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EspañolChampions Again: WVU hockey captures its first CHMA championship since 2014 behind a statement weekend at Hope Gas Ice Pavilion
Mar. 1---- Copy Link — Facebook — LinkedIn — Share on X MORGANTOWN—West Virginia University's club Division I hockey team completed a historic weekend, capturing the CHMA championship for the first time since 2014, after Friday night's 7-3 comeback victory over Robert Morris, at the newly opened Hope Gas Ice Pavilion inside Mylan Park.
A packed crowd of students and community members filled the 1, 200-seat arena, creating a postseason atmosphere that carried through the weekend.
These photos capture the defining moments of that momentum shift—hard edge work across the full NHL-size surface, physical battles in tight space, and the eruption along the Mountaineers bench as the comeback took shape. The energy inside the Pavilion reflected more than a single victory ; it marked the resurgence of a program that has now returned to the top of the conference for the first time in over a decade.
WVU Hockey has punched their tickets to nationals in St. Louis next month.
Queta Shines as Celtics Reach 40 Wins
Neemias Queta dominated against the Philadelphia 76ers, posting career highs with 27 points and 17 rebounds while adding three blocks without committing a single turnover in 27 minutes. The Portuguese center shot 10-for-14 from the field and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, impressing teammate Jaylen Brown who called it the best game of Queta's career.
The Celtics improved to 40-20 on the season with the victory, continuing their strong play with wins in 5 of their last 6 games. Jaylen Brown also contributed with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Derrick White added 21 points as Boston secured another win in their pursuit of Eastern Conference supremacy.
La Liga rocked by new racist abuse scandal involving Elche and Espanyol players
Following the recent Vinicius Junior-Gianluca Prestianni case, a second La Liga player has now accused a fellow professional of racist abuse. The alleged incident took place at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, where Elche and Espanyol played out a 2-2 draw on Sunday afternoon.
In the second half, the match was stopped after Omar El Hilali informed referee Iosu Galech Apezteguía that an anti-immigrant slur had been directed at him by Rafa Mir. As per Diario AS, the incident was noted in the referee report that was published post-match.
“In the 78th minute, RCD Espanyol’s number 23 player, Omar el Hilali, told me that Elche’s number 10, Rafael Mir Vicente, addressed him in the following terms: “you came in a boat”, which could not be heard by any of the members of the refereeing team. Consequently, I proceeded to activate the protocol against racism, which is why the match was stopped for 3 minutes.”
Image via Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images
La Liga will now open an investigation into the matter, given that they have received the referee’s report and minutes. They will seek to analyse the testimonies of players and coaches, both affected and witnesses of what happened. In addition, the images and recordings of the match will be used to analyse the incident between El Hilali and Mir.
Manolo Gonzalez reacts – “It is a racist insult”
After the match, Espanyol head coach Manolo Gonzalez stood fully behind El Hilali when speaking to the media.
“I understand that it is a racist insult. Omar had never stopped a game; I understand that it will be true. I’m not sure what happened, but from what I’ve understood it’s Rafa Mir who says something to him. The referee told us that he applied the anti-racist protocol.
“Just as racism must come out of football and society, not only that: all insults. We focus on racism and it’s very important, but there are a lot of insults in football that need to be eliminated. They cause very unpleasant situations.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder cruise past Dallas Mavericks without Cooper Flagg
DALLAS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sat out the entire overtime period of OKC's win over Denver on Friday.
The superstar guard was limited to 34 regulation minutes in what marked his first game back from a nine-game absence due to an abdominal strain.
But as the final minutes of OKC's 100-87 home win over Dallas unfolded on Sunday, Gilgeous-Alexander didn't watch the blowout from the bench. He had some time spare.
Gilgeous-Alexander checked back into the game as his team held an 18-point lead with 7:15 remaining, and he didn't check out until there were only 47.7 seconds on the clock. He delivered the finishing touches and ended the night with 30 points, five assists and four steals in 33 minutes.
SGA broke Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record scoring more than 20 points for the 59th straight road game.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
Order new book on Thunder's run to NBA title
Chet Holmgren was a frustrating force of nature
Dwight Powell bounced right back up after being dropped by Chet Holmgren, who blew past him on the perimeter and finished a layup midway through the first quarter.
The veteran big man was clearly fine, although his ego appeared to be bruised. And when Holmgren sank an 18-footer over him on OKC's next possession, adding insult to the internal injury, Powell voiced his frustration to the officials while jogging up the floor. He quickly received a technical foul.
Holmgren gave Dallas' entire team fits. From finishing at the rim to extending his range to crashing the glass to showing off his mobility, the 7-foot-1 forward caused problems on both ends.
Holmgren stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 28 minutes. He went 8 for 14 from the field (1 for 5 from deep).
Jared McCain stays ready
Jared McCain didn't stay seated as a timeout unfolded late in the first quarter.
The sophomore guard was shuffling his feet from side to side underneath the rim. And when he checked into the game to start the second quarter, he wasn't just warm. He was red hot.
McCain erupted for nine points in his first 10 minutes of action, and he did damage from all three levels. He got downhill for layups, cashed in from the mid range and also spaced the floor with his 3-point shooting.
McCain ultimately ended the night with 11 points and one assist in 22 minutes off the bench. It was yet another impressive performance by a player who has already acclimated himself since being traded from Philadelphia to OKC at the deadline.
That's easier said than done when joining a championship team, especially at only 22 years old.
Isaiah Joe woke OKC up from deep
As it entered the fourth quarter, OKC needed to wake up from behind the arc. It had only gone 6 for 29 (20.7%) in that department, and no player had multiple makes.
But that's when it got a cup of Joe.
Isaiah Joe checked into the game and immediately provided a shot of adrenaline, sinking two 3-pointers in the first two minutes and change. The first came off the catch, as he curled around a screen by Isaiah Hartenstein before drilling a 26-footer. And the second came off the dribble, as he lost his defender with a stepback before connecting on a 25-footer.
Joe is arguably on the best shooting streak of his sixth-year career. He shot 50% from deep on 7.2 attempts per game in the month of February.
Joe then began March by posting 14 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench against Dallas. He went 5 for 9 from the field (3 for 7 from deep).
Tip-ins
∎ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 123 consecutive games. That ranks second in NBA history, only trailing Wilt Chamberlain (126 games).
∎ Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 59 consecutive road games. That's the longest streak in NBA history.
∎ OKC was without Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain and left ankle sprain), Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) and Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain).
∎ Dallas was without Marvin Bagley III (neck sprain), Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Miles Kelly (not with the team), Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Naji Marshall (right finger contusion) and P.J. Washington (left ankle sprain).
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Thunder at Bulls
TIPOFF: 7 p.m. Tuesday at United Center in Chicago (FanDuel Sports Network)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder cruise past Dallas Mavericks
Rockets Predicted to Sign Tyus Jones for Playoff Push
Nico Martinez of Fadeaway World identifies the Houston Rockets as the ideal landing spot for Tyus Jones. The veteran point guard was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the deadline before requesting his release to join a contender.
Despite struggling this season with averages of 3.1 points and 2.6 assists, Jones is viewed as a reliable floor general who can provide the ball-handling and defensive stability the Rockets have lacked since losing Fred VanVleet.