Asheville Citizen-Times from Asheville, North Carolina • Page 27

ir SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 1 2004 C7 ASHFVIT I rrnZEX-TIMES ua Sports k.i,neU Ibou) 8OM204 FAX; 251-0585 jCOREBOARD err 1 nunui 1 7. Lasse Kjus. Norway. 192. 8.

Andreas Schifferer. Austria. 191. 9. Johann Grugger.

Austria. 140. COLLEGE BASKETBALL TODAY FAVORITE UNE UNDERDOG RHODE ISLAND 3 Xavtar EVANSvTLLE 154 Bradley SO. ILLINOIS 514 Wichita SW MISSOURI ST 6 Na Iowa FLORIDA ST 5 Nc ST CONNECTICUT 12 Oklahoma MICHIGAN 11 Indiana Duke 11 VIRGINIA CREIGHTON 161 Drake NO. CAROLINA 4 Georgia Tech NIAGARA 714 tona ST.

PETERS 1 Fairfield NHL HOCKEY TODAY FAVORITE UNE UNDERDOG NY RANGERSE-12 Tampa Bay Ottawa 12-1 CAROLINA WASHINGTONE-12 Edmonton PHOENIX 1-114 Atlanta Colorado 12-1 CHICAGO ANAHEIM 1-114 Columbus VANCOUVER 1V4-2 Florida NFL FOOTBALL TODAY PLAYOFFS FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG KANSAS CITY 3 Indianapolis PHILADELPHIA 514 Green Bay Odds provided by National Sports Services. Inc. (http:www.nss.net) Greg Maddux, rhp. CHICAGO (7) Shawn Estes, tip; Doug Glanvie. of.

Mark Guthrie, tip; Eric Karros, 1b. Troy O'Leary, of, Dave Veres, rhp; Tony Womack, ss. COLORADO (3) Greg Norton, 3b; Darren Oliver, trip: Gregg Zaun. c. FLORIDA (3) Rick Helling, rhp; Ivan Rodriguez, Ugueth Urtxna, rhp.

HOUSTON (4) Orlando Merced, of. Brian Moehkv. rhp; Ron VMone. fhp: Rick White, rhp. LOS ANGELES (4) Andy Ashby, rhp; Ron Coomer, 1b; Rickey Henderson, of, Fred McGnff, lb.

MILWAUKEE (4) Keith Osik. Todd Ritchie, rhp; Glendon Rusch, Ihp; John Vander Wal, of. MONTREAL (5) Wil Cordero, 1b; Vladimir Guerrero, of; Jose Mercedes, rhp; Fernando Tatis, 3b; Todd Zeile, 3b. NEW YORK (3) Pedro Astacio, rhp; Jay Be, 2b: Tony Clark, 1b. PHILADELPHIA (4) Jose Mesa, rhp; Dan Plesac, Ihp: Turk Wendell, rhp; Mike Williams, rhp.

PITTSBURGH (2) Pat Meares, 2b; Jeff Reboulet. 2b. ST. LOUIS (6) Jeff Fassero. Ihp; Joe Girardic; Lance Painter, rhp; Orlando Palmeiro, of; Russ Springer, rhp; Garrett Stephenson, rhp.

SAN FRANCISCO (3) Marvin Benard, of; Andres Galarraga, 1b; Sidney Ponson, rhp. SPORTS WIRE fOM SWF AM) WE REPORTS Mars player performs in Cactus Eowl WWSVILLE, Texas Mars Hill senior defensive back Michael Grant had an impressive performance in the Cactus BowL Even though his East Team lost the contest, Grant recorded seven tackles, one for loss, and picked off one interception for 35 yards. Offensive Player of the Game Tyler Paul caught a 35-yard pass from Phillip Boggs on the first play of the first overtime to lift the West All-Stars over the East All-Stars in the 11th Annual Cactus Bowl Friday night at Javelina Stadium. Paul, a senior from Emporia State, had 113 total yards and three scores to earn MVP honors. Paul had three receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns, as well as seven carries for 24 yards and a score.

Earning Defensive Player of the Game honors was Eric McDowell, a senior from Missouri Western, had a game-high 10 total tackles, including three for losses, and had two sacks for the West squad. Alan Dunn of Tusculum was named the winner of the Jim Langer Award, the top offensive lineman in the game. The first half was a defensive struggle with the only score coming on a two -yard Paul run, giving the West a 7-0 lead at the break. The two teams had a combined nine first downs and just 182 total yards in the first period. But the second half was a 180 from the first with the teams combining for 41 points.

Paul took a short pass from Boggs and outraced the defense down the left sidelines for a 49 -yard score to put the West up Will Hall nearly led the East back from a 14-point deficit as he threw for 192 yards on 12-of-25 passing with three scores. He also was the East squads' leading rusher with 33 yards on 12 carries. His 21-yard pass to Glenn Martinez with just 3:17 left in regulation sent the game into overtime. Eric Houle gave the East the lead at 27-24 with a 37-yard field goal. But it took just one play for the West to win the game as Boggs looked deep down the left sidelines and found Paul behind the defense for the winning score.

YBOA announces girls basketball tryouts ASHEVILLE Buncombe Lady Gators YBOA basketball organization. Will be having tryouts for 10U and 11U girls on Jan. 18, 2PM at UNCA. Additional NHL GLANCE EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division TOLPtsGF GA Philadelphia 20 BIOS 55117 96 New Jersey 21 109 1 52 97 74 N.Y.telanders20183 1 44120107 N.Y. Rangers 17 16 5 3 42112110 Pittsburgh 10 25 5 3 28 83 157 Northeast Division TOLPtsGF GA Toronto 23 10 8 3 57123107 Ottawa 22115 3 52133 84 Boston 181110 4 50105103 Montreal 21 165 2 4910996 Buffalo 17 20 5 1 40100111 Southeast Division TOLPtsGF GA Tampa Bay 18 156 1 43 95 87 Atlanta 19 19 3 2 43124133 Florida 14 17 9 2 39 90110 Carolina 14 18 8 2 38 74 97 Washington 12 264 1 29105138 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division TOLPtsGF GA Detroit 26 13 4 2 58146102 St.

Louis 22 12 5 1 50 99 92 Nashville 20 16 4 2 46102109 Chicago 11 21 7 4 33 85 119 Columbus 11 23 4 3 29 79 112 Northwest Division TOLPtsGF GA Vancouver 24 11 6 2 56 125 97 Colorado 22 10 7 2 53123 90 Calgary 21 13 3 3 48 93 80 Minnesota 15 1711 0 41 93 92 Edmonton 16 187 1 40107115 Pacific Division TOLPtsGF GA San Jose 18 10114 51107 94 Phoenix 1612112 45106105 Dallas 18 18 8 0 44 87 99 Los Angeles 16 14 7 4 43108108 Anaheim 13 18 6 5 37 88 111 Two points for a win, one point for a tie and overtime loss. Fridays Games Washington 4, Carolina 1 Tampa Bay 4, New Jersey 1 Buffalo 3, Ottawa 2 Phoenix 2, Minnesota 0 Vancouver 5, Anaheim 2 Saturdays Games Boston 2, Detroit 1, OT Montreal 8, Pittsburgh 0 Colorado 4, Dallas 2 N.Y. Rangers 3, N.Y. Islanders 2 San Jose 5, Atlanta 2 Edmonton 3, Philadelphia 0 New Jersey 1 Toronto 0 Nashville 3. St.

Louis 1 Florida at Calgary, Late Columbus at Los Angeles, Late Sunday's Games Ottawa at Carolina, 5 p.m. Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers, 5 p.m. Edmonton at Washington, 6 p.m. Atlanta at Phoenix, 7 p.m.

Colorado at Chicago, 8 p.m. Columbus at Anaheim, 8 p.m. Florida at Vancouver, 1 0 p.m. Monday's Games Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Nashville at Minnesota. 8 p.m. NHL LEADERS Through Jan.

9 GP A PTS Naslund, Van 42 22 26 48 Lang, Was 43 21 27 48 Kovalchuk, AM 42 22 25 47 Sakic, Col 39 18 28 46 Datsyuk, Det 44 21 24 45 10. Fritz Strobl. Austria, 138. 11. Klaus Kroell.

Austria, 127. 12. Btarne Sotbakxen, Norway, 126. 13. Pan Jaerbyn.

Sweden, 93. 14. Bruno Kemen, Switzerland. 84. 15.

Hannes Tnnki, Austria. 82. Also 16. Erik Guay. Canada.

81. 23. Bryon Fnedman, U.S., 53. 48. Bode Miller, U.S..

1. WOMEN'S WORLD CUP Women's Work Cup Ski Results Saturday At Veysormaz, Switzerlani Downhill 1. Renate Goetschl. Austria. 1 minute, 38.58 seconds.

2. Miehaela Dorfmeister, Austria, 1:39.07. 2. Hilde Gerg. Germany, 1:39.07.

4. Kirsten Clark, U.S, 1:39.17. 5. Caroline LaJive. U.S., 1:39.57.

6. Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria, 1:39.60. 7. Fraenzi Aufdenrjtatten, Switzerland, 1:39.65. 7.

Sytviane Berthod, Switzerland, 1:39.65. 9. Petra Haltmayr. Germany, 1:39.78. 10.

Martina Em, Germany, 1:39.80. 11. Nadia Styger, Switzerland, 1:39.81. 12. Ingrid Jacquemod.

1:39.89. 13. Carole Montillet. 1:39.90. 14.

Isolde Kostner, Italy, 1:39.94. 15. Brigitte Obermoser, Austria, 1:40.01. 16. Emily Brydon, Canada, 1:40.07.

17. Catherine Borghi, Switzerland, 1:40.13. 18. Libby Ludlow. U.S., 1:40.33.

19. Tanja Schneider, Austria. 1:40.36. 20. Katja Wirth, Austria, 1:40.39.

21. Andrine Flemmen, Norway, 1:40.48. 22. Chimene Alcott, Britain, 1:40.52. 22.

Daniela CeccareUi, Italy, 1:40.52. 22. Lindsey C. KUdow, United States, 1:40.52. 25.

Lucia Recchia, Italy, 1:40.69. 26. Kathrin Wilhelm, Austria, 1:40.70. 27. Genevieve Simard, Canada, 1:40.81.

28. Ella Alpiger, Switzerland. 1:40.82. 29. Maria Riesch, Germany, 1:40.84.

30. Magda Mattel, France, 1:40.85. Also 38. Jonna Mendes, U.S., 1:41.33. 39.

Anne-Marie Lefrancois, Canada, 1:41.35. 41. Kelly Vanderbeek, Canada, 1:41.56. Overall World Cup Standings 1. Anja Paerson, Sweden, 739 points.

2. Renate Goetschl, Austria, 573. 3. Nicole Hosp, Austria, 506. 4.

Martina Ertl. Germany, 432. 5. Miehaela Dorfmeister, Austria, 393. 6.

Carole Montillet, France, 392. 7. Hilde Gerg, Germany, 390. 8. Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria, 370.

9. Kirsten Clark, United States, 307. 10. Tanja Poutiainen, Finland, 284. 11.

Marlies Schild, Austria, 253. 12. Sonja Nef, Switzerland, 231. 13. Elisabeth Goergl, Austria, 220.

14. Sarah Schleper, U.S., 195. 15. Anna Ottosson, Sweden, 193. Also 19.

Kristina Koznick, U.S., 169. 26. Caroline Ulive, U.S., 116. 32. Emily Brydon, Canada, 104.

38. Jonna Mendes, U.S., 82. 44. Genevieve Simard, Canada, 71 54. Resi Stiegler, United States.

60. 61. Allison Forsyth, Canada, 54. 73. Lindsey Kildow, U.S., 29.

84. Anne Marie Lefrancois, Canada. 18.... 84, Julia Mancuso, U.S., 18. 88.

Kelly Vanderbeek, Canada, 14. 89. Libby Ludlow, U.S., 13. 91. Bryna McCarty, U.S., 10.

95. Britt Janyk, Canada, 8. 101. Alison Powers, U.S., 2. Scott Stevens, New Jersey, 121.838; Scott Medermayer.

New Jersey. 104,567: Brian Leetch. N.Y. Rangers, 63.704; Sergei Gonchar. Washington.

58.337; Zdeno Chara, Ottawa. Dan Boyle, Tampa Bay, Danny Markov. Carolina, 50,923: Enc Desiardins, Philadelphia, 49.966: Bryan McCabe. Toronto, 47,984: Wade Redden, Ottawa. 43,182.

Tomas Kaberie, Toronto, 41 Kim Johnsson, Philadelphia. Adrian Aucoin, N.Y. Islanders, Alexei Zhitnik, Buffalo. Brian Rafalski, New Jersey, Roman Hamrtik. N.Y.

Islanders. Janns Niinimaa, N.Y. Islanders, Tom Poti. N.Y. Rangers, 21 Chris Phillips, Ottawa, Kenny Jonsson, N.Y.

Islanders. 11,858. WESTERN CONFERENCE Wingers Todd Bertuzzi, Vancouver, Bill Guerin, Dallas, Markus Naslund, Vancouver, Brett Hut), Detroit, Zigmund Palffy, Los Angeles, 68.313: Jere Lehtinen, Dallas, Milan Hejduk, Colorado, Brendan Shanahan, Detroit, Paul Kariya. Colorado. Alex Tanguay, Colorado, 44,043.

Teemu Selarme, Colorado, Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis, 41 Jarome kjinla. Calgary, Petr Sykora, Anaheim, Marian Gaborik, Minnesota, Geoff Sanderson, Columbus, 23.467; Eric Daze, Chicago, 21 Shane Doan, Phoenix, 21 Andrew Brunette, Minnesota, Ryan Smyth, Edmontton, 16,683. Goaltenders Marty Turco, Dallas, Dan Qoutier, Vancouver, Roman Cechmanek, Los Angeles, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Anaheim, Dominik Hasek, Detroit. 49.778; Chris Osgood, St Louis, Curtis Joseph, Detroit Jocelyn Thibault, Chicago, Sean Burke, Phoenix, Marc Denis, Columbus, Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose, Tomas Vbkoun, Nashville, Manny Fernandez, Minnesota, Dwayne Roloson, Minnesota, Tommy Sato, Edmonton, 9,948.

Centers Mike Modano, Dallas, 86,1 19; Peter Forsberg, Colorado. Steve Yzerman, Detroit, 61 Joe Sakic, Colorado, Jason Allison, Los Angeles, Brendan Morrison, Vancouver, Sergei Fedorov, Anaheim, Patrick Marleau, San Jose, 19,979. Andrew Cassels, Columbus, Doug Weight, St. Louis, Pavol Demitra, St. Louis, Steve Rucchin, Anaheim, Alexei Zhamnov, Chicago, x-Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit, Vincent Damphousse, San Jose, Mike York, Edmonton, Mike Comrie, Edmonton-Philadelphia, 5,839.

Defensemen Rob Blake, Colorado, Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit. 90,995: Ed Jovanovski, Vancouver, Sergei Zubov, Dallas, Chris Chelios, Detroit, Chris Pronger, St. Louis, Teppo Numminen, Dallas, Adam Foote, Colorado, Mattias Norstrom, Los Angeles, Mattias Ohlund, Vancouver, Sandis Ozolinsh. Anaheim, Al Maclnnis, St. Louis, Barret Jackman, St.

Louis, Derian Hatcher, Detroit, Eric Brewer, Edmonton, Filip Kuba, Minnesota, Derek Morris, Colorado, Robyn Regehr, Calgary, Kimmo Timonen, Nashville, Ton! Lydman, Calgary, 14,094. 16. Gonzaga (11-2) at Loyola Maryrnount. Next: vs. San Francisco.

Thursday. 17. Syracuse (11-1) beat Boston College 96-73. Next at Missouri. Monday.

16. Texas (9-2) beat Baylor 79-57. Next vs. No. Wake Forest Tuesday.

19 Illinois (10-3) lost to Na 24 Purdue 58-54. Next at Northwestern, Wednesday. 20. Vanderbilt (12-1) lost to No. 7 Kentucky 75-63.

Next at Tennessee, Wednesday. 21. Wisconsin (11-2) beat Michigan State 77-64. Next: at No. 24 Purdue, Wednesday.

22. Mississippi State (13-0) beat Arkansas 80-J62. Next: vs. No.7 Kentucky, Tuesday. 23.

Marquette (11-2) beat Saint Louis 61-59. Next: vs. No. 11 Cincinnati, Wednesday. 24.

Purdue (11-4) beat No. 19 Illinois 58-54. Next: vs. No. 21 Wisconsin, Wednesday.

25. Providence (8-3) lost to Rutgers 65-64. Next: at Seton HaH, Monday. COLLEGE WOMEN Women's Sunday Schedule EAST Boston U. at Binghamton; St.

Peter's at Canisius; Old Dominion at Delaware; N.C.-Wilmington at Drexet; Xavier at Duquesne; Rhode island at Fordham; UMBC at Hartford; Manhattan at lona; Rider at Marist; Dayton at Massachusetts; Fairfield at Niagara; Loyola, Md. at Siena; Temple at St. Bonaventure; James Madison at Towson. SOUTH South Carolina at Alabama: UAB at Charlotte; N.C. State at Clemson; South Florida at East Carolina; Vanderbilt at Florida: Georgia at Kentucky; Auburn at LSU; Texas-Pan American at Louisiana-' Lafayette; TCU at Memphis; Tennessee at Mississippi Duke at North Carolina; George Mason at Va.

Commonwealth; at W. Kentucky; Hofstra at William iMary. MIDWEST Cincinnati at DePaul; Purdue at Illinois: Louisville at Marquette; Iowa at Minnesota; Ohio St. at -Northwestern; Houston at Saint Louis: Penn St. at Wisconsin.

SOUTHWEST Mississippi at Arkansas. FAR WEST Washington St. at Southern Cal; Washington at UCLA; N. Arizona at UNLV. TOP 25 FARED Women's Top 25 Fared Saturday 1.

Duke (12-1) did not play. Next vs. No. 13 North Carolina, Sunday. 2.

Texas Tech (15-0) beat Oklahoma State 106-43. Next: at Iowa State, Wednesday. 3. Texas (14-1) beat No. 15 Oklahoma 63-58.

Next: at No. 24 Baylor, Wednesday. 4. Connecticut (1 1-1) beat Georgetown 69-51. Next: at Notre Dame, Tuesday.

5. Tennessee (11-1) did not play. Next: at Mississippi State. Next: at South Carolina, Thursday. 6.

Minnesota (13-0) did not play. Next: vs. Iowa, Sunday. 7. Stanford (13-2) beat Arizona 84-62.

Next: at Friday. 8. Louisiana Tech (10-2) beat Fresno State 81-59. Next: at San Jose State, Thursday. 9.

Penn State (1 0-3) did not play. Next: at Wisconsin. Sunday. 1 0. Purdue (1 1 -2) did not play.

Next: at Illinois, Sunday. 11. Kansas State (11-2)beatNo. 14 Colorado 76-69. Next: at Oklahoma State, Tuesday.

12. Georgia (12-2) did not play. Next: at Kentucky, Sunday. 13. North Carolina (13-1) did not play.

Next at No. 1 Duke, Sunday. 14. Colorado (12-2) lost to No. 11 Kansas State 76-69.

Next: at Kansas, Tuesday. 15. Oklahoma (1 1-2) lost to No. 3 Texas 63-58. Next: at Texas Wednesday.

16. Virginia Tech (12-2) lost to Notre Dame 53-40. Next: vs. Villanova, Wednesday. 17.

LSU (12-2) did not play. Next: vs. No. 21 Auburn, Sunday. FIGHT SCHEDULE National TV in parentheses Jan.

15 At Chumash Casino and Resort, Santa Ynez, Calif. (SHO), Ishe Smith. Las Vegas, vs. Randall Bailey, Miami, 12, for the vacant USBA and WBC Continental Americas welterweight titles; Ian Gardner, Brockton. vs.

Julio Cesar De La Cruz, East Hartford, 10, rmddleweights. Jan. 16 At Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, Fernando Montiel, Mexico, vs. Adonis Rivas, Nicaragua, 10, super flyweights; Daniel Ponce De Leon. Mexico, vs.

Jesus Perez, Colombia, 10, bantamweights. Jan. 19 At Wollongong Entertainment Center, Australia, Anthony Mundine, Australia, vs. Yoshinori Nishizawa, Japan, 12, for Mundine 's WBA super middleweight title. Jan.

23 At Kansas City (Mo.) Expo Center, Martin Castillo, Mexico, vs. Roger Galicia. Philippines, 12, WBA super flyweight eliminator; Marco -Ramierez, Kansas City, vs. Mike Juarez, Omaha, 10, featherweights. Jan.

24 At Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. (HBO), Arturo Gatti, Canada, vs. Gianluca Branca Italy, 12, for the WBC super lightweight title; Francisco Boiado, Mexico, vs. James Leija, San Antonio, 10, junior welterweights. Jan.

31 At Dodge Theatre, Phoexix (HBO), information will be available for 12U 15U teams. If BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES-Agreed to terms on a one-year contract with 1B-DH Rafael Palmeiro. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association NEW YORK KNICKS-Activated Michael Doleac and Michael Sweetney from the injured list Raced Cezary Trybanski on the injured list. TORONTO RAPTORS-Activated Lamond Murray from the injured list. Placed Milt Palacio on the injured list.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS-Placed Gilbert Arenas on the injured list FOOTBALL National Football League SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS-Named Ted Tollner offensive coordinator, Rich Olson quarterbacks coach, Gregg Smith offensive line coach, and Dan Cozzetto tight ends coach. Signed Nate Fikse. HOCKEY National Hockey League COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Placed Andrew Cassels on injured reserve. Recalled Aaron Johnson from Syracuse of the AHL. DALLAS STARS-Activated John Erskine from injured reserve.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS-Claimed Craig Johnson off waivers from Anaheim. WASHINGTON CAPITALS-Assigned RW Boyd Gordon to Portland of the AHL Central Hockey League CHL-Suspended Laredo LW Mike Amodeo three games for his actions In a game against Rio Grande Valley on Jan. 9. Suspended Memphis Jean- Francois Racine six games for his actions in a game against Wichita on Jan. 8.

Suspended Wichita LW Jeff Leiter two games for his actions in a game against Memphis on Jan. 8. FORT WORTH BRAHMAS Signed Kyle Foddrill. LUBBOCK COTTON KINGS Signed Joey Grasso. TULSA OILERS Waived Ryan Courtney.

Signed LW Doug Pirnak and Troy Caley. COLLEGE OHIO STATE Announced sophomore men's basketball C-F Charles Bass transferred to Ball State. you have any questions contact Matthew Metcalf at 626-3008 or visit our web site at www.angelfire.comtob2gat0rsnc. Nick Saban turns down Bears coaching job BATON ROUGE, Louisa na. Coach Nick Saban announced Saturday he will stay at LSU, one day after talking to the Chicago Bears about their job opening.

"That's not something I'm interested in doing right now. I'm very happy to be the coach here," Saban said. "We're looking forward to the challenges of making LSU a dominant program in the future." Saban led the Tigers to a share of their first Doan, Pho 41 17 27 44 Hossa, Ott 40 18 25 43 42 16 27 43 Tanguay, Col 38 10 32 42 Nagy, Pho 40 20 21 41 Pal'fly, LA 35 16 25 41 Hull, Det 43 16 25 41 Savard, Atl 31 15 26 41 Alfredsson, Ott 40 17 23 40 Jagr, Was 41 14" 26 40 Gonchar, Was 43 4 35 39 NHL CALENDAR NHL Calendar Feb. 7-8 All-Star weekend, St Paul, Minn. Feb.

10 Ail-Star break concludes. WM Antonio Margarito, Mexico, vs. Hercules Kyvalos, Montreal, 12, for Margarita's WBO welterweight title; Rafael Marquez, Mexico City, vs. Pete Frissina, Tarpon Springs, 12, for Marquez's IBF bantamweight Feb. 7 At Moscow (SHO), Kostya Tszyu, Australia, vs.

Sharmba Mitchell, Takoma Park. 12, forTszyu's WBC and WBA super lightweight titles and IBF junior welterweight title. Site TBA (SHO), James Toney, Los Angeles, vs. Jameel McCline, Port Jefferson, N.Y., 12, for the NABO heavyweight title. Feb.

28 At MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas (HBO), Jesus Chavez, Austin, Texas, vs. Erik Morales, Mexico, for the WBC super featherweight title; Miguel Cotto, Puerto Rico, vs. Victoriano Sosa, Dominican Republic, 12, for the WBC International super lightweight title. March 6 Site TBA (SHO), Joel Casamayor, Miami, vs. Diego Comales, Sacramento, 12, super featherweights.

March 13 At Mandalay Bay Resort Casino, Las Vegas. Sugar Shane Mosley, Pomona, vs. Winky Wright, Washington, for Mosley's WBC and WBA super middleweight titles, and Wright's IBF junior middleweight title. MERCEDES RESULTS Mercedes Championships Scores Saturday The Plantation Course at March 9 Trade deadline, 3 p.m. EST.

April 4 Regular season ends. April 7 Stanley Cup playoffs begin. April 24-May 9 IIHF World Championships. June 7 Last possible date for Stanley Cup finals. June 10 NHL awards ceremony, Toronto.

June 26-27 NHL entry draft. Raleigh, N.C. July 1 Free agency signing period begins. July 15 Deadline for eligible Group li players to elect salary arbitration; deadline for eligible players to elect Group free agency. national title since the 1958 season, triggering a clause in his contract that guarantees him becoming the highest-paid coach in college football.

Saban, the AP coach of the year, made $1.5 million last year and is in line for a raise to at least $1 more than Oklahoma's Bob Stoops, who makes $2.3 million a year. Saban has not yet signed a contract extension with LSU. He said he was pleased with the progress of negotiations but declined to elaborate. The Tigers beat Stoops' Sooners 21-14 in the Sugar Bowl last Sunday to win the Bowl Championship Series title. LSU finished second to Southern California in The Associated Press poll.

Saban's name had been linked to NFL openings because of his success at LSU and his experience as an assistant in the pros. He met on Friday with Bears general manager Jerry Angelo a longtime friend but did not say whether he was in fact offered an NFL job. Since it had, Saban asked LSU to set up a hastily called media conference to ease the concerns of his current players and potential recruits. Saban took over a team that had gone 3-8 in 1999 and in his first season went 8-4 with a Peach Bowl victory. LSU has been in bowl games all four of his seasons, winning two Southeastern Conference titles and two Sugar Bowls.

The Tigers are 39-13 under Saban overall. Dennis Rodman returns to basketball LONG BEACH, California Dennis Rodman practiced with the Long Beach Jam for the first time Saturday and is expected to make his debut for the American Basketball Association team Friday. The 42 -year-old Rodman signed with Long Beach on Dec. 19, but said he did not practice with the team until Saturday because he was rehabilitating an injured knee. Rodman led the NBA in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons and helped the Detroit Pistons win two championships and the Chicago Bulls win three, but also developed a reputation for bizarre behavior, both on and off the court Cureton said he does not expect any problems from Rodman, who impressed team officials at the practice by helping teach his teammates as they ran plays.

Rodman said he has been sober for three months. Rodman has not played competitively since being released March 8, 2000, after a 12-game stint with the Dallas Mavericks. He's expected to play for the first time Friday night against the Fresno HeatWave in Long Beach. 18. DePaul (13-1) did not play.

Next: vs. Cincinnati, Sunday. 19. TCU (12-2) did not play. Next at Memphis, Sunday.

20. Boston College (12-2) lost to No. 24 Miami 70-66. Next: at No. 4 Connecticut, Saturday.

21. Auburn (12-2) did not play. Next: at No. 1 7 LSU, Sunday. 22.

Ohio State (9-4) did not play. Next: at Northwestern, Sunday. 23. Michigan State (10-3) did not play. Next: vs.

Detroit, Monday. 24. Baylor (13-2) beat Texas 60-57. Next: vs. No.

3 Texas, Wednesday. 25. Miami (13-1) beat No. 20 Boston College 70-66. Next: vs.

Georgetown, Wednesday. Maui, Hawaii Puree: $5.3 million Yardage: Par 73 Third Round Stuart Appleby 66-67-66-199 Wjay Singh 68-64-69-201 Retief Goosen 70-70-64-204 Darren Clarke 67-69-69-205 Tiger Woods 71-70-65-206 Scott Hoch 68-71-69-208 KirkTriplett 68-69-71-208 Jim Furyk 70-71-68-209 Davis Love III 69-71 -69-209 Jonathan Kaye 74-70-66-210 Shaun Micheel 70-71-69-210 J.L Lewis 70-71-69-210 Ben Crane 71-74-66-211 Adam Scott 69-74-68- 211 Chad Campbell 71-76-65-212 Kenny Perry 73-71-68-212 Justin Leonard 68-73-71-212 John Huston 69-72-71-212 Shigeki Maruyama 69-72-72-213 Fred Couples 69-72-72-213 Mike Weir 71-70-73-214 Peter Jacobsen 70-71-73-214 Ernie Els 73-70-73-216 Steve Fleschi 73-72-72-217 Tommy Armour III 73-71-73-217 Craig Stadler 73-78-68-219 Frank Lickliter II 73-76-70-219 RorySabbatinl 73-74-74-221 BobTway 76-74-72-222 Ben Curtis 73-80-70-223 MLB CALENDAR Baseball Calendar Jan 5-15 Salary arbitration filing. Jan. 6 Hall of Fame voting announced. Jan.

8 Last day until May 1 for free agents who rejected arbitration offers to re-sign with their former teams. Jan. 14-15 Owners meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz. Jan. 19 Exchange of salary arbitration figures.

Feb. 1-21 Salary arbitration hearings. Feb. 14 Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players on New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Feb.

19 Voluntary reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players on other teams and other players on Yankees and DevH Rays. Feb. 24 Voluntary reporting date for other players on other teams. March 2-11 Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players. March 2 Mandatory reporting date.

March 17 Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days. March 30-31 Opening series, New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay, Tokyo. March 31 Last day to request unconditional release waivers on a player without having to pay his full 2004 salary. April 4 Opening day for other teams.

Active rosters reduced to 25 players. June 14 Hall of Fame game, Atlanta vs. Minnesota, Cooperstown, N.Y. July 13 All-Star game, Houston. July 25 Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.Y.

Oct. 5 Playoffs begin. Oct. 12 League championship series begin. Oct.

23 World Series begins. UNSIGNED AGENTS Remaining Free Agents NEW YORK (AP) The 84 remaining free agents: AMERICAN LEAGUE ANAHEIM (1) Eric Owens of. BALTIMORE (3) Albert Belle, of; Hector Carrasco, rhp; Scott Erickson, rhp. BOSTON (3) John Burkett, rhp; Todd Jones, rhp; Robert Person, rhp. CLEVELAND (2) Ellis Burks, dh; Terry Mulholland, Ihp.

DETROIT (2) Shane Halter, 3b; Matt Walbeck, c. KANSAS CITY (4) Jose Lima, rhp; Graeme Lloyd. Ihp; Tom Prince, Jamey Wright, rhp. MINNESOTA (2) Rick Reed, rhp; Kenny Rogers, Ihp. NEW YORK (3) Roger Clemens, rhp; Jeff Nelson, rhp; Antonio Osuna, rhp.

SEATTLE (2) John Mabry, of; Mark McLemors, ss. TAMPA BAY (4) Travis Lee, 1b; Al Martin, dh; Rey Ordonez, ss; Terry Shumpert, dh. TEXAS (1) Rafael Palmeiro, dh. TORONTO (1) Mike Bordick, ss. NATIONAL LEAGUE ARIZONA (4) Mark Grace, 1b; Felix Jose, of; Raul Mondesi, of; Mike Myers, Ihp.

ATLANTA (4) Darren Bragg, of; Matt Franco, lb; Darren Holmes NBDL GLANCE Charleston 12 5 .706 -Huntsville 10 6 .625 112 Roanoke 8 6 .571 212 FayettevUle 8 8 .500 312 Asheville 4 8 .333 512 Columbus 4 13 .235 8 Friday's Games Columbus 91, Roanoke 84 Charleston 100, Huntsville 91 Saturday's Gams Asheville at Fayetteville, Late Sunday's Games No games scheduled -Monday's Games No games scheduled -Tuesday's Games Columbus at Roanoke Fayetteville at Huntsville COLLEGE MEN Men's Sunday Schedule EAST Xavier at Rhode Island. Noon Varment at Maine, 1 p.m. lona at Niagara, 1 p.m. Albany, N.Y. at Northeastern, 1 p.m.

New Hampshire at Stony Brook, 1 p.m. Rairleigh Dickinson at Columbia, 2 p.m. Fairfield at St. Petert, 3 p.m. Oklahoma at Connecticut 4:30 p.m.

SOUTH Gardner-Webb at Georgia St, 1 p.m. UCF at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Florida Atlantic at Stetson, 3 p.m. N.C. State at Florida 4 p.m.

Duke at Virginia, 5:30 p.m. Georgia Tech at North Carolina, 8 p.m. MIDWEST Bradley at Evansville, 3 p.m. Wichita St. at S.

Illinois, 3 p.m. N. Iowa at SW Missouri 3 p.m. Northwestern at Michigan, 4:30 p.m. Drake at Creighton, 7 p.m.

TOP 25 FARED Mens Top 25 Fared Saturday 1. Connecticut (12-1) did not play. Next: vs. No. 6 Oklahoma, Sunday.

2. Duke (1 1-1) did not play. Next: at Virginia, Sunday. 3. Arizona (10-2) lost to No.

4 Stanford 82-72. Next: at Southern California, Thursday. 4. Stanford (13-0) beat No. 3 Arizona 82-72.

Next: vs. California, Saturday. 5. Wake Forest (11-0) beat Clemson 78-63. Next: at No.

18 Texas, Tuesday. 6. Oklahoma (10-0) did not play. Next: at No. 1 Connecticut Sunday.

7. Kentucky (10-1) beat No. 20 Vanderbilt 75-63. Next: at No. 22 Mississippi State, Tuesday.

8. Georgia Tech (12-1) did not play. Next: at No. 12 North Carolina, Sunday. 9.

Saint Joseph's (13-0) beat Duquesne 78-61. Next: vs. Fordham, Tuesday. 10. Louisville (11-1) beat South Florida 85-40.

Next: at East Carolina, Thursday. 11. Cincinnati (11-0) beat DePaul 90-65. Next: at No. 23 Marquette, Wednesday.

12. North Carolina (9-2) did not play. Next vs. No. 8 Georgia Tech, Sunday.

13. Kansas (9-2) did not play. Next; vs. Kansas Stale, Wednesday. 14.

Florida (11-2) beat Tennessee 95-57. Next: at No. 20 Vanderbilt, Saturday. 15. Pittsburgh (16-0) beat Miami 84-80.

20T. Next: vs. Notre Dame. Monvjay. Aug.

1-15 Salary arbitration hearings. Aug. 20 World Cup of Hockey training camps open. Aug. 30-Sept.

14 World Cup of Hockey. ALL-STAR VOTING NHL 2003-04 Ail-Star Voting Game: Feb. 8 At Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, Minn. (x-write-in votes) Final EASTERN CONFERENCE Wingers llya Kovalchuk, Atlanta, Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Tony Amonte, Philadelphia, Marian Hossa, Ottawa, Owen Nolan, Toronto, Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey, Jaromir Jagr, Washington, Jeff O'Neill, Carolina, Alexander Mogilny, Toronto, Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa, Dany Heatley, Atlanta, Patrik Elias, New Jersey, Miroslav Satan, Buffalo, Alexei Kovalev, N.Y.

Rangers, Sergei Samsonov, Boston, Peter Bondra, Washington, Jeff Friesen, New Jersey, Glen Murray, Boston, 27,213: Richard Zednik, Montreal, 24,560: Martin Havlat, Ottawa, 15,473. Goattenders Martin Brodeur, New Jersey, Ed Belfour, Toronto, Nikolai Khabibulin, Tampa Bay, Jose Theodore, Montreal, Patrick Lalime, Ottawa, Roberto Luongo, Florida, Mike Dunham, N.Y. Rangers, Olaf Kolzig, Washington, 20,032. Centers Joe Thornton, Boston, Jeremy Roenick, Philadelphia, Joe Nieuwendyk, Toronto, Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh, Mats Sundin, Toronto, 30.618: Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay, Ron Francis, Carolina, 34.885; Robert Lang. Washington, 24.804; Chris Drury, Buffalo, 20.347: Saku Koivu, Montreal, Radek Bonk, Ottawa, Brad Richards, Tampa Bay, 16,872.

Rod Brind'Amour, Carolina, 16.860; Eric Undros, N.Y. Rangers, 16.242; John Madden, New Jersey, Scott Gomez, New Jersey. 12.947; Oil! Jokinen, Florida, 10.432; Simon Gagne, Philadelphia, 10.279; Viktor Kozlov, Florida, 8.970; Alexei Yashin, N.Y. Islanders, 8.655; Michael Peca, N.Y. Islanders, 6,930: Keith Primeau.

Philadelphia, Martin Straka, Plttsburgh-Los Angeles, 4.895; Brian Rolston, Boston, 4,580. LM SUNDAY TELEVISION SWIMMING West Henderson High School Swim Meet at King's Mountain High School BOY'S TEAM SCORES King's Mountain 119 West Henderson 105 North Lincolnton 34 Individual Scores (distances in yards) 200 Medley Relay: Kings Mtn (Michael Allen, Colby Wollack, James Gladden, Youki Nishiyama), 200 Freestyle: J. Gladden. KMHS 200 Individual Medley: A. Armstrong, WHHS (2:12.1 1), 50 Freestyle: Y.

Nishiyama, KMHS (:23.53), 100 Butterfly: Y. Nishiyama, KMHS (:58.50), 100 Freestyle: M. Allen, KMHS (:52.25), 500 Freestyle: T. McDaniel, 200 Freestyle Relay: King's Mtn: Michael Allen, Colby Wollack, James Gladden, Youki Nishiyama 100 Backstroke: C. Wollak, KMHS (:58.37), 100 Breaststroke M.

Sabettl, WHHS 400 Freestyle Relay: West Henderson: Andrew Armstrong, Barrett Armstrong, Jerry Brinkiey, Matt Ellis (3:43.63) GIRL'S TEAM SCORES King's Mountain 127 West Henderson 106 North Lincolnton 40 tndlvidual Scores (distances in yards) 200 Medley Relay: King's Mtn: Phaedra Mangum, Lorren Plyler. Hayley Flynn, Michelle Jones, 200 Freestyle: H. Flynn. KMHS 200 Individual Medley: M. Albea, WHHS 50 Freestyle: L.

Ficker. WHHS (:27.97). 100 Butterfly: M. Albea, WHHS 100 Freestyle: L. Ficker, WHHS 500 Freestyle: Plyler.

KMHS 200 Freestyle Relay: King's Mtn: Hayley Flynn, Phaedra Mangum, Michelle Jones. K. Peeler 100 Backstroke: Mangum. KMHS 100 Breaststroke: Plyler, KMHS 400 Freestyle Relay: King's K. Peeler, Michelle Jones.

Blalock. K. Flynn (4:33.74) Next Meet West Henderson at Brevard Racquet Ctito. Suturrtey January 17th at 9am AUTO RACING ATP ATP Qatar ExxonMobil Open Results Saturday At The Khalifa Tennis Centre Doha, Qatar Purse: $1 million (Intl. Series) Surface: Hard-Outdoor Singles Championship Nicolas Escude, France, def.

Ivan Ljubiclc, Croatia, 8-3, 7-6 (4). WTA WTA Tour ASB Classic Results Saturday At ASB Bank Tennis Centre Auckland, New Zealand Purse: $140,000 (Tier IV) Surface: Herd-Outdoor Singles Championship Eleni Daniilidou (3), Greece, def. Ashley Harkleroad, United States, 6-3. 6-2. Doubles Championship Mervana Jugic-Salkic, Bosnia- Herzogovina, and Jelena Kostanic, Croatia, def.

Paola Suarez (1), Argentina, and Virginia Ruano Pascual (1), Spain, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-1. 8:30 p.m. SPEED 4x4 Rallying. Dakar Rally, from Moptl, Mall to Bobo-Dioulasao, Burkina Faso (same-day tape) MEN'S WORLD CUP Men's World Cup Ski Results Saturday At Chamonix, Francs Downhill 1. Stephan Eberharter, 1 minute, 59.08 seconds.

2. Lasse Kjus. Norway, 1:59.39. 3. Michael Walchhofer, Aus 1:59.83.

4. Andreas Schifferer, 1 :59.99. 5. Hannes Trinkl. 2:00.

6. Fritz Strobt, 2:00.06. 7. Johann Grugger, 2:00.15. 8.

Christoph Gruber. 2:00.31. 9. Bruno Kernen, Switzerland, 2:00.36. 10.

Antoine Deneriaz, France, 2:00.40. 10. Bryon Friedman, U.S., 2:00.40. 10. DidierCuche, Switzerland, 2:00.40.

13. Hermann Maier, 2:00.41. 14. Benjamin Raich, 2:00.45. 15.

Daron Rahlves, U.S., 2:00.46. 16. Josel Strobl, 2:00.63. 17. Klaus Kroell.

2:00.65. 17. Hans Knauss, 2:00.65. 19. Norbert Holzknecht, 2.00.68.

20. Patrik Jaerbyn, Sweden, 2:00.70. 21. Marco Buechel, Liechtenstein, 2:00.74. 21.

Kristian Ghedina. Italy. 2:00.74. 23. Rett Von Weissenfluh, Switzerland.

2:00.76. 24. Luca Cattaneo, Italy. 2:00.81. 25.

Kurt Sulzenbacher. Italy. 2:00.84. 26. Ambrosi Hoffmann, Switzerland.

2:00.96. 27. Yannk Bertrand, 2:01.08. 28. Werner Franz, 2:01.14.

29. Johan Clarey, France, 2:01.18. 29. Alessandro Fattori, Italy, 2:01.18. Also 32.

Vincent Lavoie, Canada, 2:01.29. 33. Jeff Hume, Canada, 2:01 .38. 34. Bode Miller, United States, 2:01.39.

53. Jakub Fiala, United States, 2:02.58. World Cup DownhM Standings (After five races) 1. Michael Walchhofer, Austria, 330 points. 2.

Stephan Eberharter, Austria, 251. 3. Hermann Maier. Austria. 239.

4. Daron Rahlves, 215. 5. Hans Knauss, Austria. 199.

6. Antoine Denenaj. France, 193. PBA, Earl Anthony Classic, at Tacoma, Wash. 1p.m.

SPN GOLF 7 p.m. ESPN PGA Tour, Mercedes Championships, final round, at Kapalua, Hawaii 1 MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 4 p.m. ABC NC State at Florida State 4:30 p.m. CBS Oklahoma at Connecticut 6:30 p.m. FOXSN Duke at Virginia 8 p.m.

FOXSN Georgia Tech at North Carolina PRO FOOTBALL. p.m. CBS Playoffs, AFC divisional game, Indianapolis at Kansas City 4:30 m. FOX Playoffs, NFC divisional game. Green Bay at Philadelphia NHL HOCKEY 8 fJn.

ESPN2 Colorado at Chicago WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 2 p.m. ESPN2 North Carolina at Duke 3 p.m. FOXSN Washington at UCLA 4 pjn. ESPN2 Cincinnati at DePaul MONDAY TELEVISION MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL p.m. ESPN Notre Dame at Pittsburgh (Home Team In CAPS) NBA PRO BASKETBALL TODAY FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG TORONTO-a no line Portland DETROIT 4 Dallas HOUSTON 7 Boston SACRAMFNTO 91 Denver LA CLIPPERS-b no line Memphis s-POR R.

Wallace is questionable b-LAC O. Richardson Is 9 p.m. ESPN Syracuse at Missouri Midnight ESPN Utah at UNLV NBA BASKETBALL. 7 30 p.m. TNT Philadelphia at Orlando 10 p.m.

TNT Cleveland at L.A. Lakers NHLnuurvcT T0O p.m. ESPN2 Pittsburgh at Philadelphia.