NASSAU – Javon Small scored five of his 31 points in overtime and Tucker DeVries added key free throws late in regulation and finished with 16 points as West Virginia beat No. 3 Gonzaga 86-78 in the Battle 4 Atlantis on Wednesday. Small's layup with under 2 minutes left in OT gave West Virginia a 79-75 lead. After a Gonzaga miss, Sencire Harris hit two free throws to make it a six-point lead. With 27.1 seconds left, Harris made a steal and scored on a dunk for an eight-point lead, putting the game out of reach. Recommended Videos Amani Hansberry scored a career-high 19 points and Toby Okani added 10 for West Virginia (3-2). Braden Huff scored 19 points and Khalif Battle 16 for Gonzaga (5-1). Takeaways Gonzaga showed its depth, outscoring the West Virginia bench 30-2. West Virginia’s only loss was by 24 points at Pitt, but the rebuild under Darian DeVries is showing promise. Key moment Gonzaga turned it over at midcourt late in regulation when Tucker DeVries poked it away from Nolan Hickman and raced the other way before getting fouled. DeVries made two free throws with 5.9 seconds left to tie it at 71-all. Battle inbounded the ball and got it back, but lost control on a drive as time expired. Key stats The shorter Mountaineers outrebounded Gonzaga 42-36 and shot 50% in the second half, battling the Zags to a draw in the paint. Nembhard had 12 assists and just one turnover in 43 minutes, but was 1 of 10 from the field. Up next West Virginia will play Louisville on Thursday in the winner's bracket. Gonzaga faces No. 14 Indiana on the consolation side. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Morant finishes with 22 points and 11 assists in his return as Grizzlies beat Trail Blazers 123-98PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joey Porter Jr. thrives on the pressure. Wants it. Invites it. Needs it. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin first noticed it more than a decade ago, when Porter was just a kid running around the team facility while his father, Joey Porter Sr., served as an assistant coach. There was something about the way the younger Porter carried himself, a swagger, that made him stand out and served as a precursor to the professional life that was ahead for the second-year cornerback. Tomlin described it as a “serial killer's mentality,” though Tomlin's description of what that actually means isn't as chilling as it sounds. "He’s not running from the fight, he’s running to the fight," Tomlin said. "You better have a short memory at that position, and he’s always had it. He was probably nine or 10 when I met him, and he had it then." It's one of the reasons the Steelers practically sprinted to the podium to take Porter with the first pick of the second round in the 2023 draft, a full-circle moment for a Pittsburgh native well-versed in the franchise's history of excellence at one of the most demanding positions on the field. Porter has not been shy about wanting to become known as an elite defender and is unafraid to ask for the toughest assignments, only too aware that things won't always go his way. Good thing, because of late, they haven't. Porter has found himself being targeted frequently by opposing quarterbacks, looking to use the 24-year-old's innate aggressiveness against him. The results have been a steady stream of flags and the referee finishing his call with “No. 24, defense.” Porter found himself on the wrong side of a call four times in last Sunday's 44-38 victory over Cincinnati as he ping-ponged in between Bengals stars Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Twice he was flagged for holding. Twice he was cited for pass interference. It wasn't ideal, to be clear. It also wasn't the end of the world. Porter stood at his locker in the aftermath and answered every question, then did the same on Wednesday. Tomlin made it a point to say the issues with Porter are technical, not mental. It's one of the reasons neither Porter nor his coach seem concerned about one shaky performance bleeding into another, something the first-place Steelers (9-3) can't afford when Jameis Winston and pass-happy Cleveland (3-9) visit Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. “I've just got to keep playing my game and don’t let (the penalties) affect me,” Porter said. Asked if that was easier said than done, Porter nodded. “Definitely,” he said. "Playing DB is a hard position, but you got to have that mentality anyways. That’s the world we live in and I feel like I’m capable of doing that." In some ways, Porter didn't really have a choice. Not with his father — one of the most prolific and productive trash-talkers in the NFL during a 13-year career as a linebacker that included four Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring he earned with the Steelers in 2005. He preached the virtues of not letting one play, one moment, one game chip away at the confidence necessary to survive in a pass-happy game. “He’d been telling me that since I was a young kid,” Porter said. "I know what I got to do to be great, look good, and to help this team win." It's telling that for all the flags against him — Porter has been penalized nine times, tops on the Steelers and tied for second in the league among defensive players — he has yet to allow a touchdown pass in coverage. It's a tradeoff the Steelers can live with in general. Porter's 6-foot-2 frame is one of the reasons he was among the most coveted cornerbacks in his draft class. His size is unusual for his position, and necessary given some of the matchups he draws, such as the 6-foot-4 Higgins. “You have to match the physicality of these big people, and sometimes you do so at risk," Tomlin said. “And that’s just a tightrope that I and he are willing to walk in an effort to be competitive." There are certain tendencies Porter has noticed on film that he needs to clean up, particularly around the line of scrimmage. The hiccups that have popped up recently are correctable. The problems that could crop up if Porter started doubting his own ability are another matter. He insists that's hardly the case. “Things happen, you know that,” he said. “I like to bounce back and prove myself again. So that’s what I got to do this upcoming Sunday.” He likely won't lack for opportunities. Winston is coming off a 497-yard performance in a loss to Denver, and the Steelers had trouble keeping Joe Burrow in check in Cincinnati. Winston is not afraid to test opposing cornerbacks. Porter is not afraid to be tested. “I’m trying to be great,” he said. “And I know to do that, I got to clean up with the stuff I’ve been doing. So I just face it and keep working.” NOTES: LB Alex Highsmith (ankle) was limited in practice on Wednesday and is nearing a return after missing the past three games. ... WR Calvin Austin III (concussion) was limited. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Shopping at Monoprix-Doha Festival City is set to become a pleasant experience for people with sensory sensitivities, thanks to the sensory friendly hours that offer an inclusive shopping environment. In collaboration with Step by Step Centre for Special Needs, Monoprix-Doha Festival City launched yesterday the initiative to provide a sensory-friendly shopping experience from 1pm-3pm on weekdays and from 8am-10am on Fridays and Saturdays. The initiative is part of the inclusion policy of Monoprix and an awareness campaign by Step By Step Centre, aimed at creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. “The initiative is part of the efforts to innovatively give back to the community,” said Monoprix country manager Chadi Bou Antoun. “This is an engagement with the people who need us.” “It’s a solution for the parents and a relief for the families who face difficulties while shopping with people with sensory sensitivities,” he said. “It’s a commitment. It’s not entertainment, but an activity that should be in place.” He added that the outlet staff members are trained to deal with the persons with sensory disabilities. Monoprix rolled out the initiative earlier at the Iconic 2022 outlet at Al Waab, where it is evoking a good response from customers. Monoprix-Doha Festival City store manager Khalid El Khatouri said that the outlet showcases its commitment towards persons with disabilities and leaves a message of inclusiveness by implementing the initiative. The sensory hours include dimming of store lights, turning off music and announcements over the PA (public address system) and mitigating cash register noise. Staff members are also encouraged to speak more softly and not perform certain tasks, like gathering grocery carts. The initiative is implemented as part of Step By Step Centre’s outreach initiative, Building Bridges, where the centre advocates inclusiveness in public places. “Bright lights and loud noises can make shopping tough for persons with sensory disabilities,” said Step By Step Group chief executive and managing director Nasreen Sharif. “Our aim is to ensure them hassle-free shopping experience.” “The idea of sensory-friendly shopping hours is a solution, and the dedicated hours ensure a calmer and more inclusive shopping experience for these individuals,” she said, adding that this kind of initiative will keep the persons with disabilities engaged. “A friendly shopping experience can inspire and motivate them while developing multiple social and vocational skills,” Sharif said, adding that efforts are being taken to spread the initiative to more shopping places across Qatar to achieve the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030. “Unfamiliar faces and unfamiliar voices, the sound of trolleys moving, the bright lights, and music playing in the background are just some of the challenges experienced by persons with special needs,” said parent Navash Appalasamy. “These sensory hours will create an inclusive environment for neurodivergent individuals.” He noted that the initiative reaffirms that the special needs community is fully supported. The event also showcased products made by students of Step By Step Centre. Related Story ‘ICC, ICJ indispensable in upholding principles of justice in conflict areas’ Wide turnout for 'Souq Al Rail' at Doha MetroNone
