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‘Bowflex Barbie’ Dekel qualifies for Mr Olympia

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DEKEL 'Bowflex Barbie"

Quant will return home on Tuesday as the first Bahamian female bodybuilder to qualify for the prestigious Mr Olympia. In winning the women's figure division of the Ben Weider Naturals Pro/Am held in Alexandria, Virginia on Friday, Quant booked her ticket to Mr Olympia to be held sometime in October, joining former Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Joel Stubbs.

During what was described as one of the greatest eras in bodybuilding, Stubbs competed in the 2009 Mr Olympia Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he placed 15th overall in the men's heavyweight division.

The 32-year-old Quant, a personal fitness trainer who earned her International Fitness of Bodybuilding Federation pro card in 2015, qualified for the Ben Weider show after she won the figure overall title as well at the NPC Natural Clash of the Titanz in Georgia in June. Still in Virginia where she attended the show with her husband Ethan, Quant said becoming the first Bahamian to qualify for Mr Oympia was not something on her radar, but she was thrilled when she achieved it. "It still feels a bit surreal. I think it's going to hit me when I actually get back home," Quant said. "It wasn't something I was chasing, but in the moment, when it was happening, it kind of registered.

Dekel Quant first Bahamian female bodybuilder to qualify for the prestigious event

"When I realised it was after the prejudging and the thought came to me that this is a possibility. So it feels really good getting to this level after becoming a pro two years ago. The next step was qualifying for Mr Olympia. I guess this is just my time."

In 2023 at the Caribbean Grand Prix, Quant secured her pro card and after winning her first show in June, she knew she had the potential to qualify for Mr Olympia.

"Each athlete I competed against had to win overall at another show in order to compete in the lineup," Quant said. "Essentially, it was the best of the best in that division. So it was a big show."

Having first started competing in 2015, Quant said it was a journey to get to this stage in her career. She said her coaching from Cordell McNabb in Grand Bahama at the YMCA where she got started to her current coach for the past four years, Damian Segoviaor, who is based out of Arizona, has played a significant role in her success. She thanked her husband, Ethan, her father Derek Nesbitt, brother Demeko Nesbitt and coach Segoviaor for their unwavering support as well as the financial contributions from her sponsors, Fitness Connection, Endless Motion, ⁠⁠OMG

Bikinis, Knockout Beauty and ⁠⁠Lifestyles Digital Media Group.

Having started the celebrations over dinner with her husband following the show, Quant said she intends to get some rest, eat a little more and continue her training so that she won't put on too much body fat.

After the holidays are over, Quant said she will be working with her back posing as she develops more density and dimension with her coach as she equals her balance and symmetry with her front pose.

"The celebrations will be enjoying the moment and spending time with some people who I haven't had a chance to do so with," Quant said. "I plan to enjoy the holidays."

Quant, the daughter of deceased volleyball standout Rozina Nesbitt, who passed away in 2008, got started playing a variety of sports at Freeport High, now known as Bishop Michael Eldon High.

After migrating to New Providence after graduating from college where she played volleyball, Quant began her personal training and she has now branched out to an online training through her fitness app Bowflex Barbie where she encourages persons, especially women, to live a more healthy lifestyle.

Guard Leiyah Bain explodes for 47 points in win

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MIAMI Killian High School Cougars women's basketball team is riding a perfect 2-0 win-loss record behind the Bahamian connection of coach Cedricka Sweeting and point guard Leiyah Bain.

Coming off their season opener in a 56-35 win over Miami High as she scored 28 points with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals on Wednesday, Bain posted a career high 47 points with five rebounds, four assists and three steals in their 63-44

win over Coleman High on Thursday.

The former student of HO Nash and the Lions' girls basketball team, coached by Patricia 'Pattie' Johnson, is in her third season and is currently the leading scorer for Sweeting and the Cougars.

"I had a strong performance," said the 18-year-old Bain, who is in grade 11.

"I got into a rhythm early. I stayed aggressive throughout the game. I took advantage of the opportunities that I had.

"I let the game come to me. I didn't try to force anything. I tried to get my team-mates involved. It was a total effort. I was just glad to lead the team."

Bain, one of two Bahamians on the team, said she's proud of herself and she still has a lot to accomplish because her aim is to get to the next level. She said she feels she's in the right environment with coach Sweeting to achieve her goals. "It's a blessing because I just wanted to play basketball, but she believed in me when I didn't believe in myself," Bain said of Sweeting. "She always had my best interest at heart and she put her best foot forward.

"When I don't feel like doing something, she encourages me to go on. She's been there for me every day. I'm just grateful for her."

In the time she has coached her since she came to Miami, Sweeting said Bain has improved tremendously and the future looks very bright for her. "I

think as of now, she is ready to play at the next level," said Sweeting, who has been impressed with her ball-handling skills.

"So right now the main focus is to continue to prepare her for the next level," she said.

Sweeting and the Cougars' third of their 13-game regular season this season will be played on Wednesday, December 3 against Southridge in Miami before they will play Jackson High on Thursday, December 4.

"I'm looking forward to our team going further than we did last year," said Sweeting, a former guard, who left The Bahamas in pursuit of her dream of playing at the professional level.

"After losing in the playoffs last year, they put in the work in the summer to be prepared for what is to come this year."

Sweeting, who came over from Archbishop Carroll in her first year of coaching, said it's been a blessing for her working with the young ladies as they develop their game.

Last year in her first year, Sweeting and the Cougars made it to the regionals, making their exit in the second round of the playoffs. This year, Bain said she hopes to lead the Cougars to the state championship. "It's a lot more competitive because everybody is trying to get to the next level," said Bain about moving from high school to a prestigious college or university. You just have to be prepared."

Lightning Aquatics Thanksgiving

Invite: Mako wins overall team title

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Lightning Aquatics Thanksgiving Invite took place Saturday at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Swimming Complex, featuring strong competition across all age groups.

Mako Aquatics Club won the overall team title with a dominant 1,133 points, followed by Barracuda Swim Club (472), Blue Waves Swim Club (431), Lightning Aquatics (368) and Alpha Aquatics (364).

“The expectations were to be better than we were last month, obviously we have been in the pool a little longer now with more training, and we were a little more faster and a little more comfortable. We are gearing up for CARIFTA trials in February and CARIFTA in March,” said Mako Aquatics head coach Travano McPhee.

“We want to put swimmers in better positions and the federation has done a

great job this year as well so far, they have added more meets to give swimmers more time and opportunities to qualify. A few of our older kids have gotten their CARIFTA cuts already which is a good sign and comparing them from last year November they are much faster,” said McPhee on the expectations of the club heading further into the swim season.

Lightning Aquatics’ assistant coach and national team swimmer Shawn Neely Jr said: “We expected them to be around their best times, we have about 15 to 20 new swimmers who swam in a meet for their first time today, so they got their feet wet for the first time in competition.”

Distance races set the tone early. Girls 8&U 200 free saw strong times with Celeste Johnson winning in 3:10.76, followed by Madison Moss (3:10.83) and Margot Johnston (3:41.69).

In the boys 11–12 200 free, Adrian Dean posted 2:22.04, edging out EJ Burrows Jr. (2:22.60) and

Nassau Rowing Club hosts its 2nd annual Lake Cunningham Head Regatta

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Nassau Rowing Club hosted its second annual Lake Cunningham Head Regatta on Saturday with winners from both the local and international scene.

Race organiser Nick Rowett said the event has grown from about 23 boats in the first year to more than 40 competing in time trials, similar to the Head of the Charles Regatta that was held on a three-mile course last month in Boston, Massachusetts.

The NRC staged the event on a 4,400 millimetre course on Lake Cunningham, which proved the endurance and fitness level of the competitors.

"The sport is expanding and we're looking for bigger and better regattas," Rowett said. "The Nassau Rowing club is now competing overseas as well. We just got back from a race in Washington DC last month and in February we will be going to the Sarasota Invitational Race in Sarasota, Florida, followed by another regatta in Lake

Cunningham and an indoor race at Lyford Cay School.  At the end of the competition, Windsor School accumulated four victories, followed by the Nassau Rowing Club with 3.5, King's College School with two and the Passaic Rowing Club out of the United States with 1.5.

King's College School junior boys' quad produced the fastest time by a Bahamian crew in the race, turning in an impressive time of 20 minutes and 03.85 seconds, considering they were also the youngest members in the competition.

Americans Arthur Ware from the Nereid Rowing Club in New Jersey and Janice Holzman from the Passaic Rowing Club, teamed up to win the overall title. This is their second straight trip here and they brought along a few more competitors with them.

"The water here is perfect, coach Nick runs a perfectly good regatta and so we decided to ask a few more people to join us," Holzman said. "It's  wonderful to be in The Bahamas and wonderful to race and

Brantley Richards (2:22.65) in one of the closest races of the meet.

Breaststroke events were competitive across several age groups. Girls 11–12 50 breast was won by Catrell Taylor in 41.34, ahead of Emma Wallace (42.50) and Seren Jenkins (42.85). Boys 13–14 50 breast produced one of the day’s top technical races, with Trace Russell clocking 33.00, followed by Zakary Cartwright (35.25) and De’Kayden Emmanuel (35.73).

Backstroke sprints also delivered tight finishes. Girls 8&U 50 back was won by Shiloh Ferguson in 34.33, with Payton Bostwick (36.64) and Isabella Albury (38.56) completing the top three. Boys 11–12 50 back featured Kai Bastian at 31.02, ahead of Dexter Russell (32.44) and Tajj Archer (34.13).

Butterfly races highlighted rising talent in multiple divisions. Dexter Russell won the boys’ 11-12 50 fly in 28.08, followed by Tajj Archer (31.20) and EJ Burrows Jr. (32.36).

In the girls’ 9–10 50 fly, Katelin Hanna finished first in 33.92, ahead of Aubree Edwards (35.07) and Rinia Johnson (35.95). The meet closed with medley events,

where athletes showed strong endurance and pacing.

Girls 8&U 200 IM was led by Madison Moss in 3:43.08, followed by Celeste

ROWERS compete in the Nassau Rowing Club’s second annual Lake Cunningham Head Regatta on Saturday.

support the Nassau Rowing Club."

Coming off a recent trip to Spain, Weir said they were delighted to partner with each other here in The Bahamas competing in November in such incredible weather conditions.

With a total of nine competitors, Windsor School cleaned up, winning the majority of individual and team awards.

Dehron Smith, the new head rowing coach at Windsor School, said he was delighted to be able to carry on the legacy that Canadian Olympic coach Rob Gibson left.

"Coach Rob left a really good history and legacy and everybody is sharp," Smith said. "So we're able to train fairly well and fairly consistently. So it helps them to perform like they did today."

Smith said he and the coaching staff try not to put too much pressure on the rowers, but allow them to "start the race and finish the race" and just hope that "nothing much bad happens in between. "Rowing is a sport about time and the game, so you just show up and you are already a winner. That is how we treat it."

Sandra Calender, a 17-year-old 12th grader who has been rowing since the ninth grade, won the junior women's singles competition for Windsor School. "It felt pretty good," she said. "I had a good race. The conditions were okay. I had a good time. I'm looking forward to my 2K fitness test in the gym next week to see how I improve in the gym. Hope to master that too."

Another Windsor School student Jabari Gomez won

Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr/Tribune Staff

the men's junior singles.The 16-year-old 11th grader has been rowing for the past two years, but was pleased with his progress.

"It was a good race. I just try to keep ahead of the competition," Gomez said. "The competition was good. It was a hard push to win it."

Basil Goulandris, the winner of the masters singles race, said it was good for him to make his return to competition after not competing for the past 40 years. "It was good. It was a terrific day. Couldn't ask for better weather, so it felt really good," said Goulandris, who has only been back in the NRC for the past year and a half training.

"I live here and I'm out on the lake at least three to four times a week, so I will definitely be competing a lot more."

Note: While mostly the private schools participate in the NRC events, Rowett said plans are underway to stage the first Government Secondary Schools Sports Association Indoor Rowing Competition in March for the government schools in New Providence. Rowett said plans are also to invite schools from the Family Islands to participate in the indoor forum as they work towards getting more student-athletes exposed to the sport and eventually secure athletic scholarships to colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. "This is an opportunity to see if we can get students from the government schools to get a free ride on athletic scholarships like we have been doing for our private school students," Rowett stated.

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) Night League had a two-game slate on Saturday at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium, featuring a Division I and Division II matchup. In the Division I opener, the Mekaddish Millionaires defeated the TMT Giants 62–55. The Millionaires entered as underdogs but controlled the game from the second quarter onward. Once they claimed the lead, they maintained it by efficient offence and

re-energised, hard-nosed defence.  Christopher Storr led all scorers with 20 points and added six assists, setting the pace for the Millionaires. Chadwin James followed with 13 points, providing consistent support in the backcourt. Forward Sirmar Rolle delivered a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. For the Giants, Devon Bonaby finished with 17 points to lead his team. Rakeem Minnis contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds, securing a double-double in the loss. Despite strong interior play, the Giants’ perimeter shooting issues prevented

them from closing the gap. They shot 7-for-36 from three-point range (19%), the main reason for the outcome. Sharpshooter Christopher McKenzie attempted 13 of those threes but converted only three, contributing to the team’s offensive struggles. The lack of efficiency from deep and lack of converted opportunities inside the paint made it difficult for the Giants to respond once the Millionaires tightened their half-court defence in the second half. Giants will have to convert on more opportunities in games going forward to continue to be competitive this season.

The Division II game followed with the AFS Insurance Heatwaves falling to the JEMS Vacation Travel Alliance 68–59. The Heatwaves seemingly had the entire gym in support but were unable to convert that momentum into a win.

JEMS used a balanced scoring effort, capitalising on turnovers and a weak inside defence despite the Heatwaves having a clear height advantage, to secure the victory.

Terrano Oliver led with 13 points and Tavari Roker added 11.

The guard pair controlled the tempo and forced the Heatwaves into extended defensive possessions.

JEMS’ patient offensive approach proved effective as the game progressed, especially once the Heatwaves began to miss shot after shot. The Heatwaves entered halftime with a 29–27 lead after a slow-paced first half, but their offensive rhythm faded in the third and fourth quarters. Tyrese Porter led the team with 13 points, but the team's overall shooting struggles were too much to overcome. AFS went 7-for28 from three-point range, missing several timely attempts that could have shifted momentum. Their poor shooting from outside allowed JEMS to

gradually build separation and close out the game with controlled possessions and disciplined ball movement. Post-game, things got a little heated as players from both teams began a shouting match outside of the gym. Coaches and players quickly de-escalated the situation, and teams were able to remain peaceful.  Night League basketball action continues tonight at the A.F Adderley gymnasium with a Division I matchup of Tucker Boyz Mambas versus Caribbean Moonshine Rockets and a Division II matchup between the Mason Aces versus the Rebels starting at 7pm.

Kings overcome Jokic’s 44 points, beat Nuggets 128-123 to end 8-game slide

By The Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter against his former team, and Sacramento withstood 44 points from Nikola Jokic to beat Denver, ending an eight-game slide on Saturday.

Dennis Schroder also had 21 points for Sacramento, which lost every game during the streak by double digits — the last by 41 points at Memphis on Thursday night.

The Kings appeared on their way to a ninth straight defeat after falling behind by 13 in the third quarter, but they rallied to take the last of three games against Denver this season.

Keegan Murray had 19 points in his second game back from offseason surgery on his left thumb. DeMar DeRozan added 17, including a three-point play with 12 seconds left that sealed it.

Jokic had 19 points in the fourth quarter. He finished with 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Jamal Murray scored 23 points and Cam Johnson had 20 for the Nuggets, who were without Aaron Gordon.

The forward injured his right hamstring early in Friday night’s win at Houston.

MAGIC 133, KNICKS 121

FRANZ Wagner had 37 points, Desmond Bane scored 27, and the Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 133-121 on Saturday night for their sixth win in their past seven games.

Wagner scored seven of his season-high 37 points during a 13-0 fourth quarter run that helped the Magic pull away to their

second win in 11 days over the Knicks. Bane and Jalen Suggs, with 26 points, also had seasons scoring highs. Bane’s 3-pointer late in the third quarter broke a 93-93 tie and put Orlando in front for good. Anthony Black came off the bench with 11 points, four assists, and three steals for Orlando.

Jalen Brunson had 33 points and 11 assists for the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and eight rebounds and Mikal Bridges had 18 points.

CLIPPERS 131, HORNETS 116

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — James Harden made 10 3-pointers and scored a season-high 55 points, and Los Angeles beat Charlotte hours after 12-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul released a video on social media hinting at retirement after the season ends.

Ivica Zubac added 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Clippers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Rookie Kon Knueppel had 26 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost five straight. Brandon Miller returned from a 13-game absence because of a shoulder injury and finished with 21 points.

HAWKS 115, PELICANS 98 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis scored 29 points and Vit Krejci added 21 off the bench on seven 3-pointers to propel Atlanta to a victory over the skidding New Orleans. Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Hawks, who stopped a two-game skid and won for the eighth time in 11 road games. Dyson Daniels, drafted in

the first round by the Pelicans in 2022, provided 14 points and eight rebounds.

Playing its fifth game in seven nights, New Orleans lost its ninth straight overall and fell to 2-15 this season. Porzingis shot 11 of 17 from the field and Krejci went 7 for 10 from 3-point range.

BULLS 121, WIZARDS 120

CHICAGO (AP) —

Nikola Vucevic had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Chicago handed Washington its 14th consecutive loss with a victory over the Wizards.

Josh Giddey had 18 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for Chicago, which won for the third time in four games. Coby White

scored 20 points, and Matas Buzelis finished with 13.

Washington inbounded the ball with 5.5 seconds left, but Kyshawn George rolled an errant pass out of bounds. Chicago then ran out the clock.

Cam Whitmore and Corey Kispert each scored 20 points for the NBA-worst Wizards, who remained winless against Eastern Conference opponents. CJ McCollum had 18 points, and George added 17.

PISTONS 129, BUCKS 116

MILWAUKEE (AP ) —

Cade Cunningham had 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as Detroit capitalized on sizzling shooting to beat Milwaukee for their 12th straight victory.

Detroit’s Jaden Ivey played 15 minutes and scored 10 points in his first game since breaking his left fibula on Jan. 1. Tobias Harris scored 18 points while playing for the first time since Nov. 1 after dealing with a sprained right ankle.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a second straight game due to an adductor strain. The Pistons are one victory away from matching the longest winning streak in franchise history. Detroit won 13 straight games in 1989-90 and 2003-04, and the Pistons went on to win the NBA title both seasons.

GRIZZLIES 102, MAVERICKS 96

DALLAS (AP) — Santi Aldama scored 20 points,

including a left-handed driving shot that began a tiebreaking 6-0 run for Memphis in the final minute, and Cam Spencer added 15 of his 17 points off the bench in the second half as the Grizzlies beat Dallas. Zach Edey had 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds for his first double-double in four games since returning from offseason ankle surgery for the Grizzlies (6-11), who have won consecutive games for the first time this season. Klay Thompson scored a season-high 22 off the bench and matched a season best with six 3-pointers for the Mavericks (5-13), who split a home back-to-back and have yet to win consecutive games this season.

NEW England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (81) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, November. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/ Jay LaPrete)

Patriots extend win streak to nine, overcome early deficit in 26-20 win over Bengals

By The Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — Drake Maye passed for 294 yards and a touchdown, Marcus Jones returned an interception 33 yards for a score and the AFC-leading New England Patriots rallied from an early 10-point deficit and extended their winning streak to nine with a 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday.

Hunter Henry had a career-high 115 receiving yards, including a 28-yard TD catch, on seven receptions, for New England (10-2) — which has won at least nine straight for the first time since 2015.

But the Patriots fell behind 10-0 early in the second quarter before rallying. It was their first double-digit deficit since the second half of their opener against Las Vegas.

Andy Borregales’ 52-yard field goal, his fourth of the day, gave the Patriots a 26-20 lead with 1:51 remaining.

Joe Flacco drove Cincinnati to the New England 26, but a fourth-down pass with 18 seconds remaining intended for Mike Gesicki was incomplete.

COWBOYS 24, EAGLES 21

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Brandon Aubrey kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired after Dak Prescott rallied Dallas from a 21-point deficit and Dallas beat Philadelphia in a mistake-filled thriller.

The Cowboys (5-5-1) converted on their third tiebreaking chance of the fourth quarter to extend Prescott’s home winning streak against NFC East opponents to 19 in their first game at AT&T Stadium since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland.

The Eagles (8-3) are still in good shape to be the first repeat winners in the NFC East since they won four in a row from 2001-04, but the offence reverted to the form that has frustrated A.J. Brown after the star receiver had a big hand in the 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. Philadelphia lost with a lead

of at least 21 points for the first time since 1999, when Arizona beat the Eagles 25-24. It was the first win for Dallas when trailing by three touchdowns since the Cowboys beat the Rams 34-31 in 2014.

LIONS 34, GIANTS 27, OT DETROIT (AP) — Jahmyr Gibbs ran for a 69-yard touchdown on the first snap of overtime after Jake Bates matched a career high with a 59-yard field goal in the final minute of regulation, lifting Detroit to a win over New York.

New York had a chance to extend the game, but turned it over on downs at the Detroit 31 when Aidan Hutchinson sacked Jameis Winston.

The Lions (7-4) entered the game out of the playoff picture, trailed by double digits multiple times and rallied to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time in more than three years.

They wouldn’t have pulled it off without Gibbs, who had a career-high 264 yards from scrimmage and three scores.

The dual-threat running back had a career-high 219 yards rushing — the third-highest total in team history — and two touchdowns along with 45 yards receiving and another score.

Filling in for injured rookie Jaxson Dart, Winston had a 33-yard touchdown reception and threw a 39-yard touchdown pass on trick plays in regulation.

The Giants (2-10) lost their sixth straight game and fifth this season after leading in the fourth quarter.

JAGUARS 27, CARDINALS 24, OT GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, Cam Little kicked a 52-yard field goal in overtime and Jacksonville overcame a turnover-filled performance to beat Arizona.

Jacksonville got the ball first in overtime and after a promising drive stalled, Little made his kick with 7:46 left. Earlier this season,

he set an NFL record with a 68-yarder.

Arizona had a chance to tie or win, but Jacoby Brissett’s fourth-down heave to Xavier Weaver fell incomplete. The Cardinals elected to go for it on fourth instead of attempting a 60-yard field goal.

Jacksonville (7-4) has won three of its last four to improve its standing in the AFC playoff picture. Arizona (3-8) has lost eight of its last nine.

BEARS 31, STEELERS 28 CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams threw for three touchdowns, and the Bears beat Pittsburgh in a matchup of division leaders with Chicago’s old nemesis Aaron Rodgers sidelined by a broken left wrist.

Rodgers is 25-5 against the Bears from his long tenure in Green Bay. He once famously turned to the crowd at Soldier Field and screamed that he still owns Chicago. But the four-time MVP didn’t get the chance to show if that’s still the case.

Rodgers, who turns 42 on Dec. 2, was hurt in the second quarter of a 34-12 win over Cincinnati last week. He wore a brace when he practiced Friday on a limited basis, but the Steelers (6-5) went with Mason Rudolph in his place and fell into a first-place tie with Baltimore in the AFC North.

The NFC North-leading Bears (8-3) won for the eighth time in nine games. After rallying in the final two minutes the previous three weeks, they held onto a late leade this time. Pittsburgh pulled within three when Rudolph found Pat Freiermuth for a 3-yard score with 6 1/2 minutes remaining to cap a 17-play drive. The Steelers had the ball near midfield in the closing minute when Jaquan Brisker tipped a fourthdown pass at the line, sealing the win for Chicago.

SEAHAWKS 30, TITANS 24 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns and Seattle

beat Tennessee for its fifth win in six games.

Darnold bounced back with a clean game after being picked off four times last week.

The Seahawks (8-3) also improved to 5-1 on the road and made sure to hold onto the first wild-card spot in the NFC playoff chase.

The Seahawks, tied for the fourth-most sacks in the NFL, added four more against the NFL’s mostsacked quarterback in Titans rookie Cam Ward. Linebacker Derick Hall sacked Ward for the fourth one with the Titans at the Seattle 21, helping the Seahawks force a turnover on downs two plays later with 6:11 left.

Ward tried once more to rally the Titans. He found Chimere Dike with a 1-yard TD pass with 43 seconds left, giving the NFL’s worst-scoring team a season high in points and one final chance.

But linebacker Dorian Mausi touched the onside kick before the ball traveled 10 yards, and Seattle finished off the win.

BROWNS 24, RAIDERS 10

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders passed for 209 yards and a touchdown in his NFL starting debut and Myles Garrett had three of Cleveland’s 10 sacks in a victory over Las Vegas, the fifth straight loss for the Raiders.

The Browns (3-8) ended a three-game skid while starting their 42nd quarterback since the franchise’s return in 1999. Sanders replaced fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel, who’s in the concussion protocol, and ended a 17-game losing streak by Cleveland QBs making their first start.

Sanders can thank the Browns’ ferocious defensive front, which was no match for the Raiders’ porous offensive line. Las Vegas has allowed 20 sacks over the past three weeks.

Garrett now has 18 sacks this season to break his franchise record of 16, set twice. With six games left, he needs five sacks to break

the NFL record of 22 1/2 set by Michael Strahan in 2001 and T.J. Watt in 2021.

FALCONS 24, SAINTS 10

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kirk Cousins passed for 199 yards and two touchdowns in his second start this season, and Atlanta ended a five-game skid with a victory over New Orleans. Taking over under centre because of Michael Penix Jr.’s season-ending knee injury, Cousins completed 16 of 23 passes, highlighted by his 49-yard scoring pass deep down the middle to former Tulane standout Darnell Mooney in the fourth quarter. The play gave Atlanta (4-7) a 24-10 lead with 11:04 left — a comfortable cushion on a day when the Falcons prevented the hapless Saints (2-9) from scoring an offensive touchdown.

New Orleans’ only TD came on Justin Reid’s 49-yard interception return in the second quarter on a pass that was tipped by Kool-Aid McKinstry. Reid’s first TD since his rookie season in 2018 briefly pulled the Saints within 10-7.

RAVENS 23, JETS 10

BALTIMORE (AP) — Derrick Henry scored two third-quarter touchdowns and Baltimore recovered from a sleepy first half to beat New York for its fifth straight victory.

Baltimore has gone from 1-5 to 6-5, but this was not a particularly convincing performance.

Lamar Jackson went 13 of 23 for 153 yards and didn’t look as mobile as usual after dealing with knee and ankle issues recently. Henry was held to 64 yards on 21 carries.

The Jets (2-9) led 7-3 at halftime, their first lead after two quarters since the season opener against Pittsburgh.

Baltimore appeared headed for a three-and-out to start the third quarter when a pass interference penalty on Isaiah Oliver gave the Ravens a 34-yard gain on third-and-15. That led to Henry’s 2-yard

scoring run that put Baltimore ahead to stay.

Jets coach Aaron Glenn opted to go for it on fourthand-2 from New York’s 42, but Tyrod Taylor — starting for the benched Justin Fields — threw incomplete. And although the Ravens continued having problems in the red zone, they finally opened a big enough hole for Henry to walk in on fourth-and-goal from the 2 to make it 17-7.

After an exchange of field goals, a 40-yard catchand-run by Breece Hall helped set the Jets up in the red zone. But after another shifty run, Hall fumbled and the Ravens took over on their own 3.

The loss clinched the Jets’ 10th straight losing season. PACKERS 23, VIKINGS 6 GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Emanuel Wilson rushed for a career-high 107 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start and Green Bay defeated Minnesota.

Green Bay’s Micah Parsons and Devonte Wyatt each had two sacks. The Vikings totalled 4 net yards and three turnovers in the second half.

Wilson had two 1-yard touchdown runs while filling in for Josh Jacobs, who was unavailable because of a bruised left knee. This was the first career two-touchdown game for the 2023 undrafted free agent from Fort Valley State. His 28 carries and 107 yards rushing represented the highest single-game totals by any Packers running back this season. Green Bay (7-31) improved to 2-0 in divisional games after going 1-5 against NFC North foes last season. This started a stretch of three straight divisional matchups for the Packers, who visit Detroit on Thursday and host the Chicago Bears on Dec. 7. The Vikings (4-7) were attempting to beat the Packers on the road for a third straight season, something they last accomplished in 1991-93. They instead fell for the fifth time in their past six games.

Local Sports Calendar

VOLLEYBALL

BSAA FINALS

THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association crowned five of their six volleyball champions at the CI Gibson Gymnasium on Friday.

The final will be crowned today at 3:30pm when the senior girls’ title will be decided between Genesis Academy and Nassau Christian School. Genesis won 25-22 and 25-16 on Friday to even the series at 1-1. Here's a look at the outcome of the other divisions where the champions were crowned.

Primary Co-ed - Nassau Christian School swept Teleos Christian School 15-9 and 15-10 to win the title.Junior Girls - San Pedro International School def. Teleos Christian School 21-13 and 21-19 to claim the title.Junior Boys - Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy def. Teleos Christian School 21-11, 18-21 and 15-6 to secure the title.Senior Boys Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy def. Noble

Preparatory Academy 25-12 and 25-11 in the first game and 25-15 and 25-14 in the second game to clinch the title.

BASKETBALL

BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS

CLINIC

THE Battle 4 Atlantis Youth Basketball Clinic in partnership with the Colorado State University men’s basketball team will be held today from 1-2 pm at the TG Glover Primary School. This clinic aims to inspire the next generation of young athletes by providing students with hands-on basketball instruction, encouragement and a memorable chance to learn directly from college players.

ANDROS HEATS

ROAD RACE THE Andros Heats sixth annual road race will be held on Saturday, December 6 at the Regatta Site in Morgans Bluff, starting at 8am.

Competition will take place in all age group divisions with trophies presented to the top three

finishers and medals to the fourth place finishers.

The registration fee is $6 per athlete.

RED-LINE SONJA

KNOWLES TRACK

CLASSIC RED-LINE Athletics, "Where Champions are Made," will hold its sixth annual Sonja Knowles Track Classic over the weekend of January 31 and February 1.

The event will take place at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium on January 31 from 11am to 6pm and Sunday, March 1 from 1-6 pm.

Competition will be held in the various age groups from under-7 to masters. Medals and trophies will be presented to the various winners.

Interested persons are urged to contact club founder and head coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for more information.

ABACO TRACK

CLASSIC

THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will hold the Abaco National

Sports Month’s Track and Field Classic on Saturday, November 29, starting at 9am at the Murphy Town Sporting Complex. Competition will take place in the under-11, under-13, under-15, under17 and under-20 age groups with the various track and field events taking place. For more information, persons can call 458-5977 for more information.

BASKETBALL

MEN’S WORLDS

QUALIFIER AS the Bahamas Basketball Federation finalises the team to represent The Bahamas at the FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Canada on Friday, November 28 at 8pm at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, tickets are now on sale.

Early bird tickets are priced at $25, while tickets at the door will be priced at $30. Courtside tickets are priced at $!00.

Interested persons can purchase tickets online at www.nsa-bahamas.com/ events-tickets/

Following the game, The Bahamas will travel to Canada to complete the home-and-away series on Monday, December 1.

BASKETBALL

GOOMBAY DIVISION

THE Goombay Division of the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo is slated to run from November 24-28 at the Convention Center at Baha Mar. It will feature teams from Ohio State, Belmont, West Virginia and McNeese.

BASKETBALL

JUNKANOO DIVISION

THE Junkanoo Division of the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championships will run from November 24-26 at the Convention Center at Baha Mar. Teams from Minnesota, University of South Florida, Alabama and Harvard will be competing.

NASSAU

CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE Goombay Division of the Baha Mar

Hoops Nassau Championship will take place at the Convention Center at Baha Mar from November 28-30. Teams from Kent State, Tulsa, Houston and Arkansas State will be participating.

BASKETBALL

JUNKANOO

DIVISION

THE Junkanoo Division of the Baha Mar Hoops will be played at the Convention Center at Baha Mar from November 28-30.

The teams participating are Clemson, WCU, Michigan State and Temple University.

BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS

THE Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Men's Tournament will run from November 27-29 at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Teams competing are Louisville, Indiana, West Virginia, Gonzanga, Oklahoma, Providence, Davidson and Arizona.

BASKETBALL

BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS

THE Battle 4 Atlantis is scheduled to take place from November 26-28 at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

Teams participating are Western Kentucky, Vandebilt, VCU, South Florida, Colorado State, Virginia Tech, Wichita State and St Mary’s.

ROAD RACE

MACEDONIA

AS a part of its 60th anniversary, Macedonia Baptist Church will hold a Family Fun Run/Walk race that is open to the general public on January 24. The dual event is scheduled to start at 6am at the church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill.

The registration fee is $10 per athlete and the categories include male and female 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under and over-60 with awards presented to the first three finishers. The walk will leave the church and head west on

Bernard Road to the junction at Wulff and Soldier Roads.

The competitors will turn around and head east back to the church. The run will also leave the church and head west on Bernard Road onto Soldier Road, head south to Prince Charles Drive, head east to Fox Hill Road, head north to Bernard Road and head west back to the church. Interested persons can call 426-7265 or 324-1583 for more details.

LEGENDS

TRACK

THE Legends Track and Field’s Devynne Charlton Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, to be held in honour of world indoor 60m hurdles record holder and two-time champion Devynne Charlton, will have her younger sister Anthaya Charlton as one of the special guests. Powered by Speed Capital, it will feature athletes competing from the ages of seven to the open categories for boys and girls.

T-BIRD FLYERS

THE T-Bird Flyers will hold its 2026 Track Classic, held in memory of the late Gregory Clarke, on Friday, January 9, starting at 6pm and Saturday, January 10 at noon at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Interested persons are urged to contact Foster Dorsett at 427-3883 for more details.

BAHAMAS AQUATICS

SWIM MEETS

BAHAMAS Aquatics has a pair of swim meets on its calendar for the rest of the year in New Providence and Grand Bahama. Nassau at Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex December 5-6 - BEAST Aquatics Meet Grand Bahama December 6 - Freeport Aquatics Club Meet

Too Eze: Midfield star’s hat trick helps Arsenal beat Spurs and take 6-point lead in Premier League

By STEVE DOUGLAS

AP Sports Writer

EBERECHI Eze came close to joining Tottenham during the summer. Yesterday, he scored a hat trick against Spurs for their biggest rival.

The England playmaker was the inspiration behind Arsenal's 4-1 win in the north London derby that left his team with a six-point lead in the Premier League.

Eze added to Leandro Trossard's 36th-minute opening goal with his first in the 41st, and made it 3-0 just 23 seconds into the second half by slotting in a left-footed finish.

Eze completed his first senior hat trick — and the first by an Arsenal player against Tottenham since 1978 — with a curling shot in the 76th. It has proved to be the perfect weekend for Arsenal, which had seen its two biggest title rivals — Manchester City and Liverpool — lose on Saturday.

“It is special," Eze said. “Words can’t explain this.”

Now it's Chelsea which is the closest challenger in second place. After 12 games, however, Arsenal is a big favourite to win its first top-flight league title since 2004.

Tottenham's consolation wound up being the goal of the game at Emirates Stadium. Richarlison picked up a loose ball and chipped Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya from around 45 yards (meters) to make it 3-1 at the time.

Eze made sure there would be no comeback, three months to the day after joining his boyhood club from Crystal Palace

for a reported initial fee of 60 million pounds ($80 million). Earlier in the transfer window, he was reportedly in talks with Tottenham.

Asked if he might have been wearing the white of Spurs on Sunday, Eze said: “Let’s not speak about that.”

Eze is getting a run in central midfield because of an injury to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and is slowly growing into the role.

“He’s a big player who can create magic moments which unbalance a team,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario apologised to the team's supporters for Spurs' meek performance, which came after manager Thomas Frank opted to deploy a five-man defence — without any success.

“As a collective, we didn't fight,” Vicario said.

Frank said it was a "hard defeat to take," adding: “It’s extremely painful to stand here after an extremely bad performance — against the worst team we could put a bad performance in against. It was the perfect storm."

Rogers double Aston Villa playmaker

Morgan Rogers has just returned from international with England, where he is currently keeping Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham out of the starting team.

He showed exactly why against Leeds.

Rogers clipped in a finish from Donyell Malen’s cross for the equaliser in the 48th before demonstrating wonderful technique to whip a free kick over the defensive

Eze , centre, smiles after scoring against Tottenham in London on Sunday, November 23, 2025.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

wall and into the net in the 75th to seal a 2-1 comeback win for Villa. Leeds took the lead at a highly charged Elland Road when Lukas Nmecha bundled in from close range after Villa defender Ezri Konsa cleared the ball off the goalline following Anton Stach’s header. There was a video review to check if Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez was impeded in the build-up but the goal was allowed.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin thought he’d equalised for Leeds two minutes after Rogers’ second goal but it was ruled out for handball.

It was Villa’s sixth win in the last seven league games, after starting the campaign without a victory in the team’s first five games. Villa moved up to fourth place.

Promoted Leeds has now lost five of its last six games and has dropped into the relegation zone.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

(AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for a season-high 352 yards, Kareem Hunt ran for 104 yards and a touchdown, and Harrison Butker's fifth field goal of the game gave the Kansas City Chiefs a come-from-behind 23-20 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts yesterday.

Rashee Rice had eight catches for 141 yards, including two crucial ones on the Chiefs' tying touchdown drive in regulation and another in overtime, after Kansas City (6-5) had forced the high-powered Colts (8-3) to punt on a fourth consecutive

three-and-out. Butker ended the game with a 27-yard field goal with just under two minutes left in overtime, potentially keeping the Chiefs' playoff hopes alive. The reigning AFC champions had lost their previous two games, and another defeat against one of the hottest teams in the NFL on Sunday would have left Andy Reid's team needing a whole lot of help to make it back to the postseason. The Colts blew a 20-9 fourth-quarter lead thanks in part to some questionable play-calling — and some worse execution.

They went almost entirely away from running back Jonathan Taylor down the stretch, putting the game

instead in Daniel Jones' hands. He wound up with 181 yards passing and two touchdowns, but most of that production came in the first half. Jones was just 8 of 18 for 83 yards in the second half, which allowed Mahomes and Co. to mount a comeback that injected some life in a dim season.

Taylor, meanwhile, only carried 16 times for 58 yards in his first game since a record-setting performance against the Falcons, when the Colts' star ran for 244 yards, piled up 286 from scrimmage and reached the end zone three times in an overtime win.

The Chiefs have struggled all season with turnovers at inopportune times, and another set the tone for

Chiefs rally to beat Colts 23-20 in OT

the first half. Mahomes had a pass from his 4-yard line batted by Laiatu Latu, who brought it in himself for the defensive end's third pick of the season.

Two players later, Jones hit Michael Pittman to give Indianapolis a 7-0 lead.

The Chiefs answered with the first of two grinding, eight-plus minute first-half drives, but each netted just a field goal.

And when the Colts moved briskly downfield again, and Jones found Drew Ogletree in the back of the end zone, they had built a 14-3 advantage.

The Colts were still clinging to 20-9 lead as the game headed to the fourth quarter. Just as he's done so many times in his career,

though, Mahomes mounted another comeback. He marched Kansas City 56 yards before Hunt's touchdown dive, then Mahomes found Rice for a 2-point conversion to close within a field goal with 8 1/2 minutes to go. The Chiefs defence proceeded to step up, forcing a series of three-and-outs by the league's No. 1 offence.

Kansas City took over after the second one with 4:43 left at its 6. Mahomes hit Rice for 47 yards, then he found him again on fourth-and-3 near midfield for a 19-yard gain. Hunt's dive on third-and-1 gave the Chiefs first down at the Colts 2 with a minute to go, but he was stuffed on the next play, Mahomes

threw incomplete on the next, and he was sacked on third down. Butker banged through his fourth field goal, a 25-yard chip-shot as time expired, to send the game to overtime. Turned out the Chiefs would give Butker another chance a few minutes later, this time to win the game.

Injuries Colts: WR Ashton Dulin left in the second half with a hamstring injury. Chiefs: LG Trey Smith left in the second half with an ankle injury. TE Noah Gray finished the game in the concussion protocol. Up next

The Colts play the Texans next Sunday.

The Chiefs visit the Cowboys on Thursday.