Syracuse’s ‘Pearl’ Washington dies at 52

There was a gleam that shone through the sorrowful tears in Jim Boeheim’s eyes as he recalled the first time he saw Pearl Washington play.

“People were standing there for hours” before the game, Boeheim said Wednesday, his voice barely audible at times as he contemplated the career of his most important player.

Neither mattered — he simply excited fans with his remarkable ball-handling skills, an uncanny court sense, elusiveness, and the ability to make an amazing play at the most opportune time.

Mr. Washington was the 13th pick in the NBA draft and went to the New Jersey Nets.

The No. 13 Stanford women’s tennis team topped No. 19 USC 4-2 in Ojai (Ventura County) to claim the program’s 25th conference title and earn a berth in the NCAA championships.

National champion Villanova has received a $22.6 million donation to renovate its arena.

Bill Finneran, a 1963 alum who co-founded the EXOP Capital hedge-fund firm, made the largest athletic gift in Villanova history to give the Pavilion a face-lift.

Barcelona demolished host Deportivo La Coruna 8-0 to end a four-game winless streak and keep its lead in the Spanish league.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Champions League qualification improved with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.