MINOT, ND – After a tie at 2-2 Bishop Ryan closed out the first quarter on a 30-0 run as they defeated South Prairie 78-38 last night in a District 12 boys basketball game we broadcast on K-Heart. Brady Feller led the way for the Lions scoring 26 points in three quarters. Ramsey Walz added 16 and Ian Johnson tallied 12 for the #3-ranked Lions as they improve their record to 11-1 overall, 5-0 in District 12. Carter Korslein scored 9 points for South Prairie while Ethan Dobson added 7. The Royals drop to 3-9 overall, 0-5 in District 12.

 

The most exciting part of the night was Bishop Ryan 7th grader J.J. Franks winning $10,000 in the Northern Bottling/Gatorade Halftime Shootout. Franks didn’t miss a shot in 25-seconds as he made a lay-up, a freethrow, a 3-pointer, and a one handed heave from half court that banked in. He was swarmed by the Bishop Ryan players who lifted him on their shoulders like he’d hit the game winning shot in the state championship as the crowd exploded in cheers.

 

Other scores from the area:

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Watford City, 96-37
Bismarck Legacy def. Turtle Mountain, 88-73
Dickinson def. Jamestown, 86-83 2OT
Williston def. Bismarck High, 81-80

 

Class B
#7 Beulah def. Killdeer, 71-34
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Our Redeemer’s, 56-44
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Surrey, 50-49
Glenburn def. Berthold, 63-56
Bottineau def. Drake-Anamoose, 75-46
Westhope-Newburg def. Nedrose, 64-53
Rugby def. TGU, 64-49
Harvey-Wells County def. North Star, 71-65
Hazen def. New England, 63-52
Stanley def. Powers Lake-Burke Central, 75-67
Tioga def. Ray, 74-27

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Watford City, 75-32
#4 Minot High def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 81-56
#5 Bismarck Legacy def. Turtle Mountain, 73-34
Bismarck High def. Williston, 74-44
Jamestown def. Dickinson, 82-71

 

Class B
#3 Kenmare-Bowbells def. New Town, 54-18
#4 Central McLean def. Wilton-Wing, 80-29
Glenburn def. Berthold, 65-54
Tioga def. Ray, 64-21
North Prairie def. Warwick, 78-48
New Rockford-Sheyenne def. St. John, 52-49
Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich def. Harvey-Wells County, 70-25

 

High School Boys Hockey
Bismarck High def. Bottineau-Rugby, 5-1
Bismarck Century def. Williston, 6-1

 

High School Girls Hockey
Minot High def. Jamestown, 6-0
West Fargo def. Bismarck Century, 3-0
Fargo Davies def. Williston, 4-1
Mandan def. Devils Lake, 7-4
Grand Forks def. Dickinson, 3-2 SO

 

High School Boys Swimming & Diving
West Fargo Pentathlon
1. Minot High, 347.5
2. Bismarck Legacy, 141.5
3. Fargo South, 124
4. Fargo North, 100.5
5. Williston, 88.5
6. West Fargo, 84
7. West Fargo Sheyenne, 23

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Minot High def. Dickinson, 38-21
Bismarck High def. Watford City, 70-9
Jamestown def. Mandan, 51-24

 

NAHL Hockey
Minot Minotauros def. Austin Bruins, 3-2
Bismarck Bobcats def. Aberdeen Wings, 6-1

———————————————————

 

MINOT STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (MSU) – This fantastic finish wasn’t so fantastic for the Beavers. After Cam’ron Dunfee dramatically tied the game to force overtime for Minot State, a foul with 1 second left allowed host Concordia, Saint Paul to hit three free-throws for an 86-85 upset of the Beavers in NSIC action Friday night. The Beavers (9-10 overall, 6-9 NSIC) had five players score in double figures, led by Ben Bohl who had 16 points. Khari Broadway added 15 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, and Jaxon Gunville chipped in as well with 14 points and two steals from the bench. The Minot State offense was strong from downtown, knocking down eight threes on 24 attempts. Gunville hit four treys for the Beavers in the contest. Minot State forced 18 Concordia, Saint Paul turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Friday’s game. The Beavers turned those takeaways into 23 points on the other end of the floor. Broadway’s four steals led the way for Minot State. The Beavers play at Minnesota State-Mankato today.

——————————————————–

 

MINOT STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (MSU) – The Minot State women’s basketball team kept Concordia, Saint Paul to just 18.2 percent from deep in a 4-for-22 shooting performance but fell 71-61 to the Golden Bears on the road Friday in NSIC action. The Beavers (9-12 overall, 4-10 NSIC) had two players score in double figures, led by Kate Head who had 22 points, five assists, and two steals. Natasha Elliott added 12 points and Emma Mogen added seven points and three steals. The Beavers play at Minnesota State-Mankato today.

———————————————————-

 

MINOT STATE WOMEN’S HOCKEY

 

LYNCHBURG, Va. (MSU) – A pair of third-period goals helped host and No. 1-ranked Liberty hold on for a second straight win over Minot State as the Flames won 4-0 on Friday night. The No. 3 Beavers (15-8-1 overall), fell 4-1 on Thursday at Liberty (20-1-0), which led 1-0 after the first period on Friday, and 2-0 after two periods. The two teams wrap up their three-game series tonight at 6:30 p.m. (CT).

———————————————————-

 

MINOT STATE MEN’S WRESTLING

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – Sometimes the cliché “closer than the score indicates” really is true. The Minot State wrestling team gave No. 10 Upper Iowa all the Peacocks could handle in an NSIC dual Friday night with three matches turning away from the Beavers literally in the final seconds as Upper Iowa won the dual 28-7. Oscar Nellis and Kelby Armstrong provided the two wins on the night for the Beavers (6-7 duals, 1-4 NSIC), who also were poised for victory in the final five seconds of three others matches. Last-second takedowns by Colter Bye at 184 pounds and by Jordan Baumler at heavyweight gave Upper Iowa (9-2, 5-0) one-point decision wins, then a last-second reversal by Kaden Anderlik at 133 pounds added one more 1-point decision win for the Peacocks. Cayden White (184), Jake Swirple (285), and James Davis (133) ended up the hard-luck losers in those three matches, despite outstanding efforts by each for Minot State. Also outstanding for Minot State of late has been Nellis who rolled to a 12-4 major decision at 125 pounds over Colby Lopez on Friday night, Nellis’ fifth straight victory as the senior improved to 12-2 on the season. And in his first action since mid-December in a non-conference dual at the University of Mary, Armstrong returned to the mat and proved victorious, improving to 5-0 on the season with a 4-1 decision over Ethen Doty at 149 pounds. Those proved to be the highlights on the night for the Beavers, who are back in action this afternoon as they host 7th-ranked UW-Parkside at 4 p.m. to wrap up a four-match homestand.

———————————————————–

 

MINOT STATE CROSS COUNTRY-HONORS

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU)– Both the Minot State men’s and women’s cross country teams earned the top scholastic honor from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as both were named All-Academic Teams. Also honored was Minot State senior Jacob Jensen from the men’s team as he was named a USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete. To be eligible for the All-Academic Team honor, a program must have at least a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 for the fall semester and compete as a full team at the NCAA Regional Championships.

 

Under the guidance of head coach Sarah Fowler, the Minot State men led the way for the Beavers as they finished 19th at the NCAA Central Region Championship as a team and compiled a 3.236 team GPA. The Minot State women, also led by Coach Fowler, finished 29th at the Central Region Championship and compiled a team GPA of 3.163. Individually, a student-athlete must finish in the top 30 percent at regionals and maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA. Jensen is a senior from Belcourt, North Dakota who is majoring in Computer Science & Cyber Security and Operations. He finished 44th overall at the Central Region Championship clocking a time of 30 minutes, 38.18 seconds on a 10-kilometer course.

———————————————————

 

NDSU-UND MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU/UND) – North Dakota State’s Grant Nelson scored a career-high 36 points to power the Bison men’s basketball team to a 91-75 victory over North Dakota on Friday night inside the Scheels Center in Fargo. Nelson poured in 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting in the first half alone. The Devils Lake, N.D., product finished with seven rebounds and three blocks. The Bison improved to 16-6 in 22 games against the Fighting Hawks in the Division I era. NDSU has now won 10 of the last 12 in the series. Boden Skunberg added 17 points and seven rebounds for NDSU, Tajavis Miller scored 10, and Lance Waddles and Damari Wheeler-Thomas both scored nine. NDSU sophomore forward Joshua Streit recorded six points and eight rebounds, leading the Bison on the glass. The Bison shot a season-best 55.4 percent for the game and committed only four turnovers. NDSU led 53-46 at halftime before scoring the first eight points of the second half to go ahead by 15 at 61-46. The Bison (6-4 Summit League) led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

 

Matt Norman led the Hawks (7-16, 1-9 SL) with 25 points, with Tsonte Tsartsidze and A’jahni Levias both reaching double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively. B.J. Omot led the Hawks with nine seven rebounds, while four players (Norman, Tsartsidze, Treysen Eaglestaff and Jalun Trent) all tied for the team lead with two assists.

 

UND got out to a lead early as Eaglestaff hit a three to open the scoring and then a layup from Tsartsidze put the Hawks on top 5-0. It was the beginning of a high scoring, breakneck first 20 minutes. NDSU answered with a 13-3 run, but UND hit threes on four possessions as Tsartsidze hit to draw UND back within two at 13-11, then Norman hit three straight threes to put UND up 20-15. The first time that either team led by more than five points was at the 8:49 mark of the half when Levias completed a three point play that put the Hawks up 31-25. Levias scored all 10 of his points in the first half, and Norman poured in 15 of his 25 points in the opening stanza—all from beyond the arc. After the three point play by Levias, the Bison went on a 9-2 run to take the lead and would not trail again for the rest of the game. The Hawks would not go down easy as they pulled within two at 38-36 after a three pointer from Tsartsidze at the 5:05 mark of the first half, but it was as close as the Hawks would get the rest of the way. A three from Eaglestaff at the buzzer made it a 53-46 game at halftime. The Bison came out in the second half with an 8-0 run to expand their seven point halftime edge. From there, the Hawks were unable to pull within single digits the rest of the way.

 

The women will play today in Grand Forks. Tipoff scheduled for 1 pm.

—————————————————————-

 

UND MEN’S HOCKEY

 

OXFORD, Ohio (UND) – The University of North Dakota hockey team took down Miami, 4-1, on Friday night from Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio. UND (11-11-4, 5-8-2 NCHC) received goals from four-different players while goaltender Drew DeRidder stopped 27-of-28 shots to earn his sixth win of the season between the pipes for the Fighting Hawks.

 

Jackson Blake opened the scoring on the first shot of the game for the visitors, wiring home a perfect pass from Riese Gaber on the power play to give NoDak an early 1-0 lead just 4:18 into the contest. Midway through the stanza, Carson Albrecht made a beautiful move and chipped it over the glove of goaltender Ludvig Persson on the breakaway for his second goal of the season to increase the lead to 2-0 after 20 minutes to play.

 

UND kept up its strong starts to periods going in the second, with Tyler Kleven finishing off a feed from Judd Caulfield with a rocket to the top corner for his sixth tally of the year and a 3-0 advantage with just over two minutes played in the middle stanza. DeRidder was at his strongest in the second, turning aside all 10 shots he saw in the frame, including four when Miami (7-16-2, 2-12-1 NCHC) was on the man advantage, to keep the Hawks in front by a trio of goals heading into the final period.

 

It was another early strike in the third period for NoDak, as Matteo Costantini buried a tic-tac-toe play from Owen McLaughlin and Caufield to increase the lead to 4-0 at the 1:54 mark of the frame. After Miami found the back of the net on the power play just past the midway point of the third, DeRidder and the defense shut the door to preserve the 4-1 victory in the series opener. North Dakota closes out the series against Miami tonight at 7:05 p.m. from Oxford.

——————————————————

 

WOLVES-GRIZZLIES

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 25 points in the third quarter, D’Angelo Russell added 19 points and the Timberwolves topped the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 111-100. The Grizzlies took the court minutes after video footage was released of Tyre Nichols being beaten by Memphis police. There was a moment of silence prior to the game. Kyle Anderson had 23 points for Minnesota, which has won four of five. Nathan Knight added 10 points off the bench. The Timberwolves scored 58 points in the paint Ja Morant had 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for Memphis, which finished its season-long road trip 0-5 during which it lost Steven Adams, Desmond Bane and John Konchar to injuries. The Timberwolves play two in a row against Sacramento at home, beginning tonight.

——————————————————

 

TWINS-MAUER

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Joe Mauer will be the next addition to the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame. Mauer will become the 38th member of the group when he’s inducted on Aug. 5 before the Twins host Arizona, the team announced Friday. Mauer was the 2009 AL MVP. He won three batting titles — the only AL catcher to do so — and also received three Gold Glove awards. Mauer is eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time next year. He was the first overall pick in the 2001 draft out of Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, which less than 10 miles from Target Field. Mauer is the all-time Twins leader in doubles and times on base. He’s second in games, hits, walks and at-bats. His No. 7 jersey was the ninth number retired in club history in 2019, the summer following his last of 15 seasons with Minnesota.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – District 12 boys basketball is on the air tonight as Bishop Ryan will host South Prairie. The Lions are 10-1 on the season and 4-0 in district play. The Royals 3-8 overall, 0-4 in District 12. Pregame begins a little past 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com, and through the Live 365 app.

 

Scores from Thursday:

 

 

Class A
#3 Mandan def. Turtle Mountain, 94-67

 

Class B
St. John def. Benson County, 69-19
North Prairie def. New Rockford-Sheyenne, 73-48

 

 

Class A
Mandan def. Turtle Mountain, 66-59

 

Class B
Surrey def. Bishop Ryan, 59-38
TGU def. Nedrose, 66-61
Bottineau def. Westhope-Newburg, 67-52
Parshall def. Mandaree, 66-59

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Bismarck Century def. Turtle Mountain, 71-12
Williston def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 62-13

 

High School Girls Wrestling
Bismarck Century def. Turtle Mountain, 48-15

——————————————

 

MINOT STATE MEN’S HOCKEY

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The Beavers ran into a tough defensive foe Thursday night, but eventually Minot State broke through. Reece Henry scored the game-winner early in the second period when a shot by teammate Brayden Pawluk caromed off Henry’s skate and into the net, breaking a scoreless tie and igniting the Beavers 4-0 victory at the Maysa Arena over the visiting Waldorf Warriors. One of 61 shots that the Beavers fired on goal as Minot State kept firing away and tacked on one more in the second as Jay Buchholz scored with 6:53 left in the session, then Henry made it 3-0 with 1:59 gone in the third. Jacob Bestul capped the scoring with 3:53 left, netting his first of the season. Joey Moffatt added an assist on the Beavers first goal, Eric Soar had the assist on Buchholz’s goal, Pawluk added an assist on Henry’s second, and Buchholz assisted on Bestul’s goal for Minot State. The top-ranked Beavers now are off until next weekend when they play Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4 and 5, at Ohio.

————————————————

 

MINOT STATE WOMEN’S HOCKEY

 

LYNCHBURG, Va. (MSU) – The Minot State women’s hockey team’s first shot at a road upset came up short Thursday night. The third-ranked Beavers (15-7-1 overall) got a power-play goal from Sydney Spicer midway through the second period, cutting the host Flames lead in half, but two third-period goals for top-ranked Liberty lifted them to a 4-1 win over Minot State. The two teams play again in Virginia tonight in the second of a three-game series. The Flames (19-1-0) took a 1-0 lead in the first period and stretched the lead to 2-0 early in the second period before Spicer scored. The Beavers comeback came up short, though, as the host Flames netted two goals in the third to ice the win.

————————————————–

 

MINOT STATE-HONORS

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The Minot State athletic department announced that six Beaver student-athletes have been named as NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award winners, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed on student-athletes by the NSIC. Earning the honor were women’s basketball players Natasha Elliott and Kennedy Harris, baseball players Garrett Nicholson and Dominick Parkhurst, soccer player Daniela Nardelli, and softball player Jaycie Rostad.

 

Elliott is a Corporate Fitness and Wellness Management major from Brisbane, Australia, and Harris is an Elementary Education major from Mandan, North Dakota, Nicholson is a Sports Management and Management major from Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, and Parkhurst, who is from Tucson, Arizona, is working towards his master’s in Information Systems. Nardelli is a Biology / Pre-Therapy major from Arco, Italy, and Rostad is a Corporate Fitness and Wellness Management major from Minot, North Dakota.

 

The honor, named for the late NCAA President Dr. Myles Brand, is bestowed to senior or graduate-student NSIC student-athletes who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher, are exhausting their athletic eligibility this academic year, and are on track to graduate or have graduated with their bachelor’s degree.

—————————————————–

 

WILD-FLYERS

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Mats Zuccarello scored in overtime, Matt Boldy had two goals and the Minnesota Wild returned home with a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves for Minnesota which had lost three in a row and was 1-3 on a four-game road trip. Tony DeAngelo sent the game into overtime for the Flyers with his eighth goal of the season with 1:28 remaining in regulation. Noah Cates also scored for Philadelphia, which has lost five of seven. Carter Hart stopped 20 shots. Boldy, who assisted on Zuccarello’s winner, had his third multi-goal game of the season. The 21-year-old left wing has 16 goals in his second NHL season and has seven points during a four-game point streak. The Wild host Buffalo on Saturday.

——————————————————

 

VIKINGS-D.C. INTERVIEWS

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings interviewed internal candidate Mike Pettine on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Pettine served as assistant head coach this season under rookie coach Kevin O’Connell. The 56-year-old Pettine has 19 seasons of experience as an NFL coach, including three stints as a defensive coordinator with the New York Jets (2009-12), Buffalo (2013) and Green Bay (2018-20). Pettine was the head coach for Cleveland for two years from 2014-15. O’Connell fired Ed Donatell after the Vikings ranked second-worst in the league in yards allowed and fourth-worst in points allowed in their only season together. Two other defensive coordinator candidates have already interviewed with the Vikings: New Orleans co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen and Seattle associate head coach for defense Sean Desai.

—————————————————-

 

OBIT-PACKER

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Billy Packer, an Emmy award-winning college basketball broadcaster who covered 34 Final Fours for NBC and CBS, died Thursday. He was 82. Packer’s son, Mark, told The Associated Press that his father had been hospitalized in Charlotte for the past three weeks and had several medical issues, and ultimately succumbed to kidney failure.

 

Packer’s broadcasting career coincided with the growth of college basketball. He worked as analyst or color commentator on every Final Four from 1975 to 2008. He received a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Analyst in 1993. Packer played three seasons at Wake Forest, and helped lead the Demon Deacons to the Final Four in 1962, but it was his work as an analyst that brought him the most acclaim. He joined NBC in 1974 and called his first Final Four in 1975. UCLA beat Kentucky in the title game that year in what was John Wooden’s final game as coach. Packer was also part of the broadcast in 1979 with Dick Enberg and Al McGuire when Magic Johnson’s Michigan State team beat Larry Bird’s Indiana State squad in the title game. That remains highest-rated game in basketball history with a 24.1 Nielsen rating, which is an estimated 35.1 million viewers.

 

Packer went to CBS in the fall of 1981, when the network acquired the rights to the NCAA Tournament. He remained the network’s main analyst until the 2008 Final Four. Sean McManus, the chairman of CBS Sports, said Packer was “synonymous with college basketball for more than three decades and set the standard of excellence as the voice of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.” “He had a tremendous impact on the growth and popularity of the sport.” McManus said. “In true Billy fashion, he analyzed the game with his own unique style, perspective and opinions, yet always kept the focus on the game. As passionate as he was about basketball, at his heart Billy was a family man. He leaves part of his legacy at CBS Sports, across college basketball and, most importantly, as a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed by all.” Packer was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Bismarck Century remains atop both Class A Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

       (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (18)   11-0         90           1
2. Minot High                       12-2         70           3
3. Mandan                            11-1        48           2
4. Fargo Davies                   11-2        44           4
5. Fargo North                       8-4         10          RV

 

Others receiving votes: Grand Forks Red River (8-4), Bismarck Legacy (7-5)

———-

 

 

           (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (17)       9-2           88            1
2. Fargo Davies (1)                11-1          69            3
3. Grand Forks Red River      12-1          51            2
4. Minot High                           11-3          43            4
5. Bismarck Legacy                 9-2          15            5

 

Others receiving votes: West Fargo (10-3), Bismarck High (8-4)

————————————————————

 

MINOT STATE HOCKEY-POLLS

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The Minot State hockey teams remain two of the best in the ACHA according to the latest poll as the Beaver men’s team remained No. 1 in the ACHA Division I men’s poll, while the Beaver women moved up two spots to No. 3 in the latest ACHA Division I women’s poll.

 

The Minot State women (15-6-1 overall) climbed two spots to No. 3 after winning three-in-a-row, starting with a 5-0 win over then No. 4-ranked Indiana Tech, which slid to No. 5 in this week’s poll. Minot State has not allowed a goal in that three-game win streak. The Beavers also have wins this season over No. 2 Adrian (Mich.) and then-No. 4 Midland (Neb.). The Minot State women look to add wins against the No. 1 team in the nation as the Beavers play at Liberty (Va.) on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Despite seeing a 57-game win streak snapped on Friday night, the Flames remained No. 1 in the ACHA Division I women’s poll.

 

As for the Minot State men (24-1-0), they held onto the top spot in the ACHA Division I men’s poll for the seventh consecutive ranking. Like the women’s poll, Adrian (Mich.) is No. 2, followed by UNLV at No. 3, and Ohio at No. 4. The Beavers play at Ohio next weekend, Feb. 3-4. Liberty (Va.) rounded out the top five as the No. 5 pick. The Minot State men play at home this Thursday, hosting Waldorf at 7 p.m. at the Maysa Arena, before heading to Ohio for a top-five battle with the Bobcats next weekend.

———————————————————

 

MINOT STATE SOFTBALL-PRESEASON

 

MINOT, N.D (MSU) – With junior infielder Brooklyn Morrison and freshman pitcher Calley Olson named as the Players to Watch for Minot State, the Beavers were voted to finish in the middle of the NSIC standings by the league’s coaches as the NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Bailey Gaspar, the Beavers were selected to finish ninth in the preseason poll, receiving 90 points. Minot State compiled a 28-20 record last spring and finished 11th in the NSIC standings.

 

Defending regular-season and NSIC Tournament champion Augustana earned 10 first-place votes and was the favorite to repeat as NSIC Champions for the third straight year with 217 points, while Minnesota State, Mankato was picked second with three first-place votes and 208 points. St. Cloud State earned the other three first-place votes from the NSIC coaches and was picked to finish third with 187 points, tied with Winona State which did not garner any first-place votes but was picked third with 187 points, as well.

 

Morrison, a junior third baseman, leads the way for the Minot State returners as she hit .288 with a team-best five home runs, 28 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 46 games last spring. Morrison was named the position Player to Watch for the Beavers, while Olson, a freshman pitcher from Bloomer High School in Wisconsin, was named the Preseason Pitcher to Watch for Minot State. The right-hander pitcher joins the Beavers after a stellar high school career where she was 23-3 in the circle with a miniscule .058 ERA in 156 innings with 322 strikeouts.

 

While they lead the Beavers, Winona State All-American Abbie Hlas was named the NSIC Preseason Player of the Year and Minnesota Duluth left-hander pitcher Lauren Dixon was named the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Dixon led the NSIC in ERA (1.91), innings pitched (164.2), strikeouts (212), and opponent batting average (.219) last season.

 

Rounding out the preseason poll, Minnesota Duluth was fifth with 181 points, Concordia, St. Paul was sixth with 157 points, Southwest Minnesota State was picked seventh with 128 points, Sioux Falls was eighth with 127 points, Minot State was ninth with 90 points, Upper Iowa and Wayne State tied for 10th with 87 points each, Bemidji State was 12th with 66 points, Northern State was 13th with 61 points, Minnesota Crookston was 14th with 47 points, and Mary and MSU Moorhead tied for 15th with 45 points each.

 

Minot State opens the 2023 season hosting its annual Bubble Invite on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 4-5. The Beavers first game will be a non-conference contests against in-state rival Mary at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. The Beavers also play Carroll College at 3 p.m. on Feb. 4, then take on Dakota Wesleyan at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, and Valley City State at 3 p.m. on Feb. 5.

————————————————————-

 

NDSU-UND

 

FARGO, ND – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team (8-13 overall, 5-4 Summit) will host North Dakota (7-15 overall, 1-8 Summit) on Friday at 7 pm inside the Scheels Center in Fargo. Friday will be the 307th meeting between NDSU and UND, with UND leading the all-time series, 163-143. The Bison lead 15-6 over 21 meetings in the Division I era, and NDSU has won 9 of the past 11 games against the Fighting Hawks. The game will be broadcast by WDAY and available statewide on ABC affiliates. It will also be carried on ESPN+.

———————————————————–

 

WOLVES-PELICANS

 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 37 points, Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled Brandon Ingram’s return from a two-month absence with a 111-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. D’Angelo Russell scored 19 points for the Timberwolves and Jaden McDaniels closed out a 10-point night with a jumper and 3 in the final minutes to thwart New Orleans’ comeback bid. Ingram had not played since Nov. 25. He scored 13 points but struggled with his shot. He missed 14 of 18 including all six attempts from deep. CJ McCollum scored 25 for New Orleans, which has lost six straight.

————————————————————-

 

VIKINGS-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings interviewed internal candidate Mike Pettine on Wednesday for their defensive coordinator vacancy. Pettine served as assistant head coach this season under rookie coach Kevin O’Connell. The 56-year-old Pettine has 19 seasons of experience as an NFL coach, including three stints as a defensive coordinator with the New York Jets (2009-12), Buffalo (2013) and Green Bay (2018-20). Pettine was the head coach for Cleveland for two years from 2014-15. O’Connell fired Ed Donatell after the Vikings ranked second-worst in the league in yards allowed and fourth-worst in points allowed in their only season together. Two other defensive coordinator candidates have already interviewed with the Vikings: New Orleans co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen and Seattle associate head coach for defense Sean Desai.

————————————————————

 

NFL-AWARD FINALISTS

 

UNDATED (AP) – Jalen Hurts, Justin Jefferson and Patrick Mahomes are finalists for The Associated Press 2022 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards. The winners will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 9. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the start of the playoffs. Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Bengals QB Joe Burrow also are finalists for MVP.

 

Hurts had 3,701 yards passing, 760 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns combined, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 14-3 record in the regular season and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Eagles (15-3) are in the NFC championship game for the second time in six seasons.

Jefferson led the NFL with 128 catches and 1,809 yards receiving in his third season with the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson was one of two unanimous choices for AP All-Pro along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

 

Mahomes, the 2018 NFL MVP, helped Kansas City go 14-3 to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Chiefs (15-3) are in the AFC title game for the fifth straight season. They’ll host the Bengals. Mahomes led the NFL with 5,250 yards passing and 41 TDs. He received 49 of 50 votes for AP first-team All-Pro.

 

San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa, Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons are the finalists for AP Defensive Player of the Year. Bosa led the NFL with 18 1/2 sacks, Jones had 15 1/2 and Parsons got 14 1/2.

 

Brian Daboll, Doug Pederson and Kyle Shanahan are the finalists for AP Coach of the Year award. Daboll led the New York Giants to a 9-7-1 record in his first season as head coach. Pederson guided the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 9-8 record and an AFC South title in his first year with the team. Shanahan led the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-4 mark, including 5-0 down the stretch with third-string rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.

 

Purdy, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III and New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson are the finalists for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Purdy, the last player selected in the draft, began the season as third-string QB and stepped in after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. He led San Francisco to a 5-0 record down the stretch, two playoff wins and an appearance in the NFC championship game at Philadelphia. Walker led all rookies with 1,050 yards rushing and nine TDs. Wilson led all rookies with 83 catches and 1,103 yards receiving.

 

Jets cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen are the finalists for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

 

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith are the finalists for AP Comeback Player of the Year.

 

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen are the finalists for AP Assistant Coach of the Year.

 

This was the first year for the AP’s new voting system. Voters chose a top 5 for MVP and top 3 for all other awards. For MVP, first-place were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. For all the other awards, first-place votes equaled 5 points, second were 3 and third were 1.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood made thirteen 3’s as they defeated Berthold 77-40 last night in a District 12 boys basketball game we broadcast on K-Heart. Eli Undlin scored 14 points, while Carson Nett and Kellan Henry each tallied 13. Those three combined for ten of the thirteen made 3’s for the Mavericks. The Bombers were led by Logan Thompson with a game-high 17 points, including 8 of 9 freethrows made. Mark Schauer added 14 for Berthold who drops to 0-11 overall, 0-4 in District 12. MLS improves to 6-5 overall, 4-0 in District 12.

 

Other scores from Tuesday:

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Dickinson, 100-66
#2 Mandan def. Bismarck Legacy, 82-62
#3 Minot High def. Bismarck High, 86-82
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Watford City, 80-64

 

Class B
#3 Bishop Ryan def. Glenburn, 90-33
#7 Beulah def. Wilton-Wing, 74-60
Des Lacs-Burlington def. South Prairie, 62-36
Our Redeemer’s def. Surrey, 54-52
Tioga def. Nedrose, 74-50
Westhope-Newburg def. Drake-Anamoose, 87-48
TGU def. Velva, 61-47
Rugby def. Bottineau, 69-55
Garrison def. Washburn, 65-33
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. Williston Trinity Christian, 64-54
Dunseith def. Benson County, 87-47
St. John def. Dakota Prairie, 84-38
North Prairie def. Harvey-Wells County, 62-43
Mott-Regent/Grant County def. Hazen, 73-66

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Dickinson, 67-49
#4 Minot High def. Bismarck High, 85-69
#5 Bismarck Legacy def. Mandan, 70-48
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Watford City, 83-49

 

Class B
#7 Garrison def. Washburn, 55-37
Westhope-Newburg def. Drake-Anamoose, 66-36
Parshall def. Alexander, 53-44
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Ray, 76-24
Minot High Sophomores def. Divide County, 73-47

 

High School Boys Hockey
Williston def. Hazen-Beulah, 6-0
Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck High, 4-1
Bismarck Century def. Dickinson, 3-1

 

High School Girls Hockey
Minot High def. Dickinson, 3-2
Bismarck High-Legacy def. Jamestown, 4-3

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Williston def. Mandan, 69-10

—————————————————————–

 

MINOT STATE FOOTBALL

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The Beavers have their man. Minot State’s Director of Athletics Kevin Forde is pleased to introduce veteran college coach Ian Shields as the next head coach for the Beaver football program. Shields, a former head coach at the NCAA Division I FCS, NCAA Division II, and NAIA levels begins his duties immediately as the 22nd head coach for Minot State football program. Prior to his time at UNLV, Shields was the head coach for four seasons at NCAA Division I Jacksonville University in Florida (2016-2019), an FCS program that Shields led to a 7-4 record and a third-place league finish in 2017, his second season with the team. Shields compiled a 17-26 overall record in his four seasons at Jacksonville. Prior to leading the Jacksonville Dolphins, Shields spent two seasons at NCAA Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in North Carolina where he compiled a 16-6 record and won the South Atlantic Conference title in 2014. Also spending time during his career as an offensive coordinator at Army, Cal Poly, Bucknell (Pa,), and Saint Mary’s (Calif.), Shields was head coach Eastern Oregon of the NAIA’s Frontier Conference from 2006-07. A graduate of Oregon State where he played both football and baseball, Shields earned his Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication in 1994, and his Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Human Performance & Speech Communication in 1997 while beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the OSU Beavers.

——————————————————————-

 

NDSU TRACK-RODIN

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (NDSU) – North Dakota State senior Jacob Rodin has been named the Summit League’s Peak Performer of the Week for men’s track, the league office announced Tuesday. This the second straight week that the Kenmare ND-native has claimed the award. At SDSU’s Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitational on Jan. 21, Rodin won the 800 meters in a time of 1:49.83, ranking him No. 22 in the nation so far this season. Rodin also remains No. 15 on the Division I national performance list in the 600m this year. Rodin holds the NDSU indoor school record in the 800m at 1:48.52.

——————————————————————

 

WILD-LIGHTNING

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Steven Stamkos scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:38 remaining and the Tampa Bay Lightning won their 10th consecutive home game by defeating the Minnesota Wild 4-2. Stamkos extended his goal streak to four games. Nikita Kucherov scored into an empty net with 16.4 seconds left, handing Minnesota its third straight loss. Tampa Bay’s Corey Perry scored twice in the second period on deflections of shots by Ross Colton. Andrei Vasilevskiy finished with 35 saves and earned his 250th NHL win, all with the Lightning. Tampa Bay ended a two-game slide and moved within one victory of matching the longest home winning streak in franchise history, set in 2019-20. Joel Eriksson Ek scored shorthanded and assisted on Kirill Kaprizov’s power-play goal for Minnesota. Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Parshall/North Shore-Plaza had ten players score, five of them in double-figures as they defeated Max 84-51 last night in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. Joaquin Powell led the way with 20 points, Dwight Old Rock came off the bench to tally 15, Tyson Odermann added 12, while Kayden Four Bear chipped in with 11 and River Querikiol had 10. Max was led by Erick Talbott with 19 points and Dominic Westman with 15. Parshall/North Shore-Plaza improves to 9-3 on the season while the Cossacks fall to 3-8.

 

We’ll have more boys basketball on the air tonight as Berthold hosts Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood in a District 12 contest. Pre-game set for a little past 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com and through the Live 365 app.

 

Other scores from Monday:

 

High School Boys Basketball
Class B
Williston Trinity Christian def. Alexander, 77-48
Killdeer def. Mandaree, 72-52

 

High School Girls Basketball
Class B
#1 Rugby def. Nedrose, 52-33
#3 Kenmare-Bowbells def. Tioga, 52-38
#4 Central McLean def. Flasher, 80-33
South Prairie-Max def. Our Redeemer’s, 28-26
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Surrey, 48-32
Glenburn def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 56-35
Bishop Ryan def. Berthold, 55-51
Drake-Anamoose def. Wilton-Wing, 57-45
Bottineau def. Velva, 69-29
Harvey-Wells County def. Nelson County, 49-39
North Prairie def. Dunseith, 63-35
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Alexander, 65-22
Beulah def. Hazen, 53-46
———————————————————–

 

MINOT, ND – Rugby and Four Winds-Minnewaukan remain atop the Class B Basketball Poll this week. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

         (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Rugby (14)                       13-0         176           1
2. Thompson (4)                  12-1         165           2
3. Kenmare-Bowbells          13-2           97           3
4. Central McLean                13-1           96           9
5. Central Cass                     9-3            94           6
6. May-Port-CG                    12-2            93          7
7. Garrison                            13-1           84          8
8. Shiloh Christian                12-2           65           4
9. Oakes                               10-2           47           5
10. Bowman County             13-1           37          RV

 

Others receiving votes: Carrington (11-3), Kindred (8-3), Northern Cass (10-3), Beulah (9-5)

———-

 

 

                   (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Four Winds-Minnewaukan (18)  9-0         180           1
2. Central Cass                              11-0        161           2
3. Bishop Ryan                                9-1        136           3
4. Sargent County                          11-0         124          4
5. Ellendale                                    12-0         109           5
6. Thompson                                   7-3           81           7
7. Beulah                                         8-1           67            8
8. North Border                                9-1          56            9
9. Grafton                                        7-2           30            6
10. Standing Rock                         10-1          13            RV

 

Others receiving votes: Shiloh Christian (6-3), Bowman County (10-2), North Star (8-3), Hazen (9-3), North Prairie (10-2)

————————————————————

 

MINOT STATE WOMEN’S HOCKEY-SIGNING

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – Continuing to work hard to build for a successful future on the ice, Minot State women’s hockey coach Ryan Miner is pleased to introduce his team’s latest star recruit. Coach Miner is pleased to announce that forward Olivia Kirwan from Gull Lake, Saskatchewan has signed a National Letter-of-Intent and will join the Beavers as a freshman on the ice and in the classroom this coming fall. Kirwan is a 5-foot-6 forward who has 5 goals and 8 assists in 24 games this season with the Swift Current U18 AAA Wildcats. A senior at Gull Lake School, she has been in the top 80 percent of her class throughout high school.
——————————————————————-

 

UND MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

MACOMB, Ill. (UND) – North Dakota played their third game in five days Monday night as they traveled to take on Western Illinois, falling to the Leathernecks 92-80. UND held a halftime lead 41-36 but a huge second half from WIU propelled them to victory. Trenton Massner led WIU with 46 points, which is a new record for individual single game points by a UND opponent. The previous record was 43 from Frank Kaminsky of Wisconsin during the 2013-14 season. Four Hawks (7-15, 1-8 SL) reached double figures, led by Tsonte Tsartsidze with 19, setting a new career best. Matt Norman was next with 18, Jalun Trent followed with 12 and Treysen Eaglestaff had 11. Tsartsidze also grabbed eight boards to lead the Hawks. He and Trent grabbed the two steals for the Hawks and B.J. Omot picked up the lone blocked shot. Eaglestaff led the team with two assists.

 

Early on the game was very close, UND took their first lead at 6-4 with a layup from Tsartsidze. The teams went back and forth for most of he half, with ten lead changes and nine ties. Down 18-17 with 11:02 left, Elijah Brooks made a layup and then converted the three point play to give the Hawks a two point lead. UND eventually took their biggest lead at 41-34 with 48 seconds left in the half following two free throws from Brian Mathews. A late bucket from WIU cut the UND edge to five points at the break. Brady Danielson got the Hawks on the board to start the second half, giving UND a 44-40 lead. WIU took a lead at 50-48 at the 14:40 mark and from there would not trail the rest of the game. The Hawks fought back to tie the game at 60 on a layup from Omot and at 63 on a layup from Tsartsidze, but the Hawks were unable to take back the lead during the last eight plus minutes. In the game, North Dakota shot 33-64 from the floor (51.6%) and 7-24 from three-point range (29.2%). North Dakota will make the short trip south to Fargo on Friday to take on North Dakota State.

———————————————————

 

WOLVES-ROCKETS

 

HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green scored a career-high 42 points and the Houston Rockets held on for a 119-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves to snap a 13-game losing streak. Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, had 21 points by halftime and kept up his strong play in the second half to lead the Rockets to their first victory since Dec. 26 at Chicago. They ended their longest skid of the season and also a 10-game home losing streak, winning at home for the first time since Dec. 13 against Phoenix. Anthony Edwards had 31 points and D’Angelo Russell tied a season high with 30 for the Timberwolves, who had won two straight. Taurean Prince sat out with a sprained left ankle. Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 16 rebounds in his return after missing three games right groin soreness. Timberwolves: Visit New Orleans Wednesday night.

——————————————————

 

TWINS-TAYLOR SIGNING

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins acquired veteran Michael A. Taylor from the Kansas City Royals on Monday night, adding depth and defense to their outfield in exchange for two relief pitching prospects. The 31-year-old Taylor batted .254 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 414 at-bats last season for the Royals, his second year with the club after spending his first seven major league seasons with the Washington Nationals. The Twins sent 23-year-old right-hander Steven Cruz and 25-year-old left-hander Evan Sisk to the Royals.

 

Taylor’s best offensive season came in 2017 with the Nationals, when he hit .271 with 19 homers, 53 RBIs and an .806 OPS in 118 games. His greatest value is in the grass, though. Taylor was a Gold Glove winner in his Royals debut in 2021 and gives the Twins a third outfielder on their roster who has won the award, joining Byron Buxton (2017) and newcomer Joey Gallo (2020 and 2021). Taylor is a natural center fielder who will give the Twins a solid backup plan behind Buxton, whose injuries have kept him from playing more than 92 games in a season all but once in eight years in the major leagues. Gallo can play all three outfield spots, with most of his 2022 experience in left field where Trevor Larnach will also be in the mix. Gallo won his Gold Glove awards as a right fielder. Max Kepler, another strong defender, has been the regular right fielder for the last seven seasons. With the recent departure via trade of AL batting champion Luis Arraez, Alex Kirilloff is in line to take the lead at first base with Gallo also likely in the mix. The Twins have had an aggressive start to the new year, highlighted by the surprise re-signing of shortstop Carlos Correa after deals fell through for him with two other teams. They sent Arraez to Miami for starting pitcher Pablo López.

 

The middle initial “A” in Taylor’s name stands for Anthony. The native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who was drafted by the Nationals in the sixth round in 2009, had the initial added to his name to distinguish him from another Michael Taylor who played outfield in the major leagues from 2011-14.

 

Cruz, a 6-foot-6 native of the Dominican Republic, went 1-4 with a 5.14 ERA, 35 walks and 72 strikeouts in 56 innings last season for Double-A Wichita. In 120 career minor league appearances, Cruz has 259 strikeouts in 192 1/3 innings.

 

Sisk, who was originally drafted by St. Louis in the 16th round in 2018 out of the College of Charleston, split last season between Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul. He went 5-1 with a 1.57 ERA, 29 walks and 76 strikeouts in 63 innings between the teams. Sisk was acquired by the Twins in a 2021 trade that sent starting pitcher J.A. Happ to the Cardinals.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Boys basketball is on the air tonight as Parshall/North Shore-Plaza will host Max. Pregame begins around 6 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com and on the Live 365 app. The rest of our schedule this week has a District 12 boys game Tuesday as Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood plays at Berthold. On Friday South Prairie plays at Bishop Ryan.

———————————————————-

 

MSU MEN’S HOCKEY

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – Playing their third game in three days, the Beavers looked anything but weary. No. 1-ranked Minot State put two pucks in the net in the opening minute of action and never let up, rolling to a 13-1 win over visiting Dakota College of Bottineau at the Maysa Arena on Sunday afternoon. Jay Buchholz started the scoring just 44 seconds into the action, finishing off assists by Joey Moffatt and Sheldin Howard, then 16 seconds later Josh Pederson scored off a Reid Arnold assist for a quick 2-0 lead. Having set the tone, the Beavers kept adding on as Drew Carter, Troy Hamilton, and Davis Sheldon all scored a goal for a 5-0 lead in the first period before the Jacks ever got on the scoreboard. Comfortably in control on top 5-1 heading into the second period, Minot State (24-1-0 overall) didn’t let up as Arnold scored twice and Buchholz, Sheldon, Moffatt, Carter Barley, and Christian Kadolph added a goal apiece for a 12-1 lead. Landyn Cochrane tacked on more as Minot State comfortably skated to the win. Riley Wallace finished with 12 saves in the win for Minot State, which now gets three days off before hitting the ice again to host Waldorf on Thursday at 7 p.m.

——————————————————

 

MSU MEN’S WRESTLING

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The fight in the Beavers was plenty big enough, but in the end, in-state rival and 14th-ranked the University of Mary was just too much. The Marauders won all but one match, despite several close contests for the Minot State wrestlers who fell 41-4 in an NSIC dual Sunday at the MSU Dome. Minot State senior Oscar Nellis picked up the lone win for the Beavers in dominating fashion at 125-pounds, a 12-4 major decision win over Chase Milligan. Then came the close battles, including a great tussle between the Beavers’ James Davis and No. 3-ranked Reece Barnhardt from UMary at 133 pounds. Battling hard, Davis led 7-6 in the third round before a late takedown by Barnhardt and one point for riding time gave the Marauder wrestler a 9-7 decision and spoiled Davis’ upset bid. In the day’s other thriller, Mary heavyweight Luke Tweeton survived in double overtime for a 3-2 decision over Jake Swirple in a battle that came down to the riding-time tiebreaker after the end of 3 extra minutes of OT action as Tweeton held a 2-second riding-time advantage for the win. Also adding a strong effort for Minot State, but coming up just short, was Brendan Barnes at 165 pounds as Barnes lost a 7-4 decision. Minot State (6-6 overall, 1-3 NSIC) looks to bounce back from the loss with another home match as the Beavers host 10th-ranked Upper Iowa on Friday night at 7 p.m.

——————————————————-

 

NFL-AFC PLAYOFFS

 

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Joe Burrow threw two touchdown passes, the Bengals swarmed Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen on a snow-slicked field and Cincinnati advanced to its second straight AFC championship game with a 27-10 win. Damar Hamlin’s inspirational presence while watching the game from an end-zone suite was not enough to spark the Bills in a rematch of a regular-season game that was canceled Jan. 2 when the Bills safety went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati. The Bengals advanced to consecutive AFC championship games for the first time in franchise history and will again travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs. Cincinnati advanced to consecutive AFC championship games for the first time in franchise history and will prepare for a rematch of last year’s title game. The Bengals defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs 27-24 to advance to last year’s Super Bowl, which they lost to the Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals extended their franchise-best streak to 10 straight wins. They haven’t lost since a 32-13 defeat at Cleveland on Halloween. The Bengals’ 30 first downs were a franchise postseason record.

———————————————————

 

NFL-NFC PLAYOFFS

 

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter and San Francisco’s defense did the rest, sending the 49ers to their second straight NFC title game with a 19-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. San Francisco advanced to play the Eagles in the NFC title game next Sunday in Philadelphia after losing in that round to the Rams a year ago. The Cowboys lost for the record seventh straight time in the divisional round and have failed to make it to the NFC title game since winning their fifth Super Bowl title following the 1995 season. Purdy, the last pick in the draft last April, improved to 7-0 as a starter since replacing an injured Jimmy Garoppolo early in Week 13. He went 18 for 28 for 215 yards with no turnovers against the Cowboys, joining Joe Flacco (2008) and Mark Sanchez (2009) as the only rookie QBs to win two playoff starts. The 49ers would reach their second Super Bowl in the past four seasons with a win at Philadelphia.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Scores from Saturday:

 

 

Class A
#3 Minot High def. #2 Mandan, 96-71
Dickinson def. Watford City, 109-72

 

Class B
Max def. Glenburn, 55-40
Ray def. Trenton, 64-48
Williston Trinity Christian def. Minot North Freshman, 63-40
Hazen def. Hettinger-Scranton, 48-37
Shiloh Christian def. Garrison, 87-58

 

 

Class A
#4 Minot High def. Jamestown, 57-51
Dickinson def. Watford City, 73-67

 

Class B
#1 Rugby def. Carrington, 68-52
#9 Central McLean def. Surrey, 61-43
Harvey-Wells County def. Velva, 56-49
Stanley def. New Town, 44=30
Alexander def. North Shore-Plaza, 42-39
Hazen def. Hettinger-Scranton, 39-36
Beulah def. Beach, 64-38
Mandaree def. Williston Trinity Christian, 48-40
Washburn def. Solen, 78-23

 

High School Boys Hockey
Dickinson def. Bottineau-Rugby, 6-2
Bismarck Legacy def. Mandan, 2-1 OT

 

High School Girls Hockey
Minot High def. Grand Forks, 3-1
Williston def. Devils Lake, 3-2
Fargo North-South def. Mandan, 4-3 OT

 

 

Minot Invite
1. Minot High, 459
2. Bismarck High, 420
3. Bismarck Legacy, 239
4. Bismarck Century, 235
5. West Fargo, 216
6. Grand Forks, 207
7. Mandan, 180

 

The Octagon Meet – Jamestown
1. Jamestown, 481
2. Fargo South, 465
3. Williston, 434
4. West Fargo Sheyenne, 354
5. Dickinson, 290

 

 

 

Metro Duals – Fargo
Minot High def. Fargo Davies, 49-25
Minot High def. Fargo North, 43-34
Minot High def. Fargo South, 76-0
Minot High def. Grand Forks Central, 62-13

 

Badlands Classic – Killdeer
1. Dickinson High, 179.5
2. New Salem-Almont, 169.0
3. Killdeer, 142.0
4. Beulah-Hazen, 122.0
5. Velva, 113.0
6. Des Lacs-Burlington, 93.0
7. Harvey-Wells County, 76.0
8. Watford City, 75.0
9. Williams County, 69.5
10. Stanley, 68.0
11. MonDak, 66.0
12. Bowman County, 55.5
13. Harding County SD, 53.5
14. Lemmon SD, 49.0
15. Standing Rock, 15.0
16. Alexander, 10.0
17. Sidney/Fairview MT, 0.0

 

 

Badlands Classic – Killdeer
1. Bismarck High, 168.0
2. Bismarck Century, 78.0
3. Harvey-Wells County, 69.0
4. Des Lacs-Burlington, 67.0
5. Lemmon SD, 49.0
6. MonDak, 46.0
7. Killdeer, 36.0
T8. Dickinson, 32.0
T8. New Salem-Almont, 32.0
T10. Harding County, 18.0
T10. Hettinger/Scranton, 18.0
T10. Stanley, 18.0
13. Velva, 16.0
14. Beach, 15.0
T15. Beulah-Hazen, 14.0
T15. White Shield, 14.0
17. Ray, 10.0
18. Standing Rock, 2.5
19. Hope Christian Academy, 0.0

 

College Mens Basketball
Upper Iowa def. Minot State 84-73

 

College Womens Basketball
Minot State def. Upper Iowa, 72-61

 

College Mens Hockey
Minot State def. University of Mary, 4-1
MInnesota-Duluth def. North Dakota, 2-1

 

College Womens Hockey
Minot State def. Dakota College at Bottineau, 4-0

 

NAHL Hockey
Bismarck Bobcats def. Aberdeen Wings, 10-4

————————————————————

 

MINOT STATE-TRACK

 

BROOKINGS, S.D. (MSU) – Senior distance runner Jacob Jensen led the way for the Beavers on Saturday as the Minot State track and field teams battled a power-packed field featuring six NCAA Division I programs at the Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitation indoor track and field meet hosted by South Dakota State. Jensen clocked the third-fastest time in the NSIC this winter in the mile, finishing 16th in the event Saturday in 4 minutes, 14.92 seconds. That led the way for the Minot State men who also got a couple of other season-best performances, one from the quartet of Nathan Trujillo-Aragon, Juan Gutierrez, Peyton Tuhy, and Francis Short Bull who clocked the team’s fastest time this winter in the 4×400-meter relay of 3:33.46, good for 16th as well. The other season-best came from thrower Samuel Kreins in the shot put as he finished 11th in the event Saturday with an effort of 49 feet, 3.75 inches. While they led the men, it was Sidra Sadowsky and Emily Smith who turned in top performances for the Minot State women as Sadowsky ran the team’s best time this winter in the 800 meters, finishing 19th in 2:20.36, and Smith had the fastest 3,000-meter time for the Beavers as she was 32nd on Saturday in 10:55.98. Midway through the winter season, the Beavers get little time to rest before heading out to compete once again at a big NCAA Division I-packed meet as Minot State competes at the University of North Dakota Open next Saturday.

—————————————————————-

 

UND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

Tulsa, Okla. (UND) – The University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks cannot convert at the Mabee Center against Oral Roberts, 96-91. UND road woes continued in the loss against Oral Roberts. Despite putting up 37 points in the fourth quarter. The Fighting Hawks could not overcome the 19-point deficit. Kacie Borowicz led the Fighting Hawks (11-8, 4-5 SL) with 24 points and 12 assists for her second double-double on the campaign. She also led the team in steals with five. Maggie Manson dropped 6 three pointers and for a career high of 20 points. Clair Orth led the team with eight rebounds and had two steals. The first quarter The Hawks and Golden Eagles would trade the led ten times. The first half of this game was a tight one. Heading into half time North Dakota led by only three points. However, the third quarter woes would return to plague The Hawks. They would be outscored by the Golden Eagles 29-11. UND would not go down without a fight. In the fourth quarter they would bring the fight back, closing the gap to five. ORU’s 19-point lead would be enough when the clock hit zero. North Dakota will continue Summit League play on Saturday, taking on in state rival NDSU at 1 p.m.

—————————————————————

 

NDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NDSU) – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team outscored Kansas City, 18-10, in the fourth quarter to earn a 75-66 win on Saturday afternoon at Swinney Center. After NDSU (13-6, 7-2 Summit) entered the final frame with a 57-56 lead, the Bison quickly pushed their edge up to four, 64-60, following a clutch three-pointer from Abbie Draper with 7:29 to play. NDSU continued to surge opening up a 10-point lead, 71-61, following a fastbreak layup from Evans at the 4:28 mark. The Bison went on to hold off the Roos (6-14, 2-7 Summit) the rest of the way, 75-66. Elle Evans logged her second 20-point game of the season with a career-high 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field. She also added eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block to her stat line over 38 minutes of work. Emily Behnke contributed her third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Abbie Draper tallied nine points off the bench. As a team, the Bison shot 44.6 percent (29-65) from the field and 78.6 (11-14) from the free throw line. NDSU also hauled in 38 rebounds with seven different players contributing at least two. NDSU will continue its road swing at North Dakota on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:05 p.m.

————————————————————–

 

UND MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Max Abmas’ 27 points helped Oral Roberts defeat North Dakota 84-72 on Saturday. Abmas added six assists for the Golden Eagles (17-4, 8-0 Summit League). Connor Vanover scored 19 points and added eight rebounds. Issac McBride recorded 15 points and was 6 of 10 shooting (3 for 4 from distance). B.J. Omot finished with 20 points for the Fightin’ Hawks (7-14, 1-7). North Dakota also got 15 points and eight rebounds from Tsotne Tsartsidze.

 

UND jumped out to a 6-2 lead with two Omot threes in the early going, but ORU pushed back with a 7-0 spurt to take a 9-6 lead. Tsartsidze got on the board with a three pointer that put UND back on top 14-12 and the seesawing went back and forth most of the first half. With the game tied at 35, four straight points from the Hawks gave them a four-point lead at 39-35; which was their largest lead of the game. Ultimately UND took a 39-37 lead into intermission. The second half looked much like the first, with the teams staying almost neck and neck. At 15:42, Tsartsidze took the pass from Norman at the three-point line and drove into the lane for a highlight reel jam that put UND up 45-42. Later on, he had his second highlight reel play as he grabbed the offensive board off a miss and put it back in with the and-one to tie the game at 50. But with UND up 52-50, ORU went on a 6-0 run to take back the lead and they did not relinquish it for the rest of the game. UND hung tough as Eaglestaff made it a two-point game with just over six minutes to go knocking down two from the foul line but the Hawks couldn’t make that final push to get the lead back. North Dakota will visit Western Illinois on Monday at 6 p.m.

————————————————————

 

NDSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU) – Shemarri Allen and RayQuawndis Mitchell combined for 51 points to carry Kansas City to a 75-73 victory over the North Dakota State men’s basketball team on Saturday afternoon. NDSU sophomore forward Andrew Morgan scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Bison. Grant Nelson added 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. NDSU (8-13 overall, 5-4 Summit) shot 55 percent for the game, but Kansas City took advantage of 10 offensive rebounds and 25 free throw attempts to pull out the win. The Bison led 68-67 following a layup by Boden Skunberg with 1:53 remaining. At the other end, Allen hit one free throw for Kansas City and missed the second, but an offensive rebound led to a three-pointer that put the Roos up 71-68. NDSU had a chance to win at the end, trailing 74-73 when a shot by Nelson missed in the final seconds. The Bison will host North Dakota on Friday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m.

———————————————————-

 

WOLVES-ROCKETS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored a season-high 44 points, D’Angelo Russell added 23 and the Minnesota Timberwolves handed the Houston Rockets their 13th straight loss with a 113-104 victory. Edwards eclipsed 40 points for the first time this season on 17-of-29 shooting from the field, including seven 3-pointers. Nathan Knight provided a spark of the bench, scoring a season-high 19 points. Houston’s Alperen Sengun scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, taking advantage of a Timberwolves team that was without Rudy Gobert (right groin soreness) for the third consecutive game. Sengun made his first seven field goals and was the catalyst for Houston outrebounding Minnesota 56-30.

—————————————————————-

 

WILD-PANTHERS

 

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Alex Lyon made 29 saves for his second consecutive victory and the Florida Panthers beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3 on Saturday night. With starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky injured Thursday night in Montreal and Spencer Knight off to the American Hockey League on a conditioning stint, the Panthers dressed their primary AHL goalies. Lyon started after making 23 saves in relief of Bobrovsky in Montreal, and Mack Guzda was the backup as the Knoxville native became the first player born in Tennessee to dress in an NHL game. Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling and Sam Reinhart scored for Florida. The Panthers are 4-0-1 in their last five games. Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Jared Spurgeon scored for Minnesota.

————————————————————

 

TWINS-TRADE

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have traded reigning American League batting champion Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins for a three-player package featuring starting pitcher Pablo López. The 25-year-old Arraez had a breakout season in 2022. He made his first All-Star team while batting a league-best .316 and denying Aaron Judge the Triple Crown award. The Twins also received two prospects from the Marlins: infielder Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio. The 32-year-old López had a 3.75 ERA in 32 starts last season. Salas was picked as Miami’s fifth-best prospect in the most recent MLB Pipeline rankings.

——————————————————-

 

NFL PLAYOFFS-AFC

 

KANSAS CITY (AP) – Patrick Mahomes remains good at football even on one ankle. Mahomes hurt his ankle in the first half, but returned to lead the Kansas City Chiefs past the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-20 on Saturday in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. The Philadelphia Eagles cruised past the New York Giants 38-7 a few hours later. There will be two more games Sunday. Buffalo hosts Cincinnati in the afternoon while Dallas is at San Francisco at night. The Chiefs and Eagles didn’t have to play during last weekend’s wild-card round because the top-seeded team in each conference received a bye to the divisional round.

——————————————————

 

NFL PLAYOFFS-NFC

 

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts erased lingering doubts about the state of his right shoulder by throwing two touchdown passes and running for a score during a dominant first half, and the Philadelphia Eagles overwhelmed the New York Giants 38-7 in an NFC divisional playoff game. Hurts is back, and so are the Eagles as a Super Bowl threat. Top-seeded Philadelphia will host the NFC championship game next Sunday against either Dallas or San Francisco. Hurts finished 16 of 24 for 154 yards. He showed he was fine when he aired out a pass on the second play of the game and hit DeVonta Smith in stride for a 40-yard reception.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Scores from Friday:

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck High, 90-71
Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 78-43
Turtle Mountain def. Williston, 94-73

 

Class B
#1 Four Winds-Minnewaukan def. #10 North Star, 66-43
#8 Beulah def. Richardton-Taylor, 67-22
Rugby def. Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, 52-38
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Berthold, 74-19
TGU def. Drake-Anamoose, 66-26
North Prairie def. Warwick, 67-50
New Rockford-Sheyenne def. St. John, 57-52 OT
Heart River def. New Town, 75-65
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. Ray, 80-38
Stanley def. Trenton, 60-44
Divide County def. Tioga, 49-48

 

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck High, 64-34
#4 Minot High def. Mandan, 79-51 (freshman Maggie Fricke – Minot school record of 36 points)
#5 Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 63-55
Turtle Mountain def. Williston, 73-39

 

Class B
#3 Kenmare-Bowbells def. Powers Lake-Burke Cental, 64-27
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Berthold, 41-35
Our Redeemer’s def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 53-25
South Prairie-Max def. Surrey, 54-25
Bishop Ryan def. Glenburn, 54-48
TGU def. Drake-Anamoose, 73-35
Nedrose def. Velva, 45-32
St. John def. Westhope-Newburg, 71-65 OT
Trenton def. North Shore-Plaza, 53-13
Parshall def. Ray, 63-39
Tioga def. Divide County, 67-27
Williston Trinity Christian def. White Shield, 36-19

 

High School Boys Hockey
Hazen-Beulah def. Bottineau-Rugby, 4-2
Jamestown def. Devils Lake, 5-2

 

High School Girls Hockey
Minot High def. Devils Lake, 4-3
Grand Forks def. Williston, 2-1
Bismarck Century def. Bismarck High-Legacy, 3-1
West Fargo United def. Mandan, 1-0

 

High School Boys Swimming & Diving
Fargo North def. Bismarck Legacy, 92.5-90

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Bismarck High def. Mandan, 78-3

 

College Mens Basketball
Winona State def. Minot State, 67-58

 

College Womens Basketball
Minot State def. Winona State, 66-58

 

College Mens Hockey
Minot State def. Jamestown, 4-2
North Dakota def. Minnesota-Duluth, 4-2

 

College Womens Hockey
Minot State def. Dakota College at Bottineau, 4-0

 

NAHL Hockey
Aberdeen Wings def. Bismarck Bobats, 4-3 OT

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Connor Kerzmann and Braxton Iglehart combined for 53 points as Garrison outlasted Velva 78-66 last night in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. Kerzmann tallied 28 points, including four 3’s, and Iglehart added 25 points, including four 3’s as the Troopers improve their record to 8-2. Reggie Bruner scored 18 for the Aggies, including 8 of 9 freethrows made. Kyle Sandy added 15 points and Ben Schepp 11 as the Aggies drop to 8-3.

 

More high school basketball is on the air today as Des Lacs-Burlington hosts Berthold in a girl/boy doubleheader. Girls tipoff around 5 pm with boys to follow around 6:30 pm. Both games can be heard on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com, and through the Live 365 app.

Other scores from Thursday:

 

 

Class A
#3 Minot High def. Jamestown, 58-47
(senior Darik Dissette breaks Magicians all-time career scoring record which has stood for 20 years. Old record held by Matt Witwer at 1,356 from 2000-2003. Dissette now with 1,360 points.

 

Class B
#3 Bishop Ryan def. Surrey, 77-54
Our Redeemer’s def. South Prairie, 67-46
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Glenburn, 84-49
Westhope-Newburg def. Bottineau, 73-66
Rugby def. Nedrose, 77-26
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. Mandaree, 63-39
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Kenmare-Bowbells, 58-45
Kidder County def. Central McLean, 38-37
Hazen def. Glen Ullin-Hebron, 81-58

 

 

Class A
Mandan def. Turtle Mountain, 72-61

 

Class B
#4 Shiloh Christian def. New Salem-Almont, 58-27
Parshall def. Alexander, 49-40
New England def. Hazen, 44-37
Beulah def. Richardton-Taylor, 62-48
Washburn def. Wilton-Wing, 55-18
North Star def. Dunseith, 47-16
Four Winds-Minnewaukan def. Harvey-Wells County, 48-35
St. John def. North Prairie, 54-50

 

High School Boys Hockey
Minot High def. Bismarck High, 6-0
Bismarck Century def. Mandan, 5-3

 

High School Girls Hockey
Jamestown def. Dickinson, 3-0

 

High School Girls Gymnastics
Mandan Meet
1. Dickinson, 147.700
2. Bismarck Century, 139.225
3. Jamestown, 137.600
4. Bismarck Legacy, 134.200
5. Mandan, 130.000
6. Bismarck High, 22.425

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Class A
Minot High def. Mandan, 60-18
Bismarck Century def. Bismarck Legacy, 46-22
Bismarck High def. Dickinson, 46-16

Class B
Velva def. Bishop Ryan, 54-24

 

High School Girls Wrestling
Class A
Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck Century, 54-18
Bismarck High def. Dickinson, 70-9

 

College Mens Basketball
North Dakota def. Kansas City, 77-60 (UND program record 18 made 3’s)
Oral Roberts def. North Dakota State, 92-69

 

College Womens Basketball
Kansas City def. North Dakota, 78-67
Oral Roberts def. North Dakota State, 75-53

 

College Mens Wrestling
Minot State def. MSU-Moorhead, 34-5

——————————————–

 

WOLVES-RAPTORS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — D’Angelo Russell scored 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Anthony Edwards had 23 and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 128-126 on Thursday night. Kyle Anderson added 20 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which was down Rudy Gobert and Austin Rivers. The Timberwolves erased a 14-point deficit midway through the fourth with a defensive effort not typically seen from Minnesota, particularly without Gobert making an impact down low. Scottie Barnes had 12 of his season-high 29 points in the fourth for Toronto, which had won four of six.

—————————————–

 

WILD-CANES

 

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A late injury to Carolina winger Max Pacioretty overshadowed the Hurricanes’ 5-2 win against Minnesota. Brent Burns, Brady Skjei and Jalen Chatfield scored to give Carolina another productive offensive outing from its blueliners. Frederik Andersen was strong in net for Carolina with 30 saves. The Hurricanes saw Pacioretty go down late with a non-contact injury that left him unable to put any weight on his right leg. They had acquired him from Vegas in a July trade and he had recently made his debut following offseason surgery. Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy scored for the Wild. Marc-Andre Fleury had 24 saves.

—————————————–

 

VIKINGS-DONATELL FIRED

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in an unsurprising decision on the veteran coach after a dismal finish by his defense. The Vikings ranked second worst in yards allowed in the NFL and fourth worst in points allowed during the regular season. They gave up 431 yards and 31 points to the New York Giants in their wild-card round loss last week. Coach Kevin O’Connell was hired a year ago by the Vikings and made Donatell his first defensive coordinator. The 65-year-old Donatell has coached 32 seasons in the league with defensive coordinator stints with four different teams.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Bismarck Century remains atop both Class A Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

        (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (21)    9-0           105           1
2. Mandan                          10-0            84           2
3. Minot High                       9-2             56           3
4. Fargo Davies                 10-2             48           4
5. Grand Forks Red River   7-3             15           5

 

Others receiving votes: Bismarck Legacy (6-4), Fargo North (6-3)

———-

 

 

                (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (18)            8-2          102           1
2. Grand Forks Red River (3)    11-0            87           2
3. Fargo Davies                         10-1            53           5
4. Minot High                               8-3            48           4
5. Bismarck Legacy                     7-2            12           3

 

Others receiving votes: Bismarck High (8-2), West Fargo (8-3)

————————————————————

 

MINOT, ND – Boys basketball is on the air tonight as Velva travels to Garrison. The Troopers are 7-2 on the season, while the Aggies are 8-2. Pregame is set for a little before 7 pm tonight on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com, and through the Live 365 app.

————————————————————-

 

MSU BASEBALL

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – Once again, the NSIC’s coach favor the Minot State baseball team to be a league title contender as the Beavers were picked fourth in the preseason poll released Wednesday. Minot State, which finished fourth last spring in the regular season and NSIC Tournament, shared the No. 4 spot with in-state rival the University of Mary as each program received 128 points in the voting by the league’s coaches. Individually, senior catcher Matt Malone and senior right-handed pitcher Dominick Parkhurst were tabbed as the Player and Pitcher to Watch for the Beavers as Malone hit .294 with 2 home runs and 30- RBIs last spring, and Parkhurst was 5-1 with a 2.67 ERA and 46 strikeouts on the mound for Minot State.

 

Minnesota State, which won the NSIC Tournament title, was a slim pick to win the league ahead of regular-season champion Augustana. The Mavericks had 188 points and eight first-place votes and the Vikings had 185 points and five first-place votes. St. Cloud State was picked third with 174 points and the other two first-place votes. Minot State and Mary shared fourth with 128 points and were closely followed by Winona State in sixth with 126 points. Minnesota Duluth was picked seventh with 113 points, Sioux Falls was eighth with 108 points, Minnesota Crookston was ninth with 98 points, Wayne State was 10th with 97 points, Concordia, St. Paul and Northern State tied for 11th with 66 points each, Upper Iowa was picked 13th with 41 points, Southwest Minnesota State was picked 14th with 40 points, and Bemidji State was picked 15th with 17 points.

 

St. Cloud State senior infielder and pitcher Sam Riola was voted as the Preseason NSIC Player of the Year, while Augustana senior right-handed pitcher Ryan Jares was voted the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Riola was the 2022 NSIC Player of the Year, a First-Team All-American, and he set an NSIC single-season record with 22 home runs. Jares was a First Team All-NSIC pitcher who was 8-2 with a 2.78 ERA and 109 strikeouts.

 

The Minot State’s baseball team opens the 2023 season on the road playing a pair of games at Rogers State in Oklahoma starting Feb. 7.

——————————————————————-

 

WOLVES-NUGGETS

 

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray hit a go-ahead floater with 55.9 seconds remaining, Nikola Jokic broke Denver’s record for assists on the way to his 14th triple-double of the season, and the Nuggets rallied for a 122-118 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Behind Murray and Jokic, the Nuggets won their 15th straight at home. Jokic finished with 31 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds as he navigated foul trouble. The two-time reigning NBA MVP passed Alex English for the most assists in team history. Jaden McDaniels led seven Minnesota players in double figures with 18 points. Kyle Anderson finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolves. Naz Reid had 17 points as he started with Rudy Gobert sidelined by a sore groin. Austin Rivers (bruised knee) was inactive for Minnesota.

—————————————————————–

 

TWINS-PADDOCK

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Right-hander Chris Paddack and the Minnesota Twins finalized a $12,525,000, three-year contract on Wednesday, an agreement that allows the pitcher to earn an additional $2.5 million in the deal’s final season. Paddack, recovering from Tommy John surgery, agreed Friday to a $2.4 million, one-year contract. The new superseding deal calls for salaries of $2.5 million this year, $2,525,000 in 2024 and $7.5 million in 2025. In 2025, he could earn $500,000 each for 140 and 150 innings, and $750,000 apiece for 160 and 170. He also gets a hotel suite on road trips in 2025.

 

Paddack, 27, had Tommy John surgery for the second time on May 18, after making just five starts for the Twins following his arrival in a trade with San Diego on April 7. Recovery typically takes at least a year. Paddack is 21-21 with a 4.20 ERA in 65 starts and one relief appearance for Minnesota and the Padres, striking out 330 and walking 67 in 330 1/3 innings. He will provide rotation depth once he’s back, behind Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober and Tyler Mahle. Maeda is also returning from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season. Paddack would get $100,000 for World Series MVP or winning a Cy Young Award, $75,000 for second in Cy Young voting, $50,000 for third and $25,000 for fourth through sixth. He would get $50,000 for League Championship Series MVP, and $25,000 for Gold Glove or All-Star election or selection.

————————————————————————

 

VIKINGS-SEASON ENDING PRESS CONFERENCE

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Kevin O’Connell enjoyed a strong debut as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, with a record-setting wide receiver, a productive offense and a division title. “The feeling that we were all in this together pulling in the same direction and with a goal that is of the highest proportions, it’s special for me,” O’Connell said. “My ability to thrive in my role, I feel even better about that today than I did on day one.” His second season will bring a new set of challenges, starting with a resurrection of the defense. O’Connell said Wednesday he has not yet finalized the coaching staff for 2023, with the fate of defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in question. “That is an ongoing process that is continuing as we speak and will continue throughout the rest of this week,” O’Connell said. “I think it’s important to do, and I think after the success we had this year and coming up short of where we ultimately wanted to get to. I think it’s the right thing to do and I’ll make sure I go through that thorough process in doing so.”

 

The Vikings managed to win 13 games while ranking second-worst in yards allowed in the NFL and fourth-worst in points allowed during the regular season. Their 31-24 loss at home to the New York Giants was the last straw for a defense that was out of sorts from the start in coverage, rush and communication. The Giants averaged 80 yards on five scoring drives, four that went for touchdowns on a career-altering day for quarterback Daniel Jones in his playoff debut. “We talk a lot about that word development in this building. So with that, you feel a responsibility to make sure all of our schemes are evolving and changing and improving year in and year out,” O’Connell said. “That will be no different every year that I’m the coach here.”

 

The transition from previous head coach Mike Zimmer’s 4-3 base scheme with a preference for man-to-man pass coverage and steady blitzing ultimately did not go smoothly. Donatell’s system is a 3-4 alignment, but with the proliferation of three-wide receiver formations around the league the Vikings were only in their base package on about 25% of the snaps. But their nickel defense was continually vulnerable and passive in their zone coverages underneath the two high safeties. “I feel like some of our guys really handled that with ease,” O’Connell said. “With some of our guys, it was a work in progress, finding their premier role, and how they can thrive. Ultimately, that’s on us as coaches — and me as the head football coach to make sure I look long and hard at that.”

 

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah shared a table with O’Connell for a season-ending news conference, still dealing with the sting of the end of such an exhilarating season three days after they were eliminated by the Giants. Adofo-Mensah and his front office will face a salary-cap puzzle as tricky as any team in the league this offseason, likely forcing the departure of some important veteran players. That happens everywhere, but the moves the Vikings have to make might eat away at the team’s leadership and chemistry more than usual. “We’ve got to consider those things, also, in addition to the production on the field,” Adofo-Mensah said. “But really, at the end of the day, we’re trying to meet a talent threshold, a way of playing, a vision for this team that’s a championship standard.”

 

There’s no mystery about whether Kirk Cousins will return as the quarterback this time, with the eight fourth-quarter comeback wins he directed. With a salary cap hit of $36.25 million for next season, Cousins will likely be in line for another short-term extension that would help create more space for signing other players in 2023. “There’s not so much learning that needs to take place of the base way of doing things,” O’Connell said. “Now we tweak. Now we can adapt, evolve and continue to allow him to feel as comfortable as possible with what we’re asking him to do, and I think that’s where real growth can come.”

 

An extension for All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson is also on the offseason list, a contract that is sure to break a market record for his position. The Vikings and Jefferson’s agent have had “initial dialogue,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I wouldn’t use the word challenge,” Adofo-Mensah said. “You’ve got a special player, a special person. Those aren’t problems. Or at least those are champagne problems. So we’ll start there.”

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The Our Redeemer’s Knight scored a 61-47 win last night over Surrey in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. The Knights led by as many as 20 points in improving their record to 11-3 overall, 4-0 in District 12. Maya Vibeto led the way with 17 points, including three 3’s. Kadyn Braun came off the bench to add 15, including three 3’s. Aubrey Griedl tallied 13 points. 8th-grader Ava Keller came off the bench to lead the Mustangs with 13 points, including 9 of 12 made freethrows. Mia Aberle added 10 for Surrey as they drop to 8-4 overall, 3-1 in District 12.

 

Other scores from Tuesday:

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. #4 Minot High, 72-64
Bismarck High def. #3 Bismarck Legacy, 82-66
Jamestown def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 54-43
Mandan def. Dickinson, 71-60
Watford City def. Williston, 64-53

 

Class B
#1 Rugby def. Bottineau, 57-43
Stanley def. #3 Kenmare-Bowbells, 53-50
#9 Central McLean def. Washburn, 65-25
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Glenburn, 61-41
South Prairie-Max def. Berthold, 64-53
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Bishop Ryan, 36-33
Drake-Anamoose def. Velva, 49-40
TGU Def. Westhope-Newburg, 76-65
Benson County def. Harvey-Wells County, 57-46
St. John def. North Star, 65-32
Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich def. Dunseith, 73-32
Trenton def. Parshall, 54-45
Mandaree def. North Shore-Plaza, 60-19
Tioga def. New Town, 59-43
Williston Trinity Christian def. White Shield, 70-20
Divide County def. Ray, 43-25

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. #3 Minot High, 76-67
#2 Mandan def. Dickinson, 85-75
Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck High, 97-91 OT
Jamestown def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 53-52
Williston def. Watford City, 85-47

 

Class B
#8 Beulah def. New England, 72-24
Standing Rock def. Max, 70-52
Velva def. Drake-Anamoose, 80-50
Mott-Regent/Grant County def. Central McLean, 58-28
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. Trenton, 61-36
Alexander def. Wibaux MT, 63-52
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Tioga, 57-52
Divide County def. Ray, 64-31

 

High School Boys Hockey
Bismarck Legacy def. Minot High, 4-1
Bottineau-Rugby def. Hazen-Beulah, 9-6
Bismarck High def. Mandan, 3-1
Dickinson def. Jamestown, 4-3 SO

 

High School Girls Hockey
Bismarck Century def. Dickinson, 3-2 OT
Mandan def. Bismarck High-Legacy, 6-1
Fargo Davies def. Jamestown, 5-0

 

High School Boys Swimming & Diving
Jamestown def. Mandan, 111-74

—————————————————————-

 

NDSU-RODIN HONORED

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State University had three athletes honored as the Summit League TicketSmarter Indoor Track and Field Peak Performers of the Week, including Jacob Rodin. At the Bison Team Cup, Rodin broke his own school record and facility record in the 600 meters to take the event title. The Kenmare native won the race in a time of 1:17.88, improving his previous NDSU all-time best of 1:18.03, as well as his facility record of 1:18.18 from last season. Rodin’s winning time ranks 12th in the NCAA this season for the 600m. He also ran a leg on the Bison 4x400m relay team that took first in a time of 3:20.63.

—————————————————————

 

WILD-CAPS

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Captain Jared Spurgeon scored twice, fellow defenseman Jonas Brodin also had a goal with traffic in front of the net and the Minnesota Wild beat the Washington Capitals 4-2. They’ve won three in a row. The Capitals have lost four of six and are 0 for 13 on the power play during that stretch. Filip Gustavsson made 34 saves in net for Minnesota to get a four-game trip off to a strong start. Alex Ovechkin assisted on Capitals goals by Martin Fehervary and Dylan Strome. The Wild won despite being outshot 36-22. Gustavsson was excellent all night, validating the coaching staff’s decision to start him instead of going back to three-time Stanley Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury. His 12 saves in the first period alone kept the game within reach for Minnesota despite putting just three shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes.

 

UP NEXT: Wild: At Carolina on Thursday night.

————————————————————-

 

PGA-HOGE

 

HONOLULU (AP) — Tom Hoge felt it was an easy decision to take a 5,000-mile detour between Maui and Honolulu so he could watch his alma mater, TCU, play for the national championship in football against Georgia. That didn’t end well for him or the Horned Frogs. Another easy decision for him was booking the flight. He left Maui after a tie for third in the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua that paid him $840,000. And he still flew coach. “I always fly coach. That’s normal for me,” said Hoge, who said he had seat 25A on the way back to Hawaii. At least it was an exit row.

 

Hoge, a native of Fargo, North Dakota, has never felt much reason to splurge on anything, except maybe the occasional craps table. And he’s easing up on that at the urging of his wife, Kelly, whom he jokingly refers to as the “warden” when it comes to his craps habit. “I always get an exit row and I get upgraded half the time,” Hoge said. “I try to hang onto some of this money we make, right?” It’s not all about the money. Hoge turned down an offer last year to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf, an offer that Fire Pit Collective put at eight figures. He won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year for his first PGA Tour victory. He’s not into the Player Impact Program, and he would just as soon play golf courses he likes than only those with a $20 million purse attached.

 

Hoge, who finished 10th at his first Tour Championship, made just over $5.3 million last year with his FedEx Cup bonus. His actual career earnings are $13.2 million. He is in his ninth year on the PGA Tour, and he has made the FedEx Cup postseason four of the previous eight years. Only once did Hoge fail to get his card back through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, and that year he got into enough events to make it work. “I’ve always taken the approach whenever my career comes to an end — for me, it’s always been trying to get that next year, and the next year — that whenever I’m done, whatever I want to do next is not based on money. I’ll have freedom to make a decision.” That might not be anytime soon. Hoge already has three top 10s this year, including Kapalua, and is No. 16 in the FedEx Cup. He is a career-high No. 30 in the world ranking, and he will be headed back to the Masters in April.

 

There was one time he got a little crazy with his money. “It’s been a while,” Hoge said. “I bought a fancy car when I was a little younger. I was lucky because I hadn’t made much money in my career at that point. I realized it didn’t do a lot for me.” The tour has a relationship with BMW, so he bought an X5 M. This was after a 2018 season in which he crossed the $1 million mark for the first time. And now? “I still have it,” he said. “It gets the job done.” As for his love of craps, that remains a work in progress. “I’m trying to get rid of that one,” he said. “That doesn’t pay the bills.”

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – There is a new #1 in the Class B Girls Basketball Poll this week. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

            (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Rugby (13)                           11-0        174            2
2. Thompson (4)                      10-1        157            3
3. Kenmare-Bowbells (1)         12-1       139            1
4. Shiloh Christian                    11-1        124            6
5. Oakes                                    9-1          65           RV
6. Central Cass                         8-3          58            T7
7. May-Port-CG                        11-2          53            T7
8. Garrison                                12-1         50             9
9. Central McLean                    10-1          47            4
10. Northern Cass                     9-2           42           RV

 

Others receiving votes: Bowman County (11-1), Kindred (7-3), Carrington (10-2)

———-

 

 

                      (First Place Votes)    Record    Points     Last Week
1. Four Winds-Minnewaukan (18)     7-0          180             1
2. Central Cass                                 9-0          162             2
3. Bishop Ryan                                  7-1           133            4
4. Sargent County                              9-0          123            5
5. Ellendale                                        9-0            90             8
6. Grafton                                           6-1            77             3
7. Thompson                                      5-3            72            9
8. Beulah                                            6-1            46           RV
9. North Border                                   7-1            42          10
10. North Star                                     7-2            24            7

 

Others receiving votes: Shiloh Christian (4-3), Glen Ullin-Hebron (10-1), Standing Rock (10-1), Bowman County (7-2), Rugby (5-4)

————————————————————

 

MINOT, ND – In District 12 boys basketball the Our Redeemer’s Knights defeated the Berthold Bombers 71-42 last night in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. Ten Knights scored led by Jace Weekley with 16 points while Colton Francis tallied 11. Berthold was led by Mark Schauer with 16 and Dylan Pank with 11 points. The teams combined for 23 made 3’s as Our Redeemer’s connected on 15 and the Bombers made eight. The third quarter was the deciding factor in the game. The Knights led 30-24 at halftime and then outscored the Bombers 31-14 in the third. Our Redeemer’s improves to 4-7 overall, 1-1 in District 12. Berthold drops to 0-9 overall, 0-2 in District 12.

 

We’ll have District 12 girls basketball on the air tonight as Surrey will host Our Redeemer’s. Pregame begins a little past 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com, and through the Live 365 app.

 

Other scores from Monday:

 

High School Boys Basketball
Class B
#3 Bishop Ryan def. Des Lacs-Burlington, 59-53
#10 North Star def. Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, 82-46
Shiloh Christian def. Hazen, 70-61
Bottineau def. TGU, 76-60
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. South Prairie, 55-45
Surrey def. Glenburn, 92-38
Kenmare-Bowbells def. Tioga, 53-48
Harvey-Wells County def. Dakota Prairie, 76-41
North Prairie def. Dunseith, 49-48
St. John def. Lakota, 72-60 OT

 

High School Girls Basketball
Class B
#9 Central McLean def. #4 Shiloh Christian, 51-50
#8 Garrison def. Standing Rock, 61-35
South Prairie-Max def. Nedrose, 49-43

——————————————————————

 

TIMBERWOLVES-JAZZ

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Walker Kessler had career-highs of 20 points and 21 rebounds, Jordan Clarkson added 21 points and the Utah Jazz rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-125. Collin Sexton added 19 points off the bench for Utah, which had seven players score in double-digits in its third victory in four games. Anthony Edwards scored 17 of his 29 points in the third and D’Angelo Russell added 21 for Minnesota. Kyle Anderson had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the Timberwolves, who lost Rudy Gobert to lingering groin soreness.

—————————————————————-

 

NFL-WILD CARD

 

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Dak Prescott outplayed Tom Brady, throwing for four touchdowns and running for another to lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 31-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC wild-card playoff game. Prescott completed 25 of 33 passes for 305 yards and played turnover-free ball for the first time in eight games as the Cowboys dominated the listless Bucs in what may turn out to be Brady’s last game in a Tampa Bay uniform. Dallas beat Brady for the first time in the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s career. The Cowboys earned a trip to San Francisco to face the 49ers in the NFC divisional round next Sunday.

—————————————————————

 

VIKINGS-SEASON END

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The end hit harder for the Minnesota Vikings than usual, a season of exhilarating finishes and exceeded expectations smudged by this quick exit from the playoffs. The sting was only deepened by the reality of the roster. The salary cap crunch will likely force the departure of some of the players who contributed heavily to 13 wins, an NFC North division title and a strong chemistry that fueled this run behind new head coach Kevin O’Connell. “We have such a great group, and you know when the season ends that this group doesn’t stay the same moving forward,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the 31-24 loss to the New York Giants at home on Sunday in the first round. “That’s hard to accept, especially with how many great players are in there.”

 

There’s always year-to-year turnover in the NFL, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his staff will face an especially difficult round of decisions over the next two months as he and O’Connell enter their second season together. “This team was pretty close, a lot of good relationships,” safety Harrison Smith said. “We wanted to do more and just didn’t get it done.” The Vikings have eight players scheduled for eight-figure salary cap hits in 2023, in order: Cousins, wide receiver Adam Thielen, right tackle Brian O’Neill, Smith, outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith, running back Dalvin Cook, outside linebacker Danielle Hunter and inside linebacker Eric Kendricks. Only Hunter (28), Cook (27) and O’Neill (27) are under 30.

 

There are weaknesses, particularly on the interior of the offensive line and among the defensive backs, that need more than just the draft to address. That means a restructured contract or two likely won’t cut it. To create space, a valuable player or two will probably have to be cut — perhaps without a clear-cut replacement currently available. “We did things that a lot of people didn’t think we were going to do from the start of the season. We’re proud about that. Definitely not proud about losing tonight and not being able to go on,” said Justin Jefferson, whose league-leading 1,809 receiving yards led the list of accomplishments. “It’s definitely going to be tough not seeing some of these faces in the locker room next year.”

 

FURTHER DETERIORATION

One of the reasons why the job opened for O’Connell was the recent struggles of a once-dominant defense under his predecessor Mike Zimmer, whose specialty was on that side of the ball. The group slipped even more under defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, putting his status with the team in doubt. There was promise of a productive pass rush with Hunter and Smith on the edges, but in addition to finishing second to last in the league in yards allowed, the Vikings ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in pressure percentage and sack percentage. With the speedy Brian Asamoah, a third-round draft pick last year, waiting in the wings, Kendricks is the veteran on defense whose return is most in question with the smallest dead-money hit among the group of eight-figure players. Even if the base 3-4 scheme under Donatell didn’t fit Kendricks as well as Zimmer’s 4-3 system, he would be tough to replace. “Eric has a crazy, crazy ability to know what’s coming,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. “He’s one of the most talented middle linebackers I’ve ever had the opportunity to play with.”

 

BETTER VIBES

The environment around team headquarters a year ago was at a low point after a second straight losing season that led to the firing of Zimmer, but the improvement in that area at the direction of the sunny O’Connell is an asset the Vikings can keep for 2023 and doesn’t count against the cap. “The biggest difference is the culture around here,” Cook said. “Guys believed each and every game that we could win each and every one of them.”

 

SPEAKING OF COOK

Cook is still only 27, but he’s another one whose future is murky by virtue of the undervalued and punishing position he plays entering his seventh NFL season. There’s no guaranteed salary left on his contract, only prorated signing bonus portions that come with about $6.2 million in dead money if he were to be released prior to the start of free agency. Cook topped 1,000 rushing yards for the fourth straight season, but most importantly he was healthy for all 18 games — the only time in his career he didn’t miss at least three games. “That’s always been my goal, just to finish with these guys. A lot of games that I didn’t finish a few years ago or whenever it was, it was just on your conscience that I could’ve helped these guys win a game,” Cook said. “Being available all year for these guys, that means a lot to me.”

 

JEFFERSON NEXT?

The Vikings have two more years of contract control over Jefferson at his rookie-deal rate, but he will eligible to sign an extension this offseason. He’s all but certain to set the wide receiver record for richest deal, with more yards through a player’s first three years than anyone in NFL history. “It’s not really something that I’m really worried about,” Jefferson said. “I want to win a Super Bowl. That’s the thing that I’m most focused on. The money comes with the job.”

 

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – It’s a full week of high school basketball on K-Heart. District 12 boys basketball is on the air tonight as Our Redeemer’s will host Berthold. Pregame is set for a littlet past 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com, and through the Live365 app. Tomorrow night we’re out to Surrey as the Mustangs host Our Redeemer’s in girls basketball. Thursday the Velva boys play at Garrison. And then we finish the week with a girl/boy doubleheader at Des Lacs-Burlington as they host Berthold.

——————————————————-

 

MINOT STATE MEN’S HOCKEY

 

EDMOND, Okla. (MSU) – After a pair of wins over Top-10 foes, the Minot State men’s hockey team wrapped up a successful weekend at the Battle at the Edge hosted by Central Oklahoma by skating away from Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon. The Beavers opened the scoring with 4 minutes, 39 seconds left in the first period on a power-play goal by Joey Moffatt off assists from Reid Arnold and Jay Buchholz, but the Sooners evened the score just 28 seconds later and it stayed tied 1-1 into the second. Carter Barley struck with 6:31 gone in the second period, netting the eventual game-winner off assists from Eric Soar and Drew Carter, then Minot State never looked back. Though the score remained close the rest of the second stanza, just 21 seconds into the final period the Beavers (21-1-0 overall) began breaking it open as Sheldin Howard scored an unassisted goal, his first of back-to-back goals. Howard’s second came off assists from Moffatt and Buchholz, then Reece Henry added another goal for the Beavers to help ice the win, off assists from Arnold and Josh Pederson. Riley Wallace finished with 18 saves in goal for Minot State, which outshot Oklahoma 47-19. The Beavers now return to North Dakota for a game at Jamestown on Friday night, closing a stretch of 6-of-7 on the road, then Minot State hosts Mary at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, and Dakota College of Bottineau on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 4 p.m.

——————————————————–

 

NDSU TRACK-RODIN

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU) – Jacob Rodin broke his own school record and facility record in the 600m on Saturday afternoon, highlighting the performances of the North Dakota State men’s track & field team at the Bison Team Cup. Rodin ran 1:17.88 to win the 600m, improving on his previous NDSU all-time best of 1:18.03, as well as his facility record of 1:18.18 from last season. Rodin is a senior at NDSU who is from Kenmare.

—————————————————————

 

VIKINGS-GIANTS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — First-year head coach Brian Daboll had his upstart team fully prepared. Daniel Jones played at a level well beyond his experience. The New York Giants came confidently into Minnesota’s raucous stadium and beat the tight-finish masters at their own game. Jones passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 78 yards in his first career playoff game for the Giants in a 31-24 wild-card round victory on Sunday that gave the Vikings their first loss in 12 one-score games this season. Saquon Barkley rushed for two scores, including the tiebreaker midway through the fourth quarter. Jones became the first quarterback in NFL history to hit these thresholds in a postseason game: 300-plus yards passing, two-plus passing touchdowns and 70-plus yards rushing. The defense finished off the franchise’s first playoff win since the Super Bowl 11 years ago by swarming tight end T.J. Hockenson at midfield after a 3-yard reception from Kirk Cousins on fourth-and-8 to force a turnover on downs with 1:44 to go and no timeouts left for the Vikings (13-5). The Giants (10-7-1) advanced to play No. 1 seed and NFC East rival Philadelphia in the divisional round next Saturday night. They converted seven of 13 third downs and had their way with a Vikings defense that has been vulnerable all season, averaging 8.3 yards per play in the first half.

 

Cousins went 31 for 39 for 273 yards and two scores and a rushing touchdown to cap the game’s opening possession, the too-short throw to Hockenson his one glaring mistake. Cousins was more upset by his placement on the third-and-8 pass to K.J. Osborn — who had a first-half touchdown catch — that was knocked down by Cor’Dale Flott. Five years and one day after Case Keenum’s 61-yard last-play touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs gave the Vikings a 29-24 victory over New Orleans in the divisional round, Cousins finally got a postseason game in Minnesota in his fifth season with the team. The Vikings stayed on brand by facing 10-point deficits late in the second quarter and again early in the third quarter. Cousins, who delivered all kinds of on-target throws as he was knocked to the turf by the blitz-fueled Giants defense, hit Irv Smith Jr. for a touchdown that brought the Vikings within 24-21. Then came the unusual — the defense got a stop. Danielle Hunter’s sack forced the first Giants punt, and the Vikings went the other way for the tying field goal. They left behind some crucial points, though, when Cousins ran successful sneak on fourth-and-1 at the 15 that was negated by a false start on left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Jones converted a penalty-free fourth-and-1 sneak on the next drive for the Giants. Barkley chugged into the end zone for the lead with 7:47 to go.

 

JACKSON VS. JEFFERSON

Cousins targeted Hockenson 11 times for 10 receptions and 129 yards, but after Justin Jefferson had four catches on the opening touchdown drive he had only three more the rest of the way and just one in the second half. The NFL’s leading receiver, who had 133 yards and a touchdown on 12 receptions in the 27-24 win over the Giants last month, almost always had a safety following him and was deftly covered by Adoree’ Jackson in the cornerback’s return from a seven-game absence to a knee injury.

 

INJURY REPORT

Giants: OLB Azeez Ojulari (quadriceps) was hurt in the second quarter and ruled out at halftime. … Backup FS Jason Pinnock (abdomen) left on a cart after covering a kickoff in the fourth quarter and went to a hospital for evaluation. He rejoined Giants in the locker room and was flying home with the team.

Vikings: LB Brian Asamoah II (concussion) was injured covering a kickoff late in the second quarter. … Backup CB Cameron Dantzler Sr. (personal) was inactive after missing practice all week.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Saturday scores:

 

 

Class A
#2 Mandan def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 78-58
Bismarck High def. Turtle Mountain, 99-87
Jamestown def. Watford City, 93-65

 

Class B
#4 Bishop Ryan def. Bottineau, 80-48
Hazen def. Des Lacs-Burlington, 72-64
Our Redeemer’s def. Westhope-Newburg, 52-48
Surrey def. Powers Lake-Burke Central, 68-67
Kenmare-Bowbells def. South Prairie, 69-54
Garrison def. White Shield, 67-45
Max def. Richardton-Taylor, 59-51

Ray Shootout
Divide County def. Mandaree, 52-36
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. Tioga, 50-48
Alexander def. Ray, 65-21

Devils Lake Class B Day
North Prairie def. Midway-Minto, 76-40
Benson County def. Hatton-Northwood, 53-49
#10 North Star def. St. John, 83-46
Warwick def. Drake-Anamoose, 80-40

 

 

Class A
#4 Minot High def. Devils Lake, 101-53
Minot High JV def Williston, 96-47
Mandan def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 74-70 2OT
Bismarck High def. Turtle Mountain, 100-59
Jamestown def. Watford City, 97-44

 

Class B
#10 Kindred def. #1 Kenmare-Bowbells, 62-52
#2 Rugby def. Four Winds-Minnewaukan, 52-32
Our Redeemer’s def. Westhope-Newburg, 61-49
Bottineau def. Bishop Ryan, 64-24
Nedrose def. Des Lacs-Burlington, 42-37
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Velva, 51-38
Surrey def. Powers Lake-Burke Central, 49-35
TGU def. Harvey-Wells County, 66-45
KIlldeer def. New Town, 61-36

Ray Shootout
Mandaree def. Divide County, 42-31
Parshall def. Alexander, 42-29
Trenton def. Ray, 52-34

Devils Lake Class B Day
Benson County def. Midway-Minto, 54-26
New Rockford-Sheyenne def. Hatton-Northwood, 58-56
Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich def. Kidder County, 50-45
#7 May-Port-CG def. North Prairie, 53-48
#9 Garrison def. St. John, 49-46
Drake-Anamoose def. Warwick, 61-24

 

High School Boys Hockey
West Fargo Sheyenne def. Minot High, 4-1
Bismarck Century def. Williston, 9-2
Bismarck High def. Bottineau-Rugby, 4-3 OT

 

High School Girls Hockey
Bismarck High-Legacy def. Williston, 4-1

 

High School Boys Swimming & Diving
Minot High def. Williston, 123-63

 

Fargo Manley Invite
1. Fargo Davies, 487.5
2. Fargo North, 479
3. Bismarck High, 478.5
4. Bismarck Century, 452
5. Fargo South, 284
6. Mandan, 136

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Williston def. Jamestown, 37-34
Jamestown def. Watford City, 69-12
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Mandan, 55-24
Bismarck Legacy def. Dickinson, 43-24

 

Panther Booster Tournament – Rugby
1. New Salem, 217.5
2. Valley City, 134.5
3. Northern Lights, 129.0
4. Bishop Ryan, 127.5
5. Velva, 121.0
6. Central Cass, 120.5
7. Williams County, 119.0
8. Turtle Mountain, 116.0
9. Kenmare, 109.0
10. Pembina County North, 103.5
11. Linton-HMB, 91.0
12. Des Lacs-Burlington, 88.0
13. Hillsboro-Central Valley, 80.0
14. Beulah-Hazen, 78.0
15. Stanley, 72.0
16. Rugby, 58.0
17. Napoleon, 57.5
18. Harvey-Wells County, 54.0
19. Bowman County/Beach, 40.5
20. Grafton, 38.5
21. Mondak, 29.0
22. Carrington, 0.0
22. Kindred, 0.0
22. New Town, 0.0

 

High School Girls Wrestling
Magic City Tournament – Minot
1. Bismarck Legacy, 188.0
2. Minot High, 168.0
3. Central Cass, 163.0
4. South Border, 115.5
5. Grand Forks, 112.5
6. Des-Lac-Burlington, 110.0
7. Pembina County North, 105.0
8. Valley City, 99.0
9. Mandan, 72.0
10. Dickinson, 44.0
11. New Salem-Almont, 42.0
12. MonDak, 40.0
13. Stanley, 38.0
14. Harvey – Wells County, 26.0
15. White Shield, 24.0
16. Rugby, 23.0
17. Napoleon, 21.0
18. Beulah-Hazen, 19.0
19. Velva, 17.0
20. New Town, 16.0
21. Linton-HMB, 11.0
22. Turtle Mountain, 7.0
23. Ray, 2.0
24. Hope Christian Academy, 0.0
24. Williston, 0.0

 

College Mens Basketball
Minot State def. Augustana, 73-65
North Dakota State def. Omaha, 78-65
Denver def. North Dakota, 78-71

 

College Womens Basketball
Augustana def. Minot State, 74-67
North Dakota State def. Omaha, 83-71
North Dakota def. Denver 68-57

 

College Mens Hockey
Minot State def. Central Oklahoma, 4-1
Western Michigan def. North Dakota, 7-6

 

College Womens Hockey
Indiana Tech def. Minot State, 5-0

 

NAHL Hockey
Aberdeen Wings def. Minot Minotauros 5-2
Bismarck Bobcats def. North Iowa Bulls, 3-1

———————————————————-

 

MINOT STATE TRACK

 

BISMARCK, N.D. – Another record and three more wins: The Beavers made a triumphant return to track and field competition Saturday at the Mike Thorson Open hosted by the University of Mary. Returning from the holiday break after more than a month off since last competing, the Minot State track and field teams turned in a strong performance as freshman Summer Krebsbach led the way for the women, breaking her own school record in 60-meter dash. On the men’s side, Nathan Trujillo-Aragon remained perfect this season in the 60-meter hurdles with his second win in two outings while teammates Corbin Harris and Jacob Jensen also added victories for the Beaver men in the weight throw and 1,000 meters, respectively.

 

One student-athlete running a personal best was Krebsbach who broke the NCAA Division II school record in the 60-meter dash in her collegiate debut back in December, then broke her own record in the prelims on Saturday clocking a time of 8.00 seconds. Krebsbach ended up third in the 60 finals in 8.09 seconds, and also added a third-place finish in the 200 in a personal-best time of 26.93 seconds. Her efforts were part of a strong showing for the ladies who tacked on four more third-place finishes at the meet as Nicole Reeves was third in 1,000 meters in a personal-best time of 3 minutes, 23.89 seconds, Sidra Sadowsky was third in the mile in a personal-best time of 5:26.04, Chloe Gunderson was third in the shot put with a throw of 39 feet, 25 inches, and the Beaver 4×400 relay team of Sadowsky, Krebsbach, Reeves, and Paulette Dominguez was third in 4:36.77.

 

On the men’s side, Trujillo-Aragon led the way for the second straight meet claiming his second straight 60-meter hurdles win with a time of 8.59 in the finals. He qualified for the finals with a meet-best 8.50, just fractions of a second off his own NCAA D-II school record in the event of 8.47, which he ran in 2021. Adding to the victory rush was Jacob Jensen who won the 1,000 meters in his first competition of the indoor season in 2:34.21, the top time this winter in the NSIC. Juan Gutierrez and Charles Hardcastle added personal bests as they finished second in the 600 (1:26.51) and 800 (2:01.32), respectively. And in the field events, Corbin Harris added the third win of the day for the Beavers in the weight throw with an effort of 49 feet, 9.25 inches while Samuel Kreins was third in the shot put with a throw of 46-8.

 

Now back in full swing for the indoor season, the Beavers head to South Dakota next weekend to compete at South Dakota State in the D2 Invitational on Friday and the Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitational on Saturday.

———————————————————–

 

WOLVES-CAVS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 26 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves got a huge boost from their bench in a 110-102 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Naz Reid scored 17 of Minnesota’s 56 bench points, while Jalen Nowell had 16. Luka Garza added nine for the short-handed Wolves. Minnesota was without Rudy Gobert for the second half due to right groin soreness, and Jaden McDaniels picked up his fifth foul just 2:37 into the second half. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen both scored 19 points for Cleveland, and Darius Garland added 15. Donovan Mitchell, who was questionable for Saturday’s game with an illness, finished with 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

———————————————————-

 

WILD-COYOTES

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Mats Zuccarello and Freddy Gaudreau scored 51 seconds apart in the second period, and the Minnesota Wild held off the reeling Arizona Coyotes 2-1. Kirill Kaprizov nearly had a milestone goal and Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves for Minnesota, playing its lone home game in a seven-game stretch. The Wild are 14-2-0 in their last 16 against the Coyotes. Lawson Crouse scored and Connor Ingram stopped 25 shots for Arizona, which has lost eight straight games — all in regulation — while getting outscored 33-15. It is the most consecutive losses by the Coyotes since dropping nine in a row from Oct. 18 to Nov. 5, 2021.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Parshall/North Shore-Plaza scored the first 12 points of the game and led by as many as 13 in the second quarter, but they couldn’t hold on to the lead as Kenmare-Bowbells came back to tally a 66-62 win last night in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. Luke Crosby scored 16 points for the Honkers, while Peyton Helwig came off the bench to add 13 as Kenmare-Bowbells improves their record to 4-5. The Braves were led by Joaquin Powell with a game-high 19. Tyson Odermann added 17 points as Parshall-NSP drops to 4-3.

 

Other scores from Friday:

 

 

Class A
#2 Mandan def. Watford City, 86-59
#3 Minot High def. Williston, 69-49
Bismarck High def. Dickinson, 82-66
Turtle Mountain def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 81-74

 

Class B
#4 Bishop Ryan def. Berthold, 80-27
Beulah def. #6 Shiloh Christian, 51-46
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Glenburn, 79-26
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Our Redeemer’s, 62-44
Surrey def. South Prairie, 52-51
Velva def. Bottineau, 57-52
Dunseith def. Westhope-Newburg, 65-60
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Nedrose, 67-47

 

 

Class A
Bismarck High def. Dickinson, 68-57
Mandan def. Watford City, 90-39
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Turtle Mountain, 79-51

 

Class B
#1 Kenmare-Bowbells def. #5 Carrington, 54-44
Westhope-Newburg def. Dunseith, 59-29
North Prairie def. North Star, 56-41
Harvey-Wells County def. Warwick, 68-37
Tioga def. Alexander, 57-13

 

High School Boys Hockey
Minot High def. Jamestown, 3-1

 

High School Girls Hockey
Mandan def. Bismarck Century, 2-1 SO
Bismarck High-Legacy def. Fargo Davies, 2-1 OT

 

High School Girls Gymnastics
Judy Ziegler Meet – Bismarck
1. Dickinson, 147.225
2. Bismarck Century, 140.100
3. Jamestown, 138.500
4. Minot High, 135.175
5. Bismarck Legacy, 131.650
7. Mandan, 126.925
8. Grand Forks, 126.575
9. Northwest Stars, 116.075
10. Bismarck High, 47.675

 

All-Around winner: Elizabeth Karsky, Dickinson, 37.100

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Dickinson def. Mandan, 63-15
Williston def. Bismarck High, 32-30
Jamestown def. Bismarck Century, 34-33

 

 

High School Girls Wrestling
Jamestown def. Bismarck Century, 42-30
Bismarck High def. Mandan, 65-12
Mandan def. Dickinson, 60-18

 

College Mens Basketball
Minot State def. Wayne State, 80-79

 

College Womens Basketball
Minot State def. Wayne State, 70-57

 

College Mens Hockey
Minot State def. Illinois State, 5-1
Western Michigan def. North Dakota, 4-0

 

College Womens Hockey
Indiana Tech def. Minot State, 5-2

 

College Mens Wrestling
Northern State def. Minot State, 32-10

 

College Womens Wrestling
York Duals – York, Nebraska
Texas Wesleyan def. Minot State, 35-10
York University (Neb) def. Minot State 34-5
Wayland Baptist def. Minot State, 25-7
Minot State def. Jarvis Christian College, 15-5

 

NAHL Hockey
Minot Minotaurs def. Aberdeen Wings, 4-0
North Iowa Bulls def. Bismarck Bobcats, 2-1

———————————————————-

 

TIMBERWOLVES-SUNS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, D’Angelo Russell had 17 and the Minnesota Timberwolves held off the short-handed Phoenix Suns 121-116 on Friday night. Taurean Prince added 16 points off the bench and fellow reserve Naz Red had 13 points for Minnesota. The Timberwolves won for the fourth time in five games and bounced back from a 135-118 loss in Detroit on Wednesday night. Damion Lee led Phoenix with a career-high 31 points and Mikal Bridges had 24. The Suns were again without stars Chris Paul and Devin Booker, along with Cameron Johnson and backcourt backups Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet. Deandre Ayton returned after missing two games with a left ankle sprain and had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

——————————————————-

 

VIKINGS-SPECIAL TEAMS

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The bond Matt Daniels has developed with his players in his first season as special teams coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings stretches out of the practice facility and into the parking lot. Each week, Daniels turns over his designated space to a player whose effort and performance on the unsung units of the kicking game warrants the honor. From the VIP vehicle treatment to his self-appointed player nicknames to the custom-made hats — with “ST” on the front and an African proverb about the strength of community on the side — he gave the group, Daniels has done his best to make Minnesota’s special teams, well, special. That starts with strategy meetings that are always interactive, never paternalistic. The fellowship was strengthened during training camp when Daniels’ father, Bruce, died of a heart attack. Daniels told his players he needed their support, and the connection has only grown since. “I’m always big on a two-way flow of communication,” Daniels said. “I don’t want to be up there where you’re constantly hearing me talk for 30 or 40 minutes and I’m not hearing any type of conversation coming back at me.”

 

The 33-year-old’s first season in a leadership position at any level has coincided with an overall improvement by the Vikings in this vital area and facilitated a unique camaraderie on a team that counts strong chemistry as a major asset entering the playoffs. They host the New York Giants in the wild-card round on Sunday. “It’s just great to have a coach who’s trusting in you, believing in you, kind of feeling like a player on team in the way he’s integrated himself into the building,” said backup safety Josh Metellus, who blocked punts in consecutive games last month and was recently voted as a replacement captain for injured right tackle Brian O’Neill. All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola is “Sir Po.” Kicker Greg Joseph is “G-Money.” Practice squad wide receiver Dan Chisena is “Hot Sauce.” Daniels goes by “Hat,” a moniker that stuck with him in college after a big hit in practice.

 

Daniels got a degree in public policy at Duke, where he was a first team All-ACC safety in 2011. He latched on as an undrafted rookie with the Rams and lasted four years in the league. Painfully bad luck for his playing career served as a seed-planting spark for his move into coaching, even if he didn’t fully appreciate it while rehabilitating a torn ACL and MCL in his knee in 2012 and then a broken tibia and fibula and dislocated ankle in 2013. Both of those injuries occurred while blocking on kick returns when another player rolled into his leg. John Fassel, then the Rams special teams coordinator, started an apprenticeship of sorts to help Daniels stay involved during his time on injured reserve. He taught him the nuances of reviewing film and even assigned him presentations to the special-teamers for that week’s game plan. So it was only fitting that Daniels found his first coaching job in the NFL as Fassel’s assistant in 2018. He went with him to the Cowboys in 2020, and a year ago new Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell hired Daniels to run the whole special teams show.

 

“Matt brings a lot of juice to the coaching staff. He brings a lot more swag than I do, certainly, and he’s done a phenomenal job with that group,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “As far as my time in the league, I think this unit is more invested than maybe any. Sometimes there’s guys who are just waiting to get their shot other places, and obviously guys want to play on offense and defense, but we’ve got a lot of guys, core special teams guys, that are really excited about going out there and really making plays to change the game.”

 

Rookie Ryan Wright is ninth in the NFL in percentage of punts inside the 20-yard line and seventh in the league in net punting average. The Vikings are also eighth in the NFL in average starting field position differential. They gave up a touchdown on a kickoff return by Packers All-Pro Keisean Nixon two weeks ago, but Kene Nwangwu scored on a kickoff return in a seven-point win over the Patriots on Nov. 24. And while Joseph has missed seven field goals and six extra points, he has five game-winning kicks. His ability to read the room and know his players have helped Daniels coach Joseph through multiple slumps, favoring the less-is-more approach to keep from psyching his kicker out. That’s one example of the profile Daniels has been building as a potential future head coach. “I love playing for the man, but at the same time if it does happen while I’m still here, I’m going to be his biggest supporter,” DePaola said. “I’m going to be like, ‘Hey, you’ve got it.’ Because not only does he have a special knack for coaching teams, he has a special knack with relating with everybody on the team.”

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – We have boys basketball on the air tonight as Parshall/North Shore-Plaza will host Kenmare-Bowbells. Pregame is just past 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com. and through the Live365 app.

 

Scores from Thursday:

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Cenury def. #3 Bismarck Legacy, 77-60

 

Class B
#1 Kenmare-Bowbells def. #9 Garrison, 61-33
#3 Thompson def. #7 May-Port-CG, 63-39
#4 Central McLean def. New Salem-Almont, 61-23
#7 Central Cass def. #5 Carrington, 65-32
Our Redeemer’s def. Bishop Ryan, 49-17
South Prairie-Max def. Des Lacs-Burlington, 44-36
Berthold def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 51-36
Surrey def. Glenburn, 62-26
Westhope-Newburg def. Velva, 59-48
Bottineau def. TGU, 46-45
Drake-Anamoose def. Nedrose, 52-36
North Shore-Plaza def. Williston Trinity Christian, 48-44
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Mandaree, 50-43
Hazen def. Heart River, 40-36
Beulah def. Killdeer, 68-41

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck Legacy, 60-55

 

Class B
Rugby def. #7 North Star, 59-48
North Prairie def. St. John, 62-50
Garrison def. Central McLean, 68-41
Wilton-Wing def. Washburn, 78-60
New Salem-Almont def. Max, 54-31
Nedrose def. Drake-Anamoose, 76-73
Tioga def. New Town, 48-25
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Mandaree, 72-30
Stanley def. Divide County, 49-45 OT

 

High School Boys Hockey
Bismarck Legacy def. Bottineau-Rugby, 10-3
Bismarck Century def. Hazen-Beulah, 8-1
Bismarck High def. Williston, 4-2
Mandan def. Dickinson, 4-3

 

High School Girls Hockey
Williston def. Minot High, 4-1
Fargo North-South def. Jamestown, 5-0

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Bismarck High def. Minot High, 34-28
Jamestown def. Dickinson, 52-19
Watford City def. Turtle Mountain, 39-36
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Bismarck Century, 37-34

 

High School Girls Wrestling
Minot High def. Bismarck High, 42-33

—————————————————————–

 

MSU MEN’S WRESTLING

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (MSU) – The Beavers got a pair of victories but that was all they could muster Thursday night in an NSIC-opening dual at Augustana. The host Vikings (6-6 duals, 1-0 NSIC) picked up three wins by pins and added two more technical-fall victories, fueling their 37-9 team win over Minot State (5-4, 0-1). The Beavers answered with a 9-3 decision win by Ethan Wonser at 141 pounds, getting them on the board, and Shane Hansen added a win by pin 49 seconds into the third round at heavyweight. James Davis nearly added another victory for the Beavers, battling hard against John Babineau in their 133-pound match only to fall 6-5. The Beavers are back in action Friday, continuing their NSIC-opening road trip in South Dakota as they compete at Northern State at 7 p.m.

———————————————————————–

 

UND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND) – Kacie Borowicz’s go-ahead bucket with 12 seconds to play capped a late rally by North Dakota and boosted the Fighting Hawks to a 65-63 victory over Omaha on Thursday night at a raucous Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks. UND (10-6, 3-3 Summit League) trailed by three, 63-60, with 2:56 to play, but the NoDak defense held the Mavericks without a point (8-8, 3-2 Summit League) and forced turnovers to complete a 5-0 run and the comeback victory to improve to 8-0 at home this season. Following a Borowicz basket to trim the lead to one, Claire Orth forced a turnover with a steal to give the ball back to the hosts in the final 30 seconds. Despite a giveaway on the offensive end, the North Dakota defense forced a second turnover on the ensuing possession for another chance at the lead. The senior wouldn’t miss a second time, as the league’s top scorer drilled a basket from the elbow to give UND a 64-63 lead with 12 seconds to play. Borowicz was up to her usual ways on the offensive side of the ball, scoring a game-high 18 points while dishing out six assists, grabbing five rebounds and a block in 37 minutes of action. North Dakota looks to make it a weekend sweep against Denver on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. from the Betty. 

——————————————————————–

 

NDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU) – Abby Graham netted a season-high 22 points to help lead the North Dakota State women’s basketball team past Denver, 71-43, on Thursday night at Scheels Center. With the win, NDSU improves to 11-5 (5-1 Summit) on the season, including a 7-0 mark at home. It marks the best start to a home schedule since the 2004-05 season. Graham paced the Bison with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 from behind the arc. Heaven Hamling also reached double figures in scoring with 13 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists. Emily Behnke rounded out the top performers with a game-high and career-best 12 rebounds. As a team, NDSU shot 50.9 percent (28-55) from the field and a season-best 58.3 percent (7-12) from three with nine different players contributing in the scoring column. The Bison posted 38 points in the paint and the bench netted 41 points.

 

After both teams traded points to begin the contest, NDSU came alive closing the first quarter on a 7-0 run to open up a 22-15 advantage. The Bison carried the energy over starting the second quarter on an 11-1 run to extend their lead to 33-16 following a layup from Graham in the paint with 6:52 to play in the half. NDSU continued to surge stretching their lead up to 22, 44-22, following a triple from Graham with 58 seconds to play in the half. The Bison outscored the Pioneers in the second quarter, 22-10, and led at the intermission, 44-25. NDSU shot a game-best 69.2 percent (9-13) from the field in the second frame. Denver attempted to make a comeback in the third quarter trimming the edge back down to 13, 48-35, after Mikayla Brandon knocked down a triple at the 6:31 mark. NDSU responded to slowly grow its largest lead of the game, 71-43, with 27 seconds to play in the fourth quarter following layup from Rachel Novak. The Bison closed out the rest of the time to earn the 71-43 victory. NDSU has now won five of its last six games and will be back in action hosting Omaha on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Scheels Center.

———————————————————

 

UND MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

OMAHA, Neb. (UND) – North Dakota fell 69-63 Thursday night to the Omaha Mavericks, in a game that was tightly contested throughout. Treysen Eaglestaff led the Fighting Hawks with 13 points while Tsotne Tsartsidze had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds; the first of Tsartsidze’s career. After Omaha jumped out to an 8-4 lead to begin the game, the Hawks went on an 11-2 run—which was started and concluded by a three from Matt Norman to go up 15-10. Norman hit four three pointers in the opening frame to pace the Hawks, who led by as many as nine in the half at 25-16. Hot shooting from Omaha kept the game close as North Dakota went into the locker room with a 31-29 edge. The two teams traded the lead back and forth to start the second half, but a steal and dunk from B.J. Omot began a 10-2 run that propelled the Hawks to a 45-36 lead, capped off with a layup from Eaglestaff. Omaha chipped away with 9:09 to go and took the lead at 50-49. The Mavericks held off the Hawks for the rest of the game. Three Hawks finished in double figures with Eaglestaff leading the way with 13, Norman chipping in 12 and Tsartsidze scoring 11. Tsartsidze also blocked two shots while Eaglestaff had three steals. The Hawks shot 22-for-66 from the field and 9-for-27 from three-point range, six of those treys came in the first half. North Dakota will visit Denver on Saturday to conclude the road trip, with a 2 p.m. (CT) tip off.

———————————————————————–

 

NDSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

DENVER, Colo. (NDSU) – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team rolled to a 90-70 victory over the Denver Pioneers on Thursday night, extending its win streak to four games. The Bison improved 4-2 in Summit League play. NDSU never trailed in the game, and led by as many as 27 in the second half. NDSU junior Grant Nelson filled the stat sheet with 17 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals. Three Bison joined Nelson in double-figure scoring – Jacari White and Boden Skunberg with 15 points apiece, and Damari Wheeler-Thomas with 10. Sophomore forward Andrew Morgan registered a career-high four assists for NDSU. NDSU led 40-34 in the final minute of the first half when Skunberg hit a deep three-pointer at the halftime buzzer. The Bison scored the first seven points of the second half and led by at least 13 the rest of the way. The Bison shot 53 percent for the game, compared to 47 percent for Denver. NDSU has now won 10 straight vs. Denver. The Bison will play at Omaha on Saturday at Noon CT.

————————————————————————–

 

WILD-ISLANDERS

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Frederick Gaudreau, Sam Steel and Kirill Kaprizov scored in the third period to lift the Minnesota Wild to a 3-1 victory against the New York Islanders. Filip Gustavsson made 19 saves for the Wild, who snapped a three-game losing streak in the finale of a two-game road trip. Scott Mayfield scored for New York, and Ilya Sorokin finished with 33 saves. It was the Islanders’ fourth consecutive loss.

—————————————————————————-

 

VIKINGS-PLAYOFFS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings quickly found their stride under rookie head coach Kevin O’Connell as a confident, close-knit and resilient team — featuring the league’s leading receiver — with an NFL-record 11 wins by eight points or fewer. Just because O’Connell’s career is ascending doesn’t mean this season of strong wills and late-game thrills can be replicated with the current core. The Vikings face eight-figure salary-cap hits in 2023 for eight players, five of them age 30 and older, in a crunch that likely will force the departure of a key player or two. Then there’s the statistical improbability of staying undefeated under O’Connell in one-score games. “NFL stands for ‘not for long,’ and people move on. I kind of felt like this is a special group, and there’s a time sensitivity here where we’ve got to do it now,” quarterback Kirk Cousins said after the Vikings beat the New York Giants on Dec. 24.

 

The playoffs have arrived, starting with a rematch on Sunday against the Giants in the wild-card round. The Vikings (13-4) are back after a two-year absence that triggered the coaching change, eager to prove their viability despite a negative point differential that has fueled external doubts about their legitimacy as a contender in the wide-open NFC. “We can be as dangerous as we want to be,” said Justin Jefferson, whose 1,809 yards and 128 receptions were the sixth and seventh-most of all time. “I feel like we shoot ourselves in the foot the majority of the time when things don’t go our way.” The Giants (9-7-1) are in the playoffs for the first time since 2016, with their own first-time head coach in Brian Daboll. They went 22-59 over the previous five seasons. “To be on the other side of it, it means a lot. It’s about what we do now from this point on and how we handle this opportunity, how we prepare and ultimately how we play,” quarterback Daniel Jones said. “We’re certainly happy we are where we are. But there’s a lot more.”

 

The Giants haven’t had a postseason victory since their Super Bowl championship 11 years ago. They snagged the second of three wild-card spots while playing in the NFL’s strongest division this season, but after winning only two of their last eight games, they largely are being overlooked in the field while likely having to play on the road the entire time they’re alive. “We’re going to be humble about it, and we’re going to go about our work while everybody sleeps on us,” safety Julian Love said. “We take it one week at a time. We know it’s never going to be perfect. We’re going to continue to be who we are.”

 

STAYING GROUNDED

The Giants, who were fourth in the league in rushing, have run for at least one touchdown in a franchise-record 15 straight games. Saquon Barkley’s return to his rookie-year form after a couple of injury-wrecked seasons was one of the catalysts for the turnaround by the Giants, who gave him 352 touches — including a team-high-tying 57 receptions — for the third-most in the NFL. “We know he has a bunch of tools,” Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks said. “We know that they’re going to give him the ball any way they can.”

 

SECONDARY REINFORCEMENTS

Jefferson had 12 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown and tight end T.J. Hockenson had 13 catches for 109 yards and two scores in the matchup last month, but the Giants have safety Xavier McKinney back from the broken hand that cost him seven games. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since Nov. 20, could be ready this week as well. “Even when me and Adoree’ are out there, they’re going to make plays,” McKinney said. “When you face another great player, you have to limit them. You can’t really stop them all the way.”

 

IF THE GAME COMES DOWN TO A KICK …

Both teams ought to be confident. Graham Gano was 29 of 32 on field-goal attempts and 32 of 34 on extra points for the Giants. One of his field-goal misses was blocked, and the other was a 58-yarder into the wind on the last play of overtime in the 20-20 tie against Washington on Dec. 4. He scored 119 points and set a team record with eight field goals of 50-plus yards. Greg Joseph gave the Vikings the 27-24 victory three weeks ago with a franchise-record 61-yard field goal as time expired. Though he missed seven field goals (26 for 33) and six extra points (40 for 46), Joseph had a team-record five game-winning field goals this season.

 

CAN’T HEAR YOU

The Vikings will have a handy advantage with the crowd noise at home, where they’re 40-18 since U.S. Bank Stadium opened in 2016. The only NFC team with a better home record since then is Green Bay (45-16-1). The Vikings hosted only one playoff game in their first six years at U.S. Bank Stadium, the “Minneapolis Miracle” win over New Orleans on a last-play touchdown pass in the divisional round after the 2017 season.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Bismarck Century remains atop both Class A Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

               (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (17)           7-0           85            1
2. Mandan (1)                             7-0            68            2
3. Minot High                               8-1           50            3
4. Fargo Davies                          8-2           34            4
5. Grand Forks Red River          6-2           15            5

 

Others receiving votes: Bismarck Legacy (5-3)

———-

 

 

               (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (16)           5-2           84           1
2. Grand Forks Red River (1)     9-0           64           4
3. Bismarck Legacy                   7-0            52           3
4. Minot High                               7-2            34           2
5. Fargo Davies                          8-1           19           RV

 

Others receiving votes: West Fargo (7-2)

————————————————————

 

MSU MEN’S HOCKEY

 

UNION LAKE, Mich. – Minot State University starts 2023 in the top spot in the 2022-2023 American Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s Division 1 Ranking. The Beavers are undefeated in Men’s Division I action this season and No. 1 for the fifth consecutive ranking period. Minot State is 18-1 on the season with their only loss coming to two-time defending DII national champ the University of Mary. Adrian College remains No. 2 and Liberty University No. 3. The University of Jamestown jumps four spot to No. 4 with Nevada-Las Vegas rounding out the top 5. Minot State is heading to Oklahoma this weekend for the University of Central Oklahoma Showcase, the Beavers will spar with the 10th-ranked Illinois State University Redbirds (Friday at noon), the 8th-ranked Bronchos of University of Central Oklahoma (Saturday, 7:45 p.m.), and the University of Oklahoma Sooners (Sunday, 2:45 p.m.) for a three game-series.

————————————————————-

 

TIMBERWOLVES-PISTONS

 

DETROIT (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 31 points and the Detroit Pistons rallied to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-118. Bojan Bogdanovic added 27 points for the shorthanded Pistons, who were down 10-0 in the first three minutes. Four other players had at least 13 points. Anthony Edwards scored 20 for Minnesota, which had won four straight since a 116-104 loss to Detroit on New Year’s Eve. D’Angelo Russell added 19 and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 14 rebounds. Edwards missed the third quarter with hip soreness and Russell picked up two fouls early in the period, sending him to the bench with four. Without them, Minnesota struggled at both ends of the floor, allowing the Pistons to take a 94-81 lead with three minutes left in the period. The Pistons outscored Minnesota 36-23 in the third to take a 101-87 lead. Edwards returned for the fourth, scoring 15 points, but Detroit was never threatened. UP NEXT: Timberwolves host the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

————————————————————–

 

VIKINGS-PLAYOFFS

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — When the Minnesota Vikings beat the New York Giants three weeks ago, they allowed plenty of pressure on quarterback Kirk Cousins — including four sacks. Minnesota was down one starting offensive lineman in the game; center Garrett Bradbury, who missed the Vikings’ final five games of the regular season. Minnesota’s offensive line is in more flux as the two teams match up again in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings are without standout right tackle Brian O’Neill for the rematch and they still have uncertainty at center. Bradbury (back) could possibly return Sunday afternoon after returning to practice on a limited basis Wednesday.

 

Backup tackle Blake Brandel, who started three games in place of injured left tackle Christian Darrisaw earlier this season before sustaining a knee injury, was designated to return from injured reserve and is expected to be available Sunday. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m looking at it like Blake is 100% ready to go now,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “We’ll just see how he responds to some real work. We’re going to be full-speed today and padded up tomorrow, so we’ll get to see some real, tangible evidence of what he can do for us Sunday, as well as some other guys.”

 

O’Neill and Austin Schlottman, who started at center for Bradbury against New York, were put on injured reserve last week. The Vikings started third-string center Chris Reed and backup tackle Oli Udoh against Chicago in the regular-season finale. Bradbury’s potential return would be a boost. “He’ll practice today in a limited capacity and then we’ll just see how he feels after,” O’Connell said. “I know he’s been feeling really good, it’s been positive reports and kind of the mindset of trying to go this week. But as I’ve said with multiple other injuries this year, we won’t put Garrett in a position unless we think he can succeed and be healthy doing so, so it’ll be something we work through throughout the week.”

 

Safety Harrison Smith (knee) and linebacker Brian Asamoah (knee) were also limited in practice Wednesday. Smith was inactive for the regular-season finale against Chicago. Cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. was held out of practice Wednesday due to a personal matter, while defensive lineman James Lynch (shoulder) returned to practice for the first time since being injured against the Giants.

————————————————————

 

TWINS-CORREA

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Forget about RBIs and OPS. Carlos Correa’s free-agent destination was decided by MRIs. At the end of the most convoluted high-profile free-agent negotiation in baseball history, the small-market Minnesota Twins ended up with the All-Star shortstop — and not the San Francisco Giants or New York Mets — because of their doctors’ comfort with Correa’s surgicaly repaired right leg. San Francisco balked at finalizing a $350 million, 13-year contract with the 28-year-old, and then the Mets hesitated to close a $315 million, 12-year deal, both after a scan of Correa’s tibia alarmed their physicians. As it turned out, those concerns cost Correa over $100 million in guaranteed money.

 

Correa, best known as the shortstop for the 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros, spent 2022 with Minnesota. The team’s medical staff, having examined the two-time All-Star several times over the past year, felt more comfortable with the ankle, which was repaired in 2014. And so the Twins went ahead with a $200 million, six-year agreement that was finalized Wednesday — 29 days after Correa agreed with the Giants and 21 days after he struck a deal with the Mets.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Stanley defeated Berthold 84-30 last night in a boys basketball game we broadcast on K-Heart. Nine players scored for the Blue Jays led by Laramie Smith with 14 points, Carter Ruden added 12 and Tristen Barstad and Drake Schlosser were in double-figures with 10 points a piece. The Bombers were led by Logan Thompson with 11. Stanley improves their record to 6-2 while Berthold drops to 0-7.

 

Other scores from Tuesday:

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Williston, 84-44
#2 Mandan def. Jamestown, 64-59
#3 Minot High def. Turtle Mountain, 91-69
Dickinson def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 82-71

 

Class B
#4 Bishop Ryan def. Velva, 65-46
Des Lacs-Burlington def. TGU, 72-35
Our Redeemer’s def. Nedrose, 53-29
Bottineau def. Surrey, 60-48
Westhope-Newburg def. Rugby, 68-64
St. John def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 73-59
Wilton-Wing def. Max, 85-40
Hazen def. Garrison, 82-65
Washburn def. Center-Stanton, 49-39
Beulah def. Hettinger-Scranton, 76-41
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. New Town, 74-41
Tioga def. Trenton, 56-47
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Ray, 63-14

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Williston, 82-42
#2 Minot High def. Turtle Mountain, 105-51
Jamestown def. Mandan, 72-59
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Dickinson, 61-43

 

Class B
#9 Garrison def. #4 Central McLean, 58-49
#6 Shiloh Christian def. Flasher, 80-54
Parshall def. Williston Trinity Christian, 55-19
North Shore-Plaza def. Alexander, 35-34
Stanley def. Divide County, 58-44
Trenton def. White Shield, 65-14
New Rockford-Sheyenne def. Harvey-Wells County, 47-38

Minot High def. Williston, 9-1
Bismarck Century def. Bismarck High, 5-2
Bismarck Legacy def. Dickinson, 3-0
Hazen-Beulah def. Watford City Jr. Gold, 5-3
Mandan def. Jamestown, 4-1

 

High School Girls Hockey
Mandan def. Dickinson, 6-4

 

High School Girls Gymnastics
Bismarck Meet
1. Bismarck Century, 140.450
2. Jamestown, 135.975
3. Minot High, 133.800
4. Bismarck Legacy, 131.450
5. Grand Forks, 130.125
6. Wahpeton, 129.300
7. Fargo, 123.400
8. Northwest Stars, 109.825
9. Bismarck High, 87.050

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Minot High def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 59-19
Minot High def. Watford City, 66-10
Bismarck St. Mary’s def. Watford City, 61-18

——————————————————————-

 

WILD-RANGERS

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored the deciding goal in a shootout and the New York Rangers beat the Minnesota Wild 4-3. K’Andre Miller and Adam Fox each had a goal and an assist, and Filip Chytil also scored for New York. Igor Shesterkin finished with 28 saves as the Rangers moved to 4-0-2 in their last six games. Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello and Jon Merrill scored and Sam Steel had two assists for Minnesota, which is 9-3-2 in its last 14 games. Marc-Andre Fleury had a season-high 41 saves. Kaapo Kakko scored for the Rangers and Zuccarello for the Wild in the first round of the tiebreaker.

——————————————————————

 

VIKINGS-PLAYOFFS

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson won the national championship with LSU in his last college game, making this three-year wait for a postseason appearance with Minnesota that much more frustrating for the NFL’s leading receiver. Four weeks after clinching their division, and more than 32 months after drafting Jefferson, the NFC North champion Vikings have finally entered the playoffs. “I enjoy those big-platform games, and of course I want to get to that Super Bowl,” Jefferson said after Minnesota’s 29-13 tuneup win at Chicago on Sunday. “So whoever’s standing in the way, we’ve got to knock them down.”

 

With a league-record 11-0 mark in one-score games this season, eight of them after trailing at some point in the fourth quarter, the Vikings have cut their teeth in more than their share of tense situations. This is another level of pressure, though, that Jefferson and several of his teammates have never experienced in purple. The Vikings (13-4) will host the New York Giants (9-7-1) on Sunday in the wild-card round, the first playoff game at U.S. Bank Stadium since the Minneapolis Miracle last-play win over New Orleans five years ago. The last postseason game for the Vikings was a divisional-round loss at San Francisco three years ago. “You have to have the mindset that, ‘I’m the only person that can stop this play or offensively I have to make this block or this won’t get a touchdown,’” defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said. “So being able to have that for a full 60 minutes or however long it takes, you have to some type of maturity. For our younger players who haven’t had that experience or even veteran players who never played in the playoffs, that could be a learning curve.”

 

WHAT’S WORKING

With the excellence of Jefferson, the play-calling by coach Kevin O’Connell and the precision from quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings have a passing attack that’s as dangerous, diverse and healthy as any team in the league. Four players had 60-plus receptions this season, and six players had 25 catches or more. K.J. Osborn has particularly stood out down the stretch.

 

WHAT NEEDS HELP

The Vikings rank eighth in the NFL in touchdown rate inside the 20, but they’re only 20th in the league in reaching the end zone from goal-to-go situations. That’s called the low red zone, where one of their few setbacks against the Bears developed at the end of the first half. The Vikings had first-and-goal at the 6 with 57 seconds remaining, but after burning two timeouts and running three plays for no net gain, they scrambled for a 24-yard field goal at the buzzer that didn’t count because they had 12 men on the field.

 

STOCK UP

Cornerback Patrick Peterson had five interceptions and 15 pass deflections, his highest totals since his second season in 2012. He played more than 95% of the snaps on defense at age 32.

 

STOCK DOWN

Cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. played in only 41 snaps over the final nine games. He was inactive at Chicago after a second aggravation of the ankle injury that first sidelined him during the game at Washington on Nov. 6, and Duke Shelley now has a firm grip on the starting spot. Shelley broke up a pass and had his first career interception on Sunday.

 

INJURY REPORT

After missing five straight games, center Garrett Bradbury will practice this week on a limited basis with no guarantee he’ll return from a back injury. “I just want Garrett to give it a go and see if he can turn the corner, and possibly help us, but at the same time I don’t want to put him in a position where he may not be the best,” O’Connell said. Albeit against a much more vulnerable defense and an opponent with only a draft pick to play for, the Vikings were more satisfied by the way Chris Reed played at center. Reed had been forced into action after Austin Schlottman suffered a broken leg on Jan. 1 at Green Bay. Blake Brandel will be designated for return from injured reserve, on track to complete his recovery from a knee injury and fill in for right tackle Brian O’Neill. If Brandel is not ready, Oli Udoh would stay in the spot that opened when O’Neill hurt his Achilles tendon and calf against the Packers.

 

KEY NUMBER

1,809 — Jefferson’s receiving yardage total in 17 games this season, the sixth-highest in history. The elusive 2,000-yard mark will land on the goal list for next season for Jefferson, who also led the league with 128 receptions. “It’s just another opportunity for next year, something to strive for. But as long as we’re in these playoffs, as long as we keep fighting, having this extra game, it doesn’t really matter,” Jefferson said.

 

UP NEXT

The Vikings played the Giants just three weeks ago, so the preparation for a postseason rematch ought to be more streamlined — and include more self-scouting. “I think it’s important that we look at our scheme in all three phases, what we’ve done and trying to identify where we’re vulnerable, but then also the things we’ve done well,” O’Connell said. “Can we take things to another level and can we do some new things and use different personnel?”

—————————————————

 

TWINS-CORREA

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A person familiar with the negotiations says Carlos Correa has agreed to a $200 million, six-year contract that keeps him with the Minnesota Twins after failing to complete deals with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. The deal for the All-Star shortstop is subject to a successful physical. Correa agreed Dec. 13 to a $350 million, 13-year contract with the Giants, who called off a news conference a week later over concerns with a right ankle injury. Correa agreed that night to a $315 million, 12-year deal with the Mets, who also had concerns about the ankle. The agreement with the Twins could be worth $270 million over 10 seasons if Correa remains healthy.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Brenna Stroklund and Kate Zimmer combined for 41 points as Kenmare-Bowbells defeated Velva 65-32 in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. Stroklund tallied 21 points and Zimmer added 20, including three 3’s as the #1 ranked Honkers improve to 10-0. Olivia Miller and Anya Olson each scored 7 points to lead Velva, who drops to 1-8 on the season.

 

We have more basketball on the air tonight as the Berthold boys host Stanley. Pregame is set for a little past 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com and through the LIve365 app.

 

Other scores from Monday:

 

Class B
#2 Rugby def. Drake-Anamoose, 84-31
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 53-23
Our Redeemer’s def. Glenburn, 48-32
South Prairie-Max def. Bishop Ryan, 69-40
Surrey def. Berthold, 70-43
Westhope-Newburg def. Nedrose, 65-54
Stanley def. Ray, 64-38
Tioga def. North Shore-Plaza, 73-34
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Trenton, 54-33
Alexander def. White Shield, 60-16
Hazen def. Richardton-Taylor, 45-38
Beulah def. Dickinson Trinity, 52-37
Washburn def. Center-Stanton, 51-39

 

High School Boys Basketball
Class B
Kenmare-Bowbells def. Ray, 74-19
Rugby JV def. Drake-Anmoose 65-44
South Prairie def. Central McLean,

—————————————————-

 

MINOT, ND – The same team remain atop this weeks Class B Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

            (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Kenmare-Bowbells (16)       9-0          177           1
2. Rugby (2)                              9-0          160           3
3. Thompson                             8-1          137           4
4. Central McLean                     8-0          118           5
5. Carrington                            10-0            88           7
6. Shiloh Christian                     10-1          79            2
T7. Central Cass                        6-2           64           RV
T7. May-Port-CG                        8-1           64            8
9. Garrison                                10-0           44           10
10. Kindred                                 6-2            29            6

 

Others receiving votes: Northern Cass (6-2), Oakes (6-1), Bowman County (8-1)

———-

 

 

                     (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Four Winds-Minnewaukan (18)     6-0         180            1
2. Central Cass                                  6-0         161            2
3. Grafton                                           6-0          138           4
4. Bishop Ryan                                  4-1          109           7
5. Sargent County                              6-0            80          10
6. Shiloh Christian                              4-2            74           3
7. North Star                                       6-1            69           6
8. Ellendale                                         7-0            48          NR
9. Thompson                                      3-3            35            5
10. North Border                                 5-1            31           RV

Others receiving votes: Des Lacs-Burlington (5-2), Beulah (4-1), Fargo Oak Grove (3-2), Bowman County (4-2), Standing Rock (6-1), Kindred (3-2), Glen Ullin-Hebron (7-1)

————————————————————

 

 

MSU HOCKEY

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The Beavers looked anything but road-weary Monday night at the Maysa Arena. Playing their third game in four days, and after a weekend road-trip to Nebraska, the top-ranked Minot State hockey team dominated early, broke the game open with a second-period offensive onslaught, and skated to a 7-0 win at home over visiting Colorado State. Carter Barley picked up his fourth career hat trick, and second of the season, scoring three goals in the win while Landyn Cochrane added two goals and three assists for the Beavers (18-1-0 overall), who hit the road now to play Illinois State, Central Oklahoma, and Oklahoma on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Central Oklahoma Classic. Jake Anthony stopped all 21 shots he faced in goal for Minot State, earning his third shutout this season and the sixth of his career. Cochrane ended up with the game-winner, scoring the first goal of the night just 1 minute, 22 seconds into the contest, and the Beavers never let up. Reece Henry added a first-period goal for 2-0 lead, then Minot State blew the game open in the second as Jay Buchholz scored with 9:21 gone in the stanza, then Cochrane made it 4-0 at the 12:30 mark. Barley then scored his first two of the game before the end of the period, just 30 seconds apart, for a comfortable 6-0 lead. Barley then finished career hat-trick No. 4 with the game’s final goal with 4:48 remaining in the Beavers win.

——————————————————

 

UND HOCKEY – NCHC HONORS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Following a pair of comeback victories over Lindenwood, two North Dakota players were honored by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) for the first time in their careers on Monday. Junior Tyler Kleven was named the NCHC Defenseman of the Week while freshman Ben Strinden garnered NCHC Rookie of the Week, as the Fargo, N.D. products shined in the two wins over the Lions.

 

Kleven had a massive weekend offensively, scoring four goals in a sweep of Lindenwood, including both game-winning goals. The Ottawa Senators prospect tallied two goals both nights for the first two multi-goal games of his college career. They were only his second and third career multi-point games as a Fighting Hawk, as well. In Friday’s series opener, Kleven helped UND rally from 3-1 down to a 4-3 win. He blasted a power play goal to make it a 3-2 game, before scoring the game-winner on the power play with 3:15 left in regulation. A night later, Kleven did it again, helping turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 victory. On Saturday he tied the game at 2-2 even strength, then scored his third power play goal and second game-winner of the weekend to break the 2-2 tie with 8:04 left in regulation. The Fargo, N.D., native completed the series with four points, tying for the most of any NCHC player on the weekend, while his four goals led all NCHC players. He fired a career-high seven shots on goal in Saturday’s win and ended with an NCHC-best 11 shots on the weekend. Kleven also posted a +3 rating, while helping UND finish the weekend 3-for-7 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill against the Lions. Kleven now has seven career game-winning goals, tying for the second-most among defensemen in North Dakota history. On the season, he now has five goals and 11 points after entering with only one goal and seven points all year. 

 

Strinden doubled his season point total last weekend, picking up three points in the sweep of Lindenwood. In Friday’s opener, he dished out the primary assist on the game-tying goal in the third period to complete a two-goal comeback as UND went on to win, 4-3. The next night, he recorded his second career multi-point game, again helping North Dakota rally for a 4-2 win. Trailing 2-0, Strinden scored his second goal of the season early in the second period to get UND on the board, then assisted on the game-tying goal less than five minutes later.  The rookie completed the series with a goal and two assists, while firing four shots on goal, including three on Saturday. He also posted a +2 rating. Strinden now has two goals and four assists for six points in 12 games this season. 

 

North Dakota remains home for a showdown against No. 12 Western Michigan on Friday and Saturday night from Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. 

—————————————————————–

 

FBS CHAMPIONSHIP

 

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Stetson Bennett threw two touchdown passes and ran for two scores in the first half as No. 1 Georgia demolished No. 3 TCU 65-7 to become the first team to win consecutive College Football Playoff national championships. The Bulldogs became the first repeat champs since Alabama went back-to-back a decade ago and left no doubt that they have replaced the Crimson Tide as the new bullies on the block. TCU, the first Cinderella team of the CFP era, never had a chance against the Georgia juggernaut and suffered the most lopsided loss in a national title game dating to the start of the BCS in 1998.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Girls high school basketball is on the air tonight as #1 Kenmare-Bowbells hosts Velva. The game was postponed from December and is the first of three nights of basketball on K-Heart this week. Pre-game begins a little after 7 pm on 106.9 K-Heart, khrt.com and through the Live365 app.

———————————————————

 

MINOT STATE-WOMEN’S WRESTLING

 

HASTINGS, Neb. (MSU) – Nina Sandoval and Jazmin Gorder led the way for the Beavers on Sunday, each finishing fifth in their respective weight class at the Hastings Open women’s wrestling tournament. Competing at 123 pounds, Gorder won four matches to earn fifth place at the Hastings Open, bouncing back from a loss with back-to-back tech fall wins, 14-3 over Ana Rojas Zamora of Chadron State and a 10-0 win over Danica Linn of Iowa Western Community College. Earning a spot in the consolation semifinals, Gorder won by pin over Madelyn Plot of Iowa Western Community College, then she claimed fifth place with her second win of the day over Rojas, this time by pin. Sandoval turned in a stellar performance on a busy day at 155 pounds, as well, picking up five victories after an opening loss as she won by pin over Umpqua Community College’s Destinee Harris and over Kimberly Pollak of Hastings. Sandoval also picked up a win by forfeit, earning her a spot in the consolation semifinals where she scored a 10-0 tech fall win over Maria Elizondo of Iowa Central Community College. In the fifth-place match, Sandoval earned a win by injury default over Leila Martin of Chadron State. Also finishing fourth on the day in the 235-pound exhibition division was Minot State’s Angelina Garcia with one win in the tournament, a 12-7 decision over Rayanne Mutchler of Jamestown. And Annika Gotlieb also added a win by pin on the day at 136 pounds for Minot State. The Beavers are back in action next weekend once again competing in Nebraska, this time at two tournaments, the York Duals on Friday and the York Open on Saturday.

—————————————————————–

 

FCS CHAMPIONSHIP

 

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A different Dakota is celebrating a national championship nearly two decades after the border-state rivals moved up together to the Division I level. “I continue to think back in 2004 and wondering how it was going to work out. Well, this is pretty sweet how it’s worked out,” coach John Stiegelmeier said after South Dakota State won its first Football Championship Subdivision title Sunday. Mark Gronowski threw three touchdowns and ran 51 yards for another score as the Jackrabbits won 45-21 win over North Dakota State, which lost for the first time in its 10 FCS title game appearances since the move from NCAA Division II.

 

As a true freshman two seasons ago, Gronowski tore the ACL in his left knee on the opening series of the FCS title game. Now nearly 20 months after a loss in that unprecedented spring finale, and after the quarterback missed the entire 2021 season, the Jackrabbits (14-1) are national champs in Stiegelmeier’s 26th season at his alma mater. “It’s really a storybook ending for us,” Gronowski said. “We made a memory,” Stiegelmeier said. “I live through our players and I always will, always have. And so my joy is great today because their joy is great.”

 

Amar Johnson rushed for 126 yards and Isaiah Davis had 119 for his ninth 100-yard game this season, and both scored touchdowns for South Dakota State. Gronowski, who completed 14 of 21 passes for 223 yards had his scoring run on the third play of the second half to stretch the lead to 38-14. “We knew NDSU was going to fight until the end of the game and we knew that we had to come out in the second half and just start fast, score early,” Gronowski said.

 

Cam Miller threw for 260 yards with two TDs and two interceptions for the Bison (12-3), who went from Fargo to Frisco for the 10th time in 12 seasons. “So tough to lose,” Bison coach Matt Entz said. “Not something we like to do, not something we’re going to make a habit of at NDSU. But I’m more concerned about our players right now. … They’ll bounce back, I know that.”

 

The Jackrabbits have won the last four meetings between the Missouri Valley Football Conference rivals, all in less than two years. The previous three had been in regular-season games for the Dakota Marker trophy that wasn’t up for grabs in the MLS soccer stadium nearly 1,000 miles from the border of their states. Their 114th meeting since 1903 was only the fifth in the FCS playoffs, and first in the title game. South Dakota State’s only other FCS title game appearance was a last-minute loss to Sam Houston State in May 2021 after the lower-division season was pushed back to the spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jackrabbits beat NDSU in that abbreviated regular season, then again later that fall before a 23-21 win last October.

 

Johnson’s 32-yard TD run broke a 7-all tie early in the second quarter. The Jackrabbits got the ball right back when Steven Arrell stripped the ball from running back Kobe Johnson at the Bison 34. Gronowski hit wide-open Jaxon Janke for an 18-yard TD four plays later — Janke also had a 30-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter. There was an exchange of 44-yard TD passes right before halftime. Before Miller hit Eli Green for an NDSU score, Gronowski on a third-and-1 play went forward like he was going to try to run for the first down when he instead stopped and threw to Mike Morgan all alone behind the entire defense. “It means the world to me,” Gronowski said of his comeback from the injury to being the game’s most outstanding player and winning a championship. “There’s no better feeling in the world.”

 

THE TAKEAWAY

 

North Dakota State: The Bison have a 44-4 record in the FCS playoffs, and missed a chance to match the record of 45 wins by Georgia Southern, which is now playing at the FBS level. They have only 14 losses overall since 2011, when they won the first of their record nine FCS titles, and six of those losses are to South Dakota State — no other team has multiple wins over NDSU in that span. South Dakota State: The Jackrabbits have won a school-record 14 games in a row since opening this season with a 7-3 loss at Big Ten team Iowa.

—————————————————————–

 

VIKINGS-BEARS

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw for 225 yards and a touchdown in the first half and watched the rest of the way as the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings tuned up for the playoffs by beating the Chicago Bears 29-13. Cousins led three scoring drives as the Vikings grabbed a 16-6 halftime lead. They remained in control the rest of the way after getting blown out at Green Bay the previous week. The Bears, who held out star Justin Fields, set a franchise record with their 14th loss and extended one by dropping their 10th game in a row. With Houston winning 32-31 at Indianapolis, Chicago gets the No. 1 pick in the draft for the first time since 1947.

 

Cousins led three scoring drives as the Vikings (13-4), who’ll host the New York Giants next Sunday, grabbed a 16-6 halftime lead. They remained in control the rest of the way after getting blown out at Green Bay the previous week. It was the first time since Week 1 that Minnesota won by more than one score, and the team finished the year outscored by opponents 427-424. Nick Mullens came on in the third quarter and was 11 of 13 for 116 yards and an interception. K.J. Osborn had 117 yards on five catches. Justin Jefferson added four receptions for 38 yards, boosting his team-record totals to 128 and 1,809 on the season. Alexander Mattison ran for a career-high two touchdowns, scoring from the 1 in both the second and third quarters.

———————————————————————

 

NFL PLAYOFFS

 

UNDATED (AP) – The NFL’s Week 18 saved its best drama for the final game of the weekend. The Detroit Lions — eliminated from playoff contention earlier Sunday when the Seahawks beat the Rams — pushed past their disappointment and played the role of a spoiler, rallying to beat Green Bay 20-16 on Sunday night. The win denied quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers a spot in the postseason. Instead of Green Bay, it’s the Seahawks who will be the No. 7 seed in the NFC. They’ll travel to face division rival San Francisco in next weekend’s wild-card round.

 

The rest of next weekend’s schedule is also set: In the AFC, it’ll be the Miami Dolphins at the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens at the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars. In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings will host the New York Giants and the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Bucs host the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions’ upset win capped a weekend that saw the Dolphins make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The surprising Jaguars also return to the postseason for just the second time since 2007. Seven of the 14 teams that qualified for the playoffs didn’t make the field last season, including the Seahawks, Ravens, Jaguars, Chargers, Dolphins, Vikings and Giants. Among those headed home: The New England Patriots and six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick, eliminated after a loss to the Bills.

 

The Lions didn’t have much to play for against the Packers other than pride, but that was enough. They were knocked out of playoff contention when Seattle’s Jason Myers kicked a 32-yard field goal to beat the Los Angeles Rams 19-16 in overtime. The No. 1 overall seed in the AFC was claimed by Kansas City with its 31-13 win over Las Vegas on Saturday. The NFC’s top spot was taken by Philadelphia, which beat the New York Giants 22-16 on Sunday. The AFC bracket could still be affected by the cancellation of the Bills-Bengals game after Hamlin’s injury. The Bengals avoided a coin flip for home field after beating the Ravens 27-16, but there still could be a neutral field AFC championship game if the Bills line up against the Chiefs.

 

Here’s a look at some other developments as the postseason approaches:

 

SATURDAY
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC

 

SUNDAY
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC

 

MONDAY
Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

———————————————————————–

 

WOLVES-ROCKETS

 

HOUSTON (AP) — D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points and Anthony Edwards added 21 as the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a big early deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 104-96 for their fourth straight win. Minnesota scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter to take an 88-81 lead. Rudy Gobert had four points in that span and Taurean Prince added a 3-pointer. Houston missed six shots and had a turnover to help the Timberwolves to go on top. The Rockets lost their seventh in a row. The Rockets led by as many as 20 points early, but the Timberwolves cut the lead to 62-58 by halftime. Minnesota’s winning streak comes after the team dropped its previous six games.

———————————————————————–

 

WILD-BLUES

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Brandon Saad extended his goal streak to a career-best four straight games to lead the St. Louis Blues past the Minnesota Wild 3-0. Brayden Schenn scored twice and Thomas Greiss made 36 saves for his first shutout of the season for the Blues. Saad set up Schenn’s insurance goal for the Blues in the third period just after a power play expired for the Wild. Schenn added an empty netter in the closing seconds. Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson, who had 21 saves, did more than enough to keep his team competitive through two sluggish periods. The Wild lost for the first time in eight games this season against an opponent on the second half of a back-to-back set of games.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – Stanley and Bishop Ryan split their girl/boy basketball doubleheader that we broadcast Saturday on K-Heart. The Blue Jays won the girls game 74-57, behind 25 points by Ava Schuster. Josh Hetzel scored 29, including five made 3’s but it wouldn’t be enough for the Stanley boys as Bishop Ryan wins 69-61. Brady Feller led the Lions with 22 points.

 

Other scores from Saturday:

 

 

Class A
#2 Mandan def. Williston, 80-55
Dickinson def. Jamestown, 75-72

 

Class B
Hazen def. #8 Bowman County, 62-60
#9 Des Lacs-Burlington def. Bottineau, 86-57
Velva def. Surrey, 67-49
Kenmare-Bowbells def. Our Redeemer’s, 55-54 OT
Minot High JV def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 66-52
Beach def. New Town, 82-47
Alexander def. Wibaux MT, 55-32

McLean County Shootout
Drake-Anamoose def. Richardton-Taylor, 67-54
New England def. Central McLean, 59-46
Warwick def. Washburn, 85-57
White Shield def. Mott-Regent/Grant County, 74-73
Max def. Divide County, 57-52
Glen Ullin-Hebron def. Garrison, 66-62

 

 

Class A
#2 Minot High def. Bismarck High, 59-57
Jamestown def. Dickinson, 61-59
Mandan JV def. Williston, 91-55

 

Class B
#1 Kenmare-Bowbells def. Our Redeemer’s, 46-31
#5 Central McLean def. Harvey-Wells County, 65-33
Washburn def. Heart River, 54-36
Hettinger-Scranton def. Trenton, 57-24

 

High School Boys Hockey
Fargo Davies def. Minot High, 5-1
Mandan def. Bottineau-Rugby, 3-2
Bismarck Legacy def. Williston, 5-0
Jamestown def. Dickinson, 3-2 OT
Mayville-Portland def. Hazen-Beulah, 8-1

 

High School Girls Hockey
Fargo North-South def. Minot High, 2-1 SO
Williston def. West Fargo United, 3-2
Fargo Davies def. Mandan, 2-0
Grand Forks def. Bismarck High-Legacy, 2-0

 

Coyote Invite
1. Bismarck High, 496
2. Bismarck Century, 489
3. Williston, 389
4. Dickinson, 306
5. Bismarck Legacy, 298
6. Mandan, 262

 

 

 

Bismarck Rotary (Top 5)
1. Watertown SD, 244.5
T2. Aberdeen Central SD, 167.5
T2. Bismarck Century, 167.5
4. Bismarck High, 163.0
5. New Salem-Almont, 146.0

15. Minot High, 84.0

 

Williams County Firestorm Tourney
1. Kenmare-Bowbells-Burke Central, 198.5
2. Williams County, 174.5
3. Velva, 146.0
4. Stanley, 102.0
5. MonDak, 75.0
6. Des Lacs-Burlington, 36.0
7. Alexander, 30.0
8. White Shield, 10.0

 

 

 

Bismarck Rotary (Top 5)
1. Bismarck High, 273.0
2. Bismarck Legacy, 231.0
3. Minot, 225.0
4. Fargo, 147.5
5. West Fargo United, 141.0

 

College Mens Basketball
Southwest Minnesota State def. Minot State, 65-63

 

College Womens Basketball
Southwest Minnesota State def. Minot State, 75-58

 

College Mens Hockey
Minot State def. Midland University, 3-2 OT
North Dakota def. Lindenwood University, 4-2

 

College Womens Hockey
Adrian College def. Minot State, 3-2 OT

 

College Mens Wrestling
Minot State def. San Francisco State, 37-12
Colorado State-Pueblo def. Minot State, 30-14
Minot State def. New Mexico Highlands University, 21-15
Western Colorado University def. Minot State, 35-9

 

NAHL Hockey
Minot Minotauros def. St. Cloud Norsemen, 6-3
North Iowa Bulls def. Bismarck Bobcats, 2-0

————————————————————-

 

NDSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team outscored South Dakota by 20 in the second half, storming back for a 73-61 victory on Saturday afternoon inside the Scheels Center. The Bison trailed the Coyotes 33-25 at halftime after USD closed the half with a 12-0 run. NDSU outscored South Dakota 48-28 after halftime, improving to 3-2 in Summit League play with the win. Sophomore Jacari White scored 18 points to lead the Bison, and NDSU freshman point guard Damari Wheeler-Thomas added a season-high 17 points, six rebounds and two steals while committing no turnovers. The duo combined to score 27 of their 35 points in the second half. The Bison scored the first nine points out of halftime to take the lead, and eight more lead changes would follow in the contest. South Dakota led 59-58 with five minutes remaining, but NDSU scored 12 unanswered points over the next four minutes to earn the victory. NDSU shot 56 percent in the second half and limited the Coyotes to 30-percent shooting after halftime. The Bison made 9-of-20 from beyond the arc in the game, including five three-pointers by White. Grant Nelson scored 15 points for NDSU, and Boden Skunberg added 12. Nelson battled foul trouble, but the Bison finished plus-29 in his 23 minutes on the floor. The Bison improved to 19-6 in 25 games against South Dakota in the Division I era. NDSU returns to the road next week, playing at Denver on Jan. 12 and at Omaha on Jan. 14.

————————————————————–

 

UND MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND) – Despite leading for the first 30 minutes of the contest, North Dakota suffered a 60-59 decision to South Dakota State inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Saturday afternoon. The Jackrabbits (8-9, 3-2 SL) trailed by 15 points before intermission but went on a 25-5 run in the second half to go up 57-46 with 5:20 left. The Fighting Hawks (6-11, 0-4 SL) clawed their way back into the game and went on an 11-0 run over the final five minutes to knot the game up at 59-59. In the final seconds, Tsotne Tsartsidze was called for a foul on Alex Arians with 2.0 seconds left. Arians went 1-for-2 at the line and it was the difference, allowing the Jackrabbits to escape the Betty with the 60-59 win. Tsartsidze paced UND with 16 points and six rebounds. In the game, North Dakota shot 39.2 percent, added eight triples and went 11-for-14 at the charity stripe. During the 11-0 run at the end, UND went 6-for-8 at the line. South Dakota State made 38.3 percent of its shots, drained eight makes from deep and finished 8-for-12 at the line. The Fighting Hawks were haunted by turnovers, giving away 18 of them which converted to 23 points from turnovers for the Jackrabbits. SDSU also won the battle in the paint by 32-12 margin, while UND held a 38-31 rebounding advantage. NoDak’s reserves held up its reputation for having the best bench in the league, outscoring the South Dakota State bench, 20-8. North Dakota led 33-20 at the break. The Fighting Hawks put down a 13-2 run to open the game and built its lead up to 15 points at 33-18 right before intermission, using an 8-0 run with one minute before halftime to extend its lead. North Dakota will visit Omaha on Thursday. Opening tip between the Fighting Hawks and Mavericks is slated for 7 p.m.

————————————————————-

 

NDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

VERMILLION, S.D. (NDSU) – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team edged South Dakota, 79-76, at Sanford Coyote Sports

Center on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Bison improve to 10-5 (4-1 Summit) overall on the season and snapped a 13-game losing skid against the Coyotes (8-9, 4-2 Summit) dating back to 2017. It also marked the first win for NDSU at South Dakota since 2013. Additionally, the Bison snapped the Coyotes’ 43-game win streak against Summit League opponents at home dating back to the 2016-17 season. Heaven Hamling paced NDSU with a team-high 22 points on 9-of-22 shooting from the field. She tied a season-high seven rebounds and handed out a team-best six assists. Taylor Brown reached double figures in the scoring column for the sixth time this season with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. Elle Evans also netted 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three. As a team, NDSU shot 49.2 percent (30-61) from the field with seven different players reaching the scoring column. The Bison also shot 28.0 percent (7-25) from three and 80.0 percent (12-15) from the free throw line. Additionally, NDSU tallied 44 points in the paint and 22 points off of turnovers. Both teams battled through the first three quarters as South Dakota took a 61-54 advantage into the final frame. The Coyotes then opened up their largest lead of the contest, 63-55, after Carley Duffney connected on a pair of free throws with 8:01 to play. The Bison fought their way back to cut the deficit down to two, 68-66, following a fastbreak layup and free throw from Hamling with 4:29 remaining. NDSU continued to surge putting together five straight points after a triple from Abby Schulte and jumper from Hamling to lock the contest, 75-75, with 1:09 to play. Following a free throw from Grace Larkins, Hamling closed the game out for NDSU coming up with a layup and two clutch free throws with under 11 seconds to play to seal the 79-76 victory. NDSU will be back in action hosting Denver on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Scheels Center.

——————————————————————

 

UND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

BROOKINGS, S.D. (UND) – The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team dropped its third straight game on Saturday afternoon, falling to South Dakota State, 105-72, from Frost Arena in Brookings, S.D. The defeat marks the 12th straight loss to SDSU and is the first time UND has allowed 100-plus points since February 1st, 2019 at Western Illinois, as the Fighting Hawks entered the contest ranked second in the Summit League in scoring defense. Kacie Borowicz led the way once again for North Dakota, scoring 15 points and adding five assists for her 23rd straight game in double figures. The senior has now paced the team in points in each of the 15 games this season. Claire Orth was the final Fighting Hawk in double figures, notching 10 points on an efficient 3-for-6 afternoon from the field to go alongside a trio of rebounds, an assist and a steal in 26 minutes of action. It was South Dakota State who jumped out to the early lead, scoring 13 of the game’s first 15 points to take a 13-2 advantage less then four minutes into the contest. Following the timeout by NoDak, the visitors started to settle in, eventually clawing the deficit down to just five on a pair of free throws from Miranda VanderWal before the Jackrabbits closed the frame with a triple to take a 30-22 after 10 minutes. Much like Thursday, it was the second quarter that saw the struggles return for North Dakota, with SDSU finishing with a 25-12 scoring advantage in the frame to build a 55-34 lead at the halftime break. The Fighting Hawks couldn’t get closer in the second half, as South Dakota State closed out the 105-72 victory. North Dakota returns to action on Thursday night against Omaha on 7 p.m. from the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center in Grand Forks.

————————————————————–

 

WILD-SABRES

 

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Rasmus Dahlin had two goals and three assists, Victor Olofsson also scored twice — including the winner with 18.3 seconds left in overtime — as the Buffalo Sabres beat the Minnesota Wild 6-5. Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens also scored for the Sabres, who have won eight of their last nine. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had 39 saves. Joel Eriksson Ek and Ryan Hartman each had a goal and an assist for Minnesota, and Brandon Duhaime, Kirill Kaprizov and Marcus Foligno also scored. Marc-Andre Fleury finished with 31 saves as the Wild snapped a three-game win streak. With time winding down in the extra period, Olofsson fired a shot past Fleury after taking a pass from Peyton Krebs for his 15th goal of the season. Fleury made his 964th career appearance, passing Ed Belfour to take sole possession of fifth place all-time among goaltenders. Fleury needs seven appearances to tie Terry Sawchuk for fourth place.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – We have a girl/boy basketball doubleheader to broadcast today as Bishop Ryan will host Stanley. Girls are set to begin around 1:30 pm with boys to follow around 3 pm. Both games can be heard on 106.9 K-Heart, online at khrt.com, and through the K-Heart stream on the Live365 app.

 

Scores from Friday:

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 88-48
#2 Mandan def. Bismarck Legacy, 69-56
#3 Minot High def. Bismarck High, 87-68
Jamestown def. Williston, 77-65
Turtle Mountain def. Watford City, 104-77

 

Class B
Rugby def. Harvey-Wells County, 68-62 2OT
North Prairie def. TGU, 54-42
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. South Prairie, 72-65
Williston Trinity Christian def. Ray, 65-33
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. New Town, 65-31
Alexander def. Trenton, 54-53
Dunseith def. Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, 63-50

 

McLean County Shootout
Warwick def. Max, 75-37
Washburn def. White Shield, 73-72
Divide County def. Richardton-Taylor, 66-26
Garrison def. Mott-Regent/Grant County, 66-56
Drake-Anamoose def. Central McLean, 66-26
Glen Ullin-Hebron def. Wilton-Wing, 64-53
Northern Cass JV def. Center-Stanton, 59-52

 

 

Class A
#1 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 71-52
#3 Bismarck Legacy def. Mandan, 72-31
Turtle Mountain def. Watford City, 74-67
Jamestown def. Williston, 92-26

 

Class B
#1 Kenmare-Bowbells def. Divide County, 50-20
#3 Rugby def. Westhope-Newburg, 63-42
Nedrose def. Benson County, 46-30
Bottineau def. Drake-Anamoose, 78-39
TGU def. Velva, 73-36
Our Redeemer’s def. Berthold, 67-46
South Prairie-Max def. Glenburn, 67-42
Surrey def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 47-35
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Bishop Ryan, 64-49
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. New Town, 47-38
Beulah def. Glen Ullin-Hebron, 60-39

 

High School Boys Hockey
Jamestown def. Bottineau-Rugby, 5-1
Mandan def. Williston, 2-0

 

High School Girls Hockey
Minot High def. West Fargo United, 3-2 OT
Fargo North-South def. Williston, 4-1
Bismarck High-Legacy def. Devils Lake, 8-4
Dickinson def. Crosby 19U, 9-0

 

 

Jamestown KC Meet
1. Minot High, 135.525
2. Jamestown, 135.200
3. Breckenridge-Wahpeton, 131.500
4. Mandan, 126.650
5. Valley City, 72.475

 

Fargo Meet
1. Bismarck Century 139.350
2. Bismarck Legacy, 133.150
3. Grand Forks, 125.625
4. Fargo, 125.300
5. Bismarck High, 29.725

 

High School Boys Swimming & Diving
Minot High def. Jamestown, 134-48

 

College Mens Basketball
Sioux Falls def. Minot State, 66-63

 

College Womens Basketball
Minot State def. Sioux Falls, 64-38

 

College Mens Hockey
Minot State def. Midland University, 6-2
North Dakota def. Lindenwood, 4-3

 

College Womens Hockey
Minot State def. Adrian College, 2-1

 

NAHL Hockey
Minot Minotauros def. St. Cloud Norsemen, 3-2 OT
Bismarck Bobcats def. North Iowa Bulls, 3-1

—————————————————————-

 

MSU MEN’S WRESTLING

 

GUNNISON, Colo. (MSU) – Brendan Barnes led the way Friday, picking up a pair of wins on his way to a third-place finish for the Minot State men’s wrestling team at the Western Colorado Open. One of three Beavers to place in the tournament, he was joined by Logen Fischer and Brody Mohr who each finished fifth in their respective weight class at the tournament for Minot State, which is back in action Saturday competing in the Tracy Borah Duals hosted by Western Colorado.

 

Competing at 165 pounds, Barnes opened the day with a loss then battled back strong with a win by pin over New Mexico Highlands’ Colin Brown, then a 9-1 major decision win over Air Force Prep’s Logan Park in the third-place match. Fischer’s day started better in the 133-pound weight class where he won a 6-5 decision over Western Colorado’s Noah Kasprowics and a 15-5 major decision over Andres Jiron of New Mexico Highlands. After falling into the consolation bracket, Fischer battled back to win the fifth-place match by pin over Jiron. As for Mohr, who also wrestled at 165 pounds, he responded to an opening setback with a win by pin over teammate Austin Frantzich, then he won a 9-1 decision over Adam State’s Cody Lewis, and in the fifth-place match, he won by pin over Adam State’s Wesley Van Matre.

——————————————————————-

 

NDSU-ELITE 90 AWARD

 

FRISCO, Texas (NDSU) – North Dakota State linebacker Cole Wisniewski is the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2023 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game. It is the second straight year Wisniewski has won the award. Wisniewski, a junior from Sparta, Wis., has a 4.00 grade-point average majoring in business administration. He was presented with the award at the NDSU team photo Friday, Jan. 6, at Toyota Stadium. The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships. This is North Dakota State’s 18th Elite 90 award across five different sports, and Wisniewski is the ninth at the FCS championship game. He joins linebacker Esley Thorton (2013), quarterback Carson Wentz (2014-16), wide receiver Daniel Polansky (2018), tight end Ben Ellefson (2019) and linebacker Jackson Hankey (2020). Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above academically who have participated in a sport for at least two years with their school. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

———————————————————————

 

NDSU-ACADEMIC ALL-STARS

 

CLEVELAND (NDSU) – North Dakota State linebackers James Kaczor and Luke Weerts were among the 53 student-athletes selected to the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Academic All-Star Team for the 2022 season. Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) institutions are eligible for the award. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate or graduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. They must have reached their second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. They also must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at their designated position.

——————————————————————-

 

FCS CHAMPIONSHIP

 

FARGO, ND (NDSU) – Defending national champion and No. 3 seed North Dakota State (12-2) meets No. 1 seed South Dakota State (13-1) in the NCAA Division I Football Championship game at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. This is NDSU’s 10th title game in 12 years and SDSU’s second in three seasons. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

——————————————————————-

 

WOLVES-CLIPPERS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Rudy Gobert had 25 points and 21 rebounds, D’Angelo Russell also scored 25 and the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 128-115 win against the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers. Jaden McDaniels had 18 points for Minnesota, which lost leading scorer Anthony Edwards in the third quarter with left hip soreness. Los Angeles was playing without stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on the second night of a back-to-back. Norman Powell had a team-high 21 points off the bench for Los Angeles, which lost its fifth game in a row. Minnesota shot 56.8% from the field and scored 62 points in the paint. The Timberwolves led by as many as 25 despite 20 turnovers. It’s the third win in a row for the Wolves.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – A pair of ranked teams in Class A girls basketball met last night in Grand Forks. Red River handed Minot High their second loss of the season.

 

 

Class A
#4 Grand Forks Red River def. #2 Minot High, 65-49
Dickinson def. Watford City, 54-47

 

Class B
#5 Central McLean def. Linton-HMB, 54-38
#10 Garrison def. Wilton-Wing, 57-17
Parshall def. White Shield, 43-3
Ray def. Alexander, 52-36
Powers Lake-Burke Central def. Divide County, 50-21
St. John def. Dunseith, 68-33
Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich def. North Prairie, 60-42

 

 

Class A
Dickinson def. Watford City, 85-35

 

Class B
#9 Des Lacs-Burlington def. Rugby, 57-40
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Bottineau, 65-59
Velva def. Nedrose, 59-36
Westhope-Newburg def. Kenmare-Bowbells, 70-54
Surrey def. TGU, 52-31
Drake-Anamoose def. Glenburn, 48-44
Stanley def. Our Redeemer’s 60-37
Tioga def. Berthold, 66-33
Beulah def. Hazen, 70-44
Ray def. Alexander, 39-36

 

High School Boys Hockey
Minot High JV def. Hazen-Beulah, 7-2
Bismarck Legacy def. BIsmarck High, 4-2

 

High School Girls Hockey
Mandan def. Jamestown, 5-2

 

High School Boys Swimming & Diving
Jamestown def. Dickinson, 95-90

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Minot High def. Jamestown, 42-32
Williston def. Bismarck Legacy, 49-17
Bismarck Legacy def. Turtle Mountain, 64-15
Bismarck High def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 60-16

 

High School Girls Wrestling
Minot High def. Jamestown, 69-11
Bismarck Legacy def. Turtle Mountain, 48-6
Fargo def. Bismarck Legacy, 45-36

 

NAHL Hockey
St. Cloud Norsemen def. Minot Minotauros, 9-2

————————————————————————

 

MINOT STATE WOMEN’S HOCKEY-SIGNING

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – While in the midst of a stellar season, the Beaver women’s hockey team continues to build for a bright the future, as well, as head coach Ryan Miner added another star recruit during the Christmas break. Coach Miner is pleased to announce that Chloe Stewart, a 5-foot-6 defenseman from Weyburn, Saskatchewan, has signed a National Letter-of-Intent and will be a freshman in the classroom and on the ice for Minot State in the fall of 2023. A senior at Eagle Butte High School who also plays softball, Stewart had three goals and five assists in 30 games last season, including three playoff games, for the South Albert Hockey Academy. In 17 games this season, she already has two goals and five assists for the South Alberta Hockey Academy. Stewart said she chose Minot State because of the “great program and it’s super close to home; I heard so many good things about the team and school.”

————————————————————————-

 

NDSU MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU) – North Dakota State’s Andrew Morgan put up 24 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Bison men’s basketball team to a 65-59 victory over South Dakota State on Thursday night inside the Scheels Center. Morgan’s 24 points tied a career-high, and he ripped down eight offensive boards on the way to his second career double-double. NDSU junior Grant Nelson added 17 points and eight rebounds, including two thunderous dunks and a pivotal three-pointer late in the second half.

 

The game featured 12 ties and seven lead changes. The Bison trailed 48-41 with just under 10 minutes remaining, but NDSU went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes to pull ahead, 49-48. The Jackrabbits regained the lead twice more, but Nelson’s three-pointer from the wing put NDSU up 56-54 with 3:44 left, and the Bison held the lead the rest of the way. Leading 60-59 in the final minute, Nelson added one more clutch bucket to put the Bison up three, and they added three free throws in the closing seconds. NDSU shot 44 percent for the game and limited SDSU to 40-percent shooting. The Bison posted a 40-28 rebounding advantage, as Morgan, Nelson and Boden Skunberg combined for 29 boards. The Bison improved to 5-11 overall and 2-2 in The Summit League, while the Jackrabbits fell to 7-9 overall and 2-2 in the league. NDSU hosts South Dakota on Saturday at 1 p.m.

————————————————————————-

 

UND MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND) – North Dakota fell 62-60 to South Dakota inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center on Thursday evening. The game was knotted up at 60-60 with 20.5 seconds but a Kruz Perrott-Hunt jumper in the paint with 1.4 seconds left was the difference. Perrott-Hunt and Paul Bruns paced the Coyotes (8-8, 3-1 SL) with 15 points apiece. On the game-winner, Perrott-Hunt was well guarded by Brady Danielson, who forced him to take a fadeaway shot that rattled home. North Dakota had 1.4 seconds to create a shot and had an open look when Danielson lobbed the ball and it found Treysen Eaglestaff at the three-point line. Eaglestaff got the would-be game-winner off in time, but it fell short and allowed South Dakota to escape with the 62-60 win. Eaglestaff was the top Hawk (6-10, 0-3 SL), pouring in a season-high 18 . Fellow freshman B.J. Omot was next in scoring for UND, throwing down 15 points in 27 minutes of play. North Dakota will continue its homestand on Saturday, hosting South Dakota State at 1 p.m.

————————————————————————

 

NDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

BROOKINGS, S.D. (NDSU) – The North Dakota State women’s basketball team dropped a 94-63 decision at South Dakota State on Thursday night at Frost Arena. Abby Graham paced the Bison (9-5, 3-1 Summit) with a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. Taylor Brown filled up her stat line with eight points, a team-high seven rebounds and four assists. Emily Behnke also contributed nine points with five rebounds and one block. As a team, NDSU shot 39.1 percent (25-64) from the field and 27.8 percent (5-18) from three. NDSU also scored 40 points in the paint and the bench contributed 24 points. The Jackrabbits (12-5, 5-0 Summit) started off fast opening up a 23-3 edge after a three from Haleigh Timmer at the 5:16 mark of the first quarter. SDSU, who entered the week ranked No. 4 in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, continued to surge pushing its lead up to 35-9 after the opening frame. The Bison weren’t able to slow the Jackrabbits the rest of the way and went on to fall 94-63. NDSU will be back in action at South Dakota on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.

———————————————————————-

 

UND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

 

VERMILLION, S.D. (UND) – The University of North Dakota women’s basketball team dropped a 79-67 decision to South Dakota on Thursday evening from the Sanford Coyote Sports Complex in Vermillion, S.D. UND (9-5, 2-2 Summit League) saw the host Coyotes (8-8, 4-1 Summit League) explode for a 12-for-18 shooting attack from the field, including a 5-for-9 stretch from three, during the second quarter to finish with a 31-13 advantage in the frame to help South Dakota win its 14th straight over the Fighting Hawks. Kacie Borowicz paced NoDak on the offensive side once again, striking for 18 points on 6-of-18 from the field while matching the team lead with eight rebounds. It marks the 22nd straight game in double figures for the senior, who has now led the Fighting Hawks in scoring in every contest this season. North Dakota closes out the tough, three-game stretch against South Dakota State on Saturday afternoon from Frost Arena in Brookings, S.D. 

——————————————————————–

 

WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY

 

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Dylan Guenther scored his second goal of the game at 6:22 of overtime to give Canada a 3-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday night for its record-extending 20th world junior hockey title. The Arizona Coyotes forward took a pass from Joshua Roy on a 2-on-1 and beat goalie Tomas Suchanek in the 3-on-3 extra period after Canada blew a 2-0 lead in the third period. Shane Wright, on his 19th birthday, also scored for Canada, and Thomas Milic made 24 saves. Canada also won the pandemic-delayed summer showcase in Edmonton, Alberta. Earlier, Chaz Lucius completed a hat trick in overtime and the United States beat Sweden 8-7 in the third-place game.

——————————————————————–

 

VIKINGS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kirk Cousins and the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings will try to head into the playoffs on a winning note when they visit the Chicago Bears in the regular-season finale. The Vikings got pummeled 41-17 at Green Bay last week. They also lost standout right tackle Brian O’Neill and backup center Austin Schlottman to season-ending injuries. Minnesota won’t have to contend with Justin Fields after the Bears announced this week he will not play. That ends his shot at breaking the NFL single-season rushing record for a quarterback. Chicago set a franchise record last week at Detroit by dropping its ninth straight and matched one with its 13th loss.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The Minot High boys and girls basketball teams each suffered their first loss of the season in the last week so Bismarck Century has jumped to the top of both Class A Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

          (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (17)      4-0           89            2
2. Mandan (1)                         4-0           68            5
3. Minot High                          6-1           59            1
4. Fargo Davies                     5-2            21           3
5. Grand Forks Red River      5-1           20           4

 

Others receiving votes: Fargo North (4-2), Bismarck Legacy (5-2)

———-

 

 

              (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Bismarck Century (12)          4-2           76             2
2. Minot High (3)                         5-1           67             1
3. Bismarck Legacy (1)              6-0           54            RV
4. Grand Forks Red River (2)    6-0           48             4
5. West Fargo                            6-1           14             5

 

Others receiving votes: Fargo Davies (5-1)

————————————————————

 

MINOT STATE-FRANTSVOG HONORED

 

MINOT, N.D. (MSU) – The NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has selected Dean Frantsvog from Minot State as the recipient of the 2022 Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award. Frantsvog, who died in August after a battle with cancer, will be honored posthumously at the NCAA Convention this month in San Antonio. He was a business law professor at Minot State for 18 years. He graduated from Minot State in 1997 with a degree in criminal justice and earned his juris doctorate in 2000 from Hamline. He was Minot State’s faculty athletics representative and a steadfast advocate for Minot State athletics and student-athletes. Frantsvog was inducted into the Minot State Athletics Hall of Fame in October.

 

The Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award is named after a Bellarmine physical therapy professor who died in 2013. It recognizes faculty members at Division II schools for their dedication to supporting and mentoring student-athletes, as well as their commitment to Division II student-athletes’ lifelong learning, competition and well-being.

 

As Minot State’s faculty athletics representative, Frantsvog also helped review and advise the athletics department on compliance and policy issues during the university’s transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. He became the department’s first FAR in 2010 and served until 2022. Minot State honored Frantsvog as a Professor of the Year in 2018. He also won a Faculty Achievement Award in 2012, the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2011 and the Vision 2013 Merit Award.

——————————————————————-

 

WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY

 

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Adam Fantilli scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, Thomas Milic made 43 saves and Canada overcame an early deficit to beat the United States 6-2 on Wednesday night to advance to the world junior hockey championship game. Seeking its 20th title, Canada will face the Czech Republic on Thursday night. The Czechs, 5-2 winners over Canada in their tournament opener, rallied to beat Sweden 2-1 in overtime in the first semifinal. Joshua Roy had two goals, the second into the empty net, and two assists for Canada. Fantilli, Connor Bedard and Logan Stankoven each had a goal and an assist, and Brandt Clarke also scored. Logan Cooley and Kenny Connors scored in the first period as the Americans raced to a 2-0 lead. The Americans will face Sweden in the third-place game.

——————————————————————–

 

WOLVES-BLAZERS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Portland Trail Blazers 113-106. Luka Garza added 14 points off the bench for Minnesota. Jerami Grant scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half, but Portland trailed by as much as 13 in the opening half while Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons combined for three points. Lillard finished with 27 points and Simons had 16. The Trail Blazers had 18 turnovers that led to 22 points for Minnesota. Minnesota’s Taurean Prince returned after missing 20 games with a right shoulder subluxation. His impact was limited due to foul trouble, but he finished with 11 points in 21 minutes. The seven-year veteran also provided energy and defense off the bench. Timberwolves host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

———————————————————————

 

WILD-LIGHTNING

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Kirill Kaprizov scored twice and the Minnesota Wild beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 for their ninth win in 11 games. Joel Eriksson Ek, Calen Addison and Sam Steel also scored for Minnesota. Filip Gustavsson made 34 saves and improved to 8-1 in his last nine starts. The Wild have beaten Tampa Bay 10 times in a row at home since Nov. 28, 2011. Brayden Point scored for the Lightning, who lost for the first time in five games and just the fourth time in 15 games. Brian Elliott made 28 saves. Wild: Play at Buffalo on Saturday.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The Parshall Lady Braves earned a 38-29 win over North Shore-Plaza last night in a game we broadcast on K-Heart. Emily Fixico tallied 10 points and Kaycee Jo Heavy Gun came off the bench to add 9, including 5 of 6 made freethrows as Parshall improves to 2-6. Charlee Schenfisch scored a game-high 14 points, including four made 3’s for the Wildcats, who drop to 0-7.

 

 

Class A
#1 Minot High def. Mandan, 80-70
#2 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck High, 66-44
Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 73-47
Dickinson def. Williston, 76-50

 

Class B
#3 Rugby def. TGU, 68-51
#10 Garrison def. Hazen, 45-35
Velva def. Bishop Ryan, 66-52
Surrey def. Nedrose, 44-41
Berthold def. Ray, 61-40
Des Lacs-Burlington def. North Star, 53-25
New Rockford-Sheyenne def. Drake-Anamoose, 53-44
Trenton def. White Shield, 68-7
Divide County def. Alexander, 36-23
Tioga def. Stanley, 63-37

 

 

Class A
#5 Mandan def. #1 Minot High, 60-57
#2 Bismarck Century def. Bismarck High, 95-65
Bismarck Legacy def. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 61-52
Dickinson def. Williston, 86-57

 

Class B
#1 Four Winds-Minnewaukan def. North Prairie, 55-45
#7 Bishop Ryan def. Kenmare-Bowbells, 68-59
Beulah def. #9 Des Lacs-Burlington, 51-41
Harvey-Wells County def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 63-51
St. John def. Westhope-Newburg, 71-66
Garrison def. Wilton-Wing, 78-71 OT
Washburn def. Central McLean, 57-50
South Prairie def. Max, 72-42
Velva def. Glenburn, 69-33
Parshall/North Shore-Plaza def. Drake-Anamoose, 80-64
White Shield def. Trenton, 76-43
Divide County def. Alexander, 61-35
Stanley def. Tioga, 54-46

 

High School Boys Hockey
Bismarck Century def. Minot High, 4-3 OT
Williston def. Bottineau-Rugby, 5-4
Bismarck Legacy def. Jamestown, 4-0
Dickinson def. Bismarck High, 5-0
Fargo South-Shanley def. Mandan, 7-0
Hazen-Beulah def. Watford City JG, 10-2

 

High School Girls Hockey
Minot High def. Bismarck High-Legacy, 2-0
Bismarck Century def. Jamestown 6-2

————————————————————

 

NDSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (NDSU) – For the second time this season, Heaven Hamling has been named the TicketSmarter Summit League Women’s Basketball Peak Performer of the Week. Hamling has helped NDSU (9-4, 3-0 Summit) to a 3-0 mark in Summit League play for the first time since the 2014-15 season. She logged her fourth 20-point game of the season with a game-high 28 points in the win over North Dakota. The Grand Rapids, Minn., native drained a career-high 14 free throws on 15 attempts, which tied for the third-most in a single-game in NDSU history. Hamling also passed out a game-best six assists with six rebounds and four steals against the Fighting Hawks. Hamling becomes the first NDSU player to win multiple Summit League Player of the Week honors in the same season since Marena Whittle accomplished the feat in 2015-16. NDSU will be back in action at South Dakota State on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Frost Arena.

——————————————————————

 

FCS CHAMPIONSHIP

 

FARGO, ND (NDSU) – Defending national champion and No. 3 seed North Dakota State (12-2) meets No. 1 seed South Dakota State (13-1) in the NCAA Division I Football Championship game at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. This is NDSU’s 10th title game in 12 years and SDSU’s second in three seasons. This is the 114th meeting between North Dakota State and South Dakota State dating back to 1903. NDSU leads the all-time series 63-45-5, but SDSU has won three straight including a 23-21 victory in Fargo on Oct. 15. North Dakota State is 7-0 in FCS playoff rematches with regular-season opponents.

——————————————————————

 

WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY

 

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — The United States and Canada face off Wednesday night in another instalment of their world junior hockey rivalry, with a trip to the title game on the line. They advanced to the semifinals after polar-opposite quarterfinals Monday, with Canada beating Slovakia 4-3 on overtime and the U.S. routing Germany 11-1. The Czech Republic will face Sweden in the other semifinal. Connor Bedard scored his second goal of the game in overtime to lift Canada past Slovakia. Expected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL draft, the 17-year-old Regina Pats star has set multiple records in the tournament. The Americans are led by the high-scoring top line of University of Minnesota teammates Logan Cooley and Jimmy Snuggerud and Boston College’s Cutter Gauthier.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The same team remain atop this weeks Class B Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

 

                 (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Kenmare-Bowbells (11)           7-0           165            1
2. Shiloh Christian (6)                   8-0           161           5
3. Rugby (1)                                  7-0           155           3
4. Thompson                                6-1           108           6
5. Central McLean                        5-0             85           8
6. Kindred                                     5-1             76           2
7. Carrington                                 8-0            70            9
8. May-Port-CG                             6-1            54            4
9. Northern Cass                          5-1             34            7
10. Garrison                                  8-0             28            RV

 

Others receiving votes: Central Cass (4-2), Hatton-Northwood (7-0), Bowman County (5-1), Oakes (3-1), Grafton (5-2).

———–

 

 

                       (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Four Winds-Minnewaukan (15)      2-0          173          1
2. Central Cass (1)                             6-0          159          2
3. Shiloh Christian (2)                         4-0          152          4
4. Grafton                                            4-0          104          6
5. Thompson                                       3-2            91          7
6. North Star                                       4-0             79          8
7. Bishop Ryan                                   1-1             74          3
8. Bowman County                             3-1             53          5
9. Des Lacs-Burlington                       3-1             29         RV
10. Sargent County                             4-0             23         RV

 

Others receiving votes: North Border (2-1), Hillsboro-Central Valley (3-1), Fargo Oak Grove (2-1), Standing Rock (4-0)

————————————————————

 

MINOT, ND – There were a handful of games on the schedule Monday.

 

High School Boys Basketball
Class B
#7 Bishop Ryan def. Dunseith, 80-70
South Prairie def. Nedrose, 71-35

 

High School Girls Basketball
Class B
#1 Kenmare-Bowbells def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 57-26
#5 Central McLean def. Our Redeemer’s, 53-38
Bottineau def. Glenburn, 78-22
Tioga def. Westhope-Newburg, 79-49
Hazen def. Washburn, 46-32
Beulah def. Wilton-Wing, 63-25
St. John def. Cavalier, 56-51

 

High School Boys Hockey
Mandan def. Bismarck Century, 1-0

——————————————————————–

 

WOLVES-NUGGETS

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 29 points, including 15 in the third quarter to help Minnesota withstand a push by Denver, and the Timberwolves held on for a 124-111 win against the Nuggets. Jaden McDaniels had 21 points and Kyle Anderson added 19 for Minnesota, which snapped a six-game losing streak and won its fourth in a row against Denver. Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, and Jamal Murray added 14 points after a scoreless first-half. Aaron Gordon missed his first 10 shots, but finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The Hoopster Classic was held Wednesday at the Minot State Dome.

 

 

Hoopster Classic – MSU Dome
North Prairie def. Berthold, 80-27
Velva def. Trenton, 77-57
Des Lacs-Burlington def. Dickinson Trinity, 49-45
#7 Thompson def. #3 Bishop Ryan, 56-54
Rugby def. Beulah, 53-46
#4 Shiloh Christian def. Westhope-Newburg, 76-47
Hazen def. Our Redeemer’s, 59-55

 

Mandan Holiday Tournament
First Round
Glen Ullin-Hebron def. Wilton-Wing, 79-78
Flasher def. Surrey, 62-42
Linton-HMB def. Bottineau, 67-51
Standing Rock def. New Salem-Almont, 57-47

 

Hunkpapa Classic – McLaughlin, SD
Little Wound SD def. White Shield, 54-35
McLaughlin SD def. Mandaree, 63-43

 

 

Hunkpapa Classic – McLaughlin, SD
Parshall def. St. Francis Indian SD, 54-50 2OT
Mandaree def. Pine Ridge SD, 66-41

 

High School Boys Hockey
Minot High def. Mankato East MN, 4-3 OT
Mayville-Portland def. Williston, 6-2
Grand Forks Red River def. Bismarck Century, 8-1
Grand Forks Central def. Bismarck High, 7-0

 

High School Girls Hockey
Sartell-Sauk Rapids MN def. Minot High, 2-0
Blaine MN def. Bismarck Century, 4-0
Bismarck High-Legacy def. East Grand Forks MN, 4-2

——————————————————–

 

MINOT, ND – The Girls Hoopster Classic is today and Friday at the Minot Auditorium. A New Years Shootout will be at the Minot State Dome on Friday and Saturday.

 

 

Hoopster Classic – Minot Auditorium
TGU vs Des Lacs-Burlington, 1:30 pm
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood vs Dunseith, 3 pm
#5 Shiloh Christian vs Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, 4:30 pm
#3 Rugby vs Beulah, 6 pm
Kidder County vs Velva, 7:30 pm

 

Hoopster Classic – Minot Auditorium (Fri 12/30)
St. John vs Kidder County, 1:30 pm
Bishop Ryan vs Dunseith, 3 pm
New Rockford-Sheyenne vs Beulah, 4:30 pm
#3 Rugby vs Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 6 pm
Stanley vs Our Redeemer’s, 7:30 pm

 

 

New Year’s Shootout – MSU Dome (Fri 12/30)
North Prairie vs Kenmare-Bowbells, 1 pm
Rugby vs South Prairie, 2:30 pm
St. john vs Our Redeemer’s, 4 pm
Tioga vs Glenburn, 5:30 pm
(Girls) #1 Kenmare-Bowbells vs Berthold, 7 pm

 

New Year’s Shootout – MSU Dome (Sat 12/31)
North Prairie vs Kenmare-Bowbells, 10:30 am
Warwick vs Mandaree, 12 pm
Ray vs Nedrose, 1:30 pm
Parshall-North Shore vs Harvey-Wells County, 3 pm
(Girls) Maple River vs South Prairie-Max, 4:30 pm
(Girls) Mandaree vs Garrison, 6 pm

——————————————————–

NDSU FOOTBALL

 

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU) – Free safety Dawson Weber was one of five North Dakota State football players named to the 2022 Phil Steele FCS All-America Team, which is compiled by Phil Steele and the DraftScout.com staff. Weber, a senior from Elk Grove, Calif., was named to the fourth team and is one of 16 defensive backs in the FCS listed by Phil Steele. NDSU fullback Hunter Luepke, left tackle Cody Mauch and defensive end Spencer Waege were named to the first team, and left guard Nash Jensen was named to the second team. Bison defensive tackle Jaxon Duttenhefer and linebacker Logan Kopp were named to the Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America Team. Duttenhefer was a second-team pick and Kopp made the third team. Luepke, Mauch and Waege were also named to the Athlon Sports FCS All-America Team, which is compiled by Stats Perform FCS senior editor Craig Haley. NDSU was the only school with three selections on Athlon’s 30-man team.

 

No. 3 seed North Dakota State (12-2) is scheduled to face No. 1 seed South Dakota State (13-1) in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The game will be televised live on ABC.

———————————————————-

 

WOLVES-PELICANS

 

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion Williamson scored a career-high 43 points, capping it with New Orleans’ final 14 points in the last 2:44 of the game, and the Pelicans narrowly outlasted the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-118 for their fourth straight victory. Anthony Edwards scored 27 for Minnesota. But he missed a baseline fade for the win as time expired on a game in which the Wolves led most of the way before losing their fourth straight. Trey Murphy III scored 21, going 5 of 6 from 3, and CJ McCollum scored 20 for the Pelicans. Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

 

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The Dale Brown Classic was held Tuesday at the Minot State Dome.

 

 

Class A
Jamestown def. Turtle Mountain, 70-69

 

Class B
Dunseith def. Kenmare-Bowbells, 66-63

 

Dale Brown Classic – MSU Dome
Stanley def. TGU, 60-30
Hazen def. Westhope-Newburg, 51-49
Velva def. St. John, 74-67 2OT
#1 Four Winds-Minnewauken def. Dickinson Trinity, 51-40
Beulah def. Powers Lake-Burke Central, 71-60
#4 Shiloh Christian def. #7 Thompson, 73-65
#8 North Star def. Our Redeemer’s, 53-32

 

 

Class A
Jamestown def. Turtle Mountain, 92-62

 

Class B
#1 Kenmare-Bowbells def. Dunseith, 74-28
Bottineau def. Standing Rock, 66-43

 

High School Boys Hockey
Minot High def. Alexandria MN, 3-2
Mayville-Portland def. Bottineau-Rugby, 6-2
West Fargo def. Williston, 7-4
Grand Forks Central def Bismarck Century, 2-1
Grand Forks Red River def. Bismarck High, 11-0

 

High School Girls Hockey
Anoka MN def. Bismarck Century, 3-2 SO
Bismarck High-Legacy def. Thief River Falls MN, 3-0
Grand Forks def. Jamestown, 5-1

 

High School Boys Wrestling
Jamestown def. Turtle Mountain, 57-18

——————————————————–

MINOT, ND – The Minot State Dome will host the Hoopster Classic today and a New Years Shootout on Friday and Saturday.

 

High School Boys Basketball
Class B

 

Hoopster Classic – MSU Dome
Berthold vs North Prairie, 11 am
Velva vs Trenton, 12:30 pm
Des Lacs-Burlington vs Dickinson Trinity, 2 pm
#3 Bishop Ryan vs #7 Thompson, 3:30 pm
Rugby vs Beulah, 5 pm
#4 Shiloh Christian vs Westhope-Newburg, 6:30 pm
Our Redeemer’s vs Hazen, 8 pm

 

New Year’s Shootout – MSU Dome (Fri 12/30)
North Prairie vs Kenmare-Bowbells, 1 pm
Rugby vs South Prairie, 2:30 pm
St. john vs Our Redeemer’s, 4 pm
Tioga vs Glenburn, 5:30 pm
(Girls) #1 Kenmare-Bowbells vs Berthold, 7 pm

 

New Year’s Shootout – MSU Dome (Sat 12/31)
North Prairie vs Kenmare-Bowbells, 10:30 am
Warwick vs Mandaree, 12 pm
Ray vs Nedrose, 1:30 pm
Parshall-North Shore vs Harvey-Wells County, 3 pm
(Girls) Maple River vs South Prairie-Max, 4:30 pm
(Girls) Mandaree vs Garrison, 6 pm

 

 

Hoopster Classic – Minot Auditorium (Thu 12/29)
TGU vs Des Lacs-Burlington, 1:30 pm
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood vs Dunseith, 3 pm
#5 Shiloh Christian vs Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, 4:30 pm
#3 Rugby vs Beulah, 6 pm
Kidder County vs Velva, 7:30 pm

 

Hoopster Classic – Minot Auditorium (Fri 12/30)
St. John vs Kidder County, 1:30 pm
Bishop Ryan vs Dunseith, 3 pm
New Rockford-Sheyenne vs Beulah, 4:30 pm
#3 Rugby vs Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 6 pm
Stanley vs Our Redeemer’s, 7:30 pm

——————————————————–

 

WILD-JETS

 

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Jared Spurgeon, Mats Zuccarello and Frederick Gaudreau each had a goal and assist in the Minnesota Wild’s 4-1 victory Tuesday that handed the Winnipeg Jets their first three-game losing streak of the season. Samuel Walker also scored his first NHL goal for the Wild, who are 7-1-0 in their past eight games. Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves in his 14th game of the season for Minnesota. Pierre-Luc Dubois scored for the Jets, who began a two-game homestand. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24 shots for Winnipeg, which continues to be hit by injuries and is 1-4-0 in its last five games.

——————————————————

 

NBA-HISTORY MAKING NIGHT

 

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had a franchise-record 60 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists in a historic triple-double, including the tying basket off his intentionally missed free throw to force overtime as the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a wild 126-121 victory over the New York Knicks. Dallas was down nine with 33 seconds left in regulation before getting even in a back-and-forth sequence capped by Doncic missing a free throw on purpose, ending up with the loose ball on the rebound and hitting a jumper for a 115-115 tie with a second remaining. The first 60-point game in Dallas history also was the first 60-20-10 game in NBA history.

 

 

 

MINOT, ND – The same team remain atop this weeks Class B Basketball Polls. The polls are voted on by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

 

               (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Kenmare-Bowbells (10)         4-0          134           1
2. Kindred (3)                             5-0          123           2
3. Rugby                                     5-0          101           3
4. May-Port-CG (1)                     6-0            91           5
5. Shiloh Christian                      6-0            85           4
6. Thompson                               5-1           67            7
7. Northern Cass                         5-0           62            8
8. Central McLean                       5-0          39             9
9. Carrington                               6-0           25            10
10. Central Cass                         2-2           14             6

 

Others receiving votes: Hatton-Northwood (5-0), Westhope-Newburg (6-0), Garrison (5-0), Oakes (2-1), Bowman County (4-1), Grafton (5-2).

———–

 

 

                   (First Place Votes)    Record    Points    Last Week
1. Four Winds-Minnewaukan (14)  1-0         140           1
2. Central Cass                               3-0         125           2
3. Bishop Ryan                               1-0          106          3
4. Shiloh Christian                          1-0           90           5
5. Bowman County                         2-0           77           6
6. Grafton                                       4-0            62          7
7. Thompson                                  2-1            57          4
8. North Star                                   3-0            51         10
9. Hillsboro-Central Valley              3-0            27          RV
10. North Border                             1-1            11          8

 

Others receiving votes: Des Lacs-Burlington (2-1), St. John (2-0), Dickinson Trinity (2-1), Linton-HMB (3-0), Sargent County (3-0)

————————————————————

 

MINOT, ND – It’s a busy week of Class B basketball in the Magic City. It begins today with the Dale Brown Classic at the Minot State Dome. The Dome will also host the Hoopster Classic on Wednesday and a New Years Shootout on Friday and Saturday.

 

 

Dale Brown Classic – MSU Dome
TGU vs Stanley, 11 am
Hazen vs Westhope-Newburg, 12:30 pm
Velva vs St. John, 2 pm
#1 Four Winds-Minnewauken vs Dickinson Trinity, 3:30 pm
Powers Lake-Burke Central vs Beulah, 5 pm
#4 Shiloh Christian vs #7 Thompson, 6:30 pm
#8 North Star vs Our Redeemer’s, 8 pm

 

Hoopster Classic – MSU Dome (Wed 12/28)
Berthold vs North Prairie, 11 am
Velva vs Trenton, 12:30 pm
Des Lacs-Burlington vs Dickinson Trinity, 2 pm
#3 Bishop Ryan vs #7 Thompson, 3:30 pm
Rugby vs Beulah, 5 pm
#4 Shiloh Christian vs Westhope-Newburg, 6:30 pm
Our Redeemer’s vs Hazen, 8 pm

 

New Year’s Shootout – MSU Dome (Fri 12/30)
North Prairie vs Kenmare-Bowbells, 1 pm
Rugby vs South Prairie, 2:30 pm
St. john vs Our Redeemer’s, 4 pm
Tioga vs Glenburn, 5:30 pm
(Girls) #1 Kenmare-Bowbells vs Berthold, 7 pm

 

New Year’s Shootout – MSU Dome (Sat 12/31)
Warwick vs Mandaree, 12 pm
Ray vs Nedrose, 1:30 pm
Parshall-North Shore vs Harvey-Wells County, 3 pm
(Girls) Maple River vs South Prairie-Max, 4:30 pm
TBD, 6 pm

 

 

Hoopster Classic – Minot Auditorium (Thu 12/29)
TGU vs Des Lacs-Burlington, 1:30 pm
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood vs Dunseith, 3 pm
#5 Shiloh Christian vs Langdon Area-Edmore-Munich, 4:30 pm
#3 Rugby vs Beulah, 6 pm
Kidder County vs Velva, 7:30 pm

 

Hoopster Classic – Minot Auditorium (Fri 12/30)
St. John vs Kidder County, 1:30 pm
Bishop Ryan vs Dunseith, 3 pm
New Rockford-Sheyenne vs Beulah, 4:30 pm
#3 Rugby vs Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 6 pm
Stanley vs Our Redeemer’s, 7:30 pm

——————————————————–

 

TIMBERWOLVES-HEAT

 

MIAMI (AP) — Max Strus scored 19 points, Kyle Lowry added 18 points and nine assists, and the Miami Heat got back to .500 by holding off the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-110. Orlando Robinson scored 15 points and Tyler Herro had 14 for the Heat, who were without Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 29 points for Minnesota. Naz Reid had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who got 16 points from Jaden McDaniels, 13 from DeAngelo Russell, and 10 apiece from Austin Rivers and Rudy Gobert.

——————————————————-

 

VIKINGS-OFFENSE

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have made the first year for coach Kevin O’Connell an unforgettable and unparalleled season of late-game drama. They have an NFL-record 11 wins in one-score decisions. The cohesion, confidence and firm grasp of the finer details that O’Connell has helped foster are important traits that ought to serve the Vikings well in the playoffs. The fourth-quarter deficits are a pattern that can’t be dismissed, either. The Vikings for all their potency on offense have rarely had a game when they’re not stuck for extended stretches. Their 71 punt attempts are tied for sixth most in the league.

——————————————————-

 

NFL-MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

 

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Austin Ekeler scored on two 1-yard runs and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their first playoff berth since 2018, intercepting Indianapolis quarterback Nick Foles three times to beat the overmatched Colts 20-3. Justin Herbert threw for 235 yards and Cameron Dicker made two short field goals for the Chargers, who won their third straight after getting the help they needed this weekend from Las Vegas, Miami, New England and the New York Jets. Los Angeles won on the road on a Monday night for the first time in more than a decade. Indianapolis lost its fifth straight under interim coach Jeff Saturday.