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No. 6 Houston leans on top-tier defense as No. 22 Texas Tech visits

NCAA Basketball: Big 12 Conference Tournament Semifinal- Texas Tech vs HoustonMar 15, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard LJ Cryer (4) controls the ball while defended by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) in the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

No. 6 Houston is seeking its 14th straight win on Saturday as it plays host to No. 22 Texas Tech.

Houston (17-3, 9-0 Big 12) hasn’t lost since a 73-70 overtime defeat to San Diego State in Las Vegas on Nov. 30. The Cougars managed to win their last four nonconference games and have taken advantage of a favorable start to their Big 12 campaign.

Houston has played just one ranked opponent in conference play so far, a 92-86 double-overtime win over then-No. 12 Kansas in Lawrence. That was also Houston’s first ranked win this season.

Houston is led by its veteran backcourt tandem of LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. Cryer averages 13.7 points per game, while Sharp adds 12.9 points and three rebounds per game. J’wan Roberts averages 10.9 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game and Milos Uzan leads the team with 4.9 assists per game.

However, it’s once again been Houston’s stifling defense setting the pace for its 13-game win streak. The Cougars allow 55.3 points per game, the fewest in the country. Houston also holds their opponents to a 36.4 percent shooting percentage, No. 2 in Division I and another indicator that the Cougars’ defense is the national standard.

“We’re a defensive-minded team,” Cryer said. “We go to practice and we emphasize defense a lot. I mean, you achieve what you work on and what you emphasize. I feel like all (the stats are that way) because that’s how we practice every single day. When the ball’s not going in, you’ve got to rely on your defense. I feel like on the nights that the ball isn’t going in, we’re going to win because of that.”

Houston will get its second crack at a ranked conference opponent against Texas Tech (16-4, 7-2) on Saturday, as the Red Raiders enter on a five-game winning streak of their own after falling to then-No. 3 Iowa State in overtime on Jan. 11.

Texas Tech is led by JT Toppin — a New Mexico transfer and last year’s Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year — who is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder at 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Chance McMillian and Darrion Williams have also played a key role in Texas Tech’s offense. McMillian averages 15 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while Williams averages 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Williams missed the game against TCU with an ankle injury, however, so his status remains unclear.

Texas Tech has had even less success against top-25 competition than Houston, falling to then-No. 22 Texas A&M 72-67 on Dec. 8 and then-No. 3 Iowa State on Jan. 11. The Red Raiders are coming off a 71-57 victory over TCU on Wednesday night, led by 18 points and 14 rebounds from Toppin.

Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland is confident in the next man up. That was Kerwin Walton on Wednesday, who scored seven points in 25 minutes despite seeing limited playing time recently.

“That’s what this team’s about,” McCasland said. “Kerwin Walton and his ability to stay in it and be ready. Our depth wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for him. People can say you’ve got a deep team, but it’s not if guys don’t care.

“I’ll tell you what it means. It means we’ve got great character on this team.”

–Field Level Media

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Hannah Green wins her 2nd HSBC Women's World Championship

LPGA: CPKC Women's Open - First RoundAug 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

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Cards extend manager Oliver Marmol through '28 season

MLB: Spring Training-St. Louis Cardinals at Houston AstrosFeb 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

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Tyler Reif treated for heat exhaustion after Trucks race

NASCAR: Truck Series ChampionshipOct 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

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