Westwood, CA – The UCLA Bruins men’s volleyball team pulled off another thrilling five-sets victory over No. 7 BYU on April 12, 2025, at a packed Pauley Pavilion, winning 23–25, 25–17, 25–17, 22–25, 15–11.
The win, UCLA’s second against BYU in just three days, marked a critical late-season statement, further positioning the Bruins as a top NCAA title contender. With unmatched energy, high-IQ execution, and dominant performances from multiple players, UCLA controlled key stretches of the match and proved once again they thrive under pressure.
Bruins Rebound and Respond with Tactical Brilliance
After narrowly dropping the first set, the Bruins adjusted and came roaring back in sets two and three. Their strategy? Aggressive serving, fast transitions, and forcing BYU into uncomfortable passes.
Led by setter Andrew Rowan, the Bruins ran a fast-paced, multi-option offense that kept BYU guessing. The backcourt dug deep to keep rallies alive, while the front line controlled the net. When BYU found a rhythm in the fourth set, UCLA didn’t blink. They dug in again and finished the fifth with intensity, winning the final set 15–11.
Photo by Marlo Richardson / fi360 News
Key Player Highlights: Bruins Balanced and Bold
This win wasn’t carried by one star—it was built by a unit that’s learned to play as one.
Andrew Rowan distributed the offense with confidence and precision. His quick sets and in-game adjustments made him the engine of the Bruins’ success.
Cooper Robinson turned in another all-around performance, playing with high energy and contributing from both the front and back row.
Sean Kelly was a force at the net, using smart placement and sharp timing to beat blocks and frustrate BYU’s defense.
Cameron Thorne came up huge in momentum moments, delivering crucial blocks that sparked team-wide surges.
Together, they created an unstoppable rhythm that overwhelmed even one of the nation’s most disciplined teams.
Fan Energy, Home Court Impact
The energy inside Pauley Pavilion was unmistakable. Students, alumni, and volleyball fans packed the stands—and they didn’t sit still. The energy created by the UCLA fanbase had a clear effect on the momentum of the match.
This wasn’t just volleyball—it was an experience. A shared moment. And it reminded everyone why showing up matters.
Why This Win Matters
With postseason play looming, this win matters not just for rankings, but for rhythm. UCLA’s depth, discipline, and grit are on full display. This is a team that learns fast, adjusts faster, and plays with an edge that can carry them all the way to a national title.
Photo by Marlo Richardson / fi360 News
Final Thoughts from the sidelines
Let’s keep it real: these Bruins are built for championship moments. If you haven’t been paying attention, now’s the time to lock in. They’ve got the talent, the coaching, the mindset—and the momentum.
Pauley Pavilion deserves to stay loud.
This team deserves a crowd.
Let’s pack it again. Let’s ride this wave all the way to the postseason.
GEORGETOWN, TX – Greta Kwedar has made history as the first female coach to lead a boys’ program to a Texas state championship. As head coach of the Austin Achieve Polar Bears, Kwedar has been with the team since the school’s inception and remains the only head coach the program has ever known.
On Thursday at the UIL Class 4A-II state final in Georgetown, Texas, Austin Achieve (22-4-1) clinched the title with a 1–0 victory over Gainesville (18-4-3). The match’s lone goal came midway through the second half, scored by Fredy Lozano (#7), sealing a landmark win for the Polar Bears.
Photos by Taariq Cruz-Vanegas
The second half was where Austin Achieve truly took control. Their defense completely shut down Gainesville’s offensive efforts, holding the Leopards without a single shot on goal. On the other side of the field, the Polar Bears managed seven shots on target against Gainesville goalkeeper Leonardo Martinez.
“We really hit our rhythm in the second half, and we knew the goal would come,” said head coach Greta Kwedar. “After Fredy scored, the last few minutes felt painfully long — just hoping, waiting — but our defense stayed sharp and sealed it for us.”
Kwedar, a cornerstone of the Austin-based charter school since it opened, brings both experience and passion to the program. She played four years of college soccer — two at SMU (2004–05) and two at the University of Texas (2006–07), where she captained the Longhorns to back-to-back Big 12 championships.
Photos by Taariq Cruz-Vanegas
With this state title, Kwedar becomes the only female coach to ever lead a boys’ team to a state championship in any sport in Texas, shattering a long-standing glass ceiling in the traditionally male-dominated world of high school athletics.
Her leadership not only brought a trophy home to Austin Achieve but also set a powerful precedent for future generations of female coaches across the state and beyond.
Westwood, CA – There are volleyball matches—and then there are battles that leave the crowd breathless, the players soaked in sweat, and the arena vibrating with adrenaline.
That’s exactly what happened on April 11th at Pauley Pavilion, as the UCLA Bruins men’s volleyball team delivered one of the most electrifying performances of the season, pulling out a five-set thriller over the #7 ranked BYU Cougars: 22–25, 25–15, 25–21, 25–27, 19–17.
This wasn’t just a win. It was a war of wills, and UCLA made a clear statement: they’re not here to play safe—they’re here to dominate.
Momentum Shifts and Power Play
The first set went to BYU, who came out swinging and controlled the tempo early. But if the Cougars thought they were walking away with this one, the Bruins made sure to flip the script—fast.
In the second set, UCLA exploded with energy and execution, taking control and never looking back. They evened the match with a dominant 25–15 response that brought the crowd to its feet.
The third set felt like a chess match—strategic sets, perfectly timed blocks, and fierce rallies that pushed both teams to their limits. UCLA’s offense, powered by quick decision-making and confident swings, earned them a 25–21 edge.
Then came the fourth set—tense, dramatic, and razor-thin. It went back and forth until BYU barely edged out a 27–25 win to force a deciding fifth set.
But the Bruins? They live for the pressure.
In the final set, it came down to grit. Big swings, lockdown defense, and elite-level setting carried UCLA across the finish line in a nail-biting 19–17 victory.
Photo by Marlo Richardson / fi360 News
Stats That Tell the Story
Kills: UCLA – 64 | BYU – 51
Aces: UCLA – 12 | BYU – 6
Blocks: UCLA – 12 | BYU – 8
Hitting Percentage: UCLA – .352
UCLA’s offensive depth and aggressive serving proved too much to handle, while their block game at the net shut down BYU’s momentum in critical moments.
Standout Performances
Let’s talk impact players.
Zach Rama led the charge with 18 kills and a staggering .469 hitting percentage—his presence on the outside was untouchable.
Cooper Robinson brought the heat with 14 kills, 3 aces, and 7 digs—a complete performance that kept BYU on their heels.
Sean Kelly added 13 kills and 4 blocks, showing poise and power in the clutch.
And Andrew Rowan? The Bruins’ engine. With 55 assists and 3 aces, he orchestrated one of the most balanced and dynamic offensive showings we’ve seen all year.
This wasn’t a one-man performance. It was a team clinic in execution, communication, and resilience.
Why This Match Mattered
The matchup wasn’t just a test of athleticism—it was a playoff-level preview. These two programs are elite, and UCLA proved they can not only handle the pressure—they thrive in it.
The crowd? Electric.
The energy? Unmatched.
The kind of volleyball UCLA put on display is what the sport is all about—high IQ play, relentless hustle, and clutch finishes that make your heart skip a beat.
Let’s Pack Pauley Again – April 11
If you missed this one, you have one more chance to witness the fireworks. UCLA takes on BYU again this Saturday, April 11 at Pauley Pavilion.
And after what happened in Match 1, you can count on Match 2 being even more intense. Bring your friends. Wear your blue. Be loud. This team feeds off your energy—and they’re giving us every reason to show up.
DALLAS, TX– Luka Doncic returning to face his former team the Dallas Mavericks, on Wednesday April 9th was a thrilling and emotional homecoming for the 26-year old superstar. Doncic was able to control the hoopla and spectacle concerning his return by dropping 45 points in the Lakers 112-97 victory over the Mavs.
Prior to tipoff, the Mavericks showed a highlight reel on the jumbotron of Luka’s jaw dropping plays-where he joined the Mavs as a 19-year old kid-Doncic was genuinely touched by the outpouring of the Mavericks faithful. His eyes welled with tears, appreciative for the fans support.
“After that video, I was, like, ‘There’s no way I’m playing this game,’” Doncic said. “It was so many emotions.”
Driving to the basket for uncontested layup his signature step back three pointer, he dominated every aspect of the game. Scoring 31 in the first half alone, his incredible performance has the Purple and Gold sitting in the #3 seed in the Western Conference with only two games remaining in the regular season.
It was all smiles from him and his Lakers teammates who swarmed him and chanted along with the “Luka! Luka!” cacophony from the crowd.
Photo by Full Image 360
“Big time, because they all had my back,” Doncic said of sharing the moment with his new team. “Everybody had my back, from coaches to players, and we’re trying to build something special here. That was really, really, really nice to see.”
It was still a tight game in the fourth quarter, as the Mavs erased the deficit, briefly taking an 87-85 lead. LeBron James who powered the Lakers in the second half, posting 27 points and seven rebounds.
James paced himself to be his absolute best in crunch time. It also marked the first time Anthony Davis went up against the Lakers since the blockbuster trade in February.
AD was an extraordinary talent and man who helped the Los Angeles Lakers capture the 2020 NBA Title.
Although Laker fans complained about his constant injuries and availability over the years, he is a legendary Laker who one day will have his number 3 jersey hanging in the rafters.
While the win officially clinched an NBA playoff spot for Los Angeles. Throughout the night, when the Lakers went to the free throw line, loud “Fire Nico!” chants echoed throughout American Airlines Center.
Nico Harrison, the Mavericks president of basketball operations and general manager responsible for bringing the trade concept to the Lakers, spent the game standing in a tunnel near midcourt, mostly out of view.
Shortly after Doncic checked out with 1:34 left in the fourth and the win in hand, the crowd reprised its “Fire Nico!” chant a couple of more times.
The Lake Show returns tomorrow against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena at 7:30 PM.
Travis Hunter and Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders talk after Hunter ran some routes for scouts and media in the "We Ain't Hard 2 Find Showcase" at the University of Colorado indoor practice facility in Boulder, CO on Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Boulder, CU- In what may have been the most anticipated Pro Day since Heisman winners Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart donned the USC cardinal and gold, the football world turned its eyes to Boulder. A packed house of NFL scouts, coaches, and national media outlets descended on Colorado to witness projected top picks Shedeur Sanders, Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, and an electrifying roster of draft hopefuls put on a show ahead of the NFL Draft on April 24.
And show out they did!
Jimmy Horn Jr. runs the 40-yard dash for scouts and media in the “We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase” at the University of Colorado indoor practice facility in Boulder, CO on Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Putting the Team FirstIn a selfless and calculated move, Shedeur and Travis both chose to skip the NFL Combine—not for lack of ability, but to bring the spotlight to Boulder and elevate their teammates.
“We wanted to make sure guys like Will Sheppard, Shilo Sanders, and others who weren’t invited to the Combine got their time to shine,” Shedeur explained.
The event, fittingly titled the “We Ain’t Hard to Find Showcase”, lived up to its name. Travis Hunter participated in all team drills, running lightning-fast routes and stealing moments—even running up to me, all smiles, after a touchdown catch in the end zone. These two set the tone, embodying everything Coach Prime has built in Boulder: swagger, selflessness, and star power
Travis Hunter runs some routes for scouts and media in the “We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase” at the University of Colorado indoor practice facility in Boulder, CO on Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Sanders & Hunter Dazzle Scouts
Shedeur Sanders didn’t miss a throw. He dropped dimes on every level—from quick outs and slants to deep shots downfield. His chemistry with each receiver was on full display. Whether it was Dre’Lon Miller out of the backfield or LaJohntay Wester on deep crossing routes (remember his Hail Mary catch vs. Baylor?), the ball placement was elite.
Will Sheppard, the 6’4” wideout, turned heads with a 4.54 40-yard dash and a 40.5-inch vertical, confirming what his tape has shown all year—he’s a legit outside threat.
But the moment of the day belonged to Jimmy Horn Jr. After clocking a 4.40 in the 40, Horn hauled in a diving post-corner from Shedeur that left the building buzzing. He topped it off with a backflip and perfect dismount before jogging back to the huddle. Horn sat out the East-West Shrine Bowl after Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin personally asked him not to play—due to the team’s strong interest in drafting him.
Shilo Sanders performs in the cone drill for scouts and media in the “We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase” at the University of Colorado indoor practice facility in Boulder, CO on Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Shilo Brings the Boom
Shilo Sanders proved he’s more than just a hard hitter—he’s fast, too. Posting a 4.52 40, Shilo combined speed with his trademark physicality.
“Shilo’s old school,” Coach Prime said. “He’s a dog. He’s been making plays for five years and has the tape to back it up.” Facts. Just ask Ollie Gordon if he wants to get hit by Shilo again.
Coach Prime’s Vision Coming to Life
From Jackson State to Boulder, Coach Prime has “primed” two stars in Shedeur and Travis. Against all odds, they now stand on the brink of history—potentially going No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• Multiple SWAC honors, including Offensive Player of the Year (2022)
Shedeur Sanders throws for scouts and media in the “We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase” at the University of Colorado indoor practice facility in Boulder, CO on Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
• Walter Camp, Bednarik, Biletnikoff, Lott, and Hornung Award winner
• Unanimous All-American (2024)
• Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
• Two-way dominance rarely seen at the college level
If you don’t draft these two early you’re crazy!
Notable Standouts
BJ Green II improved his Big 12 Pro Day 40 time from 4.70 to 4.57, showcasing elite edge speed and strength.
Full Colorado Pro Day Results
40-Yard Dash (Attempt One, Attempt Two):
• Jimmy Horn Jr.: 4.40, 4.47
• Will Sheppard: 4.56, 4.54
• LaJohntay Wester: 4.53, 4.50
• Shilo Sanders: 4.52, 4.59
• Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig: 4.65, 4.79
• Lavonta Bentley: 4.80, N/A
• Shane Cokes: 5.20, N/A
• BJ Green II: 4.57, 4.70
• Travis Jay: 4.64, 4.60
• Herman Smith III: 4.63, 4.62
• Kardell Thomas: 5.26, 5.25
• Mark Vassett: 4.65, 4.77
• Chidozie Nwankwo: 5.59, 5.59
Bench Press (225 lbs):
• Shane Cokes: 29 reps
• Justin Mayers: 28 reps
• Chidozie Nwankwo: 30 reps
• Kardell Thomas: 26 reps
(Bentley and Green benched at Big 12 Pro Day)
Vertical Jump:
• Will Sheppard: 40.5”
• Travis Jay: 33”
• Herman Smith III: 36”
• Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig: 30.5”
• Lavonta Bentley: 30.5”
• Shane Cokes: 30”
• BJ Green II: 31.5”
• Justin Mayers: 32.5”
• Kardell Thomas: 25”
• Chidozie Nwankwo: 28”
Broad Jump:
• Will Sheppard: 10’11”
• Jimmy Horn Jr.: 10’8”
• Travis Jay: 10’1”
• Herman Smith III: 9’9”
• Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig: 9’8”
• Shilo Sanders: 9’5”
• Justin Mayers: 9’1”
• Chidozie Nwankwo: 8’6”
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders directs attention to one of his players running drills for scouts and media in the “We Ain’t Hard 2 Find Showcase” at the University of Colorado indoor practice facility in Boulder, CO on Friday April 4, 2025. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)
Coach Prime said it best: “We ain’t hard to find.” And if this Pro Day was any indication—neither are these future NFL stars.
Los Angeles, CA – JuJu Watkins was already having an early off shooting night, missing her first few jumpers and a free throw, before going down in between two Mississippi State defenders while dribble driving hard in transition. Immediately once she planted her right foot and collapsed to her right side onto the floor, she grabbed her knee in a curled up fetal position, silencing the arena except an emotional cry out, “flagrant, flagrant foul” by JuJu’s mother in the crowd.
Minutes later after reviewing the play, officials deemed it a common foul following USC trainers carrying out Watkins as her head coach looked onward to the rest of her team and coaching staff while the crowd cheered them on the remainder of the game.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Midway through the first quarter, USC led 13-2, en route to punching their ticket for their consecutive second sweet 16 round, yet uncertain of their superstar leading scorer status.
The Women of Troy remained focus, sustaining their lead for the entire game, despite Watkins not returning, they rallied in another convincingly win over the Bulldogs, 96-59.
Shortly after the game after 10:30pm, a team spokesperson said Watkins succumbed to a season-ending injury and would undergo surgery then begin rehabilitation.
At the time of the postgame press conference USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said this in part: “I’m feeling a lot of emotions right now, but the biggest one is pride.”
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Coach Gottlieb continued, “you never want anyone to go down especially someone like JuJu whom we all lean on in so many ways but this team rallied for her, they rallied for each other and for our fans whom had our back.”
The sea of USC fans spread across Galen Center showing immense support after their brief startled silence before shifting into ongoing crowd roaring boos towards Mississippi State team as well as their cheerleaders during halftime.
“Just shows how ride or die our fans are and we really appreciate them,” senior KiKi Iriafen said. “As a number one seed that is what you’re most grateful for, having your fans behind you because it can be the edge tipping when you’re in close games.”
Iriafen whom came close to posting another career double-double, led and carried her team with scoring a season- high 36 points, shooting 73 percent from the field and grabbing 9 rebounds.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Without Watkins now, freshmen Kennedy Smith, Kayleigh Heckel and Avery Howell stepped up as the other dominant scoring options for USC. Howell hit one of three buzzer beaters for the game, finishing with 18 points and six assists against a very tough defensive minded team.
“I think we expected the game to be physical,” Howell said. “I think our team came with the mindset that we’re not going to get punked by anyone.”
Jerkaila Jordan led Mississippi State with 17 points. Mississippi State had no answer for USC though they played hard without quitting before USC ran out the clock. After the game, heated words got exchanged among both teams that caused a few student-athletes to be separated and held back by their coaching staff and teammates.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
“This is a human game and so I obviously tried my best to be what I need to be for the team, but internally it’s a lot, coach Gottlieb said holding back tears.
USC will seek to avenge their previous season Elite Eight loss in Watkins’ freshman debut against UConn and their star player, Paige Bueckers. But will have to first figure out how to win in a regional final against Kansas State in Spokane, Washington, without Watkins.
Los Angeles, CA – No. 1 UCLA may have expected a duel with No. 9 Richmond, but a surprise too many was a tied halftime score withstanding All American Lauren Betts dominance before her Bruins teammate lit a fire in the second half leaving in a bittersweet taste for the Spartans March Madness experience.
Following a 84-67 win that advanced UCLA to their third consecutive Sweet 16, the Bruins coach Cori Close expected Richmond to be a difficult matchup given her respect for their coach Andy Rousell and precedence his team established in their previous tournament games.
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
“I knew this was going to be a really tough game and really challenging how we like to play,” coach Close said. “They spread you out and they shoot it so well. They’re very selfless and just a great team.”
Richmond lost one of two quarters per half, including a double digit deficit in the third quarter led by KiKi Rice catching on fire behind the arc, hitting three out of four. that put a monkey wrench in Richmond’s strategy causing it to backfire with embracing and settling for Betts’ dominance while attempting to limit the rest of the Bruins to be non-factors.
“I get a lot of catch and shoot threes because a lot of teams send a lot of bodies to Lauren,” Rice said. “Just being ready to knock them down [tonight] and shoot it with confidence because I work on it a lot and just got to continue to show it.”
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
Betts added how she felt honored to play with Rice rather than against her and was happy she took those shots after kicking it out to her from the post. Betts and Rice combined for 18 points of 29 in that key third quarter surge to go ahead 65-43 entering the fourth quarter. Angela Dugalic hit a crowd energizing three-pointer off of an assist from Betts, who next completed her own three-point play. Londynn Jones came alive as well in the third, knocking down two three-pointers followed by Dugalic with another triple before Betts ran up nine consecutive points to put the Bruins by 22.
“Obviously their [Betts and Rice] statistical lines were ridiculous but in our locker room we called out people like Kendall [Dudley] who had assists and rebounds, so efficient and a spark in 12 minutes of play. Elina [Aarnisalo] came in and gave London a breather, coach Close lauded. “Janiyah [Barker] had four assists, zero turnovers and eight rebounds. We have these two big dogs up here and they do so much for us but they know it’s our team that matters.”
Bruins dished out 25 assists and only five turnovers at the end of the game. Betts earned her 17th double-double of the season, scoring 30 points from 14 out of 17 attempts plus snatching down 14 rebounds, nine of them on the offensive end outnumbering Richmond’s team. Rice finished the game with 23 points and seven assists, while committing only one turnover as UCLA’s primary floor general.
“Grit especially in March Madness is super important,” Betts explained. “Coach Cori has held us accountable and she’s not changing the standards so if you’re not doing what you need to do you’re going to come out and that is just going to push us individually to do what we need to do to win.”
After sharing post game about one of her most encouraging conversations earlier that day between Richmond coach and herself, coach Close credited their team for being fierce competitors then complimented her team’s response and how they carried themselves to advance in the tournament.
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
“We made some slight adjustments on about three different actions out of halftime and they adjusted to all of them,” coach Close pointed out. “I just loved how the crowd got behind that intensity. I thought it was really a big deal and we needed that energy for them to just get excited about how we were defending…really proud of two things from our team, our selflessness and our commitment to our defense.”
Looking ahead to UCLA’s sweet sixteen matchup against Ole Miss in Spokane Washington, Coach Close insinuated on how she had followed Ole Miss since the beginning of their season in Paris, a close battle where they ended up losing to another Southern California team, USC.
“We’re planning ahead all the time and we’ve actually watch Ole Miss a lot because Christini Wally [Christeen Iwuala]
Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News
Is on their team and we love her cause she use to be a Bruin,” coach Close continued. “We’ve tuned in to a lot of games and they are one of the best defensive teams in the country so it’s going to be a grind it out type of a game. And we’ll be ready.”
Los Angeles, CA- No. 1 seed USC started off sluggish, taking their time nearly the entire first half to shake off rust possibly from only practicing the past two weeks before returning to their usual game form and torching the number one defensive efficiency team in the country, No.16 seed UNC Greensboro.
The Women of Troy began the game scrappy, slowly building up a 8-0 lead with senior Rayah Marshall scoring the game’s first basket, followed by a side step three from senior Talia Von Oelhoffen, then a block by Marshall that led to an open court drive by Trojan’s leading scorer, JuJu Watkins, en route to her scoring 22 points for a incontestable victory, 71-25.
Watkins scored 11 of her 22 points in the first half of second leading regular season scorer sophomore debut at the big dance despite an early knick to her finger or wrist from an inerrant hard pass by freshman Kennedy Smith as the Trojans led only by 17, 28-11 before winning their March Madness opener at home in front of a large crowd.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
“We had some rust to get off so hopefully that’s all done with and we can head into the next matchup with our best versions of ourselves and play our game,” Watkins said at the post game conference about others concerns of her seemingly minor injuries during the game. “I’m confident in my team regardless if I am in the game or not so it’s just a matter of impacting the game as much as I can.”
Watkins also grabbed eight rebounds and three steals in less than 30:00 minutes of play. Senior KiKi Iriafen finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds in her first March Madness tournament with USC. Marshall headed her team’s full court trap press most of the game and still managed to help her team’s defense with 7 blocks around the rim.
“I think I say this all the time about Rayah but she really is the anchor of our team, she is an unsung hero who has been here all four years with Coach [Lindsay] Gottlieb,” Iriafen said.
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
Marshall along with the Women of Troy’s bench stepped up big in the team’s defensive pressure as well as on the other end as freshman Kayleigh Heckel came in the second half with a nifty reverse layup, causing her teammates along with a not so unruly crowd to erupt.
“We talked about it halftime, I mean they have a high defensive efficiency, I think number one in the country that probably disrupted us a little bit, ” Heckel said. “I think the biggest thing for us was fixing ourselves as we were kind of beating ourselves in the first half. My teammates are super supportive of me and I feel like anyone that does anything good on the court we’re always hyping them up in any way possible.”
Freshman Nya Smith led UNC Greensboro with seven points. The Spartans shot 13% from the floor and shot 58% from the free throw line. This was the Spartans second appearance in the tournament and first in 27 years. Coach Gottlieb credited the Spartans’ defense for her team’s slow start and praised them for a winning season.
“I want to congratulate UNC Greensboro and their coach Trina Patterson,” Coach Gottieb said.”It’s really hard to win a conference and regular season tournament title so they earned their way here.”
Photo by DeAngelo Scruggs / fi360 News
USC dominated in the paint, scoring 40 points and 32 points off 23 UNC Greensboro turnovers.The Women of Troy went on a 16-0 run with six different scorers.This led to Coach Gottlieb clearing her bench in the fourth, preparing her star players for perhaps a long tournament run with crucial rest after exerting huge energy in their full court zone press.
“We’re fortunate that we were able to sit all the starters with about six and half minutes left,” Coach Gottlieb said. “Likewise I think we earned the right to rest some people.”
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament Wisconsin Badgers vs UCLA Bruins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 14, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Indianapolis, IN- Wisconsin came out scorching from beyond the arc, lighting up the scoreboard early in their Big Ten Tournament matchup against UCLA. Fresh off a second-round win over Northwestern, the Badgers wasted no time asserting dominance against a Bruins squad making its tournament debut after securing a double bye.
Senior John Tonje set the tone, drilling his first four shots—including back-to-back treys, one of which turned into a four-point play after drawing a foul on UCLA’s Sebastian Mack. Wisconsin’s deep shooting barrage quickly put UCLA in a hole, with six different Badgers knocking down a three-pointer in the first half. Tonje led the charge with 13 first-half points on a perfect 4-for-4 from deep, while fellow senior Steven Crowl added 10.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament Wisconsin Badgers vs UCLA Bruins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 14, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
By the midway point of the first half, Wisconsin had built a 28-18 lead, fueled by lights-out shooting and relentless execution. While UCLA’s bench provided some early contributions, the Bruins struggled mightily from the field, connecting on just one of their last 10 attempts leading up to the six-minute mark. By halftime, Wisconsin had drained more three-pointers (12) than UCLA had total field goals, finishing the half shooting an astounding 60% (16-26) from the floor and 12-of-19 from deep.
UCLA, on the other hand, shot a dismal 11-for-34 (32%) in their tournament opener. Sophomore guard Sebastian Mack did his best to keep the Bruins afloat with 12 first-half points, but he lacked support, as Aday Mara, Skyy Clark, and Dylan Andrews managed just four points apiece. The Bruins, who edged Wisconsin 85-83 in their previous meeting behind a 22-point outing from Mara, found themselves in unfamiliar territory, trailing 48-29 at the break.
The game was far from over, but if UCLA hoped to mount a comeback, they would need serious adjustments—and a spark from their supporting cast—to avoid an early exit and follow in the footsteps of their women’s team, who recently captured a championship.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament Wisconsin Badgers vs UCLA Bruins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 14, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Despite a stronger second half, UCLA couldn’t recover from Wisconsin’s first-half shooting barrage. The Bruins outscored the Badgers 41-38 after halftime, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.
“Obviously, the 3s are going to get a lot of attention, and this group has the potential to do that,” Gard said. “But the job we did defensively, I felt, was just as important, if not more important. Our perimeter did a really good job pressuring the ball, and our bigs helped keep UCLA out of rhythm.”
The Badgers’ suffocating defense complemented their lights-out shooting, ensuring they never lost control. With the win, Wisconsin advances to the Big Ten semifinals, where they’ll face Michigan State.
“Proud of our group. Looking forward to playing tomorrow,” Gard added.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament Wisconsin Badgers vs UCLA Bruins at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 14, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Senior John Tonje was unstoppable from deep, drilling six three-pointers without a miss, including a clutch shot with under eight minutes remaining. UCLA showed brief signs of life with a 6-0 run, ignited by William Kyle’s alley-oop from Aday Mara, but Wisconsin’s momentum never wavered.
UCLA’s season ends in disappointment, while Wisconsin marches on, eyeing a spot in the Big Ten championship game.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament USC Trojans vs Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 13, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Indianapolis, IN – USC gave Purdue all it could handle, but in the end, the Boilermakers’ firepower—and a monster performance from Trey Kaufman-Renn—proved too much. The Trojans saw their Big Ten Tournament run end in a tough 76-71 loss, as Kaufman-Renn exploded for 30 points and seven boards to carry Purdue into the next round.
Coming off a grueling double-overtime win, USC looked like it had some magic left, jumping out to an early lead. With 7:57 left in the first half, the Trojans were up eight, fueled by a strong inside presence. Josh Cohen kept the momentum rolling with a tough and-one finish, but Purdue wasn’t fazed. The Boilermaker crowd came alive after a deep three, followed by a USC turnover that swung momentum.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament USC Trojans vs Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 13, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
March is all about runs, and this one was no different. Just like USC’s thriller against Rutgers, both teams traded blows. Purdue clawed back to tie it at 28 with 4:21 left before Wesley Yates III silenced the crowd with a clutch three to put USC back up. The first matchup between these squads wasn’t close—Purdue ran away with a 90-72 win—but this time, the Trojans weren’t backing down.
With under a minute left in the half, it felt like a heavyweight fight, punch for punch. Purdue’s Braeden Smith—recently crowned Big Ten Player of the Year—showed why, slicing through the defense and kicking out to Myles Colvin for a dagger three to tie it at 35. USC shot a solid 47% from the field but struggled from deep (3-for-12), while Purdue was more efficient at 58% and hit 5-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Inside, USC owned the paint with 20 points, but Purdue had the ultimate X-factor: Kaufman-Renn. He led the Boilermakers with 12 at the break, setting the stage for his dominant night. On USC’s side, Yates III had eight, while Matt Knowling added six. As halftime hit, both teams knew they were in for a battle.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament USC Trojans vs Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 13, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
USC had Purdue on the ropes for most of the night, but when it mattered most, the Boilermakers capitalized. Despite four Trojans hitting double figures and USC leading for nearly 20 minutes, costly mistakes—and maybe a few questionable calls—proved too much to overcome. Purdue edged out a 76-71 victory, fueled by Trey Kaufman-Renn’s dominance in the paint and some clutch late-game execution.
The Trojans came out swinging in the second half. Chibuzo Agbo’s deep three put USC up six with 14:54 to play, but Purdue’s Myles Colvin answered right back to keep the Boilermakers in it. Agbo wasn’t done, drilling another triple that could’ve been an and-one, but the refs swallowed the whistle—maybe a great no-call, maybe not. Either way, the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd was electric as USC clung to a 56-55 lead with under 12 minutes to go.
This wasn’t the blowout Purdue handed USC in their first matchup. This time, it was a battle. Desmond Claude, playing through foul trouble, continued making big plays, leading the Trojans with 18 points. Wesley Yates III added 13, while Isaiah Agee and Matt Knowling each chipped in 11. But down the stretch, Purdue leaned on Kaufman-Renn, who bullied his way to a game-high 30 points.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament USC Trojans vs Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 13, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Purdue head coach Matt Painter acknowledged the intensity of the matchup, crediting USC’s fight. “Obviously, it was a very tough, physical game. USC was very resilient. Tough covers, like they have good players,” Painter said postgame. “Obviously, Yates had 30 against us in the first game. Claude didn’t play in the first game. He obviously got in foul trouble.”
With two minutes left, Purdue held a slim two-point lead. Then came the moment that turned the game—USC coughed up a costly turnover, leading to a foul that sent Purdue to the line. The Boilermakers didn’t flinch, icing free throws to put the game out of reach.
TIAA BIG Men’s Basketball Tournament USC Trojans vs Purdue Boilermakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on, March 13, 2025. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)
Despite leading for nearly 20 minutes and seeing the game tied 13 times, USC came up just short. In March, it’s all about closing, and on this night, Purdue did just that.
