SPORTS
Battle 4 Atlantis men’s title showdown today
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
The No.24 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores and the Saint Mary's Gaels will play for the men's title in the 2025 Battle 4 Atlantis championship today.
The two teams booked their tickets to the big dance - at 1pm in the ballroom at the Atlantis resort on Paradise island - on Thanksgiving Day yesterday.
Vanderbilt, coached by Mark Byington, secured the first spot with their 89-74 win over the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to go 7-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 team went 16-0.
Saint Mary's, coached by Randy Benneth, held off the Virginia Tech Hokies in a 77-68 decision in the other match-up to determine the next team to advance.
Virginia and Saint Mary’s will battle it out at 10:30am for third place. The remaining four teams - Western Kentucky, South Florida, Wichita State and Colorado State - will compete for fifth through eight place in the games that will follow at 4:30pm and 7pm.
Commodores 89, Rams 74
Guard Duke Miles led four players in double figures for Vanderbilt with a game high 20 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds.
Guard Tyler Tanner and forward Tyler Nickel both followed with 16 points. Tanner added five assists, three rebounds and two assists and Nickel had three assists, three steals and two rebounds.
Jalan Washington came off the bench and contributed 11 points with eight rebounds and four assists.
Guard Nyk Lewis led VCU (4-3) with 16 points and two assists. Forward Jadrian Tracey had 15 points and two rebounds and Lazar Djokovic added 12 points with three rebounds.
Gaels 77, Hokies 68
Forward Paulius Murauskas led four players in double
figures as all but two of Saint Mary's players scored in their win.
Murauskas finished with a game high 19 points, seven rebounds and a pair of block shots to lead the attack.
Andrew McKeever and Joshua Dent both had 14 points with Dent adding six assists, five rebounds and two blocks and Rory Hawke chipped in with 10 points.
For Virginia Tech, Amani Hansberry had 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and a block. Jden Schutt had 17 points and Neckis Avdalas got 13 points and four rebounds.
At least two local high schools brought their senior boys’ basketball teams out to catch the Commodores/Rams game.
Coach Ruben Mounts of Queen's College said it was important for his Comets to come out because they can get the exposure of how the game is played at a higher level.
"We want them to learn the game, appreciate the game and the level of talent and skills that other people have so they can be prepared if they get to play at that level," Mounts said.
Mounts said he's hoping some of what they've seen will rub off on their players as they return to their regular season in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools.
And Pastor Dave Adams of Teleos said he brought his Cherubim team because of the excitement and for them to watch the calibre of the players in such an awesome environment. "We play FIBAstyle of basketball, so when they come here, they play under NCAA rules, so you see the difference," Adams said. "A lot of guys anticipate going to college so when they come here, they get a preview of what it's all about."
Based on what they saw, Adams said some of his players feel they can compete at that level if the opportunity presents itself in the future. The Cherubim play in the Bahamas Small Schools Sports Association.
By BRENT STUBBS
Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WHILE the men's team is preparing to host Canada tonight in the first window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifier, the
Bahamas Basketball Federation took the time to honour the women's national basketball team. The team, coached by Donillo 'Donnie' Culmer, returned home from the FIBA Caribbean Basketball Championships in
Georgetown, Guyana, with the bronze medal.
BBF president Eugene Horton apologised to the women's team as he lauded them for their success at the tournament held last month. "Sometimes it seems as if the BBF has forgotten you, but we want to assure you that we are working behind the scenes to get our women's programme to the same level as the men," Horton said. "So thank you once again." He thanked the Ministry Youth Sports and Culture, the National Sports Authority, the Bahamas Olympic Committee, Baha Mar, Island Cares Foundation, Aquapure, Islandwide Cabling and Consulting Services and Vaughn L Culmer and Associates for their sponsorship. Kerry Baker, the assistant director of sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said they will continue to support sports in The Bahamas.
"To our senior women's team, it's been a while, but we've shown that we still have it in us," Baker said. "Congratulations." Culmer gave thanks to God for taking them
through what he called a "hard experience." He noted that practices were very limited by the one or two players who came out. But he commended Burrows for putting the team together along with the BBF's secretary Latoya Silver and the remaining two assistant coaches Anthony Swaby and Diasti Delancy.
Not only did the team win the bronze, but they also qualified for the FIBA Centrobasket Women's Championship 2026, which will be held at a venue and date to be released at a later date.
"Thanks to the federation and all those who backed them with the funds, we got to Guyana, but we got there late," Culmer pointed out. "But we were able to get the job done as we came out with the bronze.
"I really wanted the gold but, in the future, I'm looking forward to all those ladies in The Bahamas who can still play basketball. We need you, especially the bigs, who can play down in the paint. We have good guards, but you know who
we're talking to. Hopefully we can win the gold the next time we go."
Burrows said with the ladies not having the opportunity to travel in a few years, it was a big challenge building the roster and getting everybody in from the United States and Grand Bahama to practice just before they left for Guyana.
"As we got to Guyana, it was a little bit tricky because we got there close to game time," Burrows noted. "But we were able to get the girls prepared and motivated.
"Even though the first game didn't go as expected, the ladies stuck with us and they worked hard. Thank you to the ladies who came out and fought for their country."
Burrows, however, said they will need more young ladies to come out and prepare for the tournament next year as they follow the men in getting closer to qualifying for the Olympic Games. "It was very exciting for me as a first coach. I'm just looking forward to building and being a part and bringing whatever I can bring to The Bahamas," Burrows stated.
Burrows said they just want to get the commitments from the ladies to be a part of the programme and then get into a training regimen year round as they stay together and workout together.
Point guard Valerie Nesbitt was named as one of the five players selected to the All-Star Five after their standout performances for their respective teams. She joined Anisha George, the tournament's most valuable player from the champions US Virgin Islands, Tiffany Reynolds from Jamaica and Amisha Ramlall and Joy Brown from the host Guyana.
• The other members of Team Bahamas were: Lashann HiggsEleuthera; Michell Butler - New Providence; La’Tavia Braynen - New Providence; Judy Forbes - New Providence; Valicia Demeritte - New Providence; Kayla Bein - New Providence; Sha-londa Neely - Grand Bahama; Latoya Rolle - New Providence; Taronya Wildgoose - Grand Bahama; Mikayah TuckerGrand Bahama and Tatyana Lockhart
Local Sports Calendar
GOLF BHA TOURNAMENT
THE Bahamas Heart Association, in partnership with Visa and Fidelity Bank, is scheduled to hold its inaugural “Tee Off for Tiny Hearts” Golf Tournament, benefitting children in need of life-saving cardiac care. The tournament will take place on Saturday, November 29, at the prestigious Royal Blue Golf Course.
This exciting event will feature a two-man scramble format, with play beginning promptly at 9am.
TRACK CLASSIC
THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will hold the Abaco National Sports Month’s Track and Field Classic on Saturday, November 29, starting at 9am at the Murphy Town Sporting Complex.
Competition will take place in the under-11, under-13, under-15, under17 and under-20 age groups with the various track and field events taking place. For more information, persons can call 458-5977 for more information.
BATTLE 4
ATLANTIS
THE Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Men’s Tournament will run from November 27-29 at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Teams competing are Louisville, Indiana, West Virginia, Gonzanga, Oklahoma, Providence, Davidson and Arizona.
BASKETBALL
MEN’S WORLDS
QUALIFIER
AS the Bahamas Basketball Federation finalises the team to represent The Bahamas at the FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Canada on Friday, November 28 at 8pm at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, tickets are now on sale. Interested persons can purchase tickets online at www.nsa-bahamas.com/ events-tickets/
Following the game, The Bahamas will travel to Canada to complete the
home-and-away series on Monday, December 1.
NASSAU CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE Goombay Division of the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship will take place at the Convention Center at Baha Mar from November 28-30. Teams from Kent State, Tulsa, Houston and Arkansas State will be participating.
RED-LINE
SONJA KNOWLES
TRACK CLASSIC
RED-LINE Athletics, “Where Champions are Made,” will hold its sixth annual Sonja Knowles Track Classic over the weekend of January 31 and February 1.
The event will take place at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium on January 31 from 11am to 6pm and Sunday, March 1 from 1-6 pm. Competition will be held in the various age groups from under-7 to masters. Medals and trophies will be presented to the various winners.
Interested persons are urged to contact club founder and head coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for more information.
ROAD RACE
MACEDONIA
AS a part of its 60th anniversary, Macedonia Baptist Church will hold a Family Fun Run/Walk race that is open to the general public on January 24.
The dual event is scheduled to start at 6am at the church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill. The categories include male and female 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under and over-60 with awards presented to the first three finishers. The walk will leave the church and head west on Bernard Road to the junction at Wulff and Soldier Roads. The competitors will turn around and head east back to the church. The run will also leave the church and head west on Bernard Road onto Soldier Road, head south to Prince
Charles Drive, head east to Fox Hill Road, head north to Bernard Road and head west back to the church.
Interested persons can call 426-7265 or 324-1583 for more details.
LEGENDS TRACK
THE Legends Track and Field’s Devynne Charlton Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, to be held in honour of world indoor 60m hurdles record holder and two-time champion Devynne Charlton, will have her younger sister Anthaya Charlton as one of the special guests.
Powered by Speed Capital, it will feature athletes competing from the ages of seven to the open categories for boys and girls.
T-BIRD FLYERS
THE T-Bird Flyers will hold its 2026 Track Classic, held in memory of the late Gregory Clarke, on Friday, January 9, starting at 6pm and Saturday, January 10 at noon at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Interested persons are urged to contact Foster Dorsett at 427-3883 for more details.
BAHAMAS AQUATICS SWIM MEETS
BAHAMAS Aquatics has a pair of swim meets on its calendar for the rest of the year in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
• Nassau at Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex December 5-6 - BEAST Aquatics Meet • Grand Bahama December 6 - Freeport Aquatics Club Meet
ANDROS HEATS ROAD RACE
THE Andros Heats sixth annual road race will be held on Saturday, December 6 at the Regatta Site in Morgans Bluff, starting at 8am.
Competition will take place in all age group divisions with trophies presented to the top three finishers and medals to the fourth place finishers.
UNDEFEATED
Ultimate Challenge Sports return home as 10-and-under champions
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS baseball got another feather in its cap as Ultimate Challenge Sports returned home from the Plant City Turkey Shootout in Plant City, Florida, as the 10-and-under champions.
The team, managed by Bahamas Baseball Association president Clarence ‘CJ’ McKenzie, Ultimate Champion Sports went
undefeated in the tournament played at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Fields November 22-23. Ultimate Challenge Sports won the title with a 6-5 decision over Tampa 5-Star Gold with a walk-off-the-field infield hit from Jalen Albury in extra innings. Dawson Grey was the starting pitcher and Miguel Sweeting came in and closed the door. In their semifinal game to advance to the final,
Ultimate Challenge Sports got another nail-biting 5-4 win over the Tampa Wave as Chaz Cunningham pitched a complete game. Ultimate Challenge Sports also knocked off the Tampa Extreme Rodriguez 5-4 in their quarter-final game. Kendall Brown drilled a two-run single for their walk-off victory. Karter Brown started and Miguel Sweeting came in relief on the mound.
In their pair of preliminary games, Ultimate Challenge Sports routed the Brooksville Vipers 22-5 . In addition, they blanked the Elite Vision Sports Academy 12-0 to go in as the second seed in the playoffs.
Other members of the team were Mornel Brown Jr., Jason Cartwright Jr., Riley Ferguson, Logan Knowles, De'Mari Louis, Cortez Roberts and Adam Thompson.
McKenzie, assisted by his brother SeDale McKenzie, said he couldn't ask for a better performance from what he got from his players, considering the fact that they came so close to winning in the past two years.
"I was very pleased with the performances. I think The Bahamas would be very pleased as well with this team's performance," he said.
"This would be our first time winning this
tournament, so it was good for them to excel."
McKenzie said with his club joining the other teams who have excelled in international competitions so far this year, the future looks bright for baseball in The Bahamas.
"These kids are just motivated to play and if they can continue to perform the way they did, we could be looking at stars in the making in the future," McKenzie summed up.
Blue Jays and free-agent pitcher Dylan Cease agree to $210
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
FREE-agent
pitcher
Dylan Cease and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $210 million, seven-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced.
Cease would join a terrific rotation with the
million,
reigning American League champions.
The right-hander, who turns 30 next month, went 8-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 32 starts last season for the San Diego Padres. He struck out 215 batters and walked 71 in 168 innings.
Cease spent his first five years with the Chicago White Sox, including a 2022 season in which he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA despite leading the majors in walks.
He finished second in AL Cy Young Award balloting.
7-year deal, AP source says
After one more year in Chicago, he was traded to San Diego in March 2024 and went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA that season, pitching a no-hitter and finishing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting.
His numbers on the mound slipped this year but he still reached 32 starts for a fifth straight season.
Cease has also had five consecutive years with at least 214 strikeouts, which helps offset his penchant for walks. Cease was one of the top free-agent pitchers on
the market this offseason. He's set to join the Blue Jays, who won the AL East this year and advanced all the way to Game 7 of a thrilling World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-4 in 11 innings.
Toronto's rotation already features Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and José Berríos.
Chris Bassitt and 41-year-old Max Scherzer, the three-time Cy Young Award winner who started
Game 7 of the World Series, became free agents.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Cease is 65-58 with a 3.88 ERA and 1,231 strikeouts in 188 starts over seven big league seasons. He was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the sixth round of the 2014 amateur draft out of Milton High School in Georgia. They traded him across town to the White Sox in July 2017 as part of a package that netted left-hander Jose Quintana. Cease turned down a $22,025,000
qualifying offer from the Padres this month, so they would receive draftpick compensation if he completes the deal with Toronto. Because they will pay luxury tax for this year, that pick would come after the fourth round. Because the Blue Jays will pay luxury tax for this year, they would forfeit their second-and fifth-highest picks in the amateur draft next July, and their international signing bonus pool for 2026 would be reduced by $1 million.
10-AND-UNDER CHAMPIONS: Ultimate Challenge Sports baseball team at the Plant City Turkey Shootout in Plant City, Florida.
Local high school coaches bring senior basketball teams out for some exposure at Battle 4 Atlantis
THE No.24 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores and the Saint Mary's Gaels will play for the men's title in the 2025 Battle 4 Atlantis championship today.
The two teams booked their tickets to the big dance - at 1pm in the ballroom at the Atlantis resort on Paradise island - on Thanksgiving Day yesterday. Vanderbilt, coached by Mark Byington, secured the first spot with their 89-74 win over the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams to go 7-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 team went 16-0. Saint Mary's, coached by Randy Benneth, held off the Virginia Tech Hokies in a 77-68 decision in the other match-up to determine the next team to advance.
At least two local high schools brought their senior boys’ basketball teams out to catch the Commodores/Rams game. Coach Ruben Mounts of Queen's College said it was important for his Comets to come out because they can get the exposure of how the game is played at a higher level.
And Pastor Dave Adams of Teleos said he brought his Cherubim team because of the excitement and for them to watch the calibre of the players in such an awesome environment.
"We play FIBA-style of basketball, so when they come here, they play under NCAA rules, so you see the difference," Adams said.
"A lot of guys anticipate going to college so when they come here, they get a preview of what it's all about."
Queen’s College Comets basketball team.
TELEOS basketball team.
Saint Mary’s Mikey Lewis is trapped.
Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner drives the ball. Saint Mary’s players and coaches cheer on their team-mates from the bench.
Love matches career high with 4 TD passes, lifting Packers to 31-24 victory over Lions
By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer
DETROIT (AP) — Jordan Love had plenty of time to pass, and took full advantage.
Jared Goff did not and Micah Parsons had a lot to do with that.
Love converted a pair of fourth downs with scoring passes in the first half and finished with a career-highmatching four touchdown throws, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions yesterday.
“Credit to our O-line for giving me plenty of time to make those throws,” he said. “It’s really the reason why we were able to win the game.” Fourth downs were pivotal, too.
Green Bay went 3 of 3 on fourth down — scoring twice and to seal the win — and the Lions turned it over on downs two times when they went for it.
“I’d rather go down swinging,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It can bite you, absolutely.”
The Packers (8-3-1) swept the season series to earn
a potential tiebreaker in the NFC North and are in second place in the division behind Chicago (8-3), which plays at Philadelphia on Friday.
“We knew what was at stake with his game,” Love said. “It's a tight race.”
The two-time defending division champion Lions (7-5) entered the game out of the playoff picture, then fell further back in the hunt with a third loss in five games.
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. Campbell was referring to the game, but what he said also fits for the season.
Green Bay took a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter and restored its 10-point lead three more times in a game it controlled on the offensive and defensive lines.
The Packers acquired Parsons just before the season in a trade with Dallas and he finished with 2 1/2 sacks, giving him 12-plus sacks for the fifth straight season, to make the type of impact the franchise expected. Detroit failed on fourth down on the opening drive
of the second half and early in the fourth quarter.
Two plays after Jahmyr Gibbs was stopped for a loss just inside Green Bay territory on fourth down, Love threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson to give Green Bay a 24-14 lead early in the third.
The Lions went for it fourth-and-3 from Packers 21 — trailing by 10 — and Jameson Williams dropped a pass.
Detroit's defence responded with a stop and the offence reached the Green Bay 4 before Parsons' sack forced Campbell to settle for a field goal and a 31-24 deficit with 2:59 left.
On the ensuing possession, Love converted a third-and-5 with an 8-yard pass to Watson and a fourth-and-3 on a 16-yard pass to Dontayvion Wicks to seal the victory.
“We were staying aggressive,” LaFleur said. “We got a chance to go out there and ice the game.”
Love was 18 of 30 for 234 yards with a 22-yard pass to Wicks and 2-yard pass to Romeo Doubs for touchdowns on fourth down in the second quarter. In the
third, he threw a long touchdown pass to Watson and a 1-yard throw to Wicks for the receiver's second score of the game — and season.
Goff, who was pressured often, was 20 of 26 for 256 yards with two touchdowns. He threw a 22-yard pass to Williams late in the first half and a 17-yard pass to rookie Isaac TeSlaa in the third quarter for scores.
Williams finished with seven receptions and 144 yards — both career highs — but dropped a pass on fourth down in the fourth quarter.
Gibbs was held in check, running for 68 yards on 20
carries and gaining 18 yards on three catches.
“At the end of the game we had an opportunity, but we couldn’t grab it,” Campbell said.
Injuries Packers: DT Devonte Wyatt (ankle) was carted off the field late in the game.
“It doesn’t look good,” LaFleur said. “That’s a critical loss for our team and our defence.”
CB Keisean Nixon (neck) was active after leaving last week’s game with a neck injury. ... WR Matthew Golden, LB Quay Walker and CB Nate Hobbs were inactive.
Lions: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
“I don’t think it is long, long term,” Campbell said. “It might be a week or two, if we’re lucky.”
CB Terrion Arnold (concussion) and edge rusher Marcus Davenport (shoulder) returned from injuries. ... WR/PR Kalif Raymond, TE Brock Wright, C Graham Glasgow and S Kerby Joseph were inactive.
Up next
Packers: Host Chicago on December 7.
Lions: Host Dallas on December 4.
LIONS wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs in for a touchdown after a catch against the Green Bay Packers during the first half yesterday in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Spoelstra gets 800th win, Herro scores
29 and Heat edge Bucks in NBA Cup
MIAMI (AP) — Tyler
Herro scored 29 points, Bam Adebayo finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds and the Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106103 in an NBA Cup game on Wednesday night.
The win was the 800th for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Kel’el Ware each scored 11 for Miami, which improved to 3-1 in Cup games and 9-1 at home this season.
Miami would win Group C if Milwaukee beats New York on Friday; if the Knicks win that game the Heat would need some help to reach the quarterfinals.
Ryan Rollins scored 26 for Milwaukee, which got 24 from Myles Turner and 15 from Gary Trent Jr.
The Bucks have dropped six straight, the last four of those without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Spoelstra is the 17th coach in NBA history with 800 wins.
And he is only the third to reach that total with one franchise in regular-season play, joining Gregg Popovich (1,390 with San Antonio) and Jerry Sloan (1,127 with Utah).
KNICKS 129, HORNETS 101 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 33 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 10 rebounds and New York handed Charlotte its seventh straight loss.
Josh Hart added 22 points for the Knicks, who made 13 of 26 shots from 3-point range to improve to 3-1 in NBA Cup group play. Brandon Miller had 18 points in his second game back from a shoulder injury for the Hornets, who’ve lost 10 straight Cup games over the past three seasons and were eliminated from this year’s competition.
The Knicks played like a team eager to advance in the NBA Cup midseason tournament and improve their point differential, which was at minus-2 entering the night.
New York coach Mike Brown didn’t take out his starters until 2:17 remained in the game and his team up by 24.
RAPTORS 97, PACERS 95
TORONTO (AP) — Brandon Ingram made a 15-foot jumper with 0.6 seconds left to give Toronto its
ninth straight victory, beating Indiana. Toronto wrapped up a top-two seed and homecourt in the NBA Cup quarterfinals with the victory and Milwaukee’s loss to Miami on Wednesday. Ingram had 26 points and eight rebounds to help Toronto finish the Cup group stage 4-0 and improve to 14-5 overall. Scottie Barnes had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Immanuel Quickley added 15 points.
TJ McConnell led Indiana with 16 points. The injury-ravaged Pacers have lost three straight to fall to 2-16. They are 0-3 in Cup play.
THUNDER 113,
TIMBERWOLVES 105 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points despite being ill and Oklahoma City beat Minnesota in an NBA Cup Game.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was listed as questionable on the injury report, made 12 of 19 field goals and 15 of 17 free throws. Oklahoma City won its 10th straight and became just the fifth team in NBA history to start a season
18-1. The Thunder improved to 4-0 in West Group A and are well-positioned to reach the knockout round.
Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 20 points in 91 consecutive games, the third-longest streak in NBA history behind two streaks by Wilt Chamberlain. Gilgeous-Alexander can match Chamberlain’s second-place run of 92 straight on Friday against Phoenix.
Anthony Edwards had 31 points and eight rebounds and kept the Timberwolves in the game by making several difficult shots, but couldn’t stop Minnesota from losing its third straight. Minnesota made just 22 of 37 free throws.
GRIZZLIES 133, PELICANS 128, OT NEW ORLEANS (AP)
— Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 27 points, Jaylen Wells added 25 and Memphis outlasted New Orleans Pelicans in overtime in NBA Cup play.
Zach Edey had 21 points, 15 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Memphis, which improved to 2-1 in West Group B, while the Pelicans completed in-season tournament play at 0-4. The Grizzlies outscored
New Orleans by 39 points during the 35 minutes Edey was on the court. Jose Alvarado scored 24 for the Pelicans, who dominated when Edey was on the bench. They went up by 17 in the first half and led for most of regulation.
Saddiq Bey had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Zion Williamson scored 17 for New Orleans, which snapped a nine-game skid on Monday night. After Alvarado’s sixth 3-pointer tied the score at 128 late in overtime, Jackson found Wells behind the New Orleans defense for a dunk that gave the Grizzlies the lead for good.
SUNS 112, KINGS 100
SACRAMENTO (AP)
— Mark Williams had 21 points and 16 rebounds, Collin Gillespie also scored 21 points and Phoenix jumped to a big early lead before beating Sacramento.
The 7-foot Williams shot 9 of 12 from the field and had nine offensive rebounds, dominating in the paint. Gillespie added nine assists.
The Suns improved to 3-0 in the NBA Cup standings. The Kings fell to 0-3.
The Suns never trailed, jumping to a 41-16 lead in the first quarter after taking advantage of the sloppy Kings, who had seven turnovers. Devin Booker had 12 points while Gillespie –making his first start of the season – scored 11.
Booker finished with 19 points despite shooting 6 of 22 from the field.
Phoenix led by 22 points at halftime, but Sacramento rallied to cut the deficit to 83-73 entering the fourth quarter. The Suns scored the first seven points of the fourth to regain control.
TRAIL BLAZER 115, SPURS 102
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)
— De’Aaron Fox had 37 points and eight assists as San Antonio defeated Portland in an NBA Cup group stage game.
Devin Vassell added 23 points for the Spurs, who kept their NBA Cup hopes alive. Deni Avdija led
Portland with 37 points and eight assists.
The Spurs shot 22 of 25 (88%) from the free-throw line, while the Blazers went 19 for 30 (63%). Portland also connected on only 25% of its attempts from behind the 3-point line, while San Antonio finished at 33%.
A layup by Kelly Olynyk put San Antonio up by 11 with 5:23 left before Portland rallied. A 3-pointer by Toumani Camara cut it to 107-99. After a replay review, Olynyk picked up a clear-path foul, giving the Blazers two free throws and possession. But they failed to take advantage of the opportunity. After being nearly perfect at the line, Avdija missed both foul shots and Portland came up empty.
ROCKETS 104, WARRIORS 100
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Reed Sheppard scored a career-high 31 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists, and Houston rallied from 12 points down at halftime to win in a rematch from the first round of last season’s playoffs when Golden State won Game 7 as the seventh seed.
Jimmy Butler had 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, Stephen Curry scored 14 points, and rookie Will Richard 18 for the Warriors.
Moses Moody, who reached 2,000 career points, hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to pull Golden State within two. Then Moody fouled Sheppard, who converted both free throws to seal it.
Alperen Sengun added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for Houston, which scored 22 points off Golden State’s 16 turnovers to win for the seventh time in eight games.
Curry and Amen Thompson went down hard under the basket with 3:24 left and the game tied at 91 after Thompson’s hard drive to the hoop, which initially was whistled an offensive foul. Houston challenged and the call was overturned to a block by Curry.
MIAMI Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) dives on a loose ball during a clash with Milwaukee Bucks guard Cole Anthony, right, and guard Ryan Rollins, during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in Miami.
(AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Mikel Arteta hails
‘immense’
Arsenal after defeating Bayern and keeping Kane quiet in the Champions League
LONDON (AP) — Top of the Premier League. Top, with a 100 per cent record, in the Champions League.
Arsenal is the best team in Europe right now, no matter what manager Mikel Arteta says.
A 3-1 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday left Arsenal as the only team with maximum points in the Champions League after five games, while also ending the German club’s unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.
“They had an incredible match against, in my opinion, the best team in Europe,” Arteta said of his players. “Individually we were immense to resolve all the challenges that this team brings to the table.”
Second-half goals from substitutes Noni Madueke
and Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal the statement win, after Jurrien Timber’s header was cancelled out by a great team goal finished off by 17-year-old Bayern star Lennart Karl. That was the first goal Arsenal conceded in the competition this season.
Just three days ago, Arsenal was celebrating a 4-1 win over north London rival Tottenham at Emirates Stadium. Next comes a visit to Chelsea, the closest challenger in the Premier League — albeit one six points behind in second place.
“We are so pleased what we have seen, the energy we created in the stadium, what the team transmit, the energy that we bring, the quality we play with, it’s incredible,” Arteta said.
“We have to maintain that because it’s still very early and unfortunately every three days you have to do it — that’s the beauty of it as well.”
It was Bayern’s first loss in 19 games this season. Making it all the sweeter for Arsenal was Harry Kane, a former favourite at Tottenham, failing to score.
“They are a top side … You see the difficulty of that (beating Bayern) and we managed to do that — in one game. That shows the capacity we have,” Arteta said.
ARSENAL’s manager Mikel Arteta gestures from the touchline during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich in London, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Prescott’s Cowboys overcome Mahomes’ fourth down magic in 31-28 Thanksgiving victory over Chiefs
By SCHUYLER DIXON
AP Pro Football Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns, Malik Davis sprinted 43 yards for a score and the Dallas Cowboys overcame two fourth down TD throws from Patrick Mahomes in a 31-28 Thanksgiving victory over the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday.
CeeDee Lamb scored the first Dallas touchdown and finished with 112 yards on seven catches four days after drops plagued the star receiver in a victory over defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia.
The Cowboys (6-5-1) have won three straight, knocking off both of last season’s Super Bowl teams in the past five days, and they dropped the defending AFC champion Chiefs (6-6) back to .500 in a matchup of playoff-chasing teams.
Mahomes had four touchdown passes in his first professional game at the home of the Cowboys, where he played three times
for Texas Tech not far from his East Texas roots.
Travis Kelce caught Mahomes' first fourth down TD toss on a 2-yarder, and Rashee Rice's second scoring catch came on
Worthy wide open down the field for 42 yards, setting up a 10-yard scoring toss to Hollywood Brown with 3:27 remaining.
Prescott and company didn't give Mahomes another chance.
fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City was down 10 when Mahomes was almost tripped in the backfield by Quinnen Williams but kept his feet and found Xavier
After two pass interference penalties gave Dallas first downs, Prescott hit George Pickens for 13 yards and a clinching first down at the two-minute warning. Prescott kneeled three times after that.
Rice had eight catches for 92 yards, his first score coming on a 27-yard
catch-and-run on the sideline two plays after Prescott was intercepted by Jaylen Watson on the first Dallas possession.
Davis had just three carries, but his long run gave Dallas its first lead at 17-14 late in the second quarter.
Injuries Chiefs: The Chiefs lost two offensive linemen to injuries after beginning the game without RG Trey Smith, who was inactive because of an ankle injury. RT Jawaan Taylor injured an elbow, and rookie LT Josh Simmons went out
with a wrist injury. ... S Bryan Cook injured an ankle in the first half.
Cowboys: CB Caelen Carson, who had started the previous two games, was inactive after being listed as questionable. He was added to the injury report during the week. ... CB DaRon Bland injured a foot in the second half.
Up next Chiefs: Play host to Houston in prime time on December 7.
Cowboys: Visit Detroit next Thursday.
COWBOYS wide receiver George Pickens leaps over Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the second half yesterday. (AP Photos/Tony Gutierrez)
DALLAS Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) catches a touchdown pass as Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) defends during the first half.