Times wires
Sunday, December 18, 2011

DENVER — Not this time, Tim Tebow.

Not with Tom Brady on hand.

Brady threw for two touchdowns, ran for another and the Patriots shut down Tebow's late-game heroics and clinched a playoff berth with a 41-23 victory over the Broncos on Sunday.

"It was a really good day for us," Brady said. "Very emotional game. It was really rocking early. We showed some mental toughness."

The Patriots won their sixth straight and another AFC East title by bouncing back from an early 17-6 deficit and an awful first quarter in which they were outgained in rushing yards 167-4.

This time, there was no last-minute magic from Tebow, the former Heisman winner from Florida who had guided Denver to four straight fourth-quarter comebacks and six straight wins.

This time the Broncos started fast, then fizzled. They scored on their first three possessions, then were done in by a trio of turnovers in the final 8½ minutes of the second quarter.

"We did have things going pretty well early, scored on the first three possessions and felt like we were moving the ball good and then we put it on the ground," Tebow said. "That's something you can't do against a great team and Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

"Besides that, we were right there with them."

Cornerback Champ Bailey had said the Broncos needed a big game against a big QB to prove to themselves. They didn't get it.

"We showed that we're not ready to go to the playoffs and make a push," Bailey said after his team's first loss since Oct. 30. "We've got to get better, and we only have two or three weeks to do it. If we don't, then we'll be sitting home."

Because the Raiders lost Sundays, the Broncos retained a one game lead — and the edge in tiebreakers — in the AFC West.

Asked if Tebow & Co. can keep up with the league's top passers if they make it into the playoffs, Broncos coach John Fox said: "I can't predict that. He's gotten better every week. Six or seven weeks ago, people said he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. He does that. I think he can do that. I don't think that was why we lost the game tonight."

Sunday, December 18, 2011

WACO, Texas — Brittney Griner scored 12 of her 25 points in a closing run that pushed the top-ranked Baylor women past No. 2 Connecticut 66-61 Sunday.

The Bears (11-0) avenged a one-point loss at UConn last season.

Griner, a junior, also had nine rebounds and nine blocks. She made all seven of her free throws, six in a game-ending 27-11 run.

"All you can do is hope she misses or hope they can't get her the ball," UConn coach Geno Auriemma said of Griner.

The 6-foot-8 Griner's fifth block gave her 447 for her career, surpassing Courtney Paris, who played four seasons at Oklahoma.

"She's blessed," Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said.

Odyssey Sims had 23 points for the Bears.

Bria Hartley led Connecticut (9-1) with 25 points.

"We didn't let it faze us," Griner said of Baylor's late deficit.

no. 3 notre dame 92, no. 8 uk 83: Skylar Diggins' only 3-pointer led the host Irish (10-1) past the Wildcats (10-1). Natalie Novosel led five Notre Dame players in double figures with 23 points, and Diggins (16 points, 11 assists) and Devereaux Peters (13 points, 13 rebounds) had double doubles. Samantha Drake had 21 points for Kentucky.

No. 10 Texas A&M 71, USC 70: Sydney Carter made a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left and the Aggies (8-2) won their 47th straight nonconference home game. USC, which led 69-61 with 2:34 left, had Ashley Corral miss a 3-pointer with four seconds left. Trojans guard Jacki Gemelos might be done for the season after hurting her left knee, leading coach Michael Cooper to cry after the game.

NO. 11 RUTGERS 62, IONA 29: April Sykes scored 18 and the host Scarlet Knights (10-2) allowed only two field goals in the second half.

NO. 16 PENN ST. 103, WAGNER 42: Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas each scored 23 for the host Lions (9-2), who led 57-19 at halftime.

S. CAROLINA 79, NO. 18 UNC 48: The Gamecocks held the Tar Heels (7-2), the nation's highest-scoring team at 87.5, to their lowest point total in nearly two years in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

N.C. STATE 66, NO. 20 VANDy 59: Kody Burke scored a career-high 21 for the host Wolfpack. The Commodores (10-1) lost momentum in the second half when Christina Foggie sat for almost six minutes with foul trouble.

NO. 22 PURDUE 62, AUBURN 54: Alex Guyton scored a career-high 19 and the visiting Boilermakers (8-3) hit 8 of 9 free throws in the final four minutes to hold on.

NO. 25 NEB. 94, VERMONT 41: Jordan Hooper scored 21 as the host Cornhuskers (10-1) opened the second half with a 23-1 run.

Men: Oral Roberts upsets No. 8 Xavier

CINCINNATI — Dominique Morrison scored 19, leading Oral Roberts to a 64-42 victory over unbeaten and eighth-ranked Xavier, which had three starters suspended because of a brawl with Cincinnati on Dec. 10.

The Musketeers (8-1) didn't have point guard Tu Holloway, shooting guard Mark Lyons or forward Dez Wells, who account for 40 percent of their points.

"Full strength it might have been a different game, but they weren't here to play so we don't know," Morrison said. "We can't control what happened last week."

NO. 9 UCONN 77, HOLY CROSS 40: Freshman Andre Drummond scored a season-high 24 as the Huskies (9-1) extended their home winning streak to 40 games against nonconference foes.

no. 10 missouri 94, William & Mary 56: Sixth man Michael Dixon scored a career-high 30 for the host Tigers (11-0), off to their best start in two decades. Missouri took a 19-0 lead as the Tribe missed its first eight shots, committing five fouls and 10 turnovers. Missouri is one of seven unbeatens in Division I, joining Syracuse, Louisville, Baylor, Marquette, Indiana and Murray State.

Times wires
Sunday, December 18, 2011

Chargers knock Ravens backward

SAN DIEGO — Philip Rivers threw for a score and reached 4,000 yard passing for the fourth straight season, Ryan Mathews ran for two scores and hit 1,000 yards rushing, and the Chargers kept their slim postseason hopes alive by defeating the playoff-bound Ravens.

San Diego neutralized Baltimore's defense, which got linebacker Ray Lewis back after a four-game injury absence, and scored on six of its first seven possessions. The Chargers closed within a game of Denver, and tied for second with Oakland, in the AFC West race.

The Ravens had their four-game winning streak end but clinched a playoff berth thanks to losses by the Jets, Raiders and Titans.

Baltimore's Joe Flacco was sacked five times — three by former Ravens linebacker Antwan Barnes — and intercepted twice.

Rivers joins Peyton Manning (1999-04 and 2006-10) and Drew Brees (2006-11) as the only NFL quarterbacks with at least four straight 4,000-yard seasons.

By Doug Hemmer, Times Correspondent
Monday, December 19, 2011

What's hot: As a game fish they might be on the lower scale, but sheepshead are among the best tasting fish. They will put up a good fight and steal your bait before you can set the hook. The trick is to locate the area where they are schooling. This time of year they will be moving closer to the beach as they prepare to spawn. The bridges and docks closest to a pass will be a good place to start looking for sheepshead hanging on the pilings. Idle close to the docks and the pilings during the end or beginning of the tidal movement. When the tide is slow they feed on barnacles on the pilings. Anchor up-current so your bait drifts back. Chum with small pieces of diced shrimp. Toss the pieces of shrimp up-current and let it drift back to the sheepshead. The shrimp smell will start them feeding on the small pieces that drift their way. Then use a small cut of shrimp for bait and drift it back with the chum. Try to set the hook every time you feel a bump or pressure on your line.

Doug Hemmer charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 347-1389.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

Bruno Gervais seems unfailingly happy, always with a smile and eager to talk.

Even when the subject is the Lightning defenseman's lack of playing time.

There is a chance, if Matt Gilroy still is hampered by his lower-body injury, Gervais could play for a second straight game Wednesday in San Jose. But if Gilroy is ready, Gervais likely will be back on the bench, where as a healthy scratch he has spent 21 of Tampa Bay's 32 games.

"You want to play," Gervais said. "You want to be part of it every day, so that part is a little rough. But you've got to make the best of it. I get time to work on all the things you normally don't when you play so much."

It is that sliver-lining attitude that has ingratiated Gervais to teammates and coaches, and in some of his spot duty he has played quite well, with two goals and three points.

But Gervais, 27, coming off his worst NHL season — six assists and minus-14 in 53 games for the Islanders — knew when he signed as a free agent he would have to battle for ice time, and he hasn't been able to stay in the lineup when he has played.

That kind of situation can go one of two ways.

Gervais could have moped, complained to the media and been a disruptive influence in the locker room. Instead, he has handled himself with distinction, going hard on the ice and in the weight room, and skating with the team in warmups, even as a scratch.

"He's one of the most professional individuals I ever met in my life," coach Guy Boucher said. "Smiles all the time, work ethic — outstanding. A team guy like you wouldn't believe."

"A very classy guy," teammate Dominic Moore said. "You see the amount of time he puts in off the ice on a daily basis. He's a very conscientious player. A positive attitude all the time."

Gervais knows how to play — he had six goals, 49 points in 200 games for the Islanders from 2007-10 — and he buys in to Boucher's edict to keep things simple.

But consistency can be a problem when a player is in and out of the lineup. For example, Gervais played well in three games leading to Dec. 10 at Philadelphia, where he made two bad turnovers, one of which led to the Flyers' first goal in a 5-2 loss.

"Instead of pushing (the puck), you bring it back," Gervais said of his goof. "It's such a small thing, and it turns into a big thing."

It was big enough that Gervais played just seven minutes that game, six fewer than his average, and was scratched for the next two games until Gilroy was injured.

"When you don't play a lot, all those little mistakes seem so much bigger," Gervais said. "The thing is, you play and you haven't played for a while, you think you've forgotten what to do, and you overthink it. That's when it gets hard."

Gervais redeemed himself in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets with no turnovers and plus-1 in 14:05 of ice time. Boucher called it a strong game.

"For sure I want to force their hand and stay in the lineup," Gervais said. "It's a long season. I have to stay ready. You never know what's going to happen."

MOVES: With Gilroy and center Nate Thompson (lower body) uncertain for Wednesday, forward J.T. Wyman and defenseman Evan Oberg were called up from AHL Norfolk.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

Times staff, wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

TAMPA — The Bucs have decided cornerback Aqib Talib isn't fit to finish the season.

Talib, with a hamstring injury that has slowed him in the second half of the season, was placed on injured reserve Monday for the final two games.

E.J. Biggers, normally the nickel back, becomes the starter at left cornerback.

Talib has been either unable to play or limited by the hamstring the past three games. He was inactive Dec. 11 at Jacksonville, and played half of the first quarter Saturday against the Cowboys before re-aggravating the injury.

Talib's spot on the active roster will be filled by defensive tackle Jovan Haye, a Buc from 2006-08. He started 45 games for them before playing the past two seasons for the Titans.

tebow time ratings: The matchup of Tim Tebow's Broncos and Tom Brady's Patriots gave CBS its second-best preliminary rating for a regular-season game since the network acquired the AFC package in 1998. The Patriots' 41-23 win led to a 19.5 overnight rating and 36 share for Sunday's NFL coverage. Overnight ratings measure the country's 56 largest markets. Only the Nov. 4, 2007, games highlighted by a meeting of two undefeated teams, the Patriots and Colts, had a higher rating, 22.5, and share, 39. The rating is the percentage of homes with TVs tuned to a program. The share is the percentage of all homes with TVs in use at the time.

Bears: Receiver Johnny Knox will miss the rest of the season after back surgery. He was hurt in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks on a tackle after catching a pass and losing the ball. … Coach Lovie Smith was noncommittal about who would start at quarterback against the Packers on Sunday, when the Bears try to stop a four-game losing streak. Against Seattle, Caleb Hanie was brutal again filling in for injured Jay Cutler before getting replaced late by Josh McCown.

Browns: Concussed quarterback Colt McCoy has improved, but he has not been medically cleared to practice and no decision has been made on who will start Saturday against the Ravens, coach Pat Shurmur said. McCoy sustained a concussion Dec. 8 on a helmet-to-face mask hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who was suspended for one game. Seneca Wallace started Sunday at Arizona and passed for 226 yards and a touchdown in a 20-17 overtime loss.

Falcons: Coach Mike Smith said his heart is fine and his doctors have a plan to address what caused him to be hospitalized after a win over the Panthers on Dec. 11. Smith did not provide details of his problem.

jets: Quarterback Mark Sanchez said he was "feeling good" and did not need followup tests after injuring his neck against the Eagles on Sunday. … Joe McKnight, who leads the NFL in kickoff return average, separated his right shoulder Sunday, and his status for Saturday against the Giants was uncertain.

Packers: Tackle Bryan Bulaga may be unable to play against the Bears on Sunday because of a sprained left knee, and backup offensive lineman Derek Sherrod is recovering from surgery on his broken right leg, sustained Sunday in the loss to the Chiefs, Green Bay's first of the season.

Vikings: Running back Adrian Peterson said the Saints were purposely trying to injure his sprained left ankle Sunday. He said he took particular offense to a play in which cornerback Jabari Greer twisted the ankle in a pileup. Peterson said he confronted Greer because he thought that "it kind of got overboard." … Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said "a very small handful of guys" didn't give enough effort during the 42-20 loss to the Saints. He didn't name names. He said he would talk to those players.

Information from Times wires was used in this report.

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Joe Paterno has been released from the hospital and has shown improvement after being treated for lung cancer, several media outlets reported Monday.

Paterno's tumor was showing substantial reduction following radiation and chemotherapy, according to the Associated Press. He was released Sunday.

Paterno, who turns 85 on Wednesday, was admitted last week after breaking his pelvis again in a fall at home. Doctors kept him hospitalized to make it easier to administer cancer treatments while he recovered from the fracture.

He initially injured his pelvis and right shoulder in August after getting blindsided by a receiver during preseason practice. The injuries kept Paterno in the press box most of the season before trustees fired him Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

Paterno hasn't spoken publicly since his firing. He was diagnosed with cancer several days later during a follow-up visit to the doctor for a bronchial illness, his family has said.

Penn State fullback Michael Zordich said a few players visited Paterno in recent weeks.

"He's a strong person, a fighter, a leader," Zordich said before practice. "He's been going through a lot right now … We're giving him space, and we'll go see him when can."

Longtime defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said he has not spoken with Paterno since the day after he was appointed the interim head coach. Bradley, who is applying for the job permanently, gets updates from Paterno's son, quarterback coach Jay Paterno.

"I know what (Joe Paterno) is going to say. 'Tom, you're wasting your time. You know what you've got to do,' " Bradley said.

Meanwhile, Penn State quarterback Matthew McGloin, who was involved in a locker room scuffle with teammate Curtis Drake on Saturday, did not practice and is questionable to play in the Jan. 2 Ticket City Bowl against Houston.

McGloin, who suffered a seizure and a concussion during the incident and was briefly hospitalized, apologized for his role in the fight.

"I'm willing to take full responsibility for it," he said. "I started it but as a quarterback for this university I should be held to a higher standard. It should not have happened. I should've walked away from it. It was just two guys who are emotional about the game who got into an argument."

Meyer's big goals

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Urban Meyer came into the Ohio State job with his eyes wide open about what Buckeyes fans demand from their new coach.

"Win it all," he said of the expectations.

He did that twice at Florida before coming to Ohio State on Nov. 28 to take over a bedraggled program hit by suspensions, NCAA investigations and major violations that could lead to severe penalties.

Meyer told reporters he's not naïve about the size and scope of the program he now leads.

"This is a monster. Ohio State is a monster. I just came from a monster," he said. "I get that. What's the expectation level? It's real clear. It was the same at the other place. There's about five of them (schools) that that's what the expectations are. But as a coach you have to keep it in centerfield. You can't worry about leftfield or rightfield."

Meyer twice resigned at Florida due to health reasons. He said he has learned that he must not micromanage every aspect of the program. He knows there will come times when the stress and the pressure will mount.

"It's when you hit the speed bumps," he said. "The speed bumps are losses or other things that show up in your program that you're not real proud of. That's going to happen. How I handle those situations is going to be key."

CINCINNATI: Quarterback Zach Collaros looked good in his first full practice since he had surgery to fix his broken right ankle five weeks ago. Collaros ran the offense during a two-hour practice in advance of the Dec. 31 Liberty Bowl.

MICHIGAN ST.: Offensive lineman Arthur Ray won the Courage Award given by the Football Writers Association of America for his comeback from cancer in his left leg.

WAYNE ST.: Coach Paul Winters withdrew from consideration for the Akron job and signed an extension to stay with the Division II Warriors through the 2016 season.

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

GENERAL

SCANDAL IS AP STORY OF YEAR

The ouster of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, after shocking child sex abuse charges against his former assistant was overwhelmingly voted the sports story of the year by Associated Press members.

Of 214 ballots from U.S. news organizations in the AP's membership, the saga, in which Jerry Sandusky is accused of sexually assaulting boys, received 172 first-place votes. The No. 2 sports story, labor strife in the NFL and NBA, had 15 first-place votes. The racing death of IndyCar star and St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon was voted No. 8.

ET CETERA

COLLEGE BASEBALL: The SEC is adding two teams and one day to the league tournament. Commissioner Mike Slive said 10 teams will be invited starting in 2012. That tournament is May 22-27 in Hoover, Ala.

DIVING: Brandon's Chris Colwill edged fellow former Olympian Kristian Ipsen in the men's 3-meter event at the USA Winter National Championships in Knoxville, Tenn.

TENNIS: Venus Williams pulled out of January's ASB Classic in New Zealand, where she was to play her first match since August. Williams, 31, is recovering from the immune system disease Sjogren's syndrome, which can cause fatigue and joint pain.

Times wires

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Baron Davis' desire to play in New York outweighed the chance to play with Kobe Bryant or LeBron James.

The veteran point guard signed with the Knicks on Monday, passing up a chance to join stronger teams because he said he always saw himself playing at Madison Square Garden.

"I always kind of rise to the occasion when I'm playing against the Knicks and playing in the Garden," Davis said at the team's training facility. "It's just an unbelievable opportunity and I'm ready to accept the challenge."

But a herniated disc in his back has sidelined Davis all preseason and he might miss up to 10 weeks. The Cavaliers waived Davis last week.

BIYOMBO A BOBCAT: Bismack Biyombo signed a rookie contract with the Bobcats hours after agreeing to pay a buyout clause to release him from his contract with Spanish club Fuenlabrada. Terms of his new deal were not disclosed for the 6-foot-9 forward from Congo.

TRADES: The Warriors sent forward Lou Amundson to the Pacers for guard Brandon Rush. … The Bobcats acquired center Byron Mullens from the Thunder for a 2013 second-round draft pick.

KINGS: Chuck Hayes' $21.3 million, four-year contract was voided after the team said the forward-center failed a team physical. The team announced last week that a heart exam on the former Rockets swingman showed an abnormality that would require further testing.

NUGGETS: Guard Arron Afflalo, a restricted free agent, agreed to a five-year deal for up to $43 million, the Denver Post reported.

WIZARDS: Free agent Nick Young signed a one-year contract to return.

By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — T.Y. Hilton sat on his bed with two hats, a coveted high school senior unable to choose between them.

West Virginia was fresh off an 11-2 season and a Fiesta Bowl win against Oklahoma. Florida International was coming off a 1-11 season at the bottom of the Sun Belt Conference. And yet Hilton liked the hometown Panthers enough that he left the tiebreaker to his infant son, Eugene, who was decisive in reaching out for the FIU ballcap eight times in a row.

It's a bit more personal than a coin flip, and Hilton likes the instincts his son showed him in keeping his father close to home.

"These four years have been incredible," Hilton said Saturday, preparing for his final college game as FIU takes on Marshall tonight in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl at Tropicana Field. "The teammates I've played with, the team I have now, we have a great bond together."

Hilton has been electric since his first touch at FIU — when he took a punt return 74 yards for a touchdown against Kansas — and has made his mark as both a receiver and return specialist. He has helped the Panthers to historic wins, like in September, when he caught touchdowns of 74 and 83 yards in a 201-yard game as FIU upset Louisville.

The 5-foot-11 senior from Miami Springs is the kind of singular recruiting coup capable of elevating a program.

"That was a win over some of the bigger schools in America," coach Mario Cristobal said. "It's a tribute to him wanting to be a guy that sets his own footprints and doesn't follow anybody else's footsteps. It's a tribute to him for believing in his hometown to start a Division I program and needing a guy to be the face of the program. That's a lot for a 17- or 18-year-old to put on his shoulders."

Marshall coach Doc Holliday knows Hilton's talent all too well. He had recruited him while at Florida in 2007, then joined West Virginia's staff in January 2008 with the hope of landing him there. He was essentially wearing the hat that Hilton's infant son wouldn't reach for, again and again.

"We were extremely interested in him," Holliday said Monday.

Hilton ranks third in the NCAA in kickoff returns, averaging 32 yards despite not getting a touchdown this season. His last kickoff-return score was in last year's bowl win against Toledo.

"I've been very close every game. It's that one extra block, staying on your man that one extra second that I need," Hilton said. "I keep getting caught, but we've been very close. We've worked hard on that all week and with that turf, I should be extra fast."

The "T.Y." is a nod to his father, whose name is Tyrone. His given name is Eugene Marquis Hilton, which he passed onto his son, now 4. He'll graduate in the spring and has accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., next month, with the hopes of improving his stock in the NFL draft.

FIU has radically changed in his four years, reaching and winning its first bowl game last year after a Sun Belt championship. Now Cristobal is coveted enough that he, too, could be in his last game with the Panthers; he reportedly is a top candidate to become coach at Pittsburgh.

He can appreciate how far the program has come in the past four years and how big a role Hilton has played in that.

"He's not only played and been a leader, but he was a pied piper," Cristobal said. "The recruiting really changed for FIU football. … He's made the FIU brand something recognizable for so many positive things. He's a guy we're going to miss tremendously, but we have him for one more game. We hope he can continue to leave a legacy."

Greg Auman can be reached at auman@tampabay.com and at (813) 226-3346.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The concept seems incredibly simple, especially for a man of his vocation. But in a Rays offseason that is more than half over without anything close to a big deal, the one significant improvement they're certain of is the addition of veteran catcher Jose Molina, known (of all things) for his ability to catch.

Even though Molina turns 37 in June, likely won't start more then half their games and isn't going to do much with his bat, the Rays expect him to have considerable impact and influence.

"Significant," manager Joe Maddon said.

Some will be obvious, like how opponents won't try to steal as much against him, fearing a quick release and arm that can stymie any running game. And some will be less tangible, like the presence Molina will provide in the clubhouse and serving as a mentor to the team's younger catchers.

But most telling will be his work behind the plate, where Molina is noted for his expertise not only in calling pitches, but also catching them — and the additional benefits it can reap with umpires.

"He's got such soft hands, and the ability to position himself sometimes on a little bit of an angle to give the umpire a little bit of a different view," said Toronto manager John Farrell, for whom Molina played the past two seasons.

"So the catching for him is clearly an art rather than just being the receiver. When you're looking at the ability to frame a pitch or the ability to receive like he can, he's one of those guys that begins to set the standard for just how good his hands are."

Quantifying just how much Molina can help is an inexact science. One analysis of pitch framing posted on Baseball Prospectus calculated Molina would save his team a major-league most 35 runs over a full season by getting borderline pitches called strikes. On the scale of ERA when he's behind the plate, Molina's 3.94 ranks fifth of all active catchers with 500 games.

While the data is subject to considerable interpretation, it only enhances Molina's reputation as a pitcher's best friends.

James Shields said he and other Rays pitchers used to "be jealous" watching Molina from the opposing dugout.

Dave Eiland, the Yankees' pitching coach when Molina was there in 2008-09, said there's good reason: "He steals you a lot of strikes."

Also, "He's on top of everything," said Eiland, now with the Royals. "I can't say enough about him. He's very good at adapting to a game plan, navigating a pitcher through a game and making adjustments on the fly. … He's very good at knowing each pitcher's makeup and their stuff. … He's got very soft hands. He receives the ball really good."

One of three catching brothers (Yadier with St. Louis, Bengie last with Texas in 2010), Molina said the emphasis on defense seems rather obvious. And he takes considerable pride in it.

"That's what got me to the big leagues, and that's why I'm still in the big leagues, because I can catch and throw," Molina said. "I'm never going to let that get away from my game. That's my game. … I take a lot of pride in it. Defense is most important. That's how you win games, pitching and defense. And you see it and I see it with the way the Rays played in the past years."

While the Rays are still looking for a couple of bats to improve their offense and fill holes at first base and DH — and ponder whether to make a big deal by trading one of their starters — they figure to already be in better hands.

"Jose is one of best receivers, game callers and handlers of a pitching staff I've been around in my 26 years," said Eiland, a Rays special assistant in 2011. "Tampa Bay has had one of the best pitching staffs the last few years, but as crazy as it sounds, he's going to make them even better."

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@tampabay.com

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

TORONTO — Dustin Brown scored the only goal in a shootout Monday and the Kings wrapped up a bizarre road trip with a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Monday night.

Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer made 40 saves, and Justin Williams and Brown scored in regulation for Los Angeles.

John-Michael Liles and Matt Frattin scored for Toronto, which has two wins in the past nine games.

The Kings limped into Toronto having lost six of their past seven games, a stretch that cost Terry Murray his job as coach Dec. 12, the day before they started the four-game trip, which they finished 2-2.

Assistant John Stevens was named interim coach, but his tenure ends today, when, the Kings said Monday, they will announce Darryl Sutter's hiring. Sutter, whose hiring was rumored throughout the trip, will conduct practice Wednesday. His first game will be Thursday against the Ducks.

They caught a break early in the first period when defenseman Drew Doughty fired the puck into the offensive zone along the glass, only to have it kick off a stanchion and directly in front of the goal. Williams calmly collected it and beat Reimer high at 7:54.

Toronto evened the score a few minutes later. Liles stepped off the point and met the puck as it bounced out from the boards, hammering a shot past Jonathan Quick's glove.

Reimer began to make his presence felt during a second period where his team was outshot 16-4. He kicked a leg out to deny Simon Gagne early on and was beaten only after the Kings received their second good bounce of the evening.

The puck appeared to trickle outside the blue line — even Doughty appeared to pull up while trying to corral it — but the linesman ruled it onside. Seconds later, it was in the back of the Leafs net after a series of passes put the puck on Brown's stick for him to score at 14:58.

around the league: Two players were suspended for bad hits: Bruins forward Milan Lucic got one game, Monday against the Canadiens, for checking Flyers forward Zac Rinaldo from behind Saturday. In the game, Lucic was assessed a major for checking from behind and a game misconduct. Flames forward Rene Bourque is out two games for sending Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook into the boards headfirst Sunday. Bourque got a major for checking from behind and a game misconduct. Seabrook left the game and didn't returned. The team hoped he could play tonight against the Penguins. … Sharks wing Marty Havlat won't play against the Lightning on Wednesday after hurting his left leg in a fluke accident during a line change against the Oilers on Saturday. Havlat was hurt as he jumped over the boards and had to crawl off the ice. He said his skate got caught and he felt pain.

First Period—1, Boston, Pouliot 6 (Peverley), 12:13. 2, Montreal, Plekanec 7 (Cammalleri, Moen), 13:26. Penalties—None.

Second Period—3, Boston, Krejci 6 (Ference), 2:42. Penalties—Horton, Bos (hooking), 3:50; Gorges, Mon (interference), 11:24; Leblanc, Mon, double minor (high-sticking), 16:23.

Third Period—4, Boston, Marchand 12 (Seguin, Bergeron), 14:14. 5, Montreal, Cole 13 (Desharnais, Pacioretty), 18:46. Penalties—Hamill, Bos (cross-checking), 5:44. Shots on Goal—Montreal 9-9-17—35. Boston 9-11-11—31. Power-play opportunities—Montreal 0 of 2; Boston 0 of 3. Goalies—Montreal, Price 12-11-7 (31 shots-28 saves). Boston, Thomas 16-5-0 (35-33).

First Period—1, Los Angeles, Williams 5 (Doughty, Scuderi), 7:54. 2, Toronto, Liles 4 (Bozak), 11:01. Penalties—Westgarth, LA (holding), 5:19; Clifford, LA, major (fighting), 7:57; Rosehill, Tor, major (fighting), 7:57; Lupul, Tor (slashing), 11:47; Lewis, LA (tripping), 14:29; Greene, LA (roughing), 18:47; Schenn, Tor (boarding), 18:47; Phaneuf, Tor (cross-checking), 19:23.

Second Period—3, Los Angeles, D.Brown 7 (Gagne, Kopitar), 14:58 (pp). Penalties—Westgarth, LA (high-sticking), 4:49; Schenn, Tor (tripping), 14:05; Williams, LA (high-sticking), 15:23; Franson, Tor (interference), 17:44; D.Brown, LA (high-sticking), 18:12.

Third Period—4, Toronto, Frattin 4 (Grabovski, Kulemin), 2:56. Penalties—Liles, Tor (cross-checking), 4:09.

Overtime—None. Penalties—None.

Shootout—Los Angeles 1 (Stoll NG, Kopitar NG, D.Brown G), Toronto 0 (Kessel NG, Frattin NG, Lupul NG). Shots on Goal—Los Angeles 14-16-10-2—42. Toronto 15-4-10-4—33. Power-play opportunities—Los Angeles 1 of 5; Toronto 0 of 5. Goalies—Los Angeles, Quick 13-10-4 (33 shots-31 saves). Toronto, Reimer 5-3-3 (42-40).

By Laura Keeley, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

TAMPA—For the first time this season, the Bulls were all healthy. And it couldn't have come at a better time.

Jawanza Poland led the team with 13 points in his season debut as USF downed Cleveland State 70-55 on Monday night at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"We have Jawanza back, we're at full strength, and it feels good to have a full group of guys," forward Ron Anderson Jr. said. "We have a lot of different guys out there and can use a couple different looks."

Coach Stan Heath did just that on defense, switching from man-to-man to a zone in order to take the Vikings (10-2) out of their rhythm and keep them in front of the Bulls' defenders. As a result, Cleveland State shot 26.9 from 3-point range, hampering the Vikings' ability to come back from a 25-21 halftime deficit.

The Bulls held the Vikings scoreless for nine minutes in the opening half as Hugh Robertson capped a 10-0 run with a steal and a two-handed dunk.

The acrobatics continued after the break in what Heath called his team's best half this season. Poland, who missed games due to a lingering back injury and two-game NCAA suspension, scored all of his points in the half. After hitting two free throws for his first points, Poland sank an open 3-pointer on the Bulls' next possession.

"He's one of those guys that's a rhythm guy," Heath said. "Once Jawanza gets going, he's like that heater in the basement — he gets hot and starts throwing steam out."

The warm weather wasn't kind to the Vikings, a team that beat USF in Cleveland last year and knocked off then-No. 7 Vanderbilt to open this season. After Cleveland State started the second half on a 6-0 run, Poland's one-handed dunk past a fallen defender in the paint pushed the Bulls' lead to 10 and forced the Vikings to call timeout.

"I caught it off a reverse," Poland said. "I had hit a couple of shots off the pump fake, and I saw the lane open."

Augustus Gilchrist, who entered 15 points shy of 1,000 for his career, added 10 of his 12 in the second half. And after 24 turnovers doomed USF against the Vikings last year, the Bulls committed 12 while forcing 14.

The challenge for USF will be to replicate the second-half success on the road, as the Bulls travel to Southern Miss on Thursday. The strong performance in front of an announced crowd of 2,942 — there were more like 942 actually in the stands — can only help.

"Our confidence was a little shaken, to be honest with you," Heath said. "This was a huge confidence booster for this team understanding, hey, we can do it."

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

GAINESVILLE — Heading into Monday night's game against Mississippi Valley State, Florida was in an identical situation to one that turned out badly last season: A big win over a ranked opponent, a 48-hour turnaround, then a terrible loss to a lesser opponent.

Last year it was a victory over No. 6 Kansas State then a loss to Jacksonville. Florida coach Billy Donovan made a point on the bus ride home from Sunrise and a win over Texas A&M on Saturday to remind his team of recent history.

"I talked to those guys about that, we're in the same exact situation," Donovan said. "Is history going to repeat itself or are you guys going to change that?"

No repeat Monday night.

No. 11 Florida (9-2) shot 48 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from 3-point range in an 82-54 victory over Mississippi Valley State (1-9). Florida led 24-4 with 13:22 left in the first half and never trailed.

"We had the mentality we wanted to put them away early and that's what we did," said freshman guard Bradley Beal, who had 13 points and six rebounds.

With junior guard Mike Rosario out with a chronic lower back injury and forward Cody Larson out with strep throat, Donovan allowed walk-on Jacob Kurtz to suit up. With 2:06 remaining in the game, Kurtz went to the free-throw line with this on the line: make both and Donovan would cancel today's practice. Kurtz hit both, setting off a wild celebration on the Gators' bench.

"He knocked them down like a champion," said sophomore Patric Young, who had 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists. "I'm really happy for him. He's worked really hard. He started as a manager with us last year and he came to everything. He wasn't even like a full-fledged manager. He just came and watched practices, came to 6 a.m. workouts, and a year later he's in the game scoring his first two points."

Antonya English can be reached at english@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

The two-time AL champion Rangers posted a high $51.7 million bid for the rights to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, Major League Baseball announced Monday night.

The bid was accepted by Darvish's team, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

Texas has 30 days to try to reach a deal with Darvish and his representatives. Should they fail, the Ham Fighters will not receive the posting fee and Darvish will stay in Japan.

"Our organization has scouted Mr. Darvish for the last several years and has been very impressed with his abilities and accomplishments," the Rangers said in a statement. "We believe he would be a great addition to the Texas Rangers pitching staff."

The Rangers' posting fee surpassed the $51.1 million the Red Sox bid for Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka before the 2007 season. With Texas still needing to sign Darvish to a contract, the total investment will likely top $100 million.

Darvish, 25, was 18-6 with a league-best 1.44 ERA and 276 strikeouts against 36 walks in 232 innings last season. At 6 feet 5 considerably taller than most Japanese pitchers, Darvish's seven-pitch repertoire includes a fastball that reportedly sits in the mid 90s and touches 97.

Rollins picks loyalty

PHILADELPHIA — When Jimmy Rollins had the chance to go elsewhere, he just couldn't walk away from the Phillies.

The smooth-talking, slick-fielding shortstop has spent nearly half his life with the same organization, so he turned down more money from the Brewers to stay in Philadelphia.

Rollins and the Phillies finalized a $33 million, three-year deal that includes a vesting option for a fourth year at $11 million. If not vested, that could be a club option at $8 million or a player option at $5 million.

"You have to take everything in consideration when you've been somewhere since you were 17," Rollins said. "To go somewhere new, at this part of my career, you feel like a rented player because you weren't part of the process of building the team up."

Rollins, 33, a three-time All-Star and the 2007 NL MVP, is the longest-tenured athlete in Philadelphia. Selected in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft, he was a free agent for the first time in his career.

Rollins, 33, sought a five-year deal. The Phillies didn't want to go that long, but Rollins didn't want to leave. So, they compromised over the weekend.

D'BACKS: Free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract, pending a physical. The contract includes a mutual option for a third year. Kubel, 29, would presumably send Gold Glove leftfielder Gerardo Parra to the bench.

DODGERS: Left-handed reliever John Grabow, 33, agreed to a minor-league deal.

NATIONALS: Outfielder Mike Cameron, 39, agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nik Cochran had 21 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the closing minutes, and Davidson shocked No. 12 Kansas 80-74 on Monday night to exact a little bit of revenge over an epic NCAA Tournament loss three years ago.

JP Kuhlman added 15 points and De'Mon Brooks 13 for the Wildcats, who led the final 23-plus minutes to knock off the defending Big 12 champs in their home away from home.

The Jayhawks (7-3) had won 13 of the 15 games they had played at the Sprint Center, about a 30-minute drive from their campus in Lawrence, including the past two Big 12 titles. The losses also came out of conference, to Syracuse and Massachusetts.

It was the first meeting between the schools since the NCAA region final in 2008, when Stephen Curry led the Wildcats on an inspired postseason run. Kansas managed a 59-57 victory when Davidson's Jason Richards missed a last-second shot, and the Jayhawks went to win their fifth national championship.

Thomas Robinson had 21 points and 18 rebounds for the Jayhawks. Tyshawn Taylor came back from surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee to get 15 points and seven assists, and Elijah Johnson had 15 points.

Kansas was coming off a win over No. 2 Ohio State and a lengthy break for final exams.

Davidson led 68-65 with 1:31 left and the shot clock winding down when Cochran took a pass from well beyond the 3-point line and hit nothing but net. Taylor was short on a 3, and Davidson sealed it from the free-throw line.

NO. 5 UNC 99, NICHOLLS ST. 49: Dexter Strickland scored 14 and freshman James Michael McAdoo added a season-high 14 off the bench for the host Tar Heels (10-2), who won their fourth straight game.

NO. 6 BAYLOR 95, PAUL QUINN 54: Quincy Acy had 24 points and seven of the Bears' 17 dunks as host Baylor improved to 10-0 for the second time in its history, two wins shy of matching its best start ever in 2000-01.

NO. 7 DUKE 90, UNC GREENSBORO 63: Freshman Quinn Cook scored all of his season-high 14 in the second half for the host Blue Devils (10-1), who shot 54 percent from the field, shook off a sluggish start and overcame 18 turnovers to win their third straight.

LSU 67, NO. 10 MARQUETTE 59: Ralston Turner had 22 points and hit two clutch 3-pointers in the final four minutes for the host Tigers, who won their fifth straight and handed the Golden Eagles (10-1) their first loss.

NO. 17 INDIANA 107, HOWARD 50: Jordan Hulls had 16 points to lead six players in double figures for the host Hoosiers, who celebrated their 500th poll appearance by improving to 11-0 for the first time since the 1975-76 team went 32-0.

NO. 19 MICH. ST. 89, UMKC 54: Branden Dawson had eight points within a few minutes and finished with a career-high 16 to help the host Spartans (10-2) win their 10th straight game.

NO. 23 CREIGHTON 83, TULSA 64: Sophomore Doug McDermott scored a career-high 35, 19 in the first half on a variety of low-post bank shots, to lift the visiting Bluejays (9-1).

NO. 25 ILLINOIS 64, CORNELL 60: Meyers Leonard had 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, overcoming a back injury to rally the host Illini (11-1) after they trailed for the most of the game.

CHOWAN 53, TAMPA 49: The host Spartans (2-7) missed all five of their shots in the final three minutes and lost their fourth straight game.

stanford 75, b-cu 56: The visiting Wildcats (3-9) lost their fourth straight game and sixth of seven overall. Bethune-Cookman leading scorer Anthony Breeze was out with a knee injury.

NO. 2 OHIO ST.: Coach Thad Matta said star forward Jared Sullinger, who missed most of Saturday's win at South Carolina with a sore foot, will play tonight against Lamar. Matta said Sullinger told him he has felt better each day since he hurt his foot.

NO. 3 KENTUCKY: Coach John Calipari said forward Terrence Jones is questionable for tonight's game against Samford. Jones dislocated his left pinky finger in Saturday's win over Chattanooga.

PREP BAN UPHELD: NCAA schools fell just short of scrapping a ban on universities hosting prep basketball events on campus. Of the 355 schools voting electronically last week, 58.59 percent wanted to rescind the legislation that was approved in April. Rescinding the rule requires a 5/8th majority, meaning the override measure fell roughly 13 votes short.

Women

FSU 86, ALABAMA A&M 41: The host Seminoles (6-5) set a school record with 15 blocks and won their third game in a row.

SCSU 73, ECKERD 68: The visiting Tritons (7-2) had a six-game winning streak halted by Southern Connecticut State despite a career-high 25 points by senior Taylor Young.

DELTA ST. 59, SAINT LEO 47: The visiting Statesmen opened the game with a 20-4 run and handed the Lions (6-3) their third straight loss.

NO. 11 OHIO ST. 88, CHARLOTTE 58: Tayler Hill scored 16 of her 25 in the second half and Samantha Prahalis had 19 points for the host Buckeyes (11-0), who have won 22 of their past 23.

GONZAGA 71, NO. 13 GEORGIA 68: Haiden Palmer's 3-pointer with .2 seconds left gave Gonzaga an upset over Georgia (8-2) in a Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic game.

NO. 14 LOUISVILLE 75, WASH. ST. 71: Shawnta' Dyer scored 16 and Shoni Schimmel added 14, eight in the final two minutes to lift the visiting Cardinals (11-2).

NO. 19 DELAWARE 68, PROVIDENCE 47: Elena Delle Donne had 29 points for the visiting Blue Hens (9-0), off to the best start in their 41-year history.

NO. 21 DEPAUL 73, ILLINOIS ST. 54: Jasmine Penny scored a career-high 20 for the visiting Blue Demons (11-2), who were without starting forward Keisha Hampton for the second straight game because of a leg injury.

Times wires
Monday, December 19, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO — The 49ers rode their top-ranked run defense again and prevailed through a pair of power outages to beat ailing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers 20-3 on Monday night.

Vernon Davis caught a 1-yard touchdown pass for the 49ers one play after setting himself up with a 21-yard reception from Alex Smith, Frank Gore ran for a 5-yard score and David Akers kicked field goals of 22 and 38 yards to overtake Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice for San Francisco's season scoring record.

The Steelers missed a key chance to take sole possession of first place in the AFC North and gain the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed. Their only points came on a 51-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham in the third quarter. He missed wide left from 48 yards later in the quarter.

Roethlisberger, playing on a sprained left ankle that had him in a walking boot during the week, threw two early interceptions and another in the waning minutes.

San Francisco turned Roethlisberger's first two interceptions into points in the first and second quarter on Akers' field goals for a 6-0 lead.

The second field goal gave Akers the 49ers franchise record for most points in a season with 141, passing the 138 set by Jerry Rice — in attendance on the sideline — in 1987.

Davis' TD catch gave the 49ers took a 13-3 lead. Smith was 18 of 31 passing for 187 yards and one touchdown.

A power outage shortly before kickoff and another in the second quarter blacked out Candlestick Park. Power returned, and the game resumed after delays of 20 minutes and approximately 15 minutes.

San Francisco has yet to allow a rushing touchdown and became the first team to hold that mark through the first 14 games.

Roethlisberger, 25-of-44 for 330 yards, completed 3 of 4 passes for 46 yards in the first drive, including a 36-yarder to Mike Wallace before Carlos Rogers intercepted Roethlisberger's pass running into the end zone.

The 49ers' 17-play, 69-yard drive that followed stalled when Smith threw two incompletions in the end zone. San Francisco settled for Akers' 22-yard field goal.

Dashon Goldson intercepted a pass by Roethlisberger on Pittsburgh's second possession that led to Akers' 38-yard field goal with 12:13 remaining in the second quarter.

Then everything turned black.

Again.

Fans roared, and flash bulbs popped all over the stadium. Players scurried to the sidelines, and the Terrible Towels that a sea of Steelers fans had waved could no longer be seen in the darkness.

Steelers linebacker James Harrison was serving a suspension for his helmet-to-face mask hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy last week.

Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

CLEARWATER — Gibbs coach Larry Murphy keeps reminding people that his offense is still a work in progress.

Sure, the Gladiators are undefeated, but they lost four starters from last season's team that reached the state semifinals. Murphy has given them the freedom to shoot, the latitude to improvise and the patience to let them work out the kinks.

As the offense is developing, the defense has been dominant.

And that unit came through in the clutch in Monday's 55-39 victory over Clearwater in the semifinals of the Bright House Holiday Tournament. The Gladiators (11-0) will play Sarasota Riverview in the championship game tonight at 8:30 on BHSN.

Riverview defeated Nature Coast in triple overtime, 63-62.

"Our offense still has a ways to go," Murphy said. "But I thought we did a great job defensively. We made them earn every bucket."

After a slow start, Gibbs grabbed crucial rebounds and make pivotal steals. The Gladiators also started hitting shots from the outside as they built a 31-20 lead at the half.

But in the third quarter, the shots were not falling. The Tornadoes (5-4) took advantage and cut the deficit to 33-30.

"I thought we gave a great effort and did a good job of getting back into the game in the second half," Clearwater coach Allen Carden said. "We just couldn't make much of a run after that."

Gibbs again found its rhythm, particularly from the perimeter. The Gladiators made eight 3-pointers, including two late in the third that helped continue to take control with a 38-31 lead.

The Gladiators had four players reach double figures in scoring, including Shaquille Speights and Gary Simon, who each had 13. Harvey Adams led the Tornadoes with 12 points.

SARA. RIVERVIEW 63, NATURE COAST 62 (3OT): The Rams reached the final when Eric Traver hit a short jumper as time expired in the third overtime.

Nature Coast led 38-31 going into the fourth quarter before Riverview made a run to force OT. Tarver, who had 29 points, forced a second overtime by hitting a short jumper at the buzzer.

Caleb Martin led the Sharks with 14 points. Nature Coast will play Clearwater in the third place game tonight at 6:30 on BHSN.

Joey Knight, Times Staff Writer
Monday, December 19, 2011

TAMPA — The opening day of the eight-team Berkeley Basketball Invitational concluded exactly the way it commenced: with low scoring complemented by high drama.

St. Petersburg (8-0) opened things with a 59-56 triumph against East Bay (6-2), squeaking into today's 6 p.m. semifinals when Indians senior Dario Duque's 3-point try deflected off the back of the rim at the horn.

Then in the nightcap, Berkeley Prep (8-2) escaped with a 53-51 triumph against Lakeland when Dreadnaughts senior Chad Vinson's baseline 3-pointer sailed long at the buzzer.

Wedged between the thrillers: Vero Beach's 56-44 romp of Strawberry Crest (6-3) and Wharton's 59-41 triumph against Admiral Farragut. The Wildcats, playing their fourth game in eight days, got a breakthrough effort from unheralded junior Jaken Grier (17 points).

"He hadn't given that to us basically all season," 'Cats coach Tommy Tonelli said. "I knew he was capable of that and he's done that throughout the summer and fall and preseason. Tonight he finally stepped up and played like I knew he could play. … He gave us a huge lift."

The Wildcats (7-1) will face St. Petersburg, which it topped in the semifinals two winters ago. The Green Devils were led Monday by junior guard Demontrae Adams, who scored 10 of his 19 points in the final quarter and sank all four of his free throws in the last three minutes.

Berkeley, which faces Vero Beach tonight at 7:30, benefited from a critical stretch midway through the fourth quarter. With his team leading by two, Bucs sophomore guard Craig Bowman sank a layup off a turnover, then was intentionally fouled after another Lakeland turnover.

Bowman sank one of two free throws, followed by a Justin Gray basket on the ensuing inbounds to make it 47-40. Lakeland, however, clawed back behind senior Eric Moody, who scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half. Gray led the Bucs with 16.

BRIGHTHOUSE TOURNEY: Alonso plays in the fifth-place game at 4:30 today against Gateway (Pa.) at Clearwater High. Bloomingdale plays in the seventh-place game at 3 against Boca Ciega.