Overton’s Heroics Lift Auburn Past Tulsa in OT Thriller, Tigers Capture First NIT Championship

Kevin Overton delivers clutch shots in regulation and overtime as Auburn rallies to a dramatic 92-86 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

In a game defined by resilience, clutch shooting, and late-game chaos, the Auburn Tigers men's basketball captured the 2026 National Invitation Tournament championship with a thrilling 92-86 overtime victory over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's basketball on Sunday night.

At the center of it all was Kevin Overton.

With Auburn trailing in the final seconds of regulation, Overton drilled a game-tying 3-pointer with just eight seconds remaining, sending the championship game into overtime. Then, in a moment that will live in Auburn postseason lore, Overton buried a deep 40-footer in overtime to give the Tigers the separation they needed to secure the program’s first-ever NIT title.

“Trusting my work… I was ready for the moment,” Overton said after being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

The victory capped a rollercoaster night for Auburn, which built a commanding early lead, saw it evaporate during a second-half surge by Tulsa, and then regrouped under pressure to close out the game in extra time.

Auburn appeared in full control early, taking a 48-31 halftime lead behind hot shooting and suffocating defense. The Tigers extended that lead to 20 points early in the second half, but Tulsa stormed back with a stunning 22-2 run, flipping the game and forcing Auburn into a late-game scramble.

That’s when Overton—and Auburn’s composure—took over.

After Tulsa grabbed a late lead, Auburn responded with critical possessions down the stretch. Following a missed free throw and a defensive stop, the Tigers forced a five-second inbound violation, setting up the final play in regulation. Tahaad Pettiford found Overton in the corner, and the junior guard delivered the shot that changed everything.

Michigan, UConn Set for National Championship Showdown After Wolverines’ Dominant March Run

Dusty May’s Wolverines head to Indianapolis chasing the program’s first NCAA title since 1989 as a heavyweight clash with UConn awaits on college basketball’s biggest stage.

After tearing through the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a string of commanding wins, the Michigan Wolverines are headed to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Monday night showdown against UConn in a title-game matchup that brings together two of the sport’s biggest brands, hottest teams, and most compelling postseason storylines.

Michigan enters the championship game at 36-3 overall after a dominant season that included a Big Ten regular-season title, a No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and a march through the bracket that has turned the Wolverines into one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Ranked No. 3 nationally, Michigan has overwhelmed opponents with offensive firepower, depth, and pace, eclipsing 90 points in every NCAA Tournament game leading into the final.

That kind of consistency is rare this deep in March.

UCLA Dominates South Carolina to Capture First NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in Historic Fashion

Led by Gabriela Jaquez and a suffocating defense, the Bruins cap a 37-1 season with a commanding 79-51 title-game victory.

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball delivered a championship performance for the ages Sunday, dismantling the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball 79-51 to secure the program’s first-ever NCAA Women's Basketball Championship title.

From the opening tip, UCLA asserted total control—never trailing and showcasing the balance, depth, and defensive intensity that defined its near-perfect 37-1 campaign. The victory not only marks a historic milestone for the Bruins but also cements their place among the elite seasons in modern women’s college basketball.

Senior standout Gabriela Jaquez led the charge with 21 points on efficient shooting, setting the tone offensively while igniting transition opportunities. UCLA’s balanced attack proved overwhelming, with five players finishing in double figures, including Gianna Kneepkens (15 points), Lauren Betts (14 points, 11 rebounds), Charlisse Leger-Walker (10 points), and Kiki Rice (10 points).

Defensively, UCLA delivered a masterclass.

The Bruins suffocated South Carolina’s offense, holding the Gamecocks to just 25.7% shooting in the first half and forcing critical turnovers during a decisive third-quarter surge. UCLA outscored South Carolina 25-9 in that period, effectively turning a competitive game into a rout.

Anchored by Lauren Betts in the paint, UCLA controlled the glass and protected the rim, while its perimeter defense disrupted rhythm and forced contested looks. The Gamecocks, one of the nation’s most dominant teams all season, found no answers against the Bruins’ relentless pressure.

Head coach Cori Close, in her 15th season, guided UCLA to its first NCAA-era title—adding to the program’s 1978 AIAW championship and delivering a defining moment in her tenure. The victory also contributes to UCLA’s legacy as one of the most decorated athletic programs in the nation.

Trump Fumbles the Facts with Farmers

In a speech to what he called “the single largest gathering of American farmers that the White House has … ever had,” President Donald Trump distorted the facts on the estate tax, soybean exports, and more.

• Trump falsely claimed that “we saved 2 million American farms from extinction by virtually ending the unfair estate tax.” That’s roughly the total number of farms in the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said only about 1% of farms would have paid any estate tax even if Congress had not permanently extended provisions that were set to expire. Experts say few, if any, farms were saved from extinction.
• He wrongly claimed that “American soybeans are now being shipped to China in record amounts.” U.S. exports aren’t on track for a record this year, and a trade deal the administration announced last year doesn’t show record amounts, either.
• The president said that beef prices were “starting to come down,” but price data show little to no indication of that.
• He said “the number of cattle was way down” due to an environmental restriction that he “got rid of.” But the White House pointed to the Green New Deal, a nonbinding resolution that never passed.
• Trump said that $12 billion in aid provided to farmers was paid from increased tariff revenue, but the money came from the Commodity Credit Corporation, which gets regular appropriations from Congress.

The president spoke to farmers gathered on the South Lawn of the White House on March 27.

Hegseth Forces Early Exit of Army Chief Gen. Randy George Amid Ongoing Conflict and Pentagon Shake-Up

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removes Randy George as the United States Army chief of staff, accelerating leadership turnover during wartime operations

WASHINGTON | In a significant leadership shake-up at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Gen. Randy George to step down as chief of staff of the United States Army, cutting short his expected four-year tenure by more than a year.

The abrupt removal comes as U.S. military operations tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran enter a critical phase, raising questions about continuity of leadership during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.

In a brief statement, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed George’s immediate retirement, thanking him for decades of service while offering no additional details on the decision.

Leadership Turbulence at the Pentagon

George’s ouster marks the latest in a series of high-level military leadership changes under Hegseth during the early months of the current administration. The move follows prior removals or early retirements involving senior members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, signaling a broader effort to reshape the Pentagon’s leadership structure.

Space Force CDAO Chandra Donelson Departs, Leaving Lasting Impact on AI and Data Modernization Efforts

After spearheading generative AI integration and data transformation, Chandra Donelson exits the United States Space Force amid growing focus on warfighter decision advantage

WASHINGTON | Chandra Donelson, the United States Space Force’s chief data and artificial intelligence officer (CDAO), has announced her departure after a pivotal tenure marked by rapid modernization and expanded adoption of AI-driven capabilities.

Donelson, who assumed the role in 2023, played a central role in shaping the digital backbone of the Pentagon’s newest military branch. In a public statement, she emphasized her continued commitment to national security and the warfighter, noting that her work over the past two years has focused on enhancing decision advantage through data integration, AI deployment, and improved space domain awareness.

“Together, we have modernized legacy systems, advanced AI-enabled capabilities, and enhanced space domain awareness,” Donelson said, underscoring the operational importance of data in an increasingly contested space environment.

Savannah Guthrie’s Return to ‘Today’ Looms as NBC Faces Unprecedented On-Air Reality

As Savannah Guthrie prepares to rejoin Today amid her mother’s unresolved disappearance, NBC navigates a delicate balance between journalism, empathy, and ratings

NEW YORK | When Savannah Guthrie returns to Today on Monday, April 6, her reappearance will mark one of the most emotionally complex moments in modern broadcast television.

After a two-month absence following the still-unsolved disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, the veteran anchor steps back into a role that has long defined her career—while simultaneously becoming part of the very news cycle she once reported from a distance.

In an era where media personalities are increasingly intertwined with the stories they cover, Guthrie’s situation stands apart. Unlike previous anchor absences tied to illness or personal loss, her return unfolds against an ongoing criminal investigation with no resolution in sight.

A Return Without a Road Map

Inside NBC, producers and executives are reportedly preparing to “play it by ear,” crafting each broadcast with sensitivity to Guthrie’s emotional state while maintaining the editorial rigor expected of one of television’s most influential morning programs.

There is no established blueprint for how a journalist returns to the air while still actively living through a national news story. Industry observers suggest the show may open with a measured, personal acknowledgment from Guthrie—before pivoting back to its traditional format of headlines, interviews, and lifestyle segments.

The challenge is twofold: preserving the integrity of the broadcast while allowing space for the humanity of its anchor.

Kanye West’s SoFi Stadium Return Signals a Complicated Comeback: ‘Old Kanye’ Energy Meets a Polarized Legacy

At his first U.S. solo show since 2021, Kanye West delivers spectacle, nostalgia, and flashes of redemption in a high-stakes return to the spotlight

INGLEWOOD, Calif. | For an artist whose career has long blurred the line between brilliance and controversy, Kanye West — now widely known as Ye — staged a return as grand and polarizing as his legacy itself.

Performing his first U.S. solo concert since 2021 at SoFi Stadium, Ye delivered a two-hour spectacle that oscillated between artistic reinvention and nostalgic recall. Perched atop a massive half-orb centerpiece — a literal and symbolic “world stage” — the rapper-producer leaned into theatricality, punctuating his performance with fireworks, lasers, and meticulously choreographed production.

The sold-out crowd of nearly 70,000 suggested that despite years of controversy, public backlash, and self-inflicted reputational damage, Ye’s cultural gravity remains undeniable.

No. 4 Alabama Takes Down No. 1 Texas, Clinches Statement Series Win in Tuscaloosa

Power hitting and clutch pitching lift Alabama Crimson Tide softball past Texas Longhorns softball for first series win over a No. 1 team since 2016

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | In a defining early-season showdown, the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide softball delivered a statement victory Saturday, defeating No. 1 Texas Longhorns softball 7-4 to secure a marquee SEC series win at home.

With the series hanging in the balance, Alabama (35-3, 9-3 SEC) rose to the moment behind timely offense, dominant pitching, and an electric crowd at Rhoads Stadium. The win marks the program’s first series triumph over a top-ranked opponent since 2016—and its first at home against a No. 1 team since 2011.

Texas (32-4, 9-3 SEC) struck first with a second-inning solo home run, but Alabama wasted no time responding. Junior infielder Jena Young ignited the Tide offense with a three-run blast, flipping momentum instantly. Moments later, Alexis Pupillo added an RBI double, giving Alabama a lead it would never relinquish.

“We needed everyone,” said head coach Patrick Murphy. “It took all 21 players, the energy from nearly 4,000 fans, and two outstanding pitching performances to beat a team like Texas.”

Alabama’s offense showcased depth and discipline throughout the contest. Young finished 2-for-3 with a home run, while Pupillo, Audrey Vandagriff, and Kristen White each recorded multi-hit performances. Pupillo also extended her on-base streak to 34 consecutive games, continuing one of the nation’s most consistent offensive runs.

Auburn Softball Stumbles in SEC Opener, Falls 10-0 to No. 6 Arkansas After Costly Errors

Defensive miscues fuel unearned runs as the Auburn Tigers softball struggle offensively against Arkansas Razorbacks softball in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. | A promising start unraveled quickly for the Auburn Tigers softball on Saturday, as defensive lapses opened the door for No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks softball to secure a decisive 10-0 run-rule victory in five innings at Bogle Park.

In a game defined by missed opportunities and critical errors, Auburn (23-14, 2-8 SEC) allowed eight of Arkansas’ 10 runs to go unearned—turning what was initially a competitive matchup into a lopsided result.

“We had a couple of mistakes that led to big innings,” said co-head coach Chris Malveaux. “Little things like that leave the door open. We had some opportunities, but we’ve got to stay disciplined and not let one play snowball into multiple runs.”

Arkansas (31-5, 6-4 SEC) capitalized early and often. After manufacturing two runs in the second inning through situational hitting, the Razorbacks took full advantage of Auburn’s defensive breakdowns in the third and fourth innings. A pair of Tiger errors extended innings and led to an avalanche of unearned runs, including a three-run home run by Kailey Wyckoff that broke the game open.

Despite the scoreline, Auburn’s pitching showed flashes of resilience. Sophomore Ella Harrison (10-6) delivered a steady three-inning start, allowing just two earned runs while striking out two. Redshirt freshman Abby Herndon added two strikeouts in relief, but the damage from defensive miscues proved insurmountable.

Offensively, Auburn struggled to generate momentum against Arkansas’ pitching ace Robyn Herron. The Tigers were limited to just two hits—a third-inning single from Kylie Shaw and a fourth-inning double by Haven Roebuck—while leaving five runners stranded. Shaw continued her consistency at the plate, extending her reached-base streak to 10 consecutive games and reaching safely in 36 of 37 contests this season.

The loss underscores Auburn’s ongoing challenges in SEC play, where execution gaps are quickly magnified against elite competition. While the final margin may appear decisive, the early innings suggested a far tighter contest before defensive miscues shifted momentum entirely.

Auburn will look to regroup quickly as the series continues Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network. The Tigers aim to reset and respond before returning home to Jane B. Moore Field next weekend for a high-profile rivalry series against No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide softball during Alumni Weekend.

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-- By Masakela P. Rawls

© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.

LSU Gymnastics Dominates Baton Rouge Regional, Punches Ticket to NCAA Championships in Fort Worth

Perfect 10s, record-setting floor performance power LSU Tigers to 16th regional title and fourth straight championship appearance under Jay Clark

BATON ROUGE, La. | In a commanding postseason performance, the No. 2-seeded LSU Tigers surged past a competitive field to claim the 2026 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional Championship, solidifying their status as a national title contender and advancing to the NCAA Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth.

Fueled by precision, depth, and star power, LSU posted a meet-winning score of 197.825, outpacing Stanford Cardinal (197.225) and eliminating Michigan and Clemson from championship contention. The victory marks LSU’s 16th regional title and extends its streak to four consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.

Inside the electric atmosphere of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, LSU delivered when it mattered most—highlighted by two perfect 10.000 routines that underscored the program’s elite pedigree. Sophomore standout Kailin Chio dazzled on vault with a flawless score, while Kaliya Lincoln brought the crowd to its feet with a perfect floor routine—the first of her collegiate career.