Sports

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — There have been 296 players listed as defensemen who have appeared in the NHL so far this season. Only six are All-Stars. Such is the reality for those who play hockey’s most thankless position, one where a player is rarely called upon to score

NEW YORK — Led by Tedrick Wilcox Jr.’s 15 points, the St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers defeated the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils 53-48 on Thursday. The Terriers are now 12-11 on the season, while the Blue Devils dropped to 6-18.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles FC signed Spanish defender Sergi Palencia to a two-year contract through the 2024 season. The 26-year-old Palencia is joining the defending Major League Soccer champions from Saint-Étienne in France’s Ligue 2. His deal with LAFC includes a contract option for 2025. LAFC has undergone significant turnover since winning the

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — The International Olympic Committee has stepped up efforts to explain its position on trying to help Russian athletes qualify for the Paris Games. It comes amid a backlash from Ukraine and its allies. The Olympic body last week mapped a pathway to Paris for athletes from

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Abraham Ancer has a one-shot lead over Sebastian Munoz after his 63 in the first round of the Saudi International. Dustin Johnson withdrew before the start with an injury the Asian Tour described as “tweaking his back.” The $5 million tournament has several players who have signed

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Courtney Vandersloot became the latest star to join the New York Liberty. Vandersloot had played her entire 12-year career with the Chicago Sky. She announced Thursday on social media that she would play with the Liberty this season, a day after Breanna Stewart said she’d

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes strolled through Arrowhead Stadium without any issues with his injured right ankle on Thursday, and the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback expects to practice fully in the next 10 days leading up to the Super Bowl. The injury news was not quite as

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady’s future figures to be busy. The seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback’s retirement announcement ended speculation about if and where Brady might want to play next season, opening the door for numerous off-the-field endeavors that could occupy his time. The 45-year-old future Hall of Famer,

By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has spoken with Alabama coach Nick Saban about filling a vacancy on the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff. The former Fighting Irish quarterback was scheduled to be in Tuscaloosa on Thursday. Alabama needs to replace offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who has returned

INDIANAPOLIS — Led by Kentrell Pullian’s 12 points, the Milwaukee Panthers defeated the IUPUI Jaguars 72-69 on Thursday. The Panthers are now 16-7 with the win and the Jaguars dropped to 3-21.

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer The first Wednesday of February used to be the biggest day on the calendar for college football recruiting. Now it’s an afterthought. Whether that’s a good thing remains up for debate. There’s a movement afoot to alter the recruiting calendar and change the December signing period. The emergence of

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — At 7-foot-4, 290 pounds, Zach Edey towers over most opponents and overpowers pretty much anyone who dares to get between him and the rim. He’s the primary reason Purdue is a unanimous pick as the nation’s top-ranked team. But if anyone has a chance

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — AL batting champion Luis Arraez won his salary arbitration case and will get a $6.1 million salary from the Miami Marlins, who acquired the infielder from the Minnesota Twins last month. Miami argued for a $5 million salary during a hearing before John Stout, Mark Burstein and Scott Buchheit. Arraez

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — Kylian Mbappé has been ruled out for three weeks with a left-thigh tear and will miss the first leg of Paris Saint-Germain’s round-of-16 game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Mbappé sustained the injury in the first half of PSG’s game at Montpellier on Wednesday

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Amanda Serrano decided four years ago to only fight at her most comfortable weight, except for big events like her history-making matchup with Katie Taylor. She spent much of her career bouncing between weight classes, but women boxers had to go wherever there were opportunities.