General Sports 3d Briefing
×NASCAR & Racing
Ryan Blaney espn.com completed a Team Penske sweep at Phoenix Raceway by winning the Cup Series race Sunday. The victory extended his streak as he aims to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four straight races to start a season.
Jacob Kiplimo bbc.com regained the world half-marathon record as he claimed victory in Lisbon on Sunday. The Ugandan runner's performance sets a new standard in distance running.
College Basketball
West Virginia espn.com avenged two regular-season losses to No. 10 TCU by beating the reigning Big 12 tournament champion 62-53 in the conference title game Sunday. The Mountaineers' defensive effort secured their tournament crown.
Chris Ashby espn.com made 10 3-pointers and scored 34 points to lead Queens University to an NCAA berth in its first year of eligibility with a 98-93 win over Central Arkansas in the Atlantic Sun tournament. The victory marks a historic achievement for the program.
Trey Campbell espn.com hit six 3-pointers in scoring 23 points as Northern Iowa defeated UIC 84-69 to win the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and earn an automatic NCAA bid. The Panthers' shooting performance proved decisive.
Duke women espn.com rallied to win its second straight women's Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title, beating No. 12 Louisville 70-65 in overtime Sunday. The Blue Devils' comeback victory showcased their tournament experience.
Gianna Kneepkens espn.com scored 19 points and Kiki Rice added 15 points and eight assists Sunday as No. 2 UCLA rolled past No. 9 Iowa 96-45 to win its second straight Big Ten tournament crown. The Bruins' dominant performance highlighted their championship pedigree.
Madison Booker espn.com scored 18 points as No. 4 Texas sprinted to a 14-0 lead against No. 3 South Carolina en route to the Longhorns' first women's SEC tournament title. Texas' early run set the tone for their championship victory.
John Calipari espn.com picked up his 900th career win on Saturday in Arkansas' 88-84 overtime victory over Missouri. The milestone win came in dramatic fashion for the veteran coach.
Damon Stoudamire espn.com was fired by Georgia Tech after three seasons, ending his tenure at the school. The Yellow Jackets' last-place finish in the ACC proved costly for the former NBA point guard.
Earl Grant espn.com was fired by Boston College, ending his five-year run at the school. The Eagles' struggles led to the coaching change.
Danny Hurley espn.com was ejected in the final second as Marquette hung on for a 68-62 victory that prevented the fourth-ranked Huskies from winning a share of the Big East regular-season title. The controversial ending overshadowed a hard-fought game.
Shea Ralph espn.com was ejected for arguing as No. 5 Vanderbilt's slim hopes for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament all but ended with Friday night's 89-78 defeat to Ole Miss. The Commodores' tournament aspirations took a major hit.
Tennis
Akshay Bhatia bbc.com beat fellow American Daniel Berger on the first sudden death play-off hole to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando. The victory marks Bhatia's first PGA Tour title.
Emma Raducanu bbc.com was overpowered by sixth seed Amanda Anisimova at Indian Wells, losing 6-1 6-1 in a third-round encounter lasting just 52 minutes. The quick defeat highlighted Raducanu's ongoing struggles.
Sonay Kartal bbc.com saved a match point and took a medical time out before battling to a 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7-2) victory in her second round match against Emma Navarro at Indian Wells. The British player's resilience earned her a third-round berth.
Alex Eala espn.com has drawn enormous crowds everywhere she goes as the Filipina tennis prodigy prepares to take on Coco Gauff at Indian Wells. Her rising star continues to shine on the WTA tour.
Panna Udvardy bbc.com says she was sent "disturbing" messages including a picture of a gun, warning her family would be harmed unless she lost a tennis match. The Hungarian player's allegations highlight concerning issues in professional tennis.
Hockey
Ireland bbc.com clinched a place in the Hockey World Cup finals with a dramatic shootout win over Japan to finish third at the qualification tournament in Santiago. The victory secured their spot in the global tournament.
England's men bbc.com won their Hockey World Cup qualification tournament with a 4-1 victory over Pakistan in the final in Egypt. The comprehensive win demonstrated their dominance in the qualification process.
Rugby Union
Italy bbc.com want to keep writing history after finally breaking a duck - their first win over England at the 33rd attempt. The Azzurri's historic victory has boosted their confidence in the Six Nations.
England bbc.com suffered a defeat by Italy that has turned the spotlight on England's leadership, both on and off the pitch. Questions are being raised about Steve Borthwick's future following the loss.
Scotland bbc.com delivered arguably their best performance in almost 40 years to give themselves unlikely shot at Six Nations title. Their victory over France showcased their attacking potential.
Ireland bbc.com keep alive their slim hopes of reclaiming the Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory over spirited Wales in Dublin. The win keeps them in contention heading into the final round.
Darcy Graham bbc.com scored an early try to give Scotland the lead over France in the Six Nations at Murrayfield. The electric winger's try set the tone for Scotland's impressive victory.
Kyle Steyn bbc.com scored his second try of the afternoon after intercepting an Antoine Dupont pass as Scotland extend their lead to 33-14 over France. The intercept try proved crucial in Scotland's win.
Rhys Carre bbc.com scored a sensational solo try during Wales' Six Nations defeat against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The prop's try provided a highlight in a losing cause.
Combat Sports
Charles Oliveira bbc.com dominated Max Holloway from start to finish to win the BMF title by unanimous decision at UFC 326 in Las Vegas. The Brazilian's performance cemented his status as one of the lightweight division's best.
Ilia Topuria espn.com will headline the UFC's White House event on June 14 in a lightweight title bout against Justin Gaethje. The main event promises to be a thrilling matchup.
Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will vie for the interim heavyweight championship at the White House event. The light heavyweight champion moves up to challenge for heavyweight gold.
Francis Ngannou espn.com is a free agent after his release by the PFL. The combat sports star is now free to pursue opportunities in both MMA and boxing.
Naoya Inoue espn.com will defend his undisputed junior featherweight title against Junto Nakatani on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome. The all-Japanese showdown is one of boxing's most anticipated matchups.
Winter Paralympics
Emanuel Perathoner bbc.com competed at two Olympics for Italy before a devastating knee injury led him to Para-sport, where he has won Paralympic gold at his home Games. His journey from able-bodied to Para-alpine skiing is remarkable.
Varvara Voronchikhina bbc.com won Russia's first medal of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics with downhill bronze. The achievement came despite Russia's limited participation.
Great Britain bbc.com held their nerve to beat USA in wheelchair curling mixed doubles at the Winter Paralympics. The narrow win keeps them in contention for a semi-final spot.
Other Sports
Jacob Bethell bbc.com completed the set of centuries across all formats despite T20 World Cup semi-final defeat by India. The young English cricketer's all-format success shows his immense potential.
Victor Wembanyama bbc.com helped the San Antonio Spurs make a 25-point comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers. The French star's performance in the comeback win was spectacular.
Luke Littler bbc.com successfully defended his UK Open title, beating James Wade in the final in Minehead. The world number one continues his dominance in darts.
Arvid Lindblad bbc.com says he "showed people a bit of what I am here to do" after finishing eighth on his F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix. The British rookie's debut performance impressed in his first Formula 1 race.
Charlotte Bankes bbc.com claimed victory in the women's snowboard cross at a World Cup event in Erzurum, Turkey. The Olympic gold medallist continues her strong form in the new season.
Tom Aspinall bbc.com says seeing Conor Benn secure a reported £11m one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing helped convince him to sign with Eddie Hearn. The UFC heavyweight champion is looking to maximize his earning potential.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bbc.com moved to within two games of breaking a decades-old NBA record as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Golden State Warriors. The MVP candidate continues his historic season.
College Sports Administration
President Donald Trump espn.com says he will write an executive order within a week that