Darts sensation Luke Littler reaches final at world championship

LONDON (AP) — Teenage star Luke Littler has reached the final at the world darts championship — again.

Still just 17, Littler routed Stephen Bunting 6-1 in Thursday's semifinal to give himself another shot at the title, one year after his unlikely run brought waves of new fans to the sport.

Littler lost the title match a year ago — in his first appearance — as fans tuned in to watch the carefree youngster eliminate opponents more that twice his age.

“Chill out, reset the batteries and go again tomorrow,” Littler said of his plan for Friday night, when he can become the youngest world champion in the sport.

Littler will face three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in the final at London’s Alexandra Palace, the boisterous venue better known as “Ally Pally." The demonstrative Dutchman advanced by defeating Chris Dobey 6-1.

Since losing 7-4 to Luke Humphries in last year's final, Littler has won 10 tournaments around the world including in Bahrain and Amsterdam.

“I’ve gained loads of experience,” he said Thursday. “I know where I went wrong last year, and I’m sure I’ll fix it.

“Win seven sets and I’ll be over the moon," added Littler, who still lives at home with his parents in northwest England.

The 35-year-old Van Gerwen last won the title in 2019. This will be his seventh final.

"I'm here with a mission," he said. "The title is still far away, that is what I have to tell myself. I don’t want to make mistakes, I want to keep battling.”

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Fans dressed in costumes are seen during the semifinal match between Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands and Chris Dobey of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands celebfartes after winning the semifinal match against Chris Dobey of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands celebfartes after winning the semifinal match against Chris Dobey of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Stephen Bunting of England throws his dart during the semifinal match against Luke Littler of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Stephen Bunting of England reacts during the semifinal match against Luke Littler of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Luke Littler of England attends the semifinal match against Stephen Bunting of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Luke Littler of England throws his dart during the semifinal match against Stephen Bunting of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Luke Littler of England throws his dart during the semifinal match against Stephen Bunting of England, at the World Darts Championship in London, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jaden Bradley had 15 points, including two free throws that helped Arizona clinch a 72-67 win over No. 16 Cincinnati on Saturday.

Carter Bryant added 14 points and Caleb Love scored 12 as Arizona (8-5, 2-0 Big 12) won it’s second straight game.

Cincinnati (10-3, 0-2) lost for the second straight game. Dan Skillings Jr. scored 18 points and had two steals.

The Bearcats were down 19 points with just over 17 minutes remaining. They tied it at 64 with 58 seconds left on Skillings' layup. That was as close as they'd get to a comeback win.

Dillon Mitchell added 13 points for the Bearcats.

Arizona averaged about 97 points in its seven wins coming into this game, including three games over 100. It averaged 70 in its five losses. The 72 points are the Wildcats' third-lowest point total of the season.

Cincinnati started the season 6-0, but has dropped three of its last seven games.

Love stole a pass from Jizzle James with under 10 seconds to go in the first half and was fouled by Skillings with less than a second remaining. He made one of two at the free-throw line to give the Wildcats a 39-26 halftime lead.

Cincinnati has committed 39 turnovers in its three losses.

Both teams play Tuesday night: Arizona visits West Virginia and Cincinnati visits No. 25 Baylor.

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Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13) dunks over Cincinnati forward Tyler Betsey (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)