Duke’s Boozer Named MVP as Blue Devils Edge Virginia in ACC Final

In a thrilling finish at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament title game, the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils secured a narrow 74-70 victory over the 10th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers on March 10, 2024. Star freshman Cameron Boozer was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) despite facing a challenging night, scoring only 13 points on 3-for-17 shooting.

Boozer’s struggles were compounded by the impressive defensive performance of Virginia’s Ugonna Onyenso, who recorded nine blocks, including four against Boozer. Onyenso’s total of 21 blocked shots throughout the tournament set a new three-game record, surpassing the previous mark held by NBA legend Tim Duncan.

St. John’s Dominates UConn for Back-to-Back Big East Titles

In another significant matchup, St. John’s University claimed its second consecutive Big East Tournament championship with a decisive 72-52 victory over sixth-ranked UConn at Madison Square Garden. The 13th-ranked Red Storm showcased a formidable defense led by Zuby Ejiofor, who contributed seven blocks, nine rebounds, and three steals.

Ejiofor and teammate Bryce Hopkins each scored 18 points, helping St. John’s become the first team since Villanova (2017-2019) to win back-to-back Big East titles. Under the leadership of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, St. John’s joins UConn in 1998 and 1999 as the only programs to win both the regular-season and tournament crowns in consecutive years.

Shiffrin Equals Slalom Record, Venezuela Advances in WBC

In skiing, American Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin matched her record for the most World Cup slalom victories in a season, winning her eighth event. She completed the last race before the World Cup Finals, finishing 0.94 seconds ahead of Germany’s Emma Aicher, who remains a formidable competitor in the overall standings, trailing Shiffrin by 140 points with four races left.

In baseball action, Venezuela rallied to defeat defending champion Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic, securing a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2009. Wilyer Abreu hit a critical three-run homer that followed a two-run shot from Maikel Garcia, marking a significant comeback against Japanese star Shohei Ohtani.

Medvedev Ends Alcaraz’s Streak, Westbrook Stars for Kings

On the tennis court, Daniil Medvedev handed Carlos Alcaraz his first loss of the year at the Indian Wells tournament, winning 6-3, 7-6 (3) to advance to the final where he will face Jannik Sinner. Medvedev’s victory ended a streak of 16 consecutive wins for Alcaraz, who had previously triumphed at both the Australian Open and Qatar Open.

In the NBA, Russell Westbrook recorded his 209th career triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Sacramento Kings’ 118-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with 27 points, while the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points before leaving the game with a sprained ankle.

These highlights from the world of sports reflect a weekend of notable achievements and competitive spirit as teams and athletes continue to make their mark in their respective fields.