95.7 & 1400 WSJM Sports @wsjmsports wsjmsports.com Wednesday, December 13, 2017
NCAA Basketball – Men’s
Last Night
Michigan 59, Texas 52
Michigan 59, Texas 52 – Abdur-Rahkman leads Michigan over Texas 59-52
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman had 17 points and 10 rebounds, including a key 3-pointer, and Michigan beat Texas 59-52 on Tuesday night. Abdur-Rahkman was 7 of 15 from the floor, and his 3 with 4:53 remaining gave Michigan a 10-point lead. Charles Matthews added 12 points, while Moritz Wagner and Duncan Robinson scored 10 apiece for the Wolverines (9-3). Dylan Osetkowski scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half to lead Texas (6-3), which shot a season-low 36.5 percent. Kerwin Roach II chipped in 11 points, and Mo Bamba added 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Michigan led 32-20 after a first half in which Texas shot poorly from the field, 30.4 percent, and especially on 3-pointers, missing eight of nine. Matthews scored the last six points for Michigan before the break. Texas has struggled on offense all season, and this was the first game without injured guard Andrew Jones, their leading scorer.
NFL – Rodgers says he’s medically cleared to return
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says on Instagram that he has been “medically cleared to return” to action after missing seven games with a broken right collarbone. Rodgers was hurt during a loss to Minnesota on Oct. 15 and had surgery five days later. He could suit up for Sunday’s big game against Carolina as the 7-6 Packers try to grab a playoff berth. The Packers went 3-4 in Brett Hundley’s seven starts, including back-to-back overtime wins over Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
NFL – Kick return ace Devin Hester retires from NFL
Devin Hester, the all-purpose speedster who holds the NFL record for kick return touchdowns with 20, has announced his retirement from the NFL. In a post on social media, the 35-year-old Hester said had realized it was time. “Good news: Commissioner Goodell, you can put the kickoff back at the 30,” Hester wrote. “Bad news: Y’all will have to find a new favorite returner.” Hester played for Atlanta, Baltimore and Seattle, but his best years were with the Chicago Bears, which took him in the second round (57th overall) out of Miami in 2006. At the end of his rookie season, he took the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl 92 yards for a touchdown against Indianapolis, though the Colts won the game. He is the third-leading punt returner in NFL history and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2014.
NBA – National Basketball Association
Last Night
Denver Nuggets 103, Detroit Pistons 84
Nuggets 103, Pistons 84 – Jamal Murray scores 28, Nuggets rout slumping Pistons
Jamal Murray scored 28 points, and the Denver Nuggets handed the Detroit Pistons their seventh straight loss, posting a 103-84 victory on Tuesday night. Trey Lyles added 20 points for Denver. Benton Harbor’s Wilson Chandler scored 18 points, and Mason Plumlee had 10 points and 13 rebounds. Reserves Langston Galloway (18 points) and Boban Marjanovic (14) led the Pistons in scoring. Reggie Jackson was the only Detroit starter to reach double figures with 12 points. Detroit turned the ball over eight times in the game’s first nine minutes, and was down 12 points as a result. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy went to his bench early, and Marjanovic started a rally with his post offense.
Tonight
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.
Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.
NHL – National Hockey League
Last Night
Chicago Blackhawks 3, Florida Panthers 2 – OT
Blackhawks 3, Panthers 2 – Kane scores in OT as Blackhawks beat Panthers 3-2
Patrick Kane scored 2:24 into overtime to lift the Chicago Blackhawks to their third straight win, 3-2 over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. Kane gained a step on Florida’s Mike Matheson, broke in on James Reimer and beat the goalie with a high shot on the stick side for his 11th goal. Toews and Saad each had a goal and an assist. Blackhawks rookie Alex DeBrincat added two assists. Nick Bjugstad scored in the second for Florida, and Jamie McGinn put the Panthers in front with his fifth of the season 3:53 into the third. Reimer made 25 saves. Corey Crawford had 35 stops for the Blackhawks, who had lost five in a row before their win streak.
Tonight
Boston Bruins at Detroit Red Wings, 8:00 p.m.
NCAA Basketball – Women’s
Last Night
(23) Michigan 79, North Florida 34
(23) Michigan 79, North Florida 34 – No. 23 Michigan women rout North Florida 79-34
Katelynn Flaherty scored 27 points and No. 23 Michigan routed North Florida 79-34 on Tuesday night. Michigan (9-2) has won five straight and allowed the fewest points by an opponent this season. The Wolverines previous low came in a 54-41 win over Kent State its last time out. North Florida (5-5) has lost two of its last three games. Flaherty was 9 of 14 from the floor, made four 3-pointers and all five of her free throws. Hallie Thome added 11 points and Jillian Dunston chipped in four points, four assists, and matched a career-high with 15 rebounds for Michigan. Adrienne Jackson scored eight points and Keonna Farmer had 11 rebounds to lead North Florida, which shot 17.5 percent from the field, and missed 12 of 16 3-pointers. The Wolverines opened the game on a 14-0 run and built a 24-4 first-quarter lead.
MLB – Cubs announce 2-year deal with Morrow
Brandon Morrow has agreed to a two-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, taking one of the top free-agent relievers off the market. The 33-year-old Morrow went 6-0 with a 2.06 ERA and two saves in 45 appearances for the NL champion Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He also pitched in 14 playoff games, helping the Dodgers eliminate the Cubs in the NLCS. Morrow could step into the closer role for Chicago. Wade Davis had a career-high 32 saves for the Cubs and made the NL All-Star team this year, but he is a free agent. Morrow’s contract includes a 2020 club option that could become guaranteed depending on his performance. The Cubs also announced Tuesday night they had agreed to a two-year deal with left-hander Drew Smyly. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery in June and might not be able to return next season.
MLB – Cubs radio analyst Coomer agrees to contract extension
Chicago Cubs radio analyst Ron Coomer has agreed to a multiyear contract extension. The team and Entercom, the company that owns its flagship radio station, announced the agreement on Tuesday. The 51-year-old Coomer has been working alongside play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes since 2013. Primarily a corner infielder during his nine major league seasons, he made the All-Star team with the Minnesota Twins in 1999 and played for the Cubs in 2001. Coomer is from the Chicago area.
Ball Brothers turn pro in Lithuania, lose college eligibility
The younger brothers of Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball are no longer eligible to play college ball. A basketball club from Lithuania says it has signed LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball to pro contracts. The move comes after LiAngelo left UCLA , where he was suspended after being arrested for shoplifting during the team’s season-opening trip to China. Their father, LaVar Ball, pulled 16-year-old LaMelo out of Chino Hills High recently.
Olympics – Russian Olympic Committee approves competing as neutrals
The Russian Olympic Committee has formally given its blessing to the country’s athletes to compete under a neutral flag at the upcoming Pyeongchang Games. The IOC announced sanctions last week in response to Russian doping at the 2014 Sochi Games. Russians will compete under the Olympic flag as “Olympic Athletes from Russia.” Some Russians will formally be invited by the IOC to compete as individual athletes, though the ROC will submit rosters of its preferred teams.
AHL – American Hockey League
Last Night
Chicago Wolves 2, Rockford Icehogs 1
Tonight
Iowa Wild at Grand Rapids Griffins, 7:00 p.m.
NBAGL – NBA “G” League
Tonight
Grand Rapids Drive at Canton Charge, 7:00 p.m.
MHSAA – St. Joseph’s Trevor Dilley verbally commits to Grand Valley
St. Joseph Bears senior tight end and defensive lineman Trevor Dilley has verbally committed to Grand Valley State University. Dilley made the announcement on his twitter account on Tuesday. He is expected to play on the offensive line for the Lakers next fall. The 6’5” 260 pound Dilley started on both offense and defense for the Bears, who finished last season at 7-3. Dilley is also the starting center on the basketball team.
MHSAA – High School Sports
Last Night
Boys Basketball
Lake Michigan Catholic 59, Countryside 31
Watervliet 79, River Valley 42
Portage Northern 66, Battle Creek Lakeview 61
Mattawan 53, Portage Central 35
Kalamazoo Hackett 70, Wyoming Potter’s House Christian 55
Martin 55, Zion Christian 46
Girls Basketball
Michigan Lutheran 38, Bridgman 21
- Michigan Lutheran pulled away late for a 38-21 win at Bridgman. The Titans were lead by Sarah Jackemeyer with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Lutheran outscored the Bees 20-8 in the final quarter. The Titans improve to 3-1 on the season
Lake Michigan Catholic 51, Countryside 40
Portage Central 40, Mattawan 34
Martin 55, Zion Christian 46
Tonight
Boys Basketball
Kalamazoo Central at St. Joseph, 7:15 p.m. 95.7 & 1400 WSJM Sports
Girls Basketball
St. Joseph at Kalamazoo Central, 7:15 p.m.
Wrestling
St. Joseph at Portage Northern, 6:00 p.m.
