Sports Brief: Week of Jan. 15 - 21

NFL: Super Bowl is set

The New Orleans Saints hosted the Los Angeles Rams Sunday for the NFC Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Louisiana. With Drew Brees manning the helm, the home crowd looked on in anticipation as he drove the length of the field as the game neared the end of regulation.

On a pass to receiver Tommylee Lewis, who was in good position to make the grab, Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman charged into him, leading with his helmet, making for a controversial no-call. The backlash of the missed pass interference forced the Saints to settle for a field goal. The Rams operated quickly and scored a touchdown to tie things up 23-23, sending the game into overtime. Los Angeles would later win in the extra time 26-23.

In a similar fashion, the New England Patriots traveled to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night in the AFC Championship game.

The Patriots went into the fourth quarter with the lead 17-7, but by the end of it, it was 31-31.

Both veteran Tom Brady and MVP-favorite Patrick Mahomes alternated in leading game-deciding drives until the final seconds of regulation ticked off the clock. Brady would eventually get the final say, taking the Patriots the length of the field in overtime for the win 37-31.

For an in-depth look into the scoring drives in the last quarter of the AFC Championship game, click here.

The Patriots and the Rams will meet in Atlanta Sunday, Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m. for Super Bowl LIII.

NBA: Harden’s streak continues, Boogie returns

Houston Rockets guard James Harden has continued his offensive explosion. Harden scored 48 points Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers, giving him 19 straight games with at least 30 points scored. Harden only trails Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain for most consecutive 30-plus games. Chamberlain posted runs of 20, 25, 31 and 65 games, leaving Harden with a lot left to strive for.

All-star DeMarcus Cousins finally made his debut with the Golden State Warriors after signing with them in free agency last summer. Cousins suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and has spent a year in recovery. The Warriors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-94. Cousins, in typical fashion, scored 14 points and secured six rebounds, three assists and six fouls in only 15 minutes of action.

In Oklahoma City news, the Thunder defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-115 Saturday. The Thunder were led offensively by a 31-point game from Paul George and a double-double from Russell Westbrook.

In yesterday’s contest against the New York Knicks, Paul George continued to be the hot hand, scoring 31 points in their 127-109 win. The Thunder had six different players in double figures.

The Thunder will play the Portland Trail Blazers today at 7:00 p.m.

CBB: Duke best undefeated Virginia

Duke’s star-studded cast of five-star recruits and future NBA draftees did not disappoint Saturday against the previously undefeated University of Virginia.

Duke guards RJ Barrett and Zion WIlliamson led the charge offensively, scoring 30 and 27 points, respectively. The Blue Devils would hold off a second-half Cavalier surge, winning 72-70.

The Cavaliers relinquish their spot at No. 1 to the University of Tennessee, but slide down just one place to No. 2. Duke jumps forward three spots and now is ranked at No. 4. Virginia will take on Wake Forest tomorrow at 8:00 p.m., and the Blue Devils will play Pittsburgh at the same time.

UFC: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw

Henry Cejudo defended his flyweight championship title at UFC Fight Night Saturday evening against bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, who moved down in weight for the fight.

In all of 32 seconds, Cejudo dropped Dillashaw and never let him back up, winning by knockout.

The next UFC pay-per-view will take place Feb. 9, headlining Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum.

Tennis: Williams takes down No. 1 Halep

Meeting again in the Australian Open, Serena Williams and No. 1 seed Simona Halep had not competed against each other since the 2018 US Open Final, which was widely remembered for Williams’ “that’s not fair” comments.

Williams won the first set 6-1, lost the second 4-6 and won the third 6-4. Williams is chasing her 24th major championship win, but, despite upsetting Halep, will still have a tough journey as she will face No. 7 Karolina Pliskova later today.