MIAMI -- A woman performing the national anthem before an NBA preseason game in Miami did so while kneeling at midcourt.Denasia Lawrence opened her jacket just before she started to sing, revealing a Black Lives Matter shirt, then dropped to her left knee and performed the song. She said it was her way of protesting racial oppression.Were being unjustly killed and overly criminalized, Lawrence wrote early Saturday in a Facebook post. I took the opportunity to sing and kneel to show that we belong in this country and that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us.Miami Heat officials said they had no advance knowledge of Lawrences plan to protest. Lawrence, a social worker, kept the shirt hidden until her performance.I didnt get paid to sing the national anthem nor was this moment about any sort of fame, Lawrence wrote. Black Lives Matter is far larger than a hashtag, its a rallying cry.The anthem issue has been a major topic in the sports world in recent months, starting with the decision by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to not stand while it is played. Kaepernick cited racial injustice and police brutality among the reasons for his protest, and athletes from many sports -- and many levels, from youth all the way to professional -- have followed his lead in various ways.Heat players and coaches stood side by side for the anthem before their game with Philadelphia, all with their arms linked as has been their custom during the preseason. The team plans to continue standing that way for the anthem this season as a show of unity.Throughout all of this, I think the most important thing that has come out is the very poignant, thoughtful dialogue, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Weve had great dialogue within our walls here and hopefully this will lead to action.The NBA has a rule calling for players and coaches to stand during the anthem.All I can say is what weve seen in multiple preseason games so far is our players standing for the national anthem, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday in New York. It would be my hope that they would continue to stand for the national anthem. I think that is the appropriate thing to do.Heat guard Wayne Ellington often speaks about the need to curb gun violence, after his father was shot and killed two years ago. He had his eyes closed for most of the anthem Friday, as per his own custom, though he was aware of Lawrences actions.At the end of the day, to each his own, Ellington said. If she feels like thats the way she wants to stand for it, then more power to her.Making a statement in the manner that Lawrence did Friday is rare, but not unheard of in recent weeks.When the Sacramento Kings played their first home preseason game earlier this month, anthem singer Leah Tysse dropped to one knee as she finished singing the song.Tysse is white. Lawrence is black.I love and honor my country as deeply as anyone yet it is my responsibility as an American to speak up against injustice as it affects my fellow Americans, Tysse wrote on Facebook. I have sung the anthem before but this time taking a knee felt like the most patriotic thing I could do. I cannot idly stand by as black people are unlawfully profiled, harassed and killed by our law enforcement over and over and without a drop of accountability.swell Bouteille Isotherme . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Bouteille SWell Marbre . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. http://www.swellbouteille.fr/ . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Bouteille S well Bois . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. swell Bouteille dEau . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City.ATHENS, Ga. -- For about two minutes, Kirby Smarts first home game as Georgias coach couldnt have gone better.It was great at the beginning of the game, Smart, the former Georgia safety and assistant coach, said of his first game at Sanford Stadium as coach. It was great the first drive.After that, it was one big, ugly scare for Smart and his No. 9 Bulldogs.Georgia scored two quick-strike touchdowns -- one on offense, one on defense -- in a span of about two minutes after Nicholls took a third-quarter lead, and the Bulldogs escaped with an uninspiring 26-24 win over the Colonels on Saturday.This was designed to be the start of the Jacob Eason era in his first start at quarterback. The freshman completed his first two passes for 48 yards on the opening drive. Nick Chubb, coming off a huge game in last weeks impressive win over North Carolina, capped the drive with a 6-yard scoring run.Georgia (2-0) appeared headed for the easy win over the FCS Colonels that was widely expected. The ease with which Georgia scored possibly convinced Smarts players they could relax.That was the opening Nicholls, a FCS team from the Southland Conference, would need. The Colonels (0-1) played an inspired game on defense and generated just enough offense behind freshman quarterback Chase Fourcade to lead midway through the third quarter.The visitors outscored the Bulldogs 10-0 in the final quarter.Overall this was a good first game for us to take into next week, Fourcade said.Smart called the sloppy win disappointing.We had a lot of guys today who didnt play the way they are capable, and Ive got to figure out why that is, Smart said.Nicholls led 14-13 midway through the third after Fourcade, a surprise starter, threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jarrell Rogers.Eason threw a 66-yard scoring pass to Isaiah McKenzie less than a minute later. The Bulldogs rally continued on Lorenzo Carters 24-yard fumble return for a score.A fumbled punt return by McKenzie inside the Georgia 10 set up a late Nicholls touchdown on Fourcades 6-yard pass to C.J. Bates, cutting the Bulldogs lead to 2 points.Georgia relied on Chubb to run out the clock.If we get a stop, who knows what couldve happened? asked Nicholls coach Tim Rebowe. Im proud of ourr guys.dddddddddddd ... We found out some things today about our team.Chubb had only 17 yards rushing in the first half and lost a fumble that set up Dontrell Taylors 4-yard touchdown run late in the half.POLL IMPLICATIONSGeorgia could be headed for a sharp fall in the Top 25. Its possible the Bulldogs received too much credit from voters when they jumped nine spots from No. 18 following the win over North Carolina. Georgias offensive line couldnt dominate Nicholls defensive front, so voters have reason to wonder how the unit will fare against Southeastern Conference defenses.KEY NUMBERSNICHOLLS: Fourcade completed 9 of 19 passes for 99 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Converted defensive back C.J. Okpalobi had 55 yards rushing on 21 carries.GEORGIA: Eason completed 11 of 20 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Chubb ran for 80 yards. Sony Michel, making his season debut, had two catches for five yards and three yards rushing on three carries. Freshman Brian Herrien had 47 yards rushing.THE TAKEAWAYNicholls: The Colonels hardly appeared awed by the step up in competition. They showed impressive push on their defensive front, hitting Chubb and McKenzie for losses. It was an encouraging start by Fourcade and the defense, though questions remain about the running game.Georgia: Being held to 373 yards by a FCS team was a sobering reality check. There is reason to be alarmed about an offense which failed to score off three first-half opportunities: two interceptions and a drive that started at the Nicholls 37 following a short punt. Smart said Georgia lacks a massive offensive line that can push opponents around, and that could be a warning for SEC struggles to come. The Bulldogs must get more out their passing game with Eason to take pressure off Chubb and the line.UP NEXTNicholls: The Colonels will play their home opener against Southland Conference rival Incarnate Word.Georgia: The Bulldogs begin a string of eight straight Southeastern Conference games when they visit Missouri.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '