Silva hits defiant 43 to keep SL in contention

Eleven wickets fell on a day when a bowler-friendly track proved something of a nightmare for batsmen. Dhananjaya de Silva enhanced his rapidly-growing reputation with an unbeaten 43 as he kept South Africa’s strike bowlers at bay to see Sri Lanka to 181 for seven in their first innings at the end of the second day of the first test on Tuesday.

World ranking gap widens between US and Europe

World ranking gap widens between US and Europe Golf notes: World ranking gap widens between US and European tours; 12 players added to Masters field Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hpROJt The European Tour is introducing the Rolex Series this year, which starts in late May with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and ends in late November with the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The other events that make up the Rolex Series are Irish Open and Scottish Open in successive weeks ahead of the British Open; the Italian Open in October; and then the Turkish Airlines Open and Nedbank Challenge in South Africa leading into the finale in Dubai.

Keep your eyes on Richards, Douglas at Russell Athletic Bowl

Keep your eyes on Richards, Douglas at Russell Athletic Bowl A rivalry renewed in the Russell Athletic Bowl, with Miami facing West Virginia Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hq348C Miami gets yet another chance for what could be its first bowl victory since 2006. West Virginia is trying for its sixth 11-win season, and the first since 2007.

Mikaela Shiffrin wins special giant slalom in Austria

Mikaela Shiffrin wins special giant slalom in Austria Mikaela Shiffrin spent Christmas at Manuela Moelgg’s home and they shared the podium Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hq6VCy Mikaela Shiffrin of USA takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Giant Slalom on Dec. 27, 2016 in Semmering, Austria. SEMMERING, Austria – A few days after Mikaela Shiffrin spent Christmas at Manuela Moelgg’s home in Italy and trained with her, the American and the Italian finished first and third in a women’s World Cup giant slalom on Tuesday.

Report: LeBron’s Halloween party had Curry dummy

Report: LeBron’s Halloween party had Curry dummy We already knew LeBron James’s Halloween party earlier this year was filled with decorations… Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hq8LmR We already knew LeBron James’s Halloween party earlier this year was filled with decorations trolling the Golden State Warriors for blowing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals .

In shape and in form, Ibrahimovic setting bar high at United

In shape and in form, Ibrahimovic setting bar high at United In shape and in form, Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting bar high at Manchester United Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2iAEwHP Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, right, scores his side’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016. MANCHESTER, England – Zlatan Ibrahimovic was weeks away from joining Manchester United when he was asked if, at 34, he could still cut it in what is widely regarded as the world’s most grueling league.

How Randy Gregory fared after 14-game suspension; will he play for Cowboys in playoffs?

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory smiles on the bench during the fourth quarter of their game against the Detroit Lions on Monday, December 26, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory tackles Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington during the fourth quarter of their game on Monday, December 26, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

These players helped, hindered fantasy owners’ title quests

These players helped, hindered fantasy owners’ title quests Handing out the hardware this season, David Johnson, Aaron Rodgers come out on top. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2iALufT The fantasy season is over, and it is time to recognize those players who delivered championships for their owners … and those who just got in the way.

Jerry Jones: Playing Romo not worth the risk

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he does not want backup quarterback Tony Romo to play in next week’s season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite the Cowboys having the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage. Jerry Jones: Playing Romo not worth the risk Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones says he does not want backup quarterback Tony Romo to play in next week’s season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, despite the Cowboys having the top seed in the NFC and home-field advantage.

Hall of Fame case: Trevor Hoffman will find the Mo to get in

Hall of Fame case: Trevor Hoffman will find the Mo to get in The erstwhile all-times saves leader stacks up favorably with his contemporary. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hq08bT USA TODAY Sports is examining the most intriguing cases on baseball’s 2017 Hall of Fame ballot ahead of the Jan. 18 election results.

Bills fire Rex Ryan after nearly two seasons

Bills fire Rex Ryan after nearly two seasons Ryan compiled a 15-16 but never made the playoffs in Buffalo. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2hqdoNR Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan leaves the field after losing in overtime to the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field.

2016: Another year that saw Sidney Crosby rule the sport of hockey

There was 2010, in which Crosby scored the “golden goal” for Team Canada at the Vancouver Olympics and amassed an astounding 60 goals and 126 points in 80 regular season games. There was also 2009 when the Pittsburgh Penguins captain posted 41 goals and 101 points in 80 games, before tallying another 15 goals and 31 points in the playoffs en route to his first Stanley Cup.

Cowboys rout Lions as Bryant catches two TD passes and throws one

With home-field advantage already wrapped up, the Cowboys didn’t let up in their seventh straight home win while matching their franchise record in victories, reached two other times. The biggest sign they were serious about this one came late in the third quarter, when Bryant took a reverse pitch from Dak Prescott and tucked the ball as if planning to run before pulling up and tossing a lefty lob to Jason Witten for an easy 10-yard score and a 35-21 lead.

Monday’s NBA roundup

Tobias Harris scored 21 points for the Detroit Pistons, who took advantage of a day of rest for LeBron James and beat the Cavaliers 106-90 on Monday in Auburn Hills, Mich. There was some booing when James was announced as a scratch before the game, the third he has missed this season.

Jokic has 24 and 10, Nuggets beat depleted Clippers 106-102

Nikola Jokic had 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Danilo Gallinari and Will Barton each added 23 points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the undermanned Los Angeles Clippers 106-102 on Monday night. The Clippers played without their three leading scorers – Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and J.J. Redick – but came from 17 points down to start the second half and took a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Cousins has big fourth quarter to lift Kings past 76ers

DeMarcus Cousins made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 20.9 seconds remaining and added a clutch free throw moments later, lifting the Sacramento Kings to a 102-100 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. After Ersan Ilyasova drove around Rudy Gay for a layup that tied the score at 96-96, Cousins made his second 3 of the game to put Sacramento ahead.

Report: Looks Like Darlington Nagbe is Sticking Around with the Portland Timbers

After circulating constant rumors of Darlington Nagbe’s impending departure from the Portland Timbers, the Scottish Sun have changed this up today and are now reporting that Glasgow Celtic’s pursuit of the Timbers midfielder is now off. According to the Sun, Celtic informed Nagbe today that they were walking away from the talks which would have seen him join the Scottish Premier League side for a $3.7 million transfer fee.

With LeBron James resting, Cavaliers fall to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons made the most of LeBron James’s absence, snapping a five-game skid with a 106-90 victory over the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to get a shot off around Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons during the second half, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan, on December 26, 2016 A day after their 109-108 triumph over the Golden State Warriors in a Christmas Day thriller, the short-handed Cavs had no answer for the Pistons.

Penguins top Binghamton

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Playing for Rangers is more intense than anything I’ve ever…

The centre-half has cut it for nearly two decades in the top two divisions in England and reached a stage when he thought he would be digging out the pipe and slippers rather than sticking on the boiler suit every week. But he’s relishing the late bloom at Ibrox and is determined to savour every second – even if the game in Scotland is far tougher than he ever imagined.

Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds says receiving constant flak is a perk of playing for a big team

Mark Reynolds insists the flak Aberdeen took before last Friday night’s win over Motherwell was just a ‘perk’ of being one of Scotland’s top sides. The centre-back is adamant there was no panic as the Dons went through a sticky patch of only one Premiership win – a 5-1 thumping of Kilmarnock – from four games following a dismal defeat to Celtic in the Betfred Cup Final.