Sports
No. 4 Arizona defeats No. 2 Houston, takes Big 12 lead
Feb 21, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell’orso (3) splits the defense of Houston Cougars center Chris Cenac Jr. (5) and guard Mercy Miller (25) in the first half at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Reserve Anthony Dell’Orso matched his season high of 22 points to lead No. 4 Arizona to a 73-66 victory Saturday at No. 2 Houston, handing the Cougars their first home loss of the season and second since they joined the Big 12 in 2023-24.
The Wildcats (25-2, 12-2 Big 12) took sole possession of the conference lead with the win over Houston (23-4, 11-3), which has lost two straight after a six-game winning streak.
Arizona managed to win despite freshman starting forward Koa Peat (lower-leg muscle strain) sitting out and frontcourt starters Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas fouling out.
Jaden Bradley had 17 points and four assists with only one turnover in 37 minutes.
Arizona had only five turnovers while Houston had 12, allowing the Wildcats to outscore the Cougars 16-3 in points off turnovers.
Ivan Kharchenkov added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats.
Kingston Flemings led Houston with 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Emanuel Sharp had 14 points but shot 2 of 11 from the field. Chris Cenac Jr. posted 10 points and 13 rebounds.
A 12-0 run by Arizona, fueled by four points each from Brayden Burries and Dell’Orso, put the Wildcats ahead 60-50 with 5:30 left.
Bradley made a jumper and then converted two free throws on the next possession to give the Wildcats a 65-57 lead with 1:10 left.
Dell’Orso went down with a sprained ankle shortly thereafter but was able to return.
After Houston’s Joseph Tugler made a dunk, Bradley was fouled and made both free throws to put Arizona ahead 67-59 with 49 seconds remaining.
Flemings was then fouled by Krivas, who fouled out, and made both free throws.
Burries made two free throws before Tugler made another dunk to cut the lead to 69-63 with 37 seconds to play.
After Burries made one of two free throws, Uzan drilled a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 70-66 with 10.3 seconds left.
Bradley converted 1 of 2 free throws, and after a failed 3-pointer by Flemings, Kharchenkov made two free throws with 1.6 seconds left to seal the win.
Arizona led the entire first half after getting off to a 9-2 lead less than four minutes in.
A 3-pointer by Dell’Orso with 4:38 left in the half put Arizona ahead 32-22.
The Cougars went on an 8-2 run and took their first lead at 44-42 on a 3-pointer by Uzan with 14:16 left in regulation.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
Jul 2, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) watches from the dugout prior to game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians are signing free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins to a minor league contract, The Athletic reported Sunday.
He will earn a $1.5 million base salary should he make the major league roster, per the report. He still must pass a physical but was in the Guardians clubhouse at spring training in Arizona on Sunday.
Hoskins, who turns 33 next month, spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers after six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He missed the 2023 season due to a torn ACL suffered in spring training.
He has a career batting average of .238 with 186 home runs and 530 RBIs.
He played just 90 games for the Brewers last season, sidelined because of a left thumb UCL sprain and bone bruise. He hit .237 with 12 homers and 43 runs driven in. Andrew Vaughn, acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, took over at first base.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: MLS reviewing Lionel Messi's post-match actions
Feb 21, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) moves the ball against Los Angeles FC midfielder Mathieu Choinière (66) during the second half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images Lionel Messi could face a suspension from MLS after the Inter Miami superstar was seen following referees through a door after Saturday night’s 3-0 loss at Los Angeles FC, per The Athletic.
FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazaga was investigated and suspended three matches for “misconduct” after entering the referees’ locker room in 2023 following a playoff match.
In the video, which was posted by Sintesis Deportes, Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez appears to attempt to prevent Messi from entering the room. Messi escapes Suarez’s grasp before reappearing eight seconds later, joining his teammates walking to their locker room. It’s unknown if the room Messi walked into was the referees’ locker room.
MLS has yet to issue a statement, and its disciplinary committee usually issues decisions — which include suspensions and fines — by the middle of the week following the previous weekend’s games.
Messi has never been suspended for any incident involving a referee, but he was suspended last summer for one match after being a no-show at the MLS All-Star Game. Also last season, he was fined “for violating the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy” after a game.
Messi and Inter Miami are off until next Sunday, when the club takes on visiting Orlando City.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Conor McGregor teases 'no name' foe for UFC comeback
March 8, 2024; Austin TX; Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Roadhouse at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on the first day of South by Southwest, Friday, March 8, 2024. McGregor plays the character “Knox” in the movie.. Mandatory Credit: Sara Diggins-USA TODAY NETWORK Former two-division champion Conor McGregor claims he’s ready to return to the UFC, and this time against a “no name” foe.
Sidelined since July 2021, McGregor has been rather vocal about returning to the Octagon.
McGregor (22-6) went so far as to take to social media on Saturday and note that he’s just waiting for a contract to sign.
“It’s a no name up next for me possibly, folks. … I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads,” the 37-year-old Irishman wrote in a now-deleted post.
UFC CEO Dana White poured cold water on McGregor’s claim, however.
“If it was done and he accepted it, I would announce it,” White said.
McGregor has not competed in the Octagon since sustaining a broken leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in Las Vegas in 2021. His planned bout with Michael Chandler for UFC 303 in 2024 was canceled after McGregor withdrew with an injury.
–Field Level Media
Report: Guardians signing 1B Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal
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