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Up 16, UCLA holds off Arizona St. 72-70

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Nikola Dragovic tied career highs with six 3-pointers and 23points and UCLA held on after blowing nearly all of a 16-point lead to beatArizona State 72-70 Thursday in the teams’ Pac-10 opener.

The Bruins (6-7) hit a season-high 11 3-pointers in winning for the fourthtime in five games after a five-game losing streak had left them with the worstnon-conference record among league teams.

UCLA's Nikola Dragovic cel… AP – Dec 31, 5:58 pm EST UCLA's Nikola Dragovic, le… AP – Dec 31, 5:55 pm EST Arizona State's Ty Abbott … AP – Dec 31, 5:54 pm EST UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt, le… AP – Dec 31, 5:53 pm EST UCLA's Malcolm Lee, center… AP – Dec 31, 5:52 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 4; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.2a64f8fe83694da5a402ccc12aea6ef4.arizona_st_ucla_basketball_ula103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=302&hc=336&q=70&sig=IcOM7hX7HbFh_3GnEw5rJw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.3b60b84e34f04a578059fab68793acd7.arizona_st_ucla_basketball_ula102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=276&hc=307&q=70&sig=KJx6tDMusuqOOOxOnXpVVg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.a1652b2503594f4fa5d26e47b7247561.arizona_st_ucla_basketball_ula106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=81&yc=1&wc=249&hc=277&q=70&sig=Lsf4LQt0VnNbXHAFWrMvSw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.2cd51d05f3884ee49a94ce70caeee157.arizona_st_ucla_basketball_ula105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=286&hc=318&q=70&sig=0mrI4vkBjtV.DMwQipsghA--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 5 AZSt-UCLA Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Rihards Kuksiks scored 15 points for the Sun Devils (10-4). Ty Abbott andDerek Glasser added 12 points each. Glasser scored seven points in the final1:03.

Malcolm Lee added 16 points, Michael Roll 12, and Reeves Nelson and JerimeAnderson 10 each for the Bruins.

UCLA built its largest lead of 16 points early in the second half beforegetting outscored 28-13. Abbott had eight points and Demetrius Walker seven inthe spurt that left the Sun Devils trailing 60-59.

Bulls end 8-game road skid, beat Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—When the Chicago Bulls won in Washington on Nov. 14,they were hoping they’d get their next road victory before Thanksgiving.

Instead, it took until New Year’s Eve.

“I wasn’t thinking about the streak—I just wanted to get a win,” Bullscoach Vinny Del Negro said. “This was just a nice, solid win for us.”

Derrick Rose(notes) scored 22 points, and Joakim Noah(notes) added 15 points and 21rebounds to help the Bulls end a six-week road drought with a 98-87 victory overDetroit.

Detroit Pistons guard Rodney S… AP – Dec 31, 6:27 pm EST Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Th… AP – Dec 31, 6:20 pm EST Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Ro… AP – Dec 31, 6:13 pm EST Detroit Pistons forward Jonas … AP – Dec 31, 6:08 pm EST Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del … AP – Dec 31, 6:00 pm EST Chicago Bulls center Joakim No… AP – Dec 31, 4:40 pm EST Detroit Pistons center Ben Wal… AP – Dec 31, 4:38 pm EST Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Ro… AP – Dec 31, 4:36 pm EST Chicago Bulls center Joakim No… AP – Dec 31, 4:35 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 8; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.f1233ad49ba949ef9716278080da1311.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=324&hc=360&q=70&sig=mVI5oY3UC.S16tVjJdJrZw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.efb65dc6d8b947358410f4b42c6cd7ac.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=261&hc=290&q=70&sig=_9D_50auvNdjKratm24VzA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.b4cc33959d894073b0df3881b1e88ae0.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=76&yc=1&wc=260&hc=289&q=70&sig=J9cu.9DOxfyRQ1SecKjXTw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.f9c5976ad7d94869b4488338e1e27bec.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=334&hc=371&q=70&sig=9O6oVBsrFO0ko9gi_.1PtQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.0a4e4f578582460f935748c4dfa33e91.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=333&hc=370&q=70&sig=ybkmRiy1zv_r84Y34fHMUw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.d8e3f7806e52424181e1aaedd37912f2.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=324&hc=360&q=70&sig=yaLEqxyzlKGAX5.GkQZh7g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.c5ddc9ce9c414f47a43691a126fd4674.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=287&hc=319&q=70&sig=YluI6GkbaAbPRD0rRzBqyg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.982e8f870859441bb3e58eedff8f48b2.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=292&hc=324&q=70&sig=hQBXMKiCWts6fbsYP.gqCw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 9 Chi-Det Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

“This feels good,” Noah said after Chicago won its third in a row overall.“I think we are just playing better basketball right now for whatever reason.”

Rose finished with a point more than Ben Gordon(notes), who joined Detroit fromChicago this summer.

“Ben’s role is to score the ball, and I’m playing point guard, so no onesaid anything about this being me against him,” Rose said. “I’ll do whateverit takes for us to win, and today that took being aggressive.”

Chicago had lost eight straight on the road, but never trailed while handingDetroit its ninth straight loss. The Pistons (11-21) are 10 games under .500 forthe first time since the 2000-01 season, but coach John Kuester was stillencouraged.

“I saw a number of positive things out there,” he said. “I’m sure peopleare going to hear that and say, ‘You must be kidding,’ but we did some goodthings. We lost Rip (Hamilton), Tayshaun (Prince) and Ben Gordon for extendedperiods of time, and there’s no chance that they were going to come right backin midseason form.”

Tyrus Thomas(notes) added 19 points for Chicago (13-17), and John Salmons(notes) had 17.

Rodney Stuckey(notes) led the Pistons with 22 points despite leaving the game twicein the first half after spraining his left ankle.

“The first time Stuck went down, I was really concerned, because the way hefell, I thought this was going to be another long-term injury for us,” Kuestersaid. “He not only went back in, he hurt it again and he still came back. Noone would have blinked if he had taken the rest of the day off, so he earned ouradmiration.”

Stuckey acknowledged playing through severe pain in the second half.

“It hurt a lot—it always does when you sprain your ankle—and then itjust gave out on me the second time,” he said. “I was going to play though itif I could even walk, though, because we need to get something going. There’s noway this group of players should only be scoring 87 points.”

The Bulls led 44-39 after a sloppy first half that saw the teams combine for22 turnovers.

Detroit got to 46-44 in the third quarter, but Chicago led 69-56 at the endof the period. The Bulls led by 20 as the Palace emptied during the fourthquarter.

NOTES: Charlie Villanueva(notes), who had stopped wearing the mask protecting hisbroken nose, put it back on for the second half, but only wore it for a fewpossessions. … Detroit has not led in the second half of any of its last sixgames. Their only lead in the last two games—at home against the strugglingKnicks and Bulls—was 2-0 against New York. … Thomas had 10 points in thefirst three quarters without making a field goal. He was 0 for 2 from the floorand 10 for 12 from the line.

No. 22 Seminoles rout Alabama A&M 81-34

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)—Deividas Dulkys matched his career high with 19 points,and No. 22 Florida State routed Alabama A&M 81-34 on Thursday.

The Bulldogs’ 34 points were the fewest the Seminoles (12-2, 1-0 ACC) haveallowed in Civic Center history and the fewest overall since beating Memphis35-34 on March 2, 1979.

Alabama A&M (3-5) scored just 10 second-half points, shooting 25.9 percentfor the game and committing 22 turnovers.

Xavier Gibson added a career-high 17 points for Florida State, and MichaelSnaer had 10. Guard Derwin Kitchen had a career-high 10 assists for theSeminoles.

Bo Amusa led Alabama A&M with 14 points.

Bulls hand Pistons ninth straight loss

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—Derrick Rose(notes) scored 22 points, and Joakim Noah(notes) added15 points and 21 rebounds to help the Chicago Bulls hand the Detroit Pistonstheir ninth straight loss, 98-87 on Thursday.

Chicago hadn’t won a road game in six weeks, but never trailed against theslumping Pistons (11-21), who are been 10 games under .500 for the first timesince the 2000-01 season. The Bulls (13-17) snapped an eight-game losing streakaway from home.

Chicago Bulls center Joakim No… AP – Dec 31, 4:40 pm EST Detroit Pistons center Ben Wal… AP – Dec 31, 4:38 pm EST Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Ro… AP – Dec 31, 4:36 pm EST Chicago Bulls center Joakim No… AP – Dec 31, 4:35 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 3; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.d8e3f7806e52424181e1aaedd37912f2.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=324&hc=360&q=70&sig=yaLEqxyzlKGAX5.GkQZh7g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.c5ddc9ce9c414f47a43691a126fd4674.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=287&hc=319&q=70&sig=YluI6GkbaAbPRD0rRzBqyg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091231/capt.982e8f870859441bb3e58eedff8f48b2.bulls_pistons_basketball_dtp101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=292&hc=324&q=70&sig=hQBXMKiCWts6fbsYP.gqCw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 Chi-Det Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Tyrus Thomas(notes) added 19 points for Chicago, and John Salmons(notes) had 17.

Rodney Stuckey(notes) led the Pistons with 22 points, and Ben Gordon(notes) had 21 againsthis former team. Stuckey twisted his left ankle twice in the first half.

The Bulls led 44-39 after a sloppy first half that saw the teams combine for22 turnovers.

Detroit got to 46-44 in the third quarter, but Chicago led 69-56 at the endof the period. The Bulls led by 20 as the Palace emptied during the fourthquarter.

NOTES: Charlie Villanueva(notes), who had stopped wearing the mask protecting hisbroken nose, put it back on for the second half, but only wore it for a fewpossessions. … Detroit has not led in the second half of any of its last sixgames. … Thomas had 10 points in the first three quarters without making afield goal. He was 0 for 2 from the floor and 10 for 12 from the line.

LSU def. coordinator Chavis staying put

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is staying put afterdrawing interest from Georgia for the Bulldogs’ vacant coordinator position.

Chavis joined head coach Les Miles’ staff last January following 14 seasonsas defensive coordinator at Tennessee.

LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said in a statement Thursday it wasimportant for the program’s future to invest in Chavis. The statement saidChavis will receive an increase in compensation, though terms were to beannounced later.

The Tigers are 12th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 16 points agame.

No. 13 LSU faces No. 11 Penn State Friday in the Capital One Bowl.

Georgia is seeking a new defensive coordinator after Willie Martinez wasfired.

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Masoli, Pryor add flavor to Rose Bowl

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Although Terrelle Pryor always has flash in his game, he wenta little bit Hollywood this week.

While enjoying the sun and diversions of southern California, the Ohio Statequarterback sometimes sported black-framed eyeglasses that don’t containprescription lenses.

Don’t worry, Buckeyes fans: Pryor can see very clearly what must happenFriday for Ohio State (10-2) to end its three-game bowl skid against thehigh-flying Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl.

“We’re going to have to score points, maybe a lot of points,” Pryor said.“When you play a team that scores like Oregon, you’ve got to be ready to keepup. There could be a lot of points on that scoreboard.”

Jeremiah Masoli is counting on it. The Oregon quarterback is the ringmasterof a spread offense that racked up more than 37 points and 424 yards per gamethis season while the No. 7 Ducks (10-2) ended USC’s seven-year run atop thePac-10. Oregon is in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995.

“To finally get back to the Rose Bowl satisfied a lot of wishes by a lot ofpeople,” Masoli said. “We had that as our goal from the first week of thisyear. Now that we’re finally here, we want to prove to ourselves that we cankeep it going, take that one last step.”

The contrast of eighth-ranked Ohio State’s traditional crimson-and-grayagainst Oregon’s latest ethereal uniform creation is just one intriguing aspectof the 96th Rose Bowl—a match-up of strikingly dissimilar programs inPasadena. The Buckeyes haven’t been here since 1997.

Ohio State has thrived throughout the past decade under coach Jim Tressel,winning a national title and playing for two others with a regimented, smartapproach. The Buckeyes’ style, like their coach, tends to be conservative andpredictable.

Although Oregon has a similarly solid foundation, it’s best known for itsnovelties and a willingness to take risks, whether with a wide-open,spread-option offense or rookie coach Chip Kelly, who was an offensivecoordinator at I-AA New Hampshire just three years ago.

“I want our players to savor the moment,” Kelly said Thursday. “They’veearned this opportunity, and I don’t want to have them so focused so they’re noteven allowed to enjoy this. … Our players, if you watch us play, we have fun.Our staff has fun, and this is what it’s all about.”

Even the five-time Big Ten champion Buckeyes’ defense, which gave up just12.2 points per game while posting three shutouts, seems eager to get its firstlive look at Oregon’s offense. While Ohio State allowed just 11 touchdowns overits last 43 quarters, Oregon’s offense scored the same number of TDs in the past10 quarters.

“It’s the ultimate test by far, of any offense in the country,” said OhioState defensive lineman Doug Worthington, part of a unit that hasn’t allowed a100-yard rusher this season. “Oregon is firing on all cylinders right now. Theydo a little bit of everything, and it’s going to be a battle of the titans whenthey have the ball.”

The Ducks’ prowess caught Tressel’s eye on television more than once afteran Ohio State victory this fall, with the coach praising freshman tailbackLaMichael James’ emergence as a superb replacement for formerly suspended starLeGarrette Blount.

“When you leave your defense on the field that long against good footballteams, there is going to be a wearing factor,” Tressel said. “I know this:Chasing Oregon around will make them tired, too, so it’s going to be a greatchallenge.”

Ohio State’s possessions could be just as compelling. Oregon’s defense isfull of outstanding athletes, but it was run over by Stanford star Toby Gerhartin early November. The Buckeyes might to a similar overpowering approach.

“Sometimes they get caught in their defense a little bit,” Pryor said.“Sometimes it looks like they’re mixed up when they have guys running around,but maybe that’s part of their plan. They have a good D.”

Although Masoli and Pryor are two of the most athletic quarterbacks in thenation, their pedigrees are nearly as contrasting as the offenses they run.

Pryor was among the biggest prizes in his high school class, and he listenedto every coach from Joe Paterno to Kelly himself, who made six trips from Eugeneto Pryor’s native Jeannette, Pa., before choosing the Buckeyes. Masoli went to apowerhouse junior college in his native San Francisco for one year after gettingno desirable scholarship offers following his senior high school season inHawaii.

The quarterbacks had never met before this week, but they already shared ahealthy mutual respect.

“There are a lot of similarities in us, but the tools we have to work withare totally different,” Masoli said. “If you have the right skills and you’renot the prototypical quarterback, you can be really successful in thisoffense.”

From the wealthy alumni to the equipment managers, both schools havethoroughly enjoyed their first postseason trips to Pasadena in several years.After the Disneyland rides, the Beverly Hills beef-eating challenge and a weekof practice, Masoli is eager to cement his legacy in what would be the first12-win season in Oregon history.

Pryor is equally ready for what could be the breakout big game long expectedfrom him, although he says he’s playing primarily for the Buckeyes’ traditionand reputation.

“If we lose, we’ve lost four (bowl) games in a row,” Pryor said. “That’sugly, man. Can’t let that happen.”

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No. 13 Georgetown wins Big East opener

WASHINGTON (AP)—Georgetown’s Chris Wright vows this 10-1 start will not gowasted.

Wright scored 21 points, leading No. 13 Georgetown to a 66-59 win over St.John’s Thursday night in the Big East opener for both teams.

Last season, the Hoyas won 10 of their first 11 but finished 16-15.

“You keep going back to last year. This is a whole different year,” Wrightsaid.

St. John’s has had a difficult time in recent years. They’ve had just onewinning season in coach Norm Roberts’ first five, but last year they beatGeorgetown twice within a week.

Greg Monroe and Austin Freeman each had 15 points for the Hoyas (10-1, 1-0Big East), who were playing just their third game since Dec. 12, and lookedrusty at times. They built a 12-point first-half lead, but repeatedly allowedpesky St. John’s (10-3, 0-1) back in the game.

Hoyas coach John Thompson III, whose team lost to Old Dominion on Dec. 19before beating Harvard four days later, played a rugged, physical opponent, andnoticed a marked difference in the tone of the game.

“Once league play starts, you’re more familiar with your opponents. Theyknow our personnel. Their guys knows us. We know them,” Thompson said. “Theyknow what we’re going to do. We know what they’re going to do. … There are nosecrets.”

Wright was expecting tough play from the Red Storm, and while St. John’s wascalled for 18 fouls to Georgetown’s 12, he said that wasn’t the entire story.

The 6-foot-11 Monroe, who scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, wasgetting roughed up.

“Greg gets beat up. Everybody gets beat up,” Wright said. “There’s a lotof stuff the refs don’t see.”

It looked as if Georgetown would have an easy time when Wright scored 12points in a burst that lasted just over three minutes in the first half. TheHoyas’ 18-4 run gave them a 21-10 lead with 11:36 to play in the first half.

Wright and Thompson both claimed they didn’t realize he was on another roll,and didn’t care if again he had a 30-point game.

“In the course of the game, I’m not sure of who’s scoring,” Thompson said.“I’m focused on who’s getting the right shots. The last game, when he wasscoring all those points, I didn’t realize it until I was standing in the lockerroom looking at the stat sheet.”

Thompson was more impressed with Wright’s outspokenness. During a timeout,the junior guard yelled at his teammates.

“This is a key point. This is a key next four minutes,” Wright told them.

The Red Storm took a 51-50 lead on Dwight Hardy’s 3-pointer with 9:31 toplay. Wright converted on a three-point play to give Georgetown a 53-51 lead,but Hardy hit another 3-pointer to make it 54-53.

Julian Vaughn hit a dunk, Monroe made one of two free throws and a layup andJason Clark a layup to make it 60-54 with 5:12 left.

The Red Storm had a chance to tie in the final minutes. D.J. Kennedy hit a3-pointer with 4:29 to play, but Hardy missed a 3-pointer with 3:20 to go andSean Evans was called for an offensive foul with 2:42 left.

Freeman sealed the game with two free throws with 16.6 seconds remaining tomake it 66-59.

St. John’s, which shot just 39 percent, was led by Hardy’s 14 points.Kennedy had 11 and Justin Brownlee had 10. The Red Storm had lost just twice intheir first 12 games—a nine-point loss to Duke on Dec. 5 and a five-pointsetback to Cornell on Dec. 21.

“We’re beyond the moral victories,” Roberts said. “We’re capable ofhanging with anyone in the country. We’re capable of beating anyone in thecountry.”

Coaching chaos dominates Sugar Bowl

NEW ORLEANS—Call it the Interim Bowl, the Bizarro Bowl or the DistractionBowl.

Any of them would be appropriate.

Between Urban Meyer’s health concerns and uncertain future and Cincinnati’slame-duck staff following the departure of Brian Kelly, the Sugar Bowl has morecoaching chaos than any other postseason matchup. The No. 4 Bearcats (12-0) andfifth-ranked Gators (12-1) will try to restore order—if only for a few hours—Friday night in The Big Easy.

“At least we know what direction our program’s going,” Cincinnaticornerback Brad Jones said. “We have a new coach. He’s been in the backgroundwatching. He hasn’t coached us, but we’re good on our end. Those guys, it’s kindof up in the air with them.”

That could be an understatement.

Meyer resigned Saturday, then rescinded it less than 20 hours later.Instead, he is taking an indefinite leave of absence after the Sugar Bowl inhopes of finding a way to alleviate recurring chest pains. His decision leavesthe Gators in coaching limbo.

Interim coach-in-waiting Steve Addazio will take over next week, and try tosalvage the program’s recruiting class and maintain some continuity. AlthoughMeyer said he expects to be back next fall, several unanswered questions remainabout his absence.

How long will he be gone? Can he really not be involved? What happens if hedecides he can’t return?

Meyer’s health dominated news conferences all week. Sure, there was talkabout Florida wanting to bounce back from a crushing loss to Alabama in theSoutheastern Conference championship game, about quarterback Tim Tebow’s finalcollege game and about defensive end Carlos Dunlap’s return from a one-gamesuspension that was punishment for his drunk driving arrest.

But Florida’s coaching situation overshadowed the undefeated Bearcats andall other story lines, including Meyer facing his alma mater for the first time.Meyer lettered as a defensive back at Cincinnati in 1984, met his wife there andstill has ties to the school. His sister, Gigi, works there as an assistantprovost.

“She’s been avoiding interviews at all costs,” Meyer said.

Details about Meyer’s health have been scarce. He acknowledged Thursday hewanted to hide news about his hospital visit because he didn’t want to alarm hischildren and his players. Meyer also declined to reveal what doctors told himabout his condition or possible treatments.

Players, meanwhile, said the 45-year-old coach was starting to get back tonormal.

“He’s going to be OK,” Tebow said. “It’s tough. Physically is just whatyou worry about, with everything with his heart. But I know emotionally he’ll beOK. He loves his family, so getting away with his family and just recovering andgetting back and not putting as much stress on him will help a lot, help hisheart condition with that.

“That’s honestly our No. 1 worry—his physical body just holding up.Mentally and everything, he’ll be just fine.”

The Gators have had four weeks to regroup from a 32-13 loss to Alabama thatsnapped their school-record, 22-game winning streak and ended any chance ofrepeating as national champions.

Florida insists its Sugar Bowl appearance won’t end up like Alabama’s triphere last year. Undefeated Utah thumped the Crimson Tide 31-17.

“We’ve got to show America that we’re still one of the nation’s best and wejust had a bad day,” safety Ahmad Black said.

Cincinnati may have even more to prove.

The Bearcats are making their second straight appearance in a BCS bowl andare looking for considerably better results than last year’s 20-7 loss toVirginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Tony Pike threw four interceptions in thatone.

Cincinnati has a chance to complete the program’s first perfect season,which would be a huge starting point for the new coaching staff.

Kelly accepted the Notre Dame job Dec. 10 and chose not to coach Cincinnatiin the Sugar Bowl. Several players lashed out at his decision, but they havecalmed down considerably since. The coaching staff, though, is still unsettled.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn was named interim coach, but has since beennamed the head coach at Buffalo. Central Michigan’s Butch Jones was hired toreplace Kelly. He already has moved into his office, decided to retain just oneassistant from Kelly’s regime and is expected to attend Friday’s game.

“It certainly does impose challenges in a lot of different ways,” Bearcatspassing game coordinator Charley Molnar said. “When you lose General Patton andreplace him with a sergeant, there could certainly be a change in the disciplineamong the troops. … Any time there’s change, there’s always questions.”

Molnar said the assistants have lined up jobs, but none of them has signedcontracts elsewhere. He said some will join Kelly.

“We’re not worried about anyone half-stepping,” Jones said. “They’restill working hard for us and we’re still working hard for them.”

The Gators feel the same way about Meyer. They also believe the “year ofstuff,” as Meyer deemed it, prepared them for everything that happened inrecent weeks.

“We’ve had a crazy, roller-coaster season, so it wouldn’t be the sameunless we had it like this at the end of the season and had something going intothe last game,” receiver David Nelson said. “We’ve been equipped to handleadversity.”

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James has support of critical Tech asst.

SAN ANTONIO (AP)—A Texas Tech assistant who criticized Adam James in hopes ofsaving Mike Leach’s job said Thursday the son of the ESPN analyst has hissupport in the wake of the head coach’s firing.

Acting offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley stopped short, however, of sayingwhether he wants the sophomore wide receiver back next season.

“It’s on him and his family,” Riley said. “I can’t really comment on thatbecause I don’t know. I can’t think about that right now. I got to be thinkingabout Michigan State.”

In a letter last week to Texas Tech administrators Riley called James“unusually lazy and entitled.” The school fired Leach on Wednesday afterallegations that he mistreated James’ concussion.

“I told (James) I know we’re on different sides of the fence on this deal,but he’s still my player,” Riley said. “All the threats to him and his familyare ridiculous. I told him if he needs help as far as feeling endangered in anyway, I’ll help him out any way I can.”

James is the son of former NFL player and current ESPN analyst Craig James.In the town north of Dallas where the James family lives, police have beefed uppatrols around the home because of threatening statements made online.

“Nothing has happened at the house, but everybody knows what’s occurred onthe blogs over there, so it’s precautionary to the threats being made,” CelinaPolice Chief Joe Williams said Thursday.

Riley declined comment on the harshly critical letter he sent to universityofficials Dec. 26, two days before Leach was suspended indefinitely. Riley wrotethat James is the type of person who makes “excuses or blames people for thingsthat go wrong in his life.”

James continues to practice with Texas Tech but will not play Saturday inthe Alamo Bowl against Michigan State.

Texas Tech did not make players available to reporters for the secondconsecutive day. James joked around with teammates Thursday while walking offthe practice field.

Nearby, Mike Leach’s name was still branded prominently on the outside ofthe team’s equipment trailer.

After Leach’s firing, wide receiver Tramain Swindall told The AssociatedPress he supported the decision to fire Leach. Contrary to comments made bySwindall and other players happy to see Leach go, Riley said it doesn’t reflectthe attitude of the entire team.

“I think it’s easy to say that when somebody’s gone,” Riley said.

Riley, a former walk-on quarterback at Texas Tech who Leach made a studentcoach, flatly said “no” when asked if Leach ever put a player in harm. Hedeclined to say whether he thought Leach got a fair shake.

Riley was among several current Texas Tech coaches and former players whowrote letters defending Leach last week to school administrators. The letterswere obtained by CBSSports.com.

Associated Press Writer John McFarland in Dallas contributed to this report.

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Brooks’ 30 help Rockets top Mavs 97-94

HOUSTON (AP)—Aaron Brooks(notes) felt in a groove, and that was all the HoustonRockets needed to pull out another close victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Brooks scored 30 points, Shane Battier(notes) made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with2:11 left, and Rockets beat the Mavericks 97-94 on Thursday night.

“I wanted to extend the defense a little bit and open up Carl (Landry) onthe inside a little bit,” Brooks said. “I feel we did a great job doing that.I’m going to go out there and play hard and shoot when I’m open and whateverhappens after that, I’m going to roll with it.”

Houston Rockets' Carl Land… AP – Dec 31, 10:02 pm EST Houston Rockets' Trevor Ar… AP – Dec 31, 9:55 pm EST Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Now… AP – Dec 31, 9:55 pm EST Houston Rockets' Aaron Bro… AP – Dec 31, 9:53 pm EST Houston Rockets' Carl Land… AP – Dec 31, 9:47 pm EST Houston Rockets' Carl Land… AP – Dec 31, 9:41 pm EST Houston Rockets' Luis Scol… AP – Dec 31, 8:21 pm EST Dallas Mavericks' Erick Da… AP – Dec 31, 8:17 pm EST Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Ca… AP – Dec 31, 8:16 pm EST Houston Rockets' Shane Bat… AP – Dec 31, 8:16 pm EST Houston Rockets' Luis Scol… AP – Dec 31, 8:12 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 10; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.2afdd7409a1d49ef883fd874d8fa3bba.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=263&hc=292&q=70&sig=g4ByPbsi8b4a6Pi0W3paIg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.df8c8a049909498ba0416290ac0026e5.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=56&yc=1&wc=300&hc=333&q=70&sig=GZFlBjsK6emKYYqEbnlkEA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.6f63c47e85544656bb244bb4534e46c4.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=261&hc=290&q=70&sig=YDOdBcrSOlqHOd_Hfy2nww--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.fae59ebe30fd4c118f5132854c739b1d.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=272&hc=302&q=70&sig=QAVIMTxgspY8OkmDBbWaTw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.450e6ffa2fdc44888746a69b75507adf.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=281&hc=312&q=70&sig=oVRZWSEyo3xXFR9YO9iUfg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.946202098c514021ab3330eeae42324d.correction_mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=55&yc=1&wc=302&hc=335&q=70&sig=gcqBJuRE.d9ljmD4M3RxDA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.70c17834971845678f5124f10e681480.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=45&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=fgOYIDOzquBFmyS5DzCEKA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.c7a47726bb3a417a9e6f09d6f43da8a4.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=297&hc=330&q=70&sig=eAg4nqmfJXmGUCuT0XNsxA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.787f6c9918ac4f88a6bbfdbc19d5ddd6.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=305&hc=339&q=70&sig=CSX.FqbqtT.CksTF1wnalA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100101/capt.dea4402c57984b3ca648c3bd58322d98.mavericks_rockets_basketball_htr101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=55&yc=1&wc=302&hc=335&q=70&sig=ovw.U3jZjUHbapojJaE.fg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 11 Dal-Hou Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Brooks followed Battier’s 3 with one of his own for a six-point lead with1:35 remaining, and the Rockets held on when Jason Kidd(notes) missed a potential tyingshot from behind the arc in the final second.

“I got a great look,” Kidd said. “I might have rushed it a second. Iwould love to have that shot again. Give Houston credit. They won the game. Thezone helped us in the second half to get back in the game. We had anopportunity.”

The Rockets led through most of the first half and went up 66-52 in thethird quarter, aided by six quick points by Brooks. But the Mavericks scrambledback into the game and tied it at 89 with 4:52 to play.

Jason Terry(notes) led a strong bench performance by Dallas with 20 points. JoshHoward(notes) had 16 points and Drew Gooden(notes) added 10 points off the bench.

Shawn Marion(notes) had 16 points and Kidd scored 14 for the Mavs, but DirkNowitzki(notes) sat out much of the first half with three fouls, and finished with 11points and seven rebounds.

Landry added 15 points for the Rockets.

“We’ve struggled with Dallas early in the season,” Houston forward LuisScola(notes) said. “We finally could win the last two games so we finished the year ona great note and we’re happy with it.”

Houston led 56-47 at the half and Brooks took charge with 13 points in thethird quarter to keep the Rockets rolling to a 78-70 lead after three quarters.

The Rockets beat the Mavericks 116-108 in overtime in their last meeting onDec. 18. There were seven technical fouls called in the game and the Mavericksprotested to the NBA that the final 61 seconds should be replayed, believing a“misapplication of the rules” led to the ejection of Dallas center ErickDampier(notes) in the extra period.

This time, there were two technicals.

“We’re rivals and have been since I’ve been in Dallas,” Terry said. “It’sbeen tough all season and it’s an early end to our matchup during the regularseason. Good luck to them and maybe we’ll see them in the playoffs. They alwaysplay hard.”

The Rockets led by 10 points late in the first quarter, but the Mavericksfought back and took their only lead of the second period, 38-37 on a 16-footjumper by Terry. Kyle Lowry(notes) followed quickly with a 3-point basket and theRockets held on to their lead at the half.

Howard had 11 second-quarter points to keep Dallas close.

The Mavericks started cold and the Rockets broke from a 7-all tie to a 24-17lead. Scola broke the tie with two straight baskets and the Rockets tookadvantage of early foul trouble by Nowitzki, who drew his second foul at 6:31and sat out the rest of the first period. He got his third late in the secondquarter.

“Our undoing was a sluggish first quarter,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlislesaid. “Houston hit us with early transition points and 3s. The rest of the gamewas about even. With a team like this you have to come out with energy early oryou are in trouble.”

NOTES: Rockets rookie guard Chase Budinger(notes) is still recovering from asprained ankle Dec. 19 and sat out Thursday’s game and likely will missSaturday’s at New Orleans. Nowitzki has 10 double-doubles this season. Terry isthe Mavericks’ No. 7 career scorer with 6,152 points.

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