12272017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017

NFL

Latest, Pages 4, 5

Ohio beats UAB 41-6 in the 4th Bahamas Bowl NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Ohio coach Frank Solich knew his Bobcats were better than their record showed. You’ll get no argument from UAB. Dorian Brown rushed for 152 yards on just 12 carries and scored four touchdowns, Nathan Rourke threw for two scores and Ohio beat UAB 41-6 in the Bahamas Bowl on Friday.

It was a stirring comeback for the Bobcats, who lost their last two games of the regular season to miss a shot at the Mid-American Conference title.

“I feel like eight wins were not enough with this football team, so this ninth win puts a little icing on the cake,” Solich said.

Ohio (9-4) averaged 38.9 points per game during the season, setting a school record with 467 points scored, and the Bobcats exhibited that prowess in the opening half of this one, using big plays to build an insurmountable

27-3 halftime lead. Brown, a redshirt senior, scored on runs of 74, 9, 25 and 14 yards, two in the second quarter and two in the third as he carried the load for injured A.J. Ouellette.

“It was very important (to go out on a high note),” Brown said.

“I had to step up and take my role.”

Brown’s heroics were too much for the Blazers, a feel-good team seeking its first bowl victory on just its second try. The loss spoiled the end of a remarkable first season back for UAB (8-5), which was predicted to struggle and didn’t.

UAB President Ray Watts had cut the football programme in December 2014 because a university report deemed it too expensive. After public outcry, football was reinstated, but NCAA rules required the school to skip the 2016 season to help the players who stuck it out re-adjust

to competing at the top level of college football.

The Blazers, under Conference USA Coach of the Year Bill Clark, responded by winning a school-record eight games and finished second in the conference’s West Division. They won six of their final eight games.

On this day, though, they ran out of miracles. “It’s hurts a lot - to not go out with a victory,” senior linebacker Tevin Crews said.

“I’m just blessed to be part of a great team with a great coach and a great role model. This is a

starting point — our first season back.”

“It’s tough,” Clark added. “This game is not for the timid or the weak. When it’s really important to you, it’s going to hurt if it doesn’t go the way you want it to.”

The high-scoring Bobcats have a veteran offensive line with more than 100 starts and they repeatedly took advantage of that experience. Rourke had plenty of time to throw, and when the Bobcats decided to run, holes were there. They finished with a 249-99 edge on the ground.

“They’re a very experienced bunch and they wanted this a whole bunch,” said Rourke, who finished 12 of 18 for 185 yards passing and rushed for 30 yards.

“When we get the running game going on and I have all day to throw, that makes my job really easy, and that’s when you see our offence start to click.”

Ohio raced to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, pretty much sticking to the ground until the end of an 11-play drive. After the Blazers were called for two penalties in the red zone, Rourke hit DL Knock for a 19-yard touchdown midway through the period.

Rourke then stunned the Blazers with a bomb. After a nifty 23-yard punt return by the elusive Papi White, Rourke took advantage of UAB’s preoccupation with the run game and hit White on a play-action pass for a 56-yard touchdown and a 13-0 lead.

Brown’s 74-yard run early in the second boosted the lead to 20-0.

When UAB finally mounted a promising drive, the Blazers had to settle for Nick Vogel’s 34-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.

Spencer Brown, who broke the UAB school record for freshman

SEE PAGE 3

Kerrie and Spencer are national tennis champions

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

T

he third time around turned out to be the charm for Spencer Newman as he finally got to turn the tables on his younger brother Baker Newman.

In a gruelling, threehour match on Friday at the National Tennis Centre, Spencer Newman joined Kerrie Cartwright as the champions of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s 2017 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Tournament.

Playing in the sibling showdown for the third consecutive final, big brother Spencer Newman pulled off the men’s title with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) decision.

“I don’t think it gets any closer than that,” said Spencer Newman after the final score. “I’m happy with the way I played. I’m happy with my finish. I felt I was as fresh going into the third and even fresher than going into the second set.”

That rejuvenation was able to allow 24-year-old Spencer Newman to finally get the monkey off his back

after he played and lost to Baker Newman, 22, in the final of the tournament the previous two years.

“He played well. Unfortunately, he broke all of his strings on his rackets and he had to play with his buddy’s own, which I’m sure affected him a little,” Spencer Newman said.

“I’m sure it affected me even more because it was like nothing happened after he kept losing his rackets. I was just thinking that there was no way that baby bro was going to get me three years in a row.”

It’s going to be a conversation that Spencer Newman said will be discussed for years to come.

But despite losing the title, Baker Newman said he’s not disappointed in losing the gruelling match that was played under the lights on stadium court.

“You win some and you lose some,” Baker Newman pointed out. “He got me this time. I know what I need to do to get better. It was just a great match.”

Baker Newman, who advanced to the final by outlasting Philip Major Jr in three sets, said he knew he and Spencer Newman

SEE PAGE 3

KERRIE Cartwright and Danielle Thompson (far left) pose with their trophies. Cartwright and Spencer Newman (top right) emerged as national champions on Friday after winning the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Tournament.

Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Top seniors in Providence Basketball Club Classic tip-off

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHILE on a break for the Christmas holiday, the Providence Basketball Club is providing an opportunity for the local high school basketball players to stay physically fit for the second half

Page 5

of their season that resumes in January.

Starting today and running through Saturday at the DW Davis Gymnasium, 16 of the top senior boys high school teams will be in action as they compete for the coveted title.

Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, the founder and president of the Providence Basketball Club, said ever since they started the tournament in 2003, they have seen a significant improvement in the players coming out of the Christmas break.

“The purpose of the tournament is not only to get our young men scholarships, but definitely keep them busy during the holiday and to keep them sharp for the second half of the season,” he said. “We know both the public and private schools will open back up in January and this will provide an opportunity for our young men to play some competitive basketball before then.”

The teams have been split in four pools of four teams each.

They comprise of the following: Pool 1 – CI Gibson Rattlers, Agape, Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves and the South Andros Cheetahs.

Pool 2 – Jordan Prince William Falcons, CC Sweeting Cobras, Teleos Cherubims and St John’s College Giants.

Pool 3 – Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine, Government High Magicmen and Aquinas College Aces.

Pool 4 – CV Bethel Stingrays, St George’s Jaguars, Mt Carmel Cavaliers and Queen’s College Comets.

“We know that the competition is going to be very keen,” said Johnson, who also coaches the Rattlers.

“I think basketball has grown a bit, even though we as coaches have to work on our skills set to get our kids to play at the next

level and our kids have to be more disciplined to work on their craft on their own when we teach them.

“But the competition has always been very keen. We have some teams that might be a little better than one another, but overall, it seems to be a balanced playing field in terms of the competition and I’m looking for it to be a very good tournament.”

With the Jaguars, coached by Darrel Sears coming in from Grand Bahama as the national champions, Johnson said they bring a high level of competitiveness to the tournament along with Agape from Abaco. But he’s not counting out the locally based teams like the Cobras, Mystic Marlins, his own Rattlers, the Big Red Machine and the Comets.

CI Gibson are the defending champions, snatching the title away from CC Sweeting, who won the year before. As a point of interest, St George’s carted off the title to Grand Bahama before.

• The tournament kicks off with the following schedule of games on tap: TODAY’S SCHEDULE 10am - Prince Williams vs Teleos 11am - CV Bethel vs Mt Carmel Noon - Doris Johnson vs Government High 1pm - CI Gibson vs Anatol Rodgers 2pm - Agape vs South Andros 3pm - CC Sweeting vs St John’s 4pm - St Augustine’s vs Aquinas 5pm - St George’s vs Queen’s College 6pm - CI Gibson vs Agape 7pm - Doris Johnson vs St Augustine’s College 8pm - CV Bethel vs St George’s 9pm - CC Sweeting vs Jordan Prince Williams

PAGE 2, Wednesday, December 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 27, 2017, PAGE 3

Former bodybuilder Faye Rolle recognised FOLLOWING the hosting of the first Faye Rolle Classic in November at Loyola Hall, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation made a presentation to the former bodybuilder at home over the Christmas holiday.

Brittany Hamilton, the treasurer of the federation, along with chief judge Charles Sealy and newly minted professional bodybuilder Jamiel Hamilton, made the presentation on behalf of the federation.

The classic, which was postponed from last year, was held to provide some financial assistance for Rolle to assist with her medical expenses.

Only a few competitors participated in the classic that saw Shakira Ferguson win the women’s bikini open, Tanya Cleare, the women’s physique open, Wellington Wallace, the men’s physique and Jimmy Norius, the men’s bodybuilding open.

During the show, Lakeisha Miller put on an exhibition performance for the crowd, which she attributed to Rolle, whom she met when she first came on the scene about 10 years ago. Miller was the latest female to earn her pro card this year.

A video presentation of Rolle’s career in bodybuilding and her rehabilitation was shown.

Rolle’s daughter Latoya Rahming expressed her gratitude to the federation for their support of her mother.

FAYE ROLLE (seen in her competitive days at top right) poses with a trophy at her home.

TOP LEFT - Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation made a presentation to former bodybuilder Rolle at her home over the Christmas holiday.

Kerrie and Spencer are national tennis champions OHIO BEATS FROM PAGE 1 would play three sets as well.

“He beat me square and fair. He showed me some things that I need to do to get better,” said Newman, who is now in his final semester at Vanderbilt. “It was good.”

Pennie Baldacci, the wife of the late Giorgio Baldacci, whom the BLTA named the tournament after, was in attendance along with her son Adriano Baldacci. She said she was pleased with what she saw in the men’s match.

“We’ve been touched that it’s been five years that Giorgio has died and they are naming the tournament after him,” she said. “It’s quite an important tournament. “I don’t understand tennis...Apparently it’s a big deal because the winners of this go on to play the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup, which he has served as a coach before.”

Baldacci, who received an award from former BLTA president Derron Donaldson, now the secretary general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, said next year their family hopes to present an award in honour of Giorgio Baldacci to the tournament organisers.

While she only got to watch the Newman brothers trade point for point and set for set, Kerrie Cartwright walked away with a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Danielle Thompson.

“Danielle played very well. She fought hard and it was a good match overall,” said the 24-yearold Cartwright, who used her experience as a WTA ranked player to her advantage.

“Honestly the first set was really close. The score didn’t show it.

Each game went to deuce or 30-all.

It really was depending on who won those last two points. It could have gone both ways. It could have gone 6-4, but I was lucky enough to take those games and win that first set 6-0 to take the lead.”

Cartwright, who advanced to the final by overcoming a two-set win over Grand Bahamian collegian Simone Pratt, played a tight second set as well before she prevailed.

Thompson, 22, concurred.

“I honestly would say that I don’t think the scores matched the level of play,” said Thompson, who is now in her senior year at Morgan

BROTHERS Baker and Spencer Newman (left).

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff State University. “I was rushing to end the point and she was hitting an extra ball and she won overall.”

Unlike Cartwright, Thompson didn’t play her semi-final match as her opponent, Larikah Russell didn’t show up. But Thompson said it didn’t make a difference.

“I can’t say that I want to put the blame on that because I still hit the same day and got some practice in,” she said. “Kerrie is a real competitive player. I just came out hoping to do my best.

“Kerrie is on the WTA tour and I was able to be neck and neck with her. I don’t feel that the score reflected how well I played, but I was still surprised.”

Although she got blanked in the first set, Thompson and Cartwright endured some long rally points.

They did the same in the second set until Thompson avoided the sweep as she held serve at 4-0.

Then the rain came, halting play as both players cooled down.

When they resumed play, Cartwright used her international experience on the International Tennis Federation’s tour where she has been able to secure her Women’s Tennis Association’s ranking,

to end the drama. She went on to hold serve and break Thompson to finish off the match.

“I’ve been through this so many times,” said Cartwright about the rain delay.

“You kind of have to tell yourself you really can’t control it, so you just have to go with it from there.

“But I think I played really well here. I’m glad that I came. I’m so happy to be here and to have played home again. It’s been so long and I missed it. But overall throughout the tournament, I think I played very well.”

Cartwright will now return to Florida where she’s based to prepare for three tournaments, starting in Daytona Beach on January 6, followed by one in Orlando and another in Tampa as she tries to improve her rankings.

The tournament served as a trial for the men’s Davis Cup and the ladies’ Fed Cup teams that will travel next year. The top four players in each division are being considered for the team section.

Joining the Newman brothers on the men’s list are Kevin Major Jr, who got eliminated in

the semi-final by Spencer Newman and Philip Major Jr, who was ousted by Baker Newman.

“To my knowledge, we’re headed to Costa Rica at the end of May, so whether I’m playing one or two or just helping out on the bench, we’re all there on the team,” he said.

“So whoever needs to get the job done can get the job done. I feel confident that we are right there to be a contender to get promoted again.”

Baker Newman, who hopes to be back on the team after he missed the trip last year because of school commitments, said he hopes to be ready to play.

“This was my first tournament in six months,” said Baker Newman, who is recovering from injury. “I’m just great to be playing again.”

On the ladies’ side, Cartwright, Thompson, Pratt and Larikah Russell emerged as the final four and will be considered for the Fed Cup team selection.

“I can’t wait for Fed Cup. That’s a solid team,” Cartwright said. “I don’t even know when Fed Cup is.

I don’t care. I’m so excited. I can’t wait to play.”

After she completes her final semester at Morgan State, Thompson hopes to try the pro tour upon graduation. She indicated that she has talked with Cartwright about at least training together, if they don’t get to play doubles.

But Thompson said she’s looking forward to hooking up with Cartwright and the other players on the Fed Cup team again.

“We played before, me, Kerrie, Larikah and Simone and we made it out of zone II,” she reflected.

“So I’m comfortable playing with a team I know. They will have my back and I will be there for them, so I’m looking forward to it.”

The special awards from the tournament went to Sydney Clarke and Afrika Smith for the co-Most Improved Female Players and Donte Armbrister and Joshua Turnquest for the co-Most Improved Male Players. Turnquest was also awarded the Best Male Sportsmanship, while the female award went to Larikah Russell.

The nominations were made by the tournament participants.

Wesley Rolle served as the tournament director.

UAB 41-6 IN BAHAMAS BOWL

FROM PAGE 1 rushing yards with 1,329, finished with 37 yards on 13 carries.

THE TAKEAWAY UAB: The Blazers demonstrated this season that they belong at college football’s top level. If the community support that helped resurrect the program continues, the Blazers have a coach in Clark, an Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year finalist, who can take them to the postseason on a regular basis.

Ohio: The Bobcats have a budding star in Rourke, who next season has a chance to lead them to their first MAC title since the late 1960s. A native of Ontario, Canada, the sophomore set single-season records at Ohio with 21 rushing touchdowns, 22 touchdowns scored and 132 points scored.

NOT NEEDED Ouellette led Ohio with 980 yards rushing during the season, but he reinjured his left arm early in the third quarter and left the game with 26 yards to become Ohio’s first 1,000yard rusher since 2012.

UP NEXT UAB: Its 2018 schedule has not been finalized, but the Blazers are expected to open next season against Savannah State.

Ohio: The Bobcats open the 2018 season at home against Howard on September 1.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, December 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Saints beat Falcons, clinch NFC playoff berth NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore corralled an unusual, momentum-turning interception off his back, New Orleans made two defensive stands from inside its 2-yard line, and the Saints clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 with a 23-13 victory over the rival Atlanta Falcons.

Ted Ginn caught a 54-yard pass for a touchdown, which came a few plays after Lattimore’s interception and shortly before halftime.

Mark Ingram used a sharp cutback to break loose for a 26-yard touchdown for New Orleans ( 11-4), which kept its tenuous hold on first place in the NFC South heading into the final week of the season.

While the loss eliminated the Falcons (9-6) from the NFC South race, Atlanta can clinch a wild-card berth by beating Carolina in the final regular-season game on New Year’s Eve. PANTHERS 22, BUCCANEERS 19 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton scored on a 2-yard run with 35 seconds remaining to lift the Panthers into the NFC playoffs.

The Panthers (11-4) trailed most of the second half, but Newton drove them 59 yards, completing 4 of 7 passes for 52 yards in the final three minutes before scoring on a what could have been a game-ending play. Newton fumbled the snap from the shotgun, alertly picked it up and then dived across the goal line for the go-ahead score.

Newton celebrated the score by using the football as a prop, pretending to light a candle on a cake in celebration of his son Chosen’s 2nd birthday.

Carolina can clinch the NFC South championship with a win over Atlanta and a New Orleans loss to Tampa Bay. The Panthers sealed the game when Kawann Short sacked Jameis Winston on

Tampa Bay’s final drive, and forced a fumble that Julius Peppers recovered.

Winston threw for 367 yards and a touchdown but was sacked six times and fumbled three times. The Bucs are 4-11.

SEAHAWKS 21, COWBOYS 12 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Justin Coleman put Seattle in front for good with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown and the Seahawks won a playoff elimination game against Dallas, beating the Cowboys in Ezekiel Elliott’s return from a six-game suspension.

Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and the Dallas offence didn’t score a touchdown despite the reunion with his backfield mate, the one he shared a remarkable rookie season with a year ago when Cowboys had an NFC-best 13 wins.

Now Dallas (8-7) is eliminated from the postseason with the end of its threegame winning streak, and the Seahawks (9-6) still have a chance to keep their five-year playoff streak alive after Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns despite a career-low 93 yards passing.

RAMS 27, TITANS 23 NASHVILLE, Tenn.

(AP) — Jared Goff threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp in the fourth quarter and the Rams held off Tennessee to clinch their first NFC West title since 2003.

The Rams (11-4) came in needing a win or a loss

by Seattle to secure the division. They took care of business themselves, with Todd Gurley and Goff leading the way again.

Gurley bolstered his argument for NFL MVP with 118 yards rushing and 158 yards receiving with two TDs. Goff finished with four touchdowns and 301 yards passing.

The Titans (8-7) lost their third straight game, damaging their chances of

SAINTS middle linebacker Manti Te’o (51) scrambles for a fumble by running back Devonta Freeman, left, over Atlanta Falcons centre Alex Mack (51) on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Butch Dill) ending their own playoff drought stretching to 2008.

The Titans had the ball and a chance to win late in the game. On fourth-and-4 at the Rams 44, Marcus Mariota rolled right and chucked the ball incomplete under pressure from Connor Barwin.

CHIEFS 29, DOLPHINS 13 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith threw for 304 yards and a touchdown, Kareem Hunt ran for 91 yards and a score and the Chiefs clinched backto-back AFC West titles for the first time in franchise history.

Tyreek Hill had six catches for 109 yards, and Harrison Butker converted five field goals, as the Chiefs (9-6) dashed what faint postseason hope the Dolphins (6-9) still harboured.

Jay Cutler threw for 286 yards and a touchdown, but a chunk of that came on a 65-yard toss to Jakeem Grant late in the first half.

Otherwise, Miami struggled against a defence that has been stingy and opportunistic the past two weeks.

That’s coincided with the return of Marcus Peters from his disciplinary suspension.

The Chiefs’ star cornerback had two interceptions and forced a fumble against the Chargers last week, a

win that pushed them to the brink of the playoffs.

He recovered a fumble and forced another on Sunday, giving Peters a hand in five turnovers the past two weeks.

PATRIOTS 37, BILLS 16 FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

(AP) — Tom Brady passed for a pair of touchdowns and the Patriots stayed on track to claim home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Dion Lewis caught a touchdown pass and rushed for a 4-yard score.

He carried 24 times for a career-high 129 yards. It was just his second-career 100-yard game. Mike Gillislee, active for the first time in six games, added a 1-yard rushing touchdown New England (12-3) can lock up first-round bye with either a Pittsburgh or Jacksonville loss.

Even with the loss, the Bills (8-7) remain in contention to break their 17-year playoff drought. It is longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports. It is the longest postseason absence since NFL merger in 1970.

New England has won at least 12 games in eight straight seasons — an NFL record.

Buffalo stayed close throughout and went into

CROSSWORD PUZZLE MONDAY, DECEMBER 25TH, 2017

halftime locked in a 13-13 tie. But the Bills managed just three points in the final 30 minutes, after a touchdown at the end of the first half was taken away.

Trailing 13-10, Buffalo was in position to take the lead, but an apparent 4-yard touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor to Kelvin Benjamin in the corner of the end zone was overturned after an official review.

NFL vice president of officiating Al Riveron said in a Twitter post Benjamin was juggling the ball and was only able to get one of his feet down before completing the catch.

CHARGERS 14, JETS 7 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Philip Rivers threw a touchdown pass to Antonio Gates and Melvin Gordon ran for a score, and the Chargers stayed alive in the AFC playoff race.

The Chargers (8-7) entered the weekend needing to win both of their remaining games — including next Sunday at home against Oakland — and get lots of help elsewhere to remain in the mix. Rivers & Co. held up their end of things, but barely.

Los Angeles, which started the season 0-4, had a tough time getting much going against a spirited effort by the defence of the Jets (5-10). Rivers finished 22 of 40 for 290 yards.

Gordon had 81 yards on 19 carries, but left late in the game with an ankle injury. He remained standing on the sideline as the Chargers tried to run out the clock.

Bryce Petty, making his second start this season in place of the injured Josh McCown, struggled all game. He missed open receivers and repeatedly flexed his right hand, which he banged up early in the game. But he remained in, going 15 of 28 for 119 yards and an interception.

BENGALS 26, LIONS 17 CINCINNATI (AP) — Giovani Bernard ran for 116 yards and a clinching touchdown in the closing minutes that eliminated the Lions from playoff contention and gave Marvin Lewis a good moment in what was possibly his final home game as Bengals coach.

Matthew Stafford and the Lions (8-7) couldn’t take advantage of an injurydepleted team that gave indifferent performances the last two games. It was a fitting finish for Detroit, which opened the season 3-4 and repeatedly wasted chances to move to the forefront of the playoff chase.

Tion Green’s 5-yard touchdown drive put the Lions ahead 17-16 early in the fourth quarter, but defensive penalties extended Cincinnati’s drive that led to Randy Bullock’s go-ahead kick with 4:42 left.

Given one last chance, Detroit self-destructed with a holding penalty, a false start and a short punt, allowing the Bengals (6-9) to finish it off in front of a half-empty stadium.

BEARS 20, BROWNS 3 CHICAGO (AP) — The Browns got pushed to the brink of a winless season, hurt by two more interceptions by DeShone Kizer and two turnovers in the red zone against Chicago. One more loss and the Browns will join the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only teams to

go 0-16. Last year, Cleveland was 0-14 before getting its only victory on December 24. And the Browns will wrap up the season at AFC North leader Pittsburgh next week. Then again, the Browns (0-15) keep racking up losses no matter whom they’re playing.

They’re 1-30 in two seasons under coach Hue Jackson.

Rookie QB Kizer threw for 182 yards and ran his league leading-interception total to 21. One of those was to a wide-open Kyle Fuller in the end zone in the second quarter.

Defensive end Myles Garrett had what looked like a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter wiped out because Carl Nassib was offside.

Rashard Higgins lost a fumble near the goal line that Chicago (5-10) recovered in the end zone.

49ERS 44, JAGUARS 33 SANTA CLARA, Calif.

(AP) — Jimmy Garoppolo threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score against one of the NFL’s stingiest defences and the 49ers won their fourth straight behind their new quarterback, beating the Jaguars.

The day wasn’t a total loss for the Jaguars (10-5), who clinched their first division title since 1999 earlier in the afternoon when Tennessee lost at home to the Rams. But the defeat dealt a big blow to Jacksonville’s hopes for a first-round bye.

The Jaguars need to win next week and hope Pittsburgh loses twice to get a bye.

The 49ers (5-10) saw their playoff hopes die a long time ago during an 0-9 start but the mood and play around the team changed dramatically after Garoppolo was inserted into the starting lineup earlier this month following a midseason trade from New England.

CARDINALS 23, GIANTS 0 GLENDALE, Ariz.

(AP) — Larry Fitzgerald had a big day in what might have been the final home game of his prolific career and the Cardinals shut out an opponent for the first time in 25 seasons in a victory over Eli Manning and the Giants.

Fitzgerald, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection in his 14 NFL seasons, caught nine passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. He even completed a pass for the first time (in three career tries), a 21-yarder to Jaron Brown.

Manning, on the other hand, could not get the offence moving for the Giants (2-13) and got no help on the ground.

The 36-year-old quarterback completed 27 of 45 passes for 263 yards and was intercepted twice, both by Antoine Bethea.

Manning also had the ball stripped by Deone Bucannon and returned 21 yards for a touchdown by Robert Nkemdiche.

REDSKINS 27, BRONCOS 11 LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in what could be his final home game for the Redskins.

Cousins was 19 of 37 with TD passes to Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Vernon Davis and an interception.

He became the first quarterback in Washington history with three seasons of 25 or more TD passes, and needs 65 yards for his third in a row with 4,000plus yards.

Washington’s 386 offensive yards are third most by a Denver opponent this season, behind only Philadelphia and New England.

The Broncos came in giving up an average of 276.8 yards a game.

The Redskins (7-8) came 78 seconds from not allowing a touchdown for a second consecutive game for the first time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Washington had allowed a combined 68 points in its previous two games before clamping down against Arizona and Denver.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 27, 2017, PAGE 5

Durant leads Warriors past Cavaliers 99-92 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Klay Thompson hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:33 left, Kevin Durant turned in another solid allaround performance, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-92 on Monday in a Christmas Day rematch of the past three NBA Finals.

Durant’s block against a driving LeBron James with 24.5 seconds left went out of bounds off James, who said he thought he was fouled on the play. Durant finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots.

Kevin Love had 31 points and a season-best 18 rebounds, while James contributed 20 points, six rebounds and six assists in a rivalry missing one key piece: Warriors star Stephen Curry, who missed his eighth straight game with a sprained right ankle.

Thompson scored 24 points and Draymond Green had a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. It was Golden State’s 12th win in 13 games.

THUNDER 112, ROCKETS 107 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook had 31 points and 11 assists to help Oklahoma City to its fifth straight victory.

Paul George scored 24 points and Carmelo Anthony added 20 for the Thunder, who shot 54.4 per cent from the field.

James Harden led the Rockets with 29 points, but he made just 7 of 18 field goals.

The league’s leading scorer was coming off backto-back 51-point games.

Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon each scored 20 points and Clint Capela added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, which lost its third straight.

WIZARDS 111, CELTICS 103 BOSTON (AP) — Bradley Beal scored 25 points, John Wall had 21 points and 14 assists, and Washington beat Boston in the Celtics’ first Christmas Day home game in franchise history.

Otto Porter Jr added 20 points and Kelly Oubre Jr finished with 16, helping Washington take the first meeting between the teams since Boston’s Game 7 victory at home in the second round of the playoffs last spring.

Boston lost for the third time in four games. Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum each scored 20 points for the Celtics, and Terry Rozier had 16.

TIMBERWOLVES 121, LAKERS 104 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Minnesota got its first-ever Christmas Day victory.

Former Southern California standout Taj Gibson had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have won four straight. Jamal Crawford added 19 points.

Kyle Kuzma scored 31 points for the Lakers, who have lost three in a row and six of seven.

Jordan Clarkson had 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds, and Julius Randle had 16 points and seven rebounds.

76ERS 105, KNICKS 98 NEW YORK (AP) — Joel Embiid had 25 points and 16 rebounds, JJ Redick scored 24 points, and Philadelphia snapped a five-game losing streak.

Embiid and Redick were cleared to play after going through pregame warmups, and their presence

CLEVELAND Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball around Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half Monday night.

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar) gave the 76ers just enough to win their first Christmas Day appearance since 2001. Embiid, who has been

battling a bad back, powered through a big-man duel with Enes Kanter, who had a season-high 31

points and a career-best 22 rebounds.

Redick, who missed the last game with right

hamstring tightness, helped the 76ers pull away from an 89-all tie midway through the fourth quarter.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26TH, 2017

EAGLES’ LeGarrette Blount cheers in the second half Monday.

(AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Eagles clinch No. 1 seed with 19-10 win over Raiders PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jake Elliott kicked a 48-yard field goal with 22 seconds left, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs with a sloppy 19-10 victory over the Oakland Raiders on Monday night.

Ronald Darby intercepted Derek Carr’s pass and ran it back 52 yards with 54 seconds left, but was ruled down by contact at the spot of the pick.

Nick Foles then completed four straight passes for 21 yards. After an incomplete pass, Elliott nailed his kick right down the middle.

Derek Barnett returned a fumble for a touchdown after picking up a lateral on Oakland’s final play from scrimmage.

The Eagles (13-2) went to the Super Bowl and lost 24-21 to New England the last time they had homefield advantage following the 2004 season.

Coming off a 12-4 season, the Raiders (6-9) were a popular pick to challenge the Patriots for the AFC

title. But they’ve had a disappointing season and were eliminated from the playoff chase on Sunday.

STEELERS 34, TEXANS 6 HOUSTON (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns, and Pittsburgh clinched a first-round playoff bye with a win over Houston.

Roethlisberger threw passes to six players as Pittsburgh (12-3) romped over the lowly Texans (4-11) despite missing NFL leading receiver Antonio Brown, who sat out with a calf injury.

The Steelers led 20-0 at halftime after taking advantage of two turnovers by the Texans. Le’Veon Bell added a 10-yard TD run late in the third quarter and rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster made it 34-6 with an 18-yard touchdown grab in the fourth.

Bell finished with 14 carries for 69 yards and Smith-Schuster had six receptions for 75 yards.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 27, 2017, PAGE 7

MOURINHO MOANS AFTER DRAW WITH BURNLEY, KANE BREAKS RECORDS

By SAM JOHNSTON Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Spending is the reason Manchester City is speeding clear of Manchester United in the English Premier League race, according to Jose Mourinho.

After salvaging a 2-2 draw against Burnley yesterday, second-placed United trails City by 12 points and Pep Guardiola’s side can extend that advantage when it faces Newcastle today.

“Manchester City buy the full backs for the price of the strikers,” United manager Mourinho said, referring to the summer purchases of Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy for a combined figure of more than 100 million pounds ($133 million).

“Is not enough, is not enough,” Mourinho said of his own expenditure at United, about 300 million pounds in the last 19 months. “And the price for the big clubs, the price for the big clubs is different from the other clubs, so the big, historical clubs are

normally punished in the market for that history.”

It could have been worse for United. Jesse Lingard came off the bench at halftime to score twice and cancel out first-half strikes from Burnley’s Ashley Barnes and Steven Defour.

United was at least on the right side of a stoppagetime equaliser this time, having conceded in the final moments last Saturday to give up the lead at Leicester.

United was just one point ahead of third-placed Chelsea, which continued its strong home form by beating Brighton 2-0.

Harry Kane scored successive hat tricks to break the record for the most league goals in a calendar year as Tottenham thrashed Southampton 5-2. Liverpool was similarly ruthless in thrashing bottom side Swansea 5-0.

to take his league tally for 2017 to 39.

Each goal broke new ground for Kane; his first took him clear of Alan Shearer’s 36 Premier League goals in 1995; the second saw him overtake Lionel Messi as the player from Europe’s five major leagues to have the most goals (56) for club and country in 2017; and the third gave him a record sixth Premier League hat trick in a calendar year.

“It’s been amazing, it’s been a fantastic year - one I’m very proud of,” Kane said. “When you get compared to them players, the Messis, the Shearers, that’s what it’s all about.”

Roberto Firmino scored twice and Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also found the net.

Swansea is on the bottom with just 11 goals, and 13 points from 20 games.

ATLETICO CHELSEA Chelsea’s Spanish contingent was largely responsible for a sixth consecutive home win in the league.

For the sixth time this season, Morata was assisted

by Spain teammate Cesar Azpilicueta. The defender produced an inch-perfect cross, allowing Morata to head home.

The victory was sealed as two more Spaniards combined. Cesc Fabregas picked out Marcos Alonso with his corner and the wing back headed in at the near post.

LIVERPOOL LANDSLIDE Liverpool displayed the ruthlessness it has often lacked in recent weeks to dispatch struggling Swansea.

Philippe Coutinho, the Reds captain for the day, scored early to give his side a narrow halftime lead.

But Liverpool’s superiority showed after the break.

RECORD-BREAKING KANE After netting three times at Burnley on Saturday, Kane delivered another treble at Wembley Stadium

fortunes since taking over as manager in late November, with the club one short of equalling Aston Villa’s record for the most league games without a win.

Everton was undefeated in six games under its new coach Sam Allardyce and remained in the top half of the table.

DISPUTED GOAL Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson scored a heavily disputed stoppage-time equaliser against West Ham to cap a thrilling 3-3 draw.

After the goal was initially disallowed by the linesman for offside, referee Bobby Madley overruled the decision despite West Ham’s claims the goal should have been ruled out for offside and handball by Wilson.

It looked as though Marko Arnautovic won it for the Hammers after scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to give West Ham the lead.

Also, Tom Ince’s first league goal since February 2014 was cancelled out by Ramadan Sobhi’s second in

WINLESS WEST BROM West Bromwich Albion’s winless run was extended to 18 games after going 0-0 with Everton.

Alan Pardew has failed to change the Baggies’

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy with a shower or two

Partly sunny with a stray shower

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Intervals of clouds and sun

Nice with times of sun and clouds

High: 82°

Low: 68°

High: 82° Low: 68°

High: 81° Low: 66°

High: 81° Low: 65°

High: 79° Low: 65°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

89° F

71° F

87°-74° F

88°-70° F

87°-62° F

85°-67° F

ORLANDO

TAMPA

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 60° F/16° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 73° F/23° C

7-14 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 81° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

4-8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

S

E

W

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 64° F/18° C

MIAMI

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

6-12 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 66° F/19° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 66° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 84° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 73° F/23° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 38.72” Normal year to date ................................... 39.35”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

6-12 knots

S

7-14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

1:59 a.m.

2:10 p.m.

2.5 2.3

8:13 a.m. 0.4 8:33 p.m. -0.2

Thursday

2:57 a.m.

3:10 p.m.

2.6 2.4

9:17 a.m. 0.2 9:29 p.m. -0.4

Friday

3:55 a.m.

4:10 p.m.

2.9 2.4

10:20 a.m. 0.0 10:25 p.m. -0.6

Saturday

4:52 a.m.

5:08 p.m.

3.1 2.5

11:19 a.m. -0.3 11:20 p.m. -0.8

Sunday

5:47 a.m.

6:05 p.m.

3.3 2.6

12:15 p.m. -0.6 ---------

Monday

6:42 p.m.

7:02 a.m.

3.5 2.7

12:15 p.m. -1.0 1:11 a.m. -0.7

Tuesday

7:35 p.m.

7:56 a.m.

3.6 2.7

1:10 p.m. -1.1 2:04 a.m. -0.8

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:53 a.m.

5:29 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

1:08 p.m.

12:56 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Jan. 1

Jan. 8

Jan. 16

Jan. 24

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

L

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

CAT ISLAND

E

W

four days as Huddersfield and Stoke drew 1-1.

Watford ended a sixgame winless run as it came from behind to defeat Leicester 2-1 at Vicarage Road. A tap-in from Molla Wague in his first league start, and against his former club, plus an own goal from Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel cancelled out Riyad Mahrez’s opener.

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 59° F/15° C

TOTTENHAM’s Harry Kane scores yesterday against Southampton at the Wembley stadium.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

7-14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

7-14 knots

8-16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS NW at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots

WAVES 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 4-7 Feet 4-8 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 78° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 75° F 75° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F

PAGE 8, Wednesday, December 27, 2017

THE TRIBUNE