“THE SCOREBOARD” INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMI-STATE CLASS 4A ELKHART (NORTH SIDE GYMNASIUM) 10 AM ET | G1: NORTHRIDGE (25-1) VS. HOMESTEAD (20-6) 12 PM ET | G2: CROWN POINT (23-1) VS. FORT WAYNE SNIDER (20-7) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER NEW CASTLE (NEW CASTLE FIELDHOUSE) 10 AM ET | G1: MT. VERNON (FORTVILLE) (25-3) VS. DECATUR CENTRAL (20-6) 12 PM ET | G2: NEW ALBANY (22-5) VS. TERRE HAUTE NORTH VIGO (24-3) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER CLASS 3A LOGANSPORT (BERRY BOWL) 10 AM ET | G1: NEW HAVEN (20-7) VS. DELTA (16-10) 12 PM ET | G2: COLUMBIA CITY (23-4) VS. EAST CHICAGO CENTRAL (15-12) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER SEYMOUR (LLOYD E. SCOTT GYMNASIUM) 10 AM ET | G1: RONCALLI (18-7) VS. SILVER CREEK (28-1) 12 PM ET | G2: INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (22-5) VS. PRINCETON COMMUNITY (23-3) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER CLASS 2A MUNCIE CENTRAL (MUNCIE FIELDHOUSE) 10 AM ET | G1: FORT WAYNE BISHOP LUERS (15-11) VS. OAK HILL (25-1) 12 PM ET | G2: WESTVIEW (25-1) VS. LAPEL (21-5) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER SOUTHPORT (SOUTHPORT FIELDHOUSE) 10 AM ET | G1: PARKE HERITAGE (24-4) VS. TRRITON CENTRAL (23-3) 12 PM ET | G2: LINTON-STOCKTON (24-4) VS. AUSTIN (17-8) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER CLASS 1A LAFAYETTE JEFFERSON (MARION CRAWLEY CENTER) 10 AM ET | G1: MONROE CENTRAL (21-4) VS. NORTH VERMILLION (16-11) 12 PM ET | G2: TRI-COUNTY (16-10) VS. TRITON (23-3) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER WASHINGTON (HATCHET HOUSE) 10 AM ET | G1: BARR-REEVE (25-1) VS. LIBERTY CHRISTIAN (19-7) 12 PM ET | G2: BLOOMFIELD (19-8) VS. HAUSER (25-2) 8 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP: G1 WINNER VS. G2 WINNER ================================================================== NCAA TOURNAMENT MEN’S SCHEDULE/SCORES FRIDAY, MARCH 20 (7) KENTUCKY 89, (10) SANTA CLARA 84 (OT) (5) TEXAS TECH 91, (12) AKRON 71 (1) ARIZONA 92, (16) LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY 58 (3) VIRGINIA 82, (14) WRIGHT STATE 73 (2) IOWA STATE 108, (15) TENNESSEE STATE 74 (4) ALABAMA 90, (13) HOFSTRA 70 (9) UTAH STATE 86, (8)VILLANOVA 76 (6) TENNESSEE 78, (11) MIAMI (OHIO) 56 (9) IOWA 67, (8) CLEMSON 61 (5) ST. JOHN’S 79, (12) UNI 53 (2) PURDUE 104, (15) QUEENS 71 (7) UCLA 75, (10) UCF 71 (1) FLORIDA 114, (16) PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 55 (4) KANSAS 68, (13) CAL BAPTIST 60 (7) MIAMI (FLA.) 80, (10) MISSOURI 66 (2) UCONN 82, (15) FURMAN 71 SATURDAY, MARCH 21 (SECOND ROUND) (1) MICHIGAN VS. (9) SAINT LOUIS | 12:10 P.M. | CBS (3) MICHIGAN STATE VS. (6) LOUISVILLE | 2:45 P.M. | CBS (1) DUKE VS. (9) TCU | 5:15 P.M. | CBS (2) HOUSTON VS. (10) TEXAS A&M | 6:10 P.M. | TNT (3) GONZAGA (11) TEXAS | 7:10 P.M. | TBS (3) ILLINOIS VS. (11) VCU | 7:50 P.M. | CBS (4) NEBRASKA VS. (5) VANDERBILT | 8:45 P.M. | TNT (4) ARKANSAS VS. (12) HIGH POINT | 9:45 P.M. | TBS SUNDAY, MARCH 22 (SECOND ROUND) (2) PURDUE VS. (7) MIAMI (FLA.) | 12:10 P.M. | CBS (2) IOWA STATE VS. (7) KENTUCKY | 2:45 P.M. | CBS (4) KANSAS VS. (5) ST. JOHN’S | 5:15 P.M. | CBS (3) VIRGINIA VS. (6) TENNESSEE | 6:10 P.M. | TNT (1) FLORIDA VS. (9) IOWA | 7:10 P.M. | TBS (1) ARIZONA VS. (9) UTAH STATE | 7:50 P.M. | TRUTV (2) UCONN VS. (7) UCLA | 8:45 P.M. | TNT (4) ALABAMA VS. (5) TEXAS TECH | 9:45 P.M. | TBS ============================================================== MEN’S NIT SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ================================================================== NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FRIDAY, MARCH 20 (FIRST ROUND/ROUND OF 64) DUKE 81 CHARLESTON 64 TCU 86 UC SAN DIEGO 40 OREGON 70 VIRGINIA TECH 60 BAYLOR 67 NEBRASKA 62 WASHINGTON 72 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 54 MARYLAND 99 MURRAY STATE 67 OLE MISS 81 GONZAGA 66 TEXAS 87 MISSOURI STATE 45 MICHIGAN 83 HOLY CROSS 48 NORTH CAROLINA 82 WESTERN ILLINOIS 51 MINNESOTA 75 GREEN BAY 58 LSU 116 JACKSONVILLE 58 MICHIGAN STATE 65 COLORADO STATE 62 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 76 TENNESSEE 61 TEXAS TECH 57 VILLANOVA 52 OKLAHOMA 89 IDAHO 59 SATURDAY, MARCH 21 (FIRST ROUND/ROUND OF 64) 11:30 A.M. | (3) OHIO STATE VS. (14) HOWARD | ESPN2 12 P.M. | (3) LOUISVILLE VS. (14) VERMONT | ESPN 1 P.M. | (1) SOUTH CAROLINA VS. TBD | ABC 1:30 P.M. | (7) GEORGIA VS. TBD | ESPN2 2 P.M. | (6) NOTRE DAME VS. (11) FAIRFIELD | ESPN 2:30 P.M. | (6) ALABAMA VS. (11) RHODE ISLAND | ESPNEWS 2:30 P.M. | (5) KENTUCKY VS. (12) JAMES MADISON | ESPNU 3 P.M. | (1) UCONN VS. (16) UTSA | ABC 3:30 P.M. | (8) CLEMSON VS. (9) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | ESPN2 4 P.M. | (2) IOWA VS. (15) FDU | ESPN 5 P.M. | (4) WEST VIRGINIA VS. (13) MIAMI (OHIO) | ESPNU 5:30 P.M. | (8) IOWA STATE VS. (9) SYRACUSE | ESPN2 7 P.M. | (2) VANDERBILT VS. (15) HIGH POINT | ESPNEWS 7:30 P.M. | (8) OKLAHOMA STATE VS. (9) PRINCETON | ESPN2 9:30 P.M. | (7) ILLINOIS VS. (10) COLORADO | ESPN2 10 P.M. | (1) UCLA VS. (16) CALIFORNIA BAPTIST | ESPN ============================================================== WOMEN’S NIT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 76 STETSON 73 OT RADFORD 77 MOREHEAD STATE 58 ============================================================= COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES NOTRE DAME 6 CLEMSON 0 OHIO STATE 11 BUTLER 0 PURDUE 12 PENN STATE 7 INDIANA 8 MINNESOTA 6 WESTERN MICHIGAN 2 BALL STATE 1 MURRAY STATE 9 VALPARAISO 4 BRADLEY 10 INDIANA STATE 8 CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 11 EVANSVILLE 6 SOUTHERN INDIANA 3 WESTERN ILLINOIS 2 ============================================================== COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES CLEMSON 4 NOTRE DAME 0 BUTLER 3 SETON HALL 0 INDIANA 8 MARYLAND 5 OHIO STATE 10 INDIANA STATE 0 OREGON 6 PURDUE 0 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 6 BALL STATE 5 EVANSVILLE 3 MURRAY STATE 0 EVANSVILLE 6 MURRAY STATE 5 ============================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY SCORES #9 DARTMOUTH 4 CLARKSON 0 PRINCETON 3 #8 CORNELL 2 #13 UCONN 4 #17 BOSTON COLLEGE 3 #16 MINNESOTA STATE 4 #15 ST. THOMAS 1 ============================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL SCORES #6 PEPPERDINE 3 UC MERCED 0 #3 HAWAII 3 #2 LONG BEACH STATE 2 #4 USC 3 JESSUP 0 ================================================================ DIVISION 1 MEN’S LAX SCORES HARVARD 17 DARTMOUTH 14 NAVY 15 LAFAYETTE 9 ================================================================= DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S LAX SCORES WOFFORD 22 BUTLER 14 #11 STONY BROOK 12 DREXEL 7 ================================================================= NBA SCORES NEW YORK 93 BROOKLYN 92 DETROIT 115 GOLDEN STATE 101 HOUSTON 117 ATLANTA 95 PORTLAND 108 MINNESOTA 104 BOSTON 117 MEMPHIS 112 DENVER 121 TORONTO 115 ================================================================== NBA G-LEAGUE SCORES OSCEOLA 113 DELAWARE 106 AUSTIN 121 NOBLESVILLE 107 CAPITAL CITY 154 WINDY CITY 143 MOTOR CITY 123 WISCONSIN 105 SIOUX FALLS 131 MEXICO CITY 89 IOWA 110 TEXAS 103 RAPTORS 126 RIP CITY 117 SOUTH BAY 111 GRAND RAPIDS 98 ================================================================== NHL SCORES CAROLINA 4 TORONTO 3 OT WASHINGTON 2 NEW JERSEY 1 COLORADO 4 CHICAGO 1 CALGARY 4 FLORIDA 1 ANAHEIM 4 UTAH 1 ================================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DETROIT 4 PHILADELPHIA 4 TAMPA BAY 2 BOSTON 0 TORONTO 2 MINNESOTA 1 ST. LOUIS 4 NY METS 3 LA ANGELS 4 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 3 ATLANTA 8 PITTSBURGH 1 MIAMI 7 HOUSTON 2 NY YANKEES 3 BALTIMORE 1 MIAMI 3 WASHINGTON 2 SAN FRANCISCO 5 KANSAS CITY 2 TEXAS 6 SAN FRANCISCO 5 CINCINNATI 8 CHICAGO CUBS 6 SEATTLE 20 CLEVELAND 8 LA DODGERS 4 SAN DIEGO 3 COLORADO 9 SAN DIEGO 3 ARIZONA 8 MILWAUKEE 7 LAS VEGAS 6 CHICAGO CUBS 2 ================================================================== WOMEN’S PRO VOLLEYBALL SCORES OMAHA 3 GRAND RAPIDS 0 ================================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER NO GAMES SCHEDULED ================================================================= NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS RELEASES MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL NCAA TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP: OTEGA OWEH SAVES KENTUCKY WITH BUZZER-BEATING BANK SHOT Otega Oweh rescued Kentucky with a buzzer-beating 35-footer off the glass to force overtime, then the seventh-seeded Wildcats owned the extra session to escape with an 89-84 win over No. 10 Santa Clara in Midwest Region first-round action on Friday afternoon in St. Louis. Santa Clara forward Allen Graves hit what looked to be a game-winning 3-pointer when he connected from the right wing with 2.4 seconds left, but Oweh took the inbounds pass and pulled up just in time to send the game to overtime. He then made all four of his free-throw attempts in the extra session when Kentucky outscored Santa Clara 16-11. Oweh finished with a career-high 35 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Mouhamed Dioubate had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats (22-13), who shot 50.8% to win a rollercoaster game which featured 20 lead changes and 12 ties. Elijah Mahi led the Broncos (26-9) with 20 points in the program’s first NCAA Tournament game in 30 years. Graves added 17 points and seven rebounds. No. 2 Iowa State 108, No. 15 Tennessee State 74 The Cyclones dominated the final 38 minutes of action, blowing out the Tigers in St. Louis despite losing All-American forward Justin Jefferson to a knee injury. Iowa State advanced to play No. 7 Kentucky in the second round on Sunday. Head coach T.J. Otzelberger said X-rays were negative and that Jefferson would be re-evaluated on Saturday before determining his game status against the Wildcats. Freshman Killyan Toure had 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Nate Heise scored 22 points and Milan Momcilovic added 17 for Iowa State, which forced 16 turnovers. Aaron Nkrumah led Tennessee State (23-10) with 21 points. Antoine Lorick III added 20 points and eight rebounds. No. 3 Virginia 82, No. 14 Wright State 73 Jacari White scored a season-high 26 points and hit the go-ahead floater off the glass with 4:07 to play as the Cavaliers survived a tough test from the Raiders in Philadelphia. White made 6 of 8 from 3-point range, Sam Lewis scored 12 points, Malik Thomas added 11 and Thijs De Ridder had 10 for Virginia (30-5), which used a late 11-0 run to create some distance and secure its first NCAA Tournament win since winning the 2019 national championship. Michael Imariagbe had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Wright State (23-12). Solomon Callaghan added 18 points and combined with Imariagbe to shoot 9 for 15 from behind the arc. The Raiders made 13 3-pointers, the most Virginia has allowed this season. No. 4 Alabama 90, No. 13 Hofstra 70 Labaron Philon Jr. took over by scoring 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second half as the Crimson Tide shrugged off an early 10-point deficit to handle the Pride during first-round play in Tampa, Fla. Philon, who sported a bandage on his cut chin in the second half, made 10 of 18 shots and added eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. The Crimson Tide (24-9) played without No. 2 scorer Aden Holloway, who was suspended for first-degree felony marijuana possession, but Aiden Sherrill stepped forward with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Taylor Bol Bowen added 15 points while Amari Allen and Latrell Wrightsell contributed 11 points apiece. Hofstra (24-11) built a 28-18 lead in hopes of extending its seven-game winning streak, but Alabama recovered to take a 37-35 edge by halftime. Preston Edmead paced the Pride with 24 points, four rebounds and four assists. Cruz Davis had 14 points and six assists while German Plotnikov scored 12 points. No. 5 Texas Tech 91, No. 12 Akron 71 Jaylen Petty scored 24 points to lead five Red Raiders in double figures as they pulled away late for a win over the 12th-seeded Zips in Tampa, Fla. Petty made 9 of 14 shots, helming a sensational shooting performance that saw No. 5 Texas Tech (23-10) make a season-best 64.2% of its shots to snap a three-game skid and win its NCAA Tournament opener for the sixth time in its last seven appearances. The Red Raiders face Alabama on Sunday. Amani Lyles (26 points) and Shammah Scott (20 points) were the only two players in double figures for Akron (29-6), which had a 10-game winning streak snapped and fell to 0-8 in the NCAA Tournament. The Zips entered the day ranked 21st nationally in 3-point accuracy at 37.9%, but they made just 5 of 19 from long range (26.3%). No. 6 Tennessee 78, No. 11 Miami (OH) 56 Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 22 of his 29 points in the first half and J.P. Estrella added 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Volunteers ended the magical season for the RedHawks in Philadelphia. Felix Okpara added 12 points and five rebounds for Tennessee (23-11), which advanced to Sunday’s second round against No. 3 Virginia. Gillespie canned 8 of 12 from the field in the first half, which included 5 of 6 from 3-point range and finished with a game-high nine assists. Peter Suder scored 27 as the only player in double figures for Miami (32-2), which dropped two of its final three games after setting a school and Mid-American Conference record with a 31-0 regular season. The RedHawks entered the game leading the nation in field goal percentage at 52.2%, but the Volunteers limited them to a season-worst 35.2% (19 of 54). West Region No. 1 Arizona 92, No. 16 Long Island 58 The Wildcats rode a rare 3-point barrage in the first half to overwhelm the underdog Sharks and roll to an easy first-round win in San Diego. Arizona (33-2) came into the postseason averaging 5.9 3-pointers per game, but Tommy Lloyd’s team eclipsed that average before the final media timeout in first half as the Wildcats hit 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. Brayden Burries hit four 3-pointers in the first half en route to a game-high 18 points. Koa Peat added 15 points while Ivan Kharchenkov posted 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Long Island (24-11) shot well from deep in its own right, with Mason Porter-Brown (15 points) and Jamal Fuller (11 points) combining to knock down five 3-pointers by intermission, and six of the team’s eight for the contest. However, the Sharks’ struggles to contain the Wildcats on the interior proved insurmountable. Arizona scored 50 points in the paint, a portion of which came off the Wildcats’ 22 second-chance points. The bigger Arizona lineup dominated the glass, 52-31, with 16 on the offensive end. No. 9 Utah State 86, No. 8 Villanova 76 MJ Collins Jr. scored seven of his 20 points in the final three minutes as the Aggies outscored the Wildcats 15-3 down the stretch to rally for the first-round win in San Diego. Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Player of the Year, delivered 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Utah State (29-6), which will face top-seeded Arizona on Sunday. Adlan Elamin added 13 points and seven rebounds while Drake Allen contributed 11 points, six assists and three steals. Bryce Lindsay paced all scorers with 25 points for Villanova (24-9), which built a 10-point lead early in the second half. Duke Brennan and Tyler Perkins added 15 points apiece. The Wildcats took their last lead, 73-71, with 6:04 to play on Lindsay’s sixth and final 3-pointer. Utah State responded with a 9-0 run keyed by two Collins’ layups, then he delivered a breakaway dunk that made it 84-74 with 1:13 to go. ====================================================================== WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL WOMEN’S NCAA SACRAMENTO 4 ROUNDUP: OLIVIA MILES’ TRIPLE-DOUBLE HELPS TCU OVERWHELM UCSD Olivia Miles assembled her sixth triple-double of the season and Taylor Bigby added a career-high 27 points to help No. 3 seed TCU coast to an 86-40 win over No. 14 seed UC San Diego during Sacramento 4 region first-round play in Fort Worth, Texas. The Horned Frogs (30-5) will host No. 6 seed Washington in Sunday’s second round. Miles (12 points, 16 rebounds, 14 assists) joined Oregon’s Sabrian Ionescu and Stanford’s Nicole Powell as the only Division I women to produce multiple triple-doubles in the NCAA Tournament. Clara Silva (13 points, 11 boards) and Marta Suarez (11 points, 10 rebounds) added double-doubles for TCU, which doubled up UC San Diego (24-9) on the glass while shooting 49.2% from the floor and 50% from the perimeter. Erin Condron (12 points) was the only UC San Diego player in double figures. The Tritons never led as they shot 22.7% from the floor (15 of 66) aand were held to 15 second-half points. No. 6 Washington 72, No. 11 South Dakota State Avery Howell amassed 30 points and nine rebounds while canning seven 3-pointers as the Huskies snapped the Jackrabbits’ 10-game winning streak in Fort Worth, Texas. Brynn McGaughy added 14 points for Washington while Sayvia Sellers handed out 10 assists and posted three of the Huskies’ 12 steals. Washington also owned a 40-25 margin on the glass and forced 18 turnovers that resulted in 16 points. Brooklyn Meyer scored 29 points on 13-of-20 shooting for South Dakota State (27-7), but she finished with three more field goals than the rest of her teammates combined. Emilee Fox contributed 14 points and made four of the five shots the Jackrabbits sank from the 3-point arc. The game was tied at 15 after the first quarter, but Washington took charge by outscoring the Jackrabbits 23-9 in the second. Howell, McGaughy and Yulia Grabovskaia each scored six points in that defining quarter. ======================================================================== NBA NBA ROUNDUP: HAWKS’ 11-GAME WIN STREAK SNAPPED BY ROCKETS Kevin Durant scored 25 points in three periods as the Houston Rockets snapped the visiting Atlanta Hawks’ 11-game winning streak with a 117-95 victory on Friday. Jabari Smith Jr. added 23 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, who blitzed Atlanta from the deep in the third quarter. Houston hit 6 of 11 3-pointers to turn an eight-point halftime lead into a 101-76 cushion after Durant and Reed Sheppard nailed consecutive 3s late in the period. Durant shot 9 of 15 from the floor and added six assists. Sheppard, starting in place of the scuffling Tari Eason, added 14 points and four 3-pointers. Eason managed a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced the Hawks with 21 points while CJ McCollum tallied 17. Zaccharie Risacher scored 16 points off the bench before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Houston led by as many as 34 points before both teams went to their reserves. Pistons 115, Warriors 101 Jalen Duren scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds as host Detroit rolled past Golden State, again winning without All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who was diagnosed with a collapsed lung. Daniss Jenkins supplied 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds while starting in place of Cunningham as six Pistons in all scored in double figures. Ausar Thompson spearheaded the Detroit defense with seven steals. Brandin Podziemski’s 15 points led the Warriors, who took their seventh loss in eight games. Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton had 14 points apiece, while Gui Santos put up 13. Stephen Curry (knee) remained out. Knicks 93, Nets 92 Jalen Brunson hit two critical baskets down the stretch to help New York withstand late shaky play and hang on for a victory over host Brooklyn. Brunson scored 17 while Towns led the Knicks with 26 points and 15 rebounds. OG Anunoby added 16 points as the Knicks survived committing a season-worst 22 turnovers and shooting 40.8%, including 8-for-29 (27.6%) from 3-point range. Josh Minott scored 22 points off the bench and Ziaire Williams added 17 for the Nets, who dropped their sixth straight and lost for the 16th time in 18 games. Celtics 117, Grizzlies 112 Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Luke Garza added a season-high 22 — including 11 in the fourth quarter — and Payton Pritchard had 19 to lead Boston past host Memphis for its fourth consecutive win. Derrick White contributed 14 points for the Celtics, and Jayson Tatum scored 13 (on 3-of-15 shooting) with nine rebounds. Neemias Queta had 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Grizzlies got a career-high 23 points off the bench from rookie Tyler Burton but lost for the ninth time in the past 10 games. Trail Blazers 108, Timberwolves 104 Jerami Grant scored 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting and Portland escaped with a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Deni Avdija added 25 points and eight rebounds for Portland, which won its third game in a row. Donovan Clingan registered a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Julius Randle scored 19 points to lead Minnesota, which fell short in its bid to complete a four-game regular-season sweep of the Trail Blazers. Rudy Gobert (18 points, 15 rebounds) and Ayo Dosunmu (17 points, 10 rebounds) each notched double-doubles while All-Star Anthony Edwards missed his third straight game with a knee injury. Nuggets 121, Raptors 115 Jamal Murray scored 12 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, Nikola Jokic finished with 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and host Denver rallied to beat Toronto. Tim Hardaway Jr. went 7-for-10 from 3-point range and finished with 23 points while Aaron Gordon scored 16 points for the Nuggets, who moved into fifth in the Western Conference with their sixth straight win over Toronto. Denver has won four of its past six games overall. Jakob Poeltl amassed 23 points and 11 rebounds, Brandon Ingram scored 19 points, RJ Barrett contributed 18 points, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley finished with 15 points each for Toronto, which had a three-game winning streak end and remained in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. ==================================================================== NHL NHL ROUNDUP: AVALANCHE BLITZ BLACKHAWKS, CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH Martin Necas had a goal and two assists to lead Colorado to a 4-1 win over the host Chicago Blackhawks on Friday as the Avalanche became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season. Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin also scored for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon logged three assists, Nichushkin had two points and Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves as Colorado ended a three-game skid (0-2-1). Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser tallied the lone goal for the Blackhawks, who had gone 3-1-1 in their previous five. Arvid Soderblom stopped 45 shots. Colorado defenseman Brent Burns played in his 1,565th game, which moved him past Nicklas Lidstrom into 14th place all time. Hurricanes 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) Alexander Nikishin scored 41 seconds into overtime as visiting Carolina defeated Toronto. Jordan Staal, Eric Robinson and K’Andre Miller also scored for the Hurricanes, who have won two in a row. Seth Jarvis and Sebastian Aho added two assists each. Brandon Bussi stopped 23 shots. Dakota Joshua, John Tavares and William Nylander scored for the Maple Leafs, who have lost two straight. Matias Maccelli collected two assists, and Joseph Woll made 32 saves. Capitals 2, Devils 1 Logan Thompson made 30 saves and Washington continued its recent run of success with a narrow win over visiting New Jersey. Ryan Leonard and Aliaksei Protas scored for the Capitals, who are 3-0-1 in their past four games. Jesper Bratt scored and Jake Allen made 26 saves for the Devils, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. Allen made numerous big saves in the second period to keep the game close. The Capitals appeared to put the game away on Protas’ empty-net goal with 1:43 to play, but Bratt scored a minute later to give the Devils one last chance at a rally that never came. Ducks 4, Mammoth 1 Alex Killorn had a goal and two assists for Anaheim, which came from behind to defeat Utah in Salt Lake City. Ryan Poehling posted a goal and an assist while Lukas Dostal made 29 saves for the Ducks, who have won two of their past three games and five of their past nine (5-3-1). Anaheim also took two of three against Utah in the season series. Dylan Guenther scored the lone goal for the Mammoth, who had won two straight. Vitek Vanecek made 20 saves. Flames 4, Panthers 1 Joel Farabee and Victor Olofsson scored second-period goals and the host Calgary rode the momentum to a victory over Florida. Matt Coronato and Morgan Frost also scored for the Flames, who have won two straight. Dustin Wolf made 24 saves, and Blake Coleman collected two assists. A.J. Greer scored for the Panthers, who went 1-3-0 on their Western road trip. Daniil Tarasov stopped 32 shots. ==================================================================== GOLF HYO JOO KIM BUILDS 4-SHOT LEAD HALFWAY THROUGH FORTINET FOUNDERS CUP South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim shot a 2-under-par 70 on Friday to build a four-shot lead heading into the weekend at the Fortinet Founders Cup in Menlo Park, Calif. The seven-time LPGA Tour winner bogeyed two of her first eight holes in the second round to fall back to 7 under. However, Kim quickly rediscovered her form by pouring in four birdies over her final 10 holes. Kim, 30, is at 11-under 133 at the halfway mark of the tournament, which is being held at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club for the first time. She has missed 10 of 36 greens through two rounds but has needed only 52 putts. Kim’s closest pursuer is Mexico’s Gaby Lopez at 7 under. Another shot back is a group of seven players that includes World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul from Thailand and No. 2 Nelly Korda. Competing for the first time since winning the weather-shortened Tournament of Champions to open the 2026 season, Korda had five birdies against a lone bogey in posting a 68 on Friday. She said it is a “tricky” course to play in competition on for the first time, so she opted for hitting less than driver multiple times during the second round. “You really have to shape it out here,” Korda said. “Some of the trees are a little bit intimidating and the greens are tough, too. Not only are they really undulated, but sometimes they’re a little bit harder to read, too, where I thought it was going to go. “I’ve had like a bunch of putts inside of 10 feet that I missed this week where I thought it was going to go one way and I hit it really solid and just kind of went the other way.” Thitikul, who leads the Race to CME Globe standings, rebounded from an opening-round 72 to tied for the low round of the day with a 66 on Friday. After an opening bogey, she carded seven birdies over the remainder of her round. “Surprisingly I thought it would be easier than this. I found yesterday it was difficult,” Thitikul said with a smile. “But if you ask me what to do well here, you have to be on the fairway first. Find the fairway. The rough was rough.” The event began in 2011, with the most recent iteration seeing Yealimi Noh beat former World No. 1 Jin Young Ko by four strokes at Bradenton (Fla.) Country Club last year for her first career LPGA Tour victory. Rose Zhang, a California native who is preparing to graduate Stanford this spring, will play the weekend. However, the 2024 Founders Cup champion is 11 shots off the lead at 1 over following a 73 on Friday. BO VAN PELT TIES COURSE RECORD TO LEAD COLOGUARD CLASSIC Bo Van Pelt tied the course record with a 9-under-par 62 on Friday to lead by two shots after the first round of the Cologuard Classic at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Ariz. Starting on the back nine, Van Pelt had already rolled in five birdies when he eagled the par-5 third hole. He followed that with his lone bogey of the day before rebounding to close with a trio of birdies to match the 62 shot by Stewart Cink in the first round two years ago. Retief Goosen and Thongchai Jaidee are two shots back at 7 under, followed by a trio of golfers at 6 under that includes all-time Champions Tour victory leader Bernhard Langer, Darren Clarke and Tommy Gainey. Cink, who leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings, is tied for 11th at 4 under along with 2022 Cologuard champ Miguel Angel Jimenez and six others. Zach Johnson is at 3 under as he tries to join Phil Mickelson as the only players in history to win their first two events on the Champions Tour. Defending champion Steven Alker is nine shots off Van Pelt’s pace after struggling to an even-par 71 on Friday that included five bogeys that offset five birdies. No player has yet to successfully defend his title at the Cologuard Classic. This is the third time La Paloma has played host to the event, which uses a composite route that includes holes from all three of the property’s courses. SUNGJAE IM DRAINS LATE BIRDIE FOR 36-HOLE VALSPAR LEAD South Korea’s Sungjae Im rolled in a 7-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole on Friday to grab the 36-hole lead at the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla. Im, who entered the day with a two-shot lead, drifted down the leaderboard by going out in 1-over 37 on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club. However, he regained momentum with consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 11 and 12 before sticking his tee shot tight on the difficult 180-yard par-3 17th hole. He ended the day with a 2-under 69 and sits at 9 under for the tournament. That’s one-shot clear of David Lipsky, who carded a 6-under 65 during the morning wave on Friday. Another shot back are Doug Ghim and Chandler Blanchet. Brooks Koepka, who spent the first half of his round hovering around the cut line, poured in four birdies over a five-hole stretch on his back nine to post a 67. He is at 4 under for the tournament, tied for 10th in a group of seven players that includes FedEx Cup leader Jacob Bridgeman, Tony Finau and Gary Woodland. Koepka grew up about four hours from Innisbrook and said he played the course “a bunch” during his junior golf days. That familiarity is paying off this week, as is getting more comfortable while making his fifth start in his return to the PGA Tour. He’s coming off a T9 at the Cognizant and a T13 at The Players after missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. “I just think it’s more reps,” he said. “First week (back at the Farmers Insurance Open) just wanted to make the cut and kind of get it over with. Then Phoenix just kind of exposed how bad the putting was. I was able to fix that, correct that, and made some adjustments and here we are. “I’m just excited to give myself a little better opportunity going into the weekend.” Xander Schauffele, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 7 in the world, was at 5 under on Friday before bogeying three of his final seven holes. He sits in a tie for 27th at 2 under. The cut line moved to 1-over par. Among those failing to reach the weekend were defending champion Viktor Hovland and former U.S. Open champions Wyndham Clark, J.J. Spaun and Lucas Glover. ===================================================================== NASCAR DRIVERS ANTICIPATING ‘OUT OF CONTROL’ ACTION AT DARLINGTON It’s bad enough to roll into Darlington, S.C., less than 10 miles off Interstate 95, and realize a tough weekend lies ahead at the 1.366-mile facility dubbed “The Track Too Tough to Tame.” Now it will be tougher. Small changes have occurred at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR’s distinguished, oldest superspeedway that began hosting races in 1950 and is widely regarded as the sport’s most difficult layout — a genuine “driver’s track” where few are gifted wins easily or at all. The track flipped around the start/finish line in 1997, making the frontstretch the backstretch. In 2004, the sanctioning body added SAFER barriers, shrinking an already narrow racing groove in the turns into an even more svelte version that drivers have to charge into with more concern. Sticky grip is rare, too. Like neighboring Rockingham Speedway just across the North Carolina state line, also boasting a gritty though recently repaved surface with a long history of chewing up rubber and spitting out marbles, Darlington forces drivers to try to conserve what little grip they have, but it always eventually goes away sooner than later. Now there is another variable to conquer: chaos. On his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, Las Vegas winner Denny Hamlin predicted a wacky weekend in the Palmetto State over the Goodyear 400’s 293 scheduled laps due to the higher horsepower propelling the short-track package being used. “These cars (have) essentially little to no underbody,” said Hamlin, who has notched five of his 61 career wins at Darlington and is the reigning race winner. “These cars are out of control. … I’m predicting four seconds of fall off. It might be more.” In the point standings that reflect Toyota having won four of five races run, 23XI Racing teammates Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace pace the field with 255 and 194 points, respectively, as Camry XSE drivers occupy four of the top six positions (Hamlin in fourth, Christopher Bell sixth) with Ford’s Ryan Blaney slotting third and Chevrolet’s Chase Elliott riding fifth. Most noticeably missing among the top 16 in the standings are former Darlington winners of the track’s most prestigious race — the fall’s Southern 500 — who could use a strong showing Sunday and some of that “Lady in Black” magic. On Jeff Gluck’s podcast over the weekend, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe seconded his teammate Hamlin’s dire warning. “It’s going to be out of control,” Briscoe told Gluck, who provides motorsports coverage for The Athletic. “It’s going to be the hardest track we have been on all year long. “Added power is one thing. But the biggest thing is taking the diffuser and everything off. I have run the sim for a week and a half now. You are crashing every corner, every lap.” Triumphant in the past two Southern 500s, Briscoe sits 26th in points and only arrived there after gaining seven positions with an eighth-place showing in Las Vegas. Like Briscoe, Erik Jones has won the 500-miler twice, in 2019 in JGR’s No. 20 and 2022 in a No. 43 Chevrolet for Petty GMS Motorsports. The 29-year-old Legacy Motor Club pilot could use some help in moving up the grid, as he ranks 27th out of 38 points-holders. Coping with chaos may help Briscoe and Jones make up some points at a track where they excel. ==================================================================== INDIANA SPORTS TEAM RELEASES INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL ERTEL NAMED GATORADE POY Mt. Vernon senior guard Luke Ertel has been named the Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year. Ertel is averaging 24.5 points per game, and 9.9 rebounds. Mt. Vernon plays Decatur Central in the New Castle Semi-State Saturday. ====================================================================== INDIANA PACERS GAME PREVIEW: PACERS AT SPURS The Indiana Pacers (15-55) travel to San Antonio for a matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (52-18) on Saturday. San Antonio has momentum after it clinched a playoff spot with its 101-100 victory over the Phoenix Suns in a thriller on Thursday. Wembanyama’s 34 points and buzzer-beating game-winner lifted the Spurs past Devin Booker and the Suns to end a six-year postseason drought in San Antonio. The Spurs look to rally against the Pacers and extend a four-game winning streak. Indiana is struggling down the stretch, and heads to San Antonio with a franchise-record 15-game losing streak in tow. The Blue and Gold fell to Portland on Wednesday, 127-119, as Deni Avdija notched 32 points in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indiana continues to struggle with injuries to stars – the Pacers were without Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam on Wednesday. Siakam leads the Pacers in scoring this season with 24 points per game, and Nembhard follows with 17 points nightly. Indiana struggles without their scoring and impact on the defensive side of the ball. San Antonio is a top-five scoring team in the league with nearly 119 points per contest, and Wembanyama is a top-20 scorer. The Pacers’ defense will have a tough assignment on Saturday as they look to stop their skid. Jalen Slawson has taken advantage of an opportunity for NBA minutes with Indiana’s inconsistent availability. Slawson has recorded multiple blocked shots in three consecutive games, including three blocks on Wednesday. He’s proving his NBA readiness, and recorded 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists along with those blocked shots against the Trail Blazers. Slawson and the Pacers will clash with the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night before traveling to Orlando for a matchup with the Magic on Monday. Projected Starters Pacers: G – T.J. McConnell, G – Aaron Nesmith, F – Jarace Walker, F – Jalen Slawson, C – Ivica Zubac Spurs: G – De’Aaron Fox, G – Devin Vassell, F – Julian Champagnie, F – Harrison Barnes, C – Victor Wembanyama Injury Report Pacers: Quenton Jackson – questionable (right calf strain), T.J. McConnell – questionable (sore right hamstring), Andrew Nembhard – questionable (right calf contusion), Aaron Nesmith – questionable (right ankle injury management), Micah Potter – questionable (right triceps strain), Ben Sheppard – questionable (left ankle sprain), Pascal Siakam – questionable (right knee sprain), Obi Toppin – questionable (right foot injury management), Johnny Furphy – out (right ACL tear), Tyrese Haliburton – out (right Achilles tear), Ivica Zubac – out (rib fracture) Spurs: Stephon Castle – questionable (right hip tightness) Last Meeting Jan. 2, 2026: San Antonio defeated the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 123-113, behind De’Aaron Fox’s 24 points. San Antonio played without star center Victor Wembanyama as he was sidelined with a left knee injury, but the Spurs had a pair of 20-point scorers lead them to a win in Indianapolis. Dylan Harper joined Fox with 22 points off the San Antonio bench, and Stephon Castle recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Pascal Siakam led the way for Indiana with 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, but the Pacers couldn’t overcome a 71-point first half from the Spurs. Indiana shot over 50 percent from the floor, and 40 percent from 3-point range. The Pacers led by as many as nine points, but a 41-point second quarter from San Antonio kept the game out of reach. The loss was Indiana’s 11th straight in a losing streak that would extend to 13 games. San Antonio captured its first win without Wembanyama. Noteworthy Indiana is 45-60 against San Antonio all-time. The Pacers are 0-1 against the Spurs this season. Saturday’s contest will conclude the season series. T.J. McConnell has recorded double-digit assists in three consecutive games. 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 (sideline reporter/host) ==================================================================== NOBLESVILLE BOOM BOOM SILENCED BY SPURS AT HOME, 121-107 NOBLESVILLE (March 18, 2026) – The Noblesville Boom (15-19) dropped their third consecutive game Friday night, falling to the Austin Spurs (20-12), 121-107, at The Arena at Innovation Mile. In his first game back since Nov. 15, 2024, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury, Jordan Bell recorded a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double in 23 minutes to lead the Boom. Cameron Hildreth posted a team-high 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, while Keion Brooks Jr. added 18 points and four rebounds. For Austin, former Boom guard Kyle Mangas returned to Indiana with a game-high 28 points, along with nine rebounds and three assists. Harrison Ingram filled the stat sheet with 26 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Emanuel Miller and Adam Flagler finished with 18 points apiece. In a high-scoring opening period, the Boom overcame a 13-point quarter from Kyle Mangas by scoring 12 unanswered points, turning a seven-point deficit into a seven-point lead midway through the frame. Noblesville carved out a 36-35 advantage after forcing the Spurs into six turnovers, which resulted in 13 Boom points. Both teams cooled off in the second quarter, combining to shoot 32.6 percent from the field. Despite the offensive struggles, Austin took a one-point lead (57-56) into halftime on a three-pointer in the final seconds. Austin began to create separation in the third quarter, using a 9-0 run to push its lead to 11 before extending the margin to 14 with 2:25 remaining in the period. Bell kept the Boom within striking distance, leading the team with 15 points and 10 rebounds through three quarters as Noblesville trailed 89-79 entering the fourth. The Boom cut the deficit in half early in the final frame and closed within four points, but the Spurs ended the game on a 14-5 run to secure a playoff berth. Austin controlled the glass throughout the night, outrebounding Noblesville 58-34, including 24 offensive rebounds – the highest total and offensive rebounding mark allowed by the Boom this regular season. NEXT UP The two teams will meet once again Sunday to close out the two-game series at The Arena at Innovation Mile. Coverage will stream live on NBAGLeague.com, with tipoff set for 3:00 p.m. ET. ==================================================================== INDY FUEL FUEL DEFEAT GRIZZLIES 4-1 ON FRIDAY NIGHT FISHERS– The Indy Fuel hosted the Utah Grizzlies for the first time this season on Friday night to kick off the three-game series this weekend. After a dominant second period, the Fuel secured the 4-1 win over the Grizzlies. 1ST PERIOD Lee Lapid opened the scoring at 6:20 with a goal assisted by Eric Martin and Christian Berger. This gave Indy the 1-0 advantage early. Utah’s Cy LeClerc took the game’s first penalty at 13:16. He was sent to the box for high sticking and the Grizzlies were able to kill off the penalty. Alex DiPaolo was called for tripping next, at 16:19. This put Utah on their first power play of the game but they could not score. After one frame, the Fuel were outshooting the Grizzlies 11-6 while winning 1-0. 2ND PERIOD In his professional debut with the Fuel, Jason Ahearn scored his first pro goal just 39 seconds into the second period. Tyler Weiss and Jesse Tucker had both the assists. Indy’s Eric Martin went to the box next at 4:57 for tripping, however the Fuel killed off the penalty. Mathieu Boislard scored first for the Grizzlies at 7:50 to make it 2-1, Fuel. Luke Antonacci took the game’s next penalty at 12:31. He sat for two minutes for high sticking. The Fuel were able to capitalize on the man-advantage with a goal tipped in by Michael Marchesan. Trevor Zins claimed the primary assist while Lapid earned his second point of the night with the secondary assist. Less than two minutes later, Alex DiPaolo scored to make it 4-1 in favor of the Fuel. Lane Brockhoff earned his first professional point with an assist. Tyler Paquette had the other. Less than a minute later, it appeared Tucker scored, however the goal was reviewed and overturned due to goaltender interference. Utah’s Mathieu Boislard took an interference penalty at 18:52, putting Indy back on the power play. That penalty would extend into the third period as time expired before Indy could score. After two frames, the Fuel were outshooting the Grizzlies, 25-11. 3RD PERIOD The third period went by quickly with no goals or penalties, and very few whistles at all. Utah had their best period with ten shots, matching Indy’s ten shots from the same frame. However, overall the Fuel outshot them 35-21 while claiming the 4-1 victory. These two teams will meet again tomorrow night for the second of three meetings this weekend. ==================================================================== INDY ELEVEN Indy Eleven vs. Detroit City FC Sat., March 21, 2026 | 7:00 pmCarroll Stadium | Indianapolis Follow Live Watch: My-INDY-TV 23, CBS Sports Golazo Network In-game updates: IndyElevenStats: #INDvDET MatchCenter at USLChampionship.com 2026 USL Championship RecordsIndy Eleven: 0-1-0 (-1), 0 ptsDetroit City FC: 1-0-0 (3), 3 pts Setting the SceneIndy Eleven plays its 2026 home opener on Sat. Mar. 21 at 7 p.m. at Carroll Stadium vs. USL Championship Eastern Conference rival Detroit City FC. IND DET1 Games 10 Goals 34 SOT 50 Assists 21 Goals Conceded 012 Shots Faced 20 Clean Sheets 1 SeriesSaturday is the 10th meeting in the all-time series. Tied 3-3-3 | GF 10, GA 6 Recent MeetingsAug. 9, 2025 | L, 1-0 | AwayMay 3, 2025 | D, 2-2 | HomeOct. 12, 2024 | D, 0-0 | AwayMay 22, 2024^ | W, 3-0 | Home (Open Cup) Last Time at Detroit CityHamtramck, Mich. – The Boys in Blue fought resiliently on the road in Detroit, battling through adversity in a 1-0 defeat to Detroit City FC on August 9. Indy Eleven played more than 60 minutes down a man and were narrowly edged after an unfortunate second-half goal. Indy Eleven was reduced to 10 players in the 29th minute following a red card. Despite the setback, the squad stayed organized and disciplined, keeping Detroit City off the board until an own goal in the 57th minute. That is the first goal Indy Eleven has given up in four matches at Detroit City FC. Indy’s backline, anchored by Josh O’Brien held strong under sustained pressure, limiting Detroit to just three shots on target. Midfielder James Murphy helped spark late chances, while the Boys in Blue continued to make strides towards the goal. Midfielder Cam Lindley led Indy Eleven in chances created (2) and completed passes (19) and he was tied for third with three completed passes in the final third. Indy Eleven 0:1 Detroit City FCSat., August 9, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.Keyworth Stadium | Hamtramck, Mich.Weather: Sunny, 91 degreesScoring SummaryDET – Own Goal 57’ Discipline SummaryIND – Bruno Rendon (ejection) 30’DET – Michael Bryant (caution) 38’IND – Reice Charles-Cook (caution) 30’ Indy Eleven Line-Up: Hunter Sulte, James Musa, Josh O’Brien (Elliot Collier (90’+1), Ben Ofeimu, Aodhan Quinn (captain), James Murphy, Cam Lindley (Pat Hogan 84’), Bruno Rendón, Jack Blake (Edward Kizza 84’), Romario Williams (Elvis Amoh 70’), Maalique Foster (Logan Neidlinger 70’). Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Reice Charles-Cook, Brem Soumaoro. Detroit City FC Line-up: Carlos Saldaña, Ates Diouf, Devon Amoo-Mensah (captain), Sebastián Guenzatti (Ryan Williams 74’), Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Matt Sheldon, Michael Bryant, Connor Rutz (Haruki Yamazaki 68’), Abdoulaye Diop (Jay Chapman 68’), Shane Wiedt (Darren Smith 45’), Alex Villanueva (Rhys Williams 74’). Detroit City FC Subs Not Used: Carlos Herrera, Bilal Obeid, Jordan Adebayo-Smith Last Time at Carroll StadiumIndy Eleven forward Elvis Amoh rallied his team from a 2-0 deficit with two goals to help the Boys in Blue earn a 2-2 draw against Detroit City FC at Carroll Stadium on May 3. With his team trailing 2-0 in the 27th minute, Amoh stole an attempted pass back towards goalkeeper Carlos Herrera, turned and fired a shot into the top left corner. The Boys in Blue trailed 2-1 in the 60th minute when defender Hayden White was issued his second yellow card of the match, causing the team to play a man down the rest of the evening. Six minutes later, Amoh struck again after a long ball was headed by Aodhan Quinn to Amoh, who took a quick dribble and fired a shot that hit the inside of the post and went in to make it 2-2. It marked the first Boys in Blue goal playing a man down since July 1, 2023 vs. San Diego Loyal SC. Indy Eleven goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made two big saves. In the 83rd, Sulte dove to his left to stop a shot by Stephen Carroll that was heading towards the bottom corner. In the second minute of stoppage time, Sulte recovered quickly to move from the right side of the goal to stop a shot by Ates Diouf headed toward the top left corner. Scoring SummaryDET – Connor Rutz (Haruki Yamazaki) 2’DET – Darren Smith (Jay Chapman) 15’IND – Elvis Amoh 27’IND – Elvis Amoh (Aodhan Quinn) 66’ Discipline SummaryDET – Ryan Williams (caution) 4’IND – Hayden White (caution) 32’IND – James Musa (caution) 55’DET – Haruki Yamazaki (caution) 58’IND – Hayden White (caution) 60’ (ejection)IND – Aodhan Quinn (caution) 64’DET – Jay Chapman (caution) 65’DET – Michael Bryant (caution) 72’DET – Devon Amoo-Mensah (caution) 85’ Indy Eleven Line-up: Hunter Sulte, Aedan Stanley (Pat Hogan 80’), James Musa, Ben Ofeimu, Hayden White, Aodhan Quinn (captain), James Murphy, Jack Blake (Elliot Collier 68’), Elvis Amoh (Romario Williams 68’), Edward Kizza (Bruno Rendon 45’), Maalique Foster (Josh O’Brien 68’). Indy Eleven Subs not used: Cam Lindley, Reice Charles-Cook. Detroit City FC Line-up: Carlos Herrera, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Stephen Carroll (captain), Michael Bryant, Alex Villanueva (Shane Wiedt 78’), Ryan Williams, Jay Chapman, Haruki Yamazaki (Rhys Williams 63’), Connor Rutz (Ates Diouf 89’), Jeciel Cedeño (Sebastián Guenzatti 78’), Darren Smith. Detroit City FC subs not used: Matt Sheldon, Marcello Polisi, Carlos Saldaña. Charles-Cook Records Second Open Cup Clean SheetWestfield, Ind. – Indy Eleven opened Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play with a victory for the third year in a row, defeating Des Moines Menace, 3-0, in First Round action indoors at the Community Health Network Events Center on the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus. Forward Loic Mesanvi gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute with his first Boys in Blue goal. Defender Alejandro Mitrano started the sequence with a clearance from just outside the six on a long ball that the speedy Mesanvi ran down outside the area and finished from distance. Indy Eleven increased its lead in the 60th minute when Mesanvi played a ball to the left side to Mitrano at the edge of the box. Mitrano took two dribbles and played a brilliant cross to the far post, where 6’5 midfielder Noble Okello headed it in for his first Boys in Blue goal. In the 75th minute, former Western Michigan forwards Dylan Sing and Charlie Sharp combined for their first Indy Eleven goal. Midfielder Allen Gavilanes headed an attempted clearance toward the goal with Sing going up strong to force a punch by Des Moines keeper Jamie Barry. Sharp chested the ball down at the edge of the six and finished with his left to make it 3-0. Boys in Blue goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook recorded his second clean sheet in three U.S. Open Cup starts by making four saves. In 329 minutes of Open Cup action for Indy Eleven, Charles-Cook has given up just one goal for a 0.27 goals against average. 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup First RoundIndy Eleven 3:0 Des Moines Menace SCTue., Mar. 17, 2026 – 8:00 p.m.Community Health Network Events Center (Indoors)Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus | Westfield, Ind. Scoring SummaryIND – Loic Mesanvi 31’IND – Noble Okello (Alejandro Mitrano) 60’IND – Charlie Sharp (Dylan Sing) 75’ Discipline SummaryIND – Anthony Herbert (caution) 42’IND – Kian Williams (caution) 70’IND – Hesron Barry (caution) 78’ Indy Eleven Line-Up: Reice Charles-Cook, Alejandro Mitrano, Hesron Barry, Anthony Herbert, Logan Neidlinger, Cam Lindley (captain) (Aodhan Quinn 45’), Josh O’Brien (Noble Okello 45’), Allen Gavilanes, Loic Mesanvi (Mikah Thomas 81’), Edward Kizza (Dylan Sing 72’), Kian Williams (Charlie Sharp 72’). Indy Eleven Subs Not Used: Eric Dick, Makel Rasheed. 20,000 ClubDefender Paco Craig became the 18th player in USL Championship history to reach 20,000 minutes in league regular-season play. Craig started his Boys in Blue debut at Brooklyn FC on March 8, playing 71 minutes to increase his career number to 20,042. Indy Eleven Appearances (All Competitions) 1. Ayoze-126 (2018-22) 2. Cam Lindley-116 (2020, 2023-) 3. Brad Ring-115 (2014-18) 4. Karl Ouimette-108 (2018-22) 5. Don Smart-101 (2014-17) 6. Jack Blake-100 (2023-) Aodhan Quinn USL Championship All-Time RankingsGames Started | 277 | 1stAssists | 61 | 2ndMinutes | 24,288 | 2ndAppearances | 291 | 3rd Indy Eleven USL Era (2018-) Goals (All Competitions) Jack Blake-25 (2023-) Tyler Pasher-24 (2018-20) Sebastian Guenzatti-16 (2023-24) Manuel Arteaga-15 (2021-22) Aodhan Quinn-13 (2023-)Stéfano Pinho-13 (2022-23)Ayoze-13 (2018-22) Most Seasons with a Goal in USL Championship History Dane Kelly – 12 Augie Williams – 11*T-3. Aodhan Quinn – 10*T-3. Alex Dixon – 10T-3. Enzo Martinez – 10 Most USLC Regular Seasons with 10 Assists Aodhan Quinn – 3 (2018-OC, 2021-PHX, 2025-IND) Kenardo Forbes – 2 (2022-PIT, 2023-PIT) Antoine Hoppenot – 2 (2018-RNO; 2022-DET) USL Championship Regular Season Goal Contributions Dane Kelly 132 (106 goals, 26 assists) Enzo Martinez 131 (78 goals, 53 assists) Aodhan Quinn 118 (57 goals, 61 assists) USL Championship Regular Season 50 Goals & 50 Assists Enzo Martinez – 78 goals, 53 assists Aodhan Quinn – 57 goals, 61 assists Solomon Asante – 52 goals, 58 assists USL Championship Assists in Consecutive Games Streaks Aodhan Quinn (PHX) 5 2021 Aodhan Quinn (OC) 4 2018Aodhan Quinn (IND) 4 May 3-28, 2025 USL Championship Regular Season Shutout % (min. 30) Eric Dick 38.1% (32 Clean Sheets, 84 Games Played) Team Leaders (USL Championship Stats)Stat Player #Chances Created-Aodhan Quinn, 5Shots-Charlie Sharp, 4Shots on Target-Charlie Sharp, 2Crosses-Aodhan Quinn, 8Fouls Won-Dylan Sing, 3Duels Won-Makel Rasheed, 14Aerial Duels Won-Makel Rasheed, 10Clearances-Makel Rasheed, 10Blocks-Aodhan Quinn, 3Interceptions-Aodhan Quinn, 2Tackles Won-Dylan Sing, 3Passes-Cam Lindley, 54Saves-Eric Dick, 4Minutes-Six Players, 90 2026 USL Championship Stats IndividualCategory Player Rank TotalBlocks Aodhan Quinn-T1, 3Aerial Duels Won Makel Rasheed-T3, 10Chances Created Aodhan Quinn-T4, 5Josh O’Brien-T18, 3Save Percentage Eric Dick-T7, 80%Saves Eric Dick-T9, 4Shots Charlie Sharp-T11, 4Crosses Aodhan Quinn-T16, 8Duels Won Makel Rasheed-T16, 14Clearances Makel Rasheed-T18, 10 TeamCategory Rank TotalGoals Conceded T5 1 Roster BreakdownGoalkeepers (3): Reice Charles-Cook, Eric Dick, Ryan Hunsucker Defenders (9): Hesron Barry, Paco Craig, Anthony Herbert, Pat Hogan, Alejandro Mitrano, Josh O’Brien, Makel Rasheed, Mikah Thomas, Hayden White Midfielders (6): Jack Blake, Allen Gavilanes, Cam Lindley, Logan Neidlinger, Noble Okello, Aodhan Quinn Forwards (6): Edward Kizza, Loic Mesanvi, Bruno Rendon, Charlie Sharp, Dylan Sing, Kian Williams Newcomers (13)USL-C (6): Paco Craig (North Carolina), Eric Dick (Pittsburgh), Allen Gavilanes (Miami), Anthony Herbert (Las Vegas),Alejandro Mitrano (Miami), Noble Okello (Phoenix)USL League One (1): Makel Rasheed (South Georgia Tormenta)MLS NEXT Pro (5): Hesron Barry (New England), Loic Mesanvi (Minnesota), Charlie Sharp (Toronto), Dylan Sing (Charlotte), Mikah Thomas (Charlotte)Canadian Premier League (1): Kian Williams (Valour FC) Player TransactionsMar. 16, 2026: Signed GK Ryan Hunsucker to Academy Contract. Mar. 12, 2026: Acquired D Mikah Thomas on loan from Charlotte Mar. 2, 2026: Signed F Loic Mesanvi from Minnesota United (MLS) Jan. 21, 2026: Signed D Paco Craig from North Carolina (USL-C) Jan. 20, 2026: Signed D Hesron Barry from New England (MLSN) Jan. 15, 2026: Signed M Noble Okello from Phoenix (USL-C) Jan. 12, 2026: Signed F Kian Williams from Valour FC (CPL) Jan. 8, 2026: Signed D Alejandro Mitrano from Miami (USL-C) Jan. 7, 2026: Signed D Anthony Herbert from Las Vegas (USL-C) Dec. 18 2025: Signed M Allen Gavilanes from Miami (USL-C) Dec. 11, 2025: Signed D Makel Rasheed from South Georgia Tormenta (USL League One) Dec. 9, 2025: Signed GK Eric Dick from Pittsburgh (USL-C) Dec. 4, 2025: Signed F Dylan Sing from Charlotte FC (MLS) Dec. 2, 2025: Signed F Charlie Sharp from Toronto FC (MLS) Nov. 26, 2025: Announced 10 players returning from 2025: M Jack Blake, GK Reice Charles-Cook, D Pat Hogan, F Edward Kizza, M Cam Lindley, M Logan Neidlinger, D Josh O’Brien, M Aodhan Quinn, F Bruno Rendon, and D Hayden White. =================================================================== IU WRESTLING MORAN TO MOVE TO CONSOLATION BRACKET AFTER SESSION IV CLEVELAND, Ohio –––– Indiana Wrestling’s Jacob Moran (125) wrestled in the semifinals of the NCAA Championships on Friday night (March 20) at Rocket Arena. No. 14 Moran, Indiana’s first semifinalist since 2016, faced No. 10 Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton) in the match. The match was tied at 1-1 in the third period with both wrestlers seeking any chance of a takedown after a very defensive match. McGowan was able to convert on a shot in the closing seconds of the bout to take the 4-1 decision win and advance to the finals. With the loss, Moran moves to the wrestlebacks in hopes of a third-place finish but can finish no lower than sixth. He will face Nico Provo (Stanford) in the consolation semifinals tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. in Session V of the Championships. FULL RESULTS (THROUGH SESSION IV) 125 – No. 14 Jacob Moran: -Round 1: No. 14 Jacob Moran (IU) def. No. 19 Kysen Terukina (UNC): Dec. 4-2 -Round of 16: No. 14 Jacob Moran (IU) def. No. 3 Nic Bouzakis (OSU): MD, 10-2 -Quarterfinal: No. 14 Jacob Moran (IU) def. No. 6 Jore Volk (Minnesota): Dec. 5-4 -Semifinal: No. 10 Marc-Anthony McGowan (Princeton) def. No. 14 Jacob Moran (IU): Dec. 4-1 157 – No. 29 Bryce Lowery: -Round 1: No. 4 Kaleb Larkin (Arizona State) def. No. 29 Bryce Lowery (IU): MD, 14-5 -Cons. R1: No. 29 Bryce Lowery (IU) def. No. 13 Derek Raike (Ohio): Fall (4:06) -Cons. R2: No. 14 Ethen Miller (Virginia Tech) def. No. 29 Bryce Lowery (IU): Fall (2:38) 165 – No. 26 Tyler Lillard: -Round 1: No. 7 Max Brignola (Lehigh) def. No. 26 Tyler Lillard (IU): TB-1, 3-2 -Cons. R1: No. 26 Tyler Lillard (IU) def. No. 23 Chris Earnest (Kent State): Fall (5:20) -Cons. R2: No. 8 Matty Bianchi (Little Rock) def. No. 26 Tyler Lillard (IU): Dec. 4-3 174 – No. 26 Derek Gilcher: -Round 1: No. 7 Cam Steed (Mizzou) def. No. 26 Derek Gilcher (IU): TF, 16-1 (5:41) -Cons. R1: No. 23 Luca Augustine (Pitt) def. No. 26 Derek Gilcher (IU): Fall (2:16) 184 – No. 33 Sam Goin: -Prelim R1: No. 32 Caleb Uhlenhopp (Utah Valley) def. No. 33 Sam Goin (IU): Dec. 4-1 -Prelim R2: No. 33 Sam Goin (IU) def. No. 30 Tyler Bienus (Bucknell): TB-1, 2-1 -Cons. R1: No. 19 Jared McGill (Edinboro) def. No. 33 Sam Goin (IU): Dec. 5-4 197 – No. 14 Gabe Sollars: -Round 1: No. 19 Zayne Lehman (Ohio) def. No. 14 Gabe Sollars (IU): Dec. 6-4 -Cons. R1: No. 14 Gabe Sollars (IU) def. No. 33 Karson Tompkins (AF): TF, 15-0 (3:27) -Cons. R2: No. 14 Gabe Sollars (IU) def. No. 13 Bennett Berge (SDSU): TF, 18-3 (5:40) -Cons. R3: No. 27 Gabe Arnold (Iowa) def. No. 14 Gabe Sollars (IU): Dec. 5-4 TEAM SCORES (THROUGH SESSION IV) 1. Penn State (153.0) 2. Oklahoma State (111.5) 3. Nebraska (90.5) 4. Iowa (81.0) 5. Ohio State (77.5) 20. Indiana (19.5) ==================================================================== INDIANA BASEBALL SEEBOLD SLAMS DOOR ON COMEBACK WIN BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Toughness wins on Friday night in the Big Ten. The Indiana Baseball team (9-12, 2-5) needed big efforts across the board as it erased a four-run deficit to win the series opener, 8-6, over Minnesota (15-7, 1-3 B1G) at Bart Kaufman Field. The Hoosiers blanked Minnesota in the final seven innings to complete the comeback victory. It’s the second time this year that IU has won the first game of a Big Ten weekend. IU’s offense jumped over Minnesota starter Cole Selvig, not allowing him to get out of the third inning. The top five guys in the order combined for 10 hits – led by four from sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley and three from sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian. Trailing 6-2 entering the bottom of the third, IU scored three runs in the frame to trim the lead. Hanley homered to center field in the fifth to tie the game at 6-all. Sophomore outfielder Caleb Koskie score the go-ahead run on a wild pitch before freshman outfielder Davian Carrera added insurance on an RBI groundout in the same inning. Graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold (SV, 1) was absolutely nails out of the bullpen. Graduate student right-handed pitcher Kaden Jacobi (W, 1-1) worked a scoreless fifth inning before handing the ball to Seebold with the two-run lead. Seebold ran the game out, picking up the 12-out save in the process. He allowed just one hit over four innings and struck out six batters. IU’s bullpen allowed just two runs over eight innings. In what turned into a duel of both team’s best bullpen arms, IU came out on the right side of an important victory. The Hoosiers will now turn the ball over to veteran southpaw Tony Neubeck on Saturday (March 21) with a chance to win their first series of the year. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. in Bloomington. Scoring Recap Top First The first inning got away from Indiana. After loading the bases on a pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch, Ty Allen singled to center field to get the first run on the board. Davis Hamilton doubled down the left field line to add two more runs. An RBI groundout from Michael Lippe made it 4-0 in the first inning. Minnesota 4, Indiana 0 Bottom First A nice response in the home half of the inning netted IU a pair of runs. Cooper Malamazian tripled to right field to cut the deficit in half. Minnesota 4, Indiana 2 Top Second The visitors would get those runs right back in the second inning. Charlie Sutherland homered to straightaway center field to push the lead back to four. Minnesota 6, Indiana 2 Bottom Third IU closed the gap in the third inning with a big offensive showing. Hogan Denny doubled to the wall in right-center field to score Will Moore. Jake Hanley singled up the middle to score Denny. Malamazian added more damage with an RBI single of his own. Minnesota 6, Indiana 5 Bottom Fifth The Hoosiers did the remainder of their scoring in the fifth inning. Hanley slugged a home run to center field to tie the game at 6-all. A wild pitch scored Caleb Koskie later in the inning. An insurance run came in the form of an RBI groundout from Davian Carrera. Indiana 8, Minnesota 6 Top Hoosier Performers #34 Hanley, Jake 4-5, HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2B #15 Malamazian, Cooper 3-4, R, 2B, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI #40 Seebold, Gavin 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K Inside the Box Score • The Hoosiers recorded 10+ hits in consecutive games for the third time this season. • IU allowed just two runs after the first inning and no runs in the final seven frames. • The top five guys in IU’s order all had base hits. • IU’s pitching staff racked up double-digit strikeouts for the seventh time on the campaign. Notes to Know • Sophomore first baseman Jake Hanley had the second four-hit day of his career and the first against a Big Ten opponent. He’s the third member of the sophomore class in the last six games (Will Moore, Hogan Denny) to record a four-hit effort. On the night, Hanley racked up his 100th career base knock – now at 103 – in just 77 games of baseball for the Hoosiers. • Graduate student right-handed pitcher Gavin Seebold was brilliant out of the bullpen again for the Hoosiers. He provided four scoreless innings and racked up a season-high six strikeouts. It’s the eighth time in his IU career that he’s had a scoreless outing that lasted at least two innings. It’s the sixth time in eight appearances this season that Seebold has done so. • Seebold’s 12-out save was the longest by an IU reliever since Aydan Decker-Petty’s 14-out save against Penn State two years ago (April 14, 2024). Graduate student right-handed pitcher Kaden Jacobi picked up his first win in an IU uniform after working a scoreless fifth. IU’s bullpen has allowed just three earned runs in 13.1 innings of work over the last two games. • Friday’s comeback victory was the biggest (down four) by the IU program since a 7-6 win over Maryland on April 18, 2025. The Hoosiers trailed 6-1 in the eighth inning against the Terrapins before a Will Moore walk-off single in the ninth inning won the game. Tonight, IU trailed by four on multiple occasions before tying the game and taking the lead in the fifth inning. Up Next The middle game of this weekend’s series is set for Saturday (March 21) afternoon at Bart Kaufman Field. First pitch will be at 2 p.m. on B1G+ and the Indiana Sports Radio Network via IUHoosiers.com/Audio. ==================================================================== IU SOFTBALL HOOSIERS POWER BACK TO BEAT MARYLAND IN SERIES OPENER COLLEGE PARK, Md. ––– After a 4-0 deficit on the road, Indiana got a combined effort from everyone to rally through it and pull ahead for an 8-5 win at Maryland on Friday (March 20) in Maryland Softball Stadium. The series opening win marked their second victory in a row and improves the season record to 23-6 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten. GAME 1: INDIANA 8, MARYLAND 5 *Indiana leads the series, 1-0 KEY MOMENTS • Maryland opened the scoring with an RBI single through the right side from Caroline Fox to make it a 1-0 game in the bottom of the second. • The Terrapins would add to the lead and make it a 4-0 game in the bottom of the fourth when Bailey Murphy hit a bases-clearing double to score three Terps. • The Hoosiers used a big fifth inning to even the score. Alli Gavin started it off with a 2-run homer before Alex Cooper scored on an error to make it 4-3. Immediately after, Josie Bird doubled to right center to score Avery Parker to make it a tied game at 4-4. • Indiana got its first lead in the top of the sixth. Josie White took a walk on a wild pitch which brough Hannah Haberstroh home to put the Hoosiers in front 5-4. • Maryland got the score even again in the bottom of the frame after Zayda Rocke hit a solo home run out to left field. • Once again, Indiana answered the bell. In the top of the seventh, Cooper hit a home run to put the Hoosiers ahead 6-5 before Madalyn Strader launched a ball over the Maryland scoreboard which scored two and put Indiana in the lead for good, 8-5. • Indiana secured the win in the bottom of the seventh when Maryland’s Anna McGowan grounded into a 1-6-3 double play. NOTABLES • Three Hoosiers hit a home run today, including Alex Cooper, Madalyn Strader and Alli Gavin. • Brooke Mannon picked up the win to improve her season record to 4-0 after pitching 3.1 innings and only allowing two hits and one run while striking out two. • Indiana has won eight straight games over the Terrapins dating back to 2021. • Six of Indiana’s seven hits were extra base hits. • Indiana outhit Maryland, 7-6. UP NEXT Indiana will be back in action against Maryland for game two of the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Maryland Softball Stadium. ===================================================================== PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL BOILERS WIN BIG AND SMITH NABS ASSIST RECORD [2 seed] Purdue 104, [15 seed] Queens 71 (Postgame Notes) 2 seed Purdue advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round with a 104-71 victory over 15th-seeded Queens on Friday night in St. Louis. Purdue improved to 28-8 overall and now owns the nation’s ninth-longest winning streak at five games. Purdue’s 104 points tied for the second most in an NCAA Tournament game behind the 106 scored vs. Utah State in the 2024 second round. Purdue’s 59 points in the second half were the fourth most in an NCAA Tournament game in school history. The 63.1 field goal percentage (41-of-65) was the highest for a Purdue team in NCAA Tournament history. Purdue’s 1.54 points per possession was the fifth-highest PPP in an NCAA Tournament game in the last 18 tournaments. It’s the sixth-best mark in a game in Purdue history. Purdue became the first team in NCAA Tournament history to score 100 points, shoot 60 percent from the field, make at least 10, 3-pointers and outrebound its opponent by 20 or more boards. Purdue’s plus-22 (41-19) rebound margin was its third highest in an NCAA tournament game in Purdue history. Purdue’s 14 made 3-pointers were the fourth most in an NCAA Tournament game in Purdue history, while the 41 field goals set a new NCAA Tournament record for Purdue. Purdue improved to 26-9 in NCAA Tournament first-round games and Matt Painter won his 25th NCAA Tournament game, now with a 25-17 overall record. Purdue improved to 16-3 in games played away from Mackey Arena, including 8-0 in neutral-site games. Purdue is outscoring opponents by 18.0 points per game and shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from 3-point range in neutral-site contests. Purdue has won three straight first-round games by an average of 24.3 points per game. Purdue has not lost in the second round since a 63-60 loss to No. 2 seed Kansas in 2012. Purdue has won six straight second-round games. Since the 2017 NCAA Tournament, Purdue is 17-7, tied for fifth-most wins in the country during that span (Gonzaga – 24; Duke – 20; Houston – 20; Kansas – 18). Purdue recorded its ninth win of 12 or more points (in 10 wins since the 2022 tournament). The nine wins of 12 or more points are the second most in the country in that span (UConn – 12). Purdue’s senior class won its 115th game of their careers, now just one win off the school-record 116 wins set by last year’s senior class. Purdue improved to 23-1 this season when holding opponents to under 48 percent shooting from the field. Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn are the first set of teammates to score at least 25 points on 65 percent shooting in the NCAA Tournament since 1999. They are the third set of Purdue teammates to score at least 25 points in the same game in an NCAA Tournament game (Carsen Edwards, Ryan Cline vs. Tennessee – 2019 Sweet 16; Glenn Robinson, Cuonzo Martin vs. Kansas – 1994 Sweet 16). Braden Smith became the NCAA all-time leader in career assists with 1,083. He scored 26 points with eight assists and three rebounds, going 10-of-15 from the field. He is the first player since Cincinnati’s Steve Logan to have at least 26 points, eight assists, four made 3-pointers and shoot 65 percent from the field in an NCAA Tournament game. Smith now needs eight assists to become the third player in NCAA Tournament history to have at least 100 points, 100 assists and 50 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament career (Ed Cota, Aaron Miles). Smith has 124 points, 92 assists and 51 rebounds in NCAA Tournament play. His 92 assists are the 11th most by a player in NCAA Tournament history. Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 25 points with nine rebounds and three assists, going 12-of-18 from the field. Kaufman-Renn moved into 21st on the school’s career scoring list (1,606 points) and 12th on the career rebounds list (743). Fletcher Loyer scored 14 points, surpassing 100, 3-pointers on the season, now with 102. He now ranks third on the Purdue single-season 3-pointers made list (102). Loyer is now 54-of-112 (.482) from 3-point range since the start of February. ST. LOUIS (AP) — Braden Smith scored 26 points and became the Division I career leader in assists, guiding No. 2 seed Purdue to a 104-71 win over Queens University on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament. The Boilermakers seized control with a pair of 10-0 runs, once in the waning moments of the first half and in the opening minutes of the second half. Trey Kaufman-Renn’s basket after an offensive rebound capped the second surge and stretched Purdue’s lead to 58-36 with 16:27 to play. Purdue (28-8) led by at least 20 the rest of the way. About eight minutes in, Smith handed out his 1,077th career assist, breaking the record previously held by Duke’s Bobby Hurley. The milestone came when Smith, wearing glittering black Nike sneakers, set up a layup by Kaufman-Renn that gave Purdue a 17-12 advantage. “I don’t think it’s really set in because to me, again, it’s it’s my job. That’s what I’m supposed to do,” Smith said. “It’s why I came here. As a point guard, that’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to get guys the ball to go score. And obviously I have a lot of great people around me that can do that.” “I’ve been very thankful and blessed to be put in a position where people trust me with the ball in my hands, and my teammates trust me, the coaching staff trusts me, and obviously I trust myself enough to go make shots,” Smith said. Coach Matt Painter called Hurley “quintessential point guard” and said the fact his record stood for three decades reinforces that. “He’s a phenomenal player and you can see it on the court, how under control he is,” Queens coach Grant Leonard said of Smith. Kaufman-Renn contributed 25 points and nine rebounds, and Oscar Cluff had nine points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks for Purdue. Jordan Watford and Nasir Mann, the younger brother of Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann, led the 15th-seeded Royals (21-14) with 10 points apiece. “It was an unbelievable season,” Leonard said. “Usually only one team ends happy, but our guys can hang their heads high.” Painter will go for his 500th Purdue victory in the next round of the West Region against either No. 7 seed Miami or 10th-seeded Missouri. The Boilermakers are seeking their third straight trip to round of 16 and seventh in nine years. The other two years featured quick exits as a No. 2 seed against Saint Peter’s in 2022 and as a No. 1 seed against Fairleigh Dickinson in 2023. There was no such magic from Queens. The 1,500-student school from Charlotte, North Carolina, which began as a women’s institute, is the smallest, by enrollment, to ever play in the NCAA Tournament. It won the Atlantic Sun tournament for a spot in the bracket in its first year of Division I eligibility. “We did a lot. We fought through a lot of adversity, and it’s been unbelievable so far,” Mann said. “I know we didn’t have the outcome we wanted today, but we still did the unbelievable. Coming from a small school, 1,500 students, and we made it.” The Boilermakers never trailed, making baskets on their first six possessions without much resistance from the nation’s 349th-ranked scoring defense. Still, the Royals stayed within striking distance for much of the first half. Purdue finally pulled away by scoring 10 straight points, including two 3s and a pair of free throws from C.J. Cox, stretching the lead to 45-30 late in the half. Chris Ashby’s 3-pointer on the final possession for Queens cut the deficit to 12 at intermission. ==================================================================== PURDUE WRESTLING BLAZE FALLS IN NATIONAL SEMIFINALS CLEVELAND, Ohio — Purdue junior Joey Blaze fell just shy of his second straight trip to the NCAA final, suffering an 8-5 overtime loss to Iowa’s Mikey Caliendo at the national wrestling championships on Friday evening. The Boilermakers sit in 26th place with 10.5 points headed into tomorrow’s final rounds. Blaze struck first in Friday night’s match, using a slick slide-by to take a 3-1 lead on Caliendo. After trading escapes and holding a 4-2 lead, Caliendo scored a takedown off a scramble on the edge of the mat, a call that was challenged by Purdue head coach Tony Ersland, but stood after official review. Blaze escaped to tie the match at 5-5, which sent the bout into a sudden-victory period. Caliendo struck quickly in the final frame, getting to Blaze’s leg and snaring the second ankle to trip Blaze to the mat and deal him just his second loss of the year. UP NEXT Blaze moves to the consolation semifinal match at 165 pounds, where he will face the winner of Bryce Hepner of North Carolina and Nicco Ruiz of Arizona State. Blaze can still score 4.5 team points in tomorrow morning’s session, with additional bonus points at stake as well. RESULTS 133 | #24 Blake Boarman (R-Sr.) Round 1: #9 Dominick Serrano (Northern Colorado) – L, D 16-14 Conso. Round 1: #25 Will Betancourt (Rider) – L, SV 4-1 165 | #2 Joey Blaze (Jr.) Round 1: #31 Jared Kesler (Pittsburgh) – W, D 5-0 Round 2: #15 Connor Euton (Iowa State) – W, MD 10-1 Quarterfinals: #10 Will Denny (North Carolina State) – W, D 4-3 Semifinals: #3 Michael Caliendo (Iowa) – L, SV 8-5 Conso. Semifinals: TBA 174 | #22 Brody Baumann (R-Jr.) Round 1: #11 M.J. Gaitan (Iowa State) – L, Fall 2:41 Conso. Round 1: #27 Collin Carrigan (North Carolina) – W, D 15-8 Conso. Round 2: #12 Carter Schubert (Oklahoma) – L, SV 12-9 197 | #26 Ben Vanadia (R-Sr.) Round 1: #7 Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State) – L, TF 18-3 (6:01) Conso. Round 1: #23 Mikey Squires (Binghamton) – L, MD 11-2 ====================================================================== PURDUE SOFTBALL BOILERS FALL TO #18 OREGON WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Boilers historic 14-game win streak comes to an end with a 6-0 defeat against No. 18 Oregon. The Boilers made three errors leading to five unearned runs which created a hefty deficit early on for Purdue. The Boilers had four hits, with two of them coming from the national leader, Moriah Polar. BOILER BITS Offensive Highlights Moriah Polar: 2-for-3 Haley Painter: 1-for-2, 2B Kylie Franks: 1-for-3 PITCHING BREAKDOWN Julia Gossett: (L, 9-4) 6.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 10 BB, 3 K, 34 BF Brianna Fontenot: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BF After a leadoff groundout in the top of the first, the Ducks put three runners on with a single, a walk, and another single. The Boilers then worked their way out of the bases-loaded jam when Gossett struck out back-to-back batters to end the frame. In the second, Purdue put pressure on the Ducks when Polar, singled with one away. Haley Painter then followed suit with a two-out double down the left field line to put two runners in scoring position. Just as the Boilers did in the top of the inning, the Ducks worked out of the jam. In the second, Purdue once again shut down the Ducks, working around a pair of walks to keep it scoreless. Purdue continued to put pressure on in the bottom of the inning, putting two runners on when Delaney Reefe was hit by a pitch and moved over on a single to right-center from Kylie Franks. Ashlynn Campbell moved both runners to second and third on a groundout, but the inning ended in a strikeout. In the top of the third, the Ducks broke through plating three runs. The first two runs scored on an error from the Boilers which would have ended the inning. The third runner came around on an RBI single on the next play. The Boilers earned a leadoff single by Polar in the bottom of the third, her second hit on the day, but were quickly doubled up to put two outs on the board. The Ducks finished off the frame with a strikeout. IOregon loaded the bases again in the top of the fourth on the back of three-straight walks. Purdue beared down and finished the inning unscathed with two flyouts and an infield fly. The fifth was quiet on both sides with both teams going down in order. The Ducks led off the top of the sixth with a no-out triple in the right-center gap, then loaded the bases again with back-to-back walks. Oregon was able to plate two more runs on a Purdue error and a sacrifice fly. Oregon added one more insurance run in the seventh on a single with an errant throw that allowed the runner to come all the way around. The Boilers will pick up against Oregon tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. to try to even the series. For updates on Purdue Softball, follow the Boilermakers on Twitter (@PurdueSoftball), Instagram (@purduesoftball), and Facebook (Purdue Softball). ===================================================================== NOTRE DAME FENCING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! IRISH WOMEN CLAIM TEAM TITLE SOUTH BEND, Ind. – National Champions. Yet again. The Notre Dame women’s fencing team claimed the 2026 NCAA Women’s Fencing Championship Friday on the home strips inside the Joyce Center, winning their first women’s team championship as the event shifted to separate men’s and women’s championships this season. It’s the 15th national championship for Irish fencing after winning 14 co-ed national titles, including six of the last eight under head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025). On top of that, Eszter Muhari claimed the individual title in epee, making it 65 team and individual national championships in program history. The Irish entered the second day just one point behind Columbia in the team standings. The Irish sabre duo of Siobhan Sullivan and Magda Skarbonkiewicz quickly erased any deficit in the fourth round, each going 5-0 and earning two victories over the Columbia fencers in the weapon class. Notre Dame’s foilists did well in the fourth round as well with Ariadna Tucker Alarcon and Josephina Conway each won three bouts and the early-day domination continued in epée where Kyle Fallon and Eszter Muhari won seven of eight competitions. Columbia held strong, however, but the Irish were stronger. Muhari dispatched her foe from Columbia with a dominating 5-0 score in less than a minute to lead Notre Dame fencing to its first women’s title since the NCAA combined the men’s and women’s title in 1989. Notre Dame scored 102 points to claim the team crown over second-place Columbia/Barnard (99). Muhari won her third career individual national title in epee, including her second straight (2023, 2025). She rolled in the championship bout, downing Princeton’s Hadley Husisian, 13-1. 2026 NCAA Women’s Fencing Championships Final Standings Notre Dame, 102 Columbia/Barnard, 99 Princeton, 71 Harvard, 69 Penn, 54 Northwestern, 54 Ohio State, 43 Stanford, 42 Yale, 42 Cornell, 42 All six Irish fencers claimed All-American honors for finishing in the top eight. The top-four claimed first-team All-American: Epee Eszter Muhari, Notre Dame Kyle Fallon, Notre Dame Foil Josephina Conway, Notre Dame Ariadna Tucker, Notre Dame Sabre Magda Skarbonkiewicz, Notre Dame T3. Siobhan Sullivan, Notre Dame The men take to the strips tomorrow with rounds 1-3 for all weapons starting at 9:00 a.m. with epee. ================================================================= NOTRE DAME SOFTBALL IRISH FALL TO CLEMSON SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame softball team opened up the 2026 season Friday night at Melissa Cook Stadium. It’s the 19th year of Irish softball at Melissa Cook Stadium (including 2020, when no games were played at home due to Covid 19). The Irish fell to Clemson 0-4. It was a pitcher’s dual all night, as both teams combined for just one run through the first five innings. Ava Zachary extended her hitting streak to 12 on an infield single in the sixth inning. The freshman from Mishawaka made her home debut donning the blue and gold. She’s hitting .371 this season. Micaela Kastor, who started in the circle for the Irish, gave up just one earned run over 4.1 innings of work. However, seven free passes plagued the senior as she was chased in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and only one out, Kami Kamzik got back-to-back strikeouts to keep the deficit just one. Notre Dame will look to even the series tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Admission to all regular season Irish softball games is free. ==================================================================== BUTLER BASEBALL BUTLER DROPS SERIES OPENER AT OHIO STATE COLUMBUS, Ohio – Butler fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes 11-0 in seven innings on Friday evening. With the loss, Butler slides to 5-17 on the season while Ohio State improves to 8-12. Game two of the series is scheduled for 3 p.m. tomorrow at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. BULLDOG HIGHLIGHTS Logan Crock and David Ayers each recorded a hit. Charlie Schebler tallied a hit. Will White was the lone Bulldog with two hits in the contest. HOW IT HAPPENED Ohio State scored the first run of the day in the bottom of the first as the Buckeyes plated one run on two hits in the frame. The Bucks were able to tack on three more in the second behind four hits as the home side held a 4-0 advantage through the first two frames. Butler was unable to generate much offense through the first three frames, recording only two hits and no runs. OSU had a scoreless third as the 4-0 lead stood heading into the fourth. Ohio State added four runs in the fourth on two hits and two errors, extending the Buckeyes’ advantage to eight. OSU added another in the fifth on a bases-loaded hit by pitch. The Buckeyes added two more in the sixth before the game ended in seven innings. OSU took game one of the series, 11-0. UP NEXT The Bulldogs will return to action tomorrow for game two of the series with the Buckeyes. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. A link to live stats and a live stream are available on Butlersports.com. ==================================================================== BUTLER SOFTBALL BUTLER DEFEATS SETON HALL TO OPEN BIG EAST SERIES INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler softball team won its home opener on Friday, 3-0, defeating Seton Hall in game one of a three-game BIG EAST series. The Pirates (10-12, 2-5 BIG EAST) gave up all three runs in a single inning and were unable to score in the contest. The victory was the fifth-consecutive for the Bulldogs (11-9, 4-0 BIG EAST). After three scoreless innings, Butler produced all it needed in the fourth. Cate Lehner and Hailey Conger hit back-to-back singles, and then Kayla Preiss put the ball in play in the infield. Conger was out at second, but an errant throw allowed Lehner to score. One batter later, Makena Alexander hit a two-run home run, also pushing Preiss across, and the Bulldogs held a 3-0 lead. Seton Hall was unable to plate any runners in the final three innings, stranding five on the bags. Katie Petran (5-3) produced a complete-game shutout victory in the circle. In 7.0 innings, she allowed seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Bulldog Bits Alexander’s home run was her fourth in the past three games. She now has nine this season and 21 in her career. Petran’s win in the circle was her fifth this season and the 27th of her career. It was her third complete-game victory this season and her second complete-game shutout this season. Up Next Butler and Seton Hall will remain in Indianapolis, Ind., to play game two of the series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. =================================================================== BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL BALL STATE TABS CHRIS CAPKO AS CARDINALS’ HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH MUNCIE, Ind. – Recognized as one of the nation’s top assistant basketball coaches with a proven track record in recruiting and player development, Chris Capko has been named Ball State University’s 21st head men’s basketball coach. Currently the associate head coach with Southern Methodist University and active this week with the Mustangs in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, Capko has spent the past 10 seasons under coach Andy Enfield at both SMU and USC. SMU was lauded this past year for landing the nation’s fourth-ranked recruiting class, and with that class the Mustangs reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017, their first at-large bid since 1993. Capko, who has helped develop 11 NBA players across stops at Marshall, Stetson, Georgia Southern, USC, Florida International and SMU, will begin his duties at Ball State immediately. “Chris Capko is an exceptional basketball coach,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. “His breadth of experience at the NCAA Division I level, combined with his elite recruiting acumen and expertise in player development, set him apart from an incredibly strong pool of candidates and made him the best coach to lead our program.” “We are excited to welcome Chris Capko and his family to our Ball State community,” said Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “His strong character, values-driven leadership, and commitment to student-athlete success make him the right choice to lead our program.” Capko was named one of the top “Power 5 assistants” in the country by The Athletic and one of the 50 Most Impactful high major assistant coaches by Silver Waves Media in both the 2023-24 season and 2024-25 seasons. He was invited to participate in the 2023 NCAA Champion Forum for Men’s Basketball at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, and was invited to the prestigious Athletic Director U’s Collegiate Coaching Consortium at the 2022 NCAA Final Four in New Orleans. “This is a truly special opportunity, and I’m incredibly honored to be the 21st coach to lead the Ball State men’s basketball program,” said Capko. “We will build this program on a foundation of character, toughness and accountability – developing young men who represent this University the right way on and off the court. I’ve been fortunate to be part of building winning programs in my previous tenures, and will bring that same level of discipline, drive and competitive edge to Muncie. Our vision is clear: build a program our community is proud of, and compete for championships.” “Coach Capko demonstrates an infectious energy and enthusiasm that will invigorate our program,” added Mitchell. “He will quickly connect with players and strengthen ties with our campus and community, helping build a competitive culture and a program everyone can rally behind.” He helped SMU to a 44-25 record over two seasons, and a 176-93 mark over eight years as an assistant or associate head coach at USC. He spent the past decade as an assistant or associate under Enfield, where the duo helped guide eight USC players who were selected over seven NBA drafts from 2018-24, the most by any school during that stretch behind Duke (20), Kentucky (19), Kansas (9) and Michigan (9). The Trojans signed five McDonald’s All-Americans and joined Duke and Kentucky as one of just three programs to boast at least one player selected in six of seven NBA Drafts from 2018-24. In his first season at SMU, Capko helped the Mustangs to a 24-11 overall record and a No.1 seed in the NIT. The Mustangs went 13-7 in the program’s inaugural season in the ACC to tie for fourth and owned distinction as one of just two teams in the nation with six players averaging at least 9.9 points per game. SMU was one of just eight teams in the NCAA top 50 for field goal percentage on both offense and defense. At USC, the Enfield-Capko partnership led the Trojans during an eight-year stretch that included an Elite Eight trip in 2021. After five years as Enfield’s assistant at USC (2017-21), he was elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2021-22 campaign, helping the Trojans navigate four straight top-three Pac-12 finishes from 2020 through 2023. Overall, he helped the Trojans bring in eight consecutive top 30 recruiting classes and played a critical role in recruiting the No. 1 player in the country, Isaiah Collier, in 2024. The 2022 class ranked No. 7 nationally and the 2023 class ranked No. 4. Capko has climbed the coaching ladder with 19 years of experience, and his influence extends beyond NBA draft picks with power programs. Dating to his days as a grad assistant at Marshall, Capko has assisted in day-to-day operations, monitored academic progress, weight training, conditioning and film exchange – in addition to work in the recruiting process. Prior to his hiring as assistant coach at USC in April 2016, he was the Trojans’ director of operations during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He spent 2015-16 as an assistant coach at Florida International before returning to Enfield’s coaching staff for 2016-17. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at both Georgia Southern (2012 and 2013) and Stetson (2010 and 2011), following two years in his graduate role at Marshall (2008 and 2009). As a player, Capko spent his first semester in the basketball program at the University of Florida under Billy Donovan. He later transferred to South Florida (USF) in Tampa where he played for three years. As a junior he was fifth in the Big East in assists and as a senior he was the Bulls’ team captain. Capko earned Academic All-Big East honors as a junior and senior at USF. He was also the Bulls’ nominee for Big East Basketball Student-Athlete of the Year in 2007. Capko earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications at USF in December 2006 and a master’s degree in adult and technical education from Marshall in 2009. A native of Lakeland, Fla., Capko was a starter for Kathleen High School when the Red Devils won the 2001 Florida 4A state championship. He and his wife Miranda have three children: Zoe (4), Asa (1) and newborn Benny (March 2026). Capko’s Coaching Experience March 20, 2026 – Ball State, Head Coach 2025-26 – SMU, Associate Head Coach | 20-14 NCAA First Four 2024-25 – SMU, Associate Head Coach | 24-11 No. 1 seed in NIT 2023-24 – USC; Associate Head Coach | 15-18 2022-23 – USC, Associate Head Coach | 22-11 NCAA First Round 2021-22 – USC, Associate Head Coach | 26-8 NCAA First Round 2020-21 – USC, Assistant Coach | 25-8 NCAA Elite Eight 2019-20 – USC, Assistant Coach | 22-9 Postseason Canceled due to Covid 2018-19 – USC, Assistant Coach | 16-17 2017-18 – USC, Assistant Coach | 24-12 NIT Second Round 2016-17 – USC, Assistant Coach | 26-10 NCAA Second Round 2015-16 – Florida International, Assistant Coach | 13-19 2014-15 – USC, Director of Operations | 12-20 2013-14 – USC, Director of Operations | 11-21 2012-13 – Georgia Southern, Assistant Coach | 14-19 2011-12 – Georgia Southern, Assistant Coach | 15-15 2010-11 – Stetson, Assistant Coach | 8-23 2009-10 – Stetson, Assistant Coach | 7-22 2008-09 – Marshall, Graduate Assistant | 16-17 2007-08 – Marshall, Graduate Assistant | 18-14 Master’s Degree – Marshall, 2009 Bachelor’s Degree – South Florida, December 2006 (point guard, 2003-04 to 2006-07) ===================================================================== BALL STATE SOFTBALL SOFTBALL DROPS EXTRA-INNING THRILLER AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – – Down 4-0 with two outs and one runner on base in the top of the seventh, the Ball State softball team rallied to even the score and force extra innings Friday afternoon at Margo Jonker Stadium. Three innings later, the Cardinals (11-11; 0-4 Mid-American Conference) used two doubles and a sacrifice fly from senior right fielder Hayley Urban to take its first lead of the game at 5-4. Unfortunately, the Chippewas (12-11; 3-1 MAC) countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to earn a hard-fought 6-5 (10) victory in its home opener. Senior left fielder Ashlee Lovett had a hand in both rallies, starting with a bases loaded two-run double in the top of the seventh to drive in BSU’s first two runs of the game. She also scored the tying run in the seventh and the eventual go-ahead run after doubling to lead off the 10th. Lovett reached base in all five of her plate appearances on the day, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. She also drew a pair of walks. Overall, the Cardinals collected 10 total hits, including two each from Urban and freshman center fielder Paige Kelley. The effort gave Ball State’s outfield a combined seven hits. Ball State’s pitching efforts were highlighted by freshman Grace Gray, who threw 6.1 innings of relief. She allowed seven hits and held CMU to a pair of runs, while striking out five batters. Ball State and Central Michigan conclude their three-game series Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader back at Margo Jonker Softball Stadium. SCORING SUMMARY: Ball State 5 – Central Michigan 6 in 10 Innings B3 – Grace Koenig opened the scoring with an RBI double to left center (1-0) B3 – London Williams drove in two more runs with a single up the middle (3-0) B3 – Cierra Laska brought home the final run of the inning with another single up the middle (4-0) T7 – Lovett’s bases loaded double cut the CMU advantage to two runs, bringing home junior shortstop Maia Pietrzak and redshirt sophomore pinch runner Payton Fox (4-2) T7 – A pinch hit single from Meagan Ramos tied the score at senior first baseman Lindsey DeRoeck and Lovett cross the plate (4-4) T10 – A sac fly from Urban drove in Lovett to give Ball State its first lead of the game (4-5) B10 – CMU tied the score on an RBI double from Keira Tolmie (5-5) B10 – Koenig drew a bases loaded walk to end the game (5-6) ====================================================================== BALL STATE BASEBALL BASEBALL FALLS IN GAME ONE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN DESPITE STRONG PITCHING PERFORMANCE ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Ball State baseball team got a strong performance from its pitching staff but fell 2-1 to Western Michigan in the series opener on Friday afternoon at the Grand Valley State baseball field. The Cardinals (10-10, 5-2 Mid-American Conference) trailed 2-0 after the first inning after Western (10-9, 6-1 MAC) plated runs on a sacrifice fly and RBI single. A pinch hit RBI single by Brady Davidson in the fourth that scored Kenskey Thomas was the only tally of the day for Ball State. Brendan Garza (2-2) worked 7.0 innings of two-run ball with six strikeouts but suffered the loss. Zander Bretza tossed a scoreless frame in the eighth with a punchout. Gavin Balius, Jacob Gillis and Ryan Muizelaar joined Davidson as Cardinals with singles on the day, while Thomas and Brayden Huebner hit one double each. Zach Vriesenga (1-1) struck out five in 6.0 innings of one-run ball to earn the win for the Broncos. Turner Doran was credited with his fourth save of the year thanks to a perfect ninth inning including a pair of strikeouts. Junior Tanner Mally, the NCAA Division I leader in batting average entering the weekend, went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead a WMU offense whose nine hits were all singles. “Well-pitched game by both teams,” Ball State head coach Rich Maloney said. “WMU got one more timely hit than we did.” Ball State and Western are scheduled to play game two back in Kalamazoo at 1 p.m. on Saturday. ====================================================================== INDIANA STATE BASEBALL ERRORS LEAD BRADLEY PAST INDIANA STATE IN MISSOURI VALLEY OPENER TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Bradley took advantage of two Indiana State errors to plate six unearned runs as the Braves topped the host Sycamores, 10-8, on Friday night’s Missouri Valley opener for both squads at Bob Warn Field. Bradley (5-16, 1-0) rallied back from a 7-6 deficit in the top of the eighth inning as the Braves took advantage of a throwing error on AJ Garcia’s safety squeeze bunt attempt with Landon Lowe and Colin McCormick both scoring on the play to go up by one run late. Sohrab Rezaei and Landon Lowe both added RBI singles late to put the Braves up by three runs late. Jorge Cartagena homered for the Sycamores (8-13, 0-1) in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Indiana State was unable to build a sustained rally late against the Braves bullpen in suffering the conference-opening loss. Indiana State rallied back from a 6-1 deficit by scoring six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Sycamores’ rally featured Carter Beck’s second grand slam of the 2026 season, while Jorge Cartagena (RBI double) and Andrew Ortiz (RBI single) also drove in runs in the inning as Indiana State sent nine batters to the plate in the frame. Bradley built the early lead as Hayden Miller connected on a two-run homer to right field in the first inning, while Jaxon Schumacher and Sohrab Rezaei added two-run doubles in top of the fourth. Jorge Cartagena led Indiana State’s offensive efforts at the plate going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Carter Beck, Nick Sutherlin, Andrew Ortiz, and Colin Sander added multi-hit games with Sander connecting on his first triple of the 2026 season in the loss. Jacob Spencer (0-2) took the loss on the mound allowing one hit and two unearned runs over 1.1 innings of relief. Jack Armstrong went the first 3.2 innings allowing four hits and six runs (two earned) while striking out five, while Colby Morse, Owen Roberts, and Hunter Small also pitched in the contest. Sohrab Rezaei went 3-for-4 with a trio of RBIs to lead the Braves offense in the game, while Luke Skinner and Landon Lowe both had multi-hit contests. Davis Webb (2-1) was effective in relief going 3.2 innings allowing three hits and a run while striking out five. Joey Cirelli (S, 1) worked the final 2.0 innings in his first save of the season. How They Scored Bradley took the early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Hayden Miller connected on the two-run home run to right field to put the Braves ahead early. Colin Sander put the Sycamores on the board in the bottom of the second inning as he followed Jorge Cartagena’s two-out single with a triple down the right field line scoring Cartagena to cut the lead down to 2-1. Bradley added to the lead in the top of the fourth inning as the Braves took advantage of an error as Jaxon Schumacher and Sohrab Rezaei connected on a pair of two-run doubles in the inning to build a 6-1 lead. Indiana State rallied back to plate six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning highlighted by Carter Beck’s grand slam to take the 7-6 lead. Jorge Cartagena added an RBI double and Andrew Ortiz an RBI single in the inning as the Sycamores sent nine batters to the plate in the inning. Bradley retook the lead in the top of the eighth inning using small ball as AJ Garcia’s squeeze bunt attempt led to two runs crossing the plate as the throw to the plate went wide, while Sohrab Rezaei added an RBI single scoring Garcia to make it a 9-7 Braves lead. The Braves added to the lead in the top of the ninth as Landon Lowe beat out a bunt single down the first base line allowing Luke Skinner to score on the play as Bradley went up 10-7 to provide the final margin. News and Notes Carter Beck connected on his second grand slam of the 2026 season and Indiana State’s fourth overall with his shot in the fourth inning. Beck previously hit a grand slam on February 20 against Miami (Ohio). Beck (2), Emil Estrella, and Nick Sutherlin have all connected on grand slams to date in 2026. Two Sycamores hit multiple grand slams in the same season back in 2024 when Parker Stinson connected against both Southern Miss (Mar. 3, first inning) and Illinois (Apr. 30, fourth inning), while Mike Sears hit a pair of grand slams against both Florida A&M (Mar. 10, third inning) and Illinois (June 2, eighth inning). Up Next Indiana State continues the weekend series against Bradley tomorrow as the Sycamores and Braves take the field at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon. The game will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend. ====================================================================== PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL NO. 19 MASTODON MVB HOSTS NO. 9 BALL STATE FOR RIVALRY NIGHT FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball team hosts round two of the I-69 rivalry against No. 9 Ball State on Saturday night (March 21) at 7 PM in the Gates Sports Center.Game Day InformationWho: No. 9 Ball StateWhen: Saturday, March 21 | 7 PMWhere: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports CenterWatch: ESPN+Live Stats: LinkTickets: LinkGame Notes: MIVA | Purdue Fort Wayne | Ball State Know Your Foe No. 9 Ball State is 17-3 on the season, 8-2 in MIVA play for first in the standings. The Cardinals rank third nationally in kills per set (13.47), assists per set (12.31) and hitting percentage (.377), while coming into the week at ninth in blocks per set (2.46). Ball State leads the MIVA in points per set (17.19), kills per set (12.94), hitting percentage (.351), blocks per set (2.59) and opponent service aces per set (0.80) during association play. Outside hitter Patrick Rodgers is seventh in the nation in hitting percentage (.406) and ninth in points per set (4.48). The senior is second in MIVA play for points per set (4.41) and kills per set (3.74). Setter Lucas Machado is 10th in national rankings for assists per set (9.94), stepping up during association play with an average of 10.18 per frame for third in the MIVA. Series History Ball State leads the series history over the Mastodons with a record of 85-34, winning 11 of the last 12. The Buckeyes swept the ‘Dons earlier in the season (Feb. 27). ‘Dons This Season No. 19 Purdue Fort Wayne is 9-7 on the season, 4-5 in MIVA play for seventh in the standings. The Mastodons own wins over (RV) NJIT, No. 20 Charleston, No. 12 McKendree and No. 8 Loyola Chicago, while suffering five of their six losses to ranked opponents: No. 12 CSUN, No. 13 Lindenwood, No. 13 & 16 Ohio State, No. 10 Ball State and No. 14 Lewis. Preseason All-MIVA selection Logan Muir leads the association in points per set (4.57) and kills per set (3.78), also sitting second in service aces per set with 0.52. The ‘Dons rank third in MIVA play in opponent kills per set, holding opponents to 11.53 a frame. Last Time Out The Purdue Fort Wayne men’s volleyball team dropped their home MIVA contest against No. 16 Ohio State in straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-15) on Saturday afternoon (March 14). Blocked By Fozzy! Kaden Fosdick was selected as the MIVA’s Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday (Feb.10). The junior aided the Mastodons to a 2-0 weekend and into a four match win streak. Fosdick rejected a total of 12 attacks against Northern Kentucky (Feb. 6) and Daemen (Feb. 8) for an average of 2.00 blocks per set, best in the MIVA for the week. The Wisconsin native had seven blocks and a dig during Purdue Fort Wayne’s first MIVA victory over the Norse. Fosdick had another five blocks in the victory over the Wildcats. ‘Dons In Five Purdue Fort Wayne is 4-1 this season in five-set matches, all at home, only losing the season opener to Missouri S&T. The Mastodons have beaten (RV) NJIT, Maryville, Daemen and No. 12 McKendree in the fifth set this year. Preseason All-MIVA Logan Muir was selected for the Preseason All-MIVA Team on December 15. Muir was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team following last season. The Junior led the Mastodons in points (464.5), kills (391) and service aces (41) last year. He was second in the MIVA in kills per set (4.39), aces per set (0.41) and points per set (5.19) during conference play. Muir’s 5.09 points per set ranked fifth in the nation. The California native also was 10th in the MIVA in hitting percentage with .299. Muir recorded double-digit kills in 19 of the ‘Dons’ 26 matches. He hit a career-high 23 kills in three sets at McKendree, the third most in the program’s rally scoring era. Coming Up The ‘Dons hit the road for a two week stretch, beginning with trips to No. 12 McKendree (March 26) and No. 11 Lindenwood (March 28). =================================================================== EVANSVILLE BASEBALL ACES DROP HIGH SCORING SERIES OPENER AT CAL BAPTIST RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of Evansville baseball team tallied 12 hits on Friday night, their second-highest total of the season, but fell to Cal Baptist in game one of the series by a score of 11-6. Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs) led the Aces at the plate with the first four-hit game of his career, going 4-for-5 with a double and an RBI. He became the first Ace since Mark Shallenberger on June 1, 2026 to have a four-hit game. Reid Haire (Hudson, N.C./Charlotte) drove in three runs, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, while Ximi Baftiri (Morris, Ill./Morris) went 2-for-2 with an RBI and reached base in all three plate appearances. Freshman Simon Schulz (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) made his first career start and put together a strong performance, going 2-for-4 at the dish. Cameron Teper got the win for Cal Baptist, while Max Hansmann (Elmhurst, Ill./York) took the loss for Evansville. HOW IT HAPPENED Evansville started the scoring right away, with Haire blasting a one-out double into the left center gap before McConnell drove him in with a two-out single up the middle, giving the Aces a 1-0 lead. The Lancers answered right back, however, using a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to take the lead. Evansville stayed hot at the plate in the second inning, starting with a leadoff walk by Ryan Seddon (Joliet, Ill./St. Laurence) and a perfectly executed hit-and-run by Baftiri, who shot a double down the right field line that scored Seddon. Following a single by Schulz, his first career hit, and walk by Spike Magill (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista), Haire drew a bases loaded walk to give the Aces a 3-2 lead and chase CBU ace Michael Malki. Just as they did in the first, however, the Lancers used another 2-run home run in the second to regain the lead. CBU added on in the third, plating a run on two singles and an error. After a 1-2-3 inning by Hansmann in the fourth, CBU extended their lead once again in the fifth with an RBI double, making it a 6-3 game. Evansville fought back in the top of the sixth, with Baftiri and Magill delivering singles to put two on with two out. In stepped Haire, who sliced a double into the left field corner for his second double of the day, driving in both runners to cut the CBU lead to one. In the bottom of the sixth, however, the Lancers struck for three runs, taking advantage of three Evansville errors. McConnell stayed hot at the plate in the top of the seventh, leading off the inning with an opposite field double. Following a groundout that advanced McConnell to third, Seddon stung a line drive to right center for a single to plate McConnell and bring the game back within three. Chris McCormack (Naperville, Ill./Iowa Central CC) worked a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh, but the Lancers scored two more runs in the eighth to extend the lead to 11-6. In the top of the ninth, McConnell collected his fourth hit of the day with a single, but the Aces were kept off the board as Cal Baptist took an 11-6 win to begin the series. UP NEXT Evansville and Cal Baptist return to action tomorrow in Riverside, Calif. for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 7 PM CT. ===================================================================== SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL SCREAMING EAGLES WALK IT OFF IN THE 10TH, WIN 3-2 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana senior catcher/designated hitter Micajah Wall and the Screaming Eagles walked it off with a RBI-single in the 10th to defeat Western Illinois, 3-2, Friday evening at the USIU Baseball Field. USI, who are a perfect 9-0 at home this spring, is 14-8 this season and 1-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while WIU goes to 4-17, 0-1 OVC. In the 10th, senior first baseman Patrick McLellan started the game-winning rally by being hit by a pitch with one out. McLellan advanced to second on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. After senior shortstop Clayton Slack was intentionally passed and junior leftfielder Evan Zapp struck out, Wall sent a 1-2 pitch up the middle to score McLellan with the game-winning run. USI senior right-hander Andres Gonzalez picked up the win in relief, throwing a scoreless 1.1 innings. Gonzalez (1-0) did not allow a hit or a walk, while striking out three to get his first victory of the season. USI junior right-hander Abdriel Figueroa started the game and picked up a no-decision. Figueroa went six innings, allowing two runs on two hits and six walks, while striking out three. Figueroa was followed to the mound by junior right-hander Levin East. East blanked the Leathernecks for 2.2 frames, walking one and striking out three. USI started the scoring in the third on a double by junior third baseman Parker Martin for the 1-0 lead. WIU tied the game 1-1 in the fourth, but USI regained the lead, 2-1, in the bottom half on a single up the middle by junior catcher Drue Saenz. The Leathernecks drew the game even for a second time, 2-2, with a tally in the sixth. Up Next for the Screaming Eagles: The USI-WIU series continues Saturday at 3 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. The Screaming Eagles finish the four-game homestand Tuesday (March 24) when they host the Cardinals of Ball State University. The 5 p.m. contest will be free admission to all fans. ==================================================================== VALPO BASEBALL EARLY PITCHERS’ DUEL TRANSFORMS INTO HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR LATE AS VALPO FALLS TO MVC PRESEASON FAVORITE MURRAY STATE The Valparaiso University baseball team engaged in a scoreless game into the bottom of the sixth inning with Murray State – a team that reached the College World Series last season and is favored to repeat as Missouri Valley Conference champions this season – but the offense for both teams came to life late in a 9-4 defeat to the Racers that took place at Braun Stadium in Evansville, Ind. Redshirt freshman Javin Gauthier (De Pere, Wis. / De Pere) hit his third home run of the season for the Beacons, while redshirt junior pitcher Adam Guazzo (Huntley, Ill. / Huntley) continued to do his job on the mound. How It Happened Valpo threatened in each of the first three innings, but stranded a pair in each frame. The most notable chance came in the top of the third, when the first two men reached via a walk and a hit, then the Beacons advanced the runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, but they were left stranded at second and third. Guazzo continued to function as an opener on Fridays, logging two scoreless innings to begin the ballgame. He gave way to Ryan Kruse (Detroit, Mich. / U of D Jesuit), who hurled a scoreless third. Both teams stranded runners in scoring position in the fourth, as Kruse worked around a one-out double in the bottom of the inning to keep it scoreless. The Racers threatened again in the bottom of the fifth, and Justin Bultemeier (Decatur, Ind. / Adams Central) entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs. He induced a ground ball to first, working out of the jam to keep the game 0-0 through five. Murray State took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when a two-out, three-run homer down the right-field line by Connor Chisolm started the scoring. The Racers added a two-run single to right with the runner out trying to advance to second after the runs had scored, making it 5-0 through six. The Beacons got into the bullpen in the top of the seventh, and got onto the scoreboard shortly thereafter. After a double by Michael Kuska (Pontiac, Ill. / Pontiac Township) led off the inning and Cole Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville) ripped a single, Gauthier clobbered a three-run homer to right to cut the Murray State lead to 5-3. George Betevis (Hanover Park, Ill. / Bartlett) hit a warning-track fly ball to center to end the inning, just missing what would have been a game-tying home run. The Racers responded in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four times to boost the lead to 9-3. Pinch hitter Louie Kegerreis (Murrysville, Pa. / Franklin Regional) led off the eighth with a base hit and eventually came around to score on a bouncer by Case Sullivan (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel) to make it 9-4, which stood as the final score. Inside the Game Gauthier’s home run was his third of the season, moving him into sole possession of the team lead. Kuska went 3-for-3 plus a walk while also notching a double for one of the team’s two extra-base knocks. This was his second game with at least three hits this season and first with exactly three, one shy of his career high set on Feb. 22 at Presbyterian. His double was his third of the season and first since Feb. 14 at Gardner-Webb. Lockwood and Gauthier had two hits apiece, joining Kuska with multiple hits. Both teams stranded 10 men on base. The Beacons were outhit 15-10, their second straight double-figure hit total and seventh of the season. Up Next The Beacons (6-11) will face Murray State in Game 2 of the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Evansville, Ind. A link to live stats will be available on ValpoAthletics.com. ==================================================================== 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 ========================================================= “SPORTS EXTRA” TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY 1908 Detroit outfielder Ty Cobb signs for $4000, with an $800 bonus if he hits over .300. The 21-year-old ‘Georgia Peach’ will finish the season with a league-leading .324 batting average for the first-place Tigers. 1931 The White Sox and Giants, on a chilly evening at Houston’s (TX) Buffs Stadium, will become the first major league clubs to play a night game when they square off in an exhibition under 245-kilowatt lamps, according to reports, provided adequate lighting for the contest. The disappointing crowd of 2,500, due most likely to cold weather, sees Chicago score five runs in the tenth frame to beat John McGraw’s New York squad, 11-6. 1936 The Reds trade first baseman Jim Bottomley for the Browns’ utility player Johnny Burnett, who will never appear in a game for his new team. The former Cincinnati infielder will play two seasons with St. Louis, finishing his 16-year Hall of Fame career with a lifetime .310 batting average. 1943 The A’s trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. Although the former Philadelphia fan-favorite will make the All-Star squad for his new team and receive consideration for the Most Valuable Player award, Washington will sell the outfielder to the Red Sox. 1957 The owners will receive $9.3 million in revenue for the 1957 TV and radio rights. The breakdown includes $3.2 million for the World Series/All-Star contests, $1.26 million for two Saturday games of the week, and the remaining $4.84 million for local rights fees. 1959 The Indians trade Larry Doby to the Tigers for Tito Francona. The deal will be a great swap for the Tribe when their new outfielder hits .363, while Doby will play in just 16 games for Detroit. 1962 The Phillies honor Robin Roberts, sold to the Yankees in the off-season, before the spring training game against New York in Clearwater, by retiring his uniform number 36, the familiar numerals he wore for 14 seasons with Philadelphia. The future Hall of Fame right-hander starts the exhibition game, giving up four runs in three innings, but gets credit for the win when the Bronx Bombers beat his former team, 13-10. 1965 In an exhibition game, Gary Kroll and Gordie Richardson combine to keep Pittsburgh hitless for nine innings in the Mets’ 6-0 win in St. Petersburg. The first no-hitter thrown during the regular season in franchise history won’t occur until 2012, when Johan Santana accomplishes the feat against St. Louis. 1966 The Dodgers and Astros, in a spring training game in Houston’s Astrodome, are the first major league teams to play on artificial grass. The material, to become known as AstroTurf, was developed by Monsanto to overcome the team’s inability to grow grass indoors. 1968 The new American League team in Kansas City announces its nickname will be the Royals, a name selected from 17,000 entries and approved by the team’s board of directors, which voted 6-1 to adopt the name submitted by Sanford Porte. The 1969 Junior Circuit expansion club’s new moniker honors the American Royal, a popular livestock show in the City of Fountains. 1973 Fritz Peterson, in an exhibition game against the Mets, appears in his first game since going public about swapping families with Yankee teammate Mike Kekich. Many of the 4,320 fans at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg roundly boo the 31-year-old southpaw, but he goes the first five innings, picking up the win in the Bronx Bombers’ 6-2 victory over their crosstown rivals. 1975 Georgia Tech blanks Earlham (IN), 41-0, setting the NCAA mark for the largest margin of victory. Nebraska surpasses the record with a 50-3 win over Chicago State at Buck Beltzer Stadium in 1999. 1978 Padres manager Alvin Dark, in a surprise move, becomes the second manager ever fired during spring training after being told he was having difficulties communicating with his players. San Diego names the club’s pitching coach, Roger Craig, as the interim skipper. 2002 The Phillies reveal the one-day regular-season suspension of Larry Bowa, imposed by Major League Baseball’s vice president for on-field operations, Bob Watson. The action comes from the Philadelphia manager’s “inappropriate conduct toward the umpire” when he became enraged with the home plate umpire over two close calls on checked swings during an exhibition game against the Indians on March 9. 2011 Citing a lack of velocity and command, Mets GM Sandy Alderson announces the release of 29-year-old southpaw Oliver Perez, who is still owed $12 million on his deal. The roster move marks the second time in four days that the team has cut a player with a significant contract, with second baseman Luis Castillo asked to leave despite his $6 million price tag. 2013 David Wright is named the Mets captain, joining John Franco, Keith Hernandez, and Gary Carter as the fourth player honored by the franchise. Like Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter and White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, the two other major leaguers currently with the title, the 30-year-old third baseman will not wear a “C” on his uniform. 2018 The Cleburne Railroaders’ first baseman, Rafael Palmeiro, becomes the oldest player in professional baseball history to homer in a game when he goes deep against Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks starter Trey McNutt in the American Association independent team’s 4-3 home loss at the Depot. The 53-year-old former major league All-Star batted sixth in the lineup, behind his 28-year-old son Patrick, who plays the corner infield spots for the second-year club. 2019 The Angels announce the signing of center fielder Mike Trout to a 12-year record-setting contract, making the biggest financial commitment to a player in North American team sports history. The Halos reportedly will pay the two-time American League Most Valuable Player more than $430 million, far surpassing the mega-deal Bryce Harper (13 yrs, $330 M) and the Phillies agreed on earlier in the month. 2019 After a 19-year, eventual Hall of Fame career, Ichiro Suzuki announces his retirement, receiving an overwhelming ovation from the Japanese crowd at the sold-out Tokyo Dome. The 45-year-old three-time Silver Slugger, who holds the MLB mark for consecutive 200-hit seasons, left the Mariners, 5-4, extra-inning victory over the A’s in the bottom of the eighth, standing alone on the field, soaking in the admiration of over 46,000 fans in the country where he started playing professional baseball. 2021 The Royals, before an exhibition game at Surprise Stadium, announce catcher Salvador Perez has agreed to a four-year extension reportedly worth $82 million, setting a franchise record. The 30-year-old backstop’s deal, with an average annual value of $20.5 million, easily surpasses the $72 million contract signed by outfielder Alex Gordon in 2014. ========================================================= TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY On March 21 in … 1909 – Moran and MacFarland (US) win Europe’s first six-day bicycle race (Berlin). 1914 – US Ladies Figure Skating Championship won by Theresa Weld. 1914 – US Men’s Figure Skating Championship won by Norman M Scott. 1931 – US Ladies Figure Skating Championship won by Maribel Vinson. 1931 – US Men’s Figure Skating Championship won by Roger Turner. 1934 – Babe Didrikson pitches an inning in a Philadelphia Athletics – Brooklyn Dodgers exhibition game: Walks 1, hits the next guy, third guy hits into triple-play. 1941 – Joe Louis knocks out Abe Simon in 13 rounds for heavyweight boxing title. 1947 – Test Cricket debut of Bert Sutcliffe, New Zealand versus England at Christchurch. 1953 – NBA record 106 fouls and 12 players foul out (Boston Celtics – Syracuse Nationals). 1955 – The Brooklyn Bulletin asks Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans not to call their team “Bums”. 1959 – 21st NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: California beats West Virginia 71-70. 1961 – Art Modell purchases Cleveland Browns for record US$3,925,000. 1962 – Philadelphia Phillies retires pitcher Robin Roberts’ number 36. 1964 – 26th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Duke 98-83. 1964 – UCLA completes undefeated NCAA basketball season (30-0). 1965 – Kathy Whitworth wins LPGA Saint Petersburg Golf Open. 1968 – “Royals” chosen as the name of new Kansas City American League Baseball franchise. 1970 – 32nd NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: UCLA beats Jacksonville 80-69. 1971 – Gavaskar scores first of his 34 Test Cricket tons, 116 at Georgetown. 1971 – Jan Ferraris wins LPGA Orange Blossom Golf Classic. 1973 – Frank Mahovlich becomes 5th NHL player to score 500 goals. 1975 – Georgia Tech blanks Earklham, 41-0, setting the NCAA mark for the largest margin of victory. 1978 – San Diego Padres fire Al Dark (second manager ever fired during spring training). 1980 – U.S. President Jimmy Carter announces that the United States will boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. 1982 – Jerry Pate celebrates golf win by jumping into the water hazard. 1982 – Nancy Lopez wins LPGA J&B Scotch Pro-Am Golf Tournament. 1984 – Border scores 100 versus West Indies Trinidad after 98 in first cricket innings. 1984 – NFL owners pass the infamous anti-celebrating rule. 1985 – Canadian paraplegic athlete and humanitarian Rick Hansen begins his circumnavigation of the globe in a wheelchair in the name of spinal cord injury medical research. 1985 – Arthur Ashe is named to International Tennis Hall of Fame. 1986 – Karin Kania (German Democratic Republic) skates ladies world record 500 metre (39.52 seconds) and 3 km (4:18.02). 1986 – Pittsburgh Associates buy Pittsburgh Pirates for US$218 million. 1987 – PSV sells soccer player Ruud Gullit to AC Milan (17 million gulden). 1992 – Second WLAF season begins. 1992 – Pakistan scores 6-264 to overhaul New Zealand in exciting World Cup semi. 1993 – Patty Sheehan wins LPGA Standard Register Ping Golf Tournament. 1994 – Watne Gretzky ties Gordie Howe’s NHL record of 801 goals. 1997 – World Ice Dance won by Oksana Grishuk and Evgeny Platov (Russia). 1997 – World Ice Pairs Figure Skating won by Mandy Woetzel and Ingo Steuer (Germany). 1997 – World Ladies Figure Skating Championship in Lausanne won by Tara Lipinski (USA). Tara Lipinski, 14, becomes the youngest women’s world figure skating champion. 1997 – World Men’s Figure Skating Championship in Lausanne won by Elvis Stojko (Canada). 2010 – Joe Mauer, American League Most Valuable Player in US Major League Baseball, agrees to an eight-year, US$184-million contract extension with the Minnesota Twins. 2022 – At Honda Center in Anaheim, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Nashville Predators beats Anaheim Ducks by score 6-3. 2022 – At Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, USA, NHL regular season game: Colorado Avalanche beats Edmonton Oilers by score 3-2. 2022 – At Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA, NHL regular season game: Minnesota Wild beats Vegas Golden Knights by score 3-0. 2022 – At Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, NHL regular season game: Boston Bruins beats Montreal Canadiens by score 3-2. Births of sports figures on March 21 1854 – Birth of Alick A C Bannerman; cricket player (brother of Charles, Australia 1878-1893). 1918 – Birth of Howard Cosell in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; sportscaster (WABC Radio in New York, WABC-TV, Monday Night Football). 1918 – Birth of Joe Carveth; NHL forward (scored 20 or more goals in three seasons). 1934 – Birth of Lister Carney in Bellaire, Ohio, USA; 200 metre runner (Olympics-silver-1960). 1937 – Birth of Tom Flores in Fresno, California, USA; NFL quarterback/coach (Oakland Raiders). 1938 – Birth of Grahame Thomas; cricket player (Australian batsman of the mid-1960s). 1939 – Birth of Martha Hudson in Eastman, Georgia, USA; 4X100 metre relayer (Olympics-gold-1960). 1941 – Birth of Malcolm Francke; cricket player (leg-spinner, Ceylon 1956 to Queensland 1984). 1943 – Birth of Antal Dunai in Hungary; soccer player (Olympics-gold-1968). 1944 – Birth of Charles Edward Greene in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA; 4×100 metre runner (Olympics-gold-1968). 1945 – Birth of Charles E Greene; American 100 metre sprinter (Olympics-bronze-1968). 1949 – Birth of Alvin Kallicharran; cricket player (wonderful West Indies LHB 1972-81). 1954 – Birth of Mary Jane Smith in Van Nuys, California, USA; WPVA volleyball player (National-9th-1993). 1955 – Birth of Barbel Wockel-Eckert in German Democratic Republic; track star (Olympics-4 gold-1976, 1980). 1956 – Birth of Ingrid Kristiansen in Norway; marathon runner (Olympics-4th-1984, Boston-1986, 1989). 1958 – Birth of Marlies Göhr, German Democratic Republic; sprinter (Olympics-gold-1976, 1980). 1960 – Birth of Ayrton Senna; Brazilian formula-1 racer (1988 champion). 1961 – Birth of Wei Wang in Beijing, China; US table tennis player (Olympics-1996). 1963 – Birth of Ronald Koeman; Dutch soccer star (Ajax, PSV, Barcelona, Feyenoord). 1963 – Birth of Shawon Dunston in Brooklyn, New York, USA; infielder (San Francisco Giants). 1966 – Birth of Al Iafrate in Dearborn, Michigan, USA; NHL defenseman (San Jose Sharks). 1966 – Birth of Karen Lunn in Cowra, Australia; LPGA golfer (1993 Women’s British Open). 1966 – Birth of Matthew Maynard; cricket player (big hitting Glamorgan and England player). 1967 – Birth of Elaina Oden in Orange, California, USA; volleyball middle blocker (Olympics-bronze-1992, 1996). 1967 – Birth of Troy Westwood; Canadian Football League kicker (Winnipeg Blue Bombers). 1968 – Birth of Erwin Vanderbroeck; Dutch soccer player (Roda JC). 1968 – Birth of Jeff Lazaro in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA; American hockey forward (Olympics-1994). 1968 – Birth of Johan Garpenlov in Stockholm, Sweden; NHL left wing (Florida Panthers). 1968 – Birth of Mark Sander; WLAF linebacker (Scottish Claymores). 1968 – Birth of Scott Williams; NBA forward (Philadelphia 76ers). 1971 – Birth of Hason Graham; NFL wide receiver (New England Patriots). 1972 – Birth of Boris Mironov in Moscow, Russia; NHL defenseman (Team Russia Olympics-Silver-1998, Edmonton). 1972 – Birth of Chris Ball in Costa Mesa, California, USA; kayak (alternate-Olympics-1996). 1972 – Birth of Frank West; Canadian Football League defensive back (Hamilton Tiger Cats). 1972 – Birth of John Leach; Canadian Football League running back (Toronto Argonauts). 1973 – Birth of Larry Bowie; running back (Washington Redskins). 1975 – Birth of Vitaly Potapenko; NBA center (Cleveland Cavaliers). Deaths of sports figures on March 21 2013 – Death of Pietro Mennea, Italian athlete (born 1952). ========================================================== TV SPORTS TODAY Saturday, 3/21/26 MLB SPRING TRAININGTIME ETTVChicago White Sox Prospects vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects6:30pmMLBNNBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVOklahoma City Thunder vs Washington Wizards5:00pmFanDuel Sports OKCMNMTMemphis Grizzlies vs Charlotte Hornets7:00pmFanDuel Sports CHAFanDuel Sports MEMCleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans7:00pmGCSNFanDuel Sports OhioLos Angeles Lakers vs Orlando Magic7:00pmNBATVSpectrumFanDuel Sports FLIndiana Pacers vs San Antonio Spurs8:00pmFanDuel Sports INDFanDuel Sports SWMiami Heat vs Houston Rockets8:00pmSCHNFanDuel Sports SunGolden State Warriors vs Atlanta Hawks8:00pmNBCS-BAYFanDuel Sports ATLLos Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks8:30pmKFAAFanDuel Sports SoCalPhiladelphia 76ers vs Utah Jazz9:30pmKJZZNBCS-PHIMilwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns10:00pmNBATVAFSNFanDuel Sports MILNHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVWinnipeg Jets vs Pittsburgh Penguins1:00pmNHLNSNATTSN-PITVegas Golden Knights vs Nashville Predators2:00pmScrippsFanDuel Sports NSHDallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild4:00pmVictory+FanDuel Sports NorthBuffalo Sabres vs Los Angeles Kings4:00pmMSG-BUFFanDuel Sports WestPhiladelphia Flyers vs San Jose Sharks4:00pmNBCS-PHINBCS-CASeattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets5:00pmKONGFanDuel Sports OhioNew York Islanders vs Montreal Canadiens7:00pmSNMSGSNToronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators7:00pmSNESPN+St. Louis Blues vs Vancouver Canucks7:00pmFanDuel Sports MWSNBoston Bruins vs Detroit Red Wings8:00pmABCESPN+Tampa Bay Lightning vs Edmonton Oilers10:00pmSNFanDuel Sports SunMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVNCAA Second Round: 9 Saint Louis vs 1 Michigan12:10pmCBSParamount+NCAA Second Round: 6 Louisville vs 3 Michigan State2:45pmCBSParamount+NCAA Second Round: 9 TCU vs 1 Duke5:15pmCBSParamount+NCAA Second Round: 10 Texas A&M vs 2 Houston6:10pmTNTMAXNCAA Second Round: 11 Texas vs 3 Gonzaga7:10pmTBSMAXNCAA Second Round: 11 VCU vs 3 Illinois7:50pmCBSParamount+NCAA Second Round: 5 Vanderbilt vs 4 Nebraska8:45pmTNTMAXNCAA Second Round: 12 High Point vs 4 Arkansas9:45pmTBSMAXXfinity: Help a Hero 2005:30pmCWGOLFTIME ETTVPGA Tour: Valspar Championship1:00pmGOLFPGA Tour: Valspar Championship3:00pmNBCSOCCERTIME ETTVEPL: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool7:30amPeacockLa Liga: Elche vs Mallorca8:00amESPN+Serie A: Parma vs Cremonese9:00amParamount+Bundesliga: Bayern München vs Union Berlin9:30amESPN+Bundesliga: Köln vs Borussia M’gladbach9:30amESPN+Bundesliga: Heidenheim vs Bayer Leverkusen9:30amESPN+Bundesliga: Wolfsburg vs Werder Bremen9:30amESPN+EPL: Fulham vs Burnley10:00amPeacockEPL: Sunderland vs Brighton & Hove Albion10:00amPeacockLa Liga: Espanyol vs Getafe10:15amESPN+Ligue 1: Toulouse vs Lorient11:00ambeIN SportsfuboTVSerie A: Milan vs Torino12:00pmParamount+fuboTVEPL: Everton vs Chelsea12:30pmPeacockBundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs Hamburger SV12:30pmESPN+La Liga: Levante vs Real Oviedo12:30pmESPN+fuboTVLa Liga: Osasuna vs Girona12:30pmESPN+fuboTVMLS: Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew1:00pmMLS Season PassLigue 1: Auxerre vs Brest1:00pmbeIN SportsfuboTVSerie A: Juventus vs Sassuolo2:45pmParamount+EPL: Leeds United vs Brentford3:00pmPeacockLa Liga: Sevilla vs Valencia3:00pmESPN+Ligue 1: Nice vs PSG3:00pmbeIN SportsfuboTVMLS: Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire4:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Nashville SC vs Orlando City SC6:00pmFS1MLS Season PassLiga MX: Atlético San Luis vs Pachuca7:00pmVIXMLS: Atlanta United vs DC United7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Charlotte vs New York RB7:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Austin vs Los Angeles FC8:30pmFOXMLS Season PassMLS: Dallas vs Houston Dynamo8:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: Sporting KC vs Colorado Rapids8:30pmMLS Season PassMLS: St. Louis City vs New England8:30pmMLS Season PassLiga MX: Atlas vs Querétaro7:00pmVIXLiga MX: Atlético San Luis vs León9:00pmVIXLiga MX: Monterrey vs Guadalajara9:00pmVIXMLS: Vancouver Whitecaps vs SJ Earthquakes10:30pmMLS Season PassLiga MX: Pumas UNAM vs América11:00pmVIX About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” MARCH 20
