National Sports

CALGARY — A host-province rookie versus a decorated curler in her national women's curling championship swan song gives Friday's playoff game between them a sense of occasion.

TORONTO — Gary Trent Jr. didn't miss any of his shots in the first half but when his Toronto Raptors teammates missed open passes to him in the third, he started to struggle. A quick talk with head coach Darko Rajakovic turned that around.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Senators put together one of their best 60-minute efforts of the season and reaped the benefits of it on Thursday.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — An early mistake by Kris Letang put the Pittsburgh Penguins in the kind of hole they've struggled to dig out from at times during a wildly uneven season. Minutes later, the veteran defenseman atoned with a goal of his own.

VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) — Erik van Rooyen made two eagles Thursday on his way to an 8-under 63 for a one-shot lead in the Mexico Open at Vidanta, a strong start in his bid to win a second PGA Tour title in Mexico in the last four months.

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — Canada's Rebecca Marino dropped a 3-6, 6-4, 2-6 decision to France's Leolia Jeanjean in second-round play at the Puerto Vallarta Open on Thursday.

SURREY, B.C. — Vernon Adams Jr. is clear about his and his team's focus: the Grey Cup. Adams signed a two-year extension with the B.C. Lions on Wednesday, affirming his status as the team’s top quarterback. "It's Grey Cup or bust.

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Team officials, reporters and camera operators often gather behind the chain-link fence near the gang mounds at the Blue Jays' player development complex to watch bullpen sessions during spring training.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Dani Alves, one of the most successful soccer players of his generation, was found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub and sentenced to four years and six months in prison on Thursday.

It certainly would be fitting if Javon Leake broke the CFL single-season record for punt-return touchdowns in 2024. The CFL's top special-teams player last season signed a one-year deal with the Edmonton Elks as a free agent.