXICO VS. MINNESOTA | RATE BOWL (PHOENIX, ARIZ.) | ESPN 8 P.M. | UTSA VS. FIU | FIRST RESPONDER BOWL (DALLAS, TEXAS) | ESPN SATURDAY, DEC. 27 11 A.M. | EAST CAROLINA VS. PITT | MILITARY BOWL (ANNAPOLIS, MD.) | ESPN 12 P.M. | CLEMSON VS. PENN STATE | PINSTRIPE BOWL (BRONX, N.Y.) | ABC 2:15 P.M. | UCONN VS. ARMY | FENWAY BOWL (BOSTON, MASS.) | ESPN 3:30 P.M. | NO. 12 BYU VS. NO. 22 GEORGIA TECH | POP-TARTS BOWL (ORLANDO, FLA.) | ABC 4:30 P.M. | MIAMI (OH) VS. FRESNO STATE | ARIZONA BOWL (TUCSON, ARIZ.) | THE CW NETWORK 5:45 P.M. | UNT VS. SAN DIEGO STATE | NEW MEXICO BOWL (ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) | ESPN 7:30 P.M. | NO. 19 VIRGINIA VS. MISSOURI | GATOR BOWL (JACKSONVILLE, FLA.) | ABC 9:15 P.M. | NO. 21 HOUSTON VS. LSU | TEXAS BOWL (HOUSTON, TEXAS) | ESPN MONDAY, DEC. 29 2 P.M. | GEORGIA SOUTHERN VS. APP STATE | BIRMINGHAM BOWL (BIRMINGHAM, ALA.) | ESPN TUESDAY, DEC. 30 2 P.M. | LOUISIANA TECH VS. COASTAL CAROLINA | INDEPENDENCE BOWL (SHREVEPORT, LA.) | ESPN 5:30 P.M. | TENNESSEE VS. ILLINOIS | MUSIC CITY BOWL (NASHVILLE, TENN.) | ESPN 9 P.M. | NO. 16 SOUTHERN CAL. VS. TCU | ALAMO BOWL (SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS) | ESPN WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31 12 P.M. | NO. 14 VANDERBILT VS. NO. 23 IOWA | RELIAQUEST BOWL (TAMPA, FLA.) | ESPN 2 P.M. | DUKE VS. ARIZONA STATE | SUN BOWL (EL PASO, TEXAS) | CBS 3 P.M. | NO. 13 TEXAS VS. NO. 18 MICHIGAN | CITRUS BOWL (ORLANDO, FLA.) | ABC 3:30 P.M. | NO. 15 UTAH VS. NEBRASKA | LAS VEGAS BOWL (LAS VEGAS, NEV.) | ESPN 7:30 P.M. | NO. 2 OHIO STATE VS. NO. 10 MIAMI (FLA.) | COTTON BOWL (CFP QUARTERFINAL) (ARLINGTON, TEXAS) | ESPN THURSDAY, JAN. 1 12 P.M. | NO. 4 TEXAS TECH VS. NO. 5 OREGON | ORANGE BOWL (CFP QUARTERFINAL) (MIAMI, FLA.) | ESPN 4 P.M. | NO. 1 INDIANA VS. NO. 9 ALABAMA | ROSE BOWL (CFP QUARTERFINAL) (PASADENA, CA.) | ESPN 8 P.M. | NO. 3 GEORGIA VS. NO. 6 OLE MISS | SUGAR BOWL (CFP QUARTERFINAL) (NEW ORLEANS, LA.) | ESPN FRIDAY, JAN. 2 1 P.M. | RICE VS. TEXAS STATE | ARMED FORCES BOWL (FORT WORTH, TEXAS) | ESPN 4:30 P.M. | NAVY VS. CINCINNATI | LIBERTY BOWL (MEMPHIS, TENN.) | ESPN 8 P.M. | WAKE FOREST VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE | DUKE’S MAYO BOWL (CHARLOTTE, N.C.) | ESPN 8 P.M. | SMU VS. ARIZONA | HOLIDAY BOWL (SAN DIEGO) | FOX THURSDAY, JAN. 8 7:30 P.M. | FIESTA BOWL (CFP SEMIFINAL) (GLENDALE, ARIZ.) | ESPN FRIDAY, JAN. 9 7:30 P.M. | PEACH BOWL (CFP SEMIFINAL) (ATLANTA, GA.) | ESPN MONDAY, JAN. 19 7:30 P.M. | COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (MIAMI, FLA.) | ESPN =========== NFL BUFFALO 23 CLEVELAND 20 LA CHARGERS 34 DALLAS 17 NEW ORLEANS 29 NY JETS 6 CAROLINA 23 TAMPA BAY 20 MINNESOTA 16 NY GIANTS 13 TENNESSEE 26 KANSAS CITY 9 CINCINNATI 45 MIAMI 21 JACKSONVILLE 34 DENVER 20 ATLANTA 26 ARIZONA 19 HOUSTON 23 LAS VEGAS 21 PITTSBURGH 29 DETROIT 24 NEW ENGLAND 28 BALTIMORE 24 MONDAY, DEC. 22 SAN FRANCISCO AT INDIANAPOLIS, 8:15 P.M. (ESPN) =========== WEEK 17 THURSDAY, DEC. 25 DALLAS AT WASHINGTON, 1 P.M. (NETFLIX) DETROIT AT MINNESOTA, 4:30 P.M. (NETFLIX) DENVER AT KANSAS CITY, 8:15 P.M. (PRIME VIDEO) NY GIANTS AT LAS VEGAS, TBD HOUSTON AT LA CHARGERS, TBD ARIZONA AT CINCINNATI, TBD BALTIMORE AT GREEN BAY, TBD SEATTLE AT CAROLINA, TBD SATURDAY, DEC. 27 TBD, 4:30 P.M. (NFLN) TBD, 8 P.M. (PEACOCK) SUNDAY, DEC. 28 NEW ORLEANS AT TENNESSEE, 1 P.M. (CBS) PITTSBURGH AT CLEVELAND, 1 P.M. (CBS) NEW ENGLAND AT NY JETS, 1 P.M. (CBS) JACKSONVILLE AT INDIANAPOLIS, 1 P.M. (FOX) TAMPA BAY AT MIAMI, 1 P.M. (FOX) TBD, 4:05 P.M. (CBS) PHILADELPHIA AT BUFFALO, 4:25 P.M. (FOX) CHICAGO AT SAN FRANCISCO, 8:20 P.M. (NBC) MONDAY, DEC. 29 LA RAMS AT ATLANTA, 8:15 P.M. (ESPN) ============ NBA CHICAGO 152 ATLANTA 150 NEW YORK 132 MIAMI 125 BROOKLYN 96 TORONTO 81 MINNESOTA 103 MILWAUKEE 100 SAN ANTONIO 124 WASHINGTON 113 SACRAMENTO 125 HOUSTON 124 OT ============ NHL DETROIT 3 WASHINGTON 2 OT COLORADO 5 MINNESOTA 1 OTTAWA 6 BOSTON 2 BUFFALO 3 NEW JERSEY 1 NASHVILLE 2 NY RANGERS 1 PITTSBURGH 4 MONTRÉAL 3 DALLAS 5 TORONTO 1 UTAH 4 WINNIPEG 3 OT EDMONTON 4 VEGAS 3 ============ COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TEXAS A&M 3 KENTUCKY 1 ============ TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES NFL NEWS NFL ROUNDUP: STEELERS MAKE BIG PLAYS, ESCAPE LIONS Jaylen Warren rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns, Kenneth Gainwell caught a highlight-reel touchdown pass, and the Pittsburgh Steelers escaped with a 29-24 win over the host Detroit Lions on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers completed 27 of 41 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown for Pittsburgh (9-6), which won its third game in a row. The Steelers guaranteed that they will not have a losing record in the regular season, extending a streak that started in 2004. Jared Goff completed 34 of 54 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns for Detroit (8-7). Isaac TeSlaa, Kalif Raymond and Jahmyr Gibbs caught one touchdown apiece. The game ended with a bizarre sequence as Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown was called for offensive pass interference, which negated what would have been a winning touchdown as time expired. Referees huddled for several minutes before announcing the final call. Gainwell’s play allowed the Steelers to even the score at 10-all with 2 seconds to go in the first half. Gainwell caught a high-arcing pass while falling down inside the Lions’ 15-yard line, and he popped to his feet and sprinted to the end zone before the defense could react for a 45-yard score. Jaguars 34, Broncos 20 Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as visiting Jacksonville beat Denver, ending the Broncos’ 11-game winning streak. Lawrence finished 23-for-36 passing for 279 yards for Jacksonville (11-4), which has won six straight. Parker Washington had a career-high 145 yards receiving, including a score, and Brenton Strong and Travis Etienne Jr. also caught TD passes for the Jaguars. Bo Nix was 28-for-47 passing for a career-high 352 yards and a score, RJ Harvey rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown, and Courtland Sutton had 86 yards receiving with a TD catch for the Broncos (12-3), who lost for the first time since Sept. 21. Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20 Ryan Fitzgerald’s 48-yard field goal with 2:20 remaining broke a tie and Carolina’s Lathan Ransom intercepted a pass on Tampa Bay’s next possession as the Panthers won a critical NFC South showdown in Charlotte, N.C. Bryce Young threw for two touchdowns and 191 yards for Carolina. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for a touchdown and 145 yards, but Tampa Bay lost for the sixth time in its last seven games. The outcome gives the Panthers (8-7) a one-game lead on the Bucs (7-8) atop the division with two games remaining. The teams will meet in two weeks to end the regular season. Before then, Carolina could clinch the division if it beats Seattle at home next week and if Tampa Bay loses to Miami. Patriots 28, Ravens 24 Drake Maye completed 31 of 44 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns as New England improved its road record to 7-0 by coming back to beat Baltimore. New England (12-3) trailed 24-21 until Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 21-yard run and Andy Borregales kicked the extra point with 2:07 to play. The Patriots recovered a Baltimore fumble on the second play of the ensuing drive and ran out the clock. Derrick Henry rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries for the Ravens (7-8), who played most of the night without quarterback Lamar Jackson, who left the game because of a back injury with 1:16 remaining in the first half and did not return. Chargers 34, Cowboys 17 Justin Herbert passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns and added a scoring run as Los Angeles won for the seventh time in the past eight games with a victory over Dallas at Arlington, Texas. Quentin Johnston had four catches for 104 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers (11-4). Ladd McConkey had a scoring reception, Omarion Hampton rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and Herbert completed 23 of 29 passes. Dak Prescott completed 21 of 30 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns for the Cowboys (6-8-1), who were eliminated from the playoff chase Saturday when the Philadelphia Eagles knocked off the Washington Commanders. Bills 23, Browns 20 James Cook ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns and visiting Buffalo’s defense delivered in the fourth quarter as it inched closer to clinching its seventh straight playoff berth with a victory over Cleveland. Bills quarterback Josh Allen was cleared after injuring his leg on a sack late in the first half and completed 12 of 19 passes for 130 yards. Ty Johnson ran in a tie-breaking 2-yard touchdown during the second quarter for the Bills (11-4) in their fourth straight win. Harold Fannin Jr. had two TDs — one receiving and one rushing — for the Browns (3-12), who lost their fourth straight. Shedeur Sanders completed 20 of 29 passes for 157 yards with a touchdown and also got picked off twice. Texans 23, Raiders 21 Dalton Schultz caught a touchdown pass and set Houston’s single-season record for catches by a tight end as the Texans stopped visiting Las Vegas to stay in contention for the AFC South title. Schultz’s 1-yard catch from CJ Stroud with 7:41 left in the game gave Houston (10-5) a 23-14 advantage. It was the only offensive touchdown of the day for the Texans, who were limited to 270 total yards and 16 first downs. Las Vegas (2-13) pulled within two points when Ashton Jeanty ripped off his second long score of the day, a 51-yard run at the 5:24 mark. But Houston was able to run out the clock. Jeanty accounted for 188 yards from scrimmage, including 128 on 24 rushes. Bengals 45, Dolphins 21 Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes and Chase Brown scored three TDs to lead visiting Cincinnati to a rout of Miami. Burrow completed 25 of 32 passes for 309 yards, did not throw an interception and finished with a 146.5 passer rating to help the Bengals (5-10) win for only the second time in the past eight games and snap a two-game skid. Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers made his first career start for the Dolphins (6-9), who benched Tua Tagovailoa this week and lost their second straight game. Ewers had some success in the first half but struggled as the game progressed, throwing two interceptions and finishing with 260 yards and a 66.0 passer rating while completing 20 of 30 attempts. Titans 26, Chiefs 9 Cam Ward threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns as Tennessee snapped an 11-game losing streak at home, dating back to last year, by beating injury-riddled Kansas City in Nashville. Ward completed 21 of 28 passes with TD throws to Chig Okonkwo and Chimere Dike. Tony Pollard rushed for 102 yards on 21 carries as the Titans (3-12) gained 376 total yards and possessed the ball for 38:01. The Chiefs’ (6-9) offense, already hamstrung without the likes of Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Rashee Rice (concussion), took another blow when backup quarterback Gardner Minshew left early in the second quarter and didn’t return after sustaining a left knee injury. Chris Oladokun, who was activated off the practice squad Saturday, threw his first NFL passes and went 11 of 16 for 111 yards. Saints 29, Jets 6 Charlie Smyth tied a franchise record with five field goals, Chris Olave caught two touchdown passes from different quarterbacks and the New Orleans defense didn’t allow a touchdown as the Saints defeated visiting New York. Tyler Shough had season highs of 32 completions, 49 attempts and 308 yards. The rookie threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Olave, who finished with 10 catches for a season-best 148 yards. The Saints (5-10) have won three straight games and are 4-3 since Shough became the starter. Rookie Brady Cook made his second start for the Jets (3-12) and completed 22 of 35 passes for 188 yards with one interception. He was sacked eight times for 57 yards. Falcons 26, Cardinals 19 Kirk Cousins threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score, leading Atlanta past Arizona in Glendale, Ariz. Tyler Allgeier rushed for 79 yards, while Bijan Robinson ran for 76 yards and caught seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons (6-9), who won at Arizona for the first time since Sept. 30, 2001. Jacoby Brissett threw for 203 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Cardinals (3-12), who lost their seventh straight game. Vikings 16, Giants 13 Backup quarterback Max Brosmer, replacing an injured J.J. McCarthy, led a go-ahead scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to lift Minnesota over host New York in East Rutherford, N.J. The Vikings outgained the Giants 240-141. Brosmer completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards for Minnesota (7-8), which won its third consecutive game. McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards and an interception, and he also rushed for a touchdown before he injured his right hand. Jaxson Dart completed 7 of 13 passes for 33 yards and an interception for New York (2-13), which lost its ninth game in a row. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had 16 carries for 71 yards. SEVEN FROM SUNDAY – WEEK 16 A look at seven statistical highlights from games played during the 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET windows on Sunday, December 21, the 16th week of the 2025 season. Philadelphia clinched the NFC East for the second consecutive season after defeating the Commanders, 29-18, on Saturday and became the first NFC East team to win the division in back-to-back seasons in 21 years (Philadelphia Eagles, 2001-04). Seattle clinched their first playoff spot since 2022 after defeating the Los Angeles Rams, 38-37, in overtime in Week 16. With Detroit’s Week 16 loss, Chicago – after defeating Green Bay, 22-16, in overtime – clinched their first playoff spot since 2020, and San Francisco clinched their fourth playoff berth in the past five years. New England can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie against Baltimore on Sunday Night Football or an Indianapolis loss or tie against San Francisco on Monday Night Football. Buffalo, Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Chargers can each clinch a playoff berth in Week 16 should San Francisco defeat Indianapolis on Monday. Three teams – Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle – clinched a playoff spot in Week 16 after missing the postseason last year. Since 1990 – a streak of 35 consecutive seasons (1990-2024) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before. With two games remaining in Week 16, eight games have been decided by seven-or-fewer points and three teams overcame deficits of 10-or-more points to win, including Seattle (16 points), Atlanta (10 points) and Chicago (10 points). With Buffalo’s 23-20 win at Cleveland in Week 16, quarterback Josh Allen recorded his 87th career regular season win, surpassing Tom Brady (86 regular season wins) and Russell Wilson (86) for the second-most regular season wins by a quarterback in his first eight seasons in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (89 regular season wins) has more. Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett had a half sack in Week 16 and leads the league with 22 sacks, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jared Allen (22 sacks in 2011 with Minnesota), as well as Mark Gastineau (22 in 1984 with the New York Jets) and Justin Houston (22 in 2014 with Kansas City) for the third-most sacks in a single season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic. Only Michael Strahan (22.5 in 2001 with the New York Giants) and T.J. Watt (22.5 in 2021 with Pittsburgh) have more. Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin – who is 53 years old – recorded his 200th career win (including the playoffs) in Week 16, since being hired as the Steelers head coach in 2007. With the victory, the Steelers improved to 9-6 this season and secured their 22nd consecutive season with a .500-or-better record, surpassing the Dallas Cowboys (21 consecutive seasons from 1965-85) for the longest such streak in NFL history. Including the playoffs, Tomlin is the 11th head coach all-time with 200 career wins and the third-youngest head coach to reach 200 in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Don Shula (51 years and 308 days old) and Curly Lambeau (48 years and 222 days old) reached the mark at a younger age. Tomlin, who has 19 career seasons with a .500-or-better record, ties Marty Schottenheimer (19 seasons) for the fourth-most seasons with a .500-or-better record by a head coach since 1970, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula (24), Andy Reid (23) and Bill Belichick (21). Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence passed for 279 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown in the Jaguars’ 34-20 victory at Denver. Lawrence, who had 330 passing yards, five touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in Week 15, is the third player in NFL history with at least 275 passing yards, three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown in consecutive games, joining Joe Burrow (2022) and Kyler Murray (2020 and 2021). Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 309 yards and four touchdowns for a 146.5 rating in his 75th career game in the Bengals’ 45-21 win at Miami. Burrow, who has 20,269 passing yards in his first 75 career games, joins Patrick Mahomes (22,799 passing yards), Matthew Stafford (21,254), Andrew Luck (20,569) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (20,293) as the only players in NFL history with at least 20,000 passing yards in his first 75 career games. Burrow has 152 touchdown passes through 75 career games and is the third player in NFL history with at least 150 touchdown passes in his first 75 career games, joining Patrick Mahomes (181 touchdown passes) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (173). Burrow, who has at least four touchdown passes in nine games since entering the NFL in 2020, surpassed Jeff Garcia (eight games), Andrew Luck (eight) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas (eight) for the fifth-most such games in a player’s first six seasons in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (16 games) and Josh Allen (10) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (16) and Brett Favre (10) have more. Burrow has 27 career games with at least 300 passing yards, tied with Matthew Stafford (27 games) and Jameis Winston (27) for the fifth-most games with at least 300 passing yards in a player’s first six seasons in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (41 games) and Justin Herbert (31, in sixth season) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (32) and Kurt Warner (30) have more. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns for a 132.8 rating and rushed for 42 yards and a touchdown in the Chargers’ 34-17 win at Dallas. Herbert, who passed for at least 300 yards in 31 games since entering the NFL in 2020, surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner (30 games) for the third-most such games in a player’s first six seasons in NFL history. Only Patrick Mahomes (41 games) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (32) have more. Per Next Gen Stats, Herbert – who was blitzed on a season-high 54.5 percent of his drop backs in Week 16 – completed nine of his 11 passes attempts under pressure for 108 yards and a touchdown without being sacked. For more information on Next Gen Stats, check out NFL Pro, available within NFL+ Premium. With NFL+ Premium, get access to NFL Pro and track advanced analytics powered by Next Gen Stats and watch All-22 film. Available on desktop and mobile web, visit pro.nfl.com for more information. Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson had 168 scrimmage yards (92 receiving, 76 rushing) and a touchdown reception in the Falcons’ 26-19 victory at Arizona. Robinson, who is 23 years old, has 5,376 career scrimmage yards, surpassing Clinton Portis (5,327 scrimmage yards) for the third-most scrimmage yards by a player under the age of 24 in NFL history. Only Christian McCaffrey (5,443 scrimmage yards) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (5,391) have more. Robinson is the fifth player since 2000 with at least 75 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards in consecutive games, joining Le’Veon Bell (2017), Mewelde Moore (2004), Priest Holmes (2001) and Charlie Garner (2000). Additionally, Robinson is the fourth player since 2000 with at least 75 rushing yards and 75 receiving yards in three games within a single season, joining Ezekiel Elliott (2018), Priest Holmes (2001 and 2002) and Christian McCaffrey (2018 and 2019). Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 85 yards in the Vikings’ 16-13 victory at the New York Giants. Jefferson has 567 receptions since entering the league in 2020, the most receptions by a player in his first six seasons in NFL history. Additional notes from Sunday include: Detroit quarterback Jared Goff completed 34 of 54 pass attempts (63 percent) for 364 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh in Week 16, including a touchdown pass to running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Goff, who has 3,395 completions since entering the NFL in 2016, surpassed Matthew Stafford (3,372 completions) for the fourth-most completions by a player in his first 10 seasons in NFL history. Only Matt Ryan (3,630 completions), Derek Carr (3,576) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (3,468) have more. Goff has 4,036 passing yards and 32 touchdowns this season and is sixth quarterback all-time with at least 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes in three consecutive seasons, joining Drew Brees (nine consecutive seasons from 2008-16), Josh Allen (three from 2020-22), Patrick Mahomes (three from 2020-22) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning (three from 2012-14) and Dan Marino (three from 1984-86). Goff is the fifth player in NFL history with at least 350 passing yards in 20 games in his first 10 career seasons, joining Patrick Mahomes (23 games, in first nine seasons), Drew Brees (21), Matthew Stafford (21) and Dak Prescott (20, in 10th season). Gibbs has 48 career touchdowns and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (47 touchdowns) for the most touchdowns by a player under the age of 24 all-time and the most touchdowns by a player in his first three seasons in NFL history. Gibbs has 30 career games with a touchdown and joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (31 games), Randy Moss (31) and Gale Sayers (30) as well as Maurice Jones-Drew (30) as the only players in NFL history with at least 30 games in their first three seasons with a touchdown. Denver quarterback Bo Nix passed for 352 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville in Week 16. Nix, who has 724 completions since entering the league last year, is the fourth player in NFL history with at least 700 completions in his first two seasons, joining Justin Herbert (839 completions), Trevor Lawrence (746) and Kyler Murray (724). Nix has 53 career touchdown passes, tied with Derek Carr (53 touchdown passes) for the third-most touchdown passes by a player in their first two seasons in NFL history. Only Justin Herbert (69 touchdown passes) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino (68) have more. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott passed for 244 yards and three touchdowns for a 116.5 rating while wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had six receptions for 51 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Prescott, who has 35,612 passing yards and 241 touchdown passes since entering the league in 2016, joins Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Dan Marino as well as Derek Carr, Jared Goff, Patrick Mahomes (in ninth season), Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 35,500 passing yards and 240 touchdown passes in a player’s first 10 career seasons in NFL history. Prescott has 61 games with at least 240 passing yards and two touchdown passes, surpassing Matthew Stafford (60 games) for the fourth-most such games by a player in his first 10 seasons in NFL history, trailing only Patrick Mahomes (68 games, in ninth season) and Pro Football Hall of Famers Dan Marino (68) and Peyton Manning (65). Lamb has 67 career games with at least five receptions, the most such games by a player in his first six career seasons all-time. Lamb has 565 career receptions, the second-most receptions by a player in his first six seasons in NFL history, trailing only Justin Jefferson (567 receptions, in sixth season). Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce ranks third in the NFL among tight ends with 803 receiving yards this season. Kelce, who has 803 receiving yards in 2025, joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (12 consecutive seasons from 1985-96) as the only players in NFL history with at least 800 receiving yards in 12 consecutive seasons. Las Vegas rookie running back Ashton Jeanty had a career-high 188 scrimmage yards (128 rushing, 60 receiving), including a 51-yard touchdown run and a 60-yard touchdown catch, at Houston. Jeanty is the third rookie all-time with at least 50 receptions, five rushing touchdowns and five receiving touchdowns, joining Alvin Kamara and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor. Jeanty is the fourth rookie in NFL history with a 50-yard rushing touchdown and 50-yard touchdown receptions in the same game, joining Clinton Portis (Dec. 15, 2002 with Denver), Jimmy Thomas (Dec. 6, 1969 with San Francisco) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (Dec. 12, 1965 with Chicago). New Orleans quarterback Taysom Hill had a 38-yard touchdown pass, 42 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards in the Saints’ 29-6 victory over the New York Jets. Hill joins Christian McCaffrey (Dec. 17, 2018, with Carolina) as the only players since 1990 with at least 35 passing yards, 35 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards in a single game. Hill has 23 career games with a completed pass, rush attempt and reception, surpassing John David Crow (22 games) for the most such games in NFL history. Hill – who has 2,426 passing yards, 1,002 receiving yards and 2,551 rushing yards in his career – is the first player in the Super Bowl era and fourth player all-time with at least 1,000 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in their career, joining Bob Hoernschemeyer, George Taliaferro and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi. Cleveland rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger recorded 12 tackles and a sack against Buffalo. Schwesinger, who has at least 10 tackles in each of his past six games, ties Luke Kuechly (six consecutive games in 2012 with Carolina) for the longest such streak by a rookie since 2000. Schwesinger, who has at least 10 tackles in seven games this season, ties Jon Beason (seven games) and Shaquille Leonard (seven) for the fifth-most such games by a rookie since 2000. Only Luke Kuechly (10 games in 2012 with Carolina), Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis (10 in 2007 with San Francisco), DeMeco Ryans (nine in 2006 with Houston) and Kiko Alonso (eight in 2013 with Buffalo) have more. ========== MENS’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 2 MICHIGAN CRUSHES LA SALLE TO REMAIN PERFECT Five players scored in double figures Sunday and No. 2 Michigan cruised to its 11th straight win to start the season, routing visiting La Salle 102-50 in Ann Arbor. Freshman Trey McKenney came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points, canning three of the Wolverines’ 14 3-pointers. Aday Mara had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Eliot Cadeau also had 14 points, while L.J. Cason tallied 13 points and Morez Johnson Jr. contributed 10 points. The Wolverines guarded a guardable team well, limiting La Salle (4-9) to 17 of 61 shooting (27.9%) from the field and 2 of 21 from the 3-point line. They also forced 19 turnovers that they cashed in for 28 points. Jaeden Marshall led the Explorers with 15 points, going 10 of 11 at the foul line. La Salle did manage to outrebound Michigan 19-13 in the first half, although the Wolverines ended the day with a 40-35 advantage. No. 4 Iowa State 91, Long Beach State 60 Milan Momcilovic scored a game-high 27 points as the Cyclones cruised past the Beach in Ames, Iowa. Momcilovic connected on 7 of 9 3-point attempts for the Cyclones (12-0). Joshua Jefferson added 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and reached the 1,000-point career milestone. Blake Buchanan had a double-double as he scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Tamin Lipsey chipped in 10 points and seven assists. Gavin Sykes led Long Beach State (3-10) with 19 points and Rob Diaz added 13 points. No. 5 UConn 72, DePaul 54 Alex Karaban scored 11 of his season-high-matching 21 points in the second half, helping the Huskies down the Blue Demons in their first Big East road game of the season in Chicago. Karaban was 7-of-12 from the field, made three 3-pointers and added six rebounds. Tarris Reed Jr. (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Silas Demary Jr. (13 points, eight assists) also scored in double figures for the Huskies (12-1, 2-0 Big East), who played without leading scorer Solo Ball due to a wrist injury. UConn’s halftime lead was just 33-30, as DePaul (8-5, 0-2) used 16 points off nine first-half turnovers to stay in the game. Layden Blocker had 11 points and Kruz McClure 10 to pace the Blue Demons, who had leading scorer CJ Gunn and Brandon Maclin (eight points apiece) foul out in the second half. No. 7 Gonzaga 91, Oregon 82 Braeden Smith scored 16 of his season-high 21 points in the second half to power the Bulldogs past the pesky Ducks in the Northwest Elite Showdown in Portland, Ore. Gonzaga (12-1) enters West Coast Conference play next week with a nearly spotless record. Braden Huff supplemented Smith’s work with 20 points for Gonzaga. Graham Ike paired 17 points with 11 rebounds, Steele Venters ended with 14 points and Tyon Grant-Foster added 10. Oregon (6-6) saw a modest two-game winning streak come to an end. Nate Bittle led all scorers with 28 points and added nine rebounds and five assists for Oregon. Kwame Evans Jr. had 14 points, Takai Simpkins 13 and Jackson Shelstad 12. No. 13 Vanderbilt 98, Wake Forest 67 Tyler Nickel hit a remarkable 8 of 10 3-point shots on his way to 26 points, and the Commodores steamrolled the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem, N.C. Nickel’s eight triples tied a career high for the senior; six came during a 20-point first half. Vanderbilt (12-0) never trailed and made a season-high 59.3% of its field goals (35 of 59), including half of its 32 shots from the arc. Nickel alone made twice as many 3-pointers as Wake Forest (9-4) did as a team. The hosts shot a paltry 4 of 21, but went 25 of 32 from the free-throw line. Myles Colvin had 20 points and a career-high 12 rebounds to pace Wake Forest. No. 15 Nebraska 78, North Dakota 55 Braden Frager scored 17 points and Sam Hoiberg added 15 as the Cornhuskers remained undefeated with a win over the Hawks in Lincoln. Neb. The Cornhuskers (12-0) were down two points at halftime, but outscored the Fighting Hawks (5-10) 54-29 in the second half to escape a huge upset. Berke Buyuktuncel, a junior from Turkey, had the fourth triple-double in Nebraska history with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Eli King led the Hawks with 13 points and six rebounds. No. 16 Alabama 92, Kennesaw State 81 Aiden Sherrell finished with 21 points and seven rebounds, helping the Crimson Tide stave off the Owls in Huntsville, Ala. Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway added 17 points apiece for the Crimson Tide (9-3), who built a 26-point halftime lead before being outscored 53-38 in the second half by the Conference USA member. Jalil Bethea chipped in 11 points off the bench for Alabama, which was outrebounded 46-41. Simeon Cottle led Kennesaw State (8-4) with 20 points, followed by RJ Johnson’s 16 and Braedan Lue’s 12 points and 10 rebounds. Frankquon Sherman totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Ramone Seals scored 10 for the Owls, who dropped their second straight. No. 20 Tennessee 94, Gardner-Webb 52 Amaree Abram scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field as the Volunteers shrugged off a slow start and ran away from the Runnin’ Bulldogs in Knoxville, Tenn. The Volunteers (9-3) saw leading scorer Ja’Kobi Gillespie reach double figures for the 11th straight time with 15 points and nine assists. Jaylen Carey posted 12 points and six rebounds, while fellow big man J.P. Estrella had 10 points and seven boards. Curtis Williams III scored 14 points and had four rebounds and D.J. Jefferson scored 13 for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (2-13). No. 23 Florida 90, Colgate 60 Xaivian Lee continued his recent run of strong play with a game-high 19 points to lead the Gators past the Raiders in Gainesville, Fla. The shooting guard made 6 of 10 shots and all six free throws to lead his team in scoring for the fourth straight game. Thomas Haugh scored 17 points while Rueben Chinyelu (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Alex Condon (16 points, 10 boards) each produced double-doubles. The Gators (8-4) shot 51.6% (32 of 62) from the floor and held a 48-16 edge in points in the paint while the Raiders (6-6) made 11 of 17 (64.7%) from deep but shot only 41.8% (23 of 55) from the field. ========== WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL WOMEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP: NO. 10 IOWA STATE BEATS KANSAS AT BUZZER Kenzie Hare swished a 3-pointer from the left corner as time expired to give No. 10 Iowa State a 79-76 victory over Kansas on Sunday afternoon in the Big 12 opener for both teams at Ames, Iowa. Kansas knotted the score at 76 on a basket by S’Mya Nichols with 5.2 seconds left. On Iowa State’s final possession, Hare received a pass from Addy Brown and made the game-ending shot for her only points of the game. Cyclones star Audi Crooks had 41 points on 19-of-28 shooting for her third 40-point effort of the season for the Cyclones (13-0, 1-0 Big 12). Brown added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Jada Williams added 11 points and 10 assists for Iowa State. Nichols had 29 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Jayhawks (10-3, 0-1). Libby Fandel added 18 points and sank four treys as Kansas went 12-of-21 from behind the arc. No. 6 Michigan 97, Oakland 54 Olivia Olson scored 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting to help the Wolverines rout the Golden Grizzlies at Ann Arbor, Mich. Syla Swords added 18 points as Michigan (10-1) built a 27-point halftime lead while cruising to its sixth straight victory. Brooke Quarles Daniels had 11 points, and Ashley Sofilkanich and Te’Yala Delfosse added 10 points apiece. Lianna Baxter had 14 points for Oakland (3-9), which committed 27 turnovers while losing for the fifth straight time. Makenzie Luehring and Angie Smith added 13 points apiece for the Golden Grizzlies. No. 18 North Carolina 93, Charleston Southern 74 Nyla Brooks made six 3-pointers and scored 19 points off the bench to help the Tar Heels cruise to the win over the Buccaneers at Chapel Hill, N.C. Elina Aarnisalo added 16 points, and Indya Nivar had 14 points and six assists for North Carolina (11-3). The Tar Heels held a 46-21 rebounding advantage, including a 17-2 edge on the offensive boards. Tyonna Bailey had 31 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Charleston Southern (2-10). Caelan Ellis made five 3-pointers and scored 18 points for the Buccaneers, who lost their fourth consecutive game. No. 23 Nebraska 87, Cal Baptist 56 Jessica Petrie scored 17 points, Amiah Hargrove added 15 and the Cornhuskers started 12-0 for the third time in school history with the victory over the Lancers at Lincoln, Neb. Britt Prince added 11 points and Callin Hake had 10 for Nebraska, which outscored Cal Baptist by 22 points in the final quarter. Sunday’s win matched the second-longest winning streak in program history. Lauren Olson had 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals for the Lancers (6-7). Emma Johansson added 13 points for Cal Baptist, which dropped its sixth straight game. ========== NBA NEWS NBA ROUNDUP: DENNIS SCHRODER’S LATE OT TREY LIFTS KINGS PAST ROCKETS Dennis Schroder swished a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in overtime to give the Sacramento Kings a dramatic 125-124 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Schroder had 24 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds off the bench as Sacramento rebounded from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to halt a five-game losing streak. DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and nine assists and Keegan Murray scored 26 for the Kings, who won for just the seventh time in 29 games this season. Russell Westbrook had 21 points and 13 rebounds and nailed a 3-pointer to force overtime with 14.2 seconds remaining. Alperen Sengun scored 28 points and Kevin Durant added 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Houston, which fell in OT for the third time in four games to start this six-game road trip. The Rockets lost the other two to the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans. Bulls 152, Hawks 150 Matas Buzelis scored a season-high 28 points and Chicago set a season mark for points scored as they edged host Atlanta. Chicago led by seven points on Buzelis’ 3-pointer with 4:30 left, but the Bulls hit only 4 of 9 free throws in the final minute to give Atlanta a chance. The Bulls hung on when Trae Young missed a floater at the buzzer that would have tied the game. Coby White added 21 points and Josh Giddey had 19 points and 12 assists for his 17th double-double. Atlanta lost despite getting 36 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists from Jalen Johnson and a season-high 35 points from Young. Knicks 132, Heat 125 Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 47 points for host New York, which overcame a 10-point deficit to beat Miami. Mikal Bridges had 24 points while Josh Hart (13 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double for the Knicks, who have won eight of nine counting their NBA Cup title game victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. OG Anunoby had 18 points while Jordan Clarkson added 10 points off the bench. Kel’el Ware scored a career-high 28 points and just finished one short of his career high with 19 rebounds for the Heat, who have lost seven of eight. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 23 points off the bench but missed a pair of late free throws as Miami tried mounting a comeback. Nets 96, Raptors 81 Michael Porter Jr. had 24 points and 11 rebounds as Brooklyn withstood a rally by visiting Toronto to earn a victory. Noah Clowney added 19 points and Egor Demin scored 16 for the Nets, who have won two of their past three. They had lost five in a row to the Raptors. Nic Claxton scored 12 points. Brandon Ingram scored 19 points for the Raptors in the opener of a three-game road trip. Immanuel Quickley had 17 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, who have lost two straight. Scottie Barnes was held to six points. Spurs 124, Wizards 113 De’Aaron Fox racked up 27 points and Luke Kornet scored 12 of his 20 points in fourth quarter to help San Antonio outlast host Washington. Kornet also had 12 rebounds. Stephon Castle had 18 points and 11 assists for the Spurs while Victor Wembanyama — coming off the bench for the fifth straight game — added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Bub Carrington led the Wizards with 21 points while rookie Tre Johnson tied a career high with 19 points. Tristan Vukcevic added 18 points, CJ McCollum had 15 and Kyshawn George scored 14. Timberwolves 103, Bucks 100 Anthony Edwards scored 24 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 points and Minnesota rallied for a win over Milwaukee in Minneapolis. Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and a team-high 18 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who won for the fourth time in the past five games. Julius Randle added 12 points and seven boards. Kevin Porter Jr. finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to top the Bucks, who led by 16 points early in the second half. Ryan Rollins scored 16 points off the bench, and both Bobby Portis (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Kyle Kuzma (12 points, 10 rebounds) finished with double-doubles. =========== NHL NEWS NHL ROUNDUP: RED WINGS EDGE CAPS ON MORITZ SEIDER’S LATE OT GOAL Moritz Seider scored the game-winning goal with 23.3 seconds remaining in overtime to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the visiting Washington Capitals on Sunday. Lucas Raymond and John Leonard each added a goal for the Red Wings. Andrew Copp and Emmitt Finnie recorded two assists, including on Seider’s overtime winner. Cam Talbot recorded 31 saves, including 13 in the first period. Ethen Frank scored both goals for the Capitals, his second career multi-goal game, while Dylan Strome finished with two assists. The Red Wings swept the back-to-back home-and-home against the Capitals after a 5-2 win Saturday in Washington. Stars 5, Maple Leafs 1 Dallas scored four third-period goals to break open a close game and extended its winning streak to four with a victory over visiting Toronto. Sam Steel, Jamie Benn, Mavrik Bourque and Justin Hryckowian scored for the Stars in the third period. Esa Lindell picked up two helpers for Dallas. Jake Oettinger made a number of key saves to keep the Stars in the lead in the first two periods on Jason Robertson’s goal, turning away 27 of 28 shots for the game. Dennis Hildeby stopped 17 of 21 shots for the Maple Leafs, while Scott Laughton netted Toronto’s only goal. Senators 6, Bruins 2 Visiting Ottawa scored three goals in each of the first two periods en route to a win over Boston in the second game of both teams’ weekend back-to-back sets. Fabian Zetterlund scored two power-play goals and added an assist to lead Ottawa to its season-high fourth consecutive win and third in completing the four-game season series with Boston. Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens also had three-point nights for the Senators, posting a goal and two helpers each. Boston’s Charlie McAvoy scored his first goal of the season and added an assist, while David Pastrnak also scored. Joonas Korpisalo allowed five goals on 17 shots before Jeremy Swayman entered for relief in the second period. Avalanche 5, Wild 1 Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, Cale Makar and Brock Nelson had a goal and two assists each, and Colorado cooled off Minnesota with a win in Saint Paul, Minn. Mackenzie Blackwood turned away 28 shots, Martin Necas also scored and Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin had two assists each for Colorado, which has won five in a row and ended Minnesota’s seven-game winning streak. Ryan Hartman had a goal and Jesper Wallstedt made 37 saves for the Wild. Minnesota lost for the first time in five games since acquiring Quinn Hughes from Vancouver. Penguins 4, Canadiens 3 (SO) Rickard Rakell scored the shootout winner as Pittsburgh edged visiting Montreal. Rakell beat Jakub Dobes with a backhand deke in the third round for the win as the Penguins won for the first time in a shootout this season (1-5). Rakell and Sidney Crosby each had a goal and an assist in regulation, and Noel Acciari also tallied for Pittsburgh. Oliver Kapanen and Ivan Demidov each had a goal and an assist, and Noah Dobson also found the back of the net for the Canadiens, who dropped to 4-1-2 in their last seven. Oilers 4, Golden Knights 3 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins collected two goals and an assist and Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists as Edmonton jumped out to a 4-0 lead and then held on to defeat visiting Vegas. It was McDavid’s fifth three-point game in December as he extended his point streak to 10 games (12 goals, 26 points). Zach Hyman also had a goal and an assist and Leon Draisaitl added two assists for Edmonton, which moved into a tie for second place in the Pacific Division with the Golden Knights. Tomas Hertl had a goal and two assists, Noah Hanifin had three assists, Mitch Marner had a goal and an assist and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored a goal for Vegas, which suffered its third straight loss. Predators 2, Rangers 1 Filip Forsberg extended his point streak to eight games and Steven Stamkos inched closer to 600 career goals for host Nashville, which held on to beat depleted New York. Justus Annunen needed to stop only 16 shots and was less than a minute from his first shutout since March 4, 2024, and the Predators’ first shutout of the season. Instead, Nashville settled for its fifth win in its last seven games. Forsberg got his team-leading 16th goal of the season midway through the second period, and Stamkos added career goal 596 in the final minute. Jonny Brodzinski scored his third of the season for the Rangers, who fell for the third time in five games. Goalie Jonathan Quick kept his team in the game by stopping 30 shots, but the 39-year-old fell to 0-4-1 in his last five decisions. Mammoth 4, Jets 3 (OT) Clayton Keller scored 13 seconds into overtime and added an assist as host Utah edged Winnipeg in Salt Lake City to leave the Jets winless in seven of their last eight games. Lawson Crouse, JJ Peterka, and Alexander Kerfoot also tallied for the Mammoth. Dylan Guenther and Mikhael Sergachev had two assists each and Karel Vejmelka made 23 stops. Kyle Connor scored twice for Winnipeg, while Morgan Barron also found the back of the net. Mark Scheifele had a pair of assists. =========== BASEBALL NEWS WHITE SOX ADD MUNETAKA MURAKAMI WITH $34 MILLION, 2-YEAR CONTRACT CHICAGO (AP) — The rebuilding Chicago White Sox added Munetaka Murakami to their lineup on Sunday, agreeing to a $34 million, two-year contract with the Japanese slugger. Murakami, who turns 26 on Feb. 2, joins a promising group of young hitters that also includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Chase Meidroth. The White Sox finished last in the AL Central this year with a 60-102 record, a 19-game improvement from the previous season. Murakami gets a $1 million signing bonus payable within 30 days and salaries of $16 million next year and $17 million in 2027. His 2027 salary can escalate based on awards earned in 2026: $1 million for winning an MVP award, $500,000 for finishing second or third in the voting, $250,000 for fourth through 10th and $250,000 for Rookie of the Year. He can’t be assigned to the minor leagues without his consent and will be a free agent at the end of the contract. He also gets a team-provided interpreter and flight reimbursement between Japan and the U.S. Chicago owes a posting fee of $6,575,000 to Yakult, Murakami’s Central League team. The Swallows also would receive a supplemental fee of 15% of any triggered escalators. Murakami would become the fourth Japanese-born player to play for the White Sox, joining Shingo Takatsu (2004-05), second baseman Tadahito Iguchi (2005-07) and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome (2012). Takatsu managed Murakami in Japan. Murakami, who bats from the left side, is slated to be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday. Murakami was Central League MVP in 2021 and ’22. The corner infielder was limited to 56 games this season because of an oblique injury. He struck out 64 times, but he batted .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs. Murakami hit 56 homers in 2022 to break Sadaharu Oh’s record for a Japanese-born player in Nippon Professional Baseball while becoming the youngest player to earn Japan’s Triple Crown. He topped 30 homers in four straight years before an injury-interrupted season in 2023. He has a .270 career average with 246 homers, 647 RBIs and 977 strikeouts in 892 games over eight Central League seasons, all with the Swallows. After playing primarily at first base in 2019 and 2020, he has spent most of his time since at third. At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Murakami hit a game-ending double off Giovanny Gallegos that drove in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for a 6-5 semifinal win over Mexico. The following day in the championship game, Murakami hit a tying home run off Merrill Kelly in the second inning and Japan went on to beat the United States 3-2. Under the agreement between MLB and NPB, the posting fee is 20% of the first $25 million of a major league contract, including earned bonuses and options. The percentage drops to 17.5% of the next $25 million and 15% of any amount over $50 million. =========== TOP INDIANA HEADLINES/PRESS RELEASES COLTS FOOTBALL RIVERS READY FOR FIRST LUCAS OIL STADIUM START SINCE CLINCHING PLAYOFF BERTH WHEN COLTS, 49ERS MEET INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The last time Philip Rivers suited up inside Lucas Oil Stadium, he and his Indianapolis Colts teammates clinched a playoff spot. A lot has changed in those five years. Rivers left the NFL, started coaching high school football in Alabama, became a grandfather and shocked the world by coming out of retirement and nearly leading the Colts to a victory last week in Seattle. He returned to his former team with old friend Shane Steichen calling the plays for a franchise under new ownership. And on Monday night, he’ll be playing in front of a near capacity home crowd — something he didn’t get to do during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year. Still, two things have not changed: Rivers remains stuck on 134 career wins and the Colts haven’t reached the playoffs since he was Indy’s starter the last time. The 44-year-old quarterback believes he can achieve both over the next three weeks or he wouldn’t be playing. “I know the NFL is a big deal and this, and it can be whatever it can be,” Rivers said after rejoining the Colts. “But to me, it’s like ‘Hey, you get to play football, potentially, for four more weeks and maybe then some.’ And as long as I can live with the results, both good or bad, and go back home and move on, then I was willing to go for it, and I was able to get to that place mentally.” While many around the league — from Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons — lauded Rivers’ effort to make a comeback, most were intrigued to see how Rivers would play. Yes, he does have some physical limitations, and, yes, concerns about his mobility, his ability to throw deep and the long layoff prompted Steichen to take a safer approach in last week’s 18-16 loss at Seattle. While Indy leaned heavily on its ground game and a short passing game to protect Rivers from taking needless hits, he still went 18 of 27 with 120 yards and threw an interception on Indy’s final offensive play. The Colts (8-6) lost their fourth straight game to remain one spot outside the AFC’s seven-team playoff field, and Rivers acknowledged this week he must be better over the final three games to save Indy’s fading playoff hopes. Still, the 49ers (10-4) know what they’re up against. Three years ago, when San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan was looking for stability at quarterback, he reached out to Rivers. Because the need didn’t actually arise until the NFC championship game, Rivers never signed. But after studying last week’s tape, Shanahan believes Rivers still has what it takes. “I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone,” Shanahan said. “I think he had 27 throws in that game and every ball goes right to the exact spot. He attacked their coverages great. He played against a very good pass rush and was able to get rid of the ball. He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched, and he definitely helped that team.” This week might not look much different despite Rivers getting a full week of practice and an extra day to study game tape. The reason: San Francisco has struggled recently against the run because of a rash of injuries to its front seven. But Steichen and Rivers both acknowledged this week that Indy needs to be more aggressive this week. Can Rivers get it done at his age? Only time will tell. “I don’t really feel any limitations pushing the ball down the field. I’m not going to throw it 60 yards, but I can’t name many times that I did that anyway,” Rivers said Thursday. “Obviously, the name of the game is winning and so, obviously, we moved past (last week’s game) and I know the guys have been great already this week. “We’ll be fired up for this one on Monday night.” COLTS-49ERS PREVIEW: WHAT CAN PHILIP RIVERS, JONATHAN TAYLOR DO ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL? Jonathan Taylor is averaging 3.7 yards per rush over the last four weeks after averaging 6.0 yards per rush in Weeks 1-10; the Colts’ rushing success rate has dropped to 26.6 percent (25th) in Weeks 12-15 after being at 36.6 percent (1st) in Weeks 1-10. Daniel Jones’ fibula injury, and then his season-ending Achilles’ injury, are factors here. But maybe the biggest factor is the Colts have faced some of the NFL’s best run defenses over the last month. And that leads us to Monday night, when the Colts will host the 10-4 San Francisco 49ers. For all the success San Francisco has had, since Week 7, they’ve allowed a worst-in-the-NFL rushing success rate of 37.1 percent. Why Week 7? That’s when four-time first-team AP All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending dislocated and broken right ankle. Warner is hardly the only key 49ers player to sustain a significant injury this season. The rash of injuries San Francisco has dealt with has made their 10-4 record that much more remarkable, with head coach Kyle Shahanan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh finding ways to win despite being without five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa (since week 3), 2025 first-round defensive end Mykel Williams (since Week 11), quarterback Brock Purdy (five games mid-season), tight end George Kittle (six games mid-season) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (seven games, including Monday). Purdy and Kittle are back on offense, but missing Bosa, Warner and Williams has made things challenging up front for the 49ers. Interestingly, while the 49ers are allowing running backs to be efficient, they’re not allowing many explosive plays. Since Week 7, the 49ers have allowed the eighth-lowest rate of rushes for 10 or more yards (7.6 percent), so this may be a game where the Colts need to methodically march their way down the field on offense. And in Philip Rivers, the Colts are confident they have the quarterback to do just that. “The way he sees the game is very similar to when he played,” head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, he’s been a pocket passer his whole career, so that part hasn’t changed at all. And it’s about him seeing us, seeing the defense, getting us in and out of the right plays, which he does as good as anybody.” Getting the Colts in and out of the right plays can include checking into a certain pass protection to pick up a blitz or changing the intended point of attack on a run play, among other at-the-line tweaks. It’s clear Rivers’ football IQ is as off-the-charts as it was five years ago; the mind meld he and Steichen have could lead to the Colts’ offense expanding on what it did against the Seahawks down the stretch of the 2025 season. “He was here for three days of practice and then now he’s got a full week under his belt being around the guys,” Steichen said. “Just the different things you can do at the line of scrimmage will be good. So, each week the game plan obviously will be different, but we’re excited for this week.” But this feeds back to the first point of this article: If the Colts can run the ball with more efficiency than they’ve been able to get to over the last four weeks – again, versus a run defense that hasn’t had the same smothering efficiency numbers of their previous four opponents – maybe that can naturally open more things up for Rivers. Or maybe the Colts will need Rivers to do less with the ball in his hands than he was asked to do in Seattle. We’ll find out in prime time on Monday night. ============ INDIANA PACERS GAME PREVIEW: PACERS AT CELTICS The Indiana Pacers will tip off a stretch of four games in six days when they take on the Boston Celtics on Monday at TD Garden. Going into the first matchup between the Eastern Conference rivals this season, Indiana (6-22) aims to snap a four-game losing skid while Boston (17-11) hopes to extend its winning streak to three straight. The Pacers start their Christmas week of games coming off a 128-109 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. Indiana fell behind 44-27 in the first quarter and couldn’t slow down its visitors’ hot hands, as the Pelicans outshot the Pacers 52.9 to 42.6 percent in the game. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 22 points and Johnny Furphy scored a career-high 18 points off the bench for the Blue & Gold. Over the last four games, the Pacers have struggled to put up points — averaging just 105.8 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting (32.9 percent from 3-point range) — as they’ve continued to tinker with lineups due to injuries. Against New Orleans, the Pacers had six inactive players. Boston has undergone significant roster changes since last season, as the Celtics have been without All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum since he tore his Achilles tendon on May 9, and the team traded starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in separate offseason deals. As part of those trades, the Celtics added Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang to their roster, among other moves. Despite all the personnel changes, the Celtics remain one of the highest-scoring teams in the league — currently ranked third in offensive rating at 121.3 — with the second-most total 3-pointers made of any team (15.7 per game). Jaylen Brown has taken over the offensive load for the Celtics this season, averaging 29.3 points per game, while Derrick White (18.2), Payton Pritchard (17.0) and Simons (13.1) are all scoring in double figures. The Celtics enter Monday night coming off a 112-96 road win over the Toronto Raptors. Pritchard topped the Celtics with 33 points on 13-for-24 shooting to go along with 10 points and eight rebounds, and White and Simons scored 15 points each. Off the bench, both Luka Garza (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Hugo Gonzalez (10 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles. Boston was without Brown against the Raptors, as he sat out with an illness. Sam Hauser started in Brown’s spot and recorded six points and six rebounds in the win. After hosting the Celtics on Monday, the Pacers will have a quick turnaround when the Milwaukee Bucks come to Indianapolis on Tuesday for a Central Division matchup. Indiana and Boston will then meet again later in the week when the Pacers host the Celtics on Friday night at Gainbridge Fiel Projected Starters Pacers: G – Andrew Nembhard, G – Quenton Jackson, F – Bennedict Mathurin, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Jay Huff Celtics: G – Payton Pritchard, G – Derrick White, F – Sam Hauser, F – Jordan Walsh, C – Neemias Queta Injury Report Pacers: Kam Jones – doubtful (G League assignment), Tyrese Haliburton – out (right Achilles tendon tear), Aaron Nesmith – out (left knee MCL sprain), Ben Sheppard – out (left calf strain), Obi Toppin – out (right foot stress fracture) Celtics: Jaylen Brown – questionable (illness), Jayson Tatum – out (right Achilles repair) Last Meeting Dec. 29, 2024: Indiana wrapped up its regular-season series with Boston by posting a 123-114 win over the Celtics. With the victory, the Pacers avenged a 37-point loss to the Celtics just two days prior. The Pacers led 65-58 at halftime after outscoring Boston 38-29 in the second quarter and never trailed in the second half. While the Celtics made 16 3-pointers to Indiana’s nine triples, the Pacers finished 22-for-27 from the free-throw line while the Celtics made 12 of 19 from the charity stripe. The Pacers also won the points-in-the-paint margin 66-48 and the fast-break points differential 18-4. Tyrese Haliburton logged 31 points on 11-for-19 shooting to lead Indiana, while Andrew Nembhard had 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Pascal Siakam chipped in 17 points. Jaylen Brown topped Boston with 31 points, Jayson Tatum had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Payton Pritchard had 21 points. Noteworthy The Pacers and Celtics will play four times this season, including on Monday and Friday nights this week and then again on Jan. 12 and Jan. 21. Pacers center Jay Huff has recorded two or more blocks in 14 consecutive games, which is tied for the fourth-longest streak in NBA franchise history. Jermaine O’Neal holds the franchise record with 18 straight games with at least two blocks from Dec. 1, 2000 – Jan. 2, 2001. Indiana announced Saturday that the team signed center James Wiseman to a 10-day contract as part of the NBA Hardship Exception. Wiseman started the season on the Pacers and was on last year’s team before suffering an Achilles tear in the season-opener. Last season, the Pacers went 2-1 against the Celtics. Broadcast Information (Where to Watch and Listen to Pacers Games >>) TV: FanDuel Sports Network – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host) Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host) Tickets The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host Myles Turner and the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 PM ET. =========== INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL INDIANA BASKETBALL GAME NOTES – GAME 13 VS. SIENA Opening Tip • Indiana University closes out non-conference play against Siena on Monday, Dec. 22, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on BTN with Kevin Kugler (PxP) and Jordan Taylor (Analyst) on the call. • Siena (9-3) is under the direction of second-year head coach Gerry McNamara, a 2003 National Champion with the Syracuse Orange. • The Saints are led by a trio of double-figure scorers. Sophomore guard Gavin Doty is the team leader in both points per game (14.8) and made free throws (43). He is also second on the team in rebounds per night (6.3) and total assists (23). • Senior guard Justin Shoats has averaged 12.7 points and 5.3 assists per outing, while senior forward Brendan Coyle has posted 10.4 points per night on a team-best 25 made 3-pointers. Junior forward Tasman Goodrick has compiled 9.7 and a team-high 7.3 rebounds per contest. Game Information Dec. 22, 2025 • 6 PM ET Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall (17,222) • Bloomington, Ind. TV: BTN (Kevin Kugler, Jordan Taylor) Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick) Series History: First meeting Last Meeting: First meeting Series History • Monday’s matchup will be the first between the two programs on the hardwood. • Indiana is 8-0 against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference teams with wins over Manhattan (2), Niagara (2), Canisius (1), Fairfield (1), Merrimack (1), and Mount St. Mary’s (1). Last Time Out • Indiana (9-3, 1-1 B1G) knocked down 14 first-half 3-pointers to down Chicago State by a score of 78-58 on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. • IU finished the game with 15 made triples on a program-record 46 attempts. The Hoosiers made 15-plus 3-pointers twice this season and 20 times since the turn of the century. • Fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson finished with a game-high 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the 3-point line to go along with four rebounds, six assists, and one steal. He has averaged 27.7 points and 4.3 assists per outing in his last three home games. Wilkerson has scored 18-plus points in three straight games in Bloomington. • Senior forward Reed Bailey posted 17 points and a season-high eight rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. Junior guard Nick Dorn drilled 5-of-11 shots from distance to finish with 15 points and two rebounds. Baily and Dorn combined for 32 of the 38 Indiana bench points. • Indiana dished out 24 assists, led by seven from redshirt senior guard Conor Enright, on 26 made field goals. The game marked the sixth of the season with at least 20 assists, the most in a single season since the 2022-23 campaign. Getting it Done on the Defensive End • Indiana ranks 18th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, per KenPom. The last time the Hoosiers closed the season ranked inside the top 20 in the metric was 2012-13, a year that ended with a Big Ten Championship. • IU holds opponents to 43.8% effective field goal shooting (9th nationally), 42.7% shooting from inside the arc (5th), and 30.7% from the 3-point line. • Opposing teams have scored 75 points or less in 10-of-12 games. All 12 opponents have scored under their season average against the IU defense. • The Hoosiers force 12.5 turnovers per games. Three players average at least 1.0 steal per game, led by 1.8 from sixth-year senior guard Tayton Conerway. That’s an Offensive Stat • The Hoosiers scored 90-plus points in three-straight contests to open the season for the first time since 2007-08. In total, Indiana has scored 85-plus points seven times. • IU has averaged 85.0 points per contest and shot 48.6% (62nd nationally) from the floor, 36.0% (88th) from the 3-point line, 76.2% (45th) from the free throw line, and an effective field goal percentage of 57.7% (22nd). • Indiana has dished out 20-or-more assists in six games, the most in a single season since 2022-23. IU handed out a season-best 30 dimes against Penn State on Dec. 9, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The total marked the second-most and program history and the most in a Big Ten game since 1981. • The Hoosiers average 19.7 helpers per night and have assisted on 68.8% of its made field goals, the fifth-best rate in the country. • Indiana boasts an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.83, the 16th-best mark in the country. IU has recorded 236 assists (on 343 made field goals) compared to 129 turnovers. Four Hoosiers average at least 2.0 assists per outing, led by 4.8 from redshirt senior guard Conor Enright. • Four Hoosiers average double-figure scoring numbers, led by fifth-year senior guard Lamar Wilkerson. He has averaged 18.7 points per night on 42.9% (42-of-98) shooting from the 3-point line. He has made at least four 3-pointers in six games. ========== INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HOOSIERS CLOSE NON-CONFERENCE PLAY WITH WIN OVER WESTERN CAROLINA BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana finished the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 71-44 win over Western Carolina on Sunday afternoon. KEY MOMENTS Junior forward Edessa Noyan kickstarted Indiana’s 22-point first quarter with a layup in the first minute of play. Redshirt-Sophomore Lenée Beaumont and Senior guard Shay Ciezki each added five points each for Indiana. Seven Hoosiers split production in the first frame to put the team up 22-8. Indiana’s momentum continued into the second quarter. Sophomore guard Phoenix Stotijn highlighted the second frame as she connected on three of her four field goal attempts. Defense for the Hoosiers proved strong as the first half ended with Indiana leading Western Carolina 40-13. Beaumont’s shooting streak stayed hot in the third quarter to continue Indiana’s dominant performance. Ciezki also proved productive in the paint and in field goal range. The Hoosiers ended the quarter leading the Catamounts 62-31. .The Hoosiers remained in control of the offensive and defensive end of the court as the competition entered the final frame of regulation. Freshman forward Maya Makalusky cemented Indiana’s win with a fastbreak layup in the final 30 seconds of play. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated Western Carolina University 71-44. NOTABLE Ciezki paced the Hoosiers with 17 points and two steals. She has scored in double figures in 22 consecutive games dating back to the 2024-25 season. She knocked down 2-of-3 attempts from the 3-point line. The Penn State transfer has made multiple triples in nine contests this season. Beaumont added 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. The third-year sophomore has scored 10-plus points in 11 straight games. Stotijn chipped in a season-high 11 points off the IU bench. Makalusky tallied 10 points and three boards. Her made 3-pointer in the second quarter marked the seventh straight game with a least one make from behind the arc. The Indiana offense shot 50.0% (25-of-50) from the floor and 40.0% (8-of-20) from the 3-point line. It is the sixth game this season the Hoosiers shot at 50.0% or better from the floor and fifth game at 40.0% or better from distance. IU scored 23 points off 21 turnovers from Western Carolina. Indiana outpaced WCU in transition with a 20-8 advantage in fastbreak points. Indiana never trailed, led for over 39 minutes of game time, carried a 40-13 advantage into the half, and built up a game-high lead of 34 (62-28) at the 1:08 mark in the third quarter. UP NEXT Big Ten play resumes on Monday, Dec. 29 when IU hosts Minnesota in a 6 p.m. ET tip on B1G+. ========== PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PURDUE STAYS PERFECT AT HOME WITH 93-62 WIN OVER JACKSON STATE WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team closed out the non-conference campaign with a 93-62 win over Jackson State on Sunday afternoon at Mackey Arena. The Boilermakers (8-4) improved to 8-0 at home this season and headed into the holiday break riding a three-game winning streak. Purdue put four starters in double figures, led by a career-high 22 points from Tara Daye. Daye was 9-of-12 from the field and grabbed four rebounds with three assists, two steals and a block. Daye joined Destini Lombard (2024-25) as the only Boilermakers to post a 20-point line like that over the last five seasons. Kiki Smith poured in a season-high 20 points on a perfect day shooting. The junior was 5-of-5 from the field, 3-of-3 from behind the arc and 7-of-7 at the line. She added a game-high seven rebounds to go with three assists and one steal. Smith was the sixth player in the country to score 20 points and finish perfect from the floor and the line this season and the first Boilermaker to do it in over 25 years. Madison Layden-Zay pulled herself closer to the Purdue all-time 3-point record. Coming into the game 16 shy of Karissa McLaughlin’s mark of 244, Layden-Zay connected four times from behind the arc and went 7-of-10 from the field to score 18 points. She is now six away from Katie Gearlds in third place. Layden-Zay added four rebounds, three assists and a block. Hila Karsh notched her third straight game in double figures with 11 points, while dishing out six of Purdue’s 20 assists on the afternoon. The Boilermakers shot 58.6% from the field, their third highest mark in the Gearlds era, while knocking down nine 3-pointers. Purdue scored 12 points on the break and turned 19 Jackson State (2-9) turnovers into 21 points. Purdue won the rebounding battle 34-22 and allowed just four second chance points, marking the fourth game this season giving up five or fewer points from offensive rebounds. Jackson State finished with a 42% clip from the field and picked up over half its points from distance with 11 3-pointers. NON-CONFERENCE BY THE NUMBERS – Purdue finished the non-conference season with an 8-3 mark. – The 8-0 start at home matched 2023-24 campaign as the best under head coach Katie Gearlds. – Purdue averaged 75.4 points per game in non-league action, good for third highest in the last 26 seasons, trailing the 2000-01 and 2022-23 campaigns. – The Boilermakers held four teams under 50 points for the first time since 2017-18. – Purdue posted five wins of 30 points or more, the most since 2010-11. – Purdue connected on 84 3-pointers, good for third most in non-conference action in the last 25 years. – The Boilermakers topped 80 points six times, their most this century. KEY MOMENTS • Daye scored six straight in the first quarter, as the two clubs traded early blows. • The Boilermakers rolled off 10 straight points in the middle of the frame with five coming from Layden-Zay. • Purdue dominated the second quarter, outscoring Jackson State 26-9, while going 10-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-5 from distance. • Six different players scored in the second. • Layden-Zay hit on a pair of 3-pointers to help Purdue close the half on an 11-3 run. • Purdue tallied 54 points in the first half, most over an opening 20 minutes this season. • Daye led all scorers with 14 points in the first half. • Jackson State battled back in the third, taking advantage of Purdue’s lone frame under 50% shooting to win the quarter 19-18. • Purdue poured in 21 points in the fourth, led by Daye’s six, to keep the gap at 30 points. NOTES • Purdue leads the all-time series 1-0 and is 160-58 in first-time matchups. • The Boilermakers are 4-0 this year and 25-1 under Katie Gearlds when dishing out 20 or more assists. • Daye, Karsh and Kiki Smith have all scored in double figures in each of the last three games. • The Boilermakers have scored 90 or more points seven times in the last five years with three coming this season. • Purdue has outscored opponents by an average of 37 points over the last three games. • The Boilermakers have scored 20 points in three quarters five times this season. • Layden-Zay is now 30 rebounds away from becoming the seventh player in Big Ten history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, 200 3-pointers and 50 blocks. UP NEXT The Boilermakers will head into the weeklong holiday break before returning to Mackey Arena for the Big Ten home opener next Sunday against Illinois at noon. It will be Purdue’s Holiday Celebration Game with a teddy bear toss. ========== NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL IRISH FALL TO PURDUE FORT WAYNE, 72-69 SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Fighting Irish (9-4) fell 72-69 to the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (8-6) in their final non-conference game of the season. It marked their first defeat inside Purcell Pavilion this season. The Irish were led by Jalen Haralson, who finished with season highs in points (21) & rebounds (9), plus 4 assists. The freshman finished shooting 6-13 from the floor and 9-11 from the charity stripe. It marked his third game with 20+ points. He was followed by Braeden Shrewsberry, who finished with 13 points, three rebounds, and an assist. Logan Imes recorded a career-high 12 points on 5-10 shooting from the floor, recording four rebounds and career-best four steals. Both teams shot identically from the floor as the Irish finished shooting 24-60 and the Mastodons finished shooting 24-59. With both teams shooting 40% from the floor, the Mastodons were able to shoot 11-35 from three in comparison to Notre Dame’s 7-27 from three. The Irish out-rebounded the Mastodons 43-28. HOW IT HAPPENED The Mastodons had the early momentum, opening up on 4-6 shooting while the Irish were struggling offensively with a 3-10 start from the floor. Purdue Fort Wayne led 10-6 heading into the first media timeout. The Mastodon offensive flurry continued, extending their run to 15-2 over a 4:30 span until Braeden Shrewsberry stopped the bleeding with his first three of the day to make 15-9 at 13:40. Both teams traded baskets to make it 17-11 before each team went into an almost three-minute scoring drought. Another Shrewsberry three would bring some life back to the offense to make it 17-14, but Fort Wayne responded with an and-one for the three-point play to spark a 10-2 run. A pair of Haralson free throws brought the Irish within single digits to make it a 27-18 ballgame with 2:51 left in the half. The final three minutes of the half were simple for the Irish: stops and buckets. The Irish followed with a big defensive stop as they forced a shot clock violation and followed with a Towt finish at the rim. Continuing to build some momentum, the Irish got another stop and followed by a layup from Haralson. Defensively, Haralson then had a monster block at the rim, resulting in a fast-break layup from Imes to close out the first on an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to just three at 27-24 at halftime. Despite having their lowest scoring half of the season, the Irish came out swinging to start the half. A layup and a three from Imes combined with a layup from Haralson gave the Irish their first lead since the beginning of the game at 17:26 when the Irish led 4-2. With the Irish in front 31-30, both teams traded baskets up to the first media timeout as it was still a one-possession game with Fort Wayne in the lead at 36-34. It was back and forth between the Irish and Mastodons, with neither team really able to pull away. Back-to-back threes from the Irish had Purcell on their feet as threes from Imes and Koehler made it a tied ballgame at 41-all. It was a game of runs as the Notre Dame 6-0 run was followed by a Fort Wayne 5-0 run to make it 46-41 at 11:57. Four straight points from Shrewsberry brought the Irish within one as the two squads continued to swap buckets. A Sundra layup at 6:19 brought the Irish within three at 54-51. He was followed by a pair of Certa free throws to make it a point game with just under five minutes left. Both teams would go into a two minute scoring drought, but it remained a one-possession game with 1:39 left as the Irish trailed 56-55. A 6-0 Fort Wayne run surged the Mastodons to a 62-55 lead with just 45 seconds left. A Certa three would bring the Irish within four as it then turned into a fouling game in hopes to regain possession. Between both teams, 17 free throws were shot in the final 37 seconds of play, but the Irish would ultimately come up just short as they fell 72-69 to Fort Wayne. UP NEXT The Irish open up conference play in California next week as they take on Stanford on December 30 and Cal on January 2. ========== NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS HIDALGO’S 30-POINT TRIPLE-DOUBLE LEADS IRISH PAST BELLARMINE SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Hannah Hidalgo recorded her second career triple-double in No. 20 Notre Dame’s 110-38 runaway victory over Bellarmine on Sunday evening inside Purcell Pavilion. The 30-point triple-double is the first in program history. The Irish improve to 9-2 on the season with the win. Hidalgo continues to rewrite the Notre Dame record books, as she broke the program record for career games with 30 or more points (12), passing Arike Ogunbowale for the top spot. The junior finished with 30 points on 13-of-17 shooting, 13 steals, 10 assists and five rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. Six players finished in double figures for the Irish. Cassandre Prosper (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Gisela Sanchez (17 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles. Vanessa de Jesus (15), Iyana Moore (13) and Malaya Cowles (10) each reached double figures in the win. HOW IT HAPPENED The Irish tied their most points in a quarter in the first against Bellarmine, scoring 36 to open up a 23-point lead. Notre Dame exploded out of the gates, scoring the game’s first 10 points in less than two minutes of play to build an early advantage. Notre Dame used defense to lead to easy offense, recording eight steals which led to 16 points in the opening 10 minutes of play. Hidalgo scored 14 points in the first frame followed by seven from Sanchez and six apiece from Prosper and Cowles. The Irish used an 18-0 run in the middle of the second stanza to take a 41-point lead at 57-16 before leading the Knights by a score of 59-20 at the halftime break. The 39-point halftime lead marks the largest of the season for Notre Dame. Notre Dame recorded its second 30-point quarter of the evening in the third, outscoring the visitors 30-7 in the frame to take an 89-27 lead into the final 10 minutes of action. The Irish posted 21 points in the final frame en route to the 110-38 victory. NOTRE DAME STAT OF THE GAME The Irish finished with 28 steals as a team in the win, marking the third time this season the team has recorded 20 or more in a game. That represents the most 20+ steals performances in a season since the 2011-12 season (3). Hidalgo’s 13 steals mark the third time the junior has recorded double-digit steals in a game in her career, with two coming this season (she set the NCAA record with 16 in a win vs. Akron). NOTRE DAME NOTES The 72-point victory is the largest of the season for the Irish. The Irish have won at least 9 of their first 11 games to start the year for the fifth straight season. Notre Dame has recorded double-digit steals in 10 of 11 games this season. Sunday’s win gives Notre Dame 27 straight victories in non-conference home games. The Irish have now won 24 straight games against unranked opposition. Eight of Notre Dame’s nine wins have come by at least 10 points. The Fighting Irish have recorded 10 or more steals in 54-of-80 games since the start of the 2023-24 season. Hidalgo became the all-time program leader for 30-point games with 12, passing Arike Ogunbowale (11) for the top spot. Hidalgo has now finished in double figures for scoring in 78 consecutive games (every game of her career), the most of any player in program history. Prosper’s 20-point performance gives the senior four straight games of 20 or more points. Previously, Prosper had just two 20+ point games in her career. Prosper finished with a career-high 14 rebounds. Sanchez recorded the second double-double of the season and her career. Sanchez’s 17-point night is a season high. De Jesus set her career high in steals with five. UP NEXT The Fighting Irish have the next week off for Christmas before returning to Purcell Pavilion to welcome Pitt in their ACC home opener at 6 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 29. The game will air on ACCN. =========== BUTLER MEN’S BASKETBALL BUTLER HOSTS NJIT MONDAY AFTERNOON IN FINAL HOME GAME OF 2025 Butler closes out the non-conference portion of the schedule with a Monday matinee against NJIT. Butler Bulldogs (9-3) vs. NJIT (4-8) Monday, Dec. 22 • 2PM Hinkle Fieldhouse • Indianapolis, Ind. Follow Along TV/Stream: ESPN+ • Anthony Mazzini & Joey Brunk Radio/Audio: Fuego 92.7FM, Butler Sports App, SiriusXM 386, Sirius XM App, TuneIn Radio App & ButlerSports.com • @MarkMinner & Nick Gardner (@n_gardner) As You Take a Quick Break from Your Last-Minute Holiday Shopping • The only prior match-up between Butler and NJIT was a Bulldog win at Hinkle Fieldhouse Dec. 28, 2013. Three days later — on New Year’s Eve — Butler played its first conference game as a member of the BIG EAST (an overtime loss to No. 11 Villanova at Hinkle Fieldhouse). • The Bulldogs are coming off a 61-58 win over Northwestern in the Indy Classic at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. • Michael Ajayi led Butler with 19 points and a career-high 20 rebounds against Northwestern. He is the first Bulldog with 20 rebounds in a game since Tim Haseley, Nov. 26, 1983 against DePauw. • Ajayi has nine double-doubles in Butler’s 12 games this season. Ajayi began the season with six consecutive double-doubles. The last Bulldog to have five or more consecutive double-doubles was Gordon Hayward (with five between Feb. 11-March 6, 2010). • Ajayi is second nationally, averaging 12.3 rebounds per game. • Ajayi enters Monday’s tip with 990 career points in just under 2.5 seasons of Division I basketball. • Ajayi has two outputs of at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in his last three games; those are two of the seven games a Butler player has achieved those numbers since 2010. • Ajayi is one of seven players in NCAA Division I this season to post at least 15 points and 20 rebounds in a single game. • Butler is averaging 85.2 points per game this season. However, the last two games have featured their two lowest outputs of the season (61 in Saturday’s win over Northwestern and 60 in Tuesday’s loss at No. 5 UConn). • Butler’s defense limited Northwestern to 58 points Saturday, just three more than the season-low for a Bulldog opponent. The Bulldogs forced Northwestern to shoot only 4-for-23 from three-point range, a season-worst for a Butler opponent. On the season, Butler is allowing opponents to only shoot 31 percent from behind the arc. • Butler has out-rebounded 10 of its 12 opponents this season. The Bulldogs rank 20th nationally at 42.0 rebounds per game and has a +6.9 rebounding margin on the year. • Butler ranks 20th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage according to KenPom, collecting 38.6 percent of their misses. • The Bulldogs only had six games last season with a rebounding margin of +10 or better but have accomplished the feat six times already this season. • The Bulldogs went 19-for-24 from the free throw line at UConn Tuesday. The 79.2 percentage marked a season-best. • On the season, Butler is averaging 27.2 free throw attempts per game, which is 19th nationally. • Evan Haywood has scored in double figures in three consecutive games, including a career-high 18 points in the Dec. 13 win over Providence. Prior to this stretch, he had three double-figure outputs in his first 32 career games. • Despite shooting only 5-for-29 from three-point range over the last four games, Finley Bizjack is still second in the BIG EAST in three-point shooting at 36 percent. Bizjack and Ajayi are tied for third in the BIG EAST in scoring at 16.8 points per game. • Eight different Bulldogs have at least three double-figure scoring games for Butler. There’s No Place Like Hinkle • Butler is 87-6 in their last 93 home games against non-conference teams. • Thad Matta is 29-5 at Hinkle Fieldhouse against non-conference opponents as Butler’s head coach (which includes the 2000-01 season and since his return in 2022). Highlights on the Highlanders • NJIT enters the contest at 4-8. The Highlanders have not played since Dec. 13. Their America East conference schedule begins Jan. 3. • Head coach Grant Billmeier is in his third season at NJIT and previously served as an assistant to Kevin Willard for seven seasons at Seton Hall (and one season at Maryland). • David Bolden (11.8) and Ari Fulton (11.1) both average double figures for NJIT. The Series: Butler leads, 1-0 Streak: Butler, W1 At Hinkle: Butler leads, 1-0 First Meeting: Dec. 28, 2013; BU, 66-48 Last Meeting: Same Up Next The tip against NJIT closes out the non-conference portion of Butler’s schedule. The Bulldogs return to BIG EAST action Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Creighton. Butler’s next home game is Jan. 3 against Villanova. IMS Checker Out Game Set for Jan. 23 • Butler Athletics and Indianapolis Motor Speedway will collaborate on the third annual IMS Checker Out Game Friday, Jan. 23 when the Bulldog men’s basketball team hosts Marquette at Hinkle Fieldhouse. • Fans are asked to “checker out” Hinkle Fieldhouse by wearing a white or dark shirt based on the section of their tickets. • A significant INDYCAR and IMS presence will be at Hinkle. Hinkle to Host Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships as part of Final Four Weekend in Indianapolis • Hinkle Fieldhouse will serve as the host venue for the 37th annual State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships, set for Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. ET. • The contest will be broadcast nationally at Noon on Sunday, April 5 on ESPN. • This marks the fourth time the competition will be staged inside the storied home of the Butler Bulldogs. Remembering Daryl Mason • The Bulldogs have added “Rebound 22” to their shooting shirts as a tribute to Butler Hall of Famer Daryl Mason, who passed away in November after a battle with cancer. • He was a three-time all-conference selection (1971-72, 1972-73 and 1973-74). • Mason is Butler’s leader in rebounds for a career (961 in three seasons), single season (354) and an individual game (26). • Michael Ajayi’s 20-rebound game against Northwestern came on Mason’s birthday of Dec. 20. ========== IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL JAGS TO CLOSE NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT GRAND CANYON PHOENIX – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team will close out the non-conference slate on Monday night (Dec. 22) when the Jaguars trek west to face Grand Canyon University at 6:00 p.m. MT (8 Eastern) inside Global Credit Union Arena. The game will air on the Mountain West Network and can be heard in Central Indiana on 1430 Indy’s Sports Ticket as Jimmy Cook (pxp) calls the action. The Jaguars (4-9) are coming off a 126-73 throttling of Miami Middletown as the 126 points tied for the fourth-highest single-game total in program history. The Jags delivered a school record 42 assists in the win and hit 18 treys, falling just shy of the school record. Senior Jaxon Edwards led seven Jags in double-digits with a career-high 19 points and seven steals and Kameron Tinsley registered 16 points. Fifth-year Matt Compas had 14 points and five assists off the bench and freshman Reece Hagy registered his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Head coach Ben Howlett’s team continues to operate at the fastest pace in the country according to KenPom.com and is tops in the country in assists at 21.8 per contest. For the season, junior Kyler D’Augustino continues to lead the team in scoring at 15.6 points per contest while Compas checks in at 11.7 points per game. Freshman Maguire Mitchell scores 10.3 points per game and has a team-high 32 threes and Tinsley is scoring 10.1 points per contest. QUOTABLE “We did what we were supposed to do, so I’m proud of that. For the most part, we played the right way, looked to make the extra pass and shared the basketball. It was good to get a lot of guys some extended minutes and have them see some shots go in,” Howlett said following the win over Miami Middletown. SCOUTING GRAND CANYON GCU is 7-4 overall and 5-1 at home this season. The Antelopes boast a non-conference win over Utah and opened Mountain West play with a road win at Wyoming this past weekend. GCU is outscoring opponents by better than seven points per game and outrebounding opponents by 7.1 rebounds per game. Below is a rundown of GCU’s probable starters. G- Brian Moore Jr. (6-2, Grad.) – 8.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg G- Jaden Henley (6-7, Sr.) – 16.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg G- Caleb Shaw (6-6, R-Jr.) – 9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg F- Nana Owusu-Anane (6-8, Grad.) – 10.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg C- Efe Demirel (7-1, Fr.) – 7.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg INSIDE THE SERIES IU Indy is 0-2 all-time against Grand Canyon as the two schools met in both the 1995-96 season and 1997-98 season, both in Phoenix. The most recent meeting was on Dec. 19, 1997 as GCU outlasted IU Indy, 87-85. UP NEXT The Jaguars will return to Horizon League play on Monday, Dec. 29 when they face Cleveland State in Cleveland at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+. =========== IU INDY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NEWS IU INDY BATTLES BADGERS IN 81-72 LOSS MADISON, Wisc. – The IU Indy Jaguars put together a strong offensive showing but were unable to overcome a decisive third-quarter surge by Wisconsin, falling 81–72 on the road. IU Indy was led by a balanced scoring effort and a big fourth-quarter push that trimmed a large deficit late. IU Indy struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, shooting just 1-of-9 from the field in the opening quarter. Despite getting to the free-throw line and converting nine points at the stripe, the Jaguars trailed 19–11 after Wisconsin built momentum through transition baskets and second-chance points. The Jaguars settled in offensively in the second quarter, outscoring Wisconsin 16–14. IU Indy forced turnovers, knocked down timely threes, and briefly grabbed a one-point lead midway through the period. Wisconsin closed strong in the final minute, however, to take a 33–27 advantage into halftime. Wisconsin took control coming out of the break, scoring 28 points in the third quarter. The Badgers capitalized on fast-break opportunities and perimeter shooting to stretch the lead to as many as 18. IU Indy continued to battle but trailed 61–43 heading into the final quarter. IU Indy showed resilience in the fourth, pouring in 29 points while shooting nearly 70 percent from the field. The Jaguars attacked the paint, converted from deep, and cut the deficit to single digits late. Despite the strong finish, the early third-quarter run proved too much to overcome as Wisconsin held on for the 81–72 win. Kamara Mills led the Jaguars with a game-high 21 points, shooting an efficient 8-for-9 from the field and knocking down four three-pointers to ignite IU Indy’s fourth-quarter push. Ariana Williams provided a strong presence off the bench, finishing with 14 points while also contributing defensively with four steals. Nevaeh Foster added 11 points, converting all six of her free-throw attempts and collecting three steals, while Olivia Smith chipped in nine points and four rebounds to help anchor IU Indy on both ends of the floor. The Jags will return to Indianapolis on Monday, December 29 when they host Milwaukee in the Jungle. =========== INDIANA STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO MVC PRESEASON FAVORITE ILLINOIS STATE ON SUNDAY NORMAL, Ill. – Indiana State men’s basketball fell to Illinois State on Sunday, 85-65. Ian Scott led the Sycamores in scoring with a game-high 20 points on 6-for-10 shooing from the field and 3-for-5 from three. Xavier Hall scored 11 points and tied for the game-high with four assists. Camp Wagner pitched in 10 points and seven rebounds. Derek Vorst scored chipped in eight points and five rebounds, while Enel St. Bernard added five rebounds and two blocks. Ian Scott opened the game on fire, knocking down his first three shots – all from downtown. He scored 11 of his points in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the game, chipping in a pair of free throws with his threes. His points sandwiched a Derek Vorst triple. At the 14:30 mark in the first half, Indiana State led 13-11. Illinois State closed the rest of the half outscoring Indiana State 31-12 as they shot 50% from the field versus the Sycamores’ 4-for-16 shooting. The first-half deficit the Sycamores found themselves in proved to be the difference – Indiana State in the second half shot 57.1% from the field, trailing in the half in total scoring 43-40. The second half opened back-and-forth in scoring; an Xavier Hall layup at 14:54 tied the second-half scoring at 10. Over the next seven minutes, the Redbirds went up by 28, 71-43. A 19-8 Redbird run from 13:55-8:12 gave them a 28-point lead, but the Sycamores closed the game outscoring Illinois State 16-7 to cut into the deficit. Jayan Walker made a three with under a minute to play and Caden Huttenlocker drained one at the buzzer, but it was Illinois State that came away with the win, 85-65. News & Notes Indiana State shot 9-for-24 from three in the game, the second-best mark of the season and the best against a Division I team (shot 43.8% against Eureka). Sycamores continue to struggle at the line after shooting 59.3% (16-for-27) against Illinois State. Indiana State headed into the Milwaukee game shooting 74.6% from the line. In the last three games (MKE, Bradley, Illinois State), the Sycamores are shooting 65.8%. The Sycamores were getting to the line just about 17 times per game entering Milwaukee. In those last three games, Indiana State has averaged just over 25 attempts per game. This helped contribute to the Redbirds outscoring the Sycamores in the paint 42-22. Indiana State turned the ball over 11 times, the second lowest in the month of December. Those 11 turnovers turned into 14 points off turnovers for Illinois State. Conversely, the Sycamores forced Illinois State to only four (4) turnovers – and scored eight points on those four turnovers. The Sycamores attempted 12 more free throws on Sunday but gave more 19 field goal attempts (Indiana State attempted 46 field goals to Illinois State’s 65. With 28 total rebounds (two offensive rebounds), it tied the season-low in rebounding margin at -21. Ian Scott scored 20+ points for the second-straight game, the first time a Sycamore has done that this season. The last time, it was Samage Teel recording three straight last February. Jo Van Buggenhout made his first start as a Sycamore. Camp Wagner and Sterling Young continued shooting over 90% from the line this season. Wagner hits at a 90.3% clip (28-31) and Young at 91.3% (21-23). Entering the Milwaukee game, Camp Wagner averaged 4.3 rebounds per game. In the last three games, he has grabbed 7.3 per game (9-6-7). Up Next The Sycamores will be off for the holidays until hosting Belmont on Monday, December 29. The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET. =========== INDIANA STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SYCAMORES FALL TO NATIONALLY-RANKED MICHIGAN STATE IN CHEROKEE INVITATIONAL OPENER CHEROKEE, N.C. –Indiana State put together a strong offensive opening half Sunday afternoon at the Cherokee Invitational, but second-half struggles loomed large in a 115-66 defeat to No. 24/23 Michigan State inside Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. Jayci Allen led the Blue and White with 13 points off the bench, while Kennedy Claybrooks also finished in double-figures with 10. Allen went 3-for-6 from deep, while Kayla Smith and Claybrooks each knocked down a pair of threes. Indiana State overcame a slow start to outscore Michigan State 28-25 in the second quarter. Claybrooks and Smith combined for 15 points in the second, with Amerie Flowers scoring all of her nine points in the opening 20 minutes as the Trees pulled within 59-43 at the break. Things quickly went downhill after that, as Michigan State outscored Indiana State 56-23 in the final 20 minutes to pull away in convincing fashion. First Half Claybrooks opened the scoring for the Sycamores with a layup, and Tierney Kelsey added four early points as the Trees kept pace with the Spartans in the opening stages. The Spartans upped their lead to double digits midway through the frame before baskets from Flowers and Da’Naria Washington cut into the Sycamore deficit. Allen knocked down a three-ball with just over 90 seconds remaining in the frame, but Michigan State closed the quarter on a 9-0 run to take a 34-15 lead after one. Camariyana Tavares hit an early layup in the second to get things going, with Samiyah Briggs and Allen both knocking down free throws to add to the scoring. Claybrooks and Smith both knocked down threes midway through the frame, the latter’s being part of a four-point play, as Indiana State tried to work its way back. Flowers caught fire with five points in a three-minute span, while Claybrooks added another trey as the Sycamores clawed it back to a 59-43 deficit at the half. Second Half Michigan State opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run, as Indiana State. Clemisha Prackett ended the drought for the Trees just past the midway point of the frame with a layup, and the junior post player added a pair of free throws shortly after. Allen knocked down a trey, and Kelsey tacked on a midrange jumper with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter. Indiana State struggled from there, as the Spartans closed on a 10-2 run to lead 87-54 after three quarters. Allen hit a three 15 seconds into the fourth quarter, and Washington added a layup and two free throws. The Trees struggled from the field for the remainder of the game, though, as Washington’s layup with just under eight minutes left was the final basket for the Sycamores. Tavares and Briggs each knocked down a pair of late free throws, but Michigan State’s offense overwhelmed the Sycamores in a 115-66 loss. News and Notes Tierney Kelsey entered Sunday ranked third in the MVC in scoring, but was held to a season-low six points. Kelsey failed to score in double-figures for the first time this season. Despite the struggles in the second half, Indiana State’s 66 points were the second-most by a Michigan State opponent this season. Indiana State’s 28-point second quarter was the highest-scoring quarter for a Michigan State opponent this season. Free throws had been a struggle for the Sycamores this season, but Indiana State went 23-for-29 (79.3 percent) from the charity stripe Sunday. Indiana State’s 30 rebounds were a season low and its minus-14 rebound margin was its worst of the season. Nala Abraham made her season debut in Sunday’s game, finishing with one point in two minutes of action. Michigan State’s 115 points were the most for a Sycamore opponent since the 1996-97 season opener at Old Dominion (126). Up Next Indiana State faces either Old Dominion or No. 14/14 Ole Miss Monday at 5 p.m. to close the Cherokee Invitational. ========== PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL PURDUE FORT WAYNE MBB KNOCKS OFF NOTRE DAME 72-69 NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne men’s basketball team beat Notre Dame 72-69 on Sunday (Dec. 21) behind 29 points from Corey Hadnot II. This is Purdue Fort Wayne’s fourth win against a major conference foe. The Mastodons beat Indiana in 2016 and 2017 and DePaul in 2023. All four wins have come under head coach Jon Coffman. Hadnot proved to be the best player on the floor all game. He finished with a game-high 29 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists. He was 10-for-16 from the floor, 4-for-7 from 3-point range and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe. All of his free throws came in the final 30 seconds of the game to seal it. While the game was never fully out of reach for the home team until the final moments, the Mastodons led for 35:25 of the contest for their first win away from Fort Wayne. Notre Dame led for just 2:30, nearly two minutes of which came in the first 2:35 of the game. The Mastodons had an 8-0 run to go up 15-6 thanks to 3-pointers from Mikale Stevenson and Hadnot and a dunk from Hadnot. The first half was a defensive slugfest, as the Mastodons went into the halftime break with a 27-24 lead. An early sign it was Hadnot’s day was when he banked in a 3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer in the first half. Notre Dame clawed back in the second half, tying it at 41 before the ‘Dons pushed it to 46-41 with a quick 5-0 spurt from Stevenson. Notre Dame never tied it again from there. It took nearly four minutes for the ‘Dons to score after leading 54-49, but the ‘Dons did enough on defense to keep Notre Dame at bay. In a 6:53 stretch, including those four minutes, the Fighting Irish had just one basket and two free throws. When the ‘Dons led 56-55 after a Notre Dame layup, DeAndre Craig Jr. drilled a 3-pointer with 88 seconds to go. Like all afternoon, the Fighting Irish cut back into the lead, eventually hitting a tough 3-pointer with four seconds let. Maximus Nelson collected the in-bounds pass and headed to the foul line for two free throws and iced the game there. It took just four Mastodons scoring to top the Irish. Hadnot’s 29 led the way, followed by 18 from Stevenson, 14 from Craig Jr. and 11 from Nelson. Despite having just those four score, the ‘Dons finished 40.7 percent from the floor (24-of-59) and 31.4 percent from 3-point range (11-of-35). The Mastodons had just eight turnovers compared to Notre Dame’s 15. With the victory, Purdue Fort Wayne improved to 8-6 while Notre Dame fell to 9-4. After ending the non-league slate on a high note, the Mastodons will turn their attention to a trip to Milwaukee on December 29 for a date with the Horizon League preseason favorites. ========== EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL RALLY FALLS SHORT AS ACES FALL TO BULLDOGS EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Trailing by as many was 14 points in the second half, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team staged a furious rally in the final minutes before coming up just one point short in a 66-65 setback to Drake on Sunday inside the Ford Center. Connor Turnbull led all players with 20 points and a career-high 15 boards. He added three blocks in just over 28 minutes of action. AJ Casey had a solid 12-point, 4-rebounds effort while recording three steals. Alex Hemenway completed the day with 11 points. Jaeshon Thomas led the Bulldogs with 18 points. “I just told our guys that it is hard to be in these games but it is even harder to finish them,” UE head coach David Ragland said. “We had opportunities to win both of our MVC games but came up just short. We have given ourselves a chance to win each game and need to learn from our mistakes and get better.” Turnbull scored UE’s first six points of the day as the Aces took a 6-5 edge four minutes into the game. After the Bulldogs retook a 7-6 lead, Evansville bounced back with seven in a row to go up 13-7 at the 13:07 mark. AJ Casey scored four points while Leif Moeller finished the stretch with a triple. Drake cut the deficit in half at 15-12 before the Aces hit consecutive triples to take their largest lead of the half at 21-12. Alex Hemenway hit a 3-pointer with nine minutes on the clock while Kaia Berridge connected from downtown 46 second later to give UE a commanding lead and force a time out by the Bulldogs. Following the stoppage, Drake hit a triple that opened a 17-4 run over the next six minutes. They improved on both ends of the floor as they grabbed a 29-25 edge with just over a minute remaining in the period. Their defense helped UE to one mark in its next seven attempts while their offense seven of its 14 attempts. Turnbull drained two late free throws to grab a 29-27 lead at halftime. Out of the break, the Bulldogs scored the first six points to take a 35-27 lead. Up 40-33, Drake scored seven in a row to open their largest lead of the afternoon at 47-33 with 13:04 left in the game. Trailing by a 54-42 margin just past the midway point of the latter half, the Aces made their run. A Trent Hundley triple was followed up two Casey baskets before Leif Moeller added a pair of free throws that chopped the DU lead to just three at 54-51 inside of eight minutes remaining. The Bulldogs scored the next five to go back up by eight before another Hemenway triple made it a 5-point game entering the final four minutes. Drake answered with yet another 3-pointer to retake a 62-54 edge, but UE answered once again scoring five in a row to get back within three. Hemenway converted a free throw before missing the second. Turnbull grabbed the board and turned it into a layup. Following a miss by Drake on the other end, Casey was fouled and knocked down both free throws to make it a 62-59 game with 2:45 left. On their next possession, Drake hit a basket while Hemenway’s third triple made it a 2-point game at 64-62. Heading into the final minute of play, Drake held a 66-64 advantage. After missing two free throw tries, Hemenway hit one of his two free throw tries to get his squad all the way back within a tally – 66-65. Unfortunately, the comeback fell short as the Aces missed their final three free throw tries while a triple inside the final 10 seconds fell short giving the Bulldogs the win. Evansville shot 39.6% in the game while the Bulldogs hit 45.6% of their attempts. The Aces completed the game with a 35-34 effort on the boards. Following the break for Christmas, the Aces will be back on the floor on Monday, Dec. 29 at Bradley. ========== EVANSVILLE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACES’ HARD-FOUGHT EFFORT FALLS SHORT IN NON-CON FINALE AT DAYTON DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team wrapped up the non-conference portion of their schedule with a hard-fought effort at Dayton on Sunday afternoon, but fell short with a 75-66 defeat to the Flyers. Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind./Hamilton Heights) posted her third 20-plus point performance of the season with 22 to lead the Aces. Runner shot 12-for-13 from the charity stripe and added a team-high six rebounds and six assists. Elle Snyder (Latrobe, Penn./Greater Latrobe) added a season-high 10 points, seven of which came in the first quarter, while Logan Luebbers Palmer (Union, Ky./Randall K. Cooper) scored 10 points and played all 40 minutes. Evansville came out of the gates hot, with a three-pointer by Snyder and layups by Mustaros and Snyder gave the Aces a 7-1 lead. Dayton would battle back to tie the score at 11 at the 2:41 mark in the quarter before taking the lead, but a pair of and-ones from Runner and Georgia Ferguson (Waterloo, Ontario/Cairine Wilson Secondary School) helped the Aces regain the lead at 20-18. However, the Flyers beat the first quarter buzzer with a three-pointer to take a 21-20 lead into the second period. Dayton began the second quarter on a run, outscoring the Aces 9-2 in the first four minutes. Evansville would battle back, though, as layups from Lubbers Palmer and Runner made it 30-26 in favor of the Flyers. The Aces’ duo continued to help the team battled back, knocking down a pair of jumpers to tie the score at 32, before Lubbers Palmer gave the Aces the lead at 34-32 with 2:21 to play in the half. However, Dayton would go on another run to end the quarter, scoring eight unanswered points to take a 40-34 at halftime. Dayton began to pull away midway through the third quarter, taking a 53-38 advantage with 5:30 to go. The Flyers would extend the lead to 18, but the Aces chipped away in the final two minutes of the quarter, with Runner outscoring the Flyers 8-2 to make it 60-48 heading into the fourth. Evansville continued to chip away in the fourth quarter, with BreAunna Ward (St. Louis, Mo./John Burroughs School) knocking down a jumper at the 8:48 mark to cut the deficit to single digits. Sydney Huber (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Mount Vernon) got hot from three-point range as the Aces fought back, knocking down a transition three off a block from Mireia Mustaros (Barcelona, Spain/Odessa College) before drilling another three off a steal, making the Dayton lead four at 67-63 with 1:41 to play. However, that was as close as it would get, as Dayton hung on for a 75-66 win. The Aces return home on December 29 to host Murray State for an MVC clash at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 6 PM. =========== SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL USI CONCLUDES NON-CONFERENCE SLATE MONDAY AT RANKED TENNESSEE EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Following the opening week of Ohio Valley Conference play, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball concludes its non-conference slate on Monday at 5:30 p.m. CT when the Screaming Eagles visit top-25 University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Monday’s game can be seen on SEC Network+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. USI Women’s Basketball (8-2, 2-0 OVC) enters Monday’s contest against the #17/#18 Lady Volunteers (7-3, 0-0 SEC) on a four-game winning streak. USI is 2-1 on the road this season heading into Monday’s first-ever matchup against Tennessee. Monday will be USI’s first game this season against a Power-4 or ranked opponent. USI has faced seven major-conference opponents since moving up to Division I in 2022. The Screaming Eagles opened its OVC schedule this past week with wins against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Morehead State University, jumping out to a 2-0 start in the OVC for the third consecutive season. On Saturday, USI downed Morehead State, 78-59, behind another solid defensive performance. The Screaming Eagles forced Morehead State into 25 turnovers, leading to 33 points on the offensive end for USI. Senior guard Ali Saunders highlighted Saturday’s win by dropping a career-high 35 points to pace USI. Saunders poured in the 35 points on 10-22 shooting overall with six made three’s and a perfect 9-9 at the free-throw line. The senior scored 25 of the 35 points in the second half. Saunders passed her previous USI best of 23 points from earlier this season against Murray State University on November 7 and her previous career best of 32 points, which she set while at Valparaiso University as a freshman against the University of Alabama Birmingham on November 21, 2022. Saunders recorded USI’s first 30-point performance since Hannah Haithcock dropped 31 points at Lindenwood University on January 19, 2023, and it was the first effort of 35 or more points since former Eagle Emma DeHart tallied 39 points at Rockhurst University on February 6, 2021. Saunders’ six made triples were the most in a game by a USI player since Vanessa Shafford made seven treys in an overtime win at Western Illinois University on February 24, 2024. Two other Screaming Eagles finished in double figures against Morehead State. Junior forward Chloe Gannon tallied 15 points, while freshman forward Channah Gannon registered a dozen for her third straight double-digit game to begin her collegiate career. On the season, Saunders leads the team in scoring at 16.4 points and with 4.7 assists per game. Junior guard Sophia Loden is second in scoring with 13.7 points while topping the squad with 9.3 rebounds per contest. Channah Gannon and Chloe Gannon are averaging 13 and 12.5 points per outing, respectively. Collectively, USI is averaging 75 points (second in the OVC) while holding its opponents to 50.2 points per game. The Eagles rank first in the OVC and third in the nation in scoring defense. USI is also first in the OVC and top 10 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (33.1 percent). Tennessee heads into Monday’s game coming off an 89-65 loss against #16/#17 University of Louisville on Saturday at the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic in Brooklyn, New York. The Cardinals pulled away after the two teams were tied at 17 through the first quarter. The Lady Vols have already faced three opponents that USI also has on its schedule. Tennessee defeated East Tennessee State University, 97-47, the University of Tennessee at Martin, 72-61, and Middle Tennessee State University, 85-41. Tennessee is led in scoring this season by senior forward Janiah Barker and redshirt junior guard Talaysia Cooper with 15.3 points per game. Senior forward Zee Spearman and senior guard Nya Robertson are averaging 11.2 and 10.1 points per contest, respectively. As a team, the Lady Vols average 80.6 points and allow 61.2 points per outing. Following Monday’s game and a holiday break, USI Women’s Basketball will return to Ohio Valley Conference action with a road swing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on New Year’s Day and at Lindenwood University on January 3. =========== VALPO MEN’S BASKETBALL DEASE POSTS CAREER HIGH IN NARROW LOSS TO MURRAY STATE The Valparaiso University men’s basketball team led for nearly 25 minutes on Sunday afternoon, but visiting Murray State held the upper hand when the final buzzer sounded, beating the Beacons 85-79 in Sunday’s Missouri Valley Conference opener. Owen Dease (Evansville, Ind. / Evansville Reitz [Texas A&M Corpus Christi]) posted a career-high 25 points off the Beacon bench. How It Happened The two teams were back-and-forth early, with Murray State owning a slight lead for much of the game’s early stages. The Beacons went ahead when Dease drained a jumper at the 14:42 mark to make it 11-10. A moment later, Rakim Chaney threw down a fastbreak dunk to add to the advantage. Freshman Carter Hopoi (Tauranga, New Zealand / Mount Maunganui College NZ]) added a dunk to lift the lead to four, but then the Racers ran off four consecutive points to tie the game at 17. Valpo responded with six straight points to vault back in front. A 3 by Tucker Tornatta (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz Memorial [University of Indianapolis]) with 6:28 on the clock pushed the lead back to five. The Valpo advantage fluctuated between two and six for the remainder of the half, and Murray State hit a 3 in the closing seconds of the opening stanza to cut the halftime deficit to three at 39-36. Valpo took 28 of its 32 first-half shots inside the 3-point arc, and as a result hit at a 53.1 percent clip from the field in the first 20 minutes. The Beacons upped the lead to six when Chaney nailed a trey at the 16:13 mark of the second half to make it 49-43. Dease added a pair of 3s to lift the lead to eight at 55-47. Valpo led 62-57 with 10:29 remaining after a 3 by Tornatta, but a 7-0 Racer run followed to put the guests ahead by two. The next Beacon lead came with 5:06 on the clock when Shon Tupuola (Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg [Saint Mary-of-the-Woods]) made a pair of free throws to go ahead 73-72. Murray State scored the next five points to vault back ahead. Chaney’s 3 with 2:55 to go reduced the lead to one, but Murray State reeled off nine straight in crunch time to go up eight and eventually win by six. Inside the Game Dease poured in 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting, usurping his previous peak of 20 that occurred twice last season while playing for Texas A&M Corpus Christi. It marked the highest single-game scoring output by a Valpo player this season. Dease’s 25 points was Valpo’s highest total off the bench since Richie Edwards had 25 on Nov. 14, 2011 vs. Holy Cross (Ind.). Dease had the highest point total by a Valpo reserve against a Division-I opponent since Matt Kenney had 27 on Feb. 17, 2010 vs. Loyola Chicago. Dease became the first Valpo player to come off the bench and make 10 or more field goals since Brandon Wood made 12 on Nov. 15, 2009 at North Carolina. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, Dease joined Javon Freeman-Liberty and Ben Krikke (x3) as the only Valpo players to shoot 75 percent or better from the field with at least 13 attempts. Chaney (13) and Tupuola (11) joined Dease in double figures. Chaney had his highest scoring output of his last four games and was in double figures for the seventh time this year. Tupuola recorded his fifth double-figure scoring output of 2025-26. In three of Valpo’s last four losses and three of the team’s six losses overall this season, the Beacons have led for the majority of the game. They led for 19:45 to UNCW’s 15:19, 27:50 to Marquette’s 10:17 and 24:49 to Murray State’s 10:52. Three of Valpo’s last four losses have come by six points or fewer. Chaney dished out six assists, his second-highest total of the season and highest since seven on Nov. 19 at Cleveland State. Murray State outshot Valpo at the free-throw line 28-15 and had 23 makes to Valpo’s 10. Pettigrew had the team’s best plus-minus at +4 in 19 minutes before fouling out. Murray State has the second-highest KenPom rating in the league and was picked third of 11 in the league’s preseason poll. =========== UINDY MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S HOOPS FALL TO ECKERD IN FINAL CONTEST OF 2025 TAMPA, Fla. — UIndy (5-6, 3-0 GLVC) fell to Eckerd (7-4, 1-3 Sunshine State) with a final score of 84-77 at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center on Sunday. The Greyhounds recorded 12 three-pointers and forced nine ties throughout the game. Nate Dudukovich led the scoring for the Greyhounds with a season-high 21 points on three 3-pointers made, followed by Carmelo Harris with 19 points, Tyler Parrish, who added 14 of his own and Elad Bakshi with a season-high 10 points for the UIndy offense. The game began with Eckerd’s Jacob Davis scoring a layup at 19:33, but UIndy’s Tyler Parrish quickly responded with a three-pointer to give the visitors an early lead. Shaun Arnold’s assists contributed to the Greyhounds’ momentum, including a layup by Nathan Dudukovich at 17:11 that extended their lead to 5-2. The first half remained tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. With just seconds left, Tim Taiwo’s layup put Eckerd ahead, securing a narrow 33-31 lead at the end of the first half, despite a last-second offensive effort by the visitors. Eckerd held off UIndy in a tightly contested second half, securing an 84-77 victory. The Greyhounds fought back to tie the game at 65 with 7:13 remaining, highlighted by Bakshi’s three-pointer. Eckerd responded with a scoring burst, including a layup by Jacob Davis at 6:25 and a three-pointer from Miquel Llompart, pushing their lead to 63-52. Harris kept the Greyhounds within striking distance with a late three-pointer at 3:00, but Eckerd sealed the win at the free-throw line in the closing seconds. ========== SMALL INDIANA COLLEGE SPORTS 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 =========== TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY ON DECEMBER 22 IN … 1877 – AMERICAN BICYCLING JOURNAL IS FIRST PUBLISHED (BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS). 1894 – UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION IS FORMED (NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK). 1915 – ORGANIZED BASEBALL AND FEDERAL LEAGUE SIGN A PEACE TREATY AT CINCINNATI, OHIO. 1915 – FEDERAL BASEBALL LEAGUE IS DISSOLVED. 1924 – BABE DYE OF NHL’S TORONTO SAINT PATRICKS SCORES FIVE GOALS IN BEATING BOSTON BRUINS 10-2. 1934 – MISS THEO TROWBRIDGE SETS FEMALE BOWLING RECORD 702 PINS. 1939 – DONALD BRADMAN SCORES 138 IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S 7-821 VERSUS QUEENSLAND. 1943 – MANUFACTURERS GET PERMISSION TO USE SYNTHETIC RUBBER FOR BASEBALL CORE. 1946 – CLEVELAND BROWNS BEAT NEW YORK YANKEES 14-9 IN AAFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. 1951 – AUSTRALIA CRICKET ALL OUT 82 VERSUS WEST INDIES AT ADELAIDE. 1953 – JACK DUNN III, OWNER OF BALTIMORE ORIOLES IN INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE, TURNS NAME OVER TO NEWLY RELOCATED SAINT LOUIS BROWNS. 1959 – CONTINENTAL LEAGUE AWARDS ITS LAST FRANCHISE TO DALLAS-FORT WORTH. 1959 – NEW YORK RANGERS’ GOALIE MARCEL PAILLE WEARS A CUSTOMIZED MASK. 1962 – 1,000,000TH NBA POINT SCORED. 1962 – HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS APPROVE ALL-WEATHER STADIUM FOR HOUSTON COLT .45S. 1963 – OAKLAND RAIDERS’ TOM FLORES PASSES FOR SIX TOUCHDOWNS VS HOUSTON OILERS (52-49). 1969 – PETE MAROVICH SETS NCAA RECORD OF HITTING 30 OF 31 FOUL SHOTS. 1974 – PHIL ESPOSITO, BOSTON BRUINS, BECOMES SIXTH NHL PLAYER TO SCORE 500 GOALS. 1980 – SAINT LOUIS CARDINALS RELEASE OUTFIELDER BOBBY BONDS. 1983 – NEW YORK ISLANDERS SCORE THREE SHORTHANDED GOALS AGAINST WASHINGTON CAPITALS. 1984 – TEST CRICKET DEBUT OF CRAIG MCDERMOTT, VERSUS WEST INDIES AT THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND. 1985 – 74TH DAVIS CUP: SWEDEN BEATS GERMANY IN MUNICH (3-2). 1986 – INDIA SCORES 7-676 VERSUS SRI LANKA AT KANPUR IN CRICKET. 1995 – DAVID CONE SIGNS $19.5 MILLION THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH NEW YORK YANKEES. 1996 – PITTSBURGH STEELERS’ KORDELL STEWART RUNS QUARTERBACK RECORD 80 YARDS FOR TOUCHDOWN. 1996 – ZIMBABWE AND ENGLAND DRAW BULAWAYO TEST CRICKET WITH ENGLAND NEED ONE TO WIN. 2001 – CHAN HO PARK SIGNS A FIVE-YEAR, $65 MILLION DEAL WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS. BIRTHS OF SPORTS FIGURES ON DECEMBER 22 1862 – BIRTH OF CONNIE MACK; HALL OF FAME BASEBALL EXECUTIVE/MANAGER (PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS 1900-1950). 1912 – BIRTH OF HENRY ARMSTRONG; HELD FEATHER/LIGHT/WELTERWEIGHT BOXING TITLES (1938). 1929 – BIRTH OF WAZIR MOHAMMAD; CRICKET PLAYER (ELDEST OF PAKISTAN’S FOUR MOHAMMED BROTHERS). 1932 – BIRTH OF JOE CLARK IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA; WLAF OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR COACH (AMSTERDAM ADMIRALS). 1935 – BIRTH OF OLEG ALEKSEYEVICH IN PROTOPOPOV, RUSSIA; PAIRS SKATER (OLYMPICS-GOLD-1964, 1968). 1944 – BIRTH OF STEVE CARLTON; PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES’ PITCHER (CY YOUNG 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982). 1947 – BIRTH OF DILIP DOSHI; CRICKET PLAYER (INDIA’S MAIN SLOW LEFTY POST-BEDI). 1948 – BIRTH OF CHRIS OLD; CRICKET PLAYER (ENGLAND MEDIUM-PACER OF 1970S). 1948 – BIRTH OF STEVE GARVEY; FIRST BASEMAN (LOS ANGELES DODGERS, SAN DIEGO PADRES). 1949 – BIRTH OF MANFRED BURGSMÜLLER; WLAF KICKER (RHEIN FIRE). 1951 – BIRTH OF JAN STEPHENSON IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA; GOLFER (LPGA ROOKIE OF YEAR-1974). 1954 – BIRTH OF DERICK PARRY; CRICKET PLAYER (WEST INDIES OFF-SPINNER EARLY 1980S). 1960 – BIRTH OF TYRELL BIGGS IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, USA; SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXER (OLYMPICS-GOLD-1984). 1963 – BIRTH OF BRYAN MCMILLAN; CRICKET PLAYER (BRILLIANT SOUTH AFRICAN ALL-ROUNDER SINCE 1992). 1964 – BIRTH OF MIKE JACKSON IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA; PITCHER (SEATTLE MARINERS). 1967 – BIRTH OF MIKE SULLIVAN; NFL CENTER (TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS). 1967 – BIRTH OF ROLAND HOLDER; CRICKET PLAYER (WEST INDIAN BATSMAN IN ODI’S 1993-). 1967 – BIRTH OF SEAN FOSTER; WLAF WIDE RECEIVER (RHEIN FIRE). 1969 – BIRTH OF ANDREW SCOTT; AUSTRALIAN BASEBALL INFIELDER (OLYMPICS-1996). 1969 – BIRTH OF MARCIE AGUILAR IN TUCSON, ARIZONA, USA; FEMALE INFIELDER (COLORADO SILVER BULLETS). 1970 – BIRTH OF BROOKS FINDLAY; CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE LINEBACKER (BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS). 1972 – BIRTH OF ANDREW MOORE; WLAF TACKLE (FRANKFURT GALAXY). 1972 – BIRTH OF ANTHONY EDWARDS; AUSTRALIAN ROWER (OLYMPICS-1996). 1972 – BIRTH OF KIRK MALTBY IN GUELPH, ONTARIO, CANADA; NHL RIGHT WING (EDMONTON OILERS). 1972 – BIRTH OF MIKE THOMPSON; NFL DEFENSIVE TACKLE (JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS). 1973 – BIRTH OF ANNIE PELLETIER IN MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC, CANADA; 3 METRE DIVER (OLYMPICS-BRONZE-1996). 1973 – BIRTH OF JAMEL WILLIAMS; SAFETY (WASHINGTON REDSKINS). 1975 – BIRTH OF STANISLAV NECKAR IN PISEK CZECHOSLOVAKIA; NHL DEFENSEMAN (OTTAWA SENATORS, OLYMPICS-GOLD-1998). 1977 – BIRTH OF JOANNA HUGHES IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA; GYMNAST (OLYMPICS-1996). DEATHS OF SPORTS FIGURES ON DECEMBER 22 1955 – LEN BRAUND, CRICKET PLAYER (23 TESTS FOR ENGLAND 987 RUNS 47 WICKETS), DIES. 2016 – DEATH OF MIRUTS YIFTER, ETHIOPIAN LONG DISTANCE RUNNER (BORN 1944). ON DECEMBER 23 IN … 1923 – NEW YORK YANKEES’ PITCHER CARL MAYS SOLD TO CINCINNATI REDS FOR $85,000. 1933 – HOWIE MORENZ TAKES OVER NHL CAREER GOAL LEAD AT 251. 1939 – SOUTH AUSTRALIA SCORE 7-821 AGAINST QUEENSLAND IN CRICKET. 1946 – UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE REFUSES TO PLAY DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY, BECAUSE THEY MAY USE A BLACK PLAYER IN THEIR BASKETBALL GAME. 1951 – FIRST COAST-TO-COAST TELEVISED FOOTBALL GAME (DUMONT PAID $75,000); LOS ANGELES RAMS BEAT CLEVELAND BROWNS 24-17 IN NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. 1953 – BROOKLYN DODGERS; SECOND BASEMAN JIM “JUNIOR” GILLIAM WINS NATIONAL LEAGUE ROOKIE OF YEAR. 1957 – TEST CRICKET DEBUT FOR WALLY GROUT AND BOBBY SIMPSON VERSUS SOUTH AFRICA. 1962 – DALLAS TEXANS BEAT HOUSTON OILERS 20-17 IN AFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. 1972 – “IMMACULATE RECEPTION” PITTSBURGH STEELERS TURNS AROUND A 7-6 DEFEAT WITH A LAST SECOND TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION AGAINST THE OAKLAND RAIDERS TO WIN 13-7. 1972 – CHANDRASEKHAR TAKES 8-79 INDIA VERSUS ENGLAND AT DELHI. 1972 – NEW YORK ISLANDERS END 15-GAME WINLESS STREAK. 1975 – A LANDMARK DECISION BY PETER SEITZ BEGINS A NEW ERA IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AS THE ARBITRATOR’S JUDGMENT MAKES PITCHERS ANDY MESSERSMITH AND DAVE MCNALLY THE FIRST TRUE FREE-AGENTS IN BASEBALL HISTORY. 1978 – NEW YORK ISLANDERS SCORE 7 GOALS IN ONE PERIOD AGAINST THE NEW YORK RANGERS, TROTTIER SCORES 8 POINTS, FIVE GOALS-NHL RECORD SIX POINTS IN ONE PERIOD. 1979 – NEW YORK ISLANDERS’ GREATEST SHUTOUT LOSS (8-0) VERSUS CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS. 1981 – BOYCOTT BECOMES LEADING RUN-SCORER IN TEST CRICKETS WITH 8033. 1984 – VIV RICHARDS SCORES 208 IN TEST CRICKET AT MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND. 1994 – BASEBALL OWNERS IMPOSE SALARY CAP, FIERCELY OPPOSED BY PLAYERS. 1997 – CHICAGO BULLS’ COACH PHIL JACKSON IS QUICKEST TO REACH 500 WINS (682 GAMES). 1997 – COLORADO AVALANCHE PLAYER JARI KURRI IS 8TH NHL PLAYER TO SCORE 600 CAREER GOALS. 2004 – FREE-AGENT OUTFIELDER J.D. DREW SIGNS A FIVE-YEAR, $55 MILLION DEAL WITH THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS. 2005 – JOHNNY DAMON SIGNS A US$52 MILLION, FOUR-YEAR DEAL TO PLAY FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES. BIRTHS OF SPORTS FIGURES ON DECEMBER 23 1894 – BIRTH OF ARTHUR GILLIGAN; CRICKET PLAYER (ENGLAND CAPTAIN IN 1920S). 1901 – BIRTH OF GENE SARAZEN; GOLFER (PGA 1922, 1923, 1933). 1909 – BIRTH OF BARNEY ROSS IN NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, USA; WELTERWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION (1934). 1909 – BIRTH OF DON CLEVERLEY; CRICKET PLAYER (TWO TESTS FOR NEW ZEALAND 1932 AND 1946, TOOK 0-130). 1922 – BIRTH OF MICHELINE OSTERMEYER IN FRANCE; SHOT-PUT/DISCUS THROWER (OLYMPICS-GOLD-1948). 1929 – BIRTH OF DICK WEBER; PRO BOWLER (16, 300 GAMES). 1935 – BIRTH OF PAUL HORNUNG; NFL FOOTBALL PLAYER (GREEN BAY PACKERS, THE GOLDEN BOY). 1936 – BIRTH OF BOBBY ROSS; NFL COACH (SAN DIEGO CHARGERS). 1942 – BIRTH OF JERRY KOOSMAN; PITCHER (NEW YORK METS). 1944 – BIRTH OF U C JOSHI; CRICKET PLAYER (SUSSEX OFF-SPINNER 1970-74 FROM INDIA). 1945 – BIRTH OF RICHARD C WOHLHUTER; 800-METRE RUNNER (OLYMPICS-BRONZE-1976). 1947 – BIRTH OF BILL RODGERS; MARATHON RUNNER (BOSTON, NEW YORK). 1948 – BIRTH OF JACK HAM; NFL LINEBACKER (PITTSBURGH STEELERS). 1949 – BIRTH OF WALLY EDWARDS; CRICKET PLAYER (THREE TESTS AUSTRALIA VERSUS ENGLAND 1974). 1956 – BIRTH OF MICHELE ALBORETTO; FORMULA-1 RACER (FERRARI). 1962 – BIRTH OF JERRY REYNOLDS; NBA GUARD/FORWARD (MILWAUKEE BUCKS). 1963 – BIRTH OF CAROL PETERKA IN LITTLE FALLS, MINNESOTA, USA; TEAM HANDBALL BACK COURT (OLYMPICS-1992, 1996). 1963 – BIRTH OF JIM HARBAUGH; NFL QUARTERBACK (INDIANAPOLIS COLTS). 1964 – BIRTH OF ANDY GABEL IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA; SHORT TRACK SKATER (OLYMPICS-1994). 1964 – BIRTH OF PETR KLIMA IN CHAOMUTOV, CZECHOSLOVAKIA; NHL RIGHT WING (TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING). 1966 – BIRTH OF HANS VAN ARUM; DUTCH SOCCER PLAYER (VITESSE, WILLEM II). 1967 – BIRTH OF LAMAR LATHON; NFL LINEBACKER (CAROLINA PANTHERS). 1969 – BIRTH OF RODNEY CULVER; NFL RUNNING BACK (SAN DIEGO CHARGERS). 1969 – BIRTH OF STEPHEN GRANT; NFL LINEBACKER (INDIANAPOLIS COLTS). 1970 – BIRTH OF RAYMONT HARRIS; NFL RUNNING BACK (CHICAGO BEARS). 1971 – BIRTH OF PETE BERCICH; NFL LINEBACKER (MINNESOTA VIKINGS). 1971 – BIRTH OF STEVE STENSTROM; QUARTERBACK (CHICAGO BEARS). 1973 – BIRTH OF TONY GRAZIANI; QUARTERBACK (ATLANTA FALCONS). 1977 – BIRTH OF BECKY RUEHL IN LAKESIDE PARK, KENTUCKY; DIVER (OLYMPICS-4TH-1996). DEATHS OF SPORTS FIGURES ON DECEMBER 23 1913 – JAMES MIDDLETON, CRICKET PLAYER (24 WICKET OF LEFTY PACE SOUTH AFRICA 1895-1903), DIES. 1973 – ARTHUR RICHARDSON, CRICKET PLAYER (9 TESTS 1924-26), DIES. 1990 – FRANK KING, CRICKET PLAYER (WEST INDIES FAST BOWLER PLAYED 14 TESTS 1953-56), DIES. 1992 – CYRIL WALTERS, CRICKET PLAYER (11 TESTS FOR ENGLAND, 784 RUNS), DIES. 2015 – DEATH OF DON HOWE, ENGLISH FOOTBALLER (BORN 1935). =========== TV SPORTS MONDAY, 12/22/25 NFL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVSAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS8:15PMABCESPNNBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVCHARLOTTE HORNETS VS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS7:00 PMPEACOCKFANDUEL SPORTS OHIOINDIANA PACERS VS BOSTON CELTICS7:30PMNBCS-BOSFANDUEL SPORTS INDDALLAS MAVERICKS VS NEW ORLEANS PELICANS8:00PMGCSNKFAAUTAH JAZZ VS DENVER NUGGETS9:00PMKJZZALTMEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER9:30PMPEACOCKFANDUEL SPORTS OKCORLANDO MAGIC VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS10:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS FLNBCS-CADETROIT PISTONS VS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS10:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS DETRIP CITYNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVST. LOUIS BLUES VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING7:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS MWFANDUEL SPORTS SUNVANCOUVER CANUCKS VS PHILADELPHIA FLYERS7:30PMNBCS-PHINHLNSEATTLE KRAKEN VS ANAHEIM DUCKS10:00PMKONGVICTORY+COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS VS LOS ANGELES KINGS10:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS OHIOFANDUEL SPORTS WESTCOLLEGE FOOTBALLTIME ETTVIDAHO POTATO BOWL: WASHINGTON ST. VS. UTAH STATE2:00PMESPNMSGMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVNEW HAVEN AT FORDHAM11:00AMSNYMANOR AT WAGNER12:00PMNEC FRONT ROWCENTENARY (NJ) AT SAINT PETER’S12:00PMESPN+MIAMI (OH)-HAMILTON AT OHIO12:00PMESPN+UMASS BOSTON AT UMASS12:00PMESPN+TRINITY JACKSONVILLE AT FIU12:00PMESPN+ST. MARY’S (MD) AT GEORGE WASHINGTON12:00PMESPN+DEFIANCE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN1:00PMESPN+SACRED HEART AT TOWSON2:00PMMONUMENTAL SPORTSWEST GEORGIA AT GEORGIA2:00PMESPN+SIENA HEIGHTS AT BOWLING GREEN2:00PMESPN+NJIT AT BUTLER2:00PMESPN+MIAMI (OH)-HAMILTON AT MIAMI (OH)2:30PMESPN+NORTHWEST AT MONTANA STATE3:00PMESPN+EAST-WEST AT EASTERN ILLINOIS3:00PMESPN+DENVER AT TULSA3:00PMESPN+SEATTLE U AT UTSA3:00PMESPN+WHITTIER AT SAN DIEGO STATE4:00PMKUSISOUTH CAROLINA STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA4:00PMESPN+LINCOLN (CA) AT WEBER STATE4:00PMESPN+GREENSBORO COLLEGE AT ELON4:00PMFLOCOLLEGESIUE AT WESTERN ILLINOIS4:30PMESPN+ABILENE CHRISTIAN AT TEXAS SOUTHERN5:00PMYOUTUBEPORTLAND AT UC SANTA BARBARA5:00PMESPN+SIENA AT INDIANA6:00PMBTNAMERICAN AT VIRGINIA6:00PMACC NETWORKPENN STATE-BEHREND AT BUFFALO6:30PMESPN+COPPIN STATE AT GEORGETOWN6:30PMESPN+PRAIRIE VIEW A&M AT LSU7:00PMSECNRIDER AT VCU7:00PMMASNSTONEHILL AT SYRACUSE7:00PMESPN+JACKSONVILLE AT FLORIDA STATE7:00PMESPN+FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON AT BOSTON COLLEGE7:00PMESPN+CANISIUS AT DUQUESNE7:00PMESPN+BRYANT AT HIGH POINT7:00PMESPN+COASTAL CAROLINA AT SAINT JOSEPH’S7:00PMESPN+PRINCETON AT TEMPLE7:00PMESPN+SCIENCES & ARTS (OK) AT NORTH TEXAS7:00PMESPN+NORTHEASTERN AT RHODE ISLAND7:00PMESPN+MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AT WEST VIRGINIA7:00PMESPN+CCNY AT FAIRFIELD7:00PMESPN+EASTERN MICHIGAN AT WRIGHT STATE7:00PMESPN+DALLAS CHRISTIAN AT LOUISIANA TECH7:30PMESPN+MISSOURI VS. ILLINOIS8:00PMFS1CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT WISCONSIN8:00PMBTNEAST CAROLINA AT NORTH CAROLINA8:00PMACC NETWORKIU INDIANAPOLIS AT GRAND CANYON8:00PMAFSNMARYLAND EASTERN SHORE AT TEXAS8:00PMESPN+WILLIAMS BAPTIST AT LITTLE ROCK8:00PMESPN+ALABAMA STATE AT MEMPHIS8:00PMESPN+UTAH TECH AT CREIGHTON8:00PMESPN+STETSON AT OKLAHOMA9:00PMSECNEASTERN WASHINGTON AT BYU9:00PMESPN+BETHUNE-COOKMAN AT ARIZONA9:00PMESPN+SAN DIEGO AT WASHINGTON10:00PMBTNSACRAMENTO STATE AT CSUN10:00PMESPN+UNI AT SAINT MARY’S10:00PMESPN+DAVIDSON AT KANSAS10:00PMESPN+SOCCERTIME ETTVSUPERCOPPA ITALIANA: FINAL2:00PMPARAMOUNT+EPL: FULHAM VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST3:00PMPEACOCKLA LIGA: ATHLETIC CLUB VS ESPANYOL3:00PMESPN+FUBOTV TUESDAY, 12/23/25 NBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVWASHINGTON WIZARDS VS CHARLOTTE HORNETS7:00 PMMNMTFANDUEL SPORTS CHABROOKLYN NETS VS PHILADELPHIA 76ERS7:00PMYESNBCS-PHICHICAGO BULLS VS ATLANTA HAWKS7:30PMCHSNFANDUEL SPORTS ATLNEW ORLEANS PELICANS VS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS7:30PMGCSNFAN DUEL SPORTS OHIOMILWAUKEE BUCKS VS INDIANA PACERS7:30PMFANDUEL SPORTS INDFANDUEL SPORTS MILTORONTO RAPTORS VS MIAMI HEAT7:30PMFANDUEL SPORTS SUNSNNEW YORK KNICKS VS MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES8:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS NORTHMSGDENVER NUGGETS VS DALLAS MAVERICKS8:00PMNBCPEACOCKOKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS SAN ANTONIO SPURS8:30PMFANDUEL SPORTS OKCFANDUEL SPORTS SWLOS ANGELES LAKERS VS PHOENIX SUNS9:00PMSPECTRUMAFSNMEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS UTAH JAZZ9:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS MEMKJZZORLANDO MAGIC VS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS10:00PMFANDUEL SPORTS FLRIP CITYDETROIT PISTONS VS SACRAMENTO KINGS10:00PMNBCS-CANBCS-CACHOUSTON ROCKETS VS LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS11:00PMNBCPEACOCKSCHNNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVPITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS4:00PMTNTMAXDALLAS STARS VS DETROIT RED WINGS6:30PMTNTMAXMONTREAL CANADIENS VS BOSTON BRUINS7:00PMTSNNESNNEW YORK RANGERS VS WASHINGTON CAPITALS7:00PMMSG2MNMTBUFFALO SABRES VS OTTAWA SENATORS7:00PMMSG-BUFTSNNEW JERSEY DEVILS VS NEW YORK ISLANDERS7:00PMMSGSN2MSGSNFLORIDA PANTHERS VS CAROLINA HURRICANES7:00PMSCRIPPSFANDUEL SPORTS SOUTHNASHVILLE PREDATORS VS MINNESOTA WILD8:00PMHULUESPN+PHILADELPHIA FLYERS VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS9:00PMTNTMAXUTAH MAMMOTH VS COLORADO AVALANCHE9:00PMALTUTAH16CALGARY FLAMES VS EDMONTON OILERS9:00PMSNSAN JOSE SHARKS VS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS10:00PMSCRIPPSNBCS-CASEATTLE KRAKEN VS LOS ANGELES KINGS10:00PMKONGFANDUEL SPORTS WESTCOLLEGE FOOTBALLTIME ETTVBOCA RATON BOWL: TOLEDO VS. LOUISVILLE2:00PMESPNNEW ORLEANS BOWL: WKU VS. SOUTHERN MISS5:30PMESPNSCOOTER’S COFFEE FRISCO BOWL: UNLV VS. OHIO9:00PMESPNMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVBINGHAMTON AT ARMY WEST POINT12:00PMESPN+GREEN BAY AT CAMPBELL12:00PMFLOCOLLEGEBELLARMINE AT KENTUCKY1:00 PMESPN+GRAMBLING STATE AT OHIO STATE2:00PMBTNFLORIDA ATLANTIC VS. UCF2:00PMESPN+LINDENWOOD AT MISSOURI STATE3:00PMESPN+UC RIVERSIDE AT UCLA4:00PMBTNIDAHO AT CSU BAKERSFIELD5:00PMESPN+HARVARD AT ST. JOHN’S6:00PMFS1MORGAN STATE AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT6:00PMESPN+VILLANOVA AT SETON HALL7:00PMPEACOCKWEST VIRGINIA TECH AT MARSHALL7:00PMESPN+SOCCERTIME ETTVLEAGUE CUP: ARSENAL VS CRYSTAL PALACE3:00PMPARAMOUNT+ About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation INDIANA SRN GIRLS BASKETBALL POLLS THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” DECEMBER 22
