Sports: Pistons Pummel the Lakers, 121-102

The Pistons beat the Lakers 121-102 on Wednesday night. It was the final scheduled appearance at The Palace for the Lakers, since the Pistons are set to move downtown next season.  The Pistons led 56-50 at halftime and broke the game open in the third quarter. Detroit went on an 11-0 run to take an 82-61 lead.  Andre Drummond had 24 points and 17 rebounds.  Jon Leuer scored 20 points for the Pistons, who have won four of five. Tobias Harris added 19 points.  With the win, the Pistons (25-28) re-take sole possession of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.  The Pistons host the Spurs on Friday night.

Women’s Basketball

Number 21 Michigan beat Purdue 72-62 on Wednesday for its fifth straight victory.  Kiser Gondrezick hit four 3-pointers for a career-high 25 points.   The Wolverines are 20-5, 9-2 Big Ten.

Men’s College Basketball

KCC lost to Muskegon Community College, 97-68.

The MSU Spartans head home on Saturday to play the Iowa Hawkeyes.   Broadcast time 5pm on 95.3 WBCK.

Red Wings

The Red Wings start a road trip in Washington tonight.

Wrestling

Harper Creek won another District Championship, their second straight.  They beat Battle Creek Central 69-6 and Gull Lake 48-20.  Harper Creek (17-10) advances to the February 15^th regional at Stevensville Lakeshore High School, where it will face the winner of the Coldwater district.

Athens won the district after beating Tekonsha (54-6) and Galesburg-Augusta (48-24). The Rams beat Union City (42-18) to reach the district final. Athens will wrestle the winner of the Maple Valley district next Wednesday.

Climax-Scotts/Martin co-op won its district by beating Bloomingdale (47-28) and Gobles (43-27) in the final. Climax-Scotts/Martin will wrestle the winner of the Watervliet district next Wednesday.

Girls Basketball

Saugatuck 48, Delton Kellogg 47 in overtime.

Tonight: Jonesville at Athens.

Paw Paw Redskins

The Paw Paw School Board has voted to keep the Redskin name and image as their mascot.  The board voted 4-3 late Wednesday to keep the mascot. Supporters for keeping the mascot say the name is not used in a derogatory way and is a respected identifier for the community.  They say changing the name is an issue being pushed by outsiders who have no stake in the community.

Tigers/MLB

The Royals have finalized their two-year, $16 million contract with Jason Hammel, who joins the starting rotation following the death of Yordano Ventura in a car accident last month. Hammel was 15-10 with a 3.83 ERA for the World Series-champion Chicago Cubs last season.

Only 4 days until pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland Florida.