Author: Sports Radio Service

Kings drop first game of 2019, fall to Trail Blazers 113-108

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — First off, Happy New Years from Sacramento!

The Sacramento Kings looked to topple the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday evening at Golden One Center. Today, the Kings were looking to brush off a disappointing loss to the Lakers that took place on Sunday in LA. The Trail Blazers came into the game this evening with a 21-16 record against the Kings’ 19-17 record. The tip-off was set for an earlier 6:00 PM PST.

The beginning of this game had a very “tired” feel to it as neither team could hold onto the ball leading to very sloppy first few minutes. Five minutes into the game, the Kings led 11-9, thanks to Buddy Hield’s five points. In the ensuing minutes, the game remained close. Buddy Hield added eight more points to his total, bringing his first-quarter total to 13. Maurice Harkless and Damian Lillard scored seven points apiece to lead the Trail Blazers to a first quarter advantage 26-25.

In the second quarter, the Kings tried to keep the game close. Halfway through the quarter, the score was 42-36 as the Kings trailed. The Kings didn’t do a good job of that. The Trail Blazers managed to rack up 64 points in the first half compared to the Kings’ 50. The Kings needed to come out strong in the third quarter if they wanted a shot at winning this game. Leading the way for the Trail Blazers was Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum with a combined 27 points in the first half. Hield was arguably the only reason the Kings were remotely in the game as he put up 19 first-half points and 5-6 from downtown. The score at the half was 64-50 with the Trail Blazers on top.

In the third quarter, the Kings came out strong. Four minutes through the quarter, the Kings cut the deficit to 66-59. The Kings continued to keep the game tight. With four minutes remaining in the quarter, the Kings trailed only 73-70. Harry Giles capped the third off with a jumper just outside the paint to make it 83-77 Kings headed into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings appeared to be on track to do what they have so many times this season. Win after a double-digit deficit late. Just shy of four minutes after the fourth quarter began the Kings had come from a 83-77 deficit to an 89-85 lead with 8:42 left to go in the game. As if Kings fans needed more drama this season, the end of this game was heart-stopping. Thanks to Damien Lillard, the game was tied with roughly six seconds remaining. De’Aaron Fox had the ball and pulled up for a game-winning jumper just inside the arc, and missed. The game went to overtime with the Trail Blazers getting the first possession with the game tied at 103 apiece.

In overtime, the Kings would score first after Bogdan Bogdanovic made two free throws after a foul. The game was 105-103 with 4:20 remaining. Lillard was subsequently fouled from behind the line and made all three attempts to give the Trail Blazers back the lead 106-105. At this point, the Trail Blazers hit a couple clutch shots, and the Kings couldn’t buy a basket leading to a 113-108 game with 13.6 seconds remaining. That proved to be the final score.

The Kings continue their homestand as they host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, January 3 at 7:00 PM PST.

San Jose State opens up conference play Wednesday vs. Fresno State

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State men’s basketball concluded their nonconference portion of the schedule with a lowly 3-9 record. The Spartans now turn their attention to Mountain West teams for conference play, starting this Wednesday against the Fresno State Bulldogs. Justin Allegri will have the play-by-play call for the Mountain West Network and KLIV 1590 AM.

Here’s what you need to know before Wednesday’s rivalry game:

Game #13
Fresno State (9-3) at San Jose State (3-9)
Wednesday, January 2 at 7:00 pm PT
Event Center (5,000)
San Jose, Calif.

Live Stats
Fans can view live stats of all the San Jose State men’s basketball games, home and away, by accessing the “Live Stats” feature at www.sjsuspartans.com. Click on the link on the men’s basketball schedule page to follow the action.

What would a Spartans’ win mean?
SJSU is 0-5 in conference openers since joining the league prior to the 2013-14 season. Two of those losses were at the hands of Nevada while the other three were against Utah State, including last season in a 86-72 loss in Logan, Utah. A win would also be the fourth of the season, tying last season’s overall total.

On the other had, Fresno State has a 1-5 record in MW openers.

Peace out, 2018! 
After two close and promising losses at Stanford and Cal, the Spartans closed out the nonconference slate on a bitter note as they were held to a season-low 45 points in a 75-45 loss at Saint Mary’s in Moraga, Calif. SJSU finished the nonconference slate 3-9.

Sharpest shooter in the west (and nation)
Sophomore Noah Baumann ranks second in the nation in three-point FG percentage. He is touting a 56.6% clip on 30-of-53 shooting. He is also averaging 2.5 3’s per game, which ranks in the top-10 in the MW.

Baumann is averaging 14.8 points per game in the last five games and is touting a gaudy 60% clip from 3-point range (18-30).

Steady Steadman
JUCO transfer Michael Steadman has made a big impact this season as a leader on and off the court. The 6’10″ forward is averaging a team-high 13.4 points per game and ranks fourth in the MW with 9.2 rebounds per game. He also ranks 42nd nationally in rebounds per game and 39th in defensive rebounds per game. He has 5 double-doubles on the season, ranking third in the MW and has scored in double figures in 11-of-12 games, including 10 straight.

Staff shakeup
Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau made some changes to his staff in the offseason as he brought in former NC State All-American Julius Hodge as an assistant coach and promoted director of operations Ryan Cooper to assistant coach.

Oh my, Oumar! 
Senior center Oumar Barry is playing his best basketball as a Spartan as of late. Against Bethune-Cookman, he finished with a then-career-high 13 points and 7 rebounds. He followed that up with his most dominating performance at SJSU as he recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, his first-career game with double digit rebounds. Barry also blocked 2 shots and was 7-of-10 at the free throw line to help the Spartans to a win.

Barry followed up with another double-double against Stanford (15 points, 10 rebound). After playing 38 career games without recording a double-double, he now has 2 in the last 4 games.

Barry then scored a career-high 18 points before fouling out with 4:36 to play at Cal and led the team with 11 points at Saint Mary’s. In his last 5 games, he leads the team with 14.8 points per game and is averaging 7.6 rebounds.

Longstanding rivalry
The longstanding rivalry between Fresno State and San Jose State will see the 172nd game of the series played on Wednesday. The series dates back to Dec. 18, 1916 in a 58-32 Spartan victory. Since then, SJSU has posted a 53-31 record in home games.

The Bulldogs enter the game currently third in the MW standings at 9-3. Their last game was a 64-60 loss to Utah Valley, which snapped a 7-game win streak, among the longest in the nation at the time. A pair of Bulldogs are averaging 18 points per game in Braxton Huggins and Deshon Taylor, ranking in the top-6 in the MW scoring standings. Fresno State is led by first year head coach Justin Hutson.

Barracuda use 4-goal second period to cool off the Heat 6-5

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

In what resembled an old wild, wild west shoot out, the San Jose Barracuda needed all four-second period goals to hold on late to upend the Stockton Heat 6-5 on New Year’s Eve at Stockton Arena.

San Jose (19-6-1-3) drew first blood in the first five minutes of the game in a seesaw first period. Jayden Halbgewachs collected the puck at the far side, circled around the net and centered the puck over to Alex True, who beat Heat goalie Tyler Parsons (3-3-0) for his 10th goal of the season at the 5:36 mark. Jacob Middleton received the secondary assist.

Stockton (14-15-3-0) evened it up on the power play just over two minutes later. Curtis Lazar moved the puck over Matthew Phillips who threaded a pass over to Kirby Rychel and he buried the puck from point-blank range past Cuda goalie Josef Korenar (13-1-1) 15th goal of the season at the 7:47 mark.

The Cuda regained the lead when Maxim Letunov skated into the Heat zone from the neutral zone went up high and then down low, very similar to Halbgewachs, and fed a pass over to Manny Wiederer, who buried the puck past Parsons for his eighth goal of the season at the 16:47 mark.

However, like the first lead, the second one would be short-lived as well. Rob Hamilton fed a pass over Buddy Robinson, whose shot deflected off the left pad off Korenar. Brett Pollack was in front to clean up the rebound for his second goal of the season at the 17:34 mark. Pollack has two goals in last four games.

Jon Martin gave the Cuda their third lead at the beginning of the second period on a 3-on-2 odd man rush. Halbgewachs led the rush and drop passed the puck over to the Martin who snapped a wrister past Parsons inside the far post for his fourth goal of the season at the 1:49 mark. True received the secondary assist.

Phillips tied it up for the third straight time when his initial shot was stopped by Korenar, but he followed up on his rebound and put it through the five-hole of Korenar for his ninth goal of the season. The rookie forward is on a six-game point streak.

Vincent Praplan gave San Jose their fourth lead when he skated down the left-wing side, went behind the net and his wrap-around shot sneaked past underneath the pad of Parsons for his second goal of the season at the 8:56 mark. Captain John McCarthy and Dylan Gambrell were credited with assists.

Halbgewachs gave the Cuda their first two-goal lead of the game just 15 seconds later. Spencer Foo’s shot off a face off was blocked and True sprung a pass out that led to a breakaway for Halbgewachs, who put a deke on Parsons and snapped the puck in the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season at the 9:11 mark. It was Halbgewachs’ first goal in his last nine games. Martin received the secondary assist.

Praplan padded the lead for San Jose with his second goal of the night. He ended up with the puck out of a scramble in front of the net was able to beat Parsons for his third goal of the season at the 17:06 mark. The sixth goal allowed by Parson would be enough to send him to the showers for the rest of the night. He was replaced by Jon Gillies. Anti Suomela and Calvan Fitzgerald were credited with assists.

Stockton inched closer at the beginning of the third period with their second power play goal. Hamilton sent in an innocent looking wrist shot on net that had eyes of its own as Korenar never saw the puck and was in the back in the net for Hamilton’s third goal of the season at the 2:55 mark. It was his first goal in his last 12 games. Phillips and Rychel received assists.

Ryan Lomberg made it a one-goal game when he was able to poke the puck past Kornear in a mad scramble, where Korenar lost vision of the puck. Lomberg’s third goal of the season came at the 11:38 mark. left pad over and into the back of the net. Alan Quine received the only assist.

Korenar made 21 saves on 26 shots, including a huge save on Phillips with just seconds remaining to preserve the win, to earn his 13th victory of the season and seventh in a row. Parsons suffered the loss giving up six goals on 31 shots. Gillies stopped all 14 shots he faced in 22 minutes of mop up duty.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/2 on the power play. Stockton was 2/2.

In seven games against San Jose, Rychel has scored eight points (6G, 2A).

The announced attendance was 3,450.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues their three-game road trip in San Diego as they take on the Gulls on Friday, January 4 at 7:00 pm.

Herbert’s touchdown pass leads the Ducks to 7-6 victory over the Spartans

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Photo credit: @oregonfootball

By Jeremy Kahn

SANTA CLARA — Justin Herbert changed the Redbox Bowl with just one toss to Dillion Mitchell and the Oregon Ducks.

Herbert threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell early in the fourth quarter, as the Ducks defeated the Michigan State Spartans 7-6 at Levi’s Stadium.

The Spartans dropped a chance to possibly win the game, as Brian Lewerke was unable to hold onto the ball on a potential game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter.

Herbert, who announced last week that he was returning to Eugene for another year, threw for 166 yards and stretched his streak to 28 games for touchdown passes.

“We felt like it was going to be that kind of game just watching them on defense,” said Ducks head Mario Cristobal. “We kept battling and battling. You take a victory whether it be one point, two points or 50 points. These guys found a way to get it done.”

The Ducks crossed midfield only three times and were not able to get on the scoreboard until Herbert found Mitchell for the only touchdown of the game.

Late in the game, the Spartans were getting ready for a potential game-winning 50-yard field goal; however, Lewerke, who is also the holder, was unable to hold to the ball, then tried to run, but then threw an incomplete pass near the Ducks sideline.

“It’s one that I have to come up with,” Lewerke said. “The ball kind of hit my hand on top of the ball. I tried to make something happen. That’s what happens.”

Following a three-and-out by the Ducks, the Spartans got the ball back, as they got the ball back at their own 42; however, Lewerke’s pass on 4th-and-12 was knocked down by Ducks cornerback Thomas Graham to secure the victory for the Ducks.

On the afternoon, Lewerke went 22-for-40 for 172 yards with an interception, as the Spartans were unable to get into the end zone for the third time in their past four games.

LJ Scott carried the ball 24 times for 84 yards, as he ended his Spartans career with a one-point defeat. Scott, who played in just five games decided against redshirting and is leaving East Lansing, as he declared for the NFL draft earlier this month.

Matt Coghlin kicked two 34-yard field goals to give the Spartans a 6-0 lead until Herbert found Mitchell for the game-winning touchdown. Coghlin missed a 50-yard field goal.

“We never got that bust-out play,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “You’re not going to win many games scoring six points.”

Mitchell ended the day with six catches for 70 yards, as he set the single season school record with 1,184 yards, breaking the record set by Josh Huff in 2013, as he gained 1,140 yards.

NOTES: Defensive end Kenny Willekes left the game in the third quarter on a cart, as he broke his left fibula. On the season, Willekes led the Spartans in sacks with 8.5.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will open the season at Spartan Stadium on August 31 against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

Cardinal use fumble recovery TD to edge Pitt 14-13 in Sun Bowl

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Photo credit: elpasotimes.com

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Monday, December 31, 2018

Stanford did its part to defend the honor of the Pac-12 Conference Monday, squeaking out a 14-13 victory over Pittsburgh in the Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas.

The Cardinal finished its season 9-4, and played the game without star running back Bryce Love, who sat out the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Pitt wound up 7-7.

Stanford won, despite being held to 208 yards of total offense, and converting only 1 of 10 third downs.

The Cardinal were trailing 13-7 when, with 11:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback K.J. Costello tried to score from the Pitt 1-yard line, but fumbled. The ball was recovered in the end zone by Cameron Scarlett, who filled in for Love.

Jet Toner’s PAT kick provided the margin of victory. Bobby Okereke racked up five tackles with a sack and a pass break up. Sean Barton added a team-high eight tackles.

The Panthers opened the scoring early in the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Alex Kessman. Stanford took its first lead at 7:39 on Scarlett’s 1-yard plunge, putting the Cardinal up 7-3.

A 6-yard touchdown run by Darrin Hall put Pitt ahead 10-7 with 2:32 remaining in the half.

Pitt extended its lead to 13-7 on Kessman’s 28-yard field goal with 8:13 left in the third quarter.

Costello completed 6 of 17 passes for 105 yards and no interceptions. Scarlett gained 94 rushing yards on 22 carries while scoring both Cardinal touchdowns. Dorian Maddox averaged 5.8 yards on four attempts.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside caught 3 passes for 94 yards.

Hall gained a game-high 123 rushing yards for the Panthers on 16 attempts. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for 136 yards on 11 of 29 passing. Taysir Mack caught four passes for 68 yards, and Maurice Ffrench snared 5 passes for 49 yards.

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal loses to Seattle, so big preparations to take on USC on Thursday

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Photo credit: @CalMBBall

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 The Cal Bears had a 18-point deficit on Saturday against the Seattle Redhawks (12-3) and rallied, but just couldn’t get the win.

#2 It was stated for Cal, the loss marks one of the darkest days for the Bears. Why is that?

#3 Bears head coach Wyking Jones said that he has to do a better job preparing the team from now on. Morris works he tells us what steps Jones has to take to get ready for a game.

#4 Seattle helped top the Bears with Morgan Means’ 24 points and Myles Carter’s 26 points. Once you have two players shooting in the 20s, that could do a lot of damage to your defense.

#5 The Bears host the UCLA Bruins for a Thursday night thriller to open the Pac 12

Morris does the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: After seeing the Lakers twice, the Kings host the Blazers on New Year’s Day

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Photo credit: sacbee.com Kings loss in Los Angeles at Staples Center on Sunday

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O:

#1 How stunning was it for the Kings being able to beat the Lakers 127-118 last Thursday night?

#2 Leading scorers for the Kings in the first half included Willie Cauley-Stein (11 points), Nemenja Bjelica (9 points), and Iman Shumpert (9 points). Leading the Lakers was Kyle Kuzma (23 points), Brandon Ingram (16 points), and Lonzo Ball (9 points).

#3 Notably not available for the Lakers was Lebron James, Rajon Rondo, and Javale McGee. Needless to say, the Kings were feeling good about the matchup.

#4 The Kings played the Lakers again on Sunday. Talk about how that one turned out.

#5 Next up it’s the Portland Trail Blazers on New Year’s Day Tuesday night.

Charlie O does the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Gulls sink the Barracuda 5-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Diego Gulls stormed out to an early lead and never looked back as they dominated the San Jose Barracuda in a 5-1 victory on Sunday evening at SAP Center.

San Diego (14-11-1-3) drew first blood early in the first period when Chase De Leo scored his seventh goal of the season at the 4:13 mark when he was able to beat Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (6-5-3) with a wrist shot on a 2-on-1 odd man rush. Joseph Blandisi and Matt Berry received assists.

Max Jones doubled San Diego’s lead when he scored his 10th goal of the season late in the opening frame. Jones’s shot from point-blank range that beat Bibeau through the five-hole came at the 14:27 mark. Sam Carrick and Luke Gadzic received assists.

Gulls goalie Kevin Boyle (10-5-0) was the main reason for San Diego’s success as he frustrated San Jose from start to finish. The Cuda outshot San Diego 13-5 in the first period, but weren’t able to get one in the back of the net.

San Diego extended its lead to 3-0 when Sam Steel finished off a pretty cross-rink pass from Troy Terry that beat Bibeau for his sixth goal of the season at the 6:23 mark. Trevor Murphy received the secondary assist.

San Jose (18-6-1-3) finally got on the scoreboard just before the end of the middle frame when Dylan Gambrell skated down the right side and found an uncovered John McCarthy all alone in the slot and the captain’s backhander beat Gulls goalie Kevin Boyle for his seventh goal of the season at the 19:54 mark.

Despite outshooting San Diego 18-5 in the second period, Boyle would continue his dominance over the Cuda, only allowing one goal on 31 shots through 40 minutes of action.

San Diego ended any thought of a San Jose comeback with two late third period goals. Carrick cashed in on a 3-on-1 opportunity when he scored his 17th goal of the season at the 14:02 mark. Then, Terry closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal at the 18:06 mark.

Boyle, who was reassigned back to Gulls yesterday, ended up making 34 saves on 35 shots for his 10th victory of the season. Bibeau suffered the loss after allowing four goals on just 16 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/6 on the power play. San Diego went 0/3.

Barracuda mascot Frenzy celebrated his birthday during the game.

The announced attendance was 3,666.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda travel up to Stockton to take on the Heat to close out the calendar year on Monday, December 31 at 5:00 pm at Stockton Arena.

Chiefs scalp Raiders 35-3 in 2018 season finale

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Photo credit: @Raiders

By Jeremy Kahn

In their final game of the season, absolutely nothing went right for the Oakland Raiders and it ended on a sour note.

Patrick Mahomes went 14-for-24 with 284 yards passing with two touchdowns and an interception, as the Kansas City Chiefs clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs with a 35-3 pasting of the Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.

It was a historic day for Mahomes, who became just the second quarterback in the 99-year history of the NFL to throw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns on a season. Mahomes joined Peyton Manning to accomplish this feat.

Mahomes ended the season with 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns in his first full season as quarterback of the Chiefs.

Demarcus Robinson caught Mahomes 50th touchdown pass of the season, as he beat the Raiders’ secondary and went 89 yards to the end zone.

Tyreek Hill caught a 67-yard touchdown pass, as he ended the day with five catches for 101 yards and became the Chiefs’ all-time single season leader in receiving yards, as he ended the 2018 season with 1,479. Hill also added a touchdown run in the fourth quarter, as the Chiefs defeated the Raiders for the eighth time in their last nine meetings.

Damien Williams gained 51 yards on the ground for the Chiefs, who ended the season with a 12-4 record, while the Raiders ended with a 4-12 record.

It was a nightmarish day for the Raiders, who turned over the ball on their first possessions of the game, which Carr’s first interception in 332 attempts that came to an end when Daniel Sorensen returned the interception 54 yards for a touchdown. Carr also threw another interception and a fumbled in the first quarter.

Carr did finish the game by going 23-for-32 for 184 yards, and Doug Martin led the Raiders in rushing with 100 yards, but also fumbled the ball.

Mahomes got the Chiefs rolling, as he found Hill for that 67-yard touchdown pass and then Sorensen stepped in front of Jared Cook for the interception return for a touchdown and it was 14-0 in the first quarter.

The onslaught continued in the second quarter, as Williams scored to give the Chiefs a 21-0 over their longtime rivals.

Daniel Carlson scored the final points of the season for the Raiders, as he nailed a 50-yard field goal with just 1:04 remaining in the first half.

Robinson then snared the Mahomes pass and ran 89 yards to the end zone, including the final 15 yards backwards that warranted a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff that put Mahomes over the 5,000-yard barrier and 50 touchdowns on the season.

Hill scored the final points of the game, as he raced 15 yards to the end zone early in the fourth quarter.

NOTES: Raiders rookie defensive lineman Maurice Hurst sat out the game with an ankle injury, and ended the season with four sacks that led the Raiders. The four sacks matched the lowest to lead the team since the sacks became an official stat in 1982.

UP NEXT: Season over for the Raiders, as they look for a replacement for former General Manager Reggie McKenzie, as they have three first round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft that will be held in Nashville, TN in April.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors have lost three of last six, which Dubs team comes out tonight in Phoenix?

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Photo credit: @sn_nba

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Golden State has lost three of their last six games. Do you see any holes in their offense that led to these losses and Kevin Durant alluded to too many shots are being missed on the free throw line?

#2 Do you look at their win over the Portland Trailblazers as something of a relief after losing to the Lakers and the Blazers in Oakland back-to-back?

David does the Warriors podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com