WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Thursday

DALLAS (AP) - The Stars' Loui Eriksson scored twice, Kari
Lehtonen made 21 saves, and Dallas earned a fight-filled 5-2
victory over Sidney Crosby and the Penguins last night. Tyler
Kennedy and Matt Cooke scored for the Penguins, who opened a
stretch of three games in four nights against Western Conference
opponents.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia's Elton Brand had 25 points and
12 rebounds, and Thaddeus Young scored 16 points to help the 76ers
to their first victory of the season, 101-75 over the Pacers last
night. Sixers coach Doug Collins wasn't around to celebrate his
first win since he was hired in May. Collins left the bench at
halftime because of symptoms related to vertigo.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Last night's 76ers game was a bit of a
homecoming for Pacers coach Jim O'Brien. The Philadelphia native
coached the Sixers during the 2004-05 season and took them to the
playoffs. He says he knew in January of that year he would only
last the season because of disagreements with management.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Steelers linebacker James Harrison has met
with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss the league's
stricter policy on dangerous hits. Harrison had briefly threatened
to retire after he was fined $75,000 by the league for his hit on
Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi on October 17th.

NEW YORK (AP) - Eagles linebacker Ernie Sims has been fined
$50,000 for striking a defenseless receiver in the Eagles game with
the Titans on October 24th. It's the first large fine handed out by
the NFL since it sent a video to the 32 teams emphasizing what hits
would bring big fines and possible suspensions.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson has
passed post-concussion testing and could play for the Philadelphia
Eagles against Indianapolis on Sunday. Eagles coach Andy Reid says
Jackson is back practicing for the first time since sustaining a
concussion in a nasty head-on collision with Atlanta cornerback
Dunta Robinson on October 17th.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pirates left-hander Wil Ledezma has bypassed
arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract. The Pirates also
activated opening day first baseman Jeff Clement from the 60-day
disabled list snd assigned him outright to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Right-handers Sean Gallagher and Steven Jackson, left-hander Justin
Thomas and outfielder Brandon Moss are also going to Indy.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Cael Sanderson has big dreams entering
his second season as Penn State's head wrestling coach. Even with a
projected early season lineup that could include as many as eight
first-time or freshman starters, the Nittany Lions are considered
one of the best teams in the country. Penn State says season ticket
sales are on a record pace.


Wednesday's Games
Atlanta 94, Detroit 85
Charlotte 85, New Jersey 83
Orlando 128, Minnesota 86
Philadelphia 101, Indiana 75
Boston 105, Milwaukee 102, OT
New Orleans 107, Houston 99
Dallas 102, Denver 101
Utah 125, Toronto 108
San Antonio 112, Phoenix 110
Golden State 115, Memphis 109
L.A. Clippers 107, Oklahoma City 92
L.A. Lakers 112, Sacramento 100
Thursday's Games
New York at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Wednesday's Games
Washington 5, Toronto 4, SO
Boston 5, Buffalo 2
Carolina 7, N.Y. Islanders 2
Atlanta 4, Florida 3
New Jersey 5, Chicago 3
Dallas 5, Pittsburgh 2
Detroit 2, Calgary 1
Phoenix 4, Nashville 3
Anaheim 3, Tampa Bay 2, OT
Thursday's Games
N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
N.Y. Islanders at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Vancouver at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.