Thursday, Jan. 08, 2009

Curry can't help Davidson score win over Duke

DURHAM, N.C. — Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler scored 22 each and No. 2 Duke held off a late Stephen Curry-led charge to beat Davidson 79-67 on Wednesday.

The Blue Devils (13-1) never trailed, outscored the Wildcats 20-7 to start the second half and withstood their late comeback attempt to win their 67th consecutive nonconference home game. Curry, the nation's leading scorer, scored 29 — the most Duke has allowed any player this season — on 10-of-22 shooting for Davidson (10-3), with 21 coming in the second half. ...

Matt Bouldin tied a career high with 26 points to help visiting Gonzaga upset No. 15 Tennessee 89-79 in overtime. With 26 seconds left in regulation, Tyler Smith hit a layup for Tennessee (9-4) to tie it at 73. It was all Gonzaga (9-4) in the extra period. ... Jeremy Lin scored 27 and Ivy League school Harvard upset No. 23 Boston College 82-70, three days after the Eagles upset previously No. 1 North Carolina.

NFL

The Browns will hire former Jets coach Eric Mangini as their next coach, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The AP, and Michael Smith of ESPN reports Mangini will nab Rob Ryan away from the Raiders to fill the same defensive coordinator role with Cleveland. Mangini, 37, began his NFL career as a ballboy with the Browns in 1994 under then-coach Bill Belichick. ... Greg Knapp is leaving his post as the Raiders offensive coordinator to take the same position with the Seahawks. Knapp's role in Oakland became limited after Tom Cable took over play calling of the Raiders' offense. ... Tom Rathman agreed to return to the 49ers as their running backs coach. He spent the last two seasons in the same job with the Raiders. ... The Saints have confirmed running back Reggie Bush had surgery on his left knee, and will require months of rehabilitation. ... Two felony charges against Vikings great Carl Eller were dropped as part of a deal that calls for a judge to rule on two lesser charges stemming from his clash with police last April. ... LaDainian Tomlinson confirmed that he has a torn tendon in his groin and is doubtful for San Diego's playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

TENNIS

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal (6-1, 6-2 winner over Karol Beck) and No. 2 Roger Federer (6-3, 6-3 winner over Andreas Seppi) won in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open in Doha. ... Americans John Isner and Christina McHale, 16, were among six players granted wild cards into the main draw of the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 19. Nikolay Davydenko will miss the Open because of a heel injury. ... Top-seeded Ana Ivanovic fought off two match points and rallied for a 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-1 victory over Roberta Vinci of Italy to advance to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane (Australia) International.

OLYMPICS

Home Depot said it was ending its multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with the U.S. Olympic Committee and discontinuing a program that currently offers jobs and benefits to 86 U.S. athletes.

BASEBALL

Former Pirates managing general partner Kevin McClatchy, also a director for The McClatchy Company that owns The Bee, has sold his remaining shares in the team.