Wizards stun Heat…Thunder outscore Nets

UNDATED (AP) — The Miami Heat had to figure their winning streak would come to an end one of these days. They couldn’t have expected it to be stopped in Washington.

The Wizards won for only the second time in 15 games, overcoming LeBron James’ triple-double in a 105-101 win over the Heat, halting Miami’s six-game winning streak. Jordan Crawford led the victory with 22 points, including three free throws over the final 11 seconds. Kevin Seraphin grabbed 10 rebounds and added 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting for the Wizards, who’ve actually won their last three meetings with the Heat.

James finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists but missed a pair of three-point tries over the last 18 seconds. Dwyane (dwayn) Wade added 24 points for the Heat, who erased a 12-point deficit before falling to 12-4.

Brooklyn was beaten by a division leader for the second straight game as Kevin Durant scored 32 points and Russell Westbrook added 25 in Oklahoma City’s 117-111 win over the Nets. Serge Ibaka added 18 points and Thabo Sefolosha chipped in 14 as the Thunder won their sixth in a row and surpassed the 100-point mark for the 10th straight time.

The NBA schedule includes Minnesota’s 105-88 win at Philadelphia behind John Howard’s 16 points and 10 rebounds. Alexey Shved hit four 3-pointers and scored 17 for the Timberwolves, who raced to a 23-point lead in the first half.

Houston erased a 13-point deficit over the final 10 minutes of a 107-105 comeback win against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tony Douglas had a season-high 22 points and Greg Smith added a career-best 21 to help the Rockets withstand Kobe Bryant’s 39 points.

Indiana was an 80-76 winner at Chicago as Paul George finished with 34 points and nine rebounds. Roy Hibbert added 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who closed a four-game trip with three victories.

Zach Randolph established season highs with 38 points and 22 rebounds as Memphis downed Phoenix 108-98 in overtime. Randolph was 15 of 22 from the field and dominated in the latter stages of the fourth quarter and early minutes of overtime.

Auburn, Arkansas hire coaches

UNDATED (AP) — A pair of struggling SEC football programs have found new head coaches.

Auburn has hired Gus Malzahn, who was the offensive coordinator during the Tigers’ 2010 national championship run, but spent last season at Arkansas State in his first college head coaching position. His Red Wolves went 9-3.

Auburn was looking for a coach to revive a program that made an unprecedented fall two years after winning a national title with Cam Newton operating Malzahn’s high-powered offense to perfection. Auburn fired Gene Chizik a day after the Tigers completed a 3-9 season.

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema has agreed to become the new coach at Arkansas, taking over a program that stumbled from scandal into an awful season that had begun with hopes of challenging for a national championship.

Bielema has agreed to a deal between 5-7 years with the Razorbacks, according to a person familiar with the situation, which was first reported by Yahoo Sports. The 42-year-old coach went 68-24 in seven seasons with the Badgers.

Arkansas was 21-5 in 2010 and ’11 but went 4-8 this season under John L. Smith. He replaced Bobby Petrino (peh-TREE’-noh) earlier this year after a scandal in which Petrino hired his mistress to work in the school’s football department.

In other college football news, Boston College has hired Steve Addazio away from Temple to be the Eagles’ next football coach. The Connecticut native went 13-11 in two seasons with the Owls, including 4-7 last season. Addazio replaces Frank Spaziani, who was fired after four seasons and a 22-29 record at BC.

And Tulsa has fired its athletic director a week after he was named in a federal investigation into an alleged bookie in Oklahoma City. University president, Steadman Upham, released a statement Tuesday night saying he has terminated Ross Parmley, effective immediately.

Bosox get Victorino…Nats eyeing Haren

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have a new center fielder, and the Washington Nationals are close to adding another piece to their starting rotation.

Free-agent Shane Victorino and the Red Sox have worked out a three-year deal worth $39 million. Victorino stole a career-high 39 stolen bases last season but hit only .255 with 11 homers and 55 RBIs in time spent with the Phillies and Dodgers.

A person familiar with the talks tells The Associated Press that free agent pitcher Dan Haren and the Washington Nationals are close to completing a one-year deal for $13 million. Haren was 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA in 30 starts for the Los Angeles Angels this year after winning a career-high 16 games in 2011.

The NL East champions already have a formidable rotation led by Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.

The North Platte Lady Knights got back over the .500 mark with an 88-52 rout of the Colorado Christian University JV last night at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. A 15-0 run early in the first half gave the Lady Knights a lead they would never relinquish. Da’Vontaye Merritt led four North Platte players in double-figures with 24 points. Courtney Widick added 18 points and Paige Hasty contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Lady Knights are 6-5 on the season. They’re at Southeast Community College on Saturday.

 

The 25th-ranked Husker women’s basketball team makes the short trip east on I-80 to take on Creighton tonight at D.J. Sokol Arena. The 6-2 Huskers are coming off a 60-51 win over Idaho State on Saturday. Tonight’s game is their third straight game against a team that won their conference championship last season. The Bluejays, the reigining champs of the Missouri Valley Conference, are 3-2 on the season. Both losses have come at home to ranked teams. Tip-off in Omaha is scheduled for 7:05.

After visiting Lincoln and taking in Nebraska’s win over USC on Monday night, top recruit Tai Webster didn’t wait long to become the third and final member of Tim Miles’ recruiting class of 2013. The Husker men’s basketball team made Webster’s singing official yesterday. Webster is a 6’3” point guard from Auckland, New Zealand who is a four-star recruit and a top 30 player at his position according to ESPN’s recruiting rankings. He averaged 13.5 points per game for the New Zealand National Team at this year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard sat out practice Tuesday to nurse a sprained ankle suffered in Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay. In his fifth year in the NFL, Woodyard has established himself as a starter for the Broncos. He has tallied 100 tackles, four sacks, and three interceptions. Broncos head coach John Fox says he does not expect Woodyard to miss much, if any, time with the injury. Returning to practice Tuesday was defensive end Robert Ayers. He missed Sunday’s game after the death of his father.

The Denver Nuggets embark on their longest road trip of the season tonight. Their five-game trip opens in Atlanta against the Hawks. The Nuggets, 9-9 on the campaign, are just 4-8 on the road this season, including losses in Utah, Golden State and Los Angeles last week. The Hawks haven’t played in four days. They’re off to a 9-5 start, though a loss to Cleveland in their last game snapped a six-game winning streak. Tip-off at Phillips Arena is scheduled for 7 PM.

Baseball brass keeping busy in Music City

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Baseball’s winter meetings are in full swing in Nashville.

We learned yesterday that Yankees star Alex Rodriguez needs hip surgery and could be out of action until midseason. This will be A-Rod’s sixth trip to the disabled list in six seasons.

We also got word that free-agent center fielder Angels Pagan was staying with the Giants. The 31-year-old batted .288 with eight home runs, 56 RBIs and a team-high 15 triples in his first season with San Francisco.

A person familiar with the negotiations says free agent James Loney and the Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a one-year contract.

Free-agent Mike Napoli and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

Veteran pitcher Jason Marquis is staying with the San Diego Padres after working out a one-year deal.

McIlroy recognized for 2012 performance

LA QUINTA, Calif. (AP) — Rory McIlroy has been voted PGA Tour player of the year by his fellow competitors. The 23-year-old from Northern Ireland won four times on the U.S tour this year, including the PGA Championship for his second major title.

McIlroy also won the PGA Tour money title and the Vardon Trophy for the lowest scoring average.

John Huh is the rookie of the year. He won an opposite-field event in Mexico and was the only rookie to reach the Tour Championship.

Wizards facing tough task

UNDATED (AP) — Tonight’s six-game NBA schedule involves a worst-versus-first matchup in Washington, where the 1-13 Wizards await the 12-3 Heat. Miami is tied with Western Conference leader Memphis for best record in the league. Washington started the season with 12 straight losses and has three fewer wins than the second-worst teams in the league.

The Grizzlies will be trying to bounce back from a rare loss when they entertain a road-weary Phoenix club that’s lost three in a row.

Two early season contenders will be sharing the court in Brooklyn. The Nets are 11-5 and a game behind city-rival New York in the Atlantic Division race. Visiting Oklahoma City has won five straight to get to 14-4. The Thunder holds a five-game lead in the Northwest Division race.

Also this evening, Central leader Chicago hosts Indiana, Philadelphia is home to Minnesota and Houston is home to the L.A. Lakers. Los Angeles is 3-3 under new coach Mike D’Antoni and 8-9 overall.

Wolverines looking to maintain early season momentum

UNDATED (AP) — Michigan is the highest-ranked college basketball team on tonight’s schedule. The third-ranked Wolverines will be looking to get to 8-0 for the first time in 16 seasons when they host a Western Michigan team that’s run off six straight wins after losing its season opener.

After narrowly avoiding an upset at the hands of Illinois State on Saturday, fifth-ranked Louisville returns to the court tonight at upset-minded Charleston.

Arizona is the only other top 10 team in action. The eighth-ranked Wildcats host Southern Mississippi.

Redskins edge Giants

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The NFL’s No. 2 draft pick has led the Redskins into the thick of a race for the NFC East title.

Robert Griffin III accounted for 235 yards as Washington held off the visiting Giants 17-16, slicing New York’s division lead to one game over the Skins and Dallas Cowboys. It’s Washington’s third straight victory over a division rival.

With the Giants leading 16-10 early in the fourth quarter, RG III hooked up with Pierre Garcon for an eight-yard TD pass that proved to be the winning score.

Griffin picked up 72 yards on the ground while breaking Cam Newton’s NFL rushing record for a rookie quarterback.

The Redskins’ third straight win gets them to 6-6. The Giants fall to 7-5 with their third loss in four games.

Kaepernick still No. 1

UNDATED (AP) — San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh says that Colin Kaepernick will remain the team’s starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Miami despite an overtime loss to the Rams on Sunday.

Harbaugh took the blame for a misfired pitch by Kaepernick that led to a St. Louis touchdown. The coach indicated that former starter Alex Smith is not out of the mix to be the starting quarterback again.

In other NFL news, Eagles coach Andy Reid said Nick Foles will remain the starter for the rest of the season, even when Michael Vick returns from a concussion. The Eagles have lost eight straight games, a strong factor in Reid’s decision.

A day after benching Mark Sanchez in favor of third-stringer Greg McElroy in an ugly 7-6 win over Arizona, Jets coach Rex Ryan is undecided on his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville. Ryan says he wants to consult with his coaching staff and expects to decide who’ll start against the Jaguars by the time the team practices Wednesday.

Oakland coach Dennis Allen left the team after Sunday’s 20-17 loss to Cleveland to fly to the Dallas area to be with his father, who has a serious medical issue. Allen is expected to rejoin the team on Wednesday night and be on the field Thursday when the 3-9 Raiders host the 9-3 Broncos.

Manziel, Klein, Te’o among Heisman finalists

NEW YORK (AP) — The Heisman Trophy finalists have been announced, and the trio consists of two quarterbacks and a linebacker from the nation’s top-ranked team.

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and Kansas quarterback Collin Klein will be on hand when the trophy is presented in New York on Saturday.

Manziel is the favorite to win college football’s most prestigious award when it is presented Saturday night in New York. He would be the first freshman to win the Heisman and the first Texas A&M player since halfback John David Crow won the school’s only Heisman in 1957.

Te’o is trying to become the first defense-only player to win a Heisman and the eighth player from Notre Dame.

Klein would be the first player from Kansas State to win the Heisman. On Monday, he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback.

Te’o has come away with two trophies on Monday, taking the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, and the Bronko Nagurski Award as the country’s top defensive player.

Clippers outlast Jazz

UNDATED (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers are 11-6 following their third straight victory.

Blake Griffin scored 30 points and the Clippers handed Utah its first home loss of the season by downing the Jazz 105-104. Jamal Crawford came off the bench to add 20 points off the bench, including a pair of free throws that put L.A. ahead 105-101 in the waning moments. Chris Paul delivered six of his 14 points in the fourth quarter after the Clippers entered the period down by 10.

Mo Williams led the Jazz with 20 points and 12 assists against his former team.

In other NBA action, Brandon Knight scored 17 points and Detroit picked up its fifth straight home win by downing Cleveland 89-79. Kyle Singler and Tayshaun Prince each had 15 points for the Pistons, who are 5-3 at home but 1-10 away from The Palace at Auburn Hills.

Luke Babbitt hit a pair of clutch three-pointers while Portland erased an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter of a 118-112 overtime win at Charlotte. LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points and 13 rebounds to help the Trail Blazers overcome Ben Gordon’s franchise-record eight three-pointers.

Glen Davis and Arron Afflalo each had 24 points and J.J. Redick added 22 in Orlando’s 102-94 win at Golden State. Nikola Vucevic furnished 14 points and 15 rebounds as the Magic won in California for the second time in as many nights.

Ryan Anderson’s 22 points and seven rebounds led New Orleans to a 102-81 rout of Milwaukee. Robin Lopez had 21 points, including 11 straight during a 13-0 run that put the Hornets ahead to stay.

The Husker men’s basketball team improved their record to 6-1 with a 63-51 victory over USC at the Devaney Center last night. Ray Gallegos led the Huskers with 20 points, including six three-pointers, tying career highs in both departments. His hot shooting helped the Huskers to a late first-half run that gave them a 33-25 lead at the intermission. Nebraska would lead by as many as 20 in the second half and coasted to the victory, their second in a row against a major-conference opponent. Gallegos was joined in double figures by Dylan Talley, who scored 14 points. Brandon Ubel scored nine points and led the team with seven rebounds, and reigning Big Ten Player of the Week Andre Almeida added eight points. Next up for the Big Red is a visit from sixteenth-ranked Creighton, who comes to Lincoln on Thursday night.