Spartans fall to Rebels 77-71, Uduje 23 pts

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San Jose State Spartans vs UNLV Rebels on Tuesday February 25th at Provident Credit Union Event Center (via sanjosestatembb/instagram)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE–Coming into today’s game, the last time the Spartans faced the UNLV Rebels was in Nevada on January 4th where they fell 79 to 73. UNLV is riding a 3 game win streak while San Jose is riding a one game win streak, coming off of an 82-73 win over Wyoming. Both teams will be looking to extend their streaks.

Going into the half down 53-31, there were many aspects that the Spartans could improve on to have a better and a more successful second half. Free throws was a factor in the score difference, UNLV going 5-7 and San Jose State going 0-2. The Rebels excelled in points in the paint, outscoring the Spartans 20-18. Both teams had a problem with ball control, each team with 8 turnovers. SJSU took advantage scoring 12 points in comparison of UNLV’s 4 points.

During the first half, NgaNga led the team in points (7) coming from one three and two FG’s. For the Rebels, Jaden Henley led the way with 12 points coming from one three and four FG’s. Henley also led the team in assists being 3.

The injury bug struck again with Donovan Yap.Jr leaving the first half at 4:37 and not returning.

The second half was a battle. Being down by two, the Spartans had to come out with energy and they did. They went 5-15 from the three point line and had a 35% FG percentage. The Rebels figured out their system going 3-7 from the three point line having a 48% FG percentage.

Josh Uduje led the team in points with 23 points in the second half alone. NgaNga led with assists (3), and also tied with Uduje for rebounds (4). For the Rebels, Jeremiah Cherry led UNLV in the second half with 10 points. Jaden Haley led the team in assists (2) and Jalen Hill led in rebounds (5).

With the win, UNLV has now extended their win streak to 4. “We have a buy weekend and the first thing I told them is to rehab. Get your bodies right.” Said HC Tim Miles

The Spartans will be back in action on March 4th traveling to Colorado State to take on the Rams. Previous to this, these two teams faced off on New Years Eve, falling 72-50 at home.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Sounds unusual and strange as A’s no longer use Oakland moniker for first time since 1968

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Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers sporting a Rickey Henderson T shirt at Surprise Stadium in Surprise AZ before their game against the Kansas City Royals on Mon Feb 24, 2025 (Sacramento A’s X photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury the Sacramento A’s open this first week at spring training in Mesa for the first time since 1968 without the Oakland moniker while it was expected it still sounds and feels very strange to those are following the A’s in Oakland and those who are following the club in Sacramento.

#2 Amaury, talk about the talk in spring training that baseball is moving down the list as a sport that no longer one of the most popular sports in America. That it’s viewership and interest has fallen and it might fall even worse now that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and ESPN are no longer working together.

#3 Amaury, matter of fact when you go to ESPN’s headline banner on the main page of their website MLB no longer appears as one of the major sports in the banner. It now just shows NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAAM, and More Sports you have to now hunt for MLB on the banner. MLB is buried on the main page banner and ESPN barley mentions MLB in it’s news reports through it’s programming.

#4 How much responsibility does Manfred hold since he has two MLB teams playing in minor league parks for the 2025 regular season, the Tampa Bay Rays are going up for sale and they might move to Orlando, the A’s will not play any post season games in their interim park in Sacramento but at a neutral site if they make to the playoffs, the players are not happy that Manfred is using the robo umpire and they prefer the human umpire, and baseball could move to a salary cap after the 2026 season something the players oppose and could trigger a players strike.

#5 Just how confident are the San Francisco Giants in starting a 42 year old Justin Verlander and how successful will Verlander be in helping the Giants contend. There are those who say Verlander who suffered neck and shoulder pain last season at best could be a ten game winner. Some other critics say that Verlander is washed up.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Renteria: Kings can make it two straight wins; Take on Jazz in Utah on $2 night Wed at the Delta Center

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The Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate (14) attempts to shoot over the Sacramento Kings center Jonas Valanciunas (right) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Feb 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Sacramento Kings Zach LaVine scored 42 points for his best game since joining Sacramento on Monday night at Golden 1 to head lead the Kings to a 130-88 win against the Charlotte Hornets.

#2 Lavine scored eight 3 pointers and had made 16 baskets out of 19 in the Kings first home floor victory against the Hornets since 2021. LaVine also scored in double figures in all of his eight games for Sacramento.

#3 DeMar DeRozan scored 18 points with seven rebounds as the Kings improved their overall record to 29-28. Malik Monk had 13 points, Keegan Murray had ten points and Domantas Sabonis had seven points with ten reounds and seven assists.

#4 For the Hornets Miles Bridges had 23 points. LeMelo Ball and Nick Smith Jr scored 13 points each. Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate scored 12 points each as the Hornets once again go down loosing 12 of their last 14 games.

#5 The Kings travel to Utah to take on the Jazz at the Delta Center on Wed Feb 26th for a 7:00pm PST on $2 night for fans attending. The Jazz sit in dead last in the Western Conference with a 14-43 record. The Kings are tenth in the Conference and are 14-14 on the road.

Tony Renteria does the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Dominate Hornets in 130-88 Blowout Behind LaVine’s 42-Point Performance

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Kings celebrate the win and defensive player of the game, Jake LaRavia. (Photo: Sacramento Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Monday night at Golden 1 Center. The Kings were coming off two days of practice at home after suffering a 132-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday. They were optimistic heading into the game, having had a couple of sessions to integrate the new players acquired at the trade deadline. Meanwhile, their opponent, the Charlotte Hornets, entered Sacramento as one of the league’s worst teams, holding a 14-41 record on the season. The Kings dominated the Hornets, securing a commanding 130-88 victory on Monday night.

In the first quarter, the Kings played with a fluidity and confidence that had been lacking in recent weeks. They struck early, jumping out to a 34-23 lead. Sacramento started with its usual lineup of Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis. However, Keon Ellis was a quick substitution, entering the game for Monk just 4:04 into the first quarter. Ellis made an immediate impact, drilling two three-pointers in his first minute on the floor. Zach LaVine led the Kings in the period, scoring 10 points on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting. On the other side, Miles Bridges paced the Hornets with 11 points on 4-of-7 from the field.

In the second quarter, the Kings looked to build on their 11-point lead, and they succeeded, outscoring Charlotte 31-22 in the period. LaVine continued his offensive showcase, adding 12 points in the quarter to bring his total to 22 at halftime. Bridges remained the Hornets’ leading scorer, finishing the half with 16 points. The Kings appeared much more in sync during the first half of Monday’s game, validating the impact of their recent practice sessions, as Doug Christie had suggested pregame.

In the third quarter, the Kings allowed the Hornets to claw their way back, briefly cutting the lead to single digits. However, Sacramento regained control and halted Charlotte’s momentum. Despite a sloppy quarter in which they committed 10 turnovers, the Kings maintained an 88-72 advantage heading into the final period.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings closed the game in dominant fashion, completely overwhelming the Hornets with a 42-16 advantage in the frame to seal the 130-88 victory. Their success was largely fueled by the explosive performance of LaVine, who finished with 42 points on an outstanding 16-of-19 shooting, along with two assists and three rebounds in just 30 minutes of action. It was an encouraging sight for LaVine, who is still adjusting to the Kings’ offensive and defensive schemes. DeRozan added 18 points despite struggling from the field (4-of-13) but remained perfect at the free-throw line (8-of-8). Bridges led Charlotte in the losing effort, scoring 23 points.

With the win, the Kings improved to 29-28 on the season, sitting two games behind the sixth-seeded LA Clippers and two games ahead of the 11th-seeded Phoenix Suns.

Postgame, LaVine spoke about the team’s defensive approach.

“I think we emphasized them coming off a tough game in Portland… just be ready from the jump and be the more aggressive team, putting them on their heels,” LaVine said.

Up Next: The Kings hit the road to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at 6 PM PST.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings pick up satisfying win over Hornets 130-88; Sac’s Lavine leads with 42 points

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Guard LeMelo Ballo (1) of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball over Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Mon Feb 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

#1 Sacramento Kings Zach LaVine scored 42 points for his best game since joining Sacramento on Monday night at Golden 1 to head lead the Kings to a 130-88 win against the Charlotte Hornets.

#2 Lavine scored eight 3 pointers and had made 16 baskets out of 19 in the Kings first home floor victory against the Hornets since 2021. LaVine also scored in double figures in all of his eight games for Sacramento.

#3 DeMar DeRozan scored 18 points with seven rebounds as the Kings improved their overall record to 29-28. Malik Monk had 13 points, Keegan Murray had ten points and Domantas Sabonis had seven points with ten reounds and seven assists.

#4 For the Hornets Miles Bridges had 23 points. LeMelo Ball and Nick Smith Jr scored 13 points each. Jusuf Nurkic and Moussa Diabate scored 12 points each as the Hornets once again go down loosing 12 of their last 14 games.

#5 The Kings travel to Utah to take on the Jazz at the Delta Center on Wed Feb 26th for a 7:00pm PST. The Jazz sit in dead last in the Western Conference with a 14-43 record. The Kings are tenth in the Conference and are 14-14 on the road.

Join the Sacramento Kings podcasts with host Barbara Mason Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 2-1 in OT to Jets, Winnipeg Win Streak at 10; San Jose loss steak reaches six

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Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele (55) scored the game winning goal in overtime on San Jose Sharks goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Mon Feb 24, 2025 (Canadian press via AP)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks fell 2-1 in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets, despite holding a lead for more than 40 minutes. The win was the tenth in a row for the Jets. For the Sharks, it was the sixth loss in a row. Josh Morrissey and Mark Sheifele scored for Winnipeg. Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves for the win. William Eklund scored for the Sharks and Vitek Vanacek made 33 saves in the loss.

Vitek Vanacek was a big part of the reason that the Sharks hung in there for as long as they did. After the game, William Eklund said, of the goaltender: “Yeah, he was outstanding tonight.” Of his teammates, Vanacek said that “I think the guys played really well.” The Sharks came away from the loss disappointed but not ashamed of their effort.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky said that the team:

“Worked extremely hard, each and every period, with things we talked about this morning. To fall short is a kick in the gut. Disappointed we don’t get the result but I’m really extremely proud of our group. Back to back, get in late last night, to have that type of effort against arguably the best team in the League.”

William Eklund started the scoring with a power play goal at 15:07 of the first period. Macklin Celebrini made a cross-ice pass to Eklund for a slap shot from the face-off dot. Celebrini and Will Smith got the assists.

Winnipeg outshot San Jose 10-6 in the first period. The teams took matching roughing minors near the middle of the period. The Sharks had the only power play of the period. The Jets outshot the Sharks 10-8 in the second period and 13-3 in the third. The Sharks had two power plays in the second period and killed one penalty. The Sharks had the only penalty in the third period and killed that.

Eklund’s goal gave the Sharks a lead that lasted until the final minute of the third period, when Josh Morrissey tied the game with the Jets’ net empty. Morrissey caught a bounce off of the side board and put the puck in the net on the short side from the top of the faceoff circle.

1:33 into overtime, the Jets extended their win streak when Mark Sheifele picked up a rebound right in front of Vanacek and poked it over the line. Assists went to Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor.

The Sharks next play on Thursday in Montreal against the Canadiens at 4:00 PM PT.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda host Condors Wednesday; San Jose defeated Bakersfield in last meeting

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San Jose Barracuda goaltender (32) Aaron Dell saved 26 shots, faced 30 shots and allowed four goals in a two goal loss to the Coachella Valley Firebirds at Acrisure Arena in Thousand Palms CA on Sun Feb 23, 2025 (Coachella Valley Firebirds photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The Coachello Valley Firebirds had a game plan and executed it well against the San Jose Barracuda on Sunday at Thousand Palms with a 5-3 win. The Firebirds scored twice in the first and second periods the Birds had a 4-2 advantage heading into the third period.

#2 Taking a review of Sunday’s scorers for the Firebirds first period Jani Nyman scored an unassisted goal at 48 seconds and Gustav Olofsson scored at 5:41. Barracuda answered right back with a goal from Danil Gushchin at 16:44 cutting Coachella’s lead to 2-1.

#3 Jagger Firkus scored the first goal of the second period at 7:42 and Ben Myers scored at 15:33 to help the Firebirds take a 4-1 lead. The Barracuda’s Andrew Poturalski scored his 21st goal of the season and cut the Firebirds lead to two goals 4-2.

#4 The Barracuda made a valent effort when Colin White scored at 19:14 to get San Jose within one goal making it 4-3. The Firebirds would add the last goal of the game coming away with a two goal 5-3 win when Logan Morrison scored at 19:58.

#5 Next up for the Barracuda the Bakersfield Condors on Wed Feb 26 a 7:00pm face off at Tech CU in San Jose. The Barracuda came away with a 5-4 win over the Condors in their last meeting Sat Feb 15th. How do you see this match up on Wednesday night.

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

Sacramento A’s relocation podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Strange feeling watching A’s of Sacramento in first pre season game

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Fans watch the Sacramento A’s take on the San Diego Padres in Peoria Arizona during the first A’s game that was played since 1968 that was not by an Oakland team on Sat Feb 22, 2025 (photo LV Sports Biz)

Sacramento A’s podcast with Jerry podcast:

#1 Peoria Arizona the first game for the former Oakland Athletics now better known now as the Sacramento Athletics playing their first pre season game since leaving Oakland against the San Diego Padres it may not have sunk in yet but you can best bet there are fans who are not too happy even though it’s done deal.

#2 The A’s who are constructing a $1.75 billion, which they aim to play in in 2028 at the old Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Vegas. The A’s who play their first game of the regular season in Sacramento on Mon Mar 31st it’s gotta feel strange but A’s fans have to get used to it this is going to go on up until 2028.

#3 A’s owner John Fisher is still working out how to get some of that nearly $2 billion worth of cash for his share of the construction costs. The A’s president Sandy Dean said that the funds will come through from the Fisher family pooling their efforts together and from loans coming from Goldman Sachs and US Bank. When is the question will it happen?

#4 The grounds rules for the Las Vegas ballpark are public will own the park and the property of the park that will be transferred by the A’s to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority including $100 million in development costs before the SB1 funds are released. The public will hold $50 million until the final work on the park is completed.

#5 The A’s are heavily depending on sellouts they will depend heavily on tourists to fill the bill as they need to sell out every event at the Tropicana for the next 30 years to pay for the park. The A’s had projected that 70% of the fans coming to the park will be locals but previously said they depended on tourism.

Jerry Feitelberg filled in for Daniel Dullum who does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 3-2 to Flames, Losing Streak at five

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San Jose Sharks Henry Thrun (3) tries to stop the Calgary Flames Jonathan Huberdeau (left) from attacking Sharks goaltender Alexander Georgiev (40) and the net in the second period at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Sun Feb 23, 2025 (News photo by Canadian Press via AP)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 3-2 to the Calgary Flames Sunday. Nazem Kadri, Kevin Rooney and Joel Hanley scored for the Flames. Dustin Wolf made 27 saves for the win. Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Sharks. Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves in the loss.

After the game, Toffoli said: “It just sucks. I thought we had a pretty good game, better than the one we played going into the break.” Asked if this five-game losing streak is frustrating, he said “If anyone says they’re having a good time losing games, I don’t want them on my team, to be honest.”

The Sharks scored first, at 3:41 of the first period. Toffoli centered the puck from below the goal line, just as Celebrini closed on the crease. Celebrini scored his 18th of the season with a wrist shot. Assists went to Toffoli and Jake Walman.

The Flames tied it on a power play at 7:27. Nazem Kadri scored with a wrist shot from just above the left face-off circle. Assists went to Morgan Frost and MacKenzie Weegar.

Calgary outshot the Sharks 14-8 in the first period. The Sharks took two penalties and the Flames took on in the first.

Kevin Rooney gave Calgary the 2-1 lead at 3:35 of the second period. Rooney caught a rebound from a shot by Ryan Lomberg. Assists went to Lomberg and Martin Pospisil.

The teams were tied with 13 shots apiece in the second period. They also had one penalty apiece.

Toffoli tied it back up at 1:54 of the third period. Wolf stopped Toffoli’s first shot but left a rebound. Toffoli caught that and scored his 21st of the season. Assists went to William Eklund and Shakir Mukhamadullin.

Joel Hanley gave Calgary the 3-2 lead at 13:28 of the third. Hanley shot the puck to the net from the blue line, then skated in. Jonathan Huberdeau caught the puck just outside the blue paint and passed it back up to Hanley for the shot. Assists went to Huberdeau and Kadri.

The officials were very busy in the third period. The Sharks were given two minor penalties, one matched penalty and a double minor. Calgary had one minor penalty and the matched penalty. The teams were very close again in shots, 9-8 Calgary.

The Sharks next play on Monday in Winnipeg against the Jets at 4:30 PM PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: El Tiante “El Unico”

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) interviewing former Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant in 1977 (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

El Tiante “El Unico”

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

As a kid, my father Joaquin would take me to Estadio de El Cerro in Havana to watch the Cuban Winter Professional League. Considered the premier professional baseball in Latin America (1878-1961), many American Major League Stars would travel to Cuba after their regular season here in the US and go to the largest island in the Caribbean.

Bill Werle, ex-major league pitcher who pitched for the Tigres de Marianao in Cuba, was a scout here in the United States when he told me, “Many of us that were not superstars in the major leagues traveled to Cuba because that was the best level of baseball and we got to paid very well.”

My memories are filled with great games at Estadio de El Cerro, now called Estadio Latino Americano. Leones del Habana (Havana Lions) was our team in my family. There, I remember an older man named Adolfo Luque managing the team. Havana Lions.

The same Luque that In 1923, was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, and in 1923 he ended the season with 27-8 and a 1.93 ERA, starting 37 games and completing 27 of those. The Cy Young Award was given in 1956, 33 years after Luque’s 27 wins.

One of Luque’s pitcher was Luis Tiant, aka El Tiante. He would spin like a top on the mound, the hitter ciould see Tiante’s number on his Red and White Leones del Habana uniforme before he took a cut and missed.

Tiant was one of my favorite pitchers since I was a kid in Cuba; also, other pitchers like Cuban-born Camilo Pascual, who I knew for many years here in the US, Jim Bunning, and others, not all pitchers but position players like Jackie Brandt, Bob Allison, Al Spangler, Marvin Breeding and my all-time US Hall of Famer, Brooks Robinson who I remember as a skinny third baseman for the Elefantes del Cienfuegos(Cienfuegos Elephants) and many others. Cubans and Americans.

One of my dreams came true in the 1970s when I first met one of my boyhood idols, Luis Tiant. This time, he was in Oakland, as he was coming with the Boston team to play the Athletics. Talking to Tiant was one of my biggest treats as a Major League reporter and broadcaster.

Luis was always happy and enjoyed every minute of talking baseball, especially when I told him I was 10 years old the first time I watched him pitch in Cuba, and yes, that I was Cubano also.

Mexican Major Leaguer and third baseman Aurelio Rodríguez once ruined a no-hitter that Tiant was throwing after 7 2/3 innings. Tiant was always honest and talkative when he spoke regarding the Rodríguez hit that ended his no-no; “It was not a lucky hit; the man hit the ball pretty well.”

As a member of SABR, I have written about Luis Tiant, but when I heard of his death at 83 last year, I was shaken up bad; although we were not family, he felt like family to me.

A great man who is now pitching as a baseball Angel in heaven. Tiant’s heart was bigger than life. He loved to go to Cuba and take goods for the people there who lacked everything and specially giving chocolates to the kids.

He was never a friend or sympathizer of Fidel Castro or the communists in Cuba, but Luis Tiant was “cien por ciento Cubano”- ‘one hundred percent Cuban’—and loved his motherland.

One of my favorite Tiant quote: “The fastball is the best pitch in baseball.It’s like having five pitches, if you move it around” – Spanish: La bola de velocidad es el mejor lanzamiento en béisbol, es como tener cinco lanzamientos, si la lanzas por diferentes lados” -Luis Tiant. ‘ If you don’t speak Spanish, my title in this column, El Unico” means The Only One”

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 to 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame