No. 8 Gonzaga holds off Vols, now 11-0

Gonzaga’s Jordan Mathews , Killian Tillie and Josh Perkins applaud their fans as they leave the court after defeating Tennessee 86-76 in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn. /Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.

Red-letter day: Elliott, Cowboys bounce back, top Bucs 26-20

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten fights off a tackle attempt by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Javien Elliott after catching a pass in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley tries to stay inbounds after catching a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Keith Tandy pursues in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Arlington, Texas.

Denver’s defense can’t hide all of Broncos’ many flaws

New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan celebrates a tackle against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Denver. Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, left, a New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick met on the field after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Denver.

Kāpiti Coast District Council media advisory 19/12/16

KA piti Coast District Council Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says there is a hole in the vinyl pool liner, or ‘Myrtha’, and the concrete slab under the liner is exposed. “The slab’s not designed to be in contact with chlorinated water and the liner makes the pool watertight, protecting the slab,” she says.

Men’s Basketball Recap

AT RHODE ISLAND RAMS 65, HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS 54 Thomas M. Ryan Center/Kingston, R.I. 12:30 p.m. EST BOX SCORE KINGSTON, R.I. – Senior forward Malachi Alexander finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two steals, but it was not enough as Holy Cross fell to Rhode Island, 65-54 on Sunday. *Alexander became the 50th 1,000-point scorer in program history with a free-throw at the 5:19 mark in the first half.

Jaguars fire Gus Bradley after team blows late lead to Houston

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley was fired Sunday after the Jaguars lost 21-20 to Houston. Although two weeks earlier than expected, the ax fell on Jaguars coach Gus Bradley late Sunday afternoon after the team’s ninth consecutive loss and with two games remaining in the franchise’s most disappointing season.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Motte getting his confidence back

The Michigan product registered an assist in his first NHL game, scored in his fifth and showed off his speed and power with a gorgeous goal against Calgary at the United Center on Nov. 1. Three games after that win over the Flames, though, Motte suffered an injury that forced him to miss five games, and he hasn’t looked the same since. Lack of production was a big reason coach Joel Quenneville made Motte watch Hawks victories over the Islanders on Thursday and Blues on Saturday as a healthy scratch.

Duncan has number retired in emotional ceremony

NBA: Patty Mills is in career best form for San Antonio but this open court effort against the Pelicans wont be making his end of season highlights reel THE San Antonio Spurs’ 113-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans was just the curtain-raiser to the team’s heart-tugging ceremony honoring retired superstar Tim Duncan. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points in 26 minutes on the floor, and Manu Ginobili added a season-high 17 points for the Spurs, who notched their fourth win on the trot.

Boys Basketball | Athens Christian wins 2

ATHENS CHRISTIAN 83, PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN 42: At Athens Christian, the Eagles won for the fourth time in their last five games as three players scored in double figures. Quincy Canty scored a game-high 17 points and was followed by Kohl Phillips and Richard Jibunor .

Bucs Postseason Chances Remain Strong

NFC Playoff Picture Update: The Buccaneers saw their winning streak snapped Sunday in Dallas but still have several optimistic avenues to the postseason. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw their five-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday night in Dallas, but their playoff hopes are still very much alive.

Hayward, Gobert lead Jazz past Grizzlies 82-73

Late in a physical, defensive showdown, the Utah Jazz discovered their 3-point shooting and broke open a close game. Gordon Hayward scored 22 points and Rudy Gobert had 21 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks, helping the Jazz beat the Memphis Grizzlies 82-73 on Sunday night.

Mariota salvages miserable day, Titans’ playoff hopes

Marcus Mariota had never played in weather colder than 75 degrees during high school, and never in temperatures bellows 40 degrees during his college days at Oregon. So when he took the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, and it was 1 degree with a wind chill of minus-9, perhaps it made sense the Tennessee Titans quarterback would get off to a chilly start.

Mariota salvages miserable day, Titans’ playoff hopes

Marcus Mariota had never played in weather colder than 75 degrees during high school, and never in temperatures bellows 40 degrees during his college days at Oregon. So when he took the field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, and it was 1 degree with a wind chill of minus-9, perhaps it made sense the Tennessee Titans quarterback would get off to a chilly start.

Packers, Giants, Titans improve playoff hopes

The Packers are right back in the mix for an NFC North title thanks to a last-second win over the Bears and help from the Giants , who beat the Lions and put pressure on the Cowboys in the NFC East. The Chiefs temporarily lost control of their division championship hopes, and all three teams vying for first place in the AFC South got big wins.

Packers, Giants, Titans improve playoff hopes

The Packers are right back in the mix for an NFC North title thanks to a last-second win over the Bears and help from the Giants , who beat the Lions and put pressure on the Cowboys in the NFC East. The Chiefs temporarily lost control of their division championship hopes, and all three teams vying for first place in the AFC South got big wins.

Succop’s winning FG gives Titans 19-17 win over former team

Ryan Succop wasn’t offended when Titans coach Mike Mularkey elected to go for a 2-point conversion and the win Sunday rather than let him attempt the tying extra point against the Chiefs. The kicker who lost his job in Kansas City to an undrafted rookie in training camp a few years ago spoiled what was nearly a banner day for the Chiefs.

Succop’s winning FG gives Titans 19-17 win over former team

Ryan Succop wasn’t offended when Titans coach Mike Mularkey elected to go for a 2-point conversion and the win Sunday rather than let him attempt the tying extra point against the Chiefs. The kicker who lost his job in Kansas City to an undrafted rookie in training camp a few years ago spoiled what was nearly a banner day for the Chiefs.

Vikings defense shredded in backbreaking loss to Colts

The Minnesota Vikings have leaned on their ferocious, fiery defense all season long to hang around the playoff field in the NFC. Andrew Luck threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, shredding the league’s second-ranked defense in the Indianapolis Colts’ 34-6 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

Vikings defense shredded in backbreaking loss to Colts

The Minnesota Vikings have leaned on their ferocious, fiery defense all season long to hang around the playoff field in the NFC. Andrew Luck threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, shredding the league’s second-ranked defense in the Indianapolis Colts’ 34-6 victory over the Vikings on Sunday.

Lions still control playoff fate despite loss to Giants

Coach Jim Caldwell and his players refuse to look that far ahead. After losing 17-6 to the Giants on Sunday, Detroit ‘s focus is solely on the Cowboys and their meeting in Dallas on Dec. 26. “I view it like I’ve viewed it all season long, like I’ve viewed it since I’ve been here,” Caldwell said.

Lions still control playoff fate despite loss to Giants

Coach Jim Caldwell and his players refuse to look that far ahead. After losing 17-6 to the Giants on Sunday, Detroit ‘s focus is solely on the Cowboys and their meeting in Dallas on Dec. 26. “I view it like I’ve viewed it all season long, like I’ve viewed it since I’ve been here,” Caldwell said.

Alistair Brownlee comes second in Sports Personality of the Year

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee with their Gold and Silver medals for the Men’s Triathlon at Fort Copacabana on the thirteenth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil – Mike Egerton/PA Wire The gold medal triathlete, who runs for Bingley Harriers and is a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, was beaten by Andy Murray, who claimed the title for the third time. This summer at the Rio Olympics Alistair became the first person to retain his Olympic triathlon title when he took gold in 1hr 45min 01sec at Copacabana Beach.

Alistair Brownlee comes second in Sports Personality of the Year

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee with their Gold and Silver medals for the Men’s Triathlon at Fort Copacabana on the thirteenth day of the Rio Olympic Games, Brazil – Mike Egerton/PA Wire The gold medal triathlete, who runs for Bingley Harriers and is a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, was beaten by Andy Murray, who claimed the title for the third time. This summer at the Rio Olympics Alistair became the first person to retain his Olympic triathlon title when he took gold in 1hr 45min 01sec at Copacabana Beach.