11242022 NEWS AND SPORT

Senate president tells joint sitting: ‘RAPE IS RAPE’

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

SENATE President LaShell Adderley called yesterday for the crimi nalisation of marital rape, saying rape is rape no matter the context.

“Our long walk to free dom has not yet ended when the marital bed has become a violent mat tress,” she said. “Rape is rape; notwithstanding the context. The Bible reminds us that men ought to love their wives in the way that Christ loves the church and died for it.

“This love is defined in 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 as being patient, kind, and not delighting in evil. Free dom and justice demand legislation which outlaws spousal rape,” Ms Adder ley said.

Ms Adderley’s com ments came during a special joint sitting at the House of Assembly which brought members of Parliament and Sena tors together in the lower chamber. The joint

sitting celebrated the con tributions that Bahamian women have made to the national development of the country.

The joint sitting also highlighted the com memoration of the 60th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote and the efforts of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Ms Adderley in her remarks pointed out that the “long walk to free dom” for women has not ended yet, saying women are indiscriminately vic tims of gender-based violence and there is no domestic violence legisla tion for their protection.

“Freedom, justice and equality demands a Gen der-Based Violence Act now,” she stressed.

She also highlighted the need for improvement in the treatment of women, such as women not receiving the same salary compensation, promotion and benefits as their male counterparts.

‘NO POLICE PROBE’ OF LANISHA ROLLE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

investigations on the matter were still in its early stages.

“Nobody is investigat ing Lanisha Rolle, ma’am,” he said when contacted by this newspaper yesterday.

MPS ANSWER ON WHETHER THEY HAD FTX INVESTMENTS

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL members of Parliament yesterday said they had no FTX invest ments, while one confirmed receiving a donation from the collapsed crypto exchange firm.

The MPs were canvassed days after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told reporters that he had no knowledge of the Progres sive Liberal Party, which he leads, receiving any money from FTX.

Mr Davis also said he did not know whether any Cab inet ministers held any FTX digital wallets or portfolios.

Among those canvassed yesterday was Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper who said he has not invested in FTX.

‘NATION IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO SAVE REPUTATION’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER finance minister yesterday argued that not enough is being done to protect The Baha mas’ integrity - and that of its entire financial services industry - which is “under attack” from all sides over FTX’s implosion.

Kwasi Thompson, min ister of state for finance in the former Minnis admin istration, warned in the House of Assembly that the country’s failure to properly defend itself from inter national criticism over the crypto currency exchange’s collapse was enabling out siders to spin the narrative it was a “poorly-regulated jurisdiction”.

He said police were looking into some “irregu larities” at the ministry, but could not say if those irreg ularities occurred when the Minnis administration was

“The police are conduct ing some investigations into some irregularities, but I do not know, or I cannot say at this time that Lanisha Rolle or anyone in particular is being investigated. That’s all I can say.”

DEPUTY Commissioner of Police Leamond Dele veaux yesterday denied reports that former Youth, Sports and Culture Minis ter Lanisha Rolle is being investigated by police.

in power or during Mrs Rolle’s tenure. He also noted that

FRONT

FORMER YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle.

SENATE President LaShell Adderley at yesterday’s joint sitting of the House of Assembly.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Saucy McRib!

JUNKANOO CORRECTION

IN Wednesday’s edi tion of The Tribune, a story under the headline “Groups in Countdown to Junkanoo” incorrectly attributed comments to

Valley Boys chairman Brian Adderley. However, the comments in the article were made by Valley Boys deputy chair man Patrick Adderley.

THE JOINT sitting of Parliament in honour of the 60th anniversary of the woman’s suffrage movement.

Photos: Austin Fernander

LESLIA Miller Brice MP in Parliament yesterday.

MINISTER of Housing and Transport Jobeth Coleby-Davis.

MAXINE Seymour at yesterday’s joint sitting of Parliament.

PIA Glover Rolle speaking yesterday.

THE JOINT sitting of Parliament in honour of the 60th anniversary of the woman’s suffrage movement yesterday.

Senate president tells joint sitting ‘Rape is rape’

from page one

The meeting yesterday marked the first time a joint sitting was chaired by two women, House Speaker Patricia Deveaux and Ms Adderley.

When asked by report ers outside of the House of Assembly how she would respond to those who have criticised her manage ment and running of the House, Speaker Deveaux responded: “Anytime a woman is in charge her aggressiveness is always misconstrued.”

She added: “I’m saying this to say, a woman has to work double down hard when you’re in a man’s world. And so, my aggres siveness is not just to put them in their place. But to take control of the House and make sure that the people’s business is con ducted in the right fashion

‘Our long walk to freedom has not yet ended when the marital bed has become a violent mattress. Rape is rape; notwithstanding the context.’

and that is expected by this country.”

Ms Deveaux defended her running of the House of Assembly.

“I’m bringing decorum and respect back to the floor,” she said.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Glenys HannaMartin in her remarks highlighted women who have made great strides to development and status of the country.

“In this gallery joining us, for this solemn occasion, is an array of distinguished

women former parlia mentarians who are the tangible expression of women obtaining a fran chise that is the full participation in the political process.”

Ms Hanna-Martin applauded these women for their contributions and efforts to the country over the years.

Among those in attend ance at the special joint sitting were Dame Janet Bostwick, who was the first woman elected to serve in the House of Assembly; Italia Johnson, who was the first female Speaker of the House of Assembly; Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, who was the first woman to serve as deputy prime min ister, and former Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

Also in the gallery during the special joint sitting were the wives of former and current prime ministers.

PRESIDENT of the Senate Lashell Adderley at yesterday’s joint sitting of Parliament.

Photos: Austin Fernander

DAME Janet Bostwick with Ann Marie Davis, the wife of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin speaking yesterday.

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin flanked by Dame Janet Bostwick and Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, along with female Members of Parliament and Senate.

MPS ANSWER ON WHETHER THEY HAD FTX INVESTMENTS

“I don’t have any fur ther comments, I have no further comments. But I will answer that I’m not invested in FTX,” he said while walking into the foyer of Parliament.

Mr Cooper, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and minister for tourism, avia tion and investments, was earlier asked if he believed the collapse of FTX would influence the country’s tour ism industry.

“I don’t see that this matter is going to impact tourism, one way or the other,” he said outside the House of Assembly. “We have a very strong

brand in the international community. We have a significant marketing machinery. We’ve been doing a lot of missions around the world and it’s all positive for tourism.”

MPs who confirmed they did not invest in FTX or receive any donations from the firm were Myles Laroda, state minister for disaster preparedness, Labour and Immigra tion Minister Keith Bell, Parliamentary Secretary Bacchus Rolle, Youth Sports and Culture Min ister Mario Bowleg, and Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller-Brice.

Meanwhile, State Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, Golden Gates MP, confirmed she did not have investments in FTX.

However, she said she received a contribution of ten laptops from FTX for her constituency’s after school homework assis tance programme.

Mrs Glover-Rolle added that the contribution was about three to four months ago.

Mr Bowleg also told reporters that he did not have investments in FTX.

But he said that if the crypto currency firm had

offered him something based on its success and profit in the past, he may have “purchased” assets of the company.

Meanwhile, Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC, former attorney general and FTX attorney, declined to comment when asked about FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Mrs May nard-Gibson also did not comment when asked if she had any investments in FTX.

She told reporters her focus was on the cel ebration of women as yesterday’s morning sitting at Parliament was a joint

sitting between senators and MPs, which focused on the accomplishments of women.

House Speaker Patri cia Deveaux also said she didn’t have any invest ments with FTX nor did she receive contributions from the company.

The Bahamas has caught headlines in the interna tional media over the FTX saga. Some commentary has been critical of this country’s digital asset reg ulations, saying it is one thing to have such laws, but another to enforce them.

On Monday, Mr Davis

branded criticisms lev elled at the country in the international media as an “unfair” characterisation.

Asked what he would say about the criticisms launched at the country in the wake of FTX’s col lapse, Mr Davis said: “I think it’s unfair. It’s an unfair characterisation. I’m not concerned about our reputation in that regard because most of what is being said is the postur ing of persons who would wish to have the liquidation under their control so once that is settled you will see that everything will blow over.”

Minnis: Govt needs to give answers over FTX

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minis ter Dr Hubert Minnis has insisted there are many FTX-related questions that need answers by the Davis administration.

As The Bahamas based crypto exchange fund’s col lapse is news around the world, the Killarney MP said the spotlight has been shone on FTX’s conduct and the people behind the operation.

Dr Minnis said the lin gering questions included whether Prime Minister Philip “Davis” and his government did any busi ness with FTX, which committed money from the government.

He also wants the Prime Minister to say whether his law firm conducted business with or on behalf of FTX

or any of its associated companies.

Dr Minnis continued: “Did the Prime Minister or any of his Cabinet or his senior advisors invest in or have investments in FTX? Has the Prime Min ister been a beneficiary of any business or funds from FTX?

“Did the Prime Minister or any of his Cabinet or his senior advisors benefit in any way from FTX?

“Can the government confirm the date or dates when any responsible supervisory authority made ‘on-site’ visits and inspec tions of the operations, ledgers of accounts and books of FTX or any associ ated entity in The Bahamas, with full particularity as to the dates and time taken in such on-site visits and inspections?

“Has the government launched any criminal investigation against Mr

Bankman-Fried (former CEO of FTX) or any of his colleagues at FTX?”

Police have already said that they are investigating if any criminal wrongdoing occurred at FTX.

Earlier this week, Mr Davis told reporters that he had no knowledge of the Progressive Liberal Party, which he leads, receiving any money from FTX. He said he did not know whether any Cabi net ministers held any FTX digital wallets or portfolios.

He also said: “I don’t hold any wallet and I’m not aware of any of my Cabinet ministers.”

He also denied that the government had invested in any form with FTX.

Yesterday, however, Dr Minnis also said the question of how many Bahamians are known to have invested money in FTX and how much money

did they stand to lose based on FTX’s alleged transfer of billions in clients’ money to Alameda Research, its hedge fund, should be answered.

“What is the govern ment doing to ascertain the number?” Dr Minnis questioned, adding: “The Prime Minister and any other ministers or govern ment advisors, including the Prime Minister’s chief policy advisor, need to fully disclose what financial dis cussions he had with FTX pertaining to the Bahamian people’s money or assets.”

The former Prime Min ister posed the questions to the media after he was prevented yesterday from raising the FTX matter at Parliament during the afternoon sitting and during his contribution to the proposed mental health bill.

However, as he attempted to continue, Leader of Gov ernment Business in House Obie Wilchcombe inter jected saying: “The member is aware that if a matter is sub judice it is not to be dis cussed in here. You know full well.

“The former Prime Min ister fully understands the rules. Do not violate the rules because if that were so, we could be asking ques tions about a matter that is sub judice right now and should we do that to your side?”

Still, Dr Minnis contin ued to argue that many of his constituents were invested in the matter.

“They are stressed out and they are asking me to ask questions on their behalf,” the MP shouted. “I have a right to ask the questions.”

Both MPs contin ued their shouting,

ignoring House Speaker Patricia Deveaux’s attempts to gain order, leading her to suspend the sitting for 15 minutes.

When the proceed ings returned, Speaker Deveaux referred to the House rules, drawing members’ attention to a ruling she made in a previ ous House sitting that as debate continued on the Mental Health Bill 2022, MPs would not deviate from matters related to the proposed legislation.

However, she said to date that ruling was not followed.

This was the case as many MPs spoke about unrelated matters, including Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell who spoke about the Progressive Liberal Party’s intention to purchase $10,000 in gov ernment bonds before he spoke on the proposed legislation.

East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson also spoke about the Dis aster Reconstruction Authority’s work in Grand Bahama and called on the government to hire an international public rela tions firm to direct the narrative abroad to shield the country’s reputation as the FTX matter continues.

“I would like to pause as we go to page 20 of the rule book, and it says ‘any refer ence to a matter awaiting or under adjudication in a court will not be permit ted unless at the speaker’s discretion. That reference would not interfere in any material way with that court matter’,” Speaker Deveaux said.

“All of us in here are quite aware that the FTX matter is under the pro ceedings of the court and it is very unparliamentary

of us as parliamentarians to obstruct the courts from conducting its business and I will not allow those things to happen not under my watch.”

She said she would allow members to pose questions at the appropriate time on the agenda.

For his part, leader of opposition business in the House Adrian White went on to raise a point that the rules spoke to matters under adjudication.

He said there was no dispute that there were liq uidators, but there was no pending order, meaning there was nothing under adjudication.

Opposition leader Michael Pintard chimed in, saying there were a host of things related to the collapse of FTX in The Bahamas that were within bounds of questioning and discussion.

He said the opposi tion respected the House and the Speaker, but they were not prepared to be silenced.

“That is something we cannot comply with,” he said.

“The difficulty is the member for Marco City is not an authority on the investigation,” Mr Wilch combe went on to tell the House, “and the member is simply passing a view because he is seeking to have favour that would allow for the member for Killarney to raise some points that they believe will be politically expedient to do so.”

The matter ended with Dr Minnis saying he would respect the Speak er’s rules, adding his concerns would be raised with the press outside of the House.

Message to troubled students

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

“YOU can be anything you want to be” was one of the key messages delivered to troubled students during a symposium held at the Hope Centre yesterday.

The symposium, hosted by the Ministry of National Security under the theme “Make it Make Sense”, brought together some of the most “influential ring leaders” from junior high schools throughout New Providence.

It is one of many ini tiatives planned by the ministry to help students deal with anger manage ment, conflict resolution and choice management.

During yesterday’s forum, students heard sto ries of life regrets and the harsh realities of prison life from inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS).

But while there were cautions about the dan gers of violence and bad decision making,

there were also words of encouragement.

“All we have to do is change our thinking,” said Ronald Simmons, who has been in prison for more than two decades.

“When we change our thinking, it changes our actions and when we change our actions, it changes the consequences of our actions. Now, some of y’all may say that I don’t know ya’ll experience or I don’t know what your goals are.

“I don’t, but we cannot justify because you had a hard life, you grew up in a tough environment, it was difficult in a way or because you were abused, because you was deluded in your mind, because you’re fol lowing the wrong person — that can’t justify your negative actions.

“You have to look through the delusion of thug life. Thug life is actu ally hard life. That’s jail life. You have to look through, you have to look at the persons that you’re follow ing (and) if the person that

you’re following, the guy on the block and he’s going to jail, where do you think you’re going to end up?” he asked.

He also posed this ques tion to students: “Is that what you want for you? Do you want jail for your life? Do you want an early death for your life?”

A resounding “no” was the response from most stu dents in the room.

Simmons also noted the success stories of many youngsters who experi enced similar struggles in life, yet overcame them.

“There’s many men who have been in your position and who had a hard life and had a hard environ ment, had it tough but they overcame. Even if you have been abused, if you have a lot of hate or pain in your life, you are able to over come it, but you just have to let it go.”

He also urged them to focus on their schoolwork.

Pastor Carlos Reid, con sultant in the ministry, also told students that greatness lived inside each of them and challenged them to live up to their full potential.

‘NO POLICE PROBE’ OF LANISHA ROLLE

from page one

DCP Deleveaux was contacted after media reports circulated that Mrs Rolle was under active police investigation as a part of their probe into the ministry.

When approached by reporters on the matter yes terday, Mrs Rolle said her track record spoke for itself and added that she believed in due time, the truth will be revealed.

She spoke to reporters before police denied the claims of her being inves tigated to this newspaper yesterday.

“I have resigned from Cabinet from February 23 of 2021 and since then, we are here today. I recall the last official audit report disclosed, to my informa tion, that the accounts of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (were) fairly maintained,” the former Cabinet minister said outside of the House of Assembly.

“I did not hear that another audit or any fur ther investigation was going on and so we are where we are today. I trust the police. I have been a police officer. I have served the coun try in that capacity for 11 years. I served in the Cabi net. I served as a member of Parliament. I served as an officer of the court and

I trust that the due process of the law will be followed, the rule of law shall take its course and justice shall pre vail. I trust the Lord in all of that.”

Asked if she was con tacted by police about the reported investigation. “No,” was Mrs Rolle’s reply.

“I stand by my record that as minister as far as I am aware all proper proce dures were followed,” she added.

“As far as I was aware as minister, a minister does not know everything in a ministry at any given time, and so to the best of my knowledge everything as it relates to me, there were protocols and there were persons in place that should have followed protocols and I believe that they did, and where they did not, whatever investigations or inquiries will reveal what ever process was or was not followed.”

Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard also appeared to be unaware of the details of the alleged investigation yesterday, tell ing reporters “we would like to hear the nature of the investigation is.”

Mrs Rolle resigned from Cabinet in February 2021 for “personal reasons,” she said at the time.

Her departure came after former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ordered a

lockdown of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The Tribune had previ ously reported that when ministry officials and the board of the National Sports Authority became concerned that established processes and procedures were not being followed, they took their concerns to Dr Minnis.

The Auditor General was in the midst of auditing the NSA – which manages and develops sporting facilities –– at the time.

The audit was later tabled in the House of Assem bly last November, months after the Davis administra tion was voted into office.

The audit - which was conducted between July 1, 2018 to January 2021uncovered several red flags, including “poor main tenance practices at the agency, inadequate inven tory controls and boards that were not able to carry out the functions of the authority, among other things.”

The report also found that a contract was awarded without Cabinet approval and also instances where cheques to contractors were made out to named indi viduals, no companies, and collected by a senior official of the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture.

In its conclusion, the OAG said: “Having exam ined the accounting system,

we conclude that there were many failures of executive management in breach of the Financial Administra tion and Audit Act 2010, Financial Regulations 1975 and the Sports Authority Act 2011.

“We have noted our observations in the report and concluded that besides several control functions in need of overhaul the accounts are being fairly maintained.”

PASTOR Carlos Reid speaking at yesterday’s symposium.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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UK court rules against Scottish independence vote

THE UK Supreme Court ruled yes terday that Scotland does not have the power to hold a new referendum on independence without the consent of the British government. The judgment is a setback for the Scottish govern ment’s campaign to break away from the United Kingdom.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Stur geon said she would respect the ruling but continue the fight for independence, saying Scotland’s “democratic right to choose our own future” was at stake.

The top court ruled that the Scottish Parliament “does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on Scottish independence”.

Supreme Court president Robert Reed said the five justices were unani mous in the verdict, delivered six weeks after lawyers for the pro-independence Scottish administration and the Con servative UK government argued their cases at hearings in London.

Independence supporters plan to rally outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and at other sites later Wednesday.

The semi-autonomous Scottish gov ernment wants to hold a referendum next October with the question “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

The UK government in London refuses to approve a vote, saying the question was settled in a 2014 refer endum that saw Scottish voters reject independence by a margin of 55% to 45%.

The pro-independence government in Edinburgh wants to revisit the decision, though, arguing that Britain’s departure from the European Union — which a majority of Scottish voters opposed — has radically changed the political and economic landscape.

Sturgeon argues that she has a demo cratic mandate from the Scottish people to hold a new secession vote because there is an independence-supporting majority in the Scottish Parliament.

During Supreme Court hearings last month, Dorothy Bain, the Scottish government’s top law officer, said the majority of Scottish lawmakers had been elected on commitments to hold a fresh independence referendum. She also said a referendum would be advisory, rather than legally binding — though a “yes” vote would create strong momentum for Scotland to break away.

UK government lawyer James Eadie argued that power to hold a referendum rests with the UK Parliament in London, because “it’s of critical importance to

the United Kingdom as a whole”, not just Scotland.

The Supreme Court justices agreed. They said it is clear that “a Bill which makes provision for a referendum on independence – on ending the sover eignty of the Parliament of the United Kingdom over Scotland — has more than a loose or consequential con nection with the sovereignty of that Parliament.”

Reed stressed that the court was “not asked, and cannot be asked, to express a view on the political question of whether Scotland should become an independent country”.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the court’s ruling was “clear and definitive”. He urged politicians in Scot land and London to move on and focus on pressing issues such as the UK’s costof-living crisis.

“The people of Scotland want us to be working on fixing the major challenges that we collectively face, whether that’s the economy, supporting the NHS or indeed supporting Ukraine,” Sunak said in the House of Commons.

But Sturgeon said the ruling was “a hard pill for any supporter of inde pendence — and surely indeed for any supporter of democracy — to swallow”.

“A so-called partnership in which one partner is denied the right to choose a different future… cannot be described in any way as voluntary or even a part nership at all,” she said. She ruled out holding an unauthorised referendum, saying “the route we take must be lawful and democratic for independence to be achieved”.

Sturgeon said she would make the next UK national election, due within two years, a de-facto plebiscite on ending Scotland’s three-century-old union with England. She said the gov erning Scottish National Party would hold a special conference next year to work out details of that plan.

Polls suggest Scots are about evenly split on independence — and also that a majority of voters do not want a new referendum anytime soon.

Scotland and England have been politically united since 1707. Scotland has had its own parliament and gov ernment since 1999 and makes its own policies on public health, education and other matters. The UK-wide govern ment in London controls matters such as defense and fiscal policy.

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

Race and politics

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Republican Party red wave prominent con servative political analysts had forecast before the November 8 midterm elec tions did not happen. The Democratic Party and Cath erine Cortez Masto have managed to stave off the Republican Party candidate Adam Laxalt in Nevada and John Fetterman of the Democratic Party defeated Dr Mehmet Oz in Penn sylvania. In Georgia, the Senate race between the Democratic incumbent Rev. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker is set for a Decem ber 6 run-off. Despite presiding over one of the worst economies in dec ades, President Joe Biden has inexplicably managed to retain his slim majority vote in the Senate, as VicePresident Kamala Harris serves as the tie-breaker in voting.

Amid the finger point ing within the GOP for the disappointing results, Reformed commentator Todd Friel offered several reasons for the Republi can Party’s failure to gain the majority of seats in the Senate, such as the over turning of Roe v Wade, homosexuality; the social ist redistribution of wealth in the COVID-19 era and the perception among secu lar American voters that the GOP is aligned with the evangelical Christian faith. Friel’s overall point was that secular American voters view their right to terminate unborn babies and enter same-sex unions as far more important than the economy. Friel might be onto something.

However, I am begin ning to think that the public endorsement of certain GOP candidates by former President Donald Trump played a massive factor in the outcome of the election. In a word, the Midterm Elections were America’s

referendum on Trump. Another factor is the per ception that the Republican Party is a racist organisa tion that panders to wealthy white oligarchs, notwith standing prominent African American GOP members Dr Ben Carson, Candace Owens, Larry Elder, Con doleeza Rice and Herschel Walker.

Most African Americans support the Democratic Party. This reality was rein forced early this week when comedian Steve Harvey took aim at the GOP top brass for running Walker in Georgia. What I gathered from Harvey’s rant is that Walker is a token candidate fielded to counter War nock’s campaign.

In the same state, World Changers Church Interna tional Pastor Creflo Dollar publicly endorsed Demo cratic Party gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, despite her well known support for LGBTQ and abortion rights. Why would Dollar, a prominent African American Christian leader, support a leftist? I think the answer lies in the fact that Dollar, like Harvey, views the Republican Party as subversive to their racial demographic.

Georgia is home to the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr Martin Luther King Jr co-pastored with his father. Ironically, despite the leadership of Ebenezer being fully entrenched in the Demo cratic Party, Dr King was a Republican. Indeed, the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, signed the Emancipation Procla mation in 1863. Like the Republican Party, the Free National Movement faces a similar situation with the unfortunate stigma of being a party of white elit ists, owing to its genesis in

the early 1970s. Eight dis gruntled black Progressive Liberal Party MPs resigned from the party to form the Free-PLP. Eventually becoming the Free National Movement, the leaders of this organization would forge ties with the top brass of the White United Baha mian Party.

Ever since this merger, the FNM has been per ceived as a political organisation that panders to prominent white fami lies in New Providence. In the five decades-plus of its existence, and I stand to be corrected, the FNM has never had a white leader. Brent Symonette served as deputy leader under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

The PLP, on the other hand, was founded by three white Bahamians. But this hasn’t stopped race bait ers from spreading the narrative that powerful white financial backers are behind the scenes pull ing the strings within the FNM. To these race baiters, the black leadership of the FNM serves in a figurehead role. These black race bait ers seem to operate under the delusion that what they’re doing isn’t racism. It is. Without saying it, what they’re actually saying to black Bahamian voters is that they shouldn’t vote FNM due to the white oli garchs operating behind the scenes.

The FNM, by welcoming white UBP elements into its big tent, demonstrated to black and white Baha mians that it was a party of racial inclusion. FNM leader Michael Pintard must work to disabuse the idea that his party caters only to white elitists. The Republican Party has failed to accomplish this goal and continues to struggle in wooing black voters.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama November 17, 2022.

FTX collapse

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THIS past week has been one of the most event ful for a long time if not years yes, FTX alone saw us googling and reading so much that we saturated our minds and thoughts. Ask ten people their opinion and you will get 12 opinions or more.

For sure from the start of FTX’s arrival they were treated seemingly as VIP potential investors and originators and formers of the thought it could pos sibly be the Bitcoin era for The Bahamas we heard of very substantial donations being made then the Royal Visit and FTX sponsorship

(heard $180,000) purchasing of real property many mil lions worth and lord we hit oil - there is something here.

Last Sunday, the air came out of the balloon of Bitcoin that hung over New Provi dence - FTX was closed and everything seized and under management of the Supreme Court.

One must ask were we too fast on the approvals and swallowing what hon estly was make believe?

Mama would never have swallowed that story… she always says what sounds incredible, leave it alone.

Long Island development - pleased to read about this, but a cruise port with capability of receiving two

3,000 passengers each ship? There is not the infrastruc ture. I suggest best think a little smaller.

Deficits - yes, for this current fiscal period owing to the improvement of the economy and delib erate collection of the multi-millions of arrears/ due taxes we probably do look better, but we can’t forget in 2023 we had to redeem $251,459,000; ‘24 - $509,781,000; ‘25$184,054,000(election); ‘26 - $$447,618,000 and these amounts exclude the ‘politi cal deficit’.

DAME Janet Bostwick seated beside Cynthia Mother Pratt at the joint sitting of Parliament in honour of the 60th anniversary of the woman’s suffrage movement yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

$250 FINE AFTER DOG ATTACK ON POLICEMAN

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN was fined in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after admit ting responsibility for two dogs that attacked a police officer at Arawak Cay last week.

Lyndon Eldon, 58, stood before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on multiple charges in relation to the attack.

These included permit ting a ferocious dog to be at large, being a person who keeps and owns a danger ous dogs that injure persons while being dangerously out of control in a public place and resisting arrest.

He was also charged with two counts of being a person who keeps and owns a dog without a dog licence or identification tag, two counts of being the keeper of dan gerous dogs who permits the dangerous dogs to roam in a public place and two counts of failing to keep a danger ous dog under control.

It is said that on

October 22 around 6.30pm at Saunders Beach, the accused allowed the public to suffer the threat of a large, ferocious dog. On November 16 at Arawak Cay after Reserve Inspector Carlton McPhee was alerted by tourists of two out of control dogs, he approached the defend ant’s vehicle and the two German Shepherds jumped him. While the officer managed to fight off the animals, one managed to bite his right shoe with out it breaking skin. When Inspector McPhee appre hended the dogs, later identified as Zena and Mys tique, owner Eldon is said to have resisted arrest.

In court, Eldon pleaded guilty to all charges. The magistrate ordered him to compensate the officer $250 for the incident with the resisting arrest charge being formally withdrawn.

For the remaining charges, the accused faced a collective $250 fine or a seven-day sentence at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

BAIL GRANTED IN FIREARM CASE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday on firearm and ammunition charges.

Loubhs Moricette, 36, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

On November 21 in New Providence, it is alleged police found Moricette in possession of a black and silver coloured Taurus 9mm pistol. At the time of his arrest, the accused had seven unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition, the pros ecution maintains.

In court, the accused

pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecution objected to Moricette’s bail.

Magistrate Serville granted bail at $7,500 with one or two sureties and conditions attached. Mori cette is to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device and has a 10pm to 5am residential curfew. The accused is also expected to sign in at Fox Hill Police Station every Monday, Thursday and Sunday by 7pm

Magistrate Seville warned the accused that failure to comply with any of these conditions would result in his bail being revoked.

Moricette’s trial is set to begin on February 27, 2023.

MAN ACCUSED OF RAPE ATTACK

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was accused in a Magistrate’s Court of raping a woman in the capi tal last week.

Kevin Cooper, 46, faced Magistrate Kendra Kelly on a charge of rape.

The accused is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with a 41-year-old woman without her consent on November 17.

Due to the nature of the offence, Cooper was not required to enter a plea at

this time. He was informed that his matter would be fast tracked to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused was also told that as the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail he had the right to apply for it in the higher court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

Service of Cooper’s VBI is scheduled for February 24, 2023.

$10m damage but no injuries in cay blaze

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings @ tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Min ister Chester Cooper said the damage sustained in the structural fire on Monday at Over Yonder Cay, Exuma is estimated to be as high as $10m.

Mr Cooper described the “high end boutique resort” as one of the coun try’s models for renewable energy, noting that despite the damage sustained he believes the resort will “bounce back stronger than before”.

Shortly before 8pm on Monday, police offic ers were notified of the blaze that destroyed the engineering building on Over Yonder Cay located six miles north of Staniel Cay, Exuma.

No injuries were reported.

A team of officers from the Fire Department in New Providence was sent to assist with ongoing investigations.

“Over Yonder Cay is one of the models in The Baha mas for renewable energy. They have done exception ally well, with wind energy as well as solar energy. So, this fire is regrettable,” Mr Cooper told reporters yes terday outside the House of Assembly.

The Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation said the resort employed 40 to 50 people, adding that at the time of the fire, there were less than

ten guests and “roughly” 30 employees.

He noted that the fire is a “significant hit” to employ ment in the area, however he is optimistic that the company would continue to support employees during the interim period of renovations.

The Exuma and Ragged Island MP also expressed gratitude to the Exuma community for their sup port and involvement in putting out the fire on Monday.

Mr Cooper also said The Bahamas can expect a little over 12,000 visitors during the US Thanksgiving holi day period, as this season is “very good” for the tourism industry.

He believes that the country is on track to potentially exceed the 2019 tourism statistics, which was a “record setting year.”

He also said that the tourism industry has done “exceptionally” well thus far, inclusive of September

which is considered a slow period.

Mr Cooper said that local hotel properties are report edly experiencing high occupancy.

“Thanksgiving is nor mally a very good time for tourism. We expect signifi cant numbers as we have done fairly well in the past during the Thanksgiv ing holiday weekend. So, we expect perhaps 12,000 visitors for the weekend, maybe even more,” he told reporters yesterday.

He also acknowledged that government’s efforts to ensure the safety of tourists remains a priority. These comments follow the purse snatching incident of a tour ist last week.

When asked by report ers yesterday what is being done to protect tourists in the downtown Nassau area, he said: “The reality is that we are managing as best we can with all of the stake holders. We work closely with the police as there is a strong team of officers here and the police in the tour ism policing unit.

“The Ministry of Tourism has always actively engaged in this area, and the sur rounding areas. And we work with the merchants as well. We have to be the keepers of the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

He also encouraged Bahamians to be support ive of the tourism industry, because failing to do so is considered “biting the hand that is feeding us”, as he noted that 65 cents of every dollar is due to tourism.

MUCH of The Bahamas is stuck in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. During their three terms in office, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and the FNM did much to reform and mod ernise a backward-leaning and mostly paralysed state creaking with crumbling infrastructure and mori bund mindsets.

We are adrift again. A central reason for this is a deficit of vision by the country’s elites, including the political directorates of both major parties, who have no to little governing philosophy or compelling agenda for a 21st century Bahamas.

Dysfunction and entropy are like a marauding army of rust and mold which rap idly and easily conquer due to a lack of maintenance or refurbishment.

After bemoaning to a friend that yet another util ity was off, he breezily and mischievously responded: “You can’t expect to have all of your utilities on in The Bahamas at the same time.”

As of last week, a friend’s landline has been off five times this year and counting. We are not alone in this state of disrepair. Still, a number of other small developing nations in the Pacific and the Caribbean are pressing ahead with agendas for development

and modernisation, while at home, we seem confused and uninspired as to how to address our national rot and declining standards.

Economic growth has been a major challenge for successive governments. A recent report by Standard and Poor’s (S&P) advised: “Despite good growth over the next two to three years, our assessment of the sov ereign’s creditworthiness reflects its below-average, long-term growth perfor mance compared with that of others at a similar level of development.”

SPEAKER

This past September, Bar bados Prime Minister Mia Mottley was the inaugural speaker for the Kofi Annan Lecture series. Mottley is in her second term as head of government, having initially become prime minister of her country which was sad dled with severe economic, infrastructural and social problems.

She also serves as “Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, with responsibility also for Culture, Security, Public Service, CARICOM and the Development Commissions”.

That she was chosen as the first speaker in the

lecture series is testament to her gravitas on the world stage and the recognition by others of what she has to offer to the international dialogue on some of the most vexing and complex global challenges.

The event was co-hosted by the eponymous foun dation named for the late former Secretary General of the United Nation, the International Peace Insti tute, the Open Society Foundations and the Inter national Crisis Group.

While Mottley clearly enjoys the limelight and the global recognition, she is a workhorse, not a show horse, known for her dis cipline and work ethic at home and abroad.

An avid reader and intel lectual, she revels in policy detail and ideas. She may enjoy good public rela tions, but she knows the difference between PR and substance.

Mottley was introduced at the lecture as an insur gent, an apt description for a leader who is running a domestic insurgency against a certain stasis and low eco nomic growth in Barbados.

INSURGENCY

She is also a leader of a global insurgency or “active revolt” against the

THE INSURGENCY OF MIA MOTTLEY

status quo that includes an international financial infrastructure benefitting the world powers, while unjustly stymieing progress and economic justice in developing states.

During her lecture, Mot tley spoke honestly and cogently of the imperialis tic post-World War II order that still retards develop ment for countries like Barbados.

She spoke diplomati cally, historically and with force about how the rules of the economic world order, including blacklisting by the European Union and the Organization for Eco nomic Cooperation and Development, are rigged to perpetuate the self-interests of former colonisers.

Her adept style and cha risma includes aplomb and wit, deployed to great effect, including this teasing but incisive bon mot at the lecture: “Where have they found the money from the Russian oligarchs? It hasn’t been on the sunny shores of the Caribbean!”

Ms Mottley is confident and at ease on the world stage, capable of conversing with the leaders of the G-7, with fellow small state lead ers, academics, the heads of international organisations and various policy experts. And back home she easily reverts to colloquialisms when speaking with fellow Bajans.

As with any mas terful insurgent, Ms Mottley understands the international terrain and has tremendous foreign policy chops. She has sur veyed the challenges, which she explained in her lecture.

“Today, the world is facing an unprecedented trifecta of connected crises: a cost of living crisis stemming partly from the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the pandemic; a developing country debt crisis following the pan demic and climate-related disasters; and, the climate crisis as the glaciers melt and storms and droughts intensify.

“The situation is com pounded by tightening monetary policies in devel oped countries and a strengthening US dollar. One in five countries is experiencing fiscal and financial stress.

“Unaddressed, there will be deepening hardship, debt defaults, widening ine quality, political upheaval and a delayed shift to

low-carbon.”

Prime Minister Mottley understands the effects of colonisation on economic development and a national psyche. She grasps that climate justice, greater eco nomic fairness in the global financial system and moving toward republican status are inextricably linked.

CONFUSED

While our political elites remain confused, reticent or opposed to The Baha mas becoming a republic, Ms Mottley understands the cultural and psychic power of republican status in the pursuit of fuller selfgovernance, independence and ongoing democratic reform.

Writing in The Atlantic under the headline of “The World’s Newest Republic”, Hannah Giorgis explains: “Technically, Barbados reclaimed full sovereignty nearly one year ago. But in reality, true independence is a process of becoming.”

In our current process of democratic becoming, reform and advancement, The Bahamas remains stuck, paralysed and deeply lethargic! And we continue to fail to advance gender equality and legislation on marital rape.

Prime Minister Mottley intellectually, philosophi cally and pragmatically understands the challenges facing Barbados and other Caribbean states like ours.

But, as Forbes magazine explains: “What makes listening to leaders like Mottley so refreshing, though, is that as well as highlighting significant chal lenges, she also advocates for practical measures.”

As an insurgent, Ms Mot tley isn’t just dissecting the

problems. She has concrete ideas for reform, more of which in a subsequent column. She is currently working with French Presi dent Emmanuel Macron on ideas for reform ing the global financial infrastructure.

CHAMPION

Ms Mottley is co-chair of the UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Development Goals Advo cates Group. She was presented this year by the UN Foundation with the 2022 Champion for Global Change Award “in recog nition of her exemplary leadership in fighting for a just, equitable, and sus tainable world”.

She was described as receiving the award for “advancing a bold eco nomic and financial agenda that not only would assist her country, but arguably all communities around the world vulnerable to climate change”.

Ms Mottley is the fore most regional leader and a global leader on climate justice. The public inter est website ProPublica recently reported: “Barba dos, the Caribbean nation whose prime minister, Mia Mottley, has championed the argument that small and developing countries desperately need debt relief and funding if they are to survive climate change, has reached an agreement with the Inter national Monetary Fund that will make it among the first recipients of money from a new $45 billion resilience trust.

“Under the programme, Barbados is set to receive $183m for climate-focused spending. It’s money that Avinash Persaud, Mottley’s top economic adviser, tells ProPublica will be used to replace segments of the island’s drinking water system and to shore up its supply of fresh water in the face of climate-driven drought.

“Barbados’ current water infrastructure was built by the British more than a century ago and loses about half of the water it carries.”

In her vision for a 21st century small island developing nation, Mia Mottley thinks globally and acts locally to promote democratic reform, sustain able development, equity and social justice.

MIA Mottley speaking at the Kofi Annan lecture series.

Special counsel Jack Smith and the Elliot Ness comparison

JACK Smith is Elli ott Ness. Or is he?

Especially before he grew a scraggly beard, Smith resembled Kevin Costner playing the Treasury Department’s legendary crime-fighter and nemesis of notorious Chicago Depression-era gangster Al Capone, depicted by the peerless Robert DeNiro in 1987’s celebrated movie “The Untouchables.”

(Incidentally, Lyford Cay’s own Sean Connery won his only competitive Oscar for his memorable supporting role in that same film).

Even before the New York Times’ Maureen Dowd made the SmithNess comparison in a column over the weekend, it had occurred to others.

Jack Smith is the career prosecutor tapped by US Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee two federal investigations of former president Donald Trump, now that Trump has formally launched his bid to become only the second American president to serve two non-consecutive terms in the White House.

Heretofore, virtually unknown Jack Smith did look somewhat like Cost ner -- clean-cut, focused and unpretentious.

But there’s more to the comparison. In some ways, Smith in his new assignment is pursuing someone in Trump whose notoriety and widely pre sumed culpability on the federal charges he faces is as well known as was Al Capone’s racketeer ing and corruption. Both men experienced and reportedly enjoyed both tremendous fame and longstanding records of evading the dogged efforts of law enforcement to indict and imprison them for various dramatic offences.

Capone was both feared and idolized by an Ameri can public simultaneously impressed and disgusted

by his ability to evade police, grand juries and federal agents. He was in the headlines all the time.

For many Americans, this seems like Donald Trump, whose reappear ance on Twitter with his 88 million followers now seems to have been ena bled by new owner and electric car and space flight mogul Elon Musk.

Now, though, here comes Jack Smith, the reportedly dogged and intrepid federal prosecu tor who has just completed a four-year term at the International Court of Justice in the Nether lands, where he pursued international war crimi nals and was investigating war crimes committed in Kosovo in the wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia thirty years ago.

Attorney General Garland announced Smith’s appointment.

“The Department of Jus tice has long recognized that in certain extraor dinary cases it is in the public interest to appoint a special prosecutor to independently manage an investigation and prosecution.”

Trump clearly presents an extraordinary case.

Appointing a special counsel, Garland said, “underscores the depart ment’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particu larly sensitive matters.”

As The New Yorker magazine reported on its website, “to have Presi dent Biden’s appointees criminally prosecuting former President Trump while they both run for the Oval Office is unprec edented. No such moment has existed before in U.S. history.”

So what will Jack Smith/ Elliott Ness actually do?

The newly appointed spe cial counsel will oversee the Justice Department’s investigations into Trump’s conduct leading up to the riot and assault on the U.S. Capitol on

January 6, 2021, as well as Trump’s alleged retention of classified documents after leaving office and possible obstruction of the government’s investiga tion of this.

In a statement late last week, Smith pledged to conduct the investigations “independently and in the best traditions of the Department of Justice.”

“The pace of the investigations will not pause or flag under my watch,” Smith said. “I will exercise independ ent judgement and will move the investigations forward expeditiously and thoroughly to whatever outcome the facts and the law dictate.” He does sound like Kevin Costner as Elliott Ness. Straight as an arrow.

As Smith’s appoint ment was announced, Garland became the first senior Justice official to publicly associate Trump with “efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election or the certification of the Electoral College.”

But is this going to wind up being another Robert Mueller inves tigation? Mueller was a widely-respected public official whose appoint ment just five years ago by Trump’s acting attorney general was intended to facilitate an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections, links between associates of Donald Trump and Russian officials, and possible obstruction of justice by Trump and his associates.

We can recall how that all turned out.

Remember how Trump’s attorney general, Bill Barr, flim-flammed the public? Before Muel ler’s report was even issued in 2019, Barr said: “Deputy Attorney Gen eral Rod Rosenstein and I have concluded that

the evidence developed during the Special Coun sel’s investigation is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offence.”

After the report was actually released – remem ber all the fuss about redactions? -- Mueller later demurred, disagreed with Barr in Mueller’s annoyingly understated, measured, lawyerly and ultimately feckless fash ion. But the damage by Barr had been done well before Mueller finally summoned the energy and independence to actu ally comment on his boss’s misleading mendacity.

At the time, Trump crowed: “No collusion. No obstruction. I’m having a good day. There never was, by the way, any col lusion or obstruction, and there never will be. And we do have to get to the bottom of these things, I

will say. This should never happen to another presi dent again, this hoax, this witch hunt.”

Yesterday, Barr revealed a change of heart. “Trump’s willing ness to destroy the party if he does not get his way is not based on principle, but on his own supreme nar cissism,” he added. “His egoism makes him unable to think of a political party as anything but an exten sion of himself — a cult of personality.”

Will Jack Smith get an indictment where Muel ler failed? Who knows? It’s abundantly clear that Trump intends to play the victim again, and maybe his popular base of sup port and the GOP rank and file will buy it again.

Also, there are rum blings already that Smith may not actually be comparable after all to the legend of Elli ott Ness. Some pundits

have criticized his office’s handling of the alleged misdeeds of former North Carolina senator John Edwards and Virginia governor Bob McDonnell while Smith worked at the Justice Department. More dirt will probably turn up in the days and weeks to come.

Is the US facing another couple of years of end less political in-fighting and needless “investiga tions?” While Smith tries to do his job in the glare of media klieg lights, what mischief will the Republi can-controlled House of Representatives concoct? With characters like Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia likely to be cable news superstars, will Hunter Biden’s allegedly careless and casual greed and general misbehaviour make headlines all over again?

Yikes. What a prospect!

PROSECUTOR Jack Smith pictured in 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, Pool)

Courtesy visit to Resilience Centre

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ANN Marie Davis

recently paid a courtesy call at the Bahamas Resilience Centre in Freeport and was impressed with the pro grammes offered to address and promote mental health wellness.

During a recent visit to Grand Bahama, Mrs Davis, of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, toured the facility located at the Seahorse Shopping Plaza in Lucaya.

The Bahamas Resilience Centre opened its doors three years ago following Hurricane Dorian, helping those experiencing mental challenges and issues because of the widespread devastation and personal losses.

The facility is now in need of funding to remain open and continue to pro vide much needed services in the community.

Mrs Davis commended executive director Felisha McBride and her team for the work they are doing in the community regarding mental health wellness.

“I am so impressed that there are people who visit the centre from age two to 102 years, and I see this Resilience Centre as a place for anybody of any age to come here and find them selves,” she said.

Mrs Davis said the pro grammes and services offered are wide ranging and beneficial to people facing mental issues.

She was pleased about the various activities such as learning self-defence, sewing, knitting and other life skills that are avail able at the centre, as well as counselling.

In terms of self-defence, Mrs Davis said that it can boost a person’s self-confi dence where they can walk and feel safe.

“There is also counselling where you can put any grief you have that is bothering you – that is taken care of here as well.

“Persons can get their dignity back. I am happy to see this place exists and it should be copied in other islands as well, especially where they suffer trauma,” he said.

She pledged her assis tance in helping to find donors.

“I will help as much as I can to find donors or some one who can help with funding needed for places like these.”

Mrs Davis urged every one to assist organisations like the Resilience Centre.

“It takes a village to raise a child. And a village needs anybody from teachers, nurses, doctors, and bene factors - people with money that will help you along. We need everyone to come

together and support places like these.”

Winston Pinnock, Baha mas Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), agreed with Mrs Davis.

“I think places like these deserve to be supported,” he said. “This started from a passion that she had with mental health issues and wellness, and I know of the great work that centre offers here.”

National Security Min ister Wayne Munroe said his ministry supports com munity centres as ways to tackle the issue of crime, and other social issues.

He said mental health wellness is critical to addressing many issues in society.

“We have seen for instance an upswing in sui cides which means that people have reached the level of desperation they see no point in going on living. And a place like this addresses all of those issues.

“We see that behind gang and retaliation murders, the next highest class of mur ders are domestic homicide - people not being able to address anger issues and interpersonal relationship issues, and places like this also addresses that,” he said.

Ms McBride was pleased that Mrs Davis was able to visit the centre.

“We feel hopeful,” she said. “She was really impressed with the work we are doing, and it was really encouraging to hear that from someone in that posi tion who takes seriously the work we do.”

The Bahamas Resilience Centre was initially funded by Caritas, an international Catholic non-profit organi sation that helped with home repairs following Dorian. The organisation also established the centre after recognising a gap in mental psycho-social support.

Ms McBride said Caritas provided financial support for the first two years upon leaving the island.

They asked if we were interested in carrying it on because so many people were benefiting from the service. They paid for us to become registered as a non-profit and we would be responsible for our fund ing,” she explained.

She said they were able to secure a grant from Tem pleton Foundation.

“That sustained us to this point, and we are looking for additional funding. We also received local support, and we tell people no dona tion is too big or small.”

Ms McBride said if people are not able to donate, the centre is always searching for volunteers to assist.

SIX YEARS ON, MAN CHARGED WITH BREAK-IN AT CHURCH

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A

Oclen

Pierre is alleged to have broken into United Church of God Deliverance on October 2, 2016. It was during this break-in that the accused is said to have stolen two stand up Lasko fans, two wall fans, a black cordless microphone, a wired microphone, a black Yamaha keyboard and two Yamaha amps. These items, which were the property of Randy Stubbs, have an

estimated collective value of $2,869.

In court, Pierre pleaded not guilty to the offence. He told the judge that he had no knowledge of this inci dent and claimed to have been incarcerated when the break-in occurred.

Prosecutor Sergeant Penn said that while Pierre has served jail time, he had been released during the time of the incident. The prosecutor further said that Pierre’s finger prints were lifted from the scene. Sergeant Penn then objected to Pierre’s bail because of concern of his residency status.

Pierre was remanded overnight to the Baha mas Department of Correctional Services until his status check and bail decision is made before the court today.

MAN was remanded to prison overnight after being accused of breaking into a church six years ago and stealing thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

Pierre, 42, stood before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on a charge of Sacrilege.

ANN Marie Davis during her visit to the Bahamas Resil ience Centre. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

‘ENTER COUNTRY THE RIGHT WAY OR BE REPATRIATED’

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

AMID reports of United Nations officials call ing for deportations to Haiti to stop, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said yesterday any undocu mented migrants wishing to come here should apply to enter The Bahamas the “right way” or they will be repatriated.

He spoke after a press release was issued by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on deportation of Haitians

from Dominican Republic on November 10, where he maintained that countries in the region should not repatriate Haitians back to Haiti.

Mr Türk said at the time, “A week ago, I called for deportations to Haiti to stop, given the human rights and humanitarian crises the country is facing. I am troubled to see that forced returns of Haitians to Haiti from the Dominican Republic are continuing.”

He added: “Unremitting armed violence and system atic human rights violations

in Haiti do not currently allow for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of Haitians to the country. I reiterate my call to all coun tries in the region, including the Dominican Republic, to halt the deportation of Haitians.”

Mr Bell said yesterday at the House of Assembly that as a developing country The Bahamas cannot afford to accommodate the large influx of irregular migrants coming here.

“The reality is that we are a developing country. We, as you all would appreciate,

we have a very large influx of Haitian nationals, or I should say, rather irregu lar migrants, not just from Haiti, but also from Cuba. And there, it’s practically impossible for us to absorb these people into our soci ety,” Mr Bell said. “What we have been doing is, there is a legal way, if you want to enter The Bahamas, that we want everybody to adhere to those principles and poli cies and laws. If you wish to enter The Bahamas, then you want to apply the right way,” he said.

“If you are undocu mented, then there is a process we will ensure that there is due process, we will ensure that you are treated fairly but firmly and that you’re repatriated immedi ately,” Mr Bell said. He added: “For the most part, I can say without fear of contradiction, that per sons coming particularly from those areas in the region, particularly Haiti and Cuba, they are not for the most part, refugees, they are economic, irregu lar migrants, and, therefore, we will take the appropriate

action to have them pro cessed and returned to their country.

“Today, we would have sent out, I think approxi mately just over 100 irregular migrants to Haiti. Yesterday, we would have sent a group of 64 to Haiti as well as Cuba. And we will continue with our efforts to repatri ate as quickly as we possibly can,” Mr Bell added.

Mr Bell said that all irreg ular migrants go through due process and are screened by immigration officials for proper evalua tion and assessment.

Businesses expecting no decrease in sales for Black Friday this year

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

LOCAL businesses do not anticipate a decrease in sales this Black Friday, despite the rise in inflation and other recent finan cial challenges faced by consumers.

This year’s Black Friday, which falls on November 25, promises to be very fruitful for two local busi nesses that spoke with The Tribune yesterday.

Shawn Gomez, marketing director at CBS Bahamas, said with savings up to 75 percent off, she anticipates an influx in customers at their Robinson Road and Southwest Plaza locations, which will both have live entertainment throughout the day to keep the custom ers happy.

“So we’re anticipating and we’re actually really prepared for the influx of customers that we know we’re going to get and we will be ready at 5am to receive our customers with open arms. Also, we’ll be sure to keep the entertain ment going throughout the day,” she said.

Ms Gomez said that this is the first time CBS Baha mas will be offering Black Friday specials at two stores at the same time.

“We recognise that a lot of Bahamians are definitely struggling as the price of things continue to rise. And in truth, there is not much a lot of businesses can do about that, because as long as we’re bringing in items from the States and stuff like that, inflation would always be a thing for us,” she said.

“The feedback that we’ve been receiving from our customers, they are very excited about the Black Friday sale. They like the prices. I mean, we’ve had massive reductions. So the pricing has been received well, so I don’t anticipate

that there will be much decrease (in demand), if any. But I think that our turnout will be great, regardless of the inflation and things like that,” Ms Gomez said.

“At the end of the day, the economy and how Bahamians make money is assuming that they’re going to spend it, you know, they feel like you don’t have it, then they’re not going to spend it,” she said.

“This is an annual event for us. So most people anticipate Black Friday too. But custom ers can expect to get up to 75 percent savings on selected items that we have. Unfortunately, this year is the first year that we will be doing in-store only as well. We want to make sure that people who tried to go online to our website, that they wouldn’t have any issues,” Ms Gomez said.

Black Friday, the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday, is regarded as the first day of Christmas shop ping in America. It’s a day when US retailers normally have big sales and the trend has caught on locally.

The public relations manager for Aliv, Jennifer Basden said she anticipates a strong Black Friday for the company this year.

“We’re expecting a strong Black Friday. And really just because we’ve been working with our partners, to make sure that we’re able to offer the best prices available. So without giving you like an exact amount, I can just tell you that we are very optimistic.

“We have strong partner ships with PCL and with Samsung and very aggres sive pricing that we do believe our customers are going to be able and excited to take advantage of,” Mrs Basden said.

She said shoppers can enjoy Black Friday specials

starting as early as 6am on Friday.

“There are actually sup posed to be 11 great ways to stop and save with Aliv. It’s going to be at all locations,” she said.

“We will be having I guess some special guests in store, at our Southwest Plaza, Harbour Bay and at key locations here in

Nassau. So not only are we offering great prices and great selections, but we’re making it extremely easy for our customers to shop either in store, through our affinity van or they can also shop online,” Mrs Basden said.

On Tuesday, Tribune Business reported that Gowon Bowe, Fidelity

Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, on a webinar on “economic resilience” organised by the TCL Group, warned that The Bahamas will be on an economic “roller coaster for a significant period of time” as the United States Federal Reserve and other central banks take swift action to combat

inflation.

“We still have a signifi cant period of time where The Bahamas will be going through a roller coaster of ups and downs, and we need to prepare ourselves for not just a recession, but a change of mindset to pre pare ourselves for all events in the future,” Mr Bowe said at the time.

Walmart manager kills six in Virginia shooting

CHESAPEAKE, Virginia Associated Press

A WALMART man ager pulled out a handgun before a routine employee meeting and began firing wildly around the break room of a Virginia store, killing six people in the nation’s second high-profile mass shooting in four days, police and witnesses said yesterday.

The gunman was dead when officers arrived late on Tuesday at the store in Chesapeake, Virginia’s second-largest city. Author ities said he apparently shot himself. Police were trying to determine a motive. One employee described watch ing “bodies drop” as the assailant fired haphazardly, without saying a word.

“He was just shooting all throughout the room. It didn’t matter who he hit. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t look at anybody in any specific type of way,” said Briana Tyler, a Walmart employee.

Six people were wounded in the shooting, which hap pened just after 10pm as shoppers were stocking up ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Police said they believe about 50 people were in the store at the time.

The gunman was iden tified as Andre Bing, 31, an overnight team leader who had been a Walmart employee since 2010. Police said he had one handgun and several magazines of ammunition.

Tyler said the overnight stocking team of 15 to 20 people had just gathered in the break room to go over the morning plan. She said the meeting was about to start, and one team leader said: “All right guys, we have a light night ahead of us.” Then Bing turned around and opened fire on the staff.

At first, Tyler doubted the shooting was real, thinking that it was an active shooter drill.

“It was all happening so fast,” she said, adding: “It is by the grace of God that a bullet missed me. I saw the smoke leaving the gun, and I literally watched bodies drop. It was crazy.”

Police said three of the dead, including Bing, were found in the break room. One of the slain victims was found near the front of the store. Three others were taken to hospitals where they died.

Tyler, who started working at Walmart two months ago and had worked with Bing just a night earlier, said she never had a negative encoun ter with him, but others told her he was “the manager to look out for”. She said Bing had a history of writing people up for no reason.

“He just liked to pick, honestly. I think he just

looked for little things ... because he had the author ity. That’s just the type of person that he was. That’s what a lot of people said about him,” she said.

Employee Jessie Wilcze wski told Norfolk television station WAVY that she hid under the table, and Bing looked and pointed his gun at her. He told her to go home, and she left.

Police said the dead included a 16-year-old boy whose name was being withheld because of his age. The other victims were identified as Brian Pend leton, 38; Kellie Pyle, 52; Lorenzo Gamble, 43; and Randy Blevins, 70, who were all from Chesapeake; and Tyneka Johnson, 22, of nearby Portsmouth.

It was not immediately clear whether they were workers or shoppers.

The attack was the second time in a little more than a week that Virginia has experienced a major shooting. Three University of Virginia football players were fatally shot on a char ter bus as they returned to campus from a field trip on November 13. Two other students were wounded.

The assault at the Walmart came days after a person opened fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, killing five people and wounding 17. Last spring, the country was shaken by the deaths of 21 when a gunman stormed an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Tuesday night’s shooting also brought back memo ries of another attack at a Walmart in 2019, when a gunman who targeted Mex icans opened fire at a store in El Paso, Texas, and killed 22 people.

A database run by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University shows that the US has now had 40 mass killings so far in 2022. That compares with 45 for all of 2019, the highest year in the database, which defines a mass killing as at least four people killed, not including the killer.

According to the data base, more than a quarter of the mass killings have occurred since October 21, spanning eight states and claiming 51 lives. Nine of those 11 incidents were shootings.

Notably, the database does not include the recent shooting at the University of Virginia because that attack did not meet the threshold of four dead, not including the shooter.

President Joe Biden tweeted that he and the first lady were grieving for the victims’ families. “We mourn for those who will have empty seats at their Thanksgiving table because of these tragic events – we must take greater action.”

POLICE at the scene of a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

UN warns children in Haiti being hit by cholera

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Associated Press

A CHOLERA outbreak sweep ing through Haiti is claiming a growing number of children amid a surge in malnutrition, UNICEF announced yesterday.

The deadly combination means that about 40 percent of cholera cases in the impoverished country of more than 11 million inhabit ants now involve children, with nine out of ten cases reported in areas where people are starving, according to the United Nations agency.

“We have to plan for the worst,” Manuel Fontaine, director of UNICEF’s Office of Emergency Programs, told The Associated Press on Tuesday during a visit to Haiti.

Cholera has killed at least 216 people and sickened more than 12,000 since the first deaths

were announced in early Octo ber, according to the Haitian Health Ministry and Pan Ameri can Health Organization. They say about 9,300 people are cur rently hospitalized with the disease. Experts believe the number is much higher due to underreporting.

UNICEF and Haiti’s govern ment are seeking at least $28 million to help feed, hydrate and care for 1.4 million people affected by the crisis, with that number expected to increase as malnutrition worsens, especially in urban areas such as the Cite Soleil slum in the capital of Portau-Prince, something that hasn’t been seen before.

“Cholera and malnutrition are a lethal combination, one leading to the other,” Fontaine said.

On a recent morning at the Gheskio medical clinic in Port-auPrince, nurses, doctors and social

workers tended to malnourished children who also were fighting cholera.

“This is a challenge for us,” said Dr Karine Sévère, who runs the clinic’s cholera department. “When the children are malnour ished, it takes more time for them to recover.”

She estimates that malnutrition cases have increased by at least 40 percent in recent weeks, with nurses feeding children soup in the morning and rice, beans, meat and vegetables in the afternoon to help them gain weight.

It’s food that not many parents can afford in a country where about 60 percent of the popula tion earns less than $2 a day.

Roselord David, 40, says she and her five children had to flee Cite Soleil after warring gangs set her house on fire. They temporar ily lived in a public park and then moved in with her sister as she

continues to struggle to find food for her children.

A social worker who spot ted her emaciated five-year-old daughter at the park urged David to take her to the clinic.

“They told me she was suffering from malnutrition,” David said in a quiet voice, embarrassed to con fide her family’s problems in the clinic packed with patients.

Nearby, a 15-year-old teenage boy was sleeping, an IV in his thin arm.

His friend, Island Meus, said she was taking turns with his mother to care for him.

“He sometimes goes without food,” she confided, adding that he occasionally eats a bowl of rice with plantains when his family can afford it.

Haiti’s government recently requested cholera vaccines, but there’s a worldwide short age of them and 31 countries

are reporting outbreaks, so it’s unclear if and when they will arrive. However, Fontaine said Haiti would be given priority.

The country’s first brush with cholera occurred in 2010 after UN peacekeepers from Nepal introduced the bacteria into the country’s largest river by sewage. Nearly 10,000 people died, and more than 850,000 became ill.

This time, the situation is more complicated, said Boby Sander, Haiti director for Food for the Hungry. Nearly half of those sick with cholera are now younger than 15, and they are struggling to survive given the deepening mal nutrition crisis, he said in a phone interview.

The situation also is worsening because gang violence has spiked, preventing aid groups from reach ing those who need it the most.

“It’s really complex,” he said. “We have to act right now.”

A BABY stricken with cholera receives treatment at a clinic run by Doctors Without Borders in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, earlier this month.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

GSSSA finals underway

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The CR Walker Knights, Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, AF Adderley Fighting Tigers and HO Nash Lions all prevailed with game one victories in their respective Government Secondary Schools Sports Associa tion best-of-three baseball and softball championship series.

Game two in all series will continue today at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Senior boys baseball RM Bailey 1, CR Walker Knights 0

In the much anticipated pitcher’s duel, Ladanian McKenzie got the win after Iverson Laguerre scored the only run of the game in the fourth inning.

McKenzie, holding on for the win, had nine strike outs, the same as losing pitcher Kendal Brown. “I’m satisfied with how they played,” said RM Bailey’s coach Clifton Carey. “We got the pitching match-up that we expected, but we were better pre pared for this game than they were.”

Carey, however, said he knows that it will not be a walk in the park as they go for the sweep today and he indicated that he expects to have his team firing on all cylinders.

Senior girls softball Doris Johnson 16, CR Walker 2

In the continuation of their perfect season, the Mystic Marlins didn’t hold anything back as they slaughtered the Knights, producing a pair of eight runs in the first and second innings. CR Walker could

only muster two runs in the first inning. Grace Chea, who provided some of the offensive spark, was the winning pitcher.

No. 3 Kansas beats NC State in coach Bill Self’s return

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Bill Self couldn’t wait to get started yesterday at the Battle 4 Atlantis. Neither could hot-shooting Kansas rookie Gradey Dick.

Dick scored a seasonhigh 25 points to help the third-ranked Jayhawks beat North Carolina State 80-74 in Wednesday’s tour nament opener, giving Self a successful return to the bench after a four-game suspension.

Dick had 18 on six 3-pointers in the first half before going 1 for 8 from the field after halftime.

Jalen Wilson added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the reigning national cham pion Jayhawks (5-0).

The Jayhawks blew an eight-point halftime lead and a nine-point secondhalf lead before grinding it out.

“I think it really just showed what our team’s about and in crunch time, we can come out with tough plays when we really need it,” Dick said.

It also helped, Dick said, to “have a Hall of Famer in our corner” again.

Kansas had imposed the suspension on Self and

Self was allowed to coach practices, so he remained involved with the team.

But on gamedays, he said he got a dose of the helpless perspective of a fan while assistant Norm Roberts led the team.

He said he couldn’t even take notes until he watched the game on a replay. He was ready for Wednesday right from the 7am wakeup call.

“I usually don’t jump out of bed,” Self said. “But I kind of did today because I was excited about what was getting ready to happen.”

As he emerged from the tunnel, Self was greeted with loud cheers from a

Ayton posts double double, Suns beat Lakers 115-105

By JACK THOMPSON Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) —

Mikal Bridges and Devin Booker each scored 25 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 115-105 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

The Suns, playing with out point guard Chris Paul for the seventh straight game, have beaten the Lakers five straight times in regular season play — eight counting the last three games of their 2020-21 play off series.

Anthony Davis had 37 points, 21 rebounds and five blocked shots for the Lakers, playing without LeBron James (left adduc tor strain) for the fifth straight game. They had won their previous three games without him.

Things got chippy in the fourth quarter. With 3:55 left in the game, the Lakers’ Patrick Beverley was ejected for shoving Phoenix’s Deandre Ayton following a foul called on Booker against Austin Reaves that was assessed a flagrant-1 after review. Booker later fouled out.

“It’s just happening too many times,” Suns coach Monty Williams said of the incident.

“I think the league needs to take a look at those kinds of plays, it’s just unnecessary.”

After cooler heads pre vailed, Williams said his team stayed composed.

“It was like, ‘Guys, let’s just win the game.’ Our guys got it back together,” he said. “We got a few stops and that allowed to get out in transition a little bit.”

Booker said, “I would have a lot more respect if he just pushed him in the chest when the guy was facing him.”

Lakers coach Darvin Ham defended Beverley’s

action. “From what I saw Ayton was standing there ready to walk over (Reaves),” Ham said. “I am not mad at (Beverley).

THE excitement is build ing for the upcoming launch of the 50th CARIFTA Games 2023, to be held here in the Bahamas from April 7-10, 2023.

As the region looks to celebrate the 50th Anni versary of Caricom and The Bahamas, its 50th Golden Jubilee Independ ence Celebrations, the 50th Anniversary of the CAR IFTA Games is a welcomed addition to the planned celebrations.

Governing organisa tions such as NACAC, led by Mike Sands, president, BAAA, led by Drumeco Archer, president, and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, led by BSAA Volleyball Champions Crowned

SPORTS NOTES

THE Bahamas Scholas tic Athletic Association completed its best-of-three volleyball championships on Tuesday at the Tom “The Bird” Grant in Yellow Elder.

Junior Boys Teleos Christian School Cherubims def. the Believers Faith Christian Academy 21-12, 21-14 to complete a sweep of their series. Joshua Bernadin of Teleos was the most valu able player.

Senior Girls

CV Bethel Stingrays def. Teleos Christian School 26-24, 20-25, 15-13 to win the series 2-1.

Pasha Johnson and Dan ielle McCoy of CV Bethel were the MVPs.

Senior Boys CV Bethel Senior High def. Teleos Christian Academy 25-9, 25-20 to win the series 2-1. Sadeki Hendricks and Rochi Desa mours of CV Bethel were the MVPs.

BCA

General Meeting

THE Bahamas Chess Federation has announced that the annual general meeting will take place at 3pm on Sunday at the J Whitney Pinder Building next to Colina and Doc tors Hospital on Collins Avenue.

Croatia beats Spain 2-0 to advance to Davis Cup semis

MALAGA,

—

Cilic trailed 4-1 in the

tiebreaker

back to clinch a 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory after 3 hours, 13 minutes and secure a 2-0 win for

Borna Coric upset Rob erto Bautista Agut 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the first singles match to give Croatia the lead. It was Croatia’s first Davis Cup victory over Spain after three pre vious defeats, and sets up a semifinal against Australia.

“It’s an incredible effort by the team,” Cilic said. “It’s such a great privi lege and honour to bring another point for the team Croatia and seal the win against the always strong Spanish team.”

Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open winner, hit 20 aces in the match but also pro duced 15 double-faults in a victory that improved his Davis Cup singles record to 33-15.

He double-faulted twice in the 11th game of the first set as he was broken, but went 4-2 up in the second set to start his comeback after Carreno Busta hit a double-fault

Spain (AP)

Marin Cilic rallied to defeat Pablo Carreno Busta in a three-hour match yesterday and send Croatia into the Davis Cup semifinals.

decisive

before coming

Croatia over Spain.

LAKERS’ Anthony Davis (3) tries to get around Suns’ Deandre Ayton during the first half in Phoenix Tuesday night. (AP Photo/ Darryl Webb)

Vanessa Sawyer was tagged with the loss. “They did very well. In the past few weeks, our batting was a little shaky, but we

worked on that and they came out and batted very well today (yesterday),”

assistant Kurtis Townsend as part of the fallout from a pending NCAA infractions case tied to the federal investigation into corrup tion within the sport.

THIS photo provided by Bahamas Visual Services shows Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) taking a shot past N.C. State defenders Jack Clark (5) and Casey Morsell (14) during an NCAA college basketball game at the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas, yesterday.

Photo: Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP

THE LW Young Golden Eagles in action against the HO Nash Lions in junior girls softball action yesterday. The Lions won 18-2.

Ole Miss Rebels lose by two points in Pink Flamingo Championship

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN what turned out to be a dramatic finish to a great Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championships last night at Baha Mar, the number 17-ranked Utah Utes held off the Univer sity of Mississippi Rebels 69-67 on a three-point play with just six seconds left on the clock.

As Utes’ Kennac McQueen attempted to shoot the basket, she was fouled by Rebels’ Angel Baker. McQueen went to the line and missed the first charity shot, but converted the next two to seal the deal.

Ole Miss, coached by Bahamian Yolett McPheeMcCuin, attempted one last shot by Snudda Col lins, but she missed as the buzzer sounded. Utah remained undefeated to win the title, while the Rebels dropped their first game of the season to finish as the runners-up.

“I shot a million free throws, so it was moments like these that you live for,” said McQueen, who was 4-for-5 from the foul line as she ended up with a total of 10 points. “I missed the one, but I knew I was only to hit the next two. I had confidence on the line.”

Utah’s coach Lynne Roberts said it was a hardfought game, but while Ole Miss played a physical game, she’s just happy that they won.

“We didn’t play the style we liked to play. We didn’t shoot well and we got out-rebounded but we still found a way to win,” she said. “So I’m really proud of our team. Very impressed with Ole Miss, but it was a great win.”

McPhee-McCuin, who had a large cheering squad in the gym, said it was not what they anticipated, but she’s still super proud of her Rebels.

“It felt like an NCAA Tournament game. That’s a NCAA team. I feel like we have a chance to be the same,” she said. “I was super proud of my team. Everybody counted us out.

We lost a draft pick and we had a lot of new pieces.

“But just to watch them step up and make big plays and being home in the crowd having our back. That was why we were in the game and got to take the lead. It was a lot of teaching moments in November. We got better, so for that I’m proud.”

Alissa Pili was simply sensational for the Utes as she powered inside for a game high 21 points with nine rebounds.

Jenna Johnson had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while McQueen and Gianna Kneepkens both had 20.

In a losing effort, Ole Miss got 18 points with eight rebounds from Mar quesha Davis, Collins had 16 points, Baker contrib uted 13 points with five rebounds and four steals and Myah Taylor helped out with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Before the drama unfolded at the end, Col lins hit a jumper for a 67-67 tie with 19.5 left.

With 1:24 to go, Pili got a reverse lay-up to give Utah a 67-63 lead after Dasia Young canned a

three-pointer, but Baker converted a pair of free throws for a 67-65 Ole Miss deficit.

Utah took a 56-55 lead on Dasia Young’s threepoint play, but Collins canned a three-pointer and Baker added another to push Ole Miss out front 61-56 with about six min utes to go. Two minutes later, Utah came within one, 61-60.

In the third quarter after the Utes drew even at 39-39, the Rebels went up 46-39, only to watch as the game was tied again at 48-46. Ole Miss maintained the lead as they held onto a 52-50 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

With 1:06 left before intermission, Collins com pleted a three-point play as Ole Miss went up 35-31, but Utah’s basket at the other end cut the lead in half (35-33) at the half.

Collins and Davis both had nine points to pace the Rebels in the first two peri ods. Taylor had seven and Scott six.

The Rebels had to rally from a seven-point, 26-19 deficit, with about seven minutes to go before they took the lead at the half.

Despite falling behind, Johnson had 11 for Utah.

In the first quarter, Utah opened an 11-8 lead at about the four-minute mark, but Ole Miss man aged to trim the margin down to one (20-19) at the end of the first break.

Three other games were played prior to the final with a summary of each one listed below:

Kentucky 70, Dayton 44: The Wildcats had three players in double figures, led by Robyn Benton with 15 points with two rebounds, Ajae Petty had 12 points, six rebounds sand two steals and Jada Walker had 11 points and three steals.

In a losing effort for the short-handed Flyers, who were winless in their two games, Mariah Perez scored a game high 16 points with 10 rebounds and three blocks. Maliya Perry added nine points with five rebounds.

Kentucky led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter and they never relinquished the lead.

Virginia Tech 73, Mis souri 57: Kayana Taylor led three Hokies players in double figures with 18

points, six rebounds and four assists. Elizabe Kitley added 17 points and 20 rebounds and Georgia Amoore chipped in with 15 points, six assists and three rebounds in their second win of the tournament.

Haley Troup scored a game high 21 points with three rebounds and Hayley Frank had eight points with four rebounds in a losing effort for the Tigers.

Alabama 61, Wake Forest 58: Megan Abrams paced the Crimson Tide’s attack with 14 points as they got their first win the of the tournament. Brit tany Davis had 12 points and seven rebounds and Jada Rice added 11 points.

Demeara Hinds scored a game high 18 points with 10 rebounds to lead the Dea cons, who leave winless.

Jewel Spear had 26 points and seven rebounds and Kaia Harrison added 12 points and four assists in the loss.

Missouri Tigers def. Wake Forest Deacons 69-47, University of Utah Utes def. the Alabama Crimson Tides 93-68 and the Virginia Tech Hokies def. Kentucky Wildcats 82-74.

the Hon. Minister Mario Bowleg, are excited with the preparations and poten tial of this latest rendition of the Carifta Games. The Carifta Games, since its inception from 1972, has been an incubator that has created Olympic and World Class athletes throughout the region. Many of which have taken to the world stage and awed the global family by their illustration of dedication, passion, dis cipline, and love for their respective events.

The 50th Carifta Games Local Organizing Com mittee (LOC), led by CEO, Lynden Maycock, has designed the events leading up to next year’s occasion to highlight, pre sent and past athletes that have contributed to the development of the Carifta Games all-encompassing history. A part these events include an International Press conference, sched uled Wednesday, November 30th, at 10:00 am with a Pre-show streaming live at 9:30 am.

Additionally, the Official Launch will occur the fol lowing day at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium at 6pm, with a Carifta 50 Live, preshow at 4:30 pm, hosted by local media per sonality, Shenique Miller.

The pre-show events will include entertainment that includes, the Royal Baha mas Defense Force Band, the All-Star Band, the World-Famous Bahamas Brass Band and a Junkanoo Rush Out.

The Official Launch will include the re-launch of the Legend’s Walk, where Olympian and World Ath letic champions, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Stephen Gar diner and Anthonique Strachan, will be honored and added to the Legend’s Walk.

The event will also high light the past athletes who have been Austin Sealy Award recipients for The Bahamas.

The event is free to the public and will have food sold on site. The public is invited to follow the 50th

FROM PAGE 14

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 37 points and 13 rebounds and Jaylen Brown scored 31 points to help the NBA-best Boston Celtics bounce back from a rare loss and beat the Dallas Mavericks 125-112 last night.

The Celtics, who have an NBA-leading 14 wins, had won nine straight before losing to the Chicago Bulls on Monday night.

Luka Doncic scored 42 points for the Mavericks, who had beaten Boston four straight times. Three of the wins came on a 3-pointer in the final sec onds, and two of those were with no time at all on the clock. But Doncic wasn’t able to keep this one close.

The Celtics led by as many as 27 points in the third quarter before Dallas scored 13 of the next 15 points.

The Mavericks got within nine points, 104-95 with about 3:30 remaining, and it was 117-107 when it became a game of one-on-one.

NETS 112, RAPTORS 98

TORONTO (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 19 of his 29 points in the third quarter, Nic Claxton had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Brooklyn beat shorthanded Toronto.

Toronto held Kevin Durant to 12 points but still lost to the Nets for the fifth time in seven meetings after winning 21 of the pre vious 25. Durant scored his 26,074th career point in the third quarter, passing Kevin Garnett (26,071) for 18th place on the NBA’s list.

Royce O’Neale made a career-high five 3-pointers and scored 15 points, and Ben Simmons had 14 for the Nets, who bounced back

after losing at Philadelphia on Tuesday. Brooklyn has won three of four.

Gary Trent Jr. scored 19 points for Toronto.

BULLS 118, BUCKS 113

MILWAUKEE (AP) — DeMar DeRozan had 36 points and eight assists and Chicago beat Milwaukee.

Chicago began the week with a 6-10 record but has now beaten the top two teams in the standings. The Bulls ended Boston’s nine-game winning streak Monday night.

Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic scored 18 points apiece for Chicago, and Coby White had 14.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Bucks, who lost for just the second time in 11 home games this season.

HORNETS 107, 76ERS 101

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Terry Rozier scored nine of his 22 points in the final five minutes and Charlotte rallied to beat Philadelphia in a matchup of injury-riddled teams.

Charlotte, which trailed by 13 points in the first half, won for only the second time in 13 games and ended a three-game skid.

Philadelphia was playing without three starters — Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey — but got strong efforts from Shake Milton, De’Anthony Melton, Montrezl Harrell and Tobias Harris.

Milton had 22 points, Melton 20, Harris 19 and Harrell 16 for Philadel phia. Harrell was playing in Charlotte for the first time since that franchise allowed him to leave via free agency last summer.

HAWKS 115, KINGS 106

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae

Young scored 35 points, Clint Capela added 11 points and 14 rebounds and Atlanta ended Sacramen to’s winning streak at seven.

Young had 10 points in the third, including a straightaway 3-pointer that gave the Hawks a 97-86 lead, and his 27-foot 3 made it 110-97 with 3:58 left in the game and brought a huge roar from the crowd.

Malik Monk led the Kings with a season-high 27 points, and Domantas Sab onis had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

NUGGETS 131, THUNDER 126 OT

OKAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 39 points, Aaron Gordon added 30 and Bruce Brown had a triple-double to help depleted Denver outlast Oklahoma City in overtime.

Brown had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Denver played without starters Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Porter. missed the game with a left heel injury, while Murray was held out for rest.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points and 11 assists for Oklahoma City. Isiah Joe hit 7 of 10 3s to score 21 points.

CAVALIERS 114, TRAIL BLAZERS 96

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points and Jarrett Allen had a season-high 24 points and 13 rebounds in Cleve land’s victory over Portland.

Darius Garland had 24 points and 12 assists to help Cavaliers complete a 4-0 homestand and improve to 12-6.

Jusuf Nurkic had 22 points and six rebounds for Portland. The Trail Blazers have lost four straight.

HEAT 113, WIZARDS 105

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Lowry scored 24 of his 28 points in the first half, Tyler Herro made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and Miami beat Washington to end a four-game slide.

Caleb Martin scored 24 points and Herro fin ished with 17 in his first game back following an eight-game absence with a sprained ankle.

Kyle Kuzma scored 33 points for the Wizards.

TIMBERWOLVES 114, PACERS 101

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points — nine of them in a row in a key third-quarter run — and Minnesota beat Indiana.

Minnesota has won five in a row, four of them on the road, to improve to 10-8. Indiana had a five-game winning streak snapped to drop to 10-7.

Rudy Gobert had 21 points and 16 rebounds for Minnesota. Myles Turner led Indianapolis with 31 points, hitting seven 3s.

PELICANS 129, SPURS 110

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Zion Williamson had a season-high 32 points along with 11 rebounds and New Orleans handed San Anto nio its sixth straight loss, 129-110 on Wednesday night.

Williamson was 14 for 18 from the field. The Pelicans extended their lead to 24 points in the fourth quarter in winning for the seventh time in nine games.

Jonas Valanciunas fin ished with 22 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans.

Spurs guard Devin Vas sell had 26 points and eight assists.

He is there protect ing his teammate and I am sure he will have to go through some type of consequence for that but that is who we have to be. Teams have to know they just can’t push us around.” Davis was 15 of 16 from the free-throw line, where Los Angeles held a big advantage (29-3) in points. But Phoenix hit 16 3-point attempts, five by Bridges. The Lakers were just 4 of 22 from behind the arc.

Davis was down after a collision with Booker in the second quarter, but eventually got up during a timeout and shot free throws.

“I guess I hit my funny bone and just lost feeling in my arm,” Davis said. “It is still a little numb right now.”

Lonnie Walker IV scored 24 points and Rus sell Westbrook came off the bench to score 21 for the Lakers (5=11). Reaves scored 11 and Beverley had 10 rebounds — but no points in 29 minutes.

Ayton had 14 points and 15 rebounds for Phoenix (11-6), which won consecutive games for the first time since a five-game winning streak ended Nov. 4. Reserve Duane Washington Jr. scored 15 for the Suns.

DAVIS STEPS UP Davis has scored 30 points or more in the last four games, including a 38-point, 16-rebound night against Detroit on Friday. Davis entered Tuesday second to Min nesota’s Rudy Gobert in rebounding.

Williams coached Davis when both were in New Orleans.

“The last three games tell the tale,” the Suns coach said before the game. “This is the player that he’s always been. I know how talented he is.”

NEXT Lakers: At San Antonio Friday.

Suns: Host Detroit Friday.

BOSTON Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts during the sec ond half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)

THE UNIVERSITY of Mississippi Rebels lost to the number 17-ranked Utah Utes last night in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championships.

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

Japan gets 2 late goals to upset Germany 2-1 at World Cup

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer

DOHA, Qatar (AP) —

Another World Cup day, another World Cup shock.

Substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano scored late goals yesterday to help Japan come from behind and upset Germany 2-1.

Both Doan and Asano play for German clubs.

“I believe it’s a historic moment, a historic vic tory. If I think about the development of Japanese soccer, thinking of play ers, for them this was a big surprise,” said Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, who had five Germany-based play ers in his starting lineup and three, including the scorers, on the bench.

“They’re fighting in a very strong, tough, pres tigious league. They’ve been building up their strength. In that context we believe that those divi sions (Bundesliga and second division) have been contributing to the development of Japanese players,” Moriyasu said. “I’m very grateful for that.”

Ilkay Gündogan had given four-time cham pion Germany the lead with a first-half penalty. But Doan, who plays for Freiburg, pounced on a rebound to equalize in the 76th minute after Ger many goalkeeper Manuel Neuer blocked a shot from Takumi Minamino.

Then Asano, who plays for Bochum, sprinted clear of Nico Schlotterbeck and

beat Neuer from a narrow angle in the 83rd minute.

It was the first competi tive meeting between the two nations. They played two friendlies in the past, with Germany winning 3-0 in 2004 before a 2-2 draw in 2006.

Germany outplayed Japan for much of Wednes day’s match and had 24 attempts on goal compared to Japan’s 11.

The Japanese had only 24% possession.

“It’s brutally disap pointing, not only for the players, but also the coach ing team,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said. “We deserved to go in front. It was more than deserved. Then you have to say that Japan gave us a lesson in efficiency.”

The match was played a day after Argentina’s 2-1 upset loss to Saudi Arabia.

Before their game, Ger many’s players covered their mouths during the team photo to protest against FIFA following its decision to stop plans to wear armbands that were seen as protesting discrimi nation in host nation Qatar.

Nancy Faeser, Germany’s sports minister, attended the match at the Khalifa International Stadium and was sitting beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino while wearing the same “One Love” armband that FIFA had outlawed with its threats of consequences.

It was only the third time Germany had lost its tournament-opening game after defeats against

Algeria in 1982 and Mexico in 2018.

In the other World Cup openers for Germany, the team had won 13 matches and drawn four.

Despite giving away the penalty for a clumsy chal lenge on left back David Raum, Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda made a string of saves and was player of the game.

“We fought as a team,” Gonda said. “We have to make sure we never stop.”

Japan will next play Costa Rica on Sunday, while Germany will face Spain. The Spanish routed Costa Rica 7-0 in the other Group E match.

Germany’s buildup was fraught by protests and political statements because of Qatar’s human rights record and its treat ment of migrant workers and members of the LGBTQ community.

Germany mid fielder Joshua Kimmich

complained Tuesday that he had the feeling he wasn’t able to fully enjoy playing at the tournament because of all the negative coverage.

Germany was playing at the World Cup for the first time since its surprising group-stage exit as defend ing champion in 2018, while Japan is appearing in its seventh straight World Cup and is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

BELGIUM SPOILS CANADA’S RETURN WITH 1-0 WIN

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer

AL RAYYAN, Qatar

(AP) — Kevin De Bruyne threw his hands up in dis gust as another pass went astray. Eden Hazard was easily knocked off the ball. Michy Batshuayi was hauled off by his angry coach after a lazy flick to no one at all.

Belgium didn’t live up to the hype of being the sec ond-ranked team despite starting the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Canada yesterday.

Thibaut Courtois saved an early penalty and Batsh uayi scored the only goal at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to spoil the North American team’s return to the tour nament after 36 years.

Aside from the result, there was little for the Bel gians to celebrate, with De Bruyne — one of the world’s best players — mocking the decision to name him player of the match.

“No, I don’t think I played a great game,” a miserable-looking De Bruyne said after being told of his award. “I don’t know why I got the trophy — maybe it’s because of my name.”

Belgium’s aging team was outplayed at times

by Canada, which has yet to collect a point or even score a goal in four World Cup matches — including the three games from its debut in 1986.

This should have been the game the Canadians broke that run. Alphonso Davies, the star of Can ada’s team, squandered the best chance when his penalty was blocked by Courtois, one of 21 shots taken compared to Bel gium’s nine.

“They showed tonight they do belong here,” Canada coach John Herd man said of his players.

One moment of class in the 44th minute wound up deciding the game. It wasn’t from one of De Bruyne’s brilliant through-balls or Hazard’s mazy dribbles, but instead a simple long ball over the top of Cana da’s defense by center back Toby Alderweireld.

It split the defense and Batshuayi ran through, let ting the ball bounce twice before guiding a left-footed finish into the far corner.

“Delighted that, without being ourselves, we won the game,” Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said.

Martinez said it was his team’s worst performance on a technical level since he took charge more than six years ago.

“But was it the worst game?” he added. “No. Because it’s a win.”

There were six players in their 30s in Belgium’s start ing lineup, four of them having accrued more than 100 international appear ances. Courtois and De Bruyne might reach three figures at this World Cup, in what looks like being a last hurrah for this group of players often described as a “golden generation.”

The absence of Romelu Lukaku — a prolific scorer and big presence up front — is a huge blow to Mar tinez, with Batshuayi

failing to impress as his backup aside from his welltaken goal.

Lukaku, who has a left thigh injury, could poten tially miss the entire group stage.

With De Bruyne’s pass ing unusually poor, all the best moves came from a mobile and attacking Canada team in front of their loud, Maple Leafwaving fans.

Davies stood out with his driving runs from left back but ruined his per formance with his failure from the spot. Herdman had no complaints about

Davies taking the kick, even though Jonathan David typically takes them for French club Lille.

“It’s a big moment for any player. You are carry ing the weight of a nation,” Herdman said. “When you have an $85 million player, let him pick the ball up and take it.”

Canada had 14 shots in the first half alone, the most by a team at the World Cup without scoring in 16 years.

RECORD BREAKER

Canada captain Atiba Hutchinson, at the age of 39, became the oldest out field player to start a World Cup match.

REF WATCH

The referee was Janny Sikazwe of Zambia, who made headlines at the African Cup of Nations in January by blowing to end a match after about 85 minutes.

The match restarted and then ended again prior to the 90-minute mark. Sika zwe later said he had been suffering from heat stroke.

In the Belgium-Canada game, he played five min utes of stoppage time in each half.

UP NEXT Belgium takes on Morocco on Sunday. Canada meets Croatia on the same day.

TEEN GAVI LEADS SPAIN TO 7-0 ROUT OF COSTA RICA

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Not since Pelé in 1958 had someone as young as Gavi scored a goal at the World Cup.

The 18-year-old midfielder led the way yes terday as Spain pulled off the biggest World Cup vic tory in its history, routing Costa Rica 7-0.

“I could never have imag ined it,” said Gavi, who was named the game’s most val uable player. “I know I’m the youngest in the team and I respect everyone, but on the field it’s different and I bring out my best.”

Pelé scored two goals in the 1958 final, when Brazil won its first World Cup by beating Sweden 5-2.

“I’m proud to be in that podium,” he said. “Not even in my dreams I had imagined this.”

Gavi only managed to score one goal on Wednes day, but his teammates added plenty of others.

Not long after Japan surprised Germany 2-1 in the other Group E match, Spain’s young squad avoided any chance of an upset with Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres scoring a goal each in the first half. Torres, Gavi, Carlos Soler and Álvaro Morata added to the lead in the second half.

In addition to Gavi’s mark, Olmo’s goal was the 100th at World Cups for “La Roja,” which became the sixth nation to score more than 100 times in the tournament.

It was the first time Spain scored seven goals in a World Cup match, and the first time a team completed 1,000 passes in a 90-minute game at the tournament.

“Our only goal is to con trol the game continuously, and to do that you need to have the ball,” Spain coach Luis Enrique said.

With Gavi and 19-yearold Pedri starting, Spain also became the first European nation with two teenagers in the start ing lineup of a World Cup match in 60 years, accord ing to statistics platform Opta. Gavi and Pedri were among the many youngsters picked by Luis Enrique in a revamped squad in Qatar — the third-youngest team among the 32 nations, after the United States and Ghana.

The young duo helped Spain control the pace of the match from the start at Al Thumama Stadium. The 22-year-old Torres, who is dating the daughter of coach Luis Enrique, scored his first World Cup goal from the penalty spot in the 31st minute. The others came during the run of play.

“When things go your way like this, soccer becomes wonderful,” Luis Enrique said. “We played exceptionally well with and without the ball.”

MOROCCO HOLDS LUKA MODRIC AND CROATIA 0-0

By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP)

— Another surprisingly strong performance by an Arab country at the World Cup in Qatar stifled the threat of Luka Modric and held 2018 finalist Croatia to a 0-0 draw.

Morocco’s resilient per formance yesterday came 24 hours after Saudi Arabia sparked the first World Cup in the Middle East into life by beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina in one of the biggest upsets in the tour nament’s history.

Tunisia followed that up with a scoreless draw against European

Championship semifinalist Denmark.

Morocco managed to do enough to rein in Croatia captain Modric, who was still his team’s best player in their Group F opener and had one of the best chances when his shot just rose over the crossbar in the first half.

Dejan Lovran got a shot off at a corner in the second half and Sofyan Amra bat cleared off the line for Morocco to preserve the draw.

“It was a difficult game, especially in the first 15 minutes,” Modric said. He said Croatia “missed some thing up front.”

Modric didn’t have nearly the same kind of impact

he had throughout the last World Cup in Russia when he led Croatia to its first final before losing to France.

That was largely down to Morocco, who harassed and harried the Croatians at every turn, buoyed by their red-shirted fans, who out numbered and made much more noise than the Croa tian supporters.

“They played their hearts out. I congratulate them on that,” said Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic. “They had a really energetic game and they had great support.”

The 37-year-old Modric is playing in his fourth and what’s expected to be his final World Cup, where

he’s looking to add an international title to his tro phy-laden career with Real Madrid.

He was voted best player at the World Cup four years ago to wide acclaim. When he was then announced as player of the match on Wednesday, it was greeted by an outburst of boos from Morocco fans who had chanted and whirled scarves as they jumped up and down in the final min utes at Al Bayt Stadium.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi had the best chance for Morocco with a thumping second-half shot punched away with both fists by goal keeper Dominik Livakovic.

The result was a major confidence-booster for Morocco and coach Walid Regragui, who was only hired at the end of August — his first international coaching job — and had less than three months to prepare the team for Qatar.

“We were playing against the runners up for the last World Cup,” Regragui said. “I’m so proud of the boys. I’m proud of the men.”

MORE THAN MODRIC

As brilliant as he is, Modric is closer to 40 than 30 now and will need more help from his team if Croa tia is going to get to another World Cup final. Forwards Ivan Perisic and Nikola

Vlasic weren’t the threats they were expected to be against Morocco and Vlasic went off injured in the second half.

“We haven’t come here just to compete,” Modric said. “On the basis of our Russian experience we have ambitions to do the same or even better. But even before that tourna ment we said let’s first set a primary objective of getting past the group stage.”

WHAT’S NEXT Morocco and Regragui have another huge test in their next game against No. 2-ranked Belgium in a tough Group F. Croatia will expect a win against Canada.

JAPAN’S TAKUMA ASANO, left, fights for the ball with Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck, on his way to score his side’s second goal during their group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, yesterday. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

BELGIUM’s Kevin De Bruyne waves to fans at the end of the World Cup group F soccer match against Canada, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on November 23. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Thanksgiving slate features five winning football teams

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

THANKSGIVING will be filled with food and win ning football teams.

The three-game slate for today turned out better than anyone could’ve hoped when the schedule was announced. Five of the six teams playing are currently sitting in playoff spots.

The early game that traditionally features the Lions (4-6) is more inter esting now that Detroit has won three straight games. The visiting Buffalo Bills (7-3) are among the NFL’s best teams and already won a game in the same stadium after a blizzard forced them out of western New York last week.

Just in time for dinner or dessert, the Dallas Cow boys (7-3) host the New York Giants (7-3) in a battle for second place in the NFC East. The Giants were expected to be jockey ing for draft positioning at this point of the season.

Instead, they aim to get back on the winning track after losing to the Lions. The Cowboys are coming off a dominant 40-3 win in Minnesota.

Speaking of the Vikings, they’ll look to rebound from that disappointing loss to Dallas in the nightcap against the New England Patriots (6-4).

Minnesota (8-2) has been outscored 64-10 in its two losses.

Pro Picks has fared far better predicting Sunday games than Thursday contests this season, but perhaps three games are luckier than one.

Buffalo (minus 9 1/2) at Detroit

Josh Allen and the Bills face a different crowd in Detroit this week. The Lions have allowed 19 points per game during a three-game winning streak.

BILLS, 30-22 New York Giants (plus 9 1/2) at Dallas

The Cowboys are 1-10 against the spread in the past 11 games on Thanks giving, but the Giants

are dealing with several injuries.

COWBOYS, 27-16 New England (plus 2 1/2) at Minnesota

Kirk Cousins is 0-2 against Bill Belichick. The Patriots can’t score.

VIKINGS, 23-13 Baltimore (minus 4) at Jacksonville

Struggling to beat the Panthers got the Ravens’ attention.

BEST BET: RAVENS, 24-17 Cincinnati (minus 2 1/2) at Tennessee

The AFC South-leading Titans get no respect in a playoff rematch against the team that ended their 2021 season.

UPSET SPECIAL:

TITANS, 24-23 Denver (minus 2 1/2) at Carolina

It’s Sam Darnold’s turn to start for the Panthers. At least he didn’t cost Carolina Russell Wilson’s price. BRONCOS, 20-16

Atlanta (plus 4) at Washington

Taylor Heinicke is 4-1 as the starter, the defense is leading the way and the Commanders are rolling. The Falcons remain only one game behind the Buc caneers in the NFC South.

COMMANDERS, 21-19 Tampa Bay (minus 3 1/2) at Cleveland Tom Brady and the Buc caneers return from a bye. Jacoby Brissett starts his last game before Deshaun Watson’s return.

BUCCANEERS, 23-17 Houston (plus 13) at Miami

Fresh off a bye, the Dol phins get another one against a one-win team.

DOLPHINS, 30-13 Chicago (plus 4 1/2) at New York Jets Justin Fields has an opportunity to make the Jets regret taking Zach Wilson ahead of him in last year’s draft even more.

JETS, 19-17

Las Vegas (plus 3 1/2) at Seattle

The Raiders try to build off a comeback win at Denver.

SEAHAWKS, 27-23

Los Angeles Chargers (minus 4) at Arizona

The right opponent for the Chargers to get back on the winning track after losing two in a row.

CHARGERS, 30-17

Los Angeles Rams (plus 14 1/2) at Kansas City

The defending Super Bowl champions are a mess. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look like the best team in the NFL.

CHIEFS, 31-13

New Orleans (plus 9 1/2) at San Francisco Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers are rolling.

49ERS, 26-20 Green Bay (plus 7) at Philadelphia Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are desperate to save their season.

EAGLES, 24-23

Pittsburgh (plus 2 1/2) at Indianapolis

The Colts would’ve defeated the Eagles if they didn’t make costly penalties.

COLTS, 20-16 2022 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 10-4. Against spread: 7-6-1. Season: Straight up: 96-68. Against spread: 85-75-4.

Thursday Night: Straight up: 6-5. Against spread: 4-7.

Monday Night: Straight up: 6-6. Against spread: 5-7.

Best Bet: Straight up: 7-4. Against spread: 7-4. Upset Special: Straight up: 4-7. Against spread: 5-5-1.

Back at Ford Field, Bills face surging Lions

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer

DETROIT (AP) — The Buffalo Bills are back in Detroit and this time, they’re facing the sud denly surging Lions on Thanksgiving.

The NFL shifted Buf falo’s previous home game against Cleveland to Ford Field after a winter storm dumped several feet of snow across the Buffalo area.

The Bills dug out of their snow-packed home and some needed help from team employees, neighbors and strangers to get out of town before beating the Browns to end a two-game losing streak. Buffalo (7-3) is tied with Miami atop the AFC East and needs another win to keep pace with the Dol phins while holding off New England and the New York Jets, teams in the division that are only one game back.

“These short weeks are pretty tough in terms of scheduling and guys trying to get their bodies right to play, but it’s tough for them as well,” quarterback Josh Allen said.

Detroit (4-6) has won three games in a row for the first time in five years and the last such stretch of success was snapped on Thanksgiving, starting a five-game losing streak on the holiday.

“It’s been a while since there has been this much positivity around the building,” said offensive

tackle Taylor Decker, who is in his seventh season with the franchise. “Three wins may not seem like a big deal, but it is.”

The Lions certainly are not used to it because they haven’t won more than three straight games since a five-game winning streak when Decker was a rookie in 2016.

BANGED UP

Both teams will be miss ing key players.

Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (ankle) will miss his third straight game and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (groin) will also be out while center Mitch Morse (elbow, ankle) is questionable.

Detroit will be missing cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion) and start ing guards Jonah Jackson (concussion) and Evan Brown (ankle).

SILVER LINING

Bills offensive coordina tor Ken Dorsey credited the COVID-19 pandemic for helping assist him and his staff to develop a game plan on a short week and with little or no time to practice.

“Bringing that stuff home and creating cutups at home so a lot of guys were able to take their work home ... and really not miss too much,” Dorsey said.

MEASURING STICK

Decker said playing the Bills, a popular pick before the season to con tend for the Super Bowl, gives Detroit a chance to validate its resurgence.

“It will be a really good barometer to see if we can replicate what we’re doing, especially on a short week,” Decker said.

“It’s a huge opportunity on the national stage.” TO A TEE

Edge rusher Von Miller designs a new T-shirt to honor someone or group before each game. His shirts have featured former Chiefs star Derrick Thomas and Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

Last week, Miller paid tribute to Buffalo defen sive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

“When Von showed me that shirt the night before the game, I was like, ‘Wow.’ You talk about humbling,” said Frazier,

who is in his sixth season with the Bills and 24th in the NFL.

The 33-year-old Miller is tied for 10th in the NFL with eight sacks, six of which have come in five road games.

Decker said the line will use “The Von Miller Rule,” against him. While Decker said it’s too com plicated to explain, he was quick to say it wasn’t like the “Jordan Rules,” applied by the Pistons to rough up Michael Jordan.

“It’s not a dirty rule,” Decker said. “It’s a protec tion rule.”

ADVANATAGE, DETROIT?

If the Lions’ depleted offensive line can give Jared Goff time to throw,

standout receiver AmonRa St. Brown may be a pivotal player.

Buffalo’s young and short-handed second ary struggled the past two games against top receivers.

Cleveland’s Amari Cooper had eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns last week after Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson had 10 catches for 193 yards and a score.

St. Brown had a total of 17 receptions for 195 yards in road wins over the New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

But he has gone seven straight games without scoring after he had a sixgame scoring streak going back to last season.

WENTZ RETURNS TO PRACTICE, NOT AS THE STARTING QB

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Carson Wentz is back practicing with the Wash ington Commanders. Just not as their start ing quarterback. Wentz returned to the practice field yester day and was designated to return from injured reserve, but he’s set to watch Sunday as Taylor Heinicke makes a sixth consecutive start when the Commanders host the Atlanta Falcons.

Coach Ron Rivera selected Heinicke as the starter even pending Wentz’s return because Washington is 4-1 since the QB change.

“We had a pretty brief conversation, pretty to the point,” Wentz said of Rivera delivering the news. “And it was fine. I get it. I get it. It’s part of the business and I totally understand where we’re at as a team and every thing else. Obviously as a competitor you want to be out there.”

Wentz isn’t even expected to be in uniform as Heinicke’s backup this weekend. That job remains with rookie Sam Howell, according to Rivera, who would not commit to Wentz’s role moving forward.

“We’ll take it one game at a time,” Rivera said. “Right now it’s to see how he looks back in team settings. We have him doing some stuff off to the side, then we bring him in and get him involved in some of the other stuff that we’re doing.”

Wentz broke the ring finger on his right, throw ing hand October 13 in a victory at Chicago and underwent surgery to repair it the following week. The 29-year-old said physically he feels good, and his passes in practice had some zip on them.

Mentally, it has been a grind on Wentz, who has lost a starting job for the second time in three years. Two teams removed from Jalen Hurts passing him on the depth chart with Phila delphia, Wentz is trying to handle this situation like a professional — and is still hosting Thanks giving dinner for several teammates.

“Circumstances shouldn’t change who you are as a person, whatever that means and whatever that looks like,” Wentz said, crediting his wife for planning the Thanksgiving meal. “I try not to let the circum stances and the situations change who you are, just because you’re hurt, just because this — X, Y and Z. Try and be the same person every day, day in and day out.”

Wentz has earned nothing but effusive praise from Heinicke and others around the Commanders for being a good teammate and not letting the bench ing sour his relationships around the locker room. He reiterated his desire to aid Heinicke as much as possible, and the two keep saying their rapport is strong.

“I understand it must be tough on him the last several weeks, but he’s put that aside and he’s helped me out a lot,” Heinicke said.

LIONS wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) dives for yardage as Bears safety Eddie Jackson (4) defends during the first half on Sunday, November 13. (AP Photo/Nam Y Huh)

Rosamunde

Carey and 21st Century Athletic team introduced to the public

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the others did it through social media, Rosa munde Carey and her 21st Century Athletic team had an official launch on Friday to introduce their slate of officers to the public for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ gen eral elections.

With the elections set for 10am on Saturday, December 3 at Thomas A Robinson National Sta dium, Carey and her team were introduced at the Canon Neil Roach Center at Holy Cross Anglican Church on Soldier Road.

She indicated that after making history as the first female to be elected as president of the BAAA in 2017, she’s eager and ready to serve again.

“We, the candidates of 21st Century Athletics, align ourselves with the

trajection of the upward mobility witnessed in 2017,” she said.

“Our vision is immersed in ensuring the continual success and resurgence of athletics within the Bahamas.”

Over the past several months, Carey said she and her team of compe tent, dedicated, energetic and innovative individu als, have canvassed and engaged, but more impor tantly, they listened to the athletic community and the stakeholders.

“Similar to our parent organisation, World Ath letics, who have engaged in an investigative initiative called the Global Conver sation, we too, have taken that approach,” Carey said.

“We have and will continue to engage coaches, athletes, the athletes’ representa tives, parents, officials and corporate sponsors.

“Our engagements with you were international

and were designed for us to hear your concerns, ideas, suggestions, and recommendations. As a result of these conversa tions, we have gained a deeper appreciation and greater understanding of the challenges you face, furthermore, they helped to identify opportunities to the effect needed changes.”

Her executive team include Olympian Carl Oliver for first vice presi dent, Grand Bahamian Sandra Laing for second vice president of finance, former athlete/coach Cedricka Rolle, vice president of business opera tions, Verna Bonaby, vice president of public rela tions and marketing and coach Bernard Newbold, vice president of technical

operations. Vying for council members are the following:

Patrick Adderley, entrepreneur Stephen Murray, vet eran coach and current councillor

Nurse Jackie Rolle –medical team

Ramon Miller – Olympian Nickito Johnson – vet eran educator and coach Jason Larimore – veteran coach

Daphne Saundersformer CARIFTA standout

Carey listed the 10 core themes that her 21st Cen tury Athletics Team have identified is needed to be addressed immediately once they are elected.

The list is made up of the following:

Strong Administration/ Good governance.

Effective Communica tion with all stakeholders.

Improved stakeholders relations – both public and private.

Rules and regulations (policies and processes)

Branding. Procedural adherence in all meetings (Roberts Rule).

Faire and equitable selections of athletes and coaches for teams.

Clearly defined roles for administrators.

Standardisation of meas urable plans for talent identification and devel opment programmes and strategic forecasting.

Revitalisation of relay teams and relay camps. Carey said if they can

UB MINGOES MEN LOSE TO STRONG ATLANTIS TEAM ON INTERNATIONAL TOUR

MIAMI, FLORIDA — The University of The Bahamas Min goes men’s basketball team lost both international games against Atlantis University over the weekend.

The Mingoes lost Friday 110-60 at Miami Christian School’s gym and lost Saturday 89-40 at Johnson and Wales University’s gym.

Head coach Bacchus Rolle said the team is rebuilding after the pandemic and is still hoping for the best of the team.

“I trust the process over results,” he said. “Ultimately if we continue along this line we will get better, we will get stronger, we will get faster.”

He added that the team will learn a lot from the loss espe cially going up against a team as strong as Atlantis. “This team is very physical and this weekend was a good primer for the NPBA’s season,” he said.

“We anticipate that to be a very physical league so this got us ready for what we are going to face in the league. We believe the best has yet to come for this team.”

FRIDAY Mingoes 60, Atlantis 110

Justin Burrows came off the bench to give The Mingoes a boost and led the team with 18 points in only 19 minutes of play and going

7-9 from the floor. That though was not enough to get over the bigger and more experienced Atlantis squad. The Mingoes lost 110-60 at The Miami Christian School’s gym.

Timothy Grant scored 11 points along with five rebounds and Erquantae Edgecombe scored 10 points to go along with nine rebounds.

“We ran into a well-conditioned team that fights for everything it gets,” head coach Bacchus Rolle said.

“We were a bit inexperienced and a young team as a result of that we might have played a bit timid.”

Turnovers turned out to be the Achilles heel for The Mingoes with 33 leading to 52 points for Atlantis.

The Mingoes were evenly matched in the paintm scor ing 30 compared to 38 for The Atlanteans.

SATURDAY Mingoes 40, Atlantis 89

Erquantae Edgecombe led The Mingoes with 15 points and seven rebounds but again turno vers killed The Mingoes’ chances of a win. The Mingoes commit ted 31 turnovers leading to 41 points for The Atlanteans in the 89-40 loss Saturday at The John son and Wales University’s gym.

“We have to come back for game two. Our mission is not complete. We have to finish it off.”

The Atlanteans had more looks at the basket as well shooting 34-60 (57%) compared to The Mingoes only connecting on 13 shots with only 38 attempts (34%). “In this second game we truly came out with more intensity and came out

said Zania Kemp, the head coach of CV Bethel. “I expect us to continue that intensity in game two. We’re looking to bring home another win. We have the potential to win. We just have to go out there and do it.”

Junior boys baseball

SC McPherson 5, HO Nash 1

After pulling off a 5-1 victory in the earlier game to complete the playoffs, the SC McPherson Sharks didn’t have any steam left to face the undefeated AF Adderley Fighting Tigers in game one, scoring two runs in the first, one in the third and five more in the fourth.

Mario Dean got the win in relief for Justin Colebrooke. Michael Lopez suffered the loss.

“I feel pretty good. I’m sat isfied with how we played. We had good pitching. Our first pitcher went about couple innings and then we brought in our next pitcher and he kept up the intensity,” said Fighting Tigers’ coach Vincent Sullivan.

Sullivan said they will come out with the same intensity and hopefully that will enable them to secure another win. But he cautioned his players, remind ing them that they have to play in order to win because SC McPherson won’t just give it to them..

Junior girls softball HO Nash 18, LW Young 2

The Golden Eagles survived the completion of their playoff game earlier in the day with a 6-4 decision over the CH Reeves Raptors. But they were simply no match for the Lions in game one of the final.

Jermiah Frazer came through with another big performance on the mound for the win, while Brianna Knowles was tagged with the loss. “We played very well today,” said catcher Jada Frazer. “I didn’t expect my hit because I was getting walked, so when I got the inside of the parker, I was very happy.”

She said they are confident that they will take game two today.

to win,” head coach Rolle said. Timothy Grant scored nine points as well in the loss.

The Mingoes are next expected to play Caro Construction Shock ers 8pm Saturday at the A.F. Adderley Gym in NPBA action.

achieve those things, they can take the BAAA and track and field to the next level, not just in the Bahamas but on the inter national scene.

She charged that her 21st Century Athletic Team remains a team united and consistent in their vision and belief for a better BAAA.

She invited the rest of the track and field fraternity to support and collaborate with them on this journey.

This weekend, the 21st Century Athletic Team will be taking their campaign to Grand Bahama where they will hold a brunch and mingle from 11am to 1pm on Saturday at the Bishop Michael Eldon School on Beachway Drive and East Sunrise Highway.

DAVIS CUP

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on his own on break point. Coric and Cilic were both on the Croatian team that won a second Davis Cup title for their country in 2018.

Earlier, Coric sealed the win over Bautista Agut with his 12th ace on his third match point to silence the partisan crowd.

“I like the big stage, I like the big crowd,” Coric said about the 7,500 noisy fans. “It gives me an extra motivation.”

Bautista Agut had just one break point in the match and couldn’t con vert it. “Today, I felt very, very well on the serve and I think in the end that’s what made the difference,” Coric said.

Two climate change activists briefly interrupted the second set by running onto the court. They were taken away by security officials.

The quarterfinals wrap up today, when the U.S. meets Italy, and Canada plays Germany.

The semifinals are Friday and Saturday, and the title will be decided Sunday.

Each matchup involves two best-of-three-set matches in singles and one in doubles.

Adam Scott takes early lead at Australian PGA, Smith 2 back

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Adam Scott shot a 5-under 66 today to take an early one-stroke lead at the Australian PGA champion ship at Royal Queensland.

Scott was playing in the same early-morning group as British Open champion Cameron Smith, who was two strokes behind after a 68, and Ryan Fox, a close runner-up to Rory McIlroy on the European tour’s order of merit this season, who had a 72.

ADAM SCOTT

The 35-year-old Fox is No. 27 in the world after ending last year at No. 213. The New Zealander won two European tour events and had four runner-up finishes in his resurgent season.

Scott had an early task for “new” caddie Steve Williams, who has come out of retirement to carry the bag for the 2013 Masters champion. When he woke up for a 6 a.m. tee time, Scott couldn’t find his golf bag.

Eventually recovered from his manager’s room, the pair were welcomed by hundreds of early risers on the 10th tee. “It was panic stations . . . Steve was kick ing doors down,” Scott laughed of his early-morn ing search for his clubs.

Strong approach play led to four tap-in birdies in five holes on either side of the turn and then, after backto-back bogeys brought him back to the field, Scott’s putting earned him two more birdies in the final three holes.

Scott sought local advice on how to navigate Royal Queensland’s dramatically undulating greens that feature sharp run-offs. His decision to putt multiple times from off the green paid off.

“The conditions couldn’t be better and you want to take advan tage of that,” he said. “I’m very pleased with that, all really solid stuff.”

Scott said Williams, who cad died for the Australian when he won the Masters, was keen on his tournament return. “Yeah, it was great, he obviously hasn’t been out at any events for quite a long time, so I think he was pretty excited,” Scott said.

“We came out and played Tues day morning, it’s quite easy. I may have changed, but I know he’s not and so I knew what to expect when we came out and to fall back into familiar routines was pretty good.”

Nicolai Hojgaard shot 68 while his 21-year-old identical twin Rasmus Hojgaard had a 69.

The Belgian siblings made European tour history last year by winning back-to-back tournaments.

Smith is among six players who have competed in Saudi-funded LIV Golf events this year.

Others are Marc Leishman, who played in the afternoon, Wade Ormsby (72) and defending cham pion Jed Morgan (70).

ROSAMUNDE Carey and her 21st Century Athletic team of officers are pictured above.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas guard Theodore Grant (black 24) brings the ball up against Atlantis University on Friday at The Miami Christian School’s Gym. Photos courtesy of UB ATHLETICS

WISCONSIN OUTLASTS DAYTON 43-42 IN BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Connor Essegian scored a careerhigh 13 points while Wisconsin beat Dayton 43-42 in yesterday’s first round of the Battle 4 Atlan tis despite shooting just 23.7%.

The Badgers (4-0) sur vived a slow-paced game that came down to the final seconds. The Flyers (3-2) had a final possession for the win with Kobe Elvis looking to drive, but Max Klesmit blocked Elvis’ runner out of bounds with 2 seconds left and 1 on the shot clock.

The Flyers inbounded the ball to Elvis for a catchand-pull shot from the right wing, but he couldn’t get it off in time for the shotclock violation.

The Badgers ended it with Tyler Wahl’s long heave to Klesmit at mid court for a catch that killed the clock.

Wisconsin made just 14 of 59 shots for the game,

including 6 of 29 (20.7%) after halftime. The Badgers also won despite shooting 6 of 27 from 3-point range.

Elvis scored 16 points to lead the Flyers, the Atlan tic 10 favourite who was ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 before falling out this week. Dayton had its own offensive struggles, going 6 of 29 in the first half before warming up a bit to nearly 42% after halftime behind 14 points from Elvis.

But Dayton made just 4 of 27 3-pointers (14.8%) for the game.

Wisconsin led 23-14 at halftime.

ELLIS, USC BEAT BYU

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Boogie Ellis scored 21 of his 27 points after the break to help Southern California beat BYU 82-76 in yes terday’s first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The 27 points tied a career high for Ellis, who made all five of his shots and 11 of 13 free throws after halftime for the Tro jans (4-1). With the guard leading the way, USC made 18 of 29 shots (62.1%) after the break, turning a 31-30 halftime lead into a double-digit margin by the 13-minute mark and ulti mately an 18-point bulge with about five minutes left.

From there, the Trojans had some trouble protect ing that cushion — and the ball — as the Cougars tried to rally.

BYU got a 3-pointer from Rudi Williams fol lowed by an immediate one from Jaxson Robinson after a 5-second violation on USC, then Robinson struck again from the right corner to suddenly cut the deficit to 75-67 with 1:38 left.

But the Cougars, while continuing to keep the pres sure on, got no closer until the final 15 seconds when the outcome was largely decided.

Drew Peterson added 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Trojans.

Spencer Johnson scored 18 points to lead BYU (3-2), which missed 13 of 18 shots to start the second half as USC made its move out of the break. Robinson added 16 while Williams had 15 points for BYU.

TENNESSEE BEATS BUTLER

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Santiago Vescovi scored all 13 of his points after halftime and sparked the clinching run that helped No. 22 Ten nessee beat Butler 71-45 on Wednesday night in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Vescovi hit three 3-point ers during a 17-1 run that blew the game open for the Volunteers (3-1), who shot 53% after halftime. Tennes see led 28-23 at the break, then responded when Butler got within a basket with the big run that pushed the Vols to an 18-point lead midway through the second half.

Julian Phillips added 11 points for Tennessee, which had to go without leading scorer Josiah-Jordan James (13.7) due to soreness in his left knee. He had an

B4A

FROM PAGE 14

boisterous Kansas fan section. He had a slight smile as one fan dangled a Jayhawks national title banner as he walked by and gave light high-fives to a line of about a half-dozen fans who had extended their arms over their railing.

Casey Morsell scored 21 points to lead the Wolfpack (4-1), while Terquavion Smith added 19 points.

This was N.C. State’s first appearance at Atlan tis since 2017 at the start of Kevin Keatts’ coaching tenure. That team opened by beating No. 2 Arizona and this year’s bunch gave Kansas fits all the way to the final minutes.

BIG PICTURE

N.C. State: The Wolf pack programme had also been caught up in the FBI investigation of the sport involving recruiting viola tions tied to one-and-done freshman Dennis Smith Jr. under former coach Mark Gottfried. That case had

offseason procedure on that same joint.

Jayden Taylor scored 18 points with four 3s to lead the Bulldogs (3-2), who shot just 31.9%. That also included a pair of costly droughts, first by going the last 5:05 of the first half without a field goal and then the seven second-half minutes as Tennessee made its move.

Leading just 36-34, Phil lips got the run started with a driving basket, then Vescovi followed with a 3 from the left wing off an inbounds pass.

That got Vescovi going. He followed with another 3 from the right corner off a kickout feed from Zakai Zeigler, then hit a third from the right wing off another feed from Zeigler.

By the time Vescovi jumped Eric Hunter Jr.’s pass and scored on a runout, Tennessee led 53-35 with 9:15 left.

hung over the entirety of Keatts’ tenure until there was a December resolution. Now Keatts has restocked his roster with a style closer to his vision: playing fast and picking up fullcourt even against a marqueename program.

Kansas: The 6-foot-8 Dick is off to a strong start. He came in averaging 16.8 points while shooting 10 of 20 from 3-point range, then surpassed his (short) season high of 23 points from the opener against Omaha.

KEY SEQUENCES

Dick’s sixth 3-pointer for a 39-31 lead came before the halftime horn and through light contact from Morsell, with Dick falling to the floor. He got up with an emphatic shout, clapping.

But N.C. State answered with an 8-0 burst, with Mor sell hitting a 3 on the break and another on a stepback to tie it.

The Wolfpack never led after halftime but tied it five times, the last at 63-all on Jack Clark’s jumper with 7:14 left.