NASSAU, Bahamas — — Paige Bueckers scored 29 points, Azzi Fudd added 18 and No. 2 UConn defeated No. 18 Mississippi 73-60 in the final of the Baha Mar Women’s Championship on Wednesday night.
Bueckers had 15 points and Fudd 12 on combined 11-of-14 shooting in the second half as the Huskies regained control after almost blowing a 21-point lead in the third quarter.
HENDERSON, Nev. — — Reigan Richardson scored a career-high 35 points to lead No. 13 Duke past No. 8 Oklahoma 109-99 in overtime on Wednesday in the championship game of the Ball Dawgs Classic.
Oklahoma overcame a first-half, 15-point deficit to tie the game with 4:45 left in the game, and forced overtime with Payton Verhulst’s 3-pointer at the buzzer. But Duke outscored the Sooners 15-5 in OT.
NASSAU, Bahamas — — Mikay Williams scored 24 points and Aneesah Morrow had 20 points and 15 rebounds to lead No. 7 LSU to an 82-65 win over No. 20 N.C. State on Wednesday to win the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship.
The Tigers never trailed after Morrow hit back-to-back jumpers late in the first quarter. And after Saniya Rivers tied the game for N.C. State at 17, Moore made two free throws to put LSU in front for good. Kailyn Gilbert, the star in Monday’s one-point win over Washington, followed with a 3-pointer.
NASSAU, Bahamas — — Chaz Lanier made seven 3-pointers and scored 25 points — all in the first half — as No. 11 Tennessee cruised past No. 13 Baylor 77-62 on Friday night to win the Baha Mar Championship title.
Lanier took the drama out of the game early, making five 3-pointers in the first four minutes to carry the Volunteers (6-0) to a 16-2 lead. His final 3 just before the halftime buzzer gave Tennessee a 47-20 advantage.
DALLAS – Kroger’s Simple Truth brand and sports media company 4PT will team up to title the Thanksgiving Day showdown between Arkansas and Illinois in Kansas City. The Simple Truth Thanksgiving Classic presented by 4PT features No. 21 Arkansas vs. No. 20 Illinois tipping at 3 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Kroger is the largest grocery in the United States and its Simple Truth brand – boasting products made without unwanted ingredients – has become extremely popular with consumers.
4PT is dedicated to providing valuable insights, tools, resources, and unbiased content to help athletes maximize their playing time. The 4playingtime.com website offers a variety of content, including the latest recruiting news, expert articles, and interviews with top coaches and players.
“We’re excited to be the presenting partner of the Thanksgiving Classic between two top-tier programs, Arkansas and Illinois,” said Niko Bossinakis, Founder of 4 Playing Time (4PT). “Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and unity, and we’re especially thankful for the opportunity to support athletes in achieving their dreams.”
Both teams are expected to compete their respective conference championships this season. Arkansas has high expectations in the Southeastern Conference with Hall of Fame coach John Calipari taking the reins in Fayetteville for the first time. He looks to turn the Razorbacks into a national contender once again. Year in and year out, Brad Underwood has kept Illinois at the top of the Big Ten and a national powerhouse.
The matchup promises to be worthy of its coveted CBS timeslot, following the Bears-Lions NFL game on the national holiday. The game marks the earliest college basketball game broadcast by the network and is expected to be the most watched college basketball game this season.
Tickets for the Simple Truth Thanksgiving Classic presented by 4PT are on-sale at T-MobileCenter.com and on the AXS app.
DALLAS — — Jayden Nunn had 16 points while Norchad Omier had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds as eighth-ranked Baylor bounced back from a season-opening blowout loss and held on to beat No. 16 Arkansas 72-67 on Saturday night.
The Bears (1-1) never trailed five nights after their 101-63 loss to sixth-ranked Gonzaga. There were three ties in their second game, and Nunn hit go-ahead baskets each time. His 3-pointer with 15:46 left put them ahead to stay.
DALLAS – Sports media brand 4PT will title the Top 25 match-up between Baylor and Arkansas in Dallas on the first Saturday of the new season, Nov. 9, 2024. The 4PT Dallas Duel features No. 8 Baylor vs. No. 16 Arkansas tipping off at 6:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center and broadcast on ESPNU.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be the title partner of this matchup between two powerhouse programs, Arkansas and Baylor,” Founder of 4 Playing Time (4PT), Niko Bossinakis said. “4PT serves coaches, players, and fans who are passionate about the game and dedicated to supporting the future of college basketball. Our mission is to simplify and elevate the recruiting landscape, providing reliable information and resources that keep everyone informed and connected. We wish both programs, along with their coaches and athletes, much success in the upcoming season.”
4PT, headquartered in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, is dedicated to providing valuable insights, tools, resources, and unbiased content to help athletes maximize their playing time. The website offers a variety of content, including the latest recruiting news, expert articles, and interviews with top coaches and players. Initially gaining a significant following through the popular X channels @TP4PT and @JC4PT, the company has since expanded its brand with the launch of a new website, 4playingtime.com. Known as 4PT, short for “4 Playing Time,” this platform aims to be a comprehensive resource for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts, streamlining access to crucial information across the basketball community.
Baylor enters the new season as a top-10 team after once again reloading during the offseason. The Bears backcourt will be among the nation’s best with Duke transfer Jeremy Roach and explosive freshman V.J. Edgecombe leading the charge. Returners Jayden Nunn, Langston Love and Josh Ojianwuna headline a core group of veterans. Scott Drew’s Bears are the only team to be a top-3 seed in the last four NCAA Tournaments and also are the only team in the Big 12 with at least 11 conference wins in each of the last five seasons.
Arkansas enters the new season with high expectations as Hall of Famer John Calipari takes over in Fayetteville. Calipari, men’s college basketball’s winningest active head coach with 855 victories, has brought his magical touch to the Razorbacks by signing three top-50 players in the incoming freshmen class and one of the nation’s top transfer classes led by Johnell Davis (led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023) and three former Kentucky standouts in D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivišić.
The Razorbacks look the part of a national title contender already after posting a 85-69 win against top-ranked Kansas in an exhibition game last Friday night in Fayetteville. Wagner and freshman Boogie Fland led Arkansas in the win, scoring 24 and 22 points, respectively.
Tickets for the 4PT Dallas Duel are on-sale at Ticketmaster.com and on the Ticketmaster app. Complete event information can be found at www.baylorarkansas.com and on social media at @bdGlobalSports.com.
CINCINNATI – The Hoops Classic presented by CareSource – featuring longtime men’s basketball rivals Cincinnati and Dayton – will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 20 at Heritage Bank Center, veteran event promoter bdG Sports announced Tuesday. The neutral-site contest will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Dayton claimed an 82-68 victory over Cincinnati last season when the two schools met at Heritage Bank Center on Dec. 16, 2023. The matchup marked the first meeting between the two schools since 2010.
Cincinnati and Dayton have met 92 times in series history with the Bearcats holding a 60-32 advantage. The rivalry is the third longest in program history for both schools.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to the Cincinnati-Dayton men’s basketball game are available at HeritageBankCenter.com, Ticketmaster.comand the Ticketmaster app.
Like last season’s contest, the atmosphere inside Heritage Bank Center should be electric with the two fan bases seated in separate halves of the arena. In the lower bowl, sections 112-128 will be designated for Cincinnati fans while sections 108-132 will be earmarked for Dayton fans. Sections 110 and 130 at midcourt will each be divided among the schools as well. The upper bowl will be divided in a similar fashion.
NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Korn Ferry Tour and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, title sponsor of the Tour’s pair of season-opening events in The Bahamas since 2017, announced a three-year contract extension (through 2027) Friday afternoon.
The Korn Ferry Tour will begin its 2025 season at a new venue, as Ocean Club Golf Course, a Tom Weiskopf design stretching over 7,100 yards along the eastern shore of Paradise Island, is set to host the season-opening The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island. The Tour will then head to The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, which will be played for the eighth time this coming season.
Golf Channel is set to televise both The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island and The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, marking the first time since 2020 that both events in The Bahamas will be televised. Each event will continue to utilize their traditional Sunday-Wednesday tournament schedule, providing a unique live television window for the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-opening events.
“This extension of our partnership with the Korn Ferry Tour reinforces the growing impact of sports tourism in The Bahamas,” said Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, Mrs. Latia Duncombe. “By hosting these premier events and welcoming back Golf Channel’s coverage, we continue to elevate The Bahamas on the global stage, showcasing our capability to deliver top-tier experiences for golfers and sports fans.”
The 2025 schedule marks the first time since 2017 the Korn Ferry Tour will open its season at a new venue, with The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island serving as a continuation of The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, the Korn Ferry Tour’s opening event for the last seven seasons.
For Atlantis Paradise Island and the Ocean Club Golf Course, this marks a return of professional golf to its world-class resort. One of the world’s most iconic destination resorts, Atlantis boasts a lush, oceanside location anchored by five distinct hotels, the world’s largest open-air marine-life habitat, a 141-acre waterpark, the renowned Atlantis Casino, and a variety of restaurants led by more globally recognized, Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning chefs than any other resort or destination in the region.
“On behalf of Atlantis Paradise Island and the Ocean Club Golf Course, we are delighted to welcome the return of the Korn Ferry Tour to Nassau,” said President and Managing Director at Atlantis Paradise Island, Audrey Oswell. “The Ocean Club Golf Course is beloved for its challenging design, pristine condition, and breathtaking panoramic views. We look forward to showcasing the best of Bahamas’ golf to the competitors, fans and community.”
bdG Sports, an international sports marketing and event management firm, will continue to serve as the host organization for both Korn Ferry Tour events in The Bahamas.
“We are grateful to continue our long-standing partnership with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, in addition to welcoming Golf Channel back to The Bahamas,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “The Bahamas continue to be an amazing season-opening location for our membership, and we are excited to welcome Atlantis Paradise Island and Ocean Club Golf Course to the Korn Ferry Tour family as we begin the next chapter of these great tournaments.”
Winners of the 2024 events in The Bahamas – Jeremy Paul and Aldrich Potgieter – earned PGA TOUR membership earlier this month, as both finished inside the top 30 of the Korn Ferry Tour Points List upon conclusion of the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance.
Jeremy Paul, winner of the 2024 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay, finished No. 21 on the final Korn Ferry Tour Points List and became the fifth player from Germany to earn a PGA TOUR card via the Korn Ferry Tour. Aldrich Potgieter, champion of the 2024 The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, became the youngest winner in Korn Ferry Tour history (19 years, 4 months, 11 days) and the second-youngest graduate in Korn Ferry Tour history (20 years, 23 days), as he finished No. 29 on the Points List.
Additional past champions of the Korn Ferry Tour’s season-opening events in The Bahamas include PGA TOUR winners Akshay Bhatia (2022 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic), Sungjae Im (2018 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic), and Adam Svensson (2018 The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic).
Dates for both The Bahamas Golf Classic at The Atlantis and The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club will be announced next week as part of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour schedule release.
DALLAS – The new college basketball season will begin with a bang when Baylor battles Arkansas in Dallas on the first Saturday of the new season, Nov. 9, 2024. The game will be the sole focus for both fanbases with both Arkansas and Baylor football programs being on a bye that weekend while also honoring the nation’s military a few days prior to Veteran’s Day. The action tips at 6:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Baylor is expected to be a Top-10 team once again after reloading during the offseason. The Bears backcourt will be among the nation’s best with Duke transfer Jeremy Roach and explosive freshman V.J. Edgecombe leading the charge. Returners Jayden Nunn, Langston Love and Josh Ojianwuna headline a core group of veterans. Scott Drew’s Bears are the only team to be a top-3 seed in the last four NCAA Tournaments and also are the only team in the Big 12 with at least 11 conference wins in each of the last five seasons.
“We have tremendous respect for Coach Calipari and the Arkansas program, dating back to our battles in the Southwest Conference, so we look forward to the challenge in Dallas this year,” said Drew. “Playing a quality team in an NBA arena, where the Baylor Family can come out and support us, is an awesome opportunity for everyone involved.”
Arkansas enters the new season with high expectations as Hall of Famer John Calipari takes over in Fayetteville. Calipari, men’s college basketball’s winningest active head coach with 855 victories, has brought his magical touch to the Razorbacks by signing three Top-50 players in the incoming freshmen class and one of the nation’s top transfer classes led by Johnell Davis (led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023) and three former Kentucky standouts in D.J. Wagner, Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivišić.
“For fans of college basketball, it will be great to see two teams that will likely start the season among the top 25 playing each other so early in the season,” Calipari said. “As a program, are excited to be playing in Dallas. The Metroplex is home to a large number of alumni and current students from the University of Arkansas. We like the fact that we will be able to connect with them and believe we will have a tremendous turn out.”
Tickets for the game go on public sale on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. CT at Ticketmaster.com and on the Ticketmaster app. Complete event information can be found at www.baylorarkansas.com and on social media at @bdGlobalSports.com.
