Xavier beats No. 1 ’Nova
J.P. Macura got Xavier rolling with 19 points off the bench, and freshman point guard Edmond Sumner had 19 points and nine assists as fifth-ranked Xavier got the big win that had eluded it, knocking off topranked Villanova at home, 90-83, on Wednesday night.
The Musketeers (25-3, 13-3) led most of the way in the first matchup of Top 5 teams since the Big East was reconfigured, pulling away at the end against the only team they’d never beaten in league play.
Villanova (24-4, 13-2) was the first No. 1 team to play in the Cintas Center, which opened for the 2000-01 season. The Wildcats couldn’t overcome foul trouble or Xavier’s balance, losing for only the second time in their last 18 games.
Xavier got ahead by 15 points late and held on with free throws. The Musketeers dominated the boards 42-33.
Bronson Koenig scored 15 points and visiting Wisconsin upset eighth-ranked Iowa, 67-59, handing the Hawkeyes their third loss in four games.
Nigel Hayes had 10 points for the Badgers (18-10, 10-5 Big Ten), whose streak of nine wins in 10 now includes a victory in Iowa City that should help their NCAA Tournament hopes.
Zak Showalter’s layup with 1:15 left put Wisconsin ahead 64-58, and a steal and two free throws by Koenig put the game out of reach.
Christian Sengfelder had 16 points and eight rebounds, Joseph Chartouny made a go-ahead layup with two minutes left and Fordham pulled away down the stretch for a 56-53 road victory over La Salle.
TIGER: I‘M NOT DEAD YET
Tiger Woods posted a video of him swing- ing a 9-iron in a golf simulator. His agent says the video was posted to rebut rumors on social media that he had taken a turn for the worse following two back surgeries last fall. Mark Steinberg of Excel Sports Management said Monday that the rumors were ridiculous.
The video posted on Woods’ Twitter account has a time stamp of Wednesday. It shows Woods, in shorts and golf shoes, taking one smooth swing accompanied by the words, “Progressing nicely.” The rumors began with a Twitter account called “Secret Tour Pro” saying Sunday that Woods could no longer sit in a chair and spends most of the day lying down.
EAGLES LET LB GO
The Eagles have released two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans. The move saves Philadelphia $3.5 million in salary cap space. Ryans played four seasons with the Eagles after being acquired in a trade from Houston.
HAMILTON ON DL
Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will start the season on the disabled list because of an injured left knee. Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said the five-time All-Star, bothered by swelling in the knee, received a stem cell and platelet rich plasma injection Monday, when he was examined by Dr. James Andrews.
NOVAK WINS 700TH
In Dubai, Novak Djokovic earned his 700th career match win at the expense of Tunisian wild card Malek Jaziri, 6-1, 6-2, at the Dubai Championship in the United Arab Emirates. Djokovic, who joined the tour a decade ago, has a 700-146 career match record.