Lincoln Journal Star du lieu suivant : Lincoln, Nebraska • 22

2C Lincoln Journal Star Friday, February 28, 2003 FACTS FIGURES down the FAN plan 1 1 I Hi Home game I Nebraska 472-3111 lluilwre.cani I Stars 474-7827 llncoln ftan.com I Saltdogs 474-BAU. ialtdoffLconi I Capitols 477-8888 lincoln name hitting, pitching coaches Lincoln Saltdogs hitting coach Mike Busch will return to that position, the team announced Thursday, while Pat Tilmon will coach the pitchers. Tilmon began his Northern League career with the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks in 1993. He was in Thunder Bay until 1998 as both a player and coach. He was a Northern League all-star in 1998 and spent 1999-2000 as the pitching coach of the Sioux City Explorers.

"I'm ecstatic to get this opportunity in Lincoln," Tilmon said. "I'm looking forward to working with Tim Johnson (the Saltdog head coach), and can't wait for spring training." Busch came to Lincoln last season after a career that saw him play with tha Los Angeles Dodgers. ELSEWHERE IN BASEBALL Creighton's home opening weekend against Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been cancelled because of forecasted weather conditions. It has not been announced if the series will be made Saltdogs ticket office announced that tickets for the Omaha Redhawks Pacific Coast League game at Haymarket Park are now available. The game will be played May 20th.

Those interested may call (402) 474-2255 for tickets. FOOTBALL: The Lincoln Renegades semi-pro footbairteam have resigned Travis Grant and Tom DeLalla. The Renegades will kick off their season May 31st at Seacrest Field against the Denver Pirates. Ti Iowa at State Oklahoma iwwJl 7pjn. NUMtN YSM atkwa Colorado State 7Spjn.

NU WOMEN ff vs. Notre vs.Wake ra. JaM Dame Forest Minnesota C'' Pj Wmiofcl fofc WnnMpobl NU BASEBALL 12:15 7 3fJn- rT7 Bfel2 Eg 12 Softball at track meet tradimeet Creigtrton lOajn. 10 a.m. 5 p.m.

NU ATHLETICS at Colorado jf College 4 2 p.m. NWU MEN at Topeka 7KB p.m. HOCKEY Girts B8 BovsBS Boys Boys Stateglris JrjU-s) distrids basketbal basMbal basketball uHini State districts districts tournament NU tennis coach makes case too late For years the University of Nebraska tennis coaches have pleaded for a new facility, but to no avail. On Sunday, NU women's tennis Coach Scott Jacobson got One last chance to make his case to his former boss, Texas athletic director Bill Byrne. Prior to the Husker women's match against the Aggies, Byrne was sitting at the top of art complex with 2,000 seats and 12 courts.

Built three years ago, it was the site of the 2002 NCAA men's. national tournament. When Jacobson spotted Byrne, the NU coach spread his arms and yelled up, jokingly, "this is what we were asking for all these years." BASKETBALL NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic OL Ptl GF OA New Jersey 37 16 4 64166129 -Philadelphia 33 1711 2 79160131 N.Y. Islanders 29 24 8.2 68174175 N.Y. Rangers 26 31 8 2 62175201 Pittsburgh 25 30.

4 5 59163191 Northeast Ottawa 40 17 7 1 88206143 Toronto 36 23 4 1 77189162 Boston 23 2: 8 .2 66184179 Montreal 24 27 7 7 62165192 Buffalo 1 18 31 8 5 49136167 Southeast Washington 30 25 7 3 70180174 Tampa Bay 27 2210 5 69174174 Florida 19 2412'. 9 59150187. Carolina '18 31 9 6 51134183 Atlanta 20 32 5 4 49160220: WESTERN CONFERENCE Central RT Pts GF GA Detroit 34 17 9 3 80198159 St. Louis 32 18 8 6 78202167 Nashville '25 25 9 4: 63155156 Chicago 24 2710 3 61150157 Columbus 23 32 6 2 54163201 Nortnwest Vancouver 38 16 9. 0 85202156 Colorado '30 1511 -6 77183152 Minnesota 32 22 8 1 73155137 Edmonton 26 23 7 8 67171181 Calgary 19 3110 4 52140186 Pacific Dallas 35 1215 2 87193128 Anaheim 30 22 8 4 72156153 Los Angeles 27 29 4 4 62167178 Phoenix 24 26 8 4 60157167 S-km '23 28 6 5 57169181 1 Two points for a win.

One point for a tie and overtime loss. Wednesday's results Washington 3, Anaheim 2, Roridal Phoenix 4, Carolina 2: Thursday's results New Jersey 3, N.Y Islanders 3, tie Columbus 3. Los Angeles 1 Tampa Bay 3, Florida 1 Ottawa 3. Dallas 2, OT Minnesota 6, Montreal 3 Detroit 7. Toronto 2 St.

Louis 4, Edmonton 1 N.Y, Rangers 4, Boston Philadelphia 5. Chicago 2" Nashville 6, Pittsburgh 0 4, Atlanta 3, Ot San Jose at Vancouver Today's games. Dallas at Buffalo, 6 p.m. Anaheim at Phoenix, 8 p.m. TODAY'S COADCASTS AUTO RACING TV Radio 5 p.m.

UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 qualifying FSN (36) BASKETBALL 6 a.m. Harlem Globetrotters vs. Maryland ESPN2 (35) 7 p.m. Orlando at N.Y. Knicks ESPN (34) 7 p.m.

Girls District Basketball Finals 1 1400 7:15 p.m. Girls district final: Tri County vs. Centura 99.5. 7:25 p.m. A-2 girls district final: TBA 1240 8p.m, New Orleans at Denver FSN (36) 9:30 p.m.

LA Clippers at Portland ESPN (34) fouls Detroit 19, LA. Lakers 16 Technicals C'o: coach Carlisle, LA. Lakers Defensive Three Second. A 18,997. LATE WEDNESDAY WARRIORS 108, CLIPPERS 94 Golden State" 30 30 27 "21- 108 LA.CIippers 22 25 27- 94 Golden State Jamison 612 18, Mur-'-: phyb-8 1-1 11, Dampier 3-7 45 10, Arenas 5-: 16 5 18, J.Richerdson 5-14 2-2 13, Mills 5- 9 00 10, Sura 2-5 2-2 7, Foyle 35 00 6, Diinleavy 3-6 00 7, Boykins 24 2-2 6, Welsch' 0-1 2-2 2.

Totals 39-89 23-28 108. LA. Clippers Odom 7-17 2-3 16, Parks 2-5 00 5, Rooks 1-5 44 6, And.Millef 49 66 14, Maggette 415 34 11, Ely 3-7 00 6, Pi-atkowskl 6-10 3-3 17, Jane 1-6 34 5, O.Richardson 2-11 2-3 6, Wilcox 30 24 8. To- tals 33-91 25-31 94. Threfrpolnters Golden State 7-15 (Arenas 30, Sura 1-1, Dunleavy.l-l, Jamison 1-2, J.Richardson 1-2, Welsch 01, Mills 02), LA.

Clippers 3-12 (Piatkowskl 24, Parks 1-2, O.Richardson 0-1, Jaric 0-1, Odom 02, Maggette 02). Fouled out None, Re- i bounds-Golden State 59 (Murphy 10), L.A. Clippers 60 (Maggette, Q.Richardson 9: As-slsts Golden State 24 (J.Richardson 6), LA. Clippers 18 (Odom 5). Total fouls Golden State 23, LA.

Clippers 24. Technicals-Gold-en State Defensive Three Second, L.A. Clip-pers Defensive Three Second, A 15,273. BOWLING lp.m. PBA Tarheel Open (taped) ESPN2 (35) BOXING 11 a.m.

Jeremy Williams vs. David Bostice FSN (36) Friday Night Fights ESPN2 (35) Ruiz's manager collapses after fight The manager of WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz was taken to a hospital Thursday after passing out following a brawl at the weigh-in for Ruiz's fight with Roy Jones Jr. Norman Stone was cut on the lip during the brawl, which started as he and Jones' trainer, Alton Merkerson, argued about fight gloves just before the weigh-in. Both men went flying off a temporary stage and were trading punches before order was restored, After the weigh-in, though, Stone collapsed and was taken by stretcher to an ambulance, complaining of pain in his side. "One of his guys sucker-punched me" Stone said after the Doctors at the hospital told Stone he would be treated and released Thursday night, according to Bob Trieger, Ruiz's publicist.

doing fine," Trieger said. "His pinkie may be broken. They were going to give him an X-ray. His neck is still a little tender." a COLLEGE BASKETBALL Kansas forward Wayne Simien, who missed 11 games this season with a dislocated right shoulder, is out for rest of the season, coach Roy Williams said Thursday. Simien, who Wednesday night's game against Texas after the shoulder popped out of its socket again, will have surgery, probably in March, Williams said in a news conference.

Simien was not at the news conference and Williams said the 6-foot-9 sophomore did not want to answer questions about the injury. center David Harrison will return to the Buffaloes next season, saying he does not believe he is ready for pro Rutgers is investigating whether Coach C. Vivian Stringer violated recruiting rules when she and the mother of a top prospect encountered each other after a recent game. PRO BASKETBALL: Vin Baker missed practice for personal reasons Thursday and was GOLF 8 a.m. Dimension Data Pro-Am.

GOLF (37) 12:30 p.m. Nationwide: Jacob's Creek Open GOLF (37) lp.m. WGC Match Piay Championship ESPN (34) 5 p.m. PGA Chrysler Classic of Tucson USA (27) scheduled to meet with Boston Celtics management amid a report that he would be suspended for two weeks to deal with alcohol-related problems. The Boston Globe, citing unidentified sources, reported the suspension on Thursday and said Baker would address his teammates before Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest, who has been -suspended twice by the NBA this season, traveled to New York for a meeting with league officials.

The EVENTS Baseball COLLEGE 12:15 p.m, Dairy Queen Classic: Nebraska vs. Notre Dame, Minneapolis. Hockey USHL 7:05 p.m. Lincoln at Topeka, Kari, Swimming HIGH SCHOOL 10 a.m. State Meet, Devaney Sports Cerv Tennis COLLEGE WOMEN 4 p.m.Hastings at Nebraska Wesleyan, Knight Field House, Track COLLEGE 10 a.m.

Big 12 Indoor Championships, De-yaney Sports GOLF Men ACCENTURE MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP In Carlsbad, CalH. Yardage 7.0O2 Second Round Upper Bracket tiger Woods (1), United States, def. K.J. Choi 32), South Korea, 4 and 3. Stephen Leaney (48), Australia, def, Justin Leonard 16), United States, 6 and 5.

Scott Hoch (25), United States, def. Padraig Harrington (8), Ireland, 3 and 2: 0 Toshi Izawa (56L Japan, def. Eduardo Romero (24), Argentina, 2 and 1. Jay Haas (61), United States, def. Shigekl Maruyama (29).

Japan, 1 up. Nick Price (13), Zimbabwe, def. Niclas Fasth (45), Sweden. 2 and 1. Kevin Sutherland (60), United States, def.

Justin Rose (37), England, 1 up. Adam Scott (44). Australia, def. Rocco Medi- ate (12), United States, 1 up. Lower Bracket Peter Lonard (31), Australia, def.

Phil rangi (63), New Zealand, 5 and 4. Robert Allenby (15), Australia, def, Jeff I Sluman (47), United States, 1-up. Darren Clarke (26), Northern Ireland, def. Davis Love III (7), United States, 7 and 6, Jim- Furyk (10). United States, def.

Steve Lowery (42), United States, 6 and 5, Phil Mickelson (3), United States, def. Brad Faxon (35), United States, 3 and 2. Jerry Kelly (19), United States, def. Mike Weir (14), Canada, 2 and 1. David Toms (6), United States, def.

Chris Rt ley (38), United States, 1-up. Alex Cejka (54), Germany, def, Angel Cabrera (22), Argentina, 4 and 2.... Today's pairings Upper Bracket Tiger Woods (1), Uned States, vs. Stephen! Leaney (48), Australia. Scott Hoch (25), United States, vs.

Toshi fta- wa (56), Japan. Jay Haas (61), United States, vs. Nick Price (13), Zimbabwe. Kevin Sutherland (60), United States, vs. -Adam Scott (44), Australia.

Lower Bracket' Peter Lonard (31), Australia, Robert Al-, (15), Australia. Darren Ctarke (26), Northern Ireland, vs. Jim Furyk (10), United States. Phil Mickelson (3), United States, vs. Jerry Kelfy (19), United States.

David Toms (6), United States. vs. Alex Cejke (54), Germany. JACOB'S CREEK OPEN hi Adelaide, Australia AtKooyongaGC (6.738 yards, par-71) Rrst-round results Jarrod Moseley. Australia Roland Thatcher, United Marcus Eraser, Australia 66 Joe OgiMe, United States 3432-66 Zoran Zorkic, United States Barry Cheesman, United 67 Peter O'Malley.

Australia Richard Ball, Australia Pete Jordan, United States Fran Quinn, United States LPGA AUSTRALIA OPEN In Sydney. Australia At Terrey Hills GC (6,739 yards, par-72) Flratound results Laura Davies, England 31-3465 Valerie Van Ryckeghem, Rebecca Coakley, Australia Lorena Ochoa, Mexico 32-35 67 Alison Nicholas. 33-34-67 Becky Morgan, Wales Mardi Lunn. Australia 34-3468 Sophie Gustafson. Sweden 68 Kelly Robbins, United States 34-3468 Iben Tinning, Denmark Other notables Karrie Webb, Australia 333669 Laura Diaz, United States 35-38-73 COXIksJI FIGHT SCHEDULE Saturday At Caesars Resort Casino, Las Vegas (PPV), John Ruiz, Chelsea, vs.

Roy Jones, Pensacofa, 12, for Ruiz's WBA heavy, weight title; Fres Oquendo, Puerto Rico, vs. Maurice Harris, Newark, N.J,, 12, IBF heavyweight elimination; Ronald Wnght, St. Peters-' burg. vs. Juan Candelo.

Colombia, 12, for Wright's IBF junior middleweight title. Mwch6 -Ay Levels Nightclub, Miami, Juan Gomez Trinidad, Puerto Rico, vs. Efren Hinojosa, Mexico, 12, for the vacant WBA Latin Americas Utile; Henry Bruseles, Puerto Rico. Terrell Finger, St. Louis, 10, junior welterweights.

March 7 At Montreal, Leonard Dorin, Romania, vs. Miguel Caihst, Panama, 12, for Dorin's WBA" lightweight trtie. At San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ernesto Zepeda, Mexico, vs. Witfredo Vargas, Puerto Rico, 10 lightweights. March 8 At Hanover.

Germany, Wladimrf Klitschko, Ukraine, vs. Come Sanders, South Africa, 12, for Klitschko's WBO heavyweight title, March 15 At UIC Pavilion. Chicago (SHO), Acelino Freitas, Brazil, vs. Juan Carlos Ramirez, Mexico, 12. for Freitas' WBA super featherweight title; Antwun Echols, Davenport towa, vs.

Anwar Oshana, Chicago, 12, for Echols' NABF super mi dleweight title. At Dallas (FOX), Kirtt Johnson. Canada, vs. Lou Savarese, Houston, 10. heavyweights.

March 21 At Dover (Del.) Downs Slots (ESPN2), Mite Stewart, New Castle, vs. Chucky Philadelphia, 12, for the vacant USBA junior welterweight title; Anthony Washington, Philadelphia, vs. Andre Eason, New York, 10, junior welterweights. At Diamond Dosed Casino, Tucson, Guty Espadas, Mexico, vs. Manuel Sepeda, Austin, Texas, 10.

featherweights: Danny Perez, El Ca-jon, Calif vs. Armando Velardez, San Bernardino, 10, wetterweights. DEVILS 3, ISLANDERS 3 New Jersey 1 2 0 N.Y. Islanders 2 0 '1 0 3 First 1, N.Y Islanders, Isbister 10 (Wein- Aucoin), 3:55. 2, N.Y Islanders, Scatchard 20 (Peca, Aucoin), 7:33 (pp).

3, New Jersey, Gomez 10 (Gionta, Giroun), Second 4,. New Jersey, Friesen 19 Nieuwendyk, Langenbrunner), 5:40. 5, New Jersey, Madden 16 (Pandolfo, Bias), 10:33. Third 6. N.Y.

Islanders, Bates 11 (Peca, 11:14. Shots on goal New Jersey 10114 33. N.Y, Islanders 134-3-2-22, Power-playt- New Jersey 0 of N.Y. Islanders 1 of 4. Goalies New Jersey, Brodeur 33-186 (22 shots-19 saves).

N.Y Islanders, DiPietro 2-2-1 (33-30). SENATORS 3, STARS 2, OT 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 Ottawa First-1, Dallas. Guerin 25 (Amotl, Sydor), 14:24. 2, Ottawa, Bonk 17 (Arvedson), 18:21. Socond 3, Dallas, Lefitineri 25, 7:41.

4, Ottawa, Bonk 18 (Hossa, Arvedson), 13:00. Overtime 5, Ottawa, Arvedson 12 (Fisher), 1:24. Shots on goal-Dallas 8-7-7-1-23. Ottawa 7-94-323. Power-plays Dallas 1 of Ottawa 0 of 1, Goalies Dallas, Tugnutt 10-5-5 (23 shots-20 saves).

Ottawa, Lalime 30-16-6 (23-21). USHL EAST DIVISION OT Pts GF GA Waterloo' 30 15 2 62 168 132 Cedar Rapids 24 18 6 54 134 136 Des Moines 21 21 5 47 153 173 Chicago 17 23 6 40 125 159 GreenBay 13 29 6. 32 115 177 WEST DIVISION OT Pts GF GA Lincoln. 33 11 4 70 187 124 River City 29 15 5 63 139 118 Sioux City 27 15 5 59 166 153 Topeka 27 15 4 58 161 133 Sioux Falls -V. -21 21 6 48 155 173 Tn-Clty 19 25 4 42 141 166 2 points for win.l for loss in OT or shootout.

Wednesday result River City 4, Topeka 2 Thursday's result Des Moines 6, Green Bay 4 Today's games Lincoln at Topeka, 7:05 p.m. Waterloo at Green Bay, 7:05 p.m.'; Chicago at Tri-City, 7:05 p.m. Sioux City at River City. 7:05 p.m. Rapids atDes Moines, 7:35 p.m.

Saturday's games at Lincoln, 7:05 p.m. Des Moines at Rrver City, 7:05 p.m. Waterloo at Cedar Rapids, 7:05 p.m. at Topeka, 7:05 p.m. Sioux Palls at Sioux City, 7:05 p.m: Sunday's games Chicago'at Topeka, 4:05 p.m.

Sioux Falls at TnCity, 6:05 p.m. BASKETBALL NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Pet GB New Jersey 38 21 .644 Philadelphia- 32 24 .571 4 Boston 32 -25 5 Orlando 29 29 .500 8VS Washington." 28 29 .491. 9 New York 24 33 421 13 Miami'. 19. 38 .333 18 Central 37 20 Indiana 37 21 .638 A NewOrleans' 32 27 .542 6 Milwaukee 28 29 .491 9 21 37 .362 16' Chicago 21 38 .356 17 Toronto 17 37 im Cleveland 11 46 .193 26 WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest I Pet GB Dallas 44 13 .772 San Antonio 39 17- .696 4V4 Minnesota 38 21 .644 7 Utah 33 24 .579 11 Houston- 30..

28 i .517 14V4 Memphis ,17, 39 :304 26' Denver 12 46 .207 32Vi Pacific Sacramento 40 18 .690 Portland 37 20 2 LA Lakers 31 25 .554 8 Phoenix 31 27 .534 9 Golden State 28 30 .483 12 Seattle- "25 '31 .446 14 Clippers 19 31 .339 20 Wednesday results Boston 71. Indiana 69 Philadelphia 111, Memphis 107 New Jersey 105, New York 76 Phoenix 118, Milwaukee 112: New Orleans 91, Miami 82 Chicago 103, Toronto 95 Minnesota 92, Utah 85 Portland 94, Denver 84 Seattle 93, Atlanta 76 Golden State 108, L.A. Clippers 94 Thursday's results Washington 100. Houston 98, OT Sacramento at Dallas Detroit at L.A. Lakers Today's games Utah at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Milwaukee at Indiana, 6 p.m. Orlando at New York, 6:30 Miami at Memphis, 7 p.m. Toronto at Boston, 7 p.m. Cleveland at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

-New Orleans at Denver, 8 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Seattle, 9 p.m. LA. Clippers at Portland, 9:30 p.m.

WIZARDS 100, ROCKETS 98, OT Houston 20 15 23 30 10-" 98 Washington 2926 19 14 12- 100 Houston Posev 1-8 2-2 4, Griffin 4-9 00 8, Yao 6-15 44 16, Mobley 1021 1-2 24. Francis 1-13 6 8, Hawkins 46 04 10, Morris 1-1 00 2, Cato 00 02 0. Taylor 1012 3-3 23. Rice 1- 3 00 3, Maddox 00 00 0. Totals 388 16-23 98.

Washlngton-Stackhouse 11-17 5-6 28, Laettner 5-9 00 10, Haywood 04 02 0, Jor-' dan 15-26 57 35. Lue 67 00 12, Dixon 4-7 0-0 9, Oakley 2-3 22 6, Totals 43-73 12 loo. Three-point goals Houston 6-22 (Mobley 3-; 9, Hawkins 24, Rice 1-3, Griffin Oi, Posey 0- 2, Francis 03). Washington 2-6 (Stackhouse 1- 2, Dixon 1-3, Laettner 0-1). Fouled out Haywood.

Rebounds-4touston 45 (Yao 11), Washington 47 (Jordan 11). Assist Houston 14 (Francis 7), Washington 23 (Laet- tner 8). Total fouls Houston 20. Washington 26. Technlcalt Houston Defensive Three Second, Mobley.

Washington Defensive Three Second. Oakley. A20.173. LAKERS 95, PISTONS 85 22 19 28 16- Lakers. 25 21 29 20- 95 Detroit Curry 0-1 00 0.

Wallace 5 00 -10, Robinson 413 56 15. Hamilton 6-16 6 18, Billups 413 2-2 13, Williamson 811 34 19. Okur 2-6 00 4, Atkins 04 1-1 1, Pnnce 2- 4 00 5. Totah 31-74 17-19 85. LA.

Lakers-Fox 47 00 11, Horry 24 00 5. O'Neal 1424 7-8 35, Bryant 1022 910 30, Fisher 2-5 00 5. George 14 00 2. Rush 14 1-. 2 3, Walker 02 00 0, Madsen 2-2 00 4.

Totals 36-74 17 20 95. Three-polnten Detroit 6-18 (Billups 3-7, Robinson 2-5, Pnnce 1-1, Wallace 0-1. Hamilton 01. Okur 03), LA Lakers 69 (Fox 3-3, Fisher 1-1, Horry 1-2, Bryant 12, Rush 01). Raooundt Detroit 39 (Wallace 8).

LA Lakers 47 (0 Seal 14). AwtatwOetroit 14 (Robinson, Billups 3), LA Lakers 19 (Fox 6). ToUl meeting comes two days after Coach Isiah Thomas suspended Artest for disciplinary reasons. FOOTBALL Marshall quarterback Stan Hill was charged public intoxication and offensive lineman Jarrett Baisden was charged with underage drinking following a disturbance at a fast food restaurant early Thursday. BASEBALL Hldekl Matsul homered in his second spring training atbat against the Cincinnati Reds.Matsui went l-for-3 in the New York Yankees' 9-3 Portland Mayor Vera Katz and Grand Ronde tribal chairwoman Kennedy met to discuss financing for a ballpark to attract the Montreal Expos.

Millar of the Boston Red Sox apologized to the Chunichi Dragons for refusing to come to the Japanese team. HOCKEY: Wisconsin's hockey captain was for this weekend's games after he was y-Charged with punching a police officer. Brad Winchester will not play at Michigan Tech on tonight and Saturday V'H night, Coach Mike Eaves said. NHL promises to crack down on players who try to draw penalties oi; deliberately falling on the ice. TRACK AND HELD: Athletes will undergo blood testing at the World Indoor Championships for the first time.

The drug program will be the largest ever at an indoor event, organizers for March 14-16 event in Birmingham, England, said Thursday, YACHTING: Team New Zealand was knocked out of Race 4 of the America's Cup when the 110-foot mast on NZL-S2 snapped in two while sailing through a squall less than halfway through the race. HORSE RACING: Toccet is officially off the Kentucky Derby trail. An Eclipse Award finalist for top 2-year-old after winning six of eight races, Toccet will miss the Derby on May 3 because of a series of nagging foot FIGURE SKATING: The French skating judge accused of favoring Russia and depriving Canada of an Olympic gold medal insists she did nothing wrong and was the panel's most accurate judge, "My classification marks-are near perfect," MarieReine Le Gougne wrote in a new book. v-'- IDITAROD: Snow is a rarity in Anchorage these days except for occasional dirty piles scattered Yet organizers of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say they'll be ready for Saturday's ceremonial downtown start. The real competition begins Monday in Fairbanks, a day late and.

more than 200 miles north of the traditional restart site in Wasilla, just north of Anchorage. Because of an extremely warm winter, organizers revised the race route, which will be 70 miles longer than the traditional 1,100. RANGERS 4, BRUINS 1 Boston 0 1 0 1 NY. Rangers 1 i 4'- First 1. Y.

Rangers, Fetrovicky 5 (Nedved, Cross), 18:59 sh). Second 2, N.Y. Rangers, Messier 16, 15:10 sh). 3, N.Y. Rangers, Bure 17 (Leetch, Lindros); 16:34 (pp.

4, Boston, Axelsson 11 (Sweeney), 19:19. Third 5. N.Y. Rangers, Kovalev 32, 2:22. Shots on goal-Boston 9-11-18 38.

N.Y. Rangers 18-13-1647. PoweriJlaya Boston 0 of 4: N.Y. Rangers 1 of 4. Goalies Boston, 'Hackett (47 shots43 saves).

N.Y. Rangers, Dunham. 16-21-5 (38-37). BLUES 4. OILERS 1 Edmonton St.

Louis 1 0.0- 1 0 1 3 4 First 1, Edmonton, Staios 5 Marchant), 3:29 (pp). Second 2, St. Louis, Papineau 1 (Stiliman, Demrtra), 15:24. Third 3, St. Louis, Drake 16 (Demitra; Kha-vanov), 9:27.

4, St. Louis, Boguniecki 16 (Demitra, Stiliman). 18:26. 5, St. Louis, Martins 5, 19:10 (en).

ShoU on goal-Edmonton 96-7 22. St Louis 10-101131. PowerayaEdmonton 1 of 6: St. Louis 0 of 6. Goalies Edmonton, Markkanen 60 (30 shots-27 saves).

St. Louis, Sanford 2-00 (22-21). A 19,255. AVALANCHE 4, THRASHERS 3 Atlanta i 1 1 4 Colorado 2 0 1 0 3 First 1, Colorado, Hejdbk 37 5:21. 2, Atlanta, HSatley 26 (Ko-valchuk.

Kozlov), 9:31 (pp). 3, Colorado, Morris 8 (Heiduk, Tanguay), 16:21 (pp). Second 4, Atlanta, Kozlov 17 (Heatley, Third 5, Atlanta, Odgers 2 (Snyder, Cowan), 11:18. 6, Colorado, Sakic 20 (Morris), Overtime 7, Atlanta, Savard 11 (Heatley; Kaberle), 1:12. Shots on goal-Atlanta 12-9330.

Col- orado 11-8-11-131. Power-plays Atlanta 1 of Colorado 1 of 4. Goalies Atlanta, Hnilic-ka 2-10-1 (31 shots-28 saves). Colorado Roy 24-13-11 (3026). FLYERS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2 Chicago 1' 0 1 2 Philadelphia 0 2 3 5: First 1, Chicago, Bell 9 (Reury.

Amason), 2:11: Second 2, Jorinsson 7 (Roentok, Handzus), 11:50 (pp). 3. Philadei-. pbia, Recchi 19 (Primeau, Kapanen), 16:45. (ppi: Third 4, Philadelphia, Warriner 5 (Handzus, Somik), 5, Bell 10 (Poapst, Eastwood), 9:34 (sh).

6, Philadelphia, Warriner '6 (Handzus, 10:01, 7,. Philadei-' phia, Handzus 17 (Warriner, Shots on goal Chicago 9-9427. Philadelphia 4-11924. PowerplaysChica-go 0 of Philadelphia 3 of 8. Ooallesr-Chica-go, Thibault 23-23-7 (24 shots-19 saves).

Philadelphia, Cechmanak 24-1M (27-25). M9.269. PREDATORS 6, PENGUINS 0 0 0 0 0 Hashville 1 -1 Rrst 1, Nashville, Orszagh 14 (York, Tlmo' nen), :48. 2, Nashville, Legwand 17 (Skrastins, Walker), Second 3, Johnson (Yachmenev), 19:52. Third 4.

Nashville, Hall 16 (Houlder, Mur- ray), 4:38, 5, Nashville, Johnson 5 (Yachmenev), 10:13. 6, Nashville, Sim 1 (Wilm, 11:46. Shots on goal Pittsburgh Nashville 17-7-12-36. Power-plays-Pitts-. burgh 0 Of Nashville 0 of 5.

Goalies Pitts-: burgh, Caroh 5-8-1 (36 shots-30 saves). Nashville, Vokoun 23-19-7- (22-22). A 13,581.. RID WINGS 7, MAPLE LEAFS 2 Toronto Detroit- 1 1 0 2 3 2 2-7 First 1, Detroit. Zetterberg 13 (Hull, Dat-syuk), 15:17.

2, Detroit, McCarty 11 (Draper, Lidstrom), 15:25. 3, Toronto, Reichel. 11 (Kaberle. Domi), 16:54. 4, Detroit, Hull 25 (Datsvuk), 19:58.

Second 5, Torontrj, Roberts 5 (Svehla, Mogilny), 2:26 6, Detroit, Zetterberg 14 (Yzerman, Woolley), 11:21. 7, Detroit, Hull 26 (Larionov, Fedorov), 19:43 Third 8. Detroit; Draper 11 (McCarty, Malt-by), 3:57. 9, Detroit, Bykov 2 (Holmstrom, Yzerman), 15:18 (pp). Shots on goal Toronto 815.629: Detroit 12-10-9-31.

Power-olays-Toronto 1 of 6: Detroit 2 of 6. Goalies-Toronto, Belfour 30-17-3 (31 shots-24 saves). Detroit, Joseph 24-' 1M (29-27). WILD 6, CANANDIENS 3 Minnesota. 1 1 4 6 Montreal .0 12 3 First 1, Minnesota, Park 13 Bouchard).

12:20. Second 2, Minnesota, Walz 12 (Ronning), 9:07. 3, Montreal, Rivet 6 (Koivu, Markov), 16:41, Thlrd-4, Minnesota, Zholtok 10 (Zyuzin, Brunette). 1:57 (pp). 5, Montreal.

ZeOnik 26-. (Bnsebois, Koivu), 5:28 (po) 6, Minnesota, Ga- borik 28 (Stevenson, Hendrickson), 9:24. 7, Montreal. Rivet 7 (Audette, Bulls), 11:29. 8, Minnesota, Ronning 12 (Walz), 16:01.

9, Minnesota. Ronning 13 (Laaksonen), 19:05 (en). Shota on goal-Minnesota I2-21-12 45. Montreal 7-15-13-35. PoweMay-Min-nesota 1 of Montreal 1 of 6.

Goalies Minnesota, Fernandez 14-101 (35 shots-32-saves). Montreal, Garon 2-2-0 (44 shots-39 saves). LIGHTNING 3, PANTHERS 1 Fonda i 0 1 0 -r 1' Tinea Bay 1 1 1 3 Rrst 1. Tampa Bay, Richards 14 (Lecava-. tier, Boyle), 14:30 (pp).

Second 2, Florida. Bednar 5 (Nilson, -3, Tampa Bay, Lecavalier 23 Prospal), 15:38. TWrd 4, Tampa Bay, Prospal 16 (Kubina), 19:11 (en). Shots on goaiT-Fiortda 8-17-11 36. Tampa Bay 1715-7 39.

Powerays-Flohda 0 of 2: Tampa Bay 1 of 2. Goalies Honda, Luongo 15-264 (39 shots-36 saves). Tampa Bay, Khabibulin 22-21-8 (36-35). BLUE JACKETS 3, KINGS 1 Los Angeles .10 0 1 Columbus 1 1 1 3 First 1, Los Angeles, Heinze 5 IVisnovsky, Armstrong), 1:42. 2, CoHimous, Whitney 15.

(Soacek. Sillinger), 7:16 Second 3, Columbus, Whitney 16 (Srllinger, Marshall), Thtrd 4, Columbus, Whriney 17 (Marshall, Sillinger), 19:31 (en. Shots on goal Los Angeles 5-15-1434. Columbus 11-10329. Power-plays Los Angeles 0 of Columbus 1 of 3.

GosBes Los Angeks. Storr 9-13-1 (28 shots-26 saves). Columbus, Denis 22-32-6 (34-33), A 18,136. College men THURSDAY'S REUSLTS APTop25 No, 1 Arizona at No. 23 California NO.

10 Marquette 78, No. 11 Louisville 73 No. 19. Stanford 88. Arizona State 77 State College Nebraska-Kearney 65.

Metro State 54 i GPAC Tuesday's quarterfinals Concordia 83, Midland Lutheran 74, ot Sioux Falls 94, Doane 83 Dordt 95, Mount Marty 72 Northwestern 87, Hastings 77 Today's semifinals Concordia (21-8) at Sioux Falls (21-10), 7:30 Dorrjt (1810) at Northwastem (28-1), 7:30 Tuesday, March 4 Semifinal winners, at higher seed' NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 65, METRO STATE 54 Metro State Nebraska-Kearney 27 27- 54 33 32 65 Metro State Mutombo 12, Strong 6, Kendall 23, Smith 7, Worthington NebfaskaJteamey Svehla 15, Dionne 10, Branting 13, Sheffield 3, Dunagan 15, Gitt 9. College women THURSDAY'S RESULTS AP TOP 25 No. 2 Duke 70, Ronda State 49 No. 3 Tennessee 91, No. 17 Vanderbift 71" No.

4 LSU 70, No. 21 Arkansas 57 No, 6 Louisiana Tech 108, UTEP 54 No. 8 North Carolina 94, Maryland 77 No. 24 Arizona 79, No. 9'Stanford 64 No.

11 Mississippi State 76, No. 14 Georgia Purdue 74, Indiana 48 No. 13 Minnesota 76, Wisconsin 53 No. 16 South Carolina 97, Kentucky 51 -'-No. 22 WisconsinOreen Bay 80, Butler 48 STATE COLLEGES Creighton 72, Indiana State 59 NebraskaKearney 71, Metro State 61 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY 71, METRO STATE 61 Metro State 29 32 61 37 34- 71 Metro State Heln 2, Llndholm 13, Molock 12, Grove 8, French 2, Gandzalova 13, Mecca- ge 1.

Deichert 4, Quinn2, Duncan 4. NebraskaJteamey Steffen 16, Modlin 16, Guasso 3, Ninemire 9, Gruntorad 8. Jones 6, Zoucha 3, Manning 10. BASEBALL MLB EXHIBITION Thursday's results Philadelphia 6, Pittsburg 3 St Louis 6, New York (N) 3 Florida 4, Baltimore 3 Cincinnati 9, New York (A) 3. Los Angeles 6, Detroit 5 3, Colorado 1.

Oakland 2, Milwaukee 0 Minnesota 4, Boston 2 Today's games Houston vs. Montreal, N.Y Mets vs. St. Louis, 12:05 p.m. Rorida vs.

Baltimore, 12:05 Cincinnati vs. Boston (ss), 12:05 p.m. Philadelphia (ss) vs. Atlanta, 12:05 p.m. Cleveland (ss) vs.

Minnesota, 12:05 p.m. N.Y Yankees vs. Philadelphia (ss), 12:05 p.m. ios Angeles (ss) vs. Detroit (ss), 12:05 Pittsburgh vs.

Cleveland (ss). 12:05 p.m. Detroit (ss) vs. Los (ss), 12:05. p.m., 1st game Milwaukee vs.

Oakland, 2:05 p.m. Kansas City vs, Texas, 2:05 p.m. Seattle (ss) vs. Anaheim, 2:05 p.m San Ffanctsco vs. Chicago Cubs, 2:05 p.m.

Seattle (ss) vs. San Diego, 2:05 p.m,. Chicago White Sox vs. Arizona, 2:05 p.m. Boston College vs.

Boston (ss), 6:05 p.m. THURSDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS PHILLIES 6, PIRATES 3 Jim Thome homered and went l-fdr-2, while Jason Michaels went 2-for-2 with three RBIs to. lead Philadelphia. CARDINALS 6, METS 3 Fernando Vina led the Cardinals with two doubles and two RBIs. while Ty Wigginton homered and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs for the' Mets, MARLINS 4, ORIOLES 3 Juan Pierre went 2-for-3 with a double and Jesus Medrano added two RBIs for the Marlins.

Tony Batista went 2-for-2 with a double and a -triple for the Orioles. 1 REDS 9, YANKEES 3 Adam Dunn hit a grand slam and Reggie Taylor hit two solo homers for Cincinnati; Hidekl Matsui hit a twomn shot In his second at-bat of the game for the Yankees. DODGERS 6, TIGERS 5 Mike KinkarJe hit two homers, while first-baseman Larry Barnes had two hits and two RBIs for the Dodgers. DIAMONDBACKS 3. ROCKIES 1 Chris Donnels went l-for-2 with one run and one RBI and Randy Johnson worked two hit-less innings to start the game for Arizona, and Chris Donnels went l-for-2 with an RBI.

ATHLETICS 2, BREWERS 0 Bobby Crosby hit a two-run double in the top of the tenth inning to give Oakland its final -margin of victory after Scott Podsedniks homer in the bottom of the ninth sent the game intp extra innings. TWINS 4, RED SOX 2 Todd Sears hit a run-scoring triple in the top of the mnth and Bobby Kielty had two hits for Minnesota. Boston had the bases loaded with one out in the ninth, out Jeff Smith rut into a gamending double piay. Colleges THURSDAY'S RESULTS SOUTH Armstrong Atlantic 19, Mercyhurst 4 Auburn 5, Troy St. 1 Louisiana Tech 10, Nicholls St.

4 North Rortda 6, Dallas Baptist 5 UAB 2. Samford 1 Vanderbilt 4, Trevecca Nazarene 0 HOCKEY 7:05 p.m. Lincoln at Topeka 7:35 p.m. Nebraska-Omaha at Ferris YACHTING 6 p.m. America's Cup Finals, Race HOHSE RACING Fonner Park TODAY'S ENTRIES First race, purse $5,376, 3-year-old brask4red maiden fllllee, six furlongs.

Sundaybloomer (Compton), 121, Bright Flame Deroy fan (Martinez), 121, 6 Bay (Martinez), 121, Krista's Night (Car- keek), 121, She's A Wnip (Whetstone), 121, Saucy Pick (Casey), 121. -Second race, purse $5,376, 3-year-old Ne-. braskfrored maidens, six furlongs. Intervene (Compton), 122, Homers Hero (Carkeek), 122, Rainy Bengal (Baxter), 122, County Road Four (Frazier), 122, Peanutbut-terblitz (Sensenbach), 122, This (Martinez), 122, ftnaway (Schooley), 122, Beer Belly Third race, purse 53,500, 4- yearold maidens, claiming $10,000. six furlongs.

Easy Change (Schooley), 122, King Caesar (Wall), 122, Fritz's Hope (Beck). 122, Blink 01 An Eye (Baxter), 122, Raisn Rampage tinez). 122, Funaroundthetable (Compton) ,122, Cresco Night Club (Jewell), 122, edacious (Sensenbach), 122, Record Charger (Carkeek), 122, Royally Blue (Casey), 122. Fourth race, purse $3,500, females, 4-year. olds and up, claiming $2,500, six furlongs.

Goin To Reno (Martinez), 121, Cherokee Apol- lo (Frazier), 121, Duncan Miss 121, Derby Day Debut (Salvino), 121, Nevers Trump Card (Warhol), 121, Rennae Nicole (Carkeek), 121, Bene American (Whetstone), 121, Anti Versary (Beck), 121, Mission North (Schooley), 121, Secret Slider (Sensenbach), 121.: Fifth race, purse $3,800, 4eawlds up, claiming $5,000, four furlongs. Sioux City Sue (Martinez), 118, Hy Nick (Whelstone), 118, Boy Cor (Murray), 118, Western Elegance (Salvino), 120, Fit As A Fiddle (Sensenbach), 118, Excessive Rubier (Schooley), 118, Scores Edition (Jewell), 118, Scolty Scotty (Frazier), 118, Prince Allmouth" -(Whitaker), 118, Norman's Speshul 118. Slxtti race, purse $4,100, females, 4-year' olds up, claiming $5,000, four furlongs, incredible Notion (Compton) 121, My Target (Beck), 117, Syns Baby Ruthe (Warhol), 119, Gentle Glide (Salvino), 117, Hoagies Lil Angel (Murray), 117, Ashdown's Dream (Schooley), 121, Casey (Whetstone), 117, Miss Zooha (Casey), 117, Quickasalark (Jewell), 117. Seventh race, Allowance, purse $6,200, year-olds and up, six furlongs. Triptips (Jewell), 118, Ottls Coaltrain- (Sensenbach), 120, Walry Bengal (Compton), 120, Good Golly James (Carkeek), 122, Ma.

mas Pride (Warhol), 120. High Tech Racing (Martinez), 116, One Special Bob (Murray), 120, Romance In The Hall (Baxter), 120, City Pilgrim (Beck), 120. Eigrrtti race, purse $4,900, females, 4yes olds up, claiming $6,500, six furlongs. Sweetiegunzallus (Warhol), 122, Gary's -Speedy Miss (Murray); 118, Miss Bates (Compton) 118, Hawaiian Lullaby (Beck), 118, Con Air Won (Carkeek), 116, Little Miss Nickel (Whetstone). 118, Tricks For Tracy (Martinez), 116, Extreme Dream (Sensenbach), 116.

Ninth race, purse $3,500, 4ear-olds up, claiming $2,500, six and one-half furlongs. Knockabout (Murray), 118, Paxil (Jewell), 118, Brunswick Light (Sensenbach), 118, B. (Carkeek), 118, Little Joe Lewis (Compton) 118, Toolm' Around (Beck), 118, My Prince (Whetstone), 118, Kid Elijah (Warhol), 118, Pnme Angel (Martinez), 118, Megan's Field (Salvino), 118. Men COPENHAGEN OPEN In Copenhagen, Denmark SINGLES: Second results Karol Kucera (3), Slovakia, def. Marc Rosset.

Switzerland, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Michel Kralochvil, Switzerland, def. Jearvflene bsnard, France, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6). Wayne Arthurs (2), Australia, def. Andreas Virv ciguerra, Sweden, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6), Karol Beck, Slovakia, def.

Anthorrypuis, France, 4-' 6, 7-6 (5), 1-0 retired. Magnus Norman, Swe- den, def. Kristian Pless, Denmark, 64, 7-6 6. Tomas Behrend, Germany, def. Jiri Vanek, Czech Republic, 67 (4), 6-3, 63.

Radek Slepanek (4), Czech Republic, def. Magnus Larsson, Sweden, 64, 1-6, 61. DUBAI CHAMPIONSHIPS In Dubs), United Arab Emirates SINGLES: second round fiainer Schuettler (5), Germany, def. Max Mirnyi. Belarus, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 7-6 (8).

Hicham Arazl, Morocco, def. Vegevny Kafelnikov, Russia (8), 64, 4-6, 63. Roger Federer (1), Switzerland, def. Maximilian Abel, Germany, 64, 7-5, Ivan Ljubtcic, Croatia, def, Artila Savott. Hungary, 64, 64.

Women STATE FARM CLASSIC In Scottsdale, Ariz. SINGLES: Second round Meghann Shaughrwssy, U.S., def. def. Jelena Dokic (4), Yugolsavia, 64, 62. Ai Sugiyama, Japan, def.

Lindsay Davenport (3), U.S., 7-6 (5), 46, 63. Francesca Schiavone, ttaly, def. Silvia Farina Elia, Italy, 1-6, 7-5, 63. Nathalie Dechy (8), France, def. Virginie Razrano, Franca, 64, re-- tired.

Mexican Open In Acapulco, Mexico MEN SINGUS: Ousrteifliials Gustwo Kuerten, Brazil, def. Fernando Gonzalez, Chile. 64, retired. Mariano Zabaleta, Argentina, def. Ivan Miranda, Peru, 7-5, Agustrn Calleri, Argentina, del.

Marceto Rios (7), Chile, t3, 7-5, Felix Mantilla, Span, def. Carlos Moya (1), Spain, 64, 7-6 (4). WOMEN SINGLES: Second round Petra Mandula, Hungary, def. Karanna Srebotnik, Slovenia. Alena Vaskova, Czech Republic, def.

An-abel Medina Gamgues, Spain, 7-5, 7-6 (6). Mariana Oiaz-Oliva, Argentina, def. Martina Muller, Germany, 61, 62. Amanda Coetzer 2), South Africa, def. Klara Koukarcva, Czech Republic, 64, 36, 7-5.

Journal P.O. State 105.3 1290 5 ESPN2 (35) TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES-Signed LHP Erik Be-' dard, OF Larry Bigbie, RHP Daniel Cabrera, RHP Sean Douglass, LHP Eric DuBose; OF Jay Gibbons, OF Darnell McDonald, RHP Mike Paradis, and LHP Matt Riley to one-year contracts. KANSAS cm ROYALS-Agreed to terms, -with INFOF Ken Harvey and LHP Jeremy Afleldt on pnri-year contracts. National League ATLANTA BRAVES-Agreed to terms with INF Marcus Giles, INF Mark DeRosa, LHP He- racio Ramirez. LHP Chris Waters, INF Nick Greenland INF Wilson BetemK on oneyear contracts, HOUSTON ASTROS-Agreed to terms with -RHP Roy Oswalt, RHP Wade Miller, RHP Ricky Stone.

RHP Brandon Puffer, OF Jason Lane, RHP Santiago Ramirez, and RHP Miguel Sal-adin. LOS ANGELES DODGERS Agreed to terms with INF ChinLung Hu. PITTSBURGH PIRATES Signed RHP Mark Cisar to a minor league contract. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS-Agreed to terms with LHP Chad Zerbe, RHP Jerome Williams, LHP Jeff Urban, Trey Lunsford, INF Lance Niekro, OF Tony Torcato, Yorvit Torrealba, OF Carlos Valderrama, INF Damon Minor, and OF Jason Ellison. Northern League FARG0-M0ORHEAD REDHAWKS Sold the contract of IB Brian Becker to the Chicago White Sox.

LINCOLN SALTDOGS--Signed INF Jeremy SCHAUMBURG RYERS-Sigted OF Dave -Glbralter. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association BOSTON CELTICS-Announced Vin Baker has left the team to address personal issues. CLEVELAND CAVAUERS-Waived Tyrone: Hill. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS Placed Keyon Dooiing on the Injured list. Activated Wang.

Zhi Zhi from the injured list, FOOTBALL National Football League BUFFALO BILLS-Released TE Jay ma and Billy Jenkins: CAROLINA PANTHERS Signed FB Brad Hoover to a fwyear contract extension. CLEVELAND BROWNS-Released LB Jamir Miller and LB Earl DALLAS COWBOYS-Released RB Emmitt Smith. DENVER BRONCOS-Waived TE Matt Dominguez, DETROIT UONS-Retained Kurt Schotten-heimer as defensive coordinator and Ray Hor-ton as secondary coach. HOUSTON TEXANS-Released Matt Stevens. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS-Signed Jeff Satur-' day to a six-year contract FB Detron Smith, and WR Brian Nugent.

Released WR Qadry Ismail, DT James Cannida and DB Brian Leigeb. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS-Signed QB Trent Green to a seven-year contract. MIAMI DOLPHINS-Signed OL Mark Dixon and Trent Gamble to threeyear contracts. Tendered offers to Arturo Freeman and DT Jermaine Haley. Tendered exclusive rights offers to RB Robert Edwards end DE Adewale Ogunleye.

Signed DE Lamanzer Williams and WR Kendall Newson and allocated them to the NFL Europe League. MINNESOTA VIKINGS Released LB Patrick Chukwurah and RB Harold Morrow. Tendered contract offers to RB Doug Chapman and CoryWithrow. NEWYORKJETS-SignedLBSamCowartto a five-year contract. Tendered offers to restricted free agents WR Laveranues Coles and KR Chad Morton.

Tendered exclusive rights offers to WR Jonathan Carter. WR Kevin Swayne, LB Khary Campbell, LB Kelvin Moses, OL Dennis O'Sullivan and DT James Reed. OAKLAND RAIDERS Released DT Sam Adams, CB Tory James, DE Regan Upshaw, Anthony Dorsett, WR James Jett and RB Terry Kirby. PITTSBURGH STEELERS Released Todd Peterson. Tendered offers to DT Kendrk Clancy.

LB Clark Haggans, FB Dan Kreider and CB HankPoteat, ST. LOUIS RAMS-Released CB Aeneas Williams, CB Dexter McCleon, FB James Hod-gins, and QB Jamie Martin. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Released Rod-; ney Harrison. WR Curtis Conway, FB Fred Mc-Crary, RB Terrell Fletcher, CB Alex Molden and OT Ed Ellis. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS-Signed RB Arte! Bruce and LB Jackie Mitchell.

-HOCKEY National Hockey League BUFFALO SABRES Assigned Radoslav Heel to Rochester of the AHL COLORADO AVALANCHE Assigned Vaclav Nedorost to Hershey of the AHL. EDMONTON OILERS-Recalled Karl Haakana and Ty Conklin from Hamilton of the AHL. Assigned LW Jani Rita to Hamilton. FLORIDA PANTHERS Assigned LW Eric Beaudoin and Jeff Toms to San Antonio of the ECHL, Recalled Byron Ritchie and Jamie Rivers from San Antonio, Activated Stephen Weiss from Injured reserve. MONTREAL CANADIENS Recalled Fran-.

cois Beauchemin from Hamilton of the AHL. NEW YORK ISLANDERS Recalled Rick DiPietro and Justin Mapietoft from Bridgeport of the AHL. Assigned Stephen vali-quette to Bridgeport. NEW YORK RANGERS Assigned janne Laukkanen to Hartford of the AHL PITTSBURGH PENGUINS-Assigned JearvSebastten Aubin to WilkeseaneScran-tonoftheAHL VANCOUVER CANUCKS-Recalled Tyler Moss from Manitoba of the AHL COLLEGE NCAA Placed Miami baseball program on two years probation lor violations within the program. CS SAN BERNARDINO Signed Jeff Oliver, men's basketball coach, for the 20WO4 season RICE Named Jon Wilson women's basketball coach.

ST. BONAVENTURE Announced men's basketball Jamil Terrell was declared ineligible for failing to meet NCAA junior college transfer guidelines. SETON HALL-Named Scott Gottko mens golf coach. WESTERN MICHIGAN Named Dick Bumpas defensive coordinator. nrts Dr3rtTi' UiCu'n, 6C521 ARTEST BUSCH Preseason polls predicted that Ferris State would finish ninth in the 12-team Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

But as regular-season play winds down, the Bulldogs are top dog in the conference and trying to earn their first trip to the NCAA Division I playoffs. Entering this weekend's two-game home series against Nebraska- Omaha, Ferris State is 238-1 overall and 18-5-1 in the CCHA. Michigan is second in the conference, followed by Ohio State (21-9-3, 15-7-2) and Michigan State (18-12-2, 14-9-1). Kurt Busch won't be making any visits to the Las Vegas Strip or testing his luck in any casino. He's home this weekend, focusing on earning a victory in his backyard.

The sports books say he can do it: Busch, the NASCAR points leader after two races, is the co-favonte with Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman to win the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday "For me. winning here probably I i would be the biggest thing for me in terms of winning a singe race. The Daytona 500 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis are right up there, but I cant Imagine anything being any bigger than winning in Vegas." From staff and wire reports Phone: (-102)473-7431 (800) 7427315 Fax: (402)473-7291 E-flinJ. sportc. com.