Category Archives: WPTF News

Evans, Boozer help No. 6 Duke overcome slow start and defeat Texas 75-60 in season opener

Evans, Boozer help No. 6 Duke overcome slow start and defeat Texas 75-60 in season opener

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Isaiah Evans scored 23 points, Cameron Boozer had a big second half and finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds as No. 6 Duke overcame a sluggish start to beat Texas 75-60 at the Dick Vitale Invitational on Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils got 10 points from Patrick Ngongba and used a stifling defense to limit Texas to 32% shooting and force 16 turnovers.

Dailyn Swain had 16 points, while Jordan Pope and Matas Vokietaitis each had 15 to lead Texas in coach Sean Miller’s debut.

Boozer, one of the nation’s top high school recruits, was 0 for 7 from the field and held scoreless in the first half with three rebounds as Duke trailed 33-32 at the break.

But Boozer, the son of former Duke star Carlos Boozer, made his presence felt in the second half getting to the foul line 12 times and converting nine free throws. He also had three steals, two assists and a block in an all-around effort reminiscent of Cooper Flagg a year ago.

Duke, which lost five players from last year’s team including Flagg to the NBA draft, looked like a team finding its way early on.

Nearly seven minutes into the game the Blue Devils trailed 7-3 and were 1 of 10 from the field with two turnovers.

But that changed in hurry as Evans, who played high school basketball just north of Charlotte, began to heat up with four 3-pointers helping the Blue Devils open a 26-17 lead. Texas clawed back to take the lead at halftime with Evans on the bench for an extended stretch.

Honoring Dickie V

An emotional video introduction about Vitale’s legacy and fight against cancer narrated by former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was aired on the Spectrum Center videoboard before the game, bringing the 86-year-old commentator to tears as he looked on from press row.

As Krzyzewski finished with “you are awesome with a capital V’ the crowd roared and gave Vitale a standing ovation.

Up next

Texas: Hosts Lafayette on Saturday.

Duke: Hosts Western Carolina on Saturday.

UPS cargo plane with 3 aboard crashes, explodes on takeoff at Louisville airport, igniting huge fire

UPS cargo plane with 3 aboard crashes, explodes on takeoff at Louisville airport, igniting huge fire

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Officials say a large UPS cargo plane with three people aboard crashed and exploded while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky, igniting a huge fire on ground. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that the plane crashed at about 5:15 p.m. The FAA said the plane was scheduled to fly to Honolulu after it took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. Photos on social media showed a large plume of black smoke rising into the sky. The Kentucky governor says there are injuries, but no fatalities have been confirmed.… Continue Reading

Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure is on track to become longest ever

Talks to end the government shutdown intensify as federal closure is on track to become longest ever

WASHINGTON (AP) — Signs of a potential end to the government shutdown are intensifying with behind-the-scenes talks. This comes as the federal closure, now in its 35th day, is on track to become the longest ever disrupting the lives of millions of Americans. Senators from both parties are quietly negotiating the contours of an emerging deal to reopen the government and resolve the stalemate over health care funds for insurance subsidies. President Donald Trump has largely been absent. He threatened Tuesday no more SNAP food aid unless the government reopens, but his spokeswoman said the administration is releasing the funds in line with court orders. Tuesday’s elections across the U.S. provide an inflection point to bring an end to the shutdown.… Continue Reading

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of ‘mass chaos’ in skies if shutdown continues

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns of ‘mass chaos’ in skies if shutdown continues

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck. The FAA slows down or even stops flights temporarily anytime it is short on controllers or if there is an equipment problem. There have already been numerous delays at airports across the country — sometimes hours long — during the shutdown. Duffy warned that the situation will only get worse the longer the shutdown continues and the financial pressure continues to grow on people who are forced to work without pay. FAA employees already missed one paycheck on Oct. 28. Their next payday is scheduled for next Tuesday.… Continue Reading

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history, dies at 84

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President George W. Bush says Dick Cheney was a “decent, honorable man” whose death is “a loss to the nation.” Cheney’s family says he died Monday of complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Bush said Tuesday history will remember his vice president “as among the finest public servants of his generation.” Cheney was a hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq. Cheney led the armed forces as defense chief during the Persian Gulf War under President George H.W. Bush before returning to public life as vice president under the younger Bush.… Continue Reading

Newcomers Wilson and Bogavac power No. 25 North Carolina to a 94-54 rout of Central Arkansas

Newcomers Wilson and Bogavac power No. 25 North Carolina to a 94-54 rout of Central Arkansas

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Caleb Wilson scored 22 points and Luka Bogavac added 10 points and five assists in their North Carolina debuts as the No. 25 Tar Heels beat Central Arkansas 94-54 in the teams’ season opener on Monday night. Kyan Evans hit four 3-pointers and scored 15 points, Henri Veesaar added 14 points and 10 rebounds and Seth Trimble scored 12 points as the Tar Heels won their opener for the 21st consecutive season. Cole McCormick led Central Arkansas with nine points, though he went to the bench with his fourth foul early in the second half and fouled out with 4:56 left.… Continue Reading

Panthers may be potential playoff contender after 7 straight seasons of missing postseason

Panthers may be potential playoff contender after 7 straight seasons of missing postseason

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have emerged as potential playoff contenders after a surprising 16-13 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. The Panthers, led by running back Rico Dowdle and quarterback Bryce Young, controlled the game from the start. This win marked their fourth consecutive victory with Young under center and put the Panthers just one game behind the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions in the NFC wild-card race. Coach Dave Canales praised Dowdle’s performance, emphasizing the team’s aggressive style. The Panthers aim to maintain this momentum as they prepare to face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.… Continue Reading

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings

President Donald Trump’s administration says it will partially fund the SNAP food aid program after a pair of judges’ rulings required the payments to continue. That means grocery aid will resume for 1 in 8 Americans, though it has been delayed for millions already and the amount beneficiaries receive will be reduced. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not continue the funding in November due to the government shutdown. Two federal judges ruled last week that the government was required to keep the program running. But both gave the administration leeway to pay for it entirely or partially. It can normally take up two two weeks to load beneficiaries’ debit cards.… Continue Reading

ESPN icon Dick Vitale is back for start of another college basketball season after cancer fight

ESPN icon Dick Vitale is back for start of another college basketball season after cancer fight

ESPN broadcasting icon Dick Vitale is back for another season opener after his long fight to return from cancer. Vitale will call Tuesday’s game between No. 6 Duke and Texas in an event named in his honor. ESPN Events had announced the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational over the summer. A lengthy cancer fight kept Vitale off the airwaves for two years until he returned late last season. In an AP interview, Vitale says he feels “lucky” to be able to keep working at 86 years old after that lengthy fight.… Continue Reading

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