England crushes US in WXV rugby as Moloney-MacDonald runs in 4 tries

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — World champion England defeated the United States 55-12 and winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored four of their nine tries in WXV women's rugby on Friday.

Historic beatings from Canada this month jeopardized England’s nearly six-year run as the No. 1 ranked side if it suffered a third straight defeat.

The U.S. brought confidence from five successive wins against South Africa, Ireland, Wales and Italy (twice) for its best run in 20 years.

But the Eagles' threat passed just after halftime when Moloney-MacDonald claimed her hat trick from a third straight miss-out pass by flyhalf Holly Aitchison. Moloney-MacDonald strolled in untouched again for her fourth minutes later after a superb pass from captain Meg Jones.

At that point the Red Roses had quickly turned a 17-7 halftime lead into 27-7.

England blew out the score in the last quarter as the U.S. defense tired. Tries to winger Mia Venner, hooker Bryony Field, No. 8 Maddie Feaunati and flanker Sadia Kabeya were all converted by Emma Sing or Zoe Harrison.

“When we got into our game we started keeping the ball, being patient and everyone was a threat at the line,” Jones said. “We became unstoppable.”

See AP’s full rugby coverage here

England's Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, front right, scores a try against United States' Bulou Mataitoga, front left, during the second half of an international women's rugby match during the WXV Global Series, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

United States' Nina Mason, left, and Bella Vogel, right, tackle England's Holly Aitchison, center, during the second half of an international women's rugby match during the WXV Global Series, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

United States' Georgie Perris-Redding, left, tackles England's Maud Muir, right, during the second half of an international women's rugby match during the WXV Global Series, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

England's Claudia Moloney-MacDonald reacts after scoring a try during the second half of an international women's rugby match against the United States during the WXV Global Series, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — LaMelo Ball had a season-high 24 points and Jaden McDaniels scored 23 as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Clippers 127-101 on Friday night in NBA Cup group play for their first win without star Anthony Edwards.

Bones Hyland added 19 points and eight assists off the bench for the Timberwolves (4-2), who offered a glimpse of how they can still thrive while Edwards recovers from arthroscopic knee surgery.

After a 127-125 overtime loss at Cleveland on Monday, a fresh exam for Edwards indicated the need for the procedure after the wear-and-tear injury limited him to a career-low 61 regular-season games in 2025-26. The Timberwolves were out of sorts for most of a 119-114 loss to Golden State on Wednesday, before regrouping behind their new star Ball and the two-way excellence of McDaniels.

Ball made three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves used a 20-2 surge to run away with the game. Each of their four victories have come by more than 20 points. McDaniels finished 11 for 15 from the floor, with seven assists and six rebounds.

Backup guard Jaylen Clark relieved McDaniels from some of the defensive duty on Darius Garland and helped force five turnovers by the Clippers star. Clark had five points, two steals and a plus-23 rating in 17 minutes.

Garland scored 24 points on 10-for-22 shooting and Book Lopez added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Clippers (1-4), who lost their fourth consecutive game. They've played so far without newcomers Brandon Ingram and Max Strus due to foot injuries.

Clippers rookie Keaton Wagler had 12 points on 2-for-11 shooting and was minus-24. Rui Hachimura returned to the starting lineup from a one-game absence (quadriceps) with 12 points in 26 minutes.

Clippers: At the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

Timberwolves: At the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) loses control of the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball, center, defends during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball dribbles downcourt during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball (1) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers forward Isaiah Jackson, right, during the first half of an NBA Cup basketball game, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball (1) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA Cup basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)