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On hot stretch, Nebraska clashes with reeling Penn State

NCAA Basketball: Maryland at NebraskaFeb 13, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams (3) shoots a three point basket against Maryland Terrapins guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie (0) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska and Penn State are trending in different directions, to say the least.

The Cornhuskers hope to continue pushing toward an NCAA Tournament berth Wednesday when they visit the Nittany Lions, who are desperate to end a long losing streak.

Nebraska (17-9, 7-8 Big Ten) has earned four wins against ranked opponents this season, including recent victories over then-No. 18 Illinois and then-No. 16 Oregon during its current 5-1 stretch.

In their last matchup, the Cornhuskers nipped host Northwestern 68-64 on Sunday by rallying from a 20-point deficit. Leading scorer Brice Williams (19.5 points per game) scored 15 of his 21 points after halftime, while Juwan Gary tallied 13 of his 17 points after intermission, helping Nebraska storm to another league victory.

“As I told the guys after the game,” said Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg, “it just goes to show you what we’re capable of when we play the right way, when we play with an edge.”

Hoiberg also singled out center Braxton Meah (10 points, seven rebounds) in his postgame press conference. Meah had totaled nine points and 14 rebounds in his previous six games.

Meanwhile, Penn State (13-13, 3-12) has lost seven straight and 11 of its last 12.

The Nittany Lions came close to knocking off visiting Washington in their most recent contest Saturday, but fell short 75-73. Leading scorer Ace Baldwin Jr. (14.0 ppg) was one of the bright spots with 20 points, eight assists and six steals, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser chipped in 10 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Penn State allowed Washington to shoot 11 of 23 from 3-point range as defense continued to be a major issue. The team has allowed at least 75 points six times during its seven-game skid.

“There’s only so many opportunities in your life you get up to put on a uniform in any sport that you pursue, and we have (five) games left here,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. “Let’s put them on with pride and knowing that you lose these opportunities, right? There’s only a few (games) left to try to have pride, to take advantage of them.”

The Cornhuskers won last season’s matchup with the Nittany Lions, 68-49, in Lincoln, Neb.

–Field Level Media

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ATP roundup: Quentin Halys blasts 17 aces, wins Generali Open for first crown

Mar 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Quentin Halys (FRA) hits a forehand against Alexander Zverev (GER) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesMar 24, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Quentin Halys (FRA) hits a forehand against Alexander Zverev (GER) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Frenchman Quentin Halys delivered 17 aces and earned his first career title with a solid 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory over defending champion Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan in the Generali Open final at Kitzbuhel, Austria on Saturday.

Halys, 29, turned pro in 2012 and had played in just other ATP final — losing to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the 2024 Swiss Open. Halys won 86.8% of his first-serve points (33 of 38) and didn’t face a single break point.

Top-seeded Bublik led 6-5 in the second-set tiebreaker but couldn’t convert a set point. Halys then scored two more points to finish the match.

Bublik had six aces and saved 5 of 6 break points. He hadn’t lost a set this week prior to the title match and was looking for his 10th career ATP crown.

Estoril Open

Fourth-seeded Alexander Blockx of Belgium rallied for a 5-7, 7-6 (1), 7-6 (5) victory over second-seeded Luciano Darderi of Italy in the semifinals at Portugal to reach the first ATP final of his career.

Blockx, 21, recorded eight aces and saved 8 of 14 break points while sliding past Darderi. In the third-set tiebreaker, Darderi scored the first four points before Blockx turned things around and won seven of eight to close the match.

Blockx will face Luca Van Assche, who posted a 6-4, 7-5 victory over fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston. Van Assche won the final two games to close out the match in straight sets.

The final will also be the first for the 22-year-old Van Assche. The win over Gaston came in his first ATP semifinal.

–Field Level Media

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Sean McVay says Aaron Donald still weighing Rams comeback

Former Pittsburgh Panther and retired NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald waves to the crowd while walking out onto the field during his jersey number retirement ceremony during halftime of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on November 15, 2025.Former Pittsburgh Panther and retired NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald waves to the crowd while walking out onto the field during his jersey number retirement ceremony during halftime of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on November 15, 2025.

Aaron Donald is undergoing an NFL-level training program as he considers ending his retirement, but Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay said no decision has been made.

McVay provided an update Saturday as Rams players reported for training camp, explaining that Donald is following a demanding and carefully structured routine similar to the one he used during his playing career.

The process is intended to show the 35-year-old whether his body can withstand the physical demands of another season after two years away from the game.

McVay said he genuinely does not know which direction Donald will choose. The Rams, however, are prepared to explore a reunion if the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year decides he is ready.

“If he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock,” McVay said.

Donald retired in March 2024 after spending all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Rams. He recorded 111 sacks, earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and was named to the Pro Bowl in every season of his career.

The possibility of a comeback emerged after Los Angeles began considering a trade for star pass rusher Myles Garrett. McVay contacted Donald for his opinion of Garrett, and the conversation eventually shifted toward whether Donald might be interested in playing alongside him.

The Rams acquired Garrett in June, adding the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a defense that now could become even more imposing if Donald returns.

“But this is his decision,” McVay said. “He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms. And that’s why I think you guys are seeing us take this approach. But I did not ever really think this would be something, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m not excited about the possibility of it.”

Donald last played during the 2023 season, finishing with eight sacks and 53 tackles while earning another first-team All-Pro selection.

McVay initially thought Donald was done for good, as the defensive tackle said he felt fulfilled after retirement. However, his stance has shifted enough for Donald to consider testing himself physically again, though McVay made clear that walking away once more would be fully respected.

“He doesn’t owe us anything,” McVay said.

–Field Level Media

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CJ Abrams, Foster Griffin spark Nationals over D-backs

Jul 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hits a two RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn ImagesJul 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) hits a two RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

CJ Abrams had three hits including a home run, Foster Griffin pitched into the seventh inning and the Nationals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Saturday in Washington.

Abrams tied the game with a two-run double in the third and hit his 25th home run in the fifth, giving him a major-league-leading 79 RBIs. He also singled and stole his 17th base.

Griffin (12-2), a free agent at the end of the season, may have been making his final start for Washington with the trade deadline approaching. Griffin, who struck out two and walked one, allowed three runs on six hits after giving up one or zero earned runs in eight straight starts.

Clayton Beeter pitched 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save.

Gabriel Moreno had a two-run single for Arizona, which had won four straight, and Tim Tawa had two hits and a run.

Rookie Mitch Bratt (0-1) gave up five runs on seven hits over five innings in his fourth start. He struck out three and walked five.

An error by second baseman Ketel Marte gave the Nationals runners on first and second with one out in the second, but Bratt retired Nasim Nunez and Keibert Ruiz.

The D-backs struck for two runs in the third. Ryan Waldschmidt led off with a single and Corbin Carroll was hit by a pitch. Geraldo Perdomo bunted the runners over and Moreno followed with a two-run single.

Washington answered with a four-run rally in the bottom half. Curtis Mead walked with one out and Andres Chaparro doubled him to third. Abrams lined a double to center and the game was tied. After Abrams was out trying to steal third, Dylan Crews walked. Jacob Young singled and Daylen Lile tripled into the right field corner and the Nationals led 4-2.

Abrams made it 5-2 when he homered to right-center leading off the fifth.

In the seventh, Tawa doubled with two outs and scored on a single by James McCann. Eddy Yean came on and retired pinch hitter Max Kepler to end the inning.

–Field Level Media

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