Amber Aniston • March 12, 2026
SMU Pulls Away from Syracuse 86–69 Behind Boopie Miller’s 25 Points in ACC Tournament
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — SMU opened its ACC Tournament run with a strong second-half performance Tuesday afternoon, defeating Syracuse 86–69 at the Spectrum Center behind a dominant effort from Boopie Miller and a decisive scoring run that broke the game open.
The 11th-seeded Mustangs placed five starters in double figures and used a burst of three-point shooting midway through the second half to pull away from the 14th-seeded Orange. The victory improved SMU to 20–12 on the season and advanced the Mustangs to the second round of the ACC Tournament.
Syracuse finished its season at 15–17 after falling short despite a strong scoring performance from Nate Kingz.
Miller Leads the Mustangs
Boopie Miller set the tone offensively for SMU, finishing with a game-high 25 points while knocking down five three-pointers and consistently creating scoring opportunities.
Miller scored 11 points in the first half to help the Mustangs maintain a narrow advantage and continued to attack throughout the second half as SMU gradually built separation. His scoring presence forced Syracuse’s defense to stretch, opening additional opportunities for SMU’s supporting cast.
Jaron Pierre Jr. also delivered a crucial scoring performance, finishing with 21 points. Most of his production came after halftime, when he caught fire from the perimeter and helped ignite the Mustangs’ decisive run.
Tight First Half Sets the Stage
The game remained competitive throughout the first half as both teams traded runs and momentum swings.
Syracuse jumped out to an early advantage behind the hot shooting of Nate Kingz, who scored seven of the Orange’s first ten points. SMU answered quickly as Miller scored eight consecutive points during one stretch to give the Mustangs a 16–10 lead.
The Orange responded with a scoring burst of their own, reclaiming the lead midway through the half as Tyler Betsey connected from three-point range and Kingz continued to attack the basket.
The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch of the half, and SMU carried a slim 39–38 lead into halftime behind strong interior play from Jaden Toombs, who recorded a first-half double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Mustangs Break Game Open in Second Half
Syracuse briefly stayed within striking distance early in the second half and trimmed the deficit to 56–48 with roughly twelve minutes remaining.
That was when SMU delivered the run that ultimately decided the game.
The Mustangs exploded for a 13–0 scoring burst in under three minutes, fueled by three-point shooting and aggressive play on both ends of the floor. Pierre drilled consecutive three-pointers to begin the run, Miller added a three and a pair of free throws, and Corey Washington finished the stretch from the line.
The scoring surge pushed SMU’s lead to 69–48 and effectively removed any suspense from the final minutes.
Balanced Production Powers SMU
SMU’s starting lineup produced all 86 points in the victory, highlighting the Mustangs’ offensive balance throughout the game.
In addition to Miller’s 25 points and Pierre’s 21, Jaden Toombs finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in a dominant all-around performance. Samet Yigitoglu also recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Corey Washington contributed 12 points.
The Mustangs also controlled key statistical areas of the game, outrebounding Syracuse 44–31 and scoring 26 second-chance points.
Syracuse Shows Fight but Falls Short
Despite the loss, Syracuse received a strong offensive performance from Nate Kingz, who finished with 25 points while shooting efficiently throughout the game.
Tyler Betsey added 15 points and five three-pointers while also grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. Naithan George contributed 11 assists, helping orchestrate much of the Orange offense.
Syracuse made several pushes in the second half and even cut the deficit to ten points late, but SMU’s shooting surge and rebounding advantage proved too much to overcome.
Final Takeaway
SMU’s 86–69 victory showcased the Mustangs’ ability to respond in postseason play after a difficult stretch late in the regular season. Boopie Miller’s scoring leadership, Pierre’s second-half shooting, and the team’s rebounding advantage helped SMU control the game when it mattered most.
With the win, the Mustangs advance to face Louisville in the second round of the ACC Tournament as they look to continue building momentum in Charlotte.
Amari Odom waited until just two days before kickoff to learn he would make his first career start for Syracuse. By the end of Saturday afternoon, he had delivered one of the most productive quarterback performances in program history. Odom accounted for six touchdowns , including the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime, as Syracuse survived UConn 42-41 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford. The Orange improved to 2-2 , while UConn fell to 2-3 after nearly completing a comeback from a 20-point second-half deficit. Odom completed 27 of 37 passes for 335 yards and five touchdowns , tying Syracuse's single-game record for touchdown passes. He also rushed for a score. Odom Makes Immediate Impact in First Start Syracuse wasted little time putting the game in Odom's hands. On the Orange's opening possession, Odom connected with Umari Hatcher for a 40-yard touchdown , completing a 70-yard drive and giving Syracuse a 6-0 advantage after UConn blocked the extra point. UConn responded immediately. Kalieb Osborne found Cam Abshire for an eight-yard touchdown, and the extra point gave the Huskies a 7-6 lead. That advantage did not last. Odom threw a four-yard touchdown to Noah Meyers early in the second quarter before scoring himself on a six-yard run , putting Syracuse ahead 20-7. The Orange continued applying pressure after their defense forced an Osborne fumble. Odom found Hatcher again, this time for a 41-yard touchdown , stretching Syracuse's lead to 27-7. UConn answered before halftime when Trey Cornist scored on a four-yard run, cutting the deficit to 27-14. Syracuse Builds 20-Point Lead Syracuse took an aggressive approach on its opening possession of the second half. Facing a long fourth down from UConn territory, the Orange kept their offense on the field. Odom rewarded the decision by finding Daunte Bacheyie for a 34-yard touchdown . The score pushed Syracuse ahead 34-14 with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter. At that point, the Orange appeared to have complete control. UConn had other plans. UConn Scores 20 Straight to Force Tie The Huskies refused to abandon their running game despite the 20-point deficit. UConn answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Cyncir Bowers' 10-yard touchdown run . The extra point was missed, leaving Syracuse ahead 34-20. UConn continued applying pressure in the fourth quarter. Osborne connected with Xavier Watson for a seven-yard touchdown, pulling the Huskies within 34-27. Then Bowers delivered the biggest play of UConn's comeback. After Osborne opened the next possession with a 13-yard run, Bowers exploded for a 71-yard touchdown , completing an 84-yard drive and tying the game 34-34 with 11:52 remaining . Bowers finished with 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries . Osborne threw for 314 yards and three scores. Both Teams Miss Chances to Win in Regulation Syracuse responded to UConn's comeback by driving deep into Huskies territory. The Orange reached the UConn 7-yard line, but Jayden Price intercepted Odom at the 1-yard line , denying Syracuse a potential go-ahead score. UConn then drove 61 yards but turned the ball over on downs at the Syracuse 38. That gave Odom another opportunity. With 1:36 remaining, Syracuse moved into field-goal range. Shay Barker attempted a 44-yard field goal on the final play of regulation , but the kick missed right. The game headed to overtime tied at 34-34. Odom and Hatcher Deliver on Fourth Down UConn needed only two plays to score in overtime. Osborne connected with Trey Cornist for a 25-yard touchdown , and Jack O'Connor's extra point gave the Huskies a 41-34 advantage. Syracuse's possession became much more difficult. After moving inside the UConn 10, Odom was sacked by K'Von Sherman for a 10-yard loss and fumbled, although the ball went out of bounds. An incompletion then left Syracuse facing a decisive fourth down. On fourth-and-goal from the 17 , Odom escaped pressure and found Hatcher crossing the back of the end zone for the touchdown. UConn was also called for roughing the passer, moving the ball to the 1-yard line for the conversion. Rather than kick for another overtime period, Syracuse went for the victory. Odom kept the football and crossed the goal line for the two-point conversion , ending the game 42-41. The image on page 2 of the source captures that decisive sequence, showing Syracuse preparing for the two-point attempt with UConn leading 41-40. Hatcher Finishes With Three Touchdowns Odom's historic debut was complemented by a massive afternoon from Hatcher. The Syracuse receiver finished with 12 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns , including the fourth-down score that kept the Orange alive in overtime. Tylik Hill provided balance on the ground, carrying a career-high 28 times for 140 yards . Syracuse finished with 509 total yards , converted 10 of 17 third downs and held the ball for more than 35 minutes. Odom's five touchdown passes tied performances by five other Syracuse quarterbacks, while his six total touchdowns tied for the second-most touchdowns responsible for in program history . Syracuse Escapes With Second Straight Overtime Win Over UConn The wild finish continued Syracuse's recent control of the series. It was the second consecutive season the Orange and Huskies went to overtime, with Syracuse winning both games. The victory also extended Syracuse's winning streak against UConn to seven consecutive meetings . Syracuse now faces its third consecutive road game when it travels to Virginia on Oct. 10 . UConn heads to Temple on Oct. 10 .
No. 21 SMU did not produce the explosive offensive numbers that have defined much of its season, but the Mustangs found another way to win Saturday. Quarterback Kevin Jennings accounted for three touchdowns , and SMU leaned on a disruptive defensive performance to defeat Boston College 25-16 in rainy conditions at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. The Mustangs improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in ACC play , while Boston College dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference. SMU managed only 218 total yards and was outgained by more than 100, but the Mustangs avoided turnovers, produced five sacks and repeatedly capitalized on opportunities created by their defense and special teams. SMU and Boston College Trade Early Touchdowns SMU struck first behind its rushing attack. Kendrick Raphael capped the Mustangs' early scoring drive with a two-yard touchdown run , putting SMU ahead. Boston College quickly answered through the air. Quarterback Mason McKenzie connected with Evan Dickens for a 43-yard touchdown , keeping the Eagles within striking distance. Jennings then used his legs to put SMU back in front, scoring on a four-yard touchdown run that helped send the Mustangs into halftime with a 13-10 advantage. It was not the offensive shootout SMU had become accustomed to, particularly with a light but steady rain affecting conditions into the second half. Jennings entered the game leading the FBS with 357 passing yards per game , but Boston College kept the Mustangs' passing attack from finding its usual rhythm. SMU Defense Creates Critical Third-Quarter Opportunity The Mustangs began creating separation after halftime, and their defense provided one of the game's biggest plays. Defensive lineman Marques White sacked McKenzie and forced a fumble . Aakil Washington recovered the loose ball and returned it 34 yards to the Boston College 13-yard line . SMU did not waste the short field. Jennings connected with Randy Pittman Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown , extending the Mustangs' lead to 19-10. White's sack was one of three he recorded during the game. SMU finished with five sacks , consistently disrupting Boston College despite the Eagles' advantage in total offense. The defensive effort was particularly important because the Mustangs never found their normal offensive pace. Boston College Misses Major Fourth-Down Opportunity Boston College remained close enough to threaten throughout the second half. Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles drove deep into SMU territory and faced fourth-and-inches from the Mustangs' 8-yard line. McKenzie found Cameron Kossmann wide open , but the pass was dropped. The missed opportunity was especially costly because Kossmann had room to potentially reach the end zone. Instead of potentially cutting SMU's advantage to two points, Boston College turned the ball over on downs. It was one of several mistakes that prevented the Eagles from taking advantage of a game in which they controlled several statistical categories. Jennings Finds McFall for Late Touchdown SMU eventually delivered the touchdown it needed to create breathing room. A punt return gave the Mustangs possession at the Boston College 41-yard line. A roughing-the-passer penalty extended the drive on third down before Jennings connected with Derrick McFall for a 20-yard touchdown with 4:41 remaining. The score gave SMU a 25-10 advantage. Jennings finished 20-of-30 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions . His passing total was his lowest since the week he became SMU's starting quarterback early in the 2024 season. McFall caught three passes for 33 yards and the touchdown, while Jalen Cooper led the Mustangs with five receptions for 45 yards. Raphael finished with 45 rushing yards and a score on 15 carries. The statistics were modest by SMU's standards, but the Mustangs protected the football and converted the scoring opportunities that mattered most. Boston College Makes One Final Push The Eagles refused to go quietly. McKenzie led Boston College back down the field and connected with Danny Edgehille for a six-yard touchdown with 2:07 remaining. Boston College attempted a two-point conversion that could have reduced the deficit to seven, but the attempt failed, leaving SMU ahead 25-16 . The Eagles then attempted an onside kick. SMU recovered it and ran out the remaining time to secure its fourth victory of the season. McKenzie finished with 208 passing yards and two touchdowns without an interception . He also led Boston College with 74 rushing yards, though sacks reduced his official rushing total. Mustangs Win Despite Being Outgained Boston College finished with a 322-218 advantage in total offense and possessed the ball for more than 33 minutes. But SMU's defense repeatedly made plays when the game demanded them. White's three sacks highlighted a five-sack performance, and his forced fumble created the short field for one of Jennings' touchdown passes. Boston College also hurt itself with 11 penalties for 95 yards . Eagles coach Bill O'Brien pointed directly to the mistakes afterward, saying his team had not played with the discipline it expected. SMU had mistakes of its own. The Mustangs botched two extra-point attempts , including one caused by a high snap on the wet field and another when the snap was mishandled. Still, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee praised his defense after the game, calling it the unit's most complete performance from start to finish. SMU Moves to 4-1 Saturday's victory showed a different side of the Mustangs. SMU did not need Jennings to throw for 300 or 400 yards. The offense did not need to dominate the box score, either. Instead, the Mustangs won through defense, ball security, field position and timely scoring. The result moved No. 21 SMU to 4-1 and 2-1 in the ACC , keeping the Mustangs firmly in the conference race. Both teams now enter an open week before returning to action on Oct. 17 . SMU will host Virginia in the third game of a four-game homestand, while Boston College returns home to face Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh overcame a 14-point deficit, the loss of its starting quarterback and one final Virginia Tech drive to escape Lane Stadium with a dramatic 35-33 victory Friday night. The game came down to the final play. Virginia Tech kicker John Love attempted a 36-yard field goal as time expired , but the kick went wide left, preserving Pitt's unbeaten season. The Panthers improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC , while Virginia Tech suffered its first loss and dropped to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. It was a remarkable escape for a Pitt team that trailed 14-0 just five minutes into the game and later lost starting quarterback Mason Heintschel to an injury. Virginia Tech Races to 14-0 Lead Virginia Tech could hardly have scripted a better start. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer helped the Hokies strike quickly, connecting with Que'Sean Brown for a 38-yard touchdown before scoring himself on a one-yard run. The two touchdowns gave Virginia Tech a 14-0 advantage just five minutes into the game . Pitt, however, refused to allow the early deficit to determine the outcome. The Panthers gradually settled into the game and began cutting into Virginia Tech's advantage. By late in the second quarter, the Hokies still led 24-14 and appeared positioned to carry momentum into halftime. A turnover changed that. Cameron Lindsey intercepted Grunkemeyer, and Pitt immediately capitalized. Heintschel connected with Cataurus Hicks for a 22-yard touchdown with 31 seconds remaining, reducing Virginia Tech's halftime advantage to 24-21 . It was the first of four Virginia Tech turnovers. Pitt Takes Lead After Halftime Pittsburgh carried its late first-half momentum into the third quarter. On the Panthers' opening possession after halftime, Damon Ferguson Jr. scored on a 15-yard touchdown run , giving Pitt its first lead at 28-24. But the drive came with a major setback. Heintschel suffered an injury on the fourth play of the second half and was unable to continue. After the game, he was seen on crutches, and Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi did not provide specifics about the severity of the injury. That put the offense in the hands of veteran backup Holden Geriner . Geriner entered under significant pressure, but Pitt did not surrender its momentum. Holden Geriner Delivers Off the Bench Geriner produced the biggest throw of his Pitt career early in the fourth quarter. The fifth-year senior connected with Hicks for a 29-yard touchdown , extending the Panthers' lead to 35-24 . Geriner finished 8-of-12 for 78 yards and a touchdown , helping Pitt survive the unexpected quarterback change. The performance came on his 23rd birthday and included only the second touchdown pass of his college career. Hicks became the critical receiving option regardless of which quarterback was throwing the football. He finished with 63 receiving yards and two touchdowns , catching one from Heintschel and another from Geriner. Pitt had scored 21 unanswered points during its comeback and suddenly held an 11-point fourth-quarter advantage. Virginia Tech was far from finished. Hokies Storm Back in Fourth Quarter Virginia Tech's defense provided a spark by forcing a safety, cutting Pitt's lead to nine. Jeffrey Overton Jr. then produced a 62-yard return , putting the Hokies in excellent field position. Grunkemeyer capitalized by finding Davion Brown for a 28-yard touchdown , Brown's first career scoring reception. The touchdown pulled Virginia Tech within 35-33 with 10:07 remaining. Neither team scored again, giving the Hokies one final opportunity to complete the comeback. Grunkemeyer drove Virginia Tech 62 yards on its final possession and moved the Hokies into field-goal range. With the game resting on one kick, Love lined up from 36 yards. The attempt missed left. Pittsburgh survived. Four Turnovers Help Pitt Overcome 499 Yards The final score told only part of the story. Virginia Tech dramatically outgained Pittsburgh 499-295 , with Grunkemeyer throwing for a career-high 434 yards . His performance was one of the most prolific in Virginia Tech history. Grunkemeyer's 434 yards rank as the second-highest recorded single-game passing total in program history , and he became only the third Virginia Tech quarterback since at least 1987 to surpass 400 yards. But Pitt repeatedly changed the game by forcing turnovers. The Hokies committed four turnovers , and Pittsburgh converted those mistakes into 14 points. The Panthers' defense recorded two interceptions, forced three fumbles and recovered two of them while also producing two sacks. That defensive disruption helped compensate for Virginia Tech's substantial advantage in total offense. Pitt Remains Unbeaten at 5-0 Pittsburgh is now 5-0 for the second time in three seasons , but Heintschel's health becomes a major storyline moving forward. For Virginia Tech, the defeat was especially painful because the Hokies controlled significant portions of the game, surrendered an early advantage, rallied from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit and still had a chance to win on the final snap. Pitt returns home to face North Carolina on Oct. 10 , when the program will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1976 national championship team. Virginia Tech travels to California on Oct. 10 for its next ACC matchup. For the Panthers, the night in Blacksburg ultimately came down to survival. They lost their starting quarterback, surrendered nearly 500 yards and watched Virginia Tech line up for a potential game-winning kick. But when that kick sailed left, Pitt remained perfect.
Duke delivered its biggest scoring performance in more than seven decades Saturday, overwhelming William & Mary 62-7 at Wallace Wade Stadium behind five touchdown passes from quarterbacks Walker Eget and Dan Mahan. The Blue Devils improved to 4-0 and extended their winning streak to eight games dating back to last season, their longest since 2013. Eget threw two touchdown passes, Mahan added three, and running back Nate Sheppard rushed for 116 yards and a score as Duke controlled the game on both sides of the ball. The 62 points were Duke's most in a game since a 67-0 victory over Richmond in 1949 . Duke Strikes First Behind Walker Eget The Blue Devils established control immediately. Duke marched 75 yards on its opening possession, with Eget connecting with Jayden Moore for a 24-yard touchdown . It was Moore's first career touchdown and gave Duke a 7-0 advantage. William & Mary later received an opportunity after Duke failed to convert a fake punt, taking possession at the Blue Devils' 26-yard line. But the Tribe could not capitalize, and Luke Mergott eventually blocked Max Lipinski's 53-yard field-goal attempt. Duke responded with another scoring drive. Sheppard broke through for a 19-yard touchdown run , extending the advantage to 14-0. The nation's leading rusher entering the week finished with 116 yards on only nine carries. William & Mary Answers Before Duke Pulls Away William & Mary produced its only touchdown late in the first quarter. A 63-yard reception by freshman Khylil Johnson moved the Tribe deep into Duke territory. Quarterback Winston Watkins then connected with Jack Reuter for a six-yard touchdown , cutting Duke's lead to 14-7. It was Reuter's first career touchdown. From there, Duke took complete control. Cosme Salas kicked a 32-yard field goal before Mahan entered the game and immediately made an impact through the air. The second-year freshman found Kavon Simmons for a 29-yard touchdown , giving Duke a 24-7 advantage. Less than three minutes later, Mahan connected with Jaivon Solomon for another 29-yard score . Those were the first two touchdown passes of Mahan's career. Eget Finishes First Half With 95-Yard Drive Duke added another touchdown just before halftime with one of its most impressive possessions of the afternoon. The Blue Devils traveled 95 yards in only 90 seconds , with Eget finding Penn transfer Jared Richardson for a 28-yard touchdown reception . The rapid drive sent Duke into halftime with complete control of the game. Eget eventually finished 16-of-22 for 182 yards and two touchdowns , while Mahan completed six of seven attempts for 126 yards and three scores. The two quarterbacks combined for five touchdown passes to five different receivers. It was the first time since 1990 that two Duke quarterbacks threw multiple touchdown passes in the same game , while the five different touchdown recipients marked Duke's first such performance since 2009. Duke Keeps Scoring After Halftime Duke did not slow down after the break. Salas connected on a 39-yard field goal early in the third quarter before Mahan delivered his third touchdown pass, finding Brody Keefe for a 27-yard score to make it 48-7. The Blue Devils then turned to their rushing depth in the fourth quarter. Jayvian Tanelus scored on a four-yard run before CJ Givers broke free for a 28-yard touchdown , completing the 62-point performance. Eight different Duke players scored touchdowns, and no Blue Devil reached the end zone more than once. Nate Sheppard Extends 100-Yard Streak Although Duke's quarterbacks generated much of the attention, Sheppard continued his impressive start. He entered the week leading the nation with 528 rushing yards and added 116 yards against William & Mary despite receiving only nine carries. It marked Sheppard's fifth consecutive game with at least 100 rushing yards , the second-longest streak in Duke history. His first-quarter touchdown was his sixth rushing score and ninth total touchdown of the season. Duke Defense Shuts Down the Tribe Duke's defense was equally dominant after allowing William & Mary's first-quarter touchdown. The Blue Devils surrendered just 170 total yards , including only 17 rushing yards . Duke recorded nine tackles for loss, four sacks and two quarterback pressures. William & Mary did not score after halftime, marking Duke's second consecutive second-half shutout. Through four games, the Blue Devils have not allowed a second-half touchdown and have surrendered only six total points after halftime. Watkins finished with 137 passing yards and one touchdown for William & Mary, which fell to 2-3. The Tribe's streak of 13 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points also came to an end. Duke Reaches 4-0 With Historic Offensive Performance The victory gave Duke a 4-0 start for the third time in four seasons , while three of its first four opponents have been held to seven points or fewer. More importantly, the Blue Devils head into their open week unbeaten and riding an eight-game winning streak. Duke returns to action Oct. 10 at Georgia Tech , while William & Mary heads home to face Holy Cross.
Vanderbilt earned its first SEC victory of the season Wednesday night, sweeping LSU 3-0 at the Maravich Center in Baton Rouge. The Commodores won 25-22, 25-23, 25-16 , improving to 10-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play . The victory also pushed Vanderbilt beyond the nine wins recorded by the program's 2025 team. Samantha Wunsch led Vanderbilt with 15 kills , while Reese Animashaun and Maya Witherspoon each added 13. Setter Avery Scoggins distributed 45 assists as the Commodores produced 50 kills and hit .241. Vanderbilt Builds Early Lead in First Set LSU remained within striking distance throughout the opening frame, but Vanderbilt consistently found ways to create separation. The Commodores used a 6-1 run to build an 11-7 advantage before eventually stretching the margin to seven points. LSU responded with a 9-3 surge that dramatically changed the set. That rally brought the Tigers within 22-21 , giving LSU an opportunity to steal the opening frame after spending much of it playing from behind. Vanderbilt responded at the critical moment, winning three of the final four points to secure the first set 25-22. LSU Nearly Completes Second-Set Comeback The Commodores created an even larger early advantage in Set 2, using an 8-1 run to put LSU in another difficult position. But the Tigers refused to allow Vanderbilt to cruise to a two-set advantage. LSU gradually worked its way back into the frame and eventually reduced Vanderbilt's lead to 24-23 . With the Tigers threatening to erase the deficit completely, Vanderbilt called timeout. The Commodores responded immediately after the break, winning the next point to escape with a 25-23 victory . Vanderbilt had survived LSU's second comeback attempt and carried a commanding 2-0 advantage into the third. Commodores Take Control in Third Set LSU briefly grabbed a 4-3 lead early in the third, but Vanderbilt quickly erased it. The Commodores answered with a 5-0 run , taking an 8-4 advantage and forcing LSU back into chase mode. This time, there would be no late Tigers comeback. Vanderbilt continued extending its advantage as the set progressed, eventually closing out LSU 25-16 to complete the straight-set victory. The final frame was Vanderbilt's most decisive win of the evening. Samantha Wunsch Leads Vanderbilt Attack Wunsch delivered the most productive offensive performance for the Commodores, finishing with 15 kills . She also contributed five blocks, giving Vanderbilt another important presence at the net. Animashaun and Witherspoon supplied 13 kills apiece , giving Vanderbilt three players with at least 13 kills. Scoggins kept the offense moving with 45 assists , helping Vanderbilt finish with 50 kills and a .241 hitting percentage. The balanced production made it difficult for LSU to focus its defense on a single Vanderbilt attacker. Vanderbilt Defense Records 68 Digs Vanderbilt's defensive performance was just as important. The Commodores recorded a season-high 68 digs , with Hailee Mack producing a season-best 22 digs . Witherspoon added 18 digs to her 13 kills for a double-double, while Scoggins paired her 45 assists with 13 digs for another double-double. Vanderbilt also limited LSU to 32 kills and a .157 hitting percentage , preventing the Tigers from establishing consistent offensive rhythm. Jurnee Robinson Leads LSU Senior outside hitter Jurnee Robinson provided LSU's top attacking performance with 12 kills while adding two blocks. Kiley Brooks and Ella Hemmings led the Tigers defensively with 17 digs each , with Hemmings establishing a career high. Sanaa Donaie provided LSU's strongest presence at the net, finishing with a match-high five blocks . LSU actually finished with advantages in both blocks, 9-6 , and service aces, 3-2 , but Vanderbilt's advantage in attacking production proved decisive. Vanderbilt Reaches 10 Wins The sweep moved Vanderbilt to 10-2 , giving the program more victories than its 2025 team recorded. More importantly in the immediate SEC race, Vanderbilt picked up its first conference victory of the season and improved to 1-2 in league play. LSU dropped to 6-6 overall and 1-2 in the SEC . Vanderbilt now travels to Ole Miss on Sunday at 2 p.m. , while LSU remains at the Maravich Center to host Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 4 at noon CT .
No. 4 Louisville remained unbeaten in Atlantic Coast Conference play Wednesday night, delivering a dominant all-around performance in a 3-0 sweep of Notre Dame at L&N Federal Credit Union Arena. The Cardinals won 25-16, 25-18, 25-18 , improving to 13-2 overall and 3-0 in the ACC . Louisville hit .353 with 39 kills and seven service aces while holding Notre Dame to a .134 hitting percentage. The Fighting Irish fell to 4-7 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Outside hitter Chloe Meester led Louisville with 13 kills on a .579 hitting percentage and four aces , providing the Cardinals with one of their most efficient individual offensive performances of the season. Meester Helps Louisville Break Open First Set Notre Dame stayed with Louisville through the opening stages of the match. Neither team led by more than two points through the first 14 rallies, and the score was tied at 7-7 before the Cardinals began creating separation. Kalyssa Blackshear put down a kill, and Meester followed with back-to-back service aces , pushing Louisville ahead 10-7. Notre Dame responded by scoring three of the next four points and trimmed the deficit to 11-10. That was as close as the Fighting Irish would get. Louisville answered with a 4-1 run to take a 15-11 advantage into the media timeout. The Cardinals then accelerated out of the break with a 7-2 run , highlighted by three Meester kills. Blackshear eventually finished the set with another kill, giving Louisville a convincing 25-16 opening-set victory . Cardinals Use 7-1 Run to Control Set 2 Notre Dame again made the early portion of the second set competitive. The teams were tied at 8-8 before Louisville produced another decisive scoring run. The Cardinals ripped off seven of the next eight points , with Meester contributing two kills and a block during the surge. Louisville entered the media timeout ahead 15-9. From there, the Cardinals kept Notre Dame from generating a serious comeback. Louisville moved within two points of taking the set at 23-16 before Notre Dame scored twice. A Fighting Irish service error brought up set point, and Brooke Bultema finished the frame with a solo block , securing another 25-18 victory. Louisville had a commanding 2-0 match advantage and needed only one more set to preserve its perfect ACC start. Chicoine Sparks Fast Start in Third Unlike the first two sets, Louisville did not wait until the middle of the frame to pull away in the third. The Cardinals raced to a 10-2 lead , with Chloe Chicoine delivering three consecutive kills during the early surge. Louisville maintained control and entered the media timeout ahead 15-7. Notre Dame refused to disappear quietly. The Fighting Irish responded with a 10-5 run that reduced Louisville's advantage to 21-17 and created one final opportunity to extend the match. The Cardinals immediately shut the door. Louisville scored four of the final five points, and Meester delivered her 13th kill of the night to finish the third set 25-18 and complete the sweep. Chloe Meester Delivers Efficient Performance Meester's performance was central to Louisville's offensive success. The outside hitter recorded 13 kills while hitting .579 , committing very few mistakes while consistently finding openings in Notre Dame's defense. She also contributed four of Louisville's seven service aces. It marked Meester's 10th double-digit kill performance of the season and the third time she has hit better than .500 in a match. Her emergence has taken on added importance after she played sparingly for Louisville last season. Head coach Dan Meske pointed to Meester's development in both her mentality and physical game as factors in her expanded role. Chicoine provided another dependable attacking option, finishing with 12 kills on .333 hitting . She has now reached double-digit kills in 14 matches and hit at least .300 in 12. Cabello Directs Louisville’s .353 Attack Setter Nayelis Cabello helped keep Louisville's offense operating efficiently throughout the sweep. Cabello distributed 32 assists as the Cardinals finished with a .353 team hitting percentage. She also made an impact defensively, recording 10 digs and four blocks . Louisville's success extended beyond its attack. The Cardinals finished with 11 blocks and 37 digs , limiting Notre Dame to only a .134 hitting percentage. The combination of efficient attacking, pressure from the service line and strong work at the net prevented Notre Dame from sustaining its early competitiveness in each set. Louisville Extends Winning Streak Against Notre Dame Wednesday's victory continued Louisville's recent control of the series. The Cardinals have now defeated Notre Dame in 10 consecutive matches . Meske described the performance as one of Louisville's more complete efforts against its conference rival, highlighting the Cardinals' hitting efficiency and return to double-digit blocks. Louisville has also opened ACC play at 3-0 , maintaining its undefeated conference record through the first three league matches. The Cardinals will not have much time to celebrate Wednesday's sweep because the schedule immediately provides Notre Dame with an opportunity for revenge. Louisville travels to South Bend, Indiana, for a rematch with the Fighting Irish on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. ET . The match will be played at Purcell Pavilion and streamed on ACCNX. The quick turnaround adds another challenge. Meske noted that consecutive meetings give both teams an immediate scouting opportunity, potentially producing adjustments for the second matchup. For Louisville, the objective remains straightforward: carry Wednesday's efficiency to South Bend and keep its unbeaten ACC start intact.
Utah Tech extended its hottest stretch of the season Tuesday night, defeating Southern Utah 3-1 at Burns Arena in St. George behind another all-around performance from senior outside hitter Tessa Treanor. The Trailblazers won 25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 25-18 , improving to 10-3 overall and 3-0 in Big Sky play . The victory extended Utah Tech's winning streak to seven matches, the longest of the program's Division I era. Treanor led the way with 15 kills and a season-high 19 digs , recording her fifth double-double of the season. Nana Asiata added 12 kills, while Sydney Reese finished with 10. Utah Tech Rallies From Slow Start Southern Utah opened the match aggressively, scoring seven of the first nine points and putting the Trailblazers into an early hole. Utah Tech gradually worked its way back behind kills from Annalyse Shimada, Reese, Treanor and Shaylee Dahle. The deficit was reduced to 10-8 before Southern Utah moved back ahead 12-10. Asiata then delivered consecutive kills to tie the score at 12. Following another tie at 13-13, Cale Torgerson recorded a kill before back-to-back blocks involving Shimada pushed Utah Tech ahead 16-13 . The Trailblazers never surrendered the lead. Utah Tech eventually stretched its advantage to 21-15 and closed the opening set 25-18 following consecutive Southern Utah attack errors. Trailblazers Take 2-0 Match Lead Southern Utah scored the opening two points of the second set, but Utah Tech immediately answered with its strongest run of the frame. The Trailblazers scored seven consecutive points , with Asiata producing three early kills before Lusia Langi and Torgerson added kills of their own. The run gave Utah Tech a 7-2 advantage. Southern Utah recovered and eventually tied the set at 16-16 . Torgerson responded with a kill to put Utah Tech back in front, and the Trailblazers later used a three-point run capped by Treanor to build a 22-18 advantage. Treanor eventually finished the frame herself, delivering the kill that secured a 25-21 victory and a 2-0 match lead. Southern Utah Avoids the Sweep The Thunderbirds produced their best start of the night in the third set. Southern Utah raced ahead 9-3 before Utah Tech began cutting into the deficit. The Thunderbirds still held a 16-11 advantage when the Trailblazers scored three straight points, including a Reese kill and a block by Dahle and Torgerson. Utah Tech eventually erased the deficit completely. A Reese kill and Reese block tied the set at 18-18, and an Asiata kill later gave the Trailblazers a 21-19 lead . Southern Utah responded. The Thunderbirds tied the frame at 21-21, and although kills from Treanor and Torgerson twice brought Utah Tech even again, Southern Utah scored the final two points to capture the set 25-23 . The Thunderbirds had extended the match, but Utah Tech quickly took control again. Utah Tech Dominates Fourth Set The Trailblazers opened the fourth with a 7-1 run . Reese delivered three early kills, Shimada contributed to two blocks and Torgerson added a service ace as Utah Tech immediately created separation. Treanor then took over offensively. She recorded four kills between the points that moved Utah Tech from an 8-4 advantage to a 17-12 lead , preventing Southern Utah from mounting another comeback. The Trailblazers eventually pushed their advantage to 21-13. Southern Utah answered with four straight points, but Asiata stopped the run with a kill. Shimada then supplied the final block as Utah Tech completed the match with another 25-18 victory . Tessa Treanor Records Fifth Double-Double Treanor finished the night as Utah Tech's offensive leader with 15 kills . Her season-high 19 digs gave her a fifth double-double and marked the fourth time this season that she has led the Trailblazers in kills. Utah Tech also received double-digit attacking production from Asiata and Reese. Asiata's 12 kills marked her ninth double-digit kill performance of the season , while Reese contributed 10. Shimada made her biggest impact at the net, leading Utah Tech with six blocks, including three solo stops . Marley Roe distributed a team-high 22 assists, and Kaleinani Watson finished with a career-high 15 digs and eight assists . Trailblazers Control Match Defensively Utah Tech finished with the advantage in nearly every major team category. The Trailblazers recorded 55 kills compared with Southern Utah's 38 , while hitting .187 and holding the Thunderbirds to just .061 . Utah Tech also led 12-9 in blocks and 67-58 in digs , while the teams finished tied with two service aces apiece. Southern Utah's defense still provided several encouraging performances. Audrey Atwood recorded a team-high 10 kills , reaching double figures for the first time this season. Emilia Linden and Natalie Moore added seven kills each. Cala Cooper led the Thunderbirds with five blocks, including three solo , while Moore also recorded three solo blocks. Libero Amanda Mendoza finished with a season-high 17 digs . Southern Utah's nine total blocks extended its streak of matches with at least five blocks to four. The Thunderbirds also held Utah Tech below .200 hitting, but the defensive effort was not enough to overcome the Trailblazers' broader statistical advantage. Utah Tech Extends Winning Streak to Seven Tuesday's victory continued an impressive run for Utah Tech. The Trailblazers have now won seven consecutive matches , establishing their longest winning streak since moving to Division I. Burns Arena has also become a difficult place for opponents. Utah Tech has won 12 consecutive home matches and 16 of its last 17 at home . The Trailblazers have also beaten Southern Utah five consecutive times and improved to 8-5 in the all-time series. The schedule now brings Utah Tech a significant conference test. The Trailblazers return to Burns Arena on Thursday to face 2025 Big Sky champion Northern Colorado , which enters at 6-7 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Southern Utah returns home for its next match, also facing Northern Colorado on Saturday at noon MT.
Fairfield refused to let a difficult opening two sets define its night Tuesday, storming back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat crosstown rival Sacred Heart 3-2 at the William H. Pitt Center. The Stags dropped the first two sets before completing the reverse sweep 18-25, 15-25, 26-24, 25-18, 15-11 . Fairfield improved to 9-5 overall and 3-0 in Metro Conference play , while Sacred Heart fell to 9-6 and 2-1. Mamie Krubally led Fairfield with 16 kills while hitting .452 , but the comeback required contributions throughout the Stags' lineup, including 10 blocks from Harlan Wyche and double-digit kills from Aislin Oldach, Emma Bortolotti and Katelyn Cook. Sacred Heart Takes Command With 2-0 Lead Sacred Heart controlled the opening half of the match and put Fairfield in immediate danger of a straight-set defeat. The Pioneers took the opening set 25-18 before becoming even more efficient offensively in the second. Sacred Heart hit .417 in Set 2 , recording 13 kills against only three errors on 24 attacks. Sacred Heart also sided out at an impressive rate early, finishing at 72 percent in the first set before improving to a match-best 81 percent in the second . A 25-15 second-set victory left the Pioneers one frame away from completing the sweep. Fairfield needed a significant response, and it arrived in the closest set of the night. Fairfield Survives 26-24 Third-Set Battle The third set became the turning point. With Sacred Heart holding a 2-0 match advantage, neither team could create meaningful separation. The frame featured 14 ties and four lead changes , with every run answered by the other side. Fairfield eventually found the two-point advantage it needed, surviving the extended battle with a 26-24 victory . The result did more than simply prevent a sweep. It shifted the direction of the match. Fairfield's offense became significantly more efficient over the final two sets, while the Stags' blocking began making it increasingly difficult for Sacred Heart to reproduce its early attacking success. Stags Pull Away in Fourth Set The fourth set remained competitive early. Sacred Heart and Fairfield combined for eight ties and one lead change , but the Stags eventually created separation and pulled away late for a 25-18 victory . Fairfield hit .424 in the fourth , part of a remarkable offensive turnaround after struggling through the opening two sets. The victory evened the match at 2-2 and forced a deciding fifth set. For Fairfield, the comeback was now one set away from completion. Fairfield Takes Early Control of Fifth Set The Stags carried their momentum directly into the deciding frame. Fairfield opened the fifth set with a 2-0 run and never surrendered the lead . Wyche also contributed two service aces during the set, adding to an already impressive night at the net. Fairfield eventually built a 12-8 advantage , but Sacred Heart had one final push. Back-to-back kills from Abbie Hagedorn cut the margin to two and gave the Pioneers an opportunity to extend the match. Fairfield answered by winning three of the final four points , closing the fifth set 15-11 and completing the reverse sweep. The Stags hit .423 in the fifth set , nearly matching their .424 performance in the fourth. Mamie Krubally Leads Balanced Fairfield Attack Krubally delivered Fairfield's best offensive performance, finishing with 16 kills on a .452 hitting percentage . She was one of four Stags to reach double figures. Oldach contributed 13 kills and 12 digs , completing a double-double. Bortolotti recorded 12 kills and contributed to seven blocks, while Cook finished with 11 kills on .321 hitting and a team-high 13 digs . Cook's performance was particularly versatile. The junior started the match wearing the libero jersey before eventually switching to the pins and becoming another important part of Fairfield's attack. Eight different Stags recorded at least one kill as Fairfield used 13 players during the comeback. Harlan Wyche Controls the Net With 10 Blocks While Fairfield's attack found its rhythm, Wyche helped change the match defensively. The middle finished with 10 blocks , reaching double digits for the second time this season. She previously accomplished the feat against Holy Cross on Sept. 5. Wyche also contributed seven kills while hitting .600 , along with three digs and the two fifth-set service aces. Courtney Vines added six blocks , one kill and the first service ace of her career. Fairfield finished with 16 team blocks , helping hold Sacred Heart to a .213 hitting percentage for the match. Sykut and Bradley Direct Fairfield’s Comeback Fairfield also received an important contribution from its setters. Zofia Sykut finished with 36 assists and seven digs , while Mary Kate Bradley made her debut and appeared in the final three sets. Bradley contributed 14 assists and four digs , helping direct an offense that hit above .420 in both the fourth and fifth sets. Fairfield ultimately finished the match with a .300 team hitting percentage despite its difficult start. Natalie Carlin added 12 digs, joining Cook and Oldach among the Stags who reached double figures defensively. Lauren Hubert Leads Sacred Heart With 18 Kills Sacred Heart received a strong performance from senior right side Lauren Hubert , who led all players with 18 kills . Hubert also recorded 16 digs to complete a double-double. Hagedorn added another double-double with 15 kills and 15 digs , along with four assists and two aces. Setter Addy Franz contributed 38 assists, 11 digs, seven kills, four blocks and two service aces , while Raissa Antonio finished with seven kills and six blocks. Ryleigh Short led Sacred Heart defensively with 17 digs and also recorded a team-high four service aces. Fairfield Records First Reverse Sweep Since 2022 The comeback carried additional significance for the Stags. It marked Fairfield's first reverse sweep since Sept. 7, 2022 , when the program also erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat St. John's in five sets. Fairfield improved to 2-1 in five-set matches this season and 8-7 in matches that have reached a fifth set under head coach Nancy Somera. Most importantly, the Stags remain perfect in conference play at 3-0 , joining Iona as the two remaining Metro teams with unblemished league records following Tuesday's action. Fairfield next hosts Quinnipiac on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. , followed by Merrimack on Saturday. Sacred Heart continues its four-match homestand against Merrimack on Friday before also facing Quinnipiac.