Thursday’s Sports

OLYMPICS

Japan is halting a public display of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic torches as new virus cases jump in the country. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga orders a state of emergency for Tokyo and the surrounding areas until next month. Tokyo reported 2,447 new cases on Thursday, a jump of 850 or just over 50% from the day before. Tokyo had only a few hundred new COVIDs a few months ago.

NBA

Indiana 114 – Houston 107

Oklahoma City 111 – New Orleans 110

NCAA

No. 2 Baylor improved to 10-0 for only the fifth time in team history. The Bears led throughout in a 76-61 win over Oklahoma. The Bears have won all of their games by double digits. Baylor coach Scott Drew got his 372nd career victory, one more than his father, coach Homer Drew, had in his 22 seasons as a head coach.

WAC

Stephen F. Austin State University Athletic Department confirmed that the program would announce its departure from the Southland Conference next Thursday in Houston. They will be in the company of Sam Houston State, Lamar, and Abilene Christian.  The move of the “Texas 4″ along with Southern Utah would give the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) seven members with football, bringing back a conference they disbanded after the 2012-13 season.

LSC

Texas A&M University-Commerce announced that they postponed the men’s basketball games scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at Lubbock Christian due to concerns related to COVID-19 within the Lion men’s basketball program. The two teams planned a single contest to be played at Lubbock Christian’s Rip Griffin Center on Monday, February 1, at 2:00 pm.

HIGH SCHOOL

It took overtime, but Sulphur Springs’ Lady Cats Basketball Team did in Hugo 47-41 last Tuesday. The Lady Cats are 2-2 in district play and pick up district against Hallsville Friday.