NEU » the week.STAT OF THE NIGHTGeorge Wa

Dear Leslie,The old adage is that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, so with that in mind, allow me to discuss the very first time I saw you.See, youve got a lot new fans, Leslie -- and deservedly so. They know about Saturday Night Live Leslie. They know about Twitter Leslie, who narrates sports events in such an entertaining and dramatic way that its as if the fate of humanity rests on every outcome. And they know about Ghostbusters Leslie, who as a member of a talented all-female leading cast brought new life to a classic, in a manner that most of us never imagined.But the first time I saw you was years ago on HBOs Def Comedy Jam. Im too old and senile to remember the exact year, but you made a joke about cheating boyfriends -- the one about Charles and the beef stew -- that was so funny to me and my best friend from college that we still quote it constantly to this day.I knew then that you had it. It just took the rest of the world a little time to figure it out. And you know better than anyone that many of us arent exactly the brightest bulbs in the lamp.My mother often tells me that everything has a season. And if you grew up in a Baptist church like I did, you often heard the church elders say that what God has in store for you, no one else can take away. You are a walking testimony in that regard.The reason you are so widely and universally appreciated is because people are drawn to authenticity and fearlessness. There are far too many women -- especially women of color -- who spend the bulk of their lives apologizing for who they are, or going through the tiresome exercise of trying to make others comfortable. And too many women have to apologize for their success in ways men do not.Youve also taught us to be resilient and reminded us that there is victory in outlasting petty, angry people who, in these times, have their negativity legitimized and trumpeted far too often.Anyway, some might see your ascension as long overdue. Theres certainly some truth to that. But I believe you arrived right on time, if only to give me bragging rights about knowing you were destined for this.Sincerely,Jemele HillMore on Leslie Jones? Leslie Jones brings her amazing commentary USWNTs last match of 2016?Story ?? Jones amazing twitter feed may have earned her a trip to Rio?Story ?? What it takes to be a Ghostbusters stuntwoman?Story ?The IMPACT25 is espnWs annual list of the 25 athletes and influencers who have made the greatest difference for women in sports. Explore the 2016 list and more content at espnW.com/IMPACT25. Cheap Ultra Boost Mens .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Cheap Ultra Boost Womens . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. http://www.wholesaleultraboost.com/ . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Ultra Boost Clearance Sale .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. Cheap Adidas Ultra Boost . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. WASHINGTON -- Penn States youth movement is starting to pay dividends.Redshirt freshman Mike Watkins scored a career-high 20 points and added eight rebounds and four blocks to lead the Nittany Lions to a 74-68 victory at George Washington on Saturday.Fellow freshman Lamar Stevens had 18 points for Penn State (4-3), which erased a nine-point halftime deficit. Freshman Tony Carr had 12 points.Were a little bit on the roller-coaster ride, but I felt like they were prepared and ready to play tonight, Penn State coach Pat Chambers said. I havent been real happy with the way theyve been playing, but their focus was different and their approach was different and we really saw that in the second half.George Washington committed 15 turnovers, leading to 14 Penn State points. It also struggled from the perimeter, shooting 5 of 24 on its 3-point attempts.The Colonials (3-3) played without junior guard Yuta Watanabe, who sat out with a lower leg injury suffered in practice. Watanabes 13.4 points per game rank second on the team.I dont think its anything long-term, hopefully, but we cant use that as an excuse and use that as a crutch, George Washington interim coach Maurice Joseph said.Senior forward Tyler Cavanaugh had 15 points, all in the second half, for George Washington. Cavanaugh, who averages 18.8 points, picked up two fouls and was limited to eight minutes in the first half.The Nittany Lions have won two in a row since dropping back-to-back games to Duke and Cincinnati in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic. Penn State shot 50 percent in the second half while outrebounding the Colonials 21-16 after the break.dddddddddddde picked it up the last 20 minutes, which was great to see, Chambers said. We saw glimpses of who we can be.BIG PICTUREPenn State: The Nittany Lions climbed above .500 with a victory in their first true road game of the season while avenging a 76-66 loss at George Washington last season.George Washington: After a promising start, the Colonials have dropped three in a row after falling to Georgia and UAB in the CBE Classic earlier in the week.STAT OF THE NIGHTGeorge Washingtons 27-game nonconference home winning streak ended with the loss. The Colonials previous nonleague setback at Smith Center was a 65-62 loss to Kansas State on Dec. 8, 2012.TURNING POINTPenn State opened the second half on a 15-2 run, taking the lead for good on junior Payton Banks 3-pointer with 15:52 to play.INJURIESPenn State sophomore Davis Zemgulis suffered a sprained ankle late in the first half and did not return. Thats going to hurt us because hes been giving us really quality minutes, Chambers said. He made another 3 tonight and its just a matter of time for him to break out. Zemgulis has played in every game this season.UP NEXTPenn State plays host to Georgia Tech on Tuesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Nittany Lions have won games in the event the last two years.George Washington looks for its first victory away from home this season when it visits Harvard on Tuesday. ' ' '