Author: Sports Radio Service

Wilkinson has another big night with 25 points, as Cal downs Mercyhurst 81-55 for 6-1 start

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Cal Bears forward Joshua Ola-Joseph (1) throws down against the Mercyhurst Lakers at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Nov 27, 2024 (Cal Bears X photo)

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Mercyhurst Lakers 55 (4-4)

California Golden Bears 81 (6-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

Jeremiah Wilkinson had another big night, as he scored 25 points and led the Bears to an 81-55 shellacking of the Mercyhurst Lakers, and the Bears are now off to their best start in eight years.

After winning the first two games of this homestand, the Bears welcomed the Mercyhurst Lakers to Haas Pavilion for a Thanksgiving Eve affair. For those wondering, Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, Pennsylvania, and the Lakers are a Division I team from the Northeast Conference.

Mady Sissoko started the night with a dunk to give the Bears a 2-0 lead out of the gate. The Lakers are not a well-known team, but they made some noise early on. Aidan Reichert hit a jumper, and Max Jusianiec made a layup to give Mercyhurst a 4-2 lead. Shemar Rathan-Mayes was then fouled and hit both from the line to make it 6-2.

Jeremiah Wilkinson made his mark with his 23-point performance against Air Force last Thursday, and he scored another 16 points against Sacramento State on Sunday. Wilkinson checked in, and got his night started by hitting one of two from the line after being fouled to make it 6-5. Wilkinson then hit a three to put Cal back ahead 8-6.

From there, the Bears took complete control. Cal went into the half up 41-23, and then won after an uneventful second half by a final of 81-55.

Wilkinson had his best night yet, scoring points. He was 9-for-12 in field goals, and 6-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Andrej Stojakovic scored 15 points, though he continued to struggle, as he was just 5-for-12 in field goals. Joshua Ola-Joseph scored 13, going 5-for-7 in field goals.

The Bears are now off to a 6-1 start, their best in eight years. They will be off for the next five days, and then they will head to Columbia, Missouri to play the Missouri next Tuesday. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m. in Columbia, 4 p.m. back home in Berkeley.

Kings Fourth Quarter Surge Beats Minnesota 115-104

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Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) roars after scoring and drew a foul as the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) looks on in first half action at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Wed Nov 27, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (9-10) will surely enjoy their Thanksgiving turkey dinner tomorrow after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves (8-10) 115-104 Wednesday night. The Kings trailed after one quarter and turned it on in the second quarter and bringing it home in the fourth quarter outscoring Minnesota by a shocking 34-18 closing the game on fire.

The Kings hit sa couple of three’s at the end of the game to seal the deal. Domantas Sabonis and bench wizard Malik Monk had 27 points each to finish off the Timberwolves. The team was without DeMar DeRozan in this game.

Game recap: The opening quarter was tight and after the first 12 minutes of play the Timberwolves had a slight edge leading the Kings 33-31. Sacramento turned this game around in the second quarter outscoring Minnesota 38-24 and leading at the half 69-57. Defensively the Kings were running Minnesota ragged .

When it looked as if the Kings had it all going, they fell apart in the third quarter getting outscored 29-12. After having led at the half they now found themselves trailing 81-86 and had some work to do. The fourth quarter was a wild one.

The Kings did outscore the Timberwolves 34-18 in the quarter but with 3:21 left in the game, the score was tied at 102. Sacramento put the screws to Minnesota from that point forward through the rest of the game with De’Aaron Fox Clutch Fox hitting two shots from downtown and Jae Crowder hitting a third to close out this game. The final was 115-104 with Sacramento sealing the deal in the final three minutes of the game.

Despite the absence of DeMar DeRozan out due to a lower back injury, the Sacramento Kings played a solid game offensively and defensively. The injury bug continues to hamper Sacramento although DeRozan is listed as returning this Friday.

The high score for the Kings was bench player Monk and Domantas Sabonis both scoring 27 points in the game. The surge in the final minutes of the fourth quarter was spear-headed by Monk and Fox.

Fox finished with 26 points and Sabonis had another double double scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds. Monk and Fox combined to outscore Minnesota 17-2 in the final five minutes of the game. Their four game losing streak had been broken and the Timberwolves now have lost seven of nine. The best news of all besides the win was the effort by Monk who appears to have fully healed from that right ankle injury suffered a few weeks ago.

The high score for the Timberwolves was Anthony Edwards who finished with 29 points and 5 rebounds. Julius Randle scored 21 points and had 9 rebounds as the Timberwolves struggle to turn their season around after having had a good start. The Kings outscored them in the paint 64-36 and despite scoring 29 points Edwards was 9 of 24 from the field.

Game notes: The Kings ended their four game skid against the Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings come into this game after a Monday night loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder 130-109. Sacramento had finally seen the return of Sabonis and DeRozan but still suffered the loss to the Thunder.

They were to turn this thing around against the Timberwolves who despite being a very good team have really, much like the Kings, been struggling. The Kings got help from Fox with 26 points and Sabonis 27 points and the Timberwolves have some weapons of their own in Edwards 29 points and Randle 21 points.

Friday night the Kings will travel to Portland for a matchup with the Trail Blazers. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM as Sacramento will be looking to make it two wins in a row. and getting back to five hundred.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Hawks fined $100,000 for benching Young; Bucks Giannis sits out due to knee injury Tuesday; plus more news

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives on the Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Tue Nov 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Jessica, the Atlanta Hawks deliberately benched Trae Young to keep him out of the NBA Cup Game on Nov 12th. The Hawks were fined $100,000 for benching Young. The Hawks claimed that Young was suffering from  tendinitis in his right Achilles. The NBA sited that the Hawks were in violation of the player participation policy. The league said that unless a team seeks approved reason to bench a star player and demonstrate that they would end up being investigated and disciplined.

#2 The Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Tuesday’s game against the Miami Heat due to a swelled up left knee. Antetokounmpo had been a question mark leading up to Tuesday’s game but after taking pre game warm ups it was decided he would sit this one out. The Bucks still won the game 106-103.

#3 The Houston Rockets have improved immensely thanks to the help from Alperen Sengun who tallied 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists and picking up his third triple double for the season. The Rockets got a 117-111 win in overtime over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Rockets picked another win this time over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night 122-115.

#4 The Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James and the Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant are ageless as both were trading off dunks in their game on Tuesday night in a game the Lakers lost their third straight game. 127-100. Durant scored 23 and LeBron finished with 18. Although neither were the leading scorer that presence that both players bring give their teammates that much more confidence.

#5 Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Lindsey Harding has put in the hard work to get where she is today. Lindsey started out in the WNBA, played in Turkey and Russia, she was a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, she was an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings 2022-23, then became a head coach for the G League Stockton Kings 2023-24 and won the coach of the year award and now is an assistant coach at the Lakers. She is one of six female NBA assistant coaches. She’s climbing the ladder and someday will become a NBA head coach.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremey Harness: Will Purdy get to start in Buffalo on Sunday?

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Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) chases San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) who runs for his life in the second half of action at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Nov 17, 2024 Purdy’s last game before he was out with injury. (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremey Harness:

#1 What it got to be like for the 49ers to facing the Buffalo Bills this Sunday on the first day of December without four of their pro bowlers?

#2 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that “It’s nice when your one game out of first place in your own division.” Despite the 49ers recent troubles missing star players and quarterback Brock Purdy playing hurt.

#3 The 49ers coming into Buffalo at 5-6. The Buffalo Bills handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss on Nov 17th 30-21. The Bills are not only tough at home but their seven game over .500 at 9-2. This no doubt will be one of the toughest games of the season for San Francisco especially with quarterback Brock Purdy in question.

Jeremy Harness filled in for David Zizmor for the San Francisco 49ers podcast heard every Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Bumgarner might return in front office; Crawford retires; How do you replace Snell?

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Former Arizona Diamondback and San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is being considered for a front office role with the Giants according to sources (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

1. With the Dodgers agreeing to sign Blake Snell to a five-year $182-million deal, how do you think that shapes up the Dodgers and the National League West next season?

2. With deferred money on this contract similar to that of Ohtani’s contract, what impact will this have on the game, and how will “small market” teams respond?

3. With the Giants losing out on Snell, where do they do from there?

4. Brandon Crawford has announced his retirement after a 14-year career. What stands out from his career, and what role could you see with him going forward with the Giants?

5. President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has expressed interest in bringing Madison Bumgarner in for a role. What kind of role do you imagine?

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Former Brave Rico Carty dead at 85; Orioles to move in fences for 25 season; plus more news

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The Atlanta Braves honored Rico Carty with a tribute and photo. Carty played in the big leagues from 1963-1979 (image from the Atlanta Braves)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Atlanta Braves great Rico Carty has passed away at the age of 85. Carty played in the majors in 1963 the year he broke in with the Milwaukee Braves before retiring in 1979 with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 1970 Carty led the National League in hitting with a .366. The Dominican paper Listin Diario said Carty’s friend informed the paper of Carty’s death at 85 years old.

#2 Camden Yards and the Baltimore Orioles have announced that they have moved in the fences 20 feet in for the 2025 season. In 2022 the Orioles moved the fences back something that made the pitching staff appreciate. Prior to the 2022 season the hitters loved to tee off at Camden and in 2025 they can love that opportunity again.

#3 The San Francisco Giants have signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a one year deal for the 2025 season at $9.25 million. The Giants also tendered contracts for first baseman LeMonte Wade, closer Camilo Doval, and releiver Tyler Rogers. How important is it for the Giants to secure those players.

#4 Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay said that free agent and former Los Angeles Dodger Walker Buehler declined to sign with the A’s citing that he didn’t not want to play in Sacramento a triple A minor league park. After playing in the number 2 TV market in baseball Buehler wanted to stay clear of Sacramento which he considers a minor league park.

#5 Also MLB players have indicated that they do not like the idea of playing in Sacramento because of it’s small space, that Sacramento is just a temporary home for the A’s, the clubhouses for the A’s and visiting teams are being built as a two story facility, there is no tunnel from the dugouts to the clubhouse for the players like other big league parks. The only consolation the players got out of going to Sacramento they will play on natural turf as opposed to artificial turf.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders have their hands full Minshew out and Chiefs coming in at KC this Sunday

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) assisted by team trainers and head coach Antonio Pierce suffers a broken collarbone against the Denver Broncos on Sun Nov 24, 2024 and will miss the rest of the season (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 At the end of the second quarter the Raiders (2-9) held a 13-9 lead over the visiting Denver Broncos (7-5) at Allegiant Stadium after kicker Daniel Carlson added a three point field goal at with no time left to end the first half. At that juncture it would appear the Raiders had some confidence going into halftime.

#2 It didn’t last long the Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton caught a 18 yard pass from quarterback Bo Nix to take the lead for good 16-13 at 10:49 in the third quarter it was the only scoring by either team in the third quarter.

#3 The Broncos in the fourth quarter kicker Will Lutz hit a 45 yard field goal at 12:05 and the Broncos went up by six. The Raiders at 8:59 kicker Carlson hit a 53 yard field goal to cut the lead to 19-16. The Broncos scored a touchdown on Courtland Sutton two yard touchdown at 5:30 to increase their lead at 26-16. Carlson at 3:38 came back out and hit a 22 yard field goal Raiders cut the Broncos lead to seven points 26-19. The Broncos Lutz again hit another field goal this one for 33 yards and the Broncos raised their lead to ten points 29-19.

#4 Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew went 25-42 for 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Minshew had another outing struggling to score touchdowns in the second half and was sacked and received a broken collarbone and will be out for the rest of the season.

#5 The Raiders try it all over again this Fri Nov 29th at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City against the Chiefs. The Chiefs who finally lost a game come into Friday’s contest 10-1 winning their last game against the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday. How do you see this on with the Chiefs on deck.

Tony Renteria podcasts Raiders football Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 37 for OKC; Thunder get big help from bench who score 40 in 130-109 win over Kings

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right) knocks the ball out of the hands of Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (left) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Nov 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night. The Kings took on the Oklahoma City Thunder inside Golden 1 Center. The Kings were on the second night of a back-to-back after losing to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday evening, 108-103.

After the loss, the Kings prepared for the Thunder, who came into the game on Monday with a 12-4 record. The Kings looked to improve their 8-9 record heading into the game. Tip-off was set for 7 PM PST. The Kings lost their fourth straight game as the Thunder defeated the Kings 130-109.

The Kings gave word pregame that Malik Monk would make his return to action on Monday. It was much-welcomed news for a reeling Kings team that hadn’t been fully healthy since Monk’s injury on November 10th.

In the first quarter, the Kings came out with good energy on the offensive side of the ball. However, they were sloppy with the ball. The Kings had five turnovers in the first quarter, which set them on an alarming path. The Kings had been turning the ball over at an alarming rate of late and needed to clean that up. They were outscored in the first quarter 31-30 by the Thunder. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings in the first quarter with nine points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 12 points.

In the second quarter, each team continued to push the intensity on the offensive end of the floor. DeMar DeRozan added another 10 points in a 32-point quarter for the Kings. Allay Mitchell added eight points for the Thunder in the second quarter as they scored 32 points as a team. The Kings went into halftime trailing 63-62. The leading scorer in the game through the first half was DeMar DeRozan with 19 points. I had a feeling the game would come down to three-point shooting in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings just couldn’t get anything going. It’s as simple as that. The Kings weren’t active on the defensive end of the floor, and it translated to their offense. The Kings looked like a team lost at sea. The offense had no identity, and they couldn’t hit open shots. The Kings were outscored in the third quarter 34-22 and trailed the Thunder 97-84 heading into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings got blown off the floor. There’s nothing else to write. The Kings couldn’t mount any sort of comeback as they were outscored 33-25 in the fourth. The Kings lost the game 130-109. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 30 points in defeat, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points in victory for the Thunder.

Up Next: The Kings play on Wednesday in Minnesota as they take on the Timberwolves at 5 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings host Spurs at Golden 1; Sac hopes to snap 3 losing streak tonight

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The Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) goes for the layup against the Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Brooklyn Nets (7-10) Cam Thomas led with 34 points that helped cover the win over the Sacramento Kings (8-9) for a 108-103 win at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

#2 Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez returned for the first time in Sacramento after being an associate coach under Kings head coach Mike Brown and got to beat his old mentor.

#3 What was amazing in this one in the last two minutes of the game neither the Nets nor the Kings made a field goal and the Kings missed five shots attempts that could have made the difference.

#4 Once again the Kings De’Aaron Fox did the heavy lifting scoring 31 points but couldn’t over shadow the lead that the Nets had throughout the game.

#5 The Kings take on the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight at Golden 1 Center. The Thunder are 12-4 second place in the Western Conference. The Thunder have won six of the last ten games. Barbara can you set this game up for us?

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento Kings podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Shootout gets Barracuda win over Marlies at Coca Cola Arena; Cuda open 2 game series with Canucks Fri

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San Jose Barracuda celebrate their win over the Toronto Marlies in a shootout at Coca Cola Arena in Toronto on Sun Nov 24, 2024 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On the San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (10-6-0-0) might have another good goaltender in Gabriel Carriere who stopped 30 shots in what a huge difference defeating one of the AHL’s toughest teams the Toronto Marlies (10-1-2-3) 2-1 in a shootout.

#2 Danil Gushchin scored the Barracuda’s only goal and it was Gushchin to the rescue again scoring the game winner in the shootout.

#3 Carriere showed his talent and stamina turning aside both Marlie shooters that challenged him in the shootout.

#4 San Jose’s Andrew Poturalski scored the game winning goal in the bottom of the second round and the Cuda came away with the split.

#5 Marko, the Barracuda return to Tech CU for a face off with the Abbottsford Canucks (9-8-0-1) at 7:00pm PST. The Canucks are a handful how do you see this series with the Canucks this weekend.

Marko Ukalovic does the Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com