WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Thursday

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Gerald Wallace scored 28 points on 9-for-10shooting, Stephen Jackson added 24 points and 10 rebounds and theCharlotte Bobcats beat the Philadelphia 76ers 102-87 last night.Boris Diaw contributed 13 points for the Bobcats. Rodney Carney ledthe Sixers with 14 points, while Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holidayadded 13 apiece.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia 76ers coach Eddie Jordan sayshe's not worried about a Philadelphia Inquirer report stating hecould be fired soon. Citing unnamed sources, the paper reportedTuesday that Comcast-Spectator was ready to fire Jordan. Jordansays he hasn't approached his bosses regarding the report and heisn't bothered by it.

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) - Greg Dobbs and John Mayberry each hit apair of doubles, and Cody Ransom homered to lead the PhiladelphiaPhillies to a 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday.Phillies starter Cole Hamels, after three perfect innings, gave upa first-pitch home run to Jose Bautista in the bottom of thefourth.

HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) - Dallas Green deflected a potentialgame-winning shot then sank two free throws with 7 seconds left asRobert Morris beat Quinnipiac 52-50 last night for its secondstraight Northeast Conference championship. Karon Abraham scored 16points to lead the Colonials. James Feldeine had 17 points forQuinnipiac.

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidgethrew 21 pitches to Ozzie Chavez and Chris Duffy in spring trainingyesterday. It was the first time the right-hander faced hitterssince offseason surgeries on his right elbow and right knee. He'sexpected to appear in a game Monday.

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howardis having his number retired - by his minor league team. TheLakewood BlueClaws of the South Atlantic League announced yesterdaythat they will retire his number 29 in September. Howard hit .280with 19 home runs and 87 RBI as Lakewood's first baseman in 2002.

NEW YORK (AP) - According to his agent, Pittsburgh Steelerstackle Willie Colon was with teammate Ben Roethlisberger on thenight the quarterback was accused of sexual assault in a Georgiaclub but didn't witness anything. His agent said Colon "had noknowledge of the incident" until authorities questioned him whileleaving the club. Nobody has been charged.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - An attorney says two off-duty Pennsylvaniapolice officers were with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback BenRoethlisberger at the Georgia nightclub where a woman accused himof sexual assault, but they didn't see anything inappropriate. Thelawyer says the police where with Roethlisberger celebrating hisbirthday.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Luke Scott hit a two-run single off ZachDuke in the first inning and the Baltimore Orioles beat thePittsburgh Pirates 3-2 last night. Duke allowed three runs and fourhits in 2 2-3 innings. Ty Wigginton also had an RBI single forBaltimore in the first. TORONTO (AP) - Sidney Crosby's missing Olympic stick and glovehave been found. Hockey Canada said yesterday that Crosby's missingequipment was misplaced rather than stolen after the frenzyfollowing Crosby's overtime goal against the United States in thegold-medal game last month.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Eagles and free agentdefensive back Marlin Jackson have agreed to a two-year contract.Jackson, who's coming off a pair of season-ending knee injuries,has 306 tackles and four interceptions in 56 career games with theColts. The 6-foot, 196-pounder can play cornerback and safety.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) - LeBron James is expected to return tothe Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup against the Philadelphia 76ers,while Antawn Jamison remains day to day. Cleveland coach Mike Brownsays he expects James, who twisted his ankle, to play when theCavaliers visit Philadelphia tomorrow. Jamison, who's been out witha sore knee, will be a game-time decision.


NBA
Wednesday's Games
Charlotte 102, Philadelphia 87
Memphis 111, Boston 91
Utah 115, Detroit 104
Miami 108, L.A. Clippers 97
Denver 110, Minnesota 102
Oklahoma City 98, New Orleans 83
Dallas 96, New Jersey 87
San Antonio 97, New York 87
Sacramento 113, Toronto 90
Thursday's Games
Atlanta at Washington, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Orlando, 8 p.m.
Portland at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Wednesday's Games
Phoenix 4, Vancouver 3, SO
Buffalo 5, Dallas 3
New Jersey 6, N.Y. Rangers 3
Washington 4, Carolina 3, OT
Chicago 3, Los Angeles 2, OT
Thursday's Games
Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.
Boston at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Atlanta at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Florida at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Ottawa at Calgary, 9:30 p.m.
Nashville at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Wednesday's Game
(22) Georgetown 69 South Florida 49