It’s been a big year for David Warner.In January, he won the Allan Border Medal for the first time. Also in January he became a father for the second time, with the birth of his daughter Indi Rae.In August, he captained Australia for the first time, leading them to ODI and T20 series wins over Sri Lanka. Also in August, he was named Australia’s Sporting Father of the Year.In September, he smashed two ODI hundreds in South Africa, and in December he plundered back-to-back centuries against New Zealand in the Chappell-Hadlee Series. In all, 2016 has been a stunning year for Warner in ODIs: 1388 runs at 63.09 and seven hundreds. Only Sachin Tendulkar has made more ODI centuries in a year (nine in 1998).Along the way, Warner has earned a new nickname from his team-mates. Once, he was the Bull, but they believe the Bull has been tamed somewhat by the responsibilities of vice-captaincy and fatherhood. He is now The Reverend.And yet for all the white-ball runs that Warner has made in 2016, for all the personal highlights along the way, there is one considerable caveat: 2016 has been Warner’s worst year in Test cricket. With just one Test left in the year, he has managed just 604 runs at 35.52; prior to 2016, his lowest yearly tally was 788, scored in 2012, which was his first full year as a Test cricketer.Warner’s only Test hundred of 2016 so far came in the first Test of the year, the washed-out SCG Test against West Indies in January. There, he blasted a quick unbeaten 122, but it was an innings of no value, for it came on day five as Australia batted for the first time in a match that was utterly ruined by rain. In 18 innings, he has only two half-centuries and that one hundred.“It’s just a little bit of a cycle, I think,” Warner said on Saturday. “I go out there every time I go out to bat, trying to put as many runs as I can on the board. Same mindset, same sort of process I go through with training.“At the moment I’m hitting them well enough in the nets and not making them in the middle. The tide will change. Many players before have experienced the same thing. I’ve just got to keep a level head, cool head and make sure that I watch every ball as hard and as closely as I can.”One of Warner’s more surprising failures in 2016 came in his most recent innings, when he was beaten for pace by Mohammad Amir and pulled a catch on 12. It was the second innings at the Gabba and Australia already had a lead of nearly 300. Warner had license to look for quick runs to build a big target, precisely the sort of innings in which he has often thrived before.“In the nets I’m hitting them well. But you’ve got to try and take that out on the field,” he said. “Sometimes you see a ball there that might be to hit, like the other day. Probably in white-ball cricket I wouldn’t think twice about pulling that ball, and the other day he beat me for pace.“They’re just the little things that come into your mind, going ‘okay, we’ve got some runs on the board, I want to up the ante a little bit’. You can afford to do that. It’s just about execution, and the other day was a bit of poor execution. I’ve got to keep going out there and backing myself.”And while Warner would love nothing more than to finish the year with a bang, history suggests it will be tough. Not only has 2016 been his least productive Test year, the MCG is his least productive Test venue. It is the only Test ground in Australia at which Warner has not scored a century, and the only one where he averages less than 50. His MCG average? 24.22.Warner has so far played in five Boxing Day Tests and has managed only one half-century – he made 62 against Sri Lanka at the MCG four years ago. Last year, he made starts in both innings against West Indies but then fell playing his shots against short deliveries. Perhaps Warner would do well to heed the words MCG curator David Sandurski.“Melbourne isn’t the sort of wicket where you can’t just go blasting off from ball one,” Sandurski said on Saturday. “You’ve got to take your time and get used to the conditions, because the weather here can be so inconsistent that it is hard to get a wicket spot-on. It’s a pretty good idea for a batsman to be cautious early before he gets going.”A good idea in theory, maybe. But good luck preaching caution to this Reverend. read more
New Delhi: Brazilian legend Ronaldinho is set to marry two women at the same time, as per the reports. The former Barcelona star could tie the knot in August with his two ‘fiancees’ Beatriz Souza and Priscilla Coelho.The two women are living ‘harmoniously’ together with the World Cup winner since December at his £5million Rio de Janeiro mansion, as per reports.Ronaldinho, who is apparently ‘adept at polygamy,’ started dating Beatriz in 2016 while continuing his relationship with Coelho.Both of them receive an allowance of about £1,500 from Ronaldinho to spend wherever they want, as per reports.In Januray, the former Ballon d’ Or winner had given engagement rings to both of them as per a leading Brazilian daily.The trio are set to marry at a private ceremony inside the Santa Monica condominium in Rio, where Ronaldinho has been living since 2015, as per the Brazilian daily.Ronaldinho’s sister Deisi will not be attending the marriage as she is against her brother’s polygamy.Jorge Vercillo, the Brazilian singer has been confirmed as the one responsible for the wedding music, according to the reports.Earlier in March, during a trip to Japan with his samba music band, the 38-year-old former AC Milan star posted photos and a video of himself with both women to his 32 million followers of his Instagram page. For all the Latest Sports News News, Football News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. read more
New Delhi: Portuguese megastar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday joined Italian giants Juventus, bringing his fruitful time with Real Madrid to an end after nine successful seasons for the club and him personally.The former Manchester United forward deserved a quality tribute from the Spanish giants and he got one. His nine long seasons in the Spanish capital were full of goals and trophies, so the Los Blancos decided to give a fitting farewell.Ronaldo won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, four Ballon D’Ors and three Golden Boots, topping it with two La Liga titles as well. He also broke all the records and became the club’s best goal scorer ever and his 451 goals will be mountain to climb for the generations to come.The new Juventus forward also penned down a farewell letter to the club and fans, which was later published on Real Madrid’s official website.Here is Ronaldo’s farewell letter in full as published on the club’s official website and translated from Spanish into English:“These years in Real Madrid, and in this city of Madrid, have been possibly the happiest of my life. I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for this club, for this hobby and for this city. I can only thank all of them for the love and affection I have received. However, I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me. I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please understand me. They have been absolutely wonderful for 9 years. They have been 9 unique years. It has been an exciting time for me, full of consideration but also hard because Real Madrid is of a very high demand, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way. I have had fabulous teammates in the field and in the dressing room, I have felt the warmth of an incredible crowd and together we have won 3 Champions in a row and 4 Champions in 5 years. And with them also, on an individual level, I have the satisfaction of having won 4 Gold Balls and 3 Gold Boots. All during my time in this immense and extraordinary club. Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thanks to the club, the President, the directors, my colleagues, all the technicians, doctors, physios and incredible workers that make everything work and that are pending every detail tirelessly. Thank you infinitely once more to our fans and thanks also to Spanish Football. During these 9 exciting years I have had great players in front of me. My respect and my recognition for all of them. I have reflected a lot and I know that the time has come for a new cycle. I’m leaving but this shirt, this shield and the Santiago Bernabéu will continue to always feel as my own wherever I am. Thanks to all and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium 9 years ago: Hala Madrid!” For all the Latest Sports News News, Football News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. read more
For all the Latest Sports News News, Asian Games News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The 18th edition of the Asian Games is set to kick off from August 18, 2018, at Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang. This will be the first time in the history of Asian Games that the event will be hosted by two cities. Sportspersons from a total of 45 nations will be participating in the event.ALSO READ: Pakistan opener Nasir Jamshed banned for 10 years for spot-fixingIndia will keep a tab on Wrestling, Weightlifting, Shooting, Fencing, Wushu, Badminton and Table Tennis as these are the games which have experienced and proven players.This will be the first time when E-Sports and Canoe Polo will make a big-ticket debut at the multi-sport event, albeit only as a demonstration sport.ALSO READ: Forced to eat rice porridge with pickle at 1984 Olympics, says PT UshaAll the details of the 18th Asian Games:Date: August 18, 2018, to September 2, 2018Event: 18th Asian GamesVenue: Indonesia (Jakarta and Palembang)Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, Indian Standard Time.Broadcast: Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 3, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Ten 3 HDLive Stream: Sony Liv read more
For all the Latest Sports News News, Cricket News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In the recently concluded Asia Cup 2018, which the Rohit Sharma-led Team India lifted by winning the last ball nail-biter against Bangladesh. However, MS Dhoni achieved a rare feat in the Asia Cup by leading the Indian cricket team for the 200th time during the match against Afghanistan.But, according to reports, the national selectors are not happy with the surprise move of Dhoni captaining the side in the absence of selected captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan.”The selectors are not pleased that wholesale changes were rung in for the match and both stand-in captain Rohit Sharma and Vice-captain Shikhar Dhawan sat out with MS Dhoni forced to be captain again, out of nowhere,” said one of the BCCI sources to India Today.A total of five changes were made to the playing XI for the dead rubber game against Afghanistan as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan made the way for MS Dhoni to complete the rare feat of leading the side for the 200th time.ALSO READ: Asian Para Games: Harvinder Singh wins India’s first-ever archery goldThe Jharkhand legend’s last game as the captain had come 696 before against an ODI against New Zealand. Dhoni even became the oldest Indian captain to lead the team.Dhoni became the third player after Stephen Fleming and Ricky Ponting to captain his national side in 200 or more ODIs.However, Team India lifted the record seventh Asia Cup trophy after their win against Bangladesh.Virat Kohli is now back as the captain of the side in the ongoing home Test series against West Indies. read more
New Delhi: India Women team will be up against England for a limited-overs series, and just before the start of the first encounter skipper Mithali Raj expressed her views and said that team is working regressively with the full fortitude to get a direct qualification for the forthcoming World Cup 2021. Mithali said that the team doesn’t wish to play the qualifiers. Mithali said her team is focused on holding on to its position in the top four of the world rankings till 2020 to get direct qualification for the 2021 World Cup.”It’s a very important series for us, being number three right now in the points table. Points are at stake and I definitely want the team to get a direct entry (into the next World Cup). It’s important to get as many points as possible from the series,” she said on the eve of the series.India had beaten England 2-1 the last time the visitors were here in 2018 but Mithali said facing the visitors without Harmanpreet will show the team’s depth.”England is a formidable side, being the World Cup champions and they will come strongly at us. We should be playing a positive brand of cricket,” said Mithali.”They’ve got their senior players back into the squad, and we are without one of our senior players. But this series will also show how we meet this challenge. It will reflect the depth of our team.”On the absence of Harmanpreet, Mithali said the injured player will be missed but her absence also provides a chance to the youngsters to come good.”She is one of the main players in the team for a long time, but it is also an opportunity for young players in the team to rise up and use the opportunity to step up and perform. Harman is not there because of injury. I should emphasise that we, as a batting unit, should take the (added) responsibility and whoever gets the opportunity should play that role,” she added. India looks for direct qualification for the forthcoming World Cup. India will play a couple of limited overs series against England that starts tomorrow. India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur ruled out of the upcoming series due to an ankle injury. highlights For direct entry into the World Cup, Mithali and company need to hold on to their position in the top four of the world rankings till 2020.The equation becomes a bit more complex in the wake of the terror attack by a Pakistan-based terror-outfit in Pulwama in Kashmir and the outrage it has given rise to all over the country. Now there’s a distinct possibility that the Indian team may not line up against Pakistan and Mithali said she was aware of this sort of scenario.”It’s always been in our minds that we probably won’t play Pakistan, and that’s why, whatever matches we play against whoever, we should be going in by keeping in mind that we need those points,” she remarked.India had defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the recent ODI series in different conditions and Mithali said they will take the confidence into the series against England.”It was our first win on the New Zealand soil, so it feels great to win a series there, but to come home and play England is completely different. The conditions are different. We’ll take a lot of positives and confidence from that series win, but our preparation and strategy differ from what it was in New Zealand.”Mithali was of the view that spinners would hold the key although because of the early starts there would be some moisture for the medium pacers to exploit.”A little bit of moisture will be there because most of the matches in India start at 9 am. But as the days progress it (wicket) will ease out. (Veteran pace bowling all-rounder) Jhulan (Goswami) had done very well in New Zealand, supported by Shikha (Pandey) and Mansi (Joshi),” she said.”I think spin will be the main factor for all the matches we play at home and that’s one of the reasons why we produce the best spinners. If there is moisture the fast bowlers will come into play and in the second innings, there will be some slow turn.”In New Zealand, they (Indian spinners) did very well and considering the slowness of the wickets, I hope they will do well in these conditions.”She conceded the good starts provided by the team’s openers in New Zealand had given the middle order little chance to test its wares.”Jemimah (Rodrigues) and Smriti (Mandhana) gave us great starts in New Zealand and the middle order was not tested that much,” she pointed out.Mithali dismissed speculations of her impending retirement from the T20 format after the England series, which also features T20s.”When it’s the right time, I’ll let you all know.” For all the Latest Sports News News, Cricket News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. read more
Gujarat Fortunegiants defeated UP Yoddha 44-19.UP Yoddha’s inexperienced backline scored just five tackle points.Gujarat Fortunegiants now are atop the table. highlights Hyderabad: Parvesh Bhainswal produced a terrific defensive performance as Gujarat Fortunegiants defeated UP Yoddha 44-19 in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 7 match in Hyderabad on Friday. With two wins from as many games, Gujarat Fortunegiants now are atop the table. Bhainswal scored six tackle points, while young Sumit, who made his debut on Friday, also impressed for the Gujarat Fortunegiants. Rohit Gulia completed a Super 10 and led the raiding charge for Gujarat Fortunegiants. UP Yoddha’s inexperienced backline had a forgettable night as they scored just five tackle points. Monu Goyat also struggled to pick points and earned just two tackle points and spent a lot of time off the court. Sachin Tanwar picked up a couple of raid points to give Gujarat Fortunegiants a 3-1 lead after three minutes. UP Yoddha clawed back to level the match at 4-4 after five minutes but after that, it was all Gujarat Fortunegiants. Sachin, who reached the 300-point landmark in PKL, made a two-point raid to further Gujarat’s advantage.Also Read | Pro Kabaddi League: Bengaluru Bulls clinch maiden title, beat Gujarat Fortunegiants in epic final In the 11th minute, Gujarat Fortunegiants inflicted the first all out of the match with a lead of 12-5. Gujarat’s defence did a fine job on Yoddha’s star man Goyat and kept him on the bench for almost 13 minutes in the first half.Also Read | Pro Kabaddi League: Bengal Warriors beat Tamil Thalaivas Goyat’s absence was felt badly by UP Yoddha as they struggled to pick up raid points. At the end of the first half, the score was 19-9 in favour of Gujarat Fortunegiants. Gujarat Fortunegiants began the second half in a fine fashion as they inflicted another all out in the 21st minute to lead 24-9. Bhainswal immediately put the pressure back on Yoddha as he sent Goyat back to the bench. Bhainswal was in superb form and showed immense strength and made three successive tackles to give Gujarat Fortunegiants a 31-13 lead after 30 minutes. Sonu Janglan who came on as a substitute made a super raid in the last minute to complete Gujarat’s dominance. For all the Latest Sports News News, Other Sports News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. read more
Milan: Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award on Monday with Megan Rapinoe bagging the women’s prize to cap a historic year for the United States’ World Cup icon. Messi’s victory in Milan was a surprise as he edged out Virgil Van Dijk, who won the UEFA player’s award last month after helping Liverpool to the Champions League last season. Cristiano Ronaldo had also been shortlisted for the award, but did not attend the ceremony as he lost out to his rival in the famous La Scala opera house.Both Messi, 32, and Van Dijk, 28, are in the running for the coveted Ballon d’Or which will be announced on December 2.Rapinoe beat fellow World Cup winner Alex Morgan and England’s Lucy Bronze to the women’s title, with US coach Jill Ellis winning women’s coaching award.The 34-year-old Rapinoe won the Golden Boot for being top scorer and the Golden Ball for the best player at the World Cup, and also became the face of the tournament for her outspoken views on US president Donald Trump.Messi was top scorer in the Champions League last season with 12 goals before Barcelona were dumped out by Liverpool in the semi-finals, Barca throwing away a three-goal first-leg lead with a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Anfield.The Argentine also won the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 goals, won La Liga title with Barcelona and helped Argentina to bronze at 2019 Copa America.Van Dijk had been bidding to become just the second defender — after Italian Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 — to be recognised by FIFA as the world’s best player.Jurgen Klopp, Allisson Wins Best Coach, Goalkepper AwardsAnd he missed out on completing a treble for Liverpool with manager Jurgen Klopp winning the men’s coach of the year award and Alisson Becker the goalkeeper prize.Klopp won the Champions League with Liverpool ahead of two other Premier League coaches — Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino, who reached the European final, and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.”It is great, nobody expected this 20, 10, five, four years ago that I would be standing here,” said the 52-year-old German who joined Liverpool in 2015.”I have to say thank you to my outstanding club Liverpool FC. Those who don’t love it don’t have a heart. As a coach you can only be as good as your team. I’m really proud of being coach of such an incredible bunch of players.”Two-time women’s World Cup-winning coach Ellis, beat Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, runner-up in France 2019, and England’s Phil Neville for the award.”The World Cup really was a showcase, the world fell even more in love with the game,” said 53-year-old Ellis, who will step down from the team in October.Daniel Zsori wins Puskas Award for best goalRomanian-born Hungarian forward Daniel Zsori won the Fifa Puskas Award for the best goal, beating strikes from Messi and Juan Fernando Quintero.The 18-year-old forward, on his debut, scored a spectacular overhead kick to win the game for his side Debrecen against Ferencvaros in stoppage time. For all the Latest Sports News News, Football News News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. read more
— Brewers left-hander Brent Suter has avoided salary arbitration by accepting a two-year, $2.5 million deal. Suter returned from Tommy John surgery last September and went 4-0 with a 0.49 ERA in nine relief appearances, helping the Brewers earn an NL wild-card spot. Suter had mostly been a starter the previous two seasons with Milwaukee before having elbow surgery in July 2018. He is expected to be used out of the bullpen this year.— Pitcher Chad Bettis has signed a minor league contract with the Yankees, a deal that includes an invitation to big league spring training. The 30-year-old right-hander was 1-6 with one save and a 6.08 ERA in 39 games for Colorado last season.— Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas (MY’-koh-las) was scratched from his second bullpen session of the spring because of a flexor tendon issue. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said the Cardinals hope to have a more concrete time frame for Mikolas return to the mound in a day or two.— Former All-Star shortstop Tony Fernández has died at age 57 after a long battle with kidney disease. Fernández made five All-Star teams during his 17 major league seasons and helped the Toronto Blue Jays win the 1993 World Series. He won four straight Gold Gloves with the Blue Jays in the 1980s and holds club records for career hits and games played.PGA-GENESIS INVITATIONAL Pole-sitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the leader 20 laps into the race when the rain returned, sending drivers back to pit road.The first delay lasted 50 minutes and came moments after the presidential motorcade completed a ceremonial parade lap around the 2 1/2-mile track. The second stoppage was prompted by heavier rain, further soaking a racing surface that takes hours to dry.T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULEAztecs stay unbeatenUNDATED (AP) — San Diego State remains the only unbeaten team in Division I men’s basketball following a resounding victory at Boise State. Update on the latest sports — Nathan Beaulieu (BOY’-loh) scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and had an assist as the Jets nipped the Blackhawks, 3-2. Mason Appleton also had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg, which ended a two-game skid and won for the fourth time in six contests. Patrick Kane collected a goal and an assist but couldn’t stop Chicago from absorbing its sixth consecutive loss.NHL-NEWSIslanders get blueline help with GreeneUNDATED (AP) — The New York Islanders have solidified their defense for the playoff push by acquiring Devils captain Andy Greene for blueline prospect David Quenneville (KWEHN-vihl) and a second-round pick in the 2021 draft.The Islanders have been searching for a quality defenseman since losing Adam Pelech (PEH’-lehk) to an Achilles tendon injury on Jan. 2. Greene also gives them a lefty-shooting defender on a team filled with right-handed defensemen. Clippers forward Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard received the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP award after scoring a game-high 30 points in Team LeBron’s 157-155 victory over Team Giannis (YAH’-nihs) in Chicago. Leonard made eight 3-pointers to finish one shy of Paul George’s All-Star record in 2016. Lakers forward LeBron James had 23 in helping has namesake squad win the All-Star game for the third straight year. Lakers forward Anthony Davis added 20 points, including a game-ending free throw.The game format was overhauled to put in elements for charity and ensure that someone was going to hit a shot to end the game.Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) had a team-high 25 points but was shut out in the fourth quarter. Boston guard Kemba Walker finished with 23 points and Philadelphia center Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’) had 22 for Team Giannis.The league announced last week that it was renaming the All-Star game MVP after Bryant, who was among nine killed in a helicopter crash late last month. The crash also claimed the life of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.Jennifer Hudson wore the Lakers’ deep purple as she performed a pregame tribute to Bryant and sang “For All We Know.” Players on James’ team wore Gianna’s No. 2 on their jerseys and players on Antetokounmpo’s team wore Kobe’s No. 24 on theirs. All players wore a patch with nine stars, one for each victim of the crash. Share This StoryFacebookTwitteremailPrintLinkedinRedditNBA-ALL-STAR GAMETeam LeBron beats Team GiannisCHICAGO (AP) — It seems fitting that three Los Angeles-based players led an All-Star victory on a night the league honored Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. February 16, 2020 PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS-CHUBB CLASSICParel wins in NaplesNAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Scott Parel closed with an 8-under 63 to overcome a three-stroke deficit and win the Chubb Classic by two shots.It’s Parel’s third career victory on the PGA Tour Champions surpassing $5 million for his career. It also moves him atop the Charles Schwab Cup standings for the first time in his career.Bob Estes shot 64 to end up second. Kevin Sutherland fired a 67 to finish in a third-place tie with Bernhard Langer, who closed with a 69. The win pushes the Bruins three points ahead of Tampa Bay for both the Atlantic Division and overall lead.In Pittsburgh, Patric Hornqvist had two goals and an assist as the Penguins knocked off the Red Wings, 5-1. Sidney Crosby added a goal and an assist, giving him 19 points in 12 games since returning from core muscle surgery.Matt Murray stopped 27 shots for the Penguins, who won for the 11th time in 15 games to pull within one point of the Metropolitan-leading Capitals.Elsewhere on NHL ice:— Kyle Turris scored with 2:12 left to give the Predators a 2-1 win over the Blues. Craig Smith furnished the other goal for Nashville, his sixth in five games. Pekka Rinne (PEH’-kuh REE’-nay) made 38 saves in helping Nashville deal St. Louis its fourth straight loss and 10th in 12 games. Malachi Flynn had 22 points and the Aztecs improved to 26-0 with a 72-55 trouncing of the Broncos. Yanni Wetzell had 14 points and seven rebounds for San Diego State, while Matt Mitchell delivered 11 points, seven boards and five steals.In other top-25 games Sunday:— Collin Gillespie scored a season-high 29 points and 15th-ranked Villanova finished 4-0 against Philadelphia’s Big 5 schools by trouncing Temple, 76-56. Jermaine Samuels added 13 points and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 10 in the Wildcat’s seventh straight win over the Owls.— Payton Pritchard scored 25 points and led an early 3-point shooting spree as No. 17 Oregon rolled to an 80-62 victory over Utah. Will Richardson added 18 points, six assists and six rebounds to help the Ducks improve to 14-0 at home this season.— Luka Garza dropped in 24 points and No. 21 Iowa closed on an 11-0 run to pull out a 58-55 victory at Minnesota. Golden Gophers center Daniel Oturu missed the front end of a one-and-one free-throw attempt with a chance to tie the game with 3.8 seconds left. Associated Press — Josh Archibald’s second goal of the day gave the Oilers a 4-3 victory against the Hurricanes. NHL scoring leader Leon Draisaitl (DRY’-sy-tul) added a goal and two assists in Edmonton’s third win in four games. Draisaitl set up Archibald’s goal 3:57 into OT for his 95th point of the season.— The Senators pulled out a 4-3 win over the Stars on Artem Anisimov’s (ah-NEE’-see-mahvz) goal at 3:48 of overtime. Jean-Gabriel Pageau (pa-ZHOH’), Brady Tkachuk (kah-CHUHK’) and Tyler Ennis also scored to back Craig Anderson’s 36 saves.— Mackenzie Blackwood turned back 52 saves in regulation and overtime before thwarting six shootout attempts to lead the Devils past the Blue Jackets, 4-3. Nikita Gusev and Jesper Bratt provided New Jersey’s shooting goals after Kyle Palmeiri collected a goal and an assist in the second period. The Jackets wasted a 2-0 lead but tied it on Kevin Stenlund’s goal while outshooting the Devils, 21-2 in the third period.— Jack Eichel (EYE’-kul) scored the go-ahead goal while the Sabres tallied three times in a 91-seconds span of the third period to beat the Maple Leafs, 5-2. Johan Larsson had a goal and assist in Buffalo’s third straight win. Carter Hutton stopped 20 shots to win his fourth straight and five of six starts.— Adam Henrique (hehn-REEK’) hit the 20-goal mark for the season by scoring twice in the Ducks’ 5-1 rout of the Canucks. Derek Grant provided a power-play goal and an assist as Anaheim handed Vancouver its fifth loss in seven games. Elias (eh-LEE’-uhs) Pettersson was the lone Canuck to beat John Gibson, who finished with 37 saves. Also in the NHL:— The Ducks’ postponed game against the visiting Blues will be played March 11. The game began last Tuesday and was stopped when defenseman Jay Bouwmeester collapsed on the bench during the first period. The game will begin with a 1-1 score, as it was at the time of the postponement. It will follow a full 60-minute format.MLB-NEWSDarvish says Astros should lose World Series titleUNDATED (AP) — Yu Darvish has chimed in on Houston’s sign-stealing scheme, just over two years after getting rocked by the Astros in the World Series. The Chicago Cubs pitcher says the Astros should be stripped of their 2017 championship, comparing them to an Olympian who loses a gold medal because of cheating. Darvish says he knows the Astros were stealing signs, but he acknowledged that he didn’t pitch his best during the 2017 Fall Classic.Darvish lasted only 1 1/3 innings in both of his 2017 World Series appearances while playing for the Dodgers. He was tagged for four runs and six hits in Game 3 and was the losing pitcher in Game 7 at Dodger Stadium.Meanwhile, commissioner Rob Manfred met with nearly half of the major leagues managers Sunday and told them to knock off any notion of get-even beanballs. Manfred’s visits come after Cody Bellinger, Kris Bryant, Trevor Bauer and Carlos Correa were among the All-Stars recently trading threats, accusations and barbs as spring training opened.Manfred said he would personally talk to the managers of the teams that train in Arizona on Tuesday.In other baseball news: American rapper Common also paid homage to Bryant in his pregame tribute to Chicago, saying that “even in the darkest times, you’ll feel Kobe’s light.”NASCAR-DAYTONA 500Daytona 500 postponed by rainDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It’s going to take another day to determine the winner of the Daytona 500.NASCAR’s season-opening race was postponed following a second rain delay, pushing the event into Monday. It’s the second time in 62 years and first time since 2012 that “The Great American Race” will finish on a Monday. Scott wins at RivieraLOS ANGELES (AP) — Adam Scott has another victory at Riviera, and this time it counts.Scott survived a calamitous final round with just enough clutch putts to take the PGA’s Genesis Invitational. He closed with a 1-under 70 for a two-stroke victory over Matt Kuchar, Scott Brown and Sung Kang.The victory comes 15 years after Scott won a playoff at Riviera that didn’t count as official because rain shortened the tournament to 36 holes. He earned every bit of this victory, his 14th on the PGA Tour and 29th worldwide.Nearly a dozen players had a chance to win. Five players had a share of the lead at some point. NHL-SCHEDULEBruins, Pens winUNDATED (AP) — The Boston Bruins have expanded their lead in the NHL’s Atlantic Division, while the Pittsburgh Penguins have inched two points closer to the Metropolitan Division lead.Charlie Coyle scored the Bruins’ second short-handed goal in as many days to give Boston a 2-0 lead in the second period of a 3-1 victory over the Rangers. Charlie McAvoy tallied late in the first period and Patrice Bergeron (pah-TREES’ BEHR’-zhuh-rahn) added an empty-netter to secure the Bruins’ eighth win in nine games.Jaroslav Halak (YAH’-rah-slahv hah-LAHK’) stopped 25 shots and blanked the Rangers until Mika Zibanejad (MEE’-kuh zih-BAN’-eh-jad) beat him midway through the third period. read more
MLB-NEWSJudge doesn’t take batting practiceUNDATED (AP) — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge did not hit or throw during the team’s first full squad workout Tuesday because of what the team said was a minor right shoulder issue.Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the problem is not considered serious and that Judge could start to ramp up activities in a couple days. Judge is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. Judge had been taking part in early workouts at the Yankees’ minor league complex and experienced some soreness in the last couple weeks. He shut down from hitting about a week ago. Jared Butler scored 22 points as the Bears downed Oklahoma, 65-54 to improve to 24-1 overall and 13-0 in the conference. Mark Vital had 10 points and Freddie Gillespie grabbed 10 rebounds for Baylor, which played a second straight game without leading scorer MaCio Teague (teeg) because of a wrist injury.The Sooners led 10-5 until the Bears went on a 23-9 spurt to take control.Kristian Doolittle had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Oklahoma.In other top-25 action:— Jalen Crutcher scored 18 points and No. 5 Dayton picked up its 15th straight victory by downing VCU, 66-61. Obi Toppin (OH’-bee TAH’-pihn) finished 12 points and Dwayne Cohill made a pair of free throws with 22.4 seconds left after the Rams closed within one point. UNDATED (AP) — There’s a new leader in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division.Sidney Crosby continued his scoring binge by furnishing a goal and three assists as the Penguins knocked off the Maple Leafs, 5-2. The outcome moves the Pens one point ahead of Washington in the Metropolitan standings.Crosby has collected seven goals and 23 points in 13 games since returning from core muscle surgery on Jan. 14. The Pens were six points off the division lead when Crosby made his comeback.Bryan Rust had a goal and two assists in Pittsburgh’s third consecutive win and sixth in eight games. Teddy Blueger’s (BLOO’-gurz) goal gave the Penguins a 5-0 lead with 7:25 left in the second period.Elsewhere on NHL ice: — Jalen Smith dropped in 22 points and grabbed 19 rebounds as seventh-ranked Maryland held off Northwestern, 76-67 to take a two-game lead in the Big Ten Conference at 12-3. Anthony Cowan added 19 points for the Terrapins, who are 22-4 overall following their ninth consecutive victory.— Eighth-ranked Florida State was an 82-67 winner against Pittsburgh as freshman Patrick Williams contributed 16 points and Anthony Polite added 10 with six rebounds. Williams scored in double figures for the 10th time this season as the Seminoles improved to 14-0 at home and 22-4 overall.— Ayo Dosunmu scored 24 points and Illinois snapped a four-game losing streak with a 62-56 victory over ninth-ranked Penn State. Kofi (KOH’-fee) Cockburn added 14 points for the Fighting Illini, who led most of the way and ended the Nittany Lions’ eight-game winning streak.— Immanuel Quickley scored 21 points and No. 10 Kentucky shot 8-for-9 from 3-point range in the second half to pull out a 79-76 victory against LSU. Nick Richards scored 13 points and blocked six shots for the 21-5 Wildcats, who have won five straight and nine of 10.— Ty-Shon Alexander scored 22 points and Marcus Zegarowski added 17 in leading 15th-ranked Creighton to a 73-65 victory at No. 19 Marquette. The Bluejays have won eight of nine to move within a half-game of first-place Seton Hall in the Big East standings. The Blues put Bouwmeester on long-term injured reserve, which gives them salary-cap relief. They added blueline help by acquiring defenseman Marco Scandella from the Canadiens for a 2020 second-round pick and conditional fourth-rounder next year.Also in the NHL:— The Capitals have bolstered their blue line by acquiring veteran Brenden Dillon from the San Jose Sharks for Colorado’s 2020 second-round pick and a conditional 2021 third-rounder. Dillon has averaged just under 20 minutes a game this season and could play on the Capitals’ second pairing with Dmitry Orlov. The nine-year NHL veteran has scored 22 goals and 114 points in 588 regular-season games.COLLEGE SPORTS-TRANSFERSNCAA prepared to change transfer waiver process Update on the latest in sports: Share This StoryFacebookTwitteremailPrintLinkedinRedditT25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULEBaylor breaks Big 12 winning streak recordUNDATED (AP) — Top-ranked Baylor has become the Big 12 record-holder for most consecutive victories with 23, breaking the mark set by Kansas 23 years ago. The mark could further motivate the Jayhawks when they visit the Bears on Saturday in a 1-versus-3 matchup. Associated Press — The Blues ended their season-high, five-game losing streak as Ivan Barbashev scored twice in a 3-0 victory against the Devils. Jaden Schwartz furnished the other goal and Jordan Binnington made 17 saves for his seventh career shutout and second this season. The outcome gives St. Louis a two-point edge over Dallas in the Central Division.— The Flyers are in third place in the Metropolitan Division after Travis Konecny (kah-NEHK’-nee) had a goal and two assists in their 5-1 rout of the Blue Jackets. Kevin Hayes, Sean Couturier (koo-TOOR’-ee-ay), Philippe Myers and Jakub Voracek (VOHR’-ah-chek) also scored as Philadelphia made the most of its 15 shots to move one point ahead of the Islanders and Columbus in the division standings.— Andrei Svechnikov (SVEHCH’-nih-kahv) and Nino Niederreiter (NEE’-dur-eye-tur) each scored in the second period as the Hurricanes knocked off the Predators, 4-1. That puts Carolina in a virtual tie with Columbus and the Islanders for the two Eastern Conference wild-card berths. Jordan Staal scored a goal in the first, Sebastian Aho (AH’-hoh) added a third-period tally and Justin Williams had two assists.— The Jets doubled up the Kings, 6-3 behind Blake Wheeler’s two goals and one assist. Nikolaj Ehlers (NIH’-koh-ly EE’-lurz) added a goal and two assists to Winnipeg’s fifth victory in seven games, which leaves the Jets one point away from a Western Conference playoff slot.— Andreas Athanasiou (ath-a-nah-SEE’-yoo) scored twice while the Red Wings were netting three unanswered goals in the third period to rally past the Canadiens, 4-3. Athanasiou gave Detroit its first lead with 5:15 remaining before the Wings ended a four-game skid. Also in the majors:— MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has apologized for what he called a disrespectful reference to the World Series trophy as a “piece of metal.” Even before being asked about it at the Cactus League media day, Manfred said he made a mistake with those comments when trying to deliver a rhetorical point in an interview two days earlier. Players became infuriated by his “piece of metal” comment during a lengthy interview with ESPN on Sunday, the same day he spoke in Florida.NFL-TRUMP-DEBARTOLOTrump pardons former 49ers ownerWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned Edward DeBartolo (dee-BAHR’-tuh-loh) Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal. — Miles McBride and Sean McNeil provided 11 points apiece to help No. 17 West Virginia knock off Oklahoma State, 65-47. Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEEB’-way) added eight points and 15 rebounds for the Mountaineers, who held the Cowboys to a season-low 14 second-half points. Bob Huggins earned his 879th career victory to tie North Carolina’s Dean Smith for sixth all-time among Division I coaches.NASCAR-NEWMANNewman communicating following Daytona crashDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is awake and speaking with family and doctors a day after his horrific crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500.Roush Fenway Racing released an update on its driver about 20 hours after Newman’s car slammed into the wall at nearly 200 mph, flipped, got T-boned by another car, flipped several more times and skidded to a halt in flames. Everyone watching feared the worst Monday night and had to wait nearly two hours to learn that Newman’s injuries were not considered life-threatening. EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State reportedly is investigating allegations of NCAA violations made by a former football staffer in a lawsuit.Curtis Blackwell filed a lawsuit claiming his employment agreement was violated when he was disciplined while the school addressed sexual assault allegations against players in 2017. A recent filing in that case from Blackwell’s lawyer suggested that deposition testimony by then-coach Mark Dantonio may have revealed NCAA violations.Athletic director Bill Beekman said then that it was his understanding that the allegations were “patently false.” But an athletic department spokesman told The Detroit News on Tuesday that the school is looking into them.NBA-NEWSIrving out again February 19, 2020 NFL-NEWSBrees plans to be back with Saints next seasonUNDATED (AP) — Quarterback Drew Brees (breez) says he intends to play for the New Orleans Saints again next season. The 41-year-old Brees used a social media post to announce his intention to “make another run at it” in what would be his 20th NFL season.Brees is the NFL’s all-time leader with 6,867 completions, 77,416 yards passing and 547 touchdown throws. He was productive in leading the Saints to the playoffs last season despite missing five games with a throwing hand injury, completing 74.3% of his passes with 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions.In other NFL news: — The Senators whipped the Sabres, 7-4 as Craig Anderson made 23 saves in his 200th win with Ottawa. Jean-Gabriel Pageau (pa-ZHOH’) contributed two goals and two assists for the Senators, who also received a two-goal night from Artem Anisimov (ahr-TEHM’ ah-NEE’-see-mahv).NHL-NEWSBouwmeester back in St. LouisUNDATED (AP) — Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (BOH’-mees-tur) is back in St. Louis after collapsing on the bench during a game in Anaheim last week.Bouwmeester issued a statement saying he’s “on the road to recovery” after going into cardiac arrest in the first period versus the Ducks. He had a cardioverter defibrillator implanted into his chest at UCI Medical Center in Orange County, California, where he had been hospitalized until returning to St. Louis on Sunday. — A person familiar with the situation says three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen has agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Olsen was released by the Carolina Panthers earlier this month after nine seasons with the team amid a rebuilding process under first-year coach Matt Rhule (rool). Olsen has caught 718 passes for 8,444 yards and 59 touchdowns during a 13-season NFL career that began with a four-year run with the Chicago Bears.— Punter Ryan Allen and kicker Younghoe Koo are set to return to the Falcons next season. Allen and Koo each joined the Falcons midway through the 2019 season and performed well enough to earn one-year contract extensions for the 2020 season.— The Cardinals have re-signed starting left tackle D.J. Humphries to a three-year contract that keeps him with the team through the 2022 season. The 26-year-old Humphries started all 16 games at left tackle last season, anchoring an offensive line that protects franchise quarterback Kyler Murray.NHL-SCHEDULEPens whip Leafs to pass Caps UNDATED (AP) — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving won’t play in their first game after the All-Star break Thursday at Philadelphia because of more trouble with his right shoulder that sidelined him earlier this season.Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters Tuesday that Irving would see a specialist this week.Irving has missed 26 games during his first season in Brooklyn with an impingement. He has played in just 20 of the Nets’ 53 games.Also around the NBA:— The Pistons and Reggie Jackson have agreed on a contract buyout that allows the veteran guard to sign with another team. Jackson is in the final season of his five-year, $80 million deal he signed in 2015 with the Pistons, who acquired him earlier that year in a trade with Oklahoma City. The 29-year-old Jackson is averaging 14.9 points and 5.1 assists this season, but he has been limited to just 14 games due to a back injury. UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is moving toward allowing all Division I athletes to transfer one time without sitting out a season of competition.A plan to change the waiver process is expected to be presented to the Division I Council in April. If adopted, new criteria would go into effect for the 2020-21 academic year. Currently, football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s hockey and baseball players must sit out one season after transferring.The NCAA’s announcement comes a day after the ACC became the second Power Five conference to publicly support the so-called one-time exception for all transfers. The Big Ten announced its support last fall.COLLEGE FOOTBALL-MICHIGAN STATE-NCAASpartans reportedly looking into allegations DeBartolo Jr. built the San Francisco 49ers’ 1980s-1990s dynasty. He was involved in one of the biggest owners’ scandals in the sport’s history. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license. read more