In brief: No. 12 Gators stop Arizona in overtime

Men’s basketball: Patric Young scored a career-high 25 points, Erving Walker made some huge free throws down the stretch, and No. 12 Florida rallied to beat Arizona 78-72 in overtime Wednesday night at Gainesville, Fla.

Walker finished with 14 points, including seven in the extra frame. He overcame a poor shooting night from the field (3 of 16) and a miserable performance from 3-point range (1 of 9).

The Gators (6-2) extended their home-winning streak to 11 and won their first resume-building game of the season. They previously lost at Ohio State and Syracuse.

Florida won despite maybe the worst free-throw shooting performance (15 of 32) in coach Billy Donovan’s 16 seasons.

Jesse Perry led the Wildcats (6-3) with 23 points and seven rebounds. Kyle Fogg added 19 points before fouling out in overtime. Nick Johnson and Solomon Hill also fouled out for Arizona.

• Dayton drops No. 16 Alabama: Chris Johnson scored 20 points and Dayton (6-3) closed with a 17-9 run to knock off No. 16 Alabama (7-2) 74-62 at Dayton, Ohio.

• Statute of limitations has passed for Fine: Onondaga (N.Y.) County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said sex abuse charges cannot be brought against former Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine because the statute of limitations has long passed.

Fitzpatrick, who held a news conference at the county courthouse, said he found the claims of two of Fine’s accusers – Bobby Davis and Michael Lang – to be credible but, in essence, the state’s hands are tied.

Fitzpatrick said had his office been told about the allegations in 2005, Fine would have been arrested on child molestation charges.

Marlins continue spree with Buehrle

MLB: It is the new image of baseball’s moneyed elite: For the second time in three days, the Miami Marlins walked up to the winter meetings podium in Dallas to introduce a high-priced free agent while working doggedly behind the scenes to bring more sparkling stars to baseball’s newest ballpark.

The Marlins, dominating the market under art dealer-owner Jeffrey Loria, increased their spending spree to $191 million in less than a week, agreeing to a $58 million, four-year contract with left-hander Mark Buehrle just hours after finalizing a deal with All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes.

With Albert Pujols unwilling to accept their $200 million-plus offer, the Marlins turned their attention to pitching in an effort to get off to a quick start in April at their $515 million, retractable-roof stadium. While Pujols still had not announced a decision, there were other moves on the third day of the four-day session.

Colorado traded closer Huston Street to San Diego for a player to be named and cash; Minnesota finalized a $4.75 million deal with closer Matt Capps; and Pittsburgh completed agreements with left-hander Eric Bedard ($4.5 million), formerly of Seattle, and outfielder Nate McLouth ($1.75 million).

Giroux’s overtime goal lifts Flyers

NHL: Claude Giroux scored 2:27 into overtime for the Philadelphia Flyers, who overcame a three-goal, first-period deficit and beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 at Buffalo, N.Y.

• Crosby will sit for two games: Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby’s will miss the next two games as a precaution following a collision with teammate Chris Kunitz in Monday night’s loss to Boston.

• Ex-coach pleads guilty to assaults: Former junior hockey coach and convicted sex offender Graham James pleaded guilty to sexual assaults involving two of his former players, including NHL star Theoren Fleury.

James entered the plea in a Winnipeg courtroom via video link from Montreal.

The disgraced coach was originally facing nine charges of sexual assault involving three players spanning 1979 to 1994, but only pleaded guilty to charges involving two. The names of the two other players are protected under a court-ordered publication ban.

Vonn’s dominant win brings out cowbells

Miscellany: Lindsey Vonn captured her first World Cup win on U.S. slopes by taking a super-G in front of a big crowd at Beaver Creek, Colo., that was cheering her with ringing cowbells.

Vonn turned in a dominating performance. She finished in a time of 1 minute, 10.68 seconds, beating Fabienne Suter of Switzerland by 0.37 seconds. Anna Fenninger of Austria was third on the course in Beaver Creek, Colo.

• Formula One approves Austin race: Formula One is returning to the United States in 2012, bringing its ultrafast cars and flair for the exotic to the land of longhorn cattle and cowboy hats.

Formula One’s 2012 calendar with the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 18 was approved at a World Motor Sport Council meeting in New Delhi.