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No. 18 Texas A&M rallies past McNeese

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP)—Khris Middleton scored 13 points and No. 18Texas A&M overcame a double-digit deficit to beat McNeese State 66-57 on Friday.

The Aggies (12-1) trailed 28-18 with 7:51 remaining in the first half, and37-30 at halftime before mounting a comeback.

McNeese State head coach Dave … AP – Dec 31, 6:43 pm EST Texas A&M head coach Mark Turg… AP – Dec 31, 6:42 pm EST Texas A&M 's Ray Turner (3… AP – Dec 31, 6:40 pm EST MCNeese State 's Stephan M… AP – Dec 31, 6:40 pm EST Texas A&M 's Dash Harris r… AP – Dec 31, 6:39 pm EST Texas A&M 's Nathan Walkup… AP – Dec 31, 6:38 pm EST Texas A&M 's Nathan Walkup… AP – Dec 31, 6:37 pm EST Texas A&M head coach Mark Turg… AP – Dec 31, 6:23 pm EST McNeese State 's Dontae Ca… AP – Dec 31, 6:23 pm EST McNeese State 's Stephan M… AP – Dec 31, 6:22 pm EST Texas A&M 's Nathan Walkup… AP – Dec 31, 6:20 pm EST McNeese State 's Daniel Ri… AP – Dec 31, 6:19 pm EST McNeese State 's Patrick R… AP – Dec 31, 5:56 pm EST McNeese State 's P.J. Alaw… AP – Dec 31, 5:55 pm EST Texas A&M 's Ray Turner (3… AP – Dec 31, 5:54 pm EST Texas A&M 's Ray Turner, t… AP – Dec 31, 5:53 pm EST Texas A&M 's David Loubeau… AP – Dec 31, 5:52 pm EST Texas A&M 's Nathan Walkup… AP – Dec 31, 5:51 pm EST Texas A&M 's Nathan Walkup… AP – Dec 31, 5:50 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 18; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/15/fullj.d749bddddb62f3af7b7cb7172e45c996/ap-435dd4c04ab34292b9a9ea3b04d650ea.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=416&hc=462&q=70&sig=EA2auy.aCAkL0neyUCL.8w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/39/fullj.cdc4d275a371a1870c1457e3b893dbf9/ap-1f032fe1057e429885e36309959535fa.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=379&hc=421&q=70&sig=VBnLsyxNe0iAsBoYQDzFtg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/7c/fullj.2ff7f53d4d3ea0a7f5a2ddb07b827d8a/ap-88bfc91a661e4885bed74f61486efde1.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=438&hc=487&q=70&sig=6yKc2J7uU3_4Rt4rKPasPg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/16/fullj.48a41b8a037bb547a0b52192368460cd/ap-9e321d39d8fb445f9add6c84ca430628.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=374&hc=416&q=70&sig=3NJZqSgRwPjd3YSFna1AoQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/92/fullj.bed8c6b348b63e4c50453b85f4e2cdb2/ap-63d8c4d75e4d470e9425b87834e65e4a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=26&yc=1&wc=391&hc=434&q=70&sig=5P0PVZ6zMEO28wswHW_MMA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/d8/fullj.8246586e1df48b7ec1aee353ed2532df/ap-209f3351e9614733b8e274b0b790cf03.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=313&hc=348&q=70&sig=o1iODKjY_24hUoi7JKaikw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/d6/fullj.6e5d8ba1170e218075ba99217d84c785/ap-8f1cffe56fd64316b751ea8c16b98eb6.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=403&hc=448&q=70&sig=ioHf2jIKU.6pqLzIXEPIzg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/fc/fullj.238155f7f40c5b10b862991907428c5a/ap-977fe593ad614f1fa0ede07f4933a50a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=367&hc=408&q=70&sig=j6YcV5Zqi0ImlAQvrWLCLQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/d7/fullj.851f581cdb4845125775f17eb133093b/ap-06435bece3b94660a1aa254fd0fad51f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=352&hc=391&q=70&sig=doS59K90lDJANmtWDvhclA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/92/fullj.5e04f18987990d048e6c49c773fe4367/ap-30e98baf9e354a908ed77426a2e65fc3.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=370&hc=411&q=70&sig=GIhj5sPGOAj7pbhzkvfIPQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/d6/fullj.d3ef9e30af07dc3f8a071a6d798b59a6/ap-5493635386464079a4a94113642a4198.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=378&hc=420&q=70&sig=H3ZwnX2b2YrmK7qnoMKzGA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/4a/fullj.7e5e99f949745b6a6b60e1ebeb7df3c9/ap-8abf6eea2fd244588c7a1d766535c605.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=369&hc=410&q=70&sig=EkIaF39n.7f943ku1QO4Kw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/8a/fullj.2c4a269578604db3bcedc7f67c53111c/ap-683a5cbc39d74ff4bac78e97ff667f74.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=430&hc=478&q=70&sig=LvItGVVuiGez0KNwh4PwYA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/f3/fullj.8fe4428aec5df090743a886b8823e24d/ap-baad6d5e52c7470b92a342c6aa6a0947.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=2&yc=1&wc=438&hc=487&q=70&sig=3LqMrwQNZgiWPjIyCJVvvg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e2/fullj.7e93a68f61562f4ce607daa3813849f2/ap-4f76541f0ec84380bba83965943ef489.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=416&hc=462&q=70&sig=qgsI6wvcHPpZft3mp6krnQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/0b/fullj.77bac5c9799fa80f6daddc49249211fc/ap-c4f7ec5c6fc047f2afb18a943888f622.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=356&hc=396&q=70&sig=FdDWZznHqrA_dVyZfp5BMA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/42/fullj.346487efbe1b60e997e0e1dc4a1cbbc8/ap-88dffa67130d4975bd73b5922fe7e2d9.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=316&hc=351&q=70&sig=gghx5NymiPUw08mUZA.PCg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a4/fullj.c7c34eb428687884ae6323c5085957f0/ap-11d6f782c0de408f98bd1e17246009bf.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=316&hc=351&q=70&sig=f1Q0ZRjBu.vm_B6a_cSj_g--]; 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The Cowboys (8-5) led 44-39 with 14:28 remaining in the game before theAggies went on a 14-3 run over the next 7 minutes to lead 53-47.

Patrick Richard and P.J. Alawoya paced McNeese State with 12 points each.

A&M guard Dash Harris drained a 16-foot jumper as the shot clock expired togive the Aggies a 60-53 lead with 2:10 remaining. B.J. Holmes quickly followedwith a 3-pointer that iced A&M’s ninth consecutive victory.

Gators end Xavier’s 30-game home streak

CINCINNATI (AP)—Erving Walker scored 18 points, and Florida ended Xavier’s30-game home winning streak by beating the Musketeers 71-67 on Friday.

The Gators (10-3) broke open a back-and-forth game by going on a 13-1 runearly in the second half, then holding on with 13-of-16 shooting from thefree-throw line in the closing minutes.

Xavier (8-4) went more than two years without losing at the Cintas Center,the longest home-court winning streak in school history and the second-longestin Division I, trailing Kansas’ 66-game streak. Twice this season, theMusketeers went overtime and kept it going.

Florida coach Billy Donovan ta… AP – Dec 31, 7:03 pm EST Xavier coach Chris Mack reacts… AP – Dec 31, 7:03 pm EST Florida guard Erving Walker (1… AP – Dec 31, 7:03 pm EST Florida guard Erving Walker (1… AP – Dec 31, 7:01 pm EST Xavier guard Mark Lyons (10) g… AP – Dec 31, 7:01 pm EST Florida center Vernon Macklin,… AP – Dec 31, 7:01 pm EST Florida forward Chandler Parso… AP – Dec 31, 5:10 pm EST Xavier guard Tu Holloway (52) … AP – Dec 31, 5:10 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 7; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/b6/fullj.1d91cb36df10de7d29f0a454c7c835b3/ap-7fc7db0120d74cd1b84ef13e4dc1497c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=427&hc=474&q=70&sig=FCLk5bZg8bz2.jiy2YO0mw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ca/fullj.781f96be2c0e702505964ad2036bb4c1/ap-2a20305f4de74967b07d96799176a3b9.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=439&hc=488&q=70&sig=Mlkj.neDRELHkb_moyXccQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/26/fullj.3836817af8de3be43232c8e081c9ee42/ap-ae8602dc86824a75a2a51f875f0064b9.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=263&hc=292&q=70&sig=wYB7gcetCBWQ.H3ISsjUZA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/fb/fullj.5af26609474bed6eb0ea84aa87a6b08e/ap-9af061ae3d65426d8d1d308047d44ba8.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=408&hc=453&q=70&sig=444ebgOHzCctP2iho._1zA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/4a/fullj.0ab1ef7bbdab4d689bc36aaaf305c897/ap-b9b6ad11a8c44318b1b19882861d7abc.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=408&hc=453&q=70&sig=XnzwUdxqhceMc8TW0SQtsg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/bc/fullj.70de27dd04bc3a53b420b9c4a7426ee2/ap-8bed6f5acc174bbe8d8e704b9fa31bb1.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=333&hc=370&q=70&sig=0pJQvo8BFcIQglmXbyQ1gA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/fd/fullj.4d6023a4a64bf9c843b1b2272bfe09cb/ap-ec1341255c3049a29a860b61bda0e921.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=380&hc=422&q=70&sig=NGklC8IkwLyN14WGKg34Mg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 8 Fla-Xav 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();

Terrell Holloway scored 26 for Xavier, which went 10 minutes without a fieldgoal in the second half, fell behind by 15 points and made a late rally butcouldn’t get closer than three.

Xavier won in Gainesville 76-64 last season, when the Gators went 0-2against the Atlantic 10. Florida also lost to Richmond.

The rematch was close until the second half, when the Gators took controlwhile Xavier went from 17:53 to 7:52 without a field goal. Four Florida playersfinished in double figures, helping the Gators reach 70 points for the firsttime in eight games.

The Gators had won games with defense lately. They’d held opponents to anaverage of only 53.7 points in the last seven games.

The Gators’ bigger and deeper front line had its way in a tight first halfthat featured 10 lead changes. Six-foot-10 center Vernon Macklin repeatedlyshook free for layups and putbacks, scoring 12 to help Florida end the halfleading 31-27. Seven-foot center Kenny Frease had 10 for Xavier.

Florida surged ahead with a 13-1 run early in the second half.Three-pointers by Kenny Boynton, Walker and Chandler Parsons gave the Gators a50-35 lead with 13:19 to go. Xavier missed its six shots and had a turnoverduring the decisive run, and managed only seven free throws over a 10-minutespan.

With a capacity crowd on its feet, Xavier went to full-court pressure andmade a run in the closing minutes. Holloway scored three times off drives to thebasket, leading a 12-3 spurt that cut it to 63-59 with 1:22 to go. Florida made8 of 10 from the free-throw line the rest of the way.

Xavier is playing short-handed again after top freshman Jay Canty suffered astress fracture in his right foot on Tuesday, an injury that will sideline himfor at least a month. Canty led the Musketeers’ freshmen in minutes, alternatingat guard and forward. The Musketeers lost top 3-point shooter Brad Redford totorn knee ligaments before the season started.

Notre Dame beats Miami 33-17 in Sun Bowl

EL PASO, Texas (AP)—Freshman Tommy Rees passed for 201 yards and twotouchdowns to Michael Floyd as Notre Dame beat Miami 33-17 in the Sun Bowl onFriday, making Brian Kelly the first Fighting Irish coach to win a bowl game inhis first season.

After a 20-year break, it was all Irish in the latest installment of astoried rivalry that became known during the 1980s as Catholics versus Convicts.

Notre Dame (8-5) reached the end zone on three of its first fourpossessions. Rees tossed TD passes of 3 and 34 yards to Floyd and Cierre Woodbroke free on a 34-yard scoring run before David Ruffer added field goals from40, 50 and 19 yards.

EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Ru… Getty Images – Dec 31, 6:28 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: (L… Getty Images – Dec 31, 6:27 pm EST Notre Dame running back Cierre… AP – Dec 31, 5:45 pm EST Notre Dame running back Cierre… AP – Dec 31, 5:41 pm EST Notre Dame running back Cierre… AP – Dec 31, 5:39 pm EST Notre Dame wide receiver Micha… AP – Dec 31, 5:37 pm EST Miami's Lamar Miller is ta… AP – Dec 31, 5:34 pm EST Notre Dame wide receiver Micha… AP – Dec 31, 5:33 pm EST Miami's Lamar Miller (6) i… AP – Dec 31, 5:31 pm EST Notre Dame 's running back… AP – Dec 31, 5:30 pm EST Notre Dame wide receiver Theo … AP – Dec 31, 5:29 pm EST Notre Dame safety Harrison Smi… AP – Dec 31, 5:28 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: A … Getty Images – Dec 31, 5:17 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Wi… Getty Images – Dec 31, 5:14 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Wi… Getty Images – Dec 31, 5:14 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: F… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:33 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Se… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:27 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Ru… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:25 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: A m… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:25 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Ru… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:14 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Qu… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:11 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: (L… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:10 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Wi… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:04 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Qu… Getty Images – Dec 31, 4:02 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 31: Fa… Getty Images – Dec 31, 3:57 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Sa… Getty Images – Dec 31, 3:57 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Qu… Getty Images – Dec 31, 3:56 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 31: Wo… Getty Images – Dec 31, 3:56 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Qu… Getty Images – Dec 31, 3:56 pm EST EL PASO, TX – DECEMBER 30: Ru… Getty Images – Dec 31, 3:50 pm EST Miami's Richard Gordon, le… AP – Dec 31, 3:04 pm EST The Miami band takes the field… AP – Dec 31, 2:56 pm EST Notre Dame 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The Irish closed with four victories to cap an up-and-down season underKelly. After a 1-3 start, they endured the death of the team’s studentvideographer and the loss of quarterback Dayne Crist to a season-ending injuryduring a stunning 28-27 loss to Tulsa in South Bend, Ind.

The Irish recovered to beat Utah, Army and USC down the stretch, thenhandled Miami (7-6) easily for Notre Dame’s second straight postseason victory.

The Hurricanes trailed 30-3 going into the fourth quarter, completing aseason in which their coach was fired with an ugly loss.

Notre Dame’s 30th bowl appearance was a New Year’s Eve fiesta in El Paso, apredominantly Roman Catholic city on the Mexican border that embraced the Irishwith huge cheers from the first glimpse of a golden helmet coming from thelocker rooms.

Rees hardly looked like a freshman, completing 15 of 29 attempts without aninterception. His performance marked the first time a first-year startingquarterback at Notre Dame won a bowl game.

Floyd had a big day, too, with six catches for 109 yards receiving, and hisnumbers would have been even better if he’d brought in what would have been twomore TD catches.

The game sold out in 21 hours, the fastest in the Sun Bowl’s 77-yearhistory, and the crowd of 54,021 set a bowl attendance record. Many fans woreNotre Dame jackets to ward off the 34-degree weather as a round of overnightsnow dusted the Franklin Mountains.

The warm-weather Hurricanes—many wearing head covers under their helmets—struggled much of the afternoon to get anything going.

Miami scored twice in the fourth quarter when Stephen Morris threw a 6-yardTD pass to Leonard Hankerson and a 42-yard scoring play to Tommy Streeter, butit was too late by then.

The Canes trailed 27-0 late in the first half and the player with the mostcatches from a Hurricanes quarterback was Irish safety Harrison Smith, whointercepted three passes. Robert Blanton also had an interception during Miami’sturnover binge.

Not everything went perfectly for Notre Dame. Ruffer was wide right a36-yard try late in the third quarter, his first miss on 24 career attempts.

Still, it was a rough finish to a tough season for the Hurricanes, who sawcoach Randy Shannon fired in November. With interim coach Jeff Stoutland workingthe game for Miami from the sideline, newly hired coach Al Golden watched from aSun Bowl suite.

Jacory Harris started at quarterback for the Canes after Morris sprained anankle in practice this week. Harris couldn’t get anything going, completing just4 of 7 with three interceptions. Morris took over the second quarter andfinished.

TCU hopes to make history in Rose Bowl

PASADENA, Calif. (AP)—When the TCU Horned Frogs stepped off the team busand got their first look at the Rose Bowl’s impeccably manicured grass lastweekend, any lingering thoughts of disrespect and disappointment evaporated.

Unbeaten TCU might be the third wheel in the BCS title dance, but the Frogsare embracing the chance to be part of football history in Saturday’s meetingwith Wisconsin.

Although the first back-to-back BCS busters are a slight favorite on paperagainst the Big Ten co-champion Badgers (11-1), the Frogs (12-0) realize they’lllook like Davids against Wisconsin’s Goliath-sized offensive line.

The challenge thrills TCU coach Gary Patterson, who hopes a victory willcement his program’s place among the nation’s elite.

Think you know sports? Play Yahoo! Sports Pop Quiz and you could win a year’s worth of sports tickets!

Ariza’s late 3 helps Hornets top Celtics

BOSTON (AP)—Trevor Ariza(notes) made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:34 to playand David West(notes) scored four of his 19 points in the final minute, helping the NewOrleans Hornets pull out an 83-81 win over the injury-riddled Boston Celtics onFriday.

New Orleans Hornets ' Chri… AP – Dec 31, 4:38 pm EST Boston Celtics ' Paul Pier… AP – Dec 31, 4:38 pm EST Boston Celtics ' Nate Robi… AP – Dec 31, 4:38 pm EST Boston Celtics ' Marquis D… 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/sp/ap/69/fullj.75036b9b596e2c549efd994a4141f4ac/ap-bb90b847f306492a887249234192b81f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=429&hc=477&q=70&sig=mvVlhsEKvT8gRUWCTqvwlQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a1/fullj.8317dbdc160dcb263ef1f7a1c478555d/ap-812d4dd414964a3294386f3c083547ab.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=440&hc=489&q=70&sig=Kym696ADxCD7C9Ci4yuW6A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/58/fullj.3d550a3788b2f297329de9aae90c0ad6/ap-141224643e554a148016cf354be41c41.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=383&hc=426&q=70&sig=aY36GfmFstL0eiJ.St8iVw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 4 NO-Bos 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();

Chris Paul(notes) had 20 points and 11 assists for New Orleans, which won for justthe third time in seven games. Emeka Okafor(notes) scored 18 points and grabbed 13rebounds.

Ray Allen(notes) led Boston with 18 points, but hit the back rim a desperation 3 inthe closing seconds. Paul Pierce(notes) had 12 points and seven boards. Nate Robinson(notes)scored 11 and had six rebounds.

Boston has lost three of four since winning 14 straight.

San Diego State 15-0 for first time

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Chase Tapley scored a season-high 15 points while KawhiLeonard had 14 points and 10 rebounds for seventh-ranked and undefeated SanDiego State in a 93-50 laugher over Division III Occidental on Friday.

The Aztecs improved to 15-0 for the first time in school history. Their15-game winning streak is also the longest in school history and is secondnationally to No1. 1 Duke’s 22-game run. San Diego State is one of sevenundefeated teams left in Division I.

The 43-point victory margin tied for 10th-largest in school history. SDSUshot 61 percent (36 of 59) to tie for third-best mark in team history. TheAztecs were 21 of 24 (87.5 percent) in the second half. They outrebounded theTigers 42-13.

James Rahon tied his season-high with 15 points for the Aztecs and MalcolmThomas had 14 points and nine rebounds. Forward Billy White sat out afterspraining his right ankle in practice on Wednesday. He was replaced by BrianCarlwell, who scored seven points.

Leonard, a sophomore forward, had his ninth double-double of the season and26th of his career.

It was the final non-conference game for the Aztecs, who open Mountain WestConference play at TCU on Wednesday night. The Aztecs hadn’t played since closevictories over San Francisco and IUPUI on Dec. 21-22 in the Las Vegas HolidayHoops Classic.

Deshun McCoy scored 18 points and Jack Hanley added 10 for Occidental (5-4).

SDSU cruised to a 42-24 halftime lead and continued to pour it on. TheAztecs used an 11-0 run to push their lead to more than 30 points. Rahon hit a3-pointer and Leonard and Thomas both made two shots to run the lead to 68-33.One of Leonard’s shots was a baseline reverse layup, and Thomas followed thatwith a slam dunk.

The Aztecs later had a 13-0 run, after the reserves had taken over.

Surging Bulls pull away late, beat Nets

CHICAGO (AP)—Carlos Boozer(notes) scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, andthe Chicago Bulls won for the 12th time in 14 games, pulling away late to beatthe New Jersey Nets 90-81 on Friday afternoon.

Luol Deng(notes) and Derrick Rose(notes) scored 19 apiece, and the Bulls made enough shotsdown the stretch after struggling from the field for much of the game.

Brook Lopez(notes) led New Jersey with 19 points. Travis Outlaw(notes) and Stephen Graham(notes)each scored 16, but the Nets dropped their fourth straight.

Chicago Bulls ' Kurt Thoma… AP – Dec 31, 6:13 pm EST Chicago Bulls ' Carlos Boo… AP – Dec 31, 6:09 pm EST Chicago Bulls ' Carlos Boo… AP – Dec 31, 6:06 pm EST Chicago Bulls ' Derrick Ro… AP – Dec 31, 6:03 pm EST Chicago Bulls ' Luol Deng … AP – Dec 31, 6:01 pm EST New Jersey Nets ' Brook Lo… AP – Dec 31, 6:01 pm EST New Jersey Nets coach Avery Jo… AP – Dec 31, 6:01 pm EST New Jersey Nets ' Sasha Vu… AP – Dec 31, 5:46 pm EST Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibod… AP – Dec 31, 4:07 pm EST New Jersey Nets ' Kris Hum… AP – Dec 31, 4:02 pm EST New Jersey Nets ' Travis O… AP – Dec 31, 3:56 pm EST New Jersey Nets ' Kris Hum… AP – Dec 31, 3:55 pm EST New Jersey Nets ' Brook Lo… AP – Dec 31, 3:52 pm EST Chicago Bulls ' Kurt Thoma… AP – Dec 31, 3:52 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 13; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/41/fullj.46a6f74db7fddca9bc3cc5d1411f4f81/ap-4d9da2a58c3a44a3a9d40a44c62318bc.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=336&hc=373&q=70&sig=XYDl97Ke9mb2kfafITVd3w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/fc/fullj.3a27ee2ed580bdde83f9303bb9cf16df/ap-77df6bc9e60244eeb46b918a8b4fcaae.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=366&hc=407&q=70&sig=ocZmiJm1W_vucb.JpyffRA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3b/fullj.a868064bfff6143586502804512d26d4/ap-3c812f1951f14a32b14a9045945fb686.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=415&hc=461&q=70&sig=Je9d4rlj0ORxfACRBbKpWw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/9c/fullj.bd6899b31dcc6753e013be0d6cdfda2e/ap-9b6396853657459f9e730c5d1a889a4c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=414&hc=460&q=70&sig=LsG7q0FsxocNaf_kq9cX8g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e2/fullj.01e9d24c78d07ebf043d134e4e7ffe60/ap-9dc6441b0d4f4009a8d9879fa7eba6e1.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=411&hc=457&q=70&sig=wxPDXzWDnjEA3u6i9o8HHQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e4/fullj.d445d5b897c171ef304dcd6270fd5b58/ap-778f7a2ad6254571ae6fa0a4a89b4a41.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=75&yc=1&wc=292&hc=324&q=70&sig=IlARRmK7hxCAJ0BUwjbK_A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/06/fullj.5ff168325a4b875aa08b09b67a5311bd/ap-7cafbc77228847b394ff2ef5cb038168.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=16&yc=1&wc=410&hc=455&q=70&sig=jW07EDkSo.MqGWfRqEvwrQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3f/fullj.af21077c1ed4db34515eeb18ef845ed7/ap-60d224e29cb94cb0baef313336d6dd3c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=77&yc=1&wc=287&hc=319&q=70&sig=Qo7Bl30kjitqBFZin5kjQg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/78/fullj.86891b77c87462fde50289ed096605d0/ap-920d2be334be4c5da4edda5af45036cb.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=294&hc=327&q=70&sig=6BMY9gkzXQ73FZ_VhyQY.w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3f/fullj.29e04b76cd44491ea9cd0217e9ca4ab1/ap-6c6f9c75fa8247d4bfd47d241cafb896.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=83&yc=1&wc=275&hc=306&q=70&sig=0xfapU7nSZRtJlfzDzF0Jg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/60/fullj.6a43c60eb116938148217827fdd0e65a/ap-8941ad4ec8474c678b303f230b032372.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=373&hc=414&q=70&sig=vpE6blRiaRDq6w0ZDO86IQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/b4/fullj.8d294f6eb992cee7f291c2032d5ae31a/ap-8a9d591753fc44ab86ce6ed47213d138.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=370&hc=411&q=70&sig=fn0xT15ZF6xMpb1ZqfSRRQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ff/fullj.3fa7079abef1a79b41aafc7b44ab1c78/ap-73c897d5e0d34b97810dc7a34fe620c2.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=372&hc=413&q=70&sig=Sl8.g9R5cIFyPOi5DNJ9Yw--]; 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At least they didn’t get blown out this time.

Outscored by a combined 51 points over the previous three games, the Netshung in against the Central division leaders.

New Jersey was within 75-73 after a tip-in by Derrick Favors(notes) midway throughthe fourth quarter but simply couldn’t pull this one out.

Boozer converted a three-point play, Rose hit two free throws and just likethat, the Bulls were up 80-73 with 5:24 left.

Rose answered a basket by Devin Harris(notes) with an off-balance floater along thebaseline. After Graham nailed the jumper, Chicago got a layup by Kurt Thomas(notes) anda dunk from Boozer that made it 86-77 with just under three minutes left.

The Bulls prevailed despite shooting 39.5 percent and getting outrebounded46-33.

Rose struggled with his shot, going 5 of 16, but finished with nine assists.Boozer, who missed practice on Thursday for personal reasons, had his way aftersome early foul trouble, going 8 of 14 from the field while turning in his fifthdouble-double in six games.

Even so, it was a difficult game for the Bulls.

There were few highlights in the early going, other than a neat sidelinesave by C.J. Watson(notes) midway through the second quarter.

He flipped the ball behind his back to Kyle Korver(notes) on the other side, nearthe Bulls’ bench. That led to two free throws by Ronnie Brewer(notes), making it 39-28and capping a seven-point spurt.

The Nets responded with a 14-2 run, scoring 10 straight and then taking ashort-lived 42-41 lead on two free throws by Stephen Graham and a 20-footer byTravis Outlaw. It was 44-43 when Ronnie Brewer nailed a 3 from the left with 23seconds remaining to give the Bulls a two-point halftime lead.

NOTES: Nets backup PG Jordan Farmar(notes) sat out with a bruised right knee. Theteam was awaiting the MRI results. New Jersey also was without F Troy Murphy(notes),who stayed at the hotel with a viral infection and flu. Coach Avery Johnson saidMurphy will fly home and miss the game at Minnesota on Saturday. … The Bulls’four-game homestand continues with Cleveland on Saturday before wrapping upagainst Toronto on Tuesday. They then visit the Nets the next day.

Pacers drop Wizards to 0-16 on road

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—Danny Granger(notes) and Darren Collison(notes) scored 18 pointsapiece and the Indiana Pacers pulled away early for a 95-86 victory over theWashington Wizards on Friday.

Granger shot 8 of 12 from the field and scored 13 of his points in the firsthalf in helping Indiana snap a three-game losing streak.

Indiana Pacers forward Danny G… AP – Dec 31, 6:12 pm EST Indiana Pacers guard Brandon R… AP – Dec 31, 6:09 pm EST Washington Wizards guard John … AP – Dec 31, 6:08 pm EST Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibb… AP – Dec 31, 6:01 pm EST Washington Wizards guard Nick … AP – Dec 31, 6:00 pm EST Indiana Pacers coach Jim O&#39… AP – Dec 31, 5:59 pm EST Washington Wizards coach Flip … AP – Dec 31, 5:59 pm EST Indiana Pacers guard Darren Co… AP – Dec 31, 5:59 pm EST Indiana Pacers forward Josh Mc… AP – Dec 31, 5:57 pm EST Indiana Pacers guard Brandon R… AP – Dec 31, 4:25 pm EST Washington Wizards guard John … AP – Dec 31, 4:24 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 10; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e7/fullj.6a0e81a85a1f639e3d2c88417a4e4d24/ap-af3a13dbba9b46abb9cdb053f388f71f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=350&hc=389&q=70&sig=hsgVdpXBSqRN.VQ89s1lVA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3d/fullj.6ec0586fc0219d166937a456fa02d15b/ap-3c63c66f2aef4e0a926ff015c8982a5e.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=427&hc=474&q=70&sig=ULE.STVppolUieBvrkX2JA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/bd/fullj.5b58f884690e64982f078d89becf58e0/ap-22e5d4f1ded94e70b20f8919db94fb3f.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=336&hc=373&q=70&sig=ocvuEzsQWN_xKWfg7JgVkw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/38/fullj.e62da37f4bebae5d7a822742db00b002/ap-e9c3e365b4cc4c5f9b83e9b56717e31b.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=402&hc=447&q=70&sig=BefZ..hvmCqY6vIk5syEog--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/98/fullj.4da5a285c0faa96880e6098748eebc46/ap-eceaab64f3a545f69812922ab1ee62ff.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=338&hc=376&q=70&sig=vLAvffbvzfpD.TK5WpSvOg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/3c/fullj.84d8dbd8218f98abd09db963ee1077f7/ap-df469a3a01f84faa869feda52ec61d5a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=335&hc=372&q=70&sig=gV9gqfels_s.hljKaxGFFQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/35/fullj.a94d9edbefcd5003d07f4616d2057b69/ap-534b48a18c6740e1a3c25b319a7c2fee.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=99&yc=1&wc=244&hc=271&q=70&sig=1p5FKV62rH2xCaQAZ0dxKg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/0f/fullj.bc953ff9d47d73a643850cb3dee10fc0/ap-1f44dff4a4c142a39c57642dcd88dd06.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=332&hc=369&q=70&sig=EjMBJLcsCSIUIwHUxHuDuw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/2a/fullj.8a456627419363698daa81966f6afbb6/ap-efb8a270a0c34690b8d464a4e585858b.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=350&hc=389&q=70&sig=EYCp6tkLADJx8s5EUNOg0w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/54/fullj.69e1c93f9f7ebd92e832e2ee3dc7d16e/ap-e7360849de244aa3adb110759ec0ac8c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=427&hc=474&q=70&sig=ZnizCHro.5qRNa5wzT1XMg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 11 Was-Ind 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();

John Wall(notes) scored 25 for the Wizards, who are 0-16 on the road this seasonand 8-7 at home.

The Pacers took control of the game with a 20-4 run in the second quarter,getting eight points from T.J. Ford(notes) in a spurt that gave them a 45-26 lead. TheWizards shot 2 of 14 in the quarter.

Washington drew within 83-72 early in the fourth quarter, but got no closeruntil the final margin.

The Wizards have lost 15 of 18 games, but beat Indiana at home Wednesday,104-90.

Bobcats fall to 2-1 under Silas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Monta Ellis(notes) scored 25 points and the Golden StateWarriors held off a late rally to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 96-95 on Friday.

Stephen Curry(notes) added 24 points and Dorell Wright(notes) 17 for the Warriors, who ledby as many as 11 points midway through the third quarter and held a six-pointlead with 1:20 remaining.

Stephen Jackson(notes) scored 22 points for the Bobcats, but missed a 3-pointerwith 2 seconds remaining that could have given Charlotte its third consecutivewin under interim head coach Paul Silas.

Golden State Warriors center D… AP – Dec 31, 6:16 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats forward Gera… AP – Dec 31, 6:15 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats center Nazr … AP – Dec 31, 6:14 pm EST Golden State Warriors forward … AP – Dec 31, 6:11 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats forward Gera… AP – Dec 31, 6:10 pm EST Golden State Warriors forward … AP – Dec 31, 6:00 pm EST Golden State Warriors guard St… AP – Dec 31, 5:59 pm EST Golden State Warriors guard Mo… AP – Dec 31, 5:58 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul S… AP – Dec 31, 5:52 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats forward Gera… AP – Dec 31, 4:27 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephe… AP – Dec 31, 4:22 pm EST Golden State Warriors coach Ke… AP – Dec 31, 4:22 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats forward Gera… AP – Dec 31, 4:21 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephe… AP – Dec 31, 4:21 pm EST Charlotte Bobcats forward Gera… AP – Dec 31, 4:20 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 14; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/a0/fullj.cc624b70ad8eb594c3235c3b6971108e/ap-f3367ef1ac774b95bfe6ad1b450c6430.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=76&yc=1&wc=291&hc=323&q=70&sig=w76SBpoewcDey_qPkBE4QA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/33/fullj.16f4aaa716f945a08f3e6304da187497/ap-2b2eb694e2584e7da5928b499511f848.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=79&yc=1&wc=284&hc=315&q=70&sig=hJGBWevflWqBVUSX8RLYRg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/4a/fullj.4ef586535e6e226b1e86f09b01427b60/ap-53d23f7a4399404e8812385a93b69e62.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=440&hc=489&q=70&sig=..b2yCTrud7gWwHlnoN5lg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/6b/fullj.45b3915f8dad24f1d8a4240e790d4c34/ap-ed8c87e789b748de968b175140ed2738.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=85&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=BkTZ1sMfDqv8fROwfATMHQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/5b/fullj.217d4250336ea995ea1dbe81e8fb5bd0/ap-83e0202615d64e569ba3f18b1c1a777b.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=330&hc=367&q=70&sig=UZCgHOG1kqhsBPmNv_N9cQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e6/fullj.8c663cb42ef15ca7368a0a14b60a75e6/ap-973ebc023e5546f8910c9fa6e9ed731d.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=406&hc=451&q=70&sig=WFfKlyd1iosEqnb9e0QgbA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/2e/fullj.a06ee1e842e0511daa2ce83246aee692/ap-c790b0bdc5604df3873486d05c46a75c.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=401&hc=446&q=70&sig=ELKqOd3ZyLN31xfWIRuoSQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/fa/fullj.7c753b1f4b749f0fa53f648a36e6d61b/ap-784e43b34b654d23ac0b2c6d1ab3304e.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=409&hc=454&q=70&sig=BTmSsGEiIJjQyJhhHCidEQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/f9/fullj.9ce342214306dee126272eb50cd31fe8/ap-5a78fb337a83473f9bc5130a0202560a.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=77&yc=1&wc=288&hc=320&q=70&sig=rphQrugrj9oZoHXNneWgiA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/0d/fullj.ab04d6c39552f29997f99e8675801ee8/ap-2cf087e9fc4e4fa5b47c2300016f17d9.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=356&hc=396&q=70&sig=99Ox7lllSIRFmvXyMWesgQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/d3/fullj.ffeaee54e5052402c974851f245e5773/ap-585333a4527f4151a30ad2e563eb1943.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=XZ1FTgDa8ErkFIK5IfEmqw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/89/fullj.2a05169d572ad0d2cdb05386379c3c2d/ap-26285586e7894758a104d4d6eb839d49.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=356&hc=396&q=70&sig=ME5nZ8LksRtxtV03WuF0ng--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/5e/fullj.92aef1af721bfff18d51ac2985378f01/ap-96852ff3cbd2457bb521dfced4b36d55.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=333&hc=370&q=70&sig=qposLGnSMw7rX4h0z6TraA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/f2/fullj.cdcc2a6d35402d6bb3ef1275daf5cfdc/ap-69a5d265cbec41ff99496efc4977a4f7.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=68&yc=1&wc=306&hc=340&q=70&sig=YuDujjhLhbMGYLU370pVrw--]; 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Gerald Wallace(notes) added 20 points, D.J. Augustin(notes) 12 and Boris Diaw(notes) 10 pointsfor the Bobcats.

Up by six points at the half, Golden State extended its lead to 64-53 onEllis’ layup with 7:48 left in the third quarter, and were ahead 77-70 by theend of the period.

Charlotte, however, cut the Warriors’ lead to 91-90 on Augustin’s 3-pointerwith 3:43 left in the fourth quarter. But David Lee(notes) hit a free throw and Ellismade a jumper and layup to put Golden State up 96-90 with 1:20 remaining.

The Bobcats made another run in the final minute, with Jackson hitting afree throw, Gerald Henderson(notes) tipping in a miss by Jackson, then Diaw hit a layupto pull to 96-95 with 14.5 seconds remaining.

Golden State had a shot at running out the clock, but Ellis was called foran offensive foul on an inbounds play with 8.5 seconds left, giving Charlotteanother chance. But Jackson’s 3-point attempt clanged off the side of the rim.

Silas, who replaced Larry Brown on Dec. 22, had won his first two games asCharlotte’s interim head coach—105-100 over Detroit on Monday, and 101-92 overCleveland on Wednesday. But getting that third straight win proved to be toomuch of a challenge, as Golden State hit its first seven shots and raced to an11-point lead early in the first quarter.

Charlotte clawed its way back into contention, leading twice—the last timeat 36-32 on Henderson’s short jumper with 6:49 left in the second quarter—andtying the score four times, the last at 40-all on Wallace’s 3-pointer with 4:51remaining. Curry then stifled any further Charlotte rallies in the first half,scoring eight of his 11 second-quarter points in a four-minute span.

His 3-pointer put Golden State up 45-40, another 3 less than a minute laterpushed the margin to 48-44, and a fast-break layup with 36 seconds remaininggave the Warriors a 52-46 lead at the break.

Notes: Friday’s game was the first time that Charlotte assistant coachStephen Silas had faced his former team. Silas, the son of Bobcats interim headcoach Paul Silas, had been an Warriors assistant for more than four seasonsuntil joining his father’s staff earlier this week. “Stephen had worked with mefor a long time,” Golden State head coach Keith Smart said. “But it was ano-brainer—I told Stephen that I’d drive him to the airport. He was tornbecause of what he had been doing for us. But I told him that he had to focus onhimself and his family, and the opportunity to work with his dad. I’m sure thatif the situation was reversed, he’d think the same thing.” … Among thoseattending Friday’s game was Bob McKillop, Curry’s head coach at Davidson, andthe entire Wildcats roster. Curry and Warriors teammate Reggie Williams(notes) watchedDavidson play St. John’s (Maine) the day before, and McKillop returned the favorFriday. “They had to switch practice time to make sure they could make thegame,” said Curry, who had to “65 or 70 tickets” for friends to attendFriday’s game, and was the only Golden State player to draw cheers from theBobcats’ fans during pre-game introductions. … Jackson and Ellis exchanged abig hug at midcourt before tipoff. The two were teammates with the Warriorsbefore Jackson was traded to the Bobcats in 2009. … Charlotte C DeSagana Diop(notes)came out of the game midway through the second quarter with a straight rightAchilles’ tendon. His status for the Bobcats’ home game against Miami on Jan. 3was unknown. … Bobcats F Tyrus Thomas(notes) missed his second straight game withsprained right wrist, and Silas said that his return to the lineup is “day today.” Thomas was joined on the inactive list by C Kwame Brown(notes) and F EduardoNajera(notes). … The Warriors were without C Andris Biedrins(notes) (left ankle sprain) andC Dan Gadzuric(notes) (left groin strain). Also inactive for Golder State was G JeremyLin(notes).

Panthers announce Fox won’t return

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—The Carolina Panthers have formally announced coachJohn Fox won’t return next season, ending a nine-year run in which he led thefranchise to its only Super Bowl.

His departure has been no secret, and Fox said after his final full practiceFriday that he’d been preparing for it for two years.

Owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement that he told Fox that heappreciates everything he has done, but that “it is time for both sides to movein different directions.” Fox will coach his final game Sunday at Atlanta.

Fox was first denied a contract extension after the 2008 season. He enteredthe last year of his contract this fall with the Panthers beginning a youthmovement that’s left them an NFL-worst 2-13.

Fox is 78-73 in nine seasons in Carolina.

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