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BEARS

AFC-leading Bills adapt, overcome myriad challenges

A case can be made that no NFL team this season has been better than the Buffalo Bills at overcoming myriad on- and off-field challenges and distractions. Whether dealing with weather-related disruptions, shuffling lineups due to injuries, or changing course to address in-game deficiencies, the Sean McDermott-coached Bills (12-3) have proven resourceful in building an AFC-leading record. The Bills have won six straight, a run that began when their “home” game against Cleveland was shifted to Detroit because of a major snowstorm hitting western New York.

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Math. fundamental geometry crucial to astronomy

The shadings that occur as the moon enters our planet’s shadow cast out into space bring oohs and ahhhs from even veteran eclipse watchers. Personally, I am excitedly waiting for the solar eclipse that will be across our Texas next year. Seeing the displays that regularly visit our South Texas skies can be a rewarding experience, especially when one connects them to their personal spiritual beliefs. I have been told these return missions would be analogous to a baseball batter here in South Texas ready to bat, with a pitcher in Alaska. Until next week, go outside and look up-you just might catch one of those ‘falling stars’ to put in your pocket.

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Close range: Baylor grinds to Elite 8 in 62-51 win ova 'Nova

Davion Mitchell, a 46% shooter from 3 this season, went 0 for 3 from long range on a 14-point day. Jared Butler scored nine points on 1-for-9 shooting from 3, and MaCio Teague had five points without a 3. The guards did a great job of not settling and probing more.”Because of that, Baylor shot 53% in the second half, even though it made only one 3. Constantly harassing Villanova shooters who'd carved out space in the first half, Baylor held Villanova to 37.5% shooting in the second and 0 for 9 from 3. Forward Brandon Slater left the game about midway through the second half after landing awkwardly during a fight for a rebound.

Ursin, Smith lead No. 5 Baylor to big win in NCAA opener

SAN ANTONIO – Moon Ursin scored a career-high 24 points, All-American NaLyssa Smith had a double-double and fifth-ranked Baylor had no problem in its women’s NCAA Tournament opener, cruising to a 101-52 win over Jackson State on Sunday. Smith scored 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds for the second-seeded Bears (26-2), who face seventh-seeded Virginia Tech on Tuesday in the River Walk Region. Baylor, the national leader in field-goal defense (31.8%) and rebounding margin (plus-19), limited Jackson State to 30.9% shooting, including 2 of 19 from 3-point range, and had a 59-35 rebounding advantage. Ursin, who was 3 of 3 behind the arc, had 16 points and Smith was 5 of 6 for 12 points, and the Bears led 51-24. The Bears shot 54.5% and held Jackson State to 27.8% for a 51-24 lead.

No. 12 Oklahoma St beats No. 2 Baylor 83-74 in Big 12 semis

– Confidence has never been a problem for Oklahoma State freshman Cade Cunningham. 12 Cowboys trying to rally from a second-half hole against second-ranked Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, Cunningham calmly responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to give his team the lead. Ad“You have to give Oklahoma State a lot of credit," Drew said. The Bears did get off to a quick start, but Oklahoma State answered and gradually pulled ahead. Oklahoma State split the season series with the Longhorns, losing a 77-74 nail-biter in December before winning a 75-67 double-overtime thriller early last month.

Berlin film festival's Golden Bear goes to 'Loony Porn'

FILE - The Baeren (Bears) awards are lined up during the award ceremony for the 2020 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 29, 2020. Organizers say the annual Berlin International Film Festival is being put off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and split into two parts later in 2021. And her palette of performing qualities allowed us to feel, laugh and ask questions," the jury said in a statement. It is the first time that the Berlin Film Festival has awarded a single award for best acting regardless of gender. AdDenes Nagy of Hungary received the award for best director for his debut ‘Natural Light,’ following a Hungarian unit hunting partisans in the Soviet Union during World War II.

No. 2 Baylor returns with 77-72 win to stay undefeated

Baylor then had six consecutive games postponed because of COVID-19 issues in the program, and hadn't even had another full practice until Sunday. With 6-foot-8 forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua out of the Baylor lineup, Mark Vital had 15 rebounds and three blocks. “Congrats to Baylor for figuring our a way to win, that’s why they’re No. But to come away get a win and be able to perform like we did, very very pleased with that. Coming into the game second in the Big 12 averaging 17 points, Butler had three turnovers and took only one shot before halftime.

Baylor back from pause, resumes bid for undefeated season

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)Baylor is back in its bid for an undefeated season. 2 Bears return from a lengthy COVID-19 pause this week with three games in five days. Baylor returns to the court for the first time in three weeks Tuesday against Iowa State. “I’d like to believe that we’re going to pick up where we left off,” Baylor junior guard Jared Butler said. AdUNDEFEATED ZAGSGonzaga's bid for an undefeated season could close this week, barring any additions to the schedule.

Kansas' record Top 25 run over; Michigan jumps to No. 3

Michigan took advantage of Villanova's loss at St. John's to jump into the top three, Ohio State climbed three spots to No. The Jayhawks began their Top 25 streak on Feb. 2, 2009, when freshman guard Bryce Thompson was 6 years old. “We have plenty of games to go win and I know this team can do it,” Kansas guard Christian Braun said. 15, followed by Tennessee, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Creighton and Southern California. The Bruins dropped out, along with Kansas, Florida and Drake, whose 18-0 start was spoiled in a 74-57 loss to Valparaiso.

No. 2 Baylor on pause again because of COVID-19 protocols

Baylor coach Scott Drew, right, argues a call during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Texas, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Austin, Texas. 2 Baylor has had its season interrupted again because of COVID-19 protocols, with the Big 12 Conference postponing the Bears' next two scheduled games. Their next scheduled game is now at home Feb. 13 against No. AdCoach Scott Drew missed the first two games of Baylor's reshuffled scheduled after testing positive for COVID-19 in November. The Big 12 said it would work with Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma to reschedule the remaining postponed games.

No. 2 Baylor still undefeated after 84-72 win over Auburn

(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)WACO, Texas – This Baylor win was for Davion Mitchell, and the junior guard did his part against his former team. Mitchell swished a 3-pointer after losing a shoe and finished with 13 points and seven assists, helping the Bears stay undefeated with an 84-72 win over Auburn in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday. “And that’s OK, because Butler, and Teague and Davion Mitchell and Flagler are all really good,” Pearl said. "That conversation down the court, that was pretty cool.”AHEAD TO STAYButler made two free throws with 4:50 left in the first half for a 23-22 Baylor lead. Baylor: Baylor is 7-1 in Big 12/SEC Challenge games, the best record by any team in either league in the annual showdown.

Gonzaga, Baylor remain atop AP Top 25; UConn in at No. 25

(AP Photo/Steve Dykes)Gonzaga and Baylor were the top two teams in The Associated Press preseason men’s college basketball poll. Villanova, Texas and Iowa rounded out a top 5 that remained the same from last week. Gonzaga and Baylor split most of the first-place votes in the preseason AP Top 25, but the Zags have become the clear-cut No. Gonzaga, which had five games canceled due to COVID-19 issues last month, has won 16 straight dating to last season. The Huskies won the national championship in 2014 but went to the NCAA Tournament only one more time before Hurley was lured from Rhode Island.

Brady and Bucs, plus Bills and Rams win NFL wild-card games

The first tripleheader of NFL wild-card games saw Tom Brady extend his postseason record for victories to 31 with a 31-23 win for Tampa Bay at Washington on Saturday. After a quarter-century, the Bills got one of those triumphs that Brady collects — and they even figured out how to stop a Hail Mary. The previous playoff win was over Miami on Dec. 30, 1995. And it came in the Bills’ first home playoff game in 24 years, with a limited number of fans in attendance (6,700) for the first time this season. The Ravens averaged an NFL-best 191.9 yards rushing per game and their 3,071 yards rushing were third highest in NFL history.

Berlin film festival postponed to later in 2021 due to virus

FILE - The Baeren (Bears) awards are lined up during the award ceremony for the 2020 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, on Feb. 29, 2020. Organizers say the annual Berlin International Film Festival is being put off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and split into two parts later in 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)BERLIN – The annual Berlin International Film Festival is being put off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and split into two parts later in 2021, organizers said Friday. Then in June, organizers are scheduling a summer event with numerous film screenings for the public in theaters and the open air. “The division makes it possible to maintain the two supporting pillars: film market and festival,” organizers said.

Former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett tests positive for COVID-19

The game marks the first time Garrett has returned to play against the team he was the head coach of last season. ___Giants offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday night’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Long Beach is considered a crown jewel among global street races for its longevity, competitive racing and street festival atmosphere. ___New York Giants offensive coordinator and former Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett has tested positive for COVID-19. Tight ends coach Freddie Kitchens will call the offensive plays against the Browns, who fired him as their head coach last season.

More young bears, less food send them to Juneau’s garbage

JUNEAU, Alaska – A larger than normal number of young bears and dwindling natural food supply for them are forcing the animals to head for Juneau's garbage with unusual frequency, a wildlife official said. A poor berry crop and lackluster salmon runs this year mean more bears are looking for food among the city's trash, KTOO Public Media in Juneau reported. Conditions have made bears desperate to fatten themselves before they hibernate for the winter, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said. Abby McAllister, a wildlife education and outreach specialist with the agency, said more bears are competing for the smaller amount of available food. Those young bears have recently been kicked out by their mothers and need to fend for themselves, but are still inexperienced, McAllister said.

Baylor remains No. 1 in AP Top 25 with few changes at top

Baylor head coach Scott Drew points to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)Baylor is No. 1 for a second straight week in an AP Top 25 poll that had no major changes at the top, a rare bit of stability in a wildly unpredictable season. So far this season, Michigan State, Kentucky, Duke, Louisville, Kansas and Gonzaga have seen time at No. Louisville, Dayton, Villanova, Duke and Seton Hall rounded out the top 10. In all, nine teams moved up in this week's poll.