(Charlotte, NC) — The Bucks weren’t able to overcome the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo Wednesday night in a 111-100 defeat at Charlotte. The Hornet broke out in front in the first period and led the rest of the way, but Milwaukee continued to linger within striking distance. Ryan Rollins scored 25 points and Myles Turner had another 21, but the Hornets dominated on the boards and broke their three-game losing streak. The same two teams play again Friday night, but this time the showdown will be at the Fiserv Forum.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri defeats Minnesota 83-60 in a basketball game on Wednesday night. Mark Mitchell leads Missouri with 18 points, helping the team pull away in the second half. An 18-1 run gives Missouri a 63-47 lead with 8:50 remaining. T.O. Barrett’s dunk and a Mitchell 3-pointer extend the lead to 73-50. Missouri shoots 59% from the field and 50% from long range. Cade Tyson scores 17 points for Minnesota, while Isaac Asuma adds 13. Missouri ends the first half with a 32-30 lead, and Tyson’s dunk gives Minnesota its last lead at 46-45.
(Milwaukee, WI) — Marquette wiped the bad memories from a 23-point loss to Indiana away by dominating Little Rock Wednesday night, 89-49. Senior guard Chase Ross scored 16 points and added five assists as the Golden Eagles improved their record to 3-and-1. Coach Shaka Smart’s team was in control from the opening tip. Next on the Marquette schedule is Big Ten opponent Maryland, coming up Saturday afternoon.
(Madison, WI) — Three Wisconsin football players are suing the NCAA in an effort to get another year of eligibility. Tight end Lance Mason, kicker Nathaniel Vakos, and long snapper Nick Levy have joined players at other schools in the class-action lawsuit. They are challenging the governing body’s four-year rules on eligibility. Sports Illustrated reports the argument is that those rules violate antitrust laws because they restrict the players’ ability to earn NIL and more money later in their career if they haven’t redshirted earlier. A hearing will be held next month.
(East Rutherford, NJ) — The New York Giants have announced a possible change at quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Green Bay is a seven-and-a-half-point favorite despite losing the last two times out. The Giants will turn the offense over to veteran Jameis Winston if rookie Jaxson Dart is still in the concussion protocol. Dart was hurt Sunday. Winston and Dart are very different quarterbacks – and New York also has a new head coach in Mike Kafka after the firing of Brian Daboll.
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have designated center Ryan Kelly for return from injured reserve by opening his practice window in a significant step forward with their careful approach to the 10th-year veteran’s concussion history. The Vikings have three weeks to evaluate Kelly before they must decide whether to activate him or shut him down for the remainder of the season. Coach Kevin O’Connell made the cautious decision to place Kelly on injured reserve five games ago. O’Connell said Kelly handled his recent workouts well enough to justify the next step in the recovery process. Blake Brandel has been starting for Kelly.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes has won the National League Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote, becoming the first pitcher in 40 years to win Rookie of the Year one season and a Cy Young Award the next. The 23-year-old right-hander led the majors with a 1.97 ERA and struck out 216 batters for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won his second straight American League Cy Young Award. Skubal posted a 13-6 record with a 2.21 ERA. Skubal is the 12th pitcher in MLB history to capture a Cy Young in back-to-back seasons.