National Sports

CLEVELAND — Toronto's ninth straight win didn't come easily. The Raptors nearly let a big lead slip away in the fourth quarter before holding on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-109 on Thursday night.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ilya Kovalchuk and Brendan Gallagher scored in a span of 2:16 early in the second period, and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on Thursday night.

MARRAKECH, Morocco — Canadian Stephen Ames shot a 9-under 63 on Thursday to take a four-stroke lead over a Hall of Fame quartet in the Morocco Champions, the first PGA Tour Champions event in Africa.

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry was named a reserve for the NBA all-star game on Thursday, his sixth time playing in the exhibition and the most in franchise history.

EDINBURG, Texas — The whirlwind continued for Christine Sinclair a day after becoming the world's all-time leading goal-scorer. In the wake of notching goals No. 184 and 185 in an 11-0 romp over St.

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions re-signed veteran Canadian offensive lineman Hunter Steward for two more seasons and also added quarterbacks Vincent Testaverde Jr. and William Arndt on Thursday. Steward was eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 11.

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg will use his Super Bowl ad to highlight his efforts to combat gun violence, while President Donald Trump will focus on his economic record as the two candidates face off during the year

VICTORIA — Pacific FC has signed Canadian international midfielder Marco Bustos. The 23-year-old from Winnipeg spent last season with fellow Canadian Premier League side Valour FC, scoring seven goals in 25 appearances for the Winnipeg franchise.

Taylor Pendrith's return to the Korn Ferry Tour hasn't exactly gone to plan so far. After earning an exemption on the second-tier circuit thanks to two victories on the Mackenzie Tour last year, the Richmond Hill, Ont., native was rearing to go.

Linebacker Henoc Muamba couldn't be happier with the Montreal Alouettes' busy off-season. Much has happened since Montreal's season-ending playoff loss to the Edmonton Eskimos in November.