New York Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich (13) catches a rebound during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

NEW YORK— Breanna Stewart scored 22 points and Leonie Fiebich, playing her first game since July 3, added 20 to help the New York Liberty beat the Indiana Fever 109-102 in the WNBA on Saturday night.

Jonquel Jones added 19 points and 10 rebounds for New York (23-15) in an entertaining game.

READ: WNBA: Liberty avoid record collapse to hold off Sparks

With the game tied at 100, Stewart made one of two free throws and then after Indiana missed, Fiebich had a basket and was fouled with 57.5 seconds. She missed the ensuing foul shot.

Caitlin Clark drove, but missed a running layup and Fiebich grabbed the rebound. Pauline Astier was fouled with 29.0 seconds left and hit both free throws to make it a five-point game.

Indiana (24-14) couldn’t recover.

READ: WNBA: Midseason mystery for New York Liberty 

Both teams knew how important this game was with playoff positioning at stake as the standings are so tight for the third through eighth spots. New York led by four at the half and then Sabrina Ionescu and Fiebich got going. The pair combined for 19 of the Liberty’s 31 points in the period as New York extended its lead to 85-78 heading into the fourth.

Indiana rallied to tie it on Kelsey Mitchell’s 3-pointer with 1:44 left. Mitchell finished with 25 points. Aliyah Boston had 22 and Clark 21.

New York finally had its full lineup healthy for the first time in nearly six weeks as Fiebich played her first game since suffering a foot injury. Jones was back after missing most of the Liberty’s last game against Chicago on Tuesday with a tweaked left ankle.

With Indiana visiting, there were rallies outside the arena before the game both for and against transgender women in sports. Fever reserve Sophie Cunningham had said in an ESPN profile published last month that she was opposed to transgender girls and women competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Cunningham was met with a mixture of boos and cheers from the sellout crowd.

Jones got going early, as she’s done ever since the All-Star break. The Liberty’s 6-foot-6 center had 17 points and seven rebounds at the half as New York held a 53-49 advantage.

The Fever are in the middle of a brutal stretch of five road games in eight days. They have gone 2-2 so far.

Myisha Hines-Allen left the game in the final minute after getting injured. She was still being evaluated after the game according to the Fever.

Gold Coast Belle is set for a more demanding campaign after commencing her racing return with a win at Sandown on Saturday.

Trainer Danny O’Brien has indicated a progression to Group 2 company for the four-year-old mare, who decisively outclassed her rivals, including the previously unbeaten Tennessee Bound, in the $150,000 Dr Sheahan Plate (1300m) restricted to benchmark 88 performers.

The daughter of So You Think notched her fourth straight win on her first start since capturing the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) on May 1. O’Brien confirmed that the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at their home track of Flemington on September 12 is the next target.

“She’s probably in set-weights Stakes races for the rest of the spring, but this looked a good starting point for her and, fortunately, that’s the way it panned out,” O’Brien said. “She was always travelling very comfortably and let down really well. She got across the softish ground with no problem, so there were a few things we hadn’t seen before that she did today.”

“She gets to the Let’s Elope and then the other mares’ race on Turnbull Day (Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes) – they’re both 1400 at Flemington – which looks the right set-up for her.”

While the Let’s Elope Stakes and Rose Of Kingston Stakes often serve as stepping stones to the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day, O’Brien expressed hope for an invitation to the $2 million Group 2 The Invitation in Sydney a week earlier.

Gold Coast Belle ($2.30) proved too strong for Tennessee Bound, which was aiming for a seventh successive victory to begin its career, finishing 2-1/4 lengths ahead of the $2.70 second favourite, with Moby Dick ($13) a neck further back in third.

This victory represented Gold Coast Belle’s fifth win from just seven career starts, with her other two appearances resulting in second-place finishes.

Although Jordan Childs has been her regular rider, O’Brien utilized the services of top apprentice Logan Bates, who still benefits from a 1.5kg claim for Saturday’s race. The young jockey felt in command of the race throughout.

“We were able to get in a nice controlling position and she just trucked the whole way,” Bates commented. “When I did ask her, gee she let go, and she was having a good look about. She just showed her class today.”

Consider the online bookmakers for your betting needs on this race.

Former Brazil football star Ronaldinho, who had retired in 2015, said on Thursday that he was making a comeback 11 years later with Italian third-division club Ravenna to try and score “a 300th goal”. 

Gilas Pilipinas women rule Stop 6 final of the Fiba 3×3 Nations League-Asia SEA Conference. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Gilas Pilipinas Women will be flying to Wuhan, China, next month after successfully punching a ticket to the Fiba 3×3 U23 World Cup.

On Sunday at Hextar World in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, the Philippines defeated Chinese Taipei, 17-15, in the Stop 6 final of the Fiba 3×3 Nations League-Asia SEA Conference.

The U23 squad could have bolstered its chances in Stop 5 but fell to New Zealand, 16-11, 24 hours earlier.

Fortunately for the Gilas Women, the win over Chinese Taipei the next day effectively secured them a slot in the Wuhan games.

In the end, the Philippines finished with 510 points to book its berth in the World Cup.

Far Eastern University’s Amyah Espano and Victoria Pasilang, State U’s Kennan Ka and Marielle Vingno, and Adamson’s Jam Meniano bannered the Philippines in the U23 competition.

Meanwhile, the Gilas U23 3×3 squad settled for second place in the same tournament.

After beating Vietnam and Chinese Taipei earlier in the day, the U23 boys fell to New Zealand in the final, 21-18.8.

The Gilas Women now join the Gilas Boys U21 3×3 squad as the Philippines’ other representative in the World Cup.

Britain’s Joe Fraser won gold in the high bar and bronze in the parallel bars at the European Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb.

The 27-year-old scored 14.3 with one of the most difficult routines of the finals to claim his first high bar gold at a major championship.

“I’m very, very proud,” said Fraser, who has also won Commonwealth, European and world golds on the parallel bars.

“It’s not just me. It’s everyone behind the scenes – my coaches, my family. Everyone contributes to these moments. It’s very special.”

Team-mate Sol Scott won bronze in the vault.

Fraser, who achieved two top-five finishes at the 2024 Olympics, said: “Having a break after Paris has given me a lot of perspective.

“Opening my own gym and having a baby daughter on the way all adds to that and has definitely helped my gymnastics.

“I’m just really happy and excited to get out there with the team tomorrow for the big one in the team final.”

Cyprus’ Marios Georgiou took silver in the high bar with a score of 14.2, and Savelii Sieedin – born in Russia but competing as a neutral athlete – won bronze with 14.066.

In the parallel bars Fraser scored 14.3. Croatia’s Illia Kovtun took gold with 14.7 and Turkey’s Ferhat Arican silver with 14.433.

Competing at his first major championship, 19-year-old Sol scored 14.199 to finish third in the vault.

“I’m just so happy. I can’t believe it, I really didn’t expect this,” he said.

“Moving up to senior European is a big step, but the team and support team have really helped me and it’s been an incredible experience.”

Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi won gold with 14.566, while neutral athlete Aleksei Usachev claimed silver with 14.399.

The team final is live on BBC Two on Sunday from 12.45-17.00 BST.

Gilas Pilipinas youth men’s team during a game vs Chinese Taipei in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup classification phase. –FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After a promising start in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup, Gilas Pilipinas Youth lost steam in the classification games and settled for eighth place in the continental tournament.

On Sunday at Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in India, the Philippines fell to Chinese Taipei, 89-78, in the classification game for seventh place.

Just 24 hours ago, the Nationals absorbed an 80-75 loss at the hands of Japan.

After entering the quarterfinals with a 3-1 record, the Philippines lost its final three games, starting with a 117-103 loss to China.

Against Chinese Taipei, Chog Moral nearly recorded a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds. Ethan Aguas and Lino Tubongbanua chipped in 15 and 10 points, respectively, in the defeat.

Carter Coleman dominated for Chinese Taipei with a monster double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds. Yu-Sheng Xing caught fire with 17, while Ting-Kuan Liu added 13 in the win.

In the 2024 U18 Asia Cup in Jordan, the Philippines was unable to make the quarterfinals after losing to Japan in the qualification round.

The University of Akron is aware its innovative “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” contest has raised eyebrows for several reasons.

The winner will be able to help Akron coach Joe Moorhead script plays for the UA football team’s opening possession of its 2026 home opener against Robert Morris on Saturday, Sept. 12, at InfoCision Stadium.

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On Aug. 4, the Zips launched the promotion by announcing on social media a season-ticket holder selected through a random drawing would become “Offensive Coordinator of the Game.”

Season-ticket sales have soared since then, and the contest has become a national story.

In the meantime, the Akron athletics department has turned to UA’s College of Business and George W. Daverio School of Accountancy to manage the selection of the “Offensive Coordinator of the Game.”

Akron disclosed the identities of nine finalists during a news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at House Three Thirty, and UA plans to reveal the winner on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

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Of the nine finalists, one is a well-known sports media personality, Dan “Big Cat” Katz, another is a popular YouTuber and gamer, James Bordeaux, and three are longtime Zips football season-ticket holders, Martin Alan Whims II, Mike Beck Jr. and Steve Moyer.

Zips sports: Akron football names nine finalists for offensive coordinator contest

University of Akron College of Business backs legitimacy of the Zips football program’s ‘Offensive Coordinator of the Game’ contest

Willy Kollman, Akron’s vice president of university engagement and de facto emcee for events like the one held at House Three Thirty, displayed a sense of humor about the list of finalists as he announced it.

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When Katz of Barstool Sports fame was unveiled as a finalist, Kollman said, “Just to reiterate, the school of accounting drew this name. Akron athletics has nothing to do with this.” And when Whims’ status as a finalist was announced, Kollman quipped, “Marty also has an accounting degree from Akron and is a little suspicious that the school of accounting rigged this in his favor. We’d love to say that’s the case, but it’s not.”

Akron officials are clearly having fun with the promotion while acknowledging at least some of the skepticism its selection process has received. Yet, on a serious note, they’re adamant the university, specifically its college of business, is committed to running a legitimate contest.

Terry Daugherty, dean of Akron’s College of Business, and Julianne Jones, a UA professor and director of the university’s Daverio School of Accountancy, spoke to the Beacon Journal about implementing and executing a process to determine the “Offensive Coordinator of the Game.” They also addressed fans who attended UA’s news conference at House Three Thirty.

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Daugherty and Jones are vouching for the contest in no uncertain terms.

“We are honored to be entrusted with the important responsibility of certifying the selection process, ensuring that the winning fan is chosen with the highest level of integrity,” Daughterty said. “When thousands of fans participate and the eyes of the world are watching, not just in House Three Thirty, you need people you can rely upon to make sure the process is fair, accurate and credible. That is exactly the role of our Daverio School of Accountancy.”

Akron season-ticket holders were entered into the drawing for “Offensive Coordinator of the Game,” with every season ticket counting as a separate entry. For example, Katz tweeted on Aug. 20 he had purchased 18 season tickets, meaning he would have had 18 entries. There is another way a participant could increase his or her odds of winning. UA’s contest rules state, “Season ticket holders will receive additional entries for every new season ticket holder they successfully refer.”

Zips football: Five takeaways from University of Akron’s spring game

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How did the University of Akron form the list of finalists for the Zips football team’s ‘Offensive Coordinator of the Game’ promotion?

Jones shared what she told Akron athletics brass, including Zips athletic director Andrew T. Goodrich, when she was initially approached about assisting with the contest.

“This needed to be a random and independent draw to keep it fair for everyone who was entering in the competition,” Jones said. “How that was done is I’d accessed the files through athletics. Athletics had no idea who the ticket holders were. The files came to me. I had a file for ticket holders and a file for referrals.

“I looked at those files for completeness. They were reviewed to make sure the applicants’ eligibilities were complete following the guidelines. And then with two witnesses from the College of Business, one who’s with us here tonight, they reviewed the process, and I went through and did the process in Excel using a random generator.”

Daugherty and Jones explained the generator created a ranking. The top 10 people in the ranking were the finalists, and the individual filling the No. 1 spot in the same ranking will be unveiled as the winner on Aug. 25. At the time of the Aug. 19 news conference, Jones and only two other people knew who had won the contest, she said.

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One of the contestants who landed in the top 10 withdrew from consideration for “Offensive Coordinator of the Game,” creating a list of finalists with nine names.

“I was surprised to be honest,” Daugherty said of the finalist who bowed out. “Some of these individuals may decide from now until then they don’t want to do it, either, because it’s a lot of pressure, and it’ll put a spotlight [on the winner]. But the intent, this is fun. This is fun and exciting.”

In addition to Katz, Pat McAfee and Jon Gruden are celebrities in sports media who indicated they purchased Akron season tickets to enter the contest. They are not finalists.

Still, Katz and Bordeaux being among the finalists has prompted some fans to posit Akron must have fixed the contest to further build buzz about the promotion.

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“I am a former media and marketing person, so, yes, I get why you would want [celebrities or influencers to be finalists],” Daugherty said. “But I’m telling you when we sat down to do this and talk about and work out these procedures, [Jones] is a magnificent accountant, and accountants are about rules and compliance and policy. And this is what she followed, and she did a wonderful job. I just got to witness it and support her.”

When Katz, McAfee and Gruden were mentioned by the Beacon Journal, Jones didn’t hesitate to respond.

“If it helps, I don’t know any of those names. It didn’t mean anything to me,” she said with a laugh.

Akron announces nine finalists for ‘Offensive Coordinator of the Game’

Here is the complete list of finalists for Akron’s “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” promotion:

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• Brandon Wigen of Bellevue, Nebraska

• Dan “Big Cat” Katz of Barstool Sports

• Jack Rooney of Long Island, New York

• Martin Alan Whims II of Akron (former UA student and longtime Zips football season-ticket holder)

• Mike Beck Jr. (longtime Zips football season-ticket holder)

• Sean Struncius of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey (now based in Kansas City, Missouri)

• Steve Moyer (1989 UA graduate and longtime Zips football season-ticket holder)

• Tim Sharfman of Austin, Texas

• A 10th candidate was selected but withdrew from the contest, according to UA

When does Akron Zips football start the 2026 season?

Akron is scheduled to open its 2026 season on the road against Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

UA’s home opener featuring the input of the “Offensive Coordinator of the Game” contest winner is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, against Robert Morris at InfoCision Stadium.

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron’s College of Business vouches for offensive coordinator contest