Bull Dogs go 1-3 at March Madness tourney

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March 28, 2026

FISHERS — Columbus North boys volleyball went 1-3 in Saturday’s Fishers March Madness Invitational.

The Bull Dogs fell to Hamilton Southeastern 25-19, 25-15 and beat Fort Wayne Southside 26-24, 27-25 before falling to McCutcheon 25-18, 19-25, 15-13 and Lexington (Kentucky) Lafayette 25-23, 25-19.

Leo Iorio pounded 42 kills, Justin Lopez had six blocks and Ethan Santos notched 16 digs to lead North (2-8). Lopez recorded 27 kills, Iorio tallied five blocks and 12 digs and Aniket Ghatge added 12 kills.

Sentinels edge Scarecrows in shootout

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Staff Reports

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March 28, 2026

RIVER FALLS, Minn. — The Indiana Sentinels pulled out a shootout victory Saturday night, edging the Topeka Scarecrows 3-2 in the second of a two-game series in River Falls, Minnesota.

The Sentinels trailed 2-0 midway through the third period before Ethan Esposito scored off an assist from Nolan Dawson, and Bohdan Zinchenko scored off assists from Cole Ouelette and Richard Colarusso.

In the shooutout, Indiana’s Chris Curr stopped a pair of Topeka shots, and Jay Bucholz converted the Sentinels’ second attempt. Curr then stopped another Scarecrows shot to secure the win.

Topeka outshot Indiana 29-27. Curr finished with 27 saves.

Friday, the Sentinels fell to Topeka 4-1. Corey Cunningham scored a first-period goal off assists from Zinchenko and Bucholz.

Indiana outshot the Scarecrows 35-20. Cooper Olson recorded 16 saves.

The Sentinels play at Athens (Georgia) Friday and April 4 before closing the season with a three-game series April 9-11 at Topeka.

Cyclones lacrosse routs Mustangs

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Staff Reports

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March 28, 2026

ELLETTSVILLE — The Columbus Cyclones boys lacrosse team opened its season Saturday with a 14-1 win at Edgewood.

Chase Murphy led the Cyclones with six goals. Josh VanValkenburg scored three goals, Gibson Barrick had two goals, and Drew Weed, Isaac Going and Daniel Castillo all added one goal.

Chris Ibarra, Castillo, Griffin Mudd and Zane Lynch all recorded an assist. Goalie Noah Doig posted three saves.

Brescia tops Crimson Pride baseball

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Staff Reports

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March 28, 2026

136236677_web1_Quentcy-Perry — Quentcy Perry

KOKOMO — Brescia jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings Saturday and went on to post a 7-1 River States Conference baseball win against IU Columbus in Kokomo.

Five different players had one hit for the Crimson Pride (6-27, 1-12). Quentcy Perry had the lone RBI.

IUC will play Brescia in a doubleheader Sunday in Kokomo. The next home games are a single contest April 10 and a doubleheader April 11 against Kentucky Christian.

Oakland City sweeps IUC softball

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Staff Reports

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March 28, 2026

OAKLAND CITY — IU Columbus dropped a River States Conference doubleheader Saturday at Oakland City, falling 13-3 and 6-2.

Emma Chism went 2 for 3, Linnea Baldner had two RBIs and Chole Linn smacked a home run in the opener. Linn pitched the first five innings and took the loss.

Chism went 3 for 4 in the second game. Starter Destiny Forler took the loss.

The Crimson Pride (10-12, 7-9) will play a doubleheader Sunday at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The next home games are a doubleheader with IU Southeast April 7.

Sports Planner for Sunday

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March 28, 2026

COMING UP

Indiana Sentinels hockey

Friday at Athens (Ga.), 7:05 p.m.

Saturday at Athens (Ga.), 7:05 p.m.

Thursday at Topeka, 8:05 p.m.

IU Columbus baseball

Today vs. Brescia, at Kokomo, noon (DH)

Friday at IU Southeast, 3 p.m.

Saturday at IU Southeast, 1 p.m. (DH)

IU Columbus softball

Today at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 1 p.m. (DH)

Friday at West Virginia Tech, 1 p.m. (DH)

Saturday at Rio Grande, 1 p.m. (DH)

Indiana Pacers

Today vs. Heat, 5 p.m.

Wednesday at Bulls, 8 p.m.

Friday at Hornets, 7 p.m.

Cincinnati Reds

Today vs. Red Sox, 1:40 p.m.

Monday vs. Pirates, 6:40 p.m. (FS1)

Tuesday vs. Pirates, 6:40 p.m.

NASCAR Cup Series

Today at Martinsville, Va., 3:30 p.m. (FS1)

April 12 at Bristol, Tenn., 3 p.m. (FS1)

April 19 at Kansas City, Kan, 2 p.m. (FOX)

IndyCar Series

Today at Birmingham, Ala., 1 p.m. (FOX)

April 19 at Long Beach, Calif., 5:30 p.m. (FOX)

May 9 at Indianapolis (Grand Prix), 4:30 p.m. (FOX)

SPORTS ON TV TODAY

Auto racing

NTT IndyCar Series: Warmup, 10 a.m. (FS2)

Indy NXT Series: Grand Prix of Alabama – Race 2, 11 a.m. (FS1)

NTT IndyCar Series: Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, 1 p.m. (FOX)

FIM Motocross World Championship: MX2, 3 p.m. (CBSSN)

FIM MotoGP: 2026 Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas, 3:30 p.m. (FOX)

NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)

FIM Motocross World Championship: MXGP, 4 p.m. (CBSSN)

Basketball Africa League

Petro de Luanda vs. APR, 9 a.m. (NBA)

Johannesburg Giants vs. NCT, noon (NBA)

Bowling

PBA Tour: USBC Masters, 4 p.m. (CW)

College baseball

Tennessee at Vanderbilt, noon (ESPN2)

Florida at Arkansas, 1 p.m. (SEC)

NC State at Georgia Tech, 3 p.m. (ACC)

Mississippi State at Mississippi, 4 p.m. (SEC)

West Virginia at Arizona State, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)

Men’s college basketball

NCAA Elite Eight: Tennessee vs. Michigan, 2:15 p.m. (CBS)

NCAA Elite Eight: UConn vs. Duke, 5:05 p.m. (CBS)

Women’s college basketball

NCAA Elite Eight: Notre Dame vs. UConn, 1 p.m. (ABC)

NCAA Elite Eight: Duke vs. UCLA, 3 p.m. (ABC)

Men’s college hockey

NCAA Regional Final: Denver vs. Western Michigan, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)

NCAA Regional Final: Minnesota Duluth vs. Michigan, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Men’s college lacrosse

Johns Hopkins at Rutgers, noon (BTN)

Women’s college lacrosse

Johns Hopkins at Northwestern, 2 p.m. (BTN)

College softball

Oklahoma at LSU, noon (ESPN)

California at Notre Dame, 1 p.m. (ACC)

Texas A&M at Texas, 2 p.m. (ESPN)

Michigan State at Ohio State, 4 p.m. (BTN)

Wichita State at South Florida, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)

Florida State at Clemson, 6 p.m. (ACC)

South Carolina at Mississippi State, 7 p.m. (SEC)

Fishing

Bassmaster Elite Series: 2026 Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, 8 a.m. (FS1)

Golf

PGA Tour: Texas Children’s Houston Open, 1 p.m. (Golf Channel) and 3 p.m. (NBC)

Korn Ferry Tour: Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, 3 p.m. (Golf Channel)

PGA Tour Champions: Hoag Classic, 5 p.m. (Golf Channel)

LPGA Tour: Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, 7 p.m. (Golf Channel)

Horse racing

NYRA: America’s Day at the Races, 3 p.m. (FS2)

MLB

Royals at Braves, 1:30 p.m. (MLB)

Guardians at Mariners, 7:20 p.m. (NBCSN/Peacock)

NBA

Clippers at Bucks, 3:30 p.m. (NBA)

Knicks at Thunder, 7:30 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

Warriors at Nuggets, 10 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)

NHL

Panthers at Rangers, 1 p.m. (NHL)

Blackhawks at Devils, 7 p.m. (NHL)

Rodeo

PBR: Monster Energy Team Challenge, noon (CBS)

Tennis

Miami-WTA – Live; WTA Doubles Final, 12:30 p.m. (Tennis)

Miami-ATP – Live; ATP Singles Final, 3 p.m. (Tennis)

UFL football

Columbus at Orlando, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Belgium blows out United States 5-2 in World Cup warmup that exposes American defenders

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The Associated Press

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March 28, 2026

ATLANTA (AP) — Belgium blew out the United States 5-2 on Saturday in a World Cup warmup that exposed the Americans’ defensive difficulties, rallying from a late first-half deficit on two goals by Dodi Lukébakio and one each from Zeno Debast, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.

Weston McKennie put the U.S. ahead in the 39th minute with his 12th international goal, his first in three years, but Debast and Onana began Belgium’s rally with their first international goals on a frustrating afternoon for Matt Turner, the former No. 1 American goalkeeper who made his first appearance since last June.

Debast scored in the 45th, Onana put the Red Devils ahead in the 53rd and De Ketelaere converted a penalty kick in the 59th after a hand ball by U.S. captain Tim Ream.

Lukébakio entered in the 62nd minute and beat Turner from long range in the 68th and 82nd minutes to build a 5-1 lead before a disappointed largely pro-American crowd of 66,867 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, site of a World Cup semifinal in July.

Patrick Agyemang scored for the U.S. in the 87th after Ricardo Pepi took advantage of defensive misplay.

The U.S. lost a home game by three goals in which it scored the opening goal for the first time since an 8-1 defeat to England in 1959, according to Opta.

Belgium extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games and has won six straight against the U.S. since losing to the Americans at the initial World Cup in 1930.

The U.S. had entered with a five-game unbeaten streak that created optimism but was missing several injured regulars.

McKennie put the Americans ahead when he took advantage of Johnny Cardoso’s pick to cut in front of Nicolas Raskin and volley Antonee Robinson’s corner kick past Senne Lammens.

American players debuted jerseys with red and white stripes that resemble a waving flag.

With the roof closed in an air-conditioned stadium, fans booed the water breaks in the middle of each half — which will take place at each World Cup match.

Belgium was missing striker Romelu Lukaku, midfielders Leandro Trossard and Hans Vanaken and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because of injuries and fitness issues. The Red Devils play Mexico in Chicago on Tuesday.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Stephon Castle gets triple-double as Spurs trounce Bucks 127-95 for eighth straight win

By

The Associated Press

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March 28, 2026

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Stephon Castle had a triple-double with 22 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds as the hot-shooting San Antonio Spurs steamrolled the Milwaukee Bucks 127-95 on Saturday for their eighth consecutive victory.

Castle was one of seven players to score in double figures for the Spurs, who have won 13 of their last 14 to move within two games of the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference standings.

Victor Wembanyama added 23 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. San Antonio never trailed and shot 55.1% (49 of 89).

Milwaukee’s loss eliminated the Bucks from playoff contention, snapping their streak of nine consecutive postseason appearances. The Bucks have lost nine of their last 11 games.

Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out a sixth straight game for Milwaukee with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The Bucks also were missing Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee), Bobby Portis (left wrist sprain), Kyle Kuzma (Achilles tendinopathy), Gary Harris (personal reasons) and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (left calf).

Gary Trent Jr. scored 18 points to lead the Bucks.

San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell scored 16 points each. Dylan Harper added 14, De’Aaron Fox 12 and Julian Champagnie 11.

The Spurs ended a three-game trip. They return home to face the Chicago Bulls on Monday before going back on the road for their next three games.

San Antonio led by as many as 28 during a dominant first-half performance that featured a highlight-worthy play with Castle dunking off a behind-the-back pass from Wembanyama. The Spurs led 67-45 at the break.

Milwaukee outscored San Antonio 13-4 over the first three minutes of the third quarter to cut the Spurs’ lead to 13, but that’s as close as the Bucks would get. San Antonio’s lead eventually stretched to 38.

Up next

Spurs: Host the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Bucks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Actor James Tolkan of ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Back to the Future’ fame dies at 94

By

The Associated Press

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March 28, 2026

James Tolkan, known for his roles as authoritarian figures in the “Back to the Future” and “Top Gun” films, has died. He was 94.

Tolkan died Thursday in Lake Placid, New York, where he lived, his booking agent, John Alcantar, said Saturday. A brief obituary published on the “Back to the Future” website said Tolkan died “peacefully,” but no cause of death was given.

In “Back to the Future,” Tolkan portrayed the bow tie-wearing vice principal Gerald Strickland, who eyeballed students for trouble in the halls of the fictitious Hill Valley High School — in particular Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox.

“You got a real attitude problem, McFly,” Tolkan’s character says in the 1985 film. “You’re a slacker. You remind me of your father when he went here. He was a slacker, too.”

Tolkan also appeared in “Top Gun” as commanding officer Tom “Stinger” Jardian. Near the end of the film, when Jardian asks Tom Cruise’s character, Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, about his choice for future duty, Mitchell replies that he wants to be a Top Gun instructor.

“God help us,” Tolkan’s character replies, laughing.

Born in Calumet, Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy during the Korean War and eventually made his way to New York, where he spent a quarter century acting in theater roles. He was a member of the original ensemble cast of “Glengarry Glen Ross.”

Tolkan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmelee Welles.

Denver Summit shatters NWSL crowd record with 63,004 fans at Mile High

By

The Associated Press

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March 28, 2026

The expansion Denver Summit’s match against the Washington Spirit on Saturday broke the National Women’s Soccer League record for attendance with its announced crowd of 63,004.

Fans at the Denver Broncos’ home stadium broke the previous NWSL record of 40,091 who attended Bay FC’s match against the Spirit last season at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

In 2024, the Chicago Stars drew 35,038 to a game against Bay FC that was played at Wrigley Field, home to the Cubs.

The match was the Summit’s first at home in Colorado. The team played its first three on the road, going 1-1-1. The game against the Spirit on Saturday ended in a scoreless draw.

Denver was awarded the 16th NWSL franchise in January 2025 for a reported expansion fee of $110 million. The Summit started play this season along with the Boston Legacy.

After the opener at Mile High, the Summit will play home games at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, home of the Colorado Rapids in MLS. In July, the team will move to the temporary 12,000-seat Centennial Stadium while a women’s soccer stadium is built in downtown Denver.

The Summit announced earlier this week they had closed on land at Santa Fe Yards for the future stadium, which the club hopes will be complete by the 2028 season.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer