“THE SCOREBOARD” ==================================================================== INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL TUESDAY ALEXANDRIA 75 DALEVILLE 31 ANGOLA 69 EAST NOBLE 51 AUSTIN 74 CLARKSVILLE 41 BETHESDA CHRISTIAN 62 FRANKFORT 50 BLOOMFIELD 59 EDGEWOOD 45 BLOOMINGTON NORTH 64 GREENWOOD 58 BOONVILLE 69 TELL CITY 26 BREBEUF JESUIT 85 TRI-WEST 46 BROWNSBURG 48 CENTER GROVE 46 OT CARMEL 60 INDIANAPOLIS ATTUCKS 49 CARROLL (FORT WAYNE) 60 NORWELL 45 CENTRAL CHRISTIAN 49 TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN 34 CHARLESTOWN 74 SOUTHWESTERN (HANOVER) 44 CHRISTEL HOUSE 78 INDIAN CREEK 61 CLOVERDALE 54 NORTH PUTNAM 42 COLUMBIA CITY 80 FORT WAYNE LUERS 59 COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN 63 INDIANA DEAF 60 CONCORD 46 JOHN GLENN 35 COWAN 50 UNION (MODOC) 38 CROWN POINT 82 HAMMOND MORTON 41 CULVER ACADEMY 53 ILLIANA CHRISTIAN 38 DEMOTTE CHRISTIAN 49 BOONE GROVE 46 DECATUR CENTRAL 58 BEECH GROVE 48 EDINBURGH 53 EMINENCE 46 ELKHART CHRISTIAN 55 CULVER 39 ELKHART 57 JIMTOWN 54 EVANSVILLE DAY 71 WASHINGTON CATHOLIC 18 EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 68 EVANSVILLE CENTRAL 51 EVANSVILLE NORTH 57 EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL 48 FAITH CHRISTIAN 63 SOUTH NEWTON 61 OT FISHERS 82 NORTH CENTRAL (INDIANAPOLIS) 52 FLOYD CENTRAL 57 BROWNSTOWN CENTRAL 56 FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK 50 LEO 46 FORT WAYNE CANTERBURY 68 LAKELAND CHRISTIAN 52 FORT WAYNE DWENGER 69 BELLMONT 60 FORT WAYNE NORTH 71 GARRETT 61 FOUNTAIN CENTRAL 57 WESTERN BOONE 50 FRANKLIN COUNTY 74 GEO NEXT GENERATION 32 GARY 21ST CENTURY 90 KANKAKEE VALLEY 49 GOSHEN 64 WEST NOBLE 38 GREENWOOD CHRISTIAN 66 TRINITY LUTHERAN 62 GUERIN CATHOLIC 63 UNIVERSITY 60 OT HAMILTON HEIGHTS 56 RUSHVILLE 45 HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN 76 LAWRENCE NORTH 70 HAMMOND NOLL 67 BOWMAN ACADEMY 50 HENRYVILLE 79 LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN 48 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN (DYER) 73 LAKE STATION 66 HERITAGE 63 DEKALB 52 HOBART 87 WHITING 43 INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN 75 INDIANAPOLIS TINDLEY 61 INDIANAPOLIS SCECINA 74 INDIANAPOLIS HERRON 33 INDIANAPOLIS SHORTRIDGE 74 PURDUE ENGLEWOOD 63 INTERNATIONAL 43 MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN 38 JASPER 62 EVANSVILLE HARRISON 44 JAY COUNTY 66 WINCHESTER 32 KNIGHTSTOWN 63 INDIANA MATH & SCIENCE 61 KOUTS 80 RIVER FOREST 49 LAKEWOOD PARK 61 CENTRAL NOBLE 51 LANESVILLE 77 CROTHERSVILLE 61 LAPEL 44 NEW CASTLE 35 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN 74 EASTERN HANCOCK 51 LINTON 63 EVANSVILLE CHRISTIAN 40 LOGANSPORT 79 DELPHI 70 LOWELL 63 RENSSELAER CENTRAL 43 MADISON 53 SALEM 51 MANCHESTER 63 WHITKO 37 MARQUETTE CATHOLIC 64 HEBRON 60 MILAN 82 SHAWE MEMORIAL 26 MISHAWAKA MARIAN 82 LALUMIERE REGIONAL 50 MITCHELL 59 SHOALS 45 MONROE CENTRAL 72 UNION CITY 38 MORGAN TWP. 67 CAREER ACADEMY 63 MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE) 63 WESTFIELD 55 MUNCIE BURRIS 43 MADISON-GRANT 40 MUNSTER 53 HANOVER CENTRAL 46 NEW ALBANY 90 INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL 84 NEW PALESTINE 64 FRANKLIN 55 NOBLESVILLE 66 MUNCIE CENTRAL 55 NORTH CENTRAL (FARMERSBURG) 61 DUGGER UNION 50 NORTHRIDGE 80 FAIRFIELD 42 NORTHVIEW 75 MARTINSVILLE 50 OAK HILL 84 NORTHWESTERN 48 OLDENBURG ACADEMY 67 SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE) 47 PAOLI 57 NORTH HARRISON 42 PARK TUDOR 48 HERITAGE CHRISTIAN 46 PARKE HERITAGE 56 INDIANAPOLIS RITTER 49 PENN 80 MISHAWAKA 45 PERRY CENTRAL 67 TECUMSEH 66 PIKE CENTRAL 45 SOUTH KNOX 42 PIKE 81 WARREN CENTRAL 45 PORTAGE 88 PHALEN ACADEMY 67 PRINCETON 60 HERITAGE HILLS 43 SCOTTSBURG 75 JENNINGS COUNTY 67 SHELBYVILLE 44 SEYMOUR 42 SHENANDOAH 54 FRANKTON 42 SMITH ACADEMY 79 HAMILTON 50 SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON 63 LAVILLE 60 SOUTH CENTRAL (ELIZABETH) 73 EASTERN (PEKIN) 60 SOUTH CENTRAL (UNION MILLS) 74 WESTVILLE 29 SOUTH DEARBORN 67 SWITZERLAND COUNTY 22 SOUTH PUTNAM 54 CASCADE 50 SOUTHMONT 63 CLINTON PRAIRIE 35 SOUTHWOOD 64 EASTBROOK 46 TAYLOR 82 PERU 67 TIPTON 51 LEWIS CASS 35 TRI 39 HAGERSTOWN 37 TRITON 50 BREMEN 37 TWIN LAKES 57 NORTH NEWTON 30 VINCENNES LINCOLN 59 WHITE RIVER VALLEY 45 WARSAW 67 TIPPECANOE VALLEY 40 WASHINGTON TWP. 78 WHEELER 60 WASHINGTON 61 MOUNT VERNON (POSEY) 49 WES-DEL 70 SOUTHERN WELLS 26 WEST CENTRAL 51 KNOX 40 WEST VIGO 60 SHAKAMAK 50 WESTERN 57 ROCHESTER 44 WESTVIEW 67 FREMONT 18 WINAMAC 48 CASTON 42 WOOD MEMORIAL 65 NORTH KNOX 47 WOODLAN 57 PRAIRIE HEIGHTS 53 YORKTOWN 58 MARION 54 ZIONSVILLE 63 HARRISON (WEST LAFAYETTE) 44 ==================================================================== INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL WEDNESDAY ALL TIMES EASTERN CENTERVILLE AT PENDLETON HEIGHTS 7:30 PM CHURUBUSCO AT WHITKO 7:30 PM EASTERN (PEKIN) AT SPRINGS VALLEY 7:30 PM FRANKLIN COUNTY AT NORTHEASTERN 7:30 PM GREENCASTLE AT NORTH MONTGOMERY 7:30 PM INDIANA DEAF AT PROVIDENCE CRISTO REY 7:30 PM IRVINGTON PREP AT INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON 7:30 PM PERRY MERIDIAN AT GREENFIELD-CENTRAL 7:30 PM ROCK CREEK ACADEMY AT LANESVILLE 7:30 PM SOUTH BEND ADAMS AT ANDREAN 8:00 PM ==================================================================== INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS SESSION 1 10:30 AM ET | CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BORDEN (24-4) VS. FREMONT (28-2) APPROX. 12:45 PM ET | CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP EASTERN (PEKIN) (20-7) VS. OAK HILL (24-3) SESSION 2 6 PM ET | CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RONCALLI (27-3) VS. BELLMONT (24-3) 8:15 PM ET | CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP CENTER GROVE (28-0) VS. NORWELL (25-4) STATE FINALS PREVIEW: https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/2025-26%20Girls%20Basketball%20Preview.pdf =================================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES #21 MIAMI OHIO 74 EASTERN MICHIGAN 64 #11 VIRGINIA 90 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 61 #1 DUKE 100 NOTRE DAME 56 #16 TEXAS TECH 80 CINCINNATI 68 DAYTON 77 #23 ST. LOUIS 62 #3 MICHIGAN 77 MINNESOTA 67 MISSOURI 73 #22 TENNESSEE 69 #4 IOWA STATE 75 UTAH 59 #2 ARIZONA 87 BAYLOR 80 CENTRAL FLORIDA 97 #19 BYU 84 WASHINGTON 79 RUTGERS 72 WESTERN MICHIGAN 88 BOWLING GREEN 79 TOLEDO 79 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 69 BALL STATE 74 UMASS 73 OT KENTUCKY 72 SOUTH CAROLINA 63 AKRON 99 BUFFALO 85 KENT STATE 83 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 81 MARQUETTE 76 GEORGETOWN 60 NORTHWESTERN 72 INDIANA 68 OKLAHOMA STATE 91 WEST VIRGINIA 84 OT MOREHEAD STATE 64 SOUTHERN INDIANA 63 ILLINOIS CHICAGO 93 BRADLEY 86 2OT MIAMI FLORIDA 83 FLORIDA STATE 73 OKLAHOMA 91 AUBURN 79 TCU 90 ARIZONA STATE 78 BOISE STATE 72 WYOMING 62 SAN JOSE STATE 86 AIR FORCE 80 COLORADO STATE 74 FRESNO STATE 70 UCLA 81 USC 62 NEVADA 67 NEW MEXICO 60 =================================================================== WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ================================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE HOCKEY SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ==================================================================== MEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ==================================================================== COLLEGE WRESTLING SCORES NO MATCHES SCHEDULED ==================================================================== DIVISION 1 COLLEGE SOFTBALL SCORES #7 ALABAMA 8 ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM 0 #17 LSU 9 MCNEESE 3 EAST CAROLINA 5 #20 DUKE 4 #21 VIRGINIA 7 LONGWOOD 1 #22 SOUTH CAROLINA 9 CHARLOTTE 1 JACKSONVILLE STATE 13 W. GEORGIA 2 STEPHEN F AUSTIN 14 TEXAS ARLINGTON 6 LOUISIANA 10 NORTHERN IOWA 2 CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 12 SAN DIEGO 3 ==================================================================== DIVISION 1 COLLEGE BASEBALL SCORES SAN DIEGO STATE 4 #1 UCLA 3 MCNEESE 7 #2 LSU 6 #3 TEXAS 14 TEXAS RIO GRANDE 0 #4 MISSISSIPPI STATE 16 AUSTIN PEAY 3 #8 NORTH CAROLINA 9 NORTH CAROLINA A&T 1 GEORGIA STATE 9 #5 GEORGIA TECH 4 ARKANSAS STATE 12 #6 ARKANSAS 4 #9 COASTAL CAROLINA 13 CAMPBELL 7 #10 FLORIDA 17 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 11 #12 SOUTHERN MISS 14 ALABAMA 4 ARIZONA STATE 15 #13 OKLAHOMA 3 #14 NORTH CAROLINA STATE 27 RICHMOND 0 #15 CLEMSON 6 PRESBYTERIAN 2 #16 WAKE FOREST 5 UNC GREENSBORO 1 #20 TENNESSEE 8 BELLARMINE 3 #23 TEXAS A&M 25 LAMAR 5 #25 OLE MISS 13 SE. MISSOURI STATE 3 ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM 10 ALABAMA STATE 5 VIRGINIA TECH 5 JAMES MADISON 4 MEMPHIS 24 LITTLE ROCK 5 MARYLAND 15 DELAWARE 14 IOWA 13 WARTBURG 0 MISSOURI 15 ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF 1 OKLAHOMA STATE 14 CENTRAL ARKANSAS 3 BAYLOR 9 STEPHEN F AUSTIN 8 VANDERBILT 15 EVANSVILLE 3 FLORIDA GULF COAST 17 INDIANA STATE 1 LOUISIANA 1 KANSAS STATE 0 HOUSTON 5 SAM HOUSTON 4 SEATTLE 14 WASHINGTON 11 =================================================================== DIVISION 1 MEN’S LAX SCORES SIENA 21 AIR FORCE 9 RUTGERS 13 LONG ISLAND 5 CORNELL 19 HOBART 8 MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY 7 MOUNT ST. MARY’S 4 DARTMOUTH 19 MERRIMACK 10 CANISIUS 8 LEMOYNE 7 ==================================================================== DIVISION 1 WOMEN’S LAX SCORES #12 BOSTON COLLEGE 19 FLORIDA STATE 7 ARIZONA STATE 19 MARQUETTE 16 #20 STONY BROOK 16 UCONN 5 GEORGETOWN 12 #6 JOHNS HOPKINS 6 KENT STATE 11 XAVIER 5 #15 SYRACUSE 15 #13 LOYOLA MARYLAND 7 ==================================================================== NBA SCORES PHILADELPHIA 135 INDIANA 114 ATLANTA 119 WASHINGTON 98 OKLAHOMA CITY 116 TORONTO 107 DALLAS 123 BROOKLYN 114 CLEVELAND 109 NEW YORK 94 NEW ORLEANS 113 GOLDEN STATE 109 MILWAUKEE 128 MIAMI 117 CHARLOTTE 131 CHICAGO 99 BOSTON 97 PHOENIX 81 MINNESOTA 124 PORTLAND 121 ORLANDO 110 LA LAKERS 109 ==================================================================== NBA G-LEAGUE SCORES OKLAHOMA CITY 109 AUSTIN 100 COLLEGE PARK 132 RAPTORS 129 BIRMINGHAM 126 CAPITAL CITY 112 WINDY CITY 112 WISCONSIN 104 SAN DIEGO 123 RIO GRANDE VALLEY 122 GREENSBORO 126 MEMPHIS 105 RIP CITY 128 SANTA CRUZ 126 MEXICO CITY 122 SALT LAKE CITY 118 DELAWARE AT MOTOR CITY POSTPONED ==================================================================== NHL SCORES NO GAMES SCHEDULED ==================================================================== MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ATLANTA 8 DETROIT 3 PITTSBURGH 16 BOSTON 7 BALTIMORE 10 MINNESOTA 5 TAMPA BAY 12 MINNESOTA 1 NY YANKEES 8 TORONTO 7 MIAMI 6 PHILADELPHIA 1 HOUSTON 6 NY METS 6 MILWAUKEE 10 LAS VEGAS 0 CHICAGO CUBS 6 SAN DIEGO 5 CINCINNATI 5 KANSAS CITY 4 LA DODGERS 11 CLEVELAND 3 ARIZONA 6 TEXAS 4 COLORADO 7 LA ANGELS 5 SAN FRANCISCO 4 LA ANGELS 1 CHICAGO WHITE SOX 12 SEATTLE 10 WASHINGTON 6 ST. LOUIS 1 ==================================================================== WOMEN’S PRO VOLLEYBALL SCORES NO MATCHES SCHEDULED ==================================================================== NATIONAL SPORTS NEWS RELEASES MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOP 25 ROUNDUP: THEMUS FULKS LEADS UCF TO UPSET OF NO. 19 BYU Themus Fulks scored 24 points and handed out 11 assists to lead hot-shooting UCF to a 97-84 upset win over No. 19 BYU on Tuesday in Provo, Utah. Jordan Burks also rang up 24 points, Jamichael Stillwell contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds and George Beale Jr. pitched in 10 points for UCF (20-7, 9-6 Big 12), which won its third straight game. UCF never trailed in the game and led by as much as 36 points. The Knights shot 56.3% from the floor and 58.3% (14 of 24) from 3-point distance. AJ Dybantsa led BYU (20-8, 8-7) with 29 points and eight rebounds. Robert Wright III tallied 20 points and seven assists, and Aleksej Kostic pitched in 14 points as the Cougars lost for the sixth time in nine games. No. 1 Duke 100, Notre Dame 56 Cameron Boozer piled up 24 points and 13 rebounds as the Blue Devils ran away from the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Ind. Boozer collected his 16th double-double of the season and added two assists and three steals for the Blue Devils (26-2, 14-1 ACC). Darren Harris scored a career-best 16 off the bench. Brady Koehler and Cole Certa netted 14 points apiece to pace Notre Dame (12-16, 3-12), which has lost 12 of its past 14 games. Coach Micah Shrewsberry injured his Achilles at some point near the end of the first half, and he wore a black walking boot on his left foot in the second half. No. 2 Arizona 87, Baylor 80 Jaden Bradley scored 25 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists as the Wildcats rallied for a victory over the Bears in Waco, Texas. Brayden Burries added 24 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Wildcats (26-2, 13-2 Big 12), who overcame a seven-point halftime deficit, sealing the victory in the final minutes. They swept a two-game road trip to Texas after knocking off then-No. 2 Houston on Saturday. The Bears (14-14, 4-11) have dropped five of their last six. Cameron Carr produced a game-high 26 points, Isaac Williams IV finished with 16 points and Tounde Yessoufou had 12. No. 3 Michigan 77, Minnesota 67 Elliot Cadeau scored 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting as the Wolverines pulled away for a win over the Golden Gophers in Ann Arbor, Mich. L.J. Cason added 14 points for Michigan (26-2, 16-1 Big Ten), which clinched at least a share of the conference’s regular-season title. It marked the program’s first share of a regular-season conference title since 2021. Cade Tyson scored 20 points to lead Minnesota (13-15, 6-11). The injury-riddled Golden Gophers played with only six players, and Michigan’s bench outscored Minnesota’s bench 35-0. No. 4 Iowa State 75, Utah 59 Joshua Jefferson recorded 21 points and six rebounds, record-setter Milan Momcilovic added 14 points and the Cyclones cruised to a victory over the Utes in Salt Lake City. Jamarion Batemon added 13 points for Iowa State (24-4, 11-4 Big 12), which has won three of its past four games. Momcilovic made four 3-pointers to raise his season total to 104, passing Dedric Willoughby (102 in 1996-97) for the single-season school mark. Terrence Brown scored 18 points and Don McHenry added 14 for Utah (10-18, 2-13), who lost for the 14th time in 16 games. Keanu Dawes added 10 points and 12 rebounds. No. 11 Virginia 90, NC State 61 Thijs De Ridder scored 19 points and the Cavaliers completed a season sweep of the Wolfpack with a wire-to-wire win in Charlottesville, Va. The Cavaliers (25-3, 13-2 ACC) won their ninth straight game. They stayed one game behind No. 1 Duke in the ACC heading into Saturday’s showdown in Durham, N.C. Sam Lewis added 16 points, Jacari White scored 15, Malik Thomas had 12 and Chance Mallory chipped in 11. The Wolfpack (19-9, 10-5) shot a season-worst 29.4% (20 of 68) from the field. They shot 36.0% in a 76-61 home loss to the Cavaliers on Jan. 3. Paul McNeil Jr. led NC State with 22 points, Darrion Williams added 14 and Ven-Allen Lubin had 11. No. 16 Texas Tech 80, Cincinnati 68 Christian Anderson crafted an outstanding all-around game, tallying 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as the Red Raiders ended the Big 12’s longest active winning streak by overcoming the Bearcats in Lubbock, Texas. The point guard set a personal Big 12 career high by making 11 of 19 shots, including 3 of 8 from deep, as the Red Raiders (21-7, 11-4) moved to 2-0 without star forward J.T. Toppin. LeJaun Watts notched 13 points and five boards, while Donovan Atwell had 12 points, all on 4 of 9 long-range shooting. Coming off a 16-point win at then-No. 8 Kansas on Saturday, the Bearcats (15-13, 7-8) arrived in Texas with momentum but wasted a hot start to lose for the first time in five games. Moustapha Thiam totaled 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen Celestine had 15 points. No. 21 Miami (Ohio) 74, Eastern Michigan 64 Brant Byers scored 16 points to help lead the RedHawks to a win at the Eagles in a Mid-American Conference contest. Miami (28-0, 15-0 MAC) kept its perfect season alive, although it was held to less than 80 points for only the sixth time this season. Antwone Woolfolk scored 14 points, Peter Suder had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Almar Atlason added 12 points for Miami. Greg Lawson scored a game-high 29 points for Eastern Michigan (10-19, 4-12), which has lost 10 of its last 11 games. Missouri 73, No. 22 Tennessee 69 T.O. Barrett scored a career-high 28 points as the Tigers bolstered their NCAA Tournament case by beating the Volunteers in Columbia, Mo. Mark Mitchell added 23 points as the Tigers (19-9, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) won for the fifth time in seven games and won for the second in three straight games against ranked opponents. Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the Volunteers (20-8, 10-5) with 19 points. Tennessee, which had a four-game winning streak snapped, outrebounded the Tigers 42-30, but turned the ball over 15 times and allowed Missouri to shoot 61.5% in the second half. Dayton 77, No. 23 Saint Louis 62 Amael L’Etang scored a career-high 26 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, sparking the Flyers to a home upset win over the Billikens. Javon Bennett added 17 points and Jordan Derkack put up 14 points for Dayton (19-9, 10-5 Atlantic 10), which won its fourth straight game. Kellen Thames led Saint Louis (25-3, 13-2) with a career-high 24 points. Dion Brown contributed 15 points and Robbie Avila chipped in 10 points for the Billikens, who have lost two of three games after an 18-game winning streak. SEC FINES KENTUCKY’S MARK POPE $25K FOR POST-GAME CONDUCT Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has been fined $25,000 by the Southeastern Conference on Tuesday for his post-game conduct and comments related to officiating following his team’s 75-74 loss at Auburn last week. The Tigers escaped with the win on Saturday following Elyjah Freeman’s tip-in with 1.1 seconds remaining in the second half. That play came on the heels of Collin Chandler being whistled for an offensive foul at the other end of the court. In his postgame comments, Pope walked a fine line when discussing the officiating. “We’re not allowed to talk about the referees, but you guys saw it, and I think sometimes it’s just super personal,” Pope said. “I’m not allowed to comment on the referees. I won’t comment on the referees. It’s unfortunate. It didn’t cost us the game.” Pope said the following to Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart as he concluded his post-game conference: “Mitch, if those mother F’ers try to fine me, screw ’em because I did not say a word about how they cheated us.” The league said Pope violated SEC bylaw 10.5.3 (sportsmanship) and the league’s commissioner’s regulation regarding public criticism of officials, which “prohibit coaches, student-athletes and institutional staff from publicly criticizing officials or disclosing officiating-related communications.” Pope also provided a pointed comment prior to that. “We refuse to give control to people that are outside of our program. Refuse,” Pope said after the loss. “Regardless of how personal it might get or how bad it might get, we refuse to give control to fans, to give control to anybody else associated with this game. Regardless of how blatantly people are trying to make this not happen, we refuse to give them our power. … We don’t make excuses. We don’t do that. Regardless of what is happening. Regardless of how disgraceful things are, we don’t give away our power. Regardless of how embarrassing, personal, awful, unacceptable things are, we refuse to give away our power.” Kentucky (17-10, 8-6 SEC) will look to snap a three-game losing streak on Tuesday when it visits South Carolina (12-15, 3-11) in Columbia, S.C. ======================================================================== NBA NBA ROUNDUP: MAGIC EDGE LAKERS AS LEBRON JAMES MISSES AT BUZZER Paolo Banchero scored 36 points with 10 rebounds and Desmond Bane added 22 points as the Orlando Magic finished off a successful road trip against Western Conference foes with a 110-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 20 points and Tristan da Silva added 13 as the Magic went 3-1 on their trip with a victory at Sacramento and two more against a pair of Los Angeles teams in the Clippers and Lakers. They lost at Phoenix in the second game of the trip. Luka Doncic scored 22 points with 15 assists and nine rebounds while LeBron James and Deandre Ayton each added 21 points for the Lakers, who went 4-4 on an extended homestand that wrapped around both sides of the All-Star break. James had a chance to win it at the buzzer but his fallaway 3-pointer was off target. Orlando shot 45.7% in the game but finished off the victory by shooting 59.1% in the fourth quarter while scoring 31 points. It was the Magic’s fourth consecutive victory against the Lakers going back to November of 2023. Cavaliers 109, Knicks 94 Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points and James Harden added 20 as Cleveland ran away from visiting New York to win for the eighth time in its last nine games. Jarrett Allen collected 19 points on 7-of-8 field-goal attempts and grabbed 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which tied New York for third place in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are 6-1 with Harden in the lineup and a league-best 13-2 since Jan. 21. Jalen Brunson scored 20 points and Mikal Bridges had 18, but the starting guards shot a combined 12 of 36 from the field for the Knicks. New York, which only led for 19 seconds and trailed by 20 in the fourth quarter, is 12-4 since Jan. 19. 76ers 135, Pacers 114 Tyrese Maxey collected 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and Joel Embiid added 27 points to fuel Philadelphia to a victory over Indiana in Indianapolis. Maxey made 10 of 22 shots from the floor and all 10 attempts from the free-throw line for the 76ers, who erupted for 45 points in the second quarter and shot a sizzling 57.6% for the game. Embiid sank 11 of 17 shots from the floor in his return from a five-game absence due to knee and shin issues. Rookie VJ Edgecombe recorded 23 points and seven rebounds and Quentin Grimes added 15 points off the bench. Micah Potter scored a season-high 23 points and Andrew Nembhard matched that total to lead the Pacers. Hawks 119, Wizards 98 Jonathan Kuminga scored a season-high 27 points in his Atlanta debut and the Hawks led wire-to-wire, beating visiting Washington for their second straight win. Kuminga, acquired from Golden State at the trade deadline, was 9 of 12 from the floor and scored 18 points in the third quarter. The good vibrations were tempered by the loss of All-Star Jalen Johnson, who left the game at 6:22 in the first quarter with a left hip flexor injury. The Hawks also got 16 points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 12 points from Corey Kispert and 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists from Onyeka Okongwu. The Wizards were led by reserves Will Riley, who scored 18, and Justin Campagnie and Jamir Watkins, who both scored 14. Trae Young, who played the first seven-plus seasons of his career with Atlanta, was on the bench but did not play, still nursing the right knee MCL strain that has kept him out since Dec. 27. The Hawks honored Young by showing a highlight video. Mavericks 123, Nets 114 Marvin Bagley III scored 22 points off the bench as Dallas went ahead for good in the first quarter and earned held off host Brooklyn to get head coach Jason Kidd his 200th victory as the Mavericks’ head coach. Bagley made 10 of 13 shots and finished one shy of his season high as the Mavericks won their second straight following a 10-game skid. Bagley’s big night was part of a 61-point showing from Dallas reserves. The Mavericks shot 58.5% and scored 66 points in the paint. The blizzard in the New York area caused the Mavericks to arrive from Indianapolis earlier Tuesday and the Nets to fly in from Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon. Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 26 points. Thunder 116, Raptors 107 Isaiah Joe scored 19 of his 22 points in the third quarter and visiting Oklahoma City held on to defeat Toronto. Cason Wallace added a game-high 27 points with eight rebounds and seven assists for the Thunder, who have won three games in a row and five of six. Alex Caruso added 16 points, Luguentz Dort contributed 15 points and Isaiah Hartenstein scored 11 with nine rebounds. RJ Barrett scored 21 points for the Raptors, who had won their two previous games. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram each scored 15 points. Ja’Kobe Walter and Immanuel Quickley scored 17 points apiece and Jamal Shead added 13 points. Hornets 131, Bulls 99 Brandon Miller scored 23 points and Kon Knueppel added 21 to pace seven players in double figures as visiting Charlotte routed skidding Chicago. Matas Buzelis had a career-best 32 points for Chicago, which has lost 10 straight games for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Charlotte, which has won 12 of 15, set a franchise record with its eighth consecutive road victory. The team swished 25 3-pointers, falling one short of matching another franchise mark. Charlotte shot 60.7% in the third while limiting the Bulls to 27.8%. Chicago, which committed nine of its 21 turnovers in the third, trailed by as many as 38 in the second half. Patrick Williams and Guerschon Yabusele scored 11 points each for Chicago, while Collin Sexton chipped in 10. Bucks 128, Heat 117 Kevin Porter Jr. scored 32 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists to lead Milwaukee to a victory over visiting Miami. Ryan Rollins added 21 for Milwaukee, which won its seventh game in its last nine tries without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). Bobby Portis matched Rollins’ 21 off the bench, while Kyle Kuzma added 19. Norman Powell scored a team-high 26 points for Miami, which saw its three-game winning streak end. Bam Adebayo added 18 points and nine rebounds. Pelicans 113, Warriors 109 Zion Williamson scored 26 points and host New Orleans led by as many as 14 in the first quarter then held off short-handed Golden State. Saddiq Bey scored 18 points for the Pelicans, who have won back-to-back games and four of their last six. Former Warrior Jordan Poole scored 12 points to lead a New Orleans bench that outscored its Golden State counterpart 45-26. De’Anthony Melton posted a game-high 28 points for the Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry (knee), Jimmy Butler (knee), Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and have lost three of their last four. Celtics 97, Suns 81 Derrick White scored 22 points, Neemias Queta had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and visiting Boston rolled over short-handed Phoenix to extend its winning streak to four. Sam Hauser scored 16 points and Bailey Scheierman had 11 points and 11 rebounds in his third career double-double for the Celtics, who have won nine of 10 and are a season-high 19 games over .500. The Celtics trailed 41-30 at 6:41 of the second quarter before going on an extended 50-11 run to take control with an 80-52 lead on Nikola Vukevic’s basket with 1:39 left in the third. Collin Gillespie scored 15 points, Grayson Allen scored 14 and Jalen Green added 13 for the Suns, who played without leading scorers Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks for the second straight game. Timberwolves 124, Trail Blazers 121 Anthony Edwards scored 34 points and Jaden McDaniels added 29 points, matched his career best of five blocked shots and had three steals to lead Minnesota past host Portland. Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points as the Timberwolves won for the fourth time in the past five games and improved to 3-0 against the Blazers this season. Edwards, McDaniels and DiVincenzo each knocked down five 3-pointers as Minnesota made 17 of 35 (48.6%) from long range. With Portland All-Star Deni Avdija (back) out for the 11th time in the past 19 games, Jrue Holiday scored 22 points, Jerami Grant added 21 points and reserve Scoot Henderson had 19 for the Blazers, who lost for the third time in five games. ========================================================================= BASEBALL BRAVES ANNOUNCE IN-HOUSE TV NETWORK BRAVESVISION The Atlanta Braves will become the latest MLB team with their own television network as BravesVision is set to make its debut this season. The direct-to-distributor model will be available through cable, satellite and streaming services in the Braves’ market, with more than 140 games expected to be produced this season. “This endeavor will bring the most vital link to our fanbase — our television broadcast — back under the control of our organization,” said Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller. “Generations of Braves fans were raised watching games on a network that shared ownership with the baseball team. With BravesVision, we believe that we can present Braves baseball in new and innovative ways allowing us to expand and elevate our storytelling capabilities across all of our platforms.” The Braves join a growing number of teams to take the production and distribution of games in house like the Los Angeles Dodgers (SportsNet LA), Chicago Cubs (Marquee Sports Network) and New York Yankees (YES Network). About half of all MLB teams are undergoing a change in their effort to get game broadcasts to local fans after continued financial woes for Main Street Sports Group, which owns the regional FanDuel Sports networks. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres turned to MLB last season to provide broadcasts to local fans. The Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays will rely on MLB this season to deliver broadcasts via cable and streaming services. The Los Angeles Angels have yet to solidify their television plan for 2026. According to an MLB.com report, teams that distribute their games through MLB’s television arm will receive about 50% less revenue than they did in previous television distribution deals. ======================================================================= NFL BROWNS QB COMPETITION TO PIT DESHAUN WATSON VS. SHEDEUR SANDERS Hitting home runs in the 2025 draft likely spared general manager Andrew Berry his job when owner Jimmy Haslam fired head coach Kevin Stefanski in January. He’s anxious to find more youthful talent for an encore but cautioned a “targeted” approach was more likely in free agency. “Realistically we may be one more offseason away from being hyper-aggressive in that window,” Berry said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Browns are not certain how the quarterback situation will shake out, but Berry said Deshaun Watson — who missed last season recovering from two Achilles surgeries — and Shedeur Sanders would be part of the competition. “We don’t have to make that decision anytime soon,” Berry said. The Browns have two picks in the first round, sixth and 24th overall, and some significant roster needs. Berry pointed to a focus on repairing the offensive line and locating playmakers for Cleveland. Berry said offensive lineman Joel Bitonio is “still working through” a decision on his potential retirement. “A year ago at this time, I wouldn’t have guessed the draft would have played out the way it did,” Berry said. “You have to be flexible and adaptable. You have to be open to the fact that it may not look exactly like you’d hoped coming out of it.” Berry said first-time head coach Todd Monken would make the decision on how to handle the quarterback position. Specific to Sanders, Berry said the organizational viewpoint on his goals for the offseason starts with working on his body and eradicating high-risk throws that lead to turnovers. “I think the biggest thing that we want to see from Shedeur is just continued growth. He grew a lot from start one to start seven,” Berry said. “Certainly playing more efficiently, not putting the ball in harm’s way as much would be important while maintaining the ability to produce out of structure and generate explosive plays.” Berry was honored earlier Tuesday as the winner of the Buddy Teevens Forward Progress Award. He has hired more women in football-related roles than any individual or organization in NFL history. KYLER MURRAY IN LIMBO AS CARDINALS KEEP ‘ALL OPTIONS ON TABLE’ AT QB Kyler Murray has not escaped offseason limbo with the Arizona Cardinals. General manager Monti Ossenfort knows the hot topic around the franchise since hiring a new coach in Mike LaFleur is the state of the quarterback situation. Murray ended the season on injured reserve and Jacoby Brissett performed well. Both are under contract for 2026 along with Kedon Slovis. “On top of your mind is our quarterback situation,” he said. “Here’s what I would say: All options are on the table for us. We’ve got Kyler, Jacoby, Kedon all under contract. … We’re going to look at every avenue to improve.” Murray played only five games last season and could have a new home before his 29th birthday in August. Either way, he’s set to connect with a new head coach for the third time since being drafted first overall in 2019. LaFleur wasn’t accustomed to attending the combine as an assistant coach with the division rival Rams, who leave the scouting exercises on the pre-draft circuit to area scouts and others under general manager Les Snead. When the Cardinals host prospects for interviews this week, LaFleur will be a part of the face-to-face conversations. LaFleur has spoken with Murray, as has Ossenfort, and he said they are in agreement that improvement is the common ground for now. “I’ve always had a good dialogue with Kyler. I would say it wasn’t up to what Kyler wanted, it wasn’t up to what any of us wanted as a season as a whole,” Ossenfort said. “When you have the kind of year that we had, there’s a lot of room for improvement. We’ve got to find a way to do that. Not only at that position, but all positions. That’s what we’re all focused on. Getting better and moving forward.” A timeline of the decision for the Cardinals is not entirely clear because Murray’s salary — $22.8 million in 2026 — is below-average for starters, but the full cash outlay from Arizona complicates when they might need to make their call on his future. Next month, he’s owed a $17 million roster bonus and a workout bonus of $1,857,500. In the meantime, the Cardinals are window-shopping for other QB options and at multiple positions. Ossenfort said Packers free agent quarterback Malik Willis is one of the players the Cardinals are evaluating. He was part of the Titans’ front office that drafted Willis. The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick in the draft and are mindful of finding the quarterback — whomever it might be in 2026 — more support. “I’m open for taking the best player at our pick,” Ossenfort said. “There’s a lot of quarterbacks in this draft. We’ll continue to evaluate them.” JETS PLAN TO USE FRANCHISE TAG ON RB BREECE HALL IF DEAL NOT REACHED New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey made it clear the team intends to retain Breece Hall one way or another this offseason. The Jets plan to use either the franchise tag or transition tag on their standout running back if a long-term deal can’t be reached by the March 3 deadline, Mougey said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. “We’ll find a way to keep Breece here if we can’t get a deal done,” Mougey said. Hall, 24, has rushed for 3,398 yards and 18 touchdowns in four seasons since the Jets selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Iowa State. He amassed a career-high 1,065 yards in 2025, becoming the first Jet since 2015 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards. He was retained at the trade deadline despite New York shipping off a number of other top players. The franchise tag, which pays a player a one-year deal at the rate of the average of the top five salaries at his position, would be worth $14.5 million for Hall in 2026. The transition tag, which pays the average of the top 10 positional salaries, would be worth approximately $11.7 million. The difference between the two is that the Jets would not be eligible for draft compensation on a transition tag should they elect not to match an offer from another team to Hall. Even if the Jets were to tag Hall, the two sides could continue to work toward a new contract up until July 15, at which point he would play under the tag and be a pending free agent once more next offseason. CHIEFS NOT PUSHING, PREPARED FOR TRAVIS KELCE DECISION Travis Kelce earned patience from the Kansas City Chiefs, who are uncertain two months prior to the NFL draft if their 37-year-old tight end will be on the roster by training camp. Kelce is weighing whether to return for this 14th season in the league and has debated retirement for the past two offseasons. “We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.” Veach said he would be meeting with Kelce’s representatives this week and “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” but called conversations with his camp “positive.” Head coach Andy Reid said he routinely is in touch with Kelce. Kelce is owed a $12.5 million roster bonus next month and has a cap number of almost $20 million the Chiefs likely would adjust with any commitment to play in 2026. He had 851 yards and five touchdowns last season, but a total of 76 receptions was Kelce’s lowest total since he had 72 in 2015. No. 2 tight end Noah Gray also is an unrestricted free agent. “Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach said. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency. “Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialogue and see where this thing ends.” STEELERS CONFIRM ‘DOOR OPEN’ FOR REUNION WITH AARON RODGERS If the Steelers know the options on the table for 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan wasn’t ready to reveal any of the cards in play for either side. Khan wouldn’t say whether Rodgers is considering retirement or other offers as an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins March 11. “That’s a question for Aaron. He knows how we feel. I think we know how he feels about us,” Khan said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “It was a good experience for both sides. Unfortunately we didn’t reach our goals on winning the games we wanted to at the end. But there’s a mutual respect there.” Pittsburgh hosts the 2026 NFL Draft in April and Khan said he’s been working at warp speed to get on the same page with new head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy returned to the NFL sideline after one season away. Khan said McCarthy, who last coached with the Cowboys, was a fan of quarterback Will Howard coming out of Ohio State and is excited to work with him. Howard was Pittsburgh’s sixth-round pick in 2025 but landed on injured reserve in August because of a fractured hand. He returned to practice in November. “We mentioned Aaron, but we all agree that we’re looking for that next franchise guy,” Khan said. “We’re not there yet, and we may have the guy on the roster, we don’t know, in Will, and we’re excited to work with Will. We all know that has to be addressed, and we’re all looking for the same thing, we’re just not there yet.” Rodgers came to Pittsburgh to play for Mike Tomlin, who resigned after the Steelers’ loss to the Houston Texans in the playoffs. But he won a Super Bowl with McCarthy during his prodigious run as quarterback of the Packers. Khan said he spoke to Rodgers last week and the Steelers made it clear “the door is open to have Aaron back.” Last offseason, Tomlin and the Steelers kept the door open for Rodgers until he finally made his signing official on June 6. Khan said neither side wants to delay a deal or “see it drag on like it did last year.” REPORT: TE ZACH ERTZ (ACL) EYES 14TH NFL SEASON Free agent tight end Zach Ertz intends to play in 2026 and is expected to be cleared from his rehab following a torn ACL around the season opener, NFL Network reported on Tuesday. Ertz, 35, is two months into his rehab after injuring his right knee during the Washington Commanders’ 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 7. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ertz posted 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games (all starts) last season while playing on a one-year contract with the Commanders. Ertz won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2017 season. His 825 career receptions are fifth all-time among tight ends, while his 8,592 yards rank eighth at the position. Ertz has 57 touchdowns in 181 regular-season games (143 starts) with the Eagles (2013-21), Arizona Cardinals (2021-23) and Commanders. QB WHO? BEARS CLAIM TRADE INTEREST HIGH IN BACKUP TYSON BAGENT Nobody predicted a quarterback quandary for the Chicago Bears this offseason. With Caleb Williams leading a revival alongside first-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears won their first playoff game in 15 years and have the firepower behind their third-year quarterback to remain competitive in the near term. But general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine they are indeed wrestling with a weighty decision at QB: whether or not to listen to trade calls for backup Tyson Bagent. “It’s a really tough decision for us,” Poles said Tuesday, speaking an hour before Johnson took the podium at the Indiana Convention Center adjacent to Lucas Oil Stadium. “Obviously the tough thing is with what Ben thinks about Tyson, what I think about Tyson, what our locker room thinks about Tyson, it’s a tough decision for us. I think he would have an opportunity to go and perform for a team and do some really good things. You’ve got to weigh the short-term and long-term. So now, what’s the cost for a replacement to get someone like Tyson? Interesting dynamic there that we’re going to have to work through. Bagent was undrafted in 2023 after five seasons as the starter at Division II Shepherd. He won a backup job in training camp before Johnson’s arrival in 2025. He won two of his four starts as a rookie, including his first over the Las Vegas Raiders. Bagent, who turns 26 in June, signed a two-year extension in August 2025 following Johnson’s first training camp with Bagent and the Bears. “I love Tyson. We will always do what’s best for organization,” Johnson said. “I’m of the mind that he was one of the best 32 in the NFL.” PATRIOTS NOT MOVING EMBATTLED LT WILL CAMPBELL, ANTICIPATE JUMP IN 2026 Before Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf dives into the 2026 draft class, he clarified his stance on 2025 first-round pick Will Campbell. Heavily criticized for his playoff performance and the appearance he was overmatched in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots clarified Campbell was never fully recovered from a knee injury that sapped strength and agility. “When he came back from that injury, I personally didn’t see the same level of lower-body strength you saw before the injury,” Wolf said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “Before that I think Will played really well all year. The film would attest to that. He probably had three of his four worst games in the playoffs.” Campbell said a week after the Super Bowl the knee injury that sent him to IR after Week 12 wasn’t completely healed when he was activated Week 18. He said he “obviously wasn’t 100 percent” in the postseason. “I mean, I don’t think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it’s not going to be how it was before, but I was healthy enough to go,” he said. “I’m not going to say that it held me back, but yeah, it wasn’t the same as it was before, obviously. But I was good.” Wolf on Tuesday shut down suggestions the Patriots would consider sliding Campbell to guard. Campbell allowed double-digit pass-rush pressures — a league high for the 2025 season of 14 — against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl defeat. “We’re not moving him to guard,” Wolf said. “He really couldn’t anchor the same way he did pre-injury. I know everybody talks about the arm length, but he has a set of skills that enable him to play with that arm length. He’s really quick out of his sets, he’s technically sound … again, he’s 22 years old and we expect some improvement out of him as well.” Campbell was selected fourth overall in 2025. He was under the 33-inch mark most teams set as a minimum for offensive tackles for arm length — 32 5/8 inches at the 2025 NFL Combine — but at LSU’s pro day, the measurement came in at 33 inches. Head coach Mike Vrabel said he’s not considering a move at left tackle. Campbell is similar to one of Tom Brady’s primary left tackles with the Patriots, former Purdue tight end and tackle Matt Light. His reach was similar — in the 33-inch range — and Light worked against Vrabel in practices when both played for New England. They were on the same three Super Bowl-winning teams — XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX — with the Patriots. RAVENS AND QB LAMAR JACKSON TALKING EXTENSION Lamar Jackson remains instrumental in shaping the future of the Baltimore Ravens. General manager Eric DeCosta said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that Jackson was vocal in the team’s coaching search, and talks about a contract extension are underway. Jackson, 29, has an NFL-high salary-cap figure of $73.5 million in 2026. An extension with the two-time MVP quarterback, who acts as his own agent, could significantly lower that figure and allow DeCosta to re-sign free agents — center Tyler Linderbaum is a priority — or add to the roster in free agency. “Lamar and I have an agreement,” DeCosta said. “We handle business kind of in-house internally. That worked well for us last time and we will continue to have that policy moving forward. Have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month. He’s been very engaged. He was a big value to us in the coaching search, but we’ll continue those conversations moving forward.” DeCosta said the Ravens made a “market setting” offer to Linderbaum and are hopeful he’ll return. The Ravens rolled the dice on keeping Linderbaum long-term when they declined his fifth-year option for 2026. “Obviously he’s proven to be, in my opinion, the best center of the league,” DeCosta said. “Hopefully we can get something done with him between now and the start of the new league year.” DeCosta said the “trenches” are a high priority on both sides of the ball when free agency begins March 9. The Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as their new head coach last month, replacing John Harbaugh. FALCONS GM CONFIRMS QB KIRK COUSINS TO BE RELEASED MARCH 11 Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said Tuesday he informed quarterback Kirk Cousins that the team would release him on March 11, the first day of the new league year. “I did talk to Kirk and his representation, Mike McCartney, letting them know that would release him,” Cunningham said. “Just felt that was out of respect for Kirk, and Mike, his agent, for what he has done for his career. I owe that to him, we owe that to him, just allow him some clarity going into free agency.” Cousins, 37, agreed to modify the final two seasons of a four-year, $180 million deal last month that lowered his 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. The difference of $32.9 million matches the increase of his 2027 salary. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games (eight starts) this past season. Atlanta was 5-3 in Cousins’ starts. Last Friday, Falcons team president Matt Ryan initially backed away from a full commitment to quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in his opening press conference in Atlanta. However, Ryan implied that the 2024 first-round pick wasn’t going anywhere. Penix, 25, started nine games (3-6 record) last season before he tore his ACL, an injury that is all too familiar, as is the recovery and rehab to follow. Determined to get back sooner than projected from his third knee reconstruction, Penix said in early February that he’s “a little bit” ahead of schedule and expects to be ready for the first game of the 2026 season. With Penix on injured reserve watching Cousins operate the offense, the Falcons missed the playoffs and finished 8-9. Since then, head coach Raheem Morris was fired, the Falcons overhauled their front office and hired Ryan as team president. Ryan went with former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski in Atlanta’s wide-ranging search, which multiplied questions about what the Falcons might do behind center. RAIDERS GM KEEPING MAXX CROSBY, EAGER TO MEET WITH FERNANDO MENDOZA Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek is spinning a lot of plates at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, where the franchise gets a first-hand look at 319 candidates to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. The Raiders haven’t had the No. 1 pick since 2007 when they selected LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell. What is Spytek looking for as the Raiders rebuild a roster that finished a league-worst 3-14 in 2026? “All of it. We won three games last year,” Spytek said. “We’ve got to be super honest with where we’re at. We’ve got a lot of needs to address and a lot of capital to do it.” Spytek shot down reports the Raiders are leaning toward trading 29-year-old defensive end Maxx Crosby. Crosby was disgruntled at the end of the regular season when the Raiders held him out because he was banged up. Crosby considered himself healthy. After a coaching change with Klint Kubiak replacing Pete Carroll, Spytek said Tuesday he is confident Crosby will not be traded. “I am. Maxx is an elite player and I’ve been very up front from the start when I got here. It’s hard to build a great team without elite players. Maxx and I have a great relationship. We talk all the time. We text, talk on the phone. He’s in the building everyday.” The Raiders also are not “shopping” the No. 1 pick in the draft. But Spytek said he learned from his time with Howie Roseman in Philadelphia and Jason Licht in Tampa Bay that “you always listen.” Without specifically naming Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Spytek said the Raiders are interested in quarterbacks who have “passion, humility and prepare for the game the right way.” He was in-person for multiple Indiana games in 2025 and attended the national championship game. NFL personnel is not allowed to talk to college players, so Spytek is interested in learning more about Mendoza and the other quarterbacks in the 2026 draft class. “How they are going to handle the pressure of being 1 of 32 in the world,” Spytek said of the most critical evaluation of the position. “To us it’s about how much can they process, how hard do they work, how much do they remember.” Spytek said he’s “not necessarily in favor of running out” a rookie quarterback right away. Having a veteran — Geno Smith is under contract, Kenny Pickett is a free agent — sounding board who might play ahead of the prized passer is a priority. He said the 18-minute formal interviews this week at the combine will be important to determine “leadership traits, humility” but later sessions with prospects are more vital in making his final decision. He’s also willing to lean on minority owner Tom Brady, who is playing a significant role in shaping the rebuild of the Raiders. “He’s the best ever to do it,” Spytek said. “Whoever is playing quarterback for the Raiders has a great opportunity to learn from Tom. Tom is a great resource for them.” NICK SIRIANNI: EAGLES CAN’T GUARANTEE A.J. BROWN’S RETURN Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said he “can’t guarantee” wide receiver A.J. Brown will play for Philadelphia next season. Brown has topped 1,000 yards in all four of his seasons with the team but is the subject of trade speculation this offseason after repeatedly expressing his frustration with the offense in 2025. Despite the frayed relationship, Sirianni said there is mutual interest in the three-time Pro Bowl selection continuing his career with Philadelphia. “My expectation is he wants to be here. And obviously you want good players like that in your building,” Sirianni said during a session with local media, per ESPN. “As (general manager) Howie (Roseman) said, it’s hard to get good players in this league. A.J.’s a great player and A.J. is a good teammate and A.J. is a good person. Does he want to be here? Yes. Do I want him to be here? Yes.” When pressed about whether the 28-year-old Brown would be in an Eagles uniform in 2026, Sirianni provided a cautious answer. “Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re still in a spot, like, I can’t guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season,” Sirianni said. “I’m thinking I’m going to be the coach next season but you can’t guarantee anything past tomorrow.” During a Super Bowl week appearance on Micah Parsons’ podcast, Brown called Philadelphia “home” and said he felt “fortunate” to be part of the team. Brown has 339 catches for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns in 62 games in four seasons with the Eagles, winning a Super Bowl in the 2024 season and NFC East titles in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension ($84 million guaranteed) in April 2024. He carries a $23.4 million cap hit for the 2026 season. LIONS SELECTED TO PLAY IN MUNICH IN 2026 The Detroit Lions will play a regular season game in 2026 in Munich, Germany, the NFL announced on Tuesday. The Lions’ opponent and date will be announced when the full schedule is revealed in the spring. The Munich game is one of a record nine international contests taking place across four continents next season. Allianz Arena, the 70,000-seat home of Bundesliga powerhouse FC Bayern Munich, is the site of the game. The stadium will also host a game in 2028, with the NFL playing games in Berlin in 2027 and 2029. “Germany continues to be a key market in the NFL’s international growth ambitions, with Europe’s largest fanbase,” said NFL Germany general manager Alexander Steinforth. “We are excited to welcome the Detroit Lions to play in the 2026 NFL Munich game — and in partnership with the Lions, FC Bayern Munich and the City of Munich, we look forward to bringing an incredible NFL experience to fans across the region in the NFL 2026 season.” The Lions have marketing rights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as part of the league’s global markets program. “We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” said Lions president and CEO Rod Wood. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.” Playing in Germany holds special significance for Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” the two-time All-Pro receiver said. “I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.” The Lions’ two previous international games were played in London in 2014 and 2015. TEXANS GM: QB C.J. STROUD ‘ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE’ Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio is committed to C.J. Stroud and finds trade speculation online to be “moronic” going into the quarterback’s fourth season. “He’s our quarterback. He isn’t going anywhere. We have a lot of confidence, a lot of belief,” Caserio said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday in Indianapolis. “I’m glad he’s our quarterback.” In his third season, Stroud started 14 games and the team went 9-5 as he completed 64.5% of his passes for 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He missed three games because of a concussion sustained in Week 9. His struggles in two playoff games, throwing five interceptions — including four in a loss the New England Patriots — and fumbling five times (losing two) in an earlier wild-card win over Pittsburgh, gave seed to online trade talk. “This league is about ups and downs,” Caserio said. “Nothing’s perfect. There was no team that was undefeated unless I missed something this year, that’s not going to happen. By and large, we’re probably going to lose five or six games. There’s going to be some margin on either side. You’re going to have some good plays. You’re going to have some bad plays. You’re going to have some good games. You’re going to have some bad games. “How do you bounce back? How do you handle that? This league is a one-game-at-a-time proposition,” he continued “How you handle every situation ultimately is going to determine your success and your longevity. No lost confidence.” For his career, Stroud has completed 63.8% of his passes for 10,876 yards and 62 TDs with 25 interceptions in 46 regular-season games (all starts) with a record of 28-18. His rookie campaign of 4,108 yards, 23 TDs to five picks in 15 games earned him Pro Bowl and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2023. Houston selected Stroud second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. LIONS LT TAYLOR DECKER SAYS HE’S RETURNING FOR 11TH SEASON IN 2026 After some time deliberating his future, Lions left tackle Taylor Decker announced he’ll return for an 11th season with Detroit in 2026 on Tuesday. Decker, 32, announced the news on Instagram with a picture of himself running onto the field and a caption reading, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am; SEND ME!” #Year11″ The 16th overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL Draft, Decker has started all 140 regular-season games as well as five playoff contests that he has played with Detroit. He was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024, but admitted he had to battle through a shoulder injury last season which severely limited him in practice and made him seriously consider stepping away from the game. “If that’s what my future is going to be to continue to play — that’s not something I’m willing to do. Because I’m not willing to put my family through it,” Decker said after the season finale on Jan. 4. “I’m not willing to be distant and not be a present father, because your kids are only little once, and, God willing, we have more. I want to be able to play with them. I want to be able to throw the ball with them. I mean, I can’t throw a football right now. No way.” FALCONS OFFICIALLY PLACE FRANCHISE TAG ON TE KYLE PITTS The Atlanta Falcons officially placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts on Tuesday, following multiple reports from one day earlier. Pitts, 25, was set to be a free agent after playing out his fifth-year option in 2025, but now he will be paid approximately $16.5 million for the 2026 season, an average of the top five salaries at his position. “We’re not in the business of letting go (of) really good players,” the Falcons’ new general manager Ian Cunningham told 92.9 The Game on Tuesday morning, per the team’s website. NFL Network reported that the two sides will attempt to work out a long-term deal that will eliminate the need for Pitts to play the upcoming season under the tag. They have until July 15 to come to those terms. Per the team, it’s just the fourth time in franchise history the Falcons have used the franchise tag, with Pitts following punter Michael Koenen (2009), defensive back Brent Grimes (2012) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (2019). Teams have until March 3 to make franchise tag decisions for the 2026 season. Pitts was voted to the All-Pro second team in 2025, when he recorded career highs of 88 receptions, 118 targets and five touchdowns while totaling 928 yards. The new coaching staff helmed by Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will retain Pitts as a primary receiving option alongside receiver Drake London. Pitts has played for two different head coaches, two offensive coordinators and a variety of quarterbacks, including Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins last season. For his career, Pitts has 284 receptions on 451 targets for 3,579 yards and 15 TDs in 78 games (72 starts) since 2021, when Atlanta drafted him with the fourth overall pick. Pitts made the 2021 All-Rookie team and was selected to the Pro Bowl that season — his only 1,000-yard campaign. NEW DOLPHINS GM: EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE WITH QB TUA TAGOVAILOA New Miami Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan says that everything is on the table when it comes to the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Talking to reporters Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Sullivan made it clear that talks early this offseason with Tagovailoa and his representation have been positive despite him finishing last season on the bench under former Miami coach Mike McDaniel. “Everything’s on the table right now. It could go in a lot of different ways,” Sullivan said. “A trade is a possibility, but Tua is aware, his representation is aware. We’ve had really positive conversations, and, like I said, it’s kind of all on the table when it comes to Tua at this moment. “(Tagovailoa’s reps) have expressed that he wants to play and that they still think he can play at a high level. The conversations have been productive, but they have not in particular said that they want to be traded.” Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, was benched for the final three games of the 2025 season in favor of seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions along with 20 touchdowns in 14 games. Over six seasons in Miami, Tagovailoa has completed 68% of his passes for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. Tagolvailoa, who turns 28 on March 2, is halfway through the four-year $212.4 million extension he signed ahead of the 2024 season and is guaranteed $54 million for the 2026 season. If Miami releases him before June 1, it would create an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit. The Dolphins enter this offseason in a moment of transition under Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley, both of whom left jobs with Green Bay to take over in Miami. Miami released injured veteran receiver Tyreek Hill and veteran defensive end Bradley Chubb, moves which Sullivan said were made to make the team ” younger and cheaper.” ========================================================================= UFL UFL ADDING 4-POINT FIELD GOALS, BANS PUNTS INSIDE 50 Four-point field goals and a ban of the “tush push” are among the rules changes implemented by the United Football League for the 2026 season. A field goal of 60 yards or longer will be worth four points when the spring league kicks off on March 27. The “tush push” play popularized by the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles is no longer allowed. Punting from inside an opponent’s territory will only be allowed in the last two minutes of a half. After touchdowns, teams will now have multiple options: a 1-point kick from the 33-yard line, a 2-point conversion from the 2-yard line, or a 3-point conversion from the 8-yard line. In addition, only one foot is required inbounds for a successful catch, similar to college football. During the two-point conversion duel in overtime, each team will now get at least three attempts and home team decides whether it starts on offense or defense. Dean Blandino, the UFL’s vice president of officiating, told The Athletic that the league serves as a testing ground for potential innovations for the NFL or college football. “We look at the NFL as a partner,” Blandino said. “The NFL is saying, ‘Could you try this?’ We’re using NFL officials in their first couple years for additional snaps. When we first tried the kickoff, you would have thought we were changing the fabric of the game. Four years later, the NFL is using it. It’s not innovation to be gimmicky.” NFL kickers made 12 of 22 field goals of 60 yards or longer during the 2025 regular season, including Cam Little’s record-setting 68-yarder for the Jacksonville Jaguars. “These are exciting plays. How do we incentivize our coaches to create more of these types of plays?” Blandino told The Athletic. “A 65-yard field goal is more difficult than a 35-yard field goal, and there’s greater risk if you miss, so there should be greater reward.” ========================================================================= MLB SPRING TRAINING SPRING TRAINING ROUNDUP: PIRATES PROSPECT KONNOR GRIFFIN HOMERS TWICE The No. 1 prospect in baseball, shortstop Konnor Griffin, hammered two home runs over the replica Green Monster at the spring training home of the Red Sox to power the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 16-7 win over Boston on Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla. They were Griffin’s first two homers of the spring, and they came as part of a 21-hit bludgeoning by the Pittsburgh offense. Griffin first hit a 374-foot sky ball in the second and added a 440-foot shot in the fourth. He added a fourth RBI in the fifth inning on a groundout. Nick Gonzales (3-for-3, two RBIs), Nick Yorke (3-for-4), Jake Mangum (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Yordany De Los Santos (homer, three RBIs) also contributed to the Pirates’ feast at the plate. Ceddanne Rafaela and Willson Contreras homered in a losing effort for the Red Sox, who went through 10 pitchers. Yankees 8, Blue Jays 7 Paul Goldschmidt homered, doubled and drove in four runs, prospect Jace Avina hit the solo shot that provided the winning run and New York defeated host Toronto in Dunedin, Fla. The Yankees built a 7-1 lead through five innings as they played most of their regulars, including Aaron Judge (two runs), Cody Bellinger (two hits, RBI) and Jazz Chisholm Jr. (RBI single). Will Warren (1-0) scattered one run and four hits while fanning four batters in 2 2/3 inning as New York’s starter. The Blue Jays rallied within 7-5 in the sixth thanks in large part to Charles Mcadoo, who hit a two-run double and came around to score on a throwing error. Avina, 22, homered to left in the eighth inning, which became important when Toronto’s Jacob Casey offered up a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth. Braves 8, Tigers 1 Matt Olson hit a two-run homer, Ozzie Albies had a two-run double and host Atlanta beat Detroit in North Port, Fla. The Braves worked just four pitchers — Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Joey Wentz and Owen Murphy — who combined to strike out 11 while yielding just three hits and four walks. Murphy fanned four in a three-inning save. Jace Jung singled in the Tigers’ only run. Enmanuel de Jesus (0-1) made a 3 1/3-inning start and allowed three unearned runs on two hits. Orioles 10, Twins 5 Jeremiah Jackson ignited a seven-hit, six-run first inning with an RBI single for visiting Baltimore to start a blowout of Minnesota’s split squad in Fort Myers, Fla. Jackson finished with two hits and two RBIs, and Leody Taveras went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI doubles as the Orioles amassed 10 runs and 14 hits without a home run or triple. Coby Mayo and Luis Vazquez also had two hits. Kala’i Rosario hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to make the final margin more respectable for the Twins. Byron Buxton and James Outman contributed two hits apiece. Rays 12, Twins 1 Junior Caminero drove in Tampa Bay’s first three runs and Jake Fraley added a bases-clearing double as host Tampa Bay rode past Minnesota in Port Charlotte, Fla. Yandy Diaz (solo) and Hunter Feduccia (three-run shot) added home runs as the Rays opened up a 12-0 lead before yielding a run in the ninth. Starter Joe Boyle (1-0) threw two innings and allowed one hit with two strikeouts. Garrett Spain homered in the ninth to let the Twins avoid a shutout. Marlins 6, Phillies 1 Joe Mack hit a tiebreaking grand slam in the fifth inning and host Miami beat Philadelphia in Jupiter, Fla. Mack’s four-bagger traveled just 336 feet and scored Ethan O’Donnell, who later tacked on an RBI double, plus Otto Lopez and Deyvison De Los Santos. Nine pitchers threw an inning apiece and combined for 12 strikeouts and just four hits. Trea Turner scored the Phillies’ only run in the first inning when he come home on a pickoff error. Astros 6, Mets 6 Kellen Strahm hit a run-scoring fielder’s choice and Lucas Spence had the game-tying RBI single to help Houston rally from five runs down to tie host New York in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Carlos Perez went 2-for-2 with a two-run single for the Astros, while Taylor Trammell and Nick Allen added two hits apiece. The Mets got out to a 5-0 lead thanks to home runs in the first inning by Mike Tauchman (three-run shot) and Ronny Mauricio (solo), plus a sacrifice fly in the second from new acquisition Bo Bichette. ======================================================================== AUTO RACING TYLER REDDICK STARTS SEASON WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS AND INDYCAR KICKS OFF IN ST. PETERSBURG All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES DuraMax Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne Site: Austin, Texas. Track: Circuit of the Americas. Race distance: 95 laps, 228 miles. Schedule: Saturday, practice, 10 a.m., qualifying, 11:10 a.m. Sunday, race, 3:30 p.m. (FOX). Last year: Christopher Bell grabbed the lead from Kyle Busch with fewer than 10 laps remaining and fended off a late push from William Byron to win by 0.433 seconds. Last race: Tyler Reddick earned his second consecutive series win, edging Chase Briscoe on the final lap of overtime in a race that featured a track-record 57 lead changes. Next race: March 8, Avondale, Arizona. Online: http://www.nascar.com NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES Focused Health 250 Site: Austin, Texas. Track: Circuit of the Americas. Race distance: 65 laps, 156 miles. Schedule: Friday, practice, 5 p.m., qualifying, 6:05 p.m. Saturday, race, 3 p.m. (CW). Last year: After suffering an early pit-road penalty, Connor Zilisch rallied to take the lead with 10 laps remaining to secure his second career win. Last race: Sheldon Creed earned his first-ever series win after capitalizing on a last-second wreck by leader Austin Hill at EchoPark Speedway. Next race: March 7, Avondale, Arizona. Online: http://www.nascar.com NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at St. Petersburg Site: St. Petersburg, Florida. Track: Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Race distance: 80 laps, 144 miles. Schedule: Friday, practice, 4 p.m., qualifying, 5:05 p.m. Saturday, race, Noon (FOX). Last year: Inaugural race. Last race: Kyle Busch recorded a series-record ninth win at EchoPark Speedway after surviving a three-way battle with Ben Rhodes and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Next race: March 20, Darlington, South Carolina. Online: http://www.nascar.com FORMULA 1 Last race: Lando Norris secured his first world championship at the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, edging out Max Verstappen by just two points after a season-long fight. Next race: March 7, Melbourne, Australia. Online: http://www.formula1.com NTT INDYCAR SERIES Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Site: St. Petersburg, Fla.. Track: Streets of St. Petersburg. Race distance: 100 laps, 180 miles. Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:30 p.m. Saturday, practice, 9:30 a.m., qualifications, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, warmup, 9 a.m., race, Noon p.m. (FOX). Last year: Finishing 2.8 seconds ahead of teammate Scott Dixon, Alex Palou dominated the streets of St. Petersburg while securing his 12th career win in the season opener. Last race: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons. Next race: March 7, Avondale, Arizona. Online: http://www.indycar.com NHRA DRAG RACING Next race: March 8, Gainesville, Fla. Online: http://www.nhra.com WORLD OF OUTLAWS WORLD OF OUTLAWS BIKE WEEK JAMBOREE WORLD OF OUTLAWS BIKE WEEK JAMBOREE Next race: March 6-7. Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com ======================================================================== GOLF WEEKLY PGA TOUR STARTS FLORIDA SWING; MASTERS SPOT AT STAKE IN SOUTH AFRICA The PGA Tour tees off its Florida swing with Brooks Koepka in the field in Palm Beach Gardens, the LPGA Tour continues its Asia swing and a coveted spot in the Masters is on the line in South Africa. PGA TOURTHIS WEEK: Cognizant Classic, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Feb. 26-March 1Course: PGA National, Champion Course (Par 71, 7,223 Yards)Purse: $9.6M (Winner: $1.728M)Defending Champion: Joe HighsmithFedEx Cup Leader: Jacob BridgemanHOW TO FOLLOWTV: Thursday-Friday: 2-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); Saturday-Sunday: 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC)Streaming (ESPN+): Thursday-Friday: 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday: 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.X: @the_cognizantNOTES: The PGA Tour begins is four-tournament Florida swing with a field that includes eight of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. … The course has been lengthened by about 100 yards from last year, and water is in play on 15 of 18 holes. Hole Nos. 15-17 are known as the “Bear Trap.” … This is Brooks Koepka’s third start in his return to the PGA Tour. He followed a T56 at Torrey Pines by missing the cut in Phoenix. Koepka’s inclusion means two additional players got into the field, which will play as threesomes. … Highsmith made the cut on the number last year before going on to win by two strokes and claim his maiden win on tour while setting the PGA National scoring record at 19-under 265. He is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend at the event since Jack Nicklaus in 1977-78. … Billy Horschel will be making his 14th event start, with his best previous finish a T4 in 2017. … This is the final opportunity for players to earn a spot in next week’s signature event via the Aon Swing 5. The top five in the standings entering this week are Michael Thorbjornsen, Nicolai Hojgaard, Haotong Li, Stephan Jaeger and Kevin Roy. … Blades Brown, 18, will be making his second tour start of the season following a T18 at The American Express, where he carded a 60 in the second round and played in the final group with Scottie Scheffler on Sunday. Other sponsor exemptions are Adam Hadwin, Harry Higgs and Camilo Villegas.BEST BETS: Ryan Gerard (+1850 by DraftKings) is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 26. He has three top-25 this season and finished fourth here three years ago. … Shane Lowry (+1900) owns three top-five finishes in his past four starts at PGA National. … Nicolai Hojgaard (+2150) has a pair of top-4 finishes worldwide through his first four starts in 2026, including a T3 in Phoenix. … Michael Thorbjornsen (+2450) also finished T3 in Phoenix before a T78 at Pebble Beach. … Aaron Rai (+4200), who in Abu Dhabi late last year, was a factor at the Genesis before closing with a 76. … Nico Echavarria (+5900) is a two-time winner on tour. His lone made cut in five starts this year was a T8 at Pebble Beach. … Garrick Higgo (+6000) offers intriguing odds for another two-time tour winner. He has started 2026 with three missed cuts in four starts and a T60 in the limited field at Pebble Beach.Last Tournament: The Genesis Invitational (Bridgeman)Next Tournament: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Orlando, March 5-8 LPGA TOURTHIS WEEK: HSBC Women’s World Championship, Singapore, Feb. 26-March 1Course: Sentosa Golf Club, Tajong Course, Old Course (Par 72, 6,793 Yards)Purse: $3M (Winner: $360,000)Defending Champion: Lydia KoRace to the CME Globe Leader: Jeeno ThitikulHOW TO WATCHTV/Streaming: Wednesday-Saturday: 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. ET (Golf Channel/USA Sports App)X: @HWWWCGolfNOTES: This is the second leg of the three-event Asia swing that concludes in China, with the tour returning to the United States for the Ford Championship in Arizona March 19-22. … The event dates back to Lorena Ochoa’s 11-shot victory in 2008. … Nelly Korda is skipping the Asia swing for the third consecutive year, but the field does include 21 of the top 25 players in the Rolex Rankings. That includes the top-ranked Thitikul, No. 3 Charley Hill, No. 4 Minjee Lee and No. 5 Miyu Yamashita.Last Tournament: Honda LPGA Thailand (Thitikul)Next Tournament: Blue Bay LPGA, Hainan Island, Hainan, China DP WORLD TOURTHIS WEEK: South African Open Championship, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Feb. 26-March 1Course: Stellenbosch GC (Par 70, 7,213 Yards)Purse: $1.5M (Winner: $250,000)Defending Champion: Dylan NaidooRace to Dubai Leader: Patrick ReedHOW TO WATCHTV: Thursday-Friday: 5:30-10:30 a.m. ET; Saturday: 5:30-10 a.m.; Sunday: 4:30-9:30 a.m. (Golf Channel)X: @DPWorldTourNOTES: The winner of the South African Open receives an invitation to the Masters for the first time. The top three finishers earn spots in the Open Championship if not otherwise exempt. … This is the sixth of seven events on the tour’s International Swing, with the final three all taking place in Africa. … The winner of the International Swing will earn a $200,000 bonus and a spot in the Scottish Open if not otherwise exempt. … Naidoo is defending his first DP World Tour title, which he earned in a sudden death playoff against Laurie Canter after the final round was cancelled due to heavy rainfall. … The event returns to Stellenbosch for the first time in 27 years.Last Tournament: Kenya Open (Casey Jarvis)Next Tournament: Joburg Open, Johannesburg, South Africa, March 5-8 LIV GOLF LEAGUETHIS WEEK: OFF.2026 Season Leaders: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Ripper GCLast Event: LIV Golf Adelaide (Individual: Anthony Kim; Team: Ripper GC)Next Event: LIV Golf Hong Kong, March 5-8 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONSTHIS WEEK: OFF.Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart CinkNext Tournament: James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Boca Raton, Fla., March 6-8 ========================================================================= INDIANA SPORTS TEAM RELEASES INDIANA PACERS GAME REWIND: PACERS 114, 76ERS 135 The Pacers jumped in front early on Tuesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, scoring 38 points in the first quarter to take an eight-point lead over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. But the Sixers (31-26) outscored Indiana (15-43) 76-47 over the next two quarters, pulling away for a 135-114 victory. It was the fourth straight loss for the Pacers, who had just nine active players on Tuesday night, with All-Star forward Pascal Siakam sidelined by a left wrist sprain sustained in Sunday’s loss to Dallas. Big man Micah Potter added a career-high 23 points off the bench on 9-of-11 shooting (3-of-5 from 3-point range). Andrew Nembhard also scored 23 in the loss. “My teammates found me,” Potter said about his career night. “It’s kind of as simple as that…I’ve been able to catch the ball and finish. They put me in good positions and make my job easy.” All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey narrowly missed out on a triple-double for the Sixers, finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Former MVP Joel Embiid added 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting, six boards, and five assists in his first game back after missing the previous five games with shin soreness. Rookie guard Kam Jones got off to a hot start on Tuesday. Jones scored Indiana’s first eight points, knocking down a pair of threes in front of the Pacers’ bench. The Blue & Gold were sharp collectively from beyond the arc, knocking down six of their first 10 attempts from long distance. Five players scored five or more points in the first quarter as Indiana jumped out to a 38-30 lead after one. The Sixers mounted a charge at the start of the second quarter. Maxey (eight points) and rookie VJ Edgecombe (seven) combined for 15 of Philadelphia’s points during a 17-0 run to open the frame. The visitors scored all those points in just 2:31, rapidly turning an eight-point deficit into a nine-point advantage. “Not sure what we thought was going on,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of the pivotal stretch. “But they’re a very good team, very explosive. We just let go of the rope there. That can’t happen.” Two free throws from Andrew Nembhard put the Pacers on the board, but visitors continued to build their lead, extending the margin to as high as 15 points. Philadelphia had 36 points in the second quarter with 4:31 remaining in the half, but eventually cooled off. The Pacers capitalized, with Micah Potter scoring seven points and Jones knocking down another three during a 12-2 Indiana run to briefly pull within five. But the Sixers then closed the half with a 7-2 spurt to cap a 45-point second quarter and take a 75-65 lead into halftime. Philadelphia extended its lead in the third quarter. Maxey scored 13 points in the frame and the Sixers closed the quarter with a 16-4 run to take a 106-85 lead into the fourth quarter. Quenton Jackson scored 15 points off the bench for Indiana in the loss. Jones added 13 points and seven rebounds, while Ben Sheppard scored 12. Edgecombe finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists for Philadelphia. Quentin Grimes added 15 points and Kelly Oubre scored 12 for the visitors. The Pacers will wrap up a four-game homestand by hosting Charlotte on Thursday and Memphis on Sunday. Indiana will then head to the West Coast for a four-game road trip that begins March 4 in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Inside the Numbers Not only were Potter’s 23 points were a new career high, but it was also the first time in his career he scored 20 or more points. The six highest-scoring games of Potter’s five-year NBA career have come this season with the Pacers. Nembhard had his 18th 20-point game of the season. Jones’ 13 points were his most through 22 games so far in his rookie season. Jarace Walker had a rough night shooting the ball, managing only eight points on 3-of-13 shooting to snap a 13-game streak of scoring in double figures. Walker did tally 10 rebounds and six assists. Kobe Brown narrowly missed out on his first career double-double, tallying nine points and 10 rebounds (four on the offensive glass). The Pacers committed 18 turnovers, which Philadelphia converted into 25 points on the other end. The Blue & Gold have averaged 19.5 turnovers per game over the past four games. Philadelphia shot 57.6 percent from the field, while the Pacers shot just 43.2 percent. ========================================================================= FUEL HOCKEY FUEL SCHOOL K-WINGS ON EDUCATION DAY FISHERS– The Indy Fuel hosted the Kalamazoo Wings on Tuesday morning for their annual Education Day game. With two goals from Lee Lapid and Sahil Panwar, the Fuel claimed a 6-2 victory on Education Day. 1ST PERIOD At 7:41, Lee Lapid opened the scoring with the help of Brandon Schultz and Matt Petgrave. This marked the third game in a row where Lapid scored first, all against the K-Wings. Evan Dougherty took a cross checking penalty at 16:18, putting the Fuel on the first power play of the game. Petgrave capitalized on the advantage and scored at 17:09 with the help of Terry Broadhurst and Cody Laskosky. He earned his second point of the game, making it 2-0. Former Fuel forward Colin Bilek scored for the K-Wings at 18:54 to make it 2-1. At the end of the first frame, shots were tied 10-10. 2ND PERIOD Fuel newcomer Kaleb Tiessen took a tripping penalty at 2:34, but Indy killed it off. At 12:24, Dustin Manz scored his third goal of the season to make it 3-1 in favor of Indy. Jordan Martin had the lone assist on that goal. Fifteen seconds later, Kalamazoo’s Powell Connor took a tripping penalty. This put the Fuel on the power play, however the K-Wings killed it off. That is how the period ended, with the Fuel up 3-1 and outshooting the K-Wings, 20-14. 3RD PERIOD Sahil Panwar scored the game’s next goal at 6:09 to make it 4-1. Tyler Paquette was credited with the assist. Less than a minute later, Lapid scored his second goal of the game to give Indy a 5-1 advantage. Just like his first goal, Schultz and Petgrave had the assists. At 8:17, Bilek took two penalties for slashing and roughing. One canceled out with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Indy’s Chris Cameron. One minute later, Orlando Mainolfi joined Bilek in the box after being assessed a cross checking minor. Exactly one minute and a half later, Connor and Paquette dropped the gloves and each earned five minutes for fighting. Two more offsetting penalties were given to Panwar and Kalamazoo’s Andre Ghantous at 13:45, for roughing. Another two were given to Ryan Cox and Indy’s Michael Marchesan for roughing at 16:53. At 18:30, Kalamazoo’s Hunter Strand scored to make it 6-2. Things remained chippy on the ice but that is how the game would end. Two more minor penalties were given to each team at 19:59 for slashing but that did not have an effect on the outcome of the game. After outshooting the K-Wings, 14-1 in the third period, they took the 6-2 win on home ice. ========================================================================= INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL HOOSIERS FALL LATE ON TUESDAY NIGHT BLOOMINGTON, Ind — Nailbiter time arrived, unwanted, unexpected, unrelenting Tuesday night against Northwestern at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Indiana needed a big play, a key stop, a defining crunch-time basket. It needed to tap into the toughness it showed at UCLA and Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago, both overtime victories. It never came. The Hoosiers lost their second-half offense, and then the game, 72-68. Guard Lamar Wilkerson took it personal. “We weren’t hooked up as a team,” Wilkerson said. “We have to be better. I have to be better in leading this team, in stepping up. “This was a game we shouldn’t have lost. Northwestern is a good team. They played a good game, but this was a self-inflicted loss.” As a result, what could have been became what wasn’t. A 13-point first-half lead dissolved amid second-half offensive inefficiency. IU (17-11 overall, 8-9 in the Big Ten) missed 11 straight crunch-time shots, creating an opening Northwestern (12-16, 4-13) exploited behind high-scoring forward Nick Martinelli. “Offensively, we couldn’t get anything going in the second half,” coach Darian DeVries said. “That allowed them to stay in the game. Now, we had to make plays and we weren’t able to make them.” After a forward Tucker DeVries jumper at the 10:04 mark, the Hoosiers made nothing but free throws for the next nine minutes until guard Tayton Conerway powered in a couple of layups. It wasn’t enough. “We could have made some plays down the stretch,” Wilkerson said. “This hurts. This hurts our resume. When we got up, we shouldn’t have gotten comfortable. We have to do better.” With a third straight loss, the postseason implications were obvious, and an emotional Tucker DeVries showed it in the aftermath. “I feel I let this group down,” he said. “This was an opportunity we had to take advantage of. To have one of our last (regular-season games) go like this is a tough one.” With just three regular-season games remaining – Sunday at home against No. 13/13 Michigan State (22-5, 12-4), March 4 at home against Minnesota (13-14, 6-10) and then March 7 at Ohio State (17-10, 9-7), turn-around possibilities remain. “We know the opportunities that are left,” Tucker DeVries said. “We have to flip this page quick.” Added Wilkerson: “We have to get these next ones.” Northwestern had Martinelli, the Big Ten’s leading scorer. IU had Wilkerson, the scoring leader in conference-only games. Martinelli delivered 28 points, 21 in the second half. Wilkerson drained his first four shots, all from 3-point range, then muscled in a layup to show – once again – his offensive versatility. But then the scoring sputtered. He finished with 18 points. Forward Sam Alexis made his first six shots, all inside the paint. He finished with 13 points. Conerway added 14 points. Tucker DeVries had 11. “This was a tough loss,” Darian DeVries said. “We have a big homestand. This was the first game. It was an opportunity to start off on a good note. It didn’t happen. “We have to make sure we put it away. We have to look in the mirror and get some things figured out.” Wilkerson and guard Nick Dorn opened the game with 3-pointers. Wilkerson made it 4-for-4 on 3-pointers as IU surged ahead 20-13 in nine minutes. A Tucker DeVries 3-pointer made it 23-13. The Hoosiers made seven of eight shots to build a 28-17 lead, then pushed ahead 36-24. Wilkerson’s 14 points, and eight points each from Alexis and Dorn, gave IU a 42-33 halftime lead. It shot 63 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range. Northwestern began the second half by closing within three points. Tucker DeVries’ 3-pointer doubled that lead. Conerway added a 3-pointer for a 50-41 Hoosier advantage. The Wildcats inched back. The give-and-take pattern continued to the eight-minute mark, then six, then five. IU led 59-58, then trailed by one on a Martinelli jumper. Wilkerson’s two free throws 16 seconds later took care of that. Martinelli countered with a 3-pointer and then a jumper for a 65-61 Wildcats lead as the clock ticked under two minutes. Wilkerson’s two free throws were offset by another Martinelli jumper for a 67-63 Northwestern advantage with 48.2 seconds remaining. Conerway’s layup and Alexis’s free throw made it 67-66 with 15 seconds left. The Wildcats’ Jake West made two free throws. Conerway drove for another layup. West made two more free throw. Northwestern’s Arrinten Page added one more for the final 72-68 score. Next up — Michigan State. “This one hurts bad,” Tucker DeVries said, “but it’s important for us to realize we still have three opportunities We’re not out of the mix. The season won’t be defined by this game. We’ve gone through rough patches before and responded. We know we’re capable of doing that again.” ========================================================================= INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IU TRAVELS TO RUTGERS FOR MIDWEEK MATCHUP BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers close out regular season road play on Wednesday when it travels to Rutgers for a 7 p.m. ET tip at Jersey Mike’s Arena. GAME DAY INFO Indiana (15-13, 4-12 B1G) at Rutgers (9-18, 1-15 B1G) Wednesday, February 25, 2026 • 7 p.m. ET Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall • Bloomington, Ind. Broadcast: B1G+ Radio: B97 (Austin Render) ABOUT THE SCARLET KNIGHTS Rutgers fell to Penn State, 87-78, on Saturday. Three players scored in double figures in the loss including a team-high 16 points from junior forward Nene Ndiaye. Ndiaye leads them in points per game (15.0 ppg.) and senior forward Imani Lester comes off the bench to add 11.3 points and a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game. The Scarlet Knights average 57.9 points per game and shoot 36.2 percent from the floor. SERIES HISTORY Indiana leads 9-6 LAST MEETING 2/6/25 – W, 81-60 (Bloomington, Ind.) NOTES The Hoosiers have won the last six-straight in the series with Rutgers coming into Wednesday’s matchup. The streak began in the 2019-20 season as IU leads the all-time series, 9-6. Indiana used a big fourth quarter to get pas Oregon, 72-65, on Senior Day on Sunday at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Senior guard Shay Ciezki had a team-high 20 points while junior forward Edessa Noyan added a career-high 18 points and eight rebounds in the effort. In Sunday’s win, Ciezki became the 34th member of IU’s 1,000-point club. She reached the mark in just two season and 60 total games played with Indiana. Ciezki is the 11th player to score 1,000 points in cream and crimson under head coach Teri Moren. Coming off her career-high performance against Oregon, junior forward Edessa Noyan has found her stride. She has scored in double figures in three of the last four games including 12 points at USC where she also had a team-high eight rebounds, a career-high six assists and a season-high three blocks. The Botkyrka, Sweden native also played a season-high 35 minutes in the effort. UP NEXT The regular season rounds out against Penn State at home on Saturday Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. ET. ========================================================================= INDIANA BASEBALL BASEBALL CENTRAL: XAVIER BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – A busy week in the Midwest begins for the Indiana Baseball team (2-5, 0-0 B1G) as it prepares for five games in five days. The first part of that slate is a midweek contest in Cincinnati against Xavier (2-5, 0-0 Big East) at Hayden Field. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 25) afternoon. These two programs have played some of the toughest schedules in the country through the opening weeks of the season. Xavier beat East Carolina in a series to begin the season before being swept last weekend at Arkansas. IU began the year at North Carolina and spent the last three games in Jacksonville, picking up a win over UCF in the process. Sophomores Hogan Denny and Cooper Malamazian have done the heavy lifting for IU’s offense so far this year. The second-year duo has combined for 19 hits, 14 runs, three home runs and 17 RBIs in the heart of the order. Both players are hitting .360 or better with an on-base percentage of .450 and above. With a busy stretch of action, IU will need big performances from members of the bullpen. Freshman right-handed pitcher Kellen English has shown flashes of brilliance on the mound. His first-year counterparts Ivan Mastalski and Xavier Carrera are candidates to pitch this week. This will be IU’s first trip to Hayden Field since 2023. That meeting, which featured a win for southpaw Ty Bothwell, was the last victory for the Hoosiers in the all-time series. Gameday Info at Xavier (Wednesday, February 25th – 2 p.m. ET) Live Video: bit.ly/46mIIoR Live Audio: bit.ly/IUAudio Live Stats: bit.ly/3N23eEL Probable Starters Indiana vs. Xavier • Wednesday: RHP Ivan Mastalski, Fr. (0-0, 9.00 ERA) Leading Off FRY IS COOKING: Freshman second baseman Landen Fry went on a heater last week to begin his college career. He hit .533 (8-15) in the four-game week while scoring five runs and recording five RBIs. Fry is the first freshman in the Jeff Mercer era with at least eight hits in his first 15 career at-bats. BIG HIT COOP: Sophomore shortstop Cooper Malamazian won the race to reach double-digit RBIs this season. He has 10 RBIs through seven games including four multi-RBI outings in his past five games. He had a bases-clearing double on Sunday against Notre Dame. FIND A WAY: The Hoosiers are extremely close to breaking through. Finding a way to close games has been a big deal. IU has lost a lead in the seventh inning or later in three different games. The latest was a five-run blown lead against Notre Dame on Sunday afternoon. BALANCED OFFENSE: IU has gotten contributions from all over its lineup in the early part of the season. 12 different players have recorded a hit this season. The latest addition to that list is freshman third baseman Mateo Noto who had an RBI single on Sunday against Notre Dame. RIVERA ROCKET: Graduate student right-handed pitcher Reagan Rivera went to work in a big win over UCF last Saturday. He recorded the final 12 outs in a scoreless save in Jacksonville. He’s as versatile as it comes on IU’s staff this year and can both start games or close when needed. STAYING BUSY: The Hoosiers are scheduled to play five games in five days, beginning with Wednesday’s tilt at Xavier. IU will need an all hands on deck approach with its pitching staff. Expect young arms like freshmen Ivan Mastalski, Kellen English and Xavier Carrera to get some run this week. THE REAL HD: Sophomore outfielder Hogan Denny is on a tear to begin the season. He’s hitting .385 with an on-base percentage of .515. On top of his hits, he’s reached base safely with five walks and two hit-by-pitches. His current six-game hitting streak is the longest of his career. BEHIND THE DISH: Junior catcher T.J. Schuyler is one of the best defensive catchers in the entire country. On the season, he’s already thrown out four runners who are trying to steal. One of those was a “strike ’em out, throw ’em out” double play in the ninth inning against Notre Dame. Scouting the Opponent Xavier • Xavier, much like IU, has played one of the toughest schedules in the country to date. The Musketeers took a series at East Carolina on opening weekend before getting swept in Fayetteville by Arkansas. Between those games, Xavier played Louisville in a midweek defeat. • The top of Xavier’s lineup has been fantastic to start this year. Josh Stonehouse has four home runs through seven games with 10 hits and seven RBIs. As a team, the Musketeers have already slugged 14 home runs. Seven different players have a long ball this year. • A midweek loss to Louisville has skewed the numbers, but Xavier always produces a fantastic pitching staff. Garrett Helsel has appeared three times and has a save in 4.1 innings of work. Ashton Chronister has a 1.40 earned run average in three appearances. Inside the Series Xavier • IU holds an all-time 28-8 advantage in the series between two teams separated by two hours. However, Xavier has gotten the best of IU in recent memory. The Musketeers have become one of the most competitive mid-major programs in the past decade. Xavier has won five of the past seven contests including taking three of four in a series in Bloomington in 2022. IU responded with a win in the last matchup played in Cincinnati (2023). The Musketeers took a pair of victories last February in 2025. ========================================================================= PURDUE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PURDUE TO HONOR LAYDEN-ZAY WITH SENIOR NIGHT VS. OREGON WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue women’s basketball team will close out its home campaign on Wednesday night with a 7 p.m. Senior Night tipoff against Oregon. The Boilermakers will honor fifth-year guard Madison Layden-Zay in a postgame ceremony. Tim Newton and Jane Schott will be courtside on 95.3 BOB FM and the Purdue Global Radio Network. Mark Rapp, TJ Silkaitis and Katka Helman will be on the call for B1G+. GAME INFORMATION Purdue (12-15, 4-12) vs. Oregon (19-10, 7-9) Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 Time: 7 PM TV/Stream: B1G+ Radio: 95.3 BOB FM Live Stats: purdue.statbroadcast.com PROMOTIONS • Senior Night – Purdue will honor Madison Layden-Zay, as well as the managers and RIP squad seniors, in a postgame ceremony • Golden Ticket Game • Blackout Game LAST TIME OUT Despite shooting 50% from the floor in the first quarter, the Boilermakers could not keep pace in a 99-66 loss at No. 14 Maryland on Sunday afternoon. Kiki Smith paced Purdue with 19 points, including four 3-pointers, while Nya Smith went for 18 points, five rebounds and six assists. NOTES • After taking a year off in 2024-25, Madison Layden-Zay returned to West Lafayette for a final campaign in which she set the Purdue career record for 3-pointers, currently sitting at 262. • The Kokomo, Ind., native has produced one of best all-around careers in Purdue history, joining Caitlin Clark as the only players in Big Ten history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, 200 3-pointers, 200 steals and 50 blocks in a career. • In addition to her 3-point record, Layden-Zay ranks 24th in career points (1,278), 14th in steals (202), 15th in assists (371), eighth in games started (118), fifth in minutes played (4,344), 14th in 3-point percentage (35.1%) and sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.47). • Layden-Zay joined Stephanie White and Katie Douglas as the only Boilermakers in program history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. • Kiki Smith has elevated her play over the last six games, averaging a team-high 15.8 points on 45.7% shooting and knocking down 16 3-pointers at a 42.1% rate. The junior is one of four qualifying Big Ten players shooting better than 45% from the field, 40% from distance and 85% from the line in the month of February. • Nya Smith has found her shooting touch over the last four games with 14.3 points per night and knocking down 11 3-pointers at a 42.3% clip to help the sophomore up her production in Big Ten play to 10.0 points per game. • The Boilermakers are to 11-3 this season when scoring 70 or more points and 19-3 since the start of last year, while going 11-2 when holding teams to 70 points or fewer this year. • Leading the team in scoring (12.1) and rebounding (6.6), Tara Daye is one of four guards from the Big Ten averaging better than 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season. • For the first time this season, McKenna Layden scored from inside the arc. The junior tallied her first two-point attempt of the year against Maryland, after going 17-for-38 from the field in her first 24 games this year, all from behind the arc. Layden is shooting a career-best 45% from deep this year. • The Boilermakers have connected on 199 3-pointers this season, tying for fifth in program history. Three of Purdue’s four campaigns with 200 or more 3-pointers have come under head coach Katie Gearlds. • The Boilermakers have played their best ball at Mackey Arena this season, averaging 78.3 points per game, more than 20 points better than their road average. Purdue is shooting 9.3% better at home with a 46.7% clip, while holding teams to 40.5% from the floor, also 9.3% better than on the road. ========================================================================= NOTRE DAME MEN’S BASKETBALL IRISH LOSE 56-100 TO #1 DUKE SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-16, 3-12) fell 56-100 to the top-ranked No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (26-2, 14-1) on Tuesday evening. Brady Koehler and Cole Certa led the Irish with 14 points apiece. Koehler finished the night 5-9 from the field while also chipping in 5 boards for the Irish. Koehler registered his sixth game in double figures, fifth in ACC play. Certa extended his career-high double-digit scoring streak to six games. He has totalled 115 points in that span. Sir Mohammed was the third and final Irish in double figures, recording 11points on 5-8 shooting. “We wanted to play well, and we didn’t, and Duke had a lot to do with it. There’s a reason they are the number one team in the country. We didn’t play as well as we wanted to, but this won’t be the worst thing to happen to them. So embrace the next opportunity. Embrace tomorrow. And if we keep getting chances, we are going to keep fighting and see what happens,” Glenn & Stacey Murphy Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry said. HOW IT HAPPENED Halfway through the first half, it was Duke 22, Notre Dame 9, as Brady Koehler scored all nine points for the home team. The Blue Devils had started 6-6 from the field. Over the next three minutes, Duke drained four consecutive shots, which included three triples to open up a 33-14 advantage. Duke went on to claim a 54-22 halftime lead, spearheaded by Cameron Boozer’s 20 first-half points. Boozer was 4-6 from the field and 10-12 from the free-throw line. Cole Certa scored 11 of the team’s final 13 points of the half, going 6-6 from the stripe. The Blue Devils shot 51.7% from the field and 8-16 from three compared to ND’s 26.1% and 2-13. Sir Mohammed tallied 9 of his 11 points in the second half. Matt MacLellan subbed in late and registered six points. As a team, the Irish shot 44.8% to Duke’s 40.0% in the second half, though the Blue Devils edged the Irish in scoring, 46-34. Six Blue Devils finished in double figures, led by Boozer’s 24 points. Duke converted 15 ND turnovers into 23 points. UP NEXT The Irish will host NC State on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 12:00 p.m. on The CW. The Irish will honor seniors Carson Towt, Kebba Njie, and Matthew MacLellan, as well as their senior managers, pregame. ======================================================================= NOTRE DAME MEN’S GOLF WOMEN’S GOLF FINISHES TOP 3 AT SPACE COAST CLASSIC VIERA, Fla. – The University of Notre Dame women’s golf team finished third out of 14 teams over the weekend in Florida. The Irish were solid throughout the tournament with round scores of 288(E), 288(E), and 295(+7) to finish out the two-day tournament with a team score of 871 (+7). Alex Lapple led the way for Notre Dame throughout the tournament, finishing fourth overall, with a score of 211 (-5) to round out the event. Lapple was steady throughout, marking back to back rounds of 68 (-4) to sit near the top of the leaderboard heading into the final day. She closed out the weekend with a 75 (+3) to secure the under par finish and lead the team to a top-five finish. Maddy Bante and Jordan Levitt both matched 219 (+3) totals to finish tied for 12th overall. Bante opened with a 72 (E) before adding rounds of 73 (+1) and 74 (+2) to cap the weekend. Freshman Levitt obtained a consistent score across all three rounds, recording 73 (+1) in each round of play to notch her in the top-15. Bridget Wilkie followed with a 223 (+7) across 54 holes to place tied for 20th overall. Wilkie opened with a 76 (+4) and rebounded with a 74 (+2) in round two and closed strong with a 73 (+1) in the final round. Sawyer Brockstedt rounded out the lineup with a 226 (+10) finishing tied for 27th. The freshman recorded rounds of 75 (+3), 75 (+3) and 76 (+4) over the course of 54 holes. The Irish return to the course March 8-10 for the SoCal Spring Invite in Camarilla, California hosted by Morehead State University. ========================================================================= NOTRE DAME WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IVEY NAMED USA BASKETBALL U18 HEAD COACH COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Karen & Kevin Keyes Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach Niele Ivey has been named the head coach of the 2026 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team. The team will compete at the FIBA U18 Women’s AmeriCup from June 8-14. “I am truly honored to serve as the next U18 USA Basketball Head Coach and grateful to the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee for this incredible opportunity to represent our country and be part of such a prestigious program,” Ivey said. “I look forward to leading this team as we compete for a gold medal and represent USA Basketball with pride.” Ivey is no stranger to USA Basketball, as she will be making her third appearance with the organization. She previously was a USA Basketball assistant coach for the USA Women’s U19 National Team after serving in the role with the 2024 U18 National Team and as a court coach at the 2023 USA Women’s U19 National Team trials. The USA has won 12 gold medals in the event, including the last 11. As well as the Americas zone title, they’ll also be vying for a bid to the 2027 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup, earned by the final four semifinalists in this year’s tournament. ========================================================================= BUTLER MEN’S GOLF TABOR FINISHES FIFTH INDIVIDUALLY, BUTLER TAKES SIXTH AT DORADO BEACH INDIANAPOLIS – The Bulldogs concluded play at the Dorado Beach Collegiate in Dorado, Puerto Rico, finishing sixth out of 15 teams with a total score of 865 (+1) after posting a 287 (-1) in the final round. Derek Tabor placed fifth individually, shooting a 71 (-1) in the final round to finish at 213 (-3). Tabor was Butler’s only top-10 finisher and the only Bulldog to remain under par for each round of the tournament. Leo Zurovac finished 11th individually after carding a 71 (-1). Zurovac recorded an eagle on the 530-yard par-5 11th hole and was one of three players in the field to average under par on the par-5s. Ethan Blomme posted his best round of the tournament with a 69 (-3), highlighted by a 32 (-4) on the front nine. Blomme finished 21st individually. Logan Sutto tied for 26th after shooting a 76 (+4) with three birdies in the final round, matching Luke Kruger, who also posted a 76 (+4). The Bulldogs will compete next at the Appalachian State Surf Club Invitational in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on March 8, 2026. Live results will be available at ButlerSports.com. THE BUTLER MEN: 5) Derek Tabor, 70-72-71, 213 (-3) 11) Leo Zurovac, 76-68-71, 215 (-1) 21) Ethan Blomme, 73-76-69, 218 (+2) 26) Logan Sutto, 74-69-76, 219 (+3) 63) Luke Kruger, 77-76-76, 229 (+13) 80) Johnny Creamean (IND), 76-80-78, 234 (+18) ========================================================================= BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BUTLER TRAVELS TO CHICAGO TO FACE DEPAUL INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will travel to Chicago, Ill. to face the DePaul Blue Demons on Wednesday evening at Wintrust Arena. Tip-off between the two sides is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+. GAMEDAY INFORMATION Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 Time: 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT Location: Chicago, Ill. Live Stats: Butlersports.com Watch: ESPN+ ABOUT THE BULLDOGS Butler (10-18, 4-14 BE) is coming off a 66-58 road victory at Georgetown. Anna Wypych led four Bulldogs in double figures with 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting in the contest. Kennedy Langham (11), Lily Zeinstra (10) and Caroline Dotsey (10) rounded out the Dawgs in double figures. Butler has posted double digit assists in 16 of 18 league games this season. Butler recorded 11 assists as a team against Georgetown behind a game-high four assists from Nevaeh Jackson. Anna Wypych had a solid week for BU averaging 12.5 points per game across two games for the Dawgs. The freshman added three rebounds, two assists and a steal across the two contests. Saniya Jackson leads the BU offense, averaging 9.1 points per game. The redshirt sophomore is shooting 47.3-percent from the floor and 29-percent from beyond the arc. Saniya Jackson leads the squad on the glass, pulling down 5.1 rebounds per game. Saniya Jackson was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, Jan. 26, after an impressive week for the Dawgs. The redshirt sophomore tallied her first career double-double against DePaul (1/21), pouring in a career-high in points (22) and rebounds (10) en route to a 73-67 win over the Blue Demons. The Fort Wayne native nearly posted her second double-double in as many games against Marquette (1/25), chipping in 12 points and nine rebounds in the contest. The redshirt sophomore averaged 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game en route to her first BIG EAST Weekly Honor of her career. Butler’s two freshmen, Addison Baxter and Wypych, have been solid contributors this season for BU averaging 19.1 and 16.2 minutes per game, respectively. Baxter, a 2025 Indiana All-Star from Columbia City, is averaging 5.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game. She is shooting 43.6-percent from the floor and is sinking 77.4-percent of her attempts from the charity stripe. Wypych posts 5.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Michigan native has been impressive from the floor, shooting 43.9-percent while sinking 37.3-percent of her shots from behind the arc. Caroline Dotsey, Lily Zeinstra and Mallory Miller have all been pivotal pieces for Butler, averaging 8.3, 8.1 and 9.1 points per game, respectively. Dotsey was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 22 after leading Butler to its first conference win of the season over Xavier with 25 points in the contest. Miller earned a nod to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Dec. 15. Miller averaged 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game in a 2-0 week for Butler. BU is in the top 100 nationally in bench points per game (21.6; 78th) and free throw percentage (73.8%; 95th). Austin Parkinson is in his fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs. Parkinson has led the squad to 42 wins in his first three seasons. SCOUTING DEPAUL DePaul (7-22, 4-14 BE) is coming off a 76-67 victory over Xavier on Sunday afternoon in Chicago. Kate Novik led a trio of Blue Demons in double figures with 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting from the floor. Novik leads DePaul on the offensive end, averaging 12.5 points per game. She also leads the team on the glass, pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game. Natiah Nelson averages 7.9 points per game for DePaul which ranks second on the team. ABOUT THE SERIES Butler is 3-27 all-time against DePaul dating back to the 1984-85 season. In the meeting between the two sides earlier this season, Butler defeated the Blue Demons 73-67 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Saniya Jackson had a career night, pouring in 22 points while pulling down 10 rebounds. It was Jackson’s first career double-double. Butler will look to sweep DePaul for the first time in program history on Wednesday. UP NEXT The Bulldogs will be back in action on Sunday, March 1, as Butler will conclude the regular season with an afternoon contest against Seton Hall. Butler will also celebrate senior day on Sunday prior to the game starting. The game will be broadcast live on Peacock. ========================================================================= IU INDY MEN’S BASKETBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL TO HOST OAKLAND IN FINAL WEEK OF REGULAR SEASON INDIANAPOLIS – The IU Indianapolis men’s basketball team will open the final week of the season’s regular season by hosting Oakland (15-14, 11-7 HL) inside the Jungle on Wednesday night (Feb.25). The Jaguars enter play looking to snap a four-game skid and claim a regular season sweep of the Golden Grizzlies. The Jaguars won the first meeting between the two schools back on Jan. 21, 103-85. The Jags have been tough luck losers in three of their past four games, dropping games to Milwaukee, Northern Kentucky and at Purdue Fort Wayne by a combined 12 points prior to a 12-point road loss at Wright State. However, in the loss at WSU, the game was tied at 57 all midway through the second half before the Raiders surged ahead down the stretch. IU Indy junior Kyler D’Augustino continued his candidacy for an all-league berth as he ranks among the Horizon League’s top-10 in five different categories. The 6-foot-1 guard is second in the league in scoring at 18.8 points per game while shooting an efficient 53 percent from the floor and delivering 3.5 assists per game. Senior Jaxon Edwards has taken his game to a new level during league play, averaging 13.4 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game against Horizon League opponents. In the Jan. 21 win at Oakland, senior Finley Woodward had 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds while D’Augustino closed with 21 points and seven assists. Edwards also just missed a double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds, including six dunks. The Jaguars shot a blistering 60 percent from the floor in that game, including 11-of-22 from three-point range. QUOTABLE “I’m proud of our guys for how hard they continue to scrap and claw and fight. Shots weren’t falling and we continued to fight. (Wright State) is a really good, disciplined team and we were right there with them. They made the plays down the stretch and we didn’t and that’s the difference between winning and losing,” head coach Ben Howlett said following the road loss at Wright State. SCOUTING OAKLAND Oakland is 15-14 overall and 11-7 in Horizon League play, locked in a three-way tie for second-place in the league standings. The Golden Grizzlies have won eight games away from home, including seven true road wins. OU shoots 47 percent overall and 34.3 percent from three while turning it over just 10.5 times per game. Below is a look at OU’s potential starting five. G Brett White (6-6, 5th Year) – 8.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg G Brody Robinson (5-11, Sr.) – 16.9 ppg, 6.5 apg F Michael Houge (6-7, 5th Year) – 13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg F Tuburu Naivalurua (6-8, 5th Year) – 13.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg F Isaac Garrett (6-8, Jr.) – 13.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg INSIDE THE SERIES IU Indy is 21-36 all-time against Oakland and 13-12 in 25 matchups in Indy. UP NEXT The Jags will close out the regular season against Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday (Feb. 28) at 2:00 p.m. inside the Jungle. ========================================================================= BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL CARDINALS COMPLETE 18-POINT COMEBACK IN 74-73 OVERTIME WIN OVER UMASS MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s basketball team overcame an 18-point deficit with 12 minutes to go in the second half to force overtime, and Armoni Zeigler hit the game-winning shot in the closing seconds of a 74-73 win over UMass on Tuesday night at Worthen Arena. Davion Hill led the second half comeback for the Cardinals, as he had 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second period. The guard added five points in the extra session, and Zeigler had five as well, including the go-ahead floater with 16 seconds to play. Ball State forced an off-balanced shot from UMass on the ensuing possession to clinch the comeback win. Trailing 53-35 after a bucket from the visitors with 12:12 to play in regulation, Hill made a triple and an and-one to begin the rally. The redshirt sophomore later made a pair of free throws to get Ball State within four points at 58-54 with 4:05 left on the clock. Mason Jones next hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to cut the deficit to 58-57 at the 2:35 mark of the second half, and Hill drained two more free throws to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the game at 59-58 with 1:32 to go. Kayden Fish made a tip-in with 45 seconds left, but Isaiah Placide hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds to go that tied the score at 61-61. The Cardinals had two looks in the closing seconds that didn’t fall and forced the first overtime game for the team this season. Fish and Hill provided the offense for Ball State (9-19, 4-11 Mid-American Conference) early in the extra period, including a free throw from Fish that gave the hosts a 72-67 edge with about 80 seconds to play. Placide, who led the Minutemen with 18 points, converted on an and-one and made a triple to put UMass (15-14, 6-10 MAC) back in front 73-72 with 36 seconds left before Zeigler scored the final basket of the game. Hill added four rebounds and two assists to his season and game-high 26 points on the night, while the Cardinals got 10 points each from Zeigler (seven rebounds, five assists), Fish (five rebounds), Elmore James IV (four rebounds, two assists, two steals) and Juwan Maxey. Jones chipped in five points and six rebounds, and Preston Copeland tallied three points, nine rebounds and two steals before fouling out late in the second half. Hill made all 11 free throws he attempted. The Minutemen had more rebounds (49-41), but Ball State collected more points in the paint (38-30) on the night. The Cardinals committed four fewer turnovers (14-10) for the game and scored two more points off turnovers (12-10) than UMass. Ball State shot 35.7 percent (25-70) from the field including 21.4 percent (6-28) from distance and 81.8 percent (18-22) at the foul line. The Minutemen went 37.7 percent (26-69) on field goals, 29.6 percent (8-27) on 3-pointers and 81.3 percent (13-16) on free throws. The 18-point comeback was the largest of the season for the Cardinals. Next up for Ball State is a road game at Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon. ========================================================================= BALL STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RETURNS HOME TO HOST AKRON IN MID-WEEK MAC SHOWDOWN – Wednesday’s game against Akron will mark the 53rd time in program history the two schools have met with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 33-19. Ball State has won 15 of the last 18 meetings against the Zips. Brady Sallee owns a 15-8 mark against Akron. Ball State last defeated Akron at James A. Rhodes Arena on Dec 31, 2025 by a score of 102-73. – If the MAC Tournament began today, Ball State would likely play Central Michigan in the quarterfinal round. Based on current standings as of February 24, 2026, Ball State is the No. 2 seed following a recent 68-64 loss to Miami (OH), who currently holds the top spot. Under the MAC Tournament’s eight-team format, the No. 2 seed faces the No. 7 seed in the opening round with the game starting at approximately 30 minutes after Game 2. – The Cardinals typically carry on their success throughout the month of February in preparation for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Under head coach Brady Sallee the Cardinals own a 66-40 (.605) record in February with his best season being in 2019-20 as Ball State posted a 7-1 ledger that year. – The Cardinals officially clinched its spot in the 2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament with a commanding 83–68 victory over EMU last Tuesday. The win also secured head coach Brady Sallee’s ninth 20-win season in program history. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive year the Cardinals have reached at least 20 victories, a stretch that includes a program-record 28 wins during the 2023–24 season. MAC Tournament Facts: The Cardinals continue to be a staple of March Madness in the MAC, securing their 36th program appearance in the conference tournament. Ball State’s dominance is especially clear over the last quarter-century, having advanced to Cleveland for 24 of the past 26 seasons. With an all-time tournament record of 27–33, the team has fought their way to seven championship games, ultimately crowning their efforts with titles in 2009 and 2025. Under head coach Brady Sallee, the Ball State women’s basketball team has made it to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament 11 times, including reaching the championship game in 2014, 2022, and 2025. The 2025 championship was a historic milestone, marking Sallee’s first conference tournament title in 21 years of head coaching and the program’s first since 2009. Where We Rank in the MAC: Ball State remains at the top of the charts in assists per game (19.3),assist/turnover ratio (1.13), field goal percentage (46.5), field goal percentage defense (37.1), defensive rebounds per game (30.4), rebounds per game (43.68) and scoring offense (78.8). International Success: The Cardinals have had plenty of international success under 14th year head coach Brady Sallee. We all remember Nathalie Fontaine the 6-2 guard from Stockholm, Sweden became Ball State’s all-time leading scorer with 2,166 points. The 2016 MAC Player of the Year and AP honorable mention averaged 21.0 points per game and 10.2 rebounds while making over 50 percent of her shots. After Fontaine was Carmen Grande a native from Madrid, Spain who held onto the all-time assists record with 697 until Ally Becki surpassed her last season with 721 and we also cannot forget Thelma Dis Agustsdottir from Keflavik, Iceland who holds the all-time 3-point record with 325 treys. Agustsdottir also competed at the Celsius 3-point championship at the NCAA Tournament. What’s Next: Following their home game against Akron on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the Ball State women’s basketball team will wrap up their home regular-season schedule on Saturday, February 28, with a “Senior Day” matchup against Ohio University at 1:00 p.m.. The Cardinals then hit the road for their final regular-season contest against league rival Toledo on Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m. Scouting Akron: – The Akron Zips women’s basketball team (7-20 overall, 4-10 MAC as of February 24, 2026) is in its third season under head coach Ryan Gensler. Following an injury-riddled 10-21 campaign in 2024-25, the program has focused on building a versatile, “positionless” roster. – Akron uses a high-octane scoring with a “positionless” approach. The team prioritizes versatility, often playing multiple guards and versatile forwards. They have shown extreme offensive bursts, including two 100+ point games this season (117-34 vs. Heidelberg and 100-65 vs. Geneva). – While offensively capable, the Zips have struggled defensively, ranking 356th nationally in points allowed per game (77.6) and 334th in Defensive Rating (100.4). – Akron is in a rebuilding phase, highlighted by recent hard-fought MAC wins against Buffalo (76-72) and a double-overtime thriller against Ohio (108-105). – The Zips are led in offense by Ni’Rah Clark (12.6 ppg) and Shaena Brew (11.2 ppg). ========================================================================= INDIANA STATE BASEBALL SYCAMORES FALL IN MIDWEEK SERIES OPENER AT FLORIDA GULF COAST FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Gulf Coast seized control of Tuesday’s game early and sealed the contest with an 11-run fifth inning as Indiana State fell to the host Eagles in Swanson Stadium, 17-1. The Sycamores (3-5) were unable to shut down the FGCU offense (8-0) in the key fifth inning as 12 consecutive batters reached, allowing the Eagles to stretch a 6-1 lead to 17-1 before Indiana State’s Jacob Spencer retired the final two batters of the inning to stem the tide. Spencer went 1.2 scoreless innings in his 2026 debut on the mound as the Sycamore right-hander retired all five batters he faced in the relief effort. Owen Roberts (0-1) took the loss in his first collegiate start allowing five hits and five runs (two earned), while striking out two. Carson Seeman and Hunter Small also saw time on the mound in the loss. Carter Beck provided Indiana State’s offensive excitement in the contest with a ground-rule double that one-hopped over the wall in left center to open the fourth inning. He came around to score on Caden Miller’s RBI groundout to put the Sycamores on the board. Jeremy Martinez added a single and drew a walk to reach base in two of his three plate appearances in the loss. Evan Dempsey led FGCU’s offense with three hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in four RBIs as the Eagles connected on 13 hits overall in the game. Jaret Nelson added a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning, while Jon Embury and Javier Gorostola added doubles in the win. Preston Rogers (1-0) picked up the win on the mound going 2.0 scoreless innings and striking out four in the start. Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue, Sebastian Lippman, Jhon Abreu, and Stetson Callaway worked the final 5.0 innings to close out the victory. How They Scored Florida Gulf Coast struck in the bottom of the first inning as Jaret Nelson connected on a three-run home run over the left field wall, scoring Javier Gorostola and Jeremy Comer as FGCU took advantage of an Indiana State error to go ahead 3-0. The Eagles added to their lead in the bottom of the second inning as Evan Dempsey connected on an RBI double down the right field line playing Cole Lasher to make it a 4-0 game. The Sycamores struck on the board in the top of the fourth as Carter Beck led off the inning with a ground-rule double to left center. He came around to score two batters later on Caden Miller’s RBI groundout to make it a 4-1 ballgame. FGCU was back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth as Evan Dempsey doubled home Tyler Herb and Javier Gorostola drove in Dempsey on an RBI grounder to make it a 6-1 Eagles lead. The Eagles had 12 consecutive batters reach base on their way to plating 11 runs in the fifth inning to take a 17-1 lead. FGCU’s frame was highlighted by Jon Embury’s two-run double and Cayden Hessemyer’s two-run single among the seven hits in the frame. News and Notes Carter Beck extended his hitting streak to seven consecutive games following his ground-rule double in the top of the fourth inning and extended his on-base streak to 13 consecutive games dating back to the last year. He finished 1-for-3 from the plate on Tuesday evening. Owen Roberts made his starting debut on the mound on Tuesday night as the freshman went 3.0 innings against FGCU. Tuesday’s loss marked the Sycamores’ first defeat at the hands of FGCU since the respective programs first lined up against each other back in 2021. Up Next Indiana State is back in action on Wednesday evening in Fort Myers, Fla. as the Sycamores take onFlorida Gulf Coast in Swanson Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be carried live on ESPN+. ========================================================================= EVANSVILLE MEN’S BASKETBALL ACES TRAVEL TO BELMONT FOR WEDNESDAY SHOWDOWN EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The final week of the regular season for the University of Evansville men’s basketball team begins with a trip to Nashville to face Belmont on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. ESPN+ and Purple Aces Radio Network will have the broadcast. Last Time Out – After leading by as many as 14 points in the first half, the Purple Aces fell at Murray State on Saturday by a final of 88-75 – AJ Casey scored 19 points while Leif Moeller added 17 – Josh Hughes (16 pts) and Alex Hemenway (14 pts) both had their top efforts of the conference season Still Going Strong – With 19 points on Saturday at Murray State, AJ Casey got back on track after scoring a total of 13 points in the previous two games – Casey scored a career-high 28 points in the win over Illinois State marking the highest tally for a UE player this season – He continues to rank among the MVC’s best in multiple categories including: scoring (15th-11.93 PPG), rebounds (9th-5.46 RPG), shooting % (7th-50.0%), steals (6th-1.29/game), and offensive boards (9th-2.00/gm) – Casey has scored 7+ points in 18 of the last 20 games and is averaging 14.6 PPG against MVC foes after scoring 7.8 PPG in non-conference play Series Notes – Belmont has won eight of the 11 games in the all-time series, which goes back to 2009 – Two of Evansville’s wins have come at the Curb Event Center including an 80-75 victory last season – The last three meetings have been decided by 5 points or less Triple Play – Alex Hemenway scored 14 points in the road game at Murray State marking his top effort against a league opponent – He was 4-for-8 from outside and has knocked down multiple 3-pointers in nine of the last 11 games – The recent surge has moved him into 10th in the MVC with 1.71 made triples per game – Hemenway scored 12 points at Indiana State and 11 against Bradley – He set his career mark with 21 points against Calumet while going a perfect 5-of-5 from outside Lucky 13 – Over his last three games, Josh Hughes is averaging 13 points including a 16-point game at Murray State – The performance against the Racers matched his season scoring high – Over his last 12 games, Hughes is averaging 10.3 PPG while shooting 49.5%; he tied his season high with 16 points at UIC Scouting the Opponent – Belmont clinched the Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season Championship with an 87-70 win over Indiana State on Saturday – The Bruins hold a record of 25-4 overall and 15-3 in the league – Over their last 13 games, the Bruins have gone 12-1 with their only loss coming in overtime on the road at Bradley – Four Belmont players average double figures led by Tyler Lundblade’s 15.8 PPG – Sam Orme is averaging 12.6 points and 5.2 boards while Drew Scharnowski has posted 11.9 PPG and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per contest. ======================================================================== EVANSVILLE BASEBALL ACES DROP MIDWEEK CONTEST AT VANDERBILT NASHVILLE – The University of Evansville baseball team dropped their first midweek contest of the season on Tuesday, falling to Vanderbilt by a score of 15-3 at Hawkins Field. Harrison Taubert (Casper, Wyo./Northeast CC) and Wyatt Pennington (Avon, Ind./Avon) hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning before Pennington drove in Taubert with a double in the seventh to provide the Aces’ offense. Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind./Seymour) had three hits for his first multi-hit game of the year. Kellen Roberts (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) took the loss for Evansville, while Alex Kranzler got the win for Vanderbilt. HOW IT HAPPENED Evansville loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with a single and a pair of walks, but were left empty-handed as a strikeout ended the inning. Roberts responded on the mound in the bottom of the first with a pair of strikeouts, working around a two-out walk to keep the Commodores off the board. Vanderbilt broke things open in the second inning, though, scoring two runs on a sac fly and a bases loaded walk before a grand slam made it 6-0. In the top of the third, Taubert led off the inning with his second home run of the year, a moonshot over the 35-feet tall left field wall. On the next pitch, Pennington went yard to left center for his first collegiate home run, making it a 6-2 game. In the home half of the third, the Commodores got the runs back with a double and added to the lead in the fourth with a two-run homer. Vanderbilt put things firmly out of reach in the sixth, hitting their second grand slam of the day before an RBI single made it 15-2. In the top of the seventh, Pennington drove in Taubert with a double for his second extra base hit and second RBI of the day, but a pair of strikeouts ended the game in seven innings. UP NEXT Evansville is back home at Charles H. Stadium this weekend, hosting Milwaukee. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is set for 3 PM. ========================================================================= PURDUE FT. WAYNE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MASTODON WBB VISITS MILWAUKEE FOR PARAMOUNT #HLWBB CONTEST FORT WAYNE, Ind. – With two games left in the regular season, Purdue Fort Wayne women’s basketball will make a trip to Milwaukee for a contest against the Panthers on Wednesday (Feb. 25). The Mastodons are jockeying for position in the Horizon League Championship seeding, with the possibility of finishing between fourth and sixth depending on their results the rest of the way.Game Day InformationWho: Milwaukee PanthersWhen: Wednesday, February 25 | 7 PM ETWhere: Milwaukee, Wis. | Klotsche CenterLive Stats: LinkWatch: ESPN+Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Milwaukee | Horizon League Know Your Foe Milwaukee is 8-21 with a 4-14 league record and has lost its last five games, including an overtime loss at Robert Morris. The Panthers’ last win came against Wright State, which was a 75-70 win behind 17 points from Jorey Buwalda. Buwalda is leading the team with 12.3 points per game. Grace Lomen is shooting 40.2 percent from the 3-point line in league play for 12.5 points per game. Series History Milwaukee leads 10-8, but Purdue Fort Wayne has won the last five meetings, including a 70-60 victory in Fort Wayne earlier this season. Alana Nelson had 20 points in that contest. Macharia Magic Destiny Macharia scored a career-high 15 points against Youngstown State on February 21, reaching double-digits for the second time this season. She had 12 against Northern Kentucky in late December. Oh Offing! In her last three games, Hillary Offing has scored 11.3 points per game in just over 15 minutes per outing. This included an 8-of-11 effort at Cleveland State and a 5-for-7 performance against Oakland. Lee Love Lauren Lee tallied 13 points and six rebounds in the Mastodons’ game against Oakland, both of which marked season-highs for the graduate student. Watch Out For Alana Alana Nelson was selected for the Celsius Women’s 3-Point Championship Watch List. The event will be held on April 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Nelson and Green Bay’s Jenna Guyer were the only two representatives for the Horizon League on the list. Assists Here! Lauren Lee’s 3.4 assists per game this season ranks fifth in the Mastodons’ Division I history. Her 2.11 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks as the best in the program’s Division I era. Anyone’s Night The Mastodons have six different players that have scored 20 points or more in a game this season: Rylee Bess, Lili Krasovec, Alana Nelson, Hillary Offing, Jordan Reid and Ella Riggs. Alotta Alana Alana Nelson ranks in the top-70 nationally with a field goal percentage of 50.2. She is also top-100 with 16.5 points per game and 48th in 3-point percentage at 39.9. Even More Alana When Alana Nelson scores 15 or more, the Mastodons are 14-3. The two losses were at Xavier, at Wright State and against Youngstown State. Look at Lee! Lauren Lee is second in the HL with 4.2 assists per league game. She also has a 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio in league play, a league-best. Her 2.1 assist-to-turnover for the entire season is second in the league and 32th in the country. The Latest of Lili Over the last seven games, Lili Krasovec averaged 13.3 points per game. 3-Point Threat Rylee Bess has the second-best season-long 3-point percentage by a freshman in program history. Her mark of 39.3 percent (57-of-145) is only bested by Jordan Zuppe (2007-08), who shot 43.3 percent (74-of-171) in her freshman season. At Her Bess(t) Rylee Bess’ 39.3 3-point percentage is the fourth-best by any freshman in the country this season and 57th nationally among all players. Chasing 2,000 Jordan Reid needs 53 points to reach 2,000 in her career between Purdue Fort Wayne and Indiana Wesleyan. Last Time Out Purdue Fort Wayne fell to Youngstown State 76-71. Alana Nelson scored a team-high 21 points and Destiny Macharia recorded a season-best 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Next Time Up The Mastodons will return home for a visit from Green Bay on Saturday (Feb. 28) at 2 p.m. Prior to the contest, Jordan Reid, Alana Nelson and Lauren Lee will be celebrated with a Senior Day recognition. ======================================================================== PURDUE FT. WAYNE MEN’S BASKETBALL BATTLE FOR #HLMBB POSTSEASON CONTINUES WITH WRIGHT STATE ON WEDNESDAY FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Purdue Fort Wayne welcomes Wright State to Fort Wayne on Wednesday (Feb. 25) night at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. It is the Mastodons’ final regular season home game of the season. It is Fan Appreciation Night and kids K-12 are free at the box office. Corey Hadnot II enters the game needing four points to reach 600 for the season. Wright State is in first place in the league and the ‘Dons are trying to finish as high as No. 2 in the league. Game Day InformationWho: Purdue Fort Wayne (16-13, 10-8 Horizon League) vs. Wright State (18-11, 13-5 Horizon League)When: Wednesday, February 25 | 7 PM ETWhere: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Memorial ColiseumLive Stats: LinkWatch: ESPN+Listen: 1380 AMGame Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne (PDF) | Wright State Know Your Foe Wright State’s last game was an 81-68 loss to Robert Morris. Michael Cooper is leading the Raiders in scoring at 13.5 points per game. He had 19 against Robert Morris. The Raiders are averaging exactly 80.0 points per game. Series History Wright State leads the series 13-8. The Raiders won 73-68 in Dayton earlier this season. It snapped a three-game win streak for the Mastodons in the series. ‘Dons & Ends // Corey Hadnot II is averaging 20.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals. He is one of three players in NCAA Division I men’s basketball averaging 20/4/3/1.5. The others are: Cameron Boozer (Duke) and Nolan Minessale (St. Thomas). // Two Mastodons have reached 1,000 points in their career in 2025-26. Corey Hadnot II reached 1,000 on Feb. 7 at Wright State. DeAndre Craig Jr. hit the 1,000 mark for his career (Denver and Purdue Fort Wayne combined) at Northern Kentucky (Feb. 18). // Mikale Stevenson can become the third Mastodon to reach 1,000 points this season. He is at 959 points. // The road game at IU Indy which was scheduled for Jan. 25 was postponed due to a winter storm. The game has been rescheduled for February 28 in Indianapolis. // The Mastodons have six games this season when they’ve trailed for more than 10 minutes and rallied back to win: Chicago State (largest deficit: 6, time trailed: 11:16), Northern Kentucky (15, 21:37), Detroit Mercy (8, 11:13), Cleveland State (16, 27:58), at Youngstown State (5, 14:25) and at Detroit Mercy (9, 13:41). While the ‘Dons didn’t win at Wright State (Feb. 7), they did erase a 17-point deficit to take the lead in the second half. // Purdue Fort Wayne’s 16-point comeback victory vs. Cleveland State (Jan. 4) was the second largest comeback in the program’s NCAA Division I era. The largest comeback victory in program history came in a win at North Dakota State (Jan. 20, 2011) when the ‘Dons rallied back from 18. // In December, Corey Hadnot II was named to the Lou Henson Award Watch List. The award recognizes the best player in NCAA Mid-Major Division I basketball. The award is given out at the end of the season. // Speaking of watch lists, Maximus Nelson was named to the watch list of the State Farm 3-point contest at the Final Four this season. Darius Duffy was named to the watch list of the dunk contest. // The Mastodons have 15 games this season with single-digit turnovers, including just two vs. Detroit Mercy on Dec. 14. The Mastodons are 10-5 in those games. The ‘Dons are 7-2 in games with eight or fewer turnovers. // Including this season, the ‘Dons have had a winning streak of at least four games in every season since 2009-10 except for one (2017-18). That is 16-of-17 seasons. // Mikale Stevenson’s 34 points against Milwaukee (Jan. 18) is tied for the 5th best scoring performance in the league this season. The 8th and 11th best scoring games in the league this season belong to Corey Hadnot II. He had 33 at Oakland (Dec. 3) and 32 at Western Michigan (Nov. 12). // Through 18 league games, Corey Hadnot II is averaging 20.9 points per game in league play, best in the league. // In league games only, Maximus Nelson is third in the league in 3-point percentage (41.5 percent). // Jon Coffman picked up his 200th career victory on Nov. 15 against Boyce. He is the program’s leader in victories. // DeAndre Craig Jr. has scored double-digits 22-of-29 games this season. He has 15 games of 15 or more points. He scored a career-high 24 points at Northern Kentucky (Feb. 18). // Darius Duffy has 131 rebounds on the season, 73 have been on the offensive glass. // Maximus Nelson owns 208 3-pointers as a Mastodon. He has reached 8th in program history in 3-point field goals made. He reached the top 10 in the Mastodons’ road game at Detroit Mercy (Jan. 21). // Deangelo Elisee has 37 blocks on the season, 4th in the Horizon League. // Mikale Stevenson’s 14.3 points produced per game per basketball-reference.com is 10th in the league. // Mikale Stevenson is 6th in the league in steals (46). // How good has Corey Hadnot II been this year? – Corey Hadnot II is 4th in the nation with 225 field goals. He has 596 points this season, 9th in the nation. He is 1st in the league at 20.6 points per game (22nd in the nation). – His 225 field goals also ranks 5th in program history for a single season. He will need to reach 231 to match John Konchar’s 2018-19 season for fourth. – The 14 field goals he made against IU Indianapolis (Feb. 15) tied for the second most in a game in the program’s Division I era. – Hadnot is averaging 20.6 points per game, should he finish at that average, it would rank 6th in Mastodon history for a single season. – He has the most field goals made (14 vs. IU Indy) and 3rd most field goals attempted (tied, 22 at WMU) by a Horizon League player this season. – He has the 4th most steals in a game by a Horizon League player this season (6 at Ohio State). – Through 29 games, Hadnot is on track to score 637 points in the regular season this year. This would rank 5th all time for points scored by a player in a single season in Mastodon history. – Through 29 games, he is on track to have 55 steals in the regular season this year. This would rank 26th all time for steals by a player in a single season in Mastodon history. – Hadnot’s scoring is up this year as is his shooting percentage. His field goal percentage has improved each sea son. (Freshman: 40.9 -> Sophomore: 44.6 -> Junior: 53.1) – Hadnot is 2nd in the league in sports-reference’s usage percentage (29.1). He leads the league in points produced (558) and points produced per game (19.2). He is 2nd is player efficiency rating (24.6). // In the nation, the ‘Dons are: – 9th in turnover margin (4.1) – 29th in steals per game (8.8) – 39th in turnovers forced per game (14.10) – 36th in fast break points per game (14.45) – 43rd in fewest turnovers per game (10.0) // Weekly alumni spotlight: – 22 former Mastodons have played professionally in the last 14 years. Rasheed Bello (2023-25) is playing for the Windrose Giants Antwerp in Belgium. He had 17 points, four rebounds and four assists in a win over Donar Groningenon on Feb. 13. // John Konchar Enters Mastodon Hall of Fame – Former Mastodon John Konchar (2014-19) was inducted into the Mastodon Hall of Fame on Jan. 31. Konchar, the seven-year NBA veteran with the Utah Jazz, finished his collegiate career as the first student-athlete in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists and 200 steals. // Red Coat honor – In May 2025 head coach Jon Coffman was selected as a Red Coat recipient from the Mad Anthonys Foundation. Each year the Red Coat is given to an individual that has made a positive impact on the region and the state of Indiana. A few of the previous honorees include: Keith Busse, Chuck Surack, Brad Stevens, Bob Chase, Arnie Ball, Shelley Long, Matt Painter, Brian Kelly, Joe Tiller, Bob Knight and John Wooden. The Red Coat Gala began in 1958. // No place like home – The ‘Dons have won 28 consecutive regular season home games against non-league opponents, a streak that started on Nov. 16, 2019 vs. Stetson. As the Mastodons are finished with non-league home games this season, the streak will continue to next season. – The Mastodons are 11-3 at home this season. You can add in another win if you include the Mastodons exhibition win over Ball State. – The Mastodons have recorded double-digit wins at home in 12 of the last 14 years, including this season. // NCAA Rankings, Historically Speaking – Top 25 in the nation in 3-pointers per game in eight of the last 10 years. – Top 35 in the nation in points per game in seven of the last 12 years. – Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the ‘Dons are 7th in the nation in total made 3-pointers (3,662), 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (36.9 percent) and 26th in field goal percentage (46.6 percent). – The ‘Dons have been top 25 in the nation in 3-pointers per game in eight of the last 10 years and top 35 in the nation in points per game in seven of the last 12 years. – Purdue Fort Wayne finished each of the last two seasons ranked fourth in the nation in turnover margin; in 2024-25 (5.3) and in 2023-24 (5.7). // Quick hits from the victory over the Vikings – Maximus Nelson tied a career high with 18 points and six 3-pointers. Both were highs in his Mastodon career highs. – Corey Hadnot II set new career highs with six 3-pointers and seven assists. – Deangelo Elisee set a new career-high with nine rebounds. – The Mastodons had 20 assists in a game for the first time since Jan. 18, 2026 against Milwaukee. – The ‘Dons made 15 3-pointers, tying for a season best. ========================================================================= SOUTHERN INDIANA BASEBALL USI HITS THE ROAD FOR FOUR GAMES EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball hits the road for four-straight this week, beginning with a single game at Saint Louis Wednesday at 3 p.m. in St. Louis, Missouri. The Screaming Eagles (6-2) conclude the road swing in Florence, Alabama, when they play a three-game series against North Alabama. The three-game series (February 27-March 1) at UNA starts Friday at 3 p.m., continues Saturday at 2 p.m., and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. Links to follow the Eagles during the opening weekend of 2026 can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and the USI Baseball Schedule. USI Baseball Notes: USI sweeps series from Oakland. The USI Screaming Eagles opened the 2026 home schedule with a four-game sweep of Oakland last week. USI opened the series with an 18-9 win Friday and a 10-7, 14-4 doubleheader sweep before closing the series with a 7-6 victory. USI senior shortstop Clayton Slack led the USI hitters during the series with a .563 batting average, while graduate outfielder Noah Foster had a team-best seven RBIs. USI hitters roll into 2026. The Screaming Eagles were on a roll at the plate during the second week of the season, hitting .332 for the year. USI also has produced 14 doubles and 75 RBIs in eight games. Junior infielder Zion Stephens led the Screaming Eagles with a .462 batting average, while senior shortstop Clayton Slack and senior infielder/outfielder Noah Foster are tied for the lead with seven RBIs. Putting runs on the scoreboard. USI is putting runs on the scoreboard at an incredible rate. USI is averaging 10.9 runs per game and has reached double-digits in six of eight games during the first two weeks of the season. Improved pitching versus Oakland. USI showed some improvement on the mound versus Oakland, posting a 5.82 ERA in 34 innings of work. Junior right-hander Ryan Skwarek and freshman right-hander Levin East led the way with three scoreless innings each, while junior right-hander Ryan Weller had five strikeouts in his game four start. SLU in 2026. SLU began the season 0-7 after being swept by UNA last weekend. The Billikens started the season by losing three-straight to Ohio State before dropping a single game to Southeast Missouri State. USI vs. SLU. USI leads the all-time series with Saint Louis, 3-2, after winning both meetings last season. The Screaming Eagles took the opener, 11-4, at USI and 12-5 in St. Louis. UNA in 2026. UNA matched USI with a 6-2 start to the season and will visit Samford Tuesday before hosting the Screaming Eagles. In addition to the three-game sweep of SLU, the Lions swiped two of three from SIU Edwardsville before losing to Alabama-Birmingham and defeating Murray State in single games. USI vs. UNA. The Lions took the only meeting from the Screaming Eagles, 13-7, in a neutral site game in Mobile, Alabama, during the 2024 season. ========================================================================= SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL SCREAMING EAGLES LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN FINAL SECONDS MOREHEAD, Ky. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball lost a heartbreaker in the final seconds at Morehead State, 64-63, at Johnson Arena in Morehead, Kentucky, Tuesday night. The Screaming Eagles go to 7-22 overall and 4-15 in the OVC, while the MSU Eagles are 18-12, 14-5 OVC. In a tough, back-and-forth start, USI and MSU battled for control. The Screaming Eagles had the early four-point lead, 12-8, with 11:21 to play in the opening half, while the MSU Eagles posted the largest lead of the opening 20 minutes, 25-19, with 5:22 left. USI rallied in the final five minutes to tie the game, 29-29, at the intermission with a 10-4 surge. Senior guard/forward Steven Clay led the charge with a pair of three-point buckets, while junior forward Tolu Samuels and senior guard Cardell Bailey dropped in a bucket each. Bailey finished the first half with 13 of USI’s 29 points. The final 20 minutes were the same as the first half, as neither team could wrest control from the other. The half would register 12 lead changes and 10 ties. MSU would post the widest margin of the second half, five points, 39-34, just three minutes into the final half. After the MSU Eagles took a 62-60 lead with 39 seconds left, USI regained the lead 63-62, on a corner three by senior guard/forward Steven Clay with 20 seconds left on the clock. MSU drove down the court, drew a foul with six seconds left, and moved back into the lead, 64-63, on a pair of charity shots. The Screaming Eagles had one last chance thwarted by MSU, but not before the officials had to go to replay to determine the outcome. The officials ruled that USI sophomore guard Josiah Dunham was fouled in the act of shooting, but his shot came after the buzzer sounded to end the 64-63 contest. For the contest, Bailey and Clay led the Screaming Eagles in the scoring column. Bailey had a team-high 17 points on seven-of-14 from the field, including a three-pointer, and two-of-three from the line. Clay posted 15 points, nine coming in the second half, on six-of-nine from the field and three-of-six from beyond the arc. Next Up For USI: The Screaming Eagles conclude the four-game road swing and the 2025-26 season with a visit to Little Rock Saturday in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tipoff for the season finale is set for 3:30 p.m. The Trojans begin the week 11-18 overall and 8-10 in the OVC after splitting last week. Little Rock will host Morehead State Thursday prior to welcoming USI on Saturday. Little Rock leads the all-time series with USI, 5-2, after taking the first meeting, 77-62, at Liberty Arena to open OVC action in December. ========================================================================= SOUTHERN INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCREAMING EAGLES DROP TUESDAY MATCHUP AT MOREHEAD STATE MOREHEAD, Ky. – Playing its third game of a four-game road stretch, University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball came up short in a tough away battle at Morehead State University on Tuesday night, 73-62. USI Women’s Basketball (19-9, 13-6 OVC) jumped out to a 14-11 lead through the first quarter and went into halftime tied at 30, but the host Morehead State Eagles (18-12, 13-6 OVC) came away with the second-half advantage in a competitive ballgame to capture the contest. The Screaming Eagles were led in scoring Tuesday by senior guard Ali Saunders and junior forward Chloe Gannon. Saunders had a team-high 21 points with five assists, while Gannon totaled 19 points with seven rebounds. As a team, USI shot for 41 percent (25-61) from the floor with five three-pointers and went 7-10 for 70 percent at the free-throw line. USI had 20 fast-break points and outscored Morehead State in the paint, 40-20. Morehead State had four players score in double figures. The Eagles shot the ball well for 52 percent (22-42) overall, 48 percent (12-25) from three-point range, and 81 percent (17-21) from the charity stripe. Morehead State had a slight edge on the glass, 29-27. After two scoreless minutes to start the game, USI scored the game’s first four points before Morehead State knocked down two three-pointers to take a 6-4 lead. Saunders quickly answered with a three-pointer of her own to put USI back in front. Saunders later went on her own 5-0 run to push the Screaming Eagles ahead by four, 12-8, with two minutes left in the first. USI ended up with a 14-11 advantage through the first 10 minutes of play. The game was tied at 18 two minutes into the second quarter, but then Morehead State went on a 10-0 run over four minutes to lead 28-18 by the four-minute mark of the second period. The Screaming Eagles answered and charged back with a 12-2 run to finish the first half. While Saunders knocked down another triple, junior guard Shannon Blacher sparked the run with seven points in the final few minutes to help bring USI back and tie the game at 30 going into halftime. The competitive ballgame continued into the second half. Morehead State built a six-point lead by the six-minute mark of the third quarter, but Saunders answered with back-to-back buckets to pull USI back to within a possession. The two sides would exchange blows down the stretch of the third quarter. Even though Morehead State heated up from beyond the arc, Gannon scored eight points in the last four minutes of the quarter. The back-and-forth battle went to the fourth quarter with Morehead State in front by only three points, 51-48. Gannon picked up where she left off in the third quarter by starting the fourth frame with a three-point play, converting to tie the game, 51-51. A little bit later, Morehead State netted another pair of threes toward an 8-0 run to create a 61-52 lead with seven minutes to go. USI went on a scoring drought for nearly four minutes in the middle of the fourth quarter. After Morehead State increased its lead to 10, 64-54, redshirt sophomore guard Kylee Dennis scored five straight points to cut the deficit in half. The Screaming Eagles got the deficit down to four in the final 90 seconds before Morehead State converted at the free-throw line for seven points to close out the contest. With Tuesday’s result, the two teams moved into a tie for third place with each other in the Ohio Valley Conference standings. Despite one regular-season game remaining, Tuesday’s result also locked USI into a single-round bye and either as the third or fourth seed in next week’s OVC Tournament. To secure the third seed, USI needs Morehead State to lose at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Thursday, while USI must defeat the Trojans on the road on Saturday. Despite a regular-season series split, Morehead State owns a tiebreaker over USI in win-loss record against the higher-seeded teams. The Screaming Eagles wrap up the regular season on Saturday with a road trip to Little Rock. Saturday’s tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. and can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+ and heard on The Spin 95.7 FM. ======================================================================== VALPO WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BEACONS PREPARE FOR FINAL REGULAR SEASON ROAD GAME Valparaiso (0-27, 0-16 MVC) Game #28 – February 26, 2026 – 6 p.m. at UNI (13-13, 9-7 MVC) McLeod Center (6,650) – Cedar Falls, Iowa Next Up in Valpo Basketball: The Valpo women’s basketball team plays its final road game of the regular season Thursday night as the Beacons return to the state of Iowa for the second time in a week to face UNI. Previously: The Beacons used a hot shooting start to jump out to a double-digit lead in the first half last Thursday evening in MVC action at Drake and still held the advantage past the halfway mark of the fourth quarter before a run by the Bulldogs gave the hosts a 79-68 victory. Following Valpo Basketball: Video: ESPN+ Links for live coverage: Available via ValpoAthletics.com Head Coach Courtney Boyd (0-27 at Valpo, 1st season; 180-95 [.655] overall, 9th season): Courtney Boyd was named the ninth head coach of the Valparaiso University women’s basketball program on April 4, 2025. A national championship-winning head coach and player, an NAIA National Coach of the Year, and a two-time conference Coach of the Year, Boyd has won 20 or more games in seven of her first eight seasons as a head coach. She spent the last two seasons at the helm of the Quincy University program after six seasons as head coach at Clarke University, leading the latter program to the NAIA national title in 2022-23. Series Notes: UNI leads the all-time series by a 17-5 margin and has won the last nine matchups between the two programs. Back in December, the Panthers earned an 86-52 victory at the ARC in the first meeting this season. Fiona Connolly paced Valpo with 10 points in that contest. @ValpoWBB… …at Drake – Drake was the team which started on the front foot, as the Bulldogs led 12-5 just 3:02 into the ballgame. – But the Beacons exploded over the next few minutes offensively, scoring on eight consecutive offensive possessions and putting up 21 points. Five different players hit 3-pointers during the stretch, which saw Valpo go up by seven points with 2:15 to play in the period on a layup from Fiona Connolly. – Another drive and finish by Connolly in the final 40 seconds closed the scoring in the opening frame, as Valpo held a 28-21 lead. – An 11-1 run for the Beacons, capped by a 3-pointer by Milana Nenadic, pushed the Beacons’ lead to 41-26 with three minutes to play in the half. – Valpo carried a 46-34 lead into the locker room at halftime. – Kayla Sullivan connected from deep 1:19 into the third quarter, restoring Valpo’s largest lead at 15 points. – Drake went on a 14-2 run over the next six-plus minutes to cut Valpo’s lead to three points, where it remained at the end of the quarter, as the Beacons were in front 56-53. – The Bulldogs scored on back-to-back possessions early in the fourth quarter to take their first lead since the first quarter with 8:18 to play, but Valpo responded with a 9-1 run — including five points from Allia von Schlegell — and when Kamryn Winch connected on a foul-line jumper with 5:22 to play, the Beacons led 65-58. – That proved to be Valpo’s last point for over four and a half minutes, as Drake scored 17 in a row to take the lead for good. Abbie Aalsma started the key run with back-to-back triples following Winch’s basket. – The 28-point first quarter was Valpo’s highest scoring quarter of the season. – The Beacons led at halftime for the third time this year and after three quarters for the first time. – For the second time this season, four Beacons scored in double figures, led by a game-best 20 points from Connolly, including a 7-of-8 mark from the foul line. It was the senior’s fourth 20+ point game of the season. – Nenadic tallied 14 points and paced Valpo with seven rebounds. – von Schlegell scored in double figures for the 16th time with a 12-point night, while Sullivan reached double digits for the fourth time with 11 points, including a season-high three 3-pointers. – Mikayla Huffine was one off her season best with six assists. – Valpo shot 36.4% from the field and was 10-for-33 from 3-point range — its second-highest total of triples this year. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were 43.3% from the floor, including 8-for-18 from the 3-point line. …at Belmont – The Bruins got out to a 19-2 lead less than seven minutes into the ballgame. – Valpo scored eight in a row on a 3-pointer by Mor Shabtai and five points from Milana Nenadic before Belmont scored in the final seconds to lead 21-10 at the end of one quarter. – A 3-pointer from Allia von Schlegell on Valpo’s second possession of the second quarter made it a single-digit game, and it was still an eight-point deficit at 23-15 with 7:25 to play in the half on a drive and finish by von Schlegell. – Belmont ended the half on a 16-3 run to take a 39-18 advantage into halftime. – Fiona Connolly hit all four of her field-goal attempts for 10 points in the third quarter, but the Bruins extended their lead to 62-32 with 10 minutes to play. – Connolly scored a team-best 11 points, her 14th double-figure effort of the season. She also matched her career high with nine rebounds, sharing team-high honors with Nenadic, and tallied three steals to tie for a game high. – Mikayla Huffine grabbed five rebounds and handed out four assists while committing just one turnover. – The Beacons shot just 19.4% from the field Sunday and were 6-for-33 from 3-point range, while the Bruins hit at a 36.5% clip and were 14-for-40 from deep. – Valpo grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, its highest total since recording 22 at Missouri State Feb. 18, 2018. The Beacons held a 10-9 advantage in second-chance points over the Bruins, who had 18 offensive boards of their own. – Valpo did hold two-time All-MVC performer Tuti Jones without a point in her 22 minutes of action. …looking ahead – The Beacons face a quick turnaround to return home for Saturday afternoon and Senior Day against Illinois State. – Valpo concludes the regular season at the ARC next weekend with games against Belmont and Murray State. …on the road – Thursday’s game is the last of 10 road games in MVC play for the Beacons, who played six true road games as well in the nonconference slate. – Valpo is currently 0-15 in true road games. – Last season’s squad posted a 3-11 mark in true road games. ….and @ValleyHoops – Valpo is in its ninth season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. – Valpo was picked outside the top-four of the MVC preseason poll, as the Valley released only the top four selections. – The Valley finished last season ranked seventh in the NET, matching the conference’s highest NET/RPI ranking in Valpo’s time as an MVC member (2020-21). …looking back at last year – Valpo finished last season with a 13-19 overall record and went 9-11 in MVC play to finish in eighth place. – Among the Beacons’ 13 victories were a thrilling rally from a 20-point deficit for a home win over Drake which entered the game ranked 69th in NET, the program’s highest-ranked win since a win over #54 UNI in 2021-22. – Leah Earnest was tabbed a First Team All-MVC honoree as she concluded a decorated career that saw her finish first in program history in career rebounds and third in career scoring. – The 2024-25 Beacons hit 245 3-pointers, third-most in a single season in program history, and tallied 314 steals, seventh on the program’s single-season chart and the most since 2001-02. @UNIwbb – UNI enters Thursday’s game with a 13-13 overall record and sits at 9-7 in MVC play. – The Panthers had won two in a row before dropping a 64-63 decision at Evansville last time out. – Ryley Goebel scores a team-best 14.5 points/game on 58.6% shooting from the floor and also grabs 8.4 rebounds/game, while Jenna Twedt is right behind her at 14.2 points/game and connects at a 38.1% clip from deep. It’s Been 84 Years (OK, not quite) – Thursday’s game at UNI caps a four-game road stretch which featured a split of the Drake/UNI road games for the first time since joining the Valley. – Valpo’s last home game came back on Feb. 7, meaning the Beacons will go 21 days between home games – it’s actually the second time this year the program has had 21 days between home games, as it hosted Milwaukee Nov. 16 and then didn’t play at home until hosting UIC Dec. 7. – It is Valpo’s longest stretch between home games within conference play since joining the MVC. Four Score – Valpo placed four players in double figures last time out at Drake, led by Fiona Connolly’s 20-point night – her fourth game of at least 20 points this season. – Milana Nenadic (14), Allia von Schlegell (12) and Kayla Sullivan (11) finished in double figures as well. – It was the second time this year the Beacons have had four double-figure scorers and the first time in regulation, as Valpo’s overtime loss to Milwaukee featured double-digit performances from von Schlegell, Nenadic, Kamryn Winch and Mor Shabtai. Allia’s Big Day(s) – Freshman Allia von Schlegell has been the Beacons’ leading scorer in MVC play, but took it to another level in Valpo’s last home game against Southern Illinois. – von Schlegell’s 29 points bested her previous career high of 19 points by 10, as she established a career high for field goals made and matched her career best for 3-pointers made. – von Schlegell scored the most points by a Valpo freshman since Ali Saunders scored 32 against UAB Nov. 21, 2022. It also matched the most points by an MVC freshman this season. – 15 of von Schlegell’s points came in the fourth quarter alone as she outscored SIU in the final period. It is the most points in a single period by a Valpo player this season. – Even more impressively, von Schlegell scored those 29 points while not committing a single turnover in 35 minutes of action. She is one of just five D-I freshmen this year with a game with 29 or more points and no turnovers. – von Schlegell followed the next time out at Murray State with another big effort, going for a team-high 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including four 3-pointers. The Freshman Fills It Up – von Schlegell has made a big impact in her rookie season. – She has scored in double figures 16 times this year – 12 times, von Schlegell has dropped at least 15 points – the most 15+ point games by a Valpo freshman since Dani Franklin hit the 15-point mark 12 times in the 2014-15 season. – von Schlegell currently ranks second among MVC freshmen in scoring (11.6 points/game) and is first in 3-pointers made (57). – She ranks 49th nationally in freshman scoring and is tied for eighth among freshmen nationally in 3-pointers made. – von Schlegell scored in double figures six times in nonconference action, tied for seventh-most in program history by a freshman in nonconference games since Valpo joined the North Star Conference for the 1987-88 season. – Notably, the six players ahead of von Schlegell on that list all went on to earn All-Freshman/Newcomer Team honors and closed their time at Valpo among the top-12 in program history in career scoring. Freshman Scoring Leaders – von Schlegell is one of just nine freshmen in program history to score at least 300 points as a rookie and has put herself in position to challenge Valpo’s freshman scoring record. – Sarrah Stricklett scored 377 points as a rookie in 1996-97, a mark which von Schlegell enters Thursday 65 points back of: 377 – Sarrah Stricklett, 1996-97 365 – Dani Franklin, 2014-15 351 – Debbie Bolen, 1989-90 331 – Tabitha Gerardot, 2010-11 329 – Meredith Hamlet, 2015-16 326 – Jeanette Gray, 1999-2000 322 – Ali Saunders, 2022-23 312 – Allia von Schlegell, 2025-26 302 – Jasmyn Walker, 2014-15 – Notably, every player on this list was an All-Freshman/Newcomer Team honoree in their respective season. Connolly’s Career Best Too – von Schlegell wasn’t the only Valpo player to set a career high in the home game against SIU. – Senior Fiona Connolly edged past her previous career best of 21 points, accomplished twice earlier this season, with a 22-point effort against the Salukis. – It is the first time two Valpo players scored 20+ points in the same game since Leah Earnest tallied 24 points and Layla Gold 21 versus Detroit Mercy Dec. 21, 2024. – von Schlegell and Connolly combined for 51 points against the Salukis, the highest combined scoring output for two Valpo players since Tabitha Gerardot (32) and Gina Lange (24) combined for 56 in a win over Cleveland State Feb. 2, 2013. Nenadic’s Night – It was truly a night to remember for Milana Nenadic at Illinois State Jan. 15, coming off the bench to deliver 34 points on 16-of-25 shooting. – The 16 field goals made broke the program record for baskets in a single game, as the previous mark was shared at 15 by Deb Lahti (Feb. 19, 1983 vs. Carthage) and Lyn Swanson (Feb. 8, 1986 at Carthage). – Nenadic is tied for ninth among NCAA D-I players this season for field goals in a game. – Nenadic’s 25 field goal attempts are tied for eighth-most in a single game in Valpo history. – The junior now shares fifth on Valpo’s single-game scoring chart with Dani Franklin, who dropped 34 at Stetson Nov. 12, 2016. Those two are the only Valpo players to score at least 34 in a game since 1992. Nenadic’s 34 points are the most by a player coming off the bench in program history. – The 34 points is tied with Murray State’s Halli Poock for the highest-scoring game by an MVC player this season. – Nenadic’s previous career best was 20 points earlier this year while facing All-American Audi Crooks at Iowa State. – Nenadic is just the fourth MVC player in the last nine seasons with at least 16 baskets in a game, and joins a few pretty solid players in that department — Drake’s Katie Dinnebier, Belmont’s Destinee Wells and Murray State’s Katelyn Young. – Nenadic went on to score 18 points later that weekend against Drake and was named MVC Newcomer of the Week Jan. 19 for her efforts, becoming Valpo’s first MVC weekly award winner in over four years. Skip the Second? – Four times in MVC play, the second quarter has proven to be the Beacons’ undoing. – Most recently, the Beacons were outscored by SIU at the ARC 25-13 in the second quarter, while the other three quarters saw Valpo hold the 60-57 edge. – Drake outscored Valpo at the ARC 19-7 in the second quarter, while the Beacons outscored the Bulldogs 49-47 in the other three periods. – At Illinois State, a 31-12 second quarter for the Redbirds accounted for the entire final margin, as Valpo matched ISU 62-62 in the other three quarters. – At Indiana State, the Sycamores’ 24-13 advantage in the second quarter offset Valpo’s 65-64 edge in the other three periods. Shifting Starters – Valpo has used ten different starting lineups this year, the most recent change coming at home versus SIU, as Nenadic joined Huffine, von Schlegell, Connolly and Sullivan. – Ten different players have been a part of at least one starting five this year, with only one – Huffine – starting every game. All ten have started at least three games apiece. – The Beacons have not used the same starting lineup in more than four consecutive games this season. The Tall and the Short – This year’s Valpo roster features recent extremes on both ends of the height spectrum. – Mor Shabtai and Mikayla Huffine both are listed at 5-4, making them the shortest Valpo players since 5-3 Rashida Ray (2007-11). – On the flip side, Kamryn Winch and Milana Nenadic both check in at 6-3, making them the tallest Valpo players since 6-5 Nicole Johanson (2018-19). International Flavor – Valpo has a trio of international players on its 2025-26 roster: sophomore Mor Shabtai (Israel) and transfers Milana Nenadic (Ontario, Canada) and Kennedy Sproule (Manitoba, Canada). – Prior to Shabtai’s arrival last year, the Valpo program hadn’t had an international player since Sharon Karungi (Uganda) roamed the paint from 2013-15. Sister Act – For the third straight season, the Beacons have a pair of sisters on their roster, as freshman Nuala Connolly joins senior sister Fiona on this year’s squad. – The last two years featured identical twins Nevaeh and Saniya Jackson. – Before that, the last set of sisters to suit up together in the Brown and Gold were the trio of Hamlet sisters: Annemarie (2013-16) overlapped with both older sister Elizabeth (2013-14) and younger sister Meredith (2015-19). ========================================================================= UINDY SOFTBALL UNBEATEN UINDY SOFTBALL RESUMES RANKINGS CLIMB IN NATIONAL POLL LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Riding 10-0 start to its 2026 season, the UIndy softball team vaulted four more spots in this week’s NFCA/GoRout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Greyhounds climbed to No. 11 this week are now one of only two undefeated teams in the top 25.NFCA DII COACHES POLL RKTEAM (1st-place votes)PTSRECPREV1.Cal State San Marcos (15)39912-122.Cal State East Bay38314-133.West Texas A&M35015-454.AUM (1)34811-215.North Georgia33913-286.Francis Marion30612-367.West Florida29614-2128.Angelo State29215-499.Missouri Southern28917-3710.Southern Arkansas25315-21011.UIndy24010-01512.Rogers State21311-41313.Oklahoma Christian20013-31414.Saginaw Valley State1974-21115.Saint Leo15810-2-12116.Concordia15713-51617.Central Oklahoma15413-41718.Colorado Christian10414-22019.Shippensburg1000-01820.Oklahoma Baptist9515-22221.Carson-Newman7513-1RV22.Pace700-01923.Pittsburg State5817-0RV24.UAH4617-3RV25.McKendree318-425 Others receiving votes: Kutztown (19), Montevallo (12), Northwest Nazarene (6), East Stroudsburg (5), UNC Pembroke (2), Washburn (2), Glenville State (1). ========================================================================= UINDY MEN’S GOLF HOUNDS COMPETE IN OLDFIELD CLASSIC TO BEGIN SPRING SWING OKATIE, S.C. — The UIndy men’s golf team opened its spring season with a 16th place finish at the Oldfield Classic on Monday and Tuesday at Oldfield Golf Club in Okatie, S.C. Senior Jackson Watkins highlighted the Greyhounds’ weekend in South Carolina, posting his fourth top-20 of the 2025-26 season with a T18 (+5) after posting rounds of 76-73-72. In Watkins’ final round he tabbed an eagle on the par-5 11th hole to kick start his final round. Watkins bested his finish from just a season ago, where he posted a T42 at the 2025 edition of this event. His T18 finish at the Oldfield Golf Club was spearheaded by a -5 total on the par-5’s this week, which was T10 in the field for the week. The duo of Isac Fredriksson and Joseph Armfield both finished T70 (+22), with Fredriksson finishing this event with a 74 (+2) that included five birdies on his round. Andrew Johnson and Drew Rowen rounded out the five-man Greyhound lineup with T85 (+35) finishes. UIndy is back at it again next weekend in Boulder City, Nev. at the Las Vegas Desert Classic on Mar. 1-3, which will be played at the Boulder Creek Golf Club. ======================================================================= MARIAN WOMEN’S BASKETBALL KNIGHTS POWER PAST LANCERS TO ADVANCE TO CL SEMIFINALS INDIANAPOLIS – The Marian women’s basketball team dominated on Tuesday night as they began their postseason run, handling business on their home court as they raced past Grace College 102-54. Marian’s 48-point win is their largest in the three meetings with the Lancers this season, as the Knights advance to the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals with a 27-2 overall record. As they did in their previous meetings this season, Marian wasted no time picking up the tempo on Grace, scoring in bunches as the team raced out to a 9-3 lead in the first two minutes of the game. Abbey McNally and Olivia Faust cooked the nets early, while McNally continued to pile on her scoring totals, eventually finishing the first quarter with 12 points. While the offense continued to flourish at a high tempo, so too did the defense, as Marian held the Lancers under 10 points through seven and a half minutes of game action. A pair of Kennedy Coleman baskets at the end of the first quarter put a stamp on Marian’s large lead, as the Knights led 33-17 at the end of one quarter. Seven of Marian’s nine players to play in the opening quarter scored at least two points. In the second quarter, the defense continued to make life difficult for the Lancers, as the Knights held Grace College to eight points in the period. Marian would out-score Grace 19-8 in the period with the strong play, forcing three turnovers to set up scores for Abbey and Kiley McNally. Aubrey Frank asserted herself into the box score as she logged five minutes of second quarter action, scoring five points to add to the growing Knights’ advantage. Kennedy Coleman again scored the final points of a first-half quarter, dropping a layup with 57 seconds to play in the half to cap a commanding 52-25 edge. The halftime break did little to slow down the Knights, as they raced out of the locker room and pushed their lead to 30 points in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Abbey McNally paced the offense in the quarter as she scored on each of her field goal attempts from the floor, dropping 12 points in the quarter as she put the team on her back. While McNally pulled the offense in front, the defense denied Grace of any offensive life, holding the Lancers scoreless for a stretch of three minutes, allowing just 13 points in the quarter as the team pulled in front 82-38 after three quarters. Marian emptied its bench in the fourth quarter, running up and down the court as they continued to add to the lead. Aubrey Frank and Kennedy Coleman each scored six points in the fourth quarter, and Violet Shuluga put the Knights at the century mark, as the team coasted down the stretch in its commanding 102-54 victory. As a team, the Knights shot 53 percent from the floor in the win, while holding the Lancers to 27 percent on their offensive end. Marian also forced 15 turnovers in the win, and picked up three blocked shots on defense. Individually, Abbey McNally led Marian with 30 points, grabbing 12 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the year. McNally also broke Marian’s career starts record on Tuesday night, breaking her tie with Ella Collier as she started her 134th game in a Marian uniform. Aubrey Frank would go on to lead the bench in scoring with a season-high 17 points, while Kennedy Coleman scored a career-high 16 points. Coleman also had eight rebounds in the win, matching the total of Kiley McNally, who coupled her boards with 11 points. Both Kenna Kirby and Madisyn Bailey had six assists and three steals in the win, and Olivia Faust finished the night with nine points. The Knights will host Indiana Wesleyan on Friday night in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals, with tip scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the PE Center. ========================================================================= 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 1933 Four days after turning thirty years old and acquiring a very generous inheritance from his step-father, Tom Yawkey purchases the Red Sox from Robert Quinn for $1.2 million. The acquisition of the Boston American League franchise, which lasts for 44 years, the longest by a sole owner in baseball history, is prompted by former school classmate and Hall of Fame infielder Eddie Collins, who serves as the team’s general manager until 1947. 1934 John McGraw dies at 60 at a New Rochelle Hospital two weeks after hearing optimistic reports about his recovery. The renowned Giants skipper, known as ‘Little Napoleon’ due to his style and stature, won ten pennants and three world championships during his 30 years as the team’s manager. 1965 The MLB owners refuse to raise the minimum salary requested by the players to $7,000 from the current $6,000, a level that is only $500 more than the first minimum salary established 18 years ago. In 1968, thanks to the first-ever collective bargaining agreement in professional sport, the amount will be raised to $10,000, setting the tone for more rapid increases in the coming years. 1969 Baseball avoids the sport’s first work stoppage when the owners agree to increase their contribution to the newly revised pension plan, changing the players’ ability to qualify from five years to four and lowering the minimum age to receive benefits from fifty to forty-five. Other improvements include the players agreeing to collect $5.45 million per year, retroactive to 1959, and a percentage of the revenue generated by televised games. 1972 After multiple salary disputes with their 27-year-old southpaw, the Cardinals trade a stunned 20-game winner, Steve Carlton (20-9), to the last-place Phillies for Rick Wise (17-14). This season, ‘Lefty’ will post a 27-10 record for Philadelphia, winning the first of four National League Cy Young Awards during his 15-year tenure with Philadelphia. 1973 The spring training lockout ends when the players’ union and the owners reach a three-year agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. The CBA establishes salary arbitration for players with two+ years of major league service, raises the minimum salary to $15,000, and includes the new ’10 and 5′ trade rule that allows a player with ten years of service, in which the last five are with his current team, to veto any trade. 1981 At the White House, Ronald Reagan receives a major league season pass from baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who hopes the president will attend a few games during the upcoming year. Ironically, the Executive Board of the Major League Baseball Players Association will vote unanimously in Tampa today to strike on May 29, if necessary, surprising the owners who thought the well-paid players wouldn’t risk a costly work stoppage. 1987 Commissioner Ueberroth bans former Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt from major league baseball for the 1987 season due to multiple drug-related incidents during the past year. An arbitrator orders the Padres to reinstate the right-hander after reducing the penalty to sixty days. 1993 Resembling a fish with arms and legs, ‘Billy the Marlin’ is introduced as the mascot of Miami’s new National League franchise. Owner Wayne Huizenga selects the name partly because a dolphin is from the “billfish” species, which differs from typical baseball mascot names like Smasher. 1994 After a long campaign by Yankee fans, including owner George Steinbrenner, the Veterans Committee elects Phil Rizzuto to the Hall of Fame and the posthumous selection of Leo Durocher. The former infielder and current television broadcaster’s enshrinement causes much debate, given the borderline career stats became especially important to his supporters when Pee Wee Reese, a similar-styled shortstop of the rival crosstown Brooklyn Dodgers, was inducted in 1984. 2002 The 84-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell announces this season will be his last as the Tigers’ radio play-by-play announcer. During his 62-year career behind the mike, the 1981 Ford Frick Award winner for baseball broadcasting excellence had worked for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and Baltimore Orioles before moving to Detroit. 2002 Diamondbacks’ third baseman Matt Williams breaks a bone in his left leg during a spring training workout. Arizona will not issue a timetable for their injured infielder’s return, but the 36-year-old veteran will resume his duties at the hot corner after the All-Star break on July 11. 2003 The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame selects Blue Jays’ World Series hero Joe Carter for a June induction. Pete Rose, who played 95 games for the Expos and collected his 4000th hit with Montreal, was one of the 46 nominees considered but was not chosen by 75 percent of the voters. 2005 After winning an auction for the one-day naming rights for the Boston Fleet Center, Yankee fan Kerry Konrad initially plans to honor Derek Jeter but agrees to rename the arena the ‘Jimmy Fund Center’ after a friend offers to give an additional $6,275 to the charity. The donation brings the total to $8,600, reflecting the 86 years between Red Sox World Championships. 2008 Terry Francona signs a three-year contract extension that runs through 2011, including team options for 2012 and 2013 to continue as the Red Sox manager. After an eighty-six-year drought, the Boston skipper led the club to a pair of World Series titles in four seasons. 2010 The Rangers void Khalil Greene’s contract, announcing the reason for the action is a private matter done in the ballplayer’s best interest. The 30-year-old utility infielder, who missed 49 games with the Cardinals last season because of social anxiety, did not report to spring training last week due to an unidentified problem. 2012 On their Twitter account, the Mets send out an image of the patch the team will wear this season in memory of Gary Carter, who died earlier in the month of brain cancer at 57. The black pentagon will feature the former New York catcher’s nickname, Kid, and the number 8. 2016 The players’ union and MLB agree to a slide rule after Ruben Tejada suffers a broken leg covering second base during the NLDS. The new policy, the direct result of Chase Utley’s attempt to break up a double play that injured the Mets infielder, will be reviewable and allow contact to be permissible with the fielder but prohibit the runner from changing his path to disrupt the play deliberately. ========================================================================= TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY On February 25 in … 1904 – Stanley Cup: Ottawa Silver Seven sweep Toronto Marlboroughs in two games. 1924 – Marie Boyd scores 156 points in Maryland High School basketball game (163-3). 1925 – US female Figure Skating championship won by Beatrix Loughran. 1925 – US male Figure Skating championship won by Nathaniel Niles. 1930 – George Headley completes twin tons in Test Cricket versus England (114 and 112). 1933 – Major NFL rule changes: hash mark 10 yards in, posts on goal line. 1933 – Thomas Yawkey purchases the Boston Red Sox. 1940 – First televised (W2XBS, New York City) hockey game (New York Rangers versus Montreal Canadiens). 1941 – Boston Bruins set NHL record of 23-game unbeaten streak (15-0-8). 1951 – First Pan American Games open (Buenos Aires, Argentina). 1951 – Babe Didrikson-Zaharias wins Orlando Florida 2 Ball Golf Tournament. 1952 – VI Olympic Winter Games close at Oslo, Norway. 1957 – US Supreme Court decides 6-3, baseball is only antitrust-exempt professional sport. 1961 – Niagara ends Saint Bonaventura’s 99-game home basketball win streak. 1962 – Mike O’Hara completes a record 97th marathon. 1964 – Cassius Marcellus Clay Junior (later Muhammad Ali) defeats world heavyweight boxing champ Sonny Liston in a seventh-round technical knockout before a crowd of 8,300 at the Convention Hall arena in Miami Beach, Florida. 1969 – Pension plan for baseball is agreed to. 1972 – Lopsided trade, Saint Louis Cardinals trade Steve Carlton to Philadelphia Phillies for Rick Wise. 1977 – New Orleans’ Pete Maravich sets NBA record for a guard with 68 points. 1978 – Botham scores first Test Cricket century, 103 versus New Zealand Christchurch. 1979 – Jane Blalock wins LPGA Orange Blossom Golf Classic. 1981 – New York Islanders give up their most goals (11) versus Calgary Flames. 1981 – Executive Board of Baseball Players’ Association votes unanimously to strike on May 29 if the issue of free-agent compensation remains unresolved. 1987 – LaMarr Hoyt is banned from US Major League Baseball for 1987, due to drug abuse. 1989 – Dallas Cowboys fire coach Tom Landry after a 29-year career. 1989 – Javed Miandad scores 271 versus New Zealand at Eden Park. 1989 – Mike Tyson TKOs Frank Bruno in five rounds for heavyweight boxing title. 1990 – Australia beats Pakistan 2-0 to win the Cricket World Series Cup. 1991 – Andrew Jones scores twin Test Cricket tons versus Sri Lanka (122 and 100). 1991 – Bruce McNall, Wayne Gretzky, and John Candy buy Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts. 1993 – Florida Marlins introduce their mascot “Billy”. 1993 – Pakistan all out 43 versus West Indies, world one-day international record low. 1994 – Phil Rizzuto elected to Baseball Hall of Fame. 1995 – British heavyweight Nigel Benn hits Gerard McClellan in hospital. 1995 – PBA National Championship Won by Scott Alexander. 1996 – Rajindra Dhanraj takes 16-167 in match Trinidad versus Leeward Islands. 2022 – At Honda Center in Anaheim, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Los Angeles Kings beats Anaheim Ducks by score 4-1. 2022 – At Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona, USA, NHL regular season game: Arizona Coyotes beats Vegas Golden Knights by score 3-1. 2022 – At Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, USA, NHL regular season game: Colorado Avalanche beats Winnipeg Jets by score 6-3. 2022 – At United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA, NHL regular season game: Chicago Blackhawks beats New Jersey Devils by score 8-5. 2022 – At Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, NHL regular season game: Saint Louis Blues beats Buffalo Sabres by score 5-3. 2022 – At PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, NHL regular season game: Carolina Hurricanes beats Columbus Blue Jackets by score 4-0. Births of sports figures on February 25 1855 – Birth of George Bonnor; cricket player (big-hitting Aussie batter 1880-1888). 1871 – Birth of Oliver Samuel Campbell; tennis champion (US Open-1890). 1895 – Birth of DeBenneville “Bert” Bell in Pennsylvania, USA; NFL owner/commissioner/Hall of Fame (Philadelphia Eagles). 1914 – Birth of John Arlott; cricket player (the doyen of cricket commentators and writers). 1916 – Birth of Ralph Baldwin; harness driver (set 11 major world records). 1918 – Birth of Henry Norwood Ewell in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA; 4×100 metre runner (Olympics-gold-1948). 1918 – Birth of Robert Lorimer Riggs AKA Bobby Riggs; US tennis star (US Open 1939, 1941). 1919 – Birth of Monty Irvin; baseball hall of famer (New York Giants). 1938 – Birth of Farokh Engineer; Indian cricket wicket-keeper (1961-75). 1938 – Birth of Herb Elliott in Australia; 1500 metre runner (Olympics-gold-1960). 1940 – Birth of Billy Packer in Wellsville, New York, USA; basketball sportscaster (CBS). 1940 – Birth of Ron Santo; Chicago Cubs’ shortstop (first baseball player to veto his trade). 1947 – Birth of Eddie Thomson; Australian soccer coach (Olyroos, Olympics-1996). 1947 – Birth of Lee Edward Evans in Madera, California, USA; 400-metre runner (Olympics-2 gold-1968). 1954 – Birth of Steve Rixon; Australian cricket wicket-keeper (1977-85). 1958 – Birth of Kurt Rambis; NBA forward (Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets) / Clark Kent look-alike. 1960 – Birth of Glen Bishop; cricket player (South Aussie bat, two ODI’s for Australia 1987). 1962 – Birth of Birgit Fischer in German Democratic Republic; 500 metre kayaker (Olympics-gold-1980). 1962 – Birth of Cammy Ciarelli in Iowa City, Iowa, USA; WPVA volleyball player (Best of Beach-second-1995). 1963 – Birth of Paul O’Neill in Columbus, Ohio, USA; right fielder (Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees). 1963 – Birth of Tom McHale; NFL tackle (Miami Dolphins). 1964 – Birth of Don Majkowski; NFL quarterback (Detroit Lions). 1966 – Birth of Don Anurasiri; cricket player (Sri Lankan slow left-armer). 1967 – Birth of Jenny Byrne in Perth, Australia; tennis star (1984 Futures-Wyong-Australia). 1967 – Birth of Rich Rowland; US baseball catcher (Detroit Tigers). 1968 – Birth of David Hulse; US baseball outfielder (Texas Rangers). 1969 – Birth of Donald Hodge; NBA center (Charlotte Hornets). 1969 – Birth of Kerry Dienelt; Australian softball catcher/first baseman (Olympics-bronze-1996). 1969 – Birth of Michelle Gibson; equestrian dressage (Olympics-bronze-1996). 1970 – Birth of Alfred Jordan; Canadian Football League cornerback (Calgary Stampeders). 1970 – Birth of Brian O’Neal; NFL full back (San Francisco 49ers). 1970 – Birth of Corey Mayfield; NFL defensive tackle (Jacksonville Jaguars). 1970 – Birth of Dave Brown; NFL quarterback (New York Giants). 1970 – Birth of Joe Bowden; NFL linebacker (Houston/Tennessee Oilers). 1970 – Birth of Troy Mallette in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; NHL left wing (Ottawa Senators). 1971 – Birth of Andrew Hermann; American 50km walker (Olympics-1996). 1971 – Birth of Byron Dafoe in Sussex, England; NHL goalie (Los Angeles Kings). 1971 – Birth of David Fox; American 50 metre freestyle (Olympics-6th-1996). 1971 – Birth of Helen Dobson in Skegness, England; golfer (1993 State Farm Rail Classic). 1971 – Birth of Nova Peris in Darwin, Australia; field hockey left halfback (Olympics-1996). 1972 – Birth of Chris Harrison; guard (Detroit Lions). 1972 – Birth of Erwin van de Looi; soccer player (Vitesse). 1972 – Birth of Sean Harris; NFL linebacker (Chicago Bears). 1973 – Birth of Daryl Gardener; defensive end (Miami Dolphins). 1973 – Birth of Kirrily Sharpe in Bankstown, Australia; tennis star (1995 Futures-Saga-Japan). 1974 – Birth of Detron Smith; NFL running back (Denver Broncos-Superbowl 32). 1974 – Birth of Tamarick Vanover; NFL wide receiver (Kansas City Chiefs). 1975 – Birth of Hercules Kyvelos in Montréal, Québec, Canada; boxer (Olympics-1996). 1976 – Birth of Samaki Walker; NBA forward (Dallas Mavericks). 1992 – Birth of Libby [Elizabeth] Callahan in Columbia, South Carolina, USA; sport pistol (Olympics-1996). Deaths of sports figures on February 25 1934 – John J McGraw, manager (New York Giants), dies at age 60. 1982 – J K Irani, cricket wicketkeeper (two Tests for India 1947-48), dies. 1994 – Hugh Tayfield, cricket player (170 wickets for South Africa in 37 Tests), dies. 1994 – Jersey Joe Walcott, American boxer, dies at age 80 (born 1914). 2014 – Death of Mário Coluna, Mozambican-born Portuguese footballer (born 1935). ================================================= TV SPORTS TODAY Wednesday, 2/25/26 NBA REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVOklahoma City Thunder vs Detroit Pistons7:30pmESPNFanDuel Sports DETFanDuel Sports OKCSan Antonio Spurs vs Toronto Raptors7:30pmTSNFanDuel Sports SWGolden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies7:30pmNBCS-BAYFanDuel Sports MEMCleveland Cavaliers vs Milwaukee Bucks8:00pmFanDuel Sports OhioFanDuel Sports MILSacramento Kings vs Houston Rockets8:00pmNBCS-CASCHNBoston Celtics vs Denver Nuggets10:00pmESPNESPN+NHL REGULAR SEASONTIME ETTVPhiladelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals7:00pmNBCS-PHIMNMTBuffalo Sabres vs New Jersey Devils7:00pmMSG-BUFMSGSNToronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning7:30pmTNTMAXSeattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars8:00pmKONGVictory+Colorado Avalanche vs Utah Mammoth9:00pmUtah16ALTWinnipeg Jets vs Vancouver Canucks9:00pmESPN+SNVegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings10:00pmTNTMAXEdmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks10:30pmSNVictory+MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALLTIME ETTVBucknell at Army West Point3:00pmESPN+The Citadel at Furman6:00pmNexstarMorgan State at South Carolina State6:00pmESPN+Oakland at IU Indianapolis6:30pmESPN+Florida at Texas7:00pmESPN2Butler at Villanova7:00pmFS1Maryland at Nebraska7:00pmBTNIllinois State at UNI7:00pmESPNUGeorgia at Vanderbilt7:00pmSECNOmaha at South Dakota7:00pmCBSSNGeorge Mason at Saint Joseph’s7:00pmNBCS-PHI+Detroit Mercy at Robert Morris7:00pmATTSN-PITNorthern Kentucky at Cleveland State7:00pmRSNSt. John’s vs. UConn7:00pmPeacockWright State at Purdue Fort Wayne7:00pmESPN+Holy Cross at Boston University7:00pmESPN+Mercer at Western Carolina7:00pmESPN+Lafayette at Colgate7:00pmESPN+Queens at Eastern Kentucky7:00pmESPN+Lipscomb at West Georgia7:00pmESPN+Navy at Loyola Maryland7:00pmESPN+Lehigh at American7:00pmESPN+Wofford at ETSU7:00pmESPN+North Texas at Charlotte7:00pmESPN+Davidson at Duquesne7:00pmESPN+Rhode Island at St. Bonaventure7:00pmESPN+Evansville at Belmont7:30pmESPN+Tulsa at Tulane7:30pmESPN+Pitt at Stanford8:00pmACCNEast Carolina at UTSA8:00pmESPN+Drake at Valparaiso8:00pmESPN+Indiana State at Southern Illinois8:00pmESPN+South Florida at Rice8:00pmESPN+Georgia Southern at James Madison8:00pmESPN+Youngstown State at Milwaukee8:00pmESPN+ULM at South Alabama8:30pmESPN+Texas A&M at Arkansas9:00pmESPN2Kansas State at Colorado9:00pmFS1Ohio State at Iowa9:00pmBTNMississippi State at Alabama9:00pmESPNULSU at Ole Miss9:00pmSECNUNLV at Grand Canyon9:00pmCBSSNDePaul at Creighton9:00pmPeacockSeattle U at Pepperdine9:00pmESPN+SMU at California10:00pmACCNSan Diego at Oregon State10:00pmESPN+Utah State at San Diego State11:00pmFS1Wisconsin at Oregon11:00pmBTNWashington State at Loyola Marymount11:00pmESPNUSanta Clara at Saint Mary’s11:00pmCBSSNSOCCERTIME ETTVUEFA Champions League: Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund12:45pmParamount+UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs Benfica3:00pmParamount+UEFA Champions League: Juventus vs Galatasaray3:00pmCBSSNParamount+UEFA Champions League: PSG vs Monaco3:00pmParamount+CONCACAF Champions Cup: Levante vs Villarreal7:00pmFS2fuboTVCONCACAF Champions Cup: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Cartaginés9:30pmFS2fuboTVUEFA Champions League: LA Galaxy vs Sporting San Miguelito11:30pmFS2fuboTV About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts Post navigation THE INDIANA SRN “SCOREBOARD” FEBRUARY 24
