OFF AND RUNNING

Three freshmen put their names into transfer portal

Colorado guards Jadyn Atchison and Lele Tanuvasa and forward Ruthie Loomis-goltl put their names into the NCAA transfer portal Thursday after just one season with the Buffaloes. Another freshman, Mikayla Johnson, put her name into the transfer portal on Tuesday.

Point guard Kennedy Sanders is the only member of the five-player 2023 class that is expected to return to next season.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL LSU’S Van Lith enters transfer portal again

LSU star Hailey Van Lith is in the transfer portal for the second consecutive season. She averaged 11.6 points and 3.6 assists in her first and only season with the Tigers, who saw their season end on Monday with a loss to Iowa in the Elite Eight.

Van Lith was eligible to declare for the WNBA Draft, but also had the option to return for another season because of the extra year that was granted by the NCAA when COVID-19 affected their freshmen season.

Police: Racial slur clearly audible in recording of incident with Utah team

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO>> Police investigating racist incidents directed toward the Utah women’s basketball team while in town for the NCAA Tournament say they’ve found an audio recording in which the use of a racial slur was clearly audible.

The Coeur d’alene Police Department says it’s working to determine the “context and conduct” associated with the slur’s use to determine if there was a violation of law. Police also said they are still reviewing evidence from the March 21 incidents but it appears that a racial slur was used more than once.

GOLF

Bhatia opens with a 63 to lead Texas Open by 3 shots

SAN ANTONIO>> Akshay Bhatia has opened with a 63 to build a three-shot lead in the Valero Texas Open. The 22-year-old Bhatia played bogey-free at the TPC San Antonio. He hit the ball so well that only two of his nine birdies were longer than 10 feet. He leads by three over Justin Lower and Brendon Todd.

Rory Mcilroy also played bogey-free. He just didn’t make many birdies. Mcilroy shot a 69 in his final tournament before the Masters. For Jordan Spieth, it was another wild ride. He followed a double bogey with a hole-in-one and rallied late to salvage a 73.

Woad takes a 2-shot lead into final round at Augusta

EVANS, GA.>> Lottie Woad of England had to face a whole lot of wind in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She rallied on the back nine at Champions Retreat for a 71 and has a twoshot lead over Maisie Filler and Gianna Clemente.

All the players now get a practice round at Augusta National on Friday. Only the top 30 and ties get to compete at the home of the Masters in the final round Saturday.

TENNIS

Collins wins twice to reach quarterfinals in Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C.>> Miami Open champion Danielle Collins won twice Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Charleston Open continuing a stellar season she has said will be her last on tour.

Collins eliminated defending champion Ons Jabeur and past winner Sloane Stephens for her ninth and 10 straight match victories. Collins beat Jabeur 3-6, 1-6, 6-3 in the day’s first match. She returned about five hours later to defeat Stephens 6-2, 6-2.

Top-seeded Jessica Pegula advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Magda Linette in straight sets.