Sports

By JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington says he’d like to add more to a team that’s played .500 ball over the last three seasons. The Pirates have added Carlos Santana, Ji-Man Choi, catcher Austin Hedges, pitcher Vince Velasquez and first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe. Cherington told reporters on

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson didn’t choose Cleveland because of its weather. But along with a $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Browns, Watson was enticed to join the team after making a strong initial connection with coach Kevin Stefanski, who showed him the possibilities to shine

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks will lose a draft pick for getting started too soon on their pursuit of Jalen Brunson. The NBA penalized the Knicks a second-round selection in the 2025 draft on Wednesday after finding that the Knicks began free-agency discussions involving Brunson before the date allowed. Brunson was the

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — On paper, the Peach Bowl matchup between No. 1 Georgia’s defense and No. 4 Ohio State’s offense is a test of strengths in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Georgia ranks second in the nation with its average of 12.8 points allowed. Ohio State ranks second

By DAVID WOODS Associated Press BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Mackenzie Holmes scored 17 of her 21 points in the first half, and No. 4 Indiana completed an unbeaten nonconference schedule with a 67-50 win over Butler. Yarden Garzon added 13 points and Sydney Parrish 10 for the 12-0 Hoosiers. Rachel McLimore scored 13 and Sydney

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA says it has fined Dallas Mavericks coach $25,000 for coming onto the court to confront a referee and directing inappropriate language toward him during a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kidd was assessed two technical fouls and was ejected late in the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 116-106 loss

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Led by Jahmyl Telfort’s 20 points, the Northeastern Huskies defeated the Davidson Wildcats 73-70 on Wednesday. The Huskies moved to 4-7 with the victory and the Wildcats fell to 7-5.

BALTIMORE — Led by Sam Sessoms’ 28 points, the Coppin State Eagles defeated the James Madison Dukes 107-100 in overtime on Wednesday. The Eagles are now 5-9 on the season, while the Dukes fell to 9-4.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Led by Parker Bjorklund’s 19 points, the Saint Thomas Tommies defeated the North Dakota State Bison 78-68 on Wednesday. The Tommies improved to 11-4 with the victory and the Bison fell to 3-11.

RUSTON, La. — Led by Dravon Mangum’s 22 points, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defeated the Jarvis Christian Bulldogs 108-52 on Wednesday. The Bulldogs moved to 7-5 with the victory.

By DORIAN COLBERT RosterWatch With temperatures dropping, these players will continue to bring the heat to fantasy lineups. Here are the best bets to score in Week 16 of the NFL season.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears’ practice facility was briefly on lockdown Wednesday because of a suspicious package. Team spokesman Brandon Faber says police were called. No one was allowed to leave or enter the team’s suburban campus for about an hour. The Bears practice about 30 miles north of Soldier Field. Chicago

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Veteran outfielder Michael Brantley has signed a one-year, $12 million deal  to remain with the Houston Astros after missing more than half of last season with a shoulder injury. The 2023 season will be Brantley’s fifth with the Astros. Last season he hit .288 with 14

By The Associated Press Pro Football Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Jerome Bettis are among those mourning the death of Franco Harris. The Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back died this week at the age of 72 just before the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception that forever earned him a spot in

By ANTHONY ANDERSON Associated Press SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Maddy Westbeld scored 10 points in four minutes and No. 5 Notre Dame started the second half on a 17-0 spree en route to a 85-57 win over Western Michigan. The 10-1 Fighting Irish led 38-30 at the half, but scored on seven of their

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Shyanne Sellers scored 18 points, Diamond Miller had 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and four blocks and No. 15 Maryland beat Purdue Fort Wayne 88-51 in the final non-conference matchup for the Terps. The game featured sisters Shyanne and Shayla Sellers. They played together at Aurora High School in

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi has hired former Auburn athletic director Allen Greene as an administrator. Greene will be the department’s senior deputy athletic director, vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics Keith Carter announced on Wednesday. Greene will serve as the Rebels’ chief operating officer, oversee the department’s external operations and maintain oversight of the football

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer Women’s college basketball has long had players stick around compared to men’s players making frequent early exits to the pros. Now there are more fifth- and sixth-year players thanks to extra eligibility granted because of the pandemic. No. 11 UCLA had the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class headlined by point

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee rookie Malik Willis appears closer to making the third start this season with the Titans signing Joshua Dobbs off the Detroit practice squad Wednesday. Veteran Ryan Tannehill proved his toughness taping up his sprained right ankle yet again after being carted to

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars ruled out two defensive starters — linebacker Travon Walker and nose tackle Foley Fatukasi — for Thursday night’s game at the New York Jets. Walker (ankle) and Fatukasi (ankle) won’t make the trip to New Jersey for the primetime game that has AFC playoff implications for the Jaguars