Secures the same totals of points (4)

I believe the answer is:

ties

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'secures' is the definition.
(tying is a kind of securing)

'same totals of points' is the wordplay.
'same totals of' becomes 'ti' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'points' becomes 'es' (E is an example).
'ti'+'es'='TIES'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ties that I've seen before include "Fastens with a knot" , "Links" , "Connects" , "Attaches, knots" , "Drawn games" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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