STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/betham_brooklyn_e4z1">Brooklyn Betham</a>&nbsp;scored a career-high 26 points and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/vannett_makayla_q30y">Makayla Vannett</a>&nbsp;added 24 to power the No. 6-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team to a dominating victory over Garden City on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena.

The Blue Dragons hit 12 of their first 17 shot attempts and rolled to a 103-61 victory over the Broncbusters for Hutchinson's ninth-consecutive victory.

The Blue Dragons improve to 23-2 overall and take over sole possession of first place in the Jayhawk West with a 16-1 record. Seward County was upset at Pratt on Saturday. Pratt comes to the Sports Arena on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Betham knocked down a career-high 12 field goals on 15 attempts to lead the Blue Dragons, who shot 58.7 percent for the game. Vannett nailed 5 of 11 from 3-point range as the Dragons rung up 9 of 19 from distance as a team.

That inside-outside punch combined for 23 points – Vannett had 14 and Betham 9 in the first quarter. The Blue Dragons shot 70 percent in the opening 10 minutes to build a 31-16 lead after one period. That lead grew to 54-27 by halftime. Hutchinson's largest lead of the game was 42 points.

With the exception of 18 turnovers that led to 17 Garden City points, the Blue Dragons were dominant. Hutchinson outrebounded Garden City 56-30, getting a season-high 10 rebounds from&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/cooper_gelecia_mxl6">Gelecia Cooper</a>. The Blue Dragons had a conference-season high 26 assists with nine steals and five blocked shots.

Four players scored in double figures for the Blue Dragons.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>&nbsp;was 7 of 9 from the field to finish with 14 points and eight rebounds. Ogle also had three assists. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/mapusua_lauryn_0xtt">Lauryn Mapusua</a>&nbsp;had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/barton_presley_t2j0">Presley Barton</a>&nbsp;tied career highs of three 3-pointers and nine points.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/alford_tor-e_vqep">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;and Cooper had eight points each. Alford chipped in a career-high nine assists.

The Blue Dragons were 44 of 75 shooting overall, but only 6 of 16 from the free-throw line.

Ariyanna Hall had a second-straight big game against Hutchinson with 20 points and a pair of 3-poiners to lead Garden City. Alyssa Boyce had 14 points and Donetria McGee added 10.

Garden City was held to 33.8 percent shooting (23 of 68, going 5 of 27 from 3-point range and 10 of 22 from the free-throw line. The Busters committed 16 turnovers.

The victory was head coach John Ontjes' 200th win at the Sports Arena.

GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons collect all-time win No. 999 in team history. … The Dragons are now 72-19 all-time against Garden City, including 39-5 at the Sports Arena. …&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>&nbsp;ties Alysse Barlow for ninth on the single-season steals list with 97. …&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/vannett_makayla_q30y">Makayla Vannett</a>&nbsp;jumps two spots to No. 9 on the single-season 3-point list with 79. … This was the fourth time this season to break 100 points for Hutchinson, the first since Cloud County on December 11. … This was Hutch's sixth game of shooting better than 50 percent and 11th time to never trail in a game. … Vannett tied a career high with nine total field goals in a game. … This was Vannett's seventh career game of five or more 3-pointers. She now has 173 for her career, third most in Blue Dragon history.

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationHUTCHINSON, Kan. - Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/betham_brooklyn_e4z1">Brooklyn Betham</a>&nbsp;scored a career-high 26 points and sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/vannett_makayla_q30y">Makayla Vannett</a>&nbsp;added 24 to power the No. 6-ranked Hutchinson Community College women's basketball team to a dominating victory over Garden City on Saturday afternoon at the Sports Arena.The Blue Dragons hit 12 of their first 17 shot attempts and rolled to a 103-61 victory over the Broncbusters for Hutchinson's ninth-consecutive victory.The Blue Dragons improve to 23-2 overall and take over sole possession of first place in the Jayhawk West with a 16-1 record. Seward County was upset at Pratt on Saturday. Pratt comes to the Sports Arena on Monday at 5:30 p.m.Betham knocked down a career-high 12 field goals on 15 attempts to lead the Blue Dragons, who shot 58.7 percent for the game. Vannett nailed 5 of 11 from 3-point range as the Dragons rung up 9 of 19 from distance as a team.That inside-outside punch combined for 23 points – Vannett had 14 and Betham 9 in the first quarter. The Blue Dragons shot 70 percent in the opening 10 minutes to build a 31-16 lead after one period. That lead grew to 54-27 by halftime. Hutchinson's largest lead of the game was 42 points.With the exception of 18 turnovers that led to 17 Garden City points, the Blue Dragons were dominant. Hutchinson outrebounded Garden City 56-30, getting a season-high 10 rebounds from&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/cooper_gelecia_mxl6">Gelecia Cooper</a>. The Blue Dragons had a conference-season high 26 assists with nine steals and five blocked shots.Four players scored in double figures for the Blue Dragons.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>&nbsp;was 7 of 9 from the field to finish with 14 points and eight rebounds. Ogle also had three assists. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/mapusua_lauryn_0xtt">Lauryn Mapusua</a>&nbsp;had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/barton_presley_t2j0">Presley Barton</a>&nbsp;tied career highs of three 3-pointers and nine points.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/alford_tor-e_vqep">Tor'e Alford</a>&nbsp;and Cooper had eight points each. Alford chipped in a career-high nine assists.The Blue Dragons were 44 of 75 shooting overall, but only 6 of 16 from the free-throw line.Ariyanna Hall had a second-straight big game against Hutchinson with 20 points and a pair of 3-poiners to lead Garden City. Alyssa Boyce had 14 points and Donetria McGee added 10.Garden City was held to 33.8 percent shooting (23 of 68, going 5 of 27 from 3-point range and 10 of 22 from the free-throw line. The Busters committed 16 turnovers.The victory was head coach John Ontjes' 200th win at the Sports Arena.GAME NOTES&nbsp;– The Blue Dragons collect all-time win No. 999 in team history. … The Dragons are now 72-19 all-time against Garden City, including 39-5 at the Sports Arena. …&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/ogle_abby_pu1h">Abby Ogle</a>&nbsp;ties Alysse Barlow for ninth on the single-season steals list with 97. …&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/bios/vannett_makayla_q30y">Makayla Vannett</a>&nbsp;jumps two spots to No. 9 on the single-season 3-point list with 79. … This was the fourth time this season to break 100 points for Hutchinson, the first since Cloud County on December 11. … This was Hutch's sixth game of shooting better than 50 percent and 11th time to never trail in a game. … Vannett tied a career high with nine total field goals in a game. … This was Vannett's seventh career game of five or more 3-pointers. She now has 173 for her career, third most in Blue Dragon history.

Blue Dragon Women zoom past Broncbuster

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Roope Hintz scored the game-winner at 2:19 of overtime and finished with two goals, leading the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Hintz flipped in a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle for the winner and his 17th goal of the season. Jamie Benn also scored for Dallas. Anton Khudobin made 23 saves. Colton Parayko scored two first-period goals for the Blues.&nbsp;

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Joe Wieskamp scored a career-high 30 points and Luka Garza added 22 to help No. 17 Iowa bounce back from its worst loss of the season with a 96-72 win over Nebraska on Saturday. Garza and Wieskamp came into the game averaging a combined 38 points per game, the sixth-best scoring duo in NCAA Division I play. Wieskamp's previous career high was 26 in the 67-49 win over Maryland on Jan. 10. Iowa (17-7, 8-5 Big Ten) was coming off a 104-68 loss at Purdue on Wednesday, and guard CJ Fredrick said during Friday's media availability that the Hawkeyes were "embarrassed" after that defeat. They took it out on the Huskers (7-16, 2-10).

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — No. 3 Kansas has another 20-win season and coach Bill Self has his 700th career victory. Udoka Azubuike had 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Jayhawks beat TCU 60-46. It is their 31st consecutive 20-win season, matching North Carolina's record. Azubuike had his 10th double-double this season and had five dunks in a 13-3 run early that put Kansas ahead to stay. Devon Dotson added 18 points and 11 assists for the Jayhawks. Desmond Bane had 20 points for TCU, which lost its fifth game in a row.&nbsp;

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Marcus Zegarowski scored 23 points to lead six Creighton players in double figures and the 21st-ranked Bluejays beat St. John's 94-82. Creighton shot a season-best 60% from the field and matched its season high with 13 3-pointers but couldn't separate from the Red Storm until the middle of the second half. Marcellus Earlington scored a career-high 25 points for the Red Storm. The sophomore was 3 for 4 on 3s after coming in 3 for 21 for the season.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Obi Toppin scored 17 points and Jalen Crutcher led a second-half rally that swept No. 6 Dayton to a 71-65 victory over Saint Louis. Dayton has won 12 straight, vaulting to its highest ranking in 53 years. The Flyers are unbeaten in the Atlantic 10 Conference but the Billikens have given them their two closest calls. Crutcher's last-second 3-pointer in overtime rallied the Flyers to a 78-76 victory on Jan. 17 on the Billikens' court. He scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half as Dayton broke open a tight game Saturday. Jordan Goodwin led Saint Louis with 22 points.

UNDATED (AP) — Baylor, Kansas, Gonzaga and San Diego State are the top seeds in the NCAA's preliminary rankings. The Bears are the No. 1 overall seed in rankings released by the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee. The preliminary rankings are based on games through Friday. They are designed to be a sneak peek at the selection process before the official seeds are revealed on Selection Sunday, which is March 15. The Final Four is March 27-29 in Atlanta.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Solomon Young scored 20 points, Terrence Lewis added 12 points off the bench, and Iowa State held off Kansas State for a 73-63 win. The Cyclones led by as many as 21 points and played the final 13 minutes, 46 seconds without star guard Tyrese Haliburton — who sustained an injury seconds before halftime. Cartier Diarra scored 24 points to lead the Wildcats, who used a 13-3 run to pull within four points with 7:54 remaining but could get no closer.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Xavier Pinson scored a career-high 24 points to lead Missouri to an 83-79 overtime victory over Arkansas on Saturday. Pinson, a sophomore guard, went 12 of 13 from the free throw line in a foul-plagued game in which the teams combined to shoot 83 free throws. Javon Pickett scored 14 points and Reed Nikko finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers (11-12, 3-7 Southeastern Conference). Mason Jones and Jimmy Whitt Jr. scored 17 points each for the Razorbacks (16-7, 4-6). Reggie Chaney added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

Final	(2)Gonzaga	90	Saint Mary's (Cal)	60

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated PressST. LOUIS (AP) — Roope Hintz scored the game-winner at 2:19 of overtime and finished with two goals, leading the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Hintz flipped in a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle for the winner and his 17th goal of the season. Jamie Benn also scored for Dallas. Anton Khudobin made 23 saves. Colton Parayko scored two first-period goals for the Blues.&nbsp;IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Joe Wieskamp scored a career-high 30 points and Luka Garza added 22 to help No. 17 Iowa bounce back from its worst loss of the season with a 96-72 win over Nebraska on Saturday. Garza and Wieskamp came into the game averaging a combined 38 points per game, the sixth-best scoring duo in NCAA Division I play. Wieskamp's previous career high was 26 in the 67-49 win over Maryland on Jan. 10. Iowa (17-7, 8-5 Big Ten) was coming off a 104-68 loss at Purdue on Wednesday, and guard CJ Fredrick said during Friday's media availability that the Hawkeyes were "embarrassed" after that defeat. They took it out on the Huskers (7-16, 2-10).FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — No. 3 Kansas has another 20-win season and coach Bill Self has his 700th career victory. Udoka Azubuike had 20 points and 15 rebounds as the Jayhawks beat TCU 60-46. It is their 31st consecutive 20-win season, matching North Carolina's record. Azubuike had his 10th double-double this season and had five dunks in a 13-3 run early that put Kansas ahead to stay. Devon Dotson added 18 points and 11 assists for the Jayhawks. Desmond Bane had 20 points for TCU, which lost its fifth game in a row.&nbsp;OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Marcus Zegarowski scored 23 points to lead six Creighton players in double figures and the 21st-ranked Bluejays beat St. John's 94-82. Creighton shot a season-best 60% from the field and matched its season high with 13 3-pointers but couldn't separate from the Red Storm until the middle of the second half. Marcellus Earlington scored a career-high 25 points for the Red Storm. The sophomore was 3 for 4 on 3s after coming in 3 for 21 for the season.DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Obi Toppin scored 17 points and Jalen Crutcher led a second-half rally that swept No. 6 Dayton to a 71-65 victory over Saint Louis. Dayton has won 12 straight, vaulting to its highest ranking in 53 years. The Flyers are unbeaten in the Atlantic 10 Conference but the Billikens have given them their two closest calls. Crutcher's last-second 3-pointer in overtime rallied the Flyers to a 78-76 victory on Jan. 17 on the Billikens' court. He scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half as Dayton broke open a tight game Saturday. Jordan Goodwin led Saint Louis with 22 points.UNDATED (AP) — Baylor, Kansas, Gonzaga and San Diego State are the top seeds in the NCAA's preliminary rankings. The Bears are the No. 1 overall seed in rankings released by the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee. The preliminary rankings are based on games through Friday. They are designed to be a sneak peek at the selection process before the official seeds are revealed on Selection Sunday, which is March 15. The Final Four is March 27-29 in Atlanta.AMES, Iowa (AP) — Solomon Young scored 20 points, Terrence Lewis added 12 points off the bench, and Iowa State held off Kansas State for a 73-63 win. The Cyclones led by as many as 21 points and played the final 13 minutes, 46 seconds without star guard Tyrese Haliburton — who sustained an injury seconds before halftime. Cartier Diarra scored 24 points to lead the Wildcats, who used a 13-3 run to pull within four points with 7:54 remaining but could get no closer.COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Xavier Pinson scored a career-high 24 points to lead Missouri to an 83-79 overtime victory over Arkansas on Saturday. Pinson, a sophomore guard, went 12 of 13 from the free throw line in a foul-plagued game in which the teams combined to shoot 83 free throws. Javon Pickett scored 14 points and Reed Nikko finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers (11-12, 3-7 Southeastern Conference). Mason Jones and Jimmy Whitt Jr. scored 17 points each for the Razorbacks (16-7, 4-6). Reggie Chaney added 15 points and 11 rebounds.AP-ScorecardHere are the scores from yesterday's sports events:___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONFinal	Milwaukee	111	Orlando	95Final	Dallas	116	Charlotte	100Final	New York	95	Detroit	92Final	Toronto	119	Brooklyn	118Final	New Orleans	124	Indiana	117Final	Minnesota	142	L.A. Clippers	115Final	L.A. Lakers	125	Golden State	120Final	Denver	117	Phoenix	108Final	Sacramento	122	San Antonio	102___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUEFinal	Winnipeg	5	Ottawa	2Final	Boston	4	Arizona	2Final	New Jersey	3	Los Angeles	0Final	Colorado	2	Columbus	1Final	Tampa Bay	3	N-Y Islanders	1Final OT	Montreal	2	Toronto	1Final	Philadelphia	7	Washington	2Final	Edmonton	3	Nashville	2Final	Pittsburgh	3	Florida	2Final OT	Dallas	3	St. Louis	2Final	Calgary	6	Vancouver	2Final SO	Carolina	6	Vegas	5___TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALLFinal	(1)Baylor	78	Oklahoma St.	70Final	(2)Gonzaga	90	Saint Mary's (Cal)	60Final	(3)Kansas	60	TCU	46Final	(4)San Diego St.	89	Air Force	74Final	(5)Louisville	80	Virginia	73Final	(6)Dayton	71	Saint Louis	65Final OT	(7)Duke	98	North Carolina	96Final	(8)Florida St.	99	Miami	81Final	(12)Seton Hall	70	(10)Villanova	64Final OT	(11)Auburn	91	(18)LSU	90Final	Oklahoma	69	(13)West Virginia	59Final	Oregon St.	63	(14)Oregon	53Final	(15)Kentucky	77	Tennessee	64Final	Michigan	77	(16)Michigan St.	68Final	(17)Iowa	96	Nebraska	72Final	(21)Creighton	94	St. John's	82Final	(22)Penn St.	83	Minnesota	77Final	UCLA	65	(23)Arizona	52Final	(24)Colorado	81	Stanford	74___TODAY'S SPORTS SCHEDULE___NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION		Boston	at	Oklahoma City	3:30 p.m.		Chicago	at	Philadelphia	6 p.m.		Memphis	at	Washington	6 p.m.		New York	at	Atlanta	6 p.m.		Utah	at	Houston	7 p.m.		L.A. Clippers	at	Cleveland	7:30 p.m.		Miami	at	Portland	9 p.m.___NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE		Boston	at	Detroit	12:30 p.m.		Anaheim	at	Buffalo	3 p.m.		Los Angeles	at	N-Y Rangers	6 p.m.		Chicago	at	Winnipeg	7 p.m.		Colorado	at	Minnesota	7:30 p.m.___TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL		(19)Butler	at	Marquette	12 p.m.		Wichita St.	at	(25)Houston	3 p.m.___

Sunday Sports Headlines

WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State center&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4213">Jaime Echenique</a>&nbsp;is a busy senior,&nbsp;what with playing the best basketball of his career and shepherding sophomores and freshmen toward the NCAA Tournament.

He always has time to represent his home, however, and the artwork on his Under Armour shoes is the latest example. Echenique used acrylics to paint Colombia's flag on the back of his all-white shoes.&nbsp;

"They gave us them before practice and I was like 'I want to do something with these shoes,'" he said. "I took (art) classes in high school and I knew I could do it."

His fellow Colombians notice his artistic talents.

"People from back home love it," he said. "I want to be proud of where I'm coming from and I want to show my people I never forget. All the people who support me and are sticking up for me."

Echenique's game will again take the spotlight during Sunday's game at No. 25 Houston. The January game against the Cougars provided a harsh example of what he means to the Shockers. Foul trouble limited him to 14 minutes in that 65-54 loss and deprived the Shockers of a matchup problem they needed to dent the defense. He scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in those limited minutes.

Echenique has played 27 or more minutes in six of his past seven games. He averages 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds during that stretch, shooting 52.4 percent from the field.

Those are not the numbers that Echenique cares about.

"This is my last year and my last chance," he said. "I've never gone to an NCAA Tournament, but I want to go. I want to enjoy the experience. We went to the NIT last year, but it wasn't the right tournament for us."

The Shockers worked their way out of an offensive&nbsp;slump&nbsp;in Thursday's 80-79 loss to Cincinnati. Turning that performance into any kind of a hot streak won't be easy.

Wichita State shot 48.5 percent from the field against the Bearcats, its best in American Athletic Conference play. Its 36.4-percent accuracy from three-point range ranks second in conference games.&nbsp;

According to Pomeroy's statistics, Wichita State played its third most efficient offensive game of the season, scoring 1.15 points per possession. The Shockers are 44-3 since the 2016-17 season in games in which it scores at that clip or better, according to kenpom.com.

Echenique played 31 good minutes and scored 19 points. Forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4212">Dexter Dennis</a>&nbsp;rebounded from a poor shooting night at Tulsa to make 4 of 6 three-pointers. The Shockers committed 10 turnovers in a high-scoring game.

"For a good amount of games down the stretch, we haven't been able to put the ball in the basket," guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4209">Jamarius Burton</a>&nbsp;said. "(Thursday) we were able to do so. We've got to get back to our calling card, which is defense and that has kept us in games. Hopefully, we can pair the offense and defense next game."

Houston will put Wichita State's scoring to another test. The Cougars held the Shockers to 30.4 percent shooting in the first meeting. Houston blocked nine shots and limited the Shockers to six second-chance points and three on fast breaks. That means the Shockers got very few easy baskets and had to work against Houston's set defense far too often.

Houston doubled Echenique and owns the rare set of defenders who could harass him and recover to bother shooters. The Cougars took Wichita State's guards – especially&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4217">Erik Stevenson</a>&nbsp;– out of the game with their defense.&nbsp;

After that game, the Shockers talked about selfishness and a lack of execution on offense. They improved their passing and execution, but little comes easy on offense.

This is more of the same in the American. Sunday's game pits Wichita State against a defense ranked in Pomeroy's top 75 for efficiency for the ninth straight time. Thursday's game at UCF will make it 10 in a row.

Nine of the 12 American teams rank in the top 75, led by No. 10 Memphis. Wichita State is No. 17.&nbsp;

The Shockers held the&nbsp;Cougars&nbsp;to eight offensive rebounds and eight second-chance points in the January meeting. Wichita State would love to match that effort on Sunday.

Houston ranks third nationally, according to Pomeroy, by grabbing 38.4 percent of available offensive rebounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Houston has won six of seven games with the loss at Cincinnati (64-62) on Feb. 1.&nbsp;

Guard Quentin Grimes returned to the starting lineup in Thursday's 75-62 win over Tulane and scored 15 points and handed out five assists. Freshman guard Caleb Mills came off the bench to make 4 of 7 three-pointers and score 18 points. Mills, who played 12 minutes and scored five points against the Shockers, averaged 14.8 points in the five games since and is 12 of 24 from three-point range.



WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State center&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4213">Jaime Echenique</a>&nbsp;is a busy senior,&nbsp;what with playing the best basketball of his career and shepherding sophomores and freshmen toward the NCAA Tournament.He always has time to represent his home, however, and the artwork on his Under Armour shoes is the latest example. Echenique used acrylics to paint Colombia's flag on the back of his all-white shoes.&nbsp;"They gave us them before practice and I was like 'I want to do something with these shoes,'" he said. "I took (art) classes in high school and I knew I could do it."His fellow Colombians notice his artistic talents."People from back home love it," he said. "I want to be proud of where I'm coming from and I want to show my people I never forget. All the people who support me and are sticking up for me."Echenique's game will again take the spotlight during Sunday's game at No. 25 Houston. The January game against the Cougars provided a harsh example of what he means to the Shockers. Foul trouble limited him to 14 minutes in that 65-54 loss and deprived the Shockers of a matchup problem they needed to dent the defense. He scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds in those limited minutes.Echenique has played 27 or more minutes in six of his past seven games. He averages 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds during that stretch, shooting 52.4 percent from the field.Those are not the numbers that Echenique cares about."This is my last year and my last chance," he said. "I've never gone to an NCAA Tournament, but I want to go. I want to enjoy the experience. We went to the NIT last year, but it wasn't the right tournament for us."The Shockers worked their way out of an offensive&nbsp;slump&nbsp;in Thursday's 80-79 loss to Cincinnati. Turning that performance into any kind of a hot streak won't be easy.Wichita State shot 48.5 percent from the field against the Bearcats, its best in American Athletic Conference play. Its 36.4-percent accuracy from three-point range ranks second in conference games.&nbsp;According to Pomeroy's statistics, Wichita State played its third most efficient offensive game of the season, scoring 1.15 points per possession. The Shockers are 44-3 since the 2016-17 season in games in which it scores at that clip or better, according to kenpom.com.Echenique played 31 good minutes and scored 19 points. Forward&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4212">Dexter Dennis</a>&nbsp;rebounded from a poor shooting night at Tulsa to make 4 of 6 three-pointers. The Shockers committed 10 turnovers in a high-scoring game."For a good amount of games down the stretch, we haven't been able to put the ball in the basket," guard&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4209">Jamarius Burton</a>&nbsp;said. "(Thursday) we were able to do so. We've got to get back to our calling card, which is defense and that has kept us in games. Hopefully, we can pair the offense and defense next game."Houston will put Wichita State's scoring to another test. The Cougars held the Shockers to 30.4 percent shooting in the first meeting. Houston blocked nine shots and limited the Shockers to six second-chance points and three on fast breaks. That means the Shockers got very few easy baskets and had to work against Houston's set defense far too often.Houston doubled Echenique and owns the rare set of defenders who could harass him and recover to bother shooters. The Cougars took Wichita State's guards – especially&nbsp;<a href="https://goshockers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4217">Erik Stevenson</a>&nbsp;– out of the game with their defense.&nbsp;After that game, the Shockers talked about selfishness and a lack of execution on offense. They improved their passing and execution, but little comes easy on offense.This is more of the same in the American. Sunday's game pits Wichita State against a defense ranked in Pomeroy's top 75 for efficiency for the ninth straight time. Thursday's game at UCF will make it 10 in a row.Nine of the 12 American teams rank in the top 75, led by No. 10 Memphis. Wichita State is No. 17.&nbsp;The Shockers held the&nbsp;Cougars&nbsp;to eight offensive rebounds and eight second-chance points in the January meeting. Wichita State would love to match that effort on Sunday.Houston ranks third nationally, according to Pomeroy, by grabbing 38.4 percent of available offensive rebounds.&nbsp;&nbsp;Houston has won six of seven games with the loss at Cincinnati (64-62) on Feb. 1.&nbsp;Guard Quentin Grimes returned to the starting lineup in Thursday's 75-62 win over Tulane and scored 15 points and handed out five assists. Freshman guard Caleb Mills came off the bench to make 4 of 7 three-pointers and score 18 points. Mills, who played 12 minutes and scored five points against the Shockers, averaged 14.8 points in the five games since and is 12 of 24 from three-point range.

WSU's Echenique Plays For His Country



AMES, Iowa&nbsp;– Iowa State jumped out to a 21-2 lead and withstood several comeback attempts by Kansas State in the second half to post a 73-63 on Saturday night before 14,149 fans at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones (10-13, 3-7 Big 12, who led for nearly 39 minutes in the contest, have now won 3 in a row over the Wildcats (9-14, 2-8 Big 12) and snapped a 2-game losing streak at home in the series.

Down by as many as 21 points in the first half, K-State rallied to within 4 points on two occasions down the stretch, including 52-48 after layup by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6411">David Sloan</a>&nbsp;that forced an Iowa State timeout with 7:54 to play. However, the Cyclones, playing in front of a near sellout crowd, responded by scoring 7 of the next 10 points, including back-to-back buckets by senior&nbsp;Prentiss Nixon&nbsp;out of the timeout, to push the lead to 59-51 with just under 4 minutes remaining and were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>, who was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time in 4 games, provided a spark for the Wildcats with a game-high 24 points – just one shy of his career-high – on 7-of-15 field goals, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with 3 assists and a career-best 3 blocks in 37 minutes. It marked Diarra's fifth 20-point game of his career, which have all come this season.

Diarra was joined in double figures by freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6408">DaJuan Gordon</a>, who collected his fifth double-digit scoring game of the season and his second in Big 12 play with 10 points. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6405">Xavier Sneed</a>, who struggled with a hip injury for most of the game, saw his streak of double-digit scoring game end at 7 after posting just 8 points, but he did lead the Wildcats with 7 rebounds and 3 steals in his 32 minutes of action.

K-State connected 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the field, including 29 percent (9-of-31) from 3-point range.

The Iowa State offense was balanced with 5 players scoring at least 9 points, as junior&nbsp;Solomon Young&nbsp;led the way with 20 points on 7-of-9 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws. Sophomores&nbsp;Rasir Bolton&nbsp;and&nbsp;Terrence Lewis&nbsp;scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, while sophomore&nbsp;Tyrese Haliburton&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;Prentiss Nixon&nbsp;added 9 points each. The Cyclones connected on 45.3 percent (22-of-58) from the field, including 54.5 percent (12-of-22) in the second half, and were a near perfect 19 of 20 from the free throw line.

The teams capitalized on turnovers, as they combined for 44 points off 33 turnovers on the night. The Wildcats scored 23 points off 17 Cyclone turnovers, which marked the 10th&nbsp;time this season with 20 or more points off turnovers.

K-State was once again hampered by a poor start to the game, as Iowa State jumped out to an 11-2 lead, which included 8 points from junior&nbsp;Solomon Young, that forced head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1425">Bruce Weber</a>&nbsp;to call his first timeout at the 16:00 mark. The Wildcats' start included 4 missed field goals and 3 turnovers.

The timeout didn't do much to halt the Cyclones' momentum, as they rattled off 8 more points in a row, capped by a 3-pointer by sophomore&nbsp;Tyrese Haliburton, that forced Weber to call a second timeout at the 13:18 mark.

The deficit grew to 21-2 after layup by sophomore&nbsp;George Conditt VI&nbsp;before junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>&nbsp;gave the Wildcats' their first field goal – a 3-pointer from the left corner – with 12:04 before halftime.

ISU continued to flex its offensive muscle, scoring 12 of the next 20 points, which included 2 more 3-pointers from Haliburton, that extended the lead to 33-13 at the 7:07 mark.

After 4 free throws by the Cyclones extended the lead to 37-16 with under 6 to play before halftime, the Wildcats finally got some offensive going with a jumper by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6406">Levi Stockard III</a>&nbsp;that ignited a 12-0 run to end the half. During the run, Diarra accounted for 6 points, including his third triple of the half, while freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6408">DaJuan Gordon</a>&nbsp;finished off the half with 2 free throws and a layup to close the deficit to 37-28.

ISU connected on 38.7 percent (12-of-31) from the field in the first half, including 20 percent (3-of-15) from 3-point range, while K-State hit on just 31 percent (9-of-29, including 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from long range. The Cyclones were also aided by a perfect half from the free throw line, hitting on 10-of-10 attempts.

Diarra led all scorers with 14 points on 4-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range, while Young led ISU with 11 points on 3-of-3 field goals and a 5-of-5 effort from the free throw line.

K-State had its opportunities early in the second half, but it was ISU that grabbed the momentum, scoring 6 of first 9 points to take a 43-31 at the 17:29 mark. Jumpers by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6400">Makol Mawien</a>&nbsp;and Diarra cut the deficit to 43-35, but the Cyclones responded with 6 in a row to push back ahead at 49-35.

The ever-resilient Wildcats continued to show fight, as a 10-0 spurt, which was started by a 3-pointer by Diarra, that again allowed the team to get within single digits at 49-45 with just over 10 minutes to play. However, the Cyclones ended the run with a 3-pointer from senior&nbsp;Prentiss Nixon&nbsp;to push it back out 52-45 with 9:44 to play.

A Diarra free throw and a jumper by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6411">David Sloan</a>&nbsp;once again got K-State to within 52-48, which forced Iowa State head coach&nbsp;Steve Prohm&nbsp;to use a timeout at the 7:54 mark. The timeout proved to exactly what the Cyclones needed as they scored 5 row, as Nixon scored on back-to-back jumpers to go with Young free throw -- all part of a 7-3 spurt -- to push it back to 59-51 and forced Weber to call a timeout with 3:45 remaining.

Twice more the Wildcats closed to within 7 points, including 64-57 on a pair of free throws by Gordon with 1:50 to play, but the Cyclones responded with 5 straight points to push the lead back into double figures at 69-57. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Diarra and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6402">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;finished off the K-State scoring.

ISU connected on 54.5 percent (12-of-22) of its field goals after halftime, including 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from 3-point range, and hit on 9 of 10 free throws. K-State shot 44.8 percent (13-of-29) in the second half, including 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from long range, and made 5 of 8 free throws.

Diarra led all scorers with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting in the second half.

Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>&nbsp;scored a game-high 24 points on 7-of-15 field goals, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with 3 assists and a career-high 3 blocks in 37 minutes of action.

19/20 – Iowa State were near perfect from the free throw line, knocking down 19 of 20 attempts.

K-State Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1425">Bruce Weber</a>

"If this was a heavy weight fight, it was a knockout in the first round. The first thing I told our guys tonight was about being the more determined team. We both have the same record and obviously they are a very good team at home. We told them that Solomon Young had been playing well the last few weeks and that they are going to go to him early. Determination was going to be important as well as transition defense and post defense. However, we turned it over and they got some transition then we missed some shots and they just put it to us. We spotted them the big lead and to our guys credited they keep fighting, they keep battling and we cut it to 9 at the half. We had 11 straight shutouts to end the half. In the second half, we just couldn't get enough stops. They were excellent from the free throw line (19-of-20) and we turned it over way too much. You can't turn it over 16 times and expect to win on the road."

K-State returns to action on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats play host to Oklahoma State (11-12, 1-9 Big 12) at 8 p.m., CT on ESPNU. It will be the first meeting between the schools this season.



AMES, Iowa&nbsp;– Iowa State jumped out to a 21-2 lead and withstood several comeback attempts by Kansas State in the second half to post a 73-63 on Saturday night before 14,149 fans at Hilton Coliseum.The Cyclones (10-13, 3-7 Big 12, who led for nearly 39 minutes in the contest, have now won 3 in a row over the Wildcats (9-14, 2-8 Big 12) and snapped a 2-game losing streak at home in the series.Down by as many as 21 points in the first half, K-State rallied to within 4 points on two occasions down the stretch, including 52-48 after layup by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6411">David Sloan</a>&nbsp;that forced an Iowa State timeout with 7:54 to play. However, the Cyclones, playing in front of a near sellout crowd, responded by scoring 7 of the next 10 points, including back-to-back buckets by senior&nbsp;Prentiss Nixon&nbsp;out of the timeout, to push the lead to 59-51 with just under 4 minutes remaining and were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>, who was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time in 4 games, provided a spark for the Wildcats with a game-high 24 points – just one shy of his career-high – on 7-of-15 field goals, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with 3 assists and a career-best 3 blocks in 37 minutes. It marked Diarra's fifth 20-point game of his career, which have all come this season.Diarra was joined in double figures by freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6408">DaJuan Gordon</a>, who collected his fifth double-digit scoring game of the season and his second in Big 12 play with 10 points. Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6405">Xavier Sneed</a>, who struggled with a hip injury for most of the game, saw his streak of double-digit scoring game end at 7 after posting just 8 points, but he did lead the Wildcats with 7 rebounds and 3 steals in his 32 minutes of action.K-State connected 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the field, including 29 percent (9-of-31) from 3-point range.The Iowa State offense was balanced with 5 players scoring at least 9 points, as junior&nbsp;Solomon Young&nbsp;led the way with 20 points on 7-of-9 field goals and 6-of-7 free throws. Sophomores&nbsp;Rasir Bolton&nbsp;and&nbsp;Terrence Lewis&nbsp;scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, while sophomore&nbsp;Tyrese Haliburton&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;Prentiss Nixon&nbsp;added 9 points each. The Cyclones connected on 45.3 percent (22-of-58) from the field, including 54.5 percent (12-of-22) in the second half, and were a near perfect 19 of 20 from the free throw line.The teams capitalized on turnovers, as they combined for 44 points off 33 turnovers on the night. The Wildcats scored 23 points off 17 Cyclone turnovers, which marked the 10th&nbsp;time this season with 20 or more points off turnovers.HOW IT HAPPENEDK-State was once again hampered by a poor start to the game, as Iowa State jumped out to an 11-2 lead, which included 8 points from junior&nbsp;Solomon Young, that forced head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1425">Bruce Weber</a>&nbsp;to call his first timeout at the 16:00 mark. The Wildcats' start included 4 missed field goals and 3 turnovers.The timeout didn't do much to halt the Cyclones' momentum, as they rattled off 8 more points in a row, capped by a 3-pointer by sophomore&nbsp;Tyrese Haliburton, that forced Weber to call a second timeout at the 13:18 mark.The deficit grew to 21-2 after layup by sophomore&nbsp;George Conditt VI&nbsp;before junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>&nbsp;gave the Wildcats' their first field goal – a 3-pointer from the left corner – with 12:04 before halftime.ISU continued to flex its offensive muscle, scoring 12 of the next 20 points, which included 2 more 3-pointers from Haliburton, that extended the lead to 33-13 at the 7:07 mark.After 4 free throws by the Cyclones extended the lead to 37-16 with under 6 to play before halftime, the Wildcats finally got some offensive going with a jumper by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6406">Levi Stockard III</a>&nbsp;that ignited a 12-0 run to end the half. During the run, Diarra accounted for 6 points, including his third triple of the half, while freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6408">DaJuan Gordon</a>&nbsp;finished off the half with 2 free throws and a layup to close the deficit to 37-28.ISU connected on 38.7 percent (12-of-31) from the field in the first half, including 20 percent (3-of-15) from 3-point range, while K-State hit on just 31 percent (9-of-29, including 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from long range. The Cyclones were also aided by a perfect half from the free throw line, hitting on 10-of-10 attempts.Diarra led all scorers with 14 points on 4-of-9 field goals, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range, while Young led ISU with 11 points on 3-of-3 field goals and a 5-of-5 effort from the free throw line.K-State had its opportunities early in the second half, but it was ISU that grabbed the momentum, scoring 6 of first 9 points to take a 43-31 at the 17:29 mark. Jumpers by senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6400">Makol Mawien</a>&nbsp;and Diarra cut the deficit to 43-35, but the Cyclones responded with 6 in a row to push back ahead at 49-35.The ever-resilient Wildcats continued to show fight, as a 10-0 spurt, which was started by a 3-pointer by Diarra, that again allowed the team to get within single digits at 49-45 with just over 10 minutes to play. However, the Cyclones ended the run with a 3-pointer from senior&nbsp;Prentiss Nixon&nbsp;to push it back out 52-45 with 9:44 to play.A Diarra free throw and a jumper by junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6411">David Sloan</a>&nbsp;once again got K-State to within 52-48, which forced Iowa State head coach&nbsp;Steve Prohm&nbsp;to use a timeout at the 7:54 mark. The timeout proved to exactly what the Cyclones needed as they scored 5 row, as Nixon scored on back-to-back jumpers to go with Young free throw -- all part of a 7-3 spurt -- to push it back to 59-51 and forced Weber to call a timeout with 3:45 remaining.Twice more the Wildcats closed to within 7 points, including 64-57 on a pair of free throws by Gordon with 1:50 to play, but the Cyclones responded with 5 straight points to push the lead back into double figures at 69-57. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Diarra and junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6402">Mike McGuirl</a>&nbsp;finished off the K-State scoring.ISU connected on 54.5 percent (12-of-22) of its field goals after halftime, including 37.5 percent (3-of-8) from 3-point range, and hit on 9 of 10 free throws. K-State shot 44.8 percent (13-of-29) in the second half, including 28.6 percent (4-of-14) from long range, and made 5 of 8 free throws.Diarra led all scorers with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting in the second half.PLAYER(S) OF THE GAMEJunior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>&nbsp;scored a game-high 24 points on 7-of-15 field goals, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range, to go with 3 assists and a career-high 3 blocks in 37 minutes of action.STAT OF THE GAME19/20 – Iowa State were near perfect from the free throw line, knocking down 19 of 20 attempts.IN THEIR WORDSK-State Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1425">Bruce Weber</a>On the game…"If this was a heavy weight fight, it was a knockout in the first round. The first thing I told our guys tonight was about being the more determined team. We both have the same record and obviously they are a very good team at home. We told them that Solomon Young had been playing well the last few weeks and that they are going to go to him early. Determination was going to be important as well as transition defense and post defense. However, we turned it over and they got some transition then we missed some shots and they just put it to us. We spotted them the big lead and to our guys credited they keep fighting, they keep battling and we cut it to 9 at the half. We had 11 straight shutouts to end the half. In the second half, we just couldn't get enough stops. They were excellent from the free throw line (19-of-20) and we turned it over way too much. You can't turn it over 16 times and expect to win on the road."BEYOND THE BOXSCORE<ol>
 <li>K-State still leads the all-time series, 140-90, with Iowa State, including 52-51 in Ames… The Cyclones have now won 3 in a row after a 3-game winning streak by the Wildcats… ISU leads 27-23 in the Big 12 era.</li><li>The Wildcats' starting lineup consisted of junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6398">Cartier Diarra</a>, freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6408">DaJuan Gordon</a>, senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6405">Xavier Sneed</a>, freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6409">Montavious Murphy</a>&nbsp;and senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6400">Makol Mawien</a>… This was the first time using this lineup and was the seventh different lineup used this season, the most since 2014-15.</li><li>Sneed has now played in 128 career games, including 95 starts (56 consecutive)… He is now alone in 10th&nbsp;place in school history in career games played, one shy of&nbsp;D.J. Johnson&nbsp;(129/2012-17) for ninth… He is also 7 starts shy of cracking the career starts list… He also moved past&nbsp;Askia Jones&nbsp;(3,547/1989-94) into ninth place with 3,552 career minutes.</li><li>Mawien has played and started in every game in his career, which now stretches to 94… Murphy earned his 13th start (most among all K-State freshmen) and has now played in 16 career games (missing 7 due to injury)… Gordon made his sixth career start and has played in all 23 games this season.</li><li>Gordon and Murphy start together for the sixth time (fifth consecutive) this season… The last time a pair of true freshmen started together in more than one game came when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5612">Barry Brown, Jr.</a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5623">Dean Wade</a>&nbsp;started the last 9 games of the 2015-16 season.</li><li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6406">Levi Stockard III</a>&nbsp;were the first players off the bench.</li>
 </ol>Team Notes<ol>
 <li>K-State scored 63 points on 37.9 percent shooting (22-of-58, including 29 percent (9-of-31) from 3-point range, and connected on 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from the free throw line.</li><li>Both teams scored more 20 points off turnovers with K-State scoring 23 points off 16 Iowa State turnovers… The Wildcats have now scored 20 or more points off turnovers in 10 games.</li><li>Iowa State scored 73 points on 45.3 percent shooting (24-of-53, including 26.1 percent (6-of-23) from 3-point range, and knocked down 19 of 20 free throw attempts (95 percent)… This was the sixth game K-State has allowed 70 points or more during the 2019-20 campaign.</li><li>Iowa State held advantages in points in the paint (30-22, second-chance points (14-11, fast-break points (10-6) and bench points (29-12).</li><li>Iowa State out-rebounded K-State, 35-32.</li><li>Iowa State lead for nearly 39 minutes and K-State never led in the contest.</li>
 </ol>Player Notes<ol>
 <li>Junior&nbsp;Cartier&nbsp;Diarra&nbsp;scored a team-high 24 points on 7-of-15 field goals, including 5-of-11 from the 3-point range, to go with 3 assists and a career-best 3 blocks in 37 minutes… He has led the team in scoring 11 career games, including 10 times this season… It marked his fifth career 20-point game (all this season)… He has now scored in double figures in 32 career games, including 15 this season.</li><li>Senior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6405">Xavier Sneed</a>&nbsp;led the Wildcats in both rebounding (7) and steals (3) to go with 8 points… It marked the 30th&nbsp;time leading the team in rebounding and 38th&nbsp;leading in steals… His 8 points snapped a streak of 7 consecutive games in double-digit scoring.</li><li>Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6408">DaJuan Gordon</a>&nbsp;scored 10 points on 3-of-10 field goals and 4-of-4 free throws to go with 2 steals and 1 assist in 27 minutes… It marked fifth time scoring in double figures this season, including the second in Big 12 play.</li><li>Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6411">David Sloan</a>&nbsp;dished out a game-high 5 assists to just 1 turnover in 21 minutes off the bench… He now has at least 5 assists in 5 games this season, while he led the team in assists for the seventh time.</li>
 </ol>WHAT'S NEXTK-State returns to action on Tuesday night, as the Wildcats play host to Oklahoma State (11-12, 1-9 Big 12) at 8 p.m., CT on ESPNU. It will be the first meeting between the schools this season.

🏀 Iowa State Jumps Out Early to Topple K-State, 73-63

FORT WORTH, Texas&nbsp;– Double-double outings from senior Udoka Azubuike and sophomore Devon Dotson were enough to push the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks to a 60-46 win over the TCU Horned Frogs Saturday inside Schollmaier Arena. Azubuike led KU with 20 points and the KU defense limited TCU to a season-low 46 points as Jayhawk head coach Bill Self claimed the 700th&nbsp;victory of his collegiate coaching career.

The win moved Kansas to 20-3 on the year and 9-1 in Big 12 play, while TCU fell to 13-10 in its season and 4-6 in the league

MOMENT OF THE GAMEAfter TCU cut the KU lead to just four points, 44-40, with seven minutes to play, the Jayhawk defense came alive. KU forced four-straight TCU turnovers, starting with a Marcus Garrett steal that led to a Devon Dotson and-one basket that kicked off a 12-0 KU run to put the Horned Frogs away for good. From the seven-minute mark to the final buzzer, the KU defense allowed just two TCU field goals, helping the Jayhawks close the game on a 16-6 run.

STAT OF THE GAME46 –&nbsp;The Jayhawks held TCU to just 46 points on the day, a season-low for the Horned Frogs and the fewest by a KU opponent since 2015. The number also marked the fewest points conceded by a KU team in a Big 12 road game since 2013, when KU held Texas Tech to 46 points in a 61-46 win in Lubbock. The Jayhawks have now held 13 of their 23 opponents this season to fewer than 60 points. Saturday’s game marked the first second time in 2019-20 that the KU defense has held a Big 12 opponent to 50 or fewer points (Oklahoma, 1/27/20).

NOTES –&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GM23-Postgame-Notes_TCU.pdf">Full Notes</a>

QUOTE OF THE GAME&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GM23-Postgame-Quotes_TCU.pdf">Full Quotes</a>

"He ran the floor, he protected the rim and the lane ... him getting 14 shots will always be good for us because he’s obviously going to make a high percentage because of where he shoots it from. I thought he played terrific."

UP NEXTThe Jayhawks will journey to West Virginia to take on the No. 13/11 Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. (CT) on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Kansas is 13-5 all-time against WVU, which includes a 60- 53 win in this season’s first meeting on Jan. 4 in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are 2-5 versus West Virginia in meetings in Morgantown, but have just one win at WVU Coliseum since 2013.

FORT WORTH, Texas&nbsp;– Double-double outings from senior Udoka Azubuike and sophomore Devon Dotson were enough to push the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks to a 60-46 win over the TCU Horned Frogs Saturday inside Schollmaier Arena. Azubuike led KU with 20 points and the KU defense limited TCU to a season-low 46 points as Jayhawk head coach Bill Self claimed the 700th&nbsp;victory of his collegiate coaching career.The win moved Kansas to 20-3 on the year and 9-1 in Big 12 play, while TCU fell to 13-10 in its season and 4-6 in the leagueMOMENT OF THE GAMEAfter TCU cut the KU lead to just four points, 44-40, with seven minutes to play, the Jayhawk defense came alive. KU forced four-straight TCU turnovers, starting with a Marcus Garrett steal that led to a Devon Dotson and-one basket that kicked off a 12-0 KU run to put the Horned Frogs away for good. From the seven-minute mark to the final buzzer, the KU defense allowed just two TCU field goals, helping the Jayhawks close the game on a 16-6 run.STAT OF THE GAME46 –&nbsp;The Jayhawks held TCU to just 46 points on the day, a season-low for the Horned Frogs and the fewest by a KU opponent since 2015. The number also marked the fewest points conceded by a KU team in a Big 12 road game since 2013, when KU held Texas Tech to 46 points in a 61-46 win in Lubbock. The Jayhawks have now held 13 of their 23 opponents this season to fewer than 60 points. Saturday’s game marked the first second time in 2019-20 that the KU defense has held a Big 12 opponent to 50 or fewer points (Oklahoma, 1/27/20).NOTES –&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GM23-Postgame-Notes_TCU.pdf">Full Notes</a><ol>
 <li>With the win, KU head coach Bill Self claimed his 700th career coaching victory, improving his overall record to 700-219 in his 27th season as a DI head coach.</li><li>Self’s 700 wins have come by way of stops at Oral Roberts (55-54, Tulsa (74-27, Illinois (78-24) and now Kansas (493-109).</li><li>Self became the 31st person to hit the 700-win plateau at the NCAA Division I level and the eighth-active head coach.</li><li>The win made Kansas 20-3 overall, giving it 20 wins for the 31st-straight season beginning in 1989-90, which would add to its active NCAA record of consecutive 20-win seasons and tie the all-time NCAA record for consecutive 20-win seasons with North Carolina which won 31 from 1971-2001.</li><li>KU held its opponent under 60 points for the 13th time this season, with a record of 12-1 in those match-ups this season and a 180-2 clip in the Self era.</li><li>Kansas has now held 14 of its 23 opponents this season to below 40% shooting, as the Horned Frogs converted just 19-of-54 of their shots from the field, or 35.2%.</li><li>KU also held its 15th opponent of the season to 30% or less from beyond the 3-point arc, as TCU made 22.7% (5-of-22) Saturday afternoon.</li><li>Senior Udoka Azubuike posted his 10th double-double of the season and 17th of his career.</li><li>Azubuike became the sixth Big 12 player in the league’s history to post at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks in a conference game. Of those six, three were Kansas players. The last time a KU player did this in any game was Nick Collison (24 pts, 16 rbs, 7 blks) vs. Oklahoma State on March 1, 2003.Devon Dotson turned in his second-career double-double, with his previous coming in last season’s 25-point, 10-rebound effort at TCU.</li><li>Dotson’s 11 assists were a career-high and the most by a Jayhawk since Devonte’ Graham posted 13 helpers against West Virginia on March 10, 2018 in the Big 12 Championship final.</li>
 </ol>QUOTE OF THE GAME&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/GM23-Postgame-Quotes_TCU.pdf">Full Quotes</a>"He ran the floor, he protected the rim and the lane ... him getting 14 shots will always be good for us because he’s obviously going to make a high percentage because of where he shoots it from. I thought he played terrific."BILL SELF ON UDOKA AZUBUIKEUP NEXTThe Jayhawks will journey to West Virginia to take on the No. 13/11 Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. (CT) on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Kansas is 13-5 all-time against WVU, which includes a 60- 53 win in this season’s first meeting on Jan. 4 in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are 2-5 versus West Virginia in meetings in Morgantown, but have just one win at WVU Coliseum since 2013.

🏀 KU Defense Locks Down TCU, Self Claims Win No. 700

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — For his final act on a day filled with short-game magic, Phil Mickelson hit a full-swing flop shot over a bunker that landed in just the right spot on the 18th green at Pebble Beach that it rolled out to 4 feet from the cup.

For a time Saturday in the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, it seemed everything did.

“It seemed like my short game was pretty good today,” Mickelson said after a 5-under 67, that final birdie leaving him one shot behind Nick Taylor of Canada as Lefty goes for a record sixth title at Pebble.

Taylor had a cold start and a relatively quiet day at Spyglass Hill, away from all the hits and giggles around the celebrity rotation at Pebble Beach. He overcame two early bogeys with a 25-foot eagle putt on his 16th hole for a 69, and his first 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour. Taylor was at 17-under 198.

Mickelson and his sublime short game delivered more entertainment than all the athletes and celebrities combined during the Saturday show at Pebble.

He made the impossible look easy from a bunker behind the par-3 seventh green at Pebble Beach. He holed out from a bunker for birdie on the 13th and chipped in from 90 feet for birdie on the next hole.

In his post-round interview with CBS, he suggested hitting only nine greens wasn’t all that bad because he kept missing in the right place that left him a good angle, the exception being the par-3 12th where he made his lone bogey. And then he abruptly ended the discourse.

“Actually, that’s not true,” Mickelson said. “I had some pretty good up-and-downs.”

Topping the list was No. 7, the 110-yard hole down the hill toward the Pacific, the most picturesque hole at Pebble. It looked&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1226231981886836737" target="_blank">like a terror for Mickelson</a>&nbsp;when his sand wedge went long and plugged into the back bunker.

“I was just trying to not make 5,” Mickelson said. “I was trying to get on the green and just make a 4, give myself a putt at a par. But it came out great.”

It splashed out of the sand so perfectly that it took a few hops in the rough before reaching the green, losing enough pace to trickle 2 feet away for a tap-in par. Even for Mickelson, it rates among his best.

“Yeah, it’s No. 2 in my all-time greatest bunker shots,” Mickelson said. “I made one in the final round at Memorial, Muirfield Village, the old 16th hole from under the lip, plugged, and I holed that one. This one didn’t go in, but it was the second-best I’ve ever hit.”

Taylor’s best was a 3-wood onto the green at the par-5 seventh that led to eagle and assured he would have the lead. His only PGA Tour victory was just over five years ago at the Sanderson Farms Championship, his fourth start of his rookie season. He will be in the final group, his first time playing with Mickelson.

“It’s going to be a new experience for that reason, if I am playing with him,” Taylor said. “Obviously, if he makes a putt or great shot, the crowd’s going to go wild. I’ve just got to do my own thing, try to block all that out. Easier said than done, without having to do it before, but I’ll do the best I can.”

This is a two-man show; however, Jason Day posted a 70 at Spyglass Hill and was only three shots behind at 14-under 201.

Pebble Beach had more wind than earlier in the week, but still gentle enough that low scores were available. Dustin Johnson, a two-time winner at Pebble, was in striking range and could manage only a 72, leaving him eight shots back. Patrick Cantlay, at No. 8 in the world, played the final six holes in 2 over for a 72 and was nine shots back.

Mickelson started with a pair of birdies. He took a share of the lead with a birdie on the par-5 sixth.

After his par save at No. 7, his long bunker shot from short of the eighth green rolled inches from the cup.

More trouble supposedly awaited on the 13th when his approach peeled into the left bunker. He raised both arms when that dropped for birdie. And on the par-5 14th, he made a mistake by not hitting his punch wedge hard enough. It came down the slope, off the green and back into the fairway. Mickelson’s long chip from 90 feet banged into the pin and dropped for birdie.

“It was a really good day in saving shots and hitting shots,” Mickelson said, “but I’m usually OK with a wedge.”

Next up is a Sunday with plenty at stake for the leading three players.

Mickelson said earlier in the week he would not accept a special exemption for the U.S. Open if he needed one. A victory at Pebble — the 45th of his career — would go a long way toward solving that, moving him to around No. 40.

Taylor can validate his first win since his rookie season, an opposite-field event at the time. The Canadian has never been to the Masters and has played in only four majors, two as an amateur.

Day, meanwhile, is a former No. 1 who spent most of last year injured and frustrated. He has gone nearly two years since his last win, and was in danger of falling out of the top 50 if he didn’t starting getting better results.

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — For his final act on a day filled with short-game magic, Phil Mickelson hit a full-swing flop shot over a bunker that landed in just the right spot on the 18th green at Pebble Beach that it rolled out to 4 feet from the cup.Somehow, it didn’t go in.For a time Saturday in the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, it seemed everything did.“It seemed like my short game was pretty good today,” Mickelson said after a 5-under 67, that final birdie leaving him one shot behind Nick Taylor of Canada as Lefty goes for a record sixth title at Pebble.Taylor had a cold start and a relatively quiet day at Spyglass Hill, away from all the hits and giggles around the celebrity rotation at Pebble Beach. He overcame two early bogeys with a 25-foot eagle putt on his 16th hole for a 69, and his first 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour. Taylor was at 17-under 198.Mickelson and his sublime short game delivered more entertainment than all the athletes and celebrities combined during the Saturday show at Pebble.He made the impossible look easy from a bunker behind the par-3 seventh green at Pebble Beach. He holed out from a bunker for birdie on the 13th and chipped in from 90 feet for birdie on the next hole.In his post-round interview with CBS, he suggested hitting only nine greens wasn’t all that bad because he kept missing in the right place that left him a good angle, the exception being the par-3 12th where he made his lone bogey. And then he abruptly ended the discourse.“Actually, that’s not true,” Mickelson said. “I had some pretty good up-and-downs.”Topping the list was No. 7, the 110-yard hole down the hill toward the Pacific, the most picturesque hole at Pebble. It looked&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1226231981886836737" target="_blank">like a terror for Mickelson</a>&nbsp;when his sand wedge went long and plugged into the back bunker.“I was just trying to not make 5,” Mickelson said. “I was trying to get on the green and just make a 4, give myself a putt at a par. But it came out great.”It splashed out of the sand so perfectly that it took a few hops in the rough before reaching the green, losing enough pace to trickle 2 feet away for a tap-in par. Even for Mickelson, it rates among his best.“Yeah, it’s No. 2 in my all-time greatest bunker shots,” Mickelson said. “I made one in the final round at Memorial, Muirfield Village, the old 16th hole from under the lip, plugged, and I holed that one. This one didn’t go in, but it was the second-best I’ve ever hit.”Taylor’s best was a 3-wood onto the green at the par-5 seventh that led to eagle and assured he would have the lead. His only PGA Tour victory was just over five years ago at the Sanderson Farms Championship, his fourth start of his rookie season. He will be in the final group, his first time playing with Mickelson.“It’s going to be a new experience for that reason, if I am playing with him,” Taylor said. “Obviously, if he makes a putt or great shot, the crowd’s going to go wild. I’ve just got to do my own thing, try to block all that out. Easier said than done, without having to do it before, but I’ll do the best I can.”This is a two-man show; however, Jason Day posted a 70 at Spyglass Hill and was only three shots behind at 14-under 201.For others, it was a wasted opportunity.Pebble Beach had more wind than earlier in the week, but still gentle enough that low scores were available. Dustin Johnson, a two-time winner at Pebble, was in striking range and could manage only a 72, leaving him eight shots back. Patrick Cantlay, at No. 8 in the world, played the final six holes in 2 over for a 72 and was nine shots back.Mickelson started with a pair of birdies. He took a share of the lead with a birdie on the par-5 sixth.And then the fun began.After his par save at No. 7, his long bunker shot from short of the eighth green rolled inches from the cup.More trouble supposedly awaited on the 13th when his approach peeled into the left bunker. He raised both arms when that dropped for birdie. And on the par-5 14th, he made a mistake by not hitting his punch wedge hard enough. It came down the slope, off the green and back into the fairway. Mickelson’s long chip from 90 feet banged into the pin and dropped for birdie.“It was a really good day in saving shots and hitting shots,” Mickelson said, “but I’m usually OK with a wedge.”Next up is a Sunday with plenty at stake for the leading three players.Mickelson said earlier in the week he would not accept a special exemption for the U.S. Open if he needed one. A victory at Pebble — the 45th of his career — would go a long way toward solving that, moving him to around No. 40.Taylor can validate his first win since his rookie season, an opposite-field event at the time. The Canadian has never been to the Masters and has played in only four majors, two as an amateur.Day, meanwhile, is a former No. 1 who spent most of last year injured and frustrated. He has gone nearly two years since his last win, and was in danger of falling out of the top 50 if he didn’t starting getting better results.

Taylor takes 1-shot lead over Mickelson at Pebble Beach

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Christen Press is on a tear with goals in her past six games, focused on the U.S. national team’s next big task: the Olympics.

A longtime scoring threat, often as a spark off the bench, Press is making a case for a starting role with her latest outburst.

She is just the fifth U.S. woman to score in six straight games, joining Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, April Heinrichs and Carli Lloyd. It’s the longest such streak for the U.S. since Lloyd scored in seven straight in 2014.

Press says she’s hasn’t changed a thing.

“I think the way I approach football always, and it’s been this way for a while, is just that my job is to strive to be my best when I’m on the field, and that’s every training and every game,” she said. “I’m happy to be helping the team and be on the field and doing what I love. It’s as simple as that.”

The United States is looking to become the first team to grab gold at the Olympics the year after winning the World Cup.

Four years ago in Brazil, the reigning World Cup champs looked unstoppable before they were knocked out by Sweden in the quarterfinals. It was the U.S. team’s earliest ever Olympic exit.

“We have to let go of the World Cup and we have to go into this like, you know, this is our big tournament for the next three years. And so I think that that’s a good lesson to have learned,” Press said. “I think having a new staff in the transition presents different challenges. But, you know, all of our eyes and all of our focus are on bringing home the gold.”

The United States qualified for the Tokyo Games on Friday night when it beat Mexico 4-0 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament. Press scored the final goal, a well-executed chip shot in the 73rd minute.

Canada claimed the region’s other Olympic berth with a 1-0 semifinal victory over Costa Rica.

With the Olympic spots secured, the United States will play Canada on Sunday in an essentially inconsequential title game. The U.S. has defeated Canada in the past three qualifying tournament finals.

Press has received more opportunities on the field as of late with the absence of Alex Morgan, who is on maternity leave. Morgan has said she’s going to try to be back in time for Tokyo.

Press also gets to make her case for a new staff: Vlatko Andonovski took over as coach after Jill Ellis stepped down last fall.

Andonovski, former coach of Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, is well aware of Press, who currently plays for the Utah Royals.

“She’s doing very well, like you said she’s on fire, but I’ve always thought she’s a great player, it’s not like she’s just coming on fire now. Now she has more opportunity, “Andonovski said. “She’s doing well and penetrating on the dribble and the goals that she’s scored, I’ve seen Press score those goals in the league. I’m just glad she’s doing it for the national team as well.”

Press made her national team debut in 2013. She has 56 goals in 134 appearances. A standout at Stanford who won the MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation’s best college player as a senior, Press went on to play for clubs in Sweden in addition to her stints in the NWSL.

She has played in two World Cups, and Tokyo will be her second Olympics.

“My mindset is always is that there’s always more. So when people say `Oh, you’re at the top of your game,’ I don’t really like that expression, because it implies that from here you go down,” Press said. “What I want for myself and this team is to continue to ascend.”

CARSON, Calif. (AP) — Christen Press is on a tear with goals in her past six games, focused on the U.S. national team’s next big task: the Olympics.A longtime scoring threat, often as a spark off the bench, Press is making a case for a starting role with her latest outburst.She is just the fifth U.S. woman to score in six straight games, joining Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, April Heinrichs and Carli Lloyd. It’s the longest such streak for the U.S. since Lloyd scored in seven straight in 2014.Press says she’s hasn’t changed a thing.“I think the way I approach football always, and it’s been this way for a while, is just that my job is to strive to be my best when I’m on the field, and that’s every training and every game,” she said. “I’m happy to be helping the team and be on the field and doing what I love. It’s as simple as that.”The United States is looking to become the first team to grab gold at the Olympics the year after winning the World Cup.Four years ago in Brazil, the reigning World Cup champs looked unstoppable before they were knocked out by Sweden in the quarterfinals. It was the U.S. team’s earliest ever Olympic exit.“We have to let go of the World Cup and we have to go into this like, you know, this is our big tournament for the next three years. And so I think that that’s a good lesson to have learned,” Press said. “I think having a new staff in the transition presents different challenges. But, you know, all of our eyes and all of our focus are on bringing home the gold.”The United States qualified for the Tokyo Games on Friday night when it beat Mexico 4-0 in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament. Press scored the final goal, a well-executed chip shot in the 73rd minute.Canada claimed the region’s other Olympic berth with a 1-0 semifinal victory over Costa Rica.With the Olympic spots secured, the United States will play Canada on Sunday in an essentially inconsequential title game. The U.S. has defeated Canada in the past three qualifying tournament finals.Press has received more opportunities on the field as of late with the absence of Alex Morgan, who is on maternity leave. Morgan has said she’s going to try to be back in time for Tokyo.Press also gets to make her case for a new staff: Vlatko Andonovski took over as coach after Jill Ellis stepped down last fall.Andonovski, former coach of Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, is well aware of Press, who currently plays for the Utah Royals.“She’s doing very well, like you said she’s on fire, but I’ve always thought she’s a great player, it’s not like she’s just coming on fire now. Now she has more opportunity, “Andonovski said. “She’s doing well and penetrating on the dribble and the goals that she’s scored, I’ve seen Press score those goals in the league. I’m just glad she’s doing it for the national team as well.”Press made her national team debut in 2013. She has 56 goals in 134 appearances. A standout at Stanford who won the MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation’s best college player as a senior, Press went on to play for clubs in Sweden in addition to her stints in the NWSL.She has played in two World Cups, and Tokyo will be her second Olympics.“My mindset is always is that there’s always more. So when people say `Oh, you’re at the top of your game,’ I don’t really like that expression, because it implies that from here you go down,” Press said. “What I want for myself and this team is to continue to ascend.”

Press rolls as US secures spot in Tokyo Olympics

WASHINGTON (AP) — The debut of the new XFL had a punt blocked for a touchdown, a juiced-up crowd roaring for big plays and a player swearing during an in-game television interview.

The actual football was hit and miss. College national championship-winning former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was the biggest star on the field and took the microphone to address fans before the start of a brand-new football league.

“This is for the love of football,” Jones said. “Enjoy.”

Jones’ D.C. Defenders beat the Seattle Dragons 31-19 Saturday afternoon in the opener of the new XFL that provided plenty of entertainment in person and on TV. It’s far too early to tell if the XFL can take a foothold where its previous incarnation and the recently unsuccessful Alliance of American Football failed, but executives are willing to wait and see.

“For us, if the fans who attend and watch at home feel as though it was a good football game and they had a fun time either watching or being in this awesome venue with us, that’s success,” XFL chief operating officer Jeffrey Pollack said. “We’re taking a long term view in this. Success ultimately will not be measured in the first game or the first weekend or the first season.”

The first weekend is a chance for football fans to catch a glimpse of some of the few players they might recognize. There’s former Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones with Dallas, former NFL QB Josh Johnson with San Diego and ex-Navy standout Keenan Reynolds playing for Seattle.

It’s not the star power of the NFL, but billionaire Vince McMahon’s latest venture is an attempt to capture the attention of hardcore football fans in the aftermath of the Super Bowl.

“Our expectation for this first season is for football fans to simply give us a look, give us a chance, sample us,” Pollack said. “We understand that fandom is earned. It’s not given. ... We think that if you love football, you’re going to love the XFL.”

In the league opener, a crowd of 17,163 almost filled up Audi Field, home of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United. There was a buzz around the stadium in the hours before the XFL’s debut, with cars lining up to enter parking lots and fans checking out a league-sponsored tailgate. Fans were already sporting Dragons and Defenders gear and queued up in long concession lines at halftime.

“I didn’t have real expectations going into the game as far as what the experience was going to be like,” Cardale Jones said. “If I did ... they would’ve been blown away.”

The location of the first game made sense in the neighborhood of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, who haven’t won the Super Bowl since 1992 and have just one playoff victory in the past 20 seasons. Fan-made signs mocking the “Hail to the Redskins” slogan and asking Redskins owner Dan Snyder to sell the team were draped from a balcony at the 50-yard line.

The broadcast included in-game interviews with a kicker seconds after he missed a field goal attempt and a defender involved in a scrum that led to a penalty. Seattle’s Dillon Day dropped an F-bomb that made it to the airwaves and went viral.

On the field, the play was a mix of traditional college and pro style with some different twists.

There was no coin toss, and when Reynolds fielded the opening kickoff, he did so with everyone else on the field standing still as part of a rule implemented for safety. The clock ran for all but the time inside each two minute warning, and some other tweaks were different for players.

“It was definitely an adjustment for some of the stuff,” said Seattle’s Austin Proehl, son of former NFL receiver Ricky Proehl, who caught the first touchdown pass in the new version of the league. “It’s something we’ve got to get used to.”

With no extra point kicks, teams had the option of trying one-, two- or three-point conversions, but each coach in the first XFL game only opted for one-point attempts.

“The only difference for I think a coach calling plays is deciding to go for one, two or three,” Seattle coach Jim Zorn said. “That was surprising to me was that rule change, being able to go to one, two or three with your extra point try, there’s a lot of strategy in that.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The debut of the new XFL had a punt blocked for a touchdown, a juiced-up crowd roaring for big plays and a player swearing during an in-game television interview.The actual football was hit and miss. College national championship-winning former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones was the biggest star on the field and took the microphone to address fans before the start of a brand-new football league.“This is for the love of football,” Jones said. “Enjoy.”Jones’ D.C. Defenders beat the Seattle Dragons 31-19 Saturday afternoon in the opener of the new XFL that provided plenty of entertainment in person and on TV. It’s far too early to tell if the XFL can take a foothold where its previous incarnation and the recently unsuccessful Alliance of American Football failed, but executives are willing to wait and see.“For us, if the fans who attend and watch at home feel as though it was a good football game and they had a fun time either watching or being in this awesome venue with us, that’s success,” XFL chief operating officer Jeffrey Pollack said. “We’re taking a long term view in this. Success ultimately will not be measured in the first game or the first weekend or the first season.”The first weekend is a chance for football fans to catch a glimpse of some of the few players they might recognize. There’s former Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones with Dallas, former NFL QB Josh Johnson with San Diego and ex-Navy standout Keenan Reynolds playing for Seattle.It’s not the star power of the NFL, but billionaire Vince McMahon’s latest venture is an attempt to capture the attention of hardcore football fans in the aftermath of the Super Bowl.“Our expectation for this first season is for football fans to simply give us a look, give us a chance, sample us,” Pollack said. “We understand that fandom is earned. It’s not given. ... We think that if you love football, you’re going to love the XFL.”In the league opener, a crowd of 17,163 almost filled up Audi Field, home of Major League Soccer’s D.C. United. There was a buzz around the stadium in the hours before the XFL’s debut, with cars lining up to enter parking lots and fans checking out a league-sponsored tailgate. Fans were already sporting Dragons and Defenders gear and queued up in long concession lines at halftime.“I didn’t have real expectations going into the game as far as what the experience was going to be like,” Cardale Jones said. “If I did ... they would’ve been blown away.”The location of the first game made sense in the neighborhood of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, who haven’t won the Super Bowl since 1992 and have just one playoff victory in the past 20 seasons. Fan-made signs mocking the “Hail to the Redskins” slogan and asking Redskins owner Dan Snyder to sell the team were draped from a balcony at the 50-yard line.The broadcast included in-game interviews with a kicker seconds after he missed a field goal attempt and a defender involved in a scrum that led to a penalty. Seattle’s Dillon Day dropped an F-bomb that made it to the airwaves and went viral.On the field, the play was a mix of traditional college and pro style with some different twists.There was no coin toss, and when Reynolds fielded the opening kickoff, he did so with everyone else on the field standing still as part of a rule implemented for safety. The clock ran for all but the time inside each two minute warning, and some other tweaks were different for players.“It was definitely an adjustment for some of the stuff,” said Seattle’s Austin Proehl, son of former NFL receiver Ricky Proehl, who caught the first touchdown pass in the new version of the league. “It’s something we’ve got to get used to.”With no extra point kicks, teams had the option of trying one-, two- or three-point conversions, but each coach in the first XFL game only opted for one-point attempts.“The only difference for I think a coach calling plays is deciding to go for one, two or three,” Seattle coach Jim Zorn said. “That was surprising to me was that rule change, being able to go to one, two or three with your extra point try, there’s a lot of strategy in that.”

New XFL kicks off with entertaining debut in DC

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Bob Knight’s short stroll from the practice gym to Assembly Hall ended a 20-year journey home.

When the former Indiana Hoosiers coach walked through the tunnel Saturday and onto his old court for the first time since his firing in September 2000, the crowd went wild — chanting his name, roaring with approval, thanking him for all the success and banners he brought to Bloomington.

“It was one of the greatest and most emotional things for me,” said former player Randy Wittman, who had a key role in the reunion. “I don’t know if we’ll see something like this again in college basketball. When he moved back here, I told him you’re back here because this is where you belong.”

The sellout crowd and dozens of former players lauded Knight after watching a video detailing Knight’s contributions.

He walked in with his son, Pat. He hugged Isiah Thomas. He was assisted into the arena by Quinn Buckner. And the 79-year-old Knight reveled in the moment, pumping his fist, pretending to direct Scott May in a practice drill and even leading fans in a chorus of “de-fense, de-fense.”

No, he didn’t wear his trademark red sweater or throw a chair. But he did appear to get a little misty-eyed as the fans cheered.

Knight did not speak to the crowd over the public address system. He didn’t need to.

Everyone in attendance understood what the combustible coach had on his 29-season resume: A school record 662 victories, 11 Big Ten championships, five Final Four appearances and, yes, three national titles.

They knew some of the stories, too — the Olympic gold medal he won in 1984 with Michael Jordan after cutting Charles Barkley; the infamous chair-throwing incident in 1985; and the firing that took place Sept. 10, 2000, causing the rift between Knight and the university.

University officials put Knight on a zero-tolerance policy earlier that year following an investigation into whether he had choked a former player, the late Neil Reed, during a practice. Then, in September, a student accused Knight of grabbing him in a hallway.

Knight responded by calling his own news conference, bringing witnesses to help explain his version. Two days later, the late Myles Brand announced Knight’s firing.

That was his last public appearance in the building — until Saturday.

Despite the tireless efforts of university officials, led by athletic director Fred Glass, Knight refused every chance to come back.

He skipped championship team reunions and even declined to attend his own induction into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 because he said he didn’t want his presence to detract from other class members.

The thaw began in earnest last spring when he made a surprise appearance at an Indiana baseball game. In July, he bought a house three miles from the basketball arena.

“I visited Coach in Montana and Texas,” former player Mike Woodson said. “This is home. I’ve spent the last month back here in Bloomington with him and had dinners a few times with him and we were happy as hell he wanted to come back.”

Knight hadn’t exactly been invisible around Bloomington or the state after the firing.

He took the Texas Tech job, and then retired in 2008 with a then-record 902 career wins. He worked on ESPN as a color analyst. He gave speeches, attended fundraisers, signed autographs and attended basketball games and practices around Indiana.

He just didn’t associate himself with the Hoosiers.

He also spoke at a Donald Trump rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in October 2016 and at another Trump rally on the south side of Indianapolis in November 2018.

And yet everyone associated with Indiana basketball still had one question: Will he ever come back?

“When he moved back here, I knew he was in a good place,” Wittman said. “I knew he was happy here, living, and I told him you belong here.”

It didn’t take long for the rumors to start.

Some expected his return to come against Ohio State, his alma mater, on Jan. 11. Instead, he attended a game that day at Marian University, an NAIA school in Indianapolis, where another former player, Steve Downing, is the athletic director.

But with the Hoosiers playing their biggest rival, Purdue, longtime friend and rival Gene Keady seated in the front row and his 1980 Big Ten championship team being honored Saturday, Knight made it to Assembly Hall and delivered one of his traditional pregame speeches to the current Hoosiers before their 74-62 loss to the Boilermakers.

“I was standing there and he was coach Knight,” Wittman said. “It was like he hadn’t left that locker room. The words he gave to those players before they went out on the floor, it was fabulous.”

The fans thought so, too, sending Knight home with one lasting chant: “Thank you Coach, thank you Coach.”

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Bob Knight’s short stroll from the practice gym to Assembly Hall ended a 20-year journey home.It seemed as if he never left.When the former Indiana Hoosiers coach walked through the tunnel Saturday and onto his old court for the first time since his firing in September 2000, the crowd went wild — chanting his name, roaring with approval, thanking him for all the success and banners he brought to Bloomington.“It was one of the greatest and most emotional things for me,” said former player Randy Wittman, who had a key role in the reunion. “I don’t know if we’ll see something like this again in college basketball. When he moved back here, I told him you’re back here because this is where you belong.”The sellout crowd and dozens of former players lauded Knight after watching a video detailing Knight’s contributions.He walked in with his son, Pat. He hugged Isiah Thomas. He was assisted into the arena by Quinn Buckner. And the 79-year-old Knight reveled in the moment, pumping his fist, pretending to direct Scott May in a practice drill and even leading fans in a chorus of “de-fense, de-fense.”No, he didn’t wear his trademark red sweater or throw a chair. But he did appear to get a little misty-eyed as the fans cheered.“We love you, Bobby,” one shouted.Knight did not speak to the crowd over the public address system. He didn’t need to.Everyone in attendance understood what the combustible coach had on his 29-season resume: A school record 662 victories, 11 Big Ten championships, five Final Four appearances and, yes, three national titles.They knew some of the stories, too — the Olympic gold medal he won in 1984 with Michael Jordan after cutting Charles Barkley; the infamous chair-throwing incident in 1985; and the firing that took place Sept. 10, 2000, causing the rift between Knight and the university.University officials put Knight on a zero-tolerance policy earlier that year following an investigation into whether he had choked a former player, the late Neil Reed, during a practice. Then, in September, a student accused Knight of grabbing him in a hallway.Knight responded by calling his own news conference, bringing witnesses to help explain his version. Two days later, the late Myles Brand announced Knight’s firing.That was his last public appearance in the building — until Saturday.Despite the tireless efforts of university officials, led by athletic director Fred Glass, Knight refused every chance to come back.He skipped championship team reunions and even declined to attend his own induction into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 because he said he didn’t want his presence to detract from other class members.The thaw began in earnest last spring when he made a surprise appearance at an Indiana baseball game. In July, he bought a house three miles from the basketball arena.“I visited Coach in Montana and Texas,” former player Mike Woodson said. “This is home. I’ve spent the last month back here in Bloomington with him and had dinners a few times with him and we were happy as hell he wanted to come back.”Knight hadn’t exactly been invisible around Bloomington or the state after the firing.He took the Texas Tech job, and then retired in 2008 with a then-record 902 career wins. He worked on ESPN as a color analyst. He gave speeches, attended fundraisers, signed autographs and attended basketball games and practices around Indiana.He just didn’t associate himself with the Hoosiers.He also spoke at a Donald Trump rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in October 2016 and at another Trump rally on the south side of Indianapolis in November 2018.And yet everyone associated with Indiana basketball still had one question: Will he ever come back?“When he moved back here, I knew he was in a good place,” Wittman said. “I knew he was happy here, living, and I told him you belong here.”It didn’t take long for the rumors to start.Some expected his return to come against Ohio State, his alma mater, on Jan. 11. Instead, he attended a game that day at Marian University, an NAIA school in Indianapolis, where another former player, Steve Downing, is the athletic director.But with the Hoosiers playing their biggest rival, Purdue, longtime friend and rival Gene Keady seated in the front row and his 1980 Big Ten championship team being honored Saturday, Knight made it to Assembly Hall and delivered one of his traditional pregame speeches to the current Hoosiers before their 74-62 loss to the Boilermakers.“I was standing there and he was coach Knight,” Wittman said. “It was like he hadn’t left that locker room. The words he gave to those players before they went out on the floor, it was fabulous.”The fans thought so, too, sending Knight home with one lasting chant: “Thank you Coach, thank you Coach.”

Return of the Hoosier: Knight back at Indiana after 20 years

STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports Information

ENID, Okla. – For the first time in Hutchinson Community College baseball history, the Blue Dragons have back-to-back shutouts in the first two games of a season.

<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/linder_dawson_sh2m">Dawson Linder</a>&nbsp;twirled a one-hit shutout in Game 1 on Saturday in a 10-0 Blue Dragon win over Northern Oklahoma-Enid on Saturday afternoon. Then&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/skillman_brian_ztu7">Brian Skillman</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/firmature_zach_o3mq">Zach Firmature</a>&nbsp;followed with a combined four-hit shutout in a 1-0 Hutchinson win.

NOC-Enid is the defending NJCAA Division I national champion.

The Blue Dragons win their season opener for the third-straight season. The 2-0 Blue Dragons will now compete at the UCO Festival next weekend in Edmond, Oklahoma. Hutchinson will face Crowner and Redlands on Friday and NEO on Saturday.

GAME 1 RECAPLinder (1-0) allowed just four NOC-Enid baserunners in the game – two walks, one hit batter and a Cale Salvage single in the fourth inning of the five-inning rule-rule contest.

Linder plunked Kade Hitt to open the bottom of the third. Hitt advanced to third, but was stranded. Linder then allowed a single and walk in the fourth, but coaxed an easy flyout to end the inning. Leading 10-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Linder worked a 1-2-3 inning to earn his third career victory.

Linder needed 68 pitches to toss his first career complete game and shutout. He had five strikeouts in the performance.

The Blue Dragons post a shutout in a season opener for the first time since 2014 when Kyle Simonds and Austin Harms combined for a shutout in an 8-0 victory over Rose State.

Hutchinson's offense finally got going the second time through the batting order.

Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/sartori_luke_bjmu">Luke Sartori</a>&nbsp;scored the first run of the 2020 season for the Blue Dragons when he led off the fourth with a solo home run to left field. That ignited a six-run fourth inning for Hutchinson.

An RBI single by&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/argo_cade_fb1q">Cade Argo</a>&nbsp;made it 2-0. Britton Mulhurn made it 4-0 with a two-run single and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/lowe_mason_8ewl">Mason Lowe</a>&nbsp;added a two-run triple to account for the four runs in the inning.

Hutchinson added on four more runs in the top of the fifth to make it 10-0.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/noble_christopher_a2a2">Christopher Noble</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/reetz_will_pauk">Will Reetz</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/steele_jenner_aivw">Jenner Steele</a>&nbsp;all had RBI doubles in the inning.

Eight Blue Dragon starters has at least one hit and seven Dragons drove in runs. Mulhurn had the only multi-hit game for Hutchinson, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. The Blue Dragons had eight hits in the game.

GAME 2 RECAPSkillman worked the first three innings in the second dame. He allowed just two hits and struck out five with no walks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581303495277.jpeg" alt="Dawson Linder become the first Blue Dragon since 2014 to post a shutout on opening day as Linder tosses a 1-hut shutout in a 10-0, 5-inning win over NOC-Enid on Saturday in Enid, OK. (Bre Rogers/Blue Dragon Sports Information)" />
 <figcaption>Dawson Linder become the first Blue Dragon since 2014 to post a shutout on opening day as Linder tosses a 1-hut shutout in a 10-0, 5-inning win over NOC-Enid on Saturday in Enid, OK. (Bre Rogers/Blue Dragon Sports Information)</figcaption>
 </figure>STEVE CARPENTER - Hutchinson CC Sports InformationENID, Okla. – For the first time in Hutchinson Community College baseball history, the Blue Dragons have back-to-back shutouts in the first two games of a season.<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/linder_dawson_sh2m">Dawson Linder</a>&nbsp;twirled a one-hit shutout in Game 1 on Saturday in a 10-0 Blue Dragon win over Northern Oklahoma-Enid on Saturday afternoon. Then&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/skillman_brian_ztu7">Brian Skillman</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/firmature_zach_o3mq">Zach Firmature</a>&nbsp;followed with a combined four-hit shutout in a 1-0 Hutchinson win.NOC-Enid is the defending NJCAA Division I national champion.The Blue Dragons win their season opener for the third-straight season. The 2-0 Blue Dragons will now compete at the UCO Festival next weekend in Edmond, Oklahoma. Hutchinson will face Crowner and Redlands on Friday and NEO on Saturday.GAME 1 RECAPLinder (1-0) allowed just four NOC-Enid baserunners in the game – two walks, one hit batter and a Cale Salvage single in the fourth inning of the five-inning rule-rule contest.Linder plunked Kade Hitt to open the bottom of the third. Hitt advanced to third, but was stranded. Linder then allowed a single and walk in the fourth, but coaxed an easy flyout to end the inning. Leading 10-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Linder worked a 1-2-3 inning to earn his third career victory.Linder needed 68 pitches to toss his first career complete game and shutout. He had five strikeouts in the performance.The Blue Dragons post a shutout in a season opener for the first time since 2014 when Kyle Simonds and Austin Harms combined for a shutout in an 8-0 victory over Rose State.Hutchinson's offense finally got going the second time through the batting order.Freshman&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/sartori_luke_bjmu">Luke Sartori</a>&nbsp;scored the first run of the 2020 season for the Blue Dragons when he led off the fourth with a solo home run to left field. That ignited a six-run fourth inning for Hutchinson.An RBI single by&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/argo_cade_fb1q">Cade Argo</a>&nbsp;made it 2-0. Britton Mulhurn made it 4-0 with a two-run single and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/lowe_mason_8ewl">Mason Lowe</a>&nbsp;added a two-run triple to account for the four runs in the inning.Hutchinson added on four more runs in the top of the fifth to make it 10-0.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/noble_christopher_a2a2">Christopher Noble</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/reetz_will_pauk">Will Reetz</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/steele_jenner_aivw">Jenner Steele</a>&nbsp;all had RBI doubles in the inning.Eight Blue Dragon starters has at least one hit and seven Dragons drove in runs. Mulhurn had the only multi-hit game for Hutchinson, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. The Blue Dragons had eight hits in the game.GAME 2 RECAPSkillman worked the first three innings in the second dame. He allowed just two hits and struck out five with no walks.Firmature took over in the fourth with the game still scoreless. Firmature delivers four strong innings out of the bullpen with only two hits and one walk allowed and four strikeouts to earn the pitching victory.Enid had a threat working in the bottom of the fifth with Hutchinson trailing 1-0. The first two Jets batters reached on a base hit and walk. Noble made a diving catch in foul territory off the bat of Logan Rutledge just behind the first-base bag for the first out. Firmature then coaxed a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play out of Gage Ninness to end the inning.From that point, Firmature allowed just one hit over the final two innings to earn the victory.Out-hit 4-3 in the second game, Hutchinson's lone run came in the top of the fourth inning. Sartori singled with one out and moved to second on an&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/callahan_austin_ilmr">Austin Callahan</a>&nbsp;groundout.&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/reetz_drew_s2c0">Drew Reetz</a>&nbsp;then doubled home Sartori for a 1-0 lead.The Blue Dragons loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, but came up empty.Sartori,&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/reetz_drew_s2c0">Drew Reetz</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://bluedragonsports.com/sports/bsb/2019-20/bios/reetz_will_pauk">Will Reetz</a>&nbsp;had the only Blue Dragon hits. Drew Reetz and Will Reetz both had doubles.