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Eyeing top-4 slot in ACC, UNC out to sweep NC State

NCAA Basketball: Boston College at North CarolinaJan 25, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Ian Jackson (11) shoots as Boston College Eagles forward Jayden Hastings (22) defends in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

The in-state Atlantic Coast Conference rivalry returns Wednesday, and it comes at a crucial time for both NC State and North Carolina.

As the Wolfpack (10-15, 3-11 ACC) make the short trip to Chapel Hill, they do so with some urgency. Six games remain in the regular season, and NC State sits as the first team out of the ACC tournament as the No. 16 seed.

North Carolina (15-11, 8-6), meanwhile, has a chance to sneak into the top four and earn a two-round bye.

The Wolfpack come off Saturday’s win against Boston College, snapping a nine-game skid that was capped by their worst loss of the season, a 25-point home defeat against Louisville.

“I challenged them a little bit,” Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said after the Boston College win. “I just wanted to see what type of guys I’ve had in my locker room. … Sometimes when you lose a game, it wakes you up a little bit.”

Jayden Taylor went for 19 points in the Boston College victory, his most since the team’s third game of the season. Taylor (11.8 ppg) and Marcus Hill (12.6) — who put up 20 points in NC State’s 63-61 home loss against UNC on Jan. 11 — look to lift the Wolfpack’s offense that has averaged just 66.1 points in conference play — the second lowest among ACC teams.

In that January matchup, UNC blew a nine-point lead but stood tall as Jalen Washington’s dunk with 24 seconds left and ensuing block at the buzzer sealed the win.

North Carolina has won two of its last three, including Saturday’s 88-82 win at Syracuse. Jae’Lyn Withers emerged with a season-high 19 points in what UNC coach Hubert Davis labeled as Withers’ best game in two seasons with the Tar Heels.

Notably, Ian Jackson had 23 points for the Heels after enduring a seven-game stretch of averaging just 7.4 points on 30.5 percent shooting from the field.

“I told the whole group I wanted them to play fast and free but not cool and casual,” said Davis, whose team has won seven of nine against NC State and each of the last six in Chapel Hill.

“Ian and I met every day this week and we talked about the adjustments that teams have made against him defensively, and now it’s time for him to make an adjustment. … I challenged him to make winning plays in other areas, not just in scoring.”

–Field Level Media

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Felipe Mora goes out with a brace as Timbers edge Real Salt Lake

Jul 25, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers forward Felipe Mora (9) high-fives fans before a game against Real Salt Lake at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesJul 25, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Timbers forward Felipe Mora (9) high-fives fans before a game against Real Salt Lake at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Felipe Mora, playing in what was announced as his final match with host Portland, scored twice in the second half as the Timbers defeated 10-man Real Salt Lake 2-1 on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper James Pantemis made three saves for the Timbers (6-8-3, 21 points), who improved to 2-0-1 under interim head coach Jack Cassidy.

Juan Manuel Sanabria tallied for Salt Lake (8-6-2, 26 points) and Rafael Cabral made five saves.

RSL’s Victor Olatunji put the ball in the net from just inside the top of the penalty area in second-half stoppage time but was ruled offside.

Mora got the equalizer in the 56th minute off a corner kick from Ariel Lassiter on the right wing. Lassiter found Mora at the top of the 6-yard box and his header took one bounce off the turf and into the far upper corner of the net.

Mora scored again in the 67th minute off a left-wing corner from Kristoffer Velde. Mora’s glancing header from the top of the 6-yard box reached the far upper corner of the net.

Timbers general manager Ned Grabavoy announced Friday this would be the final match for Mora, the third-leading goal scorer in franchise history with 48, but didn’t indicate where the native of Chile would be going.

Reports on Saturday indicated Mora, who scored the tying goal in second-half stoppage time in a 2-2 draw with visiting FC Dallas on Wednesday, would head back to Liga MX.

Mora came off for substitute Alexander Aravena in the 72nd minute to a raucous standing ovation from the crowd at Providence Park, with fans chanting his name for a couple of minutes.

RSL opened the scoring in the 18th minute, Sanabria played a nifty give-and-go with Morgan Guilavogui, getting the ball back at the top left of the penalty area. Sanabria dribbled toward the top of the 6-yard box before putting a low toe punch into the far side netting.

Guilavogui was ejected in the 31st minute for a foul on Jimer Fory after both players tumbled to the ground while battling for the ball along the sideline. Guilavogui seemed to kick Fory in the chest as he rolled over and was originally issued a yellow card by referee Elijio Arreguin, but a video review showed he made contact with Fory’s chin and it was upgraded to a red.

–Field Level Media

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PK save in final minutes helps Galaxy earn tie vs. Earthquakes

Jul 25, 2026; Stanford, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfield Nick Fernandez (20) and LA Galaxy midfield Lucas Sanabria (8) battle for the ball during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn ImagesJul 25, 2026; Stanford, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfield Nick Fernandez (20) and LA Galaxy midfield Lucas Sanabria (8) battle for the ball during the first half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

James Marcinkowski saved a penalty shot five minutes into extra time as the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy preserved a 1-1 tie against the San Jose Earthquakes in the latest installment of the California Clasico rivalry at Stanford, Calif.

Marcinkowski, who is in his second season with the Galaxy after five seasons with the Earthquakes, made a dive to his left to stop a shot from the spot by the Earthquakes’ Timo Werner. Marcinkowski finished with five saves.

Joseph Paintsil scored a goal in the first half for Los Angeles (5-7-6, 21 points), who earned a point for the first time in three matches since the World Cup break ended.

Reid Roberts scored a goal in the 62nd minute for the Earthquakes (10-4-3, 33 points), who were unable to convert the go-ahead goal late in the match after Ousseni Bouda earned a penalty on a foul from Marcinkowski.

Angus Gunn, who played for Scotland in the World Cup, made one save in his second match since joining San Jose during the break.

The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 13th minute when 19-year-old Harbor Miller took the ball up the right side and found Marco Reus in the middle of the field. Reus sent Paintsil forward on a breakaway and the forward slid home his fourth goal of the season.

The Earthquakes got even in the 62nd minute after the Galaxy nearly coughed up an own goal on a clearance header that clanked off the crossbar.

The rebound came to the feet of San Jose’s Benji Kikanovich, who fired a shot that was knocked down in the penalty area. Roberts cleaned up a loose ball on the goal line for his second tally of the season.

Paintsil nearly gave Los Angeles the lead in the 83rd minute before Gunn used his right hand to swat away a shot headed toward the upper right corner of the goal.

While the Galaxy were without defenders Jakob Glesnes (yellow-card accumulation) and Emiro Garces (red card on Wednesday), the Earthquakes were without forward Preston Judd (yellow-card accumulation).

–Field Level Media

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Rams QB Ty Simpson becomes last first-round pick to sign

Jun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws the ball during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesJun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws the ball during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Quarterback Ty Simpson became the last of the 2026 first-round draft picks to sign on Saturday, coming to terms with the Los Angeles Rams.

The rookie’s contract is fully guaranteed at four years and $25.4 million with a $14.9 signing bonus, NFL Network reported on Saturday.

The Rams, with reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Matthew Stafford at quarterback, made a stunning selection in April by drafting Simpson with the 13th overall pick.

Simpson, projected as a second-rounder, passed for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions in 15 games at Alabama last season, his first as a starter. He now is projected to have time to develop as a backup to Stafford, 38.

The only other quarterback to be selected in the first round, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, went No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Heisman Trophy winner signed a four-year rookie deal worth a fully guaranteed $57.27 million which includes a fifth-year option.

–Field Level Media

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