Sports: Red Wings, Pistons win again.

The Detroit Red Wings beat the Dallas Stars 3-1 last night at Joe Louis Arena.  Dylan Larkin got the Wings on the board first, tying it at a goal each in the final minute of the opening period. Anthony Mantha scored the second goal in the second period. Steve Ott scored an empty-net goal to make it 3-1 with 1:03 remaining. Petr Mrazek stopped 34 shots for the Red Wings, who are 3-0-1 in their last four games for their best stretch in more than a month. The Red Wings play the Florida Panthers on Thursday at Joe Louis Arena.

Pistons

The Pistons beat the Charlotte Hornets 112-89 last night for their third straight win. Tobias Harris scored 24 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris each had 18 points. Ish Smith added 13 points while Detroit shot 49 percent from the field. The Pistons hadn't played since Saturday and looked much fresher throughout the game in snapping Charlotte's two-game winning streak. Pistons’ Center Andre Drummond was ejected from the game after elbowing Hornet’s Center Roy Hibbard in the head. Detroit will head to Boston tonight.

College Basketball

The Michigan State Spartans lost to the Duke Blue Devils 78-69 in the opener of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge last night. Eron Harris scored 14 points for Michigan State (4-4).  Playing their first game as an unranked team since March 2015, the Spartans had 18 turnovers and star freshman Miles Bridges was held to 11 points — six fewer than his team-leading average — on 4-of-13 shooting.

Hear the Tom Izzo Show tonight at 7 on WBCK.  State plays Oral Roberts on Saturday afternoon.

Tonight…Michigan will host Virginia Tech.

Western Michigan hosts North Carolina Wilmington.

CMU Wins

Marcus Keene matched a career-high with 36 points and Central Michigan pulled away early in the second half and cruised to a 91-81 victory over William & Mary on Tuesday night.

NCAA Football

Ohio State held firm at second in the College Football Playoff rankings, putting the Buckeyes in position to become the first team to be selected to the final four without winning its conference.  The second-to-last rankings were released Tuesday night and Alabama was No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Clemson and Washington. The final rankings and playoff pairings will be released Sunday.

Michigan dropped to five after losing to Ohio State. Wisconsin was sixth and Penn State was seventh. The Badgers and Nittany Lions will play for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis on Saturday.

WMU to MAC Championship Game

Western Michigan tries to stay undefeated as they take on Ohio U. in the MAC Championship game this Friday at Ford Field.  A win assures the Broncos a trip to the Cotton Bowl on January 2^nd.

In Division II Football….#2 Grand Valley State will host #15 Ferris State in a Division II Super Region 4 quarterfinal Saturday at 1pm in Allendale.

EMU to Bowl Game

Eastern Michigan is going to a bowl game for the first time since 1987.  The Popeyes Bahamas Bowl said Tuesday that the Eagles have accepted an invitation to the Dec. 23 game, where they will play Old Dominion in Nassau in a game aired on ESPN.

High School Basketball

Harper Creek beat St. Joseph 48-45 in girls’ basketball. Maddie Alexander with 13 points and 11 rebounds.  Jacey Bowers also added 13 points for Harper Creek.

Bellevue 67, Calhoun Christian 11. Bailey Whitcomb had 21 points, four assists and four steals.

Union City 46, Colon 30.  Autumn Carpenter with 18 points and nine rebounds

Olivet 63, Parma Western 42.  Teona Feldpausch had 13 points, 10 rebounds and four steals.

High School Basketball on WBCK starts this Monday as St. Philip travels to Athens.

Big Ten Awards

Michigan's Jabrill Peppers has been named the Big Ten's defensive player of the year as well as top linebacker and return specialist in a vote of coaches and media.

Other award winners announced Tuesday: Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State, defensive lineman of the year; Jourdan Lewis, Michigan, defensive back of the year; Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota, kicker of the year; Cameron Johnston, Ohio State, punter of the year.

Paul Chryst of Wisconsin was the coaches' selection for coach of the year; Penn State's James Franklin was the media's choice.

Lions
The NFC North leading Lions play at New Orleans on Sunday.  The Lions still have four games left after Sunday, the Bears and Packers at home, and the Giants and Cowboys on the road.

Comeback Players of the Year

Boston Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello has won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award, and Washington third baseman Anthony Rendon has received the NL honor. Porcello went 22-4 this season after a 9-16 year in 2015.

Michigan Support for OSU

Ohio State's dramatic victory over Michigan last weekend was the latest edition of one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports. But the Wolverines put aside any bitter feelings to show support after an attack that left 11 hurt on the Buckeyes' campus.  Michigan's official athletics account on Twitter posted the message, "Stay safe, Buckeyes" Monday morning. After Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith tweeted his thanks to the school, Michigan responded: "This is much bigger than a rivalry. #BuckeyeStrong."   Michigan cornerback Jourdan Lewis was one of several Wolverines who tweeted their support, writing, and “Sorry, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I pray no one is harmed!"