HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 13 Blue Dragons (18-5, 12-5) struggled from distance (22.9%) Saturday night against Coffeyville (12-10, 9-7) to drop a second game in a row.

The Dragons led by as many as six in the first half before going into the locker room tied 33-33.

The Red Ravens used 5 of 6 three-point shooting in the second half while holding Hutchinson to 4 of 13 to win the second half 53-38.

The Dragons were cold from distance (4 of 22 in the first half) and finished 22.9% for the game.&nbsp;

Hutchinson got in foul trouble early in the second half. The Dragons committed their seventh team foul just 4:35 into the second half and put Coffeyville in the double bonus with 9:36 to play.&nbsp;

The Red Ravens hit 14 of 18 second-half free throws and made 71.4% for the night.&nbsp;

Coffeyville shot 46.2% from the floor and held Hutchinson to 34.8%.

Strangely, Hutchinson only shot 69 times, taking just four more attempts than Coffeyville. The Dragons average 83 shots per game and are accustomed to taking 10-plus more attempts per game than their opponents.&nbsp;

Angelo Stuart led Hutchinson with 21 points and six rebounds.&nbsp;

For the second-straight game, only one other Dragon (Kobe Campbell) scored double digits (10).

Five Red Ravens scored in double digits, led by Blaise Keita. The 6-11 forward grabbed 11 rebounds.

Deng Mayer also posted a double-double for the Ravens with 12 points and 11 rebounds.&nbsp;

Love Bettis scored 15. Bettis and Keita started for Coffeyville's national championship team a season ago.

FINAL: Coffeyville 86 Hutchinson 71

Hutchinson led by two with 15:09 left, but the Ravens outscored the Dragons 28-11 over the next 10 minutes.

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644122068768.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The No. 13 Blue Dragons (18-5, 12-5) struggled from distance (22.9%) Saturday night against Coffeyville (12-10, 9-7) to drop a second game in a row.The Dragons led by as many as six in the first half before going into the locker room tied 33-33.The Red Ravens used 5 of 6 three-point shooting in the second half while holding Hutchinson to 4 of 13 to win the second half 53-38.The Dragons were cold from distance (4 of 22 in the first half) and finished 22.9% for the game.&nbsp;Hutchinson got in foul trouble early in the second half. The Dragons committed their seventh team foul just 4:35 into the second half and put Coffeyville in the double bonus with 9:36 to play.&nbsp;The Red Ravens hit 14 of 18 second-half free throws and made 71.4% for the night.&nbsp;Coffeyville shot 46.2% from the floor and held Hutchinson to 34.8%.Strangely, Hutchinson only shot 69 times, taking just four more attempts than Coffeyville. The Dragons average 83 shots per game and are accustomed to taking 10-plus more attempts per game than their opponents.&nbsp;Angelo Stuart led Hutchinson with 21 points and six rebounds.&nbsp;For the second-straight game, only one other Dragon (Kobe Campbell) scored double digits (10).Five Red Ravens scored in double digits, led by Blaise Keita. The 6-11 forward grabbed 11 rebounds.Deng Mayer also posted a double-double for the Ravens with 12 points and 11 rebounds.&nbsp;Love Bettis scored 15. Bettis and Keita started for Coffeyville's national championship team a season ago.FINAL: Coffeyville 86 Hutchinson 71Hutchinson led by two with 15:09 left, but the Ravens outscored the Dragons 28-11 over the next 10 minutes.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

MBB: No. 13 Dragons drop second straight

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Blue Dragons (20-4, 14-4) made 52% of their threes Saturday night to make easy work of Coffeyville (15-8, 9-8).

Mya Williams led the three-point barrage by hitting 4 of 7 threes.

Tor'e Alford added another three triples while Mel Kailahi hit two.

Four other Dragons hit a three (Natalie Payne, Kalyn Ervin, Janaya Washington and Kali Howard).

The Dragons also made 25 of 32 free throws (78.1%) while holding the Red Ravens to 34% shooting from the field.&nbsp;

The Dragons shot 47.9% and made more threes (13) than two-point baskets (10).

Coffeyville made just 5 of 17 threes (29.4%).

FINAL: Hutchinson 84 Coffeyville 60

The Dragons outscored the Red Ravens 20-8 in the second quarter.&nbsp;

Alford led the Dragons with 19 points and four assists.&nbsp;

Williams scored 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting.&nbsp;

Kailahi (12) was the only other Dragon to score in double digits. She also had eight rebounds and four assists.&nbsp;

Devin Wright led Coffeyville with 14 points.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644121318342.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Blue Dragons (20-4, 14-4) made 52% of their threes Saturday night to make easy work of Coffeyville (15-8, 9-8).Mya Williams led the three-point barrage by hitting 4 of 7 threes.Tor'e Alford added another three triples while Mel Kailahi hit two.Four other Dragons hit a three (Natalie Payne, Kalyn Ervin, Janaya Washington and Kali Howard).The Dragons also made 25 of 32 free throws (78.1%) while holding the Red Ravens to 34% shooting from the field.&nbsp;The Dragons shot 47.9% and made more threes (13) than two-point baskets (10).Coffeyville made just 5 of 17 threes (29.4%).FINAL: Hutchinson 84 Coffeyville 60The Dragons outscored the Red Ravens 20-8 in the second quarter.&nbsp;Alford led the Dragons with 19 points and four assists.&nbsp;Williams scored 18 points on 6 of 11 shooting.&nbsp;Kailahi (12) was the only other Dragon to score in double digits. She also had eight rebounds and four assists.&nbsp;Devin Wright led Coffeyville with 14 points.&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

WBB: Dragons drop 13 threes on Ravens

Flint Hills Christian 42, Chanute Christian 23

Wichita Bishop Carroll 59, Wichita East 35

Baxter Springs vs. Galena, ppd. to Feb 14th.

Independence vs. Pittsburg, ppd. to Feb 24th.

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=Andale 54, Buhler 28Attica 58, Fairfield 36Augusta 59, Wichita Collegiate 31BV Northwest 47, BV North 36Beloit 52, Ellsworth 38Berean Academy 41, Ell-Saline 27Blue Valley 70, St. James Academy 65, OTBurlington 52, Iola 34Central Heights 49, KC Christian 26Central Plains 35, St. John 28Chase 40, Southern Cloud 28Cheney 80, Douglass 15Derby 64, McPherson 36Doniphan West 39, Clifton-Clyde 30Elkhart 43, Syracuse 31Elyria Christian 57, Goessel 17Eudora 30, Baldwin 28Flint Hills Christian 42, Chanute Christian 23Fort Scott 51, Chanute 32Garden Plain 58, Medicine Lodge 42Goddard 45, Valley Center 41Goddard-Eisenhower 34, Wichita Campus 28Golden Plains 53, Logan/Palco 19Goodland 53, Holcomb 29Hanover 76, Republic County 23Hartford 40, Chase County 26Hays 42, Dodge City 40Hays-TMP-Marian 57, Smith Center 50Herington 59, Centre 25Hesston 39, Lyons 28Hillsboro 63, Pratt 34Hoisington 41, Halstead 30Holton 22, Sabetha 20Hoxie 65, Stockton 37Hugoton 53, Colby 32Hutchinson 48, Newton 38Hutchinson Trinity 37, Remington 21Ingalls 35, Dighton 0Jackson Heights 54, Oskaloosa 14Kapaun Mount Carmel 44, Wichita South 34Kingman 48, Conway Springs 35Lakeside 49, Rock Hills 30Lansing 55, Leavenworth 26Lebo 75, West Franklin 32Liberal 45, Great Bend 41Lincoln 44, Pike Valley 36Little River 64, Canton-Galva 14Louisburg 53, Ottawa 41Macksville 59, Victoria 41Maize South 38, Salina South 34Manhattan 49, Junction City 28Marysville 36, Abilene 27Meade 41, Sublette 21Minneapolis 42, Salina Sacred Heart 24Ness City 49, La Crosse 45, OTNickerson 59, Haven 51Norton 69, Plainville 30Norwich 59, Cunningham 20Olathe North 64, SM North 21Olpe 41, Lyndon 33Onaga 52, Blue Valley 38Osborne 76, Natoma 31Phillipsburg 57, Hill City 27Riverside 50, Royal Valley 31Rossville 52, Wabaunsee 25Russell 42, Oakley 25SM Northwest 67, Lawrence 43Salina Central 69, Andover Central 55Santa Fe Trail 49, Prairie View 46Satanta 33, Pawnee Heights 28Scott City 63, Ulysses 21Sedgwick 33, Bennington 29Smoky Valley 49, Larned 19Southeast Saline 68, Chapman 26Spring Hill 45, KC Piper 28St. John's Beloit-Tipton 59, Wilson 21Stanton County 58, Southwestern Hts. 49Sterling 75, Marion 38Sylvan-Lucas 60, Thunder Ridge 30Topeka 65, Emporia 37Topeka Seaman 67, Highland Park 35Trego 57, Ellis 36Troy 55, Linn 50Valley Heights 52, Axtell 19Wamego 56, Basehor-Linwood 51Washburn Rural 46, Topeka Hayden 32Washington County 45, Wetmore 33Wellington 65, El Dorado 17Wichita Bishop Carroll 59, Wichita East 35Wichita Northwest 44, Wichita North 41Wichita Southeast 53, Wichita West 33POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=Baxter Springs vs. Galena, ppd. to Feb 14th.Erie vs. Bluestem, ccd.Independence vs. Pittsburg, ppd. to Feb 24th.Maize vs. Mulvane, ppd.Neodesha vs. Eureka, ppd.Uniontown vs. Oswego, ppd. to Feb 5th.BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=Atchison 59, KC Wyandotte 54Axtell 63, Valley Heights 55BV Northwest 55, BV North 48BV West 62, Bishop Miege 48Basehor-Linwood 73, Wamego 42Beloit 79, Ellsworth 57Berean Academy 41, Ell-Saline 27Blue Valley 65, Onaga 59Buhler 53, Andale 43Burlington 58, Iola 36Central Heights 50, KC Christian 34Centralia 44, Frankfort 31Chanute 58, Fort Scott 49Chase County 51, Hartford 32Cheney 65, Douglass 16Clifton-Clyde 61, Doniphan West 44Conway Springs 46, Kingman 34DeSoto 53, Shawnee Heights 36Derby 58, McPherson 52El Dorado 64, Wellington 60Elyria Christian 44, Goessel 38Great Bend 67, Liberal 31Greeley County 75, Oberlin-Decatur 31Hanover 61, Republic County 38Haven 68, Nickerson 37Hays 53, Dodge City 34Hays-TMP-Marian 69, Smith Center 25Heritage Christian 62, Bishop Seabury Academy 47Hesston 51, Lyons 14Highland Park 73, Topeka Seaman 65Hill City 58, Phillipsburg 46Hillsboro 63, Pratt 34Hodgeman County 40, Kiowa County 26Hoisington 62, Halstead 45Hugoton 63, Colby 53Hutchinson 61, Newton 51Hutchinson Trinity 56, Remington 33Ingalls 65, Dighton 40Jackson Heights 54, Oskaloosa 40KC Harmon 65, KC Washington 52Lakeside 55, Rock Hills 27Lakin 64, Cimarron 55Lansing 51, Leavenworth 46Lawrence Free State 53, Olathe South 40Logan/Palco 56, Wheatland-Grinnell 42Louisburg 57, Ottawa 54Macksville 54, Victoria 46Manhattan 49, Junction City 28Meade 52, Sublette 41Medicine Lodge 68, Garden Plain 41Miltonvale 46, Chase 44Northern Valley 69, Weskan 34Norton 63, Plainville 38Norwich 74, Cunningham 55Olathe West 72, Olathe East 60Osborne 60, Natoma 20Pike Valley 71, Lincoln 54Quinter 70, St. Francis 41Riverside 72, Royal Valley 27Rock Creek 51, Riley County 49Rockhurst, Mo. 60, St. Thomas Aquinas 40Russell 65, Oakley 42SM Northwest 67, Lawrence 43Sabetha 45, Holton 42Salina Sacred Heart 56, Minneapolis 40Santa Fe Trail 60, Prairie View 39Satanta 65, Pawnee Heights 53Scott City 64, Ulysses 34Smoky Valley 57, Larned 37South Gray 67, South Central 36Southeast Saline 73, Chapman 25Spearville 49, Kinsley 44St. John 57, Central Plains 41St. John's Beloit-Tipton 65, Wilson 20St. Mary's 76, Silver Lake 50Tonganoxie 59, Bonner Springs 58Topeka 70, Emporia 59Troy 52, Linn 40Valley Center 68, Goddard 43Valley Falls 59, Horton 54Wabaunsee 56, Rossville 48Wellsville 90, Osawatomie 28Wetmore 51, Washington County 39Wichita Bishop Carroll 45, Wichita East 38Wichita Collegiate 53, Augusta 42POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=Erie vs. Bluestem, ccd.Uniontown vs. Oswego, ppd. to Feb 5th.

High School Basketball Scores from Feb. 4, 2022

NEWTON, Kan.-The Hutchinson Salthawk&nbsp; Basketball team's travel to Newton to take on the Railers tonight at 6 and 7:30pm.

Join the Eagle Radio broadcast team with the pre-game scheduled to begin at 5:45pm on KWBW radio 1450AM and 98.5 FM or stream audio at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwbwradio.com">kwbwradio.com</a>&nbsp;or with the KWBW app.&nbsp; Video stream of the game will be available on the Hutchinson Channel on the NFHS Network at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/">nfhsnetwork.com.</a>&nbsp;depending on the available bandwidth. &nbsp;You can tune into the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/newton-high-school-newton-ks/gam26f2c7b9da">Newton NFHS stream should ours not being available by clicking here.</a>

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NEWTON, Kan.-The Hutchinson Salthawk&nbsp; Basketball team's travel to Newton to take on the Railers tonight at 6 and 7:30pm.Join the Eagle Radio broadcast team with the pre-game scheduled to begin at 5:45pm on KWBW radio 1450AM and 98.5 FM or stream audio at&nbsp;<a href="http://kwbwradio.com">kwbwradio.com</a>&nbsp;or with the KWBW app.&nbsp; Video stream of the game will be available on the Hutchinson Channel on the NFHS Network at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/">nfhsnetwork.com.</a>&nbsp;depending on the available bandwidth. &nbsp;You can tune into the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/newton-high-school-newton-ks/gam26f2c7b9da">Newton NFHS stream should ours not being available by clicking here.</a><div><iframe src="https://player.nfhsnetwork.com/#/events/hutchinson-high-school-hutchinson-ks/gam98546103cd" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" width="640" height="360"></iframe>
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 🎥 🏀 Game Day! Hutch High Basketball at Newton tonight!

Reigning national champion Baylor and perennial contender Kansas, both again stocked for NCAA Tournament runs, as the afternoon light spills through the old clerestory windows of Allen Fieldhouse? Yes, please. The Bears and Jayhawks both had their stumbles the past few weeks, but it's still a tantalizing matchup between the eighth-ranked team from Waco and the No. 10 team from Lawrence. The other matchup of ranked Big 12 teams Saturday pits the No. 20 Cyclones against No. 23 Texas in Austin, while the No. 14 Red Raiders head to West Virginia having won four of their last five games.

A look at the upcoming weekend around the Big 12 Conference:

Reigning national champion Baylor and perennial contender Kansas, both again stocked for NCAA Tournament runs, as the afternoon light spills through the old clerestory windows of Allen Fieldhouse? Yes, please. 

Yet the last few weeks have not been smooth sailing for the eighth-ranked Bears and No. 10 Jayhawks. Baylor dumped back-to-back games to Texas Tech and bottom-dwelling Oklahoma State as the nation's No. 1 team, then it lost to Alabama in the Big-12 SEC Challenge. Kansas lost an early game to the Red Raiders and then got pummeled by Kentucky.

It doesn't help that the Jayhawks, who bounced back to beat Iowa State this week, have been missing Big 12 scoring leader Ochai Agbaji to COVID-19 protocols and talented Arizona State transfer Remy Martin to a lingering back injury.

"We've talked to 'Och' quite a bit," Self said. "He is actually feeling well. He did have some symptoms right off the bat. He's following the same COVID protocol every athlete in the Big 12 is following. He's not getting anything special."

The Bears also head into Saturday's trip to Lawrence off a confidence-building win over West Virginia.

"This league is one of those leagues you don't want to be on a losing streak, because nobody feels sorry for you," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "You can pick any sport. You lose, you make errors, you lose a little confidence. And you want to get back to winning as quick as you can."

The other matchup of ranked Big 12 teams Saturday pits the No. 20 Cyclones against No. 23 Texas in Austin, while the No. 14 Red Raiders head to West Virginia having won four of their past five games.

TCU is knocking on the door of the Top 25 after consecutive wins over then-No. 19 LSU and Oklahoma and faces Kansas State on Saturday. And the first edition of this year's Bedlam matchups sends Oklahoma, loser of six of its past seven, to Oklahoma State, which has dropped four consecutive games.

Well-traveled Texas guard Marcus Carr scored 18 points in a 77-64 loss to No. 14 Texas Tech, a nice bounce-back game after he was held to three points in 35 minutes in a 52-51 win over No. 18 Tennessee. The former Pittsburgh guard, via two years at Minnesota, is averaging 11 points so far this season.

After the Big 12-SEC Challenge, the league is the only one in the nation in which every team has a win over a ranked opponent. ... The average scoring margin in the Big 12 is 9.1 points, the smallest among league peers. ... The Big 12 leads the nation in scoring defense at 62.8 points a game. ... Iowa State's Izaiah Brockington was the Big 12 player of the week after scoring 24 points against Kansas, while Texas Tech's Bryson Williams was the newcomer of the week. ... Kansas is 53-6 in its last 59 games following a loss, dating to the 2012-13 season. ... Six of Kansas State's nine Big 12 games have been decided by one possession. ... Oklahoma State's Isaac Likekele has had a rebound in 114 straight games, dating to his freshman year, and he has at least one assist in 55 straight. ... TCU's 72-63 win over the Sooners was its first in Norman and allowed the Horned Frogs to sweep Oklahoma this season.

The game of the week occurs Friday night when No. 13 Texas heads to ninth-ranked Baylor. On Saturday, West Virginia visits No. 18 Oklahoma, Oklahoma State heads to No. 11 Iowa State and Texas Tech visits No. 25 Kansas State. ... Baylor's Jordan Lewis was the Big 12 player of the week after a triple-double against West Virginia. Oklahoma's Kelbie Washington was the freshman of the week. ... The Cyclones are 19-3 for its best start through 22 games in two decades. ... The Jayhawks beat Oklahoma State on the road for the first time since Jan. 29, 2012. ... Oklahoma's Liz Scott had the winner in the final six seconds of consecutive games against top-10 teams Texas and Baylor. ... TCU's Lauren Heard is now the Division I active leader in career free throws with 575. ... West Virginia's Kari Niblack surpassed 1,000 points for her career last week.

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By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball WriterReigning national champion Baylor and perennial contender Kansas, both again stocked for NCAA Tournament runs, as the afternoon light spills through the old clerestory windows of Allen Fieldhouse? Yes, please. The Bears and Jayhawks both had their stumbles the past few weeks, but it's still a tantalizing matchup between the eighth-ranked team from Waco and the No. 10 team from Lawrence. The other matchup of ranked Big 12 teams Saturday pits the No. 20 Cyclones against No. 23 Texas in Austin, while the No. 14 Red Raiders head to West Virginia having won four of their last five games.A look at the upcoming weekend around the Big 12 Conference:GAME OF THE WEEKENDReigning national champion Baylor and perennial contender Kansas, both again stocked for NCAA Tournament runs, as the afternoon light spills through the old clerestory windows of Allen Fieldhouse? Yes, please. Yet the last few weeks have not been smooth sailing for the eighth-ranked Bears and No. 10 Jayhawks. Baylor dumped back-to-back games to Texas Tech and bottom-dwelling Oklahoma State as the nation's No. 1 team, then it lost to Alabama in the Big-12 SEC Challenge. Kansas lost an early game to the Red Raiders and then got pummeled by Kentucky.It doesn't help that the Jayhawks, who bounced back to beat Iowa State this week, have been missing Big 12 scoring leader Ochai Agbaji to COVID-19 protocols and talented Arizona State transfer Remy Martin to a lingering back injury."We've talked to 'Och' quite a bit," Self said. "He is actually feeling well. He did have some symptoms right off the bat. He's following the same COVID protocol every athlete in the Big 12 is following. He's not getting anything special."The Bears also head into Saturday's trip to Lawrence off a confidence-building win over West Virginia."This league is one of those leagues you don't want to be on a losing streak, because nobody feels sorry for you," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "You can pick any sport. You lose, you make errors, you lose a little confidence. And you want to get back to winning as quick as you can."LOOKING AHEADThe other matchup of ranked Big 12 teams Saturday pits the No. 20 Cyclones against No. 23 Texas in Austin, while the No. 14 Red Raiders head to West Virginia having won four of their past five games.TCU is knocking on the door of the Top 25 after consecutive wins over then-No. 19 LSU and Oklahoma and faces Kansas State on Saturday. And the first edition of this year's Bedlam matchups sends Oklahoma, loser of six of its past seven, to Oklahoma State, which has dropped four consecutive games.PLAYER TO WATCHWell-traveled Texas guard Marcus Carr scored 18 points in a 77-64 loss to No. 14 Texas Tech, a nice bounce-back game after he was held to three points in 35 minutes in a 52-51 win over No. 18 Tennessee. The former Pittsburgh guard, via two years at Minnesota, is averaging 11 points so far this season.INSIDE THE NUMBERSAfter the Big 12-SEC Challenge, the league is the only one in the nation in which every team has a win over a ranked opponent. ... The average scoring margin in the Big 12 is 9.1 points, the smallest among league peers. ... The Big 12 leads the nation in scoring defense at 62.8 points a game. ... Iowa State's Izaiah Brockington was the Big 12 player of the week after scoring 24 points against Kansas, while Texas Tech's Bryson Williams was the newcomer of the week. ... Kansas is 53-6 in its last 59 games following a loss, dating to the 2012-13 season. ... Six of Kansas State's nine Big 12 games have been decided by one possession. ... Oklahoma State's Isaac Likekele has had a rebound in 114 straight games, dating to his freshman year, and he has at least one assist in 55 straight. ... TCU's 72-63 win over the Sooners was its first in Norman and allowed the Horned Frogs to sweep Oklahoma this season.ON THE WOMEN'S SIDEThe game of the week occurs Friday night when No. 13 Texas heads to ninth-ranked Baylor. On Saturday, West Virginia visits No. 18 Oklahoma, Oklahoma State heads to No. 11 Iowa State and Texas Tech visits No. 25 Kansas State. ... Baylor's Jordan Lewis was the Big 12 player of the week after a triple-double against West Virginia. Oklahoma's Kelbie Washington was the freshman of the week. ... The Cyclones are 19-3 for its best start through 22 games in two decades. ... The Jayhawks beat Oklahoma State on the road for the first time since Jan. 29, 2012. ... Oklahoma's Liz Scott had the winner in the final six seconds of consecutive games against top-10 teams Texas and Baylor. ... TCU's Lauren Heard is now the Division I active leader in career free throws with 575. ... West Virginia's Kari Niblack surpassed 1,000 points for her career last week.___<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">C</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">LICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

No. 8 Baylor heads to No. 10 Kansas for Big 12 showdown

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Caitlin Clark collected her fifth triple-double this season and No. 21 Iowa rolled by Wisconsin 84-50. Clark, who leads the nation in points and assists per game, finished with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting with 11 assists and 11 rebounds. Monika Czinano added 17 points, freshman Addison O'Grady had a career-high 16 and Kate Martin 10 for the Hawkeyes, who shot 59% in dominating the stat sheet. Julie Pospisilova and Krustyna Ellew scored 13 points each and Brooke Schramek added 10 for the Badgers (5-16, 2-9), who shot 32%. Iowa was without injured starters McKenna Warnock and Gabbie Marshall while it was announced Wisconsin starter Sydney Hilliard was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — KJ Simon had 19 points to lead five UT Martin players in double figures as the Skyhawks romped past Southeast Missouri 84-63. Mikel Henderson added 17 points for the Skyhawks (8-15, 4-7 Ohio Valley Conference). Manny Patterson had 12 points for the Redhawks (9-13, 4-5).

UNDATED (AP) — No one's been able to slow down top-ranked Auburn this season. Struggling Georgia is the next to try when the teams play in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday. The Tigers have won 18 straight, including their first nine games in the Southeastern Conference, including putting 100 points on state rival Alabama last time out. Auburn has gotten it done behind Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler. Smith is a 6-foot-10 freshman playing like an SEC player of the year candidate. He is averaging 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. Smith had 12 points and seven rebounds in an 83-60 victory over the Bulldogs last month.&nbsp;

UNDATED (AP) — Reigning national champion Baylor and perennial contender Kansas, both again stocked for NCAA Tournament runs, as the afternoon light spills through the old clerestory windows of Allen Fieldhouse? Yes, please. The Bears and Jayhawks both had their stumbles the past few weeks, but it's still a tantalizing matchup between the eighth-ranked team from Waco and the No. 10 team from Lawrence. The other matchup of ranked Big 12 teams Saturday pits the No. 20 Cyclones against No. 23 Texas in Austin, while the No. 14 Red Raiders head to West Virginia having won four of their last five games.

UNDATED (AP) — No. 4 Purdue will be looking to change its fortunes against Michigan when the teams meet Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Wolverines have beaten Purdue five straight times. Purdue needs a win to keep pace with Illinois in the Big Ten race. Iowa is looking for a turnaround after dropping three of its last four games. &nbsp;Nebraska's Bryce McGowens is averaging 25 points per game the last two weeks and bidding for conference freshman of the year. The best women's game has No. 21 Iowa visiting No. 6 Michigan on Sunday.

UNDATED (AP) — Nebraska would sell alcohol at the Big Ten wrestling championships in March if university regents approve a policy revision at its meeting next week. That would open the possibility of booze being available at Cornhuskers football games and other events. Athletic department leaders have long considered selling alcohol at their venues and their interest has increased recently as they've looked for ways to enhance the fan experience. At least half the schools in the major conferences and eight of the 14 in the Big Ten sell alcohol at games. The regents meet next Friday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A junior world champion and U.S. Olympic trials finalist is the first member of the Iowa women's wrestling program's inaugural signing class. Coach Clarissa Chun announced Kylie Welker of Franksville, Wisconsin, as her first recruit. Welker won a gold medal at the 2021 Junior World Championships and she represented the United States at 72 kg at the 2021 Senior World Championships. Last March she lost to eventual Olympic silver medalist Adeline Gray in the finals at the U.S. team trials. Iowa begins competing in women's wrestling in 2023-24.

UNDATED (AP) — The Phoenix Suns' 11-game winning streak is over following a 124-115 loss to the Hawks in Atlanta.

The Hawks made 20 of 41 3-pointers, with Trae Young providing six. Young poured in 43 points, and Kevin Huerter hitting five treys and scoring 19 points.

The Hawks have won eight of their last nine games, with their only loss coming when Young was held out with a right shoulder contusion.

Phoenix lost for the first time since Jan. 8 and fell to 41-10, still tops in the NBA. It was the Suns' second double-digit winning streak of the season. Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, Mikal Bridges had 24 and Chris Paul 18.

Checking out Thursday's other NBA action:

— Klay Thompson drained his first seven shots overall, including six 3-pointers on the way to 23 points and seven assists in the Warriors' 126-114 decision over the Kings. Thompson knocked down three straight from deep early in the second as Golden State began the period on a 9-2 burst to build a 43-25 lead. Thompson finished 8 for 11 from the floor with seven 3s in the Warriors' eighth straight win.

— Pascal Siakam (see-A'-kam) and Chris Boucher each had double-doubles as the Raptors downed the Bulls, 127-120 in overtime. Siakam finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Boucher had 16 points and 10 boards. Scottie Barnes scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:44 left in OT. 

— Tyler Herro (HEE'-roh) scored 24 points and the Heat ended a three-game losing streak by whipping the Spurs, 112-95. Bam Adebayo (ad-eh-BY'-oh) added 18 points and 11 rebounds for Miami, which led by as many as 26. Jimmy Butler added 17 points before sitting out the fourth quarter with the game out of reach.

— Reggie Jackson scored 25 points, including a driving layup with four seconds remaining in the Clippers' 111-110 triumph over the Lakers. Marcus Morris Sr. led the Clippers with 29 points, while Serge Ibaka (ih-BAH'-kah) added 20 points and nine rebounds. Morris made six 3-pointers, including one from the left corner that gave the Clippers a 109-108 advantage with 18 seconds remaining. 

— The Timberwolves earned their third straight win as Anthony Edwards delivered 25 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double in a 128-117 victory against the Pistons. Towns added 21 points and 14 rebounds to help Minnesota hand Detroit its sixth loss in seven games. Taurean Prince added 23 points in the victory.

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA has announced the reserves for the Feb. 20 All-Star game.

Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and Nets guard James Harden are on the Eastern Conference team along with Bucks forward Khris Middleton, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Raptors guard Fred Van Vleet and Bulls swingman Zach LaVine (lah-VEEN').

Van Vleet is the first undrafted player to be selected to an NBA All-Star team since Detroit's Ben Wallace in 2003.

Phoenix guard Devin Booker will come off the Western Conference bench, as will Dallas guard Luka Doncic, Warriors forward Draymond Green, Jazz center Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR'), Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns.

Hall of Fame coach Bill Fitch dies, led Celtics to '81 title

CLEVELAND (AP) — Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Bill Fitch has died at 89.

Fitch was the original coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and guided the Boston Celtics to the 1981 NBA Championship. His 25-year NBA coaching career also included stops with the Houston Rockets, New Jersey Jets and Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 1998.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Doug Pederson was the first person interviewed when the Jacksonville Jaguars opened their head coaching search on Dec. 30. He now has the job.

Pederson waited more than month for a callback, got a second interview Tuesday and landed the job two days later. He led the Eagles to their lone Super Bowl victory four years ago and takes over for Urban Meyer, who was fired after 13 games and countless missteps in what will go down as one of the worst coaching tenures in NFL history. 

Elway says Flores interview was no sham...Steelers owner defends Rooney Rule

UNDATED (AP) — Broncos president of football operations John Elway is disputing Brian Flores' contention that his interview for Denver's head coaching vacancy in 2019 was a sham and only conducted to meet the league's Rooney Rule requirement. 

Elway says he seriously considered Flores for the job. He also disputes Flores' contention that he appeared to be hung over and was an hour late for his interview with Flores in a Providence, Rhode Island, hotel. Elway says if he and CEO Joe Ellis appeared disheveled it was because they had flown through the night after interviewing another candidate in Denver. 

Flores, who was recently fired as Miami's head coach, has named the Broncos, Dolphins and Giants along with the NFL in a lawsuit alleging unfair hiring practices.

Also on Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II defended the Rooney Rule while acknowledging it hasn't led to more minority head coaches. Rooney said there's been "marked improvement" in the hiring of women and minorities in other key leadership roles on coaching staffs and in the front office. His late father Dan Rooney was the driving force behind the rule, which requires NFL teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs.

— The Broncos have promoted Darren Mougey from player personnel director to assistant general manager. The 36-year-old former college quarterback and wide receiver will continue overseeing the pro and college scouting departments while working with GM George Paton on player personnel and college scouting decisions. 

— The NFL won't sign off on a Super Bowl watch party at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium. The league sent a letter to stadium officials saying the legal and logistical barriers are too great to allow a broadcast of the game on the stadium's big screens. The stadium will be the site of a fan rally on Monday, six days before the Bengals play the Rams at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles on Feb. 13.

— The lawyer for former Raiders player Henry Ruggs has told a judge he has received body-worn camera video from police who arrived after a high-speed crash that killed a woman. The former NFL wide receiver didn't have to appear in court Thursday with his attorney ahead of a March 10 preliminary hearing. Ruggs faces prison if he's convicted of DUI causing death. 

Wildcats avenge last week's loss to Bruins

UNDATED (AP) — Arizona came away with a victory in a Pac-12 matchup of top-10 teams.

Kerr Kriisa (kur KREE'-sah) scored 16 points and hit a big 3-pointer as the seventh-ranked Wildcats knocked off No. 3 UCLA, 76-66. Dalen (DAY'-lehn) Terry flirted with a triple-double as he chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Jules Barnard scored 15 points for the Bruins and Johnny Juzang (JOO'-zang) had 12 after missing two games in COVID-19 protocols.

UCLA beat Arizona, 75-59 in their first meeting of the season on Jan. 23.

Also on Thursday's top-25 men's basketball schedule:

— Chet Holmgren had 23 points and 12 rebounds as second-ranked Gonzaga rolled to its 11th consecutive win, 92-62 at San Diego. Drew Timme (TIH'-mee) added 13 points and eight rebounds as six Bulldogs scored in double figures. Andrew Nembhard had 14 points and seven assists. 

— Boogie Ellis scored 21 points, including five free throws in the final minute of No. 19 Southern California's 58-53 victory at Arizona State. Isaiah Mobley's tough basket in the post tied it 51-all with a minute left. Mobley finished with 12 points for the 19-3 Trojans, who have won five of their last six.

Spring training threatened, MLB asks for federal mediator

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has asked a federal mediator to intervene in stalled labor negotiations that likely will put off the start of spring training. On the 64th day of a lockout, MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem asked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to enter the dispute. 

An agreement by the players' association is needed for the federal conciliation service to enter talks. The union declined comment and its lawyers were expected to consult with players. 

There is now almost no hope spring training workouts will start as scheduled on Feb. 16. Baseball's ninth work stoppage will soon threaten opening day on March 31.

— Five major league pitchers are on the government's witness list for the trial of a former Angels employee accused of providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death. A filing by federal prosecutors says former Angel and current Red Sox hurler Garrett Richards would testify that Eric Prescott Kay once asked him for unused oxycodone pills. Kay's trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Fort Worth after several postponements. He faces charges of drug distribution and drug conspiracy in Skaggs' death. 

BEIJING (AP) — Three-time men's figure skating world champion Nathan Chen has delivered a strong short program to open the team competition at the Beijing Games. That gets the Americans off to a good start in their pursuit of a third straight medal in the event.

Chen opened with a big quad flip and hit his difficult quad lutz-triple toe loop combination to deliver the highest score among the men Friday and give the U.S. the maximum 10 points.

Reigning Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno was second to give Japan nine points. Eighteen-year-old Mark Kondratiuk was third for the Russian Olympic Committee, which is favored to win the team event.

After Chen's performance, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue delivered a season-best performance in rhythm dance, giving Team USA a second straight win on the opening day of figure skating.

— American mixed doubles curlers Vicky Persinger and Chris Plys survived an extra end against Sweden for a much-needed victory in the Olympics. They quickly hugged and then found two friendly faces to wave to in a far corner of the eerily quiet and mostly empty Ice Cube. Masked faces, of course, but definitely friendly faces. Persinger and Plys were pretty sure they were waving at team psychologist Carly Anderson and dietician Kaela Colvard. The two were among the few spectators who saw the Americans take an 8-7 victory in the round-robin competition to even their record at 2-2. The win moved the Americans into a tie for fifth in the 10-team field. After the round robin, the top four teams move into the semifinals.

— The U.S. men's hockey team has held its first pre-Olympic practice in Beijing without two top defenseman and a veteran forward following positive tests for COVID-19. Defenseman Jake Sanderson remains in Los Angeles, while defenseman Steven Kampfer and forward Andy Miele are isolating in the Olympic Village in Beijing.

— U.S. women's hockey star Brianna Decker will miss the rest of the Olympics after injuring her left leg in the Americans' tournament-opening victory against Finland. The forward was hurt when she was tripped from behind midway through the first period Thursday night.

— Organizers say nine more athletes and officials tested positive for COVID-19 in cases confirmed on Thursday, raising the total to 111 since the Olympic period started on Jan. 23. Seven cases were detected at the Beijing airport, making it 77 out of 5,255 athletes and officials who arrived through Thursday.

Pat Verbeek hired as Anaheim Ducks' new general manager

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pat Verbeek is the new general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. He replaces Bob Murray, who resigned Nov. 10 and entered a treatment program for alcohol abuse amid allegations of misconduct. 

Verbeek spent the past three seasons as the Red Wings' assistant general manager under Steve Yzerman (EYE'-zur-man). Verbeek worked the previous nine seasons for Yzerman with the Lightning as their assistant general manager and director of player personnel. 

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Tom Hoge made the last of six straight birdies with a 40-foot putt on the daunting eighth hole, giving him a one-shot lead at Pebble Beach.

The birdie run to a 9-under 63, by four shots is his best score at the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

Seamus Power is in second. He birdied his last four holes at Spyglass Hill, traditionally the toughest of the three courses in benign conditions. It was the only course that played over par Thursday.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — American Marina Alex closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th for a 7-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Japan's Nasa Hataoka in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Crown Colony. 

Alex birdied all four par-5 holes and had five birdies in a row on Nos. 9-13 in her bogey-free morning round. Hataoka finished with a birdie on the par-5 ninth. 

<h2>Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press</h2>MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Caitlin Clark collected her fifth triple-double this season and No. 21 Iowa rolled by Wisconsin 84-50. Clark, who leads the nation in points and assists per game, finished with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting with 11 assists and 11 rebounds. Monika Czinano added 17 points, freshman Addison O'Grady had a career-high 16 and Kate Martin 10 for the Hawkeyes, who shot 59% in dominating the stat sheet. Julie Pospisilova and Krustyna Ellew scored 13 points each and Brooke Schramek added 10 for the Badgers (5-16, 2-9), who shot 32%. Iowa was without injured starters McKenna Warnock and Gabbie Marshall while it was announced Wisconsin starter Sydney Hilliard was taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — KJ Simon had 19 points to lead five UT Martin players in double figures as the Skyhawks romped past Southeast Missouri 84-63. Mikel Henderson added 17 points for the Skyhawks (8-15, 4-7 Ohio Valley Conference). Manny Patterson had 12 points for the Redhawks (9-13, 4-5).UNDATED (AP) — No one's been able to slow down top-ranked Auburn this season. Struggling Georgia is the next to try when the teams play in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday. The Tigers have won 18 straight, including their first nine games in the Southeastern Conference, including putting 100 points on state rival Alabama last time out. Auburn has gotten it done behind Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler. Smith is a 6-foot-10 freshman playing like an SEC player of the year candidate. He is averaging 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. Smith had 12 points and seven rebounds in an 83-60 victory over the Bulldogs last month.&nbsp;UNDATED (AP) — Reigning national champion Baylor and perennial contender Kansas, both again stocked for NCAA Tournament runs, as the afternoon light spills through the old clerestory windows of Allen Fieldhouse? Yes, please. The Bears and Jayhawks both had their stumbles the past few weeks, but it's still a tantalizing matchup between the eighth-ranked team from Waco and the No. 10 team from Lawrence. The other matchup of ranked Big 12 teams Saturday pits the No. 20 Cyclones against No. 23 Texas in Austin, while the No. 14 Red Raiders head to West Virginia having won four of their last five games.UNDATED (AP) — No. 4 Purdue will be looking to change its fortunes against Michigan when the teams meet Saturday in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Wolverines have beaten Purdue five straight times. Purdue needs a win to keep pace with Illinois in the Big Ten race. Iowa is looking for a turnaround after dropping three of its last four games. &nbsp;Nebraska's Bryce McGowens is averaging 25 points per game the last two weeks and bidding for conference freshman of the year. The best women's game has No. 21 Iowa visiting No. 6 Michigan on Sunday.UNDATED (AP) — Nebraska would sell alcohol at the Big Ten wrestling championships in March if university regents approve a policy revision at its meeting next week. That would open the possibility of booze being available at Cornhuskers football games and other events. Athletic department leaders have long considered selling alcohol at their venues and their interest has increased recently as they've looked for ways to enhance the fan experience. At least half the schools in the major conferences and eight of the 14 in the Big Ten sell alcohol at games. The regents meet next Friday.IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A junior world champion and U.S. Olympic trials finalist is the first member of the Iowa women's wrestling program's inaugural signing class. Coach Clarissa Chun announced Kylie Welker of Franksville, Wisconsin, as her first recruit. Welker won a gold medal at the 2021 Junior World Championships and she represented the United States at 72 kg at the 2021 Senior World Championships. Last March she lost to eventual Olympic silver medalist Adeline Gray in the finals at the U.S. team trials. Iowa begins competing in women's wrestling in 2023-24.<h2>Update on the latest sports</h2>NBA-SCHEDULEHawks end Suns' win streakUNDATED (AP) — The Phoenix Suns' 11-game winning streak is over following a 124-115 loss to the Hawks in Atlanta.The Hawks made 20 of 41 3-pointers, with Trae Young providing six. Young poured in 43 points, and Kevin Huerter hitting five treys and scoring 19 points.The Hawks have won eight of their last nine games, with their only loss coming when Young was held out with a right shoulder contusion.Phoenix lost for the first time since Jan. 8 and fell to 41-10, still tops in the NBA. It was the Suns' second double-digit winning streak of the season. Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points, Mikal Bridges had 24 and Chris Paul 18.Checking out Thursday's other NBA action:— Klay Thompson drained his first seven shots overall, including six 3-pointers on the way to 23 points and seven assists in the Warriors' 126-114 decision over the Kings. Thompson knocked down three straight from deep early in the second as Golden State began the period on a 9-2 burst to build a 43-25 lead. Thompson finished 8 for 11 from the floor with seven 3s in the Warriors' eighth straight win.— Pascal Siakam (see-A'-kam) and Chris Boucher each had double-doubles as the Raptors downed the Bulls, 127-120 in overtime. Siakam finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Boucher had 16 points and 10 boards. Scottie Barnes scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:44 left in OT. — Tyler Herro (HEE'-roh) scored 24 points and the Heat ended a three-game losing streak by whipping the Spurs, 112-95. Bam Adebayo (ad-eh-BY'-oh) added 18 points and 11 rebounds for Miami, which led by as many as 26. Jimmy Butler added 17 points before sitting out the fourth quarter with the game out of reach.— Reggie Jackson scored 25 points, including a driving layup with four seconds remaining in the Clippers' 111-110 triumph over the Lakers. Marcus Morris Sr. led the Clippers with 29 points, while Serge Ibaka (ih-BAH'-kah) added 20 points and nine rebounds. Morris made six 3-pointers, including one from the left corner that gave the Clippers a 109-108 advantage with 18 seconds remaining. — The Timberwolves earned their third straight win as Anthony Edwards delivered 25 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double in a 128-117 victory against the Pistons. Towns added 21 points and 14 rebounds to help Minnesota hand Detroit its sixth loss in seven games. Taurean Prince added 23 points in the victory.NBA-ALL-STAR RESERVESAll-Star backups announcedUNDATED (AP) — The NBA has announced the reserves for the Feb. 20 All-Star game.Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and Nets guard James Harden are on the Eastern Conference team along with Bucks forward Khris Middleton, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Raptors guard Fred Van Vleet and Bulls swingman Zach LaVine (lah-VEEN').Van Vleet is the first undrafted player to be selected to an NBA All-Star team since Detroit's Ben Wallace in 2003.Phoenix guard Devin Booker will come off the Western Conference bench, as will Dallas guard Luka Doncic, Warriors forward Draymond Green, Jazz center Rudy Gobert (goh-BEHR'), Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell and Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns.NBA-OBIT-FITCHHall of Fame coach Bill Fitch dies, led Celtics to '81 titleCLEVELAND (AP) — Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Bill Fitch has died at 89.Fitch was the original coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and guided the Boston Celtics to the 1981 NBA Championship. His 25-year NBA coaching career also included stops with the Houston Rockets, New Jersey Jets and Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 1998.No cause of death was given. NFL-JAGUARS-COACHJags pick PedersonJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Doug Pederson was the first person interviewed when the Jacksonville Jaguars opened their head coaching search on Dec. 30. He now has the job.Pederson waited more than month for a callback, got a second interview Tuesday and landed the job two days later. He led the Eagles to their lone Super Bowl victory four years ago and takes over for Urban Meyer, who was fired after 13 games and countless missteps in what will go down as one of the worst coaching tenures in NFL history. NFL-NEWSElway says Flores interview was no sham...Steelers owner defends Rooney RuleUNDATED (AP) — Broncos president of football operations John Elway is disputing Brian Flores' contention that his interview for Denver's head coaching vacancy in 2019 was a sham and only conducted to meet the league's Rooney Rule requirement. Elway says he seriously considered Flores for the job. He also disputes Flores' contention that he appeared to be hung over and was an hour late for his interview with Flores in a Providence, Rhode Island, hotel. Elway says if he and CEO Joe Ellis appeared disheveled it was because they had flown through the night after interviewing another candidate in Denver. Flores, who was recently fired as Miami's head coach, has named the Broncos, Dolphins and Giants along with the NFL in a lawsuit alleging unfair hiring practices.Also on Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II defended the Rooney Rule while acknowledging it hasn't led to more minority head coaches. Rooney said there's been "marked improvement" in the hiring of women and minorities in other key leadership roles on coaching staffs and in the front office. His late father Dan Rooney was the driving force behind the rule, which requires NFL teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs.In other NFL news:— The Broncos have promoted Darren Mougey from player personnel director to assistant general manager. The 36-year-old former college quarterback and wide receiver will continue overseeing the pro and college scouting departments while working with GM George Paton on player personnel and college scouting decisions. — The NFL won't sign off on a Super Bowl watch party at Cincinnati's Paul Brown Stadium. The league sent a letter to stadium officials saying the legal and logistical barriers are too great to allow a broadcast of the game on the stadium's big screens. The stadium will be the site of a fan rally on Monday, six days before the Bengals play the Rams at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles on Feb. 13.— The lawyer for former Raiders player Henry Ruggs has told a judge he has received body-worn camera video from police who arrived after a high-speed crash that killed a woman. The former NFL wide receiver didn't have to appear in court Thursday with his attorney ahead of a March 10 preliminary hearing. Ruggs faces prison if he's convicted of DUI causing death. T25 MEN'S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULEWildcats avenge last week's loss to BruinsUNDATED (AP) — Arizona came away with a victory in a Pac-12 matchup of top-10 teams.Kerr Kriisa (kur KREE'-sah) scored 16 points and hit a big 3-pointer as the seventh-ranked Wildcats knocked off No. 3 UCLA, 76-66. Dalen (DAY'-lehn) Terry flirted with a triple-double as he chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.Jules Barnard scored 15 points for the Bruins and Johnny Juzang (JOO'-zang) had 12 after missing two games in COVID-19 protocols.UCLA beat Arizona, 75-59 in their first meeting of the season on Jan. 23.Also on Thursday's top-25 men's basketball schedule:— Chet Holmgren had 23 points and 12 rebounds as second-ranked Gonzaga rolled to its 11th consecutive win, 92-62 at San Diego. Drew Timme (TIH'-mee) added 13 points and eight rebounds as six Bulldogs scored in double figures. Andrew Nembhard had 14 points and seven assists. — Boogie Ellis scored 21 points, including five free throws in the final minute of No. 19 Southern California's 58-53 victory at Arizona State. Isaiah Mobley's tough basket in the post tied it 51-all with a minute left. Mobley finished with 12 points for the 19-3 Trojans, who have won five of their last six.MLB-LOCKOUTSpring training threatened, MLB asks for federal mediatorNEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has asked a federal mediator to intervene in stalled labor negotiations that likely will put off the start of spring training. On the 64th day of a lockout, MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem asked the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to enter the dispute. An agreement by the players' association is needed for the federal conciliation service to enter talks. The union declined comment and its lawyers were expected to consult with players. There is now almost no hope spring training workouts will start as scheduled on Feb. 16. Baseball's ninth work stoppage will soon threaten opening day on March 31.Also in baseball:— Five major league pitchers are on the government's witness list for the trial of a former Angels employee accused of providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that caused his overdose death. A filing by federal prosecutors says former Angel and current Red Sox hurler Garrett Richards would testify that Eric Prescott Kay once asked him for unused oxycodone pills. Kay's trial is scheduled to start Tuesday in Fort Worth after several postponements. He faces charges of drug distribution and drug conspiracy in Skaggs' death. OLYMPICSChen sharp in team competitionBEIJING (AP) — Three-time men's figure skating world champion Nathan Chen has delivered a strong short program to open the team competition at the Beijing Games. That gets the Americans off to a good start in their pursuit of a third straight medal in the event.Chen opened with a big quad flip and hit his difficult quad lutz-triple toe loop combination to deliver the highest score among the men Friday and give the U.S. the maximum 10 points.Reigning Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno was second to give Japan nine points. Eighteen-year-old Mark Kondratiuk was third for the Russian Olympic Committee, which is favored to win the team event.After Chen's performance, Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue delivered a season-best performance in rhythm dance, giving Team USA a second straight win on the opening day of figure skating.In other Olympic news:— American mixed doubles curlers Vicky Persinger and Chris Plys survived an extra end against Sweden for a much-needed victory in the Olympics. They quickly hugged and then found two friendly faces to wave to in a far corner of the eerily quiet and mostly empty Ice Cube. Masked faces, of course, but definitely friendly faces. Persinger and Plys were pretty sure they were waving at team psychologist Carly Anderson and dietician Kaela Colvard. The two were among the few spectators who saw the Americans take an 8-7 victory in the round-robin competition to even their record at 2-2. The win moved the Americans into a tie for fifth in the 10-team field. After the round robin, the top four teams move into the semifinals.— The U.S. men's hockey team has held its first pre-Olympic practice in Beijing without two top defenseman and a veteran forward following positive tests for COVID-19. Defenseman Jake Sanderson remains in Los Angeles, while defenseman Steven Kampfer and forward Andy Miele are isolating in the Olympic Village in Beijing.— U.S. women's hockey star Brianna Decker will miss the rest of the Olympics after injuring her left leg in the Americans' tournament-opening victory against Finland. The forward was hurt when she was tripped from behind midway through the first period Thursday night.— Organizers say nine more athletes and officials tested positive for COVID-19 in cases confirmed on Thursday, raising the total to 111 since the Olympic period started on Jan. 23. Seven cases were detected at the Beijing airport, making it 77 out of 5,255 athletes and officials who arrived through Thursday.NHL-DUCKS-VERBEEKPat Verbeek hired as Anaheim Ducks' new general managerANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Pat Verbeek is the new general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. He replaces Bob Murray, who resigned Nov. 10 and entered a treatment program for alcohol abuse amid allegations of misconduct. Verbeek spent the past three seasons as the Red Wings' assistant general manager under Steve Yzerman (EYE'-zur-man). Verbeek worked the previous nine seasons for Yzerman with the Lightning as their assistant general manager and director of player personnel. PGA-PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AMHoge leads at Pebble BeachPEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Tom Hoge made the last of six straight birdies with a 40-foot putt on the daunting eighth hole, giving him a one-shot lead at Pebble Beach.The birdie run to a 9-under 63, by four shots is his best score at the AT&amp;T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.Seamus Power is in second. He birdied his last four holes at Spyglass Hill, traditionally the toughest of the three courses in benign conditions. It was the only course that played over par Thursday.LPGA-DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIPAlex, Hataoka share leadFORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — American Marina Alex closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th for a 7-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead with Japan's Nasa Hataoka in the LPGA Drive On Championship at Crown Colony. Alex birdied all four par-5 holes and had five birdies in a row on Nos. 9-13 in her bogey-free morning round. Hataoka finished with a birdie on the par-5 ninth. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">C</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">LICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Sports Headlines for Friday

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🎙 Eagle Radio Sports for Friday Morning

WICHITA, KANSAS&nbsp;- The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission and National Baseball Congress Foundation is proud to announce the 88th&nbsp;NBC World Series, powered by Evergy returns to Wichita State University - Eck Stadium later this summer. The NBC World Series will be played July 28 – August 6, with Wichita hosting the last six days of the event, August 1 - 6. The first four days will be played in Hutchinson, KS at Hobart-Detter Field, July 28 – 31.&nbsp;

“We’re pleased to renew our partnership with Wichita State and the City of Hutchinson. Both have grown to be amazing partners over the last few years”, said Kevin Jenks, NBC Tournament Director. “Playing at Eck Stadium ensures the NBC tradition stays in Wichita, while the energy and hospitality of the Hutchinson community continues to grow”.&nbsp;

The format for this year’s event returns to a 16-team field. Four pools of four teams each will compete over a six-day period, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to a single elimination bracket to determine a national champion, Saturday, August 6. Four games per day will be played July 28 – August 2. The NBC Hall of Fame Induction is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3. Single elimination bracket games will be played August 4 – 6.

“The return to pool play with a single elimination bracket meets the requests of our teams that travel hundreds of miles to compete in our national tournament. Qualifying for the NBC World Series is difficult enough. Now our teams have the chance to play more games with more rest for much needed pitching.” Jenks added.

The NBC World Series was created in 1935 by local sporting goods salesman Raymond “Hap” Dumont. This year will mark the 88th&nbsp;continuous year for the annual tournament.

Tickets will go on sale later this spring.&nbsp;

WICHITA, KANSAS&nbsp;- The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission and National Baseball Congress Foundation is proud to announce the 88th&nbsp;NBC World Series, powered by Evergy returns to Wichita State University - Eck Stadium later this summer. The NBC World Series will be played July 28 – August 6, with Wichita hosting the last six days of the event, August 1 - 6. The first four days will be played in Hutchinson, KS at Hobart-Detter Field, July 28 – 31.&nbsp;“We’re pleased to renew our partnership with Wichita State and the City of Hutchinson. Both have grown to be amazing partners over the last few years”, said Kevin Jenks, NBC Tournament Director. “Playing at Eck Stadium ensures the NBC tradition stays in Wichita, while the energy and hospitality of the Hutchinson community continues to grow”.&nbsp;The format for this year’s event returns to a 16-team field. Four pools of four teams each will compete over a six-day period, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to a single elimination bracket to determine a national champion, Saturday, August 6. Four games per day will be played July 28 – August 2. The NBC Hall of Fame Induction is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3. Single elimination bracket games will be played August 4 – 6.“The return to pool play with a single elimination bracket meets the requests of our teams that travel hundreds of miles to compete in our national tournament. Qualifying for the NBC World Series is difficult enough. Now our teams have the chance to play more games with more rest for much needed pitching.” Jenks added.The NBC World Series was created in 1935 by local sporting goods salesman Raymond “Hap” Dumont. This year will mark the 88th&nbsp;continuous year for the annual tournament.Tickets will go on sale later this spring.&nbsp;

NBC announces return to Eck Stadium, Hobart-Detter Field

For the second day in a row, the Hutchinson Community College women’s and men’s basketball games at Butler Community College have been postponed.

The winter storm that blanketed Kansas Tuesday night and Wednesday is the reason for both postponements.

No reschedule date has been set for the Blue Dragons and Grizzlies.

The Blue Dragons will next play Saturday at the Sports Arena when the Coffeyville Red Ravens. The women’s game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and men’s game will tip at 7:30 p.m.

At halftime of the men’s game, Hutchinson Quarterback Club Hall of Fame will induct the Class of 2022. That class includes Randy Stange, Deron McCue, Alicia Robinson, Melissa Hetherington and the 2001 national champion Blue Dragon Women’s Cross Country Team.

STEVE CARPENTERHutchCC Sports Information For the second day in a row, the Hutchinson Community College women’s and men’s basketball games at Butler Community College have been postponed.The winter storm that blanketed Kansas Tuesday night and Wednesday is the reason for both postponements.No reschedule date has been set for the Blue Dragons and Grizzlies.The Blue Dragons will next play Saturday at the Sports Arena when the Coffeyville Red Ravens. The women’s game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. and men’s game will tip at 7:30 p.m.At halftime of the men’s game, Hutchinson Quarterback Club Hall of Fame will induct the Class of 2022. That class includes Randy Stange, Deron McCue, Alicia Robinson, Melissa Hetherington and the 2001 national champion Blue Dragon Women’s Cross Country Team.

Blue Dragons and Grizzlies postponed again

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Emily Ryan and Lexi Donarski scored 15 points apiece, Ashley Joens had a double-double and No. 11 Iowa State used a dominant third quarter to defeat No. 25 Kansas State 70-55. The Cyclones scored the last five points of the second quarter to lead 31-25 at the half and outscored the Wildcats 24-8 in the third to go up 55-33. Iowa was 10 of 14 in the quarter with three 3-pointers while Kansas State was 4 of 19. Ryan had eight assists, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Joens had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Brylee Glenn, scoreless in the first half, matched her career high with 19 points for the Wildcats, 17 in the fourth quarter.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Christyn Williams scored 17 points apiece and 10th-ranked UConn shook off a slow start to beat Creighton 76-56 with an ill coach Geno Auriemma in the locker room the entire game. The Huskies fell behind by double digits early against the Bluejays and didn't take their first lead until the third quarter. Molly Mogensen had career highs with 15 points and three 3-pointers for the Bluejays. Chris Dailey filled in for Auriemma, who began not feeling well at the arena and stayed in the locker room.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says he wants to restructure an advisory committee of former players formed after a 2020 investigation found evidence of racial bias against Black players in his program. The timeline of when a new committee will be formed and who will be on it is unclear. Former offensive lineman David Porter was the leader of the original 10-person committee. He suggested in early January that it was time for Iowa to part ways with Ferentz.&nbsp;

ST. LOUIS (AP) — David Green, an outfielder on the St. Louis Cardinals' 1982 World Series champions, has died. Green had been hospitalized in suburban St. Louis after choking at his home about a week ago and died Saturday of respiratory failure, his family told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals confirmed the death Tuesday on Twitter. Green was 61. He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1978 as a 17-year-old out of Nicaragua and came to St. Louis in a blockbuster trade in December 1980. Green hit .283 as a part-time player on the 1982 team that beat the Brewers in seven games in the World Series.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Noah Carter and Trae Berhow scored 19 points apiece as Northern Iowa beat Bradley 78-65. AJ Green added 18 points for the Panthers (12-9, 8-3 Missouri Valley Conference). Terry Roberts had 18 points and six assists for the Braves (12-11, 6-5), whose four-game winning streak came to an end.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Myreon Jones had 18 points and five 3-pointers, Tyree Appleby scored all 17 of his points in the second half and Florida beat Missouri 66-65 in a game moved ahead six hours due to a winter storm. Missouri took the lead with 16:03 left in the second half and held it until the closing seconds when Appleby made two free throws at 7.9. Amari Davis appeared to have an open layup at the other end but Florida forward Tuongthach Gatkek blocked it out of bounds. Missouri inbounded it with 2.2 seconds left, but &nbsp;Jarron Coleman's corner 3-pointer was off the mark at the buzzer. Florida made 17 straight free throws over the final 7:55 — with eight coming from Appleby in the closing three minutes. Ronnie DeGray III scored 13 points for Missouri.

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Gaige Prim and Isiaih Mosley scored 22 points apiece and Missouri State breezed to a 69-54 victory over Southern Illinois. Prim knocked down 9 of 11 shots and Mosley made all eight of his free throws for the Bears (17-7, 8-3 Missouri Valley Conference). Lance Jones led the Salukis (11-12, 4-7) with 14 points.

Jackson, Morant lead Grizzlies past Knicks, 120-108

UNDATED (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 26 points and 10 rebounds, Ja Morant added 23 points and nine assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the New York Knicks 120-108 on Wednesday night.

Morant had some of his usual high-flying highlight plays, but shot just 9 for 27 from the field, missing all six 3-point attempts. 

But the Grizzlies go well beyond their first-time All-Star. Rookie Ziaire Williams scored a season-high 21 points on 9-for-11 shooting, while Jackson, Desmond Bane and De'Anthony Melton all hit four 3-pointers.

Morant had his streak of 30-point games stopped at seven, but the Grizzlies bounced back from an overtime loss in Philadelphia on Monday night to win for the fourth time in five games. 

— Anthony Davis scored 30 points, Carmelo Anthony added 24 and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 99-94. Davis had 19 points and seven of his 15 rebounds in the final 12 minutes as the Lakers returned home with a win after going 2-4 on their Eastern road trip. The All-Star forward is averaging 29.3 points over his last three games. Norman Powell led the Trail Blazers with 30 points and tied a season high with five 3-pointers. Anfernee Simons added 19 points while Jusuf Nurkic had a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Portland has dropped three straight and five of its last six.

— Trent Forrest had career highs of 18 points and eight assists to lead the Utah Jazz to a 108-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Mike Conley scored 17 points for Utah. Rudy Gay, Royce O'Neale, and Bojan Bogdanovic scored 15 points apiece. Six Jazz players scored in double figures. Utah won for just the third time in 14 games. The Jazz swept the season series against the Nuggets. Bryn Forbes scored 26 points to lead Denver. Monte Morris added 15 points, Will Barton scored 14 and Davon Reed 13 for the Nuggets. 

— Spencer Dinwiddie had a triple-double to lead the Washington Wizards to a 106-103 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Dinwiddie had 14 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Kyle Kuzma scored 24 points and the Wizards snapped a six-game losing streak. Joel Embiid (joh-EHL' ehm-BEED') had 27 points and 14 rebounds for the Sixers. Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points for the Sixers. 

— Josh Richardson made six 3-pointers and scored 23 points, Jayson Tatum hit two key free throws and finished with 19 points and the Boston Celtics held off the Charlotte Hornets 113-107, overcoming a career-best 38 points by LaMelo Ball. Marcus Smart scored 22 points and Jaylen Brown 15 for Boston, which won its third straight.

— Lu Dort scored 30 points, including 14 straight for Oklahoma City in overtime, and rookie Tre Mann added a career-best 29 as the Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-114. The Thunder won their second consecutive game for their first winning streak since taking three straight Dec. 18-22. They avoided a four-game sweep in the season series. Luka Doncic scored 40 points for the Mavericks in the opener of a six-game homestand, their longest of the season. 

— Gary Harris scored 22 points and Wendell Carter Jr. had 19 points and 18 rebounds to rally the Orlando Magic past the Indiana Pacers 119-118. Harris scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including two key 3-pointers. Indiana led by 17 midway through the third, but the margin had dwindled by the end of the period. 

— Christian Wood and rookie Jalen Green had 21 points each and the Houston Rockets snapped an 11-game home skid with a 115-104 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It's the first win by the Rockets in Houston since a 114-104 victory over Brooklyn on Dec. 8 and it snaps a four-game losing streak overall.

No. 4 Purdue beats Gophers 88-73 for 4th straight victory

UNDATED (AP) — Jaden Ivey scored 21 points and Zach Edey added a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds, leading No. 4 Purdue to an 88-73 win over Minnesota. Senior guard Eric Hunter Jr. scored a career-high 20 points and the Boilermakers had four players in double figures. 

Purdue has won four straight and seven of eight. 

Payton Willis scored 24 points and Jamison Battle added 21 for Minnesota, which lost its third straight. 

— Justin Lewis had 19 points and nine rebounds, and No. 24 Marquette never trailed in an 83-73 victory over No. 12 Villanova. Marquette won for the eighth time in nine games and completed its first regular-season sweep of Villanova since 2011-12. The Golden Eagles won 57-54 at Villanova on Jan. 19 to snap the Wildcats' 29-game winning streak on campus. Those two losses to Marquette represent Villanova's only defeats in its last 11 games. It marks the first time any Big East team has swept a regular-season series from Villanova since Butler did it in 2016-17.

— Davion Mintz scored 21 points off the bench, hitting a 3-pointer during a pivotal 11-2 run, and No. 5 Kentucky overcame nearly blowing a double-digit lead to survive Vanderbilt 77-70 for its third consecutive victory. The Wildcats twice led by 10 in the second half. Scotty Pippen Jr.'s had 33 points for his second 30-point outing this season against Kentucky, making 11 of 23 from the field. 

— Kofi Cockburn had 37 points and 12 rebounds and No. 18 Illinois beat No. 11 Wisconsin 80-67 on Wednesday night. Cockburn had 20 first-half points on 10-of-12 shooting, including two rim-rattling dunks. He finished 16 of 19, making his last five shots for the Illini. Johnny Davis led Wisconsin with 22 points and 15 rebounds.

— Fabian White Jr. scored 16 of his career high-tying 21 points in the first half and No. 6 Houston beat Tulane 73-62 for its 11th straight victory. White, a fifth-year graduate senior, also surpassed 1,000 points in his career at Houston and finished with eight rebounds. The Cougars won their 37th straight home game — the second longest streak in the nation behind Gonzaga. 

— Zach Freemantle scored 23 points and No. 21 Xavier overcame a miserable 3-point shooting night to beat Butler 68-66. Xavier matched its season low in 3-pointers, going just 3 for 17. Chuck Harris and Jayden Taylor each scored 18 points for Butler. The Bulldogs trimmed a 15-point deficit to four points twice in the last minute before Taylor hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Recruiting wars: A&amp;M's Fisher says rumors are 'garbage' 

UNDATED (AP) — Texas A&amp;M coach Jimbo Fisher is angry about rumors that booster-funded NIL deals are fueling the Aggies' recruiting success. He called the speculation "garbage." Texas A&amp;M came into the day with the top-rated class in the country, ahead of Southeastern Conference rivals Alabama and Georgia. Fisher says rumors of huge cash payouts were insulting to the players and his staff and he called rival coaches who perpetuated them "clown acts." 

— Tennessee State's president says Jackson State's decision to withdraw from the Southern Heritage Classic "insensitive and irresponsible," particularly with three years still left on the contract. The Southern Heritage Classic has been played in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium since 1990. 

— Jim Harbaugh will stay at Michigan after all. He has ended his dalliance with a return to the NFL after interviewing with the Minnesota Vikings for their head coach vacancy. Harbaugh withdrew from consideration and will be back at his alma mater for an eighth season.

Nugent-Hopkins breaks late tie, Oilers beat Capitals 5-3

UNDATED (AP) — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins broke a tie with a short-handed goal with 4:03 remaining in the Edmonton Oilers' 5-3 victory over the Washington Capitals in the final game for both teams before the All-Star break.

Nugent-Hopkins added an empty-net goal with 1:05 remaining to wrap up the Oilers' fifth victory in six games. Washington played without Alex Ovechkin (oh-VECH'-kin) after he entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Wednesday. The Russian star also will miss the All-Star Game. Forward Tom Wilson will replace him.

Leon Draisaitl (DRY'-sy-tul), Evander Kane and Connor McDavid scored goals in the first 5:07 to give the Oilers a 3-0 lead. 

Mikko Koskinen stopped 24 shots. Lars Eller, Conor Sheary and Evgeny Kuznetsov (ehv-GEH'-nee (kooz-NEHT'-sahv) scored for Washington.

— Christopher Tanev scored the go-ahead goal and had three assists, Blake Coleman scored twice, and the Calgary Flames beat the Arizona Coyotes 4-2 for their fifth win in six games. Elias Lindholm also scored, and Jacob Markstrom had 24 saves for Calgary. The Flames had 50 shots against Coyotes' goaltender Karel Vejmelka, who faced a franchise-record 26 shots in the first period and made a franchise-record 24 saves. Clayton Keller and Alex Galchenyuk scored for the Coyotes. Keller had a goal and an assist to extend his points-streak to six games. 

— Cam Talbot made 30 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Minnesota Wild beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 Wednesday night to extended their points streak to 10 games. Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Fiala and Frederick Gaudreau each had a goal and an assist for surging Minnesota. The Wild head into the NHL's All-Star break on a 9-0-1 roll. Fiala extended his career-high points streak to 12 games, matching Mikael Granlund's Wild record set in 2017. Kirill Kaprizov scored his team-leading 19th goal to stretch his career-best points streak to eight games. Nico Sturm also connected to help Minnesota improve to 3-0-0 against fading Chicago.

— Jared McCann had a goal and an assist, and Philipp Grubauer stopped 19 shots for the first shutout in franchise history as the expansion Seattle Kraken beat the New York Islanders 3-0. Mason Appleton had a goal and an assist and Vince Dunn also scored to help Seattle to its third win in seven games. Grubauer got his 19th career shutout. 

— Phillip Danault scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Los Angeles Kings finished off a highly successful six-game trip with a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Arthur Kaliyev, Victor Arvidsson and Adrian Kempe also scored for the Kings, who went 4-0-2 on their road swing. Jonathan Quick, who is 6-1 in his last seven games against Detroit, made 22 saves.

UNDATED (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz has apologized after he angrily rejected any conversation connected to the franchise's response when a player said he was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach. Wirtz made his remarks at a town hall. 

It was the first time the franchise's top leaders had faced questions in public since the team published a report by an outside law firm that found the organization badly mishandled Kyle Beach's allegations that he was assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the team's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup title. 

Wirtz says his response to two questions by reporters "crossed the line"

— NHL players and coaches are welcoming the more lenient COVID-19 protocols announced earlier this week. The league and players' union agreed to drop daily testing requirements for fully vaccinated players, citing a "declining positivity rate" in virus cases. 

UNDATED (AP) — Brian Flores says his lawsuit against the NFL alleging racist hiring practices will continue even if he becomes a head coach again this offseason because the league needs change. 

According to the lawsuit, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told Flores he would pay him $100,000 for every loss during the coach's first season because he wanted the club to "tank" so it could get the draft's top pick. The lawsuit alleges that Ross also pressured Flores to recruit a prominent quarterback in violation of the league's tampering rules. It says that when Flores refused, he was portrayed as an "angry Black man" who is difficult to work with and was derided until he was fired.

Flores was fired last month after leading the Dolphins to a 24-25 record over three years.

— Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant Teryl Austin says the NFL needs to keep finding opportunities for coaches of color. Austin, who is Black, says he has been interviewed for an NFL head coaching vacancy 11 times and has yet to be hired. 

— Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said the club remains "in the middle" of its coaching search after interviewing three candidates whom Loomis described as "all very impressive," including former Dolphins coach Brian Flores. The Saints have also interviewed former Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson and Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. They also plan to interview more candidates including New Orleans defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi.

— The Cleveland Browns says suggestions by former coach Hue Jackson that he was paid by the team to lose games are "completely fabricated." Jackson, who is now coaching at Grambling, made several posts on Twitter inferring that he received bonus payments from Browns owner Jimmy Haslam during his two-plus seasons with the team. Jackson was fired eight games into the 2018 season. He went 3-36-1 with Cleveland, losing all 16 games in 2017.

— The Chicago Bears have hired Alan Williams as defensive coordinator under new coach Matt Eberflus. The Bears also added Dave Borgonzi and Chris Morgan to their staff today.

— Mike Macdonald was hired as Baltimore's new defensive coordinator after a year at Michigan. Macdonald replaces Don Martindale, who was fired after four seasons.

— Washington's NFL team is now called the Commanders. Washington joins Major League Baseball's Cleveland Guardians among North American major professional sports teams abandoning names linked to Native Americans. 

NCAA earns $1.15B in 2021 as revenue returns to normal

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA generated more than $1.15 billion in revenue in 2021, returning to normal after the cancellation of the men's basketball tournament because of the pandemic in 2020 cost the association and its member schools $800 million. 

The majority of the revenue is distributed back to its more than 1,200 member schools. The 350 Division I schools that can participate in the basketball tournament earn the bulk of it, mostly through shared payouts to conferences.