Sports

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — E.J. Liddell scored 16 points, Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham added 14 and seventh-seeded Ohio State shut down 10th-seeded Loyola Chicago from start to finish, winning 54-41 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes advanced to play Villanova on Sunday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Panthers say they’ve agreed to terms on contracts with free agent defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis from the Washington Commanders and linebacker Damien Wilson from the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving the team some needed depth on defense. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Ioannidis had 16 sacks and 27 quarterback hits for the Commanders in

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back linebacker Leighton Vander Esch along with safety Malik Hooker and long snapper Jake McQuaide. Vander Esch will play on a one-year contract worth up to $3 million after the fifth-year option on the 2018 first-round pick’s rookie contract wasn’t picked up. Vander Esch never has

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki is joining the new-look Chicago Cubs, finalizing an $85 million, five-year deal. Chicago will pay an additional $14,625,000 as a posting fee to Suzuki’s club, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan’s Central League. The 27-year-old Suzuki was a five-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner in nine seasons

By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is hiring San Francisco’s Todd Golden as its next men’s basketball coach, bringing in the 36-year-old former Auburn assistant to revitalize a program that had grown stale under Mike White. A person familiar with the search says Golden’s hiring is expected to be finalized

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Outfielder Corey Dickerson and the St. Louis Cardinals finalized a $5 million contract for the upcoming. The 32-year-old Dickerson fills a big need for the Cardinals by adding a left-handed bat to their lineup. He hit .271 with six homers and 29 RBIs while appearing in 109 games for the Marlins

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg announced he eliminated the position of special assistant to the head coach and that Doc Sadler would leave the program. The folksy Sadler had grown into a beloved figure among fans during his six-year run as head coach from 2006-12. He returned when Hoiberg was

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Karla Erjavec scored 14 points to lead a balanced Miami offense to a 78-66 win over South Florida in the first round of the women’s NCAA tournament. The No. 8 seeded Hurricanes (21-12) shot 54% and all 10 players who played more than a minute scored

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer Australian professional cyclist Lachlan Morton, whose ultra-endurance feats have benefited charities around the world over the years, is undertaking another epic ride Saturday to raise money in support of Ukrainian war refugees. The 30-year-old rider for American team EF Education-EasyPost will depart from Munich on a nonstop, 1,063-kilometer odyssey

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills released starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei in a move which frees up much-needed salary cap space at a position the team spent restocking in free agency this week. The ninth-year player, who sat out the 2020 season for COVID-19 reasons, had two seasons left on a five-year,

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions have signed outside linebacker Charles Harris to a $13 million, two-year contract and wide receiver Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal worth nearly $1 million. Detroit announced the moves Friday, retaining unrestricted free agents that flourished last season under first-year coach Dan Campbell. Harris had career highs

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers have signed punter Pat O’Donnell as an apparent replacement for Corey Bojorquez. Bojorquez is an unrestricted free agent. The 31-year-old O’Donnell has spent the past eight seasons with the Chicago Bears. He has a career gross punting average of 45.1 yards and a net average of

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Oregon assistant coach Chris Crutchfield has been hired as the new head men’s basketball coach at Omaha. He was a two-sport athlete for the Mavericks in the 1990s. Athletic director Adrian Dowell announced Crutchfield’s hiring less than two weeks after longtime coach Derrin Hansen was fired after a second straight five-win

By KAREN MATTHEWS Associated Press JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Everyone’s buzzing about tiny Saint Peter’s University after its stunning NCAA Tournament upset of Kentucky, except maybe Saint Peter’s University. Students and staff are savoring the Peacocks’ 85-79 overtime win. But Friday began as a typically quiet day on the Jersey City, New Jersey, campus.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen has restructured his contract to give the team salary cap relief. His agency announced a new deal that gives him $18 million guaranteed. Thielen’s previous contract was carrying a cap hit for 2022 of more than $16.8 million that the Vikings can now reduce by lowering

CHICAGO (AP) — Sergiño Dest will miss the United States’ last three World Cup qualifiers after straining his left thigh and was replaced on the roster by left back George Bello. Dest, the top American choice at right back, was hurt Thursday during Barcelona’s Europa League win at Turkey’s Galatasary. His injury left DeAndre Yedlin

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — NFL prospect David Ojabo appeared to be injured at Michigan’s Pro Day workout. The NFL Network reported Friday that the defensive end was injured in a pass-rushing drill, went down clutching his left leg and had to be helped off the field. His agent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz has agreed to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season. Walz thanked athletic department and school officials for recognizing his program’s success with the extension. The 15-year coach, 410-112 at the school with three women’s Final Four appearances and four Atlantic Coast Conference regular season