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sports Dialuna 27 December 2021
COVID outbreaks at UVa, BC scuttle Fenway, Military bowls

(AP) — The Fenway Bowl
and Military Bowl were
both canceled due to the
pandemic on Sunday as
coronavirus outbreaks at
Virginia and Boston Col-
lege forced them to call
off their postseason plans.

The game scheduled for
Wednesday at Fenway Park
was to pit the Cavaliers
against SMU. The Military
Bowl scheduled for Monday
at Navy-Marine Corps Me-
morial Stadium in Annapolis,
Maryland, between Boston to be the last game for Virgin- holiday plans for thousands fans, and even more disap- were unavailable due to CO-
College and East Carolina ia coach Bronco Mendenhall, At West Virginia vaccine clin- pointed for our players, that VID-19, injuries, opt-outs
was canceled because of posi- who announced his resigna- ic, pandemic fatigue sets in we will be unable to play in and transfers.
tive COVID-19 tests at BC. tion after the Cavaliers con- “Playing this game was a bowl game for the second “We just do not have enough
cluded a 6-6 regular season. something our team very straight season,” Mustangs players to field a team,” he
“This is not the way we want- much looked forward to AD Rick Hart said. “We are, said. “We are disappointed
ed to see this season come to But leading up to the team’s and it is unfortunate Coach however, sympathetic to Vir- not to be able to finish the
an end,” Eagles coach Jeff planned departure on Christ- Mendenhall will not have ginia’s situation, having had season together as a team,
Hafley said. “We just do not mas Day, players began show- one last opportunity to coach to withdraw from our bowl but the health and safety of
have enough players to safely ing symptoms of COVID-19 this group,” Virginia athletic last season due to COVID. our program is our highest
play a game. My heart goes and tested positive. The full director Carla Williams said. We hope those impacted get priority.” The Hawaii Bowl
out to our seniors who will team was tested in the morn- “We appreciate all of the well soon.” was canceled earlier after Ha-
not have one final opportu- ing, and additional positive hard work by our team and The BC players voted not to waii withdrew from its game
nity to wear a BC jersey and results came back on Sunday. coaching staff. They earned go to a postseason game last against Memphis on the eve
I can’t thank them enough this bowl invitation, and it is year because of the emotional of Thursday’s contest be-
for all the contributions they CORONAVIRUS PAN- unfortunate they will not be toll the pandemic season had cause of COVID-19, season-
made to our program.” DEMIC able to compete in the game taken. This year’s team went ending injuries and transfers.
The Fenway Bowl was sup- COVID Christmas in French to complete the season.” 6-6 (2-6 Atlantic Coast Con-
posed to bring a college ICU: Fear, fatigue and loving ference) to gain bowl eligibil- And Rutgers will replace Tex-
football postseason game to care It’s the second year in a row ity and had already traveled as A&M in the Gator Bowl
the century-old home of the Thousands line up for ‘jingle that the pandemic has spoiled to the Washington, D.C., area against Wake Forest on New
Boston Red Sox, but those jabs’ on Christmas in Eng- bowl bids for Boston College for Monday’s game. Year’s Eve after the Aggies
plans have been stymied land and SMU. But athletic director Pat Kraft pulled out because of a lack
twice by the pandemic. It was Flight cancellations snarl “I’m disappointed for our said more than 40 players of available players.

Curry, Warriors beat Suns 116-107 to regain top spot in NBA

(AP) — Stephen Curry lead on Paul’s last-second (knee), F Abdel Nader (knee)
had 33 points, Otto Porter 3-pointer. and F Dario Saric (knee) were
Jr. scored seven of his 19 all out. ... Paul was called for
during a key late stretch The teams continued to trade a technical foul in the third
and the Golden State 3s and baskets in transition, quarter after aggressively
Warriors regained to top neither able to gain any giving the ball to one of
spot in the NBA from separation until Golden State the officials after a non-call
Phoenix, beating the Suns went on a short run to go up on a drive to the basket. ...
116-107 on Saturday. 107-99. Johnson went 2
for 5 from 3 to continue his
Golden State arrived in the The Suns pulled within two, streak of making at least two
desert short-handed, missing but Porter hit consecutive to 15 games.
three of its top four scorers to jumpers and a long 3 to
health and safety protocols: stretch Golden State’s lead to
Andrew Wiggins, Damion nine.
Lee and Jordan Poole. and eight assists for Phoenix. Christmas schedule, were in
Deandre Ayton finished with their first since 2009. TIP INS
Curry carried most of the 18 points in the Suns’ third Warriors: Reserve G Moses
load, overcoming a mediocre loss in 28 games. Both teams put on an after- Moody also was out in health
shooting night to crack 20 the-presents offensive show and safety protocols. ...
points for the first time in The two teams with the at Footprint Center, sending Draymond Green was called
nine Christmas games. He NBA’s best records played oohs and aahs across the for a technical foul in the
finished 10 for 27, including in just the third Christmas Footprint Center with each second quarter while arguing
5 for 16 from 3 to help the game in which both teams dunk and 3-pointer. for a push-off by Booker. ...
Warriors end Phoenix’s 15- had a winning percentage of Curry has made a 3-pointer
game home winning streak. at least .800. Curry had 11 points in the in 156 straight games, one off
first quarter and Gary Payton the NBA record he set from
Instead of Curry, it was Porter Playing on Christmas is II a massive rebound slam as 2014-16. He’s also made
taking over down the stretch, nothing new to the Warriors. the Warriors built an early least two 3-pointers in 15
hitting a step-back 3 and a This was their ninth straight 10-point lead. The Suns straight games, the longest
pair of jumpers in a span of Christmas Day game and revved it up in the second active streak in the NBA with
1:02. 11th in 12 seasons. The quarter, going on a 15-3 run Phoenix’s Cam Johnson.
Chris Paul had 21 points Suns, once regulars on the and taking a 62-58 halftime Suns: F/C Frank Kaminsky