CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) β The Carolina Panthers can become the second team in NFL history to make the postseason with a losing record in a non-strike-shortened season. Coach Ron Rivera would prefer not to talk about that. Rivera wants his players’ focus on Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay following Carolina’s biggest win, a 41-10 shellacking of New Orleans that catapulted the Panthers back into the playoff hunt.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) β Jaromir Jagr had a goal and an assist in his 1,500th NHL game, and the New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 last night. Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk opened the scoring with a second-period goal.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) β Edward Stephens made 5 of 8 from 3-point range with 26 points, and South Carolina State recovered from Bethune-Cookman’s second-half rally to win 71-66 last night. SC State squandered a 24-point lead from early in the second half when Bethune-Cookman tied the game at 62 on Ricky Johnson’s layup with 2:22 to play.
ATLANTA (AP) β Alabama receiver Amari Cooper has been selected as Southeastern Conference offensive player of the year by The Associated Press, while Missouri end Shane Ray claimed the award as the best defensive player. The coach of the year went to Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen.
