AP National Sports

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Lydia Ko is in total control at the halfway mark of the CME Group Tour Championship. Total control of the season-long scoring and money races, too. Ko shot a 6-under 66 in Friday’s second round of the LPGA Tour’s season finale, pushing her to 13

ATLANTA (AP) — Even though he’ll be out until 2024, the Atlanta Braves have re-signed reliever Tyler Matzek to a $3.1 million, two-year contract. The deal also includes $5.5 million club option for 2025 with no buyout. Matzek appeared in 42 games for the Braves in 2022, going 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA and his

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (AP) — Tyree Appleby scored 23 points for the second straight game, Damari Monsanto had four 3-pointers and 14 points, and Wake Forest beat La Salle 75-63 at the Jamaica Classic. Appleby scored nine straight Wake Forest points early in the second half to take a 48-42 lead. He also scored nine

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (AP) — Tucker DeVries scored 22 points and reserve Sardaar Calhoun scored 13 points and Drake beat Buffalo 80-72 in a Paradise Jam contest on Friday. It is the third-straight season in which the Bulldogs started 3-0. Reserve Roman Penn scored 12 points and Darnell Brodie scored 10 with 10 rebounds.

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Cale Makar skated almost 33 minutes for the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in their victory last night at Carolina. It’s the second-most he has played in his NHL career and the most in a regular-season game. The Avalanche would prefer not to put

AL-RUWAIS, Qatar (AP) — German soccer federation president Bernd Neuendorf has criticized FIFA for its attempts to restrict national teams’ political activities when it comes to human rights. Neuendorf spoke at Germany’s first news conference in Qatar ahead of the World Cup. He says he was particularly annoyed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s letter two

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — KJ Simpson had career-highs of 30 points and six steals and Colorado beat No. 24 Texas A&M 103-75 at the Myrtle Beach Invitational. It was the second ranked opponent Colorado has beaten in a five-day span after topping then-No. 11 Tennessee 78-66 on Sunday. Simpson’s sixth steal led to a fast-break

DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies have claimed Brent Suter off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers and agreed with the pitcher on a $3 million, one-year contract. Suter can earn $200,000 in performance bonuses for innings: $100,000 each for 40 and 60. The 33-year-old left-hander went 5-3 with a 3.78 ERA in 54 appearances this

By FRANK BAJAK AP Technology Writer Elon Musk’s managerial bomb-throwing at Twitter has so thinned the ranks of software engineers who keep the world’s de-facto public square up and running that industry insiders and programmers who were fired or resigned this week agree: Twitter may soon fray so badly it could actually crash. Musk ended

By JOANNA KOZLOWSKA Associated Press LONDON (AP) — WNBA star Brittney Griner has begun serving her nine-year sentence for drug possession at a remote Russian penal colony that human rights advocates say is known for harsh conditions and violent criminals. It’s in a region once synonymous with the Soviet gulag. Griner was convicted Aug. 4

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer The Washington Commanders have agreed to return security deposits to former season ticket holders and pay a $250,000 penalty in a settlement with the state of Maryland. The team has 30 days to return fans’ deposits as part of the arrangement announced by Maryland Attorney Brian E. Frosh. The

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Champagne, whiskey, vodka and even some sommelier-selected wines will be available for some fans at World Cup stadiums in Qatar. And beer also. But the privilege of drinking alcohol will come at a price for this exclusive group of high rollers. Fans will be able

By The Associated Press DUBLIN — Led by Noah Thomasson’s 29 points, Niagara defeated Central Arkansas 73-64 on Friday in the MAAC/ASUN Dublin Challenge in Ireland. The Purple Eagles improved to 1-2 with the victory and the Bears fell to 2-2.

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers backup safety Demontae Kazee has given the team’s secondary an influx of swagger. Kazee made his 2022 debut in Week 10 against New Orleans. He missed the first half of the season while recovering from a wrist injury. Kazee wasted little time making an

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Leon Washington was a dynamic running back in the NFL and an All-Pro kick returner who is tied for the league record with eight kickoffs returned for touchdowns. His competitive nature has taken him from the playing fields to the sidelines as

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Flag-draped fans poured into Qatar on Friday ahead of the Middle East’s first World Cup as organizers banned the sale of beer at stadiums — a last-minute decision that stunned FIFA sponsor Budweiser but was largely welcomed by the country’s conservative Muslims and shrugged off by

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Hip hop star Nicki Minaj has teamed up with Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma and Lebanese singer Myriam Fares for the latest addition to the official soundtrack of the World Cup in Qatar. The single “Tukoh Taka” has lyrics in English, Spanish and Arabic. It was released two days ahead of the start

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Italian referee Daniele Orsato has been chosen to handle the opening game of the World Cup. Host country Qatar will play Ecuador on Sunday. That is three days before Orsato’s 47th birthday. FIFA previously imposed a mandatory age limit of 45 on match officials for international games. Orsato was a video

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Bellator mixed martial arts promotion will make its network television debut on CBS with Fedor Emelianenko taking on heavyweight champion Ryan Bader on Feb. 4. The show will be held at the Forum in Inglewood, California. The light heavyweight belt is also expected to be on the line with Yoel