Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Osaka enjoys rollercoaster win in Miami
World number one Naomi Osaka endured a rollercoaster start to the Miami Open on Friday, advancing to the third round with a 6-0 6-7(3) 6-1 win over Belgian Yanina Wickmayer. After facing eight-times Miami champion Serena Williams in her first match last year, Osaka might have expected an easier opener on Friday against the 141st-ranked Belgian qualifier.
NFL notebook: Falcons, Jones close to extension
The Atlanta Falcons and wide receiver Julio Jones are closing in on an extension that would pay him $20 million per season on a four- or five-year deal, Bleacher Report reported Friday. According to the report, Jones is expected to get around $50 million-$60 million in new guarantees, though the deal is not done yet.
Golf: Holder Casey and Cook share Valspar lead
Defending champion Paul Casey and American Austin Cook will go into the third round of the Valspar Championship in Florida one shot ahead of the chasing pack after the early starters posted a six-under 136 total on Friday. Englishman Casey shot 66, one better that Cook, in the second round at Palm Harbor before the Florida breezes kicked up and the greens became trickier.
Harris, Perkins help Buffalo rout Arizona State
Senior guard Jeremy Harris and senior forward Nick Perkins each recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds as Buffalo trounced Arizona State 91-74 on Friday in West Region first-round play of the NCAA Tournament at Tulsa, Okla. Senior guard CJ Massinburg buried four 3-point baskets while scoring 18 points as the sixth-seeded Bulls (32-3) notched the second NCAA Tournament victory in school history. Sophomore guard Jayvon Graves added 13 points.
Spring training roundup: Goldschmidt has big day for Cardinals
Paul Goldschmidt had a double, a triple and a home run, and the St. Louis Cardinals cruised to a 15-5 win over the New York Mets on Friday in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Goldschmidt wrapped up his mammoth performance shortly after agreeing to a five-year, $130 million contract extension, according to multiple reports. The Cardinals acquired the 31-year-old slugger from the Arizona Diamondbacks during the offseason in exchange for pitcher Luke Weaver and a pair of minor-league prospects.
Golf: Garrigus suspended for three months for positive marijuana test
American golfer Robert Garrigus has been suspended for three months by the PGA Tour after testing positive for marijuana. Garrigus, who has spoken about overcoming addiction to play on the tour, confirmed on his Twitter account on Friday that he had been suspended.
No. 1 seed Virginia rallies to dominate Gardner-Webb
No. 1 seed Virginia used a dominant second half to cruise by 16th-seed Gardner-Webb 71-56 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's South Region at Columbia, S.C. Sophomore De'Andre Hunter scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the second half as the Cavaliers rallied and allowed just 20 points in the game's final 20 minutes.
Hurkacz stuns Thiem in Miami, Djokovic breezes through
Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem's bid for a 'Sunshine Slam' met with a quick end as he fell 6-4 6-4 to Hubert Hurkacz in the Miami Open second round on Friday, while world number one Novak Djokovic wasted little time in dispatching Bernard Tomic. The 22-year-old Hurkacz broke third seed Thiem four times, including in the final games of each set, to record the biggest win of his career.
Washington shuts down Utah State
Ninth-seeded Washington married its usually good defense with an unusually proficient performance on offense Friday night, scoring a 78-61 win over eighth-seeded Utah State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Four players scored in double figures for the Huskies (27-8), which will meet the Iona-North Carolina winner on Sunday in a Midwest Region second-round game. Noah Dickerson led the way with a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double, the 24th of his career.
NBA roundup: Harden scores 61 as Rockets stop Spurs
James Harden matched his career high with 61 points, delivering early and late to bail out the host Houston Rockets in their 111-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Harden, who also scored 61 points on Jan. 23 at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, finished 19 of 34 from the floor while drilling 9 of 13 from 3-point range.
