The Bismarck Tribune du lieu suivant : Bismarck, North Dakota • 30

Sports BlSMWCKnUBUNE.COM 2D Wednesday, February 5, 2003 Bismarck Tribune USOC president 1 resigns ignation. "However," Baldwin said, "I do understand more than a lot of people would think." A slew of logistical details now confront the USOC, including who will serve as interim president and the scheduling of yet another presidential election. The policymaking executive committee is due to meet in Chicago this weekend. Ward's future, meantime, is by no means secure. He is the fourth CEO since 1999.

Last year, in the incident that underpins the current turmoil, Ward directed USOC staff to make introductions in the Dominican Republic, site of the 2003 Pan American Games, on behalf of a Detroit company with ties to his brother and a friend. The company, Energy Management Technologies, was seeking to provide Dackup power generators. The USOC's ethics board found that Ward had committed two violations of the USOC ethics code, including the creation of the "appearance of a conflict of interest," but its report did not recommend any disciplinary action. Her resignation comes the week after a congressional hearing into the USOC's tumult. Another hearing is forthcoming.

Rather than quell the situation, it holds the potential to further roil an institutional instability so severe that Congress has already indicated a strong intent to restructure the USOC, perhaps as part of a revision of the 1978 law that gave the USOC authority in this country over Olympic sports. "Maybe Congress can fix (the USOC)," Mankamyer said. "I hope so." The Athens 2004 Summer Games are 18 months away. But the USOC again, just as it had to do for months last year will be operating in the near term without an elected president. Mankamyer was the third president since 2000.

Sandy Baldwin, her immediate predecessor, resigned last May after acknowledging discrepancies in her USOC biography. She said she'd earned a doctorate in American literature but had not. Baldwin, who has long been close to Mankamyer, said Tuesday night she she was "deeply saddened" by Mankamyer's res- By ALAN ABRAHAMSON Los Angeles Times Marty Mankamyer, president of the U.S. Olympic Committee, abruptly resigned Tuesday, saying there "seemed to be no possibility for peace" within the USOC "unless I stepped Mankamyer, 69, elected USOC president last August, had fought off calls for her resignation for several weeks. Several high-ranking members of the USOC executive committee, including all five vice presidents, said they had lost confidence in her in the wake of an ethics-related inquiry into chief executive Lloya Ward.

They alleged she'd tried to manipulate the process to undermine him. She had denied any impropriety and vowed to stay on. But she concluded Tuesday afternoon that she did not have the resources to mount what she viewed as an expensive campaign to keep her post among other things, she believed she would have to pay costly lawyers' fees and said in a telephone interview, "I give up. I quit." 4 AP Rorida's Anthony Roberson, top, and Kentucky's Chuck Hayes wrestle for a loose ball during the first half of their game Tuesday night. entucky belts No.

1 Florida Scoreboard BASKETBALL NBA overthrew an inbounds baseball pass to Brett Nelson on the Kentucky side of the floor. Nelson saved the ball right to Cliff Hawkins, who calmly made an uncontested layup. Seconds later, Bogans stole a pass and threw down a two-handed, breakaway dunk for a 41-20 lead. Nelson missed a 3-pointer, the Wildcats rebounded and Bogans lobbed an alley-oop pass to Hayes for a dunk, Roberson made two free throws, but Daniels hit a fadeaway jumper with 2 seconds left to give Kentucky a 45-22 halftime lead. The Gators had no solutions for Kentucky's defense in the second half.

Matt Bonner scored inside with 16:13 left to end a 10-minute field goal drought and trim Kentucky's lead to 50-25. But Florida's deficit bulged to 29 as steals led to consecutive dunks by Daniels and Antwain Barbour. 7-1), who shot 34 percent (17-of-50), including 36 percent (5-of-14) from 3-point range. The Gators hit four of their first seven shots before Kentucky's defense seized control. For the rest of the half, Florida hardly got an open look and the Wildcats seemed to track down every loose ball.

Kentucky finished the half on a 23-4 run as Florida missed 2 1 of its last 23 shots and committed eight turnovers. The Wildcats scored 14 straight points over one five-minute stretch. Bogans, a senior who averaged 17 points in six previous games against Florida, shot 6-of-1 1 in the first half. The Wildcats went 19-of-37 from the field (51 percent) in the opening half, including 7-of-12 from 3-point range (58 percent). The Gators' offensive struggles were summed up in the final 1:22 of the first half.

After a timeout, Roberson By CHRIS DUNCAN Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky. Florida hardly lived up to its first-ever No. 1 ranking on Tuesday night. Keith Bogans scored 15 points all in the first half as No. 6 Kentucky used overwhelming defense to beat the Gators 70-55, snapping Florida's 14-game winning streak one day after they moved to the top of the rankings for the first time in school history.

Gerald Fitch had 14 points for Kentucky (17-3, 7-0 Southeastern Conference), which won its 11th straight game, its second-longest winning streak in coach Tubby Smith's six seasons. The Wildcats haven't won their first seven league games since 1997-98, their last national championship season. Anthony Roberson scored 18 points for the Gators (18-3, Century: Dockter helps with 3-pointers LaFrance who had nine points in only three minutes of action. Beulah 17 19 29 35 Century 7 30 46 71 BEULAH (35): Alyssa Dschaak 0-0 1-21. Jeni Keller 1-5 0-2 5.

Wendy Trappen 1-1 2. Jessica HrubyO-1 0-1 0. Kelsi Boehm 1-1 2. Sarah Just 2-9 4-4 8. Carolin Becker 7-16 3-7 17.

Totals: 12-33 8-17 35. CENTURY (71): Tara Dockter 6-11 0-0 15. Whitney Ledger 4-7 4-6 12. Kelsey Clooten 4-5 0-0 8. Erika LaFrance 3-3 3-4 9.

Jess Heiraz 1-5 0-0 2. Kara Olson 2-5 0-0 5. Cyd Froelich 1-5 2-2 4. Steph Peterson 7-11 2-2 16. Totals: 24-48 11-14 71.

3-pointers: Beulah 1-5 (Keller 1), Century 4-12 (Dockter 3, Olson 1). Rebounds: Beulah 28 (Boehm 6, Becker 5), Century 37 (Ledger 7, Peterson 6). Fouls: Beulah 15, Century 20. Assists: Beulah 10 (Just 5). Century 13 (Olson 4).

Turnovers: Beulah 27, Century 16. Records: Beulah 4-7 West Region, 7-8 overall. Century 10-1 West Region, 12-1 overall. FROM ID Century's obviously superior height. "(Peterson) is just very hard to defend.

She's got great moves." While the big girls cleaned up inside, guard Tara Dockter worked the perimeter. Dockter would close the third quarter with a pair of 3-pointers to push the lead to 46-29. "Offensively she got into a flow," Jeske said of his senior guard, who contributed 15 points on the night. "She had a nice all-around game." The fourth quarter saw much of the same, with Century's offense clearly finding its rhythm. This included one sequence in which guard Kaia Olson had four assists in as many possessions, with three of her passes going to Peterson and the last one finding Ledger wide open under the hoop.

Midway through the fourtn, the Patriots downshifted by taking out their starters. But the bench players kept the rate of production up, including guard Erika llgauskas 6-11 6-8 18, Miles 5-9 3-4 13, Parker 2-5 0-0 5, Wagner 8-17 2-4 19, Diop 0-1 0-0 0, Jones 4- 10 0-1 9, Mihm 2-5 1-1 5. Palacio 1- 2 0-0 2. Totals 33-77 14-20 84. WASHINGTON (93) Russell 5-8 1-1 13.

Laeftner 1-6 0-0 2, Haywood 4-6 4-6 12, Jordan 13-26 1-1 27, Lue 5-10 2-2 15, Brown 4-8 3-4 11, Thomas 2-5 1-3 5, Hughes 1-5 0-0 2, Dixon 1-7 3-3 6. Totals 36-81 15-20 93. Cleveland 29 16 21 18 84 Washington 31 21 18 23 93 3-Point Goals Cleveland 4-11 (Parker 1-1, Davis 1-3, Wagner 1-3, Jones 1-4), Washington 6-12 (Lue 3-6. Russell 2-2, Dixon 1-2, Hughes 0-2). Fouled out None.

Rebounds Cleveland 55 (llgauskas 11), Washington 45 (Brown 7). Assists Cleveland 18 (Davis 8), Washington 23 (Jordan 8). Total fouls Cleveland 21 Washington 16. Technical Davis. A LAKERS 97, PACERS 94 LA.

LAKERS (97) Fox 2-7 0-0 6, Walker 4-7 2-3 10, S.ONeal 7-11 5-8 19, Bryant 12-31 10-10 35, Fisher 5-11 0-0 12, George 3-6 2-2 9, Horry 2-9 2-2 6. Rush 0-3 0-0 0, Shaw 0-2 0-0 0, Medvedenko 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 35-87 21-25 97, INDIANA (94) Harrington 11-22 0-1 22, J.O'Neal 6-19 11-14 23, B.Miller 3-4 6-8 13, R.Miller 4-12 2-3 14, Tinsley 1-11 0-0 2, Strickland 6-12 3-3 18, Mercer 0-4 0-0 0, Croshere 0-5 0-0 0, Foster 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 32-91 22-29 94. LA.

Lakers 26 20 28 23 97 Indiana 28 20 22 24 94 3-Point Goals L.A. Lakers 6-19 (Fisher 2-2, Fox 2-4, George 1-2, Bryant 1-5, Shaw 0-1, Rush 0-1, Horry 0-4), Indiana 8-24 (R.Miller 4- 9, Strickland 3-5, Miller 1-1, Harrington 0-1. Croshere 0-3, Tinsley 0- 5). Fouled out None. Rebounds L.A.

Lakers 60 (S.O'Neal 12). Indiana 62 (J.O'Neal 20). Assists L.A. Lakers 24 (Fisher, Fox 5), Indiana 22 (Tinsley 8). Total touls L.A.

Lakers 21 Indiana 21. Technicals L.A. Lakers Delen-sive Three Second, Indiana Defensive Three Second, Tinsley. A 18.345 SUNS 115, BULLS 111, 0 (Late Monday) CHICAGO (111) Rose 8-24 9-10 28, Marshall 10-17 2- 3 23, Chandler 5-7 1-2 11, Crawford 6-16 2-2 15, Hassell 2-5 0-0 4, Blount 3-4 1-2 7, Robinson 2-7 0-0 5, J.Williams 3-7 2-3 10, Curry 3-6 2-2 8, Hoiberg 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 42-93 19-24 111.

PHOENIX (115) Marion 13-26 7-7 36, Stoudemire 2-12 5-6 9, Outlaw 7-9 2-3 16, Mar-bury 14-22 7-8 36, J.Johnson 4-9 2- 4 10, Voskuhl 2-2 0-2 4, Jacob-sen 0-3 2-4 2, Brown 1-3 0-0 2, S.Williams 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 43-87 25-34 115. Chicago 34 20 29 22 6111 Phoenix 27 26 26 26 10115 3- Point Goals Chicago 8-19 (Rose 3-9, J.Williams 2-3, Marshall 1- 1, Robinson 1-2, Crawford 1-3, Hassell 0-1), Phoenix 4-11 (Marion 3-4. Marbury 1-5. J.Johnson 0-1, Jacobsen 0-1).

Fouled out Chandler. Rebounds Chicago 58 (Marshall 18), Phoenix 51 (Stoudemire 12). Assists Chicago 24 (Rose 8), Phoenix 22 (Marbury 9). Total fouls Chicago 28. Phoenix 23.

Technicals Chicago Defensive Three Second, Phoenix Defensive Three Second. Stoudemire. A WARRIORS 101, GRIZZLIES 91 (Late Monday) MEMPHIS (91) Gasol 8-1 9 4-7 20, Battier 4-1 0 6-6 16, Wright 5-15 5-8 15, Giricek 4- 11 0-0 8. Williams 0-2 1-11, Good-en 6-1 3 0-0 14, Batiste 5-12 0-0 10, Watson 3-7 1-5 7. Totals 35-89 17- 27 91.

GOLDEN STATE (101) Murphy 8-15 5-5 21, Jamison 5-12 1-4 11, Dampier 1-7 0-0 2, Richardson 4-11 2-2 11, Arenas 9-17 1-2 21, Foyle 3-3 1-2 7, Sura 1-3 2-2 4, Boykins 5-9 2-2 13, Mills 2-6 4-4 8, Dunleavy 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 39-84 18- 23 101. Memphis 20 29 22 20 91 Golden St. 31 35 18 17 101 3-Point Goals Memphis 4-17 (Gooden 2-3, Battier 2-5, Wright 0-1, Watson 0-1, Williams 0-2, Batiste 0-2. Giricek 0-3), Golden State 5-13 (Arenas 2-4.

Dunleavy 1-1, Boykins 1-2, Richardson 1-3, Jamison 0-1, Sura 0-1, Mills 0-1). Fouled out None. Rebounds-Memphis 68 (Battier 11), Golden State 46 (Murphy 13). Assists Memphis 15 (Watson 5), Golden State 24 (Arenas 9). Total fouls-Memphis 23, Golden Stale 24.

Technicals Arenas. Flagrant fouls Murphy. A 10,137 COLLEGE MEN (TUESDAYl EAST Babson 79. Coast Guard 59 Brandeis 77. Mount Ida 68 Buffalo St, 68, Fredonia St.

60 Post 87, Dowiing 62 CCNY 71, Purchase 54 Clark U. 83, Worcester Tech 75, OT Colby-Sawyer 69, Wentworth Tech 57 Cortland SI. 51, New Paltz 50 Daemen 81 Houghton 70 Endicott 107, New England 82 Framingham St. 77, Mass. College 35 Molloy 72, St.

Thomas Aquinas 67 Y. Tech 79. Pittsburgh 59 Nichols 70, Anna Maria 69 Pittsburgh 68. Providence 61 Rochester Tech 61, Nazareth, N.Y. 79 Salve Regina 85, Rhode Island Coll.

78 Skidmore 98, Hartwick 97. SOT St. Lawrence 82. Potsdam 75 SI. Vincent 78.

Point Park 64 Vassar 83, Bard 47 Vermont 111. Middlebury 75 Walsh 91, Roberts Wesleyan 75 Wesllmld St. 72, Bndgewaier, Mass. 62 Wheaton, Mass. 71, MIT 51 Williams 84, Springfield 69 Worcester St.

80, Fitchburg St. 69 Xavier 80, George Washington 68 SOUTH Brescia 70, Campbellsville 67 Centenary 84, Southern U. 56 Claflin 68. Fort Valley St. 59 ETSU 93.

VMI 76 Elizabeth City St. 57, Livingstone 56 Florida Atlantic 59, Gardner-Webb 57 Johnson C. Smith 76, Virginia St. 69 Kentucky Christian 94, Circleville Bible 56 King, Tenn. 81 Monfreat 57 Memphis 73, East Carolina 49 N.C.

Central 69, Fayetteville St. 68 Shaw 77, St. Paul's 49 South Southern Miss. 82, UAB 80, 20T St. Augustine's 81 Winston-Salem 75 Tenn.

Temple 63, Covenant 41 UCF 98. Campbell 69 MIDWEST Austin Peay 82. Tennessee St. 57 Creighton 84, N. Iowa 75 E.

Illinois 85, SE Missouri 73 Geneva 64, Notre Dame, Ohio 62 Huntington 63, Goshen 56 77, Lipscomb 61 Mount Vernon Nazarene 87, Ohio Dominican 79 Nebraska-Kearney 86, Fort Hays St. 70 Nebraska-Omaha 94, Morningside 61 Urbana 75, Malone 67 Valparaiso 73, Charlotte 59 Wichita St. 85, Illinois St. 71 SOUTHWEST Baylor 77, Texas ASM 69 Texas-Pan American 100, SW Assemblies ot God 63 Tulane 65, Houston 58 SOUTHWEST Baylor 77, Texas ASM 69 Texas-Pan American 100, SW Assemblies of God 63 Tulane 65, Houston 58 FAR WEST No scores reported HOCKEY NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division OLPts New Jersey 32 12 3 4 71 Philadelphia 28 14 8 2 66 Y. Islanders 24 21 5 2 55 Pittsburgh 21 23 4 5 51 N.Y.

Rangers 21 26 6 2 50 Northeast Division OLPts Ottawa 32 14 6 1 71 Boston 26 19 5 2 59 Toronto 27 20 4 1 59 Montreal 21 21 7 5 54 Buflalo 15 25 7 4 41 Southeast Division OLPts Washington 25 19 7 3 60 Tampa Bay 22 20 7 4 55 Florida 15 19 10 8 48 Carolina 17 25 6 5 45 Atlanta 18 27 3 4 43 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division OLPts St. Louis 28 15 6 4 66 Detroit 27 15 9 2 65 Chicago 22 18 9 3 56 Columbus 20 25 5 2 47 Nashville 17 23 9 4 47 Northwest Division OLPts Vancouver 30 16 7 0 67 Edmonton 24 16 6 6 60 Minnesota 25 18 8 1 59 Colorado 21 14 11 5 58 Calgary 17 25 7 3 44 Pacific Division OLPts Dallas 30 11 11 1 72 Anaheim 22 18 7 4 55 Phoenix 19 21 7 4 49 San Jose 19 21 6 5 49 Los Angeles 20 24 4 4 48 Two points for a win, one point for a tie and overtime loss. Monday's Games No games scheduled Tuesday's Games Colorado 3, Boston 2. OT Philadelphia 2, N.Y. Islanders 1 Washington 5, Tampa Bay 1 Nashville 5, Detroit 5, tie Atlanta 4, Montreal 3 Vancouver 3, Pittsburgh 2 New Jersey 4, Buflalo 1 Anaheim at Calgary, (n) Wednesday's Games New Jersey at Washington, 7 p.m.

Ottawa at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. Vancouver at Columbus, 7 p.m. Toronto at Florida, 6:30 p.m. Chicago at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

St. Louis at Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Edmonton, 8 p.m. Carolina at San Jose. 9 p.m.

Phoenix at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m. TRANSACTIONS TUESDAY BASEBALL American League BOSTON RED SOX-Claimed RHP Branson Arroyo off waivers from Pittsburgh Designated RHP Juan Pena tor assignment. TEXAS RANGERS Agreed to terms with OF Kevin Mench, RHP Reynaldo Garcia, RHP Travis Hughes. LHP Mario Ramos and Gerald Laird on one-year contracts. Central League AMARILLO UlLLAS Signed RHP Healh Dobyns SAN ANGELO COLTS-Traded INF Eddie Lara and OF Mike Kirk-patnek to Sioux Falls ot the Northeast League lor the reversionary rights to HHP Juan Renters and cash.

Northeast League ALLEN IOWN AMBASSADORS Traded SS Jay Hood to St. Paul for RHP Miguel Perez and SS Hicky Gomez. BtHKSHIRE BLACK BEARS Traded RHP Jackson Crowther to Sioux Falls to complete a previous trade. Nt JERSEY JACKALS Traded HHP Chris Chavez to St Paul tor HHP Gary Loudon, the reversionary ngtiis to Joe Kerrigan, a player to be named and cash SIOUX FALLS CANARIES Signed Rich Horinques. Resigned Danny Pmkeiton.

Acquired Kevin Brown trom San Angelo of the Central League for future considerations. BASKETBALL Women's National Basketball Association WASHINGTON MYSTICS Signed Marianne Stanley, coach, to a two-year contract. FOOTBALL National Football League BUFFALO BILLS Signed CB Scott Turner. CAROLINA PANTHERS Named Danny Crossman special teams DENVER BRONCOS Signed Jason Elam to a live-year contract, DETROIT LIONS Named Steve Mariucci coach. GREEN BAY PACKERS Promoted Darrell Bevell to quarterbacks coach and Brad Miller to defensive line coach.

MIAMI DOLPHINS Signed LB Brendon Ayanbadejo. MINNESOTA VIKINGS Allocated WR Kenny Clark. PK Todd France, QB Shaun Hill, Nick Murphy, Kenny Sandlin and OT Lorenzo White to NFL Europe. NEW YORK GIANTS Named Mike Pnefer assistant special teams coach. NEW YORK JETS Signed WR Kamau Peterson and OL David Viger.

Allocated Viger, RB Ray-monn Adams, RB Johnathan Reese, OL Brandon Moore, OL Chris Smith and WR Jevonte Philpot to NFL Europe. ST. LOUIS RAMS Named Frank Falks tight ends coach and Bob Babich defensive assistant. Resigned QB Scott Covington. Added WR Kenyon Hambnck.

DE Bary Holleyman, Rhett Kopp, Robbie Robinson and DT Jeremy Staat to the roster. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Allocated WR Hilton Alexander, Alon-zo Cunningham, G-C Craig Osika, FB Malt Stanley and G-T Millord Stephenson to NFL Europe. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Allocated DE Joey Evans. WR Emmet! Johnson, DT Luis Almanzer, Pete Campion, OT Brian Crawford, LB Dane Krager, QB Wes Pate. WB Jon Pendergrass and RB Tellis Redmon to NFL Europe.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS Signed WR Ramondo North, LB Idns Pnce, C-G Jason Scukanec and Mitch White to one-year contracts. Canadian Football League SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRID-ERS Promoted Marcel Belleleuille to offensive coordinator. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS Announced the retirement of LB Doug Hocking. Arena Football League CAROLINA COBRAS Signed WR-LB Ty Law and OL-DL Craig Moore. Signed QB Robert Hall and OL-DL Blaine Mensch from their practice squad.

Placed WR-DB Tramain Jones and OL-DL Paul Mandina on injured reserve. Waived OL-DL Dunstan Anderson and OB Chad DeGrenier. HOCKEY National Hockey League CALGARY FLAMES Recalled Mike Mottau from Saint John of the AHL. CAROLINA HURRICANES Recalled LW Jaroslav Svoboda and Tomas Malec from Lowell ot the AHL. COLORADO AVALANCHE Recalled forward Brian Willsie from Hershey of the AHL.

FLORIDA PANTHERS Recalled LW Eric Beaudoin from San Antonio of the AHL. LOS ANGELES KINGS Activated Brad Chartrand from injured reserve. Placed Michael Cam-mallen on injured reserve. Recalled Jared Aulin, Scott Barney, Ryan Flmn and Joe Corvo from Manchester ot the AHL. NASHVILLE PREDATORS Traded Greg Koehler to Los Angeles for future considerations.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS Recalled LW Christian Berglund and Stephen Guolla Irom Albany of the AHL. Placed Oleg Tverdovsky on injured reserve, retroactive to Jan. 15. PHOENIX COYOTES-Recalled Martin Grenier from Spnngtield ol the AHL. American Hockey League GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS Signed Alfie Michaud.

East Coast Hockey League ECHL Suspended Peoria Jason Lawmaster one game as a result of his actions Feb. 2 in a game against Cincinnati. Suspended Columbia RW Eric Labelle two games. Suspended Greensboro coach Rick Adduono for one game and fined him an undisclosed amount as a result of his actions Feb. 2 in a game against Johnstown.

ATLANTIC CITY BOARDWALK BULLIES Announced Kirk Furey has been assigned to Philadelphia ol the AHL. GREENVILLE GHRROWL Traded Chns Gustatson to Augusta for Jonathan Gauthier. LEXINGTON MEN WAR Announced Mike Sgon was recalled by Utah ot the AHL and RW Marc-Andre Thmel was loaned to Utah. TOLEDO STORM Announced Nathan Lutz was loaned to Cleveland of the AHL. COLLEGE DIXIE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Announced the conference name will be changed to USA South Athletic Conference, effective June 30.

CITADEL Named Toby Slrange quarterbacks coach. HEIDELBEHG Named Brian Cochran football coach. JACKSON STATE Named Leon Perry oftensive coordinator and Mike Tathert linebackers coach. JACKSONVILLE Named Courtney Dipert volleyball coach. LANDER Named Angela Keams vollpyball coach, LEHIGH Named Chris Rorke offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

PLYMOUTH STATE-Announced the resignation of Chris Rorke, toot-ball coach. YALE Named Darryl Delia men's Interim lacrosse coach and Jon Reese men's interim associate lacrosse coach. EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division Pet GB New Jersey 33 15 .688 Boston 26 22 .542 7 Philadelphia 25 23 .521 8 Washington 24 25 .490 9'i Orlando 24 26 .480 10 New York 21 26 .447 11 '4 Miami 17 31 .354 16 Central Division Pet GB Indiana 34 15 .694 Detroit 31 15 .674 1'4 Milwaukee 24 23 .511 9 New Orleans 25 24 .510 9 Atlanta 19 30 .388 15 Chicago 17 31 .354 16'i Toronto 14 34 .292 19'j Cleveland 9 40 .184 25 WESTERN CONFERENCE Midwest Division Pet GB Dallas 38 10 .792 San Antonio 31 16 .660 6 Minnesota 29 20 .592 9'i Utah 28 20 .583 10 Houston 26 21 .553 11 Memphis 13 34 .277 24'i Denver 11 36 .234 26'4 Pacific Division Pet GB Sacramento 34 16 .680 Portland 31 16 .660 1'A Phoenix 29 21 .580 5 LA. Lakers 23 23 .500 9 Seattle 21 25 .457 11 Golden State 21 26 .447 11 '4 LA. Clippers 17 31 .354 16 Monday's Games Miami 99, Atlanta 79 New Jersey 109, Seattle 108, OT New Orleans 103, Boston 96 Dallas 92, Utah 90 Phoenix 115, Chicago 111, OT Golden State 101, Memphis 91 Tuesday's Games Washington 93, Cleveland 84 L.A.

Lakers 97, Indiana 94 Portland 96, Orlando 89 New York 105, L.A. Clippers 92 Toronto 98. Milwaukee 95 Minnesota 103, Houston 89 Sacramento 110, Dallas 109 Chicago at Denver, (n) Wednesday's Games Seattle at Boston, 6 p.m. Houston at Cleveland, 6 p.m. Portland at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

New Jersey at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m. LA. Clippers at Detroit, 6:30 p.m. Sacramento at New Orleans, 7:30 p.m. Memphis at Utah, 8 p.m.

San Antonio at Golden State, 9:30 p.m. WOLVES 103, ROCKETS 89 HOUSTON (89) Griffin 3-14 1-2 8, Posey 3-7 2-3 9, Yao 4-7 4-4 12, Mobley 7-16 2-2 17, Francis 11-21 8-10 31, Collier 0- 2 0-0 0, Norris 3-3 0-0 6, Mau.Taylor 3-7 0-0 6, Morris 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-78 17-21 89. MINNESOTA (103) Szczerbiak 6-14 4-4 16, Garnett 10-15 3-5 23, Nesterovic 9-14 1-2 19, Peeler 5-5 0-0 10, Hudson 7-14 2-2 17, Gill 2-5 3-5 7, Jackson 1-2 2- 4 4, Rakocevic 2-5 0-0 5, Trent 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 43-78 15-22 103.

Houston 21 24 22 22 89 Minnesota 25 20 29 29 103 3- Point Goals Houston 4-19 (Francis 1-4, Posey 1-4, Mobley 1-5. Griffin 1-6), Minnesota 2-5 (Rakocevic 1-1, Hudson 1-2, Garnett 0-1, Szczerbiak 0-1). Fouled out None. Rebounds Houston 41 (Yao 10). Minnesota 49 (Garnett 11 Assists Houston 16 (Francis 6), Minnesota 25 (Garnett 9).

Total fouls Houston 18, Minnesota 20. Technicals Collier. Jackson. Rakocevic. A 15,333 KINGS 110, MAVERICKS 109 SACRAMENTO (110) Turkoglu 7-15 2-4 17, Stojakovic 9-20 2-4 24, Divac 4-11 3-6 11, Blbby 10-16 6-6 27, Christie 3-3 2-2 8, Clark 8-11 1-1 17, J.Jackson 3-9 0-0 6, D.Jones 0-0 0-0 0.

Totals 44-85 16-23 110. DALLAS (109) Bell 1-2 0-0 2, Nowitzki 9-22 10-11 28, LaFrentz 4-9 0-0 9, Finley 10- 18 4-4 28, Nash 5-9 0-0 13, Van Exel 6-17 2-4 17, Rigaudeau 0-1 0- 0 0, Williams 2-6 2-3 8, Bradley 1-3 2- 2 4. Totals 3B-87 20-24 109. Sacramento 37 27 24 22 110 Dallas 24 34 27 24 109 3- Point Goals Sacramento 6-9 (Stojakovic 4-5, Bibby 1 -1 Turkoglu 1- 3), Dallas 13-29 (Finley 4-8, Nash 3-3, Van Exel 3-8, Williams 2-5, LaFrentz 1-3, Nowitzki 0-2). Fouled out None.

Rebounds Sacramento 57 (Stojakovic 14), Dallas 44 (Nowitzki 16). Assists Sacramento 25 (Christie 6), Dallas 27 (Nash 14). Total fouls Sacramento 21, Dallas 15. Technical Nash. Flagrant touls J.Jackson, LaFrentz.

A 20,102 KNICKS 105, CLIPPERS 92 L.A. CLIPPERS (92) Brand 6-13 4-6 16, Odom 3-11 5-5 11, Rooks 4-5 1-2 9, Maggette 3-5 3-6 9, Miller 3-6 0-1 6, Richardson 8-16 3-3 19. Jane 5-9 2-3 14, Ely 1 -3 4-4 6, Piatkowski 1 -2 0-0 2. Totals 34-70 22-30 92. NEW YORK (105) Harrington 5-9 0-0 10, Sprewell 14- 19 1-2 38, Thomas 3-10 0-0 6.

Eis-ley 2-8 5-8 11, Houston 7-14 5-5 20, Ward 2-7 0-0 5, Anderson 3-6 0-0 7, Weather5poon 3-4 0-0 6, Doleac 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 40-80 11-15 105. Clippers 17 30 25 20 92 New York 25 30 30 20 105 3-Point Goals L.A. Clippers 2-9 (Jaric 2-3. Odom 0-2, Richardson 0- 4).

New York 14-24 (Sprewell 9-9. tisley 2-6, Anderson 1-1, Ward 1- 4, Houston 1-4). Fouled out None. Rebounds L.A. Clippers 46 (Brand 12).

New York 42 (Thomas, Hamnglon 8). Assists L.A. Clippers 20 (Miller 7), New York 22 (Thomas. Ward 5). Total touls LA.

Clippers 20. New York 26. Technicals L.A. Clippers Delen-sive Three Second. New York Defensive Three Second 2.

A 18,197 WIZARDS 93, CAVALIERS84 CLEVELAND (84) Davis 3-1 4 0-0 7, Boozer 2-3 2-2 6, Mariucci: Some object to pick on basis of race least one minority candidate. O'Hagan, who also represents former Minnesota coach Dennis Green, refused comment on numerous reports that Green refused to interview with the Lions because they appeared to have their sights set only on Mariucci. A source within the league, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said five minority candidates turned down interview requests from the Lions because it appeared inevitable that Mariucci would be hired. Attorney Cyrus Mehri, who along with attorney Johnnie Cochran led a campaign for more minority hiring in the NFL, was disappointed with Detroit's hiring process. "By essentially crowning Mariucci as the next head coach before doing a single interview, the Lions discouraged African-American coaches from putting their hat in the ring in Detroit," Mehri said Tuesday.

"Millen, in public and private statements, could not look African-American candidates in the eye and tell them they had a fair shot. I don't blame the coaches who didn't want to be a part of a sham interview. "We're competing for the soul of the NFL, which has been based on a good old boys' network, not fair competition for jobs. The ball is in the league's court now. If they condone this, they have ripped the heart out of the 'Rooney because what Matt Millen has done harkens back to the good old boys' days." The NFL's new policy, announced in late December, said owners agreed they would "seriously" interview at least one minority candidate for each coaching vacancy.

The policy was developed by a committee headed by Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney, following a report on minority hiring issued by a group headed by Mehri. "The Lions' selection process fell short of what our committee recommends for all clubs as agreed in December," Rooney said in a statement Tuesday. "I will discuss this with the committee and the Lions to see what occurred and where to proceed in the future." FROM ID of his contract without an extension. Mariucci's agent, Gary O'Hagan, has said that Mariucci's ties to Michigan played a part in his interest in the Lions after he initially said he would take next year off from coaching. Mariucci will be about 90 miles away from best friend, Tom Izzo, Michigan State's basketball coach.

Mariucci and Izzo grew up together, attended Northern Michigan and talk almost daily. "It's going to be great, really it is," Izzo said while traveling to see a recruit Tuesday night. "I'm pumped up for him, and I'm pumped up for the Lions and all their fans." Mariucci had been Detroit's leading candidate since the Lions fired Mornhinweg. Mariucci was the only coach to have an in-person interview, last Wednesday and Thursday. Millen never publicly named any other candidate but said the Lions would do their best to comply with the NFL's policy of interviewing at Babich: Coach had been a finalist for Tulsa job FROM ID stay at NDSU.

"I'm a parent now," Babich said. Before coming to NDSU, Babich was an assistant at five different NCAA Division I schools over 12 seasons. A native of Aliquippa, He was a junior college Ail-American in 1979 at Mesa Community College in Arizona. Babich was a finalist for the head coaching job at the University of Tulsa in December. That job went to Buffalo Bills assistant Steve Kragthorpe.

The Rams also hired seven-year NI veteran Frank Falks will coach tight ends. Falks most recently coached for four seasons (1997-2000) with the Detroit Lions, where he coached running backs.