WPPA / T-102 SPORTS / Wednesday

WASHINGTON (AP) - Led by 29 points from rookie and top draft
pick John Wall, the Washington Wizards downed the Philadelphia
76ers last night in overtime, 116-115. Wall outshined fellow rookie
Evan Turner, who scored all of his nine points for the Sixers in
the fourth quarter. The winless Sixers are home tonight to host the
Indiana Pacers.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Penn State coach Joe Paterno is downplaying
the attention about his nearing 400 career win -- instead
suggesting he's focused on settling on a quarterback. Matt McGloin
did well enough last week filling in for Rob Bolden that Paterno
says the two will compete for the starting job this week as Penn
State prepares to face Northwestern.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - After losing linebacker Thaddeus Gibson to the
49ers on a waiver claim, the Steelers have signed outside
linebacker Chris Ellis to their practice squad. Ellis was waived by
Buffalo earlier this month. A former defensive end at Virginia
Tech, Ellis was replaced there by Jason Worilds, who is now a
backup linebacker for the Steelers.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - It turns out the Steelers apparently didn't
challenge a possible TD run by Rashard Mendenhall Sunday against
the Saints because coaches in the press box couldn't see the same
replays being shown on TV. NBC's replays appeared to show the ball
touching the goal line before Mendenhall was tackled, but coach
Mike Tomlin didn't challenge the call. The Saints won 20-10.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Big East plans to expand its football
membership to 10, from the current 9. The conference told Villanova
in September that it wanted to add them to the conference, with the
Wildcats moving up from FCS play. Commissioner John Marinatto says
the league will start to evaluate potential expansion candidates.

DALLAS (AP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins open up a three-game road
trip tonight in Dallas. Coach Dan Bylsma hasn't said who he will
start in goal -- Marc-Andre Fleury or backup Brent Johnson, who has
compiled a 5-0-1 record on the season compared to Fleury's 1-5.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - College basketball is heading into the
exhibition season. Number 6 Villanova cruised to a 95-68 win over
Division II District of Columbia last night with 17 points from
Corey Fisher. Number 10 Syracuse also downed Kutztown 96-60.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Now that the baseball season has ended, the
Pittsburgh Pirates plan to talk with Rangers batting coach Clint
Hurdle about the Pirates' vacant manager job. Hurdle was manager of
the Rockies from 2002 to 2009. The Pirates last interviewed a
candidate in mid-October, when they talked to Braves bench coach
Carlos Tosca.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State athletic officials confirm
that Clint Gyory has been dismissed from his job as the Nittany
Lion mascot, saying he broke a team rule. Officials had earlier
said Gyory had been cited for underage drinking and other charges
in August.


NBA
Tuesday's Games
Atlanta 100, Cleveland 88
Washington 116, Philadelphia 115, OT
Boston 109, Detroit 86
Miami 129, Minnesota 97
Orlando at New York, ppd.
Portland 90, Milwaukee 76
L.A. Lakers 124, Memphis 105
Wednesday's Games
Detroit at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
Charlotte at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Indiana at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at Boston, 8 p.m.
New Orleans at Houston, 8:30 p.m.
Dallas at Denver, 9 p.m.
Toronto at Utah, 9 p.m.
San Antonio at Phoenix, 10 p.m.
Memphis at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.
Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Sacramento, 10:30 p.m.

NHL
Tuesday's Games
Ottawa 3, Toronto 2
Columbus 3, Montreal 0
Minnesota 1, San Jose 0