Sports
Victory critical for Iowa, Northwestern in race for Big Ten tourney berths
Feb 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Northwestern Wildcats forward Nick Martinelli (2) celebrates his team’s win against the Minnesota Golden Gophers after the game at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Fifteen of the 18 schools in the Big Ten qualify for next month’s conference tournament in Indianapolis.
Neither Iowa (15-13, 6-11 Big Ten) nor Northwestern (15-13, 6-11) have guaranteed a berth, which adds urgency to Friday’s game between the Hawkeyes and host Wildcats in Evanston, Ill.
For Iowa, loser of six of eight after Tuesday’s 20-point defeat at Illinois, a stronger start remains the objective. The Illinois game marked the program’s sixth double-digit loss among the Hawkeyes’ eight true road games (1-7).
“I feel like we’re not aggressive enough coming out,” said Hawkeyes guard Brock Harding, who paced the team with 16 points Tuesday. “Because we know that we don’t want to quick-shoot the ball. But at some time, you have to come out and attack guys. Maybe get a foul call early. Get some free throws early in the game. Just kind of get some momentum on your side.”
Northwestern returns home on the heels of successive road victories against Ohio State and Minnesota that erased the pain of a three-game losing streak.
Conference leading scorer Nick Martinelli (20.1 points per game) credited the surge to a resilient locker room that’s still processing season-ending injuries to standout guards Brooks Barnhizer and Jalen Leach. Martinelli contributed a conference career-best 29 points to spark Tuesday’s 75-63 win at Minnesota. Ty Berry was next with nine.
“I think it’s just the culture that’s been built in the last couple of years,” Martinelli said. “Things might go wrong on the court, guys going down, but it’s the culture that stands. All the new guys that have come in have embraced that culture, and that’s why we’ve gotten it done these last two nights.”
Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota and Southern California each have six conference victories, with Penn State (five) and Washington (four) still in the hunt for the top 15 cut.
The Hawkeyes hope to sweep the season series with the Wildcats to clinch a potentially necessary tiebreaker. Iowa edged visiting Northwestern 80-79 on Dec. 3 as Josh Dix drilled a long, game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Iowa leads the all-time series 126-61 and has won 11 of the past 12 meetings.
–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
