Ironton’s Elliott nets 16

in Rio Grande opener

RIO GRANDE — The University of Rio Grande men’s basketball season opener ended up providing the program’s biggest offensive night in nearly 14 years.

The RedStorm raced to a 23-4 lead inside the opening five minutes and outscored Miami University-Hamilton 17-0 over the final 2:48 en route to a 121-72 blitzing of the Harriers Friday night in the opening round of the Saunders Insurance Tipoff Classic at the Newt Oliver Arena.

The 121 points represented the most ever scored by a Ken French-coached team and also were the program’s highest point total since a 121-35 win over Ohio University-Lancaster on November 19, 1999.

Co-captain Travis Elliott — a junior from Ironton — scored 16 points as the RedStorm shot 59.3 percent from the field (48-of-81).

Freshman Bilal Young had 24 points to lead six players in double figures.

 

Reds reach contract

deal with catcher Pena

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Reds have agreed in principle on a deal with catcher Brayan Pena, who has played for the Braves, Royals and Tigers during his nine-year career.

The deal is contingent upon Pena passing a physical.

Pena, who turns 32 in January, would become the third catcher on the Reds’ roster, along with Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco. Corky Miller was designated outright to the minors after last season and chose free agency rather than accept the assignment.

Pena batted .297 in 71 games for the Tigers last season with four homers and 22 RBIs. He went 1 for 3 in the playoffs with an RBI single during a 4-3 Game 5 loss to Boston. Pena threw out 24 percent of runners who tried to steal on him last season.

 

Eastern Michigan fires

English as football coach

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — Eastern Michigan has fired football coach Ron English with three games left in a losing season also marred by tragedy.

The Eagles are 1-8 entering Saturday’s game against Western Michigan. In a statement Friday, athletic director Heather Lyke says a “change in the leadership of our football team is necessary.”

Eastern Michigan President Susan Martin says it’s been an “extraordinarily challenging” year for the Eagles. Demarius Reed, a receiver from Chicago, was found fatally shot at an apartment building on Oct. 18.

English had an overall record of 11-46 at the Mid-American Conference school. Stan Parrish will be the head coach for the rest of the season.

 

Kentucky’s Randle leads

preseason All-SEC team

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — League coaches have picked Kentucky freshman forward Julius Randle first-team preseason All-Southeastern Conference.

They also placed four of his teammates with the top-ranked Wildcats on the second team.

The SEC released the coaches’ picks on Friday, with eight players chosen for both teams.

Tennessee has two players on the first team, forward Jarnell Stokes and guard Jordan McRae, plus second-team forward Jeronne Maymon.

The other first-team guards are Mississippi’s Marshall Henderson, Alabama’s Trevor Releford and Missouri’s Jabari Brown. The frontcourt also includes Florida center Patric Young and LSU forward Johnny O’Bryant III.

The second-team features Kentucky freshman guards Andrew Harrison and James Young and sophomore forwards Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress.

 

Pittman scores 31 points

as Herd beats S.C. State

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Elijah Pittman scored 31 points and Ryan Taylor grabbed 10 rebounds Friday night to lift Marshall over South Carolina State 85-69 in the season opener for both teams.

Pittman hit one of his five 3-pointers at the 8:28 mark of the first half to give Marshall a 23-21 lead and the Thundering Herd never trailed again, forcing 18 turnovers that produced 23 points. Taylor added 17 points for Marshall and Kareem Canty added 15 and five assists.

Matthew Hezekia led the Bulldogs with 19 points and was their only player in double figures.

South Carolina State kept the game close well into the first half but got worn down by turnovers and a Marshall defense that made 12 steals and eight blocked shots. The Bulldogs also committed 29 fouls that resulted in 26 points from the line for Marshall.