Sports
Top 25 roundup: No. 10 Kentucky topples No. 6 Florida
Jan 4, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) shoots a three-point shot during the second half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images Koby Brea came off the bench to tally 23 points and seven 3-pointers, both career highs, as No. 10 Kentucky opened Southeastern Conference play by outlasting No. 6 Florida 106-100 on Saturday in Lexington, Ky.
The fifth-year guard was one of six to score in double figures for the Wildcats (12-2, 1-0 SEC), who shot 48.3 percent (14-for-29) from the 3-point line and 57.8 percent overall. Lamont Butler added 19 points and a career-high eight assists and Otega Oweh finished with 16 points for Kentucky.
Walter Clayton Jr. tied a career high with 33 points to lead the Gators (13-1, 0-1), who also got 26 from Alijah Martin. Saturday marked just the fourth time Florida lost a game despite scoring at least 100 points.
The Gators scored seven straight points to cut their deficit to 89-87 with 4:16 left, with Clayton scoring five of his 23 second-half points during the flurry. Butler followed with the next five points for the Wildcats and Florida never got back within four the rest of the way.
No. 1 Tennessee 76, No. 23 Arkansas 52
Chaz Lanier scored 29 points as the Volunteers equaled the best start in program history with an easy victory over the Razorbacks in the SEC opener for both teams at Knoxville, Tenn.
Zakai Zeigler recorded 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals for Tennessee (14-0, 1-0 SEC), which also opened with 14 straight wins in 1922-23. Igor Milicic Jr. had 13 points along with a career-best 18 rebounds for the Volunteers, who held a commanding 51-29 rebounding advantage that included a 24-9 edge in offensive boards.
D.J. Wagner scored 17 points as Arkansas (11-3, 0-1) had a six-game winning streak halted. Boogie Fland added 12 points and three steals for the Razorbacks, who shot just 37.7 percent from the field and went 6-of-29 from behind the arc.
No. 2 Auburn 84, Missouri 68
Johni Broome scored 24 points and blocked four shots as Auburn began SEC play with a convincing home victory over Missouri.
Chad Baker-Mazara and Chaney Johnson each scored 13 points for Auburn (13-1, 1-0 SEC), which opened the second half with a 12-1 run to take a 57-34 lead. Bruce Pearl earned his 213th coaching victory at Auburn, tying him with Joel Eaves for the all-time lead at the school.
Marques Warrick led Missouri (11-3, 0-1) with 19 points. Marcus Allen had nine points and five rebounds as Missouri coach Dennis Gates rotated 14 players through the game, with 11 of them scoring.
No. 3 Iowa State 74, No. 25 Baylor 55
Keshon Gilbert scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished five assists as the Cyclones pulled away from the Bears in a Big 12 Conference showdown in Ames, Iowa.
Milan Momcilovic added 15 points for Iowa State (12-1, 2-0 Big 12), which won its ninth in a row and improved to 8-0 at home. Curtis Jones finished with 14 points on 6-for-13 shooting in the wire-to-wire victory.
Jeremy Roach scored 16 points to lead Baylor (9-4, 1-1), whose four-game winning streak ended. Josh Ojianwuna scored 13 and Robert Wright III had 10 despite missing 13 of 17 shots. Ojianwuna also supplied 10 rebounds and three steals, and Norchad Omier added nine points and 10 rebounds.
No. 4 Duke 89, SMU 62
Freshman Cooper Flagg pumped in 24 points as the Blue Devils defeated the Mustangs without their coach at Dallas.
Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor both posted 14 points for Duke (12-2, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Flagg also had 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Coach Jon Scheyer missed the game because of illness, with associate head coach Chris Carrawell filling in.
Boopie Miller, who played against Duke twice last year when he was with Wake Forest, led SMU (11-3, 2-1) with 21 points. Matt Cross had 11 points and Samet Yigitoglu added 10 points and 13 rebounds, but the Mustangs shot just 34.3 percent from the field.
No. 5 Alabama 107, No. 12 Oklahoma 79
Mark Sears scored a game-high 22 points and dished out 10 assists as the Crimson Tide knocked Sooners from the ranks of the unbeaten in the SEC opener for both teams in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Labaron Philon scored 16 points, Grant Nelson added 12 points and 11 rebounds and Clifford Omoruyi and Aden Holloway each chipped in 10 points for Alabama (12-2, 1-0 SEC).
Jalon Moore led Oklahoma with 20 points, Jeremiah Fears added 16 points and Sam Godwin racked up 15 points. Kobe Elvis had 13 points and Duke Miles added 10 points for the Sooners (13-1, 0-1 SEC).
No. 13 Texas A&M 80, Texas 60
Zhuric Phelps scored 18 points and spurred a second-half surge that helped carry the host Aggies past the rival Longhorns in College Station, Texas.
Phelps tallied seven points during Texas A&M’s 15-2 run to start the second half that propelled the hosts ahead for good at 52-39. Pharrel Payne scored 15 points and Wade Taylor IV added 13 for the Aggies (12-2, 1-0 SEC), who ran their winning streak to eight games.
Tramon Mark led Texas (11-3, 0-1) with 14 points. Arthur Kaluma added 13, Jordan Pope had 12 and star freshman Tre Johnson netted 11 despite going 2-of-13 from the floor. The Longhorns made just 6 of 24 shots in the second half and had their four-game win streak end.
No. 14 Houston 86, BYU 55
Emanuel Sharp scored a game-high 18 points and Terrance Arceneaux added 15 points off the bench as Houston rolled past visiting BYU in its Big 12 home opener.
Sharp and Arceneaux combined for 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting in a runaway first half for Houston (10-3, 2-0 Big 12), which extended the nation’s longest active home winning streak to 30 games. L.J. Cryer and Milos Uzan teamed to deliver the knockout blows with back-to-back 3-pointers that extended a 17-point halftime cushion to 57-32 with 12:43 remaining.
Trevin Knell paced BYU (10-3, 1-1) with 12 points while Richie Saunders, fresh off a career-high 30 points against Arizona State, tallied just nine points on 3-of-8 shooting.
Nebraska 66, No. 15 UCLA 58
Brice Williams scored 16 points and Andrew Morgan added 12 as the Cornhuskers continued to get the best of ranked teams at home, this time knocking off the Bruins in Lincoln, Neb.
Rollie Worster scored 11 points and Juwan Gary added 10 as Nebraska (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) won its 20th consecutive home game to tie a program record. Included in that run are last season’s victories over No. 1 Purdue and No. 6 Wisconsin.
Tyler Bilodeau scored 15 points and Lazar Stefanovic added 10 for UCLA (11-3, 2-1), which suffered its first conference loss as a Big Ten member. The Bruins were just 4 of 28 (14.3 percent) from 3-point range one game after earning a victory over Gonzaga.
Arizona 72, No. 16 Cincinnati 67
Jaden Bradley led the visiting Wildcats with 15 points as they withstood a furious second-half rally to topple the host Bearcats in Cincinnati.
Bradley’s layup with 43 seconds left gave Arizona a 66-64 lead. After Dan Skillings Jr. missed a corner 3-pointer for Cincinnati, Bradley was fouled and drilled two free throws to extend the Wildcats’ lead to 68-64 with 24 seconds remaining.
Freshman Carter Bryant scored a season-high 14 points and Caleb Love tallied 12 points and six rebounds for Arizona (8-5, 2-0 Big 12), which has won four straight games. Skillings scored 18 points and Dillon Mitchell had 13 points and seven rebounds for the Bearcats (10-3, 0-2).
No. 17 Mississippi State 85, South Carolina 50
Josh Hubbard scored 21 points as the Bulldogs smothered the visiting Gamecocks in SEC play in Starkville, Miss.
Hubbard made 7 of 13 shots and drilled five 3-pointers after shooting 31.4 percent (16-of-51) in his previous four games. Claudell Harris added 17 points and nine rebounds while Riley Kugel and Keshawn Murphy chipped in 12 points apiece as Mississippi State (13-1, 1-0 SEC) won its seventh straight game.
Zachary Davis scored 22 for South Carolina (10-4, 0-1), but leading scorer Collin Murray-Boyles was held to five points and committed six of the Gamecocks’ 14 turnovers. The visitors shot just 29.1 percent overall and were 2-of-19 from 3-point range as their seven-game win streak ended.
No. 19 Gonzaga 96, Loyola Marymount 68
Graham Ike recorded 27 points and nine rebounds and Khalif Battle added a season-high 26 points to lead the Bulldogs past the host Lions in West Coast Conference play at Los Angeles.
Ike made 12 of 16 field-goal attempts and Battle was 10-of-12, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Michael Ajayi added 15 points and Ryan Nembhard had 10 points, 11 assists and six rebounds for Gonzaga (12-4, 3-0 WCC).
Will Johnston scored 18 points and Jevon Porter added 17 points and eight rebounds for LMU (9-7, 1-3). The Lions have dropped 13 straight home games against the Zags and 33 of the past 35 overall between the schools.
No. 24 Ole Miss 63, Georgia 51
Jaemyn Brakefield and Matthew Murrell each scored 15 points to lift the Rebels over the Bulldogs in Oxford, Miss.
Dre Davis added nine points for Ole Miss (12-2, 1-0 SEC), which rebounded from its loss at Memphis on Dec. 28.
Asa Newell collected 13 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals for Georgia (12-2, 0-1), which saw its seven-game winning streak come to a halt. The Bulldogs shot just 29.3 percent (17-for-58) from the field and 11.1 percent from 3-point range.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Kyle Larson holds off Justin Allgaier for thrilling Texas win
May 2, 2026; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; JR Motorsports driver Kyle Larson (88) celebrates in victory lane with the trophy after he wins the 2026 Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images FORT WORTH, Texas — During the final caution of Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 340 at Texas Motor Speedway crew chief Andrew Overstreet radioed an encouraging message to pole winner Justin Allgaier.
“Nothing stops a hungry gator,” said Overstreet, referencing Allgaier’s Little Gator nickname. “Not even the so-called ‘Greatest of All-Time.'”
But Kyle Larson, the G.O.A.T Overstreet referenced, proved too much for Allgaier during a 17-lap green-flag run to the finish. Though Allgaier caught Larson in the closing circuits, he couldn’t find a way past his JR Motorsports teammate, who won his second NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts event in four starts this season.
“I really didn’t think I had a chance there with Justin behind me,” said Larson, who beat Allgaier to the finish line by 0.293 seconds. “He was really good, catching me there on that long run after the (earlier) green-flag stop (on Lap 145 of 200).
“Thanks to him for racing me clean… that was a great little run to the end there.”
The victory was Larson’s second straight at Texas and third overall and the 18th in the series of his career.
Though Allgaier matched his best finish at Texas and increased his series lead to 121 points over second-place Sheldon Creed, the disappointment was etched in the face of the runner-up.
“Without contact, I don’t know if there was any way to get around him, and I tried everything I could possibly try and just unfortunately came up short,” said Allgaier, a three-time winner this season.
Larson was first off pit road under caution for Rajah Caruth’s crash off Turn 2 on Lap 179. Allgaier was third behind Brandon Jones and lined up behind Larson in the bottom lane for the Lap184 restart.
Allgaier quickly cleared Jones and took off in pursuit of Larson, using the top lane to gain time on his teammate. Though Allgaier got to Larson’s bumper in the closing laps, he was stymied in his efforts to pass for the win.
Sam Mayer finished third, one spot ahead of rookie Brent Crews, who collected a $100,000 bonus as the highest-finishing eligible Dash 4 Cash driver. It was the first such payout for Crews in the final Dash 4 Cash event of the season.
The race was punctuated by seven cautions (for 36 laps), the first of which was a bifurcated five-car wreck on the opening lap.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Corey Day entered the race fourth in the series standings and exited the event after a hard crash into the Turn 2 wall on Lap 1.
Larson led a race-high 93 laps, followed by Allgaier (54), who won the first 45-lap stage wire-to-wire. Connor Zilisch won Stage 2 before fading to 21st in the final segment.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race — Andy’s Frozen Custard 340
Texas Motor Speedway
Fort Worth, Texas
Saturday, May 2, 2026
1. (3) Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 200.
2. (1) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 200.
3. (17) Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 200.
4. (5) Brent Crews #, Toyota, 200.
5. (10) Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 200.
6. (11) Sheldon Creed, Chevrolet, 200.
7. (7) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 200.
8. (2) Brandon Jones, Toyota, 200.
9. (21) Jesse Love, Chevrolet, 200.
10. (8) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 200.
11. (14) Carson Kvapil, Chevrolet, 200.
12. (18) Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 200.
13. (15) Sammy Smith, Chevrolet, 200.
14. (9) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 200.
15. (16) William Sawalich, Toyota, 200.
16. (22) Dean Thompson, Toyota, 200.
17. (28) Patrick Staropoli #, Chevrolet, 200.
18. (26) Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 200.
19. (37) Lavar Scott #, Chevrolet, 200.
20. (27) Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 200.
21. (4) Connor Zilisch(i), Chevrolet, 199.
22. (24) Harrison Burton, Toyota, 199.
23. (20) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 199.
24. (38) Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 199.
25. (29) Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, 199.
26. (25) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 199.
27. (33) Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 198.
28. (36) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 198.
29. (35) David Starr, Chevrolet, 197.
30. (23) Kyle Sieg, Chevrolet, 196.
31. (32) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 194.
32. (30) Mason Maggio, Chevrolet, 189.
33. (12) Taylor Gray, Toyota, 188.
34. (13) Rajah Caruth, Chevrolet, Accident, 180.
35. (19) Austin Green, Chevrolet, Accident, 17.
36. (34) Brad Perez, Chevrolet, Accident, 17.
37. (6) Corey Day, Chevrolet, DVP, 1.
38. (31) Dawson Cram, Chevrolet, Engine, 1.
–Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service
Sports
Bruins D Charlie McAvoy offered hearing in wake of slashing incident
May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; As Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) skates away, Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) smiles at teammates after scoring during the first period of game six of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy could be facing a lengthy suspension to start the 2026-27 season after the NHL announced Saturday it has offered an in-person hearing with its Department of Player Safety to the 28-year-old.
The date of the hearing is still to be determined. Any discipline would be served next season due to Boston’s season being over.
McAvoy received a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct in Boston’s 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round. That setback on Friday eliminated the Bruins from the postseason.
The incident with 1:31 left in the third period occurred after Buffalo’s Zach Benson tripped McAvoy as the two chased after a loose puck. McAvoy got up and charged toward Benson and swung his stick like a baseball bat at Benson.
After the game, McAvoy wasn’t concerned about a possible suspension.
“I don’t play another game until September,” McAvoy said. “Can’t imagine it really matters much.”
If a suspension might be six games or longer, the NHL offers the player an in-person meeting. The player can decline the in-person methods and conduct it by phone. Suspension of five games or less are typically handled via phone.
McAvoy scored a career-high 61 points and had 11 goals in 69 games this season. He had two assists in the series against Buffalo.
Overall, McAvoy has 71 goals and 361 points in 573 games over nine seasons with the Bruins. He has six goals and 50 points in 97 career playoff games.
McAvoy was a member of Team USA as it won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics earlier this year. It was the USA’s first men’s Olympic gold since the historic performance at Lake Placid in 1980.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Guardians hit three HRs, pile up 14 runs to beat Athletics
May 2, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) high fives shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) after hitting a solo home run against the Athletics during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Light-hitting backup catcher Austin Hedges smacked two doubles and his first homer of the year to pace the visiting Cleveland Guardians to a 14-6 victory over the Athletics on Saturday afternoon in West Sacramento, Calif.
David Fry and Kyle Manzardo also went deep for the Guardians, who bashed 14 hits to set up a chance for the three-game sweep on Sunday. Starter Slade Cecconi (1-4) allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Shea Langeliers had a banner day for the A’s, hitting his team-high ninth and 10th home runs of the season. Starter Jacob Lopez (2-2) gave up six runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.
The Athletics took a 2-0 lead on the first of Langeliers’ long balls, a two-run shot off Cecconi in the first.
Hedges responded with a solo shot in the third before the Athletics answered with a run in the fourth on a Jeff McNeil RBI single.
Hedges started the Guardians’ four-run rally in the fifth with a double. He scored on Steven Kwan’s bloop single, Angel Martinez followed with another single and then Jose Ramirez’s double scored Kwan and Martinez to give Cleveland its first lead. Rhys Hoskins’ sacrifice fly pushed the score to 5-3.
After Langeliers and Fry traded solo shots, McNeil got his second RBI of the game with a sac fly in the sixth and the A’s threatened to tie or take the lead with runners on the corners. Hedges came up with the defensive play of the game to end the inning, a perfectly executed back-pick of Lawrence Butler at first base.
Cleveland poured it on in the later innings. In the seventh, Fry drew a bases-loaded walk and Travis Bazzana knocked in two with a single up the middle. It was the perfect time for Bazzana’s first major league hit after he was 0-for-12 at the plate to begin his career.
Manzardo added on with a pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth. Colin Holderman gave up an RBI single to Nick Kurtz in the bottom of the inning, but he forced Langeliers to pop out to leave the bases loaded.
Cleveland plated two more in the ninth to complete the blowout win.
Kurtz went 2-for-5, but failed to walk to end his streak of 20 games with at least one free pass. That shares second on the all-time list with Barry Bonds (2002-03). The Detroit Tigers’ Roy Cullenbine set the record with 22 straight games in 1947.
–Field Level Media
Kyle Larson holds off Justin Allgaier for thrilling Texas win
Bruins D Charlie McAvoy offered hearing in wake of slashing incident
