Weekday Morning Sports – Tuesday 1/24/17

sportsreport-157
sportsreport-157

95.7 & 1400 WSJM Sports     @wsjmsports     wsjmsports.com     Tuesday, January 24, 2017

NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
Sacramento Kings 109, Detroit Pistons 104
New York Knicks 109, Indiana Pacers 103

Kings 109, Pistons 104 – Kings snap 5-game skid with 109-104 win over Pistons
DeMarcus Cousins had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and the Sacramento Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with a 109-104 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. Ty Lawson added 19 points and helped Sacramento turn the game around with a strong second quarter. Lawson scored nine points in the second, and the Kings outscored the Pistons 37-24 in the period to take a 65-62 lead into halftime. A 3-pointer by Lawson put Sacramento up 101-90 in the fourth, and the Kings held on from there to stop Detroit’s three-game winning streak. Andre Drummond had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Pistons. The Kings were playing the third game of an eight-game road trip. They’ve won only two of their last 10 games, and both victories were against the Pistons.

Knicks 109, Pacers 103 – Knicks hold off Pacers’ late charge for 109-103 victory
Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points and broke a tie with a turnaround baseline jumper with 23.4 seconds left to give the New York Knicks a rare victory at Indiana, 109-103 over the Pacers on Monday night. It was the Knicks’ first road win in the series since March 17, 2012. Derrick Rose had 20 points and six assists as New York ended a two-game skid. Indiana erased a 17-point third-quarter deficit and tied the score at 103 on two free throws by Paul George with 42 seconds remaining. Anthony answered with the tiebreaking shot, and the Pacers didn’t score again. George led Indiana with 31 points and seven rebounds. Myles Turner had 22 points and 10 boards for the Pacers, who have lost three straight.

Tonight
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic, 7:00 p.m.

NHL – National Hockey League
Tonight
Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m.

NHL – Red Wings put Larkin on 7-day injured reserve
The Red Wings have put center Dylan Larkin on seven-day injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Detroit plays only two games in that span, including Tuesday night at Boston. Larkin is tied for the team lead with 12 goals this season.  Detroit also announced Monday that left-wing Drew Miller has been assigned to Grand Rapids of the AHL. The 32-year-old Miller has five goals and one assist in 34 games for the Red Wings this season.

NCAAMBB – Men’s College Basketball
Tonight
(20) Purdue at Michigan State, 7:00 p.m.                 SuperHits 103.7 Cosy-FM 6:00
Akron at Western Michigan, 7:00 p.m.
Bowling Green at Central Michigan, 7:00 p.m.
(12) Virginia at (14) Notre Dame, 8:00 p.m.
Ball State at Eastern Michigan, 9:00 p.m.

NCAAMBB – New poll has Wildcats still number one
Villanova and Kansas remain 1-2 in the latest Associated Press men’s basketball poll. The Wildcats picked up 35 of 65 first-place votes, seven more than the Jayhawks. Gonzaga claimed the two remaining first-place votes after climbing up one spot to third.  Kentucky and Baylor round out the top five and are followed by Florida State, Arizona, UCLA, North Carolina and Oregon. The Bruins fell five spots to eighth following their home loss to Arizona on Saturday, which also moved the Wildcats up seven places.  Notre Dame is 14th.

NCAAWBB – Huskies still No. 1
UConn remains the No. 1 in this week’s Associated Press women’s basketball after extending its winning streak to 93 games with two victories last week.  The 18-0 Huskies lead a top five that is unchanged from last week. Baylor is second, followed by Maryland, Mississippi State and South Carolina.   Notre Dame drops two spots from sixth to eighth.

NCAAFB – Harbaugh taking Michigan to Rome for 3 practices
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is taking his team to Italy this spring. The Wolverines will hold three spring practices at the training facility of Italian league soccer club Roma in Rome. Michigan held part of its spring practice last year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, during spring break.  Power Five conferences last week voted to ban off-campus trips for practice during any vacation period outside a sport’s season. The new NCAA rule goes into effect in August. Michigan did not announce on Monday the exact dates of the trip, but said in a release it would take place “after finals toward the end of winter semester in April.” The school said the team will visit landmarks and U.S. military personnel during the trip.

NASCAR – NASCAR overhauls points format
NASCAR is dramatically changing its format for the upcoming season, cutting every race into stages that reward points in hopes of make every lap matter. The overhaul announced Monday assigns three stages to every race. The top 10 drivers at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be awarded points on a 10-through-1 scale. The third portion of the race will be for the overall victory, and although traditional point scoring will be applied for that stage, the win will be worth 40 points. The rest of the field will be scored on a 35 to 2 scale, and positions 36th to 40 will only receive 1 point. All points accumulated through the 26-race regular season can be used in the 10-race playoff, which will no longer be called “The Chase.” The new format begins with the Feb. 26 season-opening Daytona 500.

MLB – Caught napping: Baseball hitting, pitching sapped by jet lag
Travelers know jet lag is no fun, and now it appears even major league baseball players can suffer from its effects. A new study says jet lag can wipe out home field advantage, make pitchers give up more home runs, and take some punch out of a team’s bats. Researchers at Northwestern University looked at data from 20 years of major league baseball games.  They looked at nearly 5,000 instances where a team took the field after crossing two or three time zones, but evidently didn’t have enough time to adjust. The analysis showed jet lag affected teams more when they returned home than when they were on the road. And as expected, traveling eastward was more disruptive than going westward.

Tennis – Australian Open – Venus advances
Venus Williams has become the oldest woman of the Open era to advance to the Australian Open women’s semifinals following a 6-4, 7-6 win over No. 24 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The 36-year-old Williams was behind a service break in the opening set but broke the Russian’s serve twice in three games. She wrapped up the match by winning the last six points of the tiebreak.

Golf – Tiger Woods on Trump’s golf game: ‘He can rip it’
Tiger Woods is impressed with President Donald Trump’s abilities on the golf course. The 14-time major champion played a round with Trump last month before the real estate mogul took office as the nation’s 45th president. “For a person who’s 70 years old, he hits it hard,” Woods said Monday at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. “He can rip it and hit it.”  Woods said the men walked 18 holes, along with 10 security guards for Trump. “It might be increased now,” Woods joked.  He said the new president “has an inordinate amount of energy” and “keeps himself in pretty good shape.”

MHSAA – High School Sports
Yesterday
Boys Basketball
012317-lmccassLake Michigan Catholic 70, Cassopolis 57
Lake Michigan Catholic pulled away in the 2nd half on its way to a 70-57 win at Cassopolis.  The Rangers led by nine in the 2nd quarter, but the Lakers rallied to take a three point lead at the half.  Catholic build on that advantage and eventually led by as many as 15.  Corey Seger scored 18 of his game high 24 points in the 2nd half for the Lakers.  Tommy Koenig added 14 points and Jack McLoughlin finished with 11 for Catholic.  With the win, the Lakers improve to 6-5 on the season while Cassopolis suffers just its 2nd loss of the season as they fall to 7-2.

South Haven 56, Buchanan 47
South Haven had four players in double figures last night, led by Darion Gist with 14, to beat the Buchanan Bucks 56-47 in a non-conference contest.  The Bucks’ Andy McQuirt led all scorers with 22.  DeMari and DaShawn Palmer each had 12 points and Joe Wilkins had 11 for the Rams, who improve to 8-4 overall, and host Wolverine North Division co-leader Plainwell tonight to determine the outright North Division lead.

Other Scores
Battle Creek Harper Creek 64, Three Rivers 46
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 60, Gull Lake 54

Girls Basketball
Buchanan 37, Comstock 33
Brooke Wesner had 17 points to lead Buchanan to a 37-33 win over Comstock.  Jayla Bibbs added 11 points for the Lady Bucks in the win.

Other Scores
White Pigeon 58, Colon 40
Battle Creek Harper Creek 53, Three Rivers 40
Gull Lake 48, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 38

Tonight
Boys Basketball
SMAC
St. Joseph at Battle Creek Central, 7:15 p.m.
Battle Creek Lakeview at Lakeshore, 7:15 p.m.
Niles at Kalamazoo Central, 7:15 p.m.
Portage Northern at Loy Norrix, 7:15 p.m.
Gull Lake at Portage Central, 7:15 p.m.

Non-Conference/Independent
Hartford at Brandywine, 7:30 p.m.
Lawrence at Constantine, 7:00 p.m.
Fennville at Wyoming Tri-Unity, 7:00 p.m.
Saugatuck at West Michigan Christian, 7:00 p.m.
Zion Christian at Covert, 5:30 p.m.
Mattawan at Benton Harbor, 7:15 p.m.  WSJM Sports

Wolverine
Plainwell at South Haven, 7:15 p.m.
Dowagiac at Paw Paw, 7:15 p.m.
Edwardsburg at Sturgis, 7:15 p.m.
Allegan at Otsego, 7:15 p.m.
Vicksburg at Three Rivers, 7:15 p.m.

BCS
Michigan Lutheran at Countryside, 7:30 p.m.
Comstock at Cassopolis, 7:30 p.m.

SAC
Bloomingdale at Galesburg-Augusta, 7:00 p.m.
Decatur at Kalamazoo Christian, 7:00 p.m.
Eau Claire at Kalamazoo Hackett, 7:00 p.m.
Martin at Lawton, 7:00 p.m.
Marcellus at Schoolcraft, 7:00 p.m.

Girls Basketball
SMAC
Battle Creek Central at St. Joseph, 7:15 p.m.
Lakeshore at Battle Creek Lakeview, 7:15 p.m.
Kalamazoo Central at Niles, 7:15 p.m.
Loy Norrix at Portage Northern, 7:15 p.m.
Portage Central at Gull Lake, 7:15 p.m.

Non-Conference/Independent
Hartford at Brandywine, 6:00 p.m.
Constantine at Lawrence, 7:00 p.m.
Fennville at Wyoming Tri-Unity, 7:00 p.m.
Saugatuck at West Michigan Christian, 5:30 p.m.
Zion Christian at Covert, 5:30 p.m.

Wolverine
South Haven at Plainwell, 7:15 p.m.
Paw Paw at Dowagiac, 7:15 p.m.
Sturgis at Edwardsburg, 7:15 p.m.
Otsego at Allegan, 7:15 p.m.
Three Rivers at Vicksburg, 7:15 p.m.

BCS
New Buffalo at Lake Michigan Catholic, 6:00 p.m.
Mendon at Michigan Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
Bridgman at River Valley, 7:30 p.m.

SAC
Galesburg-Augusta at Bloomingdale, 7:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Christian at Decatur, 7:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Hackett at Eau Claire, 7:00 p.m.
Lawton at Martin, 7:00 p.m.
Schoolcraft at Marcellus, 7:00 p.m.

MHSAA – AP Basketball Polls
Boys
Class A
School                                         Record              Total Points
1. Clarkston (3)                        (10-0)               73
2. Grand Rapids Christian (1)   (8-0)                 69
3. East Lansing (1)                   (10-0)              64
4. Detroit U-D Jesuit                (9-2)                 58
5. Detroit East English             (9-1)                 53
6. Muskegon                               (10-0)              50
7. Macomb Dakota                      (9-3)                 43
   8. Kalamazoo Central             (9-1)                39          
9. Holland West Ottawa            (8-1)                 36
10. Flint Carman-Ainsworth     (10-1)             32
Others receiving 12 or more votes: Detroit King (9-2) 13, Saline (10-2) 12, Walled Lake Western (9-1) 12.

Class B
School                                          Record               Total Points
1. Wyoming Godwin Hts. (3)     (10-0)               59
2. River Rouge (1)                     (11-0)               57
   3. Benton Harbor                      (11-0)             51          
4. New Haven                               (9-1)                44
5. Bridgeport                              (9-0)                40
6. Wayland                                  (7-2)                 31
7. G. R. Catholic Central          (9-1)                 30
8. Big Rapids                               (8-0)                 28
(tie)Freeland                               (8-0)                 28
10. Williamston                           (10-1)              24
Others receiving votes: Hazel Park (7-2) 22, Dundee (10-1) 16, Macomb Lutheran North (8-1) 13.

Class C
School                                           Record              Total Points
1. McBain (4)                              (9-0)                74
   2. Kalamazoo Hackett           (8-0)               65       
3. Pewamo-Westphalia                (8-0)                60
4. Norway                                    (10-0)               53
5. Flint Beecher (1)                   (7-3)                49
6. Monroe St. Mary                  (8-0)                46
7. Sand Creek                              (9-0)                39
8. Beaverton                                (8-1)                37
9. Riverview Gabriel Richard   (10-0)               34
10. Negaunee                                (7-2)                23
Others receiving votes: Marlette (11-0) 22, Brandywine (10-0) 20, Hanover-Horton (7-1) 20, Ottawa Lake Whiteford (8-1) 18.

Class D
School                                          Record              Total Points
1. Powers North Central (4)    (9-0)                 74
2. Lansing Christian (1)           (9-1)                 69
3. Buckley                                   (7-0)                 60
(tie)Hillman                                 (7-0)                 60
5. Southfield Christian             (6-2)                 50
6. Bark River-Harris                  (9-1)                 49
7. Wyoming Tri-unity                (6-4)                 46
8. Bellaire                                  (8-1)                 42
9. Fowler                                    (6-2)                 30
10. Frankfort-Elberta                (5-2)                 21
(tie)Brimley                                 (7-3)                 21
Others receiving votes: Pickford (6-3) 14, Baldwin (7-1) 13.

Girls
Class A
School                                         Record              Total Points
1. Saginaw Heritage (2)            (12-0)              71
2. Detroit King (2)                   (9-1)                 70
3. Warren Cousino ()                (9-2)                 68
4. Midland Dow                         (9-2)                 57
5. Port Huron Northern            (10-2)               48
6. Clarkston                              (11-2)               37
(tie)East Lansing                      (9-1)                 37
8. DeWitt                                  (10-1)               36
9. Southfield A & T                   (7-3)                 27
(tie)Muskegon Mona Shores      (9-3)                 27
Others receiving 12 or more votes: East Kentwood (11-1) 19, Marquette (10-1) 16, Hartland (10-1) 15, Hudsonville (11-1) 13, Northville (10-1) 12, Detroit Renaissance (9-1) 12.

Class B
School                                         Record              Total Points
1. Detroit Country Day (4)       (9-0)                  74
2. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (1)        (11-0)                71
3. Williamston                            (11-1)                64
4. G.R. Catholic Central           (11-1)                60
5. Marshall                                (10-1)                56
6. Freeland                                  (9-0)                 49
7. Bay City John Glenn                (8-2)                  45
8. Kalkaska                                  (6-0)                  31
9. Ida                                           (9-1)                  30
10. Hamilton                                (10-1)                28
Others receiving votes: Ithaca (8-1) 22, Frankenmuth (9-2) 20, Marine City (11-0) 14.

Class C
School                                         Record              Total Points
1. Detroit Edison (2)                (8-0)                 68
2. Sandusky (2)                          (11-0)               66
3. Pewamo-Westphalia                (9-1)                 55
4. Flint Hamady                           (9-1)                 53
5. Traverse City St. Francis (1) (8-1)                52
6. Laingsburg                              (9-1)                 49
7. Reese                                       (10-1)               43
8. Hemlock                                   (10-1)               42
(tie)Centreville                           (11-1)               42
10. St. Ignace LaSalle                (8-1)                 27
Others receiving votes: Norway (10-0) 26, Munising (10-0) 19, Michigan Center (9-1) 14, Burton Bendle (10-1) 13, Byron (9-1) 12.

Class D
School                                         Record              Total Points
1. Pittsford (5)                          (12-0)               75
2. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart     (11-0)               70
3. Cedarville                               (9-1)                 61
4. Portland St. Patrick              (8-2)                 55
5. Hillman                                    (9-1)                 53
6. Bellaire                                   (8-2)                 39
7. Waterford Our Lady               (8-3)                 36
  8. Michigan Lutheran             (10-2)             33
(tie)Rogers City                          (8-2)                 33
10. Baraga                                   (8-2)                 23
Others receiving votes: Crystal Falls Forest Park (8-2) 20, Novi Franklin Road Christian (8-2) 15, Engadine (7-2) 13, McBain Northern Michigan Christian (6-3) 13, Adrian Lenawee Christian (7-2) 12.