National Sports - The Morning Sun

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) scores a basket in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Wally Skalij)

LeBron James' return from injury spoiled by Bulls' phenomenal effort in 146-115 win over Lakers

Coby White scored 36 points, Josh Giddey flirted with a quadruple-double and the Chicago Bulls wrecked LeBron James’ return from injury with an impressive 146-115 victory over the Los Angeles … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 3/23/25

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) reacts after shooting during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Pacers' Myles Turner delivers strong performance after sister leaves game due to 'medical situation'

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner delivered one of his best overall games all season Saturday. Afterward, his mind was on anything but basketball. Just hours after his sister, Mya, was taken off the … more

3/23/25

Houston guard L.J. Cryer (4) reacts after hitting a three-pointer against Gonzaga during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Wichita, Kan. (AP Photo/Travis Heying)

No. 1 seed Houston holds off Gonzaga comeback, beats No. 8 seed Bulldogs 81-76 to reach Sweet 16

LJ Cryer matched a career high with 30 points, including two free throws with 14.2 seconds left, and No. 1 seed Houston held on to beat eighth-seeded Gonzaga 81-76 on Saturday night to reach the … more

By DAVE SKRETTA | 3/22/25

Brigham Young forward Richie Saunders, center, drives between Wisconsin forward Steven Crowl, left, and guard Max Klesmit during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

In March Madness thriller, BYU gets back to Sweet 16 with 91-89 victory over Wisconsin

BYU withstood a ferocious charge from Wisconsin’s John Tonje to hold off the Badgers for a 91-89 victory that sends the program to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011. Tonje finished with 37 … more

By EDDIE PELLS | 3/22/25

Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson, left, takes on Michigan State's Max Vanadia in their CCC-pound first round match during the NCAA wrestling championships, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Penn State's Starocci wins record 5th national title; Hendrickson stuns Steveson for 285-pound title

Penn State’s Carter Starocci won an unprecedented fifth national title and Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final at the NCAA … more

3/22/25

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, left, laughs as he sits on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LeBron James is available to return from his 7-game injury absence when Lakers face Bulls

LeBron James is available to play for the Los Angeles Lakers again after a seven-game absence with a strained left groin. The top scorer in NBA history is expected to start against the Chicago Bulls … more

By GREG BEACHAM | 3/22/25

Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford (0) celebrates in the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Creighton in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Top overall seed Auburn reaches first Sweet 16 since 2019, turning away Creighton 82-70

Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said a trip to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament was no sure thing. Experienced Creighton made his top-seeded team work for it before the Tigers found their defensive … more

By GARY B. GRAVES | 3/22/25

Texas A&M forward Andersson Garcia, left, drives past Michigan center Danny Wolf, right, during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/John Leyba)

Roddy Gayle's second-half surge leads Michigan past Texas A&M 91-79 in March Madness turnaround

Michigan is going back to the Sweet 16 a year after a 24-loss season, using Roddy Gayle’s surge to beat Texas A&M 91-79 in the NCAA Tournament. Gayle scored 21 of his season-high 26 points in the … more

By ARNIE STAPLETON | 3/22/25

Arkansas head coach John Calipari, right, and St. John's head coach Rick Pitino, left, call to their players during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Calipari bests Pitino in March Madness and leads Arkansas to sweetest Sweet 16 appearance yet

John Calipari is heading back to the Sweet 16 after sending a second straight Hall of Famer home from the NCAA Tournament’s “Region of Coaches.” One game after knocking out good friend Bill … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 3/22/25

UConn forward Sarah Strong (21) is guarded by Arkansas State guard Wynter Rogers during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

March Madness: No. 2 UConn routs Arkansas State 103-34 in opener as Fudd has 27 points

Azzi Fudd had 21 of her 27 points in the first half as second-seeded UConn rolled to a 103-34 win over Arkansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Freshman Sarah Strong … more

By JIM FULLER | 3/22/25

Arkansas head coach John Calipari calls to his players during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Sweet 16: Calipari guides Arkansas past Pitino, St. John's 75-66 for 16th trip to regional semifinal

John Calipari is heading to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time. The Arkansas coach guided the Razorbacks past nemesis Rick Pitino and second-seeded St. John’s 75-66 to bring his fourth school to the … more

By JIMMY GOLEN | 3/22/25

McNeese State head coach Will Wade questions a call during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

McNeese's Will Wade signs a 6-year deal to become NC State coach, AP source says

A person with knowledge of the situation says McNeese coach Will Wade has a signed six-year deal to take over as N.C. State’s next coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of … more

By AARON BEARD | 3/22/25

Kyle Larson drives during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

1 win at Homestead already under his belt, Kyle Larson eye's a triple-header sweep

Kyle Larson is tired of his weekends at Homestead-Miami Speedway ending in disappointment. The Hendrick Motorsports driver has won a NACAR Cup Series race and Xfinity Series race in his career at the … more

By ALANIS THAMES | 3/22/25

Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) is surrounded by McNeese State players on a shot during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Purdue ends McNeese's March Madness run 76-62 to get back to Sweet 16

Trey Kaufman-Renn had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Purdue Boilermakers used a fast start to roll to a 76-62 win over McNeese in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Fletcher Loyer added 15 … more

By KYLE HIGHTOWER | 3/22/25

Grand Canyon head coach Molly Miller calls out a play against Baylor during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday March 21, 2025, in Waco,Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)

Arizona State tabs Grand Canyon's Molly Miller as next women's basketball coach

Arizona State is hiring Grand Canyon’s Molly Miller as its next women’s basketball coach. Miller replaces Natasha Adair, who was fired earlier this month after going 29-62 in three seasons. … more

3/22/25

FILE - Louisville head coach Jeff Walz, left, and guard Hailey Van Lith direct their team against Clemson in the third quarter of an NCAA college basketball game in Clemson, S.C., Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond, File)

Hailey Van Lith vs. Louisville when TCU guard faces team she went deep in March Madness with 3 times

Hailey Van Lith is hoping to go deep into the women's NCAA Tournament with TCU like she did three times with Louisville. As fate would have it in the standout guard’s fifth and final March Madness, … more

By STEPHEN HAWKINS | 3/22/25

Virginia Commonwealth head coach Ryan Odom directs his team against BYU during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Virginia hires VCU coach Ryan Odom, whose father was a Cavaliers assistant

Virginia athletic director Carla Williams is hoping the obvious choice was the right one. Williams named VCU coach Ryan Odom — whose father was a Cavaliers assistant and who handed the program its … more

By MIKE BARBER | 3/22/25

FILE - Tiara Brown during a boxing match, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Brooklyn. (AP Photo/Vera Nieuwenhuis, file)

Former US police officer Tiara Brown beats Skye Nicolson to become WBC featherweight champion

Former police officer Tiara Brown became WBC world featherweight champion by beating Skye Nicolson in a split-decision victory. The 36-year-old Brown took Nicolson’s belt when judges scored the … more

3/22/25

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia celebrates his pole position after qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

McLaren's Piastri takes his first F1 pole at Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton to start fifth

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has scored his maiden pole position in Formula 1 ahead of Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix by delivering two sizzling laps that were quick enough for the top spot ahead of … more

By STEWART BELL | 3/22/25

Michigan State forward Coen Carr (55) defends Bryant guard Earl Timberlake (0) in the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Bryant guard Earl Timberlake gives the Bulldogs their One Bloody Moment in March Madness

Bryant guard Earl Timberlake left a piece of himself on the floor for the Bulldogs in their NCAA Tournament loss to Michigan State. Timberlake received a gash over his left eye in the first half … more

By WILL GRAVES | 3/22/25