Joe’s Morning Sports-Fri, Jan 18, 2019
Cassius Winston scored a career-high 29 points with six assists and Nick Ward added 15 and ten rebounds as sixth-ranked Michigan State pulled away from Nebraska late for a 70-64 win last night. The Spartans relied on tough defense to extend its school-record Big Ten winning streak to 19 games. The Cornhuskers had their school-record 20-game home win streak end. Michigan State led by twelve points in the final two minutes, but Nebraska cut the lead to four twice before Matt McQuaid made a pair of free throws for his first points with 14 seconds to put the game away. The Huskers shot a season-low 33% and was just 5-26 on three-pointers, and 1-12 in the second half. James Palmer, who led Nebraska with 24 points and eight boards, struggled mightily from the field, going 6-21, but he made all eleven of his free throws. Isaac Copeland added 13 points and five rebounds for the Huskers. They drop to 13-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big Ten while the Spartans are now 16-2 overall and 7-0 in the conference.
Zach Jackson scored 22 points with five rebounds to lead four players in double figures and Nebraska-Omaha won its third straight in beating Western Illinois 80-71 last night. The Mavericks are now 10-8 overall and 4-1 in the Summit League while the Leathernecks are now 6-13 overall and 1-5 in the conference.
After ending last season in the title game of the BIG EAST Championship, the Creighton softball team is the favorite in the 2019 BIG EAST Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Bluejays received five first-place votes and 43 overall points to claim the top spot. Creighton returns five position players that started at least half of last season’s games and two pitchers that started a combined 32 games, including All-BIG EAST Second Team pitcher Kiele Miller and BIG EAST All-Tournament team outfielder Ashley Cantu. The Bluejays wrapped up the 2018 season at 28-15, including 12-3 in league play for a second place finish in the regular-season standings. Creighton opens the 2019 campaign at the New Mexico State Invitational, which will take place Feb. 8-10 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The Wayne State baseball team was picked sixth in the 2019 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll. Sophomore second baseman Andrew Hanson and sophomore left handed pitcher Aaron Ras (Ross) have been listed as Wildcats to Watch in the NSIC this season. The team return five position starters and four starting pitchers from last year’s team that was 21-26 overall and placed seventh in the NSIC with an 18-16 league record. Defending NCAA Division II national champion Augustana was voted the team to beat in the NSIC this season, receiving 13 first-place votes and 193 points. Wayne State is scheduled to open the 2019 baseball season on February 9th at Northeastern State in Oklahoma for a doubleheader at 12:00.
Checking out the local schedule for today, in basketball, the Lutheran High Northeast girls & boys host Clarkson/Leigh starting with the girls game at 6:00, the Norfolk Catholic girls & boys visit Wahoo High starting with the girls contest at 6:15, the Wayne State women & men are in Moorhead, Minnesota to play Minnesota State Moorhead starting with the women’s game at 5:30, and the Creighton women entertain Xavier at 7:00. Also, the Nebraska wrestling team takes on the University of Maryland at College Park, Maryland in a 6:00 dual.
Local Schedule: Clarkson/Leigh at LHNE (G&B BB-6:00); NC at Wahoo High (G&B BB-6:15); Xavier at Creighton (WBB-7:00); WSC at Minnesota St.-Moorhead (W&M BB-5:30); Nebraska at Maryland (WR Dual-6:00).
Saturday Morning: Sportstalk on 106 KIX & 106KIX.com from 9:00-10:00 AM live from Market Grille at Hy-Vee East. This week: Nfk High’s Jared Oswald, Justin Grey & Dave Nelson; NC’s Kevin Manzer; LHNE’s Mike Wiederin; NECC’s Dan Anderson; & Humphrey St. Francis GBB coach Bryan Reichmuth.
Saturday: The Northeast Hawks women and men’s basketball teams are at Iowa Western Community College starting with the womens’ game at 5:00. Pregame coverage at approximately 4:40 on Newstalk WJAG 105.9 FM & WJAG.com. Also, the Pierce girls & boys host Battle Creek starting with the girls’ game at 4:30. Pregame coverage at approximately 4:10 on 97.5 KEXL & KEXL.com.
Local Scores: Lincoln High 66 Nfk High 55 (BBB); Lincoln High 34 Nfk High 30 (GBB); Nfk High 99 Kearney 87 (B. SW Dual); Nfk High 108 Kearney 77 (G. SW Dual); Battle Creek 72 NC 10; Pierce 69 NC 10 (Pierce WR Tri.); Nebraska-Omaha 80 Western Illinois 71 (MBB); Nebraska 77 Illinois 67 (WBB).
CBS Sports Radio at Newstalk WJAG 105.9 FM & 780 AM Mon-Fri at 6:00 PM; Sat at 4:00; & Sun at 1:00. Also, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs & the NFL Playoffs!
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Washington 101 N-Y Knicks 100
Final Charlotte 114 Sacramento 95
Final Philadelphia 120 Indiana 96
Final Toronto 111 Phoenix 109
Final Denver 135 Chicago 105
Final OT L.A. Lakers 138 Oklahoma City 128
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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Boston 5 St. Louis 2
Final N-Y Islanders 4 New Jersey 1
Final N-Y Rangers 4 Chicago 3
Final Toronto 4 Tampa Bay 2
Final Anaheim 3 Minnesota 0
Final Winnipeg 5 Nashville 1
Final L.A. Kings 2 Dallas 1
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TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (5) Gonzaga 73 Loyola Marymount 55
Final (6) Michigan St. 70 Nebraska 64