Illinois gets back on track
Matthew Mayer had a team-high 22 points and added seven rebounds as Illinois defeated Minnesota 78-69 to end a two-game skid and win its fourth straight at State Farm Center on Monday night.
Jayden Epps had 17 points and was 4-for-6 from beyond the arc and Coleman Hawkins added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Illini (18-9, 9-7 Big Ten), who won their sixth consecutive game against the Gophers (7-18, 1-14).
Epps hit two threes and scored the first eight points of the second half to push Illinois’ lead to 43-29 with 17:29 left. Jaden Henley ended Epps’ run with a dunk, but Minnesota would get no closer than eight from there.
Jamison Battle had a season-high 31 points for the Gophers, who suffered their 10th straight loss.
† Northwestern, riding a five-game winning streak, entered the AP Top 25 for the first time since early January 2021 at No. 21 after following its upset of Purdue two weeks ago with wins over Indiana and Iowa. Houston jumped over Alabama and back into the top spot for the third time this season.
NBA Giannis dealing with sprained wrist
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a sprained ligament in his right wrist during Thursday’s win over the Bulls and will undergo treatment with the hope of returning to the lineup once the pain subsides. Playing in the All-Star Game on Sunday night, Antetokounmpo came out after scoring two points.
† Center Meyers Leonard, who has been out of the NBA since March 2021 after uttering an antisemitic slur on a video-game livestream, reportedly signed a 10-day contract with the Bucks. Leonard’s return also was delayed because of injuries that left him unable to pursue a contract until this season.
† Forward Kevin Love officially signed with the Heat after agreeing to a buyout with the Cavaliers. The Heat also signed center Cody Zeller.
MLB
Northbrook native Kipnis retires
Two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis, 35, who played nine of his 10 seasons with Cleveland, announced his retirement. The Northbrook native last played in the majors in 2020 with the Cubs. A two-time American League All-Star, Kipnis batted .260 with a .333 on-base percentage, 126 homers, 529 RBI and 136 stolen bases in 1,165 games.
♦ Guardians top pitching prospect Daniel Espino will miss at least two months with a right shoulder strain, and outfielder Chase DeLauter, the team’s top draft pick last year, will be out 4-to-5 months with a broken foot.