Bergbau » players always understand one another. L

LUBBOCK, Texas -- With six seniors, including three graduate transfers, Texas Tech is among the oldest teams in college basketball.Saturday, it was a veteran that sealed an 85-84 win over Rice when Anthony Livingston made three free throws with 2.4 seconds left.Rices Connor Cashaw missed two free throws with 13 seconds left before Livingston attempted a 3-pointer in traffic and was fouled.Livingston, a graduate transfer from Arkansas State that celebrated his 24th birthday Saturday, finished with a career-high 33 points. Keenan Evans added 14 points and had three assists for Texas Tech (7-1).I had no doubt that I was going to go up there and make the free throws, Livingston said. Just make the free throws for my team. Like you said, best birthday ever.It was the first 30-point performance by a Texas Tech player since Mike Singletary at Iowa State in January 2011.Rice (6-2) was led by 27 points from Marcus Evans and 25 points and six rebounds by Egor Koulechov.Rice led 82-79 with 57.6 seconds left before Texas Tech took a timeout. After a Justin Gray 3-point attempt missed, Marcus Evans grabbed the rebound and was fouled on the other end of the court. He hit both free throws to put Rice up, 84-79.Unbelievable heart, Gray said. The previous timeouts leading up to that, coach (Chris) Beard just reiterated, you know, `Were going to win this game. Just making sure everybody had that look in their eye.Evans brought the Red Raiders to within two, 84-82, on a 3-pointer before Cashaw was fouled.The game was tied 61-61 with 10:33 left after Koulechov and Livingston traded 3-pointers. Entering the game, Koulechov averaged 18.3 points and Livingston averaged 11.4 points.The floor is spaced so well (by Rice), Beard said. Its a couple times where just Rice had a layup on it. Its because we were trying to take away the 3-point shot.The first half ended with a 34-31 Texas Tech lead. Texas Tech shot 64 percent from the floor in the second half and Rice shot 59.3 percent.We let it fly -- thats just how we play, Rice coach Mike Rhoades said. We wanted to play faster than we did today. Weve been playing pretty fast. But our guys know they have the green light.BIG PICTURERice: Texas Tech was Rices first opponent from a Power Five conference this season. It entered with a five-game winning streak and will visit Atlantic Coast Conference member Pittsburgh on Dec. 17.Texas Tech: The Red Raiders are missing standout frontcourt players Norense Odiase and Aaron Ross, who are both rehabbing injuries. Livingston has provided strong frontcourt performances along with Zach Smith. ... Entering Saturday, Big 12 teams posted a 56-11 record to start the season.ITS BEEN A WHILETexas Tech and Rice last played in 1996, a game the Red Raiders won 68-53. All 91 of the previous meetings between these teams came as members of the Southwest Conference.OWLS OFF TURNOVERSRice won the points off turnover margin 18-15, an area the Red Raiders have generally succeeded in and used to suffocate opponents this year.RICES RANGEThe Owls entered the game averaging nine 3-pointers per game. Saturday, they finished with 15.UP NEXTRice hosts Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 10.Texas Tech hosts the University of Texas-San Antonio Wednesday. USA Soccer Gear . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. USA Soccer Jerseys China . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. USA Soccer Pro Shop . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training.BARCELONA, Spain -- Neymar became the eighth most expensive signing in football history by moving to Barcelona in a deal worth 57 million euros on Monday, uniting the Brazil star with Lionel Messi in a formidable attacking partnership. Neymar signed a five-year contract with club president Sandro Rosell after choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid in an intense two-year bidding war between the fierce Spanish rivals. Barcelona vice-president Josep Bartomeu revealed the club had expected to pay about 40 million euros, but that "the interference of other clubs" inflated the price, an allusion to Madrid. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Kaka, Luis Figo, Hulk and Fernando Torres have cost a club more than Neymar. Barcelonas previous most expensive transfer was when it paid 45 million euros (then $64 million) to Inter Milan for Ibrahimovic in 2009 plus sent striker Samuel Etoo the other way. Neymar, whose contract includes a buyout clause worth (euro)190 million ($249 million), laughed shyly when asked if he was worth the price paid for him. "No, but I am very grateful that Barcelona did what it had to do complete my childhood, to be with my idols," he said. Formalities done after signing his contract, the 21-year-old striker jogged onto the Camp Nou pitch for the first time in his new Barcelona kit bearing the name "Neymar Jr" on the back. "I am very happy, very moved to be a Barcelona player and fulfil my dream," Neymar told the 56,500 fans who turned out to welcome him. Neymar quickly made it clear that he knows that he will have to play second fiddle to Messi. "I want to help the team," he said. "I have come to add my part so that Lionel Messi continues to be the best player in the world." Neymars flight from Brazil arrived an hour behind schedule at about 1 p.m. local time. Decked out in black with sunglasses and a baseball cap, he took a chartered bus straight to Camp Nou and had his first photograph taken in front of the blue-and-burgundy club insignia. During the traditional thumbs-up welcome shoot Neymar stepped forward and waved over the mob of photographers to the hundreds of fans who had gatheredd wearing Brazil and Barcelona jerseys and chanting his name.dddddddddddd He was then rushed through two medical tests and back to the office to sign the deal. Neymar later told a packed press hall that he had "followed his heart" when he opted to come to Barcelona and play alongside not only Messi, but the rest of Barcelonas playmakers. "Im very excited to have the chance to play with all these great players that I have admired since I was a child: Messi, Xavi (Hernandez), (Andres) Iniesta," he said. "Its a great opportunity for me to learn and evolve." Even before making it official, Neymars new teammates had given him their vote of confidence. Earlier Monday, Iniesta said he expects Neymar to become even better when paired in attack with Messi, the four-time world player of the year. "He is coming to the best possible place for him," Iniesta said. "Let him do what he does best, that is enough. It is great news that we can count on him. Surrounded by the people he will have here, he will get better and better. "Great players always understand one another. Leo will be make Neymar better, and Neymar will make Leo better." Dani Alves, whom Neymar said played a key role in persuading him to come to Barcelona, recalled the long line of Brazilian forwards who have triumphed at Barcelona, including Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. "He will give us a Brazilian touch," countryman Dani Alves said of Neymar. "The others left their mark. I am sure he will, too." Neymar flew to the Mediterranean city on a private jet with a small entourage, including his father Neymar Silva Santos, that left Rio de Janeiro after the national sides 2-2 draw with England on Sunday. He will return to his home country for the upcoming Confederations Cup, which Brazil is hosting in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. Neymar led Santos on its greatest run since Pele stopped playing for the Brazilian club in the 1970s. He helped Santos win the 2010 Brazilian Cup, the 2011 Copa Libertadores and three straight Sao Paulo state championships, becoming the teams leading scorer in the post-Pele era with 138 goals in 230 matches. ' ' '