In brief: Falcons’ Vick tests positive for marijuana

A federal judge in Richmond, Va., placed tighter restrictions on Michael Vick Wednesday after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback tested positive for marijuana.

Because of the result, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson placed special conditions on Vick’s release, including restricting him to his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with electronic monitoring and ordering him to submit to random drug testing.

The urine sample was submitted Sept. 13.

Vick, who has admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation, is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 10.

“Oregon coach Mike Bellotti revealed that receiver Brian Paysinger is out for the season with a knee injury.

Paysinger hurt his right knee in practice last Thursday before Oregon’s game at Stanford.

Paysinger had nine catches this season for a team-high 165 yards.

“The chancellors of North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T apologized to each other, four days after their football teams brawled after a game.

North Carolina A&T chancellor Stanley F. Battle said one unidentified Aggies player was suspended for two games for his role in last Saturday’s brawl. One Eagles player already has been suspended for this week’s game.

“Two athletic department academic assistance employees have resigned and 23 Florida State University athletes were implicated in cheating on tests given over the Internet, school officials said.

The athletes represent nine sports and 17 of the students are or have been on scholarship.

Basketball

U.S. gets opening win

Candace Parker scored 21 points and Katie Smith added two late 3-pointers to help the United States hold off Cuba 85-79 in its opening game at the FIBA Americas tournament in Valdivia, Chile.

With the score tied at 71 midway through the fourth quarter, Smith hit consecutive 3-pointers to make it 77-71. She finished with 13 points.

Cuba answered with a basket to close within four, but Parker made 1 of 2 free throws, Seimone Augustus added a layup and Parker knocked down a jumper to put the game away.

“The NBA’s 60 officials are gathered in Jersey City, N.J., for their preseason meetings. In addition to rules changes and issues the operations staff wants monitored and enforced more closely, they’re getting schooled on how to deal with the fallout from the scandal created by one of their former colleagues.

Former official Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to betting on games and providing inside information to others to help them win bets. He resigned this summer after 13 years and is due to be sentenced in November.

“Phoenix Suns forward Shawn Marion, the team’s highest-paid player and a four-time All-Star, says he wants to be traded after eight years with the club.

“Tennessee forward Duke Crews, who started 18 games as a freshman last season, has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules.

Hockey

Wirtz dies of cancer

William Wirtz, the longtime owner of the Chicago Blackhawks notorious for driving a hard bargain, died at age 77.

In an announcement on the team Web site, the Blackhawks said Wirtz died at Evanston (Ill.) Hospital after battling cancer.

The family, led by Arthur Wirtz, purchased the Blackhawks in 1954. In 1966, William Wirtz became team president.

“The Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks have brought the oldest team trophy in North American sports back home to England.

The Ducks, who practiced at the O2 Arena for the first time, will open the NHL season in the British capital Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings – a game far away from home and one which Ducks coach Randy Carlyle could have done without.

“It’s the hand we’ve been dealt,” Carlyle said. “We’re never happy with the scheduling.”