JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 925

Atlanta won 135-120 in Dallas on Wednesday as CJ McCollum scored 24 and Nickeil Alexander‑Walker added 22, extending the Hawks’ winning streak to 11 games and improving the team to 38-31 while Dallas fell further toward lottery positioning.

This week the streak ended Friday when the Houston Rockets defeated Atlanta 117-95 behind Kevin Durant’s 25 points and strong team shooting; the loss highlighted Atlanta’s turnovers and poor 3-point shooting and altered immediate momentum for both teams.

DAYTON, Ohio — Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79 Wednesday in a First Four game, recording the RedHawks’ first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years and advancing to play Tennessee on Friday. Eian Elmer scored 23 points, going 6-for-9 from three-point range; Brant Byers added 19 and Luke Skaljac 17. Prairie View A&M defeated Lehigh 67-55 as Dontae Horne scored 25, and Nebraska beat Richmond 75-56. Reports drew on game box scores, coach and player quotes, campus watch-party comments and local coverage at UD Arena, and official NCAA statistics published across outlets nationwide. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Fort Lauderdale, USA — Nashville SC advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw with Inter Miami on Wednesday night that eliminated the reigning MLS champions on away goals. Lionel Messi scored in the seventh minute for Inter Miami, marking the 900th goal of his career, but Cristian Espinoza equalized in the 74th minute to level the tie after a 0-0 first leg in Nashville. The aggregate finished 1-1, and Nashville progressed under the tournament's away-goals rule. Officials and coaches provided postmatch comments; match statistics and official reports confirmed outcomes. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

NEW ORLEANS — The Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Clippers 124-109 Wednesday, overcoming an 18-point deficit as Saddiq Bey scored 25 and Trey Murphy added 23. Dejounte Murray had 17 points and 11 assists; Zion Williamson and Derrick Queen each scored 14. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 25 and John Collins had 18. New Orleans made 16-of-37 three-pointers and 20-of-21 free throws. The teams met again Thursday, when the Pelicans won 105-99, sweeping the two-game set and extending their home streak to seven. Clippers’ injuries and recent losses affected their standing. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would 'massively blow up' Iran's South Pars gas field if Tehran attacked Qatar. Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. 'knew nothing' about an Israeli strike and said Israel would stop further strikes unless Iran hit Qatar. The Wall Street Journal and Axios reported Trump had known and supported the Israeli plan. Iran then struck part of Qatar's LNG facility this week. U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, said Washington was informed of the Israeli plan but did not join the operation. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Durham, N.C. — Nebraska's women's basketball team defeated Richmond 75-56 on Wednesday in the NCAA Tournament First Four at Cameron, opening the third quarter with a 17-0 run that secured a decisive lead. Britt Prince led Nebraska with 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting and five assists; Callin Hake added 14 points. Richmond's Maggie Doogan posted 24 points and 10 rebounds. Nebraska improved to 19-12 and will face No. 6 seed Baylor in the Round of 64 on Friday at 1:00 p.m. CT. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

PORTLAND, Ore. Gonzaga defeated Kennesaw State in the NCAA Tournament first round Thursday, advancing to face Texas in the Round of 32. Gonzaga, a No. 3 seed, overcame a slow offensive start and late-game fouls to win after a game-high 19 points from Graham Ike and double-double performance by Jalen Warley. Kennesaw State, a No. 14 seed, pressured Gonzaga early and saw key contributions from RJ Johnson and Amir Taylor. The Zags will travel to play No. 11 Texas on Saturday in the West Region. The game occurred at the Moda Center. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to the Middle East as its campaign against Iran enters a possible new phase, officials said Tuesday. Sources told Reuters that options under review this week include securing tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz with air and naval forces and potentially positioning troops on Iran’s shoreline. Officials also discussed risky plans to seize Kharg Island, the hub for roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, after strikes earlier in March. No final decision has been announced as deliberations continue this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence concluded Wednesday that Iran has not rebuilt nuclear enrichment capacities destroyed last year, DNI Gabbard said in written public remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Gabbard added Iran’s leadership remained intact and that entrances to bombed facilities were sealed. She omitted that passage during live testimony and declined to state whether the intelligence community judged an “imminent threat.” The disclosures conflict with President Donald Trump’s stated justification for military action and followed weeks of conflict that included attacks on Gulf states and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington. On Wednesday the Treasury Department issued a broad authorization allowing Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) to sell oil directly to U.S. companies and on global markets, reversing years of restrictions. The White House announced a 60-day waiver of Jones Act shipping rules for domestic shipments. Officials framed the actions as measures to increase global supply amid oil-price spikes after Iran restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The licenses maintain some sanctions limits while enabling investment in Venezuela's energy sector and potential increases in crude exports. These steps target near-term market relief. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.