In brief: Man gets life for killing of USC point guard

The man convicted of killing a USC basketball player Ryan Francis was sentenced in Baton Rouge, La., to life in prison.

State District Judge Richard “Chip” Moore III on Wednesday also sentenced 20-year-old DeAnthony Ford to 10 years for aggravated battery in a shooting two days before the one that killed the 19-year-old Francis.

Francis was home visiting his mother on Mother’s Day weekend when he was shot and killed while riding in a car on May 13, 2006.

Francis was the starting point guard for USC his freshman year and had a 3.0 grade-point average.

“Ohio State must pay former men’s basketball coach Jim O’Brien more than $2.4 million for his wrongful firing in 2004, an appeals court in Columbus, Ohio, ordered on Thursday.

O’Brien, the head coach of the Buckeyes from 1998-2004, was fired after revealing to then-Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger that he had loaned a recruit $6,000.

“Against Charlie Bell’s wishes, the Bucks matched an offer sheet worth $18.5 million over five years that the restricted free agent signed with the Miami Heat on Monday.

The 6-foot-3 Bell had said he wanted to go to Miami.

Football

Irish may allow release

Notre Dame might release Demetrius Jones from his scholarship, after all, as long as the sophomore quarterback transfers to a school that is not on the Irish football schedule.

Jones, who started the season opener, quit the team last week and told reporters he had enrolled at Northern Illinois.

On Wednesday, athletic director Kevin White said Jones wouldn’t be released from his scholarship. In the latest statement, however, White said the university has offered to help Jones find an acceptable school.

Hockey

Heart surgery a success

Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen had successful open heart surgery in Buffalo, N.Y., to repair a faulty valve and hopes to be back on the ice within three months.

“There were no complications,” Sabres doctor William Hartrich said after speaking to the surgeon at The Cleveland Clinic.

Numminen learned he required surgery after a routine checkup in Cleveland earlier this month. Barring complications in his recovery, the 39-year-old player is eyeing a return to the lineup as soon as December.

“The Pittsburgh Penguins signed a lease, committing the NHL team to its yet-to-be built $290 million arena until 2040. The lease terms were in accordance with a March memorandum between the team and government officials.

Miscellany

Host China advances

Australia, Brazil and host China reached the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals in Tiajin, China, completing the eight-team field ahead of matches this weekend.

Norway also advanced, hammering Ghana 7-2 in Hangzhou. Australia rallied to draw Canada 2-2, China edged New Zealand 2-0 and Brazil defeated Denmark 1-0.

“Despite losing its last three Davis Cup matches to Sweden, the United States is favored to halt that streak with Andy Roddick and James Blake in the lineup for the semifinals in Goteborg, Sweden, this weekend. Roddick will face Joachim Johansson, and Blake will face top Swede Thomas Johansson today.

“ At Vernona, N.Y., Jeff Gove and Chad Campbell each shot a 7-under 65 to tie for the first-round lead at the Turning Stone Resort Championship, a PGA Tour event.

“Golf begrudgingly joined the new world of sport when leaders from its most influential organizations signed off in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on an anti-doping policy with hopes of proving its players are clean. Drug testing could begin as early as next spring.

“Canadian horseman Jody Jamieson drove Tell All to victory by a half-length in the $480,000 Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio.