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Illinois forward David Mirkovic (0) shoots during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Pennsylvania, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

David Mirkovic has 29 points and 17 rebounds to lead No. 3 Illinois to 105-70 rout of No. 14 Penn

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 2 minute read 11:08 PM CDT

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — David Mirkovic had 29 points and 17 rebounds, and No. 3 seed Illinois dominated No. 14 seed Penn 105-70 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Keaton Wagler added 18 points, seven assists and seven rebounds for the Fighting Illini (25-8), who moved on to face No. 11 VCU in the second round on Saturday.

Kylan Boswell had 13 points, while Ben Humrichous and Tomislav Ivisic each chipped in with 12 as Illinois shot 50% from the field and made 15 3-pointers while outrebounding the much smaller Quakers 48-25.

Michael Zanoni finished with 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting for Penn (18-12), the Ivy League champion.

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U Sports: Saint Mary’s, Windsor advance to semi of men’s hockey championship

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 11:04 PM CDT

HALIFAX - Ethan Ritchie scored in overtime as the Saint Mary's Huskies edged the Saskatchewan Huskies 4-3 on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the U Sports men's hockey championship.

Reid Valade, Ben Allison and Jake Uberti helped Saint Mary's build a 3-0 lead with Ryan Hopkins assisting on all three of their goals.

Conner Roulette scored twice for Saskatchewan and Liam Keeler had a power-play goal with 2:20 left in the third period to force extra time.

In Thursday's other quarterfinal, Alex Cunningham had a pair of goals to lead the Windsor Lancers past the Mount Royal Cougars 4-3.

Southern closes on a 14-2 run to beat Samford in the women’s First Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Southern closes on a 14-2 run to beat Samford in the women’s First Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read 10:58 PM CDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jaylia Reed scored 16 points, DeMya Porter had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Southern closed the game on a 14-2 run to beat fellow No. 16 seed Samford 65-53 on Thursday night in the NCAA Tournament.

Southern (20-13) won a game in the First Four for the second straight season, earning a chance to play top-seeded South Carolina on Saturday in the Round of 64. It’s the Jaguars’ third appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last four years.

D’Shantae Edwards began the fourth quarter by converting a three-point play to give Southern a 47-44 lead. Samford tied it twice in the next three minutes, but could not get any closer.

Reed put Southern ahead for good with 6:47 remaining on a 3-pointer to begin the game-closing run. Six different Jaguars scored during the run.

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10:58 PM CDT

Southern University guard Jestiny Dixon (14) drives against Samford guard Kaylee Yarbrough during the second half of a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Johnson sinks go-ahead 3-pointer and Virginia beats Arizona State 57-55 in women’s First Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Johnson sinks go-ahead 3-pointer and Virginia beats Arizona State 57-55 in women’s First Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read 10:49 PM CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Kymora Johnson scored 17 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30.6 seconds remaining, and Virginia beat Arizona State 57-55 on Thursday night in the First Four for its first NCAA Tournament win since 2018.

Virginia (20-11), the No. 10 seed, will face seventh-seeded and 24th-ranked Georgia in the first round on Saturday. The Cavaliers are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2018 and first under coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

Johnson's key 3-pointer — Virginia's first of the second half in 10 attempts — made it 54-51.

Johnson went 1 of 2 from the free-throw line with 5.3 seconds left to cap the scoring and Arizona State guard Jyah LoVett lost control of the ball in the paint at the other end as the clock ran out.

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10:49 PM CDT

Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) passes around Arizona State forward Heloisa Carrera, right, during the second half in a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

NYU women end 91-game win streak in a 60-52 loss to Scranton in Division III Final Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read 10:13 PM CDT

SALEM, Va. (AP) — NYU's record 91-game winning streak is over after a 60-52 loss to Scranton in the Final Four of the Division III NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

The Violets (29-1) had the second-longest winning streak in NCAA history, only trailing UConn's 111-game run.

The two-time defending champion Violets got off to a slow start and trailed 30-18 at the half to Scranton (32-0). NYU rallied in the second half, cutting the Lady Royals' lead to three early in the third quarter, but Scranton answered.

Down 13 in the fourth, NYU got within 56-52 with 46 seconds left, but could get no closer as Scranton hit free throws down the stretch, including two by Meghan Lamanna to seal the win.

Women’s Pro Baseball League shows on-field product at Red Sox spring site before inaugural season

Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Women’s Pro Baseball League shows on-field product at Red Sox spring site before inaugural season

Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 4 minute read 9:42 PM CDT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — A few yards from where the Boston Red Sox prepared for a spring training game Thursday, women's baseball players took the field for a different kind of exhibition — one for a league just taking shape.

The Women's Pro Baseball League was in Fort Myers for a two-day event hosted by the Red Sox and held an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday, marking its first chance since last summer's open tryouts to bring players together and continue shaping the league's on-field product ahead of the start of its inaugural season on Aug. 1.

A handful of players from the league's four teams — Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York — played a seven-inning game similar to those that will take place during the WPBL's eight-week season this summer at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. Afterward, the league held a fan fest just before the Red Sox faced the Minnesota Twins, giving a chance for curious baseball fans to get a peek at what the upstart league will offer.

“We're fairly new (fans)," said Deb Stevens, standing next to her friend Linda Turner as they waited to get a baseball signed by players. “We're so excited and happy. It takes a long time for them to get to this point. But they're going to kick butt. That's what I hope they do.”

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9:42 PM CDT

Ayami Sato pitches during a Women's Pro Baseball League exhibition game, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Vokietaitis has 23 as No. 11 seed Texas gets past Dybantsa and No. 6 BYU 79-71 in March Madness

Erik Garcia Gundersen, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Vokietaitis has 23 as No. 11 seed Texas gets past Dybantsa and No. 6 BYU 79-71 in March Madness

Erik Garcia Gundersen, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 10:48 PM CDT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Matas Vokietaitis had 23 points and 16 rebounds, and No. 11 seed Texas knocked off sixth-seeded BYU 79-71 on Thursday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, overcoming 35 points from Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa.

After needing to beat N.C. State on Tuesday in the First Four just to reach the first round, Texas (19-14) advanced to face either third-seeded Gonzaga or No. 14 seed Kennesaw State on Saturday in the West Regional.

“One word I would use to describe our group is resilient,” Texas coach Sean Miller said. “As we entered this tournament in Dayton, I think all of us up here really came to grips with, you know, let’s really go out playing at the highest level we can, sticking together.”

Dybantsa played every minute of the game but it wasn’t enough as BYU (23-12) had its season — and perhaps his college career — come to an end. Dybantsa was two points shy of tying BYU’s NCAA Tournament record for points in a game, held by Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette.

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Updated: 10:48 PM CDT

Texas guard Jordan Pope (0) looks to shoot as BYU guard Robert Wright III (1) defends during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

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Moesch wins her 1st NCAA individual title as Virginia adds to team lead at swimming championships

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 9:21 PM CDT

ATLANTA (AP) — Anna Moesch won the first NCAA individual title of her career in the 200-yard freestyle on Thursday night at the women’s swimming and diving championships to help Virginia add to its team lead.

Moesch’s time of 1:39.23 marked the second fastest performance in the event, just shy of Missy Franklin’s 11-year-old record.

Moesch also helped Virginia claim a third relay title in the competition with a 1:24.11 in the 200 freestyle. It was the fifth straight year Virginia won the event.

Virginia sits in first place with 249 points heading into the third day of the four-day competition. Texas is second with 183 points and Stanford third with 173.

Rashaun Agee scores 22 points, leads No. 10 seed Texas A&M past No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s 63-50

Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Rashaun Agee scores 22 points, leads No. 10 seed Texas A&M past No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s 63-50

Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 10:07 PM CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Rashaun Agee had 22 points and nine rebounds, and No. 10 seed Texas A&M beat seventh-seeded Saint Mary's 63-50 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Ruben Dominguez added 11 points for the Aggies (22-11), who advanced in the South Region to face either No. 2 seed Houston or No 15 seed Idaho on Saturday.

“I was proud of our guys,” Texas A&M coach Bucky McMillan said. “Total team effort. I thought offensively we were patient enough to get the shots that we wanted. Everything that we discussed in the plan we put it together, and that was really good.”

Texas A&M had not allowed fewer than 59 points all season, but it forced 18 turnovers, limiting the opportunities for the Gaels' dangerous shooters. The Aggies forced a 10-second call against Saint Mary's on its first possession.

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Updated: 10:07 PM CDT

Texas A&M forward Rashaun Agee celebrates during the first half against Saint Mary's in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Morez Johnson Jr. and top-seeded Michigan roll past Howard 101-81 in March Madness after slow start

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Morez Johnson Jr. and top-seeded Michigan roll past Howard 101-81 in March Madness after slow start

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 10:28 PM CDT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. had 21 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect shooting night, and No. 1 seed Michigan rode a second-half surge to a 101-81 victory over 16th-seeded Howard in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.

Towering center Aday Mara had 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists for a Wolverines team that set the Big Ten regular-season record with 19 conference victories. Johnson shot 8 of 8 from the field as Michigan (32-3) moved within one win of matching a program record set in 2017-18.

Top-seeded teams improved to 160-2 against No. 16 seeds, with Duke outlasting Siena earlier in the day.

Duke's struggles — the Blue Devils won 72-65 after trailing by 13 points — were top of mind for the Wolverines before tipoff.

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Updated: 10:28 PM CDT

Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) dunks the ball during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Howard, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

No. 11 seed VCU erases 19-point deficit, stuns sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in OT

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

No. 11 seed VCU erases 19-point deficit, stuns sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in OT

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 9:54 PM CDT

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Terrence Hill Jr. felt he just wasn't himself in the first half of Thursday night's first round NCAA Tournament game.

When he returned after the break, he was nearly unstoppable.

Hill Jr. made a stepback 3-pointer with 15 seconds left in overtime and 11th-seeded VCU erased from a 19-point second-half deficit to stun sixth-seeded North Carolina 82-78 in the teams' opener.

Hill finished 7 for 10 from 3-point range and scored 23 of 34 points after halftime as VCU (28-7) won its first March Madness game since 2016.

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Updated: 9:54 PM CDT

Virginia Commonwealth guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) and Virginia Commonwealth forward Barry Evans (5) reacts after overtime in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Southern closes on a 14-2 run to beat Samford 65-53 in the women’s First Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Southern closes on a 14-2 run to beat Samford 65-53 in the women’s First Four

The Associated Press 2 minute read 8:39 PM CDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jaylia Reed scored 16 points, DeMya Porter had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Southern closed the game on a 14-2 run to beat fellow No. 16 seed Samford 65-53 on Thursday night in the NCAA Tournament.

Southern (20-13) won a game in the First Four for the second straight season, earning a chance to play top-seeded South Carolina on Saturday in the Round of 64. It's the Jaguars’ third appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last four years.

D’Shantae Edwards began the fourth quarter by converting a three-point play to give Southern a 47-44 lead. Samford tied it twice in the next three minutes, but could not get any closer.

Reed put Southern ahead for good with 6:47 remaining on a 3-pointer to begin the game-closing run. Six different Jaguars scored during the run.

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8:39 PM CDT

Southern University guard Jocelyn Tate celebrates after defeating Samford in a First Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Siena played fearlessly against Duke. It was enough to flirt with an all-time March Madness upset

Aaron Beard, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Siena played fearlessly against Duke. It was enough to flirt with an all-time March Madness upset

Aaron Beard, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 9:22 PM CDT

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Siena's Brendan Coyle buried a 3-pointer, then raised his arms emphatically to the crowd.

Teammate Gavin Doty followed minutes later with his own 3, running downcourt with his hand raised to his ear as though making a call.

Siena rolled into its first March Madness game since 2010 with fearless confidence that kept growing with every made shot and each point tacked onto an expanding lead. Only this was in the most improbable of settings: as a 16-seed in the NCAA Tournament, rolling out just five players — and sticking it to No. 1 overall seed Duke.

Ultimately, the Saints couldn't complete an all-timer of a tournament shocker, fading late as the Blue Devils rallied from their biggest deficit all season — 13 points — before finally putting away a 71-65 win in Thursday's first round of the East Region. But they made the afternoon theirs in South Carolina, thrilling a curious-turned-buzzing crowd while forcing the Blue Devils to confront the possibility that the unthinkable could really happen.

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Updated: 9:22 PM CDT

Duke guard Cayden Boozer drives to the basket past Siena center Riley Mulvey during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

UConn wants to show in March it’s still the top dog out of the Big East

Dan Gelston, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

UConn wants to show in March it’s still the top dog out of the Big East

Dan Gelston, The Associated Press 6 minute read 7:01 PM CDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The recent championship trophies suggest that, perhaps, there's been a shift in the Big East hierarchy.

Rick Pitino and St. John’s were the outright regular-season champions each of the past two years and paired those with Big East Tournament titles, too.

The latest tourney title came last week at Madison Square Garden, where St. John's toppled UConn in the championship game to strengthen its argument that it owns the Big East.

Yet the pecking order changes once the NCAA Tournament brackets are unveiled.

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7:01 PM CDT

UConn head coach Dan Hurley gestures during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgetown in the semifinals of the Big East tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Minnesota’s Sophie Hart is thriving at home. Her nickname even rhymes with the mascot

Dave Campbell, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Minnesota’s Sophie Hart is thriving at home. Her nickname even rhymes with the mascot

Dave Campbell, The Associated Press 4 minute read 6:38 PM CDT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — When Sophie Hart decided about three years ago to transfer home to Minnesota, her then-teammates at North Carolina State sent her off with a clever nickname.

Soph the Goph.

Hart's father liked it so much he spearheaded a T-shirt line. The merch has been a hot item during her final college season, culminating with the program's resurgence and return as a March Madness host.

The 6-foot-5 Hart has helped the Gophers, who are ranked 18th in the latest Associated Press poll, reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. They're the No. 4 seed in their quartile of the bracket and will play Green Bay in the first round at Williams Arena on Friday.

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6:38 PM CDT

Ohio State guard Chance Gray (2) drives between Minnesota center Sophie Hart (52) and forward Grace Grocholski (25) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Friday, March 6, 2026 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers begins her final March push as the Sooners host Idaho

Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers begins her final March push as the Sooners host Idaho

Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press 4 minute read 6:35 PM CDT

Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers has one last chance to reach the Final Four.

The 6-foot-4 senior has been one of the nation’s best post players the past three years, a third-team AP All-American as a sophomore and an All-SEC first-team selection as a junior and senior. She reached the Elite Eight as a sophomore at Oregon State, and the Sweet 16 last season as a junior at Oklahoma.

This season, she averages 15.7 points on 61.5% shooting and grabs 10.4 rebounds per game. She heads into this tournament having to depend on young players such as freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez to help her make the most of her final run. Fourth-seeded Oklahoma (24-7) will open against No. 13 seed Idaho (29-5) on Friday in Norman, Okla.

“Obviously, March Madness is the time that you all work for all season,” Beers said. “All the prep in the offseason, in the summertime, all those extra workouts — this is what it has led to. To do it with this group is really special.”

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6:35 PM CDT

March 19, 2026

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