Here is a quick recap of the pro sports action from the state of Texas this weekend.
NBA
DALLAS MAVERICKS
(32-30, second in Southwest Division)
Last Game: Los Angeles Lakers 111, Mavericks 108
The Mavericks led by 27 points in the second quarter and blew the lead in the second half. LeBron James hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 81 at the start of the fourth quarter, and the teams exchanged leads 13 times in the final quarter. Justin Holiday brought the Mavs within one with six seconds left, but Dennis Schroder sank two free throws to clinch the game for LA.
Noteworthy: The Lakers’ comeback was their largest in 21 years, according to the Associated Press.
Next Up: Indiana Pacers (27-35) at Mavericks, 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday.
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TEXAS RANGERS
FRIDAY
Spring training
Score: Kansas City Royals 6, Rangers 5
After falling behind 2-0 on a Vinnie Pasquantino home run in the bottom of the first inning, the Rangers scored three runs in the second inning to take a 3-2 lead. The Rangers rallied again by scoring runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Kansas City outfielder Tucker Bradley drilled the first pitch he saw from Marc Church over the fence in left-center for a walk-off win.
Noteworthy: The Rangers were one of just four teams to kick off spring training on Friday.
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SATURDAY
Score: Kansas City Royals 10, Rangers 5
The Rangers jumped out to a 3-0 lead but could not hang on as the Royals scored seven in the top of the fourth inning. Rangers infielder Justin Foscue went 2-for-3 with a home run while only two Royals pitchers allowed runs.
Noteworthy: Offseason addition Nathan Eovaldi got his first start as a Ranger and threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
SUNDAY
Rangers (1-2, Cactus League)
Score: Rangers 13, Cleveland Guardians 4
The Rangers jumped out to an 8-0 lead and added five more in the top of the eighth. Jon Gray pitched two shutout innings, and 12 Rangers batters had at least one hit.
Noteworthy: Shortstop Corey Seager went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Seager is now hitting .500 through four at-bats this spring.
Next Up: Rangers at Cincinnati Reds (1-1), 2:05 p.m. CT Monday.
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DALLAS STARS
Dallas Stars (31-16-12, 1st in Central Division)
Last Game: Stars 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2 (shootout)
Trailing 2-1 with less than a minute left in regulation, the Stars avoided a loss after Jason Robertson knocked away a potential empty net goal that would have put Vegas up 3-1. Roope Hintz scored the equalizer with 38 seconds left, and he and Robertson each scored to give the Stars an improbable shootout win.
Noteworthy: Dallas remains in first place in the Central Division with a two-point lead over the Minnesota Wild. The Stars trail Vegas for first place in the Western Conference by two points with 23 games remaining.
Next Up: Vancouver Canucks (23-31-5) at Stars, 7:30 p.m. CT Monday.
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XFL
Arlington Renegades (1-1, Tied for second in South Division)
Last Game: Houston Roughnecks 23, Renegades 14
The Renegades fell behind 11-0 in the first quarter but rallied to take a 14-11 lead at the half. The Roughnecks’ defense turned things up a notch in the second half, and running back Max Borghi found the end zone to give Houston a nine-point lead with about five minutes left. Arlington was forced to punt and never had the ball again.
Noteworthy: The Renegades scored their first offensive touchdown of the season on a pass from Drew Plitt to LuJuan Winningham in the second quarter.
Next Up: Orlando Guardians (0-2) at Renegades, 3:05 p.m. Sunday.
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Houston Roughnecks (2-0, first in South Division)
Last Game: Roughnecks 23, Arlington Renegades 14
Houston got a big second half from its defense and had just enough offense to pull out the win. Houston shut down Arlington’s last effort to tie the game and ran out the clock.
Noteworthy: Houston is now one of three 2-0 teams in the XFL and occupy first place in the XFL South. The D.C. Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks are tied atop the XFL North. The Roughnecks will face D.C. on March 27 and St. Louis on April 1.
Next Up: San Antonio Brahmas (1-1) at Roughnecks, 7 p.m. CT Sunday.
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San Antonio Brahmas (1-1, Tied for second in South Division)
Last Game: Brahmas 30, Orlando Guardians 12
San Antonio took control of this game in the second quarter after blowing a big lead late in Week 1. Quarterback Jack Coan threw two touchdown passes in the second half, and a blocked punt allowed the Brahmas to take a commanding 27-6 lead. Orlando managed to add a touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
Noteworthy: The Brahmas are second in the XFL in rushing, passing, and scoring through the first two weeks.
Next Up: Brahmas at Roughnecks (2-0), 7 p.m. CT Sunday.
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