Mystics rally past Dream, end 3-game losing streak
C. Carolina wins 3rd straight over Kansas
CONWAY, South Carolina, Sept. 11, (AP): Reese White ran for 102 yards and three touchdowns, Grayson McCall threw for two scores and ran for a third and No. 17 Coastal Carolina beat Kansas for the third straight season, 49-22.
Coastal Carolina (2-0) hosted a Power Five team for the first time in its five seasons in the FBS and the Jayhawks (1-1) didn’t have the firepower to spoil the home team’s “White Out” promotion in front of the largest crowd here ever at 17,697.
The Chanticleers’ wins at Kansas the last two years certainly raised eyebrows. This one wasn’t much of a shocker as Coastal Carolina showed off a deep, talented offense and a relentless defense to put away its Big 12 Conference opponent.
White had touchdown runs of 2, 19 and 3 yards against Kansas after two touchdowns in team’s 52-14 opening victory over The Citadel last week. McCall began the scoring with a 33yard TD pass to Jaivon Heiligh, then had a 2-yard scoring run.
White talked this week of going for three touchdowns after his two a week ago. “I wanted to add one to the total,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why not go for three?’ and I did it.’”
FOOTBALL
Kansas quarterback Jason Bean, a North Texas transfer, had touchdown runs of 34 and 46 yards as the Jayhawks drew to 28-22 midway through the third quarter.
However, the Chants responded with White’s final two touchdowns to open up a 20-point lead.
Kansas entered after snapping a 13game losing streak in the opener and hoped to keep the momentum going on Coastal’s teal blue turf.
But the Chanticleers and McCall proved too potent for first year Jayhawks coach Lance Leipold’s program. They scored on three of their first four possessions and got a blocked punt for a TD by Alex Spillum to take a 28-9 lead.
McCall finished 17-of-21 passing for 245 yards. Heiligh had six catches for 122 yards, his fourth consecutive game with 100-plus receiving yards.
Spillum, a speedy, 6-foot-2, 190-pound safey, blew through the line to block the punt deep in Kansas territory. He followed the ball into the end zone and covered up for the score.
About the only mistake Coastal Carolina made was exhuberance. What looked like an interception by cornerback D’Jordan Strong was celebrated wildly by Coastal’s players. An unsportsmanlike conduct flag few for excessive celebration and, when the pick was overturned on review, Kansas had the ball back and a first down.
The Jayhawks continued on a 66yard touchdown drive for their last lead, 9-7. Bean led Kansas with 102 yards rushing. “Our margin of error is very small right now. I think that’s pretty evident,” Leipold said. “We had some moments where we were knocking on the door, but just couldn’t quite get over the hump.”
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, (AP): Tina Charles had 26 points and 16 rebounds and the Washington Mystics beat the Atlanta Dream 82-74 to snap a three-game losing streak.
Charles moved past Rebekkah Brunson (3,356) for second place on the WNBA career rebounding list, trailing Sylvia Fowles (3,674).
Washington (11-18) moved into a tie with the New York Liberty for eighth - the final playoff spot. The Mystics go on the road to face Chicago and New York, followed by a home game against Minnesota to close the regular season.
Atlanta (7-22) was eliminated from playoff contention.
Theresa Plaisance had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Washington. Natasha Cloud added 13 points, six assists and four steals. The Mystics had 20 assists on 29 field goals.
Courtney Williams led the Dream with 23 points. Monique Billings added 14 points and 10
BASKETBALL
rebounds, Tiffany Hayes had 13 points, six assists and four steals, and Aari McDonald scored 11 points.
Lynx 89, Fever 72
In Minneapolis, Aerial Powers scored 20 points and Kayla McBride added 15 points to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever.
Minnesota (19-10) moved into a tie with Phoenix for fourth in the WNBA standings. The Lynx face Indiana the next two games, and play Washington in the regular-season finale - aiming for a top-four finish and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Sylvia Fowles had 13 points, seven rebounds, four steals and five blocks for Minnesota. Fowles tied a franchise record for blocks in a first half with four.
Tied at 41 early in the third quarter, Minnesota scored 40 of the next 59 points.
Tiffany Mitchell scored 16 points and Jantel Lavender added 15 for Indiana (6-22). Kelsey Mitchell had 11 points on 4-for15 shooting.