March 17, 2025 4:42 am
Auburn is the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, with Duke, Houston and Florida joining the Tigers on the No. 1 line in the March Madness bracket. The NCAA selection committee favored the regular-season champs of the record-setting Southeastern Conference despite three losses in their last four games, along with a loss to Duke back in December. A record-setting 14 teams from the SEC made the tournament.
March 17, 2025 4:43 am
UCLA is the top overall seed in the women’s NCAA Tournament. The Bruins were joined by South Carolina, Southern California and Texas as No. 1 seeds that the NCAA revealed Sunday night. It’s the first time in school history that the Bruins are the top team in the tournament. They had two losses on the season, both of which came to the Trojans.
March 17, 2025 4:40 am
The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to four-year extensions with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, assuring that Joe Burrow will have his top two targets with him for some time. A person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press that Chase will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, earning $161 million, including $112 million guaranteed. That surpasses the $40 million per year average by Cleveland pass rusher Myles Garrett. Higgins will get $115 million. The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins, but were hopeful of getting a new deal done. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the move.
March 17, 2025 4:44 am
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy has won The Players Championship in a three-hole playoff against J.J. Spaun that lacked any real drama. McIlroy blasted a drive down the 16th fairway to set up a birdie. And then Spaun sailed over the island green on the par-3 17th and into the water for a triple bogey. McIlroy is the eighth multiple winner of the PGA Tour’s premier championship. It’s also the first time in his career he has won twice early in the season before the Masters. It was the first Monday finish in three years because of a four-hour rain delay on Sunday.
March 16, 2025 8:01 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Erik Karlsson scored a power-play goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 7-3 on Saturday. Rickard Rakell scored his team-leading 31st goal. Connor Dewar scored twice, and Philip Tomasino, Kevin Hayes and Danton Heinen also scored. With an assist, Sidney Crosby tied Wayne Gretzky for the fourth-most points with a single franchise. Crosby also recorded his 12th 50-assist season, equaling Adam Oates for 8th in NHL history. He has points in 10 straight home games. Tristan Jarry made 24 saves for his fourth straight win since he was recalled from the American Hockey League earlier this month. Jarry has stopped 123 of his last 130 shots faced. Nico Hischier and Timo Meier scored power-play goals for the Devils. Cody Glass also had a goal. Nathan Bastian’s short-handed goal was called back on a challenge because he was offside.
March 16, 2025 8:14 am
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Paul Skenes is going to start for the Pittsburgh Pirates on opening day. Pretty easy call for manager Derek Shelton. Skenes is coming off a dominant performance in his first season in the majors. The 22-year-old right-hander went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh in 2024, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. The Pirates posted a video on social media that showed Shelton informing Skenes of his decision. (Photo: AP)
March 16, 2025 7:00 am
Peters Township led by eight points through three quarters. Cathedral Prep got a pair of quick baskets from Seana Thrower to pull the Ramblers within four points. Natalie Wetzel then drifted through the paint, worked her way to the top of the key, and buried a three-pointer with under seven minutes to play, ending any comeback thoughts the District 10 champions may have had. Wetzel, a Miami (FL) recruit, was held scoreless through the opening quarter, but hit three treys, three of four free throws and a mid-range jumper for a game-hight 14-point afternoon. The Indians move to the semifinals and a second meeting with South Fayette, the team Peters Township beat in the WPIAL championship game two weeks ago. The Lions jumped in front of Hollidaysburg, 19-8, after one quarter and kept the game at arms’ length the rest of the day.
Nico Gidas hit six three-pointers, part of a game-high 22 points, and Tyler Robbins dunked home the game-winning points with 1.2 seconds to play in overtime as Upper St. Clair downed District 10 champion McDowell. The Panthers built a seven-point lead early in the fourth, only to see McDowell chip away and force overtime. Kaamil Jackson blocked a late McDowell shot, starting the coast-to-coast trip that ended with Robbins slam dunk. USC will face Philadelphia area powerhouse Roman Catholic next Saturday in the state semifinals. PIAA championship games are set for the Giant Center, March 27-29. Click for PIAA Brackets
Quarterfinals
Friday, March 14
6A Girls Upper St. Clair 51, Haverford 35
5A Boys Chartiers Valley 58, Johnstown 38
Saturday, March 15
5A Girls Peters Township 35, Cathedral Prep 25
5A Girls South Fayette 70, Hollidaysburg 52
6A Boys Upper St. Clair 51, McDowell 49 OT
March 15, 2025 5:40 am
The Pittsburgh Penguins are preparing for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at PPG Paints Arena against the New Jersey Devils. The puck drops at 3:00 p.m.
March 15, 2025 5:39 am
In Bradenton, Tommy Pham extended his on-base streak to 11 games after drawing a walk in the fifth inning. Andrew McCutchen extended his on-base streak to six games after recording his ninth walk of the spring. The veteran is 4-11 with six walks during his on-base streak.
The Pirates host the Orioles tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Carmen Mlodzinksi is expected to start for the Pirates.
March 14, 2025 4:41 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan Graves scored 2:17 into the game and the Pittsburgh Penguins never trailed in a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. Graves’ goal was his first of the season, and Conor Timmins flicked a shot over the stick-side shoulder of goaltender Jordan Binnington to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead almost 2 1/2 minutes into the second period. Connor Dewar, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell also scored for the Penguins. Zack Bolduc, Dylan Holloway and Alexey Toropchenko scored for the Blues. Binnington was pulled in the third period.
