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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2017

‘The Promise’ prevails By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

matchup between two of the top big men in all of NCAA Division I basketball - Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton and UNLV’s Brand McCoy - produced in an overtime thriller. In the end, Ayton and the Wildcats scored a 91-88 win over the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday night. Ayton finished with a season-high 28 points, 10 rebounds and tied a season high with three blocked shots while McCoy also had a season-high with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Arizona improved to 5-3 following its three-game losing streak at the Battle 4 Atlantis and UNLV fell to 6-2. Ayton came into the game as one of just seven players in the nation averaging at least 15 points and 10 rebounds per game, while shooting 60 per cent or better from the field. He is also one of just two freshmen in college basketball with the feat, along with McCoy. Both players average just over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game. Ayton said the team was able to overcome a slow start but lauded the environment on the road in Las Vegas. “The first half we were in a little slump with our shooting, but in the second half we really broke out, driving, getting fouls, shooting at the line, and getting rhythm shots,” Ayton said. “But that environment is the craziest environment I’ve ever played in. I couldn’t even hear myself, I lost my voice. This is a great environment to play in.” “You don’t often see two freshman big guys go at it like DeAndre and Brandon McCoy,” Wildcats head coach Sean Miller said. UNLV opened the game making 6-11 shots from the

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TIGER WOODS HEADLINES HERO WORLD CHALLENGE

DeAndre Ayton dominates with season high 28

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net TIGER Woods’ path on the comeback prowl was once again the main storyline to emerge out of the Bahamas this week at Hero World Challenge. Members of the field, including some the world’s top golfers competing at the Albany Golf Course, were not only quizzed on their performances over the event but on the performance and impact of Woods’ return to competitive play. Woods, the 41-year-old 14 major champion and host of the event, made his much anticipated return from a 10-month absence and finished tied for No.9 in the field. Subsequently, his world ranking rose from 1,199th to 668th. Reigning champion Rickie Fowler, who set a course record on day four to take the 2017 title, said his personal relationship with Woods playing courses in Jupiter, Florida, gave Fowler an advantage this year on tour. “It’s been cool to see Tiger able to be back playing at home or even here just out having fun and healthy. You could definitely say that because I got two rounds before each tournament. I think he sharpened me up a little bit. “I’ve gotten a little scared of how good he was playing at home, thought I needed to start playing a little bit better or something,” he said. “But living in Jupiter, being able to play with Tiger now that he’s back playing and the other guys at home, when we’re home we get to practice and play with guys that we compete with. That’s I think a big advantage versus playing with guys that aren’t at the same level. You can get some good matches and challenge yourself when

ARIZONA’s Deandre Ayton shoots during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA college basketball game against UNLV in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

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Star Sailors League Finals officially starts with courtesy call THE 2017 Star Sailors League Finals officially started last night with the opening ceremony at Government House. A delegation

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of 20 SSL representatives met with Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling in a courtesy call at 5.30pm.They then joined the 50 Star Sailors League finalists and all of the other guests on the veranda at Government House, where each of the 25 teams competing in the Star Sailors League finals were introduced. Racing at the fifth edition of the Star Sailors League Finals is all set to begin at 1pm today, just a few miles out from their base at Nassau Yacht Club in Montagu Bay. For the fifth year in a row, some of the world’s best sailors will line up to compete for the 2017 Star Sailors League title, the 4,000 Star Sailors League Ranking points and the biggest share of the US$ 200,000 prize pot, on the crystal blue waters of the Bahamas.

THE Star Sailors League Finals officially started last night with the opening ceremony at Government House.

The entry list comprises 25 outstanding teams from 15 nations. Among them are nine of the top 10 skippers of the Star Sailors League Ranking and 16 VIPs picked from across the many different avenues of sailing. Twenty three Olympic medals have hung from the necks of the 2017 Star Sailors League finalists, of which seven are gold medals. In the line-up are a huge number of world champions in both Olympic and big boat classes, Volvo Ocean Race, Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup winners, and for the first time some solo around-the-world skippers. It is an honour for the Star Sailors League to be joined for the first time by two French legends Loick Peyron and Franck

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PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 5, 2017

FROM PAGE 1 Cammas. • Here’s a list of the sailors and crew members who will be participating: Paul Goodison (GBR) Frithjof Kleen (GER) Loick Peyron (FRA) Pascal Rambeau (FRA) Francesco Bruni (ITA) Nando Colaninno (ITA) Franck Cammas (FRA) Mark Strube (USA) Torben Grael (BRA) Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) Paul Cayard (USA) Phil Trinter (USA)Robert Scheidt (BRA) Henry Boening (BRA) Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) Dominik Zycki (POL)Freddy Lööf (SWE) Bruno Prada (BRA)Ben Saxton (GBR) Steve Mitchell (GBR)Oskari Muhonen (FIN)Johan Tillander (SWE)Facundo Olezza (ARG) Juan Pablo Engelhard (ARG)Xavier Rohart (FRA) PierreAlexis Ponsot (FRA) Lars Grael (BRA) Samuel Goncalves (BRA)Georgy Shadyuko (RUS) Alexander Zybin (RUS)Jonathan Lobert (FRA) Fabian Pic (FRA)Eivind Melleby (NOR) Joshua Revkin (USA)Augie Diaz (USA) Austin Sperry (USA)Hamish Pepper (NZL) Craig Monk (NZL) Mark Mendelblatt (USA)

Brian Fatih (USA)George Szabo (USA) Edoardo Natucci (ITA) Diego Negri (ITA) Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA)Philipp Buhl (GER) Markus Koy (GER)Hubert Merkelbach (GER) Arthur Lopes (BRA)Ivan Kljakovi Gašpi (CRO) Ante Sitic (CRO) British Laser Olympic gold medallist Paul Goodison will race on the Star boat for the first time, after winning, twice in a row, the World Championship for the foiling Moth dinghy, the polar opposite of the one time Olympic doublehanded keelboat, designed in 1911. Among the fiercest competition will be between the legends of the Star class including Robert Scheidt, Freddy Lööf, Mateusz Kusznierewicz, Hamish Pepper, Mark Mendelblatt, Eivind Melleby, Xavier Rohart and crewmen Bruno Prada, Frithjof Kleen, Pierre-Alexis Ponsot, Brian Fatih and Dominik Zycki - all of whom raced at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Then there are the Grael brothers – Torben and Lars, plusPaul Cayard, Augie Diaz andGeorge Szabo, all sporting the Gold star on the mainsail as past Star World Champions, plus Diego Negri and Francesco

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On the high seas

RACING at the fifth edition of the Star Sailors League Finals is all set to begin at 1pm today, just a few miles out from their base at Nassau Yacht Club in Montagu Bay. Bruni, who have history fighting to represent Italy in the Star back in their Olympic sailing days. The commentating team is equally formidable including double Olympic champion Shirley Robertson, kiwi America’s Cup sailor Peter Lester – the voice of Emirates Team New Zealand in Bermuda – former US Sailing Team member Kathleen

Tocke, all coordinated by British anchor Digby Fox, commentating on the Star Sailors League Finals from day one. All races will be streamed live every day from today to Saturday, December 9 on www.starsailors.com and on the Star Sailors League Facebook page. Tune in for spectacular racing in some of the world’s most spectacular waters and to

participate in ‘Watch The Finals’, a photo contest where you take a picture of yourself watching the SSL Finals and share it on Instagram with #WatchTheFinals and tag @ StarSailorsLeague. The winner of this competition will receive SSL clothing signed by all the competitors. On Thursday there will be a press conference to welcome

journalists, both local and international, followed on Friday by a special birthday party by the pool to celebrate Bahamian Star Olympic champion Sir Durward Knowles, who turned 100 last month. The Star Sailors League Final will end with a prize giving ceremony on Saturday and the closing Gala Dinner at Nassau Yacht Club in the evening.

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Tuesday, December 5, 2017, PAGE 3

Being a Bud Light Caribbean brand ambassador has its perks BEING a Bud Light Caribbean brand ambassador does have its perks, I must admit. This past weekend courtesy of Bud Light - the official beer of the NFL and Bud Light Carribean and Jimmy’s Liquors - I got to enjoy NFL action live, up close in person, which is always a treat, even if it’s a Dolphins game. In all honesty it was a great experience, one of the better if not the best media trips I’ve been on. Thanks again to Wellington Seymour and Jimmy’s Liquors and Manny Bartolo and Bud Light Carribean. We were given the royal treatment from start to finish, especially the Bahamian winners, from the Bud Light Carribean and Jimmy’s Liquors NFL Lovers promotion. And they looked sharp, adorned in their signature Bud Light NFL Lovers game gear, complete with Bahamas and the Bahamian flag emblazoned on them...I thought that was a very nice touch. Surprisingly the Dolphins played well - the Dolphins extended the Denver Broncos’ losing streak to eight. CB Xavien Howard’s 30-yard interception return for a touchdown highlighted a dominating defensive effort by the Miami Dolphins, and they snapped a five-game losing streak Sunday with a 35-9 victory over the Denver Broncos, who lost their eighth in a row. Miami scored two safeties in a game for the first time in franchise history and held Denver to 1 for 13 on third-down conversions. Trevor Siemian, the Broncos’ third starting quarterback in as many weeks, went 20 for 42 for 219 yards with three interceptions. Kenyan Drake rushed for 120 yards for Miami on 23 carries, both career highs. He scored on a 42-yard touchdown run -- only the

THE

PRESS BOX ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICA

Dolphins’ second rush for a TD this year. Miami (5-7) won for the first time since Week 7, while the Broncos (3-9) went from bad to worse, extending their longest skid in 50 years. Howard scored on the first interception by a Miami cornerback all season, and added another pick in the fourth quarter to set up the Dolphins’ final touchdown. They struck for two touchdowns in seven seconds to build an uncustomary lead. Miami was ahead at halftime for only the second time all season, and led after three quarters for the first time.

Adam Gase didn’t hold back coaching against close friend and counterpart Vance Joseph. Miami pulled off a successful onside kick in the fourth quarter while leading 33-9. Ouch! After enough Bud Lights, even the Dolphins look like contenders. Speaking of Bud Light, they were always ice cold and flowing, maybe it was the Bud Lights or maybe it’s the Christmas spirit, or both, but I was genuinely happy for the ‘Dolfans.’ Now don’t get it twisted, your team still sucks and I will continue to hate. All I’m saying is, after watching my Cowboys win big this past Thursday night

CHEERS! Bud Light Caribbean ambassador ‘Naughty’ (above left) shares a special moment with a Miami Dade police officer during his weekend trip. and feeling stoked, I know the feeling, and I wanted all the ‘Dolfans’ to experience it. My Cowboys climbed back on the playoff track after playing horribly the last three weeks, looking eerily similar to, well...... the Dolphins in the process I might add. So it was good to see Bahamian ‘Dolfans’ who

made the trek to see their beloved Dolphins, experience the good vibes that go along with watching your team win live. No long Bahamasair flight back home this go around. Enjoy this fleeting moment while it lasts ‘Dolfans’, New England is coming to town next. Until next week, let there be

football, and ice cold Bud Lights for all. Dilly, dilly!!!! • 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

BROWN, BOSWELL LEAD STEELERS TO 23-20 WIN OVER BENGALS CINCINNATI (AP) — Chris Boswell kicked a field goal on the final play shortly after Antonio Brown caught a 6-yard touchdown pass — taking a hit to the head while landing in the end zone — and the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off another improbable comeback against the Cincinnati Bengals, rallying for a 23-20 victory Monday night. Down 17-0 early, the Steelers (10-2) extended their best start since 2004 in a physical game with a couple frightening injuries. Brown’s touchdown tied it at 20 with 3:51 to go, setting up Boswell’s 38-yard field goal, his second straight winner in the closing seconds. The Bengals (5-7) simply can’t find a way to beat their Ohio River rival, not even after getting off to the big early lead. They’ve dropped six straight and nine of 10 against Pittsburgh, including the Steelers’ 18-16 playoff win at Paul Brown Stadium in 2015 that included another Bengals meltdown. The hard-hitting game was full of personal fouls, penalties and injuries that could have a long-term effect, especially for the AFC North leaders. Pittsburgh lost leading tackler Ryan Shazier to a back injury in the first quarter. The linebacker was taken off the field on a cart and taken to a hospital for evaluation. Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was carted off in the fourth quarter after JuJu SmithSchuster leveled him with a high hit, then taunted him by walking over him. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did not have an update on Shazier’s status after the game. There were 11 personal fouls in another

acrimonious rematch in their hard-edged series. The Bengals self-destructed with 13 penalties for a team-record 173 yards. The AFC North-leading Steelers remain tied with New England for best record in the conference. They host the Patriots on Dec. 17. Bottled up by Cincinnati’s aggressive defense in the first half, Pittsburgh’s playmakers made the difference down the stretch, just as they have all season. They rallied to beat the Packers 31-28 last Sunday on Boswell’s 53-yard field goal on the final play, which was set up by Brown’s incredible sideline catch. After missing practice last week with an injured toe, Brown ran gingerly in pregame warmups and had another big game, finishing with 101 yards in eight catches. Le’Veon Bell ran for 76 yards and had another 106 yards on five catches, including a 35-yard touchdown play in which he remarkably kept his balance along the sideline — cornerback William Jackson pulled up, thinking there was no way he could stay inbound. It’s the first time that Bell and Brown each had 100 yards receiving in the same game. Ben Roethlisberger was 24 of 40 for 290 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. PRIME TIME OPPOSITES The Steelers have won 11 straight prime-time games, including four already this season against the Lions (Sunday night), the Titans (Thursday night) and the Packers (last Sunday night). It’s been a horrific time slot for the Bengals, who are 11-24 on Monday night, dropping their past four.

CINCINNATI Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs in a touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (24) in the first half last night in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores) PRIME-TIME PLAYERS Roethlisberger has won his last seven primetime starts, throwing 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. In those games,

Brown has 58 catches for 883 yards with 15 touchdowns. IN YOUR FACE Bell and Burfict have a long-running feud on

Twitter, and it got in-yourface right away. After Adam “Pacman” Jones picked off a pass to end the Steelers’ opening possession, Bell shoved Burfict’s facemask and drove him

to the ground, drawing a personal foul. Bengals host the Bears (3-9), completing a stretch of three straight home games. Cincinnati is 3-2 at Paul Brown Stadium this season.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 5, 2017

GEORGIA forward Mackenzie Engram (33) passes over back of Texas guard Lashann Higgs during the second half.

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TEXAS guard Lashann Higgs (10), forward Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau (31), forward Jatarie White and guard Brooke McCarty (11) celebrate a three-point basket against Georgia during the second half on Sunday.

HIGGS CANS 13, MCCARTY SCORES 15 TO LEAD NO. 2 TEXAS PAST LOUISIANA TECH AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Brooke McCarty had 15 points, five assists and five steals to lead No. 2 Texas to an 88-54 victory over Louisiana Tech on Thursday night. McCarty, a senior guard who was Big 12 player of the year last season, converted her first six shots, including three 3-pointers. Guard Lashann Higgs scored 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting for Texas (6-0). Alecia Sutton added 10 points and five assists, and Ariel Atkins had eight points, seven assists and three blocks. Taylor Stahly led Louisiana Tech (4-3) with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Maria Delgado added 10 points. Tech never offered any resistance, falling behind 37-9 early in the second quarter. The Longhorns asserted themselves in the first TEXAS guard Lashann Higgs (10) brings the ball up the floor against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, quarter by forcing eight turnovers — all on in Athens, Georgia. Texas won 81-53. steals — that they turned into 10 points. (AP Photos/John Amis)

Ayton dominates with season high 28 points in win over Runnin’ Rebels FROM PAGE 1

ARIZONA’s Brandon Randolph (5) and Deandre Ayton (13), flanking UNLV’s Jovan Mooring, react to a call during the second half of Saturday’s NCAA college basketball game in Las Vegas. Arizona defeated UNLV 91-88 in overtime. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

field early in the first half, while Arizona struggled shooting from the field at 4-18. UNLV led 41-30 at the half on 57 per cent shooting and outrebounding Arizona 24-16. The Wildcats shots just 30 per cent in the first half en route to the deficit. It was a complete turnaround in the second half as the Wildcats came out of the locker room on fire and hit three threepointers during a 13-8 run that trimmed into UNLV’s lead, making it 49-43 less than four minutes into the second half. Arizona shot 62 per cent in the second half. Allonzo Trier scored eight of his game-high 29

points in overtime while Parker Jackson-Cartwright was the only other Wildcats in double figures with 12. “We just settled in in the second half I think in the first half we had a deer in the headlights feel a little bit,” Miller said. “We have two offensive players that are really good I think our team will learn over time how to utilise those two guys and bring out the best in them because both of those guys make it easier for the rest of the team but that is up to us as a coaching staff to figure out.” Arizona will face its first top 25 team since they plummeted out of the rankings when they take on No.9 Texas A and M tonight at the Valley of the Sun Shootout in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Tuesday, December 5, 2017, PAGE 5

NFL SUSPENDS ROB GRONKOWSKI ONE GAME FOR LATE HIT TO HEAD By JIMMY GOLEN Associated Press THE NFL suspended New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski one game on Monday for a late, gratuitous hit to the head of Bills defensive back Tre’Davious White. White was lying face down on the sideline after intercepting a pass in Buffalo on Sunday when Gronkowski body-slammed him, driving his forearm into White’s back and head. Gronkowski was called for unnecessary roughness, but not kicked out of the game. “Your actions were not incidental, could have been avoided and placed the opposing player at risk of serious injury,” NFL vice president Jon Runyan said in a letter to Gronkowski. “The competition committee has clearly expressed its goal of ‘eliminating flagrant hits that have no place in our game.’ Those hits include the play you were involved in yesterday.” After the game, Patriots coach Bill Belichick appeared to apologize to Bills counterpart Sean McDermott. Gronkowski also apologized , saying he let his frustration get the better of him.

“I’m not in the business of that,” he told reporters after the game, which New England won 23-3. “There was a lot of frustration. I just want to apologize to Tre’Davious White. I don’t believe in taking shots like that.” Barring a successful appeal, Gronkowski will miss New England’s game against Miami next Monday night. McDermott said White had entered the concussion protocol but declined to comment further on the play, the suspension or his conversation with Belichick. Gronkowski has been one of the most productive tight ends in NFL annals despite an injury history that has allowed him to play all 16 games just twice in his first seven seasons. This year, he has caught 55 passes for 849 yards and seven touchdowns. At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, he is bigger than the players trying to cover him, and he has increasingly complained that officials ignore interference by defenders because his size can make it seem inconsequential. Gronkowski caught nine passes for 147 yards against Buffalo on Sunday. On the play that resulted

NEW England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, makes a catch as Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White (27) defends during the second half on Sunday. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, right, looks on during the play. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) in a penalty, he said he felt he was pushed and held.“I just don’t understand why there wasn’t a

flag,” he said. “There was a couple of times in the game they’re calling me for the craziest stuff ever.

It’s like crazy. Like what am I supposed to do? And then they don’t call that? It was just frustration.”

Wade, Love, James lead surging Cavaliers over the Bulls 113-91 CHICAGO (AP) — Dwyane Wade and Kevin Love each scored 24 points, LeBron James had 23 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 113-91 Monday night for their 12th straight win. Backed by a trio of stars, the Cavaliers matched their longest winning streak since the 2014-15 season. Wade made 9 of 13 shots in his first game in Chicago since agreeing to a buyout with his hometown team in late September. Love grabbed 13 rebounds and made 8 of 13 from the field. James finished 9 of 15 with seven rebounds and six assists. The Cavaliers shot just under 52 percent. Kris Dunn led Chicago with 15 points. Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday scored 14 apiece as the Bulls fell to 3-19 with their ninth straight loss.

in the second half. Joel Embiid had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Ben Simmons, battling an illness, scored 20 points. JJ Redick led the Sixers with 25 points. GRIZZLIES 95, TIMBERWOLVES 92 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Marc Gasol scored 21 points, Tyreke Evans added 16 — including two key free throws with 12.7 seconds left — and Memphis snapped an 11-game skid with a victory over Minnesota. Memphis, which hadn’t won since Nov. 7, had to wait a bit longer after Evans’ free throws. On the ensuing possession, Jimmy Butler’s off-balance, 26-footer over Andrew Harrison bounced off the backboard and grazed the rim, snapping the Grizzlies skid. Butler led Minnesota with 30 points, his secondstraight game with at least 30. Taj Gibson finished with 14 points, while Andrew Wiggins and Jeff Teague added 12 points each.

WARRIORS 125, PELICANS 115 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stephen Curry had 31 points and 11 assists but sprained his ankle late in the game, and Golden State came back from 21 points down late in the first half to defeat New Orleans. Klay Thompson scored 22 points and Kevin Durant and Draymond Green each had 19 for the Warriors, who won their fourth straight. After it was over, Curry went for X-rays on his right ankle. Jure Holiday scored 34 and E’Twaun Moore added a career-high 27 for the Pelicans, who lost for the fourth time in five games. CELTICS 111, BUCKS 100 BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 19 of his 32 points in the second half, helping offset a 40-point night by Giannis Antetokounmpo as Boston held off Milwaukee. Al Horford added 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jayson Tatum chipped in 17 points to help Boston improve to an NBA-best 21-4. The Celtics have won five of their last six. It was the third 40-point game this season for Antetokounmpo. Khris Middleton added 19 points while Eric Bledsoe had 18 points. SPURS 96, PISTONS 93 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 10 rebounds and San Antonio rallied to beat Detroit. Reggie Jackson had 27 points for Detroit, which led by as many as nine points before dropping its third straight. The Spurs were without Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Anderson, who has started in place of Leonard all season. Rudy Gay, making his first start in place of

MAVERICKS 122, NUGGETS 105 DALLAS (AP) — Harrison Barnes scored 22 points, Dennis Smith Jr. added 20 and Dallas beat short-handed Denver. Six Dallas players scored in double figures as the Mavericks earned their second straight wire-towire win after beating the Clippers by 26 on Saturday. Dallas had its highest scoring game of the season and has won five of eight since starting 2-14. Will Barton led Denver with 23 points, Jamal Murray added 22 and Gary Harris had 21. Denver played without two-thirds of its starting frontcourt as Paul Millsap (left wrist injury) and Nikola Jokic (sprained left ankle) remained out. CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ LeBron James, right, shoots over Chicago Bulls’ David Nwaba last night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Anderson, had 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. His final points came on a three-point play that gave San Antonio an 88-86 lead with 3:39 remaining. JAZZ 116, WIZARDS 69 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Alec Burks scored 27 points for his third straight game with 20 or more, and Utah blew out Washington for its sixth straight win. Burks is on his best string since three straight 20-point games in February 2014. He helped the Jazz put on a show during the first 24 minutes to lead 64-30 at halftime, their secondbiggest output in a half this season. Utah moved the ball crisply, leading to wide open 3-pointers, layups and

dunks. It shot 56.8 percent in the first half and knocked down seven 3s. Every Jazz player that played had an assist in the half, and the team scored 34 points in the paint. Washington set a season low for points. Otto Porter Jr. led the Wizards with 14 points.

the first player in franchise history with 200 career 20-point games. He made all 14 free throw attempts. Howard had 12 points and nine rebounds, moving past former Charlotte coach Paul Silas and Dikembe Mutombo for 19th on the all-time NBA rebounding list.

HORNETS 104, MAGIC 94 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kemba Walker had 29 points and seven assists in his return from a shoulder injury, Dwight Howard reached a rebounding milestone and Charlotte beat Orlando to snap a fourgame losing streak. Walker, who missed the previous two games, was the spark plug all night for the Hornets and became

KNICKS 115, PACERS 97 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Thaddeus Young scored 20 points to lead seven Indiana players in double figures as the Pacers routed short-handed New York. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and Victor Oladipo added 16 for the Pacers, who led by 26 at half and 95-65 after three quarters The Knicks were without leading scorers Kristaps

Porzingis (25.8 ppg) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (17.8 ppg) for a second consecutive loss. Porzingis is dealing with a sprained right ankle and illness and Hardaway has a lower left leg injury. Michael Beasley led the Knicks with 13 points. SUNS 115, 76ERS 101 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Devin Booker scored 46 points and TJ Warren added 25 to lead Phoenix over Philadelphia. Booker made 17 of 32 shots and hit four 3-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter that helped the Suns put away a Sixers team that played one of their worst games of the season. Booker scored 32 points on 11 of 17 shooting

NETS 110, HAWKS 90 ATLANTA (AP) — Caris LeVert scored a season-high 17 points, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 16 points and Brooklyn used a strong third quarter to grab momentum and beat Atlanta. Brooklyn, avenging Saturday’s home loss to Atlanta, had everything working in its favor in the second half. It began the third trailing by one but went on a 17-0 run to go ahead 70-54 on DeMarre Carroll’s 3-pointer. The lead swelled to 29 in the fourth as the Nets earned their largest win of the season. Dennis Schroder finished with 19 points and Kent Bazemore and DeAndre’ Bembry each had 13 for Atlanta, which dropped to 5-18, second-worst in the NBA.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 5, 2017

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HERO WORLD FROM PAGE 1

TIGER WOODS tees off from the 14th hole during the final round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament . (AP Photos/Dante Carrer)

you’re playing with some good amateurs, you’re giving them two, three, four shots a side, but it’s the real deal when you’re playing against some of the best players in the world and arguably one of the best players that’s ever played our game, especially when it comes to winning.” Fowler’s previous win on tour this year was at the Honda Classic and he was tied for third in last year’s Hero World Challenge. Wood’s finished 15th in the field in 2016 at -4 under but improved by four strokes at -8 under this year. “Being able to see him go out and have fun again on the golf course and just play golf, you know, I would say a year ago we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to see that. So him to be healthy and getting through a four-round tournament where there’s no real sign of him limping or having any pain and he’s able to just enjoy himself out there.” Fowler said. “He may not be dialed in exactly on his numbers yet with his new added length and where he’s hitting it. I think I had to tell him a couple times that it was the right club when we were home. Like I said, there’s no better way than putting yourself against guys that you’re going to be playing with, putting yourself in game-time situations.”

With Woods in the field comes greater interest from the media and brings a wider demographic of followers to the sport. “The better he plays, the better it is for the game. To have him out here this week and put up, was it three rounds in the 60s? I think he surprised a lot of people. I know there was a lot of people that were shocked with his distance and the control that he had,” Fowler said. “Having him around, I think if he can stay healthy and have, who knows, what is it, two, three, 10 years? We don’t know. If his back holds up and he keeps swinging the way he does, there’s no doubt that he can’t go out and win.” PGA Championship and Fed Ex Cup winner Justin Thomas was paired with Woods for several rounds. “I just won the FedExCup, Player of the Year and all I get asked about is Tiger Woods,” he joked. “It’s cool. It’s something I probably never thought or I hate to say dream, but I never thought something like that would happen. It’s really cool. To play with, you know, my role model, someone I’ve looked up to my entire life, played twice with him this week and this last day. I mean, obviously we both were pretty disappointed in the fact that we didn’t have a chance to win the tournament. It’s definitely cool, the fact that he is willing to play as much as we do or hang out as much as we do.”

Column: A strong Tiger Woods is a good starting point By DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — It wasn’t the best shot Tiger Woods hit all week. It might have been the most telling. He had 271 yards to the par-5 third hole at Albany Golf Club, a tropical breeze working against him. Woods went with a 2-iron. He held nothing back on the swing and then quickly recoiled the club as he watched it soar against the blue sky toward the flag. That it rolled through the green and down a slope wasn’t the issue. “I thought it was money,” Woods said. So did Justin Thomas, the PGA Tour player of the year who was paired with Woods in the first and final rounds of the Hero World Challenge. “I didn’t say anything,” Thomas said. “I just looked at him. I was like, ‘That was pretty good.’” This was his fourth day of his first tournament in 10 months after recovering from a fourth back surgery. He was as strong Sunday as when he started. He was like that all week, and the state of his health was far more important than his scores. His scores weren’t too bad, either. Woods had rounds of 69-68 to start,

struggled in the worst of the wind for a 75 on Saturday, and then closed with a 68 despite finishing with back-to-back bogeys. He finished 10 shots behind and never had a chance to win. He also tied for ninth against an 18-man field, his best result in four years. Woods always keeps score. At some point, results will matter more than his health to everyone else. “I knew I was going to be able to play all four rounds. That wasn’t going to be an issue,” Woods said from the broadcast booth, fulfilling his role as tournament host. “The issue was how was my scoring going to be? How was my feel? How am I going to get used to the adrenaline in my system for the first time in a while? That took a little bit of time. I was still good with my irons. I drove it pretty good all week, made some good putts. But overall, I’m pleased. “I showed some good signs,” he said. “I hit some really good shots out there, and a bright future.” That might be the biggest takeaway. A future. Woods will be 42 the next time he plays. His age, not to mention four surgeries on his left knee and four on his back, means he no longer has time on his side.

TIGER Woods reacts after a shot from a bunker on 17 during the final round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament at Albany Golf Club on Sunday.

This was only the second time he completed 72 holes — both times in a tournament with no cut — since he tied for 10th

at the Wyndham Classic in August 2015, a month before he went through his second and then third back surgery.

The next step for Woods is building a schedule. “We’re going to figure out what’s the best way for me to build my schedule for the major championships,” Woods said. “Play enough, but don’t play too much. I don’t know what golf courses I’ll be playing and what’s the best way to go about it. We’ll sit down with the whole team and we’ll figure it out.” The best bet is the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where Woods has eight professional victories, one of them the 2008 U.S. Open. His foundation runs the Genesis Open at Riviera, where last year Woods wasn’t even healthy enough to get out of bed for a news conference. A rush to judgment is dangerous — not only for his golf, but his back. Woods has never been forthcoming about his injuries, especially concerning his back. Go back to the Dubai Desert Classic on Feb. 2, when Woods opened with a 77 in relatively benign conditions. “I wasn’t in pain at all,” Woods said after that first round. The next day, he cited back spasms for withdrawing. Two months later, he had fusion surgery on his lower back. So the question was raised Sunday whether he

would even say if his back was hurting him. “Yeah, I would tell you,” he said, and followed that by saying it was not. There was little reason to doubt him this time. Whether he was ducking under the rope to get to the practice range or stepping in and out of bunkers, he looked like the Woods of old instead of an old Woods. More than anything, it was the swing. Woods easily kept up off the tee with Thomas, and at times drove it past him. Ditto for his second round with Henrik Stenson, and Hideki Matsuyama. Length is not an issue. He made more midrange putts than he has in recent returns. His chipping raised concerns, though the grass was so tight and thin at Albany that it wasn’t easy for anyone, even Jordan Spieth, one of the best with those shots. “I’m sure he would be the first to tell you that he still has a lot to do in terms of getting back to where he wants to be,” Thomas said. “But he’s definitely moving in the right direction. I think it will take a couple more tournaments to kind of get the juices going. ... I think if he stays healthy like this, I think he’ll be fine.”

FOWLER BEATS TIGER AT HOME AND AT THE WORLD CHALLENGE By DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Rickie Fowler isn’t winning as much as he would like. He’s still undefeated against Tiger Woods over the last month. According to Fowler, anyway. They played in Florida as Woods began working toward a return to competition from his fourth back surgery. Woods said it was young players like Fowler, Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger who motivated him, encouraged him and at times helped him understand where his game was at. Fowler and Woods both left the Hero World Challenge with plenty of optimism for the new year. Fowler rallied from a sevenshot deficit by opening with seven straight birdies and closing with an 11-under 61, the course record at Albany Golf Club, for a four-shot victory over Charley Hoffman that moved him to No. 7 in the world. Woods had three rounds in the 60s, and even with back-toback bogeys, he closed with 68 on

Sunday and tied for ninth in the 18-man field. It still was his best result since a playoff loss in this holiday event in 2013 when it was held at Sherwood Country Club in California. “I’m excited the way this week has gone on,” Woods said. “It was a very good week.” As for those matches in Florida? “I didn’t lose,” Fowler said. Ever? “I was 1 down after nine and he went to go play nine holes with Sam,” Fowler said, referring to Woods’ 10-year-old daughter. “I think we both shot 65 on a day that it wasn’t playing easy, typical kind of south Florida wind. It was never like a match was given to anyone.” There were other times when they played for fun. More than who lost the bets and for how much was that Woods was playing again, and playing a lot. “It’s been cool to see Tiger able to be back playing at home, or even here, just out having fun and healthy,” Fowler said. “One of the times we played 18 holes, I was going to go back to work out. And he went and played another nine.”

As much as Woods gives credit to Fowler and the kids for bringing him along, maybe it was Woods who helped Fowler. Fowler had taken off five weeks after the Presidents Cup when he played two rounds with Woods to get ready for the OHL Classic in Mayakoba, Mexico, the only official PGA Tour event he played in the fall portion of the schedule. Fowler shot four rounds in the 60s and finished one shot behind Patton Kizzire. They played two or three times before Thanksgiving, and when Fowler returned to golf in the Bahamas, he turned in the best closing performance of his career. “I think he sharpened me up a little bit,” Fowler said with a grin. “I’ve gotten a little scared of how good he was playing at home, thought I needed to start playing a little bit better or something.” Fowler is not always known for a fast start. In three majors this year, he stumbled at the start of the round and then made a big charge late — especially at the PGA Championship — until he ran out of holes. That wasn’t the case in the Bahamas.

Fowler was seven shots out of the lead — three shots ahead of Woods — and he was leading before he even made the turn. He holed birdie putts of about 12 feet on the first two holes, hit a gap wedge to 3 feet on the par-5 third, made his toughest putt into the green from 15 feet on No. 4, and then holed a bunker shot on No. 5. Fowler followed that with another wedge that spun back to a foot on the par-5 sixth, and he hit out of a bunker to about 7 feet on the next hole. “You just try and ride her till she bucks you, you know?” Fowler said. “Ride until the horse kicks you off.” He made par on No. 8, ending his streak. Fowler recalled starting a round with seven straight birdies when he was 17 at the Polo Match Play at Sea Island. He wanted a personal record, but figured if a birdie streak was going to end, let it end with a par and nothing worse. And by then, Hoffman couldn’t do much about it. Hoffman closed with a 72 to finish alone in second. Tommy Fleetwood (67) and Jordan Spieth (69) tied for third.

The scores will show that Woods finished 10 shots behind in a tie for ninth, and even though he drove the green on the par-4 seventh and made eagle, and shot 31 on the front nine for the second straight day, he was never in contention. But this was about more than a score. He was strong from start to finish. Woods said there were no issues with his back, and that 2-iron he quickly and violently recoiled with a shot in the par-5 third hole showed that. He made only one double bogey, a big improvement from last year. And he already was looking ahead to 2018. He said he would take the next few weeks to figure out what kind of schedule he would play. And there would still be time for rounds at home against some of the world’s best. “I’m sure the guys will have some denominations they want to play for,” Woods said. “They want to compete. They want to see me back out there. And it’s really nice to have that type of camaraderie.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 5, 2017, PAGE 7

CHANDIMAL’S CENTURY HELPS SRI LANKA AVOID FOLLOW-ON VS INDIA By CHETAN NARULA Associated Press NEW DELHI (AP) — Dinesh Chandimal withstood air pollution ranging into hazardous levels as he batted through the day yesterday to post his 10th test century and help Sri Lanka avoid the follow-on in the third cricket test against India. The Sri Lanka captain was unbeaten on 147 after guiding his team to stumps at 356-9 at stumps on day three, still trailing by 180 after India declared at 536-7 on day two. Ravichandran Ashwin took 3-90 for India, which struggled in the field for the first two sessions of the day as Chandimal and Angelo Mathews combined in a 181-run fourth-wicket partnership. Matthews was caught behind off Ashwin’s bowling for 111 just before tea, and Chandimal moved quickly after the interval to reach his hundred from 265 balls. He shared a 61-run stand with Sadeera

Samarawickrama (33) for the fifth wicket to keep Sri Lanka’s innings moving until three wickets fell for five runs. First, Samarawickrama was caught behind off Ishant Sharma (2-93). Ashwin then had Roshen Silva (0) caught at forward short leg and, two overs later, he clean bowled Niroshan Dickwella (0) as Sri Lanka were reduced to 322-7. Chandimal kept his calm though, and in the company of Suranga Lakmal (5) and Lahiru Gamage (1) hauled his team beyond the followon target. Mohammed Shami (2-74) had Lakmal caught behind, with keeper Wriddhiman Saha taking a stunning diving catch, and Ravindra Jadeja (2-85) trapped Gamage lbw before bad light stopped play five overs ahead of schedule. The light and weather conditions have combined to overshadow the second and third days of the match at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground.

That possibly prompted Virat Kohli to declare India’s innings closed after he was dismissed for 243 on the second day. Some Sri Lankan players wore face masks during the day, and their coach said players were vomiting after leaving the field. Sri Lanka resumed Monday at 131-3, when air quality readings in the area were well into the hazardous range. By 2pm local time, the readings had improved and were in the “very unhealthy” range. Mathews said the players were usually in favour of playing whenever possible, and trusted match officials to make the call on safety. “Conditions were almost the same as yesterday. Maybe more,” intense,” Mathews said. “We want to play cricket and we want to get out on the park. It is up to the officials to make a decision.” The Indian capital has recently experienced elevated levels of air pollution, and a public health

SRI Lanka’s captain Dinesh Chandimal looks skywards as he raises his bat and cap to celebrate scoring a century during the third day of their third test cricket match against India yesterday. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Play had to be stopped three times on Sunday while bowlers received medical

treatment or players complained to the umpires about the air pollution.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 63° F/17° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Some sun with a shower; breezy

Partly cloudy, a shower; breezy

Partly sunny with a shower or two

Partly sunny with a stray shower

Clouds and sun with a shower

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

High: 85°

Low: 72°

High: 85° Low: 72°

High: 86° Low: 73°

High: 83° Low: 67°

AccuWeather RealFeel

87° F

73° F

94°-79° F

97°-82° F

96°-78° F

88°-64° F

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° 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: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

8‑16 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

8‑16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

7‑14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 80° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 68° F/20° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 72° F/22° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 38.63” Normal year to date ................................... 38.61”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

tiDes For nassau High Today

8‑16 knots

10‑20 knots

8:41 a.m. 9:05 p.m.

Low

Ht.(ft.)

2:18 a.m. ‑0.9 3:11 p.m. ‑0.7

Wednesday 9:35 a.m. 10:01 p.m.

3.6 2.8

3:12 a.m. ‑0.8 4:05 p.m. ‑0.6

Thursday

10:29 a.m. 11:00 p.m.

3.4 2.7

4:08 a.m. ‑0.6 5:01 p.m. ‑0.5

Friday

11:26 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

3.2 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:07 a.m. ‑0.3 5:58 p.m. ‑0.3

Saturday

12:02 a.m. 12:26 p.m.

2.6 3.0

6:11 a.m. 0.0 6:57 p.m. ‑0.2

Sunday

1:07 a.m. 1:27 p.m.

2.6 2.8

7:17 a.m. 0.2 7:56 p.m. ‑0.1

Monday

2:11 a.m. 2:28 p.m.

2.6 2.6

8:25 a.m. 0.3 8:54 p.m. ‑0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:41 a.m. 5:20 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

7:47 p.m. 8:35 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Dec. 10

Dec. 18

Dec. 26

Jan. 1

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map H

Ht.(ft.) 3.7 2.8

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

uV inDex toDay

CAT ISLAND

emergency was declared last month. A lack of wind and cloud cover over Delhi also contributed to the stifling conditions. India fast bowler Shami said the air pollution hasn’t impeded his team. “Yes, pollution is an aspect that we seriously need to think about. It could be that we are more used to it and our ability to adjust is much more compared to,” the Sri Lankan team, he said. “But what was being portrayed, it wasn’t to that extent.” When air quality readings are in the hazardous range, health authorities recommend people avoid all outdoor exertion. There have been precedents for proceeding with major sports events in the conditions. Thousands of athletes competed in the Delhi Marathon on November 19 despite the health warnings. India leads the threematch series 1-0 after winning in Nagpur by an innings and 239 runs.

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

10‑20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

12‑25 knots

10‑20 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 SE at 8‑16 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 4‑8 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots

WAVES 4‑7 Feet 4‑8 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 4‑8 Feet 4‑7 Feet 5‑9 Feet 4‑7 Feet 5‑9 Feet 4‑8 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 5‑9 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 6‑10 Feet 6‑10 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet

VISIBILITY 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles 7 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 78° F 77° F 80° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 83° F 82° F 81° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 80° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 5, 2017

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