ANNE M. PETERSON Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Gonzaga guard Braeden Smith (3) reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Portland in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

No. 6 Gonzaga goes down as winning streak ends with surprising loss to Portland

February 5, 2026

There wasn’t one specific thing coach Mark Few could point to in trying to explain Gonzaga’s struggles against Portland. He said the Bulldogs were simply outplayed. Sixth-ranked Gonzaga lost 87-80 to the Pilots in Portland, snapping a 15-game winning streak. Favored by 21 1/2 points according to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Bulldogs had won 20 straight against Portland — and 19 of those were by double digits. The Pilots’ previous victory over the Zags came on Jan. 9, 2014, an 82-73 win in Portland. The Pilots had never defeated a team in the top 10.

Portland forward Cameron Williams celebrates his team's win over Gonzaga following an NCAA college basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Portland upsets No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80 to snap Bulldogs’ 15-game winning streak

February 4, 2026

Joel Foxwell scored 27 points and Portland upset No. 6 Gonzaga 87-80, giving the Pilots their first victory over a top-10 team and snapping the Bulldogs’ 15-game winning streak. Portland also ended a 20-game Gonzaga winning streak in the series. The Pilots had not defeated the Bulldogs since an 82-73 triumph in Portland on Jan. 9, 2014. James O’Donnell added 16 points for the Pilots, who snapped a three-game losing streak with a stunning performance. They were a 21 1/2-point underdog, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Graham Ike had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Gonzaga, which had won 14 straight conference games. Gonzaga’s only previous loss this season came on Dec. 10 against then-No. 7 Michigan in Las Vegas.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, right, drives to the basket beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, center, and center Jarrett Allen, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Jarrett Allen scores career-high 40 points as the Cavaliers beat the Trail Blazers 130-111

February 1, 2026

Jarrett Allen scored a career-high 40 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Portland 130-111 to hand the Trail Blazers their fifth straight loss. Sam Merrill had 22 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Cavs rebounded from a loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night that snapped a five-game winning streak. Caleb Love scored 21 for the Blazers, who struggled without top scorer Deni Avdija. He missed the game with a lower back strain.

Portland Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija (8) looks to pass during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Trail Blazers’ Deni Avdija becomes the first Israeli to be named an NBA All-Star

February 1, 2026

Deni Avdija’s breakout has season earned him an All-Star nod. The Portland Trail Blazers forward was named as a Western Conference reserve on Sunday night. He was among 14 reserves announced for the All-Star showcase on Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California. Avdija is the first Israeli to be named an NBA All-Star. The 25-year-old was born in Beit Zera, a kibbutz on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Avdija, nicknamed “Turbo,” is averaging career bests of 25.5 points and 6.7 assists along with 7.2 rebounds in 44 games. He’s one of three players averaging at least 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists, joining Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, center, shoots against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Kevin Durant passes Wilt Chamberlain for 7th on the NBA’s career scoring list

January 9, 2026

Kevin Durant passed Wilt Chamberlain for seventh on the NBA’s career scoring list when he hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter of the Houston Rockets’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant needed 15 points going into the game to eclipse Chamberlain, who scored 31,419 points. Durant’s jumper with 7:57 left in the third gave him 31,422. Dirk Nowitzki is sixth on the career list with 31,560 points.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) calls instructions during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

Moore throws 2 TD passes and No. 6 Oregon derails No. 16 USC’s CFP hopes with a 42-27 win

November 22, 2025

Dante Moore threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns as No. 6 Oregon likely dashed No. 16 Southern California’s hopes of making the College Football Playoff with a 42-27 victory. Kenyon Sadiq had six catches for 72 yards and two scores, and Noah Whittington ran for 104 yards and another touchdown for the 10-1 Ducks, who improved their chances of not only making the playoff but also hosting a game. Jayden Maiava threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair to Makai Lemon. Lemon also threw a touchdown pass for USC, which fell to 8-3. The Trojans haven’t won in Eugene since 2011 and have lost four straight to the Ducks overall.

Portland Trail Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter speaks during a press conference before an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

Trail Blazers take to the court for the first time after coach Chauncey Billups’ arrest

October 24, 2025

Stunned by the arrest of head coach Chauncey Billups in a sprawling alleged poker scheme, the Portland Trail Blazers took to the court Friday night under an interim coach as they navigated an unexpectedly tumultuous start to the new season. Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier were among those arrested Thursday for what federal law enforcement officials described as their involvement in various illicit gambling activities. The mood was somber in the Blazers’ locker room before Friday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Few players wanted to talk.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, center, walks on the field after a win over Oregon in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

No. 7 Indiana topples No. 3 Oregon 30-20 in tight battle

October 11, 2025

Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards and a key fourth-quarter touchdown and No. 7 Indiana remained undefeated with a 30-20 victory over No. 3 Oregon on Saturday. Roman Hemby added a pair of scoring runs for the Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten), who frustrated the Ducks (5-1, 2-1) with stout defensive play. Dante Moore threw for 186 yards and a touchdown for Oregon. He threw two interceptions and was sacked six times.With Oregon down 20-13 going into the fourth quarter, Brandon Finney intercepted Mendoza’s and ran it back 35 yards to tie it with 12:42 left.Mendoza answered with an 8-yard scoring pass to Elijah Sarratt with 6:23 to go. On Oregon’s next series, Moore’s pass was intercepted by Louis Moore.

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) is congratulated after his touchdown by tight end Jamari Johnson (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

No. 6 Oregon routs Oklahoma State 69-3 for Cowboys’ biggest loss under Gundy

September 6, 2025

Dante Moore threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns, freshman Dakorien Moore ran for a score and caught a touchdown pass, and No. 6 Oregon routed Oklahoma State 69-3 on Saturday. The loss was the biggest loss for the Cowboys (1-1) in Mike Gundy’s 20-year tenure as coach. Nine players scored for Oregon (2-0), which had 631 yards in total offense. The Ducks had two interception returns for touchdowns in the third quarter. On Oregon’s second play of the game, Noah Whittington took off for a 59-yard TD run to give the Ducks a 7-0 lead. It was the longest run of his career.

FILE - Tom Dundon, majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes talks to the media about his $250 million investment in the Alliance of American Football league before the start of an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File)

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon strikes tentative deal to buy the Portland Trail Blazers

August 13, 2025

A group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Don Dundon has reached a tentative agreement with Paul Allen’s estate to buy the Trail Blazers and keep the team in Portland. Dundon confirmed the agreement in a text exchange with The Associated Press on Wednesday. The group includes Sheel Tyle, the co-founder of investment firm Collective Global, and Marc Zahr, co-president of Blue Owl Capital. The NBA Board of Governors has to ratify any final purchase agreement. ESPN reported Wednesday that the deal was for $4 billion. Dundon did not reveal the terms of the sale to the AP.

FILE - Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates after a shot against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an NBA basketball game, March 5, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File)

Injured Damian Lillard is grateful to be ‘back home’ with the Trail Blazers

July 21, 2025

It hit Damian Lillard as he drove home with his kids after signing a contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was coming home. Lillard’s three children accompanied him to sign his three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers over the weekend. The contract includes a no-trade clause and he can opt out after two seasons. Lillard spoke at a news conference on Monday evening, saying it’s meaningful to return to the city where he’s spent most of his adult life. The 35-year-old is unlikely to play this season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.

Damian Lillard returns to the Trail Blazers on a 3-year deal worth $42 million, AP source says

July 18, 2025

Damian Lillard is back where he started. Lillard signed a three-year deal worth $42 million to return to the Portland Trail Blazers, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced. Lillard was the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Trail Blazers and spent 11 seasons with Portland before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks just before the 2023-24 season.

People attend a launch event announcing Portland Fire as the name of Portland's WNBA basketball franchise outside the Moda Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name

July 15, 2025

Oregon’s WNBA team stepped back in time for its new name, reintroducing the Portland Fire. The expansion franchise, which begins play next next season alongside the Toronto Tempo, announced its name and branding on Tuesday — reviving the moniker of the city’s previous WNBA team that played from 2000 to 2002. Interim Fire president Clare Hamill says “fans have been waiting for us to come back, and we’re back with the Portland Fire.” In addition to the name, the team has a new “Rose on Fire” logo and a color palette of red, brown, blue and pink.

Faith Kipyegon sets 1,500 world record at the Prefontaine Classic

July 5, 2025

Kenyan Faith Kipyegon set a world record in the 1,500 meters Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic, finishing in 3 minutes, 48.68 seconds. Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic champion in the event, bested her own record of 3:49.04 in the event, set last July before the Paris Games. The 31-year-old Kipyegon sprinted alone down the stretch at Hayward Field cheered by the crowd. After crossing the finish line, she wrapped herself in the Kenyan flag.

Beatrice Chebet, of Kenya, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the women 5000 meters at the Diamond League Golden Gala Pietro Mennea athletics meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Beatrice Chebet sets world record in 5,000 meters

July 5, 2025

Kenyan Beatrice Chebet set a world record in the 5,000 meters, winning the event in 13 minutes, 58.06 seconds Saturday at the Prefontaine Classic. Chebet became the first women to run under 14 minutes in the event, surpassing the previous record of 14:00.21 set by Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay. Tsegay set the record at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic. Chebet, 25 was the gold medalist in the 5,000 and 10,000 at the Paris Olympics, becoming just the third woman to win both.

ANNE M. PETERSON Sports Writer.