Defense leads Michigan State over USC

MICHIGAN STATE 72, USC 62 >> Joey Hauser scored 17 points and No. 7 seed Michigan State clamped down defensively on No. 10 seed Southern California in the second half on Thursday for a 72-62 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament’s East Region.

Coach Tom Izzo’s Spartans (20-12) will face the winner of the VermontMarquette matchup on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16. Marquette coach Shaka Smart sat on press row for part of the second half to get a closer look at what could be his next opponent.

Smart watched as Michigan State ramped up its defensive intensity after halftime to muzzle the streaky Trojans (22-11), who were knocked out in the tournament’s first round for the second straight year.

Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins added 12 points apiece for Michigan State, which held USC to 34% shooting in the second half. It felt like every possession was a challenge for the Trojans, who only stayed within range with some late 3-pointers and some atrocious free-throw shooting by Michigan State.

The Spartans missed six straight from the line during one stretch while trying to close it out and finished 15 of 25 overall.

Joshua Morgan scored 14 and Kobe Johnson 13 to lead USC.

NCAA Women’s Tournament

SOUTH FLORIDA 65 >> Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu scored 22 points and Elena Tsineke’s jumper with 31.2 seconds left in overtime put South Florida ahead for good in a 67-65 victory over No. 9 seed Marquette to start the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

67, MARQUETTE ARIZONA 75, WEST VIRGINIA

62 >> Kate Reese scored 25 points and Esmery Martinez hadd a double-double against her former team, helping seventh-seeded Arizona to a 75-62 victory over 10th-seeded West Virginia in the women’s NCAA Tournament on Friday.

NFL AP SOURCE: COLTS, QB GARDNER

MINSHEW AGREE ON 1-YEAR DEAL >> The Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Gardner Minshew have agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the deal, said Minshew’s contract is worth up to $5.5 million, including incentives.

Minshew was 1-3 in four starts filling in for Jalen

Hurts over the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He reunites with Shane Steichen, the Colts’ new coach who was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator.

Minshew, a sixth-round pick by Jacksonville in 2019, was 7-13 as starter in two seasons with the Jaguars. He has completed 62.8% of his passes for 6,632 yards, 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in four seasons. WR LAZARD SIGNS FOURYEAR DEAL WITH JETS >> Allen Lazard enjoyed everything about New York when he visited for the first time a few months ago.

Now, it will be home for the Jets’ newest wide receiver. And he’ll be reunited with his former offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackett— and perhaps soon quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Lazard signed a fouryear contract with the Jets on Friday, a deal worth $44 million and includes $22 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. BILLS CUT RECEIVER MCKENZIE

TO FREE UP SALARY CAP SPACE >> The Buffalo Bills released receiver Isaiah McKenzie in a salary cap-saving move on Friday, and following a season in which the sixth-year player struggled in an expanded offensive role.

Cutting McKenzie on the day he was due a roster bonus frees up about $2.2 million in salary cap space for a team general manager Brandon Beane projected had about $9 million to work with a day earlier.

SEAHAWKS SIGN FORMER FIRST-ROUNDER DEVIN BUSH

>> The Seattle Seahawks signed linebacker Devin Bush on Friday, inking the former first-round pick to a one-year deal and potentially filling a major void on Seattle’s defense.

Bush, 24, was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and had a standout rookie season where he had a career-high 109 tackles and was third in defensive rookie of the year voting. But Bush suffered a torn ACL during the 2020 season and has struggled to rediscover the form from his rookie season.

Soccer MADRID GETS CHELSEA, CITY

TO MEET BAYERN IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE >> Real Madrid’s path to another Champions League title will have to go through Chelsea in the quarterfinals for the second straight year.

Friday’s draw takes Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti back to face his former club, which was eliminated by a goal from Karim Benzema in extra time a year ago.

This time, the first leg between the past two Champions League winners will be in Madrid instead of London — on April 11 or 12.