UNC Holds Off Gonzaga, Giving Roy Williams Third Title
The Gonzaga Bulldogs contended the entire night in their first National Title Game, but in the end, it was the team that has been there and done that which cut down the nets. The North Carolina Tar Heels scored the final eight points to hold off the Bulldogs, 71-65, giving head coach Roy Williams his third National Title. Justin Jackson had the go-ahead three-point play late, as the Heels were led by Joel Berry II's 22 points. Berry was given the Final Four Most Outstanding Player Award after the big victory. The win helps UNC move past their heartbreaking loss in last year's title game against Villanova, where Kris Jenkins' buzzer-beater took them down. There's no denying that it was an all-around sloppy game, including North Carolina shooting just 4-of-27 from three-point range and 26-of-73 overall. Jackson finished the night with 16 points despite going 0-for-9 from beyond the arc, as his team actually shot worse than their dismal performance in Saturday's win over Oregon. Even with the poor shooting, the Heels' defense held their opponents in check enough to cut down the nets for the sixth time in school history.
Orioles, Indians Record Wild Wins on Opening Day
The first two days of baseball are in the books, and it sure was an exciting way to kick off the 2017 campaign. On Monday, the Orioles and Blue Jays renewed their rivalry, going 11 innings before Mark Trumbo ended the game with his first big fly of the season for a 3-2 Baltimore victory. The walk-off was the O's seventh straight season opening victory, as Trumbo connected with two outs off of reliever Jason Grilli. This contest was a rematch of last year's AL Wild Card playoff, which was won in extras by Toronto. Tyler Wilson earned the win for Baltimore after throwing one shutout inning in extras. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians began their title defense with an impressive rally on the road, as they came back to take down the Texas Rangers, 8-5, on Monday night. Edwin Encarnacion did not take long to have an impact with The Tribe, tying the game with a home run in the eighth. Abraham Almonte broke the tie in the ninth with an RBI single, helping Cleveland rally from a 5-1 deficit. Rougned Odor homered twice for Texas to give them the early lead, while Carlos Gomez added a 461-foot long ball in the loss. Encarnacion continued his recent dominance against the Rangers, as he has six home runs in his past nine games against them. Cody Allen recorded the save in the ninth, despite surrendering a triple to Elvis Andrus.
Canadiens Clinch Atlantic Division
The Montreal Canadiens clinched a playoff spot about a week ago, and now they are Atlantic Division champs just one season after missing the playoffs in shocking fashion. Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and had an assist, giving the Canadiens a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Monday night. Charlie Lindgren had 31 saves in his second NHL start, while getting goal support from Andrew Shaw and Alexander Radulov as well. Lehkonen had the go-ahead goal just 1:27 into the third period, helping his team to a rare road win in Florida, as they were 0-2-1 in their last three visits. Jonathan Marchessault had the lone goal for the Panthers, while Reto Berra had 27 saves in the loss. Marchessault is the first Panther with 30 goals in a season since David Booth had 31 in 2008-09. Montreal visits Buffalo next on Wednesday, while the Panthers stay home to host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs contended the entire night in their first National Title Game, but in the end, it was the team that has been there and done that which cut down the nets. The North Carolina Tar Heels scored the final eight points to hold off the Bulldogs, 71-65, giving head coach Roy Williams his third National Title. Justin Jackson had the go-ahead three-point play late, as the Heels were led by Joel Berry II's 22 points. Berry was given the Final Four Most Outstanding Player Award after the big victory. The win helps UNC move past their heartbreaking loss in last year's title game against Villanova, where Kris Jenkins' buzzer-beater took them down. There's no denying that it was an all-around sloppy game, including North Carolina shooting just 4-of-27 from three-point range and 26-of-73 overall. Jackson finished the night with 16 points despite going 0-for-9 from beyond the arc, as his team actually shot worse than their dismal performance in Saturday's win over Oregon. Even with the poor shooting, the Heels' defense held their opponents in check enough to cut down the nets for the sixth time in school history.
Orioles, Indians Record Wild Wins on Opening Day
The first two days of baseball are in the books, and it sure was an exciting way to kick off the 2017 campaign. On Monday, the Orioles and Blue Jays renewed their rivalry, going 11 innings before Mark Trumbo ended the game with his first big fly of the season for a 3-2 Baltimore victory. The walk-off was the O's seventh straight season opening victory, as Trumbo connected with two outs off of reliever Jason Grilli. This contest was a rematch of last year's AL Wild Card playoff, which was won in extras by Toronto. Tyler Wilson earned the win for Baltimore after throwing one shutout inning in extras. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians began their title defense with an impressive rally on the road, as they came back to take down the Texas Rangers, 8-5, on Monday night. Edwin Encarnacion did not take long to have an impact with The Tribe, tying the game with a home run in the eighth. Abraham Almonte broke the tie in the ninth with an RBI single, helping Cleveland rally from a 5-1 deficit. Rougned Odor homered twice for Texas to give them the early lead, while Carlos Gomez added a 461-foot long ball in the loss. Encarnacion continued his recent dominance against the Rangers, as he has six home runs in his past nine games against them. Cody Allen recorded the save in the ninth, despite surrendering a triple to Elvis Andrus.
Canadiens Clinch Atlantic Division
The Montreal Canadiens clinched a playoff spot about a week ago, and now they are Atlantic Division champs just one season after missing the playoffs in shocking fashion. Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and had an assist, giving the Canadiens a 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers on Monday night. Charlie Lindgren had 31 saves in his second NHL start, while getting goal support from Andrew Shaw and Alexander Radulov as well. Lehkonen had the go-ahead goal just 1:27 into the third period, helping his team to a rare road win in Florida, as they were 0-2-1 in their last three visits. Jonathan Marchessault had the lone goal for the Panthers, while Reto Berra had 27 saves in the loss. Marchessault is the first Panther with 30 goals in a season since David Booth had 31 in 2008-09. Montreal visits Buffalo next on Wednesday, while the Panthers stay home to host the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
