UCLA cancels game due to fires

UCLA canceled Wednesday’s scheduled game against Montana at Pauley Pavilion because of concerns related to the nearby wildfires.

“The health and safety of student-athletes, staff and fans is our top priority,” the school said in a statement.

All scheduled team workouts and practices also were canceled.

UCLA had planned an early morning football practice in preparation for the Cactus Bowl against Kansas State on Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix. That is now tentatively scheduled for Thursday morning.

Single-game ticket purchases for the basketball game will be automatically refunded, the school announced. Season ticket holders will receive a credit to their UCLA ticket account for the cost of the game.

BC’s Hawkins done:

Boston College forward Deontae Hawkins is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The 6-foot-8, 220-pound graduate transfer was injured in the first half of Boston College’s nonconference game against Nebraska on Nov. 29. He was the Eagles’ third-leading scorer and top rebounder, averaging 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds in eight games.

Hawkins spent his first three years at Illinois State, helping the Redbirds to the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title last season.

Detroit coach back:

Detroit Mercy coach Bacari Alexander returned to work after a seven-game absence.

The school didn’t say why Alexander missed the games after coaching in the opener and declined to answer questions about his absence.

Titans assistant coach Jermaine Jackson replaced Alexander while he was away.

Detroit Mercy was 8-23 last season in Alexander’s first year as coach. He was an assistant coach for John Beilein at Michigan for two seasons before that.

TCU’s streak longest:

TCU’s 94-83 win over SMU on Tuesday was its nationleading 14th straight.

The first five wins came during the Horned Frogs’ run to the 2017 NIT championship.