AP National Sports

BOONE, N.C. — Led by Tyree Boykin’s 16 points, the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 63-62 on Thursday night. The Mountaineers are now 8-8 with the win and the Chanticleers fell to 7-7.

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Sophomore Johnell Davis came off the bench to score 36 points — doubling his career high — and Florida Atlantic held off UAB 88-86 to run its win streak to 12 while grabbing the top spot in Conference USA. Davis, who scored 18 points in each half, made 11 of

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — All-Star Kevin Hayes scored one of five Philadelphia Flyers goals in the second period to lift them to their fourth straight win, 6-2 over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night. Hayes was a surprise selection as the Flyers’ selection to All-Star weekend, earning the nod over

NEW YORK (AP) — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin were among the first round of All-Star selections revealed by the NHL. Crosby was selected for his ninth All-Star Game and Ovechkin his 13th, a Washington Capitals record. The league’s hockey operations department picked the first 32 All-Stars, one from each team. Fans will choose the

By LEAH WILLINGHAM Associated Press CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A federal judge in West Virginia has ruled that the state’s ban on transgender athletes competing in female sports is constitutional and can remain in place. The American Civil Liberties Union and its West Virginia chapter had filed the lawsuit in 2021 on behalf of an

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan State football player has pleaded guilty to misdemeanors for a skirmish inside the Michigan Stadium tunnel after a game in October. As part of a plea deal, a felony charge against Khary Crump was dropped on Thursday. His record will be scrubbed clean if he stays out of

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — For Mike McGlinchey, his “welcome to the NFL” moment came as a rookie back in 2018 with the San Francisco 49ers when he lined up against J.J. Watt in a joint practice in Houston and got flattened in a drill. McGlinchey and the

By JOHN WAWROW and CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has begun to communicate in writing with his family and others who have been at his bedside since he went into cardiac arrest three days ago — and his first question was, “Did we win?” his doctors

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) — Chaz Lucius completed a hat trick in overtime and the United States beat Sweden 8-7 on Thursday to finish third in the world junior hockey championship. Canada faced the Czech Republic in the championship game Thursday night. Lucius ended the 3-on-3 extra period when he flipped a backhander over goalie

By The Associated Press The Baltimore Ravens no longer have a chance to win the AFC North because of the NFL’s decision to cancel Monday night’s game between Buffalo and Cincinnati. The game was suspended when Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped on the field. Hamlin is recovering at a Cincinnati hospital. If the Bengals

By The Associated Press The NFC-East leading Philadelphia Eagles will look to lock up the NFC East and the No. 1 seed for the playoffs in their third opportunity with a victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. New York clinched its first playoff berth since 2016 last week and is locked into the

By The Associated Press The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams will close out the regular season on Sunday with playoff hopes at stake for the home team. Seattle needs a victory over the Rams and Detroit to beat Green Bay in the Sunday night game to qualify for the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks beat

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The horror that swept across the NFL when Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a game this week in Cincinnati was all too familiar to members of the hockey community. Five players in the NHL over the past 25 years who collapsed

LONDON (AP) — Manchester City trimmed the gap to Premier League leader Arsenal to five points by beating Chelsea 1-0 after Pep Guardiola’s double substitution paid off immediately at Stamford Bridge. Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish entered in the 60th minute and combined for the only goal three minutes later as Mahrez tapped in from

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins said he’s “in a good place right now” after hearing from Damar Hamlin’s mother about his improvement on Thursday. Higgins was involved in the hit that came right before the Buffalo Bills safety collapsed and went into cardiac arrest on the

By The Associated Press The Green Bay Packers know they’ll reach the playoffs if they beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. The Lions could have a playoff bid at stake as well. The Lions can reach the postseason if they beat the Packers and if the Seattle Seahawks lose to the Los Angeles Rams

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer MADISON, Wis. (AP) — New Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo wants to put one idea to rest. Longo has a reputation as a quarterback-friendly coordinator having used some form of the Air Raid offense at North Carolina and other stops. But that doesn’t mean Wisconsin is going to stop

By The Associated Press The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 18 still in the mix for a playoff spot. The Steelers have won five of six to get to 8-8 heading into a visit from longtime rival Cleveland to end the regular season. Pittsburgh needs to win and have Miami and New England both lose to

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer The head of the International Ice Hockey Federation says he would like a decision on NHL participation in the 2026 Olympics in Italy by the spring of 2024. Federation President Luc Tardif told reporters at the world junior championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that would give the parties involved

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh says he expects to coach Michigan’s football team next season. He has posted a statement on the team’s social media accounts following reports of his interest in returning to the NFL. A person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated