The UConn women’s basketball team’s quest to 40-0 ended on Friday after one of their worst performances in recent memory.

Winning each of its first 38 games of the season, the Huskies were outscored by 16 points in the final 20 minutes to fall to fellow No. 1 seed South Carolina, 62-48, in the Final Four.

The bout was a rematch of last year’s national championship, which the Huskies won for a storybook ending to UConn alum Paige Bueckers’ career.

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South Carolina guard Agot Makeer and UConn guard Kayleigh Heckel scramble for the ball during the second half of the women’s NCAA basketball tournament semifinal at the Final Four in Phoenix on April 3, 2026. (Ross D. Franklin/AP)

It’s the fourth time in the last five years that the Gamecocks are back in the national championship, while the Huskies had won 54 straight dating back to last year.

Ta’Niya Latson scored 16 points, and Agot Makeer added 14 with South Carolina playing stifling defense. UConn (38-1) entered the Final Four undefeated for the ninth time in school history, and for the third straight time left without a title. The Huskies also lost in the 2017 and 2018 national semifinals.

This was the fewest points UConn had scored since putting up 49 points in a national championship game loss to the Gamecocks in 2022.

South Carolina guards Tessa Johnson and Agot Makeer celebrate after defeating UConn in the women’s NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game at the Final Four in Phoenix on April 3, 2026. (Rick Scuteri/AP)

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Leading 46-44 a few minutes into the third quarter, South Carolina scored five straight points, capped by Agot Makeer’s 3-pointer to extend the advantage to seven.

UConn’s Sarah Strong hit a 3-pointer to get the Huskies back within 51-47 with 4:39 left, but the Huskies didn’t score again until Strong hit a free throw with 30.8 seconds left, after South Carolina had scored 11 straight points.

Strong, who was honored as the AP Player of the Year on Thursday, had 12 points and 12 rebounds, but went 4 for 16 from the field. Azzi Fudd had just eight points for the Huskies, making only 3-of-15 shots.

UConn had its worst shooting night of the season, finishing 19 for 61 (31.1%) from the field.

The game was headlined by a heated postgame exchange between coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley.

Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks argues with Geno Auriemma of the UConn Huskies during the second half of an NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinal game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 3, 2026. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

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The Gamecocks will now face UCLA on Sunday for the national championship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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The leaders of college sports’ most powerful conferences quickly aligned behind President Donald Trump’s latest executive order.

Commissioners from the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 all released statements on social media Friday evening unanimously thanking Trump for his executive action. 

Trump’s EO directs federal agencies to potentially restrict funding for schools violating new, tighter rules on player transfers (limited to one) and eligibility (maximum five years), while curbing pay-for-play booster collectives and protecting women’s and Olympic sports funding.

The conferences struck a consistent tone of appreciation for federal involvement, coupled with a renewed call for Congress to establish national standards governing college athletics, particularly with respect to athlete compensation, employment status and name, image and likeness (NIL) rules.

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Big 10 Commissioner Tony Petitti wrote, “The Big Ten Conference would like to thank President Trump for his leadership and continuing efforts to protect college athletics and joins him in urging Congress to quickly pass legislation addressing the critical issues undermining its long-term stability.

“Consistent with President Trump’s executive order, the bipartisan SCORE Act thoughtfully addresses name, image, and likeness for student-athletes, protecting academic and athletic opportunities provided through women’s and Olympic sports programs, and expands resources to support student-athletes on and off the field.

“We will continue to work with a broad coalition of college sports stakeholders and members of Congress to enact this legislation.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey wrote, “The establishment and enforcement of consistent national standards for college athletics remains a top priority, and President Trump’s executive order provides important clarity to help ensure all programs operate under comparable policies.

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President Donald Trump’s FCC is seeking public comments on the ongoing shift of live sports from broadcast channels to streaming services. (Getty Images)

“We are grateful for the President’s leadership and the continued, bipartisan engagement of members of the House and Senate on these key issues.

“We support House of Representatives approval of the SCORE Act and meaningful Senate consideration of similar legislation to preserve academic opportunity for student-athletes and the long-term future of college sports.”

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark wrote, “Federal action is essential to protect the future of college athletics, and on behalf of the Big 12, we appreciate President Trump’s commitment to advancing a solution. To build on this momentum and provide long-term clarity and stability, Congress must now act.

“The bipartisan SCORE Act offers a comprehensive framework for many of the issues facing our industry, and I look forward to continue working with President Trump and Congress to enact meaningful reforms.”

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips wrote, “We deeply thank President Trump and his administration’s ongoing commitment to protecting college athletics by issuing today’s executive order. Following the White House’s college sports roundtable, there continues to be significant momentum to preserve the athletic and academic opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes, and we appreciate the efforts.

“We remain optimistic that the SCORE Act, which would provide stability to college sports, will pass the House of Representatives in the near future.”

The executive order “directs Federal agencies to bolster the effectiveness of key college sports rules on transferring, eligibility, and pay-for-play by evaluating whether violations of such rules render a university unfit for Federal grants and contracts.”

It also says that a “five-year participation window” will be enforced, along with “structured transfer rules” and a “banning (of) improper financial arrangements including pay-for-play agreements facilitated by collectives and similar entities.”

Trump’s executive order comes roughly a month after he hosted a roundtable addressing several hot-button issues with notable sports figures and officials.

SCORE ACT RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM OVER 20 CONSERVATIVE GROUPS AS NIL REFORM FIGHT REVS UP

The SCORE Act was at the forefront of the roundtable. It was scheduled to be voted on in December, but the vote was canceled shortly before it was to take place.

The White House endorsed the act, but three Republicans — Byron Donalds of Florida, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Chip Roy of Texas — voted with Democrats not to bring the act to the floor. Democrats have largely opposed the bill, urging members of the House to vote against it.

The act would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption in hopes of protecting the NCAA from potential lawsuits over eligibility rules and would prohibit athletes from becoming employees of their schools. It prohibits schools from using student fees to fund NIL payments.

The president’s order from July prohibits athletes from receiving pay-to-play payments from third-party sources. However, the order did not impose any restrictions on NIL payments to college athletes by third-party sources. It also demands that schools account for preserving resources for the non-revenue sports.

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President Donald Trump signs an executive order during the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy presentation with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., March 20, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

A month before Trump’s order, a judge approved a settlement between the NCAA, its most powerful conferences and lawyers representing all Division I athletes. The deal means the NCAA will pay close to $2.8 billion in back damages over the next 10 years to college athletes who competed from 2016 to 2025. The settlement also allows college programs to pay athletes directly.

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

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President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order for college sports this week after hosting a roundtable addressing several hot-button issues last month.

CBS News reported that the order, which would be the second for Trump, could be signed as early as Friday. The outlet added that the order will aim to increase the NCAA’s control over athletes amid the new era of name, image, and likeness.

Last month, Trump hosted NCAA President Charlie Baker, former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban, New York Yankees President Randy Levine and each of the Power Four commissioners, among others at a roundtable. Trump called the roundtable to examine solutions to key challenges, including NCAA authority, NIL issues, collective bargaining, and governance concerns.

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U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a roundtable discussion on college sports in the East Room of the White House on March 06, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“This is the future, I think, beyond college sports. This is the future of colleges,” Trump said to kick off the roundtable. “The amount of money being spent and lost by otherwise very successful schools is astounding just in a short period of time. It’s only going to get worse. We have to save college sports, and, I believe, colleges.

“Crazy things are happening. … We have a seven-year freshman. We’re seeing things we’ve never seen before. College players not wanting to go pro because they make more money in college,” he added.

Trump said he’d write an executive order “based on great common sense.”

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14: U.S. President Donald Trumpholds up a football presented to Trump during a presentation ceremony for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House April 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Commander-in-Chief Trophy is awarded to the winner of the American college football series among the teams of the U.S. Military Academy (Army Black Knights), the U.S. Naval Academy (Navy Midshipmen), and the U.S. Air Force Academy (Air Force Falcons). (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

SCORE ACT RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM OVER 20 CONSERVATIVE GROUPS AS NIL REFORM FIGHT REVS UP

The SCORE Act was at the forefront of the roundtable. It was scheduled to be voted on in December but the vote was canceled shortly before. The White House endorsed the act, but three Republicans — Byron Donalds of Florida, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Chip Roy of Texas — voted with Democrats not to bring the act to the floor. Democrats have largely opposed the bill, urging members of the House to vote against it.

The Act would give the NCAA a limited antitrust exemption in hopes of protecting the NCAA from potential lawsuits over eligibility rules and would prohibit athletes from becoming employees of their schools. It prohibits schools from using student fees to fund NIL payments.

The president’s order from July prohibits athletes from receiving pay-to-play payments from third-party sources. However, the order did not impose any restrictions on NIL payments to college athletes by third-party sources. It also demands that schools account for preserving resources for the non-revenue sports.

President Donald Trump looks on before the college football game between the US Army and Navy at the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Dec. 13, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP)

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A month before Trump’s order, a judge approved a settlement between the NCAA, its most powerful conferences and lawyers representing all Division I athletes. The deal means the NCAA will pay close to $2.8 billion in back damages over the next 10 years to college athletes who competed from 2016 to 2025. The settlement also allows for college programs to pay athletes directly.

Last month, Trump signed an executive order to keep the Army-Navy game a standalone contest.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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A former Syracuse basketball player is being deported to Sudan after spending several weeks in ICE custody.

John Bol Ajak was taken into custody on Feb. 18 and agreed to a deportation order on Thursday, according to Syracuse.com.

The outlet reported that Ajak had been given the option of either voluntary departure or a deportation order, and he chose the latter. The U.S. government pays for the deportation order, while voluntarily leaving allows eligibility for future entry.

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John Bol Ajak of the Syracuse Orange reacts during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, on Jan. 14, 2023. (Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)

“If this is how I’m leaving, I never want to step foot in this country again,” Ajak said.

Ajak was held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Pennsylvania and had been living in Syracuse.

John Bol Ajak of the Syracuse Orange prepares to play against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first half at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York, on Dec. 10, 2022. (Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING RAPPER SET TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL IN CHINA

He was arrested four times from December until being placed in ICE custody for trespassing, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He admitted on Thursday that he had been in the country illegally after his F-1 student visa had expired, which also resulted in him not being able to attend the Newhouse School of Public Communications at the university.

Ajak came to the United States from Kenya in 2014 to pursue and education and basketball opportunities in Pennsylvania, and played for the Orange from 2020 through 2023 under Jim Boeheim.

John Bol Ajak of Syracuse celebrates after the team’s victory against San Diego State in the first round of the 2021 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on March 19, 2021. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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At 6-foot-10 and 215 pounds, he played in 35 games, registering 234 total minutes among one start. He scored 21 career points and had 43 rebounds, 26 assists, and 27 personal fouls.

Ajak was born in South Sudan, but his family fled to Kenya when he was an infant during the country’s civil war.

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NASA’s first lunar voyage in decades stole the spotlight at a Florida softball game Wednesday night, as players from both teams paused in astonishment while four astronauts embarked on a journey around the moon.

Florida Gators utility player Madison Walker pointed to the sky, and Stetson University freshman Gaby Bauer stood at home plate in awe as the Artemis II moon rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center just before 7 p.m.

After the excitement settled, the No. 7 seed Florida went on to rout its in-state rival 8–2, marking the Gators’ 14th straight win over Stetson dating back to 2006. (IMAGN/ AP Newsroom)

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The game at Patricia Wilson Field in DeLand, Florida, was only an hour away from the launch site, but the rocket could still be seen making its way through the sky on a trip expected to last about 10 days. 

After the excitement settled, the No. 7 seed Florida went on to rout its in-state rival 8–2, marking the Gators’ 14th straight win over Stetson dating back to 2006.

NASA’s Artemis II moon rocket lifts off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-B in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on April 1, 2026. (Chris O’Meara/AP)

TALLEST COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER, STANDING AT 7-FOOT-9, ENTERING TRANSFER PORTAL

 Meanwhile, the historic lunar trip captivated most of the country on Wednesday.

Three Americans and one Canadian took off from the Kennedy Space Center to the moon some 248,000 miles away. The crew will sail past the moon another 4,000 miles before making a U-turn and returning home.

Astronauts Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Victor Glover attend a welcome ceremony at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 27, 2026, ahead of the Artemis II mission launch scheduled for April 1, 2026. (Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP)

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The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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He mulled retirement, but Bill Self won’t be ending his college coaching career just yet. 

Self announced he will be returning to the Kansas Jayhawks’ sideline for the 2026-27 season.

“With renewed clarity and the ongoing support from our administration, I remain focused and committed to Kansas basketball competing for a national championship,” Self’s statement said. 

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Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks walks across the court before a game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena Feb. 2, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

“I look forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.”

Self made the decision after consulting with his family, especially considering his health issues in recent seasons. 

UCONN MEN’S BASKETBALL HOPING FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TRANSFER MAGIC ONCE AGAIN

Self has dealt with chest tightness and balance concerns, which resulted in a hospitalization in 2013, forcing him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments. He had two stents placed for treatment of blocked arteries. 

In July 2025, Self was admitted to a hospital after feeling ill. He was reportedly experiencing “concerning symptoms,” leading to another surgery to have stents inserted. He was later released from a hospital and coached the Jayhawks this year. 

Self did miss a game in January against Colorado, when he was taken to a hospital as a precaution, the school noted at the time. 

Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks watches his team play against the Houston Cougars in the second half during the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament at T-Mobile Center March 13, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

The Jayhawks fell to St. John’s in the NCAA Tournament, which led reporters to naturally wonder what Self had in mind about his future. 

“I’ll get back and visit with the family,” Self said, via ESPN. “I’ve had, obviously, some issues off the court health-wise. And that will be discussed. But I love what I do. I want to feel good while I’m doing it, though.”

Self has been a college basketball head coach since the 1993-94 season, starting his tenure with Oral Roberts. After stops at Tulsa and Illinois, Self joined Kansas for the 2003-04 season, and he hasn’t left since. 

Self has won two national championships in his 23 seasons with the Jayhawks, his most recent coming in 2022. Kansas has also reached the Final Four four times under his leadership. 

Kansas head coach Bill Self reacts as the team plays California Baptist during the first half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament March 20, 2026, in San Diego.  (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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In 815 games, Self owns a 648-167 record with Kansas. He also has 855 wins as a head coach in his 33-year career, which includes 27 NCAA Tournament appearances. 

With the NCAA transfer portal opening April 7, Self will be right back to work building another Kansas roster he hopes to get deeper in March Madness next season. 

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Former Wisconsin football player Jack Pugh, who walked away from college football due to mental health struggles, has died, the university announced Tuesday. He was 24. 

Pugh, an Ohio native, was a tight end on the Badgers’ football team from 2021 to 2022. His cause of death was not immediately known. 

Pugh redshirted his freshman year and made his debut for Wisconsin in a game against Minnesota the following season. But in December 2023, he announced he was stepping away from the sport because of mental health struggles. (Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics)

“The Wisconsin Athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh. Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program. More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff,” the statement read. 

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“Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved.” 

Pugh redshirted his freshman year and made his debut for Wisconsin in a game against Minnesota the following season. But in December 2023, he announced he was stepping away from the sport because of mental health struggles. 

Pugh was a tight end on the Badgers’ football team from 2021 to 2022. (Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics)

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“I made a decision before the football season to medically retire, that I haven’t yet formally announced. My physical health wasn’t near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” he wrote in an Instagram post at the time.

“Over years of prolonged depression and substance abuse, I decided I deserved a better life and to finally find happiness. In no way was football the root of these problems, but everything in my life had distracted me for so long to the point I never had prioritized my mental health all along, digging a deeper darker hole.” 

“My physical health wasn’t near perfect, but my mental health was the reason I decided to hang it up,” Pugh wrote on Instagram. (Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics)

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen, who was Pugh’s teammate during their time at Wisconsin, shared a message on X seemingly in response to news of Pugh’s death.

“Protect your mental,” his post X. 

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The average height of a men’s basketball program will increase significantly next season.

That’s because Olivier Rioux, the tallest college basketball player ever, is transferring out of the University of Florida.

The 7-foot-9 20-year-old announced his decision in an Instagram post, where he thanked his coaches for “believing in me, for trusting me, and for pushing me to develop every single day,” as well as “trainers, managers, and support staff.”

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Center Olivier Rioux of the Florida Gators checks into the game for guard Urban Klavzar of the Florida Gators during the college basketball game between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs on Feb. 11, 2026, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rioux said he took time “to reflect on my jersey and what’s best for my future.”

“It’s truly hard to put into words what these last two years and this experience has meant to me. From being raised in the province of Quebec back home in Canada, to representing this incredible program, wearing these colors and competing at the highest level has been one of the greatest honors of my life…” Rioux wrote.

“Winning the national championship last year was a dream come true for all of us. It’s something we worked for every single day, and to experience that moment together is something I will cherish forever. I will take these memories with me for the rest of my life.

“To the alumni and Florida Victorious, thank you for building the legacy that we’re so proud to represent. And to my teammates, my brothers, thank you for every moment, every battle, every joke, and every memory. The bond we share is untouchable. And most importantly, thank you to all Gator Nation. Your energy, passion, and support mean everything to me. You’ve stood by me through it all, and I’m forever grateful to be a part of this family. This time together will always hold a special place in my heart. Until we meet again. Thank you, merci.”

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux gives a fan a high-five after the game. The Florida Gators hosted the Grambling Tigers at Exactech Area at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.  (Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun)

UCONN’S BRAYLON MULLINS HITS GAME-WINNING 3-POINTER TO SHOCK DUKE, ADVANCE TO MEN’S FINAL FOUR

Rioux played sparingly in two years with the Gators, redshirting as a true freshman during the team’s national championship season and then getting on the court in mop-up duty this past season. He played 15 total minutes, finishing with seven points, six rebounds , and an assist.

Rioux became the tallest person to ever play college basketball when he made his debut in a 104-64 victory over North Florida last November. He scored three games later, making a free throw after getting fouled. He also recorded his first rebound.

Rioux is two inches taller than former NBA giants Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, and three inches taller than popular big men Yao Ming, Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley.

Head coach Todd Golden gave Rioux the option of playing sparingly as a true freshman or taking a redshirt season and working on his game. Rioux chose the latter. After all four frontcourt players returned, Golden made it clear before the season that Rioux would only play late in blowouts. 

Florida Gators center Olivier Rioux (32) and Prairie View A&M Panthers forward Hassane Diallo (11) look on during a first-round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Mar. 20, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)

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But Rioux doubled down on wanting to be at Florida and welcomed the challenge of playing against Alex Condon, Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu, and Micah Handlogten in practice and behind them in games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley used a segment about UConn Huskies star Alex Karaban to go on a political rant during CBS’ broadcast of March Madness on Sunday.

CBS featured Karaban in a piece about his family. His mother, Olga, came to Massachusetts from Ukraine with her parents and grandparents in 1996. His father, Alexei, immigrated to the U.S. from Belarus on a work visa in 2001.

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UConn forward Alex Karaban speaks during a press conference ahead of a game against Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

After the segment aired, Barkley lamented the alleged treatment of legal immigrants.

“I want to be careful with my words right now because this is a really touchy subject for me,” he said. “I love that kid and his family, but the way some of these other immigrants are getting treated in our country right now is a travesty and a disgrace. I think there’s a difference between amazing immigrants and criminal immigrants. I think what’s going on in our country, what we’re doing to some of these amazing immigrants, is really unfortunate and it’s really sad.

“And that’s a great immigrant story. We have a lot of great immigrant stories out there that their stories need to be told, but some of the stuff that’s happening to immigrants in our country right now is really unfortunate, and it’s really unfair. But immigrants built this country, and we should admire them and respect them.”

Charles Barkley during a pro-am prior to Arnold Palmer Invitational at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge on March 4, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (Tracy Wilcox/PGA Tour via Getty Images)

UCONN’S BRAYLON MULLINS HITS GAME-WINNING 3-POINTER TO SHOCK DUKE, ADVANCE TO MEN’S FINAL FOUR

Barkley didn’t cite any example of legal immigrants being treated poorly in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has routinely announced arrests of criminal illegal immigrants who have been accused of heinous crimes in the U.S.

Still, DHS and agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) routinely come under fire for their tactics in arresting illegal immigrants.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani offered fresh criticism of ICE ahead of a “No Kings” rally.

“We’re making clear that no one is above the law in this city, that everyone has to follow the rule of law,” Mamdani said. “I have made clear to the president, both in our private conversations and our public conversations, about the fact that I believe that ICE is a rogue agency.”

Protesters hold up a “Stop ICE” sign after being removed from the building by police during a bill-signing event with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

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Mamdani added that he believes ICE is “reckless” and “delivers nothing toward the furthering of the cause of public safety.”

Fox News’ Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

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LSU Tigers infielder Seth Dardar made the most of his clutch home run in the eighth inning against the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday.

Dardar was at the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Tigers down two runs. LSU had two men on base when he stepped up to the plate.

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Seth Dardar #24 of the LSU Tigers celebrates against the Milwaukee Panthers at Alex Box Stadium on Feb. 13, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)

He clobbered a home run to right field to give LSU an 11-10 lead at the time. As he knew he got all of it, Dardar flipped his bat high into the air to put the exclamation point on the dinger.

LSU was down 7-0 going into the bottom of the third inning before they went on the comeback trail. The Tigers got the deficit down to within one run before Kentucky added three more runs in the fifth inning.

But after Dardar’s homer, LSU’s bullpen buckled down and didn’t give up any more runs.

OLE MISS’ TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS ELIGIBLE FOR SIXTH COLLEGE SEASON AFTER NCAA’S APPEAL DENIED BY JUDGE

Seth Dardar swings as the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns b the LSU eat Tigers 7-2 at M.L. Tigue Moore Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

LSU won the game, 17-10, and took the series against Kentucky.

“Even down 7-0, our players were confident they were going to come back in this game,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson said after the game, via the school’s website. “I’m very proud of the way they competed; they gave their all throughout the game and earned a great victory.”

Dardar, who played at Kansas State and Columbia before transferring to LSU for the 2026 season, was 3-for-5 with a double, home run and four RBI.

Seth Dardar #24 of the LSU Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at the Alex Box Stadium on March 13, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Mitchell Scaglione/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

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LSU improved to 19-10 on the season and 4-5 against SEC opponents. Kentucky fell to 21-6 and 5-4 in the SEC.

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