Husker senior volleyball standout Gina Mancuso added to her long list of honors with two more awards yesterday. Mancuso was named a first-team Academic All-American, her first such honor. She was named an Academic All-Conference performer for three straight years in her career. Mancuso was also chosen as the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award winner for NCAA Division I volleyball. The award is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in the country at each level of each sport. Mancuso is the second Husker to take home a Senior CLASS Award. Kelsey Griffin was the women’s basketball honoree in 2010.

“It is an honor to be named the winner of the Senior CLASS Award,” Mancuso said. “It is a blessing and is a reflection of all the people who have had an influence on my life and have supported me along the way, including my family, friends, coaches, teammates and teachers. I would also like to thank all the fans around the country who showed their support by voting for me.”

“Gina is not only an outstanding volleyball player, but a great person. She understands that there is more to life than volleyball,” Nebraska head coach John Cook said. “She is a standout student and has spent numerous hours giving back to the community. She has led our volleyball team this year and is deserving of this prestigious award.”

Eagles to host Bengals

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals look to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Philadelphia Eagles look to add some respectability to their season with a second straight win.

The Bengals enter tonight’s game with the Eagles in Philadelphia with a record of 7-6. They and the Pittsburgh Steelers start the new week of play two games back of the Ravens in the AFC North. Baltimore is home to Denver this Sunday while the Steelers are at Dallas.

The Eagles, who beat the Bucs last Sunday, are just 4-9 and in last place in the NFC East. All four of the wins have come by two points or less.

The last time these clubs met was four years ago and the result was a 13-13 tie.

Kobe hits the Garden tonight

UNDATED (AP) — After a busy night of play last night, there are just three games in the NBA this evening.

One of the all-time rivalries in the league resumes tonight as the Lakers invade Madison Square Garden for a game with the Knicks. The game also marks the return of Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni to New York since his resignation as Knicks coach last March.

The Lakers enter the game riding a three-game losing streak while the Knicks are fresh of a win Tuesday in Brooklyn over the Nets.

By the way you can look for a big night from Kobe Bryant as he has averaged 34.6 points a game at the Garden since the beginning of the 1999-2000 season. That’s his best on any opponent’s floor.

In Atlanta, the Hawks are playing host this evening to the Bobcats. After a slow start, with wins in just 3 of their first seven games, the Hawks have rattled off wins in 10 of their last 12 outings. The Bobcats on the other hand have lost their last nine games along with the first two games against the Hawks this season.

The final game of the evening is being played in Portland where the Blazers entertain the Spurs. San Antonio comes in with wins in 18 of their 23 games this season. They had a five-game winning streak snapped by the Jazz last night. The Blazers are in last place in the Northwest Division with a record of 9-12. They’ve dropped 6 of their last 8.

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How the West was won

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA’s hottest teams are in the Western Conference after Oklahoma City, Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers won again last night.

The Thunder made it nine straight wins as Kevin Durant scored 35 points and Oklahoma City rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to beat New Orleans 92-88. Kevin Martin added 17 points for the Thunder, who matched their longest winning streak since the team moved from Seattle.

The Warriors are 5-0 on their seven-game road trip and have won eight of nine overall after Draymond Green hit a layup with 0.9 seconds left to push Golden State past the Miami Heat 97-95. Klay Thompson tied a season high with 27 points, and David Lee added 22 and 13 rebounds.

Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and Matt Barnes each had 19 points for the Los Angeles Clippers in a 100-94 triumph at Charlotte. The Clippers have won eight straight for the first time since 1991-92.

San Antonio had a chance to pick up its sixth straight win and improve to a league-best 19-4, but Mo Williams drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Utah a 99-96 win over the Spurs. Paul Millsap had a team-high 24 points for the Jazz, and Al Jefferson added 21 to help the Jazz withstand 22 points apiece by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

In other NBA action, Goran Dragic made a short hook shot from the left baseline with 0.5 seconds remaining as Phoenix beat Memphis 82-80 to snap a seven-game losing streak. The Grizzlies have back-to-back losses for the first time this season.

Atlanta beat Orlando for the eighth straight time as Josh Smith and Jeff Teague each scored 16 points to lead the Hawks past the Magic 86-80. Al Horford had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who led by as many as 19 in the third quarter.

Joe Johnson scored 23 points and New Jersey ended a five-game skid by downing the Raptors 94-88 in Toronto. Andray Blatche (AHN’-dray blach) had 14 points and nine rebounds in the Nets’ first win this month.

Chicago picked up its fourth straight road victory as Joakim Noah scored 21 points in a 96-89 verdict over Philadelphia. Luol Deng added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls, who played without Kirk Hinrich because a left knee injury suffered Tuesday against the Clippers.

Indiana erased a 16-point deficit and beat Cleveland 96-81 behind Paul George’s 27 points. David West had 18 points and nine rebounds to help the Pacers halt a two-game slide.

Paul Pierce poured in 34 points and Boston needed double overtime to beat Dallas 117-115. Pierce opened the second overtime with a three-pointer and added five free throws to help the Celtics clinch their second straight win.

James Harden returned to Houston’s lineup and contributed 31 points in a 99-93 victory against Washington. Chandler Parsons had 18 points, including eight straight for the Rockets in the final three minutes.

Milwaukee was a 98-85 winner over Sacramento as Brandon Jennings scored 19 points and Monta Ellis added 17 and 11 assists. Ersan Ilyasova added 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for the 11-9 Bucks, who are off to their best 20-game start in seven years.

RG III hopeful…Kolb done for the season

UNDATED (AP) — Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III says he feels the chances are “really good” that he’ll be able to play against the Cleveland Browns.

The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft practiced on his sprained right knee Wednesday as the Redskins returned to the field to prepare for Sunday’s game.

Griffin favored his right leg slightly during the portion of practice open to reporters. He was officially listed as limited on the practice report.

In other pro football news:

— Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has moved forward with his defamation claims against Commissioner Roger Goodell, one day after his suspension in the NFL’s bounty probe was overturned by former commissioner Paul Taliabue. Saints quarterback Drew Brees (breez) spoke out against the bounty probe on Wednesday, saying he’d like to see a level of accountability on the part of the NFL and Commissioner Goodell in regards to mishandling of this entire situation.

— The Arizona Cardinals have placed Kevin Kolb on injured reserve, ending the season for the only quarterback who was able to lead the team to victory this year. The Cards have lost nine in a row since alternating between John Skelton and rookie Ryan Lindley.

— Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe says he’s been fined $5,250 by the NFL for wearing a message on his uniform promoting Ray Guy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kluwe wore a note bearing the words “Vote Ray Guy” on top of his jersey patch commemorating the Hall of Fame during Sunday’s game against Chicago.

— The Cowboys have placed Josh Brent on the reserve/non-football illness list. Brown is facing an intoxication manslaughter charge after being involved in a one-car accident that killed close friend and teammate Jerry Brown early Saturday morning.

— The New England Patriots have re-signed Deion Branch for their battered corps of wide receivers. They signed him for the second time this season after Donte’ Stallworth joined Julian Edelman on injured reserve.

— Ahmad Bradshaw didn’t practice with the Giants, but coach Tom Coughlin says he has not ruled the veteran running back out from Sunday’s matchup in Atlanta despite a knee injury suffered in last Sunday’s game.

— Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain returned to practice after serving a two-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. McClain started nine games this season for the Raiders but had not been at the team’s facilities since Nov. 28, when he was kicked out of practice following an argument with coach Dennis Allen.

Harsin fills Red Wolves’ vacancy

UNDATED (AP) — There are new head football coaches at Texas Tech and Arkansas State.

Former Red Raiders quarterback Kliff Kingsbury has returned to Texas Tech after serving as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator. Kingsbury coached Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel this year and was the first in a string of record-setting quarterbacks for the Red Raiders under former coach Mike Leach.

Kingsbury succeeds Tommy Tuberville, who left unexpectedly last week to take the Cincinnati job.

Former Texas co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin has been hired as Arkansas State’s new coach.

The former Boise State offensive coordinator spent the last two seasons with the Longhorns, during which time Texas was 16-9. Harsin says he will begin work immediately at Arkansas State and will not coach the Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl against Oregon State.

Harsin replaces former Red Wolves coach Gus Malzahn, who left after one season to coach at Auburn.

Dodgers get Schumaker from Redbirds

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to add experienced players to their roster.

The Dodgers have acquired utilityman Skip Schumaker from the Cardinals for minor league infielder Jake Lemmerman. The 32-year-old Schumaker hit .288 with 23 home runs and 211 RBIs in 810 games from 2005-12 with the Cardinals, where he had spent his entire career.

The Dodgers’ team payroll for 2013 currently sits at over $214 million. That puts them on track to become only the second major league team with a $200 million payroll and could end the New York Yankees’ streak of 14 years as baseball’s biggest spender.

The Denver Nuggets ended their longest road trip of the season on a losing note, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-105. Denver took a 10 point first-quarter lead but gradually lost steam and trailed by as many as 14 in the fourth. The Nuggets had one final run in them, getting within three points inside the final 30 seconds, but got no closer. Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson each had double-doubles for the Nuggets. Faried had 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Lawson had 17 points and 11 assists. The Nuggets fall to 11-12 in the loss after going 2-3 on their five-game trip. They return home to host the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night.

Former North Platte Bulldog Joel Woodhead was one of eight members of the Peru State football team to be named a Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete. It is the second time that Woodhead has been so recognized. Athletes must maintain a grade point average about 3.5 to be honored. Woodhead’s senior season with the Bobcats was cut short due to an injury. He is majoring in K-12 physical education. The eight Bobcats honored represent the second largest total for any NAIA school in the country.

Four members of the Nebraska volleyball team received All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Senior setter Lauren Cook was the team’s lone first-team All-American. Senior outside hitters Gina Mancuso and Hannah Werth were named to the second team. It’s a repeat honor for both players. Freshman middle blocker Meghan Haggerty was named an honorable mention All-American as well. The four honorees this year bring Nebraska’s all-time total to 74 All-Americans honors for 37 players, the most by any volleyball program.

The Huskers will have to find a new libero for next season after the unexpected departure of two-year starter Lara Dykstra. The sophomore announced that she would be leaving Nebraska earlier this week. A native of Redondo Beach, California, Dykstra told head coach John Cook she wants to play closer to home, and also wishes to play beach volleyball instead of indoor volleyball. She had been one of the top beach volleyball players in the country in high school. The Huskers currently have no libero on scholarship, but will be adding freshman Justine Wong-Orantes at the position in 2013.

Statement from John Cook: “Lara Dykstra informed me this week that she has lost her passion to play indoor volleyball and is moving back to California to be closer to her family and play collegiate beach volleyball. Lara started every match for us over the last two years and did a great job. She will be missed and we wish her the best.”