LOCAL

LOCAL

Tyra Grant honored
by Big Ten Conference

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. — Tyra Grant, a sophomore guard for the Penn State Univ. women’s basketball team from Ursuline High, was selected as the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player of the Week last Monday.

Grant averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 blocked shots in Penn State wins the previous week to capture the Big Ten honor.

She scored a game-high and season-high 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting from the field in an 84-77 victory over Mississippi at PSU’s Bryce Jordan Center on Dec. 13.

Her 24 points lifted her past the 600-point plateau for her career.

Grant also had a career-high six assists and blocked a career-best three shots in the win, while grabbing five rebounds and getting one steal.

She continued her solid play in the 64-55 win at Bucknell on Dec. 15, scoring 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second half. It was her third 20-point performance of the season and the 10th of her career.

Grant also pulled down six rebounds and blocked a shot in the win to lead the Lady Lions (9-3).

Prep wrestling recap

RICHMOND HEIGHTS — Lance Deangelo and Beau Bowden of South Range High School placed second at 130 and 171 pounds respectively helping the Raiders finished eighth in the D3 Classic Wrestling Tournament Saturday.

The Raiders scored 95.5 points in the meet won by Waynesdale with 288.5.

Ursuline placed 27th in the field of 31 schools with 20 points.

Deangelo lost the a title match 16-6 to Jeff Vitallo of Waynesdale. Bowden lost the championship 8-7 to Seth Melvin of Brooklyn.

Brennan Witmer of the Raiders decisioned Bryce Dudley of Tri-County North 10-4 to place fifth at 140 pounds.

NATION

Fisher staying put
at Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State assistant Jimbo Fisher said Sunday night he will be staying at the school, ending rumors that he might become the next head coach at West Virginia.

“I know media reports are circulating regarding the possibility of West Virginia’s head coaching position. I am a native of West Virginia and I love the state, but I want to make clear that I am staying at Florida State,” Fisher said in a statement released through the university.

“I am committed to this university, this program and these players. I am excited about where I am and where Seminole football is headed.”

The 42-year-old offensive coordinator said he would follow Bobby Bowden as head coach at Florida State in a press conference on Dec. 10, when Bowden’s contract was extended for one year.

At the same time, Fisher’s base pay was increased to $625,000, and he received a $2.5 million guarantee to remain as offensive coordinator for three seasons if Bowden remains that long.

Bowden’s contract allows him to decide on his coaching future on a yearly basis.

WORLD

Baptista scores to
lift Real Madrid

BARCELONA, Spain — Julio Baptista scored a wonder goal and Real Madrid won 1-0 at traditional rival Barcelona on Sunday to move seven points clear in the Spanish league title race.

The powerfully built Brazilian swapped passes with Ruud van Nistelrooy before driving the ball high into the top corner of the net in the 36th minute to silence the Barca fans at Camp Nou.

Madrid’s third victory at Barcelona in 24 years stretched the defending champion’s lead over the second-place Barcelona from four to seven points going into the midseason break. Madrid has 41 points to Barca’s 34. Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas rescued his team with quality saves, but Barcelona missed injured forward Lionel Messi while Ronaldinho again looked out of form.

Inter Milan wins

ROME — Inter Milan punished a blunder by AC Milan goalkeeper Dida to beat its neighbor 2-1 and remain seven points ahead in the Italian title race.

Inter’s players formed a guard of honor at the stadium the two teams share to welcome Milan back as winner of the Club World Cup.

But Dida and veteran Milan defender Paolo Maldini were far too generous in return. After Maldini’s poor clearance went straight to Esteban Cambiasso, the Inter forward mistimed his shot only for Dida to dive too far across goal and the ball rolled past him for a 63rd minute winner.

Milan went ahead on Andrea Pirlo’s 17th minute free kick, but Julio Cruz tied it for Inter in the 36th.

Vindicator staff/wire reports