Author: Beaver County Radio

Despite lacking star power, Ravens beat Steelers 28-10

Despite lacking star power, Ravens beat Steelers 28-10
By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
The Baltimore Ravens relied upon a strong defensive performance to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-10 and finish the regular season riding a 12-game winning streak. The Ravens played without quarterback Lamar Jackson and other stars and had very little at stake. Baltimore finished 14-2 and had already secured the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Baltimore’s first touchdown followed a fumble by Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges, who was held in check the entire game. The Ravens also scored on special teams after Pittsburgh punter Jordan Berry dropped the wet football near his end zone. The Steelers finished the season with three straight losses.

Watkins leads No. 20 Penn State over Cornell 90-59

Watkins leads No. 20 Penn State over Cornell 90-59
By TRAVIS JOHNSON Associated Press
Mike Watkins scored 16 of his 19 points in the first half and No. 20 Penn State beat Cornell 90-59. Lamar Stevens added 19 points, Myreon Jones scored 18, Izaiah Brockington had 11 and Watkins added 10 rebounds for the Nittany Lions. They won their 13th straight home game. Penn State led for all but 2:01 after Stevens took over midway through the first half. The big forward broke a 9-all tie with three-straight baskets that made it 16-9. Jimmy Boeheim scored 17 points for the Big Red.

Skywalker’ rises again; ‘Little Women’ go big at box office

‘Skywalker’ rises again; ‘Little Women’ go big at box office
By ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writer
“Star Wars” was still rising at the box office, while “Little Women” opened big. Studio estimates Sunday showed that “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” brought in $72 million over the weekend to remain the top-earning movie, well ahead of second-place “Jumanji: The Next Level.” Director Greta Gerwig’s re-imagining of the literary classic “Little Women” had a $16.5-million weekend and a five-day total of $29 million since its Christmas opening, a major performance for a smaller-audience film with a budget dwarfed by the top two. The drama is gaining momentum as an awards-season favorite.

Taliban council agrees to cease-fire in Afghanistan

Taliban council agrees to cease-fire in Afghanistan
By KATHY GANNON and RAHIM FAIEZ Associated Press
The Taliban say the ruling council has agreed to a temporary cease-fire nationwide, without saying when it would begin. It provides a window during which a peace agreement with the United States could be signed. A peace deal would allow Washington to bring home its troops from Afghanistan and end its 18-year military engagement there, America’s longest. The U.S. wants any deal to include a promise from the Taliban that Afghanistan would not be used as a base by terrorist groups. The U.S. currently has an estimated 12,000 troops in Afghanistan. The duration of the cease-fire announced Sunday was not specified but it is being suggested it would last for 10 days.

US strikes hit Iraq militia that is blamed in contractor’s death

US strikes hit Iraq militia blamed in contractor’s death
By ELLEN KNICKMEYER and QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press
The U.S. says it has carried out military strikes in Iraq and Syria targeting a militia blamed for an attack that killed an American contractor. Defense spokesman Jonathan Hoffman says U.S. forces conducted “precision defensive strikes” against five sites of Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Iraqi militia. The U.S. blames the militia for a rocket barrage Friday that killed a U.S. contractor in northern Iraq. Iraq’s Joint Operations Command says American airstrikes killed four militia fighters.

2 dead, 1 hurt in shooting at church near Fort Worth, Texas

2 dead, 1 hurt in shooting at church near Fort Worth, Texas
First responders say two people were killed in a shooting at a church near Fort Worth, Texas, and a third person has been taken to a hospital. MedStar Mobile Healthcare spokeswoman Macara Trusty told the Associated Press on Sunday that one person died at the church in White Settlement, about 8 miles west of Fort Worth and another died en route to a hospital.

Guentzel’s power-play goal lifts Penguins past Predators 6-4

Guentzel’s power-play goal lifts Penguins past Predators 6-4
By DAN SCIFO Associated Press
Jake Guentzel’s power-play goal with 1:03 remaining helped the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators 6-4. Bryan Rust’s initial point shot missed the net, and Evgeni Malkin gathered the puck behind the net and gave it to Guentzel, who tucked it inside the left post for the winning goal.

Under weight of family tragedy, LSU coach crafts big win

Under weight of family tragedy, LSU coach crafts big win
By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer
LSU offensive guru Steve Ensminger had far more than football on his mind at the Peach Bowl. Ensminger learned before the game his daughter-in-law had been killed in a plane crash in Louisiana. The plane was bound for Atlanta and his son’s wife, Carley McCord, planned to attend the game. Ensminger managed to gather himself to call the game of his career as the Tigers beat No. 4 Oklahoma 63-28 in the playoff semifinal.  Before the Tigers head to New Orleans to play in the national championship game, Ensminger will seek comfort from family and friends in Baton Rouge.

Burrow throws 7 TDs, LSU routs Oklahoma 63-28

Breathtaking: Burrow throws 7 TDs, LSU routs Oklahoma 63-28
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
Joe Burrow turned in the greatest performance yet in his Heisman Trophy season, throwing for seven touchdowns and 493 yards as No. 1 LSU romped to a breathtaking 63-28 victory over No. 4 Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl semifinal. The unbeaten Tigers now head to the national football championship game against either No. 3 Clemson. They are certainly clicking on all cylinders, having dismantled the Sooners with a first half for the ages. Burrow tied the record for any college bowl game with his seven TDs — all before halftime. Justin Jefferson had four TD catches.