INGLEWOOD, CA- The stars were definitely out on a cool, clear Tuesday night at Morningside High/Inglewood High School United.
The brightest star of the evening was Inglewood’s Jason Crowe Jr., for the Ocean League opener against visiting Beverly Hills.
Down at center court, there was a festive atmosphere. The DJ spun various rhythm and blues, hip hop and dance music. Green confetti was launched in the air and fluttered around like a New Year’s party. Friends, relatives and basketball followers celebrated as Crowe achieved a huge milestone in California high school basketball.
(Photo by Jevone Moore)
They were also happy about Inglewood’s 112-75 win over Beverly Hills.
L.A. City Section Hall of Famer Dwayne Polee was among many former players, coaches, officials and fans in attendance to watch Inglewood display a total team effort as Crowe became the state’s all-time leading scorer.
Crowe finished with 51 points, but it wasn’t easy. In between getting knocked around by a physical Beverly Hills defense, he had to earn every point, from the court to the free throw line.
Crowe Dunks (Photo by Jevone Moore)
While Inglewood (7-1) was taking care of business on the court, there was prep sports media legend Eric Sondheimer writing his award winning column from his perch up high above the Western sideline in the stands.
Standout L.A. area journalists Tarek Fattal, Ronnie Flores, photographer Nick Koza, and many other videographers were putting their best work together, representing the prep media in yet another big Southern California basketball event.
Game announcer Corey “Swaggy C” Kwok used his powerful voice in another commanding performance that punctuated the sparkling night.
Legal magnate Jacob Emrani and basketball camp guru Dinos Trigonis soaked in the pure basketball atmosphere that actually felt like a playoff game.
Meanwhile, there was an important league game to win. Cayim White and David Conerly helped Inglewood’s defense use an array of steals, half and full court pressure traps to build a lead that began at 24-7 after the first quarter.
(Photo by Jevone Moore)
Despite trailing 57-32 at the half, Beverly Hills (6-2) put up a competitive showing of its own at times, playing aggressive scrappy defense, its wings filling lanes wider than the Harbor Freeway to create several two-on-one breaks after steals.
But at the end of the night, it was just another magical chapter in the illustrious Inglewood basketball legacy.
After breaking the record (Photo by Jevone Moore)
With his performance, Crowe joined Byron Scott, Jay Humphries, Ralph Jackson, Reggie Theus, Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Monica Raspberry, Shaunda Greene, Jojo Witherspoon, Lynn Sherow, Elden Campbell, Carl Franklin, Frank Scott, Jim Harrick and many others, but the playoffs will be the next step very soon.
Los Angeles, CA – Freshman Jazzy Davidson led the No. 16 USC in her first career Big Ten opener, to a 59-50 victory with a big double-double, scoring a season-high 22 points plus 12 rebounds, to end No. 21 Washington 8-game win streak at the Galen Center.
Women of Troy recorded their longest home game winning streak since 1948 with 19 in a row to help their head coach Lindsay Gottlieb become the fastest coach in program history to reach 100 wins out of 138 games.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
“As I told them in there, this is a big win,” coach Gottlieb said. “It’s a conference win. It’s a top 25 win. It’s a NCAA tournament team win.”
The low scoring affair was big for both teams coming in on win streaks though neither teams could get much going on offense with the scored tied at halftime 22-22.
“I’m really proud of the way we competed especially the first quarter, though I know that sounds crazy, when to not score for eight and half minutes,” coach Gottlieb said.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Sophomore Guard Kennedy Smith whose struggle on offense hit one of the two triples for the game to give SC their first lead, 17-16 with less than four minutes remaining in the first half, but the momentum booster was short as Washington answered right back to close the half.
“I thought Ken’s leadership, Malia’s leadership, people who could settle us in, did so,” coach Gottlieb said about her team’s early offensive woes.
Davidson extended 6-0 run to 9-0 run after nailing the team’s only other 3-pointer of the game to seal the game as Women of Troy never trailed after midway through the third quarter, 34-27. The lady Huskies kept competing and even went on a 4-0 run to close the quarter, 34-39.
“I thought our defense was elite…they’re [Huskies] really talented,” coach Gottlieb said. “They come in with a lot of actions and movements this Princeton stuff…”
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Washington expanded their run with six points, until SC forced a turnover and capitalized with a transition bunny assisted by Davidson to Kennedy Smith. Then Davidson followed with a short fadeaway to push lead back up to five, 51-46.
“I think there are some nights like that,” Davidson said about team’s rollercoaster shooting. “I have full confidence in my teammates to hit those shots and same with myself…I think those shots you make nine out of ten times, you just keep shooting them.”
Sayvia Sellers kept shooting to keep her Huskies team in the game before fouling out and finishing with 20 points on 7-of-23 shooting. Former USC transfer Avery Howell added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Howell received a warm welcome of boos and bumps in game while she picked up a few chippy fouls towards some of her former teammates.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Both teams shot ugly to start the game but USC (7-2) improved to 38% while going 11 of 21 from the charity stripe and 2 of 17 from behind the arc. Washington (8-1) shot 27% (18 of 67) from the field, 6 of 25 (24%) from 3-point range.
The Women of Troy’s four game win streak out of this sixth game homestead, will need this type of momentum and confidence built in their preparation for what could be their toughest home opponent this season, hosting Number one team, UConn on Saturday.
LOS ANGELES, CA — LOS ANGELES — UCLA Bruins opened Big Ten play in dominant fashion Sunday, rolling past Oregon Ducks 80–59 at Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins (9-1, 1-0 Big Ten) jumped out early, building a 19–8 first-quarter lead and never looking back.
By halftime they led 49–26, thanks in part to a 10-0 second-quarter run that widened the gap.
UCLA’s Lauren Betts #51 finishes at the rim (Photo by Jason Purisima)
Center Lauren Betts powered the Bruins — she posted a season-high 24 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and swatted five blocks.
Graduate guard Gianna Kneepkens added 17 points and helped extend the Bruins’ advantage throughout.
On the glass, UCLA crushed Oregon 52–29 in total rebounds and controlled the paint with a 40–28 edge.
The Bruins also moved the ball well, compiling 22 assists.
Oregon’s Katie Fiso #2 dribbling up court (Photo by Jason Purisima)
For Oregon (10-1, 0-1 Big Ten), forward Ehis Etute led the team with 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench, while guard Katie Fiso added 14 points.
But the Ducks struggled mightily from the floor — shooting just 3-for-18 in the first quarter and failing to recover enough to stay within striking distance.
“From the opening tip we set the tone,” Betts said after the game. “We knew we had to own the boards and play tough defense — that got us rolling.”
UCLA’s Lauren Betts #51 attacking Oregon’s Sarah Rambus #23 (Photo by Jason Purisima)
Bruins coach Cori Close lauded the collective effort: “We shared the ball, moved it, and got great energy on the glass. That’s the recipe for success.”
The loss ends Oregon’s unbeaten start and hands UCLA its sixth straight victory over the Ducks, continuing a trend of strong Bruins performances in this matchup.
Big Ten Championship December 06 Indiana Hoosiers vs Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. ( Photo by Andre Hollis /fi360 News)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In a classic Big Ten Heavyweight fight worthy of the conference’s grandest stage, No. 2 Indiana stunned No. 1 Ohio State 13–10 Saturday night inside Lucas Oil Stadium, riding a fearless performance from quarterback Fernando Mendoza and a game-breaking night from tight end Charlie Becker to claim the Big Ten Championship before a record crowd of 68,214.
Mendoza, the Hoosiers’ Heisman frontrunner, carved up college football’s top-ranked team with poise and toughness, throwing for 222 yards on 15-of-23 passing with one touchdown and one interception, while Becker delivered the defining moments of the night with six catches for 126 yards, repeatedly torching the Buckeyes in the biggest spots. Indiana’s final defensive stand — a bat-down on Ohio State’s last-gasp throw with 18 seconds remaining — sealed the first Big Ten title in program history and sent crimson-clad fans into delirium.
Indiana Hoosiers Big Ten Champions December 06 Indiana Hoosiers vs Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. ( Photo by Andre Hollis /fi360 News)
Indiana announced it wasn’t intimidated early, even as adversity struck immediately. Mendoza was knocked down on the first play — a hit many thought deserved a flag — but returned after briefly exiting as his brother took the second snap. From there, the Hoosiers settled in, converting a crucial 3rd-and-4 on their opening drive with a strike to Becker, foreshadowing what would become a recurring nightmare for Ohio State.
The defenses dominated the opening quarter. Indiana generated pressure Ohio State hadn’t seen a week earlier against Michigan, culminating in Louis Moore’s interception of Julian Sayin on a 3rd-and-6, giving IU prime field position. The Hoosiers managed just six plays and 12 yards, but the short field was enough for a 3–0 lead after a field goal.
Julian Sayin throw at strike for the first touchdown during the Big Ten Championship December 06 Indiana Hoosiers vs Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. ( Photo by Andre Hollis /fi360 News)
Ohio State answered late in the first quarter despite penalties and stalled momentum when Sayin found Carnell Tate in the back of the end zone for a 7–3 Buckeyes lead. Indiana responded with a perfectly timed pass interference call and a 37-yard burst by Black, though a missed field goal kept points off the board — the kind of mistake that usually costs teams against No. 1.
Still, this Indiana team was different.
After another Ohio State drive featuring a 52-yard Sayin-to-Smith connection, IU’s defense stiffened, forcing a field goal instead of a touchdown. Trailing 10–3, Indiana gambled near midfield, converting a 4th-and-2 with a perfectly executed fake to tight end Riley Nowakowski, igniting the stadium. A 14-play, six-minute march followed — capped by a made field goal this time — trimming the deficit to 10–6 at halftime.
Rolijah Hardy with a critical 4th down stop duringBig Ten Championship December 06 Indiana Hoosiers vs Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. ( Photo by Andre Hollis /fi360 News)
At the break, Indiana had out-possessed Ohio State and out-hit them, posting 166 total yards (87 pass, 79 rush) while holding the Buckeyes to just 19 rushing yards. Both teams had turnovers, three sacks apiece, and everything pointed to a heavyweight fight heading into the second half.
The Hoosiers came out swinging.
Indiana’s defense opened the third quarter with back-to-back sacks, forcing a Buckeye punt. On the very next series, Mendoza hit Becker for a 51-yard strike, flipping the field and momentum in one play. Seven snaps later, Mendoza zipped a 17-yard touchdown to Elijah Sarratt, completing an 88-yard drive in just three minutes and putting Indiana in front 13–10.
“Ho-ho-ho Hoosiers” echoed through the dome as Indiana seized control.
Ohio State threatened late in the third, marching inside the red zone behind Sayin’s rhythm throws, but a potential game-changing QB sneak on fourth down was overturned on review, handing the ball — and momentum — back to Indiana.
Fernando Mendoza hands the ball off to Kaelin Black during Big Ten Championship December 06 Indiana Hoosiers vs Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. ( Photo by Andre Hollis /fi360 News)
The fourth quarter delivered pure drama.
Mendoza kept answering the call, again finding Becker on third down, this time for 15 yards, before Ohio State forced a punt. The Buckeyes countered with clutch conversions, trick plays, and a double pass — aided by a 15-yard penalty — setting up a tying field goal attempt under five minutes.
It missed.
With 2:48 left, Indiana took over protecting a three-point lead. Facing 3rd-and-6 with 2:41 remaining, Mendoza calmly delivered the dagger — a 33-yard strike to Becker, his biggest catch in a night full of them and his third 100-yard game of the season. Indiana bled the clock, punted, and trusted a defense that had already proven it belonged.
Ohio State got one final shot. It never landed.
A Hoosier defender batted down Sayin’s last throw, and the celebration was on.
Fernando Mendoza holding up the MVP trophy during the Big Ten Championship December 06 Indiana Hoosiers vs Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. ( Photo by Andre Hollis /fi360 News)
Indiana — in its first-ever Big Ten Championship Game appearance — completed a perfect season, took down the nation’s top team, and made an unmistakable statement heading into the College Football Playoff. Against a Buckeye defense no one had cracked all year, the Hoosiers attacked through the air and on the ground, converting when it mattered and refusing to blink.
On a night built for legends, Fernando Mendoza and Charlie Becker delivered one, and Indiana football reached a place it had never been before.
Carson, CA- A season that revived a city, restored pride on campus, and put Carson back on the map ended two points short Saturday night. The Colts fell 35–33 to Kennedy–Delano in the CIF State Division 3-A Regional, a game defined by momentum swings, emotional resilience, and two plays that will haunt Carson until they get another chance to rewrite the story.
The Colts jumped out to a blazing 27–14 first-quarter lead, powered by junior quarterback Chris Fields, who accounted for all five Carson touchdowns. But a blocked extra point early in the first quarter and a stopped two-point conversion late in the fourth became the difference. Those missed opportunities, paired with Kennedy’s relentless ground game, ultimately sealed the Colts’ fate.
Fields (1) on the run. Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360
Fields completed 11 of his first 15 passes for 160 yards in the opening half and finished 14 of 26 for 204 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also added 17 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, becoming the heartbeat of the offense.
His targets delivered: Jordin Daniel led with 98 yards on seven catches. Nathan Williams hauled in an 18-yard touchdown.
Darren Panton caught three passes for 70 yards and set the stadium buzzing with a 59-yard punt return that helped Carson take a 27–20 lead.
Royal Moore made a tough fourth-down catch in the second half that kept Carson’s chances alive.
The Colts exploding up and down the field with confidence and pace gave the home crowd the feeling that a state berth was coming. But games like this are built on adjustments, and Kennedy had one ready.
Kennedy answers with old-school football, running the ball as if they were writing a textbook on the Wing-T offense.
Demacabalin (10) on the to the endzone. Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360
Senior star Jace Demacabalin carried the ball 38 times for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Kennedy attempted only one pass all night. They did not need another.
Every time Carson seemed on the verge of forcing a punt, Kennedy picked up another first down. Counters, sweeps, dives and traps wore down the defense. The Thunderbirds added a major spark when Jamison Membreve returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown immediately after Carson went up 14–7. He finished with 46 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown of his own.
One of the biggest turning points came on a rarely called horse-collar tackle penalty, a fifteen-yard flag for pulling a runner down by the inside of the shoulder pads. Officials do not see it often because players are coached to avoid that dangerous motion. But its timing was devastating. Instead of facing a long second down, Kennedy received a free fifteen yards that placed them deep in Carson territory and kept the drive alive.
Second half struggles and the math that caught up as Carson’s offense cooled in the second half. Fields began the third quarter with six straight incompletions. Timing fell off. Drives stalled. Penalties began to creep in, extending Kennedy possessions and shrinking Carson’s margin for error.
Still, the Colts fought. They reached the end zone late and cut the deficit to two. But because of the blocked PAT in the first quarter, Carson could not kick to tie the game. They were forced to attempt a two-point conversion.
Kennedy stopped it.
A blocked extra point at the beginning and a stopped two-point conversion at the end. Two plays, two points, and a season closed.
Demacabalin (10) running in traffic. Photo by Jevone Moore / Full Image 360
After the loss, the bigger picture took center stage, The field was still full.
On one sideline, Kennedy celebrated loudly, cheering, laughing, and taking pictures with their fans as they prepared for their state championship appearance.
On the opposite sideline, silence. Carson players sat in full pads, staring at the turf, letting the weight of the moment sink in.
That is when the seniors stepped forward.
Forming a huddle around their younger teammates, they spoke with cracked voices and heavy emotion. They told them to carry this feeling into next year, use the loss as fuel, and continue the standard this group had rebuilt. They reminded the underclassmen that Carson football had reclaimed its identity this season and that it was now their turn to protect it.
Later, in a separate conversation, the team’s academic counselor shared how proud he was of the group. He meets with players throughout the year to review grades, NCAA requirements, and credit recovery options. His role is making sure their classroom performance stays aligned with their athletic goals.
“We had a great year,” he said. “You saw the boys get better every week. The growth was amazing.”
An assistant coach who works as a registered nurse during the day and coaches in the evenings echoed the same sentiment. He spoke about how many players juggle schoolwork, practice schedules, family responsibilities, and college aspirations. Their discipline, he said, is what impressed him most.
The message from both men was clear: the season ended, but the growth continues.
A season that meant something, the Colts did not get the ending they dreamed of, but they earned something real this year.
Photo by Jevone Moore
They won the Open Division. They reignited a proud football community. They brought energy back to the to their campus, and to their city.
A 35–33 loss does not erase any of that.
This team leaves behind a standard, a foundation, and a room full of younger players who now know exactly what it takes to climb this far. The seniors are gone, but their message remains:
Take the pain. – Correct the mistakes. – Finish the story. – And make us proud.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 6: Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton (2) makes a pass during the fourth quarter of the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
Dallas, TX, – Saturday’s game meant more than the 2025 Big 12 title. For Texas Tech, it was about securing a playoff spot. The Red Raiders put the committee on notice by knocking out BYU 34-7. This gave them their first Big 12 Championship crown in school history.
“Just proud of them,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said after the game. “I’m so proud of this team. I think we’ve got the best coaching staff in the world. We’ve got the best administration staff in the world. We’ve got the best fans in the world. Proud of the way we played today.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 6: Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts shares the player of game award with his teammates after winning the 2025 Big 12 Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
The Big 12 Championship game is a rematch of Texas Tech’s 29-7 win over BYU on November 8th in Lubbock. It was the first Big 12 Championship appearance for both teams and their first meeting on a neutral field—the fourth time overall they’ve met. The start of Saturday’s game felt different, but the final three quarters echoed last month’s matchup, setting the stage for a familiar narrative.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake mentioned numerous times during the postgame press conference that Texas Tech is the best team in college football. “I’ve said it before, I think [Texas Tech is] the best team in the country, and confirming it, they’re the best team in the country. They beat us in a different way than they did the first time. We’ve got to learn from this and build on it and be a lot like them.”
BYU, known for slow starts in 2025, took its opening drive from its own end and used almost seven minutes. They covered ninety yards and converted three third downs. LJ Martin finished the drive with a ten-yard direct snap run for a touchdown. Texas Tech answered by driving into the red zone. However, they committed two false start penalties inside the BYU ten-yard line and settled for a 23-yard field goal by Stone Harrington. Both teams went 6-for-8 on third-down conversions in the first quarter. The field goal was made on the first play of the second quarter. This was only the third time all season that Texas Tech failed to score in the first 15 minutes of a game.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 6: BYU receiver Parker Kingston (11) Texas Tech tackler John Curry (6) during the second quarter of the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
“We felt like we were going to get everything and anything, and we did,” McGuire said after the game. “I think we got a reverse pass, double pass, reverse. They emptied the tank on that first drive. The one thing we did make them do was drive the field, so they had to use everything. Then we settled in.”
On the next drive, Texas Tech converted two third downs and reached the BYU 33. Morton then found Coy Eakin in the front corner of the end zone, who dragged his toes and crossed the pylon with the ball. After review, officials ruled it a touchdown, giving Texas Tech its first lead at 10-7.
“The corner just kind of dropped. I had him beat, so I was like, Behren is about to throw it. Just kind of make the play that comes to you,” Coy Eakin said after the game on the touchdown.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 6: Texas Tech receiver Terrence Carter Jr (7) stiff arms BYU linebacker Faletau Spatula (11) during the second quarter of the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
The Red Raiders’ defense halted BYU’s fake punt attempt, forcing a standard punt. Texas Tech advanced but nearly lost possession when J’Koby Williams fumbled on third down at the BYU 44; fortunately, Terrance Carter Jr. recovered. The drive stalled inside the 25, leading to a Harrington field goal and a 13-7 Texas Tech lead at halftime.
Both teams opened the second half with quick drives that ended suddenly. BYU missed a 46-yard field goal, and Texas Tech turned it over on downs at the BYU 14 with an incomplete fourth-down pass.
Texas Tech’s decision to go for it was bold, and BYU’s next drive ended with the game’s first turnover. A Bear Bachmeier pass to Chase Roberts was deflected and intercepted by Ben Roberts, who set up a Cameron Drickey touchdown run and a two-point pass to Carter Jr.
Not to be outdone, BYU turned it over on the next drive, when Bachmeier’s RPO was blown up by Anthony Holmes Jr., leading to a fumble that Texas Tech’s Romello Height recovered inside the BYU 25. This second Cougars’ turnover directly resulted in Harrington’s third field goal, extending the Red Raiders’ lead to 24-7. On the very next BYU possession, Bachmeier threw again—this time Ben Roberts made a leaping interception, tipping and catching the ball. Roberts entered Saturday with two career interceptions (Nov 1, 2025, at Kansas State; Sept 23, 2023, at West Virginia). His two picks vs. BYU set a Big 12 Championship record, all while playing through an abdominal injury.
“I just did everything I could to stretch it out and fix it up. But the trainers really helped me at halftime. They got it all heated up and relaxed, and I was ready to go in the second half,” Ben Roberts said.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 6: BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) pitches the ball to running back LJ Martin (4) during the fourth quarter of the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
Texas Tech added another score on a 4th and 1 with Morton’s second touchdown pass to Eakin. Overall, Texas Tech forced four BYU turnovers, all in the second half—three in the fourth quarter. In both meetings, the Red Raiders’ defense forced seven BYU turnovers.
“Our defense is chaos. They’re a great group of guys. I can’t say enough about the defense for what they’ve done for the offense. It makes our job a lot easier,” Behren Morton said about his defense after the game.
There’s optimism in BYU’s locker room, regardless of whether the Cougars make the playoff field, and even if they miss the cut, their culture remains unchanged for the bowl game.
“We all love each other so much,” BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts said. “There’s such a great culture that we’ve built, and the team we have, we’re going to go out, and we’re going to play our hearts out.”
Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire thinks BYU should receive a bid for the College Football Playoff.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 6: Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts (13) returns his first of two interceptions in the second half of the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
“I want to start out with making — when the Selection Committee starts looking at teams, I truly believe the Big 12 deserves two teams in the playoffs. When you look at BYU, they’re 11-2, and their two losses are to the No. 4 team in the nation,” he said.
Texas Tech heads to the college football playoff with all 12 wins by 23 points or more. Behren Morton finishes 11-0 as a starter. He went 20 for 33 for 215 yards and threw two touchdowns to Eakin.
Saturday’s championship game performance suggests that the best team in the country may reside in Lubbock, Texas. For Texarkana native, Joey McGuire, the win over BYU was only the start.
“I’m a Texan. I ain’t never been anywhere else. I’ll never be anywhere else. I’m proud to be the head coach at Texas Tech, and this team’s not done yet.”
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 6: Texas Tech receivers Reggie Virgil (1) and Terrance Carter Jr (7) celebrate after scoring on a two-point conversion during the third quarter of the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas (Photo by Jeff Dahlia/fi360 News)
Los Angeles, CA- No. 16 USC beat St Mary’s in a similar style to how they’ve won their previous two games at the Galen Center, in another decisive score, 79-33, behind one of Transfer Senior Guard Londynn Jones’ best defensive performance according to head coach Lindsay Gottlieb to go with 17 points.
“First off, I want to wish good luck to St. Mary, though I think we made them look rougher than what they are,” Coach Gottlieb said. “I thought our players took this challenge…our players moved the ball great, turned it over minimally, got to the right spot, people knocked down shots.”
Women of Troy were able to defeat the Gaels by 46 points with a variety of defenses and lineups that tallied up 16 steals to hold this team to single digit points in three out of four quarters.
“Obviously, holding a team to 33 points is exceptional, but we’re still getting better, ”Coach Gottlieb said. “We have a lot of great defenders and it starts with Kennedy and everyone’s feeding off of her.”
On the other end of the court, Transfer Senior Kara Dunn’s offensive prowess continues to lead USC dominance against non-conference teams after losing on the road to two tough power 4 non-conference ranked contenders, University of South Carolina and Notre Dame.
USC started on a short run before St. Mary settled into their offense in the first quarter. But in the second quarter, the Women of Troy turned up their pressure on both ends behind Dunn delivering 11 points with efficient shooting plus three steals. Junior Guard Malia Samuels returned into the starting lineup after missing the last game and finished with four steals in limited minutes.
“We’re working on making sure our execution is really good,” Dunn said. We’re making sure we’re giving all of our effort in every play. We’re getting better in boxing out…games like this there should be no reason, we’re not efficient.”
USC bench was just as effective and efficient behind the veteran leadership of Jones coming off the bench and giving her team an extra boost of energy and experience, scoring nine points in the first half off 50% shooting. USC entered halftime with a 24-point lead, 42-18.
Big 10 Freshmen of the week, Jazzy Davidson also scored in double figures with 14 points, though she struggled from deep range, going 2-9, plus pitching in six assists.
“Kind of like Kara said, we’re not taking any team lightly, “Davidson said.
USC showed no mercy for St. Mary coming out of halftime with a 21-0 run. Jones led the charge with eight points in nearly three minutes of action shooting perfect from the field, 2 of 2 from three-point range and 2 of 2 from the free throw line.
However, she cooled off, missing her last four shots in the final quarter despite USC ending the game on a 12-0 run.
The Women of Troy (6-2) will have three remaining home games of this six-game homestead as they prepare to host No. 21 Washington on Sunday matching up against one of their former players, Avery Howell, whom transferred after one season at USC.
INGLEWOOD, CA– Justin Herbert broke a bone in his non-throwing hand during the Los Angeles Chargers’ first offensive series Sunday. After covering it with a hard cast and a white glove, he spent the rest of the afternoon exclusively taking shotgun snaps and handing off to his running backs whenever possible.
Herbert threw touchdown passes to Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, and Kimani Vidal made a 59-yard scoring run during a 31-14 victory over the spiraling Las Vegas Raiders.
Vidal rushed for a career-high 126 yards for the Chargers (8-4), who snapped back from an embarrassing loss at Jacksonville and won for their fourth win in five games to keep pressure on the Denver Broncos atop the AFC West. Los Angeles improved to 4-0 in the division.
Herbert will have surgery Monday on the unspecified broken bone on the back of his left hand, but he is optimistic he won’t miss any playing time down the stretch.
Photo by Jevone Moore
“I did my best to go out there and take care of business, and I thought we ran the ball really well, so it was really cool to see,” Herbert said. “I’m treating it as if I’m playing (next) Monday.”
The Chargers went up 21-7 on McConkey’s 7-yard TD catch late in the third quarter.
Next week, the Los Angeles Chargers host the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Philadelphia Eagles at Sofi Stadium.
Westwood, CA – No. 3 UCLA took all of the game’s first half to adjust to Tennessee’s unpredictable and “helter skelterish” style of play before sticking to their guns playing their discipline style of basketball to pull off a hard-earned win, 99-77 on Sunday at Pauley Pavillion, ending former lady Bruin Janiah Barker and her Lady Vols teammates’ five game winning streak.
“I knew this was going to be a really challenging stretch…” UCLA head coach Cori Close said, ”we were going to be forced to grow in our toughness and discipline.”
Both teams started off with the hot hand in the first quarter, UCLA shot 50% and Tennessee made 40% of their shots as both teams were tied, 10-10 midway thru the first.
Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News
“I want to credit how hard Tennessee plays,” Coach Close said. “They forced us to speed up sometimes and bottom line for outside this game, I want to wish Janiah Barker the best.”
While Barker expressed her feelings after the game and during the game with high-energy and emotion-fueled plays, senior forward Gabriela Jaquez seem unbothered by Barker’s 11 points start, as she made wide open shots from almost everywhere on the court, to ignite her team even drawing a foul from deep on Barker, then knocking down three free throws, to extend the Lady Bruins lead 24-15.
“You wish obviously JB [Janiah Barker] the best, she is a great person…and she’s been really great so far this year for them,” UCLA senior guard KiKi Rice said. “At the end of the day it’s just another game and we wanted to take it for that…so we wanted to prepare for what they did and not just her.”
The Lady Vols quickly responded and closed the first quarter on a 6-2 run in less than a minute remaining of the period, 26-21.
Photo by Jason Purisima / fi360 News
Jaquez scored 29 points off 10 of 14 shots including a career high 5 triples and 80% from charity stripe. Rice added 20 points plus tied her career high with 11 rebounds to record another career double-double.
“Early on in the first quarter, I felt like I turned the ball over a few times and made a few bad decisions,” Rice said. “So coach just encouraged me to slow down and make the right reads.”
Barker led the Lady Vols with a career-high 25 points. The UCLA transfer left last spring after one season in which she averaged 7.4 points and six rebounds.
The Lady Bruins outscored the Lady Vols 27-17 to open their lead margin and take a 76-56 lead in the third quarter. UCLA shot almost 60% from the floor, dominating Tennessee in the paint, 50-32. Lady Bruins dished 26 assists while finding a way to not turnover the ball from Lady Vols full court pressure the entire game.
“I think we have to take ownership and accountability for how we come out to play games,” Jaquez said. “We knew we’re not pleased with how we came out in that Texas game and so coming out with aggression and that mindset will really help us. And it did.”
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The Lady Vols went on a 9-0 run to open the fourth, cutting the Bruins lead to 11, but the lady Bruins never let them cut it down to single digits as Rice settled in, finding open lanes and took over the game.
“Rebounding was a big key and focus for us,” Rice said. “I had surgery on my shoulder in the offseason, so I feel more comfortable rebounding.”
The Lady Vols opened the second quarter with a 16-10 run, with multiple players connecting on three-pointers, snagging a one-point lead, 37-36. The Bruins answered with a 12-2 run to go into halftime leading 49-39.
“I do think we see ourselves as that Final Four team. We always say you can’t outperform your self-image,” coach Close said. Are we playing at that level consistently yet? Not yet.”
Gianna Kneepkens poured in 19 points, hitting four 3-pointers, and Angela Dugalic had 14 points and six rebounds. Lauren Betts return to play, finishing with seven points, four rebounds and three assists after missing her team’s blowout win over Duke due to a left arm injury.
Lady Bruins still able to show their balanced depth, having four players scored in double digits despite missing key players like returning forward Timea Gardiner and Sienna Betts, who has yet to make her debut after suffering a leg injury during preseason.
UCLA (8-1) will host next Sunday its Big 10 opener matchup against Oregon while Tennessee (5-2) continues its West coast travel to Northern California facing Stanford in an ACC/SEC women’s basketball challenge on Wednesday.
Los Angeles, CA- No.19 USC finished the season unbeaten at home after a 29-10 win over rival UCLA on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Running back King Miller rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way for the Trojans.
“That was a fun night in the Coliseum right there. Another phenomenal atmosphere,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “One of the things we talked about earlier in the season with this team was protecting our home, and there’s two parts of that. It’s one, that us as a program, playing well at home. And then the flip side of that is the Coliseum lit up like it was tonight.”
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Both starting wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane were benched for the first two first offensive series, according to Lincoln Riley. Lane finished with three receptions for 52 yards and Lemon’s only reception was a 32-yard touchdown.
UCLA took a halftime lead but were shut out in the second half. Nico Iamaleava threw for 200 yards and was sacked four times.
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USC opened the scoring with a 10-play, 75-yard drive on the opening possession, which was capped by a King Miller 5-yard touchdown run. UCLA began the second quarter with Iamaleava’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Kwazi Gilmer.
The Trojans kicker Ryan Sayeri had a field goal blocked in the first quarter and missed another one wide right in the second quarter. USC and UCLA remained tied 7-7 with two minutes left in the second quarter. The Bruins added a field goal at the end of the half for a 10-7 lead.
“Proud of the response there in the second half, another dominant performance defensively there in the second half,” Riley said. Special teams and offense were able to finish some plays there. And obviously, we just got on a big run there as a team and really, really separated.”
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USC’s defense forced a punt and the offense drove down the field with ease as Maiava hit Lemon in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. The Trojans took a 14-10 lead with 25 seconds left in the third quarter.
Maiava threw an interception but it was nullified after a roughing the passer penalty was called on UCLA’s defensive end Anthony Jones. On the same drive, Maiava hit tight end Lake Mcree in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown and the Trojans took a 21-10 lead with 11:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Miller put the finishing touches on the victory with a 41-yard touchdown run with 2:29 left in the fourth quarter. USC ends the season 9-3 overall and 7-2 in the BIG 10 conference.
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“I’ve talked a lot about the vision that I talked about at the opening press conference here. Just how I feel about this place,” Riley said. And I understand that Los Angeles is a place that people aren’t going to show up just because. You have to win. You have to give them something. And when you do, there’s no better sports town.”
