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Sports Briefs: Hometown favorite Allen takes lead at PGA event
By The Associated Press
Friday, October 19, 2007 | No comments posted.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Michael Allen gave his hometown gallery plenty to cheer about, matching his career-low round with a 7-under 63 to take the first-round lead in the Fry’s Electronics Open.
Nick Watney, Rich Beem and Frank Lickliter II were two strokes back, with Lickliter posting the day’s only bogey-free round on Grayhawk’s Raptor Course.
It wasn’t as much fun for Grayhawk member Phil Mickelson, No. 2 on this year’s money list and the biggest name in the tournament. Mickelson hit three balls into the desert and wound up at 1-over 71, eight strokes behind the 48-year-old Allen.
PRO BASKETBALL
Williams under investigation
SACRAMENTO — Authorities are investigating allegations that Sacramento Kings player Justin Williams sexually assaulted a female acquaintance.
Team spokesman Troy Hanson said Williams has been given an indefinite leave of absence and returned to Sacramento from a road trip to New Mexico to obtain a lawyer, a step recommended by team officials.
Hanson would not say whether the team planned to suspend Williams.
Criminal investigators searched Williams’ home Wednesday night, leaving with some items that police are evaluating, police Sgt. Matt Young said during a news conference.
Williams, a reserve center, has not been charged and is cooperating with officers, Young said.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bennett gets extension
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett received a two-year contract extension that could keep him at the school through 2013.
Bennett, who received a six-year extension following the 2004-05 season after the team reached its first NCAA tournament since 1997, begins his seventh year leading the Gaels. They are picked to finish second behind Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference preseason poll.
Bennett has turned the program around since taking over in 2001 after a 2-27 season, and the program has kept improving. He has a 102-83 record for a .551 winning percentage.
Lopez suspended by Stanford
STANFORD, Calif. — Brook Lopez, a 7-foot sophomore who was already academically ineligible for the start of Stanford’s season, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
The suspension went into effect Thursday. Lopez will not be able to practice or participate in any team activities while serving the suspension, coach Trent Johnson said.
Lopez averaged 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.2 minutes last season. He played in 26 games, starting 18, after being slowed early by a back injury. Named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team, he opted against entering the NBA draft.
His twin brother, Robin, also plays for the Cardinal.
HORSE RACING
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Thoroughbred trainer Patrick Biancone, accused of medication violations, has reached a settlement with Kentucky racing authorities that will bar him from racing anywhere for six months. In exchange, Biancone won’t attempt an appeal.
For an additional six months, Biancone won’t work as a trainer, but may go to the races, as long as he stays in public areas.
Biancone has agreed not to appear at the Breeders’ Cup Championships on Oct. 26-27 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, although the suspension doesn’t go into effect until Nov. 1. Seven horses are pre-entered in his name for eight races, but Biancone will withdraw as trainer of record under the agreement. Biancone isn’t prohibited from receiving prize money from the championships.
Nick Watney, Rich Beem and Frank Lickliter II were two strokes back, with Lickliter posting the day’s only bogey-free round on Grayhawk’s Raptor Course.
It wasn’t as much fun for Grayhawk member Phil Mickelson, No. 2 on this year’s money list and the biggest name in the tournament. Mickelson hit three balls into the desert and wound up at 1-over 71, eight strokes behind the 48-year-old Allen.
PRO BASKETBALL
Williams under investigation
SACRAMENTO — Authorities are investigating allegations that Sacramento Kings player Justin Williams sexually assaulted a female acquaintance.
Team spokesman Troy Hanson said Williams has been given an indefinite leave of absence and returned to Sacramento from a road trip to New Mexico to obtain a lawyer, a step recommended by team officials.
Hanson would not say whether the team planned to suspend Williams.
Criminal investigators searched Williams’ home Wednesday night, leaving with some items that police are evaluating, police Sgt. Matt Young said during a news conference.
Williams, a reserve center, has not been charged and is cooperating with officers, Young said.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bennett gets extension
MORAGA, Calif. — Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett received a two-year contract extension that could keep him at the school through 2013.
Bennett, who received a six-year extension following the 2004-05 season after the team reached its first NCAA tournament since 1997, begins his seventh year leading the Gaels. They are picked to finish second behind Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference preseason poll.
Bennett has turned the program around since taking over in 2001 after a 2-27 season, and the program has kept improving. He has a 102-83 record for a .551 winning percentage.
Lopez suspended by Stanford
STANFORD, Calif. — Brook Lopez, a 7-foot sophomore who was already academically ineligible for the start of Stanford’s season, has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
The suspension went into effect Thursday. Lopez will not be able to practice or participate in any team activities while serving the suspension, coach Trent Johnson said.
Lopez averaged 12.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.2 minutes last season. He played in 26 games, starting 18, after being slowed early by a back injury. Named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team, he opted against entering the NBA draft.
His twin brother, Robin, also plays for the Cardinal.
HORSE RACING
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Thoroughbred trainer Patrick Biancone, accused of medication violations, has reached a settlement with Kentucky racing authorities that will bar him from racing anywhere for six months. In exchange, Biancone won’t attempt an appeal.
For an additional six months, Biancone won’t work as a trainer, but may go to the races, as long as he stays in public areas.
Biancone has agreed not to appear at the Breeders’ Cup Championships on Oct. 26-27 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, although the suspension doesn’t go into effect until Nov. 1. Seven horses are pre-entered in his name for eight races, but Biancone will withdraw as trainer of record under the agreement. Biancone isn’t prohibited from receiving prize money from the championships.
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