Illinois comes up short against ND
Notre Dame guards TJ Gibbs and D.J. Harvey scored 19 points apiece, and Juwan Durham had all of his 10 points and five blocked shots in the second half, as the Irish held off latecharging Illinois 76-74 in an ACC/ Big Ten Challenge game Tuesday in South Bend, Indiana.
Trent Frazier’s 24-foot, solidlook three-point try for the Illini rimmed out just before time expired. Aaron Jordan led Illinois with 23 points.
The Irish, fueled in large part by Durham’s play off the bench, led 65-52 with 6:30 to go before the Illini mounted their rally that fell just short.
Notre Dame (6-1) won its fourth straight, while Illinois (2-5) lost for the fifth time in its last six games.
♦ Ryan McMahon made two free throws with 7.1 seconds remaining in overtime before Jordan Nwora made another from the line with 3.1 seconds left to seal it as host Louisville upset No. 9 Michigan State 82-78 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
♦ Zion Williamson scored 25 points, R.J. Barrett added 22 and No. 3 Duke routed visiting Indiana 90-69 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Notre Dame stays at No. 3 in CFP rankings
The top three teams in the College Football Playoff rankings held steady for a fourth straight week: Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame. Georgia moved into the fourth spot. Oklahoma is No. 5, ahead of Ohio State, heading into championship weekend. The final four will be set Sunday.
♦ Michigan linebacker Devin Bush was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher earned All-Big Ten first-team defensive honors. Offensive awards will be announced Wednesday.
Ex-Cubs reliever Chavez to rejoin Rangers
Right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez is returning to the Rangers on a two-year deal in the $8 million range. Chavez, 35, was the backbone of the Cubs’ bullpen in the second half of the 2018 season, allowing just five runs and 26 hits in 39 innings.
♦ MLB became the latest U.S. sports league to partner with a gaming operator, with commissioner Rob Manfred announcing a multiyear deal with MGM Resorts International.
Sabres tie franchise mark with 10th win in row
Jeff Skinner scored his team-leading 19th goal 1:19 into overtime, and the Sabres tied a franchise mark with their 10th consecutive victory, a 3-2 win against the Sharks. They’re also the first team to finish the previous season with the worst record and lead the NHL outright in points after 25 games.