NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA ordered Roma on Wednesday to close most of one end of the Stadio Ol...

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA ordered Roma on Wednesday to close most of one end of the Stadio Olimpico at a Europa League playoff game because of fan disorder.Roma was charged over crowd disturbance and other fan incidents at a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/europa-league-man-united-tottenham-9b56ce9c0cd25d8a954399ff5698e70b">final round of league-phase games</a> last Thursday.Two sections of the Roma stadium’s north end must now be closed when Porto visits on Feb. 20 for the second leg in the new knockout playoffs round. The winner advances to the round of 16.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>UEFA disciplinary judges also imposed a 30,000 euros ($31,250) fine on Roma.UEFA fined Eintracht 25,000 euros ($26,000) for disorder among its fans in Rome. The German club also got a provisional one-game ban on selling tickets for an away game during a two-year probationary period.Eintracht, the 2022 Europa League champion, already advanced direct to the round of 16.In a separate case, UEFA fined Twente 35,000 euros ($36,500) and ordered the closure of one end of the Dutch club’s stadium for a Europe League playoffs first-leg game against Bodo/Glimt on Feb. 13.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

OLIMPICO STADIUM, ROME, ITALY - 2025/02/02: Roma fans cheer on during the Serie A football match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli. Roma and Napoli drew 1-1.

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Roma get partial stadium ban for fan disorder in Europa League

Alex Bowman is over the sting of last season, the one that prompted him to throw his phone into h...

Alex Bowman is over the sting of last season, the one that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-logano-bowman-championship-playoffs-49db23a38af5b480a2fcc1ff828fa0b0">prompted him to throw his phone into his swimming pool</a> amid disgust and disappointment.The NASCAR driver was disqualified from a playoff race because his No. 48 Chevrolet failed to meet minimum weight, resulting in a loss of points that ended his season a month before the championship finale.It ruined what Bowman thought was shaping up to be a championship-contending run.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>“I’d say I was mad for about a day and then it was just time to get back to work,” Bowman said.Now, he’s hoping to use that setback as motivation for 2025. The Cup Series officially begins with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16.“We ended the season really strong,” Bowman told The Associated Press. “We had a really good playoff run. It took us too long to find that consistent speed. But we found it. If we can just start there and have that be our baseline, we can have a really strong year. I’m excited to get rolling.”Bowman notched five top-10 finishes in the series' 10 playoff events, solid enough to give his Hendrick Motorsports team a chance to make the finale at Phoenix Raceway. That penalty at Charlotte Motor Speedway, however, changed everything.Bowman crossed the finish line in 18th-place at the Roval, high enough to eliminate Team Penske’s Joey Logano from the playoff field by four points.But Bowman’s car failed a post-race inspection, dropping him to 38th in the race and advancing Logano into the next round. Hendrick Motorsports called Bowman’s weight issue unintentional and avoidable.“It wasn’t anything that I had any control over,” Bowman said. “There was nothing anybody could do about it. There’s no way to change it. All we really could do was move on and keep digging. It would have been nice to not have that happen, obviously.”Bowman was back home by the time the penalty got handed down. He learned about it while scrolling social media and responded by angrily throwing his phone into his pool.Adding insult to misery, Logano ended up winning the championship four weeks later.“From different perspectives, it probably makes it worse,” Bowman said. “I hate that we gave them that opportunity, but we did, and they obviously capitalized on it and did what they needed to do.“Props to them for being able to shake off what they had going on and go win a championship that way. That was a big achievement for them.”It could end up being a catalyst for Bowman, who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nascar-bristol-qualifying-bowman-ae57ccb495a643c81198d8101c77b837">has two wins over the last three seasons</a>. Bowman has two years remaining on his Hendrick contract — plenty of time to turn things around. But he’ll need to get to victory lane more often to make it happen.He’s won at least one race in five of the last six seasons, although he’s slipped significantly since winning a career-high four times in 2021.“Winning multiple races is a big goal of ours,” he said. “And we believe we can. The end of the year proved we can run as well as anybody. We just need to piece that together throughout the course of the whole season.”Daytona could be his launching spot.Bowman started “The Great American Race” from the front row in four consecutive years (2020-23), including two poles, and was seventh on the grid last year. Although he struggled earlier in his career on superspeedways, Bowman was second last year and fifth in 2023.Neither was quite cause for celebration. But they didn’t cause Bowman to chuck his phone, either.“Qualifying means a lot to Mr. Hendrick and everybody in the engine shop and the chassis shop, everybody that puts the cars together. It’s kind of their time to shine,” Bowman said. “But winning the 500 means a little bit more than that. I would take the win over the pole.”___AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - APRIL 22: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, enters his car during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 22, 2023 in Talladega, Alabama.

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Bowman moves on from playoff penalty, plans to use it as motivation

MADRID (AP) — The brother of Jenni Hermoso and one of her teammates told a judge Wednesday there ...

MADRID (AP) — The brother of Jenni Hermoso and one of her teammates told a judge Wednesday there were attempts to pressure the player into downplaying the unsolicited kiss by former Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales in the awards presentation ceremony following the 2023 Women's World Cup.Rafael Hermoso said in court that former women's national team coach Jorge Vilda asked him to tell Jenni to record a video together with the former president to show she was OK with the kiss.Former teammate Misa Rodriguez said Jenni told the other players that she was being coerced and that she was "not well" after what happened.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Rubiales is on trial for sexual assault for kissing Jenni Hermoso after the World Cup won by Spain in Sydney, as well as for coercion for allegedly trying to convince the player to support his version of the kiss.Vilda and two other former members of the federation are also on trial for coercion. All four deny wrongdoing.Jenni Hermoso says she did not consent to the kiss while Rubiales says it was consensual. The kiss marred the title celebrations and sparked outrage in Spain about the prevalence of sexism in sports and beyond.Rafael Hermoso said his sister told him she was pressurised several times by members of the Spanish federation."She came to us half-crying and told us that they were pressuring her to take a stance downplaying the kiss," Rafael said.Rodriguez said Jenni told them about the kiss and that she did not know how to react to it. She also said that Jenni told them she was being pressurised to record a video and downplay the kiss."She told us that she didn't want to do it and we supported her decision," Rodriguez said. "We told her that she should not talk to anybody anymore and should try to get some rest, because we noticed that she was not well."Rafael Hermoso said Vilda came to him on the plane returning from the final in Australia to ask him to talk to his sister."We were talking about soccer and the achievement of the team and suddenly he mentioned the kiss," Rafael said. "He said that the president wanted me to talk to Jenni to ask her to record the video together downplaying the kiss, because that would be the best thing for everyone."Rafael added that Vilda told him that Rubiales' daughters were crying and that the president was worried about losing his job because of what happened. He said Vilda told him that he had already talked to Jenni and that she had not agreed to do the video."I told him that I was not going to try to convince her to do something that I also don't agree with," Rafael said.Rafael said he felt Vilda threatened his sister by hinting that things would not be good for her in the federation if she decided not to help. He also said Vilda implied that Jenni owed that to Rubiales' daughters and the president himself.Jenni Hermoso was not called up to the national team immediately after the World Cup, with new coach Montse Tome saying she wanted to protect the player.Rubiales has yet to testify and denied the charges. He resigned under pressure three weeks later and was banned by FIFA for three years. He said he was the victim of a "witch hunt" by "false feminists."Prosecutors, Hermoso and the Spain players' association want Rubiales jailed for two and a half years, fined 50,000 euros ($51,800) for damages, and banned from working as a sports official. They want the other three defendants sentenced to one and a half years in prison.The trial is expected to last at least 10 days. Rubiales attended the first day on Monday. The coach of the men’s national team, Luis de la Fuente, testified on Tuesday.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 04: Luis Rubiales and his lawyer Olga Tubau leaves the Audiencia Nacional on February 04, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep announced her retirement from tennis at age 33 after a ...

Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep announced her retirement from tennis at age 33 after a first-round loss at a tournament in her home country of Romania on Tuesday, ending an injury-filled comeback from a doping suspension.“I don’t know if it’s with sadness or joy — I think I’m feeling both — but my soul is at peace with this decision, and I’ve always been realistic with myself. My body can no longer handle as much as it used to, to get me where I probably once was," Halep said, using a microphone to address the crowd in Cluj, Romania, following her 6-1, 6-1 loss to Lucia Bronzetti in the Transylvania Open.“It’s very hard to reach that level, and I know what it takes to get there,” Halep said. "That’s why I wanted to be here today, in Cluj, to play in front of you and say goodbye on the tennis court, even if my performance wasn’t great.”<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It was the first match of the year for Halep, who reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings for the first time in 2017 but is now 870th and was given a wild-card invitation to play in Romania.She had pulled out of qualifying for the Australian Open and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, last month because of pain in her knee and shoulder, the latest interruption of her career.Halep once stood atop women's tennis, winning major singles trophies <a href="https://apnews.com/article/f929e2238fa14176b9e6e5fe26d0aae9">at </a>Wimbledon in 2019 by beating Serena Williams in the final and at the French Open in 2018 by beating Sloane Stephens in the final.She also was a three-time runner-up at Grand Slam tournaments — at the Australian Open in 2018 and the French Open in 2014 and 2017.But her last appearance at a major event came at the 2022 U.S. Open. That was where Halep lost in the first round to Daria Snigur of Ukraine 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 and tested positive for the banned drug Roxadustat.Roxadustat was approved for use in the European Union in 2021 to treat the symptoms of anemia caused by chronic kidney failure. It stimulates the body to produce more of the natural hormone erythropoietin, or EPO, which has long been a doping product favored by cyclists and distance runners to boost stamina.Halep initially was given a four-year ban that would have expired in 2026. But she appealed, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the penalty to nine months in March 2024.She argued that she was exposed to a contaminated supplement that caused her failed test. CAS determined that Halep bore “some level of fault or negligence” for not exercising “sufficient care” while using the supplement, but “she bore no significant fault or negligence.” So that is why, CAS said, “her anti-doping rule violations were not intentional.”Halep made her return to the tour later that month at the Miami Open but has played a total of only six matches since then.She leaves the sport with 24 singles titles and more than $40 million in prize money.“To be competitive again requires much more, and at this moment, it’s no longer possible,” Halep said Tuesday. “I don’t want to cry — this is something beautiful. I reached world No. 1, I won Grand Slams; it’s everything I ever wanted.”___Associated Press writer Stephen McGrath in Sighisoara, Romania, contributed to this report.

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 08: Simona Halep of Romania celebrates a point against Donna Vekic of Croatia during the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 8, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo approaches his 40th birthday with the same confidence and self-es...

MADRID (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo approaches his 40th birthday with the same confidence and self-esteem as he has always boasted throughout his successful career.Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid star who now plays in Saudi Arabia, will turn 40 on Wednesday and apparently has no doubt about who should be considered the best soccer player ever."I am the greatest scorer in history," Ronaldo said in an interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta. "Although I am not left-footed, I am in the top 10 in history for goals scored with the left foot. These are numbers, I am the most complete player who has ever existed.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I play well with my head, I take good free kicks, I am fast, I am strong, I jump ... I have never seen anyone better than me."The Portugal star holds most scoring records in men's international soccer, including most appearances with 217 and most goals with 135.He had said it before, more than once, that he feels he will go out as the best ever in the history of soccer. Whenever he was asked about the discussion of who is better, him or Lionel Messi, he always praised the Argentine but ended siding with himself."One thing is taste - if you like Messi, Pele, Maradona, I understand that and I respect that - but saying Ronaldo isn't complete ... I'm the most complete."Ronaldo's most recent comments prompted a few reactions in the soccer world."I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and I don't have to analyze his opinions. It's what he thinks. I have my own thoughts and it isn't that," said Javier Mascherano, a former teammate of Messi and his current coach at Inter Miami.___AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo of Al Nassr FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFC Champions League elite west football match between Qatar's Al Gharafa SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr FC at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on November 25, 2024.

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Tyler Reddick would welcome a quiet offseason.  The 29-year-old NASCAR driver feels like it’s bee...

<div>
Tyler Reddick would welcome a quiet offseason.
The 29-year-old NASCAR driver feels like it’s been years since he’s been able to truly relax during the sport’s three-month hiatus. His most recent “break” was his most chaotic.
Reddick was thrust into headlines as part of the ongoing legal battle between his 23XI Racing team, co-owned by NASCAR star Denny Hamlin and NBA great Michael Jordan, and the sanctioning body.
<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>
23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR last fall regarding the stock car series’ charter system that guarantees 36 cars a starting spot in every race. Among the claims: Reddick, last year’s regular-season Cup Series champion, would immediately become a free agent if the team did not have a charter.
A judge ruled in favor of the teams, allowing them to compete with charter recognition in 2025. But the fight is far from Reddick's rear-view mirror as he turns his attention to the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 16.
“I wouldn’t say it was uncomfortable, but certainly I was paying attention to it,” Reddick told The Associated Press. “I don’t think I ever really got uncomfortable in the whole process. I have a lot of faith in our owners. I believe in them. I believe in their process.
“That’s why I came here, and that’s why I’m still here. But it certainly caught my interest in the middle of the offseason.”
Stressful, no doubt. But did it create enough of a distraction that it could derail a rising star who is entering his third season at 23XI?
“The vibes are good,” he said. “Everyone’s focused and getting ready for the season. From that standpoint, I’m in a happy place.”
And for good reason. Reddick won three races in 2024 and ended up being one of four teams competing for the championship in the season finale. He struggled to keep up with eventual champ Joey Logano, finishing sixth at Phoenix Raceway and fourth in the standings.
It was a disappointing conclusion to a successful year that included Reddick marrying his longtime girlfriend, Alexa. They announced last month they are expecting a second child in June.
What could possibly top that?
“A Daytona 500 (victory) would be really nice,” he quipped.
It wouldn’t be shocking considering Reddick won two superspeedway races in 2024: at Talladega in April and at Daytona last February in one of the qualifying Duels.
“Baby steps,” he said. “Speedway racing has been a nightmare for me over the years. There are so many things that can happen, and it’s still a learning experience. … Finishing the 500 would be a start.
“I finished it one year, but I was like 500 laps down. If I can finish on the lead lap in the 500 — I know that’s a big ask — that would be a great start to the year. I would feel like we’re miles ahead.”
Reddick does have some momentum heading into Speedweeks. He finished sixth in the season-opening Clash, an exhibition race at historic Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina on Sunday, after running inside the top 10 all night.
“He just has the ability to get more speed out of a car than others,” Hamlin said. “That’s the simple way to put it. But he’s also got very good race craft. That’s where he’s really gotten better over time is being able to manage his stuff and keep it, keep himself in the game, even when he doesn’t have the best car.”
Reddick has developed a knack for managing the offseason, too.
His first child was born in January 2020, a month before his rookie season in the Cup Series. The following offseason was packed with testing before the debut of the New Gen car. In 2022, he was involved in behind-the-scenes negotiations to leave Richard Childress Racing and sign with 23IX.
The next offseason, after getting out of his RCR deal early, he found himself having to transition to a new team. In 2024, he spent the offseason adjusting to 23IX’s state-of-the-art, 114,000-square-foot race shop dubbed “Airspeed."
This year topped all the others because of the uncertainty surrounding the lawsuit and how it might affect his racing future, another kid on the way and the addition of a third car at 23IX, the No. 35 Toyota driven by Riley Herbst.
“There’s been change. There’s been growth. You name it, we’ve dealt with it," Reddick said. "Maybe that’s just life. It definitely makes the offseason go by really fast; it doesn’t even really feel like we have one anymore.”
___
AP auto racing: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing">https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing</a>
</div>

DARLINGTON, SC - SEPTEMBER 01: Tyler Reddick (#45 23XI Racing Upper Deck Toyota) celebrates winning the NASCAR Regular Season Championship after the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 on September 01, 2024, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, SC.

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Reddick focuses on Daytona, hopes to put team's legal battle in rearview

MADRID (AP) — Spain men's coach Luis de la Fuente told a judge in the Luis Rubiales trial on Tues...

MADRID (AP) — Spain men's coach Luis de la Fuente told a judge in the Luis Rubiales trial on Tuesday that he did not get involved in discussions related to Jenni Hermoso following her World Cup kiss from the former Spanish soccer boss.Rubiales is accused of sexual assault for kissing Hermoso, the Spain forward, at the 2023 Women's World Cup final presentation ceremony in Sydney, as well as of coercion for allegedly trying to convince the player to support his version of the kiss. Hermoso says she did not consent to the kiss while Rubiales says it was consensual.De la Fuente said during his brief appearance in court that he spoke with Hermoso only about two months ago at a gala. He was at the Women's World Cup final in Australia but said he did not have any discussions with Spanish federation officials about the kiss and alleged attempts to support Rubiales.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 47-year-old Rubiales and three other former federation officials — former Spain women's coach Jorge Vilda, former sports director of the Spain men's team Albert Luque, and former head of marketing Ruben Rivera — are accused of pressuring Hermoso to defend Rubiales publicly in a statement after the incident, which she refused to do."Nobody talked to me or asked me about" a possible statement, De la Fuente said.The coach said that when he visited the federation in the days following the scandal, he only "talked about football" and business related to his position as the men's national coach.De La Fuente last week had his contract with the men's national team extended to 2028.The judge got angry at one point on Tuesday with the testimony of former federation press chief Pablo Garcia Cuervo, asking him to be more clear with his answers.Cuervo said he wrote up some of Hermoso's comments to a local radio station to release them to the media. He said Hermoso asked if they wanted her to do a video with the comments, and he said that it was not necessary.Hermoso testified on the first day of the trial on Monday and said she "felt disrespected" by Rubiales after winning the Women's World Cup final and the kiss "stained one of the happiest days of my life."The kiss sparked outrage in Spain about the prevalence of sexism in sports and beyond.Rubiales has yet to testify and denied the charges. He resigned under pressure three weeks later and was banned by FIFA for three years. Rubiales had said he was the victim of a "witch hunt" by "false feminists."Prosecutors, Hermoso and the Spain players' association want Rubiales jailed for two and a half years, fined 50,000 euros ($51,800) for damages, and banned from working as a sports official. They want the other three defendants sentenced to one and a half years in prison.The trial will continue on Wednesday. It is expected to last at least 10 days. Rubiales attended the first day on Monday.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 04: Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the Spanish national soccer team leaves to testify at the Audiencia Nacional on February 04, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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Spain men's boss De La Fuente distances himself from Rubiales coercion plot

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — There was a lot of speculation during the winter transfer window that Pa...

MARSEILLE, France (AP) — There was a lot of speculation during the winter transfer window that Paul Pogba would relaunch his career at Marseille.The Ligue 1 club's president Pablo Longoria praised the former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder as an extraordinary player and others at the club, including France international Adrien Rabiot, lobbied for Pogba.But Marseille bought someone else.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Once one of the world’s top midfielders, Pogba's headlines in recent years have been more for his off-field problems than his on-field abilities.Juventus "mutually agreed" with Pogba last year to cancel his contract despite the 2018 World Cup winner having a ban for doping slashed. The Serie A club never seemed overly enthusiastic about welcoming him back after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.Pogba will be free to resume his career in March.Asked on RMC radio why he did not make a move to hire Pogba, Longoria said his suspension until March was a factor."When I talk about Paul, I'm always talking about someone I really like," he said. "I had the pleasure of working with him at Juventus and I have enormous respect for him. It's true that there are circumstances, with a sporting sanction until March, in which you have to try to maximize how you can end the season well with your short-term economic resources."<h3>Would Pogba be a good fit?</h3>Marseille has been Paris Saint-Germain's main rival this season in Ligue 1. The nine-time French champion is in second place, 10 points behind PSG after 20 matches, and with a three-point lead over Monaco.Marseille, the only French club to win the Champions League 32 years ago, has ambition to return to Europe's top tournament next season."What is the advantage of picking a player with his international experience and footballing ability?" Longoria posed. "At the same time, you have to consider the balance of the squad and the sporting dynamic. I wasn't in favor of making a lot of changes in a positive dynamic. The important thing is to give continuity to a good sporting dynamic, and at the same time you have to keep an eye on the economic situation."Marseille added two players in the final hours of the transfer window on Monday night. It secured Algeria midfielder Ismael Bennacer from AC Milan on loan with an option to make the deal permanent, and signed Salzburg defender Amar Dedic. The Bosnia and Herzegovina player also joined on loan.Marseille previously signed in the window center back Luiz Felipe and winger Amine Gouiri.<h2>___</h2>AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

EMPOLI, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 3: Paul Labile Pogba of Juventus looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 3, 2023 in Empoli, Italy.

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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 17 points, Hunter Dickinson added 14 points and nine rebou...

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Zeke Mayo scored 17 points, Hunter Dickinson added 14 points and nine rebounds, and No. 16 Kansas leaned into its defense to shut down eighth-ranked Iowa State in a 69-52 victory on Monday night.Dajuan Harris Jr. added 12 points for the Jayhawks (16-6, 7-4 Big 12), who avenged a 74-57 loss to the Cyclones (17-5, 7-4) earlier this year in Ames while handing Iowa State its third consecutive loss.Tamin Lipsey, Keshon Gilbert and Joshua Jefferson scored 11 points apiece for Iowa State, but it took a whole lot of shots for them to get there. The trio was 13 of 42 from the field and 2 of 14 from beyond the 3-point arc.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Cyclones' leading scorer, Curtis Jones, had seven points on 3-for-11 shooting.The Jayhawks held Iowa State to its worst offense half of the season while building a 35-19 lead by the break.Perhaps appropriately, <a href="https://x.com/KUHoops/status/1886609755818615246">the play of the half</a> came off courtesy of the Kansas defense: Dajuan Harris Jr. corralled a loose ball with a baseball slide near the sideline and passed to Dickinson, who in turn got the ball to David Coit running up floor. He threw an alley-oop from the midcourt line that KJ Adams slammed down to an enormous roar from a packed Allen Fieldhouse crowd. Kansas never allowed the Cyclones to make a big second-half run and get back in the game.TakeawaysIowa State's biggest problem right now is on offense. The Cyclones managed just 75 points in an overtime loss at Arizona and 61 in last weekend's lopsided home loss to Kansas State.Kansas proved it could hold off a Big 12 foe after building a big lead at halftime. The Jayhawks similarly led Baylor 40-21 at the break last weekend but was outscored 60-30 over the final 20 minutes for an 81-70 loss.Key momentThe Cyclones had closed to 64-49 with 3:25 left when Mayo used a jab step to get open for a 3-pointer. It not only extended the Kansas lead but wiped away any momentum that Iowa State had built.Key statIowa State finished 3 of 21 from beyond the 3-point arc.Up nextIowa State plays TCU on Saturday. Kansas heads to Kansas State the same day. ___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball</a>

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 03: Joshua Jefferson #2 of the Iowa State Cyclones and Dajuan Harris Jr. #3 of the Kansas Jayhawks reach for a loose ball during the second half of the game at Allen Fieldhouse on February 03, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas.

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No. 16 Kansas hands No. 8 Iowa State 3rd straight loss

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points, GG Jackson added a season-high 27, and ...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points, GG Jackson added a season-high 27, and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 128-109 on Monday night.Ja Morant, returning after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/grizzlies-ja-morant-injury-80e4628d8c5e30d9345153f0f67f0887">a two-game absence</a> to nurse a sore right shoulder, finished with 25 points and 11 assists as Memphis won its ninth in the last 10. The victory, coupled with <a href="https://apnews.com/article/knicks-rockets-score-brunson-6fb17cff6e0f8d6a55bd84459c72473c">Houston's 124-118 loss</a> to the New York Knicks, gave Memphis a 1 1/2-game advantage over the Rockets for second place in the West.Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Stephon Castle finished with 21 points as San Antonio lost its fourth in the last five.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The start of the game was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/spurs-grizzlies-delay-fan-cpr-852d2f0874339239252d79a92deb18dc">delayed 45 minutes</a> by a medical emergency to a courtside spectator.The lineups for both teams were somewhat depleted. Memphis starting guard Desmond Bane sat out with a sore ankle. Meanwhile, three former Spurs players were headed to other teams in trades. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fox-lavine-huerter-spurs-bulls-kings-trade-9e58a61b19a0ad35bfd7ebf3f1d406b3">De'Aaron Fox</a> — traded to the Spurs from Sacramento over the weekend — was not with the team yet.TakeawaysSpurs: San Antonio has stumbled out of the chute on the six-game annual Rodeo Road Trip, having lost the first two.Grizzlies: Memphis has won 16 of the last 17 over Spurs.Key momentSan Antonio cut the deficit to single digits with just less than 11 minutes to play, but Jaren Jackson Jr. and GG Jackson scored on consecutive baskets to stretch the lead to 14.Key statSan Antonio committed 23 turnovers for 34 Memphis points. That helped the Grizzlies surpass 100 points for the 52nd consecutive game.Up nextBoth teams play on the road Wednesday. The Spurs are at Atlanta for the second game of the annual Rodeo Road Trip. The Grizzlies visit the Raptors.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 3: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies smiles during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 3, 2025 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore smiled expectantly as a...

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore smiled expectantly as a crowd of New Orleans-based reporters rushed to crowd around him and start peppering him with questions about his future.
The fact that the New Orleans Saints are the last team looking for a head coach points to Moore as their top candidate; he's the only named candidate who can't be hired yet because his team is playing in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-time-livestream-channel-ba95fc9ec297102cc05097ac3ad008a6">Super Bowl on Sunday</a>.
“Its’ obviously been a good process," he said of his preliminary meetings with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and other team officials in Philadelphia last week. “Having an opportunity to meet with Mickey and their leadership group has been great, and it’s set up in a way that allows us to focus on this game and we’ll see what happens after that.”
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Sitting on a stool <a href="https://apnews.com/live/super-bowl-lix-opening-night-media-day?version=1738638566805#00000194-ced9-d6ac-af95-dfd9191e0000">Monday night</a> along what is normally the home sideline area for Saints games in the Superdome, Moore grinned as he danced around questions about whether he was imagining himself back there — and in charge — next fall.
He offered additional assurances that his “pure focus” was on Sunday’s matchup with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, and he doesn't "have to worry about a single thing except this opportunity” to coach in the Super Bowl.
Moore is a former backup QB who played behind Dak Prescott in Dallas in 2017 before becoming his position coach the next year. This season, he directed an Eagles offense that featured Saquon Barkley as the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards.
During the regular season, the Eagles ranked eighth in the NFL offensively (367.2 yards per game), but gained most of their yards on the ground. Philadelphia ranked second in rushing (179.3 ypg) and 29th in passing (187.9 ypg).
“You build around your players,” Moore said. “There's different styles we've played over the years and that's the fun part of it.
“You have certain things that you have strong feelings about from a coaching perspective," he added. "But I think it’s important to do what your players do best and surround yourself with as many opportunities to get those guys in those situations as you can.” 
If he indeed winds up being hired in New Orleans, he'd take over an offense starring dynamic running back Alvin Kamara. And his quarterback could be Derek Carr, against whom he once played in college when Moore was at Boise State and Carr was with Fresno State. 
“Tons of respect for him as a quarterback in this league," Moore said of Carr. "He’s had a tremendous career and done a lot of really good things.”
Moore hasn't had extensive experience in New Orleans but has a relationship with the family of Archie Manning from his days at the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana, which he called an “awesome experience.”
Whenever he winds up being a head coach, Moore said he would expect to continue to be the primary play-caller for the offense.
“Certainly it's a passion of mine, something that had gotten me to this place," he said. "You hate to stop doing what you love as you go through this journey.”
Eagles offensive players didn't seem surprised to see Moore on New Orleans' short list.
“He's the worst coordinator I've ever had,” Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata said jokingly, as if that might prevent the Saints from hiring him away.
“Kellen's been the best,” Mailata continued. "He's done a great job setting up plays, explaining the schemes and the whys behind certain motions, formations. It's a magical thing. It's no wonder why he's a finalist to be a head coach here." 
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AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/NFL</a>
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 03: Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, looks on during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at Caesars Superdome on February 03, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson had 42 points and 10 assists, breaking a tie with Carmelo Anthony f...

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson had 42 points and 10 assists, breaking a tie with Carmelo Anthony for third on the franchise list with his 18th 40-point game with the Knicks, and New York beat the Houston Rockets 124-118 on Monday night.Brunson scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to bring the Knicks back in a game they trailed by 11 after three. He ended up with his 12th game with at least 30 points and 10 assists since coming to New York, passing Hall of Famer Richie Guerin for most in franchise history.Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each added 22 points for the Knicks. Josh Hart had 19.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Amen Thompson had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in his third career triple-double for the Rockets, who have lost three in a row for the first time all season. Cam Whitmore added 18 points off the bench.TakeawaysRockets: With All-Star Alperen Sengun among the missing players for the Rockets, it's been a rough start to February after an 11-4 January that earned Ime Udoka Western Conference coach of the month honors. Houston started nobody taller than 6-foot-8 Monday.Knicks: Brunson gave the Knicks something extra on a night they played without starting forward OG Anunoby for the first time this season because of a sprained right foot. Key momentBrunson's layup gave the Knicks the lead with 1:38 remaining and he followed with a 3-pointer that made it 118-114 with a minute to play.Key statHall of Famers Patrick Ewing (30) and Bernard King (23) are the only players with more 30-point games as a Knick than Brunson, who is in his third season with the team. Up nextThe Rockets head across town to visit Brooklyn on Tuesday. The Knicks visit Toronto on Tuesday. ___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2025 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Houston Rockets 124-118.

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DETROIT (AP) — Trae Young made a 23-foot fadeaway with 1.6 seconds left and scored 17 of his 34 p...

DETROIT (AP) — Trae Young made a 23-foot fadeaway with 1.6 seconds left and scored 17 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, lifting the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/atlanta-hawks">Atlanta Hawks</a> to a 132-130 win over the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/detroit-pistons">Detroit Pistons</a> on Monday night.Young helped the Hawks end an eight-game losing streak.Cade Cunningham had 30 points and 14 assists for the Pistons, who failed to attempt a shot on their final possession.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Atlanta's De’Andre Hunter had 20 points and rookie Zaccharie Risacher added 17 points.Detroit's Tobias Harris scored 22, Jalen Duren had 18 points and nine rebounds and Malik Beasey scored 18.TakeawaysHawks: Young was listed as probable with right Achilles tendonitis, but left no doubt he was healthy enough to lead a banged-up team <a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawks-jalen-johnson-surgery-26295880b4d20487ae614d4a6c98108a">without Jalen Johnson</a>. Young was 9 of 16 overall, 4 of 8 on 3-pointers and made 12 of 14 free throws, including some late in the game to seal a much-needed victory for his slumping team.Pistons: Beasley has been a bargain with a $6 million, one-year contract. He's on pace to break the team's single-season record for 3-pointers. Beasley made six shots beyond the arc against the Hawks to give him 191 3-pointers this season to tie Alan Houston (1995-96) and close in on Saddiq Bey's franchise-record 211 set three years ago.Key momentDaniels poked the ball away from Cunningham, who had a costly turnover with 35 seconds left when Detroit was down one point.Key statAtlanta's Dyson Daniels had 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks. He became the first Hawk since Paul Millsap eight years ago to have more than 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in a game — and the 21-year-old Australian did it in three quarters.Up nextThe Pistons play the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers at home and the Hawks host San Antonio on Wednesday night.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 03: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks celebrates his late forth quarter three point basket with Vit Krejci #27 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 03, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Atlanta won the game 132-130. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License.

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Young's game-winner vs. Pistons helps Hawks end slump

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah guard Collin Sexton sprained his left ankle as he drove hard to the ba...

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah guard Collin Sexton sprained his left ankle as he drove hard to the basket with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
Sexton, who is Utah’s second leading scorer averaging 18.7 points per game, couldn’t run after that. He collapsed on the court before reaching the bench when the Jazz called timeout to get him out of the game.
Before the quarter was over, the Jazz announced Sexton was out for the game and that he will be evaluated Tuesday. 
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Sexton is one of the most reliably healthy Utah players. He has missed just two games this season, both for rest, in a rebuilding season where every other Jazz regular has missed multiple games with injuries.
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AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 1: Collin Sexton #2 of the Utah Jazz handles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 1, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After making it through his first week back at practice from a torn triceps, B...

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After making it through his first week back at practice from a torn triceps, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-eagles-graham-6478969a19845b55a3d7d95b58143777">Brandon Graham</a> is planning on playing in the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-time-livestream-channel-ba95fc9ec297102cc05097ac3ad008a6">Super Bowl on Sunday</a> for the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I'm feeling good,” Graham said Monday at the NFL's <a href="https://apnews.com/live/super-bowl-lix-opening-night-media-day?version=1738636324025">opening night</a>. "I’m excited to be able to play in this game. Just enjoying the moment.”
Graham later clarified that he needs to make it through this week of practice without any setbacks before a final decision is made but the Eagles' defensive hero from Super Bowl 52 appears ready for an improbable comeback.
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The 36-year-old Graham was thought to be done for the season after he tore his triceps in a Nov. 24 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Graham was placed on injured reserve two days later, seemingly ending what he had called the final season of his career. 
“When I got hurt, I saw it as a possibility,” he said. “I talked to people and they said it was a possibility. I rehabbed as hard as I could ... So when the time came they would give me the chance.”
That chance could come Sunday against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Graham was on the losing side of the Super Bowl two years ago against Kansas City when he made little impact during his 18 defensive snaps on a slick field that made rushing the passer difficult for everyone.
The situation was very different five years earlier against New England when <a href="https://apnews.com/grahams-strip-sack-of-brady-hands-super-bowl-to-eagles-53183cc04f5d43008733fa044dfaf32c">Graham's strip-sack</a> against Tom Brady late in the fourth quarter thwarted a comeback attempt by the Patriots and helped deliver Philadelphia its first Super Bowl title.
That was the crowning moment in a 15-year career in which Graham set an Eagles record with 215 games played in the regular season and playoffs and his 82 total sacks rank third for the franchise. 
Graham is one of two position players and four players overall left from the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship team in the 2017 season.
Graham's return would provide an emotional boost but he hopes to deliver more than that. He had 3 1/2 sacks in his 11 games before getting hurt.
“If they didn’t feel like I could bring something, they wouldn’t waste their time activating me," he said.
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AP NFL: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nfl">https://apnews.com/hub/NFL</a>
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bilal Coulibaly had 26 points, Corey Kispert scored 25 off the bench on fi...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bilal Coulibaly had 26 points, Corey Kispert scored 25 off the bench on five 3-pointers and the Washington Wizards handed the Charlotte Hornets their fifth straight loss 124-114 on Monday night.Miles Bridges had his first career triple-double for the Hornets, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller were both out with injuries.Nick Smith Jr. scored 24 points and Mark Williams overcame a sluggish first half to finish with 23 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Wizards outscored the Hornets 46-25 in the second quarter behind Kispert, who had 18 points in the quarter on four 3s and led by 26 in the first half.Kyle Kuzma chipped in with 22 points and Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and 17 rebounds for the Wizards, who have won two straight since snapping a 16-game losing streak.Three of Washington’s eight wins this season have come against the Hornets.TakeawaysWizards: Made 17 3-pointers. The Wizards won despite a poor night from leading scorer Jordan Poole, who had just six points on 2-of-11 shooting and struggled with dribbling the ball. Kyshawn George only played one minute in the second half.Hornets: Smith appears to be out of his shooting slump. After hitting five 3s and scoring 19 points against Denver on Saturday night, Smith made 4 of 7 3s against the Wizards.Key momentAfter the Hornets pulled to within seven, Coulibaly knocked down a 3 from the corner to stretch the lead back to 10 with 1:16 left in the game and keep the Hornets at bay.Key statThe Wizards were 9 of 17 from beyond the arc in the second quarter.Up nextBoth teams are in action Wednesday night with the Wizards visiting the Brooklyn Nets and the Hornets hosting the Milwaukee Bucks.___AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nba">https://apnews.com/hub/nba</a>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 03: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up court in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 03, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Aziaha James scored a career-high 36 points to help No. 14 N.C. State beat N...

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Aziaha James scored a career-high 36 points to help No. 14 N.C. State beat No. 10 Duke 89-83 on Monday night.James made 15 of 19 shots to go with six rebounds for the Wolfpack (18-4, 10-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), posting a career-best output for the second straight year against Duke. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nc-state-duke-score-e3fb5a0c11620e022e2141b4d7ec6351">She had 33 points</a> on 12-for-20 shooting against the Blue Devils here in a January 2024 win.Ashlon Jackson scored 23 points with six 3-pointers for Duke (17-5, 8-2), who ran off 20 straight points in the first half and led by 13 early in the third before James got rolling with 27 second-half points.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>This was also the annual Play 4 Kay game in honor of late Hall of Fame coach Kay Yow to raise money and awareness for cancer research. With Wolfpack fans trading their normal red for pink, the school announced nearly $478,000 raised on the court bearing Yow's name.TakeawaysDuke: The loss ended a five-game winning streak for Kara Lawson's Blue Devils.N.C. State: Wes Moore's club has won seven straight and has lost just once since the start of December.Key momentJames scored 15 fourth-quarter points, the last coming with N.C. State leading by just three in the final minute. James took an inbounds pass from Zoe Brooks in the corner, then drove across the paint for a contested score over freshman Toby Fournier for an 86-81 lead with 35.9 seconds left.Key statN.C. State freshman post Lorena Awou came in averaging just 2.8 points, but she stepped up with six of her eight points in the fourth quarter — including the go-ahead stickback while being fouled with 2:57 left.Up nextDuke plays its first home game in nearly three weeks when they host Clemson on Thursday. N.C. State visits No. 22 Florida State on Sunday. ___Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a>. AP women’s college basketball: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball">https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball</a>

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: Aziaha James #10 of the NC State Wolfpack dribbles against the Stanford Cardinal in the fourth quarter at Stanford Maples Pavilion on January 12, 2025 in Palo Alto, California.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Medics attended to a man who collapsed courtside Monday night before the Sa...

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Medics attended to a man who collapsed courtside Monday night before the San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies game.
The two teams were preparing for the opening tip when everything stopped and attention went to the courtside seats.
Medics were working on the man on the floor as both teams were sent back to the locker rooms and the game was delayed.
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The man was taken out of the arena on a stretcher after about seven minutes. There was no immediate update on his status.
The teams were expected to return to the court and go through another warmup period before the game would begin.
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AP NBA: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/NBA">https://apnews.com/hub/NBA</a>
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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 03: A fan is rushed off the court by EMS before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs at FedExForum on February 03, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Rich Dauer, an infielder who played a decade in the major leagues and won a World Series as a pla...

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Rich Dauer, an infielder who played a decade in the major leagues and won a World Series as a player with Baltimore and as a coach with Houston, has died. He was 72.
The Orioles announced Dauer's death Monday. They did not announce a cause of death.
“My long time teammate Richie Dauer passes. Was part of the Oriole way, where you didn’t have to be a star to help the O’s win," Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer <a href="https://x.com/Jim22Palmer/status/1886517110320550149">said on social media</a>. “Richie had an infectious personality that kept us loose, yet focused. Another reason I was so blessed to be an Oriole for life. RIP.”
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Shortly after the Astros won the World Series in 2017, Dauer — their first base coach — <a href="https://apnews.com/astros-coach-dauer-recovering-after-surgery-for-blood-clot-d6c17ddf4ea04e8eb1c14aecf00496c8">had emergency surgery</a> on a blood clot in his brain. <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/rich-dauer-getting-support-from-astros-and-baseball-world">MLB.com reported</a> in 2023 that he had recently had a significant stroke.
“Baseball has brought incredible people into my life. Loved him when he coached me and learned from him when he was on my staff in Houston,” former Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “RIP, my friend. And thank you for being you.”
Dauer played for the Orioles from 1976-85. He homered to open the scoring in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates came back and won. Baltimore returned to the World Series in 1983 and defeated Philadelphia.
Dauer entered the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2012. Dauer was also part of the 2021 class for the College Baseball Hall of Fame. He helped Southern California win national titles in 1973 and 1974.
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More AP baseball: <a href="https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball">https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball</a>
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April 14, 2015: Houston Astros first base coach Rich Dauer during the MLB game between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX.

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Three-time Champions League winner Marco Asensio joined Aston Villa on loan from Paris Saint-Germ...

Three-time Champions League winner Marco Asensio joined Aston Villa on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday.The former Real Madrid midfielder has signed until the end of the season.He is the second major signing by Villa in the final days of the transfer window following the loan deal for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 29-year-old Asensio has played 38 times for Spain and helped his country win the Nations League in 2023.Villa is into the round of 16 in the Champions League and competing for a place in the top four of the Premier League.The Midlands club has been busy in January, also signing Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for a reported $24 million and Andres Garcia from Levante for around $7 million.___James Robson is at <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson">https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson</a>___AP soccer: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/soccer">https://apnews.com/hub/soccer</a>

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Marco Asensio of Aston Villa poses for a picture at Bodymoor Heath training ground on February 03, 2025 in Birmingham, England.

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