Scott Kazmir is a making a strong case to earn the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.
Scott Kazmir is a making a strong case to earn the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are the 2012-13 Associated Press Division II All-Ohio girls basketball teams, based on the recommendations of a media panel. FIRST TEAM: Tajanee' Wells, Cols. Eastmoor Acad., 5-8, sr., 16.5; Ana Richter, Oxford Talawanda, 6-1, jr., 18.5; Sabrina Mangapora, Canfield, 6-1, sr., 18.5; Vanessa Smith, Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown, 6-1, sr., 16.7; Erica Dawson, Marietta, 5-9,...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are the 2012-13 Associated Press Division II All-Ohio girls basketball teams, based on the recommendations of a media panel.
FIRST TEAM: Tajanee' Wells, Cols. Eastmoor Acad., 5-8, sr., 16.5; Ana Richter, Oxford Talawanda, 6-1, jr., 18.5; Sabrina Mangapora, Canfield, 6-1, sr., 18.5; Vanessa Smith, Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown, 6-1, sr., 16.7; Erica Dawson, Marietta, 5-9, sr., 28.0; Amanda Cahill, Clyde, 6-1, jr., 22.2; Laina Snyder, Millersburg W. Holmes, 6-1, jr., 15.7;
Players of the year: Amanda Cahill, Clyde; Vanessa Smith, Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown.
Coaches of the year: Ryan Orshoski, Bellevue; Lisa Patterson, Millersburg W. Holmes.
SECOND TEAM: Brittany Atkinson, Granville, 5-5, sr., 18.4; Bre Berryman, Wintersville Indian Creek, 6-5, soph., 22.2; Megan Donohue, Akron Hoban, 6-2, sr., 17.2; Char'Ron Sweeney, Tol. Rogers, 5-2, sr. 14.6; Emma Hostetler, Shelby, 5-7, sr., 20.2; Nia Marshall, Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown, 6-0, sr., 15.5; Katlyn Spahar, Mentor Lake Cath., 5-9, sr., 18.0; Trischa Lacy, Urbana, 5-10, sr., 30.3; Cara Cook, Norton, 5-8, sr., 18.5;
THIRD TEAM: Andi Daugherty, Warsaw River View, 6-0, jr., 19.0; Kyleigh Wyeth, Lancaster Fairfield Union, 5-9, sr., 12.2; Alli Pavlik, Cortland Lakeview, 5-6, jr., 24.1; Carly Santoro, Bellevue, 5-9, soph., 25.4; Hallie Thome, Chagrin Falls, 6-4, soph., 17.8; Becky Depp, Geneva, 5-4, sr., 13.0; Dominique Doseck, Athens, 5-7, soph., 20.1.
Special Mention
Renee Cheeks, Cols. Brookhaven; Tory Minton, Utica; Jaana Motton, Cols. Hartley; Darian Apperson, McConnelsville Morgan; Emily Masloski, Steubenville; Taylor Lowdermilk, Carrollton; Sydney Brackemyre, Clarksville Clinton-Massie; Josie Buckingham, New Richmond; Erin Dorn, Bellbrook; Alexis Overly, Chillicothe Unioto; Madison Ridout, Jackson; Lydia Poe, Jackson; Deidre McKay, WCH Miami Trace; Anna Voris, Lancaster Fairfield Union; AuBree LaForce, Vermillion; Katie Smith, Fairview Park Fairview; Melinda Trimmer, Beloit West Branch; Shayna White, Ravenna Southeast; Jordan Korinek, Akron SVSM; Kaitlin Vari, Richfield Revere; Lizzie Wilkinson, Peninsula Woodridge; Kayci Krzynowek, Akron Manchester; Emily Ruhe, Lima Bath.
Honorable Mention
Carli Codner-Pinto, Cols. DeSales; Alyssa Dean, Cols. Centennial; Taylor Dush, Utica; Abby Guinther, Caledonia River Valley; Cassi Stein, Newark Licking Valley; Katie Prince, Dresden Tri-Valley; Mallary Trout, Philo; Moriah Monaco, Dover; Kelsie Kirkbride, Zanesville Maysville; Vada Clemens, McConnelsville Morgan; Hallie Stocker, Cambridge;Megan Galloway, Greenville; Kylie Garrett, Mount Orab Western Brown; Elizabeth Haley, Dayton Oakwood; Paige McCrary, Springfield Kenton Ridge; Natalie Stoeppel, Norwood; Taylor Saxton, Circleville Logan Elm; Molli Shaw, WCH Washington; Brett Justice, South Point; Emma Ryan, Vincent Warren; Emma Stanley, Athens; Caitlyn Owings, McArthur Vinton County; Jordanna Rauch, Vincent Warren; Sydney Wycinski, New Lexington; Shania Massie, Greenfield McClain; Abby Schwenk, WCH Miami Trace; Brianne Goodrich, Chesterland West Geauga; Liz Karako, Mentor Lake Cath.; Kim Cook, Parma Hts. Holy Name; Desiree Ray, Lorain Clearview; Mariah Pearson, Painesville Harvey; Lindsey Mayle, Geneva; Rachel Holowecky, Oberlin Firelands; Aleah Hughes, Poland Seminary; Pavin Heath, Beloit West Branch; Shannon Jack, Akron SVSM; Alex Klein, Akron Manchester; Ashley Tyna, Cuyahoga Falls CVCA; Jaclyn Fortner, Norton; Camryn Brown, Richfield Revere; McKenna Shives, Struthers; K'Shawna Barnett, Tol. Woodward; Sasha Dailey, Tol. Rogers; Alyssa Reed, Wauseon; Kylee Bader, Celina; Katie Stahl, Celina; Tiffany Colston, Port Clinton.
Scott Kazmir continued his push toward a spot in the Indians rotation with a strong effort Monday against the Angels. Daisuke Matsuzaka, meanwhile, leaves game with cramping in right calf.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Scott Kazmir continued his impressive spring Monday as he pitched four scoreless innings against the Angels at Goodyear Ballpark. Kazmir struck out four, walked one and allowed three hits as the Indians Angels played to a scoreless nine-inning tie.
Kazmir has not pitched in the big leagues since 2011 when the Angels released him. The left-hander has not allowed a run in eight innings in Cactus League play and is emerging as the leading candidate to win the fifth spot in the Indians' rotation.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, competing with Kazmir for the fifth spot, pitched a scoreless sixth but left the game in the top of the seventh with cramping in his right calf. Matt Langwell relieved.
The injury does not bode well for Matsuzaka making the team.
Jered Weaver started for the Angels and pitched four scoreless innings. Michael Bourn and Michael Brantley singled to start the first, but Weaver retired the next three batters to end the threat.
Bourn opened the third with a double to left, but Weaver stranded him by getting the next three outs.
The Indians left the bases loaded in the eighth.
In the ninth, Tyler Holt singled and reached third on a single by Cedric Hunter. Holt was tagged out in a rundown between home and third on Ryan Raburn's grounder to third. Cord Phelps grounded out to second to end the game.
cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes recap the game and talk about Kazmir's performance, Daisuke Matsuzaka's injury and the Indians facing a tough Jered Weaver.
The Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Angels ended their spring training this afternoon in a tie. While hitting was nowhere to be seen, the pitching was excellent.
The Cleveland Indians have granted outfielder Ben Francisco his unconditional release and added left-hander Rich Hill to the 40-man roster.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The wheels were turning Monday in the executive offices of the Indians' Goodyear training facility.
For the first time since 2006, the Indians renewed the contracts of not one, but two players. Vinnie Pestano was renewed for $501,000. It represented a $9,800 raise for Pestano over last year when he went 3-3 with a 2.57 ERA and set a club record with 36 holds as closer Chris Perez's set-up man.
Carlos Carrasco, who missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery, was also renewed. He made $488,500 last season.
Departed second baseman Brandon Phillips was the last player the Indians renewed in the spring of 2006. Before that it was Jody Gerut in 2004.
Pestano, currently playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, said he held no hard feelings over the negotiations and didn't want to paint them as a "petty argument over money.''
"Baseball has a business side to it and sometimes people don't see eye-to-eye," Pestano said in a text. "There's no bad blood or hard feelings whatsoever on either side. I respect Chris (Antonetti) and the organization and in no way am I unhappy with them."
Pestano said the Indians made him an offer that was above the minimum ($490,000).
"I'm grateful for the contract offer," he said. "They have a performance bonus schedule in place and stick to it. For the first time in my career I'm at a point where I can say thank you, but no thank you . . . I exercised that option."
Monday was the deadline for having all players on the 40-man roster signed. Scott Barnes, Ezequiel Carrera, Juan Diaz, Yan Gomes, Nick Hagadone, Frank Herrmann, David Huff, Jason Kipnis, Chen-Chang Lee, Mike McDade, Cord Phelps and Josh Tomlin all agreed to one-year deals.
In another move, left-hander Rich Hill was added to the 40-man roster and all but guaranteed a spot in the bullpen. Blake Wood, recovering from Tommy John surgery, was moved to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Hill.
Hill, who is out of options, has not allowed a run in six appearances this spring, covering 5 2/3 innings.
"News like this is good," Hill. "I think I had to go out and prove I was healthy, execute the pitches and pitch with conviction."
Hill made 25 appearances for Boston last season, but spent most of the year in the minors recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2011.
In another move, the Indians released outfielder Ben Francisco, who just happened to be hitting .400 (9-for-22) with six doubles and two RBI. Minutes after Francisco was released, the injury-riddled Yankees signed him.
Why would the Indians release an outfielder hitting .400 on March 11? Francisco got shoved to the side when the Indians signed center fielder Michael Bourn in February. At that time, they told Francisco that if he thought he had a better chance to get to the big leagues with another team, they wouldn't stand in his way.
Antonetti met with Francisco's agents, John Boggs and Tony Cabral, last week to discuss the situation.
When Francisco signed a minor league deal with the Tribe in January, he had a chance to make the club as a fourth outfielder or possibly a designated hitter. All that changed with the signings of free agents Mark Reynolds, Nick Swisher and Bourn. The Yankees, by the way, were also interested in Francisco in January.
Said Antonetti, "Ben had an out in his contract and asked for his release."
In other roster moves Matt LaPorta, Fernando Nieve and catcher Roberto Perez were reassigned to minor league camp. Tim Fedroff, Trey Haley, T.J. House, Chen-Chang Lee and Danny Salazar were reassigned to Class AAA Columbus.
LaPorta, recovering from hip surgery, is still not healthy enough to play. Haley came down with a sore right shoulder early in camp and is still rehabbing. Lee is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
"We told LaPorta that he wouldn't play until he's 100 percent," said manager Terry Francona. "Right now it's up to him when he can play."
Fedroff hit .238 (5-for-21) with two RBI. Salazar impressed Francona with his arm strength.
"Fedroff and Salazar were impressive," said Francona. "Salazar and House just need to go down and get ready for their seasons. Fedroff didn't hit like he wanted to, but he was still impressive."
Tale of two pitchers: Francona was impressed with Scott Kazmir, who pitched four scoreless innings against the Angels on Monday.
"That was a good lineup he faced," said Francona. "It was a good test for him."
Daisuke Matsuzaka, competing with Kazmir for the fifth spot in the rotation, left in the seventh with cramping in the right calf.
"He was cramping in his calf," said Francona. "It's hard to let a guy pitch like that. They were trying to loosen it up after his first inning. We could tell when he went back out it was bothering him."
Killer Bs: The Indians beat the Angels, 2-0, in a B game Monday. Justin Masterson pitched five scoreless innings, striking out four and allowed two hits. Cody Allen and Matt Capps added a scoreless inning each. Allen struck out three.
Horizon League honors Cleveland State's Shalonda Winton with First Team, All-Defensive Team, and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State's Shalonda Winton has capped a sterling individual career for the Vikings being named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year.
She also was named to the All-Horizon League first team, and to the All-Horizon League Defensive Team.
Capable of impacting the game on both ends of the court, the 6-0 Winton, a native of Pittsburgh, finished the regular season leading the league in scoring (22.1 ppg), and second in rebounding (10.6 rpg).
She is one of just two players in the league to average a double-double on the season.
Winton, who averaged a league-best 38.9 minutes per contest, also ranks first in blocked shots (1.3), second in defensive rebounds (7.2), third in steals (2.2), fourth in offensive rebounds (3.4) sixth in assists (3.9) and sixth in free throw percentage (.775).
The Vikings begin HL Tournament play Wednesday 7 p.m. at Youngstown State, where Winton will have at least one more game to add to her plethora of records.
Throughout the regular season Winton had 17 double-doubles, including two triple-doubles – one of only three NCAA Division I players to achieve the feat this season. She has also recorded 29 double-digit scoring games and two 30-point games.
Winton, who has been invited to the WNBA Combine at the women's Final Four, leads the Vikings in all five major statistical categories this season; points (640), rebounds (308), assists (114), steals (65) and blocks (38) – the only player in the league to lead their team in all five categories.
Winton is the all-time leader in rebounds (1,071), offensive rebounds (373) and games started (116), while ranking in the top-10 in 10 additional categories. Winton currently ranks third on the all-time scoring list (1,821) but is just 15 points shy of setting a new standard there as well.
Michigan's Trey Burke was named player of the year, while OSU's Shannon Scott joined Craft on the All-Defense team.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State landed two players on the All-Big Ten first team Monday night, with Deshaun Thomas chosen by both the media and coaches and Aaron Craft selected by the coaches, while making second team for the media.
No surprise. The Buckeyes have landed a player on the All-Big Ten first team for eight straight seasons, starting with Terence Dials in 2006. That was followed by Greg Oden and Mike Conley in 2007, Jamar Butler in 2008, Evan Turner in 2009 and 2010 and Jared Sullinger in 2011 and 2012.
The longest streak for any other team in the Big Ten? Just one year.
That's because just three schools made up the entire first team this year, with Ohio State joined by conference champ Indiana and Michigan, and neither the Hoosiers nor Wolverines had a first-teamer last year.
Michigan's Trey Burke made both first teams, but more importantly, he was named the Player of the Year by both groups. He was joined by Indiana's Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller on both first teams, as well as Thomas, while Tim Hardaway Jr. replaced Craft on the coaches' team.
Craft was also named first-team All-Defense and was joined by fellow OSU point guard Shannon Scott. However, Craft did not repeat as Defensive Player of the Year. That went to Oladipo.
Wisconsin's Bo Ryan, whose Badgers finished tied for fourth with Michigan, was named Coach of the Year by both groups, while Michigan State's Gary Harris won Freshman of the Year and Indiana's Will Sheehey was the Sixth Man of the Year.
Get your questions ready and join cleveland.com's Glenn Moore tonight at 9 p.m. as he talks Tribe live from Goodyear, Arizona.
Among other topics discussed:
• Indians and Angels finished today's game in a tie.
• Tribe's Harlem Shake video and team unity.
From now until the end of the week, follow along with G-Mo (@GlennMooreCLE) on Twitter.
You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.
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Engineered by Nick Swisher, who called it a team-building exercise, the Cleveland Indians reported to the clubhouse early Monday wearing various costumes to film the video.
Goodyear, Ariz. -- Justin Masterson is 6-6 and weighs 250 pounds. Put a full-length bear skin over him, complete with head and teeth, and what do you have?
"You've got a big bear," said Nick Swisher.
Masterson, wearing a real bearskin that he "borrowed" from parts unknown, was just one tiny part in a strange Monday at the Indians' Goodyear training facility.
No, these are not your father's Indians.
"It's BYOCM," said Swisher with a cackle. "That's Bring Your Own Costume Monday."
Most big league locker rooms at 8:30 a.m. are quiet places. There might be music playing, a couple of card games in progress, ESPN on the flat-screen TVs. Monday morning in Goodyear found Masterson dressed as a bear, Swisher in an Ohio State football uniform, Jason Giambi encased in a green body suit from head to toe sitting in a chair wearing black sunglasses.
Danny Salazar paraded about dressed as an Egyptian pharaoh, followed closely by 6-5 Juan Diaz, completely wrapped in Ace bandages. Yes, Diaz was "The Mummy."
Chris Perez and David Huff were dressed in "Dumb and Dumber" tuxedos. Joe Martinez was "Spiderman." Cord Phelps wore a grass skirt and a Bart Simpson mask. Ubaldo Jimenez was dressed like a cop from Reno 911, complete with short shorts.
Everywhere you looked ballplayers were transforming into costumed creatures. Brett Myers, wearing a championship belt, looked ready to come off the top rope as a WWE wrestler. Rich Hill was dressed as the Easter Bunny and Matt Capps a penguin. Sandy Alomar Jr. wore a mask and an orange prison jump suit. Finally, into the room walked manager Terry Francona dressed as a baby with a white cap.
What in the name of Bob Feller was going on?
The Indians were filming their version of the "Harlem Shake." It's something almost every sports team seems to be doing.
Swisher, surprise, surprise, came up with the idea. It sounds like the video will come out in about a week. Asked why he did it, Swisher said, "Why not?"
"You have to have fun in this game," he said. "We're in the grind of spring training right now. I figured a little 'Costume Monday' would really spice things up. Man, the boys came through in full force."
Swisher, who received Francona's permission before moving on the project, said every player brought their own costume.
"I had a couple of choices," said Francona. "I had a little bunny rabbit costume, but I couldn't fit into it. My boiler kept getting in the way."
Swisher had more in mind than making a video to go viral on YouTube.
"You try to do something with a team-building exercise in a sense, to build that camaraderie," he said. "We've got a lot of new guys on this team. We're just starting to get to know each other.
"Some guys don't buy into it, but every single person on this team bought into it, staff included. We tried to get Antonetti (GM Chris Antonetti), but he wouldn't do it. Still we had a lot of laughs to remember."
Antonetti did show up, but not in costume.
Francona believes in team chemistry. If the "Harlem Shake" is the start of it, so much the better.
"You can't force it," said Francona. "I think you can help it along. If it happened overnight, it wouldn't mean as much.
"If that group in there cares enough about each other, polices each other, or corrects each other when they're wrong, we're going to be a much better team. I see a lot in that group that I like."
Francona said a team can still win if the players don't particularly care for each other as long as "they're fiercely loyal to each other on the field." But it's a lot easier if there's harmony on and off the field.
In 2011 Francona knew his Boston Red Sox were in trouble when they held their annual NFL fantasy football draft in early September. They were in Toronto and stayed in the locker room after a game against the Blue Jays to hold the draft. Francona, sensing a bad vibe, turned to DeMarlo Hale, one of his coaches, and said: "I don't like this. These guys don't like each other as much as I remember."
The Red Sox suffered a historic September collapse, which led to Francona being relieved of his duties as manager.
Can Masterson wearing a bearskin rug put the Indians in a position where a September collapse would actual be considered historic? Stay tuned.
Javon McCrea scores six of his 21 points in overtime as Buffalo advances to play Ball State on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena.
Javon McCrea scored six of his 21 points in overtime as host Buffalo defeated Central Michigan, 75-72, in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament Monday night.
McCrea went 8-of-10 shooting to go with eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Will Regan added 15 points, Tony Watson 14 and Raphell Thomas-Edwards came off the bench to score 10 for the eighth-seeded Bulls (13-19), who snapped a two-game losing streak.
The game saw 18 lead changes in regulation before a 3-pointer by Central Michigan's Kyle Randall made it 67-67 with 21 seconds left -- the 11th tie of the night.
Randall, who led the ninth-seeded Chippewas (11-20) with 31 points, missed two straight layups and had a third blocked as part of a 0-for-5 overtime-opening shooting performance. McCrea, meanwhile, followed a jumper with a dunk to give Buffalo the lead for good.
The Bulls will meet Ball State at The Q on Wednesday.
Central Michigan made just 1 of 9 shots in overtime.
Eastern Michigan 45, Northern Illinois 44: Jalen Ross' 3-pointer with 32 seconds left gave the Eagles a win against the visiting Huskies in Round 1.
Da'Shonte Riley had 13 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots for seventh-seeded Eastern Michigan (15-17), who will play Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday at The Q.
Northern Illinois trailed, 42-35, after Ross scored for the Eagles with five minutes to go. J.J. Cravatta hit a 3-pointer for the Huskies, Aksel Bolin's three-point play got them within a point and Travon Baker's 3-pointer put NIU ahead, 44-42, with 2:08 left. Ross got the rebound off a missed 3 and made his shot for the Eagles, and the Huskies had three tries at the end but couldn't score.
Cravatta and Bolin led the Huskies with nine points apiece.
Tenth-seeded Northern Illinois ends its season at 5-25.
Miami (Ohio) 63, Bowling Green 52: Jon Harris scored 14 points as the 11th-seeded Redhawks snapped a nine-game losing streak in beating the sixth-seeded Falcons in Bowling Green.
Miami (9-21) ended the regular season as losers of 12 of their final 13 games, including a 52-44 loss to Bowling Green (13-19) on Feb. 27, when it blew a 31-24 halftime lead.
Miami made amends, expanding a 34-31 intermission lead with a 9-0 run to open the second half.
Bowling Green's later 9-0 run brought the Falcons within 47-45, but Reggie Johnson's 3-pointer gave the RedHawks a 55-49 cushion with 1:40 left. Bowling Green trailed by at least five points the rest of the way.
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott insists his young All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving is not injury prone after learning Irving will be out three to four weeks -- or perhaps the rest of the season -- with a sprained left shoulder.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Facing three to four weeks -- or perhaps the rest of the season -- without All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott was asked if he was worried that his young star was injury prone and not durable enough to survive an 82-game season.
"No, I'm not," the coach said emphatically Monday after it was announced Irving had been diagnosed with a sprained left shoulder.
"He still is very young. His body hasn't fully developed. I'm just not that concerned about it, to be honest with you. All the injuries that he has gotten have been legitimate injuries. It's not something that keeps recurring over and over again. From just what I saw last night with the little hip check, it was just an unfortunate foul that hit him right on the spot. So I'm not really concerned about it."
Irving was driving to the basket when he took a hip from Raptors rookie forward/center Jonas Valancuinas and tumbled to the floor with 2:04 left in the third quarter of the Cavs' 100-96 loss at Toronto. Irving landed on his left shoulder, lay on the floor for a bit, was tended to on the bench by athletic trainer Max Benton and then returned to the game to shoot two free throws -- one-handed.
He made the first, but missed the second. Toronto's Landry Fields grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled by Luke Walton. At that point Irving headed directly to the locker room and did not return. After the game, he needed help to get his Duke sweatshirt over his head. Then this afternoon, the Cavs announced he had a left AC (acromioclavicular) sprain or a sprained AC joint, an injury more commonly suffered by quarterbacks when they're tackled and land on their shoulders.
The Cavs said he would undergo a period of rest and treatment and could be out three to four weeks. But with just five weeks left in the season, it's not out of the question that Irving, already dealing with a sore right knee, might be done for the season.
"I don't know if it's fair to say [that]," Scott said. "I don't want to speculate on that anyway. We're going to wait until Max and the doctors talk to me that he's healed or whatever the case may be and we'll go from there."
Veteran Shaun Livingston will move into the starting point guard spot starting tonight when the Washington Wizards visit The Q. Dion Waiters will start at shooting guard but will serve as the backup point guard on the second unit, along with Daniel Gibson. It's the same lineup the Cavs used when Irving was out recently with a sore knee.
"The last time that we lost him, we lost him for three games and we won two out of the three and played pretty well, so I think that everybody understands that each guy has to pick it up a little bit more," Scott said. "It's not going to be one guy that can take over all the things that Kyrie brings to the table, so we'll have to do it by committee. It's as simple as that. The core of our rotation is Shaun and Dion and Boobie, so we'll see how it works."
Counting the three games he missed with a sore/hyperextended right knee, Irving, who also broke a bone in his right hand during summer league, has missed 14 games this season, including 11 with a fractured left index finger from Nov. 21 to Dec. 8. He did play through a fracture in his jaw bone in mid-December and a stomach virus last Friday. He missed 14 games with injuries last season, 10 with a sprained right shoulder, 3 with a concussion and 1 when he was ill. He also sat out the last game of the season.
Irving, who played just 11 games in his only season at Duke because of a toe injury, has missed 29 of 129 games with the Cavs, who are 8-21 without him, including 4-10 this season.
Scott points out that Irving is still developing and won't be 21 until later this month. He admits Irving needs to get stronger, especially with the relentless nature of his play, but he didn't think that could be blamed for his latest injury.
"I didn't think last night was a product of his style of play -- just a big guy that stuck his hip out because he was beat," Scott said. "[Irving] doesn't avoid contact. That's how he gets to the free-throw line so much, too, because he seeks it out at times.
"The biggest thing is this summer getting him in the weight room and getting him stronger. He'll continue to develop. Once he gets stronger and his body matures, I think he'll be fine."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668
Former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace was the Miami Dolphins’ No. 1 off-season target, and they moved quickly Tuesday to seal a deal.
Receiver Mike Wallace was the Miami Dolphins’ No. 1 off-season target, and they moved quickly Tuesday to seal a deal.
Wallace agreed to a multiyear contract on the first day of NFL free agency, a person with knowledge of the agreement said. The person confirmed the deal to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no signing had been announced.
In four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wallace caught 32 touchdown passes. He gives the Dolphins the speedy deep threat they lacked last season, when their wideouts totaled three touchdowns.
Miami also reached a $35 million, five-year deal with inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who helped the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl last season.
The Ravens also lost linebacker Paul Kruger to the Browns, and on Monday they traded star receiver Anquan Boldin to San Francisco.
The 49ers didn’t go untouched, either. After giving up a sixth-round draft pick for Boldin, they saw tight end Delanie Walker leave for Tennessee.
San Francisco also confirmed the trade of backup quarterback Alex Smith to Kansas City, a deal that was known for weeks. The 49ers will receive the Chiefs’ second-round pick, 34th overall, in this year’s draft, and a conditional pick in next year’s draft.
Denver ensured that Peyton Manning will be the Broncos’ quarterback through at least 2014. The four-time MVP’s contract called for a guaranteed salary of $20 million in 2013 and 2014 if he was on the Denver roster Tuesday. The final two years of his contract are worth $19 million each, but are not guaranteed.
Coming off multiple neck operations, Manning threw for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns last season and was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He turns 37 on March 24.
Kansas City was busy finding support for Smith on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs agreed to a four-year, $16 million deal with tight end Anthony Fasano, a three-year, $12.6 million contract with defensive tackle Mike DeVito, and a three-year deal with Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
Teams also made cuts Tuesday. The biggest were Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo and Nnamdi Asomugha in Philadelphia.
The Bills’ starting quarterback was released 1½ years after getting a six-year, $59 million contract extension. Fitzpatrick struggled after signing the new deal, and the Bills went 6-10 in 2011 and 2012.
Buffalo has not made the playoffs since 1999, the longest active streak in the NFL. For now, the Bills’ No. 1 quarterback is Tarvaris Jackson.
Philadelphia released cornerback Asomugha, who two years ago got a five-year, $60 million contract with $24 million guaranteed when he left Oakland as a free agent. Asomugha was a flop in Philly, often victimized in single coverage.
Asomugha was scheduled to make $15 million next season, with $4 million guaranteed.
Earlier, Tony Gonzalez changed his mind and decided to return to the Falcons.
The NFL’s career leader among tight ends with 1,242 receptions and 103 touchdowns said he was 95 percent certain he would retire after 2012, but the other 5 percent won out.
Also Tuesday:
• Defensive end Will Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma, both implicated in the Saints’ bounty scandal, agreed to restructure their contracts to remain with New Orleans.
The 31-year-old Smith and 30-year-old Vilma, both veteran defensive captains, would have taken up about $23 million combined in salary cap space without the redone deals.
• Minnesota finalized the trade of receiver Percy Harvin to Seattle, released 14-year veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield from Akron Garfield and Ohio State and re-signed right tackle Phil Loadholt. The Seahawks are sending their first-round and seventh-round draft picks this year, plus their third-round selection in 2014, to the Vikings for Harvin.
• Tennessee agreed to terms with Buffalo guard Andy Levitre and Walker. Levitre, one of the top offensive linemen on the market, got a six-year deal worth nearly $47 million. He will replace Steve Hutchinson, who announced his retirement earlier Tuesday. Walker will help replace Jared Cook, whom the Titans declined to tag as a franchise player because he wants to be paid more like a receiver.
St. Louis reached a five-year deal with Cook.
The Titans waived safety Jordan Babineaux and guard Mitch Petrus.
• Pittsburgh re-signed linebacker Larry Foote and wide receiver Plaxico Burress, and tendered offers to four restricted free agents: receiver Emmanuel Sanders, running backs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman — all of whom could be starters in 2013 — and nose tackle Steve McLendon.
Foote also came back to Pittsburgh last season and will stay at inside linebacker, where the other starter, James Harrison, was released this week. Foote got a three-year deal.
Denver agreed to terms with guard Louis Vasquez of San Diego. According to STATS, he has allowed just 11 sacks and had one penalty during his time with the Chargers.
Tight end Martellus Bennett agreed to a four-year contract with the Bears, leaving the Giants after one season. Defensive tackle Henry Melton signed his franchise tag tender at $8.45 million. Also, Chicago agreed to a five-year contract with New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod.
• Cincinnati re-signed defensive ends Robert Geathers and Wallace Gilberry. Geathers enters his 10th season with the Bengals.
• San Diego released 11-year veteran tight end Randy McMichael and signed kicker Nick Novak to a four-year contract.
• The New York Jets cut nose tackle Sione Po’uha and restructured the contract of receiver Santonio Holmes.
• Arizona re-signed safety Rashad Johnson to a three-year contract.
• Indianapolis agreed in principle on contracts with tackle Gosder Cherilus, linebacker Lawrence Sidbury, guard Donald Thomas, cornerback Greg Toler and linebacker Erik Walden. All deals are pending a physical.
The Cleveland Browns sign Paul Kruger to a 5-year deal.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns' gain in signing linebacker Paul Kruger was a loss for the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Sun reporter Aaron Wilson writes how the Ravens knew that they’d lose several key contributors from the team that beat the San Francisco 49ers last month to win Super Bowl XLVII. Their first free agent defection came less than an hour after the market opened today as Kruger agreed to terms on a five-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $41 million.
More Paul Kruger linksKruger’s loss was expected after the 27-year-old linebacker had a breakout 2012-13 season, leading the Ravens with nine sacks to go along with 42 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He followed that up with 4.5 sacks in four playoff games, including two of Colin Kaepernick in the Ravens’ 34-31 Super Bowl victory.
Kruger started five games for the Ravens during the 2012-13 season as he was mostly used as a pass-rushing specialist.
The Browns get their man in Paul Kruger (Cleveland.com).
LB Paul Kruger agrees to 5-year deal (ESPN).
Paul Kruger's NFL Football statistics (Pro-Football reference).
Back in September, Kruger accused Joe Thomas of flopping (CSNBaltimore).
The Baltimore Ravens went into last season expecting big things from Kruger (Baltimore Sun).
Here's Paul Kruger's NFL Combine interview in 2009 (ClevelandBrowns.com).
Paul Kruger's game-by-game stats this past season (ESPN).
A new era begins for the Browns in signing Kruger (ESPNCleveland.com).
Paul Kruger and his brother were two Utes for Utah (Deseret News).
Kruger's humorous response to a question during the Super Bowl (Deseret News).
In this video, Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff took a few minutes to talk about Kruger and the Browns with Cinesport's Justin Schackil:
Former Cardinals linebacker Quentin Groves has agreed to a 2-year deal with the Browns, a source confirmed for The Plan Dealer.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns continued to bolster their defense today with the early-morning addition of former Cardinals linebacker Quentin Groves, who played for defensive coordinator Ray Horton in Arizona last season.
Groves (6-3, 265) signed a two-year deal worth a total of $2.8 million, a source told The Plain Dealer.
He was the third defender the Browns have signed in free agency, joining former Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger and Raiders defensive tackle Desmond Bryant. Kruger will be available in a press conference this afternoon at 2:30 and Bryant is slated for tomorrow.
"Quentin is a solid player who will be another good addition to our front seven," Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said in a release. "He showed pass-rush ability last season, working in a 3-4 defense for the first time. Having played for Ray last year, he is familiar with our scheme, and that will allow him to make a smooth transition. He also has been a productive special-teams player and can help us in that area as well."
Browns CEO Joe Banner, who set out to beef up the Browns' pass rush, had Groves targeted from the start, a source said.
"Quentin gives us another player who will come in and improve our defense," Banner said in a release. "Not only will he help us on the defensive side of the ball, but he also will be a good addition for our special teams, where he has had success in his career. We are excited about the moves we have been able to make over the last two days and look forward to all three players becoming productive members of the Cleveland Browns."
Groves was originally drafted by the Jaguars in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2008 draft out of Auburn.
He has appeared in 79 games with 29 starts, registering 152 tackles and 6.5 sacks during his five-year career with the Jaguars (2008-09), Raiders (2010-11) and Cardinals (2012).
In 2012, he started seven of 16 games, setting career-highs in tackles (45) and sacks (4). Groves helped the Cardinals earn the No. 1 NFL ranking in passer rating allowed (71.2) and interception percentage (4.4 percent).
Arizona's defense also ranked second in the NFL in interceptions (22) and third-down efficiency (32.9 percent), third in red-zone defense (44.4 percent) and fourth in takeaways (33). He also recorded seven quarterback hits last year.
Groves has totaled 28 career special-teams tackles, one special-teams fumble recovery and one blocked punt. He set a career-high with 11 special teams tackles in 2009. Last season, he recorded seven special-teams tackles and a blocked punt.
In September, Groves told Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic that he was humbled by the fact his phone barely rang in free agency last year.
"That was like, 'OK, it's time for you to step up and be a man and take this thing serious, because the window is closing on you,' " he said.
The Cardinals signed him to a one-year contract for $700,000, and he vowed to give them more than their money's worth. Groves had started just seven games in two seasons in Jacksonville and was demoted in Oakland in 2011 after starting 12 games the year before.
When he did make a visit to the Giants last year, they told his agent he wasn't athletic enough to play in their system. But Groves used the snubs as kindling.
"I took it as motivation, one, and a humbling experience, two," Groves told the Republic. "I thought, 'Q, now you really have to get on your grind, get on your hustle. You have to realize you're not 'the guy' anymore."
Groves also cleaned up his act, cutting out the late nights that often took days to recover from.
"I just said, 'Man, cut the drinking out. If you go out, go out with your wife, have a nice glass of wine and chill. Don't try to buy a table and do all this extravagant stuff. Because at the end of the night, once the bottles are empty, the friends are gone, there's nobody left to foot that bill but you," he said. "And you have to say, 'OK, what was the point of all this?' "
Groves also wanted to be a good husband and good father to his two children.
The turnaround paid off for the Cardinals and now the Browns, where Groves will be re-united with Horton and play outside linebacker in his 3-4 scheme.
Join cleveland.com's Glenn Moore each day as he will be posting his thoughts, video interviews, game blogs, photos and podcasts from Goodyear. Watch video
Blog updates:
1:05 p.m. PT: Join me here for a live chat during the Indians-White Sox game in Glendale. Ubaldo Jimenez pitching today. Indians have their 'A' team out there against Chicago. 12:18 p.m. PT: Just arrived here in Glendale at Camelback Ranch, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. Beautiful ballpark and facility. 11:07 a.m. PT: Terry Francona speaks with the media in Goodyear. He talks about the young starting pitching and the respect he has for everyday players. 9:55 a.m. PT: Terry Francona said during his morning press conference that closer Chris Perez will be throwing at 90 feet today. Perez is coming back from a right shoulder strain. Perez, an All-Star in each of the past two seasons, ranked second in the AL with 39 saves in 2012. He is fourth in franchise history with 99 saves. Check back for the video of Francona's presser.9:33 a.m. PT: Well, here it is. The Indians recorded their version of the 'Harlem Shake' Monday at their Goodyear spring training facility. Here's the video, for your enjoyment. 9:20 a.m. PT: Be sure to check out Paul Hoynes' article on Michael Bourn finding his identity as the new Indians center fielder. Ray Bourn, Michael's father, coached his son and Crawford as Little Leaguers. When Michael was 10 and Crawford 11, he took them to a batting cage in Houston and told a worker to set one of the pitching machines at 85 mph. As the story goes, Crawford made contact on all 15 of the pitches he saw. Bourn hit 14 of the 15. "I was hitting it," said Bourn, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Indians in February. "That's just how my dad was. He knew how to bring out the best in you. 8:09 a.m. PT: Comment from FastNBulbous on expectations from Tribe fans: Nice comments from some loyal Tribe fans. Agree with just about everything they say except the wild card. I think the 2 wild cards will come from the other divisions. Tribe will have to topple Goliath and take the division to make the playoffs. 8:00 a.m. PT: Yesterday at Majerle's Sports Grill in Goodyear, I co-hosted a Tribe chat with The Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes. You can find that video here. Lots of Tribe fans were in attendance and I had the chance to speak to a few of them. They talked about the upcoming season and excitement surrounding the club. They also gave their predictions and if they can overtake the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Previous game: GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Daisuke Matsuzaka gave his manager a scare. Scott Kazmir gave Terry Francona more reason to think the left-hander still might have something to contribute. Matsuzaka left his outing Monday because of a cramp in his right calf, overshadowing a fine performance by Scott Kazmir as the Cleveland Indians played to a 0-0 tie with Jered Weaver and the Los Angeles Angels. "It's hard to let a guy pitch like that," said Cleveland manager Terry Francona, who managed Matsuzaka with Boston. "He came in after his first inning and he was trying to loosen it up. We told him when he went out, if it was bothering him, to let us know. You could tell when he was warming up he just couldn't get it to loosen up." Attempting a comeback after having elbow-reconstruction surgery in 2011 and a disastrous final season with Boston, the 32-year-old Matsuzaka allowed one hit in one inning before cramping during warmups for his second inning in his fourth spring appearance. Before the game, Francona described Matsuzaka's previous bullpen session the best he's thrown since joining Cleveland. Francona knows Matsuzaka well. The Japanese star went 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA with World Series champion Boston in 2007 and followed that with an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA in 2008. Since 2008, he's never won more than nine games in a season and went 1-7 with a 8.28 ERA with Boston in 2012. Also trying to make a comeback is Kazmir. Out of the majors since being cut by the Angels in June 2011, the 2002 first round pick of the New York Mets pitched four innings of three-hit ball with four strikeouts. The 29-year-old Kazmir ran his scoreless streak eight innings in major league outings and 11 overall - including an appearance in a minor league "B" game. "I was throwing strikes, that's all you can ask for in spring," said Kazmir, a two-time All Star with Tampa Bay. "It was fun seeing those guys before the game. After that, I was locked in." Kazmir estimated his velocity was in the low-to-mid 90s. Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after the game that Kazmir left the Angels topping out at 86 mph on his fastball. "You want (Kazmir) to do well," Scioscia said. "What he went through was awful. I thought he looked great. The ball was really coming out of his hand a lot better than when we last saw him. At times he showed flashes with us." Follow our coverage on TwitterCloser Chris Perez (right shoulder) playing catch at 90 feet today. #Indians.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) March 13, 2013
Browns consider Desmond Bryant the top defensive linemen in free agency and want to add depth to the three-man front of the new 3-4 defense.
When the Browns hired Ray Horton as coordinator and changed from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, it was clear they wanted changes.
The signing of free agent defensive tackle Desmond Bryant is another sign that CEO Joe Banner and his front office believed the defense requires an upgrade, and not just more linebackers to play in the 3-4 scheme.
Along with Baltimore linebacker Paul Kruger, the Browns made Bryant one of their top free agent targets.
Needing only three starting defensive linemen -- big guys with bulk -- it appeared the Browns had enough to fill those holes with players on the current roster: Phil Taylor (335 pounds), Billy Wynn (295 pounds), Athyba Rubin (330 pounds), John Hughes (311 pounds) and possibly Ishmaa'ily Kitchen (330 pounds).
But when it came to Bryant, the Browns believe the following:
1. You can never have enough good defensive linemen.
2. Bryant can rush the passer, as he had eight sacks in the last two years. It's very hard to find interior linemen in a 3-4 defense who can get to the quarterback.
3. He can play defensive end or nosetackle, and is extremely quick at 6-foot-6, 311 pounds.
4. He is 27, coming off his rookie contract. He fits their approach to free agency, guys in their middle 20s who have been durable.
5. They believe Taylor can start at nose tackle, with Rubin and Bryant at the ends. Bryant also can move inside when Taylor rests. They want a lot of depth on the line, and believe they now have it as they also really like Wynn as an end. They believe Hughes and Kitchen also can help out.
The Boston Globe reported that Bryant was a top target for New England, and that the Patriots believe he was the best defensive linemen in free agency.
The Browns signed the Harvard graduate to a 5-year, $34 million deal (with about $15 million guaranteed).
They are very aware of his late February arrest on the misdemeanor charge of "criminal mischief". According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the former Oakland Raider was at "a neighbor's house inebriated and causing a commotion."
The Browns believe this was poor judgment, but not a sign of major problems.
So they have bolstered their linebackers with their first free agent signing -- Paul Kruger, a pass-rusher with Baltimore last season and another 27-year-old.
They believe Kruger and Bryant make the defense faster and fit the "attack mode" that Horton wants to bring to the Browns in terms of pressuring the quarterback.
They also know they need help in the secondary, at tight end, offensive guard and other spots. So they will keep shopping.
Final MAC Awards go to Akron's Keith Dambrot as Coach of the Year and OU's D.J. Cooper as Player of the Year.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Akron Zips continue to reap a harvest of postseason awards with the latest being head coach Keith Dambrot, who today was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year.
There was no surprise for MAC Player of the Year, either, as D.J. Cooper from Ohio University picked up that award in a vote by members of the MAC media.
This was Dambrot's first time winning the award, and it came in a landslide as Dambrot picked up 24 of the 27 media votes cast.
Cooper received 16 votes with Akron's Zeke Marshall getting seven. Buffalo's Javon McCrea picked up two votes, with Ball State's Jauwan Scaife and Toledo's Rian Pearson getting one vote each.
Cooper led the Bobcats to a share of the 2013 MAC regular-season title with the Zips.
The 6-0 guard also earned All-MAC first team honors for the third-consecutive season. He is sixth in the nation in assists per game (7.2) and also leads OU in scoring with 14.2 points and 2.1 steals. Cooper is the first Bobcat to win Player of the Year honors since Gary Trent in 1993-95.
Dambrot becomes the second head coach at Akron to earn the honor following Dan Hipsher (1998), the coach Dambrot replaced.
Dambrot's Zips finished the regular season at 24-6, 14-2 in the MAC, and at one point had a 19-game winning streak. The Zips shared the regular-season MAC title, becoming the third team in MAC history to win or share a title in back-to-back seasons. They are the No. 1 seed in the MAC Tournament, which arrived at Quicken Loans Arena today with the first round.
Dambrot's career mark at Akron to date is 208-93.
"Earning Coach of the Year is a tribute to the consistency and success of our program, not only this season, but over the past nine years," Dambrot said in a statement. "There are a lot of people that have made this program a success, from the players and coaches to the support provided from the University."
The Zips and Bobcats have a bye into Friday's MAC Tournament semifinals.
The Cleveland Indians released their version of the 'Harlem Shake' Wednesday morning.
Indians' Harlem Shake cast:
Parrot: Jason Kipnis (costume courtesy of Vinnie Pestano)
Ohio State football star: Nick Swisher
Green man: Jason Giambi
Big baby: Terry Francona
Prisoner: Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Camo man: Mark Reynolds
Human bear: Justin Masterson
Lloyd Christmas & Harry Dunne (from “Dumb and Dumber”): David Huff & Chris Perez
Mario: Lonnie Chisenhall
Two Luigis: Mike Sarbaugh & Ryan Jeroloman
Nerd: Michael Brantley
Flamingo wrangler: Cody Allen
Reno 911! cop: Ubaldo Jimenez
Hot dog with beard: Nick Hagadone
Disco man: Carlos Carrasco
Ironman: Drew Stubbs
Scarecrow: Trevor Bauer
Mummies: Juan Diaz & Michael Bourn
WWE wrestler: Brett Myers
Two Gumbies: Mike McDade & Scott Barnes
Two Easter bunnies: Rich Hill & Lou Marson
Three penguins: Matt Capps, Matt Langwell & Zach McAllister
Egyptian Pharaoh: Danny Salazar
Hula dancer: Cord Phelps
Spiderman: Joe Martinez
Gene Simmons: Mickey Callaway
Waldo: Matt Carson
Angry Birds: Scott Kazmir and Bryan Shaw
Reporter considers linebacker Paul Kruger a part-time player.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns made linebacker Paul Kruger their first free agent signing and ESPN reporter Jamison Hensley writes how there's plenty to like about the deal:
Here's what to like: The Browns get a pass-rusher in his prime and take away the sacks leader from the Super Bowl champions, who happen to be in their division.But Hensley questions why the Browns paid an average of $8 million per season for a player who has six career starts. He also writes that Kruger isn't a special player and fans will have to temper expectations for him:
Kruger is a part-time player, not an every-down one. He doesn't have the size to hold up against the run, which is why the Ravens used a second-round pick on Courtney Upshaw last year.
Hensley goes on and writes the best part of this deal is if the Browns see Kruger as just piece of the new defense. If he's supposed to be the key piece, the Browns will end up disappointed.
More Browns and NFL linksNew Browns defensive tackle Desmond Bryant has a memorable mug shot (Deadspin.com)
The Browns sign Quentin Groves from the Cardinals (Cleveland.com).
The Browns and the Tampa Bay Bucs are interested in QB Ryan Mallett (Boston Herald).
Akron native Antonio Winfield was caught off guard when released by the Vikings (StarTribune.com).
Pittsburgh Steelers lose Mike Wallace but retain Larry Foote and Plaxico Burress (Tribune-Review).
Recent free-agent losses could mean the Baltimore Ravens keep Ed Reed (Baltimore Sun).
Charles Woodson visits the San Francisco 49ers (NFL.com).
The Cleveland Browns are one of the early winners on Day One of free agency (Yahoo.com).
CLEVELAND -- Forward Alexis Rogers had 11 points and nine rebounds as Bowling Green held on to defeat Western Michigan, 55-53, Wednesday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference Tournament women's quarterfinal at The Q. The fifth-seeded Falcons (22-9) advanced to the MAC tournament semifinals for the 10th consecutive season. They avenged a 55-54 loss Feb. 10 in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Broncos (11-20) played their...
CLEVELAND -- Forward Alexis Rogers had 11 points and nine rebounds as Bowling Green held on to defeat Western Michigan, 55-53, Wednesday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference Tournament women's quarterfinal at The Q.
The fifth-seeded Falcons (22-9) advanced to the MAC tournament semifinals for the 10th consecutive season. They avenged a 55-54 loss Feb. 10 in Kalamazoo, Mich.
The Broncos (11-20) played their first tourney game in Cleveland since 2008.
WMU, which trailed by 18 at the break, pulled within 43-39 when Marquisha Harris made a jumper with 6:40 left.
BGSU's Miriam Justinger scored the game's next six on two layups and two free throws. The points came in a span of 44 seconds. Immediately after the free throws, she was subbed out.
The Broncos kept scratching. They trailed, 54-51, and possessed the ball with 1:25 remaining but lost control on the low block. After a BGSU shot-clock violation, the Broncos made a layup.
BGSU committed another shot-clock violation with 14 seconds to play, giving WMU an opportunity to win it. BGSU's double-team out top forced a double-dribble. BGSU made one free throw, then WMU lost control of the ball racing up the court as the horn sounded.
The Falcons led at halftime, 37-19. They went 14-of-30 from the field; WMU was 8-of-27.
Rogers went 4-of-7 from the field and scored nine in 11 minutes. She had one foul.
The Broncos took a 6-2 lead within the first two minutes. That was as good as it got for them in the half.
BGSU crafted a 9-0 run for an 11-6 advantage with 15:19 remaining. WMU pulled within 17-13 before BGSU took control. Jill Stein's free throw with 1:45 left gave BGSU a 32-16 lead.
After Falcons forward Allison Papenfuss scored with seven seconds left, WMU hustled down the court and thought it had beaten the buzzer with a layup. A video review took the two points off the board.
