NCAA:
Tonight Syracuse men’s basketball takes on University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the National Invitation Tournament at 7 p.m.
Diminutive point guard Junior Robinson scored 23 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 1:27 to play, and Mount St. Mary's held on for a 67-66 victory over New Orleans in the opening game of the First Four. Robinson, the smallest player in Division I at 5-foot-5, carried the Mountaineers (20-15) to only their second NCAA Tournament win. They'll head to Buffalo to play defending national champion and top overall seed Villanova in the East Regional on Thursday.
Mount St. Mary's led most of the way, but New Orleans (20-12) pulled off a comeback befitting its resurgent season. The Privateers had a chance for a final shot, but Erik Thomas' inbound pass with 2.6 seconds left was off target and stolen by the Mountaineers' Chris Wray to clinch it. Kamau Stokes scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half of a wide-open game on Tuesday night, and Kansas State's balance was the difference as the Wildcats pulled away to a 95-88 victory over Wake Forest in the First Four. Eleventh-seeded K-State (21-13) got its first NCAA Tournament win in five years and a trip to play No. 6 Cincinnati on Friday in Sacramento as part of the South Regional.
In college men's basketball, Sebastian Saiz had his school-record 21st double-double of the season, Deandre Burnett scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half and Mississippi beat Monmouth 91-83 last night in the first round of the NIT. Justin Robinson had 23 points, including seven of the Hawks' season-high 16 3-pointers, and seven assists. He is Monmouth's Division I leader with 2,003 career points, which is second in school history.
NBA:
In the NBA, the Knicks topped Indiana 87-81, Cleveland bested Detroit 128-96, Oklahoma City beat Brooklyn 122-104, New Orleans won against Portland 100-77, and it was Golden State over Philadelphia 106-104.
Former Trail Blazer Cliff Robinson says he is recovering from a "minor brain hemorrhage." Last week, Robinson's family disclosed that the 50-year-old former forward was being treated at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Robinson issued a statement on Tuesday saying he's in the "process of getting better."
LeBron James got his 52nd career triple-double, Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers used a blazing start to overpower the Detroit Pistons 128-96 this evening. James picked up his 10th triple-double of the season and third in the last four games at the 3:45 mark of the third quarter. In only 28 minutes, the four-time MVP finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
NHL:
In the NHL, the Islanders beat Carolina in overtime 3-2, San Jose topped Buffalo 4-1, Arizona edged the Kings in a shootout 3-2, Edmonton won against Dallas 7-1, Chicago doubled up Montreal 4-2, Florida bested Toronto 7-2, Tampa Bay slid past Ottawa in overtime 2-1, and it was Washington over Minnesota 4-2. The Winnipeg at New Jersey game was postponed.
MLB:
In baseball’s spring training, Boston beat Toronto 5-4, Tampa Bay bested the Yankees 10-6, and the Mets won against Houston 2-1.
The Boston Red Sox say left-hander David Price is likely to start the season on the disabled list because of his sore pitching elbow. Starting the second season of a $217 million, seven-year contract, Price has not yet appeared in an exhibition game.
NFL:
The Los Angeles Rams have signed offensive lineman Ryan Groy to an offer sheet, putting the Buffalo Bills in a position to have to match the contract for the restricted free agent. The move was revealed on the NFL's daily transactions list published yesterday.
The New England Patriots have signed free agent running back Rex Burkhead. The move was announced yesterday. Terms were not disclosed. Burkhead comes from Cincinnati, where he has spent all four years of his NFL career since being drafted in the sixth round out of Nebraska in 2013.
Eddie Lacy's agent says the former Green Bay running back is joining the Seattle Seahawks. Lacy's management group, Sports Trust Advisors, said Tuesday on Twitter that the four-year veteran has agreed to terms with the Seahawks. Seattle has been plagued by injuries at the position in recent years. Lacy was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, when he rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for more than 1,100 yards in 2014, but has since been slowed by injuries and lost favor with Packers coach Mike McCarthy at times. Last season, Lacy played in only five games, sidelined by ankle problems.
The Chiefs have signed defensive tackle Bennie Logan to a one-year contract, filling the void left by free agent Dontari Poe in the middle of the Kansas City defensive line. Logan made 51 starts and appeared in 59 games during the past four seasons in Philadelphia. He made 24 tackles and had 2 1/2 sacks last season, when he played for former Chiefs offensive coordinator and longtime Andy Reid assistant Doug Pederson.
Coveted free agent linebacker Dont'a Hightower's tour hit Pittsburgh, but he left the team's facility without signing a deal. The team announced it hosted Hightower after he spent Monday getting wooed by the New York Jets. Hightower spent most of the day at the team's headquarters, but left early in the evening without a deal imminent.
NWHL:
The National Women's Hockey League's first transgender player says he plans to retire after this season. Harrison Browne announced his decision in a release issued by the league on Tuesday in advance of the NWHL semifinal and championship playoff games this weekend. Browne plays for the Buffalo Beauts, who will face New York on Friday. The winner will play in the Isobel Cup Final on Sunday.
Iditarod:
A 57-year-old musher, Mitch Seavey, has become the oldest winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Seavey arrived in Nome, Alaska, on Tuesday to claim his third victory in the nearly 1,000-mile race across the Alaska wilderness. He also won in 2004 and 2013. He outran his son, defending champion Dallas Seavey. The elder Seavey said he didn't relish being runner-up the past two years. The Seaveys have cemented their legacy as mushing royalty in Alaska. They have won the last six races. Mitch Seavey's dad, Dan, participated in the very first Iditarod in 1973.
Tennis:
Rafael Nadal defeated Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open for his 50th career victory at the desert tournament. Nadal closed out the 1 1/2-hour match in 95-degree (35 C) heat with a forehand winner on Tuesday. The three-time tournament champion could next face Roger Federer, who played American Steve Johnson later. Five-time Indian Wells winner Novak Djokovic takes on 2013 finalist Juan Martin del Potro at night.
On the women's side, Venus Williams and Madison Keys played fourth-round matches later. In other matches, No. 4 seed Kei Nishikori routed 25th-seeded Gilles Muller 6-2, 6-2, and American Donald Young defeated 14th-seeded Lucas Pouille 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.
Legal:
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation has been given more time to respond to charges in a lawsuit brought against it by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the state's failed $75 million deal with former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's video game company. The Providence Journal reports court records show a federal judge has given the economic development agency until April 10 to file its response.
Horse Racing:
Saratoga Race Course will start selling season passes to the upcoming season at the track.
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