Sports

By JACOB BENGE Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Taylor Mikesell and Rebeka Mikulasikova each scored 18 points and No. 2 Ohio State beat Northwestern 84-54 on Thursday night to push its program-best, season-opening winning streak to 19 games. The Buckeyes (19-0, 8-0 Big Ten) led wire to wire and closed the first quarter on

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Aliyah Boston had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 1 South Carolina beat Vanderbilt 96-48 for its 25th straight victory. Boston notched her fourth straight double-double and 12th this season, giving the reigning AP national player of the year 72 for her career.

PHILADELPHIA — Led by Lamar Oden Jr.’s 19 points, the Drexel Dragons defeated the Hampton Pirates 79-73 on Thursday night. The Dragons are now 11-8 on the season, while the Pirates moved to 3-16.

By AARON BEARD AP Sports Writer RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Brent Burns, Brady Skjei and Jalen Chatfield scored to give Carolina another productive offensive outing from its blueliners while Frederik Andersen was strong in net to help the Hurricanes beat the Minnesota Wild 5-2. Teuvo Teravainen added a short-handed goal in the second period. Martin

TORONTO (AP) — Auston Matthews scored twice early in the second period, Ilya Samosonov made 37 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 on Thursday night. Mitch Marner and Mark Giordano, into the empty net, also scored for Toronto, and Michael Bunting added two assists. Kyle Connor scored for Winnipeg, and

By ALLAN KREDA Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Swayman made 31 saves to help the Boston Bruins beat the New York Rangers 3-1 for their eighth victory in nine games. Pavel Zacha, Patrice Bergeron and Connor Clifton scored for NHL-leading Boston, which improved to 15-1-3 in its last 19 games. Brad Marchand and

By The Associated Press BURLINGTON, Vt. — Led by Finn Sullivan’s 13 points, the Vermont Catamounts defeated the Maine Black Bears 66-45. The Catamounts are now 9-10 with the win and the Black Bears fell to 6-12.

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Camryn Weston scored 14 points to lead the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders past the Charlotte 49ers 62-58 on Thursday night. The Blue Raiders improved to 12-7 with the victory and the 49ers fell to 12-7.

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Tom Telesco and the Los Angeles Chargers have spent most of their time “licking their wounds” after last Saturday’s second-half collapse in an AFC wild-card round game at Jacksonville. The general manager will only have a little more time to wallow, with many questions

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Georgia Amoore scored 16 of her 21 points in the second half, Taylor Soule and Elizabeth Kitley had double-doubles and No. 12 Virginia Tech held off Pittsburgh 69-62. Amoore, who had five 3-pointers, made a pair of clutch 3s in the fourth quarter, first when the Panthers pulled within four and again

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals and Aroldis Chapman have agreed to a $3.75 million, one-year contract. A person familiar with the deal confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract is pending a successful physical for the seven-time All-Star.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Saniya Rivers scored 14 points, Mimi Collins and Camille Hobby each added 11 points and No. 20 North Carolina State beat Miami 71-61. N.C. State led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter but Miami started the fourth on a 10-2 run, capped by back-to-back 3-pointers by Haley

BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) — Longtime South Dakota State coach John Stiegelmeier announced his retirement less than two weeks after the school won its first Football Championship Subdivision title. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Rogers was named Stiegelmeier’s successor and will be introduced at a news conference Friday. Stiegelmeier had been head coach since 1997 when the Jackrabbits

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have signed infielder Tommy La Stella to a one-year contract, adding another versatile veteran to their roster. La Stella spent the past two seasons with San Francisco but was designated for assignment by the Giants in late December. La Stella signed a three-year, $18.75 million deal with before the

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told NCAA investigators in multiple meetings this week that he will not agree to an unethical conduct charge, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation have not been

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan says he’s won his appeal of the NFL’s decision to fine him $50,000 for allegedly faking an injury during a game at Tampa Bay. And a person familiar with the situation says the NFL also has rescinded separate fines against

By JOHN DUERDEN Associated Press Iraq has won the Gulf Cup for the first time since 1988 with a 3-2 victory over Oman but the triumph was marred by a deadly stampede outside the Basra International Stadium. The disaster could have repercussions for the country’s 2026 World Cup hopes. It was a blow for organizers

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City has cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points after scoring four goals in the second half to beat Tottenham 4-2. The defending champion’s title defense looked in danger of suffering another blow before goals from Julian Alvarez,

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t had much of a chance to show how well they can play at full strength this season. The Bucks’ three best players are two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. The three of them have played together in