THURSDAY SPORTS, JANUARY 8, 2025
MITCHELL KERNELS
— Mitchell Kernels wrestling competes in Harrisburg in a triangular on Thursday against the Tigers and Yankton at 5 pm.
— Mitchell Kernels boys basketball hosts Yankton on Friday as part of a doubleheader with the girls game at 6 pm and the boys at 7:30 pm at Mitchell high school.
— Mitchell Kernels girls basketball will host Yankton on Friday at 6 pm.
— Mitchell Kernels gymnastics competes at the Brookings Invitational on Saturday.
DAKOTA WESLEYAN
— No. 10 Dakota Wesleyan women’s basketball used a big third quarter to defeat Doane on Wednesday night 72-45. The Tigers outscored Doane 27-9 in the third quarter. Emma Yost had a game-high 20 points, while Avery Broughton finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. DWU, 12-4 on the season and 8-2 in the GPAC, hosts Mt. Marty on Saturday at 2 pm.
— Dakota Wesleyan men’s basketball lost to Doane in overtime on Wednesday night 73-66. The Tigers Oliver Vincent forced overtime with a driving layup at the end of regulation, before Doane outscored Dakota Wesleyan 14-7 in the extra period. Tyson Stevenson had a game-high 18 points for DWU. The Tigers, 8-9 on the season and 3-6 in the GPAC, hosts Mt. Marty on Saturday at 3:45 pm.
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
— South Dakota State men’s basketball hosts Denver on Thursday at 7 pm in Brookings. Both teams have an 8-9 overall record and are 1-1 in Summit League play. The Jackrabbits are coming off a 90-87 overtime loss at North Dakota last week, where Joe Sayler scored a career-high 27 points. Denver dropped a close 92-88 game at St. Thomas on Sunday. They lead the league in scoring, averaging 84 points per game, with four players averaging double digits. SDSU has won 18 of the last 21 games vs. Denver and the last 10 games played in Brookings.
— South Dakota State women’s basketball, 12–4 overall and 2–0 in Summit League play, hosts Oral Roberts on Saturday at 1 p.m. SDSU has won 64 straight Summit League regular season games, the longest active regular season conference win streak in the nation and sixth longest streak in NCAA history. Since the start of the 2020-21 season, the Jackrabbits are 82-1 in the Summit League regular season.
— No. 8 South Dakota State wrestling heads to the NWCA National Duals this weekend in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Jackrabbits are 4-0 in dual competition this season. They will face Harvard on Friday at 4 pm, followed by Northern Illinois at 6 pm. On Saturday, SDSU faces Campbell and Central Michigan.
SOUTH DAKOTA
— USD men’s basketball lost at St. Thomas on Wednesday night 99-86. The Tommie jumped out to a 53-31 halftime lead. Issac Bruns led the Coyotes with 24 points and six rebounds as USD shot 16-of-17 from the foul line. St. Thomas shot 66% from the field in the first half and 62% for the game. USD, 8-9 on the season and 0-2 in the Summit League, host Denver on Saturday at 1 pm.
— USD women’s basketball opens their home Summit League schedule by taking on Oral Roberts on Thursday at 7 pm in Vermillion. The Coyotes are leading the conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 54 points per game. Oral Roberts has won the last six meetings with the USD women.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
— Ty Simpson has declared for the NFL draft. Simpson leaves Alabama after one season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. Simpson could be one of the top quarterbacks drafted in April. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is seen as the likely No. 1 selection. Simpson threw for over 3,500 yards and completed 64% of his passes this season. He threw for 28 touchdowns with five interceptions, leading Alabama to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals and the Rose Bowl.
— Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, a two-time All-American, has declared for the NFL draft. Downs is a projected as a top-10 pick. This season, he recorded 68 tackles and two interceptions, helping Ohio State reach the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Also declaring for the draft is Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate.
NFL
— Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh believes his brother John will soon return to coaching. John Harbaugh was fired on Monday as coach of the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons, including a Super Bowl win. The Ravens finished 8-9 this season, missing the playoffs. Jim Harbaugh expressed surprise at his brother’s dismissal, praising him as the best coach he knows. With seven NFL head coaching jobs open, Jim Harbaugh is confident his brother will find a new opportunity soon, but Jim says he hopes it’s in the NFC as his Chargers play in the AFC.
— The Medina County Sheriff’s Office says three people have been arrested in connection with the Nov. 16 burglary at Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ home. A fourth suspect remains at large, with a warrant issued for his arrest. Sanders’ home was burglarized while he played in the Browns’ game against the Baltimore Ravens. Around $200,000 in property was stolen. Surveillance footage shows masked people entering and leaving the home. Sanders joined a list of NFL players whose homes have been targeted during games, including Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes.
NASCAR
— NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after over 20 years with the organization. His departure follows a federal trial where inflammatory texts he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave at the end of the month, ahead of the season’s start. His texts, including a derogatory comment about Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, led to backlash from supporters. NASCAR has not announced plans to replace him immediately.
NFL WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams – 3:30 pm on Saturday, FOX
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers – 7 pm on Saturday, Amazon
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills – Noon on Sunday, CBS
Philadelphia Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers – 3:30 pm on Sunday, FOX
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 7 pm on Sunday, NBC
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Houston Texans – 7:15 pm on Monday, ABC/ESPN
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS – SEMIFINALS
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami – Fiesta Bowl, 6:30 pm, Thursday, on ESPN
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon – Peach Bowl, 6:30 pm, Friday, on ESPN
NBA
— The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for veteran CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young leaves Atlanta as the franchise leader in assists and three-pointers and a four-time All-Star. McCollum is averaging nearly 19 points per game this season. Young has a player option for about $49 million for next season and is eligible for a three-year extension with the Wizards.
— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 46 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Utah Jazz 129-125 in overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander made a shot from near the free-throw line at the regulation buzzer to force overtime, then scored nine points in the extra period. The reigning MVP increased his streak of games with at least 20 points to 109, the second-longest run in NBA history.
— Denver’s Jamal Murray had 22 points and 17 assists, while Peyton Watson scored 30 for the Nuggets, who went on a 14-0 run to rally from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 114-110. The two teams played through 26 lead changes and another nine ties.
— Keldon Johnson had 27 points, while Victor Wembanyama added 16 points and 14 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs overcame 38 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists from Luka Doncic to beat the Lakers 107-91. San Antonio moved into second place in the Western Conference despite shooting 4 for 25 on 3-pointers.
— Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high seven assists, while Jalen Brunson scored 26 points as the New York Knicks snapped their four-game losing streak with a 123-111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
— Steph Curry had 31 points, seven assists and seven rebounds to lead the Golden State Warriors over the Milwaukee Bucks 120-113.
— Paolo Banchero banked in a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the overtime buzzer to give the Orlando Magic a 104-103 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Banchero scored 30 points to lead Orlando.
— Deni Avdija had a season-high 41 points as the Portland Trail Blazers won their fourth straight with a 103-102 victory over the Houston Rockets.
— Joel Embiid scored 28 points and Paul George added 23 as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Washington Wizards 131-110.
— Isaiah Stewart scored a career-high 31 points to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Chicago Bulls 108-93.
— Immanuel Quickley hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer as the Toronto Raptors rallied from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Charlotte Hornets 97-96.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL – WEDNESDAY
No. 1 Arizona 101, Kansas State 76
No. 3. Iowa State 70, Baylor 60
No. 4 UConn 103, Providence 98 (OT)
No. 5 Purdue 81, Washington 73
No. 9 BYU 104, Arizona State 76
No. 11 Vanderbilt 96, No. 13 Alabama 90 – Vanderbilt improves to 15-0.
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL – THURSDAY
Bridgewater-Emery vs. Freeman (DH)
Parker/Marion vs. Parkston (DH)
Ethan vs. Avon (DH)
Sanborn Central/Woonsocket vs. Howard (DH)
Platte-Geddes vs. Corsica-Stickney (DH)
Tri-Valley vs. Mt. Vernon/Plankinton (DH)
Viborg-Hurley vs. Hanson (DH)
Wessington Springs vs. Sunshine Bible (DH)
Bon Homme vs. Wagner (DH)
Andes Central/Dakota Christian vs. Burke (DH)
Mitchell Christian vs. Tripp-Delmont/Armour (boys)
AA BOYS
No. 4 Spearfish vs. Hill City
Brookings vs. Brandon Valley
AA GIRLS
No. 1 Brandon Valley vs. Brookings
Huron vs. No. 2A Lennox
Pierre vs. Harrisburg
Spearfish vs. Hill City