THE INDIANA SRN “SPORTSPAGE” TUESDAY JANUARY 3, 2023

******THE SCOREBOARD******

INDIANA BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES

BOWMAN ACADEMY	61	ST. FRANCIS DESALES (ILL.)	51
DETROIT RENAISSANCE (MICH.)	76	HAMMOND NOLL	58
HAMMOND CENTRAL	69	DETROIT WESTERN (MICH.)	58
GIBSON COUNTY CLASSIC
NORTH POSEY	74	WOOD MEMORIAL	67	2OT
PRINCETON	42	WHITE RIVER VALLEY	39
BARR-REEVE	52	MOUNT CARMEL (ILL.)	49
GIBSON SOUTHERN	65	BARR-REEVE	54
NORTH POSEY	54	WHITE RIVER VALLEY	32
MADISON COUNTY TOURNAMENT
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN	88	ALEXANDRIA	50	R1
FRANKTON	52	ELWOOD	30	R1
LAPEL	76	ANDERSON PREP ACADEMY	39	R1
ANDERSON	79	PENDLETON HEIGHTS	72	OT | R1

BOYS IBCA BASKETBALL POLL

1. BEN DAVIS (12-0)

2. INDIANAPOLIS CATHEDRAL (6-1)

3. BROWNSBURG (10-1)

4. PENN (7-1)

5. HOMESTEAD (9-1)

6. CENTER GROVE (10-1)

7. CARMEL (7-3)

8. KOKOMO (7-4)

8. MISHAWAKA MARIAN (10-1)

10. NOBLESVILLE (7-2)

11. LAWRENCE NORTH (7-1)

12. NORTHWOOD (8-2)

13. WESTFIELD (6-1)

14. FORT WAYNE BLACKHAWK (10-1)

15. LINTON-STOCKTON (10-1)

16. NEW PALESTINE (9-0)

17. HAMMOND CENTRAL (10-1)

18. ZIONSVILLE (6-4)

19. JENNINGS COUNTY (10-0)

20. LAWRENCE CENTRAL (7-4)

INDIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

CHICAGO BUTLER (ILL.)	74	HAMMOND NOLL	44
EVANSVILLE NORTH	53	EVANSVILLE MATER DEI	40
LINTON-STOCKTON	47	VINCENNES LINCOLN	45
NORTH MIAMI	51	ARGOS	47
GIBSON COUNTY CLASSIC
GIBSON SOUTHERN	66	SULLIVAN	53
PRINCETON	64	EDGEWOOD	28
BARR-REEVE	43	MOUNT CARMEL (ILL.)	29
SULLIVAN	60	WOOD MEMORIAL	54
GIBSON SOUTHERN	48	BARR-REEVE	40
WOOD MEMORIAL	52	EDGEWOOD	27
MADISON COUNTY TOURNAMENT
LAPEL	67	ANDERSON PREP ACADEMY	22	R1
FRANKTON	66	ELWOOD	14	R1
PENDLETON HEIGHTS	56	ANDERSON	33	R1
NORTHVIEW TOURNAMENT
GREENCASTLE	59	PARKE HERITAGE	35	SF
TERRE HAUTE NORTH	45	NORTHVIEW	40	SF
WEST VIGO	50	SOUTH VERMILLION	12	CON
CLAY CITY	44	CLOVERDALE	38	CON
CLOVERDALE	31	SOUTH VERMILLION	25	7TH
WEST VIGO	36	CLAY CITY	31	5TH
NORTHVIEW	40	PARKE HERITAGE	35	3RD
GREENCASTLE	52	TERRE HAUTE NORTH	48	1ST

GIRLS IBCA BASKETBALL POLL

1. SOUTH BEND WASHINGTON (17-0)

2. ZIONSVILLE (15-0)

3. HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN (15-1)

4. FISHERS (13-2)

5. NOBLESVILLE (13-3)

6. FORT WAYNE NORTHROP (11-1)

7. BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE (14-3)

8. NORTHRIDGE (16-2)

9. HOMESTEAD (11-2)

10. TWIN LAKES (16-0)

11. INDIAN CREEK (16-0)

12. COLUMBIA CITY (14-2)

13. LAKE CENTRAL (11-4)

14. EVANSVILLE MEMORIAL (15-0)

15. NORWELL (13-2)

16. WARSAW (12-4)

17. VALPARAISO (14-1)

18. LAWRENCE CENTRAL (13-3)

18. WARREN CENTRAL (11-4)

20. CENTER GROVE (12-4)

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL POLLS/RANKINGS

AP POLL

RANK	SCHOOL	VOTES	PREV
1	PURDUE 13-0	1524 (60)	1
2	HOUSTON 14-1	1417	3
3	KANSAS 12-1	1351	4
4	UCONN 14-1	1342 (1)	2
5	ARIZONA 13-1	1334	5
6	TEXAS 12-1	1185	6
7	ALABAMA 11-2	1132	8
8	TENNESSEE 11-2	1114	7
9	GONZAGA 12-3	1003	10
10	UCLA 13-2	993	11
11	VIRGINIA 10-2	926	13
12	MIAMI (FL) 13-1	814	14
13	ARKANSAS 11-2	717	9
14	WISCONSIN 10-2	639	15
15	INDIANA 10-3	558	16
16	DUKE 11-3	554	17
17	TCU 12-1	545	18
18	XAVIER 12-3	531	22
19	BAYLOR 10-3	520	12
20	MISSOURI 12-1	329	NR
21	NEW MEXICO 14-0	290	22
22	AUBURN 11-2	287	20
23	CHARLESTON 14-1	116	NR
24	OHIO STATE 10-3	114	NR
25	IOWA STATE 10-2	94	NR

COACHES POLL

RANK	SCHOOL	VOTES	PREV
1	PURDUE 13-0	798 (30)	1
2	HOUSTON 14-1	740 (2)	3
3	KANSAS 12-1	720	4
4	ARIZONA 13-1	693	5
5	UCONN 14-1	659	2
6	TEXAS 12-1	652	6
7	ALABAMA 11-2	560	9
8	UCLA 13-2	559	8
9	TENNESSEE 11-2	556	10
10	GONZAGA 12-3	510	11
11	VIRGINIA 10-2	494	12
12	MIAMI (FL) 13-1	380	16
13	ARKANSAS 11-2	377	7
14	DUKE 11-3	370	14
15	WISCONSIN 10-2	326	15
16	BAYLOR 10-3	290	13
17	TCU 12-1	273	19
19	XAVIER 12-3	246	25
19	INDIANA 10-3	226	18
20	AUBURN 11-2	131	23
21	MISSOURI 12-1	130	NR
22	NEW MEXICO 14-0	118	NR
23	OHIO STATE 10-3	112	NR
24	ILLINOIS 9-4	65	22
25	KENTUCKY 9-4	62	17
25	IOWA STATE 10-2	62	NR

RPI RANKINGS

RANK	SCHOOL	RPI	PREV
1	KANSAS 12-1	0.6819	1
2	ALABAMA 11-2	0.6736	2
3	GONZAGA 12-3	0.6613	3
4	PURDUE 13-0	0.6562	4
5	ARIZONA 13-1	0.6513	5
6	UCONN 14-1	0.6443	8
7	TENNESSEE 11-2	0.6433	6
8	HOUSTON 14-1	0.6423	9
9	ARKANSAS 11-2	0.6412	10
10	CHARLESTON 14-1	0.6403	11
11	SAN DIEGO STATE 11-3	0.6388	12
12	AUBURN 11-2	0.6382	7
13	NORTH CAROLINA 9-5	0.6373	13
14	NEVADA 12-3	0.6334	15
15	KANSAS STATE 12-1	0.6329	15
16	MIAMI (FL) 13-1	0.6327	14
17	WEST VIRGINIA 10-3	0.6299	17
18	FLORIDA ATLANTIC 12-1	0.6243	18
19	UCLA 13-2	0.6233	NR
20	UTAH STATE 12-2	0.6221	22
21	DUKE 11-3	0.6211	20
22	NEW MEXICO 14-0	0.6174	25
23	VIRGINIA 10-2	0.6166	NR
24	XAVIER 12-3	0.6141	23
24	WAKE FOREST 10-4	0.6141	24

TOP 25 MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

RUTGERS 65 #1 PURDUE 64

ELSEWHERE

WRIGHT STATE 82 IUPUI 68

COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: http://hosted.stats.com/cbk/scoreboard.asp?conf=-1&day=20230102

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL POLLS/RANKMINGS

RANK	SCHOOL	VOTES	PREV
1	SOUTH CAROLINA 13-0	700 (28)	1
2	STANFORD 14-1	672	2
3	OHIO STATE 15-0	643	3
4	NOTRE DAME 12-1	614	5
5	UCONN 11-2	567	8
6	INDIANA 13-1	540	4
7	LSU 14-0	537	9
8	UTAH 14-0	499	11
9	VIRGINIA TECH 12-2	440	7
10	NORTH CAROLINA STATE 12-2	438	6
11	IOWA STATE 9-2	402	15
12	UCLA 13-2	367	10
13	MARYLAND 11-3	344	16
14	MICHIGAN 12-2	339	14
15	ARIZONA 12-1	325	18
16	IOWA 11-4	244	12
17	OKLAHOMA 11-1	216	20
18	OREGON 11-3	183	17
19	DUKE 13-1	177	NR
20	GONZAGA 14-2	176	19
21	KANSAS 11-1	144	22
22	NORTH CAROLINA 9-4	127	13
23	BAYLOR 10-3	110	23
24	ST. JOHN’S 13-0	105	25
25	CREIGHTON 9-4	48	21

RPI RANKINGS

RANK	SCHOOL	RPI	PREV
1	UCONN 11-2	0.7636	1
2	DUKE 13-1	0.7124	2
3	SOUTH CAROLINA 13-0	0.6928	3
4	NORTH CAROLINA STATE 12-2	0.6923	5
5	INDIANA 13-1	0.6918	4
6	CREIGHTON 9-4	0.6809	6
7	NOTRE DAME 12-1	0.6793	10
8	IOWA STATE 9-2	0.6782	7
9	MARYLAND 11-3	0.6704	8
10	KANSAS 11-1	0.6689	9
11	STANFORD 14-1	0.6632	12
12	UTAH 14-0	0.6567	17
12	VILLANOVA 12-3	0.6567	13
14	UCLA 13-2	0.6548	11
15	OHIO STATE 15-0	0.6543	14
16	SOUTH FLORIDA 12-4	0.6499	16
17	OKLAHOMA 11-1	0.6448	19
18	VIRGINIA 13-1	0.6408	18
19	PURDUE 11-3	0.6386	15
20	PRINCETON 8-4	0.6385	21
21	MIDDLE TENNESSEE 10-2	0.6362	23
22	MICHIGAN 12-2	0.6345	22
23	ALABAMA 12-3	0.6334	20
24	IOWA 11-4	0.6332	24
25	TENNESSEE 10-6	0.6316	NR

NET RANKINGS

RANK	SCHOOL	VOTES	PREV
1	SOUTH CAROLINA 13-0	()	1
2	LSU 14-0	()	2
3	STANFORD 14-1	()	3
4	UCONN 11-2	()	4
5	UTAH 14-0	()	5
6	INDIANA 13-1	()	6
7	NOTRE DAME 12-1	()	10
8	DUKE 13-1	()	7
9	OHIO STATE 15-0	()	8
10	NORTH CAROLINA STATE 12-2	()	9
11	OREGON 11-3	()	13
12	IOWA STATE 9-2	()	11
13	TEXAS 10-4	()	12
14	TENNESSEE 10-6	()	18
15	VIRGINIA TECH 12-2	()	14
16	MICHIGAN 12-2	()	16
17	IOWA 11-4	()	17
18	VILLANOVA 12-3	()	19
19	FLORIDA STATE 14-2	()	25
20	ALABAMA 12-3	()	15
21	BAYLOR 10-3	()	21
22	KANSAS 11-1	()	22
23	UCLA 13-2	()	20
24	ARIZONA 12-1	()	24
25	NORTH CAROLINA 9-4	()	NR

TOP 25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

#1 SOUTH CAROLINA 68 GEORGIA 51

#2 STANFORD 73 #15 ARIZONA 57

#13 MARYLAND 78 RUTGERS 67

ELSEWHERE

MICHIGAN STATE 71 NORTHWESTERN 64

COMPLETE SCOREBOARD: http://hosted.stats.com/wcbk/scoreboard.asp?conf=-1&day=20230102

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL SCHEDULE

#17 LSU 63 PURDUE 7

#22 MISSISSIPPI STATE 19 ILLINOIS 10

#16 TULANE 46 #10 USC 45

#11 PENN STATE 35 #8 UTAH 21

SUNDAY, JAN. 8

FCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (FRISCO, TEXAS) | 2 P.M. | ABC

MONDAY, JAN. 9

CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA) | ESPN

NFL WEEK 17

MONDAY, JANUARY 02, 2023

CINCINNATI 7 BUFFALO 3 (PLAY SUSPENDED IN FIRST QUARTER)

NBA

INDIANA 122 TORONTO 114

NEW YORK 102 PHOENIX 83

CLEVELAND 145 CHICAGO 134 OT

PHILADELPHIA 120 NEW ORLEANS 111

LA LAKERS 121 CHARLOTTE 115

BROOKLYN 139 SAN ANTONIO 103

DALLAS 111 HOUSTON 106

MINNESOTA 124 DENVER 111

GOLDEN STATE 143 ATLANTA 141 2OT

PORTLAND 135 DETROIT 106

MIAMI 110 LA CLIPPERS 100

BOX SCORES: http://hosted.stats.com/nba/scoreboard.asp

NHL

BOSTON 2 PITTSBURGH 1

VEGAS 3 COLORADO 2

PHILADELPHIA 4 ANAHEIM 1

BOX SCORES: http://hosted.stats.com/nhl/scoreboard.asp

TOP NATIONAL HEADLINES

******COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS******

ALABAMA’S YOUNG, ANDERSON, GIBBS, BRANCH DECLARE FOR DRAFT

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy and Will Anderson is a two-time winner of the Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player.

Now, Alabama’s two biggest stars are headed to the NFL, where teams can take up the debate over which one is the best – or most needed.

Alabama’s poised and playmaking quarterback Young and pass rushing linebacker Anderson Jr. made the seemingly no-brainer call Monday to declare for the NFL draft, where both juniors could contend for the top spot.

Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, and the two-time unanimous All-American Anderson announced their decisions to skip their senior seasons two days after leading Alabama to a 45-20 victory over Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl. Tailback Jahmyr Gibbs and safety Brian Branch also are heading to the NFL.

They endeared themselves to Crimson Tide faithful even more by not joining the ranks of bowl opt-outs among NFL prospects. Young passed for 321 yards and five touchdowns in New Orleans.

He and Anderson have graduated.

“I’m very proud of the way these guys have represented the program, not only the way they played on the field but the kind of character as people,” Saban said. “The academic success that they’ve had.

“These guys showed tremendous leadership and character to make a decision to play in the Sugar Bowl, which I think impacted the entire team with the example that they set.”

Young got a loud ovation from Alabama fans when he was substituted out for backup Jalen Milroe in the fourth quarter, and later got a salute from Kansas State coach Chris Klieman.

“That’s what college football is about. I was happy Bryce played,” Klieman said after the game. “That was really good for college football and really good for kids to see.”

Now, both are expected to be top-five draft picks and contenders for the No. 1 spot in April.

“It is pretty cool, but it just speaks volumes to the type of person Bryce is,” Anderson said. “He’s a competitor just like me. We have the same mindset, same mentality.

“I think that’s why we’re so close because we’re kind of the same person. It’s super exciting to see a teammate of yours in the same position as you that you know has worked his butt off every day.”

Added Young: “I think that really speaks volumes to the program and the players I’ve been blessed to play with.”

Young, who arrived from California as one of the nation’s top recruits, started the past two seasons after backing up current New England Patriots starter Mac Jones during a national championship run in 2020.

“Sitting my freshman year was something I hadn’t done before,” Young said. “It was hard. I’m a competitor. I wanted to play, but it was a blessing in disguise. Being able to learn from Mac and being able to watch that offense, that team, operate and being able to be there for every step of the way, it really helped me.”

He finished with 8,356 passing yards and 80 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. Young passed for 3,328 yards and 32 touchdowns with five interceptions last season, making him the first Alabama quarterback with two 3,000-yard seasons.

Anderson is one of the top pass rushers in Alabama history and is even more decorated than Young. He is only the second two-time Nagurski Trophy winner and he also won both the Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy as a junior.

He finished his three-year career with 34 1/2 sacks and 62 tackles for loss, behind only Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in school history.

Anderson finished fifth in the 2021 Heisman voting after racking up 17 1/2 sacks and 34 1/2 tackles for loss. He had 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss this past season.

Gibbs, a Georgia Tech transfer, ran for 926 yards and seven touchdowns and gained 444 yards on a team-leading 44 catches. Anderson thinks any team that drafts Gibbs is “going to get a special guy.”

“He’s very good, very athletic, can move,” he said. “I’m super excited to see what his future is. His cuts are ridiculous. His top-end speed is crazy. Trying to catch him downhill is crazy.”

Branch, also a projected first-rounder, announced his decision on social media hours after the other three players declared for the draft in a news conference with Saban. He had 90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.

“I’ve developed so much since my freshman year and because of Alabama I’m confident that I’m prepared to take my game to the next level,” Branch said.

They leave a team that fell short of playoff and title expectations after losing to Tennessee and LSU on the final plays.

After three years together, Anderson could finally get a chance to actually sack Young in the NFL after having to hold back in practice.

“If I get the opportunity sometime next year, I’ve got to try to make sure I talk a little smack to him when I do it,” he said.

TULANE SCORES 16 LATE POINTS, BEATS USC 46-45 IN COTTON BOWL

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Tulane tight end Alex Bauman caught a 6-yard touchdown from Michael Pratt with 9 seconds left to cap a frantic finish by the 14th-ranked Green Wave in a 46-45 win over Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and No. 8 Southern California in the Cotton Bowl on Monday.

Bauman’s contested catch, with linebacker Eric Gentry draped over him, was initially ruled an incompletion, but a replay review showed the ball never touched the ground as the players rolled over in the end zone. The Green Wave scored 16 points in the final 4:07, the game-winning touchdown coming after they got the ball back following a safety.

“I might have had a heart attack,” Tulane coach Willie Fritz said moments after the game ended.

Williams was 37-for-52 passing for 462 yards and a Cotton Bowl-record five touchdowns, exactly one month after the quarterback suffered a hamstring injury in USC’s loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game that kept the Trojans from making the four-team College Football Playoff.

Tyjae Spears ran for 205 yards and his career-best fourth touchdown started the final scoring surge for the American Athletic Conference champion Green Wave (12-2), who completed an FBS-record 10-win turnaround around after going 2-10 last season. They were in the New Year’s Six game as the highest-ranked Group of Five team.

After Spears’ 4-yard TD with 4:07 left, the Green Wave opted to kick deep instead of trying an onside kick. Mario Williams signaled for a fair catch, but fumbled the ball out of bounds at the 1. Two plays later, defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins met Austin Jones in the end zone and smothered him for a safety.

Pratt completed only 8 of 17 passes for 234 yards, but had two 24-yard completions on that final drive after the safety. The first one to Bauman converted a fourth-and-10, and Deuce Watts held on despite a crushing hit from a defender that left both of them on the ground after a 24-yard gain to the 6 with 18 seconds left.

After Williams followed coach Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, the Trojans (11-3) matched the biggest turnaround in school history despite the coach’s first loss in six games at AT&T Stadium. It was a seven-win improvement over last season’s 4-8 record before Riley and Williams arrived on the West Coast.

MISSISSIPPI ST RALLIES TO WIN RELIAQUEST BOWL, HONORS LEACH

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Massimo Biscardi made a 27-yard tiebreaking field goal with four seconds left, Marcus Banks returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown on the game’s last play and No. 24 Mississippi State rallied to beat Illinois 19-10 on Monday in the ReliaQuest Bowl in the Bulldogs’ first game since coach Mike Leach’s death.

“Obviously, Mike Leach has been leading this program for three years, and he was out there leading us today,” said Zach Arnett, who was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach three days after Leach’s death. “Emotional game, obviously.”

Banks’ score came on Illinois’ fifth lateral following a completed pass after the Fighting Ilini got the ball at their own 29. There was a scrum on the field as the game ended, but order was restored after a couple of minutes.

Will Rogers was 29 of 44 yards for 261 yards and one touchdown for Mississippi State (9-4, No. 22 CFP). Simeon Price had 68 rushing yards, including a key 28-yard dash on the go-ahead fourth-quarter drive, on seven attempts.

“Football isn’t always a pretty game,” Rogers said. “I know Coach Leach would probably be a little upset at some of the decisions, but we fought hard and stayed together as a team. He was with us all the way. He’s been with me all the way. I really, really miss him.”

Tommy DeVito completed 23 of 34 passes for 253 yards for Illinois (8-5).

“A defensive battle that just really, probably, came down to who had the ball last,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “Who was able to execute. Unfortunately, we came up short.”

Reggie Love III rushed for 40 yards on 11 carries for Illinois. Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown, the nation’s second-leading rusher in the regular season with 1,643 yards, sat out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Illinois lost all five of its games by nine points or fewer. The school hasn’t had a nine-win season since the Rose Bowl team in 2007 went 9-4.

“This is going to be, hopefully, a spring board into bigger and better things,” Bielema said.

Mississippi State was held without a touchdown until the first play of the fourth quarter, when Rogers connected on an eight-yard throw to Justin Robinson that tied the game at 10.

Robinson had seven receptions for 81 yards. Illinois’ Isaiah Williams picked up 114 yards on nine catches.

The Bulldogs averaged 32.7 points during the regular season.

Illinois, which entered allowing 12.3 points and held six opponents to fewer than 10 points, played without defensive backs Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown. Both opted out ahead of the NFL draft.

DeVito put Illinois up 7-0 on a two-yard run with 2:49 left in the second quarter.

Mississippi State responded with a 38-yard field goal by Biscardi with nine seconds to go in the first half.

IIlinois went up 10-3 on a 52-yard field goal by Caleb Griffin midway through the third.

Mississippi State was limited to 50 yards on its first three possessions, while the next two ended on interceptions by Matthew Bailey and Kendall Smith.

Illinois tops the nation with 24 interceptions.

HONORING MIKE

Among the tributes to Leach, who died on Dec. 12 due to complications from a heart condition, was “MIKE” with a pirate logo as part of the “I” painted between the 20 and 30 on one segment of the field.

The Mississippi State band spelled out “LEACH” before a moment of silence was held prior to the game.

The Bulldogs had a pirate flag instead of the school logo on their helmets. Leach’s nickname was “The Pirate.”

UP NEXT

Mississippi State: Opens the 2023 regular-season on Sept. 2 against Southeastern Louisiana.

Illinois: Hosts Toledo on Sept. 2.

BIG-PLAY PENN STATE ROARS PAST UTAH 35-21 IN ROSE BOWL

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) After Sean Clifford walked off the rainy field and into a warm standing ovation from Penn State’s fans in the waning minutes of a Rose Bowl victory, he couldn’t help thinking back 13 years to a camp that the 11-year-old quarterback attended in this venerable stadium.

“I just remember falling in love with football,” Clifford said of his first trip to Pasadena. “For it to come full circle, and then to be able to be a spoke in the wheel for this team in the Rose Bowl, is just such a blessing.”

Clifford and his teammates undoubtedly did their part to pass their love to a new generation of Nittany Lions with a monumental series of big plays in a 35-21 victory over No. 7 Utah on Monday in the 109th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All.

Early in the third quarter, freshman Nicholas Singleton made a tiebreaking 87-yard touchdown run. On the first snap of the fourth KeAndre Lambert-Smith made the longest touchdown reception in Rose Bowl history on an 88-yard pass from Clifford.

Those two scores – and Utah quarterback Cameron Rising’s game-ending injury in the third quarter – decided it in favor of the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (11-2), whose reward for a resilient season was the second Rose Bowl victory in school history.

They stood on stage together afterward amid floating confetti and falling rain, oblivious to both artificial and natural elements after Penn State’s first Rose Bowl triumph since Jan. 2, 1995.

“Our guys just stuck together, made some big plays when we needed to, and we found a way to get a win against a really good Utah team,” Penn State coach James Franklin said.

Clifford passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns in an impressive farewell to Penn State, and Singleton rushed for 120 yards and two more scores.

The big plays stuck out: Penn State’s offense racked up 448 yards with just 15 first downs, and the defense made two interceptions in Nittany Lions territory.

Singleton broke open a well-played game when he slashed through Utah’s defensive front and outran the secondary for his second touchdown early in the third quarter, surpassing 1,000 yards in his impressive freshman season along the way.

The 87-yard romp was the third-longest TD run in Rose Bowl history and the second-longest in Penn State’s bowl history, with only Saquon Barkley’s 92-yard run in the 2017 Fiesta Bowl going longer.

Shortly after rain began to fall on the Rose Bowl Game for the first time since 1997, Lambert-Smith got open deep and eluded Utah’s defensive backs on the first snap of the fourth quarter for the longest pass completion in Penn State’s bowl history. Clifford’s pass also broke the Rose Bowl record of 76 yards by Michigan’s Rick Leach to Curt Stephenson in 1978 against Washington.

“Our defense got big-played,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

Freshman Kaytron Allen added a 1-yard TD run with 10:36 to play, and Penn State’s defense got stops on the Utes’ first six drives of the second half.

Rising passed for 95 yards before apparently injuring his left knee in the third quarter, forcing the Utah quarterback out of his second straight Rose Bowl early due to injury. Rising, one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Utah history, got hurt while scrambling near midfield, eventually returning in street clothes.

“Seeing our captain go down is definitely something that you don’t take lightly,” Utah left tackle Braeden Daniels said. “It’s tough, but there’s adversity you’ve got to deal with. It can’t be a drop-off … but Penn State is a good team, and they outplayed us today.”

Bryson Barnes replaced Rising for the second straight Rose Bowl after leading an improbable tying drive late in Utah’s 48-45 loss to Ohio State a year ago. The two-time Pac-12 champion Utes (10-4) couldn’t rally this time behind their backup, who passed for 112 yards with an interception.

“We just have to keep coming back to this game until we get it right,” Whittingham said. “Took us three times in the Pac-12 championship (game) before we got the win, so we’ve got to make sure that we try to continue to get better.”

Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown for Utah. Thomas Yassmin caught an early TD pass from Rising, but Utah was shut out for 32 straight minutes before Jaylen Dixon’s TD catch with 25 seconds to play.

The victory was a fitting finale for Clifford, the sixth-year senior who finally added a memorable bowl performance to his slew of Penn State career passing records in his 51st game. Clifford also became the winningest quarterback in school history with his 32nd victory, passing Trace McSorley.

Franklin called a timeout with 2:30 left to allow a hero’s farewell for Clifford, who waved at Penn State’s roaring, white-clad fans while his teammates applauded.

“I’m just so thankful for this place,” Clifford said. “I can’t put it into words. It’s so amazing. I just love Penn State so much.”

FINAL MATCHUP

The unusually gloomy afternoon in Arroyo Seco marked the end of an era for the sport’s oldest active bowl: It was the final edition of the Rose Bowl guaranteed to feature its traditional matchup between Pac-12 and Big Ten teams.

The game will be a College Football Playoff semifinal next year, and the subsequent playoff expansion means the Rose Bowl won’t usually control which teams make the trip.

RARE RAINFALL

The game began under cloudy skies after a week of uncharacteristically gray skies in Los Angeles, and in the third quarter, rain landed on the Rose Bowl Game for only the third time since 1955. The visiting fans from two hardy cities showed little concern about Southern California’s version of bad weather.

UP NEXT

Penn State: Hosts West Virginia on Sept. 2.

Utah: Begins its quest for a third straight Pac-12 title by hosting Florida on Sept. 2.

******NFL NEWS******

BILLS’ HAMLIN IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER COLLAPSE ON FIELD

CINCINNATI (AP) Bills safety Damar Hamlin was in critical condition early Tuesday after collapsing on the field hours earlier, leading to the indefinite postponement of Buffalo’s pivotal Monday night showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In a chilling scene, Hamlin was administered CPR on the field, ESPN reported, while surrounded by teammates, some of them in tears, while they shielded him from public view. He was hurt while tackling Bengals receiver Tee Higgins on a seemingly routine play that didn’t appear unusually violent.

The NFL announced Hamlin’s condition shortly after he was taken to a hospital, but neither the league nor the hospital released any other details about the 24-year-old’s medical condition. There was also no immediate update about the future status of the game.

On the play Hamlin was injured, Higgins led with his right shoulder, which hit the defensive back in the chest. Hamlin then wrapped his arms around Higgins’ shoulders and helmet to drag him down. Hamlin quickly got to his feet, appeared to adjust his face mask with his right hand, and then fell backward about three seconds later and lay motionless.

Hamlin was treated on the field by team and independent medical personnel and local paramedics, the NFL said, and he was taken by ambulance to University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Teammate Stefon Diggs later joined Hamlin at the hospital.

About 100 Bills fans and a few Bengals fans gathered on a corner one block from the emergency room entrance, some of them holding candles.

Jeff Miller, an NFL executive vice president, told reporters on a conference call early Tuesday that the league had made no plans at this time to play the game, adding that Hamlin’s health was the main focus.

An ambulance was on the field four minutes after Hamlin collapsed while many players embraced, including quarterbacks Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow.

“Please pray for our brother,” Allen tweeted.

Hamlin collapsed at 8:55 p.m., and when he was taken off the field about 19 minutes later in what seemed like an eternity, the Bills gathered in prayer. A few minutes after the ambulance left the field, the game was suspended, and players walked off the field slowly and into their locker rooms where they awaited word on Hamlin and the game.

“I’ve never seen anything like it since I was playing,” NFL executive Troy Vincent, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback during his career, said in the conference call early Tuesday morning. “Immediately, my player hat went on, like, how do you resume playing after seeing a traumatic event in front of you?”

Hamlin’s uniform was cut off as he was attended to by medical personnel. ESPN reported on its telecast that Hamlin was also given oxygen.

Vincent said the league took no steps toward restarting the game and did not ask players to begin a five-minute warmup period as ESPN’s broadcasters had announced.

“It never crossed our mind to talk about warming up to resume play,” Vincent said. “That’s ridiculous. That’s insensitive. That’s not a place we should ever be in.”

Vincent said the Bills were returning early Tuesday morning to the team facility in Orchard Park, New York, with the exception of a few players who stayed behind with Hamlin.

The Bengals led 7-3 in the first quarter of a game between teams vying for the top playoff seed in the AFC. Cincinnati entered at 11-4 and leading the AFC North by one game over Baltimore, while AFC East champion Buffalo was 12-3.

“The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin,” the players’ union said in a statement. “We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.”

The unfinished game has major playoff implications as the NFL enters the final week of the regular season, with the wild-card playoff round scheduled to begin on Jan. 14.

The aftermath of the injury was reminiscent of when Bills tight end Kevin Everett lay motionless on the field after making a tackle on the second-half opening kickoff in Buffalo’s 2007 season-opening game against the Denver Broncos.

Everett sustained a spinal cord injury that initially left him partially paralyzed.

Hamlin spent five years of college at Pittsburgh – his hometown – and appeared in 48 games for the Panthers over that span. He was a second-team All-ACC performer as a senior, was voted a team captain and was picked to play in the Senior Bowl.

He was drafted in the sixth round by the Bills in 2021, played in 14 games as a rookie and then became a starter this year once Micah Hyde was lost for the season to injury.

By late Monday night, a community toy drive organized by Hamlin had surged to more than $1.2 million in donations. His stated goal was $2,500.

Kathryn Bersani and her mother, Gayle, were among the Bills fans who traveled from Buffalo for the game and went to the hospital from the stadium.

“This is our family Christmas,” Kathryn Bersani said. “We thought it would be a great game. Joe (Burrow) and Josh (Allen) are such great men. Sad, sad time. Such a shock. I just hope he can live a normal life. It stunned us.”

Chuck and Janet Kohl went to the hospital after watching the game at home.

“This is much more important than football,” Chuck Kohl said. “Had to come and pray for Mr. Hamlin.”

Entering the game, the 6-foot, 200-pound Hamlin had 91 tackles, including 63 solo tackles, and 1 1/2 sacks.

A tweet from the Pitt football account was simple and clear: “Damar Hamlin is the best of us. We love you, 3,” the tweet said, referring to Hamlin by his college jersey number. “Praying for you.”

VRABEL PLAYS NO GAMES: TITANS STARTING DOBBS AT QB VS JAGS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Quarterback Joshua Dobbs will make a second straight start Saturday night in Jacksonville with the Titans’ playoff hopes on the line despite being signed Dec. 21 off Detroit’s practice squad.

“Josh will be our quarterback,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Monday. “I’ve talked to both quarterbacks and let them know that Josh will be our quarterback for this week, and then Malik (Willis) has to continue to prepare like a starter.”

The Titans (7-9) can win their third straight AFC South title with a victory Saturday night. That would give them a home playoff game along with snapping a six-game skid that has seen Dobbs as the third different quarterback to start since Tennessee’s previous win Nov. 17 at Green Bay.

Tennessee started Dobbs, who just made his first NFL start in a 27-13 loss to Dallas last Thursday night hours after putting 11-year veteran Ryan Tannehill on injured reserve. Willis was the Titans’ third-round draft pick by general manager Jon Robinson, who was fired Dec. 6.

The six-year veteran had more yards passing by halftime of his Titans’ debut than Willis managed in any of his three starts and eight appearances.

Dobbs finished with 232 yards passing, almost as much as Willis had had combined (276) this season. Willis has been intercepted three times with his only TD off a run.

Vrabel made it clear they’ve been impressed with Dobbs’ work ethic, noting the quarterback has worked hard the past couple of days.

Helping the former University of Tennessee star is he has a degree in aerospace engineering and spent two years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Flight Center as part of the NFLPA’s program.

Dobbs was a fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2017 and now has appeared in seven games. He played in five with the Steelers in 2018 and one in 2020. He spent 2019 with Jacksonville after the Jaguars traded for him to help back up Gardner Minshew after Nick Foles broke his collarbone.

The newest Titans starter also will have a full week of practice as compared to prepping for one game as a backup signed four days before his Tennessee debut. Dobbs then had five days to prepare for the first start of his NFL career.

Now the Titans can see how much Dobbs can absorb with an emphasis on red zone plays.

“There’ll be some things that we will try to add or maybe things that we practiced last week that we didn’t run,” Vrabel said. “Well, I think it’s just going to be good to have a full week.”

The Jaguars (8-8) won the first game between these teams Dec. 11 thanks to four turnovers leading to 20 points in a 36-22 victory in Nashville with Tannehill starting. The Titans rested Derrick Henry along with six other starters against Dallas. Vrabel said that will only help depending on how the Titans play.

“Hopefully we’ve taken advantage of the time,” Vrabel said.

NOTES: The Titans placed S Andrew Adams on injured reserve, putting them at 23. He hurt his right knee defending a TD catch in the loss to Dallas. With two Titans having returned, they’ve had 25 on injured reserve – one off last year’s total for the season. … They signed S Mike Brown off Cleveland’s practice squad and signed S Nate Meadors to the practice squad.

******MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS******

PURDUE AT NO. 1, CHARLESTON RANKED FOR 1ST TIME IN 20 YEARS

Purdue solidified its No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll following UConn’s first loss of the season, while No. 23 Charleston moved into the rankings for the first time in 20 years.

The Boilermakers remained No. 1 for the fourth straight week, receiving all but one first-place vote from a 61-person media panel in the poll released Monday. No. 2 Houston and No. 3 Kansas each moved up a spot, and No. 4 UConn dropped two spots after losing to Xavier, which moved up from No. 22 to No. 18. Arizona rounded out the top five.

Purdue lasted only one week after hitting No. 1 for the first time last season, but it has tightened its grip this season since moving to the top spot on Dec. 12.

The Boilermakers (13-0, 2-0 Big Ten) dominated Florida A&M 82-49 last Thursday in its first game in eight days to join No. 21 New Mexico as the nation’s only remaining undefeated Division I teams.

“Competition is going to get harder and teams are going to know what to scout,” Purdue’s Mason Gillis said. “There are going to be closer games down toward the end. We’ll find out who can play under pressure.”

UConn (14-1, 3-1 Big East) had been off to its best start since 1998 before losing 83-73 to Xavier, which has won eight straight.

CHARLESTON CHARTING

Charleston put together a solid first season under Pat Kelsey a year ago, winning 17 games. The Cougars almost have matched that already this season to enter the AP Top 25 for the first time since a one-week stint at No. 25 in 2002-03.

Charleston (14-1, 2-0 CAA) lost to then-No. 1 North Carolina in its second game and has since reeled off 13 straight wins. The Cougars outlasted Colonial Athletic Association preseason favorite Towson 76-74 in overtime on Saturday.

LOBOS RISING

New Mexico cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time in eight years last week and won both of its games.

The Lobos beat Colorado State 88-69 on Thursday in front of more than 15,000 people, the largest crowd at The Pit in seven years. They then pulled out a 76-75 win at Wyoming on Saturday for their best start since going 17-0 in 1967-68.

RISING/FALLING

No. 18 Xavier had the largest jump within the poll, climbing four spots after its win over UConn. No. 11 Virginia and No. 12 Miami were the only other teams to climb more than one spot, each moving up two.

No. 19 Baylor had the biggest drop, losing seven places after a 15-point loss to Iowa State, which went from unranked to No. 25. No. 13 Arkansas dropped four spots following a 60-57 loss at LSU.

IN AND OUT

No. 20 Missouri is ranked for the first time since 2020-21 after returning from its holiday break to beat Kentucky by 14.

No. 24 Ohio State returned to the poll after a two-week absence following wins over Alabama A&M and Northwestern. No. 25 Iowa State is back after three unranked weeks, thanks to its win over Baylor.

Kentucky is unranked for the first time in two years, dropping out from No. 19 after its loss to Missouri. Mississippi State fell out from No. 21 following a loss to No. 7 Alabama.

North Carolina’s return to the poll didn’t last long.

The Tar Heels, the preseason No. 1, moved back into the poll at No. 25 last week after a tumultuous start to the season. North Carolina is again outside looking in, dropping out after losing to Pittsburgh.

*******WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEWS*******

JONES’ 18 POINTS, 16 REBOUNDS LEAD NO. 2 STANFORD BY ARIZONA

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) When the shots weren’t falling, coach Tara VanDerveer’s Stanford team turned it up on the defensive end to stymie high-scoring Arizona.

Haley Jones had 18 points, a season-high 16 rebounds and five assists, and second-ranked Stanford picked up the intensity on both ends after the first quarter and rolled past No. 15 Arizona 73-57 in a Monday showdown of the 2021 national champion Cardinal and NCAA runner-up Wildcats.

“I recruited every player for their offense not their defense but our defense was what was really great,” VanDerveer said. “Our team locked in on the scouting report.”

Francesca Belibi contributed season-bests of 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Stanford (15-1, 3-0 Pac-12), which held Arizona to seven second-quarter points on the way to winning its 10th straight game since the team’s lone defeat in a 76-71 overtime loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Nov. 20.

Jade Loville scored 12 for a Wildcats team (12-2, 2-1) that came in averaging 81.2 points per game and was beating teams by an average of 22.2 points – but no team has scored more than 77 points against the Cardinal since the start of the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season.

Both power programs struggled to find their 3-point grooves – Arizona going 1 for 6 in the first half and Stanford 3 of 13. Hannah Jump made four for Stanford on the way to 13 points.

Cameron Brink overcame a cold shooting day to finish with 12 points, six rebounds and three more blocks. She shot 3 of 15, missing all six of her 3-point tries and with four turnovers but was picked up by Stanford’s deep supporting cast.

“Cam didn’t have her best game of the year but thankfully other people stepped up,” VanDeveer said.

Stanford committed five quick turnovers and missed its initial three shots before Jump hit a 3-pointer at the 6:14 mark of the first. That helped the Cardinal warm up and use a 6-0 burst to get going as Arizona had a short drought.

During a timeout, VanDerveer told the Cardinal to settle into the game.

“Whenever Hannah hits a 3 it gets us going. We expect it to go in every time,” Jones said. “Once you see the ball go in the basket no matter who it’s from it just kind of gets you going.”

The Cardinal made five straight shots during a 7-0 run to go ahead 17-11 and led 19-15 after the first – when Jones already had six points, five rebounds and four assists.

“Just our lack of execution was disappointing,” Arizona coach Adia Barnes said, emphasizing the 23 offensive rebounds Stanford corralled. “The second quarter, third quarter, then we fought a little bit got within 13 late in the game but we looked like we were down 40. Not a lot of fight. I think we were really fatigued, third game in five days after Christmas is rough, not ideal. Tough situation.”

Belibi went down hard late in the third when she was hit in the head and on an intentional foul call against Loville. Belibi was checked for a concussion in the locker room and returned.

“I’m good,” she said. “It’s always kind of a little bit of a shock to get hit.”

Stanford won its 37th straight game against Pac-12 teams including the past two conference titles and postseason.

FREE-THROW WOES

Stanford went just 20 of 34 from the free-throw line. Jones went 8 for 12 and Belibi 4 of 8.

“We need to do a better job in a close game like this or in a tournament-type game,” VanDerveer said.

BIG PICTURE

Arizona: The Wildcats, who were outrebounded 53-33, had only beaten one ranked opponent prior to facing Stanford – No. 18 Baylor on Dec. 18. … Arizona scored 19 points off Stanford’s 16 turnovers. … The Wildcats were averaging a Pac-12 best 12.9 steals per game and had just seven. … Arizona is the only conference team with four players averaging at least 11.8 points.

Stanford: Brink – who celebrated her 21st birthday with a big game on New Year’s Eve in a 101-69 win against Arizona State – has blocked at least one shot in every game and now has 48. She was cheered on Monday by Sonya Curry, mother of Warriors star Stephen Curry, and the reigning NBA Finals MVP’s two daughters, Riley and Ryan, and toddler son, Canon. Sonya Curry and Brink’s mom, Michelle, are friends dating to their days at Virginia Tech. … Junior G Agnes Emma-Nnopu missed her second straight game after being poked in the eye at practice by Indya Nivar. … Stanford improved to 61-4 in games when Jump makes at least one 3-pointer.

UP NEXT

Arizona: Hosts Oregon State on Friday.

Stanford: Visits California on Sunday in Berkeley for the second matchup between the Bay Area rivals after the Cardinal captured the first meeting 90-69 on Dec. 23 in the conference opener.

MEYERS, HAS 22, NO. 13 MARYLAND WOMEN TOP RUTGERS 78-67

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Abby Meyers scored 13 of her 22 points in the first quarter to help Maryland get off to a quick start and the No. 13 Terrapins defeated Rutgers 78-67 on Monday.

Diamond Miller had 13 of her 15 points in the second half for Maryland (12-3, 3-1 Big Ten Conference), Shyanne Sellers added 12 points and Lavender Briggs 10.

Kaylene Smikle scored scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds, both season bests for the freshman, to lead Rutgers (6-10, 0-4). Kassondra Brown added 12 points and Chyna Cornwell had 13 rebounds to go with eight points.

The Scarlet Knights had 22 turnovers that were turned into 23 points but they closed the game on a 12-0 run.

Meyers set the tone early, opening the scoring with a pair of 3-pointers. She made 5 of 7 shots with three triples and a pair of 8-0 runs helped the Terrapins lead 24-9 after one quarter.

Elisa Pinzane hit a 3-pointer to open the second quarter to make it an 18-point lead but Smikle had 11 points to lead Rutgers back. It was 40-33 at the half as a Smikle layup capped a 7-0 run.

Smikle opened the second half with a basket but Miller had two layups, Sellers had a three-point play and Meyers another 3-pointer and the lead was quickly back to 50-35. Maryland outscored the Scarlet Knights 27-11 to take a 67-44 lead into the fourth quarter.

Maryland home against Michigan State on Saturday when Nebraska visits Rutgers.

*******NBA NEWS*******

RANDLE, BRUNSON HELP LIFT KNICKS OVER SUNS 102-83

NEW YORK (AP) Julius Randle had 28 points and 16 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 102-83 win over the Phoenix Suns on Monday in New York.

“My teammates are getting me the ball in the right spots. They’re getting me going early,” Randle said. “It’s just focus and effort, night in and night out.”

Jalen Brunson, who returned after missing three games with a sore right hip, scored 24 points. Immanuel Quickley scored 15 points, Quentin Grimes had 12 and Mitchell Robinson finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks.

“I shot 6-of-11 from the foul line. There’s the rust,” Brunson said. “I started out 0-for-3 and didn’t finish the game the way I wanted to shooting-wise. But I was still in rhythm. I feel I can be more efficient, but I was just happy to be back out there.”

Deandre Ayton led Phoenix with 12 points. Chris Paul had 11 and Mikal Bridges added 10.

The Suns, who lost for the sixth time in their last seven games, scored the first four points of the game. The Knicks followed with the next 14 and led the rest of the way.

New York went ahead 23-11 after the first quarter, the lowest total allowed to any opponent in any quarter by the Knicks since Feb. 1, 2020 (vs. Indiana).

Phoenix pulled to within 11, but a 21-0 Knicks run produced a game-high 32-point lead, 52-20.

The Suns ended the second quarter on an 11-2 streak and trailed 54-31. Phoenix tied for the fewest halftime points scored by a Knicks opponent since Orlando also scored 31 on April 11, 2015.

“Defensively, we had to get back to our ways,” Randle said. “When we won eight in a row, the defensive end was big for us. We feel that rhythm and chemistry coming back on that end.”

The Knicks went up 74-43 following a 10-run but had their lead cut to 79-58 after the third quarter.

“I thought the way our guys came out, they played really hard defensively and played very unselfish offensively,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “It is sometimes difficult to play with a lead like that, but I thought our guys did a good job of playing tough. They can make up ground quickly the way they shoot threes. That was a big concern.”

The Suns, who scored a season low, only got as close as 18 points, 83-65, in the fourth quarter.

“It is a mind-boggling thing,” Suns coach Monte Williams said. “The frustration comes in for us because we’ve been a team that can overcome that when we are not shooting the ball well. Mentally and emotionally, I have to get our guys stronger. We haven’t been able to handle those kinds of lapses this year.”

TIP-INS

Suns: Leading scorer Devin Booker (sore left groin) missed his fourth consecutive game. . Bridges is the lone Phoenix player to start all 38 games this season. Damion Lee is the only other Sun to play in all 38.

Knicks: RJ Barrett (lacerated right index finger) missed his third straight game. . The Knicks had lost nine straight games to the Suns. New York had not beaten Phoenix since Nov. 3, 2017 (120-107 at MSG). . Randle, who posted a double-double for the 10th time in his last 11 games, is the only Knick to start all 38 games this season. He heard loud chants of “MVP” throughout the game. “It’s good to be on the good side of the Garden,” Randle said.

HOME SWEET HOME?

The Knicks are the only NBA team to have a winning record so far this season but a losing record (9-10) at home. Monday’s win snapped a three-game home losing streak.

UP NEXT:

Suns: Phoenix visits the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

Knicks: New York hosts the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

MITCHELL SCORES 71 POINTS, CAVS BEAT BULLS 145-134 IN OT

CLEVELAND (AP) Already an All-Star, Donovan Mitchell added his name to one of the NBA’s most rarefied lists Monday night.

Mitchell set a Cleveland record with 71 points, most by an NBA player in 17 years, and the Cavaliers rallied from 21 down to beat the Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime on Monday night.

Mitchell’s total matched the eighth highest in league history since Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had 81 points against Toronto on Jan. 22, 2006. Wilt Chamberlain owns the NBA record with 100 for Philadelphia against New York on March 2, 1962, at Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“To be there in the record book with guys like Wilt is truly humbling,” said Mitchell, who was acquired from Utah in the offseason. “I always believed I could be one of the best players in the league. I’m speechless and blessed to be in the company of that greatness.”

As the final seconds of OT ticked off the clock, Mitchell waved his arm for the Cleveland crowd, which has embraced him in his short time with the Cavs, to make more noise and then soaked in their applause.

Seconds later, Mitchell was doused with water by his teammates and forward Cedi Osman grabbed a microphone on the floor to lead an “M-V-P, M-V-P,” chant.

Mitchell scored 13 points in the extra session after forcing OT by grabbing his own intentionally missed free throw and making a circus-shot with 3.0 seconds left, tying the game at 130-all and breaking the Cleveland record with 58 points.

In OT, Mitchell became the seventh player in the 70-point club. Chamberlain did it six times, while Bryant, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor, David Robinson and Devin Booker reached the figure once apiece.

“We were treated tonight to one of the greatest performances in the history of the game,” Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Every single play that he made was a play that was necessary.

“Donovan has never put himself above the team, so how can you not root for a guy like that? I told everyone else to get out of the way.”

Mitchell also had a career-high tying 11 assists and eight rebounds in 50 minutes, also setting career highs with 20 free throws made and 25 free throws attempted. He scored five points in the first quarter, 11 in the second, 24 in the third and 18 in the fourth.

“I think I had a game like that once playing NBA2K, but I don’t think I shot that efficiently,” Mitchell joked of his video-game skills. “But that was in a loss, so this feels that much better.”

Mitchell went 22 of 34 from the field and made 7 of 15 3-pointers in carrying the Cavaliers, who were without All-Star guard Darius Garland (right thumb sprain) and forward Evan Mobley (right ankle soreness) for the second straight game.

DeMar DeRozan scored 44 points, Zach LeVine had 26 points and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago, which did not trail in regulation.

During his postgame news conference, Mitchell was almost in disbelief when it was mentioned he joined the list of NBA legends to surpass 70 points.

“It’s humbling,” he said. “I’m speechless. For me, not only did I do that, but I did it an effort when we came back and won and it’s how we won. It’s nuts.”

TIP-INS

Bulls: G Javonte Green (right knee soreness) was unavailable after appearing in the previous three games. Green has missed nine total games with the injury and will undergo a thorough examination Tuesday in Chicago. “He was making some headway, then it flared up again,” coach Billy Donovan said. . G Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery), who last played on Jan. 14, is lightly jogging and doing limited on-court work.

Cavaliers: Cleveland posted winning records in each of the first three months of the season for the first time since 2016-2017. The latter wrapped up a run of 16 straight winning months with All-Stars LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. . G Ricky Rubio (left knee rehabilitation), F Dean Wade (left shoulder sprain) and G Dylan Windler (right ankle sprain) remain out. Rubio could return to action within two weeks.

UP NEXT

Bulls: Visit Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

Cavaliers: Host Phoenix on Wednesday night.

IRVING, NETS ROLL PAST SPURS 139-103 FOR 12TH STRAIGHT WIN

NEW YORK (AP) Kyrie Irving made his first seven shots, sparked a big bench celebration with a one-handed follow slam after he finally missed and scored 27 points as the Brooklyn Nets beat the San Antonio Spurs 139-103 on Monday night for their 12th straight victory.

Kevin Durant added 25 points and 11 assists for the Nets (25-12), who have ridden the longest winning streak in the NBA this season to within a game of Boston for the best record in the league. Brooklyn has won 16 of its last 17 games.

“I don’t think we really pay attention too much to the streak, we just really want to play well for one another,” Irving said.

Irving shot 11 for 14, Durant was 10 for 14 and neither played in the fourth quarter for the Nets, who are 23-7 under Jacque Vaughn. T.J. Warren finished with 18 points and Brooklyn shot 62% from the field.

The Nets never trailed for the second straight game in an easy start to the new year after going 12-1 in December. They are two wins shy of matching the franchise’s longest winning streak, having won 14 in a row twice while based in New Jersey.

“It just felt easy,” said Ben Simmons, who had nine assists and six rebounds.

Keldon Johnson scored 22 points for the Spurs.

“They were rolling from the jump all the way to the end of the game,” Johnson said.

Irving was 6 for 6 in the first quarter, with three 3-pointers, for 15 points and the Nets shot 64% in opening a 37-25 lead.

He finally missed on a 3-pointer in front of the Brooklyn bench but had teammates rushing off the sideline moments later screaming and celebrating when he streaked into the lane after Yuta Watanabe’s missed jumper and slammed it down for a 46-27 lead.

Irving said it had been a struggle to regain strength after spraining his ankle in the 2021 playoffs. He joked that the reaction from his teammates was due to surprise over his leaping abilities.

“I’m like this close to getting tired of people downplaying my athleticism at times in that locker room,” he said, holding his fingers close together.

Brooklyn led 74-47 at halftime and surpassed 100 points in three quarters for the second time this season, both in the last six games.

Devin Vassell scored 14 points for the Spurs.

TIP-INS

Spurs: Coach Gregg Popovich said he walked about 80 blocks in New York on Monday, eating Italian, Turkish and Lebanese food. Popovich noted that he’ll be able to fit in plenty more on this trip, with the Spurs off Tuesday before facing the Knicks on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, near their team hotel. The Spurs were then planning a team meal after Monday’s game. … The Spurs have lost six straight to the Nets.

Nets: The Nets were without Royce O’Neale and Markieff Morris because of illnesses not related to COVID-19. … Joe Harris scored eight points after missing four games due to left knee soreness. … The Nets congratulated Durant during the game for recently moving into 15th place on the NBA’s career scoring list. He passed Tim Duncan, the Spurs’ five-time champion. Soccer starts Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi were at the game, with Mbappe getting a thunderous ovation when shown after the third quarter.

UP NEXT

Spurs: At New York on Wednesday.

Nets: At Chicago on Wednesday.

EMBIID LEADS 76ERS PAST PELICANS, WILLIAMSON HURTS HAMSTRING

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Zion Williamson dominated the 76ers to the point that coach Doc Rivers said trying to defend the New Orleans big man was like “guarding a fast Shaq.”

The only thing that could slow down Williamson was a hamstring injury.

Joel Embiid had 42 points and 11 rebounds, James Harden scored 27 and the Philadelphia 76ers beat a New Orleans Pelicans team that lost Williamson to a strained right hamstring, 120-111 on Monday night.

Williamson scored 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting through three quarters before he left for the locker room in the fourth. Williamson pulled up on a fastbreak and handed off the ball late in the third. Williamson, averaging 26 points, gingerly ran to the corner and lingered on the court for a bit before he was lifted from the game. Williamson’s career has been defined by injuries and dominance, notably a career-best 42 points last week against Minnesota.

There was no immediate word if Williamson would miss any time.

“That was extremely difficult,” coach Willie Green said. “It was right at a pivotal moment during the game. We’ll do some imaging and look at him. Hopefully, he’ll be OK.”

Without Williamson, the Pelicans couldn’t keep up with the 76ers.

Embiid pushed the lead in the fourth on a driving, crashing layup and spun around like a top on his rear end for dramatic effect. He sank the free throw for a 106-96 lead. He did walk gingerly to the bench moment later but stayed in the game.

Embiid had his eighth game this season with at least 35 points and 10 rebounds and was serenaded by the fans with “MVP! MVP!” chants.

De’Anthony Melton buried a 3 for the 76ers for a 113-107 lead and Harden came right back and hit another 3 to seal their 10th straight home win.

It’s a shame for NBA fans the teams don’t each other again this season. CJ McCollum hit a franchise-best 11 3s and Williamson added 36 in the Pelicans’ 127-116 home victory on Friday night. It was the second banger in four nights, only this time in Philly.

McCollum scored 26 points.

“We guarded the hell out of him and he still scored 26. We made him work for it,” Rivers said.

Williamson, Harden and Embiid all put on a show through the first three quarters. Even 76ers reserve Georges Niang hit five 3s off the bench to get the home crowd roaring as the public address announcer bellowed “Bang, bang, Niang!”

Embiid, playing with a sore lower back, continued his pursuit of a second straight scoring title with 15-of-24 shooting and he made all 10 free throws. Harden was crafty in the second quarter when he scored 10 points on and-1s. He had a four-point play in that run and two three-point plays, including a layup that saw him scoot past the stanchion and high-five fans.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: Green spent the first seven seasons of his playing career with the Sixers. The Sixers weren’t all that good during Green’s tenure but he deeply appreciated playing with Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.

“There’s only one AI. He had a way with people,” Green said. “He had a big heart. Sometimes that could be misunderstood. We all loved him as teammates.”

76ers: G Tyrese Maxey, normally a starter, received a rousing ovation when he checked in late in the first quarter. Maxey had 12 points as the Sixers ease him back in the lineup after he missed almost six weeks with a broken foot.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: Host Houston on Wednesday

76ers: On a three-game homestand that includes games Wednesday against Indiana and Friday against Chicago.

JAMES POURS IN 43 AS LAKERS HOLD OFF HORNETS, 121-115

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) LeBron James is taking giant leaps lately toward breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring mark.

James scored 43 points to pull within 500 of the NBA record, and the Los Angeles Lakers avenged last month’s home loss to the Charlotte Hornets with a 121-115 victory Monday night.

James had two dunks on alley-oops, including a high-flying, reverse windmill slam off a feed from Dennis Schroder, to push his career total to 37,903 points. That left him 484 behind Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 38,387.

Thomas Bryant had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Austin Reaves and Schroder each had 15 points as the Lakers (16-21) finished a 3-2 road trip.

“We just had the mindset of wanting to close out this trip the right way,” James said.

Terry Rozier had 27 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 13 of their last 16 games. LaMelo Ball added 24 points and Mason Plumlee had 18 points and 14 rebounds for Charlotte.

The Hornets (10-28) beat the Lakers 134-130 on Dec. 23.

James, battling ankle soreness, was on his game in this one, adding 11 rebounds and six assists to improve to 47-7 against owner Michael Jordan’s Hornets.

James picked up where he left off in December, when he averaged 31.2 points over 14 games, including a 47-point effort Friday night on his 38th birthday against the Atlanta Hawks.

He was 16 of 26 from the field Monday and had 23 points in the second half.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham called it “just another magnificent night” for James.

“I just think he is taking his time and really looking at what the defense is trying to do to him,” Ham said. “There were times where he had to be a willing passer and he was just that. If he was going to attack them downhill, making his 3 ball, getting out and running in transition. There was a variety of ways he is on the attack and again, they had a couple of possessions where they were trying to blitz him. He’s finding the open man and making plays for other guys, and it forces the defense to play behind us.”

The Lakers used a 14-0 run to open the second quarter and build a 15-point halftime lead. James began to take over in the third, scoring on drives, dunks and mid-range jumpers – he was 0 for 5 from 3-point range – while helping the Lakers push their lead to 24.

James wouldn’t say if the dunk was one of the best of his career, but it sure brought the Spectrum Center crowd – packed with Lakers fans – to its feet.

“It’s always good to get out on the break,” James said. “The pass always makes the great highlights and I was able to bring it home in fashion.”

The Hornets got a huge spark late from Rozier, who had 17 points in the fourth quarter, to cut the margin to 117-113 in the final minute. But then James made four free throws down the stretch to help seal the victory.

Rozier said the Hornets need to start quicker.

“We’re playing against the best players in the world and you can’t just turn it on whenever you want to,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of talent, but we’re not disciplined and stuff like that. It kind of puts us on the back burner, so we’ve got to clean it up from the beginning and play with that toughness, that edginess from the beginning, and can’t wait.”

HAYWARD INJURED AGAIN

Gordon Hayward, who has struggled all season and missed games with a shoulder injury, exited in the second half with a left hamstring injury. His status is expected to be updated on Tuesday.

TIP-INS

Lakers: Outrebounded the Hornets 53-47.

Hornets: Dennis Smith Jr. returned from an ankle injury that had kept him out since Nov. 23. At one point he tried to dunk over James, but the ball slipped out of his hands. James was still called for a foul. … Ball picked up a technical foul for arguing a call while seated on the bench.

UP NEXT

Lakers: Return home to host Miami on Wednesday night.

Hornets: Complete a four-game homestand against Memphis on Wednesday night.

DONCIC SCORES 39, MAVS RALLY FOR 111-106 OVER HOUSTON

HOUSTON (AP) Luka Doncic had 39 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as Dallas rallied from an 18-point second half deficit to beat the Houston Rockets 111-106 on Monday night for the Mavericks’ seventh straight win.

Doncic scored 29 of his points in the second half to lead the comeback. He finished 10 of 26 from the field, including 1 of 9 on 3-pointers and hit 18 of 22 from the free throw line.

“I was not worried in the first half, I just needed to be more aggressive,” Doncic said. “That’s what I did in the second half. In the first half, I was passive, and it didn’t work well for us.”

Doncic has scored at least 32 points in each of the last six games, including three 50-point games during that span.

“Winning is always great,” Doncic said. “The energy in the locker room is amazing, so to win seven in a row is pretty good, but we want more. I think today we played very bad, but great teams come back and win games.”

Christian Wood added 21 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 21 points for Dallas, which has their longest winning streak since the 2010-11 season.

“To win seven (straight) in this league, it’s not easy to win in this league, it’s easy to lose in this league, but it’s hard to win,” said Dallas coach Jason Kidd, who was a player on the 2010-11 team.

The Mavericks shot 42%, including 13 of 43 on 3-pointers.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 25 points, Jalen Green added 20 points and Eric Gordon scored 19 points for the Rockets, who lost their fourth straight and seventh straight at home.

“We were getting our shots,” Porter said. “There were a couple missed plays, but that what happens. It’s been a long game. It’s the fourth quarter, trying to execute, trying to get shots in, and it just didn’t turn our way.”

Alperen Sengun, who missed Friday’s loss against the Knicks with lower back pain, scored 16 points. Houston shot 46%.

“I thought we did a good job on him the whole game,” Houston coach Stephen Silas said of the defense against Doncic. “The issue was the fouls. I don’t have enough money to get fined, so I will stop there.”

Trailing 100-93 midway through the fourth, Dallas answered with 14-4 run to take a three-point lead on a jumper by Hardaway with 2:55 remaining.

Houston cut the lead to one on a layup by Porter with two minutes left, but after trading missed shots, Spencer Dinwiddie hit a jumper with 10 seconds left to up the lead to 109-106. Sengun missed two free throws, and Doncic grabbed the rebound. Doncic was fouled and made two free throws to ice the game.

After a sluggish first half in which he scored 10 points on 3 of 12 shooting, Doncic heated up in the third quarter, scoring 19 points as the Mavs cut an 18-point Houston lead down to 87-83 at the end of the quarter on a three-point play by Doncic.

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Dinwiddie scored 11 points. . The Mavs turned 10 Houston turnovers into 14 points. . Josh Green (right elbow sprain) and Dorian Finney-Smith (right adductor strain) remained out of the lineup.

Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate (right ankle) is “getting closer”, Silas said, adding that he would like to see Tate go through a five-on-five practice before he returns. . Jabari Smith Jr. had 11 points.

ROCKETS REBUILD

Following postgame comments from Gordon on Friday that he’s seen no improvement from the Rockets since the beginning of the season, Silas said he and Gordon had talked on Monday and knew where each other stood.

“Rebuilding is hard,” Silas said. “It’s hard on everybody. . He was frustrated. I don’t necessarily agree with how he went about it, but I do understand his frustration.”

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Host the Celtics on Thursday.

Rockets: Travel to New Orleans on Wednesday.

EDWARDS SCORES 29, SHORT-HANDED WOLVES BEAT NUGGETS 124-111

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Anthony Edwards scored 29 points, including 15 in the third quarter to help Minnesota withstand a push by Denver, and the Timberwolves held on for a 124-111 win against the Nuggets on Monday.

Jaden McDaniels had 21 points and Kyle Anderson added 19 for Minnesota, which snapped a six-game losing streak and won its fourth in a row against Denver.

With Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets made their push early in the third. But Edwards answered the call, scoring 10 of the final 12 points of the quarter to put the Timberwolves back in front for good.

“They tell me,” Edwards said of his teammates pushing for him to take control. “Especially this group of guys, they be upfront with me. `Hey, it’s time to take over.’ Someone told me going into the third quarter after the first time, `Alright, take this game over.'”

Jokic finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, and Murray added 14 points after a scoreless first-half. Bones Hyland added 18 points off the bench, but Denver was undone by its sluggish start on the second game of a back-to-back following Sunday’s home win against Boston.

The Nuggets had won 10 of their previous 12 games.

“What I saw was just a team that was more urgent, was more desperate and wanted it more,” Malone said of Minnesota. “Usually that team is going to win the game. Disappointing. Great win last night, but who cares. You just gave it right back tonight.”

Playing without D’Angelo Russell (illness) and Naz Reid (low back spasms) was just the latest blow to the Timberwolves, who have been without Karl-Anthony Towns (right calf strain), Taurean Prince (right shoulder subluxation) and Jordan McLaughlin (left calf strain) for extended absences.

Holding leads has also been an issue, such as Saturday when Minnesota let an 18-point advantage slip away in a disappointing home loss to last-place Detroit.

Wolves coach Chris Finch wondered if there was a sense of entitlement with his struggling, star-laden team and considered possible changes. Finch didn’t have many options for changes due to being short-handed, but seldom-used Luka Garza and Nathan Knight provided a spark off the bench and helped defend Jokic.

Meanwhile, energy and focus were no problem against the first-place Nuggets.

“Very, very proud of our guys after the weekend,” Finch said. “Obviously, we desperately needed a win here, regardless of who we had playing or who we were playing. It was a total team win. Everybody who came in contributed, executed the game plan to a high level. Played with toughness, played together. It was really fun to watch.”

OFF THE MARK

Denver, who started the day with the second-best shooting percentage in the league and tops from 3-point territory, simply struggled to make shots in the first half.

The Nuggets started the game 3 of 10 from the field, shot 38.9% in the first quarter, including a 1 of 8 mark from 3. They finished the first half at 40.9%.

“I think tonight it boils down for me, I think it’s mental,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “If you’re mentally tough, you’re not giving in to the `I’m tired.’ . (Championship) types of teams rise above all the BS, all the noise, all the excuses. You got to tell your body you’re not tired.”

POINT ANT

Without Russell and McLaughlin, the team’s primary point guards, the offense ran through Edwards. He had five assists and 10 rebounds.

“Finchy did a great job,” Edwards said. “He was calling plays. Other times, he’ll tell me when to go. He’ll be like, `Alright, go, go, go,’ like when I’m pushing the ball. So, he kind of helped me out tonight.”

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the game for a short time with a right wrist sprain. He later returned to the game. . Aaron Gordon missed his first 10 shots of the game, but he finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds, including a career-high 12 offensive boards.

Timberwolves: Jaylen Nowell scored 17 points while starting for Russell. . Minnesota shot 60% in the fourth quarter, including 4 of 9 from 3 to stay in front.

UP NEXT

Nuggets: Return home against Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.

Timberwolves: Host Portland on Wednesday.

THOMPSON’S SEASON-BEST 54 LEADS WARRIORS PAST HAWKS IN 2OT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Kevon Looney rushed his first try, not realizing he had a little time. Then he tipped in the game-winner as the final buzzer of the second overtime sounded. He got swarmed in celebration.

The durable big man who played every game last season and all of them so far in this one delivered a career-high 21 rebounds with two in the final 2 seconds, Klay Thompson scored a season-best 54 points, and the Golden State Warriors held off the Atlanta Hawks 143-141 on Monday night.

Looney laughed when asked if he had ever scored the game-winning basket – “not a walkoff game-winner.”

“I rushed the first one I didn’t think I had that much time, but I saw I had more time so I took my time on the second one and I was able to make it,” Looney said.

Trae Young tied the score on a floating layup with 8.2 seconds remaining before the Warriors’ final chance. Young made four crucial free throws late in the first OT and finished with 30 points and 14 assists.

Looney also had 14 points and five assists. Draymond Green made his only 3-point attempt of the game with 43.8 seconds left in the last OT and finished with 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

Thompson shot 21 for 39 and his 10 3-pointers matched a season high – and his 54 were six off his career-best scoring outing of 60 accomplished in three quarters on Dec. 5, 2016.

“He just made shot after shot and play after play, he was incredible,” coach Steve Kerr said.

Thompson hit a go-ahead 3 with 18 seconds left in the first overtime after his tying 3 with 1:55 to go in the initial extra period.

“It’s always great to see Klay get hot,” Looney said. “When he gets hot there are not many players who can score like him.”

Donte DiVincenzo corralled a crucial offensive rebound then knocked down a tying 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into OT after Thompson and Jordan Poole had each missed from long range the same sequence.

DiVincenzo grabbed another key rebound with 1:23 left in the first extra period to help the undermanned defending champions run their season-best winning streak to five games with a sixth straight home victory.

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry danced in delight at outcome after missing his ninth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder.

Poole’s 3 put Golden State ahead 129-126 with 1:35 left in the first OT. He finished with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists coming off a 40-point performance in a 118-112 win against Portland on Friday night.

John Collins scored 21 of his 25 points after halftime and dished out 13 assists as the Hawks roared back after trailing by as many as 21 in the first half. Dejounte Murray also scored 25 to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures and six players in all, including Bogdan Bogdanovic’s 21 off the bench.

De’Andre Hunter returned from a three-game absence with a sprained left ankle to scored 17 points for the Hawks, who lost their fourth straight. Atlanta rallied in the third to tie the game at 95 heading into the fourth.

Golden State is 17-2 at Chase Center and 5-0 on its current eight-game homestand that matches the longest in franchise history.

INJURED WARRIORS

Jonathan Kuminga joined the injury report with a sprained right foot that swelled up after Friday’s game. He is using a walking boot.

Center James Wiseman sat out a second straight game after he rolled his left ankle taking part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage following the morning shootaround Friday. He is getting treatment and improving but unlikely to play Wednesday.

All-Star Andrew Wiggins missed his 14th game, dealing with an illness again that came on the heels of being sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg.

JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.

“He’s been through a lot the last couple of weeks,” Kerr said.

TIP-INS

Hawks: Atlanta shot 2 of 16 from deep in the first half to fall behind 70-53. … C Clint Capela sat out for the seventh time in eight games with a bruised right calf. “He’s getting better every day,” coach Nate McMillan said, pleased the big man is making “progress.” … The Hawks are 0-3 on the road vs. the Western Conference.

Warriors: DiVincenzo has at least one steal in 13 straight games. … Veteran Andre Iguodala, yet to play in a game this season, scrimmaged with the G League squad earlier in the day at Chase Center.

UP NEXT

Hawks: At Sacramento on Wednesday night.

Warriors: Host Detroit on Wednesday night.

GRANT SCORES 36, BLAZERS ROUT PISTONS IN PAYTON’S DEBUT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Jerami Grant scored 36 points against his former team, Anfernee Simons added 30 and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Detroit Pistons 135-106 on Monday night.

Gary Payton II played 14 minutes in his Portland debut, finishing with seven points, four assists and two steals. The son of Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton missed the first 35 games this season following surgery for a core muscle injury and called the rehabilitation process “frustrating.”

He signed with the Trail Blazers as a free agent after winning an NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors last June.

“I was tired of watching all my guys out there. The only way I can help out there is playing,” Payton said. “That was the biggest part of the frustration, that I can’t be out there in the moment. Now that I’m here, we had a hell of a game. We were just flying everywhere. The energy is contagious, it just gets everybody going.”

Grant was 12 for 17 from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range, and Payton’s debut buoyed a Blazers team that had lost four of five.

Damian Lillard had 19 points, 10 assists and four steals for Portland.

“They were on a mission,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “We didn’t meet their intensity. Especially on the offensive end, we got stagnant. Then defensively, we didn’t lock in on our switching.”

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 21 points to lead Detroit, and Alec Burks added 19 off the bench.

Like his father, Payton attended Oregon State. He entered to an ovation and connected on his first shot – a 3-pointer from the left corner. To start the second quarter, Payton threw a lob to Shaedon Sharpe for an alley-oop. Late in the third, Payton dove on a loose ball, which led to Portland free throws and raucous cheers from the crowd as the Blazers extended their lead.

“It was extremely exciting,” Grant said of Payton’s return. “He adds another dynamic to our team.”

Finally, to start the fourth period, Payton stole an inbounds pass and scored to give Portland a 104-82 cushion. The Blazers led by as many as 34.

“Obviously, it’s good to get those steals and points. But it sets a tone with the team he’s out there playing with,” coach Chauncey Billups said of Payton’s energy. “You see a guy doing those type of things, diving on the floor and kicking it up for the steal – if you don’t match that level of intensity, you look bad. It changes things for you.”

Portland shot 57% from the field and went 14 for 31 (45%) from 3-point distance, while the Pistons were 6 of 18.

With center Jusuf Nurkic in early foul trouble, replacement Drew Eubanks finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers. They led 62-51 at halftime and pushed the margin to 22 in the third quarter.

Nurkic had three points and two rebounds in 14 minutes. After going to the bench, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game due to an illness that kept him out of Portland’s previous game.

Payton’s arrival comes at a time when Portland’s defensive struggles have been a focus in the locker room.

“We had a lot of heart-to-hearts over the last couple of games about what we need to do to get back to what we were doing at the beginning of the season,” Eubanks said. “I just like how we were able to come out and implement those things. The real test for us now is if we can do it on the road in these next three and solidify those defensive habits.”

WAITING GAME

The Trail Blazers were thrilled to finally have Payton available.

“It’s been a tough little rehab for him, so I know he’s probably feeling really good about it,” Billups said before the game. “We all, coaches, players, everybody in the organization is happy to have him. He’s our big free-agent acquisition this year.”

UP NEXT

Pistons: Visit the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

Trail Blazers: Visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

ADEBAYO SCORES 31, HEAT RECOVERS TO BEAT CLIPPERS 110-100

LOS ANGELES (AP) Bam Adebayo had 31 points and 13 rebounds, and the Miami Heat recovered from blowing a 21-point lead to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 110-100 on Monday night for their second win in a row.

“Bam was just Mr. Reliable all game long,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He was able to really help us control the game from a paint standpoint.”

Tyler Herro added 23 points and Victor Oladipo had 15 off the bench for the Heat, who have won four of five. They swept the two-game season series for the first time since 2017-18.

“We came out really hard,” Herro said. “From the starting five to the bench there was no drop-off. We just continue to get better every single day.”

Paul George had 25 points and seven assists to lead the Clippers, who were without Kawhi Leonard in dropping their third straight. He sat out with a non-COVID-19 illness.

“We’ve just got to keep people off the offensive glass, and our costly open-court turnovers are giving teams easy baskets,” said Reggie Jackson, who added 20 points for the Clippers.

Miami ran off seven straight to open the fourth quarter and take an 88-83 lead. The Clippers pulled to 96-95 on Luke Kennard’s 3-pointer. He scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth.

But George and John Wall had back-to-back turnovers and the Heat scored seven in a row to go up 103-95. The Clippers were held to 17 points in the fourth. Miami fans chanted “Let’s go Heat!” in the closing minutes.

“That’s the way we win games on defense,” Herro said. “Victor Oladipo was a menace on defense.”

The Heat led by 21 in the second quarter and 18 in the third before Los Angeles rallied.

The Clippers’ starting five engineered a comeback in the third. George (three) and Marcus Morris (one) combined to hit four consecutive 3-pointers that capped a 28-8 run and put the Clippers ahead 77-75. It was their first lead since the opening period.

Miami’s Max Strus hit a tying 3-pointer before George made a pair of free throws that sent the Clippers into the fourth leading 83-81.

Trailing by six, the Clippers opened the second with a 12-6 run to pull into a 40-all tie on Nicolas Batum’s 3-pointer.

But the Heat took over from there.

Miami outscored the Clippers 27-9 to take a 67-49 lead into halftime. Herro made four 3-pointers and Strus added another as the Heat’s second unit dominated. Herro and Adebayo had 16 points each in the second.

TIP-INS

Heat: Udonis Haslem (right Achilles tendinitis) sat out. … Dewayne Dedmon (health and safety protocols) worked out Monday. Depending on how he feels, he could return for the final two games of the trip. … Caleb Martin (left quad strain) was a game-time decision. He started and had two points and three rebounds in 14 minutes.

Clippers: Morris got a technical in the second for tipping the ball out of the referee’s hands after a call he didn’t like.

UP NEXT

Heat: Stay in LA to play the Lakers on Wednesday.

Clippers: At Denver on Thursday to open a two-game trip.

*******NHL NEWS*******

DEBRUSK SCORES 2 IN 3RD, BRUINS BEAT PENS IN WINTER CLASSIC

BOSTON (AP) Jake DeBrusk scored his second goal of the third period with just over two minutes remaining and the NHL-leading Boston Bruins rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic on Monday at Fenway Park.

Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for Boston, which is 8-0-3 in its last 11 games. Because the Bruins were the “home” team, they improved their home record to 19-0-3 this season.

Kasperi Kapanen scored for the Penguins, and Casey DeSmith made 19 saves in relief of Tristan Jarry, who left with an apparent injury late in the first period.

Playing on an unseasonably warm day with temperatures in the upper 40s (4 Celsius) early in the game, the Bruins won for the fourth time in the NHL’s 14th annual showcase event that was held at the home of the MLB’s Boston Red Sox in front of a sellout crowd 39,243.

Playing with the stadium lights illuminating the ice, DeBrusk swooped in and banged home the rebound of Taylor Hall’s backhand shot with 2:24 left.

DeBrusk collected a pass from Brad Marchand at the side of the net seconds after a power play expired, spun in front and slipped it behind DeSmith to tie it at the 7:46 mark of the period.

With the sun setting and reflecting off the buildings just beyond the right-field stands, Kapanen collected a pass in front from Danton Heinen and shoveled it past Ullmark’s glove as he was falling to his knees 8:40 into the second period for the Penguins’ early lead.

In an interesting twist to the game’s venue, the Penguins are owned by Fenway Sports Group, which also owns the Red Sox. They were sold to the group that’s headed by principle owner John Henry in December of 2021.

Led by Bruins’ home anthem singer Todd Angilly, the crowd sang “Take me out to the Hockey Game” midway into the third period.

During the second-period intermission, there were performers taking trick shots off Fenway’s fabled 37-foot Green Monster, which was adorned with the logos of the Bruins, Penguins and Winter Classic.

There was a souvenir foul puck in the second when Ullmark made a save and the puck popped into the air, sailing into the first row of seats behind the Penguins’ dugout.

It was the second Classic in Fenway; Boston beat Philadelphia 2-1 in overtime in 2010.

CEREMONIAL FIRST PUCK

Bruins legend and Hall of Famer Bobby Orr participated in the ceremonial puck drop between Penguins’ captain Sydney Crosby and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron. Orr also took a shot, sliding it to former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, who squatted down and made the catch.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

On a stage set up just outside the visitors’ bullpen in right field – where Red Sox Hall of Famer David Ortiz sent some of his 541 career homers -The Black Keys played during the first intermission.

During a stoppage in the second, the Boston Pops, wearing Winter Classic hats and scarfs, played Sweet Caroline, a staple in the middle of the eighth inning during Red Sox games. They also played during the second intermission.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Hip hop performers Bell Biv Devoe sang the anthem in front of the Pops.

NOTES: Penguins defenseman Kris Letang missed the game due to the death of his father in Canada. .. Pittsburgh’s Jarry left with an undisclosed injury late in the opening period after stopping all eight shots. He headed to the dugout en route to the locker room and emergency backup Mike Chiasson got into uniform. . Unlike regular games, when the goaltender leads the team onto the ice, Bergeron was the first one to step out of the dugout when the Bruins made their way from the home dugout. . Pittsburgh played in the first Winter Classic when Crosby scored the winning goal in a shootout with light snow falling against the Sabres in the Buffalo Bills’ home stadium in 2008.

UP NEXT

Penguins: At the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday.

Bruins: At the Los Angeles Kings Thursday.

ROY SCORES TWICE, KNIGHTS HOLD OFF BANGED-UP AVALANCHE 3-2

DENVER (AP) Nicolas Roy scored twice in the second period, Mark Stone extended his road point streak to a franchise-record eight games and the Vegas Golden Knights held off the banged-up Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Monday night.

Michael Amadio also scored for the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights. Stone had an assist on Amadio’s first-period goal to break a team road point record he shared with Jack Eichel (November 2022), Max Pacioretty (2019-20) and Paul Stastny (2018-19). Stone has three goals and six assists during his streak.

It was a memorable night for Roy, who scored twice in a regular season game for the second time in his career. This was his 200th NHL contest.

“Our first line has been doing a great job. They’ve been scoring a lot of goals. So it’s nice to help them,” said Roy, who scored his first goal since Nov. 25.

Logan Thompson stopped 27 shots as he settled in after giving up a goal to Nathan MacKinnon just 25 seconds into the game. It was the fastest game-opening goal by an Avalanche player since MacKinnon scored 11 seconds into a contest on Oct. 13, 2018, according to NHL Stats.

“They got off to a good start, obviously, and we didn’t let that get to us,” Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. “You’ve got to be careful that one doesn’t turn into two and three with a high-octane line like them.”

Down 3-1 midway through the third, Mikko Rantanen pushed in the puck for a goal that was awarded after a brief review. The Avalanche couldn’t capitalize on a late power play (they went 0 for 5) or tie it up after pulling goaltender Alexandar Georgiev with around two minutes left.

“They’re not coming easy for us,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said of goal scoring. “If we put in the work and we focus on the process … when you’re doing the right things, we’re going to get the result. We’ve just got to stay with it. Stay positive, stick together.”

Georgiev made 25 saves for the Avalanche, who dropped their fourth straight game (0-3-1). They had shots from Rantanen and J.T. Compher ring off the post.

“It’s a good hockey team we played,” MacKinnon said. “The effort was there tonight. If we repeat that kind of performance, minus some turnovers, I think we can win some games.”

MacKinnon quickly scored in his second game back from an injury that caused the speedy forward to miss nearly a month. Later in the first, MacKinnon nearly had an assist, only to have Rantanen’s shot clang off the crossbar. The Golden Knights picked up the rebound, skated down the ice and tied it on Amadio’s sixth goal of the season.

“That was unlucky,” MacKinnon said. “It would’ve been 2-0 early and who knows from there.”

Colorado forward Darren Helm made his season debut after working his way back from a lower-body injury. Helm became the 38th different player the Avalanche have used, which is one away from tying the team’s record for most in a single season.

“It felt great being back out there with the guys,” Helm said. “I definitely have got a lot more to give.”

AROUND THE ICE

Avalanche C Evan Rodrigues was a late scratch with an upper-body injury. … Bednar said captain Gabriel Landeskog was “nowhere close” to a return from arthroscopic knee surgery he had in October. … D Josh Manson (lower body) was slated to start skating Tuesday. … Avalanche D Andreas Englund and Knights F Keegan Kolesar picked up five-minute major penalties for fighting.

UP NEXT

Golden Knights: Host Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Avalanche: At Vancouver on Thursday night.

KONECNY, FARABEE LEAD FLYERS TO 4-1 WIN OVER DUCKS

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee each had a goal and an assist and Philadelphia Flyers beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 Monday night.

Morgan Frost and Scott Laughton also scored, and Noah Cates and Kevin Hayes each had two assists to help the Flyers finish 3-2-0 on a five-game trip – with all three victories coming in California.

Samuel Ersson stopped 28 shots to improve to 3-0-0 in three career starts since taking over for the injured Carter Hart (concussion) last week. Ersson lost his chance at his first career shutout with 39.6 seconds remaining but helped give the Flyers their first three-game winning streak since the opening three games of the season.

“(Ersson) is super impressive,” Konecny said. “He looks so calm in there. It looks like he’s been playing here for a while. He’s doing a great job and he works hard too in practice so it’s nice to see it paying off for him.”

Ryan Strome scored in the closing minute for Anaheim, and John Gibson had 29 saves as the Ducks fell to 1-4-1 in their last six games. They are 1-3-1 on a franchise-record 10-game homestand.

With a sheepish grin, Ersson admitted to a little heartbreak when the last of the Ducks’ 29 shots found the back of the Flyers’ net.

“Obviously it stinks a little bit, you can’t lie” Ersson said. “But it’s the wins that matter and that’s what you take with you moving forward here.”

Farabee gave the Flyers a 1-0 lead 7:42 into the opening period when he pounced on a deflected puck in front of the Ducks’ goal and slid a shot through Gibson’s legs for his seventh of the season.

Philadelphia made it 2-0 at 10:36 when Frost brought the puck up from the Ducks’ zone, maneuvered past two Anaheim defenders and sent a shot from the left point that squeezed inside the near post for his eighth of the season.

“I saw some room and they looked a little flat-footed so I just tried to make a move and try to get it on the net,” Frost said. “I wasn’t really trying to pick a corner or anything and it went in. I’ll take it.”

Konecny scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season at 3:00 of the second period, scoring from a sharp angle to the left side of the Ducks’ goal. Hayes moved into the slot from center ice before he found Konecny for his team-leading 22nd assist.

“I think this just shows us sticking to the game plan and how we’re going to work hard every night,” Konecny said. “I feel like we’re getting back to how we were playing at the start of the year. It doesn’t matter who we play against, you play the same way and hopefully it pays off for you.”

Laughton made it 4-0 at 8:26 of the third when he took the puck around the back of the Ducks’ goal and threw a wraparound across the crease where it deflected off the skate of Anaheim’s Cam Fowler and into the net for his ninth of the season.

The Ducks did not score in five power-play chances Monday and are 0-for-11 on the man advantage over the past three games.

“It comes down to the smallest little things,” Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. “It’s them just getting a stick on the puck. For me, there’s nothing wrong with the power play. I thought we had enough good looks for us to score. We just couldn’t get it into the net.”

BEHIND THE MASK

While the Ducks were at full strength in goal for the first time since Dec. 9, the Flyers remained without Hart, who is close to a return. Hart remained on injured reserve for a third consecutive game after a concussion on Dec. 23 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Flyers head coach John Tortorella did indicate that Hart has passed all evaluations but he remained inactive.

Gibson was in goal for the third consecutive game for the Ducks after he had missed five contests with a lower-body injury. Anaheim backup goalie Anthony Stolarz (lower body) was activated off injured reserve after missing nine games.

UP NEXT

Flyers: Host Arizona on Thursday night.

Ducks: Host Dallas on Wednesday night.

*******WOMEN’S TENNIS NEWS*******

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA DIAGNOSED WITH THROAT, BREAST CANCER

NEW YORK (AP) Tennis great Martina Navratilova said Monday that she has been diagnosed with throat cancer and breast cancer.

In a statement released by her representative, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame said her prognosis is good and she will start treatment this month.

“This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I’m hoping for a favorable outcome,” the 66-year-old Navratilova said. “It’s going to stink for a while but I’ll fight with all have I got.”

She said she noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck while attending the season-ending WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in November, and a biopsy showed early stage throat cancer. While Navratilova was undergoing tests on her throat, she said, the unrelated, early stage breast cancer was discovered.

“Needless to say my phone and twitter are both blowing up so I will say again – thank you all for your support and I am not done yet,” she tweeted Monday.

Navratilova was diagnosed with a noninvasive form of breast cancer in 2010 and had a lumpectomy.

She won 59 Grand Slam titles overall, including 31 in women’s doubles and 10 in mixed doubles. The last was a mixed doubles championship with Bob Bryan at the 2006 U.S. Open, a month shy of her 50th birthday.

Navratilova originally retired in 1994, after a record 167 singles titles and 331 weeks at No. 1 in the WTA rankings. She returned to the tour to play doubles in 2000 and occasionally competed in singles, too.

Navratilova was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000. She has worked as a TV analyst in recent years.

The statement issued Monday said Navratilova would not be a regular part of Tennis Channel’s coverage of the Australian Open later this month “but hopes to be able to join in from time to time” via video conference.

******MEN’S BIG 10 BASKETBALL NEWS******

PENN STATE, OHIO STATE SCORE BIG TEN WEEKLY MEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS

Player of the Week
Jalen Pickett, Penn State
G – Senior – 6-4 – Rochester, N.Y. – Aquinas

• Fell just one assist shy of his second triple-double of the season in Penn State’s 77-68 win over Quinnipiac
• Finished with game-high marks of 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists with no turnovers in 38 minutes
• Marked his fourth game in 12 contests with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists
• Garners his first career Player of the Week award
• Last Penn State Player of the Week: Lamar Stevens (Feb. 10, 2020)

 
Freshman of the Week 
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
F – 6-6. – Orlando, Fla. – Lake Highland Prep

• Led the Buckeyes in points, rebounds and assists in Ohio State’s 95-61 win over Maine
• Scored a game-high 19 points on 8-10 field goal shooting, including 3-5 from three-point range
• Added a game-high seven rebounds and a career best seven assists against one turnover in 25 minutes of action.
• Earns his second consecutive Freshman of the Week award
• Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Brice Sensabaugh (Dec. 19, 2022)

******WOMEN’S BIG 10 BASKETBALL NEWS******

ILLINOIS, INDIANA AND OHIO STATE EARN BIG TEN WEEKLY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AWARDS

Co-Player of the Week
Genesis Bryant, Illinois
Jr. – G – Jonesboro, Ga. – Lovejoy – Major: Communication
• Also named espnW National Player of the Week on Monday
• Averaged 19.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game with a .684 field-goal percentage in helping Illinois extend its current winning streak to six games with a pair of victories last week
• Scored a career-high 24 points (8-10 FG, 3-3 3FG, 5-5 FT) and grabbed four rebounds in Sunday’s win over No. 12/10 Iowa, giving the Fighting Illini their first home win against a ranked opponent since 2015
• Added 14 points and four assists in a Dec. 29 win over Wisconsin
• Earns her second career Big Ten Player of the Week award
• Last Illinois Player of the Week: Genesis Bryant (Dec. 27, 2022)
 
Co-Player of the Week
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Sr. – F – Gorham, Maine – Gorham – Major: Human Development & Family Studies
• Registered 27.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game with two double-doubles and a .645 field-goal percentage last week as Indiana split its two conference contests
• Posted a career-high 32 points (12-17 FG) with a season-best 12 rebounds in a Dec. 29 loss at Michigan State, the first 30/10 game by a Hoosier since Jan. 24, 2002 (Jill Chapman vs. Wisconsin)
• Collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and a season-high five blocks in Sunday’s overtime victory over Nebraska
• A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2021, 2022) and a 2021 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Earns her fifth career Big Ten Player of the Week award and second this season
• Last Indiana Player of the Week: Mackenzie Holmes (Nov. 28, 2022)
 
Big Ten Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll
McKenna Warnock, Sr., F, IOWA: Averaged 18.0 ppg. and 7.5 rpg. with a .611 FG% and .636 three-point percentage in a 1-1 week for Iowa
Kamaria McDaniel, Grad., G, MSU: Led the way in Michigan State’s win over No. 4/3 Indiana on Dec. 29, collecting 24 points (10-17 FG), including seven in the fourth quarter alone
Makenna Marisa, Sr., G, PSU: Chalked up her seventh career 30-point game (tying for third in program history) in a Dec. 30 win over Rutgers with 32 points, five rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes
 
Freshman of the Week
Cotie McMahon, Ohio State
F – Centerville, Ohio – Centerville – Major: Sport Industry
• Paced Ohio State to two more wins last week, averaging 18.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game with a .625 field-goal percentage
• Logged 24 points (10-15 FG), four rebounds and three assists in a Dec. 28 win at Northwestern
• Tallied 12 points, three rebounds and three steals in a Dec. 31 victory over No. 14/19 Michigan, helping the Buckeyes match the best start in program history (15-0)
• Collects her fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week award, all in the past four weeks
• Last Ohio State Freshman of the Week: Cotie McMahon (Dec. 27, 2022)

******WOMEN’S MAC BASKETBALL NEWS*******

Akron’s Bass Earns Player of the Week Accolades

Akron sophomore Reagan Bass turned in a career game for the Zips scoring a career-high 30 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter and overtime, to lead her squad to a 85-76 victory over Coppin State. She finished the contest connecting on nearly 53 percent from the field (10-19), while registering a game-high nine rebounds and two blocks, to go along with a pair of assists and steals. She sunk a pair of free throws with under a minute to play in regulation to send the game into overtime, including one with six seconds left on the clock. She next-to-last free throw in regulation represented her 500th career point at Akron. On the season, she averages a team-best 17.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

*******MEN’S MAC BASKETBALL NEWS******

CENTRAL MICHIGAN’S BASS EARNS MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS

Bass hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 11.6 seconds to defeat Michigan in Ann Arbor on Dec. 29. Scored 16 points (4-11 3FG) with seven rebounds in game.

*******TOP INDIANA RELEASES********

PACERS BASKETBALL: PACERS 122, RAPTORS 114

The Indiana Pacers picked up right where they left off to start the new year.

Posting a 122-114 victory over the Toronto Raptors (16-21) on Monday, the Pacers (21-17) won a fourth-straight game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to conclude its homestand.

In the win, the Pacers used strong bench play – outsourcing the visitors’ second unit 54-7 – while coming up clutch in the final minutes. Seven points ties for the fewest bench points scored by any NBA team this season.

The Pacers have now won six of their last seven games.

“Our second unit came in and gave us what we needed – force, energy, attacking, unselfish play,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “They were the difference in the game as a whole.”

The game was tied at 101 with seven minutes left in regulation before the Pacers used a 14-4 scoring burst – capped by back-to-back 3-pointers by guard Buddy Hield – to put the Blue & Gold ahead for good.

Standout rookie Bennedict Mathurin led seven Pacers scorers who finished in double-digit points with 21 while Myles Turner had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Hield scored 19.

Forward Jalen Smith achieved a double-double off the bench by scoring 11 points and pulling down 11 rebounds and other double-digit scorers for the Pacers included Tyrese Haliburton (16), T.J. McConnell (15) and  Aaron Nesmith (10).

“This is an amazing, amazing group we’ve got who is unselfish and wants to see each other succeed,” McConnell said. “I think that’s a big part of the way we’re playing right now because we’re doing that at a high level.”

Gary Trent Jr. topped Toronto with 32 points, Pascal Siakam added 26 and Scottie Barnes chipped in 23.

After trailing by as many as 13 points in the first quarter, the Pacers rallied to lead the Raptors 66-57 by halftime.

The Pacers’ bench kept the Blue & Gold ahead in the first half by outsourcing the Raptors’ reserves 29-4.

In the first quarter, the Raptors came out firing from beyond the arc, as the team made six 3-pointers while Siakam poured in 15 points to take a 33-29 lead in the first quarter.

Off the tip, the Raptors could hardly miss from deep, making five of their first seven attempts from 3-point range to build a 19-8 advantage five minutes into the game. During that stretch, the visitors didn’t make a two-point field goal.

A Haliburton bucket stopped a 12-0 run by the Raptors before two straight scores from close range by Turner cut the deficit to 23-14 with 4:20 left in the opening frame.

Thanks in part to 12 bench points in the first quarter, the Pacers narrowed the deficit to four points by the end of the first quarter.

A minute into the second quarter, Mathurin and McConnell converted back-to-back and-ones to put the Pacers back ahead at 35-33.

The teams then traded the lead three times before 3-pointers from Barnes and Trent Jr. gave the Raptors a 47-42 lead with 7:24 on the clock, prompting a Pacers timeout.

In the final 3:50 of the half, the Pacers outscored the Raptors 12-5.

In the second quarter, Hield drained his first 3-pointer of the game, which marked his 50th straight game with a 3-point make. Hield currently owns the second-longest active regular season streak in the NBA behind Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (215).

Hield could break the Blue & Gold’s record this season, as the Pacers’ franchise record for most games in a row with a made 3-pointer is 68, set by Reggie Miller during the 1996-1997 season.

The Raptors used a 21-4 run to retake the lead midway through the third quarter.

And-ones from Siakam and Barnes, followed by 3-pointers by Trent Jr. and O.G. Anunoby, tied the game at 75 with 6:34 left in the third quarter.

Toronto then held the lead until the Pacers used a 10-5 scoring streak  in the final 2:50 of the third quarter – including five points by Mathurin and a 3-pointer from Oshae Brissett – to lead 91-90 going into the final 12 minutes.

The game stayed within three points until they tied at 101 with seven minutes remaining.

A 3-pointer by Haliburton, free throws by  Nesmith and three-point play by Hield gave the Pacers a 109-103 lead with four minutes left before Turner finished a dunk and Hield drained his game-clinching threes to give the Blue & Gold a double-digit lead with less than 90 seconds left.

Overall, the Pacers  made 45 of 93 field goal attempts (10-for-27 3-point) while the Raptors shot 41-for-91 (14-for-42).

On the boards, the Pacers won the rebounding battle 50-36.

The Pacers will next travel to Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid and the 76ers on Wednesday before hosting the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

“Any night we can beat anybody. We’re confident now, we’re confident in each other,” Haliburton said. “I think we just keep rolling right now, we’re playing really well. But it’s about growing every day, seeing what we can do better. There’s a lot of things we can get better at from this four-game homestand. You’re going to Philly, who’s obviously a really good team, playing really well in the East right now. Every night’s a battle in this league, but we know we belong in every game.”

Inside the Numbers

Hield has hit a 3-pointer in 50 straight games, which is the second-longest active streak in the NBA. The Pacers’ franchise record is 68, set by Reggie Miller during the 1996-1997 season.

Turner has 11 double-doubles this season and Smith has six.

The Pacers outscored the Raptors 23-10 in fastbreak points.

Mathurin continues to lead all rookies in total points and is first in points off the bench for all players. He has scored at least 20 points in a game 15 times this season.

The Pacers are 1-2 when seven or more players score at least 10 points.

There were 15 lead changes and 10 ties in the game.

The Pacers are 17-6 when shooting 45 percent or better and 16-3 when outshooting their opponent.

Indiana is 17-9 when their bench outscores the opponent.

You Can Quote Me On That

“Kind of our theme is just togetherness – through the highs, through the lows, we’ve gotta stay together. (In an) 82-game season, there’s going to be highs and there’s certainly going to be lows. And we’ve experienced both of those, but the thing that’s most important is how together we are.” — McConnell on this year’s team

“Going into the game, I just tried going with the flow. I had a couple opportunities when I went to the rim and got fouled. It allowed me to get some free throws. Just pretty much trying to get myself going through my teammates.” – Mathurin on his 22-point night and 10 free throw attempts

“It was a collective effort by all of us. You’re not gonna shut down a guy like that. You just want to make it as difficult as you can and make him work for everything. I feel like we did that after we got off to a slow start guarding him.” – McConnell on holding Siakam to 26 points after he scored 15 in the first quarter

“Growing up, I used to watch Toronto almost every day. So I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to play against my previous favorite team.” Mathurin, who is from Montreal, playing against Toronto

“We’ve got guys on this team that want to get out and run, and want to make the extra pass and drive to the basket and make the right play. So when you’ve got guys that all want to do the same thing, all five, and we have that down the line one through 15, it makes it so easy when a guy goes to the starting lineup and then we have to answer insert someone else. … It’s just really easy when you got guys like that.” McConnell on the different bench combinations having success

“The crowd is a big reason why we win.” – Mathurin on the recent stretch of home games

“T.J. McConnell is a once-in-a-decade-type player. You just don’t find guys like that. Guys that have that boundless energy and indomitable spirit and that can lift the entire building by one defining loose ball play. He does it every night.” – Carlisle on McConnell leading the second unit at the point

“To be consistently successful in the NBA, you’ve got to be able to win (in) different ways. If you just have one formula, teams are gonna figure it out.” – Carlisle on getting the win despite making just 10 3-pointers

“We’ve just got to keep looking forward. When you get into patting yourself on the back and feeling good about things that have already happened, it’s dangerous.” –Carlisle on staying focused on the next game

“Our second unit did a great job tonight. Big kudos to them. They saved us in the second half when we had a bad start, saved us in the first half when we had a bad start. We came in and closed it. It allowed us to be fresh for the game. I think I was the only starter that played over 30 minutes. The guys had fresh legs ready to go. Big kudos to the second unit.” – Haliburton on the bench

“They’ve been amazing. We talk about (how) around this Christmas time is when fans decide if they’re going to really invest in the team. We’ve obviously been turning heads all year, but I thought we did a really good job of playing really well through this Christmas break, through New Year’s. We’ve had a lot of fans here really showing us a lot of love, being involved in these games. We’ve done a great job protecting homeport and making the fans really enjoy these games. We want to keep doing that.” – Haliburton on the recent crowds at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Stat of the Night

Indiana’s bench outscored Toronto’s second unit 54-7, matching the fourth largest bench point differential for the franchise since the 1982-1983 season.

Noteworthy

If the Pacers beat Philadelphia on Wednesday, they will match their longest winning streak of the season.

The Pacers will play the Raptors one more time this season (March 22 in Toronto).

Up Next

The Pacers head to Philadelphia to take on Joel Embiid and the 76ers on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 7:00 PM ET.

INDIANA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: HOLMES NAMED CO-BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Senior forward Mackenzie Holmes has been named the co-Big Ten Player of the Week for her performances for Indiana against Michigan State and Nebraska last week.

Holmes picks up her second player of the week award this season and the fifth overall in her career. The Gorham, Maine native averaged 27.0 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 64.5 percent (20-for-31) from the floor while adding 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing while also shooting 73.7 percent from the free throw line.

She posted back-to-back double-doubles for the first time since her sophomore season, when she had a pair against Northwestern and Ohio State and set a new career-high 32 points and tied a season-high 12 rebounds on the road in her first ever game at Michigan State. Holmes went 70.6 percent from the floor against the Spartans (12-for-17) while going 8-for-10 at the line. On Sunday, she led the team again in an overtime victory against Nebraska, with 22 points and 11 rebounds she while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and set a new season-high five blocks along with three assists and a steal.

Indiana returns to the court on Sunday, Jan. 8 at Northwestern.

PURDUE MEN’S BASKETBALL: #1 PURDUE SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF SEASON

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Cam Spencer’s 3-pointer with 13.3 seconds left gave Rutgers the lead and No. 1 Purdue failed to convert on its final two chances Monday night as the Scarlet Knights held on for a shocking 65-64 road victory.

It’s the second straight year coach Steve Pikiell’s team has upset top-ranked Purdue. Last year, the Scarlet Knights needed a half-court buzzer-beater on its home court to pull off the school’s first win over a No. 1 ranked team.

This time Rutgers (10-4, 2-1 Big Ten) did it in front of Mackey Arena’s 49th consecutive sellout crowd.

Spencer finished with 14 points while Paul Mulcahy had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Boilermakers (13-1, 2-1) were led by Zach Edey who overcame early foul trouble to finish with 19 points and 11 rebounds. It just wasn’t enough to close out an incredible second-half rally from a 10-point deficit. New Mexico is now the last remaining unbeaten team in Division I.

Rutgers controlled the game most of the night, taking a 34-24 halftime lead and fending off the Boilermakers as they charged back. Purdue tied the score at 52, then finally took the lead on Brandon Newman’s tie-breaking 3-pointer with 4:45 to play.

Mulcahy answered with the Scarlet Knights’ next 10 points, which gave Rutgers a 62-57 lead with 2:22 to play. Purdue answered with four straight to make it 62-61 and when Mulcahy missed a short jumper with 54 seconds to go, Edey grabbed the rebound, Purdue called timeout and freshman Fletcher Loyer made the go-ahead 3 with 29.8 seconds left.

But Spencer made his 3 after another timeout then watched Newman miss a 3. And after Rutgers turned it over on an inbound play with 0.4 seconds to go, the Boilermakers couldn’t get the ball to Edey for a final shot.

BIG PICTURE

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have hit incredible heights under coach Pikiell. They’ve beaten 14 ranked opponents, upset a No. 1 team for the first time in school history and now they’ve done it again. Clearly, the Scarlet Knights seem bound to make a school record third straight NCAA Tournament.

Purdue: Coach Matt Painter’s team was poised to match the best start in school history, but Rutgers’ suffocating defense got in the way again. The Boilermakers had won 34 in a row over unranked foes at home or on neutral courts. But this one was neither easy nor pretty and they fell just short.

(Postgame Notes)

Purdue suffered its first loss of the season in a 65-64 setback to Rutgers at Mackey Arena on Monday night. Purdue was one of the last two remaining unbeaten teams in America.

The loss denied Purdue to match its best start in school history at 14-0.

The loss ended Purdue’s 15-game homecourt winning streak. It also ended Purdue’s 29-game homecourt winning streak against unranked teams. Purdue entered the game 90-11 under Matt Painter against unranked Big Ten teams.

Mackey Arena reached 122.2 decibels tonight, the second-loudest reading in Mackey Arena history.

Purdue has now lost the first game of the calendar year at home in four of the last eight seasons — 2016 (Iowa), 2017 (Minnesota), 2022 (Wisconsin) and 2023 (Rutgers).

It marked the first time all season that Purdue trailed by double-digits.

Zach Edey recorded his sixth straight double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He played just nine minutes in the first half due to foul problems. It was his 23rd career double-double and dropped Purdue to 20-3 in his career when he records a double-double.

Fletcher Loyer scored 10 points and has now made a 3-pointer in 12 straight games.

Brandon Newman tallied 11 points and five rebounds, while going 3-of-6 from long range.

PURDUE FOOTBALL: PURDUE’S SEASON ENDS IN CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL

ORLANDO, Fla. – Playing without key pieces on both sides of the ball, the Purdue football team closed out its 2022 season with a 63-7 to No. 17 LSU in the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. 

The Boilermakers (8-6) finished with eight wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006 and 2007, as well as the first Big Ten West Division title and Big Ten Championship Game appearance in program history.  

Starting his second game at Purdue, Austin Burton threw for 74 yards on 12-of-24 passing. Michael Alaimo came on in relief in the second half. The redshirt junior set career highs 4-of-11 passing for 74 yards and his first career passing touchdown. TJ Sheffield was the Boilermakers’ leading receiver with seven catches for 56 yards and a score.

Running back Devin Mockobee’s historic campaign came to an end 32 yards shy of becoming the first freshman 1,000-yard rusher in school history. Mockobee ran for 48 yards on 13 carries against LSU, finishing his rookie season with a program records 968 yards on 195 rushes. The Booneville, Ind., native also finished with nine rushing touchdowns which tied for fourth in on the Purdue freshmen lists. Mockobee added three catches for 26 yards Monday. 

Purdue’s lone scoring drive came early in the fourth quarter. The nine-play, 75-yard drive featured a 26-yard pass by wide receiver Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen to TJ Sheffield. The gadget play set up a 16-yard touchdown toss from Alaimo to Sheffield. 

On the defensive end, Purdue was led by Bryce Hampton with eight tackles. Safety Sanoussi Kane picked up the Boilermakers’ only tackle-for-loss. Jamari Brown picked off Garrett Nussmeier’s pass in the endzone midway through the third quarter for his third interception of the season. 

The Tigers (10-4) outgained Purdue 594-256. Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Nussmeier combined for 312 yards passing and a trio of touchdowns. LSU totaled 225 yards and four scores on the ground, 369 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air and an interception returned for a touchdown late in the fourth. 

NOTES

• Monday marked the first meeting between Purdue and LSU

• Quarterback Jack Albers recorded his first career completion late in the fourth quarter. 

• Purdue went 3-of-18 on third down compared to LSU’s 8-of-12 mark. 

• Kicker Mitchell Fineran was 1-for-1 on PATs. The righty finished his career as Purdue’s most accurate kicker with a 79.3% mark and ranked fourth with 42 made field goals at Purdue and 

• For the second straight game, Purdue attempted and converted a fake punt, as Jack Sullivan carried the ball five yards for a first down in the second quarter. 

UP NEXT

The Boilermakers will head into their first offseason with head coach Ryan Walters. Purdue’s 100th season at Ross-Ade Stadium will open Sept. 2 against Fresno State.

PURDUE WRESTLING: RAMOS CLAIMS TITLE AT SOUTHERN SCUFFLE

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Purdue Wrestling’s Matt Ramos claimed the title in the 125-pound division at the 2023 Southern Scuffle in front of a raucous crowd in McKenzie Arena. Teammate Kendall Coleman took second at 157 after losing in the tiebreaker rounds of his finals match.

The Boilermakers (4-3, 0-0 B1G) made their first ever trip to the 18th edition of the tournament and came away with a champion and a runner-up on the first try. The duo of Ramos and Coleman went a combined 9-1 with three bonus point wins over the two days. Both have reached the finals in all three tournaments Purdue has participated in this season.

Always the leading man, the redshirt sophomore Ramos did not wait to take control of his bout with No. 14 Noah Surtin of Missouri. Just over a minute into the match, the Purdue wrestler executed a slick duck to get Surtin on his back in a move that nearly resulted in a pin. It was ruled a takedown and a two-point nearfall that gave Ramos an early four-point lead that he would never relinquish to win a 4-3 decision and take the title.

It’s been quite the run for Matt Ramos over the last few months. He has claimed titles at the Southern Scuffle, Clarion Open and a freestyle title at the U.S. Open in addition to a runner-up finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.

Coleman faced his third top-5 opponent of the season in No. 4 Jared Franek of North Dakota State and it was another exciting showing from the redshirt senior. The action came in the back half of the bout. Coleman needed to pull off some incredible defense to hold off Franek who had his leg raised late in the third but the two remained square and would go to extra time. Both wrestlers came close to takedowns at multiple points in a frantic sudden victory period, but yet again they remained level. In the tiebreaker rounds, Franek got a quicker escape and that proved to be enough to give him the match. 

Both Purdue men punched their ticket to the finals with wins in sudden victory. Ramos went back and forth on shots with No. 16 Stevo Poulin of Northern Colorado with neither scoring in regulation before the Purdue wrestler got in on a leg and finished off one of his classic scrambles for a takedown. Coleman was patient in his 3-1 win over No. 13 Jarrett Jacques of Missouri, waiting for his moment before striking with his incredible speed to execute a double leg for two take the match.

On day one, Stoney Buell, Cooper Noehre and Tristan Ruhlman all fought their way to the consolation round of eight before losing one match short of the blood round. Noehre put on a determined performance against three-time NCAA qualifier No. 21 Wyatt Sheets of Oklahoma State before losing in the tiebreaker rounds. Ruhlman earned his third pin of the season against Virginia’s Ethan Weatherspoon in the consolation round of 16.

Veteran 141-pounder Parker Filius was unable to compete in the tournament due to injury and the Boilermakers did not replace him in the weight class.

Results

Southern Scuffle presented by Compound Sportswear

McKenzie Arena

9th Place – 37.5 Points

125: #10 Matt Ramos (R-Sophomore) – FIRST PLACE

Round of 32: Noah Luna (Appalachian State) – W, D 7-5

Round of 16: Wyatt Richter (Stanford) – W, MD 10-2

Quarterfinals: Cooper Flynn (Virginia Tech) – W, Fall 7:25

Semifinals: #16 Stevo Poulin (Northern Colorado) – W, SV 3-1

Final: #14 Noah Surtin (Missouri) – W, D 4-3

125: Kooper Loehr (R-Junior)

Round of 32: Troy Spartley (Minnesota) – L, D 2-1

Cons. Round of 32: Jeffery Jacome (Gardner Webb) – L, D 4-1

133: Dustin Norris (Sophomore)

Round of 32: #16 Ramazan Attasauov (Iowa State) – L, Fall 4:10

Cons. Round of 32: Tyson Lane (Gardner Webb) – W, D 8-2

Cons. Round of 16: #32 Kurt Phipps (Bucknell) – L, D 4-2

149: Trey Kruse (Junior)

Round of 32: #21 Victor Voinovich (Oklahoma State) – L, MD 18-5

Cons. Round of 32: Johnathon Viveros (CSU-Bakersfield) – W, Fall 3:20

Cons. Round of 16: Mike Leandrou (Hofstra) – W, D 4-0

Cons. Round of 16 #2: Gabe Schumm (North Dakota State) – L, D 10-4

149: Jaden Reynolds (Sophomore)

Round of 32: Cutter Sheets (Oklahoma State) – L, MD 12-4

Cons. Round of 16: Grant Lundy (Chattanooga) – L, D 6-3

157: #3 Kendall Coleman (R-Senior) – SECOND PLACE

Round of 32: Jason Kraisser (Iowa State) – W, D 5-2

Round of 16: Nathan Moore (Northern Colorado) – W, MD 12-3

Quarterfinals: Tommy Askey (Appalachian State) – W, D 7-2

Semifinals: #13 Jarrett Jacques (Missouri) – W, SV 3-1

Final: #4 Jared Franek (North Dakota State) – L, TB2 2-2

165: Stoney Buell (Sophomore)

Round of 32: Braden Smelser (CSU-Bakersfield) – W, D 6-0

Round of 16: #12 Mikey Caliendo (North Dakota State) – L, D 6-1

Cons. Round of 16 #2: John Best (Maryland) – W, D 4-1

Cons. Round of 8: Hunter Mays (Rider) – L, D 10-4

165: Cooper Noehre (Junior)

Round of 32: Dimitri Gamkrelidze (Binghamton) – W, D 6-4

Round of 16: #21 Wyatt Sheets (Oklahoma State) – L, SV 5-4

Cons. Round of 16 #2: Matt Rogers (Hofstra) – W, MFF

Cons. Round of 8: Baylor Fernandes (Northern Colorado) – L, D 7-5

174: Macartney Parkinson (Junior)

Round of 32: #11 Peyton Mocco (Missouri) – L, TF 21-5

Cons. Round of 32: Andrew Wilson (Gardner Webb) – W, D 4-0

Cons. Round of 16: Riley Habisch (North Dakota State) – L, D 4-0

174: Brody Baumann (Sophomore)

Round of 32: #33 Sam Deprez (Binghamton) – L, Fall 0:57

Cons. Round of 32: Sergio Desiante (Chattanooga) – W, MD 16-5

Cons. Round of 16: Will Miller (Appalachian State) – L, D 8-6

184: Ben Vanadia (Sophomore)

Round of 32: Joseph Pargoe (Gardner Webb) – W, Fall 4:50

Round of 16: Deanthony Parker Jr. (North Dakota State) – L, TF 16-0

Cons. Round of 16: Chase Mielnik (Maryland) – L, Fall 6:21

184: Mitch Hutmacher (Junior)

Round of 32: #24 Jacob Ferreira (Hofstra) – L, D 10-4

Cons. Round of 32: Branson Britten (Northern Colorado) – L, MD 8-0

197: Hayden Filipovich (Sophomore)

Round of 32: Stephen Little (Little Rock) – L, D 14-7

Cons. Round of 32: Sam Mora (Gardner Webb) – L, D 7-5

285: Tristan Ruhlman (Sophomore)

Round of 16: #8 Zach Elam (Missouri) – L, MD 10-1

Cons. Round of 16 #2: Ethan Weatherspoon (Virginia) – W, Fall 4:16

Cons. Round of 8: David Szuba (Rider) – L, TF 15-0

BUTLER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: OPENS 2023 BY HOSTING #8 UCONN

INDIANAPOLIS – #8 UConn will head to Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday night to face the Butler Bulldogs at 7 PM. SNY will cover the contest with Allen Bestwick and Meghan Culmo on the call.

GameDay

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 3

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse

Live Stats: ButlerSports.com – Statbroadcast

Watch: SNY

Bulldog Bits

– Tuesday is just the fourth overall meeting between Butler and UConn.

– Caroline Strande has scored 11 points in back-to-back games for BU.

– Strande has scored 99 points for BU over 14 games. She had 56 points over two seasons at Minnesota (21 games).

– Strande led BU in scoring for the first time on Saturday.

– Strande registered her first double-double at Butler by adding a game-high 10 rebounds at SHU.

– Tenley Dowell has hit at least one 3-pointer in six-straight games.

– Kendall Wingler pulled down a season-high four rebounds vs. the Pirates while adding seven points.

– Shay Frederick needs eight rebounds to reach 400 in her collegiate career.

– Rachel McLimore will reach 3,000 minutes of playing time when she takes the court vs. UConn on Tuesday (124 games).

– Butler only took three free throws at Seton Hall.

– The Bulldogs came up with a season-high 15 offensive rebounds on New Year’s Eve.

– Butler’s 63 field goal attempts on Saturday were a new season-high total.

– Butler has attempted 53 3-pointers over their last two games.

– 45 points at Seton Hall was a season-low point total for BU.

– BU’s 30.2 shooting percentage at SHU was also a season-low.

– BU returns to Hinkle Fieldhouse for the first time since Dec. 11. They played four-straight road games from Dec. 18-31.

– McLimore and Jaynes are the only two Bulldogs to start in all five BIG EAST games.

– McLimore leads BU in minutes, points, and assists in league play.

BIG EAST Standings

St. John’s 4-0, 13-0

UConn 4-0, 11-2

Seton Hall 4-1, 11-4

DePaul 3-1, 10-5

Villanova 2-1, 11-3

Creighton 3-2, 9-4

Marquette 2-3, 9-5

Georgetown 1-4, 8-6

Butler 1-4, 6-8

Providence 0-4, 9-6

Xavier 0-4, 7-6

Scouting #8 UConn                                                                                             

The Huskies are one of the best teams in the country as they head into Hinkle Fieldhouse with an 11-2 overall record. Signature wins during their non-conference slate came against #3 Texas (83-76), #10 NC State (91-69), and #9 Iowa (86-79). Their two losses came against ranked foes in #7 Notre Dame (74-60) and most recently #20 Maryland (85-78). UConn is 4-0 this season against BIG EAST competition. They defeated Providence in their BIG EAST home opener and added wins over Seton Hall, #21 Creighton and Marquette. Azzi Fudd is the leading scorer on the roster, however an injury has limited her to just seven games this season. With Fudd sidelined, Head Coach Geno Auriemma has relied on Lou Lopez Senechal and Aaliyah Edwards to shoulder the scoring load. Each student-athlete has started in 13 games and is averaging 17 points per contest.

All-Time Series vs. UConn                                                                                  

Butler is 0-3 all-time against the Huskies. The first-ever meeting came on Jan. 19, 2021 with UConn winning 103-35. The Huskies made it a season sweep with a 97-68 victory at Hinkle Fieldhouse in February. Last year’s lone game went down as a 92-47 win for UConn.

Last Game vs. UConn                                                                           

Butler’s game at UConn last year was canceled due to winter weather-related travel issues therefore the only meeting between the two programs came at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Huskies recorded a 92-47 victory to remain unbeaten in the BIG EAST. Caroline Ducharme had 18 points for UConn and Aaliyah Edwards came off the bench to added 12. Tenley Dowell was in the box score with six points and a team-high seven rebounds for Butler.

UConn’s Last Game                                                                                            

The visiting Golden Eagles remained within single digits for the majority of the contest, with the eighth-ranked Huskies leading by just seven with under five minutes to go. Lou Lopez Senechal scored four straight points to bump the advantage to double digits with 3:18 left, as UConn held on to improve to 4-0 in BIG EAST play and 11-2 overall. Lopez Senechal finished with a game-high 22 points off 9-of-15 shooting, while Dorka Juhasz added nine points and a game-high 10 boards. Liza Karlen led Marquette (9-5, 2-3) with 15 points while Emily La Chapell added 11 points, including 3-of-4 clip from three.

Knock Down Shooters                                                                         

Butler ranks 15th in the NCAA and second in the BIG EAST in 3-point field goal percentage (37.5). The Huskies lead the conference, hitting 41.4 percent of their shots from behind the arc. Butler made a season-high 14 3-pointers recently in their win at Xavier, but were limited to just six made shots from behind the arc at Seton Hall. Tenley Dowell and Caroline Strande each hit two from long range to lead the team. Rachel McLimore is the top 3-point shooter on the roster with 19 makes on 51 attempts (37.3%). Shay Frederick is second on the team with 16 made 3-pointers and Dowell is third with 15. BU has five players on the roster with at least 10 made 3-pointers. 11 of the 14 Bulldogs to see playing time this season have hit at least one shot from distance.

3-Pointers                                                                                                             

Butler made 14 3-pointers at Xavier while shooting 48.3 percent from distance. Their season-high total doubles as the most made in a BIG EAST game this season. Before the game at Xavier, BU was in a three-way tie with UConn and Villanova with 13 makes from 3-point range. Butler made 13 earlier this season vs. Binghamton while hitting at a 56.5 clip. The Bulldogs average 7.4 made 3-point field goals per game (4th in the BIG EAST).

Hosting At Hinkle                                                                                                 

The Butler women’s basketball program set a new attendance record last year when the Huskies came to Indianapolis. 2,772 fans made their way to Hinkle Fieldhouse on a Wednesday night (Jan. 12) to break the old record of 2,360, which was set in the 2021 home opener vs. #8 Indiana.

Welcome to the Team                                                                         

Nearly 70 percent of Butler’s scoring this year (69.7) has been provided by newcomers to the program.

Gatorade Players of the Year                                                             

Butler freshman Jessica Carrothers was recognized as the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Indiana after her junior season. The 5-7 guard averaged 23.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 3.9 assists per game while leading her team to a 25-1 record. Other Gatorade Player of the Year winners from that season with BIG EAST ties include Azzi Fudd (UConn) and Caroline Ducharme (UConn).

Seton Hall Recap                                                                                                  

The Pirates overcame a nine-point first-quarter deficit to score a large-margin win over the visiting Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at Walsh Gym. The Hall’s Sidney Cooks and Lauren Park-Lane tied for the game high with 19 points apiece, with Cooks adding eight boards and Park-Lane tallying eight assists. The eight dimes moved Park-Lane into a tie for 10th all-time on the BIG EAST’s career assists list with 339 over 58 conference tilts. With Seton Hall (11-4, 4-1) leading 9-4 after four minutes, Butler (6-8, 1-4) went on a 16-2 run to lead 20-11 before closing the quarter with a 20-16 advantage. The Bulldogs were limited to just 25 points the remaining three quarters as the Pirates pulled away. Caroline Strande led Butler with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Up Next                                                                                                                 

Villanova will host Butler on Sunday, Jan. 8. The 2 PM tip will stream live on FloSports.com

IUPUI MEN’S BASKETBALL: BALANCED JAGUARS BESTED BY WRIGHT STATE, 82-68

INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI had four players score in double-figures but fell to visiting Wright State inside Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Monday afternoon (Jan. 2), 82-68. Chris Osten hit all seven of his field goal attempts and finished with a team-high 15 points and Jlynn Counter added 13 points and three assists.

Freshman VIncent Brady II tallied 11 and Daylan Hamilton scored 10 in the loss. Trey Calvin led Wright State (8-7, 1-3 HL) with 21 points and three steals and Brandon Noel had 14 points and 15 rebounds in the victory.

Wright State shot 50 percent from the field and connected on 8-of-21 (38.1 percent) from three while IUPUI shot 47.3 percent overall and just 2-of-10 (20 percent) from three.

“I thought we did a good job offensively today. I thought we moved the ball and made some things happen offensively. Defensively, we didn’t get enough stops. Credit to Wright State, they took care of the basketball and made plays offensively,” head coach Matt Crenshaw said. “We missed some open shots in some critical situations where I thought we could get some momentum and get a run going. Those hurt when you get a key stop and then don’t capitalize at the other end.”

The early stages were nip-and-tuck as Jonah Carrasco put the Jags in front by flushing a feed from Counter for a 12-10 advantage. However, Wright State fired back with a 7-0 run , capped by a Noel and-1 to regain a five-point lead. The Jags stayed close before Wright State outscored the hosts 14-4 over the final six-plus minutes of the first half to take a 43-30 lead into intermission.

The Jags had a 7-0 run early in the second half on Hamilton jumpers sandwiched around an Osten hook shot to creep within nine. However, each time IUPUI made a move, the Raiders responded with a bucket. On this occasion, Calvin stroked an open trey to push the lead back to double-digits.

Calvin finished 3-of-6 from deep and Alex Huibregtse made three threes off the WSU bench as part of his 13-point game. Amari Davis tallied 14 for the Raiders on 7-of-11 shooting, but fouled out midway through the second half when he and Hamilton were given technicals for exchanging pleasantries after a foul call.

Osten finished 7-of-7 from the field in 22 minutes of work and freshman Amhad Jarrard had eight points on 4-of-4 shooting off the bench.

IUPUI shot 54 percent after intermission to close just under 50 percent.

The Jaguars will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 7 when they travel to Youngstown State for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off on ESPN+. The Jags will then cap the two-game trip at Robert Morris on Monday (Jan. 9) at 7:00 p.m..

BRADY EARNS THIRD #HLMBB AWARD OF THE SEASON

INDIANAPOLIS – IUPUI freshman guard Vincent Brady II has been named this week’s #HLMBB Freshman of the Week for his efforts in the Jaguars’ lone game last week. It marks the third time this season he’s earned the league’s top rookie award.

Brady had 13 points, five boards, two steals and an assist against Northern Kentucky on Saturday (Dec. 31), playing a team-high and career-high 38 minutes in that game. It marked his sixth double-digit scoring game of the season, all of which have come in the last seven games.

In addition, he connected on a three for a ninth straight game.

For the season, Brady is playing a team-high 29.3 minutes per game and averaging 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest. He’s drilled a team-high 24 threes and is shooting better than 88 percent at the free throw line.

IUPUI WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: TURNER NAMED #HLWBB PLAYER OF THE WEEK

INDIANAPOLIS – Jazmyn Turner earned her first #HLWBB Player of the Week award for her efforts in the Jaguars’ weekend sweep over Northern Kentucky and Wright State.

The senior from Marion, Ind averaged 19.5 points per game in the two wins. Turner was just short of a double-double in both games with 19 points and nine rebounds against Northern Kentucky. She led the IUPUI offense with 20 points and totaled eight rebounds in the win against Wright State. She shot 76.2 percent (16-for-21) from the floor in the two games combined.

The forward ranks fourth in the Horizon League in scoring and has consistently led the Jaguar offense, averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game this season.

BALL STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL: BALL STATE STARTS 2023 WITH MAC OPENER AT TOLEDO

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State men’s basketball team begins 2023 with the Mid-American Conference opener on the road against Toledo on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip on CBS Sport Network.

Last Time Out

Ball State ended 2022 with a 70-63 victory over Chicago State and improved to 9-4 on the season. Jarron Coleman led BSU with 16 points and added five rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal. He has posted double-digit points in 12-consecutive contests. Jaylin Sellers finished with 14 points, a game-high three steals, two rebounds, an assist, and a block. He has scored in double figures in four-straight games. Payton Sparks recorded a game-high eight rebounds and dished out a game-high four assists. He added two blocked shots. For the second-straight contest, Demarius Jacobs has produced four blocks, which tied a career best. Jacobs chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Sensational Sellers

Sellers leads the team with 14.4 points per game and has led the squad in scoring in three of the last four contests. He paces the team shooting 58.3 percent from 3-point range. He is shooting 54.1 percent from the field. He has recorded 20 or more points in four games this season. He has collected 4.3 boards per game. Sellers has added 10 assists, 10 steals, and two blocks.

Spark Plug

Sparks leads the team with 8.0 rebounds per game. He is second on the team averaging 13.5 points a game. He is shooting 61.8 percent from the field. His 3.15 offensive rebounds per game have him tied for 40th in the country and are third in the conference. Sparks is tied for 89th in the nation with 8.0 rebounds per game, which is fourth in the MAC. His four double-doubles are tied for 55th in the NCAA and tied for second in the MAC. He is second on the squad with 11 blocks, third on the team with 27 assists, and he has added six steals.

Spreading the Love

The Cardinals have four players averaging double-digit points through 13 games of the season. Coleman is third on the team with 13.3 points per game. He leads the team with 46 assists. He is third on the team with 5.0 boards per contest and is second on the squad in steals with 19. Coleman has nine blocked shots for the year. Jacobs is averaging 12.1 points per contest to close out the double-digit scorers. He leads the team with 24 blocks and 21 steals. His 24 blocks are tied for 49th in the country and leads the MAC. He is averaging 1.85 blocks per game, which is 42nd in the NCAA and is the best in the conference. His 43 assists are second on the team. Jacobs has collected 4.2 rebounds per game. Mickey Pearson Jr. is second on the team with 5.1 rebounds a game and is averaging 7.2 points a contest. 

Taking Advantage at the Free-Throw Line

As a team, the Cardinals are averaging 25.8 free throws per game, which is eighth in the NCAA and leads the MAC. Ball State is averaging 17.5 free-throws made per contest, which is 15th in the nation and leads the conference. Sparks is tied for 11th in the nation with 100 free-throw attempts, which is second in the MAC. The Cardinals are one of just nine teams in the NCAA that have made more free throws than their opponents have attempted. Ball State is joined by Creighton, Dayton, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, Purdue, VCU, and Virginia as programs that have made more free throws than opponents have attempted.

Effective Shooting

The Cardinals are currently tied for 31st in the NCAA as the team is shooting 48.6 percent from the field, which leads the MAC. Ball State has been effective from behind the arc with a combined 38.1 percent from 3-point range, which is tied for 27th in the country and the best in the MAC.

Series History with Toledo

The Cardinals and Rockets have met 102 times. Toledo comes into Tuesday’s game with a 53-49 series advantage. BSU and UT split the series last season, with both teams winning at home. Ball State won the last meeting 93-83. The Rockets lead the series 33-15 in Toledo.

Scouting the Rockets

RayJ Dennis and JT Shumate are tied for the team lead averaging 19.1 points per game. They are tied for 35th in the NCAA and tied for fourth in the MAC. Dennis paces the team with 78 assists and 20 steals. Dennis is averaging 4.4 rebounds per game and has three blocks on the season. Shumate is averaging 4.6 boards per contest to go along with 23 assists and six steals. Shumate leads the squad with 20 blocks, which are tied for 88th in the country and second in the MAC. Setric Millner Jr. has a team-best 7.0 rebounds per game. Millner is averaging 15.0 points per game and has 21 assists, 14 steals, with five blocks. As a team, Toledo is averaging 85.0 points per game, which is tied for seventh in the NCAA and best in the conference.

SOUTHERN INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL: POLAKOVICH NAMED OVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana senior forward Jacob Polakovich (Grand Rapids, Michigan) was named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week for his efforts the Screaming Eagles games versus Southeast Missouri State University and Eastern Illinois University. The OVC honor is the first for Polakovich and the third this season for the Eagles.

The weekly honor is the second of Polakovich’s career after earning a GLVC Player of the Week honor last season with the Eagles.

Polakovich started the week by overpowering Southeast Missouri State University in the lane, posting 27 points and grabbing 26 rebounds in the 86-81 victory. The senior, who also had a career-high five assists, was 11-of-18 from the field and five-of-nine from the stripe, while swiping 11 offensive and 15 defensive rebounds off the glass.

The 26 rebounds were one short of the USI single-game record (27 by Aaron Nelson versus Kentucky State University December 7, 2013) and is the first 20-20 game by an Eagle since Emmanuel Little had 29 points, 21 rebounds versus Missouri University of Science & Technology January 18, 2018.

The 20-20 outing also is the first in the OVC since Austin Peay State University’s Terry Taylor (26 points and 23 rebounds versus Belmont University) and the University of Tennessee-Martin’s Quintin Dove (26 points and 20 rebounds versus Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) posted those numbers in the 2019-20 season. Polakovich’s 26 rebounds also is the most in an OVC contest since before the 2002-03 campaign. 

Polakovich finished the week with a nine-points, 10-rebounds performance in the loss at EIU. He reached double-digits on the glass for the third time in four games with six offensive and four defensive boards.

For the week, Polakovich averaged 18.0 points and 18.0 rebounds per game. He shot 53.6 percent from the field (15-28) and averaged 3.5 assists per game.

Polakovich and the Eagles resume OVC action Thursday when they visit Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky. The game is slated for a 6 p.m. (CST) tip, streaming on ESPN+ and airing on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.

U OF I FOOTBALL: CLINTON RETURNS TO D2FOOTBALL.COM’S ELITE 100 LIST

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—UIndy football standout Toriano Clinton was one of the select few named to the 2022 D2Football.com Elite 100, as released by the website recently. The annual list was compiled with input from coaches, scouts, media and sports information directors from around the country.

Clinton’s appearance on the prestigious list makes it two in a row for the star running back; he was voted to the “squad” team this season after earning first team laurels in 2021.

Clinton wrapped up one of the greatest careers ever by a Greyhound football player this past fall. The Chicago native rewrote the UIndy record book in his time on campus, surpassing nearly all the school’s career and single-season rushing marks. He held the title of DII’s active career rushing leader throughout the 2022 campaign, while notching his second straight 1,000-yard season in despite playing in only eight games due to injury.

Just four other GLVC student-athletes earned a spot on the Elite 100. They included Quincy offensive lineman B.J. Wilson (1st team), McKendree quarterback Turner Pullen (squad) and o-lineman Kenny Thomason (squad), and Missouri S&T linebacker Ben Straatmann (squad).

MARIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL: TAESHON CHERRY EARNS SECOND CROSSROADS LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jackson, Mich. – After helping Marian close their non-conference slate with a undefeated 10-0 mark last week, senior Taeshon Cherry has been named the Crossroads League Player of the Week. Cherry’s honor is the second of his career, and breaks the three consecutive weeks of Jason Hubbard of Taylor winning the award.

Cherry helped No. 14 Marian to a pair of wins over East West and Rio Grande with 22.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 steals per outing. The senior shot 56.7 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from deep and 88.9 percent from the charity stripe. Cherry scored a week-high 29 points against East West, making 12 of 17 shots from the floor in the game.

Marian will begin their first week of 2023 on the road, traveling to Grace College for a 7 p.m. tip on Wednesday night.

SMALL COLLEGE ATHLETIC SITES:

INDIANA WESLEYAN ATHLETICS: https://iwuwildcats.com/

EARLHAM ATHLETICS: https://goearlham.com/

WABASH ATHLETICS: https://sports.wabash.edu/

FRANKLIN ATHLETICS: https://franklingrizzlies.com/

ROSE-HULMAN ATHLETICS: https://athletics.rose-hulman.edu/

ANDERSON ATHLETICS: https://athletics.anderson.edu/landing/index

TRINE ATHLETICS: https://trinethunder.com/landing/index

BETHEL ATHLETICS: https://bupilots.com/

DEPAUW ATHLETICS: https://depauwtigers.com/

HANOVER ATHLETICS: https://athletics.hanover.edu/

MANCHESTER ATHLETICS: https://muspartans.com/

HUNTINGTON ATHLETICS: https://www.huathletics.com/

OAKLAND CITY ATHLETICS: https://gomightyoaks.com/index.aspx

ST. FRANCIS ATHLETICS: https://www.saintfranciscougars.com/landing/index

IU KOKOMO ATHLETICS: https://iukcougars.com/

IU EAST ATHLETICS: https://www.iueredwolves.com/

IU SOUTH BEND ATHLETICS: https://iusbtitans.com/

PURDUE NORTHWEST ATHLETICS: https://pnwathletics.com/

INDIANA TECH ATHLETICS: https://indianatechwarriors.com/index.aspx

GRACE COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://gclancers.com/

ST. MARY OF THE WOODS ATHLETICS: https://smwcathletics.com/

GOSHEN COLLEGE ATHLETICS: https://goleafs.net/

HOLY CROSS ATHLETICS: https://www.hcsaints.com/index.php

TAYLOR ATHLETICS: https://www.taylortrojans.com/

VINCENNES ATHLETICS: https://govutrailblazers.com/landing/index

SPORTS EXTRA

****NFL STANDINGS****

Eastern Conference
	W	L	Pct	Conf GB	Home	Road	Div	Conf	Last 10	Streak
1 Boston	26	11	.703	—	15-5	11-6	4-0	15-8	5-5	1 L
2 Brooklyn	25	12	.676	1.0	13-5	12-7	5-2	19-6	10-0	12 W
3 Milwaukee	23	13	.639	2.5	15-4	8-9	4-3	11-9	4-6	1 L
4 Cleveland	24	14	.632	2.5	17-4	7-10	7-3	17-8	7-3	2 W
5 Philadelphia	22	14	.611	3.5	15-5	7-9	4-3	14-9	8-2	2 W
6 Indiana	21	17	.553	5.5	13-7	8-10	2-2	15-8	7-3	4 W
7 Miami	20	18	.526	6.5	11-8	8-10	5-1	8-11	7-3	2 W
8 New York	20	18	.526	6.5	9-10	11-8	1-4	12-9	5-5	2 W
9 Atlanta	17	20	.459	9.0	11-8	6-12	4-3	13-14	3-7	4 L
10 Washington	17	21	.447	9.5	10-7	7-14	4-3	10-13	6-4	5 W
11 Chicago	16	21	.432	10.0	9-9	7-12	4-3	14-11	5-5	2 L
12 Toronto	16	21	.432	10.0	11-8	5-13	2-7	11-14	3-7	1 L
13 Orlando	13	24	.351	13.0	9-11	4-13	2-5	7-18	6-4	3 L
14 Charlotte	10	28	.263	16.5	5-13	5-15	3-6	4-18	3-7	2 L
15 Detroit	10	30	.250	17.5	5-13	5-17	0-6	4-18	2-8	1 L
Western Conference
	W	L	Pct	Conf GB	Home	Road	Div	Conf	Last 10	Streak
1 Denver	24	13	.649	—	14-3	10-10	7-3	18-9	7-3	1 L
2 Memphis	23	13	.639	0.5	15-3	8-10	4-2	11-10	6-4	3 W
3 New Orleans	23	14	.622	1.0	16-4	7-10	6-2	15-9	5-5	2 L
4 Dallas	22	16	.579	2.5	15-5	7-11	5-2	16-6	8-2	7 W
5 Sacramento	19	16	.543	4.0	11-7	8-9	4-4	8-8	5-5	1 L
6 LA Clippers	21	18	.538	4.0	11-8	10-10	3-4	11-11	5-5	3 L
7 Portland	19	17	.528	4.5	9-6	10-11	4-5	13-12	5-5	1 W
8 Phoenix	20	18	.526	4.5	14-5	6-13	7-0	17-10	4-6	3 L
9 Golden State	20	18	.526	4.5	17-2	3-16	4-3	12-8	6-4	5 W
10 Utah	19	20	.487	6.0	12-6	7-14	3-4	15-12	4-6	4 L
11 Minnesota	17	21	.447	7.5	10-9	7-12	5-4	10-13	4-6	1 W
12 LA Lakers	16	21	.432	8.0	8-8	8-13	0-7	7-13	5-5	2 W
13 Oklahoma City	15	21	.417	8.5	10-9	5-12	3-6	9-12	4-6	2 L
14 San Antonio	12	25	.324	12.0	7-12	5-12	2-5	5-20	3-7	2 L
15 Houston	10	27	.270	14.0	6-12	4-15	1-7	5-19	1-9	4 L

****NBA STANDINGS****

Eastern Conference
	W	L	Pct	Conf GB	Home	Road	Div	Conf	Last 10	Streak
1 Boston	26	11	.703	—	15-5	11-6	4-0	15-8	5-5	1 L
2 Brooklyn	25	12	.676	1.0	13-5	12-7	5-2	19-6	10-0	12 W
3 Milwaukee	23	13	.639	2.5	15-4	8-9	4-3	11-9	4-6	1 L
4 Cleveland	24	14	.632	2.5	17-4	7-10	7-3	17-8	7-3	2 W
5 Philadelphia	22	14	.611	3.5	15-5	7-9	4-3	14-9	8-2	2 W
6 Indiana	21	17	.553	5.5	13-7	8-10	2-2	15-8	7-3	4 W
7 Miami	20	18	.526	6.5	11-8	8-10	5-1	8-11	7-3	2 W
8 New York	20	18	.526	6.5	9-10	11-8	1-4	12-9	5-5	2 W
9 Atlanta	17	20	.459	9.0	11-8	6-12	4-3	13-14	3-7	4 L
10 Washington	17	21	.447	9.5	10-7	7-14	4-3	10-13	6-4	5 W
11 Chicago	16	21	.432	10.0	9-9	7-12	4-3	14-11	5-5	2 L
12 Toronto	16	21	.432	10.0	11-8	5-13	2-7	11-14	3-7	1 L
13 Orlando	13	24	.351	13.0	9-11	4-13	2-5	7-18	6-4	3 L
14 Charlotte	10	28	.263	16.5	5-13	5-15	3-6	4-18	3-7	2 L
15 Detroit	10	30	.250	17.5	5-13	5-17	0-6	4-18	2-8	1 L
Western Conference
	W	L	Pct	Conf GB	Home	Road	Div	Conf	Last 10	Streak
1 Denver	24	13	.649	—	14-3	10-10	7-3	18-9	7-3	1 L
2 Memphis	23	13	.639	0.5	15-3	8-10	4-2	11-10	6-4	3 W
3 New Orleans	23	14	.622	1.0	16-4	7-10	6-2	15-9	5-5	2 L
4 Dallas	22	16	.579	2.5	15-5	7-11	5-2	16-6	8-2	7 W
5 Sacramento	19	16	.543	4.0	11-7	8-9	4-4	8-8	5-5	1 L
6 LA Clippers	21	18	.538	4.0	11-8	10-10	3-4	11-11	5-5	3 L
7 Portland	19	17	.528	4.5	9-6	10-11	4-5	13-12	5-5	1 W
8 Phoenix	20	18	.526	4.5	14-5	6-13	7-0	17-10	4-6	3 L
9 Golden State	20	18	.526	4.5	17-2	3-16	4-3	12-8	6-4	5 W
10 Utah	19	20	.487	6.0	12-6	7-14	3-4	15-12	4-6	4 L
11 Minnesota	17	21	.447	7.5	10-9	7-12	5-4	10-13	4-6	1 W
12 LA Lakers	16	21	.432	8.0	8-8	8-13	0-7	7-13	5-5	2 W
13 Oklahoma City	15	21	.417	8.5	10-9	5-12	3-6	9-12	4-6	2 L
14 San Antonio	12	25	.324	12.0	7-12	5-12	2-5	5-20	3-7	2 L
15 Houston	10	27	.270	14.0	6-12	4-15	1-7	5-19	1-9	4 L

****NHL STANDINGS****

Eastern Conference
	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	ROW	GF	GA	Home	Road	L10
1 Boston Bruins	37	29	4	4	62	27	140	83	19-0-3	10-4-1	7-0-3
2 Carolina Hurricanes	37	25	6	6	56	22	118	94	12-3-1	13-3-5	10-0-0
3 Toronto Maple Leafs	37	23	8	6	52	23	125	94	13-2-3	10-6-3	7-3-0
4 New Jersey Devils	37	23	11	3	49	23	124	97	10-9-2	13-2-1	2-6-2
5 Tampa Bay Lightning	35	23	11	1	47	22	126	102	15-4-1	8-7-0	8-2-0
6 Washington Capitals	39	21	13	5	47	21	127	108	12-5-2	9-8-3	8-1-1
7 New York Rangers	38	20	12	6	46	19	122	105	8-7-4	12-5-2	7-2-1
8 Pittsburgh Penguins	37	19	12	6	44	18	122	111	10-4-4	9-8-2	4-4-2
9 New York Islanders	38	21	15	2	44	21	120	104	12-6-0	9-9-2	4-4-2
10 Detroit Red Wings	35	16	12	7	39	15	110	117	9-6-3	7-6-4	3-5-2
11 Buffalo Sabres	35	18	15	2	38	17	138	118	8-8-2	10-7-0	7-2-1
12 Ottawa Senators	37	17	17	3	37	16	112	116	10-8-1	7-9-2	6-3-1
13 Florida Panthers	38	16	18	4	36	15	124	131	9-6-3	7-12-1	3-7-0
14 Philadelphia Flyers	38	14	17	7	35	14	102	125	7-9-1	7-8-6	5-4-1
15 Montreal Canadiens	37	15	19	3	33	11	100	138	7-9-0	8-10-3	2-7-1
16 Columbus Blue Jackets	35	11	22	2	24	11	94	138	9-11-1	2-11-1	3-7-0
Western Conference
	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	ROW	GF	GA	Home	Road	L10
1 Vegas Golden Knights	40	26	12	2	54	23	134	113	11-9-0	15-3-2	6-3-1
2 Dallas Stars	38	23	9	6	52	23	137	104	11-4-3	12-5-3	7-2-1
3 Los Angeles Kings	40	21	13	6	48	17	132	138	11-6-2	10-7-4	6-2-2
4 Winnipeg Jets	37	23	13	1	47	23	118	95	13-6-0	10-7-1	5-5-0
5 Minnesota Wild	36	21	13	2	44	18	116	102	11-7-1	10-6-1	8-2-0
6 Calgary Flames	38	18	13	7	43	17	117	115	11-7-2	7-6-5	5-2-3
7 Seattle Kraken	35	19	12	4	42	19	121	115	10-8-2	9-4-2	4-5-1
8 Edmonton Oilers	38	20	16	2	42	20	136	127	9-10-1	11-6-1	4-4-2
9 Colorado Avalanche	36	19	14	3	41	16	107	104	9-7-3	10-7-0	5-4-1
10 St. Louis Blues	37	17	17	3	37	15	114	135	7-8-2	10-9-1	5-2-3
11 Nashville Predators	35	15	14	6	36	13	94	107	8-6-3	7-8-3	3-3-4
12 Vancouver Canucks	36	16	17	3	35	14	124	138	7-9-1	9-8-2	5-5-0
13 Arizona Coyotes	35	13	17	5	31	12	102	128	7-3-2	6-14-3	5-4-1
14 San Jose Sharks	39	12	20	7	31	11	120	146	4-10-6	8-10-1	4-4-2
15 Anaheim Ducks	38	10	24	4	24	7	88	158	6-10-1	4-14-3	3-6-1
16 Chicago Blackhawks	36	8	24	4	20	8	79	137	5-13-2	3-11-2	1-9-0

FOOTBALL HISTORY

January 3, 1971 – Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium – The first ever played AFC Championship game took place. Before we dive into this game let’s talk a little bit about the 1970 NFL realignment. This the first season when the AFL and the NFL truly merged into one league rather than having separate regular seasons and then having their champions square off against each other. This merging and reagning was not an easy process as the AFL bright 10 teams into the fray while the NFL had 16 franchises. In essence three NFL teams had to join the AFL clubs in order to create balance in the new NFL. Finally a decision was made to transfer the Steelers, Colts and Browns and mix them with the AFL clubs to form the American Football Conference of the NFL. One of these old NFL squads the Baltimore Colts survived the rigors of the new conference to battle the old guard of the AFL the Oakland Raiders for the right to play in Super Bowl V. The Pro-Football-Reference shares via the boxscore that the favored Colts jumped out early and hung on to defeat Oakland 27-17. Colts runner Norm Bulaich scored twice and a Unitas to Ray Perkins TD pass sealed the deal in the fourth to place the Colts in the Big Game!

January 3, 1971 – The first NFC Championship game took place at San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium. As we just discussed a second ago the 13 teams of the National Football Conference of the NFL had all been in the NFL in the years prior to the merger. The folks at Pro-Football-Reference.com tell us that the Niners were entertaining the Cowboys in the contest to see who would face Baltimore in the Super Bowl. At the half the game was knotted at 3 but coming out of the locker room it appears that Dallas had made the better adjustments as they scored two 3rd quarter TDs and then held on to win as they beat San Francisco 17-10 to advance.

January 3, 1983 – Generally when the offense runs a play with only ten players on the field from their own one yard line it will end up in a disaster. That was not the case when the Cowboys played the Vikings on a cold January day in 1983 according to ESPN.com. When Dallas had a Heisman winning running back named Tony Dorsett they had no worries. The Pitt product used his talents to set an NFL record with a 99-yard scamper in the Cowboys’ 31-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

January 3, 1987 – Fiesta Bowl – This Penn State/Miami game changed the way Bowl games were scheduled. A bidding war started as at the time both Penn State and Miami were both independents and had no affiliation with a conference. The LA Time archived story from the day tells the tale well. The Bowls were waging war against each other trying to get the rights to have these two top teams meet at their venue. The Fiesta Bowl won out and then became a high-profile bowl. The 1987 Fiesta Bowl became the highest rated championship game in history, recording a 24.9 Nielsen rating as more than 70 million viewers had the game on their home sets. No college football game has gotten that kind of rating, before or since. The game was pretty good too but the difference was the Nittany Lions defense thwarted much of the fire power of the Hurricane offense as Penn State’s defense intercepted Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde five times including one with 18 seconds left near the end zone. Penn State hangs on tight with the 14-10 victory.

January 3, 1993 – I can remember watching the first half of this match up as the Houston Oilers dominated the first half of their wild card weekend game with the Buffalo Bills. I man it was an utter drubbing and unless you were an avid Oilers fane it was extremely uninteresting watch the blood bath. The score was 28-3 at the half and it felt even worse than that. The Oiler scored on a pick six coming out of the break to make the score 35-3. The whole complexion of the game changed though at that point in the third quarter as the Bills led by backup QB Frank Reich scored four TDs in the quarter to get back into the game. Reich led the Buffalo Bills all the way back from a 32-point deficit, to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in a wild card playoff game, the greatest comeback ever in NFL history per Pro-Football-Reference.com.

January 3, 1994 – Candlestick Park, San Francisco – The Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers finished the season by going into Overtime. The Eagles Quarterback Bubby Brister completed 26 of 43 of his passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Steve Young, the southpaw signal caller of the San Francisco 49ers was used sparingly as the team prepared for the playoff in this meaningless game. Per the Pro-Football-Refence website, Young did throw 15 of 19 for 165 and 2 TDs to become the first quarterback to win 3 straight NFL passing titles and the first to put up 3 consecutive seasons with a passer rating of 100 or more. The Niners, with Steve Bono in relief, suffered the OT loss to the Philadelphia Eagles 37-34.

January 3, 2001 – Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens – College Football ‘s 3rd BCS National Championship pitted the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners against the #2 Florida State Seminoles per the American Football Database. This was a defensive lovers game! The Sooners kicked a field goal early in the game and held onto that 3-0 lead for most of the game until the third quarter when they booted through another 3 pointer. Finally in the fourth Quentin Griffin scored on a 10 yard run to give Oklahoma a bit of a cushion to pad the lead. The Noles only scoring came on a final stanza safety. The Sooners won the BCS Trophy with great defense 13-2, at the Orange Bowl.

January 3, 2002 – Rose Bowl, Pasadena -At the fourth BCS National Championship the #1 Miami Hurricanes led by back Clinton Portis and quarterback Ken Dorsey faced a stiff challenge from the second ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers and their outstanding signal caller Eric Crouch. The ‘Canes used a combination of offensive and defensive flurry of scoring in the first half of 34 unanswered points to cruise to a 37-14 National Championship victory at the 88th Rose Bowl per ESPN.com.

January 3, 2003 – Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona – The University of Miami made another appearance a year later at the 5th BCS National Championship. The Hurricanes were still atop the college football world and this year they faced a stiff challenge for the title from the number 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The FiestaBowl.org website gives us the details of what many claim may be one of the top games in NCAA football history. Miami came into the game with a 34 game unbeaten streak in hand as they defended their title. The Canes roster included stars like QB Ken Dorsey. Willis McGahee, Kellen Winslow Jr., Sean Taylor, Antrel Rolle and Jonathan Vilma. The Buckeyes countered with sensational back Maurice Clarett, Craig Krenzel, Chris Gamble, Will Allen, AJ Hawk and Michael Doss. These rosters were stacked with stars! The difference of th game was a critical goal line stand in the second quarter when the Buckeyes defense held after Miami had the ball first and goal at the OSU two! Clarett and Krenzel each ran in a couple of touchdowns and Ohio State’s defense held the powerful Miami offense in check just enough for the Buckeyes to unseat Miami, 31-24 in a thriller.

January 3, 2004 – Charlotte, North Carolina – The setting was the NFC Wild Card weekend as the home crowd was out to support their Carolina Panthers against the visiting Dallas Cowboys per the Pro-Football-Reference. The Panthers jumped out to a 13-0 lead early and never looked back. Panthers kicker John Kasay tied an NFL-playoff record with 5 field goals to lead Carolina to a 29-10 win over Dallas Cowboys to advance in the playoff tournament.

January 3, 2007 – We all know that Nick Saban is the face of modern University of Alabama football as he churns out a top notch team to compete for national titles on an almost yearly basis. Do we remember though that he left another great College program in LSU to go into the NFL as a head man? Well he did, a year after winning the BCS Title in 2003 with the Tigers Saban was hired by the Miami Dolphins to guide their team according to an APNews.com story. The Saban led Miamiteams finished with a 9-7 record in 2005 and then the Fins registered a 6-10 record in 2006. Many experts speculate that Saban was upset not only about the losing season he had just suffered through but also the fact that in early 2006 he could not win a recruiting war for the signing of Quarterback Drew Brees with the New Orleans Saints. He was used to signing top prospects at the college level but when it came to the NFL game of landing players it might not have been his cup of tea. It was on this January 3 day in 2007 when the high profile head coach Nick Saban resigned his position with the franchise to return to college football and take the head coaching job at Alabama.

January 3, 2021 – The Jacksonville Jaguars earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first NFL team since the 2001 Carolina Panthers to win their first game of the season and then drop 15 straight to go 1-15.

January 3, 2021 – Josh Allen became the first player in NFL history with at least 4,500 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes and five rushing touchdowns in a single season as he led the Buffalo Bills to a 13-3 record.

HALL OF FAME BIRTHDAY FOR JANUARY 3

January 3, 1924 – Chicago, Illinois – The former Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Hank Stram was born. Hank got his feet wet in coaching as an assistant at the University of Miami. His bio on ProFootballHOF.com tells how Lamar Hunt, the owner of an AFL start up team, the Dallas Texans hired Stram to lead the new franchise on the field. The Texans played only one year in Dallas and then moved to Kansas City where they changed their nickname to the Chiefs. Stram was an offensive innovator and he is remembered for his development of such items and the moving pocket, to utilize the talents of his mobile Quarterback Len Dawson. The legendary coach also established the two tight end sets and on the other side of the ball introduced stacking linebackers behind defensive lineman in the “stacked defense” principals. Stram led the Chiefs into two Super Bowl games. In Super Bowl I his team fell to the powerful Packers of Vince Lombardi but his team won Super Bowl IV against the Vikings. The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Hank Stram into their famous Canton, Ohio museum in 2003.

BASEBALL HISTORY

1920       The public becomes aware of the secret deal made on December 26 to sell Babe Ruth to New York for $125,000, equaling twice the amount ever paid previously for a player. Harry Frazee, the Red Sox’s cash-strapped owner, also secures a $300,000 loan from the Yankees as part of the deal.

1943       In a surprising move, Uncle Sam decides to draft 37-year-old Yankee right-hander Red Ruffing into the Army, where he will be assigned to non-combative duty, tossing baseballs and leading the soldiers’ physical fitness training. The future Hall of Famer lost four toes on his left foot in a mining accident in Coalton, Illinois, as a 15-year-old.

1946       The Tigers trade first baseman Rudy York to the Red Sox for infielder Eddie Lake, who will replace current shortstop Skeeter Webb with two solid defensive years before a broken finger relegates him to a utility role on the team. Boston’s new first baseman’s offensive output, which includes 119 RBIs, propels the club to an American League pennant this season.

1961       Frank ‘Trader’ Lane becomes the A’s general manager and executive vice president. The former Cleveland GM, best remembered by Indians fans for last season’s controversial trade of Rocky Colavito to the Tigers in exchange for Harvey Kuenn, a swap that gave rise to the Colavito Curse, believed to bring a series of unfortunate events to the Tribe over many decades.

1962       Adjacent to Colt Stadium, where the Colt .45s will play the first three seasons of their existence, construction begins on the 18-story Harris County Domed Stadium dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The first enclosed ‘outdoor sport’ becomes known as the Astrodome, when artificial turf, which becomes known as AstroTurf, replaces the dying grass playing surface.

1973       “There is nothing in life quite so limited as being a limited partner of George Steinbrenner.” – Yankees minority owner John McMullen Tampa shipbuilder George Steinbrenner, heading a limited partnership with Lester Crown, John DeLorean, and Nelson Bunker Hunt, purchases the Yankees from CBS. ‘The Boss’ will become a well-known owner due to his pursuit of expensive talent, well-publicized feuds with players and baseball’s brass, and the frequent firing of GMs and managers.

1974       The Yankees hire Bill Virdon as the team’s manager after American League president Joe Cronin voids the contract signed by A’s skipper Dick Williams. The former Pirates skipper will manage New York for two years, never winning a game at Yankee Stadium because the club will play their home games at Shea Stadium while renovations occur at Bronx ballpark.

1977       Joining Harry Caray, Jimmy Piersall, and Lorn Brown in the White Sox broadcast booth, Mary Shane becomes the first female announcer to do play-by-play for a major league team on a regular basis. The contract of the hard-working pioneer, but inexperienced broadcaster, will not be renewed at the end of the season by owner Bill Vleck.

1981       University of Arizona standout Terry Francona wins the Golden Spikes Award, an honor given to the nation’s most outstanding amateur player by the U.S. Baseball Federation. The 21-year-old southpaw-swinging collegiate outfielder/first baseman, signed by the Expos, was selected by the NCAA as the College World Series MVP last season after helping the Wildcats capture the National Championship.

2001       The Astros sign free-agent hurler Kent Bottenfield to a one-year contract. The 32-year-old right-hander, who started last season with the Angels after being traded by the Cardinals with Adam Kennedy for Jim Edmonds, will post a 2-5 record for Houston in his previous season in the big leagues.

2005       Bud Selig okays the trade, which will send Shawn Green to the Diamondbacks, dependent on the team and the outfielder coming to terms on a contract extension within 72 hours. The commissioner’s approval is necessary because the Dodgers will pay $8 million to help offset Green’s current contract in the finalized deal.

2005       Commissioner Bud Selig approves the potential trade of Diamondback southpaw Randy Johnson to the Yankees in exchange for Javier Vazquez, Dioner Navarro, Brad Halsey, and $9 million. Arizona will likely include Navarro and much of the cash to the Dodgers to obtain Shawn Green, another deal approved today by the commissioner’s office.

2005       Hoping to make the team appeal to a broader marketplace, the Angels announce the franchise will now be known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Officials from Anaheim likely will file a lawsuit to block the change, believing the new name violates the terms of the team’s 33-year lease with the city.

2008       The Astros sign free-agent hurler Kent Bottenfield to a one-year contract. The 32-year-old right-hander, who started last season with the Angels after being traded by the Cardinals with Adam Kennedy for Jim Edmonds, will post a 2-5 record for Houston in his previous season in the big leagues.

SPORTS IN NUMBERS

5 – 7 – 34 – 33 – 99 – 14 – 8 – 4 – 21 – 23

January 3, 1920 – The Boston Red Sox baseball club owner Harry Frazee announced an agreement to sell slugger Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 in cash and a $350,000 loan; start of the 84 year “Curse of the Bambino”

January 3, 1931 – Montreal Maroons centre Nels Stewart scored fastest 2 goals in NHL history with a pair 4 seconds apart in a 5-3 win over Boston Bruins at Montreal Arena

January 3, 1943 – Future NHL Hall of Famers Number 5, Max Bentley and Number 7, Doug Bentley assist on brother Reg Bentley’s only NHL goal in Chicago Blackhawks’ 3-3 tie with the Rangers in NYC; only time in NHL history trio of family members score and assist on a scoring play

January 3, 1981 – NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers retire jersey Number 34, in honor of Austin Carr

January 3, 1983 – Dallas running back, Number 33, Tony Dorsett set an NFL record with 99-yard rush in the Cowboys’ 31-27 defeat at Minnesota Vikings

January 3, 1991 – LA Number 99, Wayne Gretzky became the fastest and youngest player in NHL history to score 700 goals (886 games at age 29 years, 342 days) in LA Kings’ 6-3 win over the NY Islanders at the Nassau Veteran Memorial Coliseum

January 3, 1993 – “The Comeback”, QB Number 14, Frank Reich led the Buffalo Bills back from a 32-point deficit, to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in a wild card playoff game, the greatest comeback ever in NFL history

January 3, 1994 – Steve Young, Number 8 of the San Francisco 49ers became the first quarterback to win 3 straight NFL passing titles despite a 37-34 OT loss to the Philadelphia Eagles; first to lodge 3 consecutive passer ratings of 100+

January 3, 2004 – Panthers kicker Number 4, John Kasay tied NFL-playoff record with 5 field goals to lead Carolina to a 29-10 win over Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round of playoffs in Charlotte, North Carolina

January 3, 2016 – Number 21, Jimmy Butler breaks Number 23, Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls record for points in an NBA half, scoring 40 of his 42 points in the second half to lead the Bulls in a 115-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

TV TUESDAY

NCAA BASKETBALL GAMES	TIME ET	TV
MARQUETTE AT ST. JOHN’S	6:30PM	FS1
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT TENNESSEE	7:00PM	ESPN2
SOUTH CAROLINA AT VANDERBILT	7:00PM	SECN
NEBRASKA AT MICHIGAN STATE	7:00PM	BTN
SYRACUSE AT LOUISVILLE	7:00PM	ESPNU
NOTRE DAME AT BOSTON COLLEGE	7:00PM	ACCN
BALL STATE AT TOLEDO	7:00PM	ESPN+
BOWLING GREEN AT EASTERN MICHIGAN	7:00PM	CBSSN
MIAMI (OH) AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN	7:00PM	ESPN+
NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT AKRON	7:00PM	ESPN+
OHIO AT BUFFALO	7:00PM	ESPN+
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT KENT STATE	7:00PM	ESPN
TOCCOA FALLS AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL	7:00PM	–
LSU AT KENTUCKY	8:00PM	ESPN
SETON HALL AT CREIGHTON	8:30PM	FS1
KANSAS AT TEXAS TECH	9:00PM	ESPN2
OLE MISS AT ALABAMA	9:00PM	SECN
MINNESOTA AT WISCONSIN	9:00PM	BTN
VIRGINIA AT PITT	9:00PM	ACCN
UTAH STATE AT AIR FORCE	9:00PM	CBSSN
KANSAS STATE AT TEXAS	9:00PM	LHN
SAN JOSE STATE AT BOISE STATE	9:00PM	MWN
NEW MEXICO AT FRESNO STATE	11:00PM	CBSSN
NBA REGULAR SEASON GAMES	TIME ET	TV
WASHINGTON AT MILWAUKEE	8:00PM	NBATV NBCS-WSH BALLY SPORTS
BOSTON AT OKLAHOMA CITY	8:00PM	NBCS-BOS BALLY SPORTS
SACRAMENTO AT UTAH	9:00PM	NBCS-CA ATTSN-RM
NHL REGULAR SEASON GAMES	TIME ET	TV
ARIZONA AT FLORIDA	7:00PM	BALLY SPORTS
BUFFALO AT WASHINGTON	7:00PM	MSG-BUF NBCS-WSH
CAROLINA AT NY RANGERS	7:00PM	MSG BALLY SPORTS
COLUMBUS AT OTTAWA	7:00PM	SPORTSNET BALLY SPORTS
ST. LOUIS AT TORONTO	7:00PM	SPORTSNET BALLY SPORTS
CALGARY AT WINNIPEG	8:00PM	SPORTSNET
MONTREAL AT NASHVILLE	8:00PM	SPORTSNET BALLY SPORTS
TAMPA BAY AT CHICAGO	8:30PM	NBCS-CHI BALLY SPORTS
SEATTLE AT EDMONTON	9:00PM	SPORTSNET ROOT SPORTS
DALLAS AT LOS ANGELES	10:00PM	ESPN
NY ISLANDERS AT VANCOUVER	9:00PM	SPORTSNET MSGSN
SOCCER MATCHES	TIME ET	TV
COPA DEL REY: ESPANYOL VS CELTA DE VIGO	1:00PM	ESPN+
COPA DEL REY: CARTAGENA VS VILLARREAL	1:00PM	ESPN+
COPA DEL REY: LA NUCÍA VS VALENCIA	1:00PM	ESPN+
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: ARSENAL VS NEWCASTLE UNITED	2:45PM	USA
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: EVERTON VS BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION	2:45PM	PEACOCK
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: LEICESTER CITY VS FULHAM	2:45PM	PEACOCK
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: MANCHESTER UNITED VS AFC BOURNEMOUTH	3:00PM	PEACOCK
COPA DEL REY: CACEREÑO VS REAL MADRID	3:00PM	ESPN+
COPA DEL REY: SPORTING GIJÓN VS RAYO VALLECANO	3:00PM	ESPN+
COPA DEL REY: LEVANTE VS GETAFE	3:00PM	ESPN+
COPA DEL REY: CEUTA VS ELCHE	3:00PM	ESPN+