Miami (Ohio) makes a March Madness statement with an 89-79 win over SMU in the First Four
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Eian Elmer scored 23 points and Miami of Ohio beat SMU 89-79 in the First Four for its first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years. Elmer went 6 of 9 from 3-point range as the 11th-seeded RedHawks, who were unbeaten during the regular season, advanced in the Midwest Region to play No. 6 seed Tennessee. Brant Byers added 19 points, including four 3s, and Luke Skaljac had 17 points for Miami, which is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007. The RedHawks finished 16 of 41 from 3-point distance. Jaden Toombs led SMU with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jaron Pierre Jr. scored 18 points and Boopie Miller had 15 for the Mustangs, who haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 1988.
Doncic drops 40, James adds 30 as Lakers stretch their streak to 7 with 124-116 win over Rockets
HOUSTON (AP) — Luka Doncic had 40 points and LeBron James added 30 as the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets. It’s the 10th win in 11 games for the Lakers, who also beat Houston 100-92 on Monday night. The Lakers led by 4 with about 90 seconds remaining when Doncic found James for an alley-oop dunk. Kevin Durant had a turnover on the other end and Doncic made a 3-pointer to push the lead to 120-111 with less than a minute left. Alperen Sengun had 27 points and 10 assists for the Rockets.
A landmark WNBA labor deal nears reality, paving the way for the first million dollar players
NEW YORK (AP) — A landmark new WNBA collective bargaining agreement was reached in principle early Wednesday morning that will give the league its first million dollar players. There’s still a lot of work to do between now and the start of the regular season on May 8, however. Lawyers on both sides are finalizing the term sheet for players and the league’s Board of Governors to approve, which should be done in the next day or so.
The WBC is thriving. Rob Manfred says MLB might consider moving it to midseason
MIAMI (AP) — Major League Baseball plans to bring back the World Baseball Classic in 2029 or 2030 and it could eventually move to midseason. Commissioner Rob Manfred tells The Associated Press the league has discussed midseason tournaments after the end of Fox’s All-Star Game deal, which runs through 2028. All six WBCs have been during spring training, and teams sometimes limit players. This year the tournament set attendance and TV records. Top games drew far bigger audiences than in 2006. Whether major leaguers participate in the 2028 Olympics could impact whether the next WBC is in ‘29 or ’30.
For 10, it’s 900: Inter Miami star Lionel Messi scores milestone 900th goal, joining Ronaldo in club
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi has reached another milestone, getting his 900th career goal in the opening minutes of Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 match against Nashville on Wednesday night. The back-to-back Major League Soccer MVP, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion got it as would be expected — with his left foot, like the majority of his career goals for club and country. He took a pass in the middle of the box in the seventh minute, controlled the ball, spun and lined a low shot past two defenders and into the far corner of the net. Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other men’s player with more than 900 goals.
Prairie View A&M defeats Lehigh 67-55 in the First Four for its first March Madness win
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Dontae Horne scored 25 points and Cory Wells had 19 points and 11 rebounds as Prairie View A&M earned its first NCAA Tournament victory, 67-55 over Lehigh in the First Four. Lance Williams added 10 points for the Panthers, who advance as the No. 16 seed in the South Region to face top seed and defending national champion Florida on Friday night in Tampa, Florida. Lehigh leading scorer Nasir Whitlock went scoreless for more than 26 minutes and finished with five points. He was 2-of-15 shooting. Hank Alvey led Lehigh with 23 points and 15 rebounds.
A baseball title unleashes the happiness Venezuelans kept bottled up for years
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans pour into the streets in a rare, loud release of joy after their team wins the World Baseball Classic. On Wednesday, people across Caracas cry, dance, hug, and bang pots as the win sinks in. Venezuela beats the United States 3–2 in Miami. Many say the moment feels pure because nothing can be argued away. The celebration also breaks through years of fear and silence. Venezuelans have faced harsh repression and economic pain, and many avoid public emotion. Acting president Delcy Rodríguez declares a National Day of Joy. Venezuelans abroad celebrate too.
Wyatt Johnston scores shootout winner as Stars beat Avs 2-1 to tighten race for top spot in league
DENVER (AP) — Jake Oettinger made 33 saves through overtime, Wyatt Johnston scored the shootout winner and the Dallas Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 to tighten the race for first place in the division, Western Conference and league standings. The Stars pulled within two points of the Avalanche. It’s the closest any team has been to Colorado since Dec. 10. Johnston had the lone goal in the shootout while Oettinger stopped all three of Colorado’s shots. It’s the third straight shootout this season between the rivals. Jason Robertson also scored for the Stars, who bounced back from a 6-3 loss to Utah on Monday.
New women’s pro baseball league turns long-held dreams into reality at Red Sox spring home
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Kelsie Whitmore stood near third base at JetBlue Park and looked around at her new norm. Women baseball players from around the world tossed balls back and forth, sharing laughs and taking pointers from major league coaches. In less than five months, they will play in the first women’s professional baseball league in the U.S. in more than 70 years. Reality set in Wednesday for Whitmore and players from the WPBL. The upstart league is taking part in a two-day event at the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox ahead the launch of its season on August 1.
Shohei Ohtani throws 4 1/3 scoreless innings in spring debut on mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani reached back for the heater and found it, blazing a 99-mph fastball past Willy Adames for his first strikeout of the afternoon on Wednesday. For a guy who hasn’t spent much time on the mound over the past 2 1/2 years, he doesn’t seem remotely rusty. The Japanese two-way star was in top form during his spring training debut on the mound, giving up one hit, two walks and a hit by pitch while striking out four over 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants.