Connect with us

Sports

March Madness 2022: Record-setting defense leads South Carolina women to 79-21 win

Published

on

NEWNow you can take heed to Fox Information articles!

South Carolina discovered one solution to resolve its fourth-quarter woes is to carry the opponent to the fewest factors ever in a girl’s NCAA Match sport.

Aliyah Boston scored 10 factors and had 12 rebounds to steer the top-seeded Gamecocks to a 79-21 victory over Howard on Friday.

The 21 factors for the Bison broke the report held by Kansas State which scored 26 in a loss to UConn in 2012. The Gamecocks (30-2) held Howard (21-10) to a NCAA Match report low 4 factors within the first half as they took a 44-4 lead.

Advertisement

South Carolina ahead Aliyah Boston, high, and guard Zia Cooke, backside, take a look at a free ball through the first half of a primary spherical sport in opposition to Howard within the NCAA ladies’s faculty basketball match Friday, March 18, 2022 in Columbia, S.C. 
(AP Photograph/Sean Rayford)

“We defend. We had been fairly locked in,” South Carolina coach Daybreak Staley stated.

It was a complete mismatch, even for a No. 1 versus No. 16 seed. The Gamecocks had 30 offensive rebounds to simply six for Howard. The Bison turned the ball over 20 occasions and had been outscored 38 to eight within the paint.

13 of the fourteen South Carolina gamers who received within the sport scored.

However there nonetheless are issues for Staley to fret about. The protection helped masks an off capturing night time for the match’s total high seed. The Gamecocks shot 35% from the sector and simply 8-fo-38 on 3-pointers.

Advertisement

“I do know we will’t have one other sport shooting-wise like we did and anticipate to win basketball video games. We’ve received to discover a solution to get the ball to go within the gap for us,” Staley stated.

South Carolina has been struggling to complete video games. They misplaced to Kentucky 64-62 within the Southeastern Convention closing earlier this month after being outscored 21-7 within the fourth quarter..

Up 60-8 over Howard on the finish of the third quarter, freshman Bree Corridor stated the crew was reminded that champions end video games sturdy.

“We’ve received to maintain constructing on this lead. We’ve received to go on the market and play laborious and maintain doing what we’re doing. The final, latest video games, we haven’t been ending the fourth quarter,” Corridor stated.

South Carolina gained that closing quarter 19-13.

Advertisement

The Gamecocks didn’t maintain Howard scoreless in any quarter. South Carolina did that in 2021, shutting out Texas within the fourth quarter of a 62-34 win in final 12 months’s NCAA Match regional closing.

Iyanna Warren led Howard with eight factors.

Howard coach Ty Grace informed her crew now that they’ve confirmed they are often convention champions, they will take note of how South Carolina dealt with them Friday and see easy methods to take the subsequent step.

“It’s solely up from right here,” Grace stated.

Advertisement

DOUBLE DOUBLE

Boston picked up her twenty fifth straight double-double taking part in simply over 18 minutes.

When the All-American pulled down her tenth rebound with 7:10 to go within the third quarter, she received one of many largest cheers of the day on her dwelling flooring.

Boston didn’t play the ultimate 14 minutes.

HAPPY TO BE HERE

Advertisement

For Howard, spending 4 days at South Carolina, training on their flooring and hanging our close to Staley and her gamers was wonderful.

“It was the chance of a lifetime that not many groups, not many individuals get to expertise. We received to play South Carolina on their dwelling flooring,” Iyanna Warren stated. “We had been simply joyful and excited for the chance.”

Grace stated she loved attending to see Staley and her program up shut. Grace was certainly one of plenty of Black ladies coaches who Staley despatched items of South Carolina’s 2017 championship web.

“We gained an NCAA Match sport, which nobody at Howard had ever accomplished,” Grace stated.

BIG PICTURE

Advertisement

Howard: The Bison do go dwelling with their first NCAA Match win, a 55-51 victory over Incarnate Phrase in Wednesday’s opening spherical. It’s the primary match win for the Mid-Japanese Athletic Convention since South Carolina State gained a play-in sport in 1983.

South Carolina: The 21 factors matched the fewest South Carolina has allowed in its historical past. The Gamecocks have had three durations the place they haven’t allowed some extent, however didn’t add to that whole Friday.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks play No. 8 seed Miami on Friday. The Hurricanes beat South Florida 78-66 earlier within the day.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sports

Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports

Published

on

Knicks reunite Mikal Bridges with Villanova teammates in blockbuster trade with Nets: reports

Join Fox News for access to this content

Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge.

By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.

Please enter a valid email address.

Having trouble? Click here.

There’s just something the New York Knicks love about those Villanova products in the NBA. 

The Knicks have reportedly struck a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to bring Mikal Bridges, a former teammate of Knicks stars, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo during their time at Villanova, to Madison Square Garden in a blockbuster deal. 

Advertisement

In this first trade between both teams since 1983, the Knicks will send veteran forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick via the Milwaukee Bucks, an unprotected pick swap and a second-round pick in exchange for Bridges, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jalen Brunson #11 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks talk to Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets after the game on March 23, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.  (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Knicks saw exactly what former college teammates could do on the floor together in the NBA last season, as Brunson, DiVincenzo and Hart all had stellar campaigns during the team’s playoff run. 

Now, Bridges reunites with teammates he won multiple NCAA national titles with during his college days. 

Advertisement

KENDRICK PERKINS CALLS BRIAN SCALABRINE ‘COWARD’ AFTER FORMER TEAMMATE CLAIMS HE’S BANNED FROM CELTICS PARADE

Bridges’ reaction was likely that of all Knicks fans, as he posted on social media. 

“This is crazy lol,” Bridges simply posted on X. 

Bridges, the 10th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft who was traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Phoenix Suns on draft night, has developed into a star with the Nets since he was dealt before the deadline in the 2022-23 campaign. 

He jumped from 17.2 points per game to 26.1 over 27 contests that season as a Net, and last year’s production was solid as well. 

Advertisement
Mikal Bridges gets rebound

Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats grabs a rebound in front of teammates Donte DiVincenzo #10 and Jalen Brunson #1 against the Providence Friars at the Wells Fargo Center on January 23, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Bridges averaged 19.6 points per game with 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 43.6% from the field over all 82 regular-season games. 

The Philly native, who was a 2021-22 All-Defensive team honoree, figures to slot right into the starting lineup alongside his Villanova brothers, including the All-Star Brunson who exploded for an All-NBA nod after averaging a career-high 28.7 points per contest. 

The news of Bridges’ addition comes as OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ traded-for wing last season, reportedly opted out of his contract and decided to test free agency. 

Bridges, at 6-foot-6, has the ability to guard just about any player on the floor, and head coach Tom Thibodeau loves players with that extra hustle, which he provides every night. 

New York is clearly a win-now team after going 50-32 last season to earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. But they’ve lost in the conference semifinals in back-to-back seasons, so adding another playmaker who can thrive on both ends of the floor was paramount for their squad this offseason. 

Advertisement
Mikal Bridges runs on court

Mikal Bridges #1 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates after making a shot in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 01, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

That box is checked with the addition of Bridges, who shouldn’t have any trouble getting acclimated with his new team.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79

Published

on

Sika Anoa’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, dies at 79

WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoa’i, who won multiple WWE tag team titles with his brother Afa and is the father of current WWE star Roman Reigns, died Tuesday. He was 79.

His death was announced by nephew Jahrus Anoa’i on Instagram.

Jahrus wrote: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika.”

Anoaʻi was born on the island of Tutuila in American Samoa on April 5, 1945. He and his family (he had 13 siblings) moved to San Francisco when he was 14 and he joined the Merchant Marines in 1963 before leaving in 1969 at the behest of Afa to become a pro wrestler.

Sika and Afa were known as “The Wild Samoans” and joined the WWE (then known as the WWWF), managed by Lou Albano, in 1980, winning the tag titles just four months after their debut by defeating Tito Santana and Ivan Putski. They lost, then won them again later in 1980, then again in 1983. He had limited success as a singles wrestler, but anyone who saw “The Wild Samoans,” with their wild hair, sarong and wrestling barefoot in the ring, will never forget them. They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

Advertisement

Sika trained wrestlers after retiring and helped launch the careers of many, including Yokozuna, Virgil, Billy Kidman, Batista, Rikishi, Tonga Kid, Virgil, Michael P.S. Hayes and Snitsky.

Anoaʻi’s son, Joseph, better known as Roman Reigns, is the top star in WWE currently and members of his extended family make up the faction known as “The Bloodline,” which has led WWE to renewed success in recent years. Reigns headlined the last two WrestleManias, including the 2023 event at SoFi Stadium.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach

Published

on

Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk jumps in ocean with Stanley Cup as celebration hits the beach

The Stanley Cup is back in Florida, as the Panthers won a thrilling Game 7 over the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, on Monday night. 

The team wasted no time parading Lord Stanley’s Cup around South Florida, as Matthew Tkachuk, Aaron Ekblad and many others were spotted in Fort Lauderdale celebrating their victory less than 24 hours after defeating Edmonton. 

And since it is summer in Florida, what other way would you celebrate than by taking the Cup to the beach. 

Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after their 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Advertisement

Tkachuk, surrounded by teammates and fans alike, took the Cup across the street to the beach, where he decided to take it into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Think of it as a sort of baptism for the Cup, as it’s the first time in Panthers franchise history they have won the hardware. 

Panthers fans were screaming as Tkachuk, Ekblad and others held the Cup above their heads, giving it the customary kiss all while the waves came rolling in from the ocean. 

PANTHERS WIN STANLEY CUP IN THRILLING GAME 7 OVER OILERS

Tkachuk said after the victory to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan that winning the Cup was no longer a dream – it’s reality. And it was a grueling two years for the Panthers – they lost in the Final to the Vegas Golden Knights last season in five games – to finally get that inaugural trophy in the team building. 

Advertisement

So, this celebration is a culmination of tons of hard work, and the Panthers are clearly letting loose now that their names will forever be etched on the precious metal. 

Panthers celebrate Stanley Cup win

Panthers players share champagne after beating the Edmonton Oilers at the Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Florida. (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

Through the Panthers’ 24 games in these playoffs, Tkachuk posted 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) to help Florida get the job done. 

He joined the Panthers last season after the Calgary Flames traded him following six seasons with the squad that drafted him sixth overall in 2016. 

Tkachuk posted a 109-point season in 2023, and though he would have 88 this past regular season, every Panthers fan knows the importance he makes at left wing for this hockey club. 

Matthew Tkachuk raise Stanley Cup

Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers lifts the Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Advertisement

The celebration has only begun for Tkachuk and the rest of his Florida teammates, who will have their team parade on Sunday.  

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending