Saint Francis will open the NAIA Division II women’s basketball national championship against Reinhardt at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday.
The second-ranked Cougars (30-3) are a No. 1 seed in their portion of the bracket, and the Eagles (19-14), who are from Waleska, Ga., are a No. 8 seed.
The championship tournament begins Wednesday in Sioux City, Iowa. The championship game is March 12.
Saint Francis earned an automatic bid to the national tournament by defeating Marion 54-48 in the Crossroad League tournament championship game Monday. Reinhardt reached the tournament by winning the Appalachian Athletic tournament.
The Cougars will enter the national championship tournament with their highest ranking in the final NAIA poll since the 1999-2000 season. It was No. 1 in the final 1999-2000 poll.
Grace (21-9) will open the men’s national championship tournament against Tennessee Wesleyan (25-7) at 4 p.m. March 7 in Point Lookout, Mo. The men’s tournament begins Wednesday with the finals set for March 12.
AUTO RACING
Around the track
Lowe’s Cos. Inc. said it agreed to a two-year extension to be the primary sponsor for Jimmie Johnson’s Hendrick Motorsports car. … NASCAR indefinitely suspended Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements for violating the sanctioning body’s code of conduct.
BASKETBALL
Mad Ants games to be on MyTV
The Mad Ants announced their remaining games will be televised by MyNetworkTV, Channel 33.2, beginning with Friday’s 7:30 p.m. game against Springfield at Memorial Coliseum. The Ants have 15 games remaining.
Fever adds two for training camp
The Indiana Fever signed Shyra Ely, a 6-foot-2 forward, and Jessica Breland, a 6-3 forward, to their training camp roster.
Knicks’ Wallace has broken foot
The New York Knicks said X-rays of Rasheed Wallace’s left foot show a broken bone, and he is expected to miss another eight weeks.
COLLEGE
NCAA found $170K in Shapiro benefits
The NCAA is alleging that former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro was responsible for providing about $170,000 in impermissible benefits to Hurricanes athletes, recruits, coaches and others between 2002 and 2010, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
FOOTBALL
IU to open season on Thursday night
Indiana moved its season opener against Indiana State from Aug. 31 to Aug. 29, a Thursday. The kickoff time and television broadcast for the home game will be announced later.
Alabama parts with 4 players
Alabama coach Nick Saban said linebackers D.J. Pettway and Tyler Hayes, safety Eddie Williams and H-back Brent Calloway “are no longer associated with the football program.” The four players were arrested after two robberies on campus.
Around the NFL
A Pulaski County (Ill.) state’s attorney said he will not pursue marijuana possession charges against Chicago offensive lineman J’Marcus Webb, who was charged after a traffic stop in southern Illinois on Sunday night. … Buffalo announced that defensive end Chris Kelsay plans to retire after 10 seasons …
The Giants agreed to a five-year deal with left tackle Will Beatty. … The NFL said it will look into whether questions asked of Colorado tight end Nick Kasa at the combine violated any laws or league policies banning employers from inquiring about a possible employee’s sexual orientation.
RUNNING
College signings
Carroll senior Alex Hess signed with Indiana State to run cross country and track. Hess was part of the 2012 state champion 3,200-meter relay team in track and was the 2011 individual NHC cross country champion. … West Noble senior Jonathan Weimer signed to run cross country and track at Grace.
