Hot Grizzlies outlast Spurs in 3 overtimes
NBA: Marc Gasol scored 26 points, including a banked-in 3-pointer as regulation expired, and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame blowing a 23-point lead for a 117-116 triple-overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night in San Antonio.
Zach Randolph had 21 points and 21 rebounds in the Grizzlies’ sixth straight victory. Vince Carter added a season-high 18 points for Memphis.
Danny Green scored 25 points, and Tim Duncan had 23 points and 16 rebounds for San Antonio. His jumper rattled in to force the third OT, but he finished just 5 for 15 on free throws.
Manu Ginobili added 21 points, but shot an airball on a 3-pointer in the final seconds for the Spurs. San Antonio made a season-high 17 3-pointers but was 13 for 27 on free throws.
• Hawks rout Cavaliers: Shelvin Mack scored a career-high 24 points and the Atlanta Hawks routed the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-98 in Cleveland for their 11th victory in 12 games.
LeBron James scored 21 points but didn’t play in the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers have lost three of four since winning eight straight.
Boston defeats Minnesota in OT
NHL: Loui Eriksson’s goal 1:30 into overtime gave Boston a 3-2 win over Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota, only the second victory for the Bruins in eight games and the fourth loss for the Wild in the past six.
Niklas Svedberg made 35 saves for the Bruins in just his second start in 11 games.
Oregon CB injures knee; status uncertain
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: A person with knowledge of the injury said Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu hurt a knee in practice this week and his status for the No. 3 Ducks’ (12-1) Jan. 1 playoff game versus No. 2 Florida State (13-0) is uncertain.
The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the program does not discuss injuries.
Ekpre-Olomu, a first-team All-America selection, was injured in practice on Tuesday. He is widely considered among the top cornerbacks in next year’s NFL draft. The senior was a Jim Thorpe Award finalist this season.
• Pelini ripped AD in last talk with players: On the day he was introduced as Youngstown State’s new head coach, the ugly nature of Bo Pelini’s departure from Nebraska was revealed.
Pelini, who was fired Nov. 30, lambasted Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst in a profanity-filled talk during his final meeting with his players. The Omaha World-Herald reported that it obtained an audiotape of Pelini’s address to the players on Dec. 2.
• Pittsburgh fires AD: Pittsburgh fired athletic director Steve Pederson after Paul Chryst’s abrupt departure for Wisconsin left the Panthers searching for their fourth football coach in four years.
Randy Juhl, vice chancellor for research conduct and compliance, will serve as Pitt’s acting athletic director.
Bearcats upset No. 19 San Diego State
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Farad Cobb hit a 3-pointer that put Cincinnati in control in overtime, and the Bearcats pulled away to a 71-62 victory over No. 19 San Diego State in Cincinnati after letting a late lead slip away in regulation.
The Bearcats (7-2) were coming off a 56-55 double-overtime loss at Nebraska on Saturday night that underscored their season-long struggle to hit shots. San Diego State (7-3) lost for only the second time in its last 20 overtime games.
Chattanooga women stun No. 7 Stanford
WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Chelsey Shumpert scored a career-high 18 points, including five 3-pointers, as Chattanooga stunned No. 7 Stanford 54-46 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for its second home victory over a top-10 opponent this season.
Lili Thompson scored nine points to lead Stanford (6-3), which shot just 28 percent.
The Mocs (7-3) pulled their latest stunner three weeks after producing a 67-63 upset of No. 11 Tennessee, which was ranked fourth during their Nov. 26 meeting.
Busch says he told ex-girlfriend to leave
AUTO RACING: Kurt Busch has testified that he repeatedly told his ex-girlfriend to leave his motorhome the night she claims the NASCAR driver assaulted her.
Busch said Patricia Driscoll came to his motorhome uninvited and unannounced and demanded that he tell her son that their relationship was over.
Busch said while the two were in his bedroom, he again asked her to leave, for what he said was the fifth time. He said he cupped her cheeks in his hands, looked her in the eye and said, “You need to leave.”
He said he was defusing the situation.
Rain postpones tournament in Brazil
WOMEN’S SOCCER: The U.S. women’s game against Argentina, scheduled at the International Tournament of Brasilia, was postponed because of heavy rain in the Brazilian capital.
The games were rescheduled for today.