Connect with us

Sports

Virginia Tech, Virginia hoping to catch late wave of success

NCAA Basketball: Virginia at StanfordJan 11, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) dribbles against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

It takes a deep dive into the history books at Virginia and Virginia Tech to discover that the last time both teams had losing records when they squared off was in 1970.

It’s happening again on Saturday as the Hokies (9-12, 4-6 ACC) travel to Charlottesville to face the Cavaliers (10-11, 3-7).

The teams have played 81 times since that meeting in January 1970, when a 3-7 Virginia squad topped 3-5 Virginia Tech in Charlottesville, 81-71.

Fifty-five years later, the teams are here again for the first of two meetings in a span of 15 days.

Despite their lowly records, both are coming off road victories and have reason for optimism as they face the final five weeks of the regular season.

Virginia has won two of its last three thanks largely to its 3-point marksmanship. In the three games, the Cavaliers have made 32 of 67 shots (47.8 percent) from deep.

Isaac McKneely has hit half of those triples for Virginia in 31 attempts (51.6 percent), while Taine Murray has drilled 5 of 7 (71.4 percent).

They were the standouts Wednesday in an 82-71 win at Miami. While McKneely had 26 points, Murray delivered career highs in both points (20) and assists (seven).

Their play helped the Cavaliers compensate for the absence of starters Elijah Saunders and Andrew Rohde, who both were seen this week in walking boots.

“We try to invest a lot of time into guys that don’t get an opportunity to play a big role,” Virginia interim coach Ron Sanchez said. “We coach them like they’re starters.”

Virginia Tech also is on an upswing, winning three of its last six, including a 76-66 victory Wednesday at Florida State. Tobi Lawal had 17 points and 13 rebounds to help deliver coach Mike Young his 400th win.

Lawal has improved as the season has progressed. In 10 games against ACC opponents, he has averaged 15.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 52.0 percent (13 of 25) from 3-point range.

“If you had told me back in September when we kicked it off that I’d be running a play for him to shoot the ball from 3, I’d give you an example that involves some ugly words,” Young joked this week. “I never thought I’d do that.”

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

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

source

Continue Reading

Sports

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

source

Continue Reading

Sports

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

source

Continue Reading