Sports

By The Associated Press HOUSTON — Led by Eli Lawrence’s 21 points, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders defeated the Rice Owls 71-68. The Blue Raiders are now 10-7 with the win and the Owls fell to 11-5.

By The Associated Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Led by Logan Dye’s 19 points, the Samford Bulldogs defeated the Wofford Terriers 83-58. The Bulldogs are now 11-7 on the season, while the Terriers moved to 10-8.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Led by Noah Collier’s and Anders Nelson’s 15 points, the William & Mary Tribe defeated the Hampton Pirates 81-65 on Wednesday night. The Tribe moved to 7-10 with the victory and the Pirates fell to 3-14.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Led by Gediminas Mokseckas’ 20 points, the Campbell Fighting Camels defeated the South Carolina Upstate Spartans 78-63 on Wednesday night. The Fighting Camels improved to 7-10 with the victory and the Spartans fell to 8-8.

MACON, Ga. — Led by Marcus Foster’s 25 points, the Furman Paladins defeated the Mercer Bears 84-66 on Wednesday night. The Paladins are now 13-5 with the win and the Bears dropped to 7-11.

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer LAS VEGAS (AP) — UFC President Dana White took responsibility in a news conference Wednesday for slapping his wife, Anne, on New Year’s Eve. White was caught on video made public by TMZ slapping his wife while they vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The video shows his slap

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Two people with knowledge of the deal say veteran slugger Nelson Cruz has agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. The people spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is pending a physical and had

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern has hired an outside attorney to investigate alleged hazing within its football program. The school says it “immediately” hired attorney Maggie Hickey of law firm ArentFox Schiff to lead the investigation after it was made aware of the alleged hazing following this past season. The school says Hickey will likely

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Van Noy wants wants his Los Angeles Chargers teammates to know their postseason inexperience means absolutely nothing as this franchise returns to the postseason after a four-year absence. Van Noy won two Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and racked up

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer A person with knowledge of the decision has told The Associated Press that Mike LaFleur is out as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets after two seasons. LaFleur’s future with the team was uncertain after Zach Wilson struggled mightily in his second season and the offense

By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Carlos Correa finally has a deal done. He passed his physical exam and finalized a $200 million, six-year contract with Minnesota. Correa agreed to return to the Twins after richer deals with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets both dissolved over concerns by those

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Reliever Adam Ottavino’s $14.5 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets includes $8 million in deferred money that will not be fully paid until January 2035. His agreement, announced Dec. 27, follows a $102 million, five-year deal with closer Edwin Díaz that includes $26.5

By BRIAN HALL Associated Press EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings could be looking at fill-ins at center and right tackle against the New York Giants’ talented defensive front as Minnesota hosts New York Sunday afternoon in the playoffs. Center Garrett Bradbury returned to practice Wednesday after missing the final five games of the

By The Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young is sidelined with a non-COVID-19 illness and will not play Wednesday night against Milwaukee. Coach Nate McMillan says Young woke up not feeling well. Rookie AJ Griffin is likely to start in Young’s spot. He has a big role to fill considering Young

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that Mike LaFleur is out as offensive coordinator of the New York Jets after two seasons. LaFleur’s future with the team was uncertain after Zach Wilson struggled mightily in his second season and the offense was

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Wade Miley would earn all of his $1.5 million in performance bonuses if he pitches 150 innings this season as part of his $4.5 million, one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Miley’s agreement calls for a $3.5 million salary this year and includes a $10 million mutual option for 2022 with a

By KATHY McCORMACK Associated Press CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A second arrest has been made in the case of the daughter of MLB Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley who gave birth in the woods in New Hampshire in subfreezing temperatures. Police in the city of Manchester said Wednesday that George Theberge was arrested and

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago State is considering adding a Division I football team. A Predominantly Black Institution with an enrollment of about 2,300, the South Side school announced Wednesday a committee of faculty, staff, students, partners, community leaders, and “long-standing stakeholders across all levels of football in and around Chicago” will study in the coming

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The “Prayers for Damar 3” have been answered. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is finally home. Nine days after he stunned and saddened his teammates by going into cardiac arrest and being resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati, and placed the NFL on hold,