Funkerstation » Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another vict

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Even with one of the nations best players on the floor, Ohio State was taken down in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament last season because the Buckeyes couldnt compete in the paint with Tennessees towering rebounders.This season, not only do the Buckeyes have All-American Kelsey Mitchell returning to anchor the lineup, theyve got some new bigs -- namely 6-foot-3 North Carolina transfer Stephanie Mavunga and 6-foot-4 freshman Tori McCoy, a five-star recruit and McDonalds All-American.Coach Kevin McGuff hopes they are among the missing pieces that will get No. 7 Ohio State deeper into the postseason.The chemistry is very good, the work ethic has been excellent, McGuff said. Its really nice to have the amount of players we have out there, and right now if we stay healthy -- knock on wood -- looks like we could have a deep team.Besides Mitchell, a 5-foot-8 junior guard who averaged 26 points a game last year, Ohio State returns two other starters, forward Alexa Hart (10.8 points per game, 7.8 rebounds) and guard Asia Doss (7 points, 2 rebounds). Shayla Cooper, a 6-foot-2 forward (13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds) and the teams lone senior, also provides experience inside. Mitchells twin sister, Chelsea, also returns as a bit player; their father, Mark, is an Ohio State assistant coach.Lost were Ohio States second-leading scorer last year, guard Ameryst Alston (18.3, 3.4), now a rookie with the WNBAs New York Liberty, as well as guard Cait Craft, a defensive stalwart and team leader.The Buckeyes open the season Nov. 11 against Duquesne.LOTS OF NEW FACESAdding to Ohio States depth are three transfers, who all sat out last year, and three freshmen who collected buckets of prep accolades.Mavunga transferred from North Carolina, where she averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game and earned All-ACC honors as a sophomore. Shell likely slot in at center.Guard Sierra Calhoun came from Duke and is expected to contribute immediately. Linnae Harper, a 5-foot-8 guard, transferred from Kentucky, where she was the only player under 6 feet among the top 10 rebounders in the Southeastern Conference in 2014-15.The three freshmen are five-star recruits that include guard Jensen Caretti, who was Ohios Miss Basketball; guard and Chicago native Kiara Lewis, who was the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year last season; and McCoy, who was ranked in the top 10 of the 2016 class. McGuff said all will see important minutes this season.Practice is very good for us because were very competitive, Harper said. With all of the talent from point guard to post, I think were going to have a full team this year, a lethal weapon.Mitchell said all the newcomers are meshing well -- and they all like to run.Everybody who talks about Ohio State talks about how fast we play, Mitchell said. All the people we brought onboard with us and the people who are on our bench are also players who love to get up and down the floor.MITCHELL URGED TO LEADMcGuff said Mitchell is the best player hes ever coached -- but she says shes not a natural leader. With the loss of Craft to graduation, McGuff is pushing Mitchell to step into that role, even getting her to take a leadership course at OSU.On the court, I think Ive become vocal with my teammates and helping them, leading by example and giving constructive criticism, Mitchell said. Im not one of those people that like to tell people what to do, but coach McGuff has put me in that role.McGuff said he can see the difference already.Shes talking more, shes more engaged, he said. Shes obviously a great kid and one of the hardest workers Ive ever been around. And shes a fierce competitor, but shes also got a good feel for the game and you see her sharing that more with her teammates.---Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacy Lakers Jerseys China . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. Lakers Jerseys 2019 . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/ . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Los Angeles Lakers Store . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Los Angeles Lakers Shirts . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. INDIANAPOLIS -- Maya Moore scored 11 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Minnesota Lynx pull away for an 82-75 victory over the Indiana Fever on Friday night.The Lynx (27-6) had already locked up home-court advantage throughout the postseason, and have won 12 of their last 14 and 12 straight against the playoff-bound Fever (16-17).Indianas Tamika Catchings, who announced she will retire after the season, had 11 points and four rebounds to stretch her career total to 3,309 and become the WWNBA career leading rebounder.dddddddddddd Marissa Coleman scored 19 points to lead the Fever, and Briann January added eight points to reach 2,000 for her career.The Lynx had a 59-58 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Janel McCarville hit a 17-foot jumper, sparking a 21-9 run to give the Lynx an 80-66 lead with 3:15 remaining. Moore scored 11 points during the span. ' ' '