Arizona apologizes for chant

TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona has apologized after the school says some fans participated in an “unacceptable chant” following the basketball team’s 96-95 loss to BYU on Saturday night.

According to online video, fans can be heard yelling a profane phrase directed at Mormons as the teams were leaving the court. BYU is the flagship school for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Following tonight’s men’s basketball game, it was brought to our attention that an unacceptable chant occurred,” athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois said in a statement.

“On behalf of the University of Arizona Athletic Department, we apologize to BYU, their student-athletes, coaches and fans. The chant is not reflective of who we are and should not have happened.”

Richie Saunders scored 23 points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, to give BYU the road victory at No. 19 Arizona.

It was the Cougars’ fourth win in a row and second consecutive over a ranked opponent, following a 91-57 victory over No. 23 Kansas on Tuesday.

A-Rod wins Bucknell student $10,000

LEWISBURG — Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez showed his skill on the hardwood Sunday, making a half-court shot to win a Bucknell student $10,000.

The 14-time All-Star was invited to take the shot during halftime of Bucknell’s basketball game against Army, which the Bison won 84-53. The 49-year-old tossed a high-arching shot that banked off the backboard and through the hoop, setting off a celebration with students.

The three-time MVP was at Bucknell to speak about his company Jump Platforms, which he founded with two other entrepreneurs, Jordy Leiser and Marc Lore. Lore and Leiser graduated from Bucknell, and Leiser is a trustee.

Rodriguez hit 696 career homers with the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees.

Doncic says breakout is only the start

DENVER — Now, that’s what the Los Angeles Lakers had in mind when they pulled off their shocking trade for Luka Doncic earlier this month.

After going 1-2 and averaging 14.7 points in his first three games with LA following his departure from Dallas, the 25-year-old superstar had by far his best game in a Lakers uniform Saturday night in Denver.

Doncic scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out seven assists and stole four passes while leading the Lakers to a 123-100 wipeout of the Nuggets, who had won nine consecutive games.

“Finally feel like myself a little bit,” Doncic said. “Playing this game, this is what I love. Just finally being myself a little bit, that’s why I was smiling all game.”

So was LeBron James, who chipped in 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks — and several times was on the receiving end of Doncic’s long passes for fastbreak buckets as the Lakers led wire-to-wire against their recent nemisis.

“I am a natural-born wide receiver and he’s a natural-born quarterback,” cracked James.

Doncic said his chemistry with the Lakers, James included, is still budding.

“This is my fourth game,” Doncic said. “Chemistry takes time. You saw today that it’s getting better. Every day, it’s getting better. … Hard, different, but I’m happy to be playing basketball. Every day is going to get better for me. I’m happy to be here. I’m happy for the new journey.”

The duo’s performance in Denver should give the Lakers and their followers a sense that they can make the kind of deep playoff run that eluded them the last two years when the Nuggets bounced them in the first round, winning eight of nine when James was teamed with Anthony Davis.

The Lakers had just nine turnovers to Denver’s 22 and 15 steals to the Nuggets’ six. And while they took just one more shot, they made nine more baskets.

The Associated Press