Gonzaga Dominates Saint Mary's, Bolsters NCAA Tournament Hopes

Gonzaga Dominates Saint Mary’s, Bolsters NCAA Tournament Hopes

Gonzaga Bolsters NCAA Tournament Hopes with Victory over Saint Mary’s

MORAGA, Calif. – No. 23 Gonzaga Bulldogs secured a crucial 70-57 victory over No. 17 Saint Mary’s Gaels on Saturday night, bolstering their chances of an NCAA Tournament berth.

Graham Ike led the Bulldogs with 24 points, continuing his impressive streak of scoring at least 20 points in seven consecutive games. Ryan Nembhard contributed 20 points and 10 assists, while Ben Gregg added 12 points.

Saint Mary’s, who had won 16 straight games, struggled to contain Gonzaga’s offense. The Bulldogs shot 64% in the first half, building a 44-28 halftime lead. Aidan Mahaney led the Gaels with 16 points, while Mitchell Saxen added 13.

Gonzaga’s victory was particularly significant as they had lost to Saint Mary’s at home earlier in the season. The Bulldogs have now won eight straight games since that defeat, including three Quad 1 victories.

The win puts Gonzaga in a strong position heading into the WCC Tournament. The Bulldogs are now 24-6 overall and 14-2 in conference play. Saint Mary’s, who clinched the WCC title on Thursday, will also participate in the tournament.

Gonzaga’s streak of 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances was in jeopardy before this recent surge. However, their impressive run has put them in a good position to receive an at-large bid if necessary.

Saint Mary’s, on the other hand, will need to rely on their defense and ball protection to continue their success in the WCC Tournament. They will face a tough challenge in the semifinals against either Gonzaga or BYU.

Liverpool's Injury-Hit Squad Continues to Triumph with Last-Gasp Victory

Liverpool’s Injury-Hit Squad Continues to Triumph with Last-Gasp Victory

Liverpool’s relentless pursuit of victories continues despite facing a barrage of injuries and relying heavily on academy prospects. In a thrilling encounter at Nottingham Forest, Darwin Nunez emerged as the hero, scoring a dramatic header in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure a 1-0 victory. This triumph marks Liverpool’s sixth consecutive win across all competitions and their fourth in an 11-day span, including an extra-time victory over Chelsea in the English League Cup final.

Jurgen Klopp, who will depart Liverpool at the end of the season, expressed his astonishment at the team’s recent success. “If you’d told me 12 days ago we would win all four games, I would have said no chance,” he remarked. “In the circumstances, winning the games is ridiculous.”

Manchester City, currently in second place, will aim to close the gap to Liverpool to one point when they face Manchester United in the derby on Sunday. The highly anticipated clash between Liverpool and City at Anfield on March 10 looms large on the horizon.

Despite Liverpool’s injury woes gradually easing, key players such as Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, and Curtis Jones remain sidelined. Klopp opted to start 19-year-old Bobby Clark in midfield alongside Joe Gomez, who was deployed as a defender. Jayden Danns, an 18-year-old forward, made his league debut as a second-half substitute.

“What the boys have squeezed out was special,” Klopp said. “This game didn’t go easy for us. We didn’t have a great rhythm and the boys felt the intensity for the first time.”

Post-match scenes at Nottingham Forest were marred by anger among players and coaching staff, with club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressing his displeasure on the touchline. Forest’s complaints stemmed from the eight minutes of added time awarded by the referee and the fact that they were not given the ball back after Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate sustained a head injury just before the goal.

In other Premier League action, Arsenal, who trail City by a point in third, will visit last-placed Sheffield United on Monday. Chelsea’s hopes of giving Mauricio Pochettino a victory on his 52nd birthday were dashed as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Brentford. The Blues’ away contingent expressed their dissatisfaction with Pochettino, chanting the name of former manager Jose Mourinho and calling for the Argentine’s departure.

Aston Villa maintained their grip on fourth place with an 89th-minute winner at Luton, responding to Tottenham’s come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Lucas Digne’s header sealed a 3-2 win for Villa, who remain five points ahead of Tottenham but have played one game more.

Blue Jackets Stun Blackhawks, Halt Losing Streak

Blue Jackets Stun Blackhawks, Halt Losing Streak

The Columbus Blue Jackets, the worst team in the Eastern Conference, stunned the Chicago Blackhawks, the worst team in the Western Conference, with a 5-2 victory on Saturday night. The win snapped the Blue Jackets’ two-game losing streak and dropped Chicago to 0-4-2 in its last six games.

Alexandre Texier opened the scoring for Columbus just 33 seconds into the game, taking advantage of a giveaway by Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones. Boone Jenner doubled the lead with a deflection of Zach Werenski’s shot at 14:05 of the first period.

The Blackhawks finally got on the board with 2:28 left in the first on Philipp Kurashev’s goal, but the Blue Jackets responded with two more goals in the second period. Mathieu Olivier scored at 3:09, assisted by Werenski, and Cole Sillinger made it 4-1 midway through the period.

Johnny Gaudreau added an empty-netter for Columbus in the final minute of the game. Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets, while Arvid Soderblom stopped 26 shots for the Blackhawks.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on us now,” said Merzlikins. “The last few games we’re playing against teams and not even looking at where they’re at in the standings, top or in the bottom.”

The Blackhawks have now lost six straight games and are 1-6-3 in their last 10 home games. They will start a three-game road trip on Monday in Colorado.

“It was a really sloppy game right from the start,” said Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson. “We played really slow. They kept coming at us. It’s a bad combination. We went down the wrong path.”

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, will host Vegas on Monday.

Vinicius Rescues Madrid with Brace, Bellingham Red-Carded in Thrilling Valencia Draw

Vinicius Rescues Madrid with Brace, Bellingham Red-Carded in Thrilling Valencia Draw

Vinicius Junior’s brace rescued Real Madrid from a potential defeat, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with two goals in quick succession during the first half. Hugo Duro headed in Fran Perez’s shot, while Roman Yarermchuk capitalized on Dani Carvajal’s loose pass to score into an empty net.

Vinicius ignited Madrid’s comeback just before halftime, reducing the deficit with a close-range finish. He completed his brace in the 76th minute, heading home from close range to level the score. The match remained a thrilling affair until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner.

In a dramatic climax, Jude Bellingham thought he had secured victory for Valencia with a header in the dying moments. However, the referee blew the whistle for full-time before the cross entered the box, nullifying the goal. Madrid players protested vehemently, but the decision stood. Amid the chaos, Bellingham was shown a red card for his protests.

Vinicius’ return to the Mestalla was marked by a hostile reception from the home fans. He was racially abused last season at the same stadium, and on Sunday, he faced chants of “Vinicius is stupid” and constant booing.

In response, Vinicius celebrated his first goal by raising his fist towards the Valencia fans. After his equalizer, he cupped his ears, seemingly asking for more from the jeering crowd.

Despite the adversity, Vinicius remained unfazed and played a pivotal role in Madrid’s comeback. His performance underlined his resilience and determination, proving that he is not easily deterred by hostile environments.

Madrid’s draw maintains their seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings. They are now nine points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.

Ash Barty Shines in Golf and Tennis, Rules Out Professional Return

Ash Barty Shines in Golf and Tennis, Rules Out Professional Return

Ash Barty, the three-time Grand Slam tennis champion, showcased her diverse athletic abilities this week in New Zealand. While she narrowly missed the cut at the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship in golf, she made headlines with her impressive performance on the tennis court.

Barty, who also played cricket professionally for a brief period, displayed her exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism in both sports. Despite missing the cut in golf by two shots, she enjoyed a strong second round in the team event at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown.

When asked about the possibility of pursuing professional golf or returning to professional tennis, Barty unequivocally stated, “The answer is no to both.” She emphasized her love for playing tennis as a hobby and the joy she finds in spending time outdoors.

“I love playing as a hobby and it’s obviously lovely to get outside for 18, go for a walk, and enjoy it,” Barty said.

Barty’s retirement from tennis at the age of 25 after winning the 2022 Australian Open marked a remarkable end to her illustrious career. Since then, she has embraced motherhood and found time to indulge in her passion for tennis.

Her recent performance in New Zealand serves as a testament to her enduring athleticism and the joy she derives from participating in sports. While she may not be pursuing professional golf or tennis, Barty’s love for both sports remains evident.

India Soars to Top of World Test Championship Standings

India Soars to Top of World Test Championship Standings

India has ascended to the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, as per the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday. This elevation follows Australia’s triumph over New Zealand in the Wellington Test.

India’s dominance is reflected in their impressive points percentage of 64.58, propelling them to the top spot. New Zealand, the previous table-toppers, now occupy the second position with a points percentage of 60.00. Australia has slipped to third place, boasting a points percentage of 59.09.

India’s commanding position in the ongoing five-Test home series against England, where they hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, provides them with an opportunity to further cement their status at the summit of the WTC table. A victory in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, commencing on March 7, would solidify their dominance.

The WTC, inaugurated in 2019, is a two-year tournament that pits the world’s top Test-playing nations against each other in a league format. The top two teams at the conclusion of the league stage will qualify for the final, scheduled to be held in June 2023 at The Oval in London.

India’s rise to the top of the WTC standings is a testament to their consistent performances in Test cricket. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team has achieved notable victories both at home and abroad. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a key factor in their success.

As the WTC progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with all teams vying for a place in the final. India’s position at the top of the table provides them with a significant advantage, but they will need to maintain their momentum and continue to perform at a high level to secure their place in the championship match.

Lightning End Home Losing Streak with Shootout Win over Canadiens

Lightning End Home Losing Streak with Shootout Win over Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning snapped their four-game home losing streak with a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night. The win propelled the Lightning into a tie with the Detroit Red Wings for the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

Victor Hedman sealed the victory in the sixth round of the shootout, while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves in regulation to tie Tiny Thompson for 49th place in NHL wins with 284.

Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli scored second-period goals to tie the game at 2-2 after Montreal’s Joel Armia and Jake Evans had given the Canadiens an early lead. Tyler Motte’s short-handed goal with 9:42 remaining in regulation pulled Tampa Bay even again after Josh Anderson had put Montreal ahead 3-2.

Nikita Kucherov, the NHL’s leading scorer, picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 11 games. He now has 105 points on the season.

The Canadiens, who are 2-7-2 over their last 11 games, were coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the NHL-leading Florida Panthers on Thursday night. Cayden Primeau stopped 30 shots during regulation for Montreal.

In overtime, Montreal killed off Cole Caufield’s hooking penalty, despite Tampa Bay getting four shots during the man advantage.

The Lightning will host the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, while the Canadiens will play at Nashville on Tuesday night.

Chahal's Exclusion from BCCI Contracts Raises Eyebrows

Chahal’s Exclusion from BCCI Contracts Raises Eyebrows

Indian cricket team spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and wrestler Sangeeta Phogat shared a light-hearted moment during the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa wrap-up party on Friday, and the video of their banter has gone viral on social media. In the video, Phogat can be seen lifting Chahal on her back and spinning him before the cricketer requested her to stop as his head was seemingly spinning. Chahal’s wife Dhanashree Verma is among the five finalists in the dance reality show, and he earlier requested fans to vote for her.

Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra has expressed his surprise over the leg spinner being excluded from the central contracts of the BCCI. He added that Chahal’s ouster means the selection committee is looking at other options.

“I am a bit surprised that Yuzi Chahal’s name is not there. Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, and Shikhar Dhawan – their names not being there, I can understand. Even Deepak Hooda for that matter. But Chahal’s name not being there – what does that signify? It seems to indicate that they (BCCI) are looking in a different direction. This is a validation of the theory. He might have had a ray of hope, but it wasn’t to be. His name is not there,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

The out-of-favour duo of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were excluded after ignoring the directive to play Ranji Trophy, while skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli expectedly retained their place in the top bracket as the BCCI unveiled its centrally-contracted players for this year.

The 25-year-old Kishan did not turn up for Jharkhand throughout the team’s campaign in Ranji Trophy despite not being on national duty since leaving from the tour of South Africa in December citing personal reasons. He has instead focused on preparing for the IPL next month.

Iyer, on the other hand, did not make himself available for Mumbai’s Ranji quarterfinal against Baroda after being excluded from the Indian team after the second Test against England. He, however, has been picked for the Ranji semifinals starting March 2.

Pucovski Retires Hurt After Helmet Blow in Sheffield Shield Match

Pucovski Retires Hurt After Helmet Blow in Sheffield Shield Match

Will Pucovski’s concussion woes continue as he is forced to retire hurt in Sheffield Shield match

Will Pucovski’s injury-plagued career took another unfortunate turn on Friday when he was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet by a Riley Meredith bouncer in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Hobart.

Pucovski, who has a history of concussions, was struck by the short ball from the second delivery he faced and immediately went down on his knees in the crease. The Cricket Australia doctor and Victoria physio were quickly into the middle, and after some time to compose himself, Pucovski was able to walk off the field unaided for further assessment.

Campbell Kellaway was brought into the XI as the concussion substitute. The match is in the fourth innings with Victoria chasing 442.

“Pucovski, who walked from the field, is being monitored by medical staff,” a Cricket Victoria statement said. “More information will be provided at a later stage.”

Pucovski has suffered multiple concussions throughout his career and last month returned from another spell on the sidelines where he made a century against New South Wales at the SCG.

He has also had time away from the game for his mental health and earlier this year spoke about how he has learned that there is a link between that and his concussions.

“The mental health has been a much bigger issue for me than even the concussions,” he told the Vic State Cricket podcast. “I don’t fear for my long-term health, it’s more the mental health side that’s been the tougher part.”

“One day I’ll be ready to tell my whole story and it will probably make a lot more sense,” he added. “I’ve explained what I’ve been through to my inner circle of people and actually all the responses I’ve got have been like ‘Jesus, I would never have guessed that in a million years, that doesn’t even make sense to me’.”

“It hasn’t made sense to me for years, either, but I’ve been on this pathway to understand it all.”

Pucovski played one Test for Australia in early 2021, against India at the SCG.

Cody Glass Hat Trick Powers Predators to Eighth Straight Win

Cody Glass Hat Trick Powers Predators to Eighth Straight Win

Nashville’s Predators extended their remarkable winning streak to eight games with a dominant 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night. Cody Glass stole the spotlight with his first career hat trick, leading the Predators to their impressive triumph.

The Predators’ relentless attack began in the first period when Glass opened the scoring with a well-placed shot assisted by Colton Sissons. However, the Avalanche responded swiftly with a goal from Nathan MacKinnon, who has been on a scoring tear lately.

In the second period, Glass struck again, showcasing his offensive prowess with a multi-goal performance. Juuse Saros, the Predators’ goalie, played a crucial role in preserving the lead with a key save on a partial breakaway by MacKinnon.

The Predators’ dominance continued in the third period as Ryan O’Reilly extended their lead with a power-play goal. Glass sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final minute, completing his hat trick and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

“It was a thrill,” said Glass, who had only scored two goals before this game. “We have a great team here. To be on an eight-game win streak, everybody is pulling on the same rope.”

The Predators’ winning streak is now tied for the second-longest in franchise history, matching their 10-game run from 2018. Their relentless defense and opportunistic offense have been key factors in their recent success.

“I like our relentlessness,” said Predators coach Andrew Brunette. “I think we’re connected. We’re taking away time and space at a high level right now. That comes from work ethic. That comes from trust.”

Despite the loss, the Avalanche remain a formidable opponent. Coach Jared Bednar acknowledged that his team played well for 40 minutes but faltered in the third period.

“I thought we were competitive, played hard, really good game for 40 minutes,” Bednar said. “But I’d say third period, it’s like they got better and we got worse in the third.”

The Predators will look to extend their winning streak when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The Avalanche, meanwhile, will return home to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night.

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