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Tag: Battle

  • Blake Lively’s A Simple Favor 2 to Open SXSW Festival amid Justin Baldoni Legal Battle


    The release of Blake Lively‘s next movie is fast approaching in the middle of her legal battle with It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni.

    Lively, 37, reprises her role alongside Anna Kendrick in the sequel to 2018’s A Simple Favor, titled Another Simple Favor, and it was announced Tuesday, Feb. 4, that its world premiere will be at the 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, serving as the opening night debut on March 7.

    Another Simple Favor will later be available to stream on Prime Video starting May 1. The cast also includes Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Henry Golding and Allison Janney.

    Director Paul Feig said in a statement, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be back at my favorite festival in the world where we successfully launched Bridesmaids and Spy, and I cannot begin to say how honored I am to have our film opening it all.”

    “I’ve avoided making sequels to any of my films but these characters were just too much fun not to revisit,” added Feig. “So to be able to have Anna, Blake, Henry, Andrew, Michele, Elizabeth, Alex and myself watch our film with the great SXSW audience is a bucket-list event I’ll be able to check off March 7 and move playing drums for Dwight Yoakum’s band up to the top slot.”

    It Ends With Us became the highest-grossing movie of Lively’s career, but it also became the center of a heated legal battle with Baldoni, 41, the director and costar.

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    In December, she sued Baldoni and others, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign to tarnish her reputation, which he has denied. Baldoni responded with a $400 million lawsuit of his own, accusing Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds, among others, of defamation and extortion. Her lawyers called that lawsuit “desperate” and “meritless.”

    Another Simple Favor director Feig, 62, has spoken out in support of Lively after she took legal action.

    “I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with,” the director wrote on X Dec. 22. “She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this.”

    Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in “A Simple Favor” (2018).

    Peter Iovino/Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection


    In January, Feig denied rumors that the A Simple Favor sequel’s release was being delayed because of Lively’s legal battle with Baldoni. “This is total BS. Sorry. The movie is finished and coming out soon. Don’t believe anything you read on social media these days,” he wrote on X Jan. 10.

    In October 2024, Kendrick, 39, who made her directorial debut with Woman of the Hour, told PEOPLE it was “lovely” reuniting with Lively for the sequel.

    “She lives on the East Coast, I live on the West Coast, so we don’t get to see each other often. But it was lovely, and I think that those characters have such weird chemistry that it’s so fun to just get the gang back together,” said Kendrick. “And it does feel a little bit like riding a bike.”





    Blake Lively’s highly anticipated sequel to A Simple Favor is set to open the prestigious SXSW Festival, but not without some controversy. The film’s director, Justin Baldoni, is currently embroiled in a legal battle that could potentially overshadow the film’s premiere.

    Despite the legal drama surrounding Baldoni, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of A Simple Favor 2, which promises to be just as thrilling and entertaining as its predecessor. Lively’s return to the big screen is sure to be met with excitement and anticipation, and her performance in the film is already generating buzz.

    As the opening film at SXSW, A Simple Favor 2 is poised to be a major success, setting the tone for the rest of the festival. With Lively at the helm, this sequel is sure to be a must-see for fans of the original film and newcomers alike.

    Stay tuned for more updates on A Simple Favor 2 and its premiere at SXSW Festival.

    Tags:

    1. Blake Lively
    2. A Simple Favor 2
    3. SXSW Festival
    4. Justin Baldoni
    5. Legal Battle
    6. Film Premiere
    7. Celebrity News
    8. Entertainment Industry
    9. Hollywood Updates
    10. Movie Sequel

    #Blake #Livelys #Simple #Favor #Open #SXSW #Festival #Justin #Baldoni #Legal #Battle

  • Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic – The Battle for Caribbean Luxury: Hyatt Eyes Complete Takeover of Playa Hotels & Resort’s Kingdom!
































    Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic – The Battle for Caribbean Luxury: Hyatt Eyes Complete Takeover of Playa Hotels & Resort’s Kingdom! – Travel And Tour World




















































    Copyright © Travel And Tour World – All Rights Reserved











    Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic – The Battle for Caribbean Luxury: Hyatt Eyes Complete Takeover of Playa Hotels & Resort’s Kingdom!

    In a move that could reshape the luxury hospitality landscape in the Caribbean, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is reportedly considering a complete takeover of Playa Hotels & Resorts, one of the region’s leading luxury hotel operators.

    Playa Hotels & Resorts currently owns and operates a portfolio of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, including popular properties like the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara brands. The company has been a major player in the Caribbean luxury market, offering guests high-end accommodations, gourmet dining, and top-notch amenities.

    Hyatt’s interest in acquiring Playa Hotels & Resorts comes at a time when the tourism industry in the Caribbean is rebounding from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. With travel restrictions easing and demand for luxury hospitality experiences on the rise, Hyatt sees an opportunity to expand its presence in the region and capitalize on the growing demand for high-end resorts.

    If the acquisition goes through, it could have far-reaching implications for the Caribbean luxury market. Hyatt’s global reach and reputation for excellence could bring new levels of sophistication and service to Playa Hotels & Resorts’ properties, while also opening up new opportunities for growth and expansion in the region.

    As the battle for Caribbean luxury heats up, all eyes are on Hyatt and Playa Hotels & Resorts to see how this potential takeover will unfold. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it continues to unfold.

    Tags:

    1. Hyatt Playa Hotels & Resort takeover
    2. Caribbean luxury hotel battle
    3. Mexico Jamaica Dominican Republic resorts
    4. Hyatt acquisition of Playa Hotels
    5. Luxury travel in the Caribbean
    6. Playa Hotels & Resort kingdom
    7. Hyatt expansion in the Caribbean
    8. Caribbean luxury hotel competition
    9. Hyatt Playa Hotels deal
    10. Playa Hotels & Resort takeover battle

    #Mexico #Jamaica #Dominican #Republic #Battle #Caribbean #Luxury #Hyatt #Eyes #Complete #Takeover #Playa #Hotels #Resorts #Kingdom

  • No. 5 Michigan State Falls in Road Battle with No. 6 Bruins


    LOS ANGELES – In a battle until the very last routine, No. 5 Michigan State gymnastics fell to sixth-ranked UCLA, 197.300-197.200, Saturday afternoon in Pauley Pavilion. 

    MSU falls to 5-2 (2-1 B1G), while UCLA moves to 6-2 (3-0 B1G). The Spartans broke 197.000 for the second time this season and earned their second-highest score of the season with their 197.200. 

    “What an amazing meet with obvious highs and not-so-highs, but the environment in Pauley was insane and we knew the competition was tough and that it’d be close,” said head coach Mike Rowe.  “We could’ve made up for one tenth in numerous places. I was happy with our bars start, but we stuck two of six dismounts. The team moved on to vault, knowing that we had what we needed to put us ahead, and they were on fire. So proud of our vault line up for stepping up, taking charge and doing what they do in practice every day. A new program record too. I thought we had a pretty decent “Floor Party” going on with a couple of slight landing faults but still true to our performance level and having a great time with it.  Going to beam wasn’t typical but once again, I thought we’d hold our lead and be okay.  We still have room for improvement on every event and we definitely will be better on every event. It’s only week five and a there’s a lot of season left and we will be better. Happy to grab a 197 on the road to help our NQS for post-season seeding.”

    MSU captured event titles on both vault and bars, while junior Nikki Smith earned her third all-around title of the season with a 39.475. The Spartans also put up a program-record 49.600 on vault to highlight the meet. 

    With the Bruins on vault and Spartans on bars, UCLA took a narrow 49.350-49.300 lead over the MSU after the first rotation. Kellerman led the Spartans in the fifth spot with a season-high tying 9.925 to win her second event title of the season on the event. Fifth-year senior Delanie Harkness captured runner-up honors with a 9.875 and freshman Amy Doyle tied a career-high 9.850 to finish in a tie for third. Senior Gabrielle Stephen and junior Olivia Zsarmani scored 9.825s. 

    A spectacular vault rotation gave the Spartans a 98.900-98.500 lead over the Bruins at the halfway point. MSU stuck four out of six vaults for the second week in a row and for its program-record 49.600, which was also the highest score on the event by any team in the country this season. Kellerman, Smith and Zsarmani shared the event title with matching 9.950s. Smith’s score was her fourth 9.950 in five meets on the event and her fourth stick on vault this season. Doyle posted the first 9.900 score of her career on the event with a stuck, career-high 9.900. Sophomore MaKayla Tucker led off with a 9.850 and and Stephen scored a 9.800. 

    MSU increased its lead over the Bruins to 0.70 after a 49.300 on floor in the third rotation. Smith earned the best score of the night on the event for MSU with a 9.900. Stephen scored a 9.875, while Tucker and Harkness scored 9.850s and Schulte earned a 9.825 in the anchor spot. 

    The Spartans closed the meet on beam with a 49.000. Smith finished second to lead the Spartans with a season-high tying 9.875, while Stephen anchored with a 9.825 and Schulte added a 9.800. The final result came down to the last routine of the meet, as UCLA’s Jordan Chiles 10.000 in UCLA’s sixth and final floor routine put the Bruins up a tenth after UCLA scored a 9.900, 9.950 and a pair of 9.975s in the four routines prior for a 49.800 on the event. 

    Stephen finished third in the all-around behind Smith and UCLA’s Chae Campbell with a 39.325. 

    MSU returns home on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. against Minnesota at Jenison Field House. The meet will stream on B1G+. 



    In a highly anticipated matchup between two top-10 teams, No. 5 Michigan State fell short on the road against No. 6 UCLA. Despite putting up a valiant effort, the Spartans couldn’t overcome the Bruins’ strong offensive performance.

    The game was a back-and-forth battle from start to finish, with both teams trading leads throughout. Michigan State’s defense struggled to contain UCLA’s high-powered offense, allowing the Bruins to score at will.

    Despite the loss, the Spartans showed resilience and fought until the final buzzer. They will look to bounce back and learn from this tough road loss as they continue their quest for a successful season.

    The matchup between Michigan State and UCLA was a thrilling display of top-tier college basketball, showcasing the talent and competitiveness of both teams. Fans can expect more exciting games from these powerhouse programs as the season progresses.

    Tags:

    1. Michigan State basketball
    2. UCLA basketball
    3. NCAA basketball
    4. College basketball
    5. Top 10 matchup
    6. Michigan State vs UCLA
    7. Upset alert
    8. March Madness
    9. Michigan State loss
    10. UCLA victory

    #Michigan #State #Falls #Road #Battle #Bruins

  • FBI in ‘battle’ with Trump amid purge of officials, top agent warns staff | Trump administration


    The assistant director at the FBI’s New York field office reportedly told staff in an email that they were in the “middle of a battle” and that it was time for him to “dig in” as the Trump administration targets bureau officials who investigated the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

    “Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the FBI and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and FBI policy,” wrote James E Dennehy, who has led the New York field office since last September, in an email viewed and reported by the New York Times.

    The email came after the justice department’s recent directive to the FBI to compile the names of bureau personnel involved in investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol. The justice department also informed FBI leadership last week that eight senior executives at the bureau faced termination.

    Since Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, at least nine high-ranking officials at the FBI have been forced out, according to the New York Times.

    In his email to staff, Dennehy reportedly said that those removals had spread “fear and angst within the FBI ranks”.

    He referred to those who had departed the bureau as “extraordinary individuals” adding: “I mourn the forced retirements.”

    Dennehy also reportedly stated his commitment to supporting his staff, and urged them to remain calm and to avoid making hasty decisions regarding their careers.

    He also reportedly made it clear that he had no intention of stepping down.

    “Time for me to dig in,” he wrote.

    Dennehy, who served as an officer in the US Marine Corps for seven years before joining the FBI as a special agent in 2002, reportedly also praised the two top acting officials at the FBI, Brian Driscoll and Robert Kissane, in the email for “fighting” for the agency’s employees.

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    Dennehy compared the current situation to his experience as a marine in the early 1990s. He recalled digging a small 5ft-deep foxhole where he hunkered down for safety.

    “It sucked,” he wrote. “But it worked.”

    The uncertainty and turmoil at the FBI comes as the last week, the justice department fired over a dozen federal prosecutors involved in the two criminal cases against Trump, reportedly at the direction of the White House.



    The ongoing battle between the FBI and President Trump has reached new heights as the administration continues to purge officials from the agency. In a recent warning to staff, a top agent has cautioned against the growing tensions between the FBI and the White House.

    The Trump administration’s efforts to remove key officials from the FBI have raised concerns about the politicization of the agency and the potential impact on its independence. The recent firing of FBI Director James Comey and the removal of Deputy Director Andrew McCabe have only added fuel to the fire.

    Despite the challenges facing the agency, the FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the American people. The warning from the top agent serves as a reminder to staff to stay focused on their mission and not be swayed by political pressures.

    As the battle between the FBI and President Trump continues to unfold, it is clear that the agency is facing a difficult road ahead. However, with a dedicated staff and a commitment to justice, the FBI remains resolute in its fight to uphold the values of the Constitution and the law.

    Tags:

    1. FBI vs Trump
    2. Trump administration purge
    3. Top FBI agent warns staff
    4. FBI battle with Trump
    5. Trump officials purge
    6. FBI investigation Trump administration
    7. Top FBI official speaks out
    8. Trump administration controversy
    9. FBI internal conflict
    10. Trump administration turmoil

    #FBI #battle #Trump #purge #officials #top #agent #warns #staff #Trump #administration

  • Transfer rumors, news: Man United, Arsenal battle for Tel


    Manchester United and Arsenal are both in contact with Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel ahead of deadline day, while Juventus are plotting a summer move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors and gossip from around the globe.

    Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men’s January grades | Women’s January grades

    TOP STORIES

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    TRENDING RUMORS

    Manchester United and Arsenal are both in contact with Mathys Tel‘s representatives in an attempt to force a move before the end of the transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano. Tel, 19, turned down the chance to join Tottenham earlier in the week after a €60m deal had been agreed with Bayern Munich. Now, though, Tel is considering his options over a potential move in the last 24 hours of the transfer window.

    Juventus are willing to activate the release clause to sign striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli when he returns from Galatasaray in the summer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Bianconeri are believed to have identified the 26-year-old as an ideal candidate to replace Dusan Vlahovic, who they are expecting to part ways with in one of the next two transfer windows. An offer worth €75m would be required to activate Osimhen’s clause, but the two Serie A clubs are set to discuss the move as sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli explores whether Napoli would be willing to accept a lower offer.

    Chelsea forward João Félix‘s future could be decided on Sunday, with AC Milan leading the way to sign him. The Italian club’s interest is described as “concrete” by Sky Sports Germany‘s Florian Plettenberg, with Rossoneri boss Sérgio Conceição a “big admirer” of the 25-year-old Portugal international. Milan’s cause could be helped by the fact that both Felix and Conceicao share the same agent, Jorge Mendes

    – Bayern Munich are expected to announce that left-back Alphonso Davies will sign a new contract, ending months of speculation linking the Canada international with a move away from the Bavarian club. Bild’s Christian Falk reveals that Bayern officials have sanctioned a contract worth €120m over five years, which will keep the in-demand 24-year-old at the club and end interest from Real Madrid.

    Borussia Dortmund have made an offer to sign Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, reports Sky Sports Deutschland. The Bundesliga club are reported to be keen to sign the 21-year-old on loan, and they have included a permanent option clause into their proposal that would enable them the choice to acquire him in the summer for a fee worth €30m. BVB are also said to be still monitoring Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki.

    CONFIRMED TRANSFERS

    – Manchester United have completed the €30m signing of full-back Patrick Dorgu from Serie A club Lecce. The Denmark international, 20, becomes Ruben Amorim’s first signing since he took charge and fills a major need on the left in the Portuguese manager’s system. Read

    – Tottenham have boosted their defensive options with the signing of defender Kevin Danso from Lens. Danso has joined the north London side on loan until the end of the season with an obligation to sign permanently for €25m. Read

    – PSV confirmed that USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi, who is currently injured, has signed a contract extension until 2030. Read

    – Marseille have confirmed that goalkeeper Pau López, 30, has joined Liga MX side Deportivo Toluca.

    – Torino have announced the €15m signing of Chelsea midfielder Cesare Casadei from Chelsea.

    Matheus Cunha has signed a new deal with Wolves, but that won’t dissuade suitors from a move next summer as he has a release clause which will become active from June. Read

    – Everton’s women announced the signing of former Chelsea defender and Norway international Maren Mjelde, 35, on a free transfer.

    EXPERT TAKE

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    OTHER RUMORS

    – Newcastle are rivalling north-east rivals Sunderland for Linfield’s highly rated teenage defender Matthew Orr. The 17-year-old has become a first-team regular after signing his first professional contract earlier this season and the Northern Irish Premiership leaders have already rejected a bid from League One side Stockport County.

    A source has told ESPN that Newcastle are considering a move for Orr, primarily to develop the youngster in the U23 side, with Sunderland also ready to exploit existing links with Linfield, from whom they signed full-back Trai Hume for £200,000 in 2022. Sources said that Orr, who trains just two days a week with Linfield due to his determination to finish his college education, is the best prospect to emerge from Northern Ireland since Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and is ready for the step-up to the professional game in England. (ESPN, Mark Ogden)

    – Bayern Munich have paused their interest in signing Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, 27, until the summer. (Christian Falk)

    – Crystal Palace want to sign Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, 28, on loan. (Athletic)

    – West Ham United have agreed a deal with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign striker Evan Ferguson on loan until the end of the season. (Sky Sports).

    – Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain have agreed to terms over a loan move for winger Marco Asensio. (Athletic)

    – Galatasaray are looking to bring in Newcastle full-back Kieran Trippier, 34. (Mail)

    – Chelsea defender Axel Disasi is keen to move to Aston Villa. The 26-year-old has played six matches for the Blues this season. (TEAMtalk)

    – Villa are keen to sign Sunderland’s 18-year-old winger Tommy Watson from Sunderland, but Crystal Palace are also interested. (Guardian)

    – Benfica are closing in on a double deal that will see them sign striker Andrea Belotti from Como and full-back Samuel Dahl from AS Roma. (Fabrizio Romano)

    – Juventus are close to completing a move for Newcastle United defender Lloyd Kelly. The two clubs are reported to have reached a verbal agreement on Saturday night, which means a medical is planned for Sunday. (Relevo)

    – Negotiations are ongoing between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa to finalise a move for winger Samuel Iling-Junior, as he is is set to return from his loan at Serie A side Bologna. (Daily Mail)

    – Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Cher Ndour is on his way to Fiorentina. The 20 year old had been on loan at Besiktas, but is now flying to Rome to complete a medical ahead of a loan move. (Nicolo Schira)

    – Strasbourg defender Loubadhe Abakar Sylla, 22, is the subject of interest from Southampton over a loan move. (Fabrizio Romano)



    Reports are swirling in the football world as Manchester United and Arsenal are both reportedly interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yves Bissouma this summer. The 24-year-old has been a standout performer for Brighton this season, catching the eye of several top clubs.

    Both United and Arsenal are in need of reinforcements in midfield, and Bissouma’s dynamic playing style and defensive abilities have made him a top target for both clubs. With his contract set to expire in 2023, Brighton may be forced to sell Bissouma this summer to avoid losing him for free next year.

    It remains to be seen which club will win the race for Bissouma’s signature, but one thing is for certain – his arrival would be a major boost for either United or Arsenal as they look to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting transfer saga.

    Tags:

    1. Transfer rumors
    2. Football news
    3. Man United
    4. Arsenal
    5. Transfer battles
    6. Premier League
    7. Tel transfer news
    8. Soccer rumors
    9. Sports updates
    10. Transfer gossip

    #Transfer #rumors #news #Man #United #Arsenal #battle #Tel

  • 3 observations after Sixers fall just short in high-scoring battle vs. Nuggets – NBC Sports Philadelphia


    The Sixers fell a hair shy of pulling off a fifth consecutive win Friday night.

    They lost a high-scoring battle to the Nuggets, dropping a 137-134 game at Wells Fargo Center.

    The Sixers are now 19-28 overall. Denver is 29-19.

    Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with a 42-point, nine-assist performance.

    Guerschon Yabusele scored an NBA career-high 28 points on 12-for-17 shooting and Kelly Oubre Jr. put up 27 points.

    Nikola Jokic posted 28 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds. Jamal Murray recorded 31 points and 11 assists.

    The Sixers still had six players out, including Joel Embiid (left knee injury management) and Paul George (left pinkie finger extensor tendor injury).

    Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that George is “day-to-day.” He said the Sixers plan for Embiid to practice Saturday and expect to have a better sense of his status after that. 

    The Sixers will play the Celtics on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Here are observations on their defeat to the Nuggets:

    Jokic and Maxey feature in 1st quarter

    Maxey committed three turnovers Friday in under two minutes. Jokic fed Aaron Gordon for a dunk and Nurse called timeout with his team trailing 14-6. 

    The Sixers faced the same size-related challenges present in their blowout loss last Tuesday to Denver. The Nuggets scored the night’s first 12 points in the paint. 

    As he routinely does, Yabusele sparked a Sixers run. He hit a wing three-pointer, stole the ball from Russell Westbrook and steamed forward for a coast-to-coast slam. The Sixers soon had their first lead. 

    Maxey shrugged off his shaky start and found his groove as an isolation scorer late in a 13-point, four-assist first quarter. He passed Kyle Korver for third place on the Sixers’ all-time made three-pointers list.

    On the other end, Jokic appeared well on his way to a triple-double with nine points, six rebounds and six assists in the opening period. He casually diced up the Sixers’ defense and caused frequent problems with his transition ventures after defensive rebounds. 

    Script flips with second-unit scoring

    After the Sixers amassed 40-15 bench scoring edge in their win Wednesday over the Kings, the second-unit story was quite different Friday night. 

    Christian Braun and Julian Strawther combined to make five three-point shots in the first half. Denver scored the game’s first 19 bench points.

    The Sixers still managed to stay close in an offense-centric first half. Oubre led a bench-heavy lineup well. He drove and finished forcefully, drew free throws and barely sat. He wound up logging 22 minutes and 29 seconds before halftime. 

    Every Sixers starter made at least one three-pointer in the first half. Yabusele went 4 for 5 from long distance and Justin Edwards shot 3 for 4. 

    The points flowed freely on both sides. Unless they turned the ball over, the Nuggets appeared destined to create a high-quality shot. Denver held a 73-69 lead at intermission and shot an incredible 66.7 percent from the floor over the first two quarters. 

    Back-and-forth action late

    Maxey capitalized on Denver’s lax transition defense in the third quarter, converting a layup and then a pull-up three just 18 seconds later.

    Yabusele kept on scoring, too. Less than a minute after setting his new career high, Yabusele slammed in a big-time alley-oop dunk off an Edwards lob. On top of the Frenchman’s scoring variety, it was impressive to see Yabusele go at Jokic and grab his chances to either shoot comfortable jumpers or drive past the three-time MVP. 

    Again, neither defense had much success in the third quarter. A buzzer-beating Ricky Council IV three cut the Nuggets’ advantage to 103-100 going into the fourth period. Council made another corner triple early in the fourth quarter, then swiped a steal from Westbrook and dished to Oubre for a game-tying layup.

    Adem Bona played a couple of excellent minutes after a Denver timeout — a dunk, a block, an offensive rebound and ample hustle. Ultimately, the Sixers were down 112-109 when Maxey checked back in with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter.

    The Sixers substantially elevated their defensive level for a stretch in the fourth. Kyle Lowry did good work on several occasions against Gordon in the post. Maxey tightly contested jumpers that Murray and Braun air balled.

    In the shotmaking department, the Sixers continued to receive plenty of contributions. Eric Gordon drilled back-to-back deep threes. Maxey sliced through the Nuggets’ defense for driving layups, Oubre nailed a corner three and the Sixers took a 128-125 lead.

    Jokic and Maxey each starred in an entertaining, back-and-forth final few minutes. Jokic sunk multiple shots that the Nuggets needed, including a go-ahead three with 39.8 seconds remaining. His runner with 12.7 seconds to go gave Denver a 135-132 edge.

    Out of the ensuing timeout, Oubre made a put-back layup off a Yabusele miss inside. The Sixers took up considerable time in the process, though.

    After two Murray foul shots, Yabusele had to resort to a half-court heave before the final buzzer. It came up short and the Sixers’ 134 points were insufficient for a fifth straight win.


    1. Embiid’s dominance on full display: Despite the loss, Joel Embiid once again showed why he is one of the most dominant big men in the league. He put up an impressive stat line of 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, showcasing his versatility and skill on both ends of the court.
    2. Lack of defensive intensity: The Sixers struggled to contain the Nuggets’ high-powered offense, allowing them to shoot over 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range. With key players like Ben Simmons and Matisse Thybulle out due to injury, the team’s defensive deficiencies were exposed, and they will need to address this moving forward.
    3. Offensive firepower not enough: Despite scoring 120 points, the Sixers couldn’t keep pace with the Nuggets’ explosive offense. Tobias Harris had a strong showing with 21 points, but the team as a whole lacked consistency and struggled to find their rhythm at key moments in the game. Moving forward, they will need to find ways to improve their offensive efficiency and execution in crunch time situations.

    Tags:

    1. Sixers vs Nuggets recap
    2. NBA game analysis
    3. Philadelphia Sixers update
    4. Denver Nuggets highlights
    5. NBA scoring battle breakdown
    6. Sixers vs Nuggets game review
    7. NBA game results
    8. Philadelphia sports news
    9. Sixers vs Nuggets post-game analysis
    10. NBA matchup insights

    #observations #Sixers #fall #short #highscoring #battle #Nuggets #NBC #Sports #Philadelphia

  • Aggies Host Lobos Saturday for Battle Between Mountain West’s Best


    • Utah State enters the weekend 19-2 and is 9-1 in Mountain West play. The team’s .905 winning percentage is tied for the second best in Division I basketball this season, behind only Auburn (.950 – 19-1) and even with Drake. Just four teams have 19 or more wins, and just six teams have two or fewer losses.

    • Saturday’s game pits the top two teams in the Mountain West standings against each other, both sides sitting at 9-1. The teams will face off against in Albuquerque on Feb. 16.

    • Currently 19-2, USU is off to its fourth-best start to a season in program history through at least 21 games. The only better starts were: 2008-09 (24-1), 2003-04 (25-2) and 2010-11 (22-2). Last year’s team also opened the season 19-2.

    • Utah State’s 9-1 start to MW play is tied for its best 10-game start since joining the league. The other Aggie team to start 9-1 was in 2020-21.

    • Aggie head coach Jerrod Calhoun has won 19 of his first 21 games at the helm of the program. His 19 wins are tied for the most among first-year head coaches in Division I this season.

    • Sophomore guard Mason Falslev is one of three players in the country this season to have totaled at least 49 steals and 130 rebounds. 

    • Fifth year guard Ian Martinez ranks in the top 10 in the Mountain West in scoring average, free throw percentage, free throws made, and 3-pointers made. He has scored in double-figures in all 21 games this year. 

    • In 17 of Utah State’s 21 games this season, the Aggie bench has outscored that of its opponent for a combined total of 369-381. USU’s 30.43 bench points rank 21st in the nation. 

    • Utah State ranks fifth in the nation with 18.9 assists per game. The program record for a season is 18.0 in 2021-22. The team’s assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.69 ranks sixth nationally. On the season, USU has 396 total assists with just 235 turnovers.

    • The Aggies are 11-1 at home this year, and have won 39 of their past 43 games in the Spectrum spanning back to the 2022-23 season. 

    • This will be the 48th all-time meeting between Utah State and UNLV, a series which began in 1952. The Aggies lead the series 34-13, including an 18-2 record over New Mexico in Logan. USU has won eight of the past nine and 11 of the past 13 meetings. 



    The stage is set for an epic showdown as the Utah State Aggies host the New Mexico Lobos this Saturday in a battle between the Mountain West Conference’s top teams. Both teams have been on a hot streak, with the Aggies boasting a 7-1 record and the Lobos sitting at 6-2.

    The Aggies, led by head coach Blake Anderson, have been dominant on both sides of the ball this season. Quarterback Logan Bonner has been lighting up the scoreboard with his arm, while running back Calvin Tyler Jr. has been a force on the ground. The defense, anchored by linebacker Justin Rice, has been stingy against opposing offenses.

    On the other side, the Lobos, under head coach Danny Gonzales, have been equally impressive. Quarterback Terry Wilson has been a dual-threat weapon, while running back Bobby Cole has been racking up yards on the ground. The defense, led by linebacker Brandon Shook, has been causing havoc for opposing offenses.

    This game is sure to be a battle of wills, with both teams vying for the top spot in the Mountain West Conference. Fans can expect an intense, hard-fought game between two talented teams. Be sure to tune in this Saturday to see who comes out on top in this exciting matchup.

    Tags:

    Aggies vs Lobos, Mountain West showdown, college football rivalry, New Mexico State vs New Mexico, game preview, rivalry game, Mountain West conference matchup, college football game day, NCAA football showdown, Aggies football, Lobos football.

    #Aggies #Host #Lobos #Saturday #Battle #Mountain #Wests

  • Zakia Jafri, Who Fought Legal Battle In Gujarat Riots Cases, Passes Away


    Zakia Jafri, who filed cases seeking a probe into the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2002 Guarat riots, passed away at Ahmedabad today.

    She was the widow of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who along with 68 other persons were killed in the Gulberg housing society during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

    Zakia Jafri pursued a legal battle seeking an investigation against the high state functionaries alleging a larger conspiracy behind the riots. After the Magistrate court rejected her protest petition against the clean chit given by the SIT to 63 persons, including the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other officials, she approached the Gujarat High Court. The High Court accepted the SIT’s closure report in 2017, following which she approached the Supreme Court.

    In June 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed Jafri’s petition and accepted the SIT’s clean chit to the high state functionaries. The Supreme Court also made certain controversial remarks against Jafri’s co-petitioner Teesta Setalvad, pursuant to which Setalvad was arrested by the Gujarat Police in a freshly registered case alleging fabrication of evidence. Setalvad was later granted bail by the Supreme Court.

    About the passing of Zakia Jafri, Setalvad wrote in ‘X’ : “Zakia Appa a compassionate leader of the human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago!Her visionary presence will be missed by the nation family friends & world! Tanveernhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa!”





    It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Zakia Jafri’s passing. Zakia was a courageous and determined woman who fought tirelessly for justice in the aftermath of the Gujarat riots. Her husband, former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, was among the many victims of the violence that swept through the state in 2002.

    Zakia’s legal battle against top politicians, including the then chief minister Narendra Modi, was a landmark case in India’s legal history. She was relentless in her pursuit of accountability and justice for the victims of the riots, despite facing numerous challenges and threats along the way.

    Zakia’s unwavering spirit and determination to seek justice for her husband and all those affected by the riots will always be remembered. Her legacy will continue to inspire others to stand up for what is right and fight against injustice.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Zakia’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. May she rest in peace knowing that her fight for justice will never be forgotten.

    Tags:

    Zakia Jafri, Gujarat riots, legal battle, human rights activist, Zakia Jafri death, Zakia Jafri news, Indian judicial system, Zakia Jafri legacy, social justice warrior, Gujarat riots justice, Zakia Jafri life story.

    #Zakia #Jafri #Fought #Legal #Battle #Gujarat #Riots #Cases #Passes

  • Brock Lesnar’s WWE Return Stuck in Limbo Amid Legal Battle


    Brock Lesnar’s future in WWE remains a giant question mark, and it doesn’t look like he’ll be stepping back into the ring anytime soon.

    While fans have speculated about his return for months, the latest update confirms that legal issues are keeping The Beast Incarnate on the sidelines.

    During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer shut down any rumors of a WWE comeback for Lesnar, explaining that everything depends on his ongoing legal situation with Janel Grant. “That’s up to legal,” Meltzer stated, making it clear that WWE won’t be bringing him back until the matter is resolved.

    This situation stems from a lawsuit filed in January 2024, where Brock Lesnar was named in a case against Vince McMahon that involved allegations of sexual trafficking. As previously reported, former WWE employee Janel Grant accused McMahon of directing her to engage in sexual activities with other WWE personnel, including Lesnar.

    According to the Wall Street Journal, Grant’s lawsuit alleged that in July 2021, McMahon instructed her to create explicit content for a WWE superstar who was also a UFC fighter—later identified as Brock Lesnar. The lawsuit claimed that McMahon shared explicit photos with Lesnar, who allegedly responded favorably before signing a new WWE contract. In August 2021, McMahon reportedly messaged Grant, suggesting that her involvement with Lesnar was “part of the deal.”

    Further allegations stated that in December 2021, McMahon provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to Lesnar, who then requested explicit content. The lawsuit also claimed Lesnar expressed interest in meeting Grant in person, but plans fell through due to a snowstorm.

    This lawsuit sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, and it explains why WWE has kept Lesnar off television since his SummerSlam 2023 match against Cody Rhodes. While there is no official word on whether Lesnar will respond publicly to the lawsuit, his WWE future remains in serious doubt.

    This follows a report from Sportskeeda’s Chris Featherstone back in December, where he noted that there had been “no internal conversations” within WWE regarding Lesnar’s return. At the time, insiders were adamant that Lesnar was not expected back “any time in the foreseeable future.”

    While Lesnar’s name was referenced on WWE television in October, it now seems like that was just a coincidence, not a hint at his return. Reports had previously suggested there were discussions about his comeback, but the reality is far more complicated.

    For now, WWE isn’t moving forward with any plans for Lesnar, and his status remains in limbo. The question is—if and when he does return, what role will he step into? Do you think WWE should bring him back once his legal situation clears up, or is it time to move on? Drop your thoughts in the comments.



    Brock Lesnar’s WWE Return Stuck in Limbo Amid Legal Battle

    The wrestling world has been abuzz with rumors of Brock Lesnar’s potential return to WWE, but it seems that his comeback is currently facing a major roadblock. Reports have surfaced that Lesnar’s WWE return is stuck in limbo due to an ongoing legal battle between the wrestling behemoth and his former employer.

    Lesnar, who is known for his dominant in-ring presence and larger-than-life persona, left WWE in 2020 after his contract expired. Since then, there have been whispers of a possible return, with fans eagerly anticipating his comeback to the squared circle.

    However, it now appears that Lesnar’s return is on hold as he navigates a legal dispute with WWE over contractual obligations and financial matters. The details of the legal battle remain murky, but it is clear that both parties are at odds, which has put a damper on any potential plans for Lesnar’s WWE return.

    Fans of “The Beast Incarnate” will have to wait patiently as the legal battle plays out, with no clear timeline for when – or if – Lesnar will make his highly anticipated return to WWE. In the meantime, wrestling enthusiasts can only speculate on what the future holds for one of the most dominant forces in professional wrestling. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    Brock Lesnar, WWE Return, Legal Battle, Wrestling news, WWE updates, Brock Lesnar contract, WWE superstars, Wrestling rumors, Brock Lesnar lawsuit, WWE controversy

    #Brock #Lesnars #WWE #Return #Stuck #Limbo #Legal #Battle

  • NOTES: Penn State Hosts Iowa Friday in B1G Wrestling Battle – Penn State


    THIS WEEK’S ACTION:

    UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; January 29, 2025 – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (9-0, 3-0 B1G) hosts Iowa (9-0, 3-0 B1G) in the first of two straight B1G Duals. The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes battle at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, in a B1G Network national telecast. All rankings listed are InterMat/InterMat Tournament Power Index (TPI).

    The Nittany Lions are coming off a rousing 35-3 win at Rutgers last Friday night in sold out Jersey Mike’s Arena. Penn State won nine of ten bouts, including four technical falls to improve to 9-0 on the year, 3-0 in Big Ten action.

    Penn State’s line-up features ten ranked wrestlers. Luke Lilledahl is 10-1 and ranked No. 7 at 125. Braeden Davis is 7-2 and No. 7 at 133. Beau Bartlett is 12-0 and No. 3 at 141. Shayne Van Ness is 11-1 and No. 4 at 149. Tyler Kasak is 11-0 and No. 3 at 157. Mitchell Mesenbrink is 13-0 and No. 1 at 165. Levi Haines is 11-1 and No. 2 at 174. Carter Starocci is 12-0 and No. 1 at 184. Josh Barr is 10-0 and No. 4 at 197. Greg Kerkvliet is 12-0 and No. 2 at 285.

    Iowa is coming off a 24-13 home win over Ohio State last Saturday. The Hawkeyes improved to 9-0 as well, 3-0 in conference action. Iowa’s line-up features nine ranked wrestlers as well. Joey Cruz is No. 26 at 125. Drake Ayala is No. 3 at 133. Kyle Parco is No. 2 at 149. Jacori Teemer is No. 1 at 157. Mikey Caliendo is No. 2 at 165. Patrick Kennedy is No. 6 at 174. Gabe Arnold is No. 5 at 184. Stephen Buchanan is No. 1 at 197. Ben Kueter is No. 11 at 285. Iowa leads the all-time series with Penn State 28-13-2. The Nittany Lions have won three straight, including a 29-6 win at Iowa last year on Feb. 9, 2024, and a 23-14 win in the BJC two years ago on Jan. 27, 2023).
     
    Penn State will host Michigan on Feb. 7 in the second BJC Dual. The Nittany Lions and Wolverines meet at 6 p.m. in another B1G Network national telecast. Two days later, Penn State hosts Maryland at 1 p.m. in Rec Hall on Feb. 9.

    The 2024-25 Penn State Wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline. Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via X at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.

     

    #1 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (9-0, 3-0 B1G)

     

    125       #7 Luke Lilledahl         Fr.          Weldon Spring, Mo./Wyoming Seminary     10-1

    133       #7 Braeden Davis       So.        Belleville, Mich./Dundee       7-2

    141       #3 Beau Bartlett           Sr.+       Tempe, Ariz./Wyoming Seminary     12-0

    149       #4 Shayne Van Ness  So.        Somerville, N.J./Blair Academy         11-1

    157       #3 Tyler Kasak              So.        Doylestown, Pa./Bethlehem Catholic           11-0

    165       #1 Mitchell Mesenbrink          So.        Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead    13-0

    174       #2 Levi Haines              Jr.           Arendtsville, Pa./Biglerville  11-1

    184       #1 Carter Starocci      Gr.         Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep         12-0

    197       #4 Josh Barr    R-Fr.     Davison, Mich./Davison         10-0

    285       #2 Greg Kerkvliet         Sr.+       Inver Grove Heights, Min../Simley    12-0

     

    #2 IOWA HAWKEYES (9-0, 3-0 B1G)

     

    125       #26 Joey Cruz So.        Fresno, Calif./Bullard               11-6

    133       #3 Drake Ayala             Jr.           Ford Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge            11-1

    141       Ryder Block     Fr.          Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock   2-4

    149       #2 Kyle Parco  Sr.          Danville, Calif./De La Salle   13-0

    157       #1 Jacori Teemer         Gr.         Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach             3-1

    165       #2 Mikey Caliendo      Jr.           Geneva, Ill./Batavia   13-0

    174       #6 Patrick Kennedy    Sr.          Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.    8-1

    184       #5 Gabe Arnold            Fr.          Albany, Ga./Iowa City              11-1

    197       #1 Stephen Buchanan             Gr.         Loyal, Wis./Loyal        13-0

    285       #11 Ben Kueter            Fr.          Iowa City, Iowa             10-2

    Individual rankings listed are InterMat as of 1-28-25  // Team ranking InterMat TPI

    THIS WEEK
    The Penn State Nittany Lions (9-0, 3-0 B1G) hosts Iowa (9-0, 3-0 B1G) on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. in the first of two straight BJC Duals. The event is a B1G Network national telecast.

    UP NEXT
    Penn State hosts Michigan on Friday, Feb. 7, in a second straight BJC Dual, this one at 6 p.m., also on the B1G Network. Two days later, the Nittany Lions host Maryland at 1 p.m. in Rec Hall on Feb. 9.

    ON THE AIR
    Television         – B1G Network
    Streamed TV    – Fox Sports App
    Radio online    – Free all year via Lionvision at GoPSUsports.com

    NOTES:

    PENN STATE ROARS AT RUTGERS
    The Penn State Nittany Lions roared in front of a sold out Jersey Mike’s Arena crowd at Rutgers on Friday, Jan. 24 in Piscataway, N.J. Penn State won nine of ten matches, including four tech falls, to roll to a 35-3 win over #25 Rutgers. Shayne Van Ness (149), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165), Carter Starocci (184) and Josh Barr (197) all posted tech falls. Barr’s tech fall, of note, featured 22 unanswered points in less than 3:00 in the third period. He turned a 0-0 tie heading into the third into a 22-6 tech fall over #16 Josh Poznanski, a returning All-American, at 6:19. Carter Starocci teched #18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh 17-2, a bout that saw Starocci force the Knight into four stall warnings.

    NITTANY LIONS ROUT #4 NEBRASKA IN LINCOLN,
    LIONS WIN 8 OF 10 IN FRONT OF NEARLY 7K FANS
    Penn State routed homestanding Nebraska 31-7 in Lincoln, Neb., on Friday, Jan. 17, winning eight of ten bouts in front of a Nebraska record crowd of over 6,600 fans. Penn State used three tech falls and a major, as well as a number of impressive regular decisions, to grab the win. True freshman Luke Lilledahl downed #6 Caleb Smith 4-2 at 125 and sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink posted a 20-3 tech fall (5:39) over #7 Bubba Wilson as well. 

    NITTANY LIONS TIE ALL-TIME MARGIN OF VICTORY RECORD
    WITH 55-0 SHUTOUT WIN OVER MICHIGAN STATE
    The Penn State Nittany Lions opened up Big Ten dual action on Friday, Jan. 10, by shutting out visiting Michigan State 55-0 in Rec Hall. Penn State tied its all-time record for margin of victory with the effort (Buffalo, 55-0, Feb. 18, 2018). The Nittany Lions had six pins (Greg Kerkvliet, Shayne Van Ness, Tyler Kasak, Levi Haines, Carter Starocci, Josh Barr), three technical falls (Luke Lilledahl, Braeden Davis, Mitchell Mesenbrink) and a major (Beau Bartlett).

    BECKETT RUNNER-UP AT F&M, 5 LIONS COMPETE
    Senior Sam Beckett went 4-1 with three majors to take second place at 174 in the Franklin & Marshall Open on Friday, Jan. 10. Four other Lions competed as well: Cael Nasdeo picked up two wins at 141, Brock Weiss grabbed two wins at 149 and Ty Watson won twice at 157. Tim Levine picked up a victory at 141.

    ZACK RYDER NAMED B1G FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK (1/8)
    Freshman Zack Ryder was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the week ending Jan. 5, 2025. Ryder was one of nine Penn State Nittany Lion wrestlers to head to the 2025 Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Jan. 4-5. He rolled through a strong field at 184 to claim the 184-pound title as a true freshman. Ryder went 5-0 overall with a pin and a tech fall. He posted a dominant 9-2 win over No. 22 DJ Parker of Oklahoma in the quarterfinals and then pinned No. 25 TJ Stewart of Virginia Tech in the semifinals. He downed Northern Colorado’s Al Heeg 6-1 (sv) in the finals. 

    THREE LIONS WIN SCUFFLE TITLES, FIVE PLACE AT UTC
    Penn State sent nine individuals to Chattanooga for the 2025 Southern Scuffle on Jan. 4-5 and three true freshmen won titles. Five Penn Staters placed overall. Zack Ryder went 5-0 with a pin and a tech to win the crown at 184. He beat #22 DJ Parker of Oklahoma 9-2 in the quarters and pinned #25 TJ Stewart of Virginia Tech in the semis on his way to the championship. Connor Mirasola went 5-0 with a pin, two techs and a major to win at 197, downing #30 Patrick Brophy of The Citadel 7-3 in the finals. Cole Mirasola went 4-0 with two techs and a major to win at 285. He downed #29 Connor Barkett of Duke in the quarters and majored #25 Lucas Stoddard of Army in the finals. Sophomore Connor Pierce went 4-1 to place second at 149 and senior+ Kurt McHenry went 6-2 to take fifth at 125.

    NASDEO WINS EDINBORO OPEN CROWN; BECKETT SECOND
    True freshman Cael Nasdeo went 3-0 with a tech and a major (plus a non-collegiate win) to claim the 141 pound title at the Edinboro Open on Jan. 4. Redshirt freshman Sam Beckett went 2-1 at 174 and took second place.

    PENN STATE NEARLY PERFECT IN NASHVILLE
    The Penn State Nittany Lions went 3-0 at the 2024 Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in dominant fashion. The Nittany Lions notched two shutout wins and went 29-1 overall in their three duals. Penn State shutout Binghamton 52-0 and #15 Little Rock 44-0 and downed #8 Missouri 41-3. The Nittany Lions had 29 wins, 22 for bonus (four majors, eight technical falls, eight pins and two forfeits) and outscored its three opponents 135-3.

    PENN STATE ROARS TO 41-3 WIN OVER #8 MISSOURI
    TO CLOSE OUT COLLEGIATE DUALS IN NASHVILLE
    Penn State roared to a 41-3 win over #8 Missouri on Sunday, Dec. 22, to close out the 2024 Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville. Beau Bartlett posted a 4-1 win over #16 Josh Edmond at 141 and Carter Starocci majored #10 Colton Hawks 10-1 at 184 to lead Penn State. Levi Haines, ranked #2 at 174, lost a thrilling 4-1 sudden victory decision to #1 Keegan O’Toole in the dual’s marquee match up.

    NITTANY LIONS POST THIRD STRAIGHT SHUTOUT, 
    BLANKING #15 LITTLE ROCK AT JOURNEYMEN
    Josh Barr posted a 4-1 (sv) win over #5 Stephen Little at 197 and Braeden Davis downed #5 Nassir Bailey 1-0 at 133 to spark Penn State to a 44-0 shutout win over #15 Little Rock in its second dual at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals on Dec. 22. The shutout was Penn State’s third straight. The Lions also got ranked wins from Shayne Van Ness, who pinned #16 Jordan Williams at 149; Tyler Kasak, a 4-2 winner over #20 Matty Bianchi at 157; and Mitchell Mesenbrink, who roared to a 17-1 tech over #21 Joey Bianchi at 165.

    PENN STATE SHUTS OUT BINGHAMTON in Nashville
    The Nittany Lions opened up the 2024 Journeymen Collegiate Duals with a 52-0 shutout win over Binghamton. Luke Lilledahl posted a 19-4 tech over #33 Carson Wagner and Carter Starocci pinned #23 Will Ebert to spark Penn State.

    BARR EARNS SECOND B1G FRESHMAN
    OF THE WEEK AWARD (12/25)
    Redshirt freshman Josh Barr was named Big Ten Freshman of the week for the week ending Dec. 22, 2024, his second honor of the season. Barr went 3-0 at the Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville on Sunday, Dec. 22. He had a tech fall in PSU’s win over Binghamton and a pin in the Lion win over Missouri. Barr also used a takedown in extra time to post a thrilling 4-1 (sv) win over #5 Stephen Little in the Nittany Lions’ victory over Little Rock.

    BARTLETT AND LILLEDAHL EARN
    B1G WEEKLY HONORS (12/18)
    Senior+ Beau Bartlett was named B1G Wrestler of the week and true freshman Luke Lilledahl was named B1G Freshman of the Week for the week ending Dec. 18, 2024. Bartlett pinned No. 28 Cole Brooks and Lilledahl posted a 20-5 tech fall at 4:25 over Jack Braman in Penn State’s 54-0 shutout win over visiting Wyoming in the Bryce Jordan Center.

    PENN STATE SHUTS OUT WYOMING 54-0 IN JORDAN CENTER
    The Penn State Nittany Lions rolled to a 54-0 shut out win over visiting Wyoming on Sunday, Dec. 15. The dual, moved to the Bryce Jordan Center earlier in the week due to scheduling conflicts with the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament in Rec Hall, was wrestled in front of over 7,300 fans, turning a Rec Hall sellout into an even bigger crowd for the Cowboy dual. Penn State had five pins, four technical falls and a major in posting its second most lopsided win ever (55-0 over Buffalo on Feb. 18, 2018).

    JOSH BARR MAJORS #6 BEARD TO LEAD PENN STATE
    IN 36-3 WIN OVER LEHIGH IN ALLENTOWN’S PPL CENTER; named B1G freshman of the week
    Red shirt freshman Josh Barr tallied three takedowns (one in the second and two in a dominant third) to roll to an 11-3 major decision over #6 Michael Beard at 197, leading Penn State to a 36-3 win over the Mountain Hawks. The dual was wrestled in Allentown’s PPL Center in front of a sold out crowd of nearly 10,000 fans. Penn State won nine of ten bouts, also picking up a win from true freshman Luke Lilledahl over #15 Sheldon Seymour at 125. Barr was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week (12/12) for his efforts.

    KELLY WINS MAT-TOWN I TITLE, LEVINE RUNNER-UP
    Jack Kelly went 3-0 with two pins (in 0:13 and 0:46 seconds) to win the 174 pound title at the Mat-Town Invitational on Dec. 1 in Lock Haven, Pa. Tim Levine went 1-1 plus a non-collegiate victory to earn a runner-up finish at 133 while Sam Beckett went 2-1 to place third at 174.

    MITCHELL MESENBRINK EARNS B1G W.O.W. HONORS (11/27)
    Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink went 4-0 with four technical falls at the Black Knight Invitational on Sunday, Nov. 24, to earn the 165 pound title at West Point, N.Y., earning tournament Outstanding Wrestler honors. He was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for the week ending Nov. 24, 2024, for his efforts.

    NITTANY LIONS DOMINATE BLACK KNIGHT INVITATIONAL
    The Penn State Nittany Lions dominated the 2024 Black Knight Invitational at Army West Point on Nov. 24. The Nittany Lions won nine of the 10 individual titles, 18 of their 22 competitors placed in the top six and every Penn Stater garnered at least one win. With results against teammates not counting as official NCAA bouts, three of Penn State’s titles included shared crowns with teammates not wrestling each other in the title bouts. Luke Lilledahl (125), Beau Bartlett (141), Shayne Van Ness (149), Tyler Kasak (157), Mitchell Mesenbrink 165), Levi Haines/Matt Lee (174), Carter Starocci/Zack Ryder (184), Lucas Cochran (197) and Greg Kerkvliet/Cole Mirasola (285) were champs. Alex Facundo (157) and Lucas Cochran (197) were runners-up. Kurt McHenry (125) and Connor Mirasola (197) placed third. Penn State rolled up a 55-9 overall record at the event, including seven majors, 24 tech falls and 15 pins (46 of its 55 wins were for bonus). Various matches that pitted Nittany Lions against each other are not included in those totals.

    NITTANY LIONS ROLL OVER DREXEL
    41-3 IN SEASON OPENER
    The Penn State Nittany Lions opened up the regular season with a 41-3 victory over visiting Drexel on Sunday, Nov. 17, in Rec Hall. True freshman Luke Lilledahl received a forfeit win at 125 in his collegiate debut and Greg Kerkvliet closed out the dual with a pin at 285. In between, the Nittany Lions picked up three decisions and four straight tech falls in the second half to roll to the win. Levis Haines (174) and Carter Starocci (184) competed the night before in the NWCA All-Star Classic Exhibition and posted tech falls the next day in the win over the Dragons. Also grabbing victories were Braeden Davis (133), Connor Pierce (149), Alex Facundo (157), Mitchell Mesenbrink (165) and Lucas Cochran (197).

    PSU SHINES AT ALL-STAR CLASSIC EXHIBITION
    While Penn State’s official season began on Sunday, Nov. 17, in Rec Hall when the Nittany Lions beat Drexel, five Nittany Lions took part in the NWCA All-Star Classic exhibition the night before. The exhibition, not an official NCAA event and does not count towards wins, losses or RPI, featured Beau Bartlett (141), Shayne Van Ness (149), Tyler Kasak (157), Levi Haines (174) and Carter Starocci (184). Bartlett dropped a hard-fought 4-1 decision to No. 2 Jesse Mendez of Ohio State, Van Ness rolled to a 16-4 major over No. 3 Ty Watters of West Virginia, Kasak posted a 4-2 win over No. 3 Peyten Keller of Ohio, Haines notched a 7-0 win over No. 3 Cade DeVos of South Dakota State and Starocci grabbed a hard-fought 4-1 (sv) win over No. 2 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa.

     

     

     

    #FUNSTATS AFTER THE 2024 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
    // Most Individual NCAA Titles Since 2011 — PENN STATE 38, Cornell 14, Oklahoma State 10, Ohio State 10, Iowa 7
    // Penn State National Finalists Since 2011 — 56
    // Penn State in NCAA Finals Since 2011 — 38-18 (Since 2011, winning percentage in NCAA finals is .679)
    // Penn State in NCAA Semifinals Since 2011 — 56-8 (Since 2011, winning percentage in NCAA semis is .875)
    // Penn State Team Championships Since 2011 — 11 (of 13, no NCAA tournament in 2020)
    // Penn State Percentage of Team Titles Won Since 2011 – .846 (no NCAA tournament in 2020)
    // Penn State has 12 NCAA Championships (11 under Sanderson), third most in NCAA history
    // Penn State is the only team in the nation to win at least one individual title at EACH WEIGHT in the last decade
    // Penn State is one of only two teams in NCAA history to have five individual champions in one year TWICE.
    // Penn State’s Cael Sanderson has won 11 NCAA titles as a coach, second most in NCAA history (tied).

     





    Penn State Nittany Lions are gearing up to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in a highly anticipated Big Ten wrestling battle this Friday. Both teams have had strong seasons so far, with Penn State currently ranked No. 2 and Iowa ranked No. 3 in the nation.

    The Nittany Lions have been dominant on the mat this season, with standout performances from wrestlers like Roman Bravo-Young, Carter Starocci, and Aaron Brooks. They will be looking to continue their winning streak and secure a victory against their tough Big Ten rival.

    Iowa, on the other hand, has a strong lineup led by wrestlers like Spencer Lee, Alex Marinelli, and Michael Kemerer. The Hawkeyes will be looking to make a statement and knock off the No. 2 ranked team in the country.

    This matchup is sure to be a thrilling and intense battle between two powerhouse wrestling programs. Fans can expect to see some top-notch wrestling action as these two teams go head-to-head on the mat.

    Be sure to tune in this Friday to see Penn State take on Iowa in what promises to be an exciting Big Ten wrestling showdown. Let’s go Nittany Lions! #WeArePennState.

    Tags:

    Notes, Penn State, Iowa, B1G Wrestling, Battle, College Wrestling, NCAA, Big Ten Conference, Matchup, Penn State Wrestling, Iowa Wrestling, Wrestling Showdown, College Sports, Sports Rivalry, Wrestling Match, NCAA Wrestling

    #NOTES #Penn #State #Hosts #Iowa #Friday #B1G #Wrestling #Battle #Penn #State

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