The Pelicans are on the brink of elimination after falling behind early last night and never recovering, losing 112-97 to the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their playoff series. The Pels had more turnovers than assists and trailed by as many as 18. Brandon Ingram scored 22 points and had five turnovers…
Cut 18 (18) “ …we’ll be fine.”
The Pelicans will look to force a game seven when the two teams meet tomorrow night in New Orleans. Tip time is at 6:30.

NCAA president Mark Emmert is stepping down after a 12-year run as the leader of the governing board of college athletics.

Last night in New Orleans, the UNO baseball team upset 22nd ranked LSU nine to four. It’s the largest margin of victory for the Privateers over the Tigers since 1986. Ty Floyd took the loss, while sophomore right-hander Beau Blanchard from New Iberia struck out six over 7.2 innings for the win.

Also last night, third-ranked Southern Miss defeated Southeastern Louisiana nine to four as the Golden Eagles won their 15th straight game.

Northwestern State scored four runs in the sixth inning and defeated Grambling eight to three. ULM held on to beat McNeese eight to seven. Carson Jones drove in a career-high six runs.

We are on the eve of the NFL draft. Former LSU cornerback Derek Stingley could be a top ten pick, despite only playing ten games over the last two seasons. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says health questions will follow Stingley until he proves he can stay on the field…
cut 17 (16) “…NFL season”

The stakes continue to get higher for the New Orleans Pelicans with tonight’s game five versus the Phoenix Suns. History says the winner of game five goes on to win the series 85 percent of the time, and a loss tonight would also mean the Pels would have to win back-to-back games against the Suns, something that hasn’t happened in this series so far, and happened only four times to Phoenix all season long.

Pelicans forward Herb Jones was assessed a flagrant foul Tuesday afternoon for pushing Chris Paul during game four in what has been a physical and emotional series. The rookie has been tasked with harassing Paul defensively and seemed to frustrate the future Hall of Famer. Pels guard CJ McCollum says Jones is the right man for the job.

Cut 17 (19) “…the length.”

Game time is 9 pm.

—

LSU baseball looks for its fifth consecutive win and a season sweep of its series with UNO tonight at Privateer Park. The Tigers are 27-12 overall this season, and sit third in the SEC West standings at 10-8. It hasn’t been a smooth ride to this point, but LSU is still in position to make a late push in the conference standings. Coach Jay Johnson says his team has battled all year, and likes how they’ve handled the ups and downs.

Cut 19 (18) “…what’s next.”

You can catch the game starting at 6:30 pm on ESPN-plus.

—

In other action around the state, Southeastern will try to end fourth-ranked Southern Mississippi’s school record-tying 14-game win streak in Hammond tonight. UL-Monroe visits McNeese looking for a split in their season series, and Tulane is on the road to face South Alabama.

The Pelicans look to take a 3 games to 2 lead over the Suns on the road tonight in Game 5 of their Western Conference playoff series. Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas grab the headlines, but Pelicans rookie Herb Jones has quickly made a name for himself this postseason. Jones leads all rookies in minutes during the playoffs and has had to guard nearly every player on the Suns’ roster. McCollum says he’s never seen a rookie quite like Herb.

Cut 16 (19) “…get from him.”

Phoenix’s Devin Booker has been ruled out for Game 5. Tip-off is set for 9 pm.

—

In other playoff news, the Boston Celtics finished their sweep of the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors extended their series against Philadelphia after beating the 76ers, 103-88.

—

Coming off of their sweep of Missouri this past weekend, the LSU Tigers have won four in a row heading into tonight’s contest with intrastate foe UNO. Coach Jay Johnson says the Tigers are still improving, but he liked the way they handled themselves at the plate and in the field against Mizzou.

Cut 18 (18) “…keep working.”

Opening pitch is at 6:30 pm from Privateer Park on ESPN-plus.

—

Southeastern hosts third-ranked Southern Miss tonight. The Golden Eagles have won 14 straight since a 4-2 loss to Louisiana Tech back on April 2^nd. McNeese welcomes UL-Monroe for the second game of their home-and-home series. The Warhawks won 4-3 at home last week.`

The Pelicans look to win another playoff game on the road tonight as they face Phoenix in Game Five of their playoff series. Rookie forward Herb Jones will need to play well again. In Game Four, Jones blocked three shots, all of them coming on three-point attempts, making him the only player over the last two seasons to accomplish that feat. Pelicans CJ McCollum says there isn’t an area of weakness in Jones’ defensive arsenal…
cut 17 (19) “….the length”
And the Pelicans will not have to worry about Suns all-star Devin Booker, he’s been ruled out for tonight’s game which will tip-off at 9 PM at the Footprint Center.

LSU’s sweep of Missouri didn’t result in the Tigers making a big jump in the baseball polls. They moved up to three spots in the Coaches poll to number 20 and they are still not ranked by Baseball America. LSU is 27-12 overall, 10-and-8 in the SEC and Coach Jay Johnson likes how his team has handled the ups and downs of this season…
cut 19 (18) “….what’s next”
The Tigers are in New Orleans tonight to face UNO on ESPN-plus.

In other action tonight, Southeastern Louisiana hosts third-ranked Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles have won 14 in a row since beating Louisiana Tech on April 3rd.

McNeese, who is coming off a sweep over Southeastern, hosts ULM tonight. The Warhawks dropped two of three this past weekend to Appalachian State.

The Pelicans and Suns are all tied at two games apiece after New Orleans dominated the second half, outscoring Phoenix by 17 points on their way to a 118 to 103 victory. Brandon Ingram had 30 points to lead New Orleans. But the biggest story of the night was the Pels’ defense on Suns star Chris Paul, who was held to four points and turned it over three times. It got testy between C-P-3 and Pelicans rookie Jose Alvarado, who says it’s just basketball…

Cut 15 (11) “…difficult for him”

The series shifts back to Phoenix for Game 5 on Tuesday, with Game 6 in New Orleans on Thursday.

—

The USFL’s New Orleans Breakers kept up the Crescent City’s dominance over Tampa Bay with a 34-3 win over the Bandits on Sunday afternoon in Birmingham to improve to 2-0. Kyle Sloter threw for two touchdowns in the win.

—

After getting swept on the road at Arkansas, LSU baseball returned home this past weekend to sweep Missouri, allowing the Tigers to climb to third in the SEC West standings. Coach Jay Johnson likes the look of his line-up with freshman Josh Pearson leading off…

Cut 20 (22) “…this weekend”

LSU hosts UNO on Tuesday before welcoming 16^th-ranked Georgia this weekend.

—

LSU women’s hoops has added another signee. 6-2 wing Esmery Martinez transfers to Baton Rouge after three seasons at West Virginia. Martinez posted 25 double-doubles for the Mountaineers, averaging 10 points and nine rebounds over 87 games.

Trailing by two at halftime, the eighth-seeded Pelicans outscored top-seeded Phoenix 69-52 in the second half on their way to a 118-103 victory on Sunday night to even up their opening-round series at two games each. Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 30 points, becoming the first player in franchise history to reach that mark in three straight playoff games.

Cut 13 (13) “…look good”

Ingram is the fifth leading scorer in the postseason, averaging 29.8 points per game. Game five of the series is Tuesday night with game six back in New Orleans on Thursday. Ticket prices are already skyrocketing with courtside seats going for almost $14-hundred dollars on the secondary market.

—

LSU and Louisiana Tech held spring games on Saturday and both schools are undecided at starting quarterback. In Ruston, TCU transfer Matthew Downing, redshirt senior Parker McNeil and freshman Landry Lyddy are competing to be Q-B 1. Bulldogs coach Sonny Cumbie says it would be hard to name a starter right now

Cut 16 (06) “…have to do that today.”

Going into spring, many believed it was between Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels to be the starting quarterback. But Garrett Nussmeier showed he should be considered as well as he threw for a game-high 136 yards and a touchdown. Following the spring game, Tigers Coach Brian Kelly admitted there’s less clarity on who will be the starter…

Cut 17 (17) “…on the team”

—

The Pelicans evened their playoff series with the Suns at two games a piece by dominating the second half outscoring Phoenix by 17 points on their way to a 118 to 103 victory. Brandon Ingram had 30 points to lead New Orleans. Jonas Valanciunas had 26 points and 15 rebounds and C-J McCollum added 18 points. Suns star Chris Paul was held to four points and he turned it over three times and it got testy between C-P-3 and Pelicans rookie Jose Alvarado, who says it’s just basketball…
cut 15 (11) “….difficult for him”
The series shifts back to Phoenix for Game 5 on Tuesday and Game six will be back in New Orleans on Thursday, the same night as the first round of the NFL draft.

After sweeping Missouri over the weekend, LSU baseball is in third place in the SEC West with a ten and eight record. The Ragin Cajuns are in third place in the Sun Belt after sweeping Georgia State. Louisiana Tech dropped a series against Middle Tennessee and falls four games back of Southern Miss for first place. Nicholls and McNeese are tied for first place in the Southland. Grambling is a half-game back of Prairie View A-and-M for first place in the SWAC West division after sweeping Alcorn State, scoring 67 runs in the process.

At LSU’s spring game, sophomore wide receiver Jack Bech was one of the stars as he caught two touchdown passes. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly calls Bech deceptive…
cut 18 (20) “….that today”

I’m Erik Piccoli and This Louisiana Radio Network Sportscast is brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com, Louisiana’s access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home….

The Pelicans battled last night, but Suns point guard Chris Paul was fantastic in the fourth quarter again as he scored 19 of his 28 points in the final 12 minutes as Phoenix dribbled past New Orleans 114 to 111. The Suns also got a big night from Deandre Ayton (A-ton) who had a playoff career high 28 points and 17 rebounds. Brandon Ingram had 34 points for the Pels, but it was not enough. New Orleans will try even the series at two games apiece on Sunday when the two teams meet again in the Smoothie King Center.

Spring football games take place in Baton Rouge and Ruston today. A lot of attention will be on the quarterbacks during LSU’s spring game which gets underway at 1 PM. Louisiana Tech’s spring game begins at 11 AM.

Louisiana Radio Network sports.
______________________________________________________________
In college baseball, there were three walk-off wins involving Lousiaina teams and a perfect game last night. LSU’s Cade Doughty slammed a single into left center field to score the winning run in the tenth inning as the Tigers defeated Missouri four to three to take the series. LSU will go for the sweep this afternoon.

Kade Morris mashed a grand slam in the eleventh inning as McNeese defeated Southeastern Louisiana seven to three. Gary Rowlett drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as Northwestern State defeated Houston Baptist four to three.

Grambling State’s standout pitcher Shemar Page threw a perfect game as the Tigers trounced Alcorn State 16 to nothing. Page struck out 13 and it goes down as the 34th perfect game in NCAA Division One history.

Also last night, the Ragin Cajuns defeated Georgia State five to four, Appalachian State downed ULM five to one and Middle Tennessee knocked off Louisiana Tech seven to three.

This sportscast was brought to you by tele-leaf-dot-com, I’m Erik Piccoli Louisiana Radio Network sports.

The New Orleans Pelicans will be looking to take a two games to one lead over the Phoenix Suns in their best-of-seven opening-round playoff series tonight. Game three is typically pivotal, with the victor going on to claim the series 77 percent of the time. Pelicans guard CJ McCollum has stressed to his teammates the importance of taking care of business.

Cut 18 (15) “…of this game.”

Rebounding has been key to the Pelicans’ success, as they have beaten the Suns on the glass by 15 boards per game. Forward Trey Murphy says that’s just what they do.

Cut 21 (13) “…too different.”

Tip-off is set for 8:30 pm.

—

Brian Kelly makes his unofficial debut at Tiger Stadium tomorrow when the National L Club Spring Game kicks off at 1 pm. Rather than a traditional scrimmage, it will be offense versus defense. There are plenty of plot lines to follow, from the quarterback position…where Jayden Daniels and Myles Brennan fight for the starting spot, to a new-look defense and new faces all over on both sides of the ball. The Tigers are a work in progress but fans will get their opportunity to see what the new LSU could look like this fall.

—

LSU baseball continues its series with Missouri tonight at The Box. The Tigers topped Mizzou 5-3 in game one behind seven strong innings from Ma’Khail Hilliard and two home runs from Jacob Berry. Blake Money takes the mound for the opening pitch at 6:30 pm.

—

Series starting tonight include Tulane hosting East Carolina, UL at Georgia State, App State visits UL-Monroe, Southeastern and McNeese tangle in Lake Charles, Northwestern State welcomes Houston Baptist, Nicholls travels to Incarnate Word…while Southern is at Texas Southern and Grambling hosts Alcorn State.

—

The New Orleans Pelicans look to go up two games to one in their best-of-seven series with the Phoenix suns tonight in front of a sold-out crowd at the Smoothie King Center. All-Star guard Devin Booker is likely out for the remainder of the series, a major blow for the top-seeded Suns. Willie Green says Phoenix, which went 8-6 without Booker this season, is still very dangerous.

Cut 17 (17) “…as such.”

—

At the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore earned an eagle on 18 for an opening-round record-tying score of 12-under 60. Or so they thought. Patrick Cantlay, the world’s fourth-ranked player knocked in a 3-foot birdie moments later, giving him and reigning Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele the new record with a 59 heading into today’s second round.

—

Plenty of questions surround the LSU defense heading into tomorrow’s spring game. There are a lot of new names in the defensive secondary at DBU. Safety Joe Foucha transferred in from Arkansas and he says they’ll need the summer to bond…

Cut 20 (19) “…as one”

—

LSU baseball picked up a much-needed victory, topping Missouri 5-3 last night in the first game of their three-game set. Jacob Berry smacked two home runs, giving him 12 on the season, and Ma’Khail Hilliard gave up two runs over seven innings to improve to 4-0.

—

Series starting tonight include Tulane hosting East Carolina, UL at Georgia State, App State visits UL-Monroe, Southeastern and McNeese tangle in Lake Charles, Northwestern State welcomes Houston Baptist, Nicholls travels to Incarnate Word…while Southern is at Texas Southern and Grambling hosts Alcorn State.

—