Stony Brook men’s basketball star Erik Pratt was suspended by the school for spitting on a fan during the team’s 82-69 loss to Monmouth Thursday.
Pratt was being heckled by fans with 2:30 left in the game with Stony Brook down 79-63. Instead of ignoring the fans, Pratt turned and spit at them and walked away.
“In light of his actions in last night’s game at Monmouth, I have made the decision in consultation with the CAA to suspend Erik Pratt for Saturday’s game at Hofstra,” Stony Brook director of athletics Shawn Heilbron said in a statement.
UW-Milwaukee guard Erik Pratt, who now plays for Stony Brook, looks to drive to the basket against Northern Kentucky in the second half of a game at the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee Feb. 17, 2024.(Dave Kallmann/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA Today Network)
“I met with Erik earlier, and he acknowledged his mistake while accepting full responsibility for his actions. While emotions were high in the moment, he understands that his behavior was inappropriate and did not meet the standards we expect of our student-athletes nor those set forth by our department, institution and the CAA. Erik has expressed his commitment to learning from this experience and moving forward in a positive manner.”
At the time of his ejection, Pratt led the team with 14 points and had eight assists. Pratt is Stony Brook’s leading scorer, averaging 19.4 points per game, and his absence for the team’s game against Hofstra on Saturday is a big one.
Milwaukee Panthers guard Erik Pratt, who now plays for Stony Brook, dribbles during the Horizon League championship against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis March 12, 2024.(Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Stony Brook is tied for the No. 5 seed in the CAA tournament, and a loss to Hofstra could drop them in the seedings.
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Pratt played at Milwaukee and Texas A&M before joining Stony Brook.
Texas A&M Aggies guard Erik Pratt, who now plays for Stony Brook, leads a fast break against the Georgia Bulldogs at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas, Feb. 4, 2023.(Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Pratt is not the only athlete to be embroiled in a spitting controversy over the last year. Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter spit on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the first game of the 2025 NFL season.
Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei set a new course record with a commanding victory at the Tokyo Marathon.
The 32-year-old finished in 2:14:29 – more than two minutes ahead of Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde, who was second in 2:16:36.
Welde’s Ethiopian compatriot Hawi Feysa came third in 2:17:39.
The previous course record was 2:15:55 – set by two-time Tokyo winner Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024.
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Kosgei, who won marathon silver for Kenya at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, is planning to represent Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“We have a lot of athletes in Kenya,” said Kosgei. “I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey.”
In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele defended his title in a thrilling sprint finish with Kenyan duo Geoffrey Toroitich and Alexander Mutiso Munyao.
Takele clocked 2:03:37, which was the same official time as second-placed Toroitich, with Munyao finishing just one second further back in third.
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“I knew that the final stage would be decisive,” said 23-year-old Takele.
“Around 41km I wanted to wait and see what would happen and then I made my move right before the finish.”
Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi won the opening race of the MotoGP season with a flawless performance in Thailand, as defending champion Marc Marquez retired late on.
Aprilia rider Bezzecchi started on pole and never looked back as he stormed into a massive lead before sealing victory by more than five seconds.
KTM’s Spanish rider Pedro Acosta followed up Saturday’s sprint race victory by coming second, while compatriot Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse finished third.
Bezzecchi’s victory came after he crashed out of the sprint race on the second lap.
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“Yesterday was a small mistake with a big consequence, so it was important today to try to bounce back,” said Bezzecchi.
“My pace was good with the medium [rear tyre], we worked super well all weekend, so I knew that I could be fast if I was in front. So I tried my all to make a good start and the bike was perfect.”
Ducati’s Marquez exited the race with five laps to go after suffering a type puncture while in fourth position.
The Spaniard, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth title this season, was closing in on Acosta and Fernandez but damaged his tyre after running wide, ending hopes of a podium finish.
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Earlier this week Marquez said he was still recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the final four races of last season.
Bezzecchi was fastest in all three practice sessions and set a new track record in qualifying, while this was his third-straight grand prix victory – having won the final two races in 2025.
Bezzecchi’s Aprilia team-mate and 2024 champion Jorge Martin came fourth, while Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura finished fifth.
Last year’s runner-up Alex Marquez did not finish the race after a late crash, while 2022 and 2023 world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished ninth.
Flavio Cobolli has announced himself in a big way.
The 22-year-old Italian defeated Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4), 6-4 to win the Abierto Mexicano Telcel, showing composure well beyond his years.
Cobolli first gained attention on the Challenger circuit and has steadily worked his way up the ATP Tour, known for his fighting spirit and comfort on hard courts. Acapulco now marks the biggest title of his young career.
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He edged a tight first-set tiebreak before holding his nerve to finish the job in straight sets.
With the win, Cobolli becomes the youngest Acapulco champion since 2016 and the third youngest since the event switched to hard courts in 2014.
A breakthrough moment for one of Italy’s rising names.
The Turkish Super Lig returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Antalyaspor and Fenerbahce go head-to-head on Sunday. Domenico Tedesco’s men are unbeaten in each of their last eight visits to the New Antalya Stadium since November 2017 (5W 3D) and will head into the weekend looking to extend this dominant nine-year streak.
Antalyaspor failed to pull clear of the danger zone last Sunday when they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Kayserispor at the Kadir Has Stadium.
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Sami Ugurlu’s men have managed just two wins from their last 12 matches since November 8, while losing six and claiming four draws in that time.
This poor run of results has seen Antalyaspor plunge into 14th place in the Super Lig standings with 23 points from 23 games, just three points above the relegation zone.
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Meanwhile, Thursday’s 2-1 second-leg victory over Nottingham Forest was not enough to keep Fenerbahce in the Europa League, as their 3-0 defeat in the first leg of the playoffs saw them lose the tie 4-2 on aggregate and drop into the UEFA Conference League.
Tedesco’s men now turn their sights to the Super Lig, where they are the only unbeaten side this season, having picked up 15 wins and eight draws from their 23 games so far.
Fenerbahce have racked up 53 points from their 23 league matches to sit second in the standings, five points adrift of first-placed Galatasaray.
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Antalyaspor vs Fenerbahce Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
With 29 wins from the last 43 meetings between the sides, Fenerbahce boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
Antalyaspor have picked up seven wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on seven occasions.
Ugurlu’s men are on a seven-game losing streak against Fenerbahce and are without a win in their last 13 encounters, losing 10 and claiming three draws since a 1-0 victory in October 2019.
Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their last 15 away games across all competitions, picking up 11 wins and four draws since September’s 3-1 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League.
Antalyaspor vs Fenerbahce Prediction
Still licking their wounds from their Europa League exit, Fenerbahce will return to league action looking to bounce back and move within two points of first-placed Galatasaray.
Tedesco’s men have won their last seven games against the hosts, and given the gulf in quality and experience between the two teams, we are backing them to come away with another comfortable victory.
Prediction: Antalyaspor 0-3 Fenerbahce
Antalyaspor vs Fenerbahce Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Fenerbahce to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have been three or more goals scored in five of Fenerbahce’s last six games)
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Tip 3: Over 10.5 corners – Yes (There have also been at least 11 corner kicks in six of the visitors’ last eight matches)
HUBBALLI: It was 2:11 pm, Feb 28, 2026. The moment will forever be etched in Jammu and Kashmir’s cricketing lore. After keeping the champagne on ice for nearly three days, the first-time finalists became the 19th team to win the Ranji Trophy, lifting the silverware in emphatic fashion at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium here on Saturday. Having piled up 584 in the first innings and bowling Karnataka out for 293, J&K declared their second innings at 342/4 to shut the door firmly on the more fancied, eighttime champions and deny the hosts a ninth title.
Although disappointed with their home team, the large crowd rose to acknowledge Paras Dogra and his men, a team that had batted, bowled and believed their way into history.
If Shubham Pundir’s firstinnings century set the tone, the final day belonged to Qamran Iqbal (160 not out) and Sahil Lotra (101 not out), who piled on the agony for Karnataka as the hosts went wicketless on the final morning.
The celebrations were heartfelt and unrestrained. With Ramadan and travel logistics keeping families away, a small group of supporters from the J&K community in Karnataka filled the void. Just before the start of the final session, the team management hired local dhol artists, something usually banned at Indian cricket venues. As the beats echoed around the ground, confetti and fireworks by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) turned the modest venue into a festival arena.
The moment Dogra and Karnataka skipper Devdutt Padikkal completed the customary handshake, J&K players streamed onto the field. Iqbal and Lotra were soon swallowed by jubilant teammates before the squad broke into dance as the dhols thundered. J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah, who chose to sit near the team dressing room rather than in the protocol enclosure, applauded and captured the celebration of a historic day for the state on his phone.
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This triumph was more than just a title. It was the reward for years of persistence by a team that grew together under head coach Ajay Sharma and refused to fade after repeated heartbreaks. J&K had reached the quarterfinals in 2013-14 and 2019-20 and come within one run of the final last season against Kerala. That pain fuelled a campaign built on resilience and quiet confidence.
Season-long spearhead Auqib Nabi called it the fulfilment of a childhood dream. “It’s a dream we’ve lived for many years. This victory is not just for the team but for J&K,” he said.
For 41-year-old skipper Paras Dogra, the moment carried the weight of a lifetime. “I’ve waited 25 years for this. I can’t explain what it feels like to hold this trophy,” he said. Leader, mentor and fatherfigure rolled into one, Dogra kept reminding his players through the season: “This time will not come again.” They listened and delivered in emphatic fashion.
As the players soaked in the moment, many admitted the magnitude of the achievement had not yet sunk in. But one thing was certain — Jammu and Kashmir’s first Ranji Trophy triumph was a story of belief, patience and heart.
England cricketer Jonathan Bairstow (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
NEW DELHI: Cricket has been caught up in rising tensions in the Middle East, leaving players from both England and Pakistan stuck in Dubai.England Lions were in the UAE to play Pakistan Shaheens, but everything changed after Iran carried out missile and drone strikes in the region.
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As a result, the UAE closed its airspace, grounding flights and cancelling Sunday’s match. Among those stranded are Jonny Bairstow, former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, and 24 other players and staff members.With flights suspended, the team has been unable to leave Dubai. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says it is working to make sure everyone stays safe and can return home when possible. An ECB spokesperson said, “The safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.”“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation and official advice in relation to the future of these trips,” the spokesperson told BBC.Bairstow also shared his frustration publicly. Posting on X, he wrote, “@emirates we haven’t had any communication post flight getting cancelled. Tried the lines of communication but nothing. Could someone please be in contact.”It’s not just the men’s ‘A’ teams affected. England’s women’s side had plans for a training camp in Dubai, which will now not go ahead. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also staying in touch with the Shaheens and keeping a close watch on developments. For now, there’s no clear timeline on when UAE airspace will reopen, leaving both teams waiting for updates.
Guardiola slams boos against Muslim players’ iftar
Guardiola / @x.com/FabrizioRomano
The reaction of some Leeds United supporters has sparked controversy during the match against Manchester City, after boos and whistles rang out when play was briefly paused to allow Muslim players to break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
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The match was temporarily stopped at Elland Road at sunset so Manchester City’s Muslim players could break their fast, in accordance with the Premier League protocol established in 2021.
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Guardiola calls for respect and tolerance
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola responded to the incident by calling for respect for religious diversity and greater tolerance.
“Stopping play to allow Muslim players to break their fast during Ramadan is a protocol that has been in place for several years. It’s an important gesture that helps make football more inclusive for Muslim players and communities,” he said after the match.
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The Spanish coach nevertheless regretted the reaction from part of the crowd: “But as tonight showed, football still has a long way to go in terms of education and acceptance.”
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Guardiola also stressed the importance of respecting beliefs: “This is the modern world, isn’t it? Look at what’s still happening around the world right now! Respecting religions, respecting diversity, that’s what really matters! That’s how it is, unfortunately.”
He concluded with a rhetorical question: “Can they take a break, yes or no? Can they do it? Take a one-minute pause for this? What’s the problem? Is there a problem?! Obviously not.”
Sent off during the game, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was unable to address the media. Instead, his assistant Edmund Riemer spoke up about the incident.
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“I might be the person who hears this kind of thing the least, because I’m very focused on the match. But I heard what happened. Clearly, some supporters acted this way, and we have to learn from it. It’s disappointing, and we have to do better in the future,” he said.
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has indirectly questioned the leadership at the Pakistan Cricket Board after Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2026 despite signing off their Super 8 campaign with a win over Sri Lanka.Pakistan’s victory in their final Group 2 fixture was not enough to overhaul New Zealand’s superior net run rate, which meant another semifinal miss at a global event. It marked Pakistan’s fourth straight failure at ICC tournaments, following early exits at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
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Speaking on Tapmad, Akhtar did not mince words while criticising the team’s think tank. He labelled the management “clueless” and suggested that flawed selection calls over the past fortnight had cost Pakistan dearly.“Pakistan’s management looks completely clueless. Today’s team selection only confirmed that the XI picked over the last 15 days was wrong. There was one clear error — Saim Ayub should have played instead of Khawaja Nafay. Saim could have contributed with the ball as well,” Akhtar said.He pointed out that Pakistan’s strong showing against Sri Lanka highlighted what had been missing earlier in the tournament.“This selection showed that when you pick the right players for the right roles, they perform. Fakhar Zaman is a natural opener, yet he wasn’t played earlier. Today, Farhan, Fakhar and Abrar all delivered. That tells you everything.”Akhtar then shifted the spotlight towards PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, suggesting that while the chief may have good intentions, the structure around him is failing the team.“I have nothing against Mohsin Naqvi. From what I hear, he is a good person. He is one of the most powerful chairmen in Pakistan’s cricket history. He has influence, resources and authority. But if he cannot build a strong management structure, and the team has failed to qualify in four consecutive tournaments, then something is seriously wrong within the board.“I understand that he may not be a cricket expert and genuinely wants the team to do well. But is he seeking the right advice? It doesn’t appear so. This is a request to Naqvi: the people advising you are making you look bad. The selection committee is not doing you justice.“He may want success for Pakistan cricket, but the system around him is not helping. The real question is — who are these people? At this stage, Naqvi remains Pakistan cricket’s last hope, but he needs the right support structure to turn things around.”
The Survival Directive Contract in Marathon is a straightforward quest. It has two simple objectives, both of which can be completed on the Perimeter map. This contract is offered by the NuCaloric faction, and it’s a Priority Contract. Naturally, you’ll only get one crack at this, and it’s definitely worth putting in some time and effort to complete it in the game.
In this article, we will provide you with a detailed guide to help you complete the Survival Directive Contract in Marathon. Read below to know more.
Survival Directive Contract in Marathon: Walkthrough
Objectives
The Survival Directive Contract in Marathon has only two objectives, namely:
Download the Geological Survey data from the southeast building
Download the Botany Report from the second-floor terminal.
Download the Geological Survey data from the southeast building
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Here’s a step-by-step guide for the first objective:
Hop into the Perimeter map and head towards the northeast region.
Here, you will find a major orange structure. Adjacent to it, you will find a grey building. Enter here, and proceed to locate the terminal inside.
Now, download the Geological Survey data from the terminal.
Once done, you will have successfully completed the first objective of the contract.
