Sports
Balanced NC State takes aim at Virginia's stingy defense
Dec 4, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Marcus Hill (10) reacts during the first half of the game against the Texas Longhorns at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images Things looked a lot different the last time North Carolina State and Virginia squared off.
The Wolfpack were led by a core that included DJ Horne, DJ Burns and Casey Morsell, while the Cavaliers took the court for renowned head coach Tony Bennett.
NC State prevailed in that tense Atlantic Coast Conference tournament semifinal, one of the Wolfpack’s many memorable victories throughout their improbable run to the Final Four last season.
Horne, Burns and Morsell are now gone from NC State, as is Bennett from Virginia, giving both teams a new look entering Tuesday’s clash in Charlottesville, Va.
Horne was the Wolfpack’s main scorer last season, so NC State (8-4, 1-0 ACC) has relied on a more balanced offense this year.
Bowling Green transfer Marcus Hill and returning starter Jayden Taylor pace the Wolfpack with 12.6 and 12.4 points per game, respectively, while three other players average between 9.0 and 9.8 points.
NC State coach Kevin Keatts is pleased with his team’s production despite the lack of a go-to scorer.
“This group needs each other to be good, and that’s OK because when you’ve got a bunch of guys … getting 10, 11, 12 points a game, sometimes that’s the hardest team to guard because you don’t know who to focus on,” Keatts said after NC State beat visiting Rider 89-63 on Dec. 22.
Virginia (7-5, 0-1) is still finding its footing under interim coach Ron Sanchez, who was elevated from his assistant role after Bennett retired suddenly less than three weeks before the season started.
Even without Bennett, the Cavaliers still use their famed pack-line defense and remain one of the stingiest units in the nation, allowing the 11th-fewest points per game (60.3) in Division I entering Monday.
“If we’re not going to play like our hair is on fire defensively, it’s just not going to work,” Sanchez said after Virginia’s 63-58 home win over American on Dec. 22. “We can’t coach effort. We can only coach execution.”
The Cavaliers manage just 61.6 points per game, tied for the eighth-fewest in the country, but Isaac McKneely provides a spark with his 12.1 scoring average on 44.7 percent shooting from 3-point range. San Diego State transfer Elijah Saunders (11.3 points per game) has scored at least 15 in four of his past five games.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Aug 21, 2025; Mississauga, Ontario, CAN; Hannah Green plays her tee shot at the third hole during first round play at the CPKC Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Australia’s Hannah Green held off Auston Kim on Sunday to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore for the second time.
Green, the 2024 champion, balanced three birdies and three bogeys on an eventful back nine to finish with a 3-under 69 and a final score of 14-under at Sentosa Golf Club. The 2019 Women’s PGA Championship winner tapped in for bogey at the 18th for her seventh LPGA Tour title.
“When I did win Singapore two years ago, I went on to win two other tournaments that season and pretty much had my best season on tour,” said Green, 29. “So having a win so early in the season gives me a bit more flexibility with the tournaments that I can play. So I’m hoping that this puts me in good stead for the rest of the year.”
Green was at 16-under after birdies at the first, 11th and 13th holes and an eagle at the par-5 eighth hole. Her birdie at the par-3 15th helped her survive a bogey-bogey finish.
“I knew that I had enough of a lead to be able to get away with making mistakes coming down the stretch. But I think 15 was the real turning point,” she said.
First- and second-round leader Kim nearly chased down her first title, matching the low round of the day with a 67 to finish one shot behind Green in the 72-hole, no-cut tournament.
Kim carded six birdies and an eagle at No. 8, but a bogey at the par-3 15th proved costly for the 25-year-old American.
“Overall, I think it was a really solid week,” Kim said. “A great way to start the year. I hit a lot of bad shots but I also hit a lot of good ones, and it was really confidence boosting. I hit all these bad shots, and I didn’t feel like I had anything chose to my A game, but I was still able it pull off a result like this and play some really solid golf.”
Australia’s Minjee Lee (72 on Sunday), Angel Yin (71) and France’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (68) tied for third place at 11-under with South Korea’s Haeran Ryu (72) another shot back in solo sixth.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand finished with a 73 and tied for 31st at 2-under, one shot behind defending champion Lydia Ko (72) of New Zealand.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
Feb 22, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) looks on from inside the dugout against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year contract extension through the 2028 season, the team announced Sunday.
Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, which holds an option for the 2029 season.
“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time — and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said.
“He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow. I am energized to continue working with him towards the on-field success that we expect and that our fans deserve.”
Marmol, 39, has guided the Cardinals to a 325-323 record during his four seasons as the skipper. He led St. Louis to the National League Central title in 2022 before the team fell in the wild-card series to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Last season, the Cardinals posted a 78-84 record to finish in fourth place in the NL Central.
Marmol was a coach with St. Louis from 2017-21 under previous managers Mike Shildt and Mike Matheny.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race
Oct 31, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Truck Series driver Tyler Reif (41) during the NASCAR Truck Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rookie Tyler Reif was treated for heat exhaustion after Saturday night’s street race in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Reif, 18, was transported to an area medical facility after finishing 16th in the race in the No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet. He was later released.
“Tyler and his family would like to express their gratitude to the NASCAR officials, track medical workers and the local medical facility staff for their care,” Niece Motorsports said in a release.
Reif made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series in 2025. Saturday’s race was just his third on the circuit, including a 17th-place finish at Atlanta on Feb. 21.
–Field Level Media
Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship
Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season
