TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd didn’t even need much help from superstar Paige Bueckers to propel UConn into the national title game, leading the Huskies to a remarkably easy 85-51 victory over UCLA on Friday night in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Strong finished with 22 points and Fudd scored all of her 19 points in the first half for the second-seeded Huskies, who are one win away from their 12th national championship and first since the team won four straight from 2013-16, led by Breanna Stewart. The eight-year title drought is the longest for the Huskies since they won their first in 1995.
“We aren’t worried about the past. Every single day you walk into the gym and live up to the standard of playing UConn basketball,” Bueckers said. “Not comparing yourself to other teams and players before. We want to fill their shoes and make them proud. Wear the jersey with pride.”
UConn will face defending champion South Carolina on Sunday for the title after the Gamecocks beat Texas 74-57 earlier Friday night. It’s a rematch of the 2022 championship game, which the Gamecocks won 64-49. The teams met in February and UConn shocked South Carolina with a 29-point road victory.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The journey has been more challenging than usual, but Dawn Staley and defending national champion South Carolina are still getting the job done.
Coach Geno Auriemma’s Huskies traveled to Columbia, South Carolina, in the regular season and dominated the Gamecocks, winning 87-58 on Feb. 16.
This is the seventh time The Associated Press preseason Nos. 1 and 2 teams will play in the women’s NCAA championship game. South Carolina beat UConn in the 2022 title game after the teams began that season ranked 1-2.
The No. 1 preseason team is 6-0 in the previous title games against the preseason No. 2. The Huskies’ Paige Bueckers will try to end that streak as she seeks a national title, the only prize left in a remarkable collegiate career. UConn’s loss to South Carolina in 2022 concluded an injury-marred sophomore season for Bueckers, who is expected to be the top overall pick in the WNBA draft.
Justify (1), with jockey Mike Smith up, crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race and the Triple Crown, Saturday, June 9, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
We are back at Gulfstream Park
As the Kentucky Derby prep season heats up, we’re heading back to familiar turf at Gulfstream Park for an exciting Late Pick 5 on Saturday, April 12. Post time for Race 6 is set for 3:30 p.m. EST, and the sequence runs through Race 10, featuring a great mix of turf and dirt action with plenty of betting opportunities.
Let’s dive into the races and give you the horses to watch — and a few sharp plays along the way.
Be sure to tune in tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Capital Sports Network for our “One Horse Wonder” segment, and catch us again Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET for updated analysis after scratches and changes!
Race 6 — 3:30 p.m. EST
1 1/16 Miles, Turf — Maiden Special Weight $55,000
A well-matched group kicks off the sequence.
#2 Restless Dreamer (5-2) The most consistent runner in the field. She’s been keeping stronger company and is primed to fire off a sharp 3/23 workout. Paco Lopez knows her well and a clean start could make the difference.
#1 Counterintelligence (GB) (4-1) Trainer Chad Brown switches to blinkers and draws the rail, both positives. She showed strong late kick last time from a wide post and could improve sharply here under Gonzalez.
#7 Royalty Rate (7-2) Another well-bred newcomer from Chad Brown’s barn. Edgar Zayas picks up the mount, and this runner should handle both the turf and distance well. Respect the connections.
Race 7 — 4:02 p.m. EST
6 Furlongs, Dirt — Claiming $12,500 N2L
This race is all about speed, class drops, and sharp trainer angles.
#2 Slew Diva (6-1) Lone speed in the race and dropping in class. She’s the clear best bet to hit the board and might just go all the way.
#7 New Diamond (2-1) Hot trainer Victor Barboza is 31% with horses first off the claim. Add Paco Lopez, and the combo clicks at a strong 30%. Dangerous player.
#5 Grand Golden Rod (6-1) Drops in class and gets the services of the red-hot Vasquez. Expect a big late move.
Race 8 — 4:34 p.m. EST
7½ Furlongs, Turf — Optional Claiming $62,000
A competitive turf contest with several live runners.
#4 Golden Canary (6-1) Shipping in from Santa Anita after solid runs at Woodbine. Mark Casse has had her working steadily at Palmetto since February. Ready to fire.
#9 Risk Threshold (4-1) Pace factor dropping into a softer spot. Second off the layoff, speed figures fit, and Jose Ruiz gets the call for Chad Brown. Key player.
Play: Consider a 4-6-9 Exacta Box here for strong value potential.
Race 9 — 5:06 p.m. EST
1 Mile, Dirt — Optional Claiming $25,000 / N1X
A wide-open affair loaded with high-profile connections.
#2 Who’s the King (6-1) Paco Lopez reunites with this colt, and they’re a dangerous duo for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Look for an aggressive ride from the front.
#4 Catalytic (9-5) Saffie Joseph’s other runner has been knocking on the door with three straight runner-up finishes. Adds apprentice Micah Husbands and weight relief. Major player.
#3 Captain Danny (Chi) (9-2) Chilean import was rolling late in his U.S. debut. Should improve second time out with Jaramillo aboard for Barboza.
Note: For an Optional Claiming race, this field is stacked with top trainers like Saffie Joseph Jr., Victor Barboza, and more.
Race 10 — 5:36 p.m. EST
7½ Furlongs, Turf — Maiden Special Weight $55,000
Closing out the sequence with another tricky maiden event on the lawn.
#6 Magic Pathway (5-2) Blew up the speed figures stretching out last time. Trainer Michael Trombetta teams up with Paco Lopez, and they win 32% together. Expect more improvement.
#4 Insubordination (Ire) (7-2) Speed and class relief here for trainer George Weaver. Edgar Zayas takes the reins, and the shorter trip should suit him well.
#8 Benny the Waiter (2-1) Second-time Lasix and strong turf breeding make this Irish-bred a serious contender. Look for a sharp run under Jaramillo.
Most likely race in the sequence to see the favorites hit the board.
Final Word
We’re excited to be back at Gulfstream Park, and this Late Pick 5 sequence offers great betting value with plenty of live longshots and trusted connections. Keep an eye on weather updates and scratches, and be sure to join us tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Capital Sports Network for our full “One Horse Wonder” breakdown.
Don’t forget: We’ll also be back on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET for live updates on all the changes and late info for Gulfstream and beyond.
The road to the Kentucky Derby continues, and Let’em Run is here to help you cash tickets every step of the way!
University of Tampa Women’s remain on top of the Sunshine State Conference. Saturday it’s No. 6 Lynn for not only Senior Day but also Tampa’s One Love Game
In a clash between top-10 Sunshine State Conference rivals, the top-ranked University of Tampa women’s lacrosse team came out on top over No. 10 Saint Leo.
How It Happened
Three different Spartans scored within the first two minutes of play.
Tampa led 5-1 after the first quarter.
The Lions controlled the second quarter, outscoring the Spartans 4-1, but the visitors remained ahead by one at halftime.
Mary Kate Person recorded her hat trick just three minutes into the second half.
Tampa widened its lead to 8-6 after three quarters.
Saint Leo scored three unanswered goals to begin the fourth and take their first lead of the game.
The Spartans knotted the game at 9 with just over five minutes of play left.
Freshman Josie Bullock netted her first career goal with less than two minutes left to seal the Spartans’ victory.
Tampa nearly doubled Saint Leo at the draw, winning 15 of 23.
The Lions are the 8th nationally ranked team knocked off by the Spartans.
Spartans Performances
Isabella Avila was all over the stat sheet with 6 draw controls, 4 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers, and scored the equalizing goal in the fourth.
Erin McLoughlin recorded 3 ground balls to go along with 3 caused turnovers.
Scoring less than a minute into the match, Molly Shapiro netted her 10th goal as a Spartan.
Person’s hat trick was her fourth in less than a month.
Scoring 2 goals and assisting on another, Isabel McGarvey recorded her 40th point of the season.
Up Next
• Tampa will face No. 6 Lynn for not only Senior Day but also Tampa’s One Love Game. The match will be played on April 12 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid celebrates with defensive end Frank Clark, right, after the NFL AFC Championship playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 23-20. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The stadium game continues in Kansas City.
Sometime this summer, the owner of the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs Clark Hunt plans to tell the world of his intentions in the stadium game in the Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas area. Hunt might agree to a renovation of his present stadium which opened on August 12th, 1972. Hunt also might consider moving his business to Kansas which is within the franchise’s market.
The problem for Hunt began in April 2024 when Jackson County, Missouri voters said no to extending a sales tax that would have funded a Major League Baseball’s Kansas City Royals’ downtown stadium and would have renovated Hunt’s football venue. There is nothing new from Kansas where local politicians have indicated that they might want the Chiefs and Royals’ businesses in their state. Kansas lawmakers are still mulling over a proposal that would see STAR bonds used to help pay 75% of the cost of building two stadiums in Kansas. Additionally, sports gambling and lottery gaming and sales tax revenue from businesses in the stadium development districts would cover bond debt. Another source of revenue to pay off the debt would come from a liquor tax. Kansas lawmakers could use a mechanism that would allow up to 100% of sales tax revenue on alcoholic liquor sales within a stadium district to pay off bonds for the structures. There is a problem with Kansas though. The offer expires on June 30th although the state legislature could extend the deadline. “If you’re on either side of the table, you look at deadlines,” Chiefs team president Mark Donovan said. “That June 30th is real.” Missouri politicians have been scrambling to put together a financial package to keep Hunt’s Chiefs business and MLB Royals’ owner John Sherman in Kansas City. There really is not much new going on in Kansas City.
