Allen guides Heat past fading Rockets

MIAMI — Ray Allen’s season-high, 25-point performance Sunday afternoon didn’t happen by accident. The Miami Heat reserve guard worked hard to make it occur. “He probably took 1,000 shots yesterday (in practice),” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s leadership. He came in there and sweated to make it better.” Allen’s perspiration and determination led to […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Gators head NCAA Tournament field

INDIANAPOLIS — Florida earned the NCAA Tournament’s overall No. 1 seed, while Michigan’s bid for one of three remaining top berths slipped away Sunday afternoon. The top-ranked Gators (32-2) secured the No. 1 seed in the South after holding off Kentucky for a 61-60 victory in the Southeastern Conference championship game Sunday. Also earning a […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Saint Joseph’s 65, Virginia Commonwealth 61

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — There was some uncertainty about the postseason before Saint Joseph’s got to the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Hawks were on the NCAA Tournament bubble and nobody was sure how many games they would have to win to ensure a spot in the big dance. Saint Joseph’s erased all doubt on Sunday, landing […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Virginia 72, Duke 63

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Guard Malcolm Brogdon’s 23 points and guard Joe Harris’ 15 points carried sixth-ranked Virginia to its first Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship in 38 years in a 72-63 victory over seventh-ranked Duke on Sunday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Cavaliers (28-6) pulled away from a second-half tie and are in position […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Providence takes Big East tournamnet title over Creighton

NEW YORK — Providence Friars coach Ed Cooley had a gut feeling that playing zone against the best 3-point shooting team in the country might just work in the Big East Conference tournament championship. He was right. Providence worked the zone to near perfection, earning a 65-58 win over the No. 4 Creighton Bluejays at […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Crowd helps Iowa State claim Big 12 title

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It may have been a neutral-site game, but it felt more like a home game for Iowa State. The 16th-ranked Cyclones surged ahead late to defeat Baylor 74-65 in front of a largely favorable crowd to claim their second Big 12 tournament title — and first since 2000 — on Saturday […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Bulls grind out win vs. Kings

CHICAGO — Plenty of things did not look good on the stat sheet, but the Sacramento Kings were able to stay with the Chicago Bulls in a physical contest on Saturday night at the United Center by building a big edge in rebounds. Eventually, it was not enough. Chicago center Joakim Noah piled up 23 […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Pacers kick into gear for OT win

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — A fiery halftime speech and a major boost from two newcomers fueled the Indiana Pacers’ biggest comeback victory of the season. Small forward Paul George poured in 30 points and the Pacers erased a 25-point deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons 112-104 in overtime on Saturday night at The Palace. George […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021
Antic’s clutch shot pushes Hawks over Nuggets

ATLANTA — At age 31, Atlanta Hawks center Pero Antic qualifies as a rookie in definition only. The Macedonian’s years of international experience paid dividends again Saturday night when he calmly made what turned out to be the winning shot in the final minute. Antic hit an off-balanced fadeaway 3-pointer from the corner as the […]

Jeff Hawkins  •  15 Oct 2021