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SPORTS SECTION E

NFL

Week 8, Page 5

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2017

Veteran pitcher Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting retires By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ne of the most glaring sporting careers for a Bahamian athlete came to a close on Sunday night as veteran pitcher Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting officially retired from fastpitch softball. “I’m done. That’s it,” said Sweeting on Sunday night as she helped the Sunshine Auto Wildcats to win the Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2017 Rozina Taylor ladies’ national championship title. With an 11-3 victory over the Diamond Dolls from Abaco in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, Sweeting tossed a four-hitter with two strike outs in the five-inning affair. “It feels great. It’s fantastic. To go out in style, I couldn’t ask for a better way to go out,” insisted Sweeting, who was named the co-most valuable player with

LAST GAME: Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting in action on the mound for the Sunshine Auto Lady Wildcats. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

teammate Larikah Russell, who played an exceptional shortstop. “I’m definitely going to miss this game. I love this game. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.” For her part, Sweeting capped off the tournament with an earned run average (ERA) of .000 in posting her two victories in the round robin to share the MVP trophy with Russell, the offensive spark with a 4-for-5 plate appearance with two RBI and five runs scored. In a career that spun almost two decades, Sweeting has won at least 16 titles and has been one of the marquee pitchers in the league. But she admitted that as they finally regained the New Providence Softball Association and the national titles that they last held four years ago, this would be one that she will cherish. “This was really a sweet one, especially for those who were so negative towards most of the players on my team,” said Sweeting of

the insults hurled at them as being “old”. “No matter what you say, you have to have heart. Once you have heart and go out there and you give it your best, then you have to be thankful and that was what we did. We will not let anyone keep us down and ‘Cruise’ will never let anyone put her down. I will stand my grounds. I think we did a great job, but I’m going to miss this game.” With only two other teams to compete against, inclusive of the Diamond Dolls from Abaco and the Navigators from Andros, Sweeting said she was disappointed in what she saw. “At one time we used to have all of the teams, but this year we only had three teams,” she said. “Hats off to the teams that made it. Hopefully next year we will see more teams back in the round robin.”

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Hitmen get revenge when it counts most By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THERE are some things worth waiting for. Winning the Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2017 Rozina Taylor men’s national softball championship crown was one of them for the C&S Hitmen. After they got stunned as the Grand Bahama BTC Blazers doubled them up 6-3, the Hitmen, sponsored by Clifford Sands, gained revenge when it counted the most. Their 7-0 shutout in the final game played on Sunday night in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex more than made up for their loss. But it would have been even more sweet if Alcott Forbes had completed his job in grand style. Forbes was working on a perfect game but had to settle for a no-hit shutout after the Bulldogs managed to get a runner on base on an error. Forbes, however, finished the game with 10 strike outs. “Words can’t explain how I feel right now,” said Forbes about winning the national title that has eluded him in the past. “When we came to the nationals, we’ve been to it three times and now we came to the fourth time and we won it. God is amazing.” In his own amazing performance in the round robin, Forbes shut out the two teams he faced and struck out a total of 19 batters for his ERA of zero. Forbes, batting third in the Hitmen’s line-up, also went 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored

TIGER WOODS TO RETURN IN THE BAHAMAS By DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: The C&S Hitmen celebrate winning the Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2017 Rozina Taylor men’s national softball championship crown on Sunday night. SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 3 in sharing the MVP honours with centre fielder Rodney Forbes, who went 4-for-9 with two RBI and two runs scored. “What is so exciting about this nationals is that I didn’t give up a single run in my games,” he pointed out. “Tonight, I had a perfect game until the fifth, but thanks be to God.” Forbes said he was really committed to winning the title and he kept his eyes on the prize

and was able to lead a talented Hitmen team all the way to the championship. Manager Darren Stevens said they are already starting to plan for the defence of their title next year. “We’re going to start working out from February and we are going to put in the work,” he stressed. “I’ve told the guys that we are going to need a 9-10 months commitment if they want the success.

“We put in the work and this is our success. So we’re going to get right back into practice in February and hopefully we will put in the work to get us ready to defend our title.” He added that as long as they have Forbes committed to playing again next year, half of their job is done. All they need to do is bring all the pieces together around him again.

TIGER Woods is returning to competition at his holiday tournament in the Bahamas the week after Thanksgiving. Woods has not played since he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic on Feb. 3 with back spasms. Two months later, he had his fourth back surgery in just over two years. Woods will be part of the 18-man field at the Hero World Challenge, which starts Nov. 30 at Albany Golf Club. Woods is eligible as the tournament host. A year ago, Woods returned at this tournament after 15 months recovering from two back surgeries. He made 24 birdies, but finished 15th out of 18 players.

$339,000 DONATED TO AMERICAN RED CROSS TO ASSIST HURRICANE VICTIMS By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE hurricane relief effort put on by the Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Bulldogs raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit victims of last summer’s storms.

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The Spartans took an 80-62 win over the Bulldogs at the Van Andel Arena in Grands Rapids, Michigan Sunday afternoon. Prior to the game, Izzo and Georgia head coach Mark Fox presented a cheque for more than $339,000 that will be donated to the American Red Cross and American Red Cross - International, benefiting victims of the summer hurricanes, particularly in Georgia and The Bahamas. Bahamian senior point guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn finished with two points and two assists in 16 minutes for the Spartans. Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said giving back to the community is a major tenant of the programme. “It’s special. We had dinner last night and told our team that life is about giving back. Today we got to be a part of maybe helping some people that we didn’t have as tough of a time as they’ve had. It was a great trip. We had a great

meal. We took our players down to the Rosa Parks statue today, circle. You just don’t realise that some of the problems that you have in the world are because sometimes kids don’t know. We made them sit there and read everything on her and took a great picture,” Izzo said. “I’d say that those things are all great. But, then the game. The game was frosting on the cake. To have a game of that quality this early in the season. “Mark’s (Fox) a good friend and a good guy and he’s got maybe as physical of a team as we’ve played in years.” The Spartans led by nine points (40-31) at the break, but an early run from Georgia pulled the visitors to within five points (42-37). MSU led by seven points (5043) and used a 21-10 run over a span of 6:15 and took its biggest lead (71-53) on a 3-pointer from Matt McQuaid with 5:14 to play in the game. Georgia would pull to within nine points twice in

TOM IZZO (AP) the final two minutes but got no closer. Michigan State shot 50 per cent from the field and 30 per cent from three-point range. “I want to begin by just reiterating my thanks to the Michigan

State family and the community of Grand Rapids for their support of this game,” Bulldogs head coach Mark Fox said. “Certainly, when you do something for a cause greater than yourself you need help to really make an impact and this couldn’t have happened without Michigan State University and the great support that their fanbase and the city of Grand Rapids provided. I thank you from the bottom of our hearts from the Deep South.” “It means a lot,” Nairn said to the Detroit Free Press. “Being a kid from the Bahamas, we have a lot of hurricanes every year. “We have something called hurricane season. Just to be able to play in a game like that, to give back — especially being a kid from the Bahamas — it’s something special to be a part of.” Michigan State plays its final exhibition game on Friday, November 3 at Breslin Center, hosting Hillsdal at 7pm.

PAGE 2, Tuesday, October 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

SHOWN (l-r) are Kenny Green, Joel Stubbs and Nardo Dean at a press conference to announce the first Faye Rolle Classic. The big event, the last show for the year, is all set for 7pm Saturday at the Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FIRST FAYE ROLLE CLASSIC ALL SET FOR SATURDAY By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER watching the success of their athletes overseas, the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation will turn its attention to assisting one of their former competitors with an unique bodybuilding and fitness show. The first Faye Rolle Classic, the last show for the year, is all set to be held 7pm Saturday at the Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road with eight categories being contested as the competitors compete for cash, trophies and prizes. Nardo Dean, the public relations officer for the federation, said this would be the first of its kind where competitors won’t be measured by weight or height to compete in their respective categories.

“If you are a bodybuilder, it will be one straight category from lightweight to heavyweight and the same thing for physique. It doesn’t matter how tall you are. From short to tall, you will be in one line-up,” Dean said. “We will eliminate the line-up and cut it down to the top six and then of course to the top three and we will go from there.” Tickets are priced at $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $30 for VIP. Dean said the event is being held in honour of Rolle, a former bodybuilder, who is in need of their financial support to assist with her medical expenses. He said there is a possibility that Rolle might just be in attendance at the show. Federation president Joel Stubbs, just back from accompanying 10 Bahamians who

competed in the Ben Weider Legacy Cup in Toronto, Canada, said watching Rolle compete at the beginning of 2000, they

anticipated that she had the potential to emerge as a professional in the sport. “But she was sidelined because of her medical situation and we just thought that as an association, we would give back to a woman who is worthy of all of our praises while she’s still alive to let her family know and the Bahamas at large know how much we respect and appreciate Faye Rolle,” he said. “Despite her dilemma with her medical situation, we just want to be able to give back to her with her flowers while she is still alive,” he added. Stubbs said this would also provide a fun atmosphere for the competitors to compete in as they wind down the long competitive season. Kenny Green, the vice president of the federation, said

Rolle was one of their fieriest competitors, who contributed tremendously to bodybuilding and fitness. “We want to able to recognise our athletes while they are yet still alive and although she’s not her best right now, as a federation, we want to support her as best as we could,” Green stated. Part of the proceeds from the show will go to assist Rolle with her medical expenses. “We just want to reach out our hands to her extension and give her the support she needs from the federation that she has given too tremendously with her time, efforts, energy, funds and personal sacrifices,” he said. “She was a fierce competitor who contributed much to the sport and the federation and so we just want to be there for her in her time of need.”

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017, PAGE 3

My Lakers trying to overcome growing pains MY Los Angeles Lakers are trying to establish an identity. But that’s something head coach Luke Walton and his rookie point guard Lonzo Ball are trying to build with such a young team. GROWING PAINS The Lakers (with a 2-4 record) have to be consistent at getting out into transition. “We are trying to find our identity still,” Ball told Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet. “We are trying to run, but some of the possessions we’re getting caught in half-court and we are just standing – just comes with practice.” “I definitely can improve a lot,” Ball added. “I had

“SO BE PATIENT LAKER NATION, THERE’S LIGHT AND LOTS MORE WINS AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.”

THE

PRESS BOX ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICA

nine points and four assists, something like that, it’s not enough, we’re not going to win like that. I gotta come out more aggressive and get my teammates more involved.” PATIENCE While the Lakers are trying to find themselves, fans will have to be patient until the train really starts rolling.

It’s a long season; we just got started,” Ball said. “As long as our defence gets better, that’s the priority right now; as long as that’s doing good, we’re not worried about offence right now; that’ll come.” What became obvious, in the team’s latest loss, is that the team’s biggest problem stems from its inefficiency on the offensive end. As evidenced by an

offence that shot a putrid 38.3 per cent from the field and sunk just 5-of-22 shots from behind the arc against the Utah Jazz in their last game. Laker players are missing shots, but from Walton’s perspective, there’s a bigger problem, not just with the way they move the ball, but with how fast they move the ball. “In my opinion, we still need to play at a faster pace,” Walton told The Orange County Register’s Bill Oram. “We’re better when we’re out in transition and we’re not bogged down against a half-court

defence. Because we’re playing so many young guys ... we’ve got to get out, let them make plays, where they can use some of their skills, some of their youth to their advantage.” So be patient Laker nation, there’s light and lots more wins at the end of the tunnel. • Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net

LAKERS guard Lonzo Ball warms up during practice on Saturday in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

THE BTC Blazers took home the runners-up trophy in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2017 Rozina Taylor men’s national softball championship on Sunday night.

THE Diamond Dolls got the runners-up trophy in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2017 Rozina Taylor ladies’ national softball championship.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: The Sunshine Auto Lady Wildcats celebrate winning the Bahamas Softball Federation’s 2017 Rozina Taylor ladies’ national softball championship crown Sunday night.

Veteran pitcher Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting retires FROM PAGE 1

Sweeting suggested that the federation go into the schools and work with the teams to get more players involved in their respective island associations so that more teams will be represented in the nationals. And while she is walking away from the playing field, Sweeting said she intends to stay around

and assist the sport in some other capacity, especially considering the fact that it’s now an Olympic sport. “Whether it’s as a pitching coach, a coach or a manager, I will be around in some capacity,” she lamented. “I love softball. This is something that I love doing. So being around the younger players comes easy for me. I love it.”

Her manager Anthony Bullard said if there was any pitcher he would love to have on his team to go to war with, it’s Mary Sweeting. “She has been the best pitcher that we had around for a long time,” he stated. “When she’s on the mound, you don’t have to worry about anything. She loves to get the ball and is willing to pitch until she can’t pitch no more.

“She has been a remarkable pitcher for us and when she goes, it’s going to be hard to fill her shoes. “But we are going to be back with or without her and we will make another run at the championship.” At the end of the Rothmans Wildcats era, a team that won a number of NPSA and BSF titles,

Sweeting, then Edgecombe, had indicated that she was done. But year after year, even if she comes out after the season started, Sweeting was on the Wildcats’ line-up. This time, she said she’s done for sure and won’t be back for another campaign. Like Bullard, Sweeting dedicated the season to their sponsor Deanza ‘Sonny’ Cox.

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ASTROS BLAST BY DODGERS 13-12 IN 10TH, LEAD WORLD SERIES 3-2 By BEN WALKER Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — When the winning run finally came sliding across home plate on Alex Bregman’s single, more than five unforgettable hours after the first pitch, a frantic Carlos Correa sprinted toward his Houston Astros teammates in the middle of the diamond. Arm in the air, pure elation all over his face. A last indelible image from a World Series classic filled with them. Correa, Jose Altuve and the Astros kept hammering away in a wild slugfest that no one saw coming, rallying against Clayton Kershaw and rocking the Los Angeles Dodgers 13-12 in 10 thrilling innings Sunday night for a 3-2 lead. “I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack out there,” Correa said. In a tension-filled game of monster momentum swings at pulsating Minute Maid Park, the last one belonged to Bregman. With the packed crowd still standing well past midnight, the 23-year-old third baseman hit an RBI single with two outs off Kenley Jansen. “The best game ever, for sure,” Correa said. Wacky and whacky with seven home runs, this perhaps topped Toronto’s 15-14 win over the Phillies in 1993 as the craziest World Series showdown ever. Exhilaration and exhaustion, spread over 5 hours, 17 minutes. “Yeah, fivehour game, but it doesn’t matter. I can play a 10-hour game if we are going to win,” Altuve said. Now, with both bullpens worn down, the teams get a day to recover. Game 6 is scheduled for tonight at Dodger Stadium, where Justin Verlander will try to clinch the Astros’ first championship and Rich Hill hopes to save Los Angeles’ season. Altuve, Correa, Yuli Gurriel, George Springer and

THE HOUSTON Astros celebrate after Alex Bregman’s game-winning single in Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Monday night in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Brian McCann homered for Houston, the highest-scoring team in the majors this season. Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig went deep for the Dodgers, who scored three times in the ninth to make it 12-all. “It’s hard to put into words all the twists and turns in that game,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “These are just two really good teams, just throwing haymakers at each other trying to outlast each other,” he said. Silent when ace Dallas Keuchel got crushed, the orange-clad fans erupted over and over as the Astros sent balls careening all around — and out of — the park. Yet on another night of Home Run Derby in the Year of the Home Run, no lead was safe. Puig lined a two-run shot in the ninth, the record 22nd homer in a single

Series, and Chris Taylor’s two-out single off Chris Devenski tied it. “I think this whole series has been an emotional roller coaster,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s the two best teams playing for a championship. And these are two teams that play 27 outs.” More than that, in fact. Houston posted its second extra-inning victory of the Series, adding to its 7-6, 11-inning comeback win in a dramatic Game 2. With two down in the 10th, Jansen hit McCann on the hand with a pitch and Springer walked. Bregman, who homered off Jansen in Saturday night’s loss, lined the next pitch over shortstop to score pinch-runner Derek Fisher, who slid home ahead of the throw from left fielder Andre Ethier. “We’re up 3-2, baby,” Bregman said.

Out of nowhere, the Astros climbed out of a four-run hole against Kershaw and then erased two more deficits later in the game, tying it each time on a homer. Correa leaped and twirled after launching a two-run drive that made it 11-8 in the seventh. Much later, he hurdled the dugout railing the moment Bregman lined his winning single. Bellinger hit a three-run drive in the fifth that made it 7-4 and seemed to swing things back in the Dodgers’ favour. By the end of the mayhem on the mound, it was a mere afterthought. Each team had 14 hits, eight for extra bases, and both used seven pitchers. “Man, I’m mentally exhausted right now,” Bellinger said. Before the game, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and son George W. Bush were on the field for

the first-pitch ceremony. By the end of the night, most everyone was bushed. The Astros (13) and Dodgers (9) topped the Series mark for homers, set when Barry Bonds and the Giants lost to the Angels in seven games in 2002. But really, who imagined this? No wonder there’s a bright sign high above the centre field wall for a popular taco place in town — it says Torchys and fit perfectly for a game where pitchers got lit up. A day earlier, Kershaw stood alone on the mound after the Dodgers’ dramatic win in Game 4, trying to get a visual for the biggest start of his career. This was definitely not how he pictured it. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner cruised into the fourth with a 4-0 lead before things suddenly fell apart. After Correa hit an RBI double,

Gurriel launched a tying, three-run drive. Kershaw whipped his head around to watch Gurriel’s drive sail, his face immediately showing shock, utter disbelief and frustration, all wrapped up in one expression before he bent over, hands on his knees. Yanked in the fifth, Kershaw trudged off with a dubious distinction — he has allowed a postseasonrecord eight home runs this year. “Just exactly what you expect (when you) come to the park with Keuchel and Kershaw pitching,” Hinch said. Hardly a repeat performance from the opener, when Kershaw dominated while outpitching Keuchel for a 3-1 win. Gurriel’s second homer of the Series also kept open this possibility: Imagine the scene if Major League Baseball presents Gurriel with the MVP trophy, so soon after Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended him for the first five games next year for making a racist gesture toward Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish. Keuchel never got into a rhythm during the shortest home start of his All-Star career. His breaking pitches spun without much movement, and he was pulled in the fourth. The Dodgers hadn’t lost a game this year when they led by four runs. But Kershaw’s bedevilling postseason past came back to haunt him at the worst time. Kershaw was pulled after a pair of two-out walks in the bottom of the fifth. And with the crowd sensing something big, the 5-foot-6 Altuve connected off Kenta Maeda for a home run that made it 7-all. “At that point, I talked to him before getting the at-bat: ‘This is your moment,’” Correa said. “And he didn’t let me down. He hit a homer and got us going.”

NBA CAPSULES CELTICS 108, SPURS 94 BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 24 points, Jaylen Brown added 18 and Al Horford had 13 rebounds to help the Celtics beat the Spurs and lead Boston to its fifth straight victory. Irving scored 24 for the third straight game, rookie Jayson Tatum had 11 rebounds and Terry Rozier had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. Boston lost its first two games of the season on back-toback nights — and star free agent Gordon Hayward, too — but have not lost since. Reserves Brandon Paul had 18 points and Rudy Gay scored 14 for San Antonio, which remains without Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs lost on back-to-back nights and fell to 1-3 on a four-game road trip, leaving coach Gregg Popovich waiting for career victory No. 1,155, which would tie him with Phil Jackson at sixth on the NBA’s all-time list. TIMBERWOLVES 125, HEAT 122 MIAMI (AP) — Jeff Teague scored 23 points, Andrew Wiggins scored 22 and the Minnesota Timberwolves scored the first six points of overtime before holding on to beat the Miami Heat 125-122 last night. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who got 16 from Jimmy Butler and 13 from Jamal Crawford. Jimmy Butler scored 14, Jamal Crawford scored 13 and Towns grabbed 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Dion Waiters tied a career-high by scoring 33 for Miami, 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter including a layup that sent the game to overtime. His 30-footer that would have tied the game as time expired bounced off the rim. Kelly Olynyk scored 23 points and Goran Dragic added 18 for Miami — which was again without centre Hassan Whiteside, out for a fifth consecutive game with a bruised left knee. Bam Adebayo started again in his place and had the best game of his rookie season, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds. HORNETS 104, GRIZZLISE 99 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kemba Walker scored 27 points and keyed a fourth-quarter rally to erase a double-digit deficit as the Hornets handed Memphis its first home loss of the season with a win over the Grizzlies. Jeremy Lamb added 17 points and rookie Malik Monk finished with 13 points. Memphis held a 10-point lead with just under 8 minutes left, but Walker re-entered the game and kick-started the Charlotte rally. Walker had nine points in the stretch, part of which included an 18-4 run by the Hornets.

BOSTON Celtics’ Kyrie Irving (11) drives past San Antonio Spurs’ Dejounte Murray (5) in the third quarter last night in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) That rally put the Hornets ahead for good, although Memphis pulled within 102-99 in the closing seconds. Memphis couldn’t catch Charlotte primarily because they made only 6 of 27 shots in the fourth, many of them coming in the closing minutes as the Grizzlies tried to stop the Hornets rally. MAGIC 115, PELICANS 99 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Marreese Speights highlighted an 18-point performance by hitting five of his career-high six 3-pointers during a decisive 22-6 run, and the Magic soundly defeated the Pelicans. Speights’ second 3 of the game made it 87-83 in the final minute of the third quarter. He drained four more early in the fourth, after which Orlando led 106-89. Coming off a lopsided victory over Cleveland on Saturday, the Pelicans were unable to respond during the final seven minutes. Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Jonathon Simmons each scored 20 points for Orlando, which shot 50.6 percent (43 of 85) from the field and 47.1 percent (16 of 34) from 3-point range. Aaron Gordon added 17 points, helping the Magic bounce back from a loss at Charlotte a night earlier. Anthony Davis had 39 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, but the Pelicans made only seven of their 28 3-point

attempts, hitting only 3 of 18 from deep in the second half. 76ERS 115, ROCKETS 107 HOUSTON (AP) — Ben Simmons had 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Joel Embiid added 22 points to lead the 76ers to a win over the Rockets. After losing 105-104 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Eric Gordon in Philadelphia on Oct. 18, the 76ers snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Rockets, winning in Houston for the first time since Feb. 16, 2011. The Rockets missed nine of their last 10 shots, scoring just four points in the final 3:28 and dropped consecutive games for the first time this season. James Harden scored 29 points and Gordon had 25. KNICKS 116, NUGGETS 110 NEW YORK (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis scored a career-high 38 points and Kyle O’Quinn added 15 points and 12 rebounds to help the Knicks beat the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter after the Knicks had blown all of their 23-point third-quarter lead. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 28 points and Jamal Murray scored 20.

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Tuesday, October 31, 2017, PAGE 5

JUDGE REINSTATES SIX-GAME SUSPENSION FOR COWBOYS’ ELLIOTT By TOM HAYS Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge cleared the way last night for the NFL to enforce a six-game suspension of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott over domestic violence allegations. US District Judge Katherine Polk Failla denied the request for a preliminary injunction from players’ union attorneys working for Elliott. Failla put the ruling on hold for 24 hours to give Elliott’s legal team time to appeal, a likely move. It’s the second time a federal ruling has overturned a reprieve that kept Elliott on the field. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court threw out a Texas court’s injunction and ordered the dismissal of Elliott’s lawsuit there.

The NFL briefly enforced Commissioner Roger Goodell’s suspension before a judge sitting in for Failla in the Southern District of New York issued a temporary restraining order that blocked the punishment for the second time. If the suspension holds this time, Elliott will be out starting Sunday at home against Kansas City. He will be eligible to return December 17 at Oakland. Elliott attended the roughly two-hour hearing in New York on Monday, a day after rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 33-19 win at Washington. He left court without speaking to reporters. The 22-year-old Elliott was suspended in August after the league concluded following a yearlong investigation that he had several physical confrontations

COWBOYS running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Redskins on Sunday. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

in the summer of 2016 with Tiffany Thompson, his girlfriend at the time. Prosecutors in Columbus, Ohio, decided not to pursue the case in the city where Elliott starred for Ohio State, citing conflicting evidence. Elliott denied the allegations under oath during his NFL appeal. A lawyer for the NFL Players Association, Jeffrey Kessler, argued that the process Goodell used to determine the punishment against Elliott was “fundamentally unfair” because it downplayed the conclusion by an internal investigator that Thompson wasn’t credible in her account of the 2016 violence. The doubts “were kept from the union, the Cowboys, the player and, we believe, Mr Goodell,” Kessler said. At one point, the judge asked NFL attorney Paul Clement,

“Why it was OK that the commissioner was not told that (the investigator) had concerns?” Clement responded that a report given to Goodell before he made his decision made clear that the accuser was a flawed witness, but that he relied on photos of her bruised body and other corroborating evidence to make his decision. Though criminal authorities declined to bring charges in the case, the league has an obligation to combat domestic abuse under its labour agreement, he said. “There’s a concern on the behalf of the league that its players are held to a higher standard,” Clement said. The union’s suggestion that its lawyer should have been able to cross-examine Thompson during an arbitration hearing won by the league would set a “terrible precedent,” he added.

Chiefs force 5 TOs, beat Broncos 29-19 in AFC West showdown By DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Harrison Butker kicked five field goals, Marcus Peters returned a fumble 45 yards for a touchdown and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the turnover-prone Denver Broncos 29-19 last night. Alex Smith threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, most of it going to tight end Travis Kelce, who hauled in seven balls for 133 yards and the score. The Chiefs (6-2) also intercepted Trevor Siemian three times and hopped on two fumbles to beat Denver (3-4) for the fourth straight time. Siemian finished 19 of 36 for 198 yards and a touchdown, and has now thrown eight picks and only three TD passes in the past five games. The Broncos have lost all but one of them. It was a crucial bounce-back win for the Chiefs, who had their 12-game AFC West winning streak snapped 10 days ago in Oakland. The Chiefs had won five straight to start the season before losing to the Steelers and then to the Raiders on Derek Carr’s last-second touchdown throw. It started just like old times, too: Jamaal Charles with a run, the Chiefs with a touchdown. The only difference was Charles, who went to four Pro Bowls with the Chiefs, was back in Kansas City with the Broncos. And the TD came when the opportunistic Peters stripped him, picked up the loose ball and returned it 45 yards for the opening score. When the Chiefs were on offence, they went right to Kelce, who also had success against the Broncos in both of their meetings

GAROPPOLO (AP)

REPORT: 49ERS GET GAROPPOLO FROM PATS FOR 2ND ROUNDER By JOSH DUBOW Associated Press

KANSAS City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) makes a touchdown reception with wide receiver Albert Wilson (12) celebrating, as Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) watches, in the first half last night. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) it — and he was intercepted in the zone in 13-plus quarters, but it got last season. He beat Darian Stewcoach Vance Joseph’s team within art for a 29-yard TD catch and a end zone. Kansas City still led 20-3 when 20-13 with a quarter to play. 14-0 lead. Butker answered with another The Chiefs were threatening to the Broncos’ offence finally found field goal, and the Chiefs defence put the game out of reach later in some rhythm. They marched 60 yards to set up held on fourth-and-4 near midfield the first quarter when coach Andy Reid got cute with the play-calling. their second field goal by Brandon to get the ball back. Butker added Rather than keep the ball in McManus, and then capped an two more field goals, the last with the hands of Smith, who hasn’t 80-yard drive with Booker’s touch- 4:41 left, giving him 18 consecuthrown a pick all season, he let down run. It was just the second tive made attempts and putting the wide receiver Tyreek Hill throw time Denver had reached the end game out of reach.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly acquired their quarterback of the future by trading for New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo. ESPN reports yesterday that the Niners dealt a 2018 second-round pick to the Patriots for Garoppolo. San Francisco (0-8) had been expected to either draft a quarterback high in the first round next year or try to acquire a proven starter like Kirk Cousins in free agency. Instead, they decided to strike early and put the fate of their franchise in the hands in a quarterback who has started just two games in four NFL seasons. Both teams have declined to confirm the trade.

SPURS ANXIOUS OVER KANE’S FITNESS AHEAD OF REAL MADRID VISIT By The Associated Press A LOOK at what’s happening around the Champions League this week: TOTTENHAM WAITING ON KANE Tottenham is anxious about the fitness of leading scorer Harry Kane ahead of Real Madrid’s visit on Wednesday in a game that could decide the winner of Group H. The teams are equal with seven points after three matches, having drawn 1-1 at the Bernabeu two weeks ago, but this time Spurs might be without Kane. The England striker missed Tottenham’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Saturday with a hamstring injury and his absence resulted in a limited attacking display from Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup. Madrid is experiencing domestic struggles of its own. It fell eight points behind La Liga leader Barcelona after a surprising 2-1 loss to Girona on Sunday. However, both Tottenham and Madrid can play with the comfort of a six-point advantage over Borussia Dortmund and Apoel, and either team can advance to the knockout stage if it wins. Manchester United and Manchester City will be aiming to extend their perfect group stage records. A win for United against

Benfica at Old Trafford today could secure progression from Group A, while City can do the same with a win at Napoli in Group F on Wednesday. Chelsea and Liverpool also sit atop their groups, though with less of a cushion. The Blues can take a big step toward qualification today just by avoiding defeat at Roma in Group C, while Liverpool must cash in on its Group E clash against NK Maribor at Anfield on Wednesday, with sterner tests to come from Spartak Moscow and Sevilla. — By Sam Johnston in London FORMIDABLE PSG Unbeaten Paris SaintGermain has scored nearly 50 goals this season and will be confident of sealing its place in the knockout stage with a win against Anderlecht. Having lost the home game 4-0 two weeks ago, Anderlecht has genuine reason to be fearful on Halloween at Parc des Princes in today’s Group B match. PSG has won its three group games without conceding a goal and, at the attacking end, Edinson Cavani is in scintillating scoring form. Cavani’s two goals against Nice last Friday took his tally to 15 from 13 games overall, including four in the Champions League.

PSG’s Edinson Cavani celebrates the opening goal during a French League One soccer match against Nice at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, on Friday. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Monaco was last season’s free-scoring team in France, winning the league in style and reaching the European Cup semi-finals with an an attack brand of football. But coach Leonardo Jardim’s team would be happy with any win away to Besiktas on Wednesday. It’s a must-win game in Istanbul for Monaco, which is bottom of Group G with just one point. Besiktas could advance to the knockout stage with a win. Monaco has won both its league games since losing 2-1 at home to Besiktas. With his new-look lineup finally looking like it’s starting to gel, and top scorer Radamel Falcao likely to return after being rested Saturday, Jardim has some cause for optimism. — By J Pugmire in Paris

PRESSURE ON ATLETICO While Barcelona and Real Madrid remain in comfortable positions to advance to the knockout stage, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla enter the week needing good results to keep their hopes alive. Atletico hosts Qarabag today bidding for its first win in Group C, which has Chelsea and Roma at the top. Atletico, after a disappointing league draw against Villarreal, trails Roma by three points and Chelsea by five. Sevilla is coming off a demoralising 5-1 loss to Spartak Moscow in Group E, but it gets a shot at revenge when the Russian team comes to Seville on Wednesday. The Spanish

club has four points, one less than both Spartak and Liverpool. Barcelona, which leads Group D with nine points from three matches, plays at last-place Olympiakos. — By Tales Azzoni in Madrid

City is the best side in the world.” Juventus is away at Sporting Lisbon today as it aims to keep within three points of leading Barcelona in Group D. — By Daniella Matar in Rome

REVENGE IN NAPLES This could be Napoli’s year in Serie A, and it might be affecting its Champions League campaign. After six years of domination by Juventus, the Italian league title is a tight contest. Napoli beat Sassuolo 3-1 on Sunday to remain three points ahead of Juventus atop the standings. It was a 10th win in 11 league matches for Maurizio Sarri’s side, which has only dropped points in a draw against Inter. Next up is the visit of Group F leader Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Sarri admits his players are focusing more on domestic matters than Europe’s elite club competition. “It’s the most important club competition in the world, so being a part of it is something to be proud of,” Sarri said. “It’s also natural that in the minds of the players they focus more on the competition they’ve got a better chance at, but we must be eager to challenge ourselves against the best and right now Manchester

PERFECT HEYNCKES Jupp Heynckes is bidding to keep his perfect record since returning to Bayern Munich when his team plays Celtic in Glasgow today. Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed after Bayern was humbled by Group B leader PSG but, in his fourth spell with the German champions, Heynckes has restored order. Bayern beat Celtic two weeks ago in Munich and a repeat will likely ensure progression to the knockout stage. The path to the round of 16 is not so simple for Leipzig in Group G. The Champions League debutant got its first victory in the competition two weeks ago against Porto, taking its tally to four points. But with Besiktas out of sight with nine points and last season’s semifinalist Monaco lurking, there is pressure on Leipzig to produce a positive result from its return fixture with Porto. Borussia Dortmund’s chances are slimmer as it chases its first Group H win.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 31, 2017, PAGE 7

HARBAUGH: RAVENS QB FLACCO HAS ‘GOOD CHANCE’ TO PLAY SUNDAY By DAVID GINSBURG Associated Press OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Joe Flacco is recovering nicely from the concussion he received last week, and Ravens coach John Harbaugh says “there’s a good chance” the quarterback will play Sunday at Tennessee. Flacco sustained a concussion and a gash that required stitches after absorbing a late, high hit from Miami linebacker Kiko Alonso in Baltimore’s 40-0 victory Thursday night. Flacco was on the ground at the end of a protective slide when Alonso slammed into him. The second-quarter tackle caused Flacco to lose his helmet and left him dazed. He was subsequently escorted to the locker room and did not return. Harbaugh said yesterday that “symptoms are zero” for Flacco. But he will remain on concussion protocol at least until Baltimore (4-4) resumes practice on Wednesday, and maybe

longer. If Flacco is cleared by Sunday, however, he will start against the Titans (4-3). “If he’s ready, he’s playing,” Harbaugh said. Asked if he expected Flacco to play, the coach responded: “Sure, absolutely. I think there’s a good chance he’ll play.” The recovery process has not kept Flacco from showing up at the team’s training complex, even though the Ravens were given the weekend off. “He’s been here every day, doing what he’s supposed to do,” Harbaugh said. The NFL has not levied punishment for the hit by Alonso, who insisted that he made the tackle because he was unsure if Flacco was going to slide. By the time Flacco decided to conclude the 9-yard scramble by hitting the turf on his own, Alonso was on his way. “There’s a technique to teach those guys coming in there, and we teach our guys that,” Harbaugh said. “We try to do the best with

RAVENS QB Joe Flacco (5) is assisted by offensive guard Matt Skura after colliding with Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso in the first half last Thursday night in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) it, but the responsibility’s on the defender, clearly.” After Flacco left, Ryan Mallett threw a touchdown pass for a 20-0 lead, then managed the game

efficiently the rest of the way. He will start Sunday if Flacco cannot. “Ryan’s definitely a drop-back-thrower type of a guy, a student of the game, always prepared,

always studies it and knows the game plan inside and out,” Harbaugh said. “He was ready to go Thursday night. Didn’t skip a beat as far as the

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 57° F/14° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Pleasant with clouds and sun

Partly cloudy with a shower

Partly sunny and pleasant

Sunshine and some clouds

Nice with sun and some clouds

Partly sunny with a shower or two

High: 82°

Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 73°

High: 86° Low: 75°

High: 86° Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 74°

AccuWeather RealFeel

82° F

72° F

87°-77° F

90°-78° F

96°-80° F

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 59° F/15° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

ABACO

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 74° F/23° C

7-14 knots

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 66° F/19° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

W S

WEST PALM BEACH

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

7-14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 71° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 83° F/28° C Normal low ........................................ 72° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 85° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 73° F/23° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 34.70” Normal year to date ................................... 35.30”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

uV inDex toDay

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

5:11 a.m. 5:28 p.m.

2.8 2.9

11:24 a.m. 0.7 11:48 p.m. 0.4

Wednesday 5:59 a.m. 6:16 p.m.

3.1 3.0

12:15 p.m. 0.4 ---------

Thursday

6:46 a.m. 7:03 p.m.

3.3 3.1

12:32 a.m. 0.1 1:05 p.m. 0.1

Friday

7:32 a.m. 7:51 p.m.

3.5 3.1

1:17 a.m. -0.2 1:54 p.m. -0.1

Saturday

8:19 a.m. 8:38 p.m.

3.7 3.1

2:02 a.m. -0.4 2:43 p.m. -0.2

Sunday

8:07 a.m. 8:28 p.m.

3.8 3.1

1:48 a.m. -0.5 2:34 p.m. -0.3

Monday

8:57 a.m. 9:20 p.m.

3.8 3.0

2:36 a.m. -0.5 3:26 p.m. -0.3

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

7:17 a.m. 6:30 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

4:20 p.m. 3:32 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Nov. 4

Nov. 10

Nov. 18

Nov. 26

CAT ISLAND

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

7-14 knots

7-14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

different operational things he had to do — the run checks, the pass checks, the protections.” The Ravens, however, would much prefer using Flacco in their final game before a bye. Prior to the injury, he was 10 for 15 for 101 yards and a touchdown. Playing on Thursday night provided Flacco a few extra days to recover and gave the Ravens a chance to rest before starting the second half of their schedule. “The downside and upside of Thursday night games are, it’s a quick turnaround. The upside is the fact that you have 10 days to get ready for the next game and heal up a little bit,” Harbaugh said. “So for our team, this is good. This is positive, and we want to take advantage of it.” In other news, Harbaugh said running back Danny Woodhead — who has been inactive since the opener because of a hamstring injury — could begin practice this week.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

7-14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 79° F/26° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 81° F/27° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

8-16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 10-20 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 10-20 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NNE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots

WAVES 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 80° F 80° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 83° F 83° F 79° F 79° F 80° F 80° F 82° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 81° F 80° F 83° F 83° F 81° F 81° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, October 31, 2017

THE TRIBUNE