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Notre Dame football star says he was not in on hoax - ESPN
(Reuters) – Notre Dame football star Manti Te'o has denied ever being in on an elaborate hoax, telling ESPN he had be lieved his relationship with a woman who turned out to be an online fabrication was real. The tragic story of his girlfriend and her injuries from a car accident and death from leukemia was one of the most widely recounted U.S. sports stories last year as Notre Dame made a drive toward the national championship game. "I wasn't faking it," Te'o told ESPN in an off-camera interview on Friday, excerpts of which were posted on ESPN.com. "I wasn't part of this. …

Durant lands 52 points as Thunder down Dallas in overtime
(Reuters) – Kevin Durant scored a career-h igh 52 points as the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed 117-114 in an overtime thriller against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Durant landed a perfect 21 from 21 at the free-throw line, with Russell Westbrook adding 31 points for the visitors as the Thunder (32-8) won their sixth straight to continue their dominance in the league. "I knew (about closing in on a career-high haul) but I was just trying to focus on the game and get us this win," Durant told reporters. …

UPDATE 1-NBA-Durant lands 52 points as Thunder down Dallas in OT
* Durant scores 52 as Thunder win again * Westbrook adds 31 * Carter leads Dallas with 29 from the bench (Adds quotes, details) Jan 18 (Reuters) – Kevin Durant scored a career-high 52 points as the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed 117-114 in an overtime thriller against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Durant landed a perfect 21 from 21 at the free-throw line, with Russell Westbrook adding 31 points for the visitors as the Thunder (32-8) won their sixth straight to continue their dominance in the league. …

Calm Williams cuts out the drama heading into second week
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – American Sere na Williams has had more than her share of dramas at this year's Australia Open but the third seed is planning to be all business like in the second week at Melbourne Park. Williams, chasing her third straight singles grand slam title and 16th in all, rallied from 3-0 down in the second set to beat Japan's Ayumi Morita 6-1 6-3 in the third round on Saturday. So far in the tournament, Williams has turned her right ankle and hit herself in the head with her racquet. …

Tennis-Calm Williams cuts out the drama heading into second week
MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) – American Serena Williams has had more than her share of dramas at this year’s Australia Open but the third seed is planning to be all business like in the second week at Melbourne Park. Williams, chasing her third straight singles grand slam title and 16th in all, rallied from 3-0 down in the second set to beat Japan’s Ayumi Morita 6-1 6-3 in the third round on Saturday. So far in the tournament, Williams has turned her right ankle and hit herself in the head with her racquet. …

NBA-Durant bags career-best as Oklahoma down Dallas in overtime
Jan 18 (Reuters) – Kevin Durant scored a career-high 52 points as the NBA-leading Oklahoma City Thunder prevailed 117-114 in an overtime thriller against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Durant landed a perfect 21 from 21 at the free-throw line, with Russell Westbrook adding 31 points for the visitors as the Thunder (32-8) won their sixth straight to continue their dominance in the league. The Mavericks (17-24) had the Thunder worried after battling from nine down heading into the final quarter time to force overtime when O.J. Majo nailed a three-pointer with 2.3 seconds left. …