World Boxing, the new organization slated to run the boxing events at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, announced Friday it had enacted a mandatory sex-testing policy with Algerian gold medalist Imane Khelif slated to return to competition next week at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands. 

Khelif became one of the main storylines of last summer’s Paris Games when the International Boxing Association alleged she had been disqualified from an event in March 2023 because she did not pass a chromosome-based gender verification test.

The International Olympic Committee, which stripped the IBA of its governing body status after a corruption investigation, questioned the credibility of the IBA’s testing process and allowed Khelif to compete in the female category on the basis of being listed as a female on her Algerian passport.  

Amid several days of international controversy, the 26-year-old Khelif won the gold medal in the welterweight division and said afterward: “I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I have lived as a woman, I compete as a woman. There is no doubt about that.”

Controversy bubbled up again in recent days when Khelif was entered in Eindhoven, prompting World Boxing’s rush to introduce sex testing under “special or emergency circumstances,” even as the organization acknowledged that its “Sex, Age and Weight” policies were still in development. 

“In light of plans to introduce this policy and the particular circumstances surrounding some boxers that competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform it that Imane Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes sex testing,’ according to the release.

Last fall, the French publication Le Correspondant published what it claimed was a leaked 2023 medical report on Khelif showing that she was born with a rare genetic trait called 5-Alpha reductase type 2 deficiency, which is essentially an intersex condition or so-called difference in sexual development that showed in the presence of XY chromosomes, testosterone levels higher than the typical woman and internal testes.

Though some individual sport governing bodies like World Aquatics and World Athletics have developed participation policies on issues like transgender athletes and athletes with DSDs, the IOC stopped mandatory chromosome testing prior to the 2000 Olympics. That 25-year-old policy change was made at the urging of scientists and geneticists who did not endorse the so-called cheek swab method as precise enough to portray a full biological picture, given the vast array of mutations and conditions that could cause chromosomal anomalies without conferring an obvious or problematic competitive advantage.

The IOC cited this history, as well as the IBA’s opaque testing process and lack of due process afforded to Khelif, in explaining why she was allowed to compete in Paris. 

Khelif had competed on the international boxing circuit for years before the 2024 Olympics without controversy, including at the Tokyo Games in 2021, where she lost in the quarterfinals. 

World Boxing’s announcement Friday said that national federations would be responsible for testing and to confirm the sex of their boxer, and that failure to do so could lead to sanctions against the country and the athlete. The organization also says it reserves the right to do its own testing to confirm certification. 

“Where test results for boxers that want to compete in the female category reveal Y chromosome genetic material and a potential DSD, the initial screenings will be referred to independent clinical specialists for genetic screening, hormonal profiles, anatomical examination or other valuation of endocrine profiles by medical specialists.” 

Though World Boxing says an appeals process will be available to boxers who fail chromosome testing, it’s unclear whether it will include some type of policy like World Athletics, which allows track and field athletes with DSDs to compete in the female category if their testosterone is lowered below 2.5 nanamoles per liter for at least six months. 

The 2025 French Open, the second Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, continues this weekend with matches being played on the storied clay courts of Roland Garros.

American Coco Gauff, the No. 2 seed in the women’s draw, and three-time Novak Djokovic are among the participants competing on Saturday.  Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic will stand on the opposite end of the court from Gauff. Djokovic will take on the 23-year-old Austrian Filip Misolic.

Another U.S. star, No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula, will also be in action against Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic, while two Americans face off, when No. 7 seed Madison Keys takes on No. seed Sofia Kenin.

Here are the latest results and schedule for the 2025 French Open:

How to watch the 2025 French Open

• Date: Ongoing through Sunday, June 8
• Where: Stade Roland Garros in Paris
• TV: TNT, TBS, truTV
• Stream: Sling TV, YouTube TV

Stream the 2025 French Open on Sling TV

2025 French Open: Men’s singles bracket

For a full list of results, visit the Roland-Garros 2025 tournament site.

Saturday, May 31

Featured matches (third round)

No. 6 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs. Filip Misolic (Austria)

No. 3 Alexander Zverev (Germany) vs. Flavio Cobolli (Italy)

No. 1 Jannik Sinner (Italy) vs. Jiri Lehecka (Czech Republic)

No. 5 Jack Draper (Great Britain) vs. Joao Fonseca (Brazil)

Friday, May 30

Featured matches (third round)

No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) def. Damir Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina), 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4

No. 15 Frances Tiafoe (U.S.) def. Sebastian Korda (U.S.), 7(8)-6(6), 6-3, 6-4

No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti (Italy) def. Mariano Navone (Argentina), 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2

No. 12 Tommy Paul (U.S.) def. No. 24 Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7), 3-6, 6-3

No. 13 Ben Shelton (U.S.) def. Matteo Gigante (Italy), 6-3, 6-3, 6-4

No. 10 Holger Rune (Denmark) def. Quentin Halys (France), 4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2

2025 French Open: Women’s singles bracket

Saturday, May 31

Featured matches (third round)

No. 2 Coco Gauff (U.S.) vs. Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic)

No. 7 Madison Keys (U.S.) vs. No. 31 Sofia Kenin (U.S.)

No. 3 Jessica Pegula (U.S.) vs. Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic)

No. 6 Mirra Andreeva vs. No. 32 Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan)

No. 10 Paula Badosa (Spain) vs. No. 17 Daria Kasatkina (Australia)

Friday, May 30

Featured matches (third round)

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka def. Olga Danilovic (Serbia), 6-2, 6-3

No. 5 Iga Swiatek (Poland) def. Jaqueline Cristian (Romania), 6-2, 7-5

No. 12 Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) def. No. 21 Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia), 6-2, 6-2

No. 4 Jasmine Paolini (Italy) def. Yuliia Starodubtseva (Ukraine), 6-4, 6-1

No. 8 Qinwen Zheng (China) def. Victoria Mboko (Canada), 6-3, 6-4

No. 13 Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) def. Bernarda Pera (U.S.), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5)

2025 French Open schedule

Here is the rest of the French Open schedule:

• Third round: May 30 – 31
• Fourth round: June 1 – 2
• Quarterfinals: June 3 – 4
• Semifinals: June 5 – 6
• Women’s singles final: June 7
• Men’s singles final: June 8
• Doubles finals: June 7 – 8

On May 29, both Oregon and Ole Miss began their respective journeys in the Women’s College World Series with national championship dreams firmly intact.

Just over a day later, one of them has exited the tournament, with their season abruptly over.

Behind three hits from Kai Luschar, two RBIs from Dezianna Patmon and 9 1/3 innings of work from Lyndsey Grein, the Ducks defeated the Rebels 6-5 late Friday night in 10 innings in an elimination game at the WCWS at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Oregon will play again Sunday against the loser of Saturday’s game between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 6 Texas, last year’s WCWS championship series participants.

With losses to Texas Tech and now Oregon, Ole Miss has been bounced from the double-elimination tournament. The Rebels, who knocked off No. 4 Arkansas in the super regional round, were the lone unranked team in the event.

They didn’t go down without a fight, though. Ole Miss rallied to score three runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game, a spurt capped off by a two-run single from Jamie Mackay.

But in the bottom of the 10th inning, with the bases loaded with one out, Kedre Luschar drew a walk, bringing home Presley Lawton from third base for a long-awaited winning run. With the win, the Ducks moved to 9-0 in games after a loss this season and improved the record of teams with leads of at least three runs entering the seventh inning at the WCWS since 2000 to 164-2.

Here’s a look at the score, updates and highlights from Oregon’s marathon win against Ole Miss:

Oregon vs Ole Miss softball score

This section will be updated throughout the game

Oregon vs Ole Miss softball updates

Final: Oregon 6, Ole Miss 5

After nearly four hours, a winner has emerged.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 10th inning, Kedre Luschar is walked by Aliyah Binford, bringing the winning run across the plate for Oregon.

The Ducks’ national championship dreams remain alive while the Rebels’ season comes to an end.

Ole Miss leaves two stranded

A little more action in the top of the 10th inning than any of its immediate predecessors, but ultimately, the result’s the same. Ole Miss gets runners on first and second with two outs, but Lair Beautae grounds into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.

Oregon, Ole Miss head to the 10th inning

Three up and three down for Oregon, which is off to the 10th inning against Ole Miss. Not sure the Ducks would have believed that heading into the seventh, but alas, it’s where we find ourselves.

Ole Miss held scoreless

For the third-consecutive inning, Oregon will have a chance to break a deadlock and eliminate Ole Miss. Will the Ducks come through this time?

Oregon shut out, game moves to ninth inning

We’re off to the second extra inning, with Oregon also coming up empty at the plate. Ole Miss and Oregon remain tied 5-5. With it nearing midnight local time, are we due for a decisive play?

Ole Miss comes up empty in eighth inning

The Rebels’ offensive outburst from the seventh inning doesn’t extend to the eighth. Ole Miss gets a runner on first thanks to a base hit from Lair Beautae, but Aliyah Binford grounds into a fielder’s choice with two outs to send Oregon back to the plate with a chance to win it.

Oregon, Ole Miss going to extra innings

Oregon gets a runner on first, but not a whole lot else in the bottom of the seventh inning, with Stefini Ma’ake grounding out to end the inning for the Ducks and sending the game to extra innings.

Ole Miss ties it with seventh-inning rally

An Ole Miss team that had already earned three comeback wins during the NCAA tournament has saved its best for last.

Trailing 5-2 entering the seventh inning, the Rebels have tacked on three runs to tie the game. The biggest play came with runners on second and third with two outs. In her first at-bat of the WCWS, Jamie Mackay ripped a single into left field and brought in both runs to tie the game.

Oregon now heads into the bottom of the seventh with a chance to reclaim the lead and pick up the win.

Ole Miss down to its final three outs

Despite having an Oregon runner on each base with one out, Ole Miss is able to get out of the bottom of the sixth inning unscathed, getting the out at home on a grounder and then striking out Dezianna Patmon.

Rebels need a whole lot of offense in not a lot of time.

Ole Miss leaves two on base

The Rebels are now down to their final three outs after squandering a golden opportunity in the top of the sixth inning. After getting runners on first and second base with one out, Taylor Malvin stuck out and Jaden Pone popped out in foul territory to leave Ole Miss without a run.

Oregon goes back to Lyndsey Grein

Oregon is turning to its starting pitcher to be its closer. With one out, runners on first and second, and the tying run at the plate, the Ducks bring back in Lyndsey Grein, their starter who was pulled in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Oregon extends lead to three

Unsatisfied with the two runs they had already put on the board, the Ducks add a third before the fifth inning wraps up, with Kaylynn Jones singling up the middle to bring home Elyse Kresho.

It’s a 5-2 lead for Oregon, which is six outs away from eliminating Ole Miss.

Oregon pulls ahead, Ole Miss makes pitching changes

Oregon’s offense has come alive in the bottom of the fifth inning, with RBIs from Kedre Luschar and Rylee McCoy giving the Ducks a 4-2 lead.

After McCoy’s double to left center brought home Luschar, Ole Miss turns to its bullpen, bringing in Miali Guachino to relieve Brianna Lopez. Lopez finished the night with six hits, two walks and, for now, four earned runs across four innings. Guachino was quickly replaced, lasting only five pitches over 1/3 of an inning before being taken out in favor of Aliyah Binford.

Ole Miss evens it up

After a series of near-misses, Ole Miss comes through to tie the game.

Following Oregon’s pitching change, and after she was down on a 0-2 count, Persy Llamas rips a single to right field to bring home Jaden Pone from third base. Llamas has driven in both of the Rebels’ runs tonight.

We’ve got a 2-2 game heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.

Oregon makes pitching change

With the tying run on third base and with two outs in the top of the fifth inning, Oregon turns to its bullpen, inserting Staci Chambers to replace Lyndsey Grein. Grein gave up two hits, two walks and, for now, one run in 4 2/3 innings. Chambers has a 3.91 ERA this season.

Oregon retired in order

It’s a drama-free bottom half of the fourth inning for Ole Miss, which gets the Oregon batters out in order.

Ole Miss leaves three stranded

Oregon avoids what could have been a disastrous fourth inning, getting a groundout with two outs and the bases loaded. Ducks maintain a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.

Ole Miss gets out of jam, holds Oregon scoreless

What a gritty performance from Ole Miss pitcher Brianna Lopez, who was faced with runners on second and third and only one out, but strikes out Dezianna Patmon — who had a two-run single in the first inning — and gets Kaylynn Jones to pop out to end the threat.

Ole Miss comes up empty in third inning

The Rebels looked to pick up where they left off in the first inning, capitalizing on some defensive miscues from Oregon to get runners on first and second with no outs. From there, Lair Beautae grounded into a 5-3 double play and with a runner still at second, Aliyah Binford lined out to center field.

Oregon blanked in second inning

Ole Miss ends the second inning in style, with Kai Luschar hitting a ground ball to short with a runner on first. Luschar is one of Oregon’s fastest players, with 59 steals, but Rebels shortstop Angelina DeLeon fires a bullet to first base from her knees to just barely beat out Luschar. To the third inning we go.

Ole Miss shut out in second inning

After a chaotic first inning, Oregon establishes some sense of order, with pitcher Lyndsey Grein retiring the Ole Miss batters in order.

Oregon answers, pulls ahead

Oregon’s deficit only lasted for so long. Leadoff batter Kai Luschar reached first base on an error and with runners on second and third with two outs, Dezianna Patmon capitalized, roping a single into left field that brought both runs home.

The Ducks entered the day with the second-most runs of all Division I teams this season and in the first inning, they showed why.

Ole Miss strikes first

After getting shut out by Texas Tech in its first game in the 2025 Women’s College World Series, it only takes Ole Miss one inning to get on the board.

With a runner on third after some costly defensive mistakes from Oregon — an errant throw to first, a failed opportunity to finish off a run-down and a wild pitch — Persy Llamas rips a two-out, RBI single into left field to bring home the run and give the Rebels a 1-0 lead.

Of historical note: it’s Ole Miss’ first-ever run in the WCWS.

Oregon softball lineup

Here’s a look at the lineup Oregon will be rolling out Friday against Ole Miss:

Ole Miss softball lineup

Here’s a look at the lineup Ole Miss will put out against Oregon Friday night:

1. LF Jaden Pone
2. RF Lair Beautae
3. DP Aliyah Binford
4. 1B Persy Llamas
5. C Lexie Brady
6. 2B Mackenzie Pickens
7. 3B Ashton Lansdell
8. SS Angelina DeLeon
9. CF Taylor Malvin

Brianna Lopez will be pitching for the Rebels as they look to avoid elimination.

What time does Oregon vs Ole Miss softball start?

• Date: Friday, May 30
• Time: 9:36 p.m. ET
• Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

First pitch for Oregon and Ole Miss’ softball game in the 2025 Women’s College World Series is set for 9:36 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

The game was originally set to start at 9:30 p.m. ET, but was pushed back slightly due to the preceding Tennessee-Florida game.

Watch Oregon vs Ole Miss softball in the WCWS live with ESPN+

What TV channel is Oregon vs Ole Miss softball on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Live stream: ESPN app | ESPN+

Friday’s WCWS elimination game between Oregon and Ole Miss will air on ESPN. Kevin Brown (play-by-play) and Amanda Scarborough (analyst) will be on the call while Taylor McGregor will serve as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and ESPN+ the latter of which serves as ESPN’s subscription streaming service.

Oregon vs Ole Miss softball predictions, picks, odds

Odds are courtesy of BetMGM

• Moneyline: Oregon (-165) | Ole Miss (+125)

Prediction: Oregon 6, Ole Miss 4

The Rebels’ bats won’t be as silent as they were against Canady and Texas Tech, but they may not have enough firepower to keep up with the Ducks, the No. 2 team in Division I in total runs this season.

Oregon softball schedule 2025

Here are Oregon’s past five results. To see the Ducks’ full 2025 schedule, click here.

• Sunday, May 18: Oregon 15, No. 16 Stanford 5 (6 innings)
• Sunday, May 18: Oregon 10, No. 16 Stanford 7
• Friday, May 23: Oregon 3, Liberty 2 (8 innings)
• Saturday, May 24: Oregon 13, Liberty 1
• Thursday, May 29: No. 9 UCLA 4, Oregon 2

Ole Miss softball schedule 2025

Here are Ole Miss’ past five results. To see the Rebels’ full 2025 schedule, click here.

• Sunday, May 18: Ole Miss 7, No. 12 Arizona 3
• Friday, May 23: Ole Miss 9, No. 4 Arkansas 7
• Saturday, May 24: No. 4 Arkansas 4, Ole Miss 0
• Sunday, May 25: Ole Miss 7, No. 4 Arkansas 4
• Thursday, May 29: No. 12 Texas Tech 1, Ole Miss 0

No. 7 Tennessee entered its Women’s College World Series elimination game against No. 3 Florida reeling from a walk-off loss to No. 2 Oklahoma.

Judging by how the Lady Vols dominated their SEC rivals Friday evening at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, they have since put that loss behind them. Karen Weekly’s squad not only beat the Gators to survive and advance in the WCWS, but also run ruled Tim Walton’s team 11-3 in five innings.

The Lady Vols had a program record-12 hits in the win, spurred by a seven-run first inning that immediately put a run rule victory into play. They jumped out to a 10-0 lead with three more combined runs in the second and third innings, putting all the pressure on Florida to respond and extend its season.

Credit to the Gators, who scored three runs in the fourth inning, but the offensive onslaught from Tennessee proved to be too much, as the Lady Vols scored the run it needed in the bottom of the frame before blanking the Gators in the top of the fifth. Every player in Tennessee’s lineup ended up with a hit. Erin Nuwer was credited for the win after allowing just one hit in two innings of work.

USA TODAY had full coverage of Friday’s game between Tennessee and Florida. Scroll below for highlights and a full recap of the action.

Tennessee vs Florida softball live score

Tennessee vs Florida softball highlights

Lady Vols run rule Florida, 11-3

Gators leave a runner on, but Jocelyn Erickson grounds out to third for the easy last out. Tennessee wins 11-3 after five innings, run-ruling their SEC rivals to stay alive in the WCWS. The Lady Vols advance to play again on Sunday when they face the loser of Saturday’s game between No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 12 Texas Tech.

Gators down to their last out

Kendra Falby lines out to third, leaving the Gators with one last out to work with in the top of the fifth.

Florida down one batter

The Gators are down to two more outs after Rylee Holtorf strikes out lucking.

Alannah Leach puts Vols back up 8 runs

The threat of a run-rule win is back on the table at the WCWS. Alannah Leach manages to land a single to left field, just fair, allowing Laura Mealer to score from second base. The Gators have to score a run here or the game will be called.

Florida belts back-to-back home runs

The Gators aren’t going down without a fight, as Reagan Walsh and Korbe Otis hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the fourth inning.

Walsh’s hit scored two runs, shortening Florida’s deficit to 10-3. The two home runs take Florida out of run-rule territory.

Tennessee scratches across another run

Rylee Holtorf fields a groundball and fires to first base, but the throw is low, and Reagan Walsh can’t field it cleanly, allowing Emma Clarke to score from third base.

Tennessee leads 10-0 heading into the top of the fourth, after the Gators get out of the inning with an Ella Dodge flyout.

Florida goes down in order

Sage Mardjetko puts up another zero, as she retires Florida in order. She struck out Taylor Shumaker to end the inning.

Tennessee leads 9-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning, and has Florida in run-rule territory.

Tennessee hits back-to-back home runs

Sophia Nugent and McKenna Gibson hit back-to-back solo home runs with two outs, after Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge are sat down to start the second inning.

The Vols lead 9-0, and Florida is turning to Katelynn Oxley in the bullpen.

Tennessee turns to Sage Mardjetko

With a big lead, Tennessee turns to Sage Mardjetko, in a move to likely preserve Karlyn Pickens’ arm, as Pickens threw every pitch for the Lady Vols on Thursday.

Pickens can re-enter if she’s needed.

Florida ends inning with double play

The Gators finally get out of the first inning, as Ava Brown induces a groundball which is turned into a 3-6-3 double play.

Florida has some ground to make up, although there’s still plenty of time remaining.

Tennessee goes up 7-0

Emma Clarke flies out to left field, with the flyball deep enough to score Alannah Leach from third base to give Tennessee a 7-0 lead. Florida finally gets an out.

Tennessee extends lead to 6-0

Alannah Leach doubles to right-center field, which clears the bases for Tennessee and gives the Vols a 6-0 lead with no outs in the top of the first inning.

Tennessee came out swinging after its walk-off loss on Thursday.

Tennessee takes 3-0 lead

Ava Brown walks McKenna Gibson, which gives Tennessee a 2-0 lead. Laura Mealer then singles to left field, extending the lead to 3-0.

Florida turning to Ava Brown

Kara Hammock fails to record an out before Florida turns to Ava Brown, who’s set to face McKenna Gibson with the bases loaded after a Sophia Nugent single.

Florida needs its pitcher to settle in here.

Tennessee takes 1-0 lead

Taylor Pannell ropes a single to left field, scoring Leach from third base to give the Lady Vols a 1-0 lead. Tennessee is coming out hot on Friday.

Gabby Leach with leadoff triple

What a start for Tennessee, as leadoff hitter Gabby Leach squeaks a hard ground ball right down the right-field line. The hit snuck into the deep corner of the outfield, allowing Leach to reach third base.

The hit was reviewed, but umpires upheld the fair ball call.

Karlyn Pickens gets out of jam

Pickens strikes out Reagan Walsh and Korbe Otis in back-to-back at-bats to strand two runners. Pickens got both Florida hitters on riseballs.

Tennessee bats coming up.

Jocelyn Erickson walks

Taylor Shumaker flies out to left field, but Jocelyn Erickson draws another walk to put Florida runners on first and second base with one out.

Florida looking to score an early run here.

Kendra Falby draws leadoff walk

Not a great start for Karlyn Pickens, who walks Florida leadoff hitter Kendra Falby on four pitches. Gators with an early baserunner in the top of the first inning.

Tennessee, Florida starting pitchers

Tennessee is going back to SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens in the elimination game, while Florida is starting Kara Hammock.

Pickens threw a complete game against Oklahoma and allowed four runs on four hits and four walks with eight strikeouts. Hammock, a first-year transfer from UNC-Wilmington, has a 3.61 ERA in 64 innings pitched this season.

Florida softball lineup

1. CF Kendra Falby
2. Taylor Shumaker
3. C Jocelyn Erickson
4. 1B Reagan Walsh
5. LF Korbe Otis
6. 2B Mia Williams
7. DP Ava Brown
8. 3B Kenleigh Cahalan
9. SS Rylee Holtorf

Tennessee softball lineup

1. RF Gabby Leach
2. 3B Taylor Pannell
3. 2B Ella Dodge
4. C Sophia Nugent
5. 1B McKenna Gibson
6. SS Laura Mealer
7. LF Alannah Leach
8. DP Emma Clarke
9. CF Kinsey Fiedler

What time does Tennessee vs Florida softball start?

• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Date: Friday, May 30
• Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)

First pitch for Tennessee and Florida’s elimination game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

What TV channel is Texas vs Florida softball on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+

Tennessee-Florida softball at the WCWS will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app (with a cable login) or ESPN+, the latter of which serves as ESPN’s subscription service.

Women’s College World Series schedule

• Women’s College World Series: May 29-June 6
• WCWS finals: June 4-June 5/6

The Women’s College World Series will be played at Devon Park in Oklahoma City from May 29 through June 6. The WCWS championship series will be played from June 4 through either June 5 or June 6, depending on whether the series goes to three games.

NEW YORK — It was always going to be on defense.

For the New York Knicks to stave off elimination, to get back in this Eastern Conference finals, they needed to somehow curb the Indiana Pacers. New York, for at least one game Thursday night, did exactly that, becoming the first team this postseason to hold Indiana to fewer than 100 points for a 111-94 victory.

The question for the Knicks now becomes whether this is something that can be replicated — whether Game 5 revealed a blueprint they can use to even the series at three games apiece.

“In this series, we haven’t lacked scoring, it has been more about us not stopping them from scoring,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said after the game. “I think tonight we did a great job of upping the pressure and making sure we were making it more difficult for them to get open looks and get those shots that they got comfortable with last game. It’s a testament to our team answering the call.”

From the tip, New York harassed Indiana’s starters, flying around the court and swarming. New York held the Pacers’ starters to just 13 made field goals on 33.3% shooting. Forward Pascal Siakam was the only starter to reach double-figures in scoring, and he recorded just 15 points. Indiana’s entire first five combined for 37 points; its bench poured in 57.

Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was coming off a historic 32-point, 15-assist, 12-rebound triple-double in Game 4, was limited to eight points and six assists on 2-of-7 shooting. In fact, Aaron Nesmith (eight attempts), Andrew Nembhard (eight), Obi Toppin (10) and Benedict Mathurin (10) all attempted more shots than Haliburton did.

While wing defenders Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby led the defensive charge — particularly on Haliburton — another player not known for his defense also stepped up. Throughout this series, point guard Jalen Brunson had been a target for Indiana, which often set up pick-and-rolls to attack Brunson, who vowed after Game 5 to amp up his effort on defense.

“We picked up our intensity a little bit,” Brunson told reporters after the game. “We paid attention to detail better as a team. The little things go a long way.”

Little things like showing harder when Indiana tried to get Haliburton open in space, clogging the lanes he normally would have used to drive. Little things like sprinting back on transition defense to take away Indiana’s outlet passes and throw-ahead opportunities.

“They were just more aggressive than us from the jump,” Siakam said. “They brought the fight to us and I just don’t think we brought it enough.

“It was all about will and energy.”

Ahead of Game 6 Saturday in Indianapolis, the Pacers will tweak their operation and make adjustments. For example, coach Rick Carlisle said, “there’s more things I’m going to have to do to help” Haliburton get easier attempts to shoot.

But this was the very best version of the Knicks. When their defensive effort is like it was Thursday, it feeds other facets of their game.

They’re able to generate turnovers and increase their own output in transition, which leads to a barrage of points in the paint — an area where New York bullied Indiana 60-34. That increased effort manifests on the glass, too, where New York claimed a +9 advantage. That, then, feeds second-chance points, where the Knicks outscored the Pacers by a margin of 13-7.

“We’re going to have to be even better next game,” Towns said, “if we expect to have our season continue.”