PARACYCLING

Falmouth native and Paralympian Clara Brown will once again represent the United States at a paracycling world championships.

Brown will be looking to defend her 2020 track time trial title at the 2022 UCI Paracycling Track World Championships in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France, Oct. 20-23. Brown was among 11 cyclists chosen to represent the U.S., it was announced Tuesday.

Brown competed in both road and track events at the 2021 Paralympics, placing fifth in the 1,600-kilometer time trials on the roads and fourth in the 3,000-meter pursuit race on the indoor track.

COLLEGES

MEN’S SOCCER: Noah Perry scored in the 36th minute with Zekariya Shaib assisting as the University of Southern Maine edged Fisher, 1-0,  on Thursday in Medford, Massachusetts.

Hayes Estrella made four saves to get the shutout for the Huskies (3-4-3). Mario Iglesias made nine saves for Fisher (2-8-1).

AUTO RACING

NASCAR: An appeals panel on Thursday reinstated the 25 points William Byron had been docked by NASCAR for deliberately spinning championship rival Denny Hamlin, a critical decision that helps his playoff hopes.

The three-person panel found that Byron did break a NASCAR rule for spinning Hamlin under caution. But Hendrick Motorsports had appealed the NASCAR penalty, which was initially a $50,000 fine and the loss of 25 critical points in the championship race.

The panel instead upped the fine to $100,000 and gave Byron back his points. The favorable ruling moved Byron from below the elimination line headed into Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the playoff field will be cut from 12 to eight.

Byron was 10th in the standings with the loss of points; he’s now seventh in the standings and 14 points above the cutline.

HOCKEY

NHL: Jason Robertson signed a $31 million, four-year contract with the Dallas Stars after the young 40-goal scorer missed the first two weeks of training camp.

Robertson turned 23 soon after the end of last season, when he had 41 goals and 38 assists for 79 points in his 74 games. His 13 power-play goals led the team.

BASKETBALL

NBA: LeBron James came to Las Vegas for a preseason game. And a pitch.

James, who has spoken in the past about wanting to eventually own an NBA franchise – with Las Vegas on his mind – has sent another crystal-clear message to Commissioner Adam Silver, reminding him of his plans.

“I know Adam is in Abu Dhabi right now, I believe. But he probably sees every single interview and transcript that comes through from NBA players,” James said after the Lakers’ matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. “So, I want the team here, Adam. Thank you.”

James smiled after finishing that thought, knowing full well that Silver would soon hear every word.

Silver has spoken of expansion plans many times in recent years, but there has also been a clear belief that the NBA won’t move forward on adding teams until the next collective bargaining agreement and television deals are complete.

That said, Silver has called Las Vegas “a great sports market.”

• Golden State’s Draymond Green apologized to the team a day after fighting with teammate Jordan Poole during practice, General Manager Bob Myers said.

Poole practiced Thursday while Green didn’t, and Myers said any potential discipline would be handled internally. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Green will be away from the team again Friday and expects him to return Saturday.

TENNIS

ASTANA OPEN: Novak Djokovic eased past Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals at Astana, Kazakhstan.

Djokovic will next face Karen Khachanov, who rallied to beat Marin Cilic 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

AGEL OPEN: American qualifier Alycia Parks earned her first win against a top-10 ranked opponent by beating fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 at the Agel Open on Thursday in Ostrava, Czech Republic, to reach her first WTA Tour quarterfinal.

The 144th-ranked Parks, 21, ousted former No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in the opening round – her first win against a top-20 opponent – and showed off her power by hitting 59 winners against Sakkari, compared to just nine for her opponent.

JAPAN OPEN: Miomir Kecmanovic saved six match points before beating Daniel Evans 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (4) Thursday to reach the quarterfinals at the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Kecmanovic will next take on Frances Tiafoe. The American won his 13th consecutive tiebreaker to beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-1, 7-6 (7).

Nick Kyrgios had 22 aces in his 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kamil Majchrzak. The Australian qualified for his ninth quarterfinal appearance this year.

GOLF

PGA: Tom Hoge made two eagles on his way to an 8-under 63 for a one-shot lead in the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas.

Si Woo Kim had a 64 and was tied for second with Maverick McNealy.

LPGA: Jodi Ewart Shadoff went on a run of four straight birdies late in her round Thursday for an 8-under 64, taking a two-shot lead in the LPGA Mediheal Championship in Camarillo, California.

Alison Lee and Ruixin Liu of China were at 66, while the group at 67 included California native Danielle Kang and Atthaya Thitikul, the 19-year-old Thai who is on the fast track toward reaching No. 1 in the world. Thitikul won two weeks ago in Arkansas and could have gone to No. 1 by winning last week in Texas, but she stalled and finished fourth.

SPANISH OPEN: Jon Rahm shot a 7-under 64 in the opening round of the Spanish Open on Thursday to sit one stroke behind leaders Ashun Wu, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Darius van Driel.

Rahm is trying to win for the third time at home and join the great Seve Ballesteros for the most Spanish Open titles. He made six birdies, an eagle and a bogey at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

SOCCER

MESSI: Lionel Messi has confirmed that the World Cup in Qatar next month will be the last of his career.

The 35-year-old Argentina star will play in his fifth World Cup but is still seeking his first title at the showpiece tournament. It is the first time the Paris Saint-Germain striker has spoken openly about his future after the tournament, which starts on Nov. 20.

Messi did not make it clear whether he would retire from the national team after Qatar.