Billups, Birdman lead Nuggest past Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Chauncey Billups scored 25 points and got a huge lift from role players Chris Andersen, Nene and J.R. Smith in the Denver Nuggets’ 110-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Andersen had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Nene had 17 points and nine boards and Smith scored 15 to shake the Nuggets out a first-half funk and deliver their fourth straight win.

Twins' Nathan may miss significant time with injury

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins suddenly have a glaring concern about closing games for the first time since Joe Nathan took over in 2004. Tests on Nathan’s right throwing elbow have revealed a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Nathan’s 246 saves over six seasons are the most in the majors during that span.

• Nathan injury may be severe

Freeman girls basketball team has high hopes for Class B state tournament

In 2009, the Freeman girls’ basketball team made its first ever trip to the SDHSAA state tournament in Aberdeen. And the Flyers were just happy to be there. “It was the first time in school history for the girls to qualify,” coach Ryan Mors said. “Just getting there was a great feat.” But this season, Mors and company have another thing in mind.

• Freeman girls start state tournament today

Stickney/Mount Vernon prepared for Class A state tournament

It has been five years since the Stickney/Mount Vernon girls’ basketball co-op began. And this season will be its last. So it only seems fitting that the Knights, who are making their first-ever trip to the Class A state tournament today, go out in style. “It’s going to be special when we get there,” coach Eric Giblin said. “It just adds to the story that things are coming to an end, not only for some of the seniors, but for the team.” Stickney/Mount Vernon (20-3), which was crowned champions of Region 7A last week after its 58-49 win over Little Wound, enters today’s action as the No. 4 seed and will face defending Class A state champion Pine Ridge in a quarterfinal today at 2:45 p.m. in Aberdeen.

Tomlinson to meet with Vikings today

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — LaDainian Tomlinson is coming to Minnesota for a visit, and the Vikings believe he could be a good fit. Tomlinson is scheduled to meet with coach Brad Childress and other members of the organization on Thursday. The 2006 NFL MVP was released by the San Diego Chargers last month after the least-productive season of his prolific nine-year career. The Vikings are looking for another running back since Chester Taylor signed with the Chicago Bears.

DWU gets first win at national tournament since 1947

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. — The Dakota Wesleyan University men’s basketball team finally ended its national tournament slump early Thursday morning. The No. 7 Tigers, making their fourth-straight appearance at the NAIA national tournament, beat McPherson College (Kan.), 79-66, in Wednesday’s last first-round game on the College of the Ozarks campus in Point Lookout, Mo.

• DWU beats McPherson

Meyer earns MVP as Bottineau claims another national title

Mitchell native Dusty Meyer was named the Most Valuable Player of the National Junior College Athletic Association Ice Hockey National Championship on Sunday after leading Dakota College at Bottineau (N.D.) to its fourth consecutive title.

SDSU beats top-seeded ORU 79-75 in overtime in Summit League championship game

SIOUX FALLS — It was crunch time, and things weren’t going the way Kristin Rotert was hoping. The South Dakota State women’s basketball team was surrendering its late nine-point lead, and for a while, it seemed like Rotert couldn’t do anything right.

• Back to the big dance

DWU hoping for first national tourney win since 1947 today against McPherson College

The Dakota Wesleyan University men’s basketball team has already had an incredibly successful season. The Tigers set a school record with 27 wins and are 27-5 overall. They also set a school record with 16 Great Plains Athletic Conference wins, and went 16-2 in the conference.

• Trying for another first

MHS beats Sturgis 74-58 in state play-in game

STURGIS — Mitchell can thank a second-half adjustment for its trip to the state tournament. The Kernels pulled away from Sturgis in the third quarter of a close game behind a stifling zone, winning 74-58 in the Region 2AA playoffs Tuesday night at Sturgis Brown High School gymnasium.

• Kernels headed to state

James Valley upsets No. 2 Eagles, 34-33

HURON — James Valley Christian coach Terry Schouten saw the tape of Mitchell Christian’s district championship win against Hanson. He saw the way the Beavers kept the ball away from the Golden Eagles and, in turn, kept themselves in the game for longer than they would have otherwise. Now, while Schouten wasn’t about to hold the ball at the half-court circle for the whole game, he also wasn’t about to run up and down the floor with Mitchell Christian.

• JVC upsets MCHS

TDA runs past Pirates, 66-39

Not many people expected the Tripp-Delmont/Armour boys’ basketball team to get this far. The Nighthawks had the unenviable task of taking on top-ranked Corsica/Stickney in Saturday’s District 12B title game, and most of the state had already written TDA off.

• TDA runs past Avon

Fighting Cougars edge Tri-Valley for trip to state

PARKSTON — McCook Central/Montrose jumped to a big first-half lead and hung on for dear life to defeat Tri-Valley 48-44 to claim the Region 5B championship and advance to the Class A boys’ state tournament in Sioux Falls. It’s been 25 years since McCook Central — then known as Salem — has been to a state tournament. This will be the first-ever trip for Montrose. The Fighting Cougars broke out to a quick 8-3 lead to open the contest and closed out the quarter with a 14-9 lead.

• Fighting Cougars beat Tri-Valley

Big second half propels Winner past St. Francis

FORT PIERRE — Winner struggled in the first half and was down by two, 24-22, heading into the third quarter, but the Warriors gained some ground and were able to pull away for a 54-40 win over St. Francis Indian Tuesday in the Region 7A boys’ basketball championship game in Fort Pierre. The win advances the Warriors (20-3) to the Class A state tournament, which starts March 18 in Sioux Falls. This marks Winner’s first state tournament berth since 2001.

• Winner headed to state

Tigers sweep Hamlin at Metrodome

MINNEAPOLIS — John Greciar drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Dakota Wesleyan baseball team a 3-2 lead and help it complete a two-game sweep of Hamline University late Sunday night at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.