Noise in the Big Apple. Things are heating up in the New York, as West Virginia and Clemson advanced to the NIT championship game last night with a pair of thrilling victories. In one semifinal, West Virginia’s Darris Nichols nailed a three at the buzzer to lead the Mountaineers over Mississippi State, 63-62. In the other game, Clemson held off Air Force, 68-67, as K.C. Rivers paved the way with 19 points and six rebounds. West Virginia and Clemson will play for the title on Thursday night.

Tennessee, UNC advance. Tennessee and North Carolina advanced to the Women’s Final Four with victories in the regional finals last night. The Lady Vols and Tar Heels join Rutgers and LSU as the final teams vying for the national championship. Tennessee was dominant in its win over Mississippi, as Candace Parker had 24 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in the 98-62 win. In the later game, Ivory Latta had 21 points to lead UNC to an 84-72 win over Purdue. The Women’s Final Four begins on Sunday evening.

Bringing the heat. St. Joseph’s (New York) hurler Jennifer Martinez was really happy to take the field for the first time this season. She was so happy in fact, that she struck out 21 batters against Shawnee State in the opener. Martinez, a biology/secondary education major, tied her own NCAA record and also tossed a no-hitter in the victory. It was one of two no-no’s she tossed on the team’s spring break trip, with the other coming against Division II Shepherd University. During the four-day trip, Martinez posted a 4-1 record, didn’t allow an earned run in 34 innings of action and struck out 90 batters.