AP National Sports

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco has been rewarded by FIFA with hosting rights for the next Club World Cup in February. European champion Real Madrid, South American champion Flamengo and Seattle Sounders from the United States will play in the seven-team tournament. The decision by FIFA’s ruling council follows

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — FIFA expects to earn $11 billion through 2026 with a 48-team men’s World Cup in North America set to deliver a huge rise in revenue. The four-year budget was presented to the ruling FIFA Council. It foresees almost 50% increase in income mainly tied to broadcasting and sponsor deals for the

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA and FARAI MUTSAKA Associated Press KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — In at least five African countries, gamblers and experts said that many see the growing sports betting industry as a source of regular income, and a hope out of leaving poverty. Critics warn that sports betting in Africa is underpinned by widespread poverty,

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Jordan Kyrou scored the shootout winner as the St. Louis Blues beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 for their second straight victory. Kyrou also had a goal and two assists in regulation. Robert Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko also scored. Jordan Binnington shut out Edmonton in the tiebreaker. He made 24 saves in

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) — Tyler Lockett broke a bone in his hand in the fourth quarter of Seattle’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver got hurt on Seattle’s final possession. Lockett was hit hard and appeared to fall awkwardly on an incomplete pass with 3:47 remaining. Seattle

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mikal Bridges scored 27 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 13 assists and the Phoenix Suns snapped a five-game losing streak with a 111-95 victory over the depleted Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night. Devin Booker scored 14 points in his return from a

By W.G. RAMIREZ Associated Press HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Sarah Nurse scored with less than five minutes to play and Canada beat the United States 3-2 on Thursday night after losing the first three games in the seven-game Rivalry Series. Moments after missing its chance to capitalize on a power play, Canada grabbed the lead

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Claire Chaussee had 25 kills, Anna DeBeer filled up the stat sheet and Louisville made history as the first Atlantic Coast Conference team to make the NCAA Volleyball Championship match by beating league rival Pittsburg 3-2 in the semifinals Thursday night. Louisville, which lost a five-set thriller to the Panthers earlier

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Emily Bessoir scored 16 points and No. 10 UCLA survived a late rally to beat Southern California 59-56 on Thursday night in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. Charisma Osborne added 14 points and 13 rebounds and Kiki Rice scored 14 points for the Bruins

By JOHN COON Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 39 points and had eight rebounds in the Utah Jazz’s 132-129 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. Clarkson was 15 of 26 from the field and made seven 3-pointers to help Utah sweep the two-game set

By CLAY BAILEY Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Memphis Grizzlies pounded the Milwaukee Bucks 142-101. Dillon Brooks added 18 points and Tyus Jones had 16 as eight Grizzlies scored in double figures. Memphis led from start to finish in its seventh straight

By MATT CARLSON Associated Press CHICAGO (AP) — Reilly Smith scored twice and rookie Logan Thompson made 23 saves to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Smith got a short-handed goal in the second period while the last-place Blackhawks were using five forwards on their top power-play unit.

By EDDIE PELLS AP Sports Writer Russian athletes face major hurdles before they can return to the Olympics in track and field. In an interview this week, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe sketched out a two-part process for Russian reinstatement. First, long-running doping sanctions against Russia would have to be lifted. Only then would World

By MICHAEL KELLY Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 40 saves, Tage Thompson had a goal and two assists and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Thursday night. Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and an assist, Alex Tuch also scored for Buffalo and Tyson Jost had an assist in his

EDINBURG, Texas — The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros defeated the Southwestern Christian Eagles 106-80 led by Justin Johnson’s 31 points. The Vaqueros are now 7-4 on the season, while the Eagles moved to 0-1.

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Led by Jordan Brown’s 20 points, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated the McNeese Cowboys 78-70. The Ragin’ Cajuns improved to 10-1 with the win and the Cowboys fell to 4-8.

PROVO, Utah — Led by Gideon George’s 21 points, the BYU Cougars defeated the Western Oregon Wolves 97-64. The Cougars moved to 7-5 with the victory and the Wolves dropped to 0-1.