an to help this team keep pushing to the World Series." Baltim

LOS ANGELES -- Elijah Stewart scored a career-high 30 points, Shaqquan Aaron added a career-high 17, and Southern California beat Montana 75-61 in the season opener for both teams Friday night.The Trojans trailed by double digits in the first half but rallied to win its seventh home opener in the last eight years.We were terrible early and had a lot of turnovers, said Trojans coach Andy Enfield. We missed some easy shots and I think there was some nerves and anxiousness without Benny (Boatwright, starting forward out with an injury). But we kept playing and settled down.Stewart and Shaqquan combined for 12-of-22 shooting, 17 of 20 free throws and 14 rebounds and sparked the 17-4 run that gave USC the lead for good at 20-18.I really didnt take that many shots, I hit my free throws, said Stewart who took 12 shots. Ive learned that the good shooters get to the free-throw line about 10 times a game. Coming into the season, I wanted to work on my free-throw efficiency. Stewart made 14 of 16 from the foul line.Aaron, who sat out last season after transferring from Louisville, was pleased to get back on the hardwood again.I was thinking about it before the game and Its been a long time, its been two years, since Ive been on the court, Aaron said. To be honest, there was some nerves, but it was fun to get back out there. We didnt panic early. Its a long game and we didnt get mad. When you get mad, you lose. We fixed it.USC shot 41.2 percent and outrebounded the Grizzlies 39-32. Montana shot 38.6 percent for the game.Ahmaad Rorie, a redshirt sophomore and Oregon transfer, scored 21 points, including five 3-pointers for the Grizzlies. Fabijan Krslovic added 10 points for Montana.Chimezie Metu added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Trojans.They had a lot of energy and they rebounded well, said Montana coach Travis DeCuire. We didnt execute and we had too many turnovers and that was the difference.The Grizzlies committed 16 turnovers in the game.USC freshman DeAnthony Melton led the Trojans with eight rebounds.BIG PICTUREMontana: The Grizzlies (20-13 last season) have posted back-to-back 20-win seasons but lost in the final of the Big Sky Tournament and played in the 2016 CBI post-season tournament. Montana last qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2013.USC: After finishing the 2015-16 with a 21-13 record and qualifying for its first NCAA Tournament since 2011, the Trojans have high expectations for this season.HIGHLIGHT REELFollowing a Grizzlies turnover, Jordan McLaughlin lofted an ally oop pass to 6-11 Chimezie Metu for a thundering dunk that gave USC a 29-21 lead at the 3:30 mark of the first half.INJURIESUSC sophomore power forward Bennie Boatwright, who started 32 games last season and averaged 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, did not play due to upper back spasms. His availability is listed day to day. Im not sure when Benny will be back, said Enfield. I dont want to rush him. If it was a PAC 12 championship game he would have played, but I dont want to rush him and get him reinjured. We have a long road to go.UP NEXTMontana plays its home opener on Monday against the Wyoming.USC will host Nebraska-Omaha on Sunday. The Mavericks won 18 games last year, return four starters and played in the CBI post-season tournament last season. UNO opens its season with a road game against Big West opponent UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. Joe Pepitone Cubs Jersey . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Ron Santo Cubs Jersey . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. https://www.cheapcubs.com/120t-cole-hamels-jersey-cubs.html . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Brandon Kintzler Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Ryan Dempster Cubs Jersey . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night.In the playoff mix for a second straight year, the Baltimore Orioles made the biggest move on a quiet trade-deadline day, acquiring Bud Norris to keep pace with the Boston Red Sox. Hoping to catch the NL West-leading Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks filled a hole in their bullpen Wednesday by sending struggling 20-game winner Ian Kennedy to San Diego for lefty reliever Joe Thatcher. Boston put the pressure on Baltimore by picking up 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy from the Chicago White Sox less than 24 hours earlier in a three-team trade. The deal was finalized quickly in part because the Detroit Tigers were eager to protect themselves in case shortstop Jhonny Peralta is suspended for his involvement in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drugs scandal. "The frank reality is that I do not know what is going to happen with Jhonny, but with this move, we now feel well protected if there is a long suspension," Tigers general manager David Dombrowski said. With all eyes on the Yankees because of Alex Rodriguezs likely suspension by Major League Baseball for his role in the wide-ranging drug case, New York never could work out a deal with the Phillies for corner infielder Michael Young, who is staying -- for now -- with Philadelphia. San Francisco also held onto left-hander Javier Lopez and the Los Angeles Angels kept second baseman Howie Kendrick after sending Alberto Callaspo to Oakland late Monday. Other than a few other minor swaps Wednesday, baseballs executives did much of their work in the weeks leading up to the 4 p.m. EDT non-waiver trade cutoff. "In general I just think everybody was dealing with a relative level of frustration knowing that the strength wasnt there, the bona fide help, per se, across the board was going to be very tough to fulfill their needs," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said after the deadline passed. The busy Cubs sent Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees, Matt Garza to Texas, Scott Feldman to Baltimore and Carlos Marmol to the Dodgers. Francisco Rodriguez, Marc Rzepczynski, Callaspo, Scott Downs and Jesse Crain also switched teams this month. The NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and the struggling World Series champion Giants were among several teams that chose to stand pat Wednesday in a tepid market. In the midst of a revival that has an entire city brimming with Bucs fever, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington reluctantly held back from making any deals. "We talk a lot about, we dont want to do something stupid," Huntington said. "We were willing to do something stupid, we just diddnt want to do anything insane.dddddddddddd." Teams can make trades for the rest of the season, but it gets riskier. Players must first pass through waivers, meaning they can be claimed by another club before a deal takes place. For a player to be eligible for the postseason with his new team, swaps must be completed before Aug. 31. On Wednesday, Houston also sent outfielder Justin Maxwell to Kansas City and the Dodgers picked up backup catcher Drew Butera from Minnesota and sent him to the minors. Also, Seattle traded minor league infielder Robert Andino to the Pirates for a player to be named or cash. The young Astros, with the worst record in baseball at 35-70, dealt reliever Jose Veras -- to Detroit on Monday. Norris only had to walk down the hall to join his new team with Houston in Baltimore. Outfielder L.J. Hoes, one of two prospects sent to Houston, was initially in the Orioles lineup but ended up getting the start for the Astros. Class-A left-hander Josh Hader was the other player in the deal. A 28-year-old right-hander, Norris helps fortify a rotation that will be without injured Jason Hammel for at least the next two weeks. In his fifth big league season, Norris is 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA in 21 starts this year. He has a lifetime record of 34-46 and is under team control through 2015. "Im excited for the future," Norris said. "I pitched my way into this situation to be traded and help out a team. This (Baltimore) team is a young club, they know how to contend. They had an amazing year last year. I just want to be any piece of the puzzle I can to help this team keep pushing to the World Series." Baltimore began Wednesday five games back of Boston in the AL East and in the second wild-card position. The Diamondbacks have fallen 3 1/2 games behind the surging Dodgers and needed lefty relief help. Thatcher is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in 50 games this season. He has limited left-handed batters to a .215 average. "Its exciting to get traded. Its a big deal. It brings excitement to be in a pennant race," Thatcher said. "That is all you ask for, is to win. Im looking forward to getting over there and helping out and doing whatever they need from me." The Diamondbacks also got 23-year-old right-hander Matt Stites, who is 2-2 with a 2.08 ERA and 14 saves in 46 games with Double-A San Antonio. Kennedy, 21-4 two seasons ago, is 3-8 with a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts and hasnt won a game in two months. Hes expected to start Sunday at Petco Park against the New York Yankees, the team that took him in the first round of the June 2006 draft. ' ' '