>>Illinois Bounces Boise State In NIT Second Round
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois is headed to the NIT quarterfinals. The Fighting Illini advanced with a 71-56 home win over Boise State in the second round. Tracy Abrams had 18 points for Illinois, which outscored the Broncos 38-to-22 in the second half. The Illini will face Central Florida in the quarterfinals.
>>Illinois State Blows Lead Against UCF In NIT Second Round
(Normal, IL) — Illinois State is out of the NIT. The Redbirds blew a 13-point halftime lead and lost 63-62 at home to Central Florida in the second round. B.J. Taylor’s two free throws with 1.3 seconds left lifted UCF to victory. Deontae Hawkins had 15 points for Illinois State, which finishes the season 28-and-7.
>>UConn Women Slam Syracuse
(Storrs, CT) — The UConn women’s basketball team is moving on to the Sweet 16. The Lady Huskies advanced with a 94-64 win over Syracuse. Kia Nurse matched an NCAA Tournament record with nine three-pointers for the Huskies. UConn also extended its record winning streak to 109 games.
>>Two Brady Super Bowl Jerseys Found In Mexico
(Houston, TX) — The FBI and the NFL now have custody of what’s believed to be Tom Brady’s Super Bowl jersey. Houston police say the jersey was taken to Mexico after being stolen from the Patriots’ locker room at NRG Stadium last month. Police also say a second Brady jersey, which is believed to be from Super Bowl 49, was also found in Mexico.
>>Cardinals Clobber Astros With Late-Inning Surge
(West Palm Beach, FL) — The Cardinals scored 10 runs over the final four innings to beat the Astros 12-6 in West Palm Beach. Mike Leake gave up four runs in five frames as St. Louis fell behind 4-0 early. Jose Martinez and Greg Garcia homered for the Cardinals. They host the Nationals tomorrow.
>>Cactus League Roundup
(Undated) — In Cactus League play yesterday, the Cubs cut down the Rockies, 9-6. Kyle Hendricks allowed two runs in four-and-two-thirds. The Giants edged the White Sox, 3-2. Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez tossed six innings of two-hit, shutout ball. Today, the White Sox face the Rangers. The Cubs have the day off.
>>Mets Option Tebow To Class A Columbia
(Lakeland, FL) — The Mets are optioning outfield hopeful Tim Tebow [[ TEE-boh ]] to the minors. The former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner will begin his first full season of professional baseball with the Class-A Columbia Fireflies. Tebow started in left field and went 0-for-3 in Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Tigers in Lakeland.
>>Team USA Takes On Japan In WBC Semifinal Tonight
(Los Angeles, CA) — The United States plays in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic tonight. Team USA takes on Japan at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Americans are seeking their first-ever appearance in the tournament’s championship game. Puerto Rico advanced to the title game with an extra-inning win over the Netherlands last night.
>>Bears Legend Gale Sayers Battling Dementia
(Undated) — Bears legend Gale Sayers is battling dementia. His wife tells the “Kansas City Star” that the Hall of Fame running back was diagnosed with the disease four years ago. His family believes his years of playing football contributed to his diagnosis.