Elon beats Northeastern in defensive slugfest

Chilling winds gusting to 30 knots greeted anglers Thursday morning, and from that you know the rest of the story, no fishing reports! With thousands of NFL workers already descended on Houston to get ready for all the various aspects of the big game, hundreds of those workers are working on transforming NRG Stadium from the home of the Houston Texans to site of Super Bowl LI. This week the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce will be saluting the best and brightest members of the community at its 47th annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony.

AP

Justin Jackson scored 26 points and No. 9 North Carolina hit a season-high 14 3-pointers to beat Virginia Tech 91-72 on Thursday night.

Manhattan escapes with 70-69 win at Niagara

Calvin Crawford had 18 points and Zane Waterman hit the go-ahead free throws and drew a charging call with 4.5 seconds left to help Manhattan beat Niagara 70-69 on Thursday night. Waterman, who finished with nine points, made a pair of free throws to cap the scoring with 15.4 seconds to play.

Building Broncos: OL, Fixing the mess is a must, but it won’t be easy

The Denver Broncos offensive line of Russell Okung, Michael Schofield, Matt Paradis, Max Garcia and Donald Stephenson break the huddle during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Editor’s Note: Fourth of an eight-part series breaking down the Broncos’ roster as they reboot under new head coach Vance Joseph.

Flyers top Maple Leafs 2-1 for 3rd straight victory

Roman Lyubimov scored late in the third period to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to their third straight win, 2-1 over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night. Wayne Simmonds also scored to help the Flyers steady themselves after a rough month that rattled their playoff hopes.

Red Carpet Report: Gwen Stefani, ‘Drumline Live,’ Benghazi heroes, The Killers, Tinashe

Tinashe and Britney Spears at Axis at Planet Hollywood on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in Las Vegas. Singer-songwriter and NBC’s “The Voice” coach Gwen Stefani has confirmed that she’ll sing at “The Power of Love” Gala here April 27. The Keep Memory Alive fundraiser for our Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is honoring tennis champion and Las Vegas resident Andre Agassi and business mogul Ron Perlman this year.

Flowers rushing to make impact

New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers stretches during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. ORG XMIT: MASR104 New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers stretches during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass.

Warriors: Over 650 fans scammed with fake tickets

Warriors: Over 650 fans have been scammed with fake tickets in 2016-17 The team is warning fans about the dangers of buying tickets from third-party vendors. Check out this story on myozaukeenow.com: http://usat.ly/2jCf59v Golden State Warriors fans look on during warmups before the start of an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Warriors.

Kyle Shanahan squeezing in 49ers meeting amid Super Bowl prep

Kyle Shanahan squeezing in 49ers meeting amid Super Bowl prep Falcons offense coordinator will use off day to huddle with San Francisco. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2jCtQJF USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes explains how Falcons head coach Dan Quinn was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator when they lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots in one of the most memorable Super Bowls ever.

Forest make Clough approach

Nottingham Forest have approached Burton Albion over permission to speak to Nigel Clough about the vacant manager’s job, Sky sources understand. The move comes 37 years after his father, the legendary Brian Clough, won back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.

Steven Gerrard: Set for Liverpool return

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says that he will do all he can to help Steven Gerrard’s dream of becoming a manager. The Champions League-winning former Reds captain, who retired in November after a spell in the United States, is due to take up his new role next week.

DA releases statement regarding Black Panther Party’s planned – armed march’

New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David issued a statement Thursday in response to a planned “armed march” of the local chapter of the Revolutionary Black Panther Party. The march, set for Sunday afternoon at the Creekwood Community Center, was initially advertised through a post on the group’s Facebook page as an “armed march against terrorism & genocide” seeking justice for Brandon Smith, Walter Scott, and Keith Lamont Scott, three African-American men who were shot and killed by police.

Wrestling: Scouting the Mid-Suburban League meet

Lowdown: Talk to any coach in the league, and they’ll agree this will be a four-team race for the championship. Division champs Barrington and Wheeling get the edge from their brethren as the teams to beat, while divisional runners-up Conant and Prospect have plenty of firepower and are not to be overlooked.

Australian Open: All-Williams final as Serena faces sister Venus

On Australia Day at the Australian Open, Americans ruled in the women’s semifinals.More specifically, two resilient, legendary players who’ve long carried the torch for US tennis — Serena and Venus Williams. On Australia Day at the Australian Open, Americans ruled in the women’s semifinals.More specifically, two resilient, legendary players who’ve long carried the torch for US tennis — Serena and Venus Williams.

Seeking title, Shiffrin makes rare super-G start in Cortina

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Mikaela Shiffrin is making a rare start in a speed race this weekend to protect her overall World Cup lead. A specialist in slalom and giant slalom, the American will enter Sunday’s super-G on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina, Italy – marking only the fourth super-G race of her career.

Belichick: Beware of Super Bowl trick plays

Belichick says you prepare for everything in Super Bowl, especially trick plays Patriots coach says you need to be ready for anything in Super Bowl. Check out this story on muskego-newberlinnow.com: http://usat.ly/2k7MigB USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes believes Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time, regardless of the outcome of Super Bowl LI.

Sabres at Stars preview: A family affair

For the Buffalo Sabres, getting offensive contributions from any player not named Rasmus Ristolainen this season has been rare, but in their last game against Nashville, both Zach Bogosian and Cody Franson scored to help lead the team to their comeback victory. If the Sabres defense starts contributing more at the other end of the ice, it would be a huge boon to a team that, while they are scoring more since Eichel’s return, is still very top-heavy as far as offensive production goes.

New England Patriots LB Elandon Roberts, back in the mix as a starter, returns home for Super Bowl LI

Cornerback Eric Rowe, wide receiver Danny Amendola, tight end Martellus Bennett, and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon all hail from the Houston area. It will be a double homecoming for rookie linebacker Elandon Roberts, who grew up in Port Arthur, Tex., about 50 miles from Houston, and finished his college career at the University of Houston, which will serve as the Patriots’ practice facility for the week.