High School
The Iron Mountain boys basketball team fell 53-52 to Pewamo-Westphalia in the Division Three state tournament championship game yesterday. The Mountaineers led for most of the game, but never by more than eight points. They were up by one point with five seconds remaining when a layup was waived off by officials because of a traveling violation. The Pirates took the ball the length of the court. Collin Trierweiler put up a shot, and an IM defender was called for an intentional foul, which sent Trierweiler to the line by himself. He made both free throws with less than a second remaining to give the Pirates the lead, and, because of the intentional foul call, P-W retained possession of the ball to close out the game. At the post-game press conference, a frustrated Iron Mountain coach Bucky Johnson simply said “They called a travel on a made basket and an intentional foul on a play on the ball.” Some Iron Mountain players declined their runner-up medals.
In the other boys state championship games, Southfield Christian won the Division Four title with a 63-39 victory over Frankfort. Hudsonville Unity Christian edged River Rouge 58-55 to take the Division Two crown. Ypsilanti Lincoln shaded U of D Jesuit 64-62 to win the Division One title.
Finlandia
The Finlandia University softball team wrapped up its Florida trip with a split yesterday. The Lions fell to Simpson College 8-0, and then got past Saint Lawrence University 3-2. Denia Bent scored twice in the second game. Kassandra Avila gave up two runs on five hits over six innings to earn the win.
The Finlandia baseball team’s games at the Milwaukee School of Engineering this weekend were canceled.
WCHA
The Upper Peninsula will not be represented in this year’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association championship game.
Northern Michigan fell to Bowling Green State University 2-1 in double overtime last night, and dropped their best-of-three semifinal set two games to none.
Lake Superior State University lost 2-0 to Minnesota State last evening, and fell two games to none in the other WCHA semifinal.
The Falcons and Mavericks will play a single game to decide the tournament winner Saturday night in Mankato.
College Basketball
The Northern Michigan University women’s basketball team ended its season in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals last night, falling 78-56 to top-ranked and unbeaten Drury University.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings edged the New York Islanders 2-1 yesterday. Andreas Athanasiou scored both of Detroit’s goals. Jonathan Bernier made 41 saves. The Wings visit the New York Rangers Tuesday. Pregame coverage begins at 6:40 on 99.3 The Lift.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons host the Toronto Raptors this afternoon. Pregame coverage starts at 3:35 on 99.3 The Lift.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers took an early lead, and cruised past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 in Grapefruit League play yesterday. Matt Moore pitched four scoreless innings, but left as the Pirates scored all of their runs in the fifth. Christin Stewart homered, and drove in three runs. The Tigers will play the Atlanta Braves this afternoon. Listen for Tigers baseball again this season on 99.3 The Lift.
Half of the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Colorado Rockies 5-4 yesterday. Jhoulys Chacín pitched into the sixth inning, and gave up three runs. Mike Moustakas doubled and homered. The other half of the Brewers lost 6-2 to the Kansas City Royals. Corbin Burnes pitched into the fifth inning, and gave up two runs. The Brewers will face the Los Angeles Dodgers this afternoon.
Our high school basketball coverage continues Tuesday, when the Baraga girls take on Saint Ignace in the state quarterfinals. Pregame coverage from Escanaba will start at 6:40 on KBear 102.3 and KBear102.com.
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