EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State defensive end William Gholston is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. Michigan State DE Gholston turning pro ADVERTISING EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State defensive end William Gholston is skipping his
Michigan State DE
Gholston turning pro
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State defensive end William Gholston is skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
Gholston is one of three Michigan State underclassman to announce his intentions to turn pro, joining running back Le’Veon Bell and tight end Dion Sims. The 6-foot-7, 278-pound Gholston had 4 1/2 sacks this season and 13 tackles for loss.
Timberwolves star Love refractures right hand
MINNEAPOLIS — The injury-riddled Minnesota Timberwolves lost star forward Kevin Love to a broken right hand for the second time this season when an MRI confirmed the injury on Saturday.
Love refractured his third metacarpal in the hand, and the team said it expects to know more about a timetable for his return after he is examined by a hand specialist in New York.
The original injury, which occurred on Oct. 17, sidelined Love for the first three weeks of the season and has hampered his shooting. He reinjured the hand during the third quarter Thursday night at Denver.
Source: Rangers close to deal for Berkman as DH
DALLAS — A person familiar with the situation says the Texas Rangers are close to a deal with Lance Berkman to be their designated hitter.
Berkman’s deal is pending a physical, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Multiple reports, all citing unidentified sources, said it would be a one-year deal worth at least $10 million. The deal could also include a vesting option for 2014.
US wins gold at junior
ice hockey worlds
UFA, Russia — The United States won the junior ice hockey championships on Saturday after Rocco Grimaldi scored twice and Vince Trocheck added an empty-net goal to clinch a 3-1 win over Sweden in the final.
Filip Sandberg put defending champion Sweden ahead on a power play early in the second period, but Grimaldi then scored twice in a three-minute span to swing the game in the Americans’ favor.
He powered from behind the net to score an equalizer from a narrow angle, and then redirected Jacob Trouba’s slap shot from the blue line midway through second period.
Panthers announce Rivera will be back next season
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ron Rivera will return as coach of the Carolina Panthers next season following his team’s strong finish.
Panthers spokesman Charlie Dayton said Rivera met with owner Jerry Richardson Saturday morning and was informed that he will return for a third season. Rivera has two years left on his current contract.
Mediator gets NHL,
union back together
NEW YORK — A federal mediator has finally been able to get the NHL and the players’ association back together Saturday for their first face-to-face meeting since talks broke down two days earlier.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly went to union headquarters for what a players’ association spokesman called a “small group meeting” with the sides and mediator Scot Beckenbaugh.
Beckenbaugh had already held separate meetings with the union and league Saturday before bringing them together.
Gasquet tops Davydenko, wins Qatar Open
DOHA, Qatar — Richard Gasquet won the Qatar Open for his eighth career title on Saturday, coming from a set down to beat Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Having pulled out of the Sydney tournament because of elbow trouble, Gasquet said he will be ready for the Australian Open. The win in Qatar will give him a much-needed boost.
Li Na beats Zakopalova
in Shenzhen Open final
SHENZHEN, China —Top-seeded Li Na of China secured a hard-fought 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 victory over Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic on Saturday to capture the inaugural Shenzhen Open.
Spain beats Serbia
in Hopman Cup final
PERTH, Australia — Spain defeated Serbia 2-1 to win the Hopman Cup for the fourth time on Saturday.
Fernando Verdasco and Anabel Medina Garrigues won the deciding mixed doubles 6-4, 7-5 against Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic.
Djokovic took the first match for Serbia by overcoming a strong challenge from Verdasco 6-3, 7-5. Medina Garrigues evened it by outlasting Ivanovic 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2.
Tipsarevic vs. Bautista-Agut in Chennai Open final
CHENNAI, India — Second-seeded Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia rallied past semifinalist Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 4-6, 6-2 6-2 and will play Roberto Bautista-Agut of Spain for the Chennai Open title.
The 80th-ranked Bautista-Agut defeated fifth-seeded Frenchman Benoit Paire 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Serena wins Brisbane
title; Murray into final
BRISBANE, Australia — Serena Williams proved the break between seasons hasn’t hurt her momentum, capturing her 47th career title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Saturday.
In the men’s draw, defending champion Andy Murray advanced to the final when fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori retired with an injured left knee while trailing 6-4, 2-0 in their semifinal earlier Saturday. Murray will next meet Grigor Dimitrov.
By wire sources
