6:45 LRN Sportscast January 25

A short-handed Pelicans team battled with Oklahoma City last nigth but lost to the Thunder 122 to 116. New Orleans was without Anthony Davis for a third straight game, because of finger injury. Nikola Mirotoic also did not play and is out at least one week with a calf strain. Starting guard E-Twaun Moore also sat out last night’s game with nagging injuries. Jrue Holiday had 22 points last night as the Pels have lost four of their last five.

Retiring Saints tight end Ben Watson has posted a message on Twitter for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Watson says it’s unbecoming and detrimental to the game and also disrespectful to remain silent about the infamous missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. He urges Goodell to lead by example.

Other NFL news….Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had surgery on his troubled throwing shoulder. There’s no timetable on when he’ll start throwing the football again.

Louisiana Tech has hired a new defensive coordinator. Former UCONN head coach Bob Diaco will join Skip Holtz’ staff with more than 20 years of coaching experience. He’s also been a defensive coordinator at Nebraska, Notre Dame, Cincinnati and Central Michigan. He was a defensive analyst at Oklahoma last season.

Louisiana Tech basketball remained undefeated at home last nigth with an 89-80 overtime win over Conference USA leader Marshall. DaQuan Bracey’s driving lay up with five seconds left sent the game into O-T and Bracey tied a career-high with 25 points.

The Ragin Cajuns won a nail biter over South Alabama 88-84. JaKeenan Gant had 28 points and eight rebounds. UL-Lafayette is 3-and-3 in the Sun Belt. ULM is 4-and-2 after a 75-69 win over Troy. Travis Munnings and Michael Ertel each had 16 points.

LSU is ranked number one in the USA Today college baseball preseason poll. It’s the third poll that has the Tigers ranked number one. The Bayou Bengals begin preseason workouts today and opening day is February 15th.