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Arne Slot gives promising update on Alexander Isak return — and more

Arne Slot gives promising update on Alexander Isak return

The forward has been out of action for two months after undergoing surgery to fix a fibula and ankle fracture sustained during Liverpool's 2-1 win over Tottenham on December 20.

Arne Slot provided the encouraging update, suggesting the Sweden international is recovering well and closing in on a return to action.

Niagara visits Mount St. Mary's, looks to stop road slide

Niagara Purple Eagles (7-19, 4-12 MAAC) at Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (12-15, 8-8 MAAC)

Emmitsburg, Maryland; Friday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Niagara will try to end its three-game road slide when the Purple Eagles play Mount St. Mary's.

The Mountaineers have gone 6-5 at home. Mount St. Mary's allows 72.1 points to opponents and has been outscored by 4.0 points per game.

The Purple Eagles are 4-12 in MAAC play. Niagara has a 2-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

Mount St. Mary's scores 68.1 points per game, 2.9 fewer points than the 71.0 Niagara allows. Niagara has shot at a 43.8% rate from the field this season, 3.3 percentage points above the 40.5% shooting opponents of Mount St. Mary's have averaged.

The teams meet for the second time in conference play this season. Mount St. Mary's won 68-58 in the last matchup on Jan. 19. Arlandus Keyes led Mount St. Mary's with 15 points, and Will Shortt led Niagara with 10 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Keyes is averaging 11.7 points for the Mountaineers. Abdou Khadre Kebe is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Justin Page is shooting 42.3% and averaging 12.1 points for the Purple Eagles. Vice Zanki is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Mountaineers: 6-4, averaging 67.7 points, 34.7 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 4.5 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 68.0 points per game.

Purple Eagles: 3-7, averaging 63.2 points, 28.1 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 5.5 steals and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 65.1 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Winter Olympics Boost Curling Interest in the US

Every four years, the Winter Olympics help curling clubs in the U.S. recruit new members.

In brief

US and Canada face off for Olympic gold in women's hockey The U.S. takes on Canada Thursday night for the women's hockey gold medal game.

Former Tottenham star concerned interim boss Igor Tudor ‘knows nothing about the Premier League’ Igor Tudor will take charge of his first match on Sunday when Tottenham face Arsenal in the north London derby

'The bottle has been well and truly opened' or 'move on and work'? William: Without Martin Odegaard, we lack direction, inventiveness and effort. The sooner Mikel Arteta abandons his backwards, sideways technique and accepts that creativity has a role, the better. The bottle has been well and truly opened and Manchester City are drinking from it.

Detroit Mercy hosts Jackson and Milwaukee Milwaukee Panthers (11-17, 7-10 Horizon League) at Detroit Mercy Titans (12-13, 9-7 Horizon League)Detroit; Friday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Milwaukee faces Detroit Mercy after Chandler Jackson scored 23 points in Milwaukee's 75-72 win over the Green Bay Phoenix.The Titans have gone 6-5 at home. Detroit Mercy leads the …