03262026 SPORTS

‘VJ’ fires for 22 in 76ers’ win

By AARON BRACY Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Joel Embiid scored 35 points in his return to the lineup from injury, Paul George had 28 points in his first game since serving a 25-game suspension, and the Philadelphia 76ers rolled to a 157-137 victory over the Chicago Bulls last night.

Rookie Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr, this year’s Rising Stars MVP, added 22 points for the 76ers in 30 minutes of playing time - he only had one turnover. He also contributed six rebounds, six assists and a steal.

Josh Giddey scored 23 points to lead the Bulls.

Embiid missed 13 games with a strained right oblique but showed no signs of rust.

The 2023 MVP made 6 of 9 shots in the first period, including all three of his 3-point tries.

He had 23 points in the first half to help Philadelphia take a 71-52 halftime lead.

George was not as sharp early but settled in after halftime.

Playing for the first time since January 29 due to a violation of the NBA's drug policy, he missed 8 of 10 field goals in the opening half and had five points, but scored 23 points in the second half.

George was cheered throughout the night, especially after converting on three consecutive possessions early in the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia was 13-12 without George, who signed a four-year, $212 million deal with the 76ers before the 2024 season but has been sidelined frequently by injury and suspension.

George finished 11 of 22 from the field and 6 of 13 from long range.

Philadelphia still was without All-Star Tyrese Maxey, who missed his 10th straight game due to a right finger tendon strain.

Kelly Oubre Jr. (left elbow strain) also was sidelined for the eighth consecutive contest.

Rookie gets 30 minutes of playing time as Embiid returns from injury, George plays first game since serving 25-game suspension

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Reporter

BAHAMIAN guard Deyton Albury is still active in the college basketball postseason as his season has moved into the final stage of the NIT with the New Mexico Lobos.

The Lobos advanced to the semifinals with an 84-69 win over the Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team, a game that turned after halftime. Saint Joseph’s led 39-37 at the break, but New Mexico controlled the second half, outscoring them 47-30 to take over the game and pull away late.

Albury, a senior, finished that game with nine points, two assists, one rebound and a steal in 15 minutes, shooting 2-for-2 from the field and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. His usage was low, but the efficiency was there, and he didn’t turn the ball over. He had just come back into the rotation after dealing with illness and still managed a positive stretch while New

Mexico built its second-half lead. That performance fits how he has been used throughout the NIT. New Mexico’s run started with a 107-83 win over Sam Houston Bearkats men's basketball, where Albury had his most productive scoring night of the tournament with 15 points. He followed that with minutes in an 86-61 win over George Washington Revolutionaries men's basketball, and then the quarterfinal win over Saint Joseph’s.  Albury’s role has been steady

UB Mingoes down Renegades

4-2 to sit atop BMSL table

MIDFIELDER

Clerdjevinsky Clerjuste hammered home two goals to boost the University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team to a 4-2 victory over Renegades

F.C. in the Bahamas Men’s Soccer League (BMSL) action on Sunday.

Playing at the Roscow

A.L. Davies Soccer Fields, UB got a goal each from winger Philip Pilgrim and forward Nahum Johnson to propel them to the top of the BMSL table. It was their 10th win in the BMSL this season as they sport a 10-1-3 win/loss/draw record.

Pilgrim said they needed this win with two important games remaining on the schedule.

“We had to find the right positions and keep

pressing,” Pilgrim said. “It was an important three points for the team as we are back at the top of the table. We needed those points at the top. It’s a little

breathing space but we have to keep going.”

UB wasted no time as left back Junior Kelly launched the ball from their defensive third to captain Ronaldo

BALL IN PLAY: The University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team earned a 4-2 victory over Renegades F.C. in the Bahamas Men’s Soccer League (BMSL) on Sunday.

Photo: UB Athletics

Green who passed it to Clerjuste who hammered it past the goalkeeper in the first minute of the match.  Green was the architect of another goal. This time

it was in the 26th minute when he passed the ball to Pilgrim who took two touches for the well-placed finish to put UB up 2-0.

Renegades got on the scoresheet from a UB own goal before halftime. The score was 2-1 at the intermission.

Johnson was fouled in the 18-yard box when he cut the ball back in the 66th minute. He stepped up for the penalty-kick and put it away to put his team up 3-1.

“It was good as it gave the team a little momentum. I might have been a little absent in the game but once I get my moments, I show what I can do,” Johnson said.

UB conceded another goal in the 78th minute to make the game interesting as UB led 3-2. Renegades kept trying for the equaliser but struggled to break past UB’s defence.

UB won a free-kick about 40 yards from goal in the 88th minute. Clerjuste stepped up to take it and he put the ball over the goalkeeper’s head and into the back of the net to put UB ahead 4-2.

UB conceded a penalty-kick two minutes later but goalkeeper Antonio Beckford saved the shot comfortably as UB held on for the 4-2 victory.

“I knew I was going to save it,” Beckford said. “It is a given fact as I saved five out of six penalties last season so I was not scared at all.”

UB has two weeks off of match play and two more games left in league play.

The Challenge Race: Kevin

Daley emerges as champion of first series

KEVIN Daley emerged as the champion of the New Providence Cycling Association’s first series of The Challenge Race on Sunday.

The event was staged around the Clifton Pier with Daley winning the 46-mile race in two hours and 49 seconds ahead of second place finisher Jay Major, who did 2:05:54.3. John Cox was third in 2:05:55.0. Other finishers in order were Bradley Bulmer, fourth in 2:05:56.0, Kenton Roker, fifth in 2:05:57.0, Barron Musgrove Jr, sixth in 2:05:58.0, Carl Blades,

seventh in 2:09:35.1, Jeff Tynes, eighth in 2:09:36.0, Rawshan Jones, ninth in 2:09:38.0, Steven Skoler, 10th in 2:09:40.0, Tristan Johnson, 11th in 2:26:43.0 and Drayton Knowles, 12th in 2:43:44.0. Felix Neely did not finish.

Other events held with the results

posted are as follows: 36 miles - Overall Dnacko Park, first in 1:59:24.1, Nathaniel Adderley, second in 2:22:58.0 and Sienna Culmer-Mackey, third in 2:00:44.0. Culmer-Mackey is a female competitor.  24 miles - Overall ClaudeRobert,

Lanza Miller elected president, will head the New Providence Volleyball Officials Association for the next three years

FOR the next three years, Lanza Miller will head the New Providence Volleyball Officials Association.

Miller, replacing Kirkwood Farquharson, was elected as president during the NPVOA's annual general meeting and election of officers that was held at the Ministry of Education on March 14.

The other officers elected were Adalbert Ingraham as vice president, Rosemary Munnings as secretary, Emmerick Taylor as treasurer and Casharon Coakley and McKlyn Rolle as board members. Miller, one of two FIVB international certified referees in the country, advised the members that he will continue the work that was started by the previous president with a focus on growing the

Local Sports Calendar

JUNIOR GOLF WEEK

THE Bahamas Junior Golf Association will hold its Junior Golf Week from Friday to Tuesday.

The week will commence with the welcome dinner on Friday at 7pm. On Saturday from 7am, the golfers will participate in a Blue Lagoon Adventure.

On Sunday, there will be a drive, chip and putt event at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Driving Range at 2pm. Then on Monday-Tuesday, the tournament will be held at the Royal Blue Golf Club starting at 8am for 18 holes, nine holes and six holes.

The closing awards presentation will follow at 6pm at Royal Blue.

CYCLING SPRING ROAD

CLASSIC

THE New Providence Cycling Association will hold its Spring Road Cycling Classic over the weekend of April 11-12 at Clifton Pier.

The individual time trial will begin at 5pm on Saturday, April 11, with the juniors competing over six miles and the adults covering 12 miles.

The road race will be held on Sunday, April 12, starting at 7:35am. The senior elites will ride 64 miles, under-23 will do 64 miles, open females 52 miles, masters male and female 46 miles, public races 24 miles, juniors (17-18) 52 miles, juveniles (14-16) 46 miles and-under 12 miles.

Prizes, including cash, trophies and medals will be presented to the various winners,

For more information, persons can contact 4335568 or 436-0685 or email bommus1967@gmail.com. Registration forms can be picked up at Cycles Unlimited online.

BBSF ELECTIONS

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation’s election of officers is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at its office at the Bahamas Baptist University/College, Jean Street.

FLAMINGO GOLF INSTALLATION THE newly elected executive board of the Flamingos Women’s Golf Classic will hold its installation of officers at 5pm on Friday, March 27, under the theme: “Leading with grace and style in every swing.”

The installation will take place at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Nine-Hole Golf Course and Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The dress code is Golf Clic. Refreshments will be served following the installation. To RSVP persons are urged to email flamingoswomengolf@gmail.com

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

AWARENESS WALK

SPECIAL Olympics

Bahamas is scheduled to hold its Awareness Walk on Saturday, March 28, starting at 9am at the Western Esplanade. The route will leave from the Western Esplanade, turn south onto Nassau Street to Poinciana Drive, continue south to University Drive and ending at the entrance of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre’s Legends Walk of Fame.

membership, increasing awareness of the association and enhancing the skills of the officials.

Miller, whose team is currently officiating the New Providence Volleyball Association's championship series at the DW Davis Gymnasium, said they will also be upholding the integrity and standard of volleyball officials.

Keep up the good work.

first in

1:29:20.0. 18 miles - Overall Sophie Brueckner, first in 1:04:49.9, Taylor Knowles, second in 1:12:31.0; Anjaleah Knowles, third in 1:16:33.2 and Gebriael McPhee, fourth in 1:38:34.1. Anthony Knowles III and Trenae Smith both did not finish.

Rhema closes out season with another

strong performance25 points, 9 rebounds and two assists

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net

RHEMA Collins closed out her 2025–26 season with another strong performance, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists, but Florida International’s outstanding run ended with a 77-66 loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats women's basketball in the second round of the WNIT.

FIU was in the game for most of the night. The teams were tied 19-19 after the first quarter, and the Panthers stayed within reach through the second, answering runs and closing the half down just 34-32.

The third quarter followed the same pattern, with FIU scoring 21 points to Abilene Christian’s 22, and heading into the fourth down 56-53.

Collins was a big part of that stretch, scoring 10 points in the third quarter alone to keep FIU within one possession. She was active throughout the game, getting touches in the half-court and staying involved on the glass, and her production kept the game from getting away.

The separation came in the second half of the fourth quarter, when FIU couldn’t match a run from Abilene Christian, and the lead stretched late.

Collins finished the year averaging 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, leading FIU in both categories while shooting about 45 per cent from the field. She recorded 14 double-doubles and scored in double figures in the majority of games, providing steady production from the start of the season through the postseason. That level of consistency earned her

Conference USA Player of the Year, the top individual award in the league, and placed her among the most productive players in the conference on both ends of the floor. She was FIU’s most reliable option in late-game situations, and the team’s structure reflected that.

FIU finished the season 21-11, marking its second 20-win season in three years, while also setting a programme record for conference wins and earning its highest seed in the CUSA tournament.

Collins’ postseason matched her regular season output.

In the WNIT opener against Stetson Hatters women's basketball, she finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and four steals in a 76-73 overtime win, including the defining moment of the game. With FIU trailing in the final seconds of regulation, she stepped into

RHEMA Collins finished with 25 points, nine rebounds and two assists but Florida International’s outstanding run ended with a 77-66 loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the second round of the WNIT.

a passing lane, created a turnover, and hit a three at the buzzer to force overtime and extend the game.

“I just stayed with it,” Collins said after that performance, describing the play and her approach late in games.

FIU went on to win in overtime, and across the

two WNIT games, Collins averaged 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, maintaining her regular-season level against postseason competition.

“I’m just doing what my team needs,” Collins said during the season, a line that matched how she played.

Deyton Albury and Lobos advance to NIT semi-finals

guard rotation that manages possessions, gets to the line, and keeps the offence organised when he is on the floor. In the Saint Joseph’s game, for example, five of his nine points came at the line, which helped New Mexico maintain control late. For the season, Albury has averaged around 11.8  points per game, along with three assists, playing as a rotation guard on a team that spreads minutes across the backcourt.

His path to this point is part of the story. Albury transferred from the Utah State Aggies to a deeper New Mexico roster, where his role shifted to supporting guard rather than primary scorer.

As a senior, he brings experience, and that has shown in how he plays with controlled possessions, limited mistakes, and taking shots when they are there.

Earlier in the season, he also picked up attention off the court for a moment that spread across social media when he wore protective goggles during a game. The look stood out and got some traction online.

“I just try to play my role and stay ready,” Albury said during the season, describing how he approaches his minutes.

New Mexico now moves into the NIT semifinals, where they are set to face the Indiana State Sycamores. The game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with a spot in the championship on the line. The New Mexico Lobos are only two wins away from a title.