News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 13

20 I mm Kicking game, linebacker two biggest concerns 'N By Mark Craig Thomson Newi Service Knicks 100, Magic 95 NEW YORK (AP) John Storks matched his career high with 39 points and Patrick Ewing outplayed Shaquille O'Neal, leading the New York Knicks to a 100-95 victory Tuesday night over the Orlando Magic. Ewing matched O'Neal, the NBA's leading scorer, with 26 points, but Ewing grabbed 19 rebounds to O'Neal's five. Ewing also was 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, while O'Neal was 4-for-11. Starks scored IS points In the fourth quarter, but It was Ewing who saved the Knicks in the final two minutes. He started an 8-0 run with a free throw that tied the score, then hit dunk and a lumper for a 96-92 advantage with 37 seconds left.

Hawks 133, Hornets 114 ATLANTA (AP) Kevin Willis scored 16 points during a 42-6 third-quarter blitz that turned a close game into a rout for Atlanta. The Hawks shot 75.9 percent In the decisive third quarter, held an 18-2 rebounding edge and got nine assists from Mookie Blaylock. Wilkins scored 25 points, Augmon 24 and Willis 20 points and 18 rebounds as the Hawks won their third in a row overall and 12th In their last 13 home games. Heat 100, Nets 83 MIAMI (AP) Glen Rice had 22 points and nine rebounds to help Miami take advantage of New Jersey's poor shooting, and hand the Nets their 1 1th loss in their last 12 road games. The Nets' starters shot 35 percent.

Rony Seikaly had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. i 'hi Spurs 107, 76ers 84 v' BROWNS NOTES SAN ANTONIO (AP) David Robinson had 32 points and Negele Knight a season-high 20 as San Antonio won its fifth straight game and eight in a row at home against Philadelphia. Robinson, who also had 15 rebounds and eight assists, and Orlando's Shaquille O'Neal are trying to become the first true centers to win the NBA scoring title since Buffalo's Bob McAdoo In 1975-76. Robinson has produced 30 or more points In 16 of 30 outings after managing that feat only 12 times all of last season. Bulls 97, Pistons 91 CHICAGO (AP) Scottie Pippen scored eight of Chicago's final 12 points, and the surging Bulls withstood a fourth-quarter rally and sent Detroit to its eighth straight loss.

Rookie Llndsey Hunter scored 14 consecutive points In the fourth quarter, and his three-point play with 1 :55 left pulled Detroit to 87-84. But Pippen scored on a dunk and then a fadeaway lumper to give the Bulls a 91-84 lead. Rockets 106, Trail Blazers 95 HOUSTON (AP) Hakeem Olaluwon scored 12 of his 33 points during Houston's 22-5 third-quarter spurt. Olaiuwon added 11 rebounds and six blocked shots, and hit the third 3-oointer of his career. Houston, which scored the game's first 11 points, is 10-1 at home.

Steve Kerr of the Chicago Bulls tries to keep the ball away from Greg Anderson and Lindsey Hunter of the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night in Chicago. (AP Photo) Lakers 119, Nuggets 118 DENVER (AP) Sedale Threatt scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak. The Lakers scored nine straight points, triggered by Threatt's baseline lumper, for a 116-111 lead with 2:36 left. LaPhonso Ellis made only one of two free throws with 3.2 seconds left, leaving the Nuggets a point down. Bryant Stith stole a pass, but Ellis missed a slam and Brian Williams' follow shot came after the buzzer.

Warriors 115, Kings 112 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Chris Mullln stole the ball from Sacramento's Jim Les and scored the godhead basket with 31 seconds to play, lifting Golden State to victory behind Chris Webber's career-high 36 points. Webber hit 15 of 23 shots and also had 13 rebounds and six blocks as the Warriors overcame a 107-99 deficit in the final three minutes to snap the Kings' season-high three-game winning streak. Mitch Richmond topped Sacramento with 34 points and a season-high 11 SuperSonics 112, Suns 106 BEREA The two areas of the Cleveland Browns that concern head coach Bill Belichick the most are linebacker and anything to do with kicking the football. One look at the Browns' list of unrestricted free agents tells you why.

1 Of the 13 Browns players that became unrestricted free agents after Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, four are linebackers and three are responsible for snapping, holding and kicking the football. Starting linebackers Clay Matthews, Mike Johnson and Pepper Johnson are free to leave, as is backup Frank Stams. Kicker Matt Stover, holder punter Brian Hansen and long snappertight end Brian Kinchen also can sign with any other team starting Feb. 17 and ending July 15. "Obviously, the biggest question mark for us is at linebacker," Belichick said during Tuesday's postseason press conference.

"There probably will be some players who leave and some who come. That's just the way it is. But we do feel confident that we will keep the players that will be the key to our success." OTHER FREE AGENTS: The Browns' other unrestricted free agents include: DT Jerry Ball, CB Randy Hilliard, RB Kevin Mack, QB Todd Philcox, CB Terry Taylor and WR Lawyer Tillman. LOOKING AHEAD: Belichick said he's not into all the "woulda, coulda, shoulda, oughta beens" for this year's 7-9 team. He said over and over he wasn't happy with his team's record, but was optimistic about the future.

"I think we will bridge the gap during the off-season to reach a playoff-caliber team." FORTUNATE TO BE 5-2: Belichick was asked numerous times how he could think the Browns were better at the end of the season than they were when they were 5-2. He said, "I was worried at 5-2. We were fortunate to be 5-2 at that point. We were totally out of the Raiders game and we had two punt returns for touchdowns against Pittsburgh in a game they significantly dominated. I'm not appologizing for the plays we made to win those games because you have to make those plays.

However, we were fortunate to be where we were considering the PHOENIX (AP) Kendall Gill scored 12 of his 19 points In the fourth quarter, and Seattle came from behind against Phoenix, which handed the Sonics their only home loss of the season. Shawn Kemp scored 22 points and Gary Payton and Detlef Schrempf had 18 each for the Sonics, who won their third straight while snapping a four-game winning streak by the Suns. Phoenix, which beat Seattle 87-86 on Dec. 23 in the first meeting of the 1993 Western Conference finalists, dropped to 14-2 at home is way we were playing." WANTED: A COUPLE PLAYERS: Belichick also said the Browns "could significantly improve the team with two or three key players." He wouldn't name the positions of need, but he did say the Browns need to improve their defensive personnel on third downs and passing situations. He said CB Najee Mustafaa was a key addition last season, but also said, "we need to build in that area." GOOD POINTS: Belichick said the most improved area of the team was, without question, the offensive line.

He didn't guarantee that the same five players will start there next year, but did say, "if there is a change, it will be for the better because of the compe-' tition we'll have there." NO SECOND THOUGHTS: Belichick said second-round draft pick Ed King, Patrick Rowe and Dan Footman have a future with the team. He said maybe the Browns shouldn't have waited until this season to move King to tackle. Footman, he said, will be a very good NFL player, but was just stuck behind two solid veteran DEs this season. And Rowe, Belichick said, made great strides to even be able to suit up this seaso after a knee injury in the 1992 preseason. MOORE PRAISE FOR STEVON: Belichick said the most surprising player to him this season was Stevon Moore, a safety who joined the Browns as a Plan free agent last season.

"Stevon's a guy who was drafted in the seventh round by the Jets (in 1989), didn't make it there, then went to Miami and didn't make it there," Belichick said. "But he's worked very hard. Now he's clearly one of the best safeties in the league." i it. BOirnu w' 4 i I I I No. 4 Kentucky 107, No.

22 Vanderbilt 82 LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) Rod Rhodes hit his first seven shots of the second half as No. 4 Kentucky went on a 29-12 tear and coasted to a 107-82 victory over No. 22 Vanderbilt in a Southeastern Conference opener Tuesday night. Kentucky (10-1), winning Its eighth straight game, went from a 52-42 halftime advantage to 59-42 In the opening 1:16 on Rhodes' two layups and Tony Delk's 3-pointer.

Kentucky led by as many as 32 points down the stretch. Travis Ford set a Kentucky record for consecutive free throws made without a miss, sinking eight of eight to run his string to 46. Rhodes, hitting eight of 11 shots, finished with 20 points to lead Kentucky. Vanderbilt, which hasn't won In Lexington since 1974, was led by Billy McCaffrey's 20 points. No.

8 Massachusetts 71, Rutgers 59 PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Lou Roe scored 20 points and Mike Williams added 16 and No. 8 Massachusetts held off Rutgers 71-59 Tuesday night for Its seventh straight victory. The Mlnutemen (10-1, 2-0 Atlantic 10) led 41-26 at halftime and seemed on the way to an easy victory. But Rutgers (3-5, 0-1 made several small runs in the second half and twice got within five points.

No. 11 Louisville 132, George Mason 87 LOU ISVI LLE, Ky. (AP) Dwayne Morton scored 31 points and DeJuan Wheat 20 as No. 11 Louisville beat George Mason at its own fast-paced game 132-87 Tuesday night. It was George Mason that came in averaging close to 100 points a game, but It was Louisville that by game's end had set a school scoring record.

Louisville's final score was well above its season average of 82 points and broke the school scoring record of 126 set in 1971 against St. Peter's. The Cardinals also attempted over 30 more field goals than usual but still hit 53 percent of their shots. The Patriots fell well short of their 94.6 scoring average. The Patriots attempted 104 shots but managed only 34 for 33 percent, below their 44 percent season average.

Maryland 91, No. 12 Georgia Tech 88 ATLANTA (AP) Joe Smith and Keith Booth got baskets and Johnny Rhodes sank two free throws to blunt a rally and boost Maryland to a 91-88 victory over No. 12 Georgia Tech Tuesday night. Tech (9-2) never led in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams, and trailed by as many as 18 in the second half. No.

16 Connecticut 77, Georgetown 65 HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Donyell Marshall scored 29 points and No. 16 Connecticut held Georgetown scoreless for seven minutes In the first half in a 77-65 victory over the Hoyas on Tuesday night. Marshall was 13-of-23 from the field, Including three from 3-point range to help Villanova's Jason Lawson passes to a teammate after gathering a loose ball in a scramble with Boston College's Paul Grant on Tuesday in Newton, Mass. (AP Photo) the Huskies (12-1, 2-0 Big East) break a six-game losing streak against Georgetown dating to February 1991.

No. 20 Boston College 96, Villanova 84 NEWTON, Mass. (AP) Boston College hit 12 of 17 3 pointers and shot 63 percent overall, but it was second-half defense that led the 20th-ranked Eagles to a 96-84 victory over Villanova on Tuesday. Billy Curley had 27 points and 15 rebounds to lead Boston College (10-2 overall, 2-0 Big East), while teammate Howard Eisley matched his career high with 25 points, hitting S-of-6 from behind the 3-point line. Crosby closing in on top offensive position By Mark Craig Thomson News Service Marshall 95, Appalachian St.

86 HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) Malik Hightower scored 24 points as Marshall defeated Appalachian State 95-86 Tuesday night In Southern Conference play. Marshall (4-5 overall, 2-0 conference) opened the game with seven unanswered points, and continued to dominate the game. Appalachian State (4-4, 0-1) led only once, 26-24, on a Jeff Williams' layup with 9:17 remaining in the first half. Bettis, Stubblefield voted NFL's top rookies That was far ahead of Washington's Tom Carter, a defensive back drafted with the 17th selec tion of the opening round.

Carter had 18 votes as he finished season with six interceptions. Tht Associated Press Jerome Bettis of the Los Angeles Rams and Dana Stubblefield of the have been named the NFL's top rookies. It was obvious that Jerome Bettis, a muscular 5-foot-ll, 243-pounder, could run over people. The fullback out of Notre Dame proved he also could run around them. Switched to tailback by the Los Angeles Rams, Bettis ended his year by running away from two of his former Fighting Irish back-field mates in voting for The Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.

He joins a select list of rookie runners that begins with Jim Brown, who won the award its first year, in 1957. Bettis' 1,429 yards this season also were the sixth most by a rookie in NFL history, and just 57 yards shy of the Dallas Cowboys' Smith, who won the league rushing title. Stubblefield filled a gaping hole in the San Francisco defense. A tackle from Kansas, eimpressed a panel of 81 national media members with his versatility. Considered a strong riin-stuffer in college, he showed excellent pass-rushing skills as well.

The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Stubblefield led the 49ers with WA sacks and had 64 tackles. Stubblefield received 55 votes in balloting announced Tuesday. week after quarterback Bernie Kosar was released and third-stringer Todd Philcox was moved up to start against Seattle. Belichick said he didn't totally remove himself from the offense once he got rid of Kosar. "I was still involved with the game-plan meetings," Belichick said.

"But as far the presentation of the scouting report, the handling of the meetings and that type of thing, Steve and Ozzie took on that role. I tried to spend more time with all three areas of the team instead of being tied to the offense." Crosby, 43, is a former two-time NAIA All-America running back at Fort Hays (Kansas) State University. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the 17th round and played for them from 1974-76. He was a Miami Dolphins scout in 1977-78. He then coached the Dolphins' special teams and linebackers from 1979-82.

He has subsequently coached with the Atlanta Falcons (1983-84, 86-89), Browns (1985), New England Patriots (1990) and Browns again (1991-93). Crosby's first stint with the Browns was the year Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner each rushed for 1,000 yards. Crosby served as both quarterbacks and running backs coach in Atlanta. Theater to show NFL playoff games MANSFIELD The Renaissance Theatre will carry the NFL divisional championship playoffs on Jan. 23 and the Super Bowl on Jan.

30 live on its large screen video projection system. Admission will be free. Bratwurst, hot dogs, popcorn and alcoholic beverages will be sold at the concession stand. BEREA Cleveland Browns assistant coach Steve Crosby appears close to being named Bill Belichick's first offensive coordinator. "That's certainly a possibility," Belichick said during Tuesday's post-season press conference at the team's training facility in Be-rea.

Crosby is the Browns' running backs coach, but he and offensive assistant Ozzie Newsome took on a much more active role in running the offense during the last eight games of the 1993 season. Their success in moving the football may translate into Crosby getting full control of the offense. "I thought Steve and Ozzie did a good job of running the offense," Belichick said. "I felt it was a lot better than at the beginning of the year. I think (Crosby's involvement with the offense) would be a positive for us to build on." Belichick said he and Crosby sat down Monday and discussed the Browns' offense, which was ranked 19th overall this season (16th rushing, 19th passing).

"As always, we re-evaluate our (coaching) performance and our scheme after each season," Belichick said. "Steve and I sat down and talked about his role on the staff, and also other staff assignments. That's something we'll continue talking about this week, and probably make some decisions on later." The Browns were 5-3 during the first part of the 1993 season and 2-6 in the second half. However, they averaged 324.8 yards offense during the second half of the season, compared to 267.8 during the first half of the season. Crosby and Newsome became more active in the offense the ROTE HES? Mi THE HKL V.

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