Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Santiago Vescovi scored 15 points and Yves Pons and Jaden Springer added 13 apiece as No. 7 Tennessee routed No. 12 Missouri 73-53 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. The Volunteers shot 50% from the field and 5 of 7 from long range on the way to their seventh straight win. Xavier Pinson led Missouri with 11 points.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Justin Ahrens came off the bench to score 18 points and freshman Zed Key added 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting as No. 25 Ohio State used balanced scoring to beat Nebraska 90-54. Duane Washington Jr. added 13 points and Justice Sueing 12 as Ohio State got points from 10 players and won for the third time in four games. Nebraska was led by Teddy Allen's 13 points.
UNDATED (AP) — The Big Ten men's basketball conference has a record nine teams in the latest Associated Press poll. Wisconsin is No. 6, Iowa is No. 10, Rutgers is No. 14, Illinois is No. 15, Michigan is No. 16, Michigan State is No. 17, Northwestern is No. 19, Minnesota is No. 21, and Ohio State is No. 25. Topping the ever-tough league slate this week is the Iowa-Rutgers game. The Hawkeyes are 8-2, having bounced back from a loss at Minnesota by beating Northwestern. Rutgers is 7-1 despite not yet being at full strength due to injuries.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs plan to rest the majority of their starters against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, choosing to risk a bit of rust over the danger of injury with the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye already secured. Chiefs coach Andy Reid declined to say which starters would sit, though he did indicate veteran Chad Henne will start at quarterback and Matt Moore will likely be promoted from the practice squad. That means it's nearly certain Patrick Mahomes, who needs just 260 yards passing to reach 5,000 for the season, won't step foot on the field this week.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — All-America defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon of Iowa announced his decision to declare for the NFL draft and forego his senior season. Nixon made the announcement on social media and the athletic department confirmed his decision. Nixon was named a first-team Associated Press All-American and was AP Big Ten defensive player of the year. He led the Big Ten in tackles for loss, tied for the conference lead in sacks and had the most tackles by a Big Ten defensive lineman.
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Iowa State's Brock Purdy and Oregon's Tyler Shough are heading back to the desert. Two of the most prolific high school quarterbacks in Arizona history will face off in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday. Purdy and Shough were baseball teammates when they were younger and have the same quarterbacks coach. They still work out together during the offseason. Now they'll square off under the bright lights of a New Year's Six bowl.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jr. Clay had 22 points as Tennessee Tech snapped its season-opening nine-game losing streak, topping Southeast Missouri 72-63. Amadou Sylla had 13 points and seven rebounds for Tennessee Tech (1-9, 1-2 Ohio Valley Conference). Damaria Franklin added 11 points and eight rebounds. Tennessee Tech totaled 38 points in the first half, a season high for the team. Eric Reed Jr. had 14 points for the Redhawks (2-6, 0-2), who have now lost five games in a row. Chris Harris added 11 points. DQ Nicholas had eight assists.
Update on the latest sports
NBA-SCHEDULE
Spurs' Hammon makes history...Heat rebound to beat Bucks
UNDATED (AP) — What a difference a day made for the Miami Heat, but the day was highlighted by a trailblazing coach.
Becky Hammon made history by becoming the first woman to serve as head coach in an NBA game.
Hammon took over when Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs' 121-107 loss to the Lakers. As he exited the court, Popovich pointed a finger at Hammon and had a succinct message for his assistant coach: "You got 'em."
Lakers forward LeBron James spoiled the historic moment by delivering 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds on his 36th birthday.
In Miami, Goran Dragic (DRAH'-gihch) scored 26 points off the bench and the Heat bounced back from Tuesday's 47-point loss to Milwaukee by downing the Bucks, 119-108.
Tyler Herro delivered 21 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds for Miami, which trailed by 14 early in the second half and rallied to get a split of the two-game, two-night series.
The Bucks led 84-73 early in the third quarter before the Heat dominated the rest of the way. Milwaukee hit 16 3-pointers just a night after torching Miami for an NBA-record 29.
The Bucks wasted a triple-double by Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH'-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON'-poh), who finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
Also on the NBA schedule:
— Jaylen Brown poured in 18 of his career-high 42 points in the second quarter of the Celtics' 126-107 rout of the Grizzlies. Jayson Tatum scored 16 points and Brown matched a career best with seven 3-pointers on 10 attempts.
— Kevin Durant dropped in 33 points to lead seven Nets in double-figures in a 145-141 downing of the Hawks. Kyrie Irving finished with 27 points and Joe Harris added 23 as Brooklyn handed Atlanta its first loss of the season.
— Kawhi (kah-WY') Leonard scored 28 points in his return from a two-game injury absence, guiding the Clippers to a 128-105 rout of the Trail Blazers. Paul George added 23 points to the Clippers' second straight lopsided victory.
— LaMelo Ball scored 22 points and Miles Bridges had 20 with 16 rebounds in the Hornets' 118-99 blowout over the Mavericks. Terry Rozier provided 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers early in a 14-0 run that gave Charlotte a 25-point lead in the second half.
NFL-NEWS
Browns' COVID-19 list grows
UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Browns' number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow as they prepare for a huge game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Browns have added a player and an assistant coach to the COVID-19 list, though the team declined to identify them.
The team closed its facility for a few hours on Wednesday after being informed of the test results and held virtual meetings.
The Browns already had nine players on the list, including their top four wide receivers. Those players and some others are eligible to return Thursday as long as they test negative.
Cleveland will make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 if they beat the Steelers, who will rest starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The NFL is monitoring the Browns' situation to determine whether the game needs to be moved. And the NFL's chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, said the league is investigating the rise in cases within the Browns.
In other NFL news:
— The 49ers have signed Robbie Gould to a renegotiated contract that keeps him on the team through 2022. Gould also was placed on the COVID-19 list Wednesday and will miss the season finale against Seattle.
— The Packers have claimed veteran defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison off waivers from the Seahawks, two days after he was released by Seattle. Harrison played six games with the Seahawks this season but was inactive for last Sunday's win over the Rams.
— The Chiefs plan to rest the majority of their starters against the Chargers on Sunday with the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye already secured. Chiefs coach Andy Reid declined to say which starters would sit, though he did indicate veteran Chad Henne (HEN'-ee) will start at quarterback.
— Colts coach Frank Reich says left tackle Anthony Castonzo will have season-ending surgery on his right ankle. Reich did not say who would take Castonzo's spot in the starting lineup Sunday against Jacksonville.
— Jaguars coach Doug Marron says they will be without starting quarterback Gardner Minshew and running back James Robinson for their season finale. Mike Glennon will be under center when Jacksonville tries to break a team-record, 14-game losing streak Sunday against the Colts.
— Rookie running back La'Mical Perine is the first Jet to test positive for the coronavirus. Coach Adam Gase said Wednesday the team is conducting contact tracing among the other players and team staff.
T25 MEN'S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE
Baylor still perfect
UNDATED (AP) — Baylor won its final tuneup before resuming its Big 12 men's basketball schedule.
The second-ranked Bears used a balanced attack to hammer Alcorn State, 105-76 and improve to 8-0.
Macio Teague (MAY'-see-oh teeg) led six Bears in double figures with 18 points, while Jared Butler added 17 on 6 of 8 shooting. Baylor also received 47 points from its bench, with Jordan Turner and Zach Loveday each scoring 10.
The game was tied at 12 before the Bears went on a 17-2 run in less than five minutes. Baylor also scored 26 first-half points on 14 Alcorn State turnovers.
In other top-25 action:
— Santiago Vescovi (vehs-KOH'-vee) scored 15 points and Yves Pons (panz) and Jaden Springer each added 13 as seventh-ranked Tennessee clobbered No. 12 Missouri, 73-53 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. The 7-0 Volunteers shot 50% from the field and were selective with their attempts, going 5 of 7 from beyond the arc.
— No. 23 Virginia earned a 66-57 win against Notre Dame as Kihei (KEE'-hay) Clark had 19 points and five assists. Jay Huff scored 15 points and Sam Hauser added 13 with 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.
— Justin Ahrens came off the bench to shoot 6-for-9 from 3-point range and finish with 18 points in No. 25 Ohio State's 90-54 thumping of Nebraska. Freshman Zed Key added 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting, and Duane Washington Jr. chipped in 13 points in the Buckeyes' third win in four games.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-SCHEDULE
Sooners, Badgers get bowl wins
UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma continues to have success on the Dallas Cowboys' home field.
The eighth-ranked Sooners captured the Cotton Bowl with a convincing 55-20 pounding of Florida.
Spencer Rattler threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score, 11 days after helping the Sooners win the Big 12 title in the same stadium. Oklahoma racked up 684 total yards, with Rhamondre Stevenson rushing for 186.
Florida's first possession ended with Tre Norwood's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. That was the first of three picks thrown by Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Kyle Trask in the first quarter, after only five all season.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin won its bowl game by rallying against Wake Forest.
Graham Mertz accounted for three touchdowns and the Badgers turned four second-half interceptions into 21 points to beat the Demon Deacons, 42-28 in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. Mertz threw for 130 yards and ran for two short touchdowns as Wisconsin finished the season on a high note.
Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman was intercepted on four straight possessions, the first of which set up the go-ahead TD.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL-NEWS
Coastal Carolina's Jamey Chadwell is AP coach of the year
UNDATED (AP) — Coastal Carolina's Jamey Chadwell is The Associated Press college football coach of the year.
The ninth-ranked Chanticleers went 11-1 this year, winning 11 straight before losing to Liberty in overtime at the Cure Bowl.
Chadwell received 16 first-place votes and 88 points from the AP Top 25 panel. Indiana's Tom Allen finished second and Cincinnati's Luke Fickell was third.
Chadwell is the first Sun Belt Conference coach to win the AP award, which was established in 1988.
In other college football news:
— Southern California safety Talanoa Hufanga is headed to the NFL after a standout junior season. Hufanga was a first-team AP All-American and the Pac-12's Defensive Player of the Year this season for the No. 21 Trojans. He led USC with 62 tackles and four interceptions while adding three sacks, 5 1/2 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
— Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott will be unavailable for the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State due to coronavirus issues. The school said Wednesday that Elliott won't travel with the team to New Orleans while he's in COVID-19 protocols. It did not say if he had tested positive. Elliott's offense led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring and passing yards this season.
NHL-NEWS
Caps ink Chara
UNDATED (AP) — Longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara (zuh-DAY'-noh CHAH'-rah) has signed with the Washington Capitals in a stunning move less than a week before most NHL teams open training camp.
Chara agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $795,000. The 43-year-old defenseman posted on Instagram that the Bruins have decided to move forward with younger players.
The 6-foot-9 Chara is a seven-time All-Star who won the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman in 2009. He led the Bruins to the Cup in 2011 and trips to the final in 2013 and 2019.
Also around the NHL:
— The Coyotes have signed veteran forward Derick Brassard to a one-year contract. The 33-year-old Brassard had 10 goals and 22 assists in 66 games with the Islanders last season.
MLB-NEWS
White Sox, Engel avoid arbitration
UNDATED (AP) — The Chicago White Sox and outfielder Adam Engel have avoided salary arbitration by working out a one-year, $1.375 million contract.
The 29-year-old Engel hit .295 with three homers and 12 RBIs last season.
ATP-QUERREY-INVESTIGATION
Querrey handed suspended fine for COVID-19 violation
LONDON (AP) — American tennis player Sam Querrey was handed a suspended $20,000 fine by the ATP tour on Wednesday for breaching coronavirus protocols at the St. Petersburg Open in October.
However, the fine will be lifted if the 33-year-old Querrey doesn't commit any further violations of health and safety protocols related to COVID-19 during a six-month probationary period.
HORSE RACING-TIZ THE LAW
Belmont winner is retired
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law has been suddenly retired on the advice of a veterinarian after an X-ray revealed bone bruising in the colt's front leg.
Tiz the Law had six wins in nine career starts and earnings of $2,735,300, according to Equibase. He retired on the same day his trainer, Barclay Tagg, turned 83.