AP National Sports

By JOE STIGLICH Associated Press SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Zdeno Chara broke the NHL record for games by a defenseman Thursday night. The seven-time All-Star was on the ice for the New York Islanders for the opening faceoff against San Jose for his 1,652nd regular-season game. He broke the mark set by Hall of

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Sports Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mikael Granlund scored the lone goal of a four-round shootout, helping the Nashville Predators cap a night to remember by beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Thursday. The Predators began the evening by honoring longtime goaltender Pekka Rinne before the game by raising his

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics returned from the All-Star break with their second romp in Brooklyn this month, beating the Nets 129-106. Jaylen Brown added 18 points and Marcus Smart had 15. The Celtics picked up where they left off before

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Carlos Marshall Jr. had 21 points as Tennessee State romped past Tennessee Tech 92-56. Marshall made 8 of 10 shots from the floor, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range, for the Tigers (13-16, 8-9 Ohio Valley Conference). Dedric Boyd had 18 points. Tennessee State posted a season-high 28 assists. Jr.

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jesper Bratt scored twice in the first six minutes, rookie Nico Daws made 37 saves and the last-place New Jersey Devils drilled the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1. Yegor Sharangovich, Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer and Damon Severson also scored for the Devils, who won for just the third

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Eric Reed Jr. had 21 points as Southeast Missouri topped UT Martin 76-69. KJ Simon led the Skyhawks on Thursday night with 24 points and seven rebounds.

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Aliyah Boston had 18 points and 10 rebounds in three quarters as top-ranked South Carolina clinched the Southeastern Conference regular-season title with an 89-48 rout of Texas A&M. Boston set an SEC record with her 20th consecutive double-double, passing former LSU star Sylvia Fowles.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Javon Freeman-Liberty scored 25 points and made a layup and two free throws in the final 59 seconds to lift DePaul to a 68-65 victory over Georgetown. Yor Anei pitched in with 11 points, seven rebounds and five steals for the Blue Demons (13-14, 4-13 Big East Conference), who snapped a

DEKALB, Ill. — Jeenathan Williams had 28 points as Buffalo extended its win streak to eight games, defeating Northern Illinois 79-68. Keshawn Williams led the Huskies on Thursday night with 21 points.

DENTON, Texas — Abou Ousmane had 21 points as North Texas won its 13th straight game, routing Southern Miss 85-61. Walyn Napper led the Golden Eagles on Thursday night with 17 points.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Jaylin Jackson-Posey made a pair of free throws with 1.8 seconds left to lift Stephen F. Austin over Sam Houston 69-67 on Thursday night. Gavin Kensmil scored 18 points for the Lumberjacks, who won their seventh consecutive game. Tristan Ikpe led the Bearkats with 15 points.

ABILENE, Texas — Cameron Steele had 16 points off the bench to carry Abilene Christian to a 77-42 win over Lamar. Corey Nickerson led the Cardinals on Thursday night with 11 points and seven rebounds.

INDIANAPOLIS — DeAndre Gholston had 20 points as Milwaukee got past IUPUI 66-54. B.J. Maxwell led the Jaguars on Thursday night with 14 points.

GREELEY, Colo. — Angelo Allegri scored 19 points as Eastern Washington got past Northern Colorado 85-76. Rylan Bergersen added 17 points for the Eagles on Thursday night, while Linton Acliese III chipped in 16. Matt Johnson II led the Bears with 20 points and seven assists.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Darius Burford had 21 points as Elon rolled past Hofstra 81-55. Omar Silverio led the Pride on Thursday night with 10 points.

NEW YORK — Ty Flowers and Eral Penn scored 24 points apiece as Long Island topped Merrimack 85-74. Isaac Kante added 20 points for the Sharks. Mikey Watkins led the Warriors on Thursday night with 15 points and six assists.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jahmir Young had 23 points as Charlotte topped Florida International 64-55. Eric Lovett led the Panthers on Thursday night with 14 points.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Morgan Jones scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket in overtime, and Florida State defeated No. 22 Georgia Tech 65-63. Jones shot 8 of 19 and grabbed 10 rebounds for her third double-double this season. Sarah Bejedi added 10 points including a 3-pointer in overtime for the Seminoles, who ended a

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Elizabeth Kitley had 18 points and 12 rebounds for her 13th double-double and No. 23 Virginia Tech pulled out a 70-63 win over Miami. Aisha Sheppard, honored before the game after becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer, added 16 points for the Hokies, giving her 1,808. She also had three of

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Johnson scored 18 points and the United States overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to beat Puerto Rico 93-76 in World Cup qualifying. The Americans only need to avoid finishing last in their four-team group to advance to the next round of qualifying, and they look