About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2020)
2B Sunday, January 5, 2020 The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com SPORTS NBA Hawks 116, Pacers 111 Young’s big game lifts Hawks to upset win BY CHARLES ODUM Associated Press ATLANTA — Trae Young scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, Kevin Huerter added a season-high 26 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after blowing a 22-point lead to beat the Indiana Pacers 116-111 on Saturday night. Young and Huerter combined to make nine 3-point shots. The Hawks, who have the NBA’s worst record, improved to only 4-12 in home games. Atlanta led by just two points before Young’s drive and layup pushed the lead to 113-109. Young, defended by T.J. Warren, lost pos session of his dribble out of bounds with 24.8 seconds remaining. A review confirmed the officials’ call that possession belonged to the Hawks, but Vince Carter’s air ball with the shot clock on the verge of expiring gave the Pacers another chance. Warren made only one of two free throws after he was fouled with 4.5 seconds remain ing. Young made just the second of his two free throws for a 114-111 lead, but was fouled again and this time sank both attempts to clinch the win. Domantas Sabonis had 25 points and 11 rebounds for Indiana. Justin Holiday had 18 points. The Hawks opened with their highest-scor ing first quarter of the season, leading 43-23. Atlanta’s big lead was 22 points. Young had 18 points in the period while making each of his six shots from the field and three free throws. The Pacers recovered in the second period to trail only 64-60 at halftime. Young had 30 points at the break, his career high for first-half scoring. The Pacers took their first lead at 68-66 early in the second half on a four-point play by Warren, who made a 3-pointer and a free throw after he was fouled by Bruno Fernando. After a long succession of lead changes, Warren sank another 3 for an 88-85 lead. The advantage held until Huerter’s 3 gave Atlanta a 96-95 lead entering the final period. Young became the first Hawks player to score 30 points in the first half of a game since Stephen Jackson on March 17,2004 at Dallas. The last Hawks player to have at least 30 points in any half was Joe Johnson, who had 30 in the second half at New Jersey on Nov. 14,2008. JOHN AMIS I Associated Press Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) passes under pressure from Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner during the game on Saturday, Jan. 4 in Atlanta. TIP-INS Pacers: Warren had 17 points. G T.J. McCo nnell was escorted to the locker room after turning his right ankle in the fourth quarter. In obvious pain, McConnell threw the ball while seated on the floor and received a technical foul. For the eighth straight game, Indiana was outrebounded, this time 40-39. Indiana’s seven-game winning streak against Atlanta was snapped. Malcolm Brogdon did not travel with the team due to a sore back. Hawks: Carter, who did not play in Atlan ta’s loss at Boston on Friday night, entered the game in the first quarter to become the first player in NBA history to play in four decades. Carter was a rookie with Toronto in the 1998-99 season. F John Collins was held out with a back contusion. Collins was hurt in Friday night’s loss at Boston, but the injury is not believed to be serious. F Jabari Parker (throat infection) and F Cam Reddish (right wrist sprain) also missed the game. UP NEXT Pacers: After splitting the first two games against Charlotte this season, Indiana vis its the Hornets on Monday night. The Pac ers have lost six of their last seven games at Charlotte, including a 122-120 OT loss on Nov. 5. Hawks: Atlanta continues a three-game homestand on Monday night against Denver. SCOREBOARD Football/NFL Basketball/NBA Golf/PGA Wild-card Playoffs Today’s games Buffalo X, Houston X Tennessee at New England, Late Sunday’s games Minnesota at New Orleans, 1:05 p.m. (FOX) Seattle at Philadelphia, 4:40 p.m. (NBC) Divisional Playoffs Today’s games Philadelphia, Seattle or Minnesota at San Francisco, 4:35 p.m. (NBC) Houston, Buffalo or Tennessee at Baltimore, 8:15 p.m (CBS) Sunday’s games New England, Houston or Buffalo at Kansas City, 3:05 p.m. (CBS) New Orleans, Philadelphia or Seattle at Green Bay, 6:40 p.m. (FOX) Basketball/College Top 25 Saturday 1. Gonzaga (15-1) vs. Pepperdine. Next: at San Diego, Thursday. 2. Duke (12-1) at Miami. Next: at Georgia Tech, Wednesday. 3. Kansas (11-2) beat No. 16 West Virginia 60-53. Next: at Iowa State, Wednesday. 4. Oregon (11-3) at Utah. Next: vs. No. 25 Arizona, Thursday. 5. Ohio State (11-3) did not play. Next: at No. 15 Maryland, Tuesday. 6. Baylor (10-1) vs. Texas. Next: at No. 22 Texas Tech, Tuesday. 7. Louisville (11-3) lost to No. 18 Florida State 78-65. Next: vs. Miami, Tuesday. 8. Auburn (13-0) beat Mississippi State 80-68. Next: vs. Vanderbilt, Wednesday. 9. Memphis (12-2) lost to Georgia 65-62. Next: at No. 24 Wichita State, Thursday. 10. Villanova (10-3) lost to Marquette 71-60. Next: at Creighton, Tuesday. 11. Butler (14-1) beat Creighton 71-57. Next: at Providence, Friday. 12. Michigan (10-3) did not play. Next: at No. 14 Michigan State, Sunday. 13. San Diego State (14-0) at Utah State. Next: at Wyoming, Wednesday. 14. Michigan State (11-3) did not play. Next: vs. No. 12 Michigan, Sunday. 15. Maryland (12-2) beat Indiana 75-59. Next: vs. No. 5 Ohio State, Tuesday. 16. West Virginia (11-2) lost to No. 3 Kansas 60-53. Next: at Oklahoma State, Monday. 17. Kentucky (10-3) beat Missouri 71-59. Next: at Georgia, Tuesday. 18. Florida State (13-2) beat No. 7 Louisville 78-65. Next: at Wake Forest, Wednesday. 19. Virginia (11-2) beat Virginia Tech 65-39. Next: at Boston College, Tuesday. 20. Dayton (12-2) did not play. Next: at Saint Joseph’s, Sunday. 21. Penn State (12-2) beat No. 23 Iowa 89-86. Next: at Rutgers, Tuesday. 22. Texas Tech (10-3) beat Oklahoma State 85-50. Next: vs. No. 6 Baylor, Tuesday. 23. Iowa (10-4) lost to No. 21 Penn State 89-86. Next: at Nebraska, Tuesday. 24. Wichita State (13-1) beat Mississippi 74-54. Next: vs. No. 9 Memphis, Thursday. 25. Arizona (10-3) vs. Arizona State. Next: at No. 4 Oregon, Thursday. EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Sentry Tournament of Champions Par Scores W L Pet GB Saturday Boston 24 8 .750 — At Plantation Course at Kapalua Toronto 24 12 .667 2 Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii Philadelphia 23 14 .622 3 1 / 2 Purse: $6.7 million Brooklyn 16 18 .471 9 Yardage: 7,596; Par 73 New York 10 25 .286 15 1 / 2 Third Round Southeast Division Xander Schauffele 69-68-71—208 -11 W L Pet GB Justin Thomas 67-73-69—209 -10 Miami 25 10 .714 — Gary Woodland 73-69-69—211 -8 Orlando 16 20 .444 9 1 / 2 Kevin Kisner 72-72-68—212 -7 Charlotte 14 23 .378 12 Jon Rahm 69-73-70—212 -7 Washington 10 24 .294 14 1 / 2 Collin Morikawa 71-71-70—212 -7 Atlanta 8 28 .222 17 1 / 2 J.T. Poston 70-71-71—212 -7 Central Division Matthew Wolff 69-72-71—212 -7 W L Pet GB Joaquin Niemann 66-72-74—212 -7 Milwaukee 31 5 .861 — Patrick Reed 72-66-74—212 -7 Indiana 22 14 .611 9 Matt Kuchar 68-74-71—213 -6 Chicago 13 22 .371 17 1 / 2 Nate Lashley 71-71-71—213 -6 Detroit 12 23 .343 18 1 / 2 Patrick Cantlay 69-71-73—213 -6 Cleveland 10 25 .286 20 1 / 2 Rickie Fowler 68-71-74—213 -6 Dustin Johnson 72-71-71—214 -5 WESTERN CONFERENCE Lanto Griffin 71-71-72—214 -5 Southwest Division Tyler Duncan 69-78-68—215 -4 W L Pet GB Jim Herman 73-73-69—215 -4 Houston 24 11 .686 — Paul Casey 74-72-69—215 -4 Dallas 22 12 .647 1 1 / 2 Cameron Champ 73-74-69—216 -3 San Antonio 14 19 .424 9 Corey Conners 73-70-74—217 -2 Memphis 14 22 .389 10 1 / 2 Max Homa 75-72-71—218 -1 New Orleans 11 24 .314 13 Sung Kang 72-73-73—218 -1 Northwest Division Chez Reavie 74-71-73—218 -1 W L Pet GB Ryan Palmer 71-72-75—218 -1 Denver 24 10 .706 — Sebastian Munoz 72-75-72—219 E Utah 23 12 .657 1 1 / 2 Brendon Todd 71-74-74—219 E Oklahoma City 20 15 .571 4 1 / 2 Graeme McDowell 74-69-76—219 E Portland 15 21 .417 10 Adam Long 74-71-75—220 +1 Minnesota 13 21 .382 11 Keith Mitchell 76-72-73—221 +2 Pacific Division Dylan Frittelli 72-77-73—222 +3 W L Pet GB J.B. Holmes 78-71-76—225 +6 L.A. Lakers 28 7 .800 — Kevin Na 76-74-77—227 +8 L.A. Clippers 25 12 .676 4 Martin Trainer 74-77-77—228 +9 Phoenix 14 21 .400 14 Sacramento Golden State 13 9 22 27 .371 .250 15 19 1 / 2 Transactions Saturday’s Games Memphis 140, L.A. Clippers 114 Toronto 121, Brooklyn 102 Utah 109, Orlando 96 Atlanta 116, Indiana 111 Oklahoma City 121, Cleveland 106 Boston at Chicago, Late Denver at Washington, Late Charlotte at Dallas, Late Detroit at Golden State, Late San Antonio at Milwaukee, Late New Orleans at Sacramento, Late Sunday’s Games New York at L.A. Clippers, 3:30 p.m. Portland at Miami, 6 p.m. Minnesota at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Memphis at Phoenix, 8 p.m. Detroit at L.A. Lakers, 10 p.m. Monday’s Games Boston at Washington, 7 p.m. Brooklyn at Orlando, 7 p.m. Indiana at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Oklahoma City at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Denver at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Utah at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Chicago at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association ATLANTA HAWKS — Transferred F Charlie Brown Jr. from College Park (NBAGL). FOOTBALL National Football League CHICAGO BEARS — Re-signed DB Eddie Jackson to a four-year contract extension. HOCKEY National Hockey League NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Recalled F Ben Street from Binghamton (AHL). ECHL ECHL — Suspended Worcester LW Yannick Turcotte indefinitely, Rapid City C Darian Romanko two games and Rapid City F Dexter Danes one game. SOCCER National Women’s Soccer League WASHINGTON SPIRIT — Signed D Brooke Hendrix. COLLEGE PENN STATE — Named Phil Trautwein offen sive line coach. RUTGERS — Named Sean Gleeson offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. WISCONSIN — RB Jonathan Taylor declared for the NFL draft. TODAY ON TV COLLEGE BASKETBALL ■ VCU at George Mason, noon, NBCSN ■ Michigan at Michigan State, 1:30 p.m., CBS ■ Davidson at Duquesne, 2 p.m., NBCSN ■ Massachusetts at St. Louis, 4 p.m., NBCSN ■ St. John’s at Xavier, 4:30 p.m., Fox ■ Oregon State at Colorado, 6 p.m., ESPNU ■ Southern California at Washington, 10p.m., Fox Sports 1 GOLF ■ PGA Tour Golf: Sentry Tournament of Champions, 6 p.m., Golf Channel HOCKEY ■ Red Wings vs. Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN ■ Predators vs. Ducks, 10 p.m., NBCSN NFL PLAYOFFS ■ Vikings vs. Saints, 1 p.m., Fox ■ Seahawks vs. Eagles, 4:30 p.m., NBC GOLF | Sentry Tournament of Champions MATT YORK I Associated Press Xander Schauffele chips onto the 18th green during third round of the Tournament of Champions golf event, Saturday, Jan. 4 at Kapalua Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. Schauffele aims for repeat win in Hawaii Strong Saturday finish has Schauffele on cusp of second consecutive victory in Kapalua BY DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press KAPALUA, Hawaii — Xander Schauffele fin ished stronger than every one around him Saturday, and it was good enough to keep a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Schauffele closed with three pars for a 2-under 71 as he tries to become only the third player to win back-to-back in this win- ners-only event at Kapalua, and the first since Geoff Ogilvyin 2010. This was a matter of not losing ground in the final hour. Justin Thomas, who won at Kapalua three years ago, ran off five birdies on the front nine to take the lead until his first three-putt bogey of the week on the 12th hole. He misjudged the wind on another 6-foot par putt at the 17th and failed to birdie the par-5 18th for a 38 on the back nine. That gave him a 69 and a sour taste. Thomas will be in the final group as he goes for his third win in his last seven starts on the PGA Tour. But he typically scores well on the back nine, and he lost ground on this day. “I’m not very pleased,” Thomas said, speaking more to the finish than his 54-hole position. Thomas wasn’t alone. Patrick Cantlay ran off three straight birdies to get into the mix, only to hit a tee shot out-of-bounds on the 14th and hit another tee shot into the waist-high weeds on the 18th, leading to bogey. He shot 39 on the back for a 73 and fell five shots behind. Joaquin Niemann, who opened with a 7-under 66 on Thursday, failed to birdie the two par 5s and made bogeys on the two par 4s between them. He shot 39 on the back and had to settle for a 74, leaving him four shots behind. Patrick Reed had a 74, eight shots worse than his round Friday, and he was in the group four shots behind. Schauffele was at 11-under 212, the highest 54-hole score to lead at Kapalua since Vijay Singh was at 11 under in 2007. Schauffele won last year by closing with a 62 to make up a five-shot deficit against Gary Woodland. Thomas is one who believes another 62 is out there if everything falls his way, even though the renovations to the Plan tation Course are a big rea son why scoring has been higher than usual. The weather hasn’t helped. Saturday brought another dose of gusts in the 25 mph range, and occa sional rain that showed up out of nowhere. Ten players were sepa rated by four shots going into Sunday, a group that includes Woodland, Kevin Kisner, Jon Rahm and a pair of newcomers who won last year, Matthew Wolff and Colin Morikawa. COLLEGE FOOTBALL McMillan leads Tulane to win over Southern Miss in Armed Forces Bowl BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas — Justin McMil lan won two Texas state championships playing for a high school only about 35 miles away from where he played his last game for Tulane. Both of his parents served in the Army. The Armed Forces Bowl provided a sto rybook finish for his college career. McMillan, who started for the Green Wave for two seasons after transferring from LSU, threw three touchdown passes in the third quarter as Tulane rallied for a 30-13 win while renewing a rivalry against Southern Mississippi on Saturday. “It is a home game. I live right down the road,” said McMillan, who went to Cedar Hill High School. “It feels good to, one, play a game down here, two, to have two par ents in the military. It’s literally a Cinder ella story for me.” Tulane (7-6) finished consecutive sea sons with bowl wins for the first time in school history. The Golden Eagles (7-6) took a 13-0 lead after Jack Abraham threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score on their first drives, but the quarterback took a hard shot on his last snap before halftime and didn’t play again. They also lost top run ning back De’Michael Harris to a ham string injury in the first half. Tulane tied the game at 13-all on its first possession after halftime, when McMil lan threw a 52-yard TD pass to Jalen McCleskey. “Obviously we didn’t play great in the first half. .. Five weeks off, I think that hurt us a little bit,” coach Willie Fritz said. “It takes a while to get the rhythm back.” The Green Wave certainly did after half time, when Southern Miss struggled with out two of its offensive threats. “We really just had a disastrous third quarter any way you want to cut it, ” Golden Eagles coach Jay Hopson said. “Tulane made plays offensively, they had some explosives, we had some mental errors. I think explosive plays kill you in football. I thought we played hard and I believe we competed to the very end. .. Injuries are always a part of the game and it’s just next man up.” McMillan had a high-stepping 18-yard run to set up Merek Glover’s third field goal, a tiebreaking 36-yarder, before TD passes to Jacob Robertson (7 yards) and a wide-open Amare Jones (20 yards) on the next two drives. After only 22 yards passing at halftime, McMillan was 9-of-10 for 193 yards in the second half. GEORGIA ■ Continued from 1B in the closing minutes was as much about inexperi ence for a young team than anything else. “I feel like that was a game we could have won. It just came down to the last four minutes,” Achiuwa said. “We have to follow (the game plan) every time down the stretch. The last four minutes, that’s kind of what happened. We lost focus, and this is a good learning experience mov ing on.” BIG PICTURE Georgia: Despite its lead ing scorers — Edwards and Hammonds — struggling, Gresham, who averages 6.8 points, helped make up the difference. Wheeler had a key basket with 1:03 left to give Georgia a 64-61 lead. Memphis would only coun ter with a single free throw the rest of the way. Memphis: The game was evenly played on the stat sheet, but the Tigers fal tered at the foul line, con verting 11 of 20 free throws. In the final 44 seconds, still within one possession, Memphis missed two of its three free throws. “You want to make more than 11 out of 22 free throws at home,” Hardaway said. “We lost by three points.” POLL IMPLICATIONS Georgia did not receive any votes in last week’s AP poll. A win over the No. 9 Tigers should at least draw some attention from vot ers. Meanwhile, Memphis will probably drop in the rankings. DIFFERENCE DOWN THE STRETCH Memphis had opportuni ties during that four-plus minutes without a field goal down the stretch. The Tigers missed four shots in that span and had a couple turnovers. The Bulldogs’ lead never reached more than three in the final minutes. UP NEXT Georgia: Hosts Ken tucky on Tuesday in its SEC opener. Memphis: At Wichita State on Thursday.
