Sports

By DAVE HOGG Associated Press DETROIT (AP) — Khris Middleton scored 34 points against the team that drafted him, and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 126-117 without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee improved to an NBA-best 54-21 despite the absences of Antetokounmpo and Jae Crowder. Goran Dragic made his Bucks debut after signing with the

By JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Michael Pezzetta scored the decisive shootout goal and the Montreal Canadiens avoided playoff elimination by rallying to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Brendan Gallagher forced overtime by scoring his 200th career goal in capping a 3-on-2 rush with a shot from the right

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer Cleveland Guardians starter Triston McKenzie could be sidelined for two months with a shoulder strain, an early blow to the defending AL Central champions. The team said an MRI in Goodyear, Arizona, revealed a strain of his right teres major muscle. He’ll be shut down from throwing for two

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer SEATTLE (AP) — An undefeated South Carolina team led by star Aliyah Boston and guided by vaunted Dawn Staley, an Iowa squad that features high-scoring Caitlin Clark and the return of LSU and flashy coach Kim Mulkey headline the women’s Final Four this weekend. Virginia Tech is the newcomer

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams re-signed defensive lineman Marquise Copeland. The move temporarily halts their wholesale roster exodus after the team’s first losing season in six years. Copeland spent most of his first 2 1/2 NFL seasons on the Rams’ practice squad before the team

PHOENIX (AP) — Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he’s not requiring a first-round pick in a potential trade sending four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets but added he’d want “fair value.” Gutekunst and Jets general manager Joe Douglas both discussed trade talks involving the 39-year-old Rodgers on Monday

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Soccer sensation Wrexham is coming to America. Not just on television screens, but on the pitch. The fifth-tier Welsh side, which has become a fan favorite since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought it and launched a documentary series, “Welcome to Wrexham,” will

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas on Monday named Rodney Terry as full-time head basketball coach, removing the interim tag after he led the Longhorns to the Elite Eight following the midseason firing of Chris Beard. The school scheduled a Tuesday news conference to introduce him as the head coach

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer The showdown between MVP front-runners fizzled Monday when Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid was ruled out against the Nuggets and star Nikola Jokic. Embiid has a sore right calf. He was at the team’s shootaround Monday morning but a trainer wrapped a large ice pack on his right

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Darin Ruf has been cut by the New York Mets as the team set its opening day roster. Speedy outfielder Tim Locastro won the final bench spot over Ruf, who was acquired from San Francisco at the trade deadline last August. Ruf batted only .152

DENTON, Texas (AP) — North Texas has hired Jason Burton as its women’s basketball coach after he spent the last nine seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce. Burton replaces Jalie Mitchell, who a week earlier announced her departure after eight seasons coaching her alma mater. Mitchell was 111-127, including an 11-20 record this season. Texas A&M Commerce

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was ejected Monday in a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays for an awkward ball exchange that followed a pitch-clock violation. The home plate umpire had just finished calling a ball on Phillies pitcher Craig Kimbrel for taking too long on the mound when

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The Texas Rangers released veteran catcher Sandy León from his minor league contract after breaking camp from Arizona. Texas announced the move before an exhibition game at home in Texas on Monday night against Kansas City. León signed with the Rangers just before the start of spring training. The 34-year-old catcher

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Soccer sensation Wrexham AFC is coming to America. Not just on television screens, but on the pitch. The fifth-tier Welsh side has become a fan favorite since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought it and launched a documentary series, “Welcome to Wrexham.” Wrexham

TROY, Ala. (AP) — Jon Sumrall has agreed to a new four-year contract as Troy’s coach after leading the Trojans to a Sun Belt Conference championship and national ranking in his debut season. The school didn’t release details of the deal. The Trojans went 12-2 and won their final 11 games, second only to national

VINELAND, N.J. (AP) — Tiger Woods and Mike Trout have joined forces in a new golf club. Trout is the three-time American League MVP with the Los Angeles Angels and a 10-time All-Star. He has always wanted to create a private club near his roots in southern New Jersey. It’s going to be called Trout

By GARY B. GRAVES AP Sports Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Brian Dutcher lays out San Diego State’s mission in plain talk to avoid any confusion. “We’re a defensive-first team,” the sixth-year coach said after the Aztecs muscled past Creighton 57-56 on Sunday and into their first Final Four. “Everybody knows that about us, and

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer North Carolina guard Caleb Love says he will enter his name into the transfer portal after three seasons with the Tar Heels. Love announced his decision with a social media post Monday. The 6-foot-4 Love had big moments during an unexpected run to last year’s national championship game though

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Kylian Mbappé is captaining France to a comfortable start in qualifying for the European Championship. Though Mbappé was kept quiet by Ireland, defender Benjamin Pavard’s 50th-minute shot earned a 1-0 win in Dublin. Forward Dušan Vlahović struck twice late for Serbia in a 2-0 win at