Sports: MSU on the Skids!

Michigan State lost their third straight to fall to 3-4 in the Big Ten, as Nebraska opened up a big lead and hung on for a 72-71 win last night at the Breslin Center. Denzel Valentine made an incredible shot to pull within one, but then missed a shot just before the buzzer.  The Spartans trailed by eight late in the game, but pulled within two with 45.8 seconds to go when Eron Harris connected on a 3-pointer.  MSU hosts Maryland on Saturday…..5:30pm on WBCK.

Michigan Basketball

Michigan beat Minnesota 74-69.  Zak Irvin had 19 points and 11 rebounds.  Michigan overcame uncharacteristically poor shooting to hold off the Gophers, shooting 9 of 31 from 3-point range.  The Wolverines (14-5, 4-2 Big Ten) led by as many as 15 in the first half.   Michigan plays at Nebraska on Saturday afternoon.

Pistons

The Pistons beat Rockets 123-114 in Houston.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris each scored 22 points.  Andre Drummond setting an NBA record by missing 23 free throws.  Drummond set a career high and franchise record by attempting 36 free throws on a night he was intentionally fouled 21 times.   Drummond finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Pistons play in New Orleans tonight, at Denver Nuggets on Saturday night and finish the trip in Utah on Monday.

Red Wings

The Red Wings lost to the Blues 2-1.  Blues Brian Elliott came within 2:13 of becoming the first goalie in 69 games to shut out the Red Wings, but Henrik Zetterberg spoiled his bid with a power-play goal through Justin Abdelkader's screen.  Detroit pulled Petr Mrazek with two minutes left, but their momentum was destroyed when Dylan Larkin took a penalty with 58 seconds to play. Mrazek finished with 18 saves.  The Red Wings play in Buffalo on Friday night.

KCC Women Win; Men Lose

KCC’s men’s team lost to LCC, 97-65 as the Bruins fall to 0-5 in the Conference.

The KCC women’s team beat LCC, 51-46.  D"Erika Varenhorst had 29Points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks for the Lady Bruins.

Boys Basketball

Battle Creek Central beat St. Joseph 61-43 on the road last night.   Juan Warren led the 6-5 Bearcats with 13 points and seven rebounds. Julieon Cooper had 13.

Prairie Heights 58, Bronson 51.

Tonight: Homer at Union City, Jonesville at Athens.  Friday Night: Harper Creek at Marshall….7:30 on WBCK.

Girls Basketball

St. Joseph beat Battle Creek Central, 51-35.

Athens 43, Quincy 28.  Jillayne Wheeler had 13 points and 5 steals.

Tonight: Jackson Christian at St. Philip, Cassopolis at Bronson, Burr Oak at Climax-Scotts, Tekonsha at Hillsdale Academy

Wrestling

Lakeview won the quad match at Battle Creek Central, beating Portage Northern and Portage Central.   The Bearcats lost to the Portage teams.

Harper Creek split at Jackson Lumen Christi, beating Pennfield and losing to Parma Western.  Pennfield went 0-2 at the match.

NFL

This Sunday, New England is at Denver at 3pm, and Arizona is at Carolina at 6:40pm in the Conference Championship games, to see who plays in Super Bowl 50.

Lions

The Detroit Lions' offseason shakeup has now hit the strength and conditioning staff. New GM Bob Quinn has elected to fire several members of that department, including Jason Arapoff, according to the Detroit Free Press. Arapoff had been with the franchise 15 years, and most recently served as the club's coordinator of physical development. Ted Rath, Detroit's assistant strength coach, was also let go according to the report.

Tigers Sign Free Agent Outfielder Upton

The Tigers made it official Wednesday and signed free-agent outfielder Justin Upton to a six-year contract.  Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Al Avila says “Justin can hit for power, gets on base, scores runs, and provides us with another productive bat in our lineup.”  The 28 year old Upton was named to the National League All-Star Team for the third last season and was one of five players in the majors to finish the season with 85-or-more runs scored, 25-or-more doubles, 25-or-more home runs and 15-or-more stolen bases.  In nine seasons with the Diamondbacks, Braves, and Padres, Upton is a. 271 career hitter.

Upton currently resides in Scottsdale, AZ, with his wife, Ashley, and their daughter, Sydnee.  To create room for Upton on the 40-man roster, the Tigers have designated the contact of infielder Jefry Marte for assignment.  Upton will wear jersey number 8 for the Tigers.

Tigers

Thursday marks 29 Days until pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland.

The Associated Press (AP) and Michigan Radio Network contributed to this report.