NORTHERN COLORADO BEATS UNC ASHEVILLE IN CBI QUARTERS
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. » Daylen Kountz scored 29 points and Northern Colorado beat UNC Asheville 87-84 in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational on Monday.
The Denver East High School grad hit 4 of 6 3-pointers to lead the Bears into a semifinal matchup with UNC Wilmington in Daytona Beach at 5 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN2.
Dru Kuxhausen had 18 points for Northern Colorado (22-15). Bodie Hume added 15 points and Kur Jongkuch had 11 points.
Source: Winston agrees to return to Saints.
NEW ORLEANS » Free agent quarterback Jameis Winston has agreed to return to the New Orleans Saints, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. NFL Network first reported Winston’s two-year deal, which is reportedly worth about $28 million.
Mickelson to sit out the Masters.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, out of public view since his inflammatory remarks about the Saudi-funded rival league and the PGA Tour, has decided not to play at Augusta National this year. The club confirmed Mickelson notified Augusta National he will not be playing.
Hurricanes ink Kotkaniemi to 8-year extension.
RALEIGH, N. C. » The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an eight-year extension, which would keep the 21-yearold forward with the franchise through the 2029-30 season. The team said the deal will have an average-annual value of $4.82 million.
Nets’ Simmons has herniated disk.
NEW YORK » Ben Simmons has a herniated disk, Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash revealed Monday. Simmons had an epidural recently that Nash said had relieved some of the pain in his back. Nash said he still believes the guard can play this season.
Raiders sign free agent LBS Fackrell, Kiser.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed free agent linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Micah Kiser to add depth to a thin group. The Raiders were in need of help at linebacker after Nicholas Morrow signed with the Bears and Las Vegas released Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski.
Source: LSU taps Murray State’s McMahon as coach.
BATON ROUGE, LA. » LSU is filling its men’s basketball coaching vacancy with Murray State’s Matt Mcmahon, a person familiar with the decision told AP. McMahon, 43, has coached Murray State for seven seasons, during which it has claimed two first-round victories in the NCAA Tournament.
K-state hires Baylor assistant Tang.
KANSAS CITY, MO. » Kansas State hired Jerome Tang to be its next basketball coach. The Wildcats hired Tang to replace Bruce Weber two days after Tang’s top-seeded Bears were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Maryland hires Seton Hall’s Willard.
Kevin Willard is taking over as Maryland’s basketball coach after a dozen seasons at Seton Hall. Willard took the Pirates to five of the last six NCAA tournaments, although they made the second round only once.
Huskers’ Mcgowens to enter NBA draft.
LINCOLN, NEB. » Nebraska freshman Bryce Mcgowens declared for the NBA draft and said he will sign with an agent. The AP Big Ten newcomer of the year averaged 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Lillard out for remainder of season.
PORTLAND, ORE. » Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Lillard had abdominal surgery on Jan. 13, and it was widely expected he would not return.
U.S. snowboard coach Foley under investigation.
DENVER » The U.S. Center for Safesport is investigating misconduct allegations against longtime snowboard coach Peter Foley, who has left his job at U.S. Ski & Snowboard.