National Sports

NEW ORLEANS — Kawhi Leonard was bound to have a big night. New Orleans was without its best on-the-ball defender in Jrue Holiday and best rim protector in Anthony Davis.

TORONTO — The host Ryerson Rams and No. 6 Acadia Axewomen will play for fifth place at the U Sports women's Final 8 basketball tournament after winning their consolation bracket matchups on Friday.

BRANDON, Man. — Brendan Bottcher could have apprenticed playing third or front end for more experienced skips after he graduated from the junior curling ranks. He had faith in his own abilities, however.

HALIFAX — There will be a rematch of last year's championship in the semifinals of the 2019 U Sports Final 8 men's basketball tournament. The reigning champion Calgary Dinos, seeded second, will square off against the No.

LAVAL, Que. — Michael Hutchinson stopped all 42 shots his way as the Toronto Marlies blanked the Laval Rocket 3-0 on Friday in American Hockey League action.

TORONTO — He's the CFL's highest-paid non-quarterback and Derel Walker intends on playing like it in 2019. Walker was the Toronto Argonauts' biggest splash in free agency, signing a one-year deal reportedly worth around $275,000.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Canada's Bianca Andreescu is into the third round at the BNP Paribas Open.

Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Popp continues to wait on Ricky Ray. Popp said Friday night Ray still hasn't informed the CFL club about his football future.

WHISTLER, B.C. — Tina Hermann led a German podium sweep in women's skeleton action while Latvia's Martins Dukurs won the men's event Friday at the bobsled and skeleton world championships. Hermann posted a four-run time of three minutes 33.

ZAGREB, Croatia — Toronto's Stephen Gogolev recovered from a painful fall in his men's free skate Friday and soared from 10th to fifth overall in his debut at the world junior figure skating championships. Tomoki Hiwatashi of the U.S.