Morning Briefing March 5, 2010
Football
Speedy little Darren Sproles is staying with the San Diego Chargers, after all.
The Chargers placed the maximum first- and third-round tender on Sproles on Thursday, one of two surprise moves in the hours before free agency began.
The Chargers also released tackle Jamal Williams, a 12-year veteran who has been the run-stuffing anchor of the defensive line. Williams sustained an arm injury in the 2009 season opener and missed the rest of the year. He’ll turn 34 next month and also has a history of knee injuries.
Basketball
Georgetown’s leading scorer Austin Freeman was diagnosed with diabetes, leaving his status uncertain for the team’s upcoming games.
Coach John Thompson III said he is “100 percent” certain Freeman will play again this season, but the coach wouldn’t say whether the junior guard will return for Saturday’s regular-season finale against Cincinnati.
n Brittney Griner, the dunking freshman sensation for No. 14 Baylor, was suspended for at least one game after throwing a punch that broke an opposing player’s nose in a Big 12 game.
League spokeswoman Joni Lehmann said that NCAA rules require Griner to sit out Baylor’s regular-season finale against 18th-ranked Texas on Sunday because of a “fighting act” that led to her ejection. She said the league is deciding whether further disciplinary action is warranted.
n Zach Randolph scored 31 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and the visiting Memphis Grizzlies rallied to beat the Chicago Bulls 105-96 in NBA action.
Heat 114, Lakers 111, OT: Dwyane Wade had 27 points and 14 assists, leading Miami at Los Angeles.
Jazz 116, Suns 108: Deron Williams scored 27, leading Utah at Phoenix.
Predators 4, Kings 2: Pekka Rinne made 20 saves in Nashville’s win over visiting Los Angeles.
Coyotes 3, Avalanche 1: At Glendale, Ariz., Wojtek Wolski scored the go-ahead goal with 22 seconds left in Phoenix’s win over Colorado.
Sharks 3, Canadiens 2: Manny Malhotra’s goal in the third lifted host San Jose past Montreal.
Blues 6, Stars 1: Paul Kariya scored twice, leading St. Louis at Dallas.
Thrashers 6, Islanders 3: Nik Antropov had two goals and an assist, and Atlanta beat visiting New York.
Hurricanes 4, Senators 1: At Raleigh, N.C., Manny Legace made 25 saves and Carolina beat Ottawa.
Capitals 5, Lightning 4: Scott Walker scored twice, leading host Washington past Tampa Bay.
Penguins 5, Rangers 4, OT: Jordon Staal’s overtime goal lifted Pittsburgh at New York.
Bruins 3, Maple Leafs 2, SO: Miroslav Satan scored in regulation and the shootout, leading host Boston past Toronto.
Nathan Green and Michael Connell each shot bogey-free rounds of 5-under 65 to share the lead after one round of the PGA’s Honda Classic at Palm Beach Garden’s Fla.
They’re one shot ahead of Camilo Villegas, Oliver Wilson and Alexandre Rocha.
Baseball
Jason Vargas went two innings, minor leaguer Tommy Everidge hit a grand slam during Seattle’s six-run eighth inning and the Mariners beat the San Diego Padres 9-3 at Peoria, Ariz.
Vargas, a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, allowed one hit, and Ryan Garko also homered for Seattle.
— The Associated Press