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COL FB: USC 14, Arizona St. 9

TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 8 (UPI) --

The 13th-ranked University of Southern California held off a late comeback try by Arizona State Saturday to post a 14-9 victory.

Held without a touchdown, the Sun Devils backup quarterback Brock Osweiler's heaved a Hail Mary pass as the clock was running out but it was intercepted by Will Harris, saving the Trojans (7-2, 4-2 Pac-10) from a second straight conference loss.

Harris also provided another big play -- intercepting a poor pass from ASU's Danny Sullivan and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown with 1:17 left in the half to put USC on top 7-3. The Trojans' other scoring play came with 13:44 remaining in the third quarter when Matt Barkley connected with Damian Williams to make it 14-3.

Chris McGaha caught nine passes for 118 yards and a touchdown for ASU (4-5, 2-4), which lost to USC for the 10th straight time.

NHL: Minnesota 3, Dallas 2

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 8 (UPI) --

The Minnesota Wild notched its third win in four games Saturday, edging the Dallas Stars 3-2.

Defenseman Marek Zidlicky had a goal and an assist for the Wild, while Cal Clutterbuck and Mikko Koivu scored goals to back the 19-save goaltending of Niklas Backstrom in the win.

The Stars, meanwhile, dropped their fourth game in five. Dallas was led by Loui Eriksson, who scored twice in the loss.

The Wild set the tone 9:46 into the game while shorthanded when Clutterbuck scored, followed seven minutes later by Koivu's goal.

Eriksson's second marker of the second period tied it for Dallas, but Zidlicky's tally put the Wild on top to stay with 1:48 to go in the period.

NBA: Chicago 93, Charlotte 90

CHICAGO, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

John Salmons hit a 3-pointer to spark a late 9-3 spurt, pacing the Chicago Bulls to a 93-90 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats Saturday.

Salmon's 3-pointer ignited a run that ended with Luol Deng's jumper putting the Bulls up 92-85 with 2:40 to play. Salmons led all scorers with 27 points and added seven rebounds and six assists, while Joakim Noah poured in a career-high 21 and grabbed a game-best 16 rebounds for Chicago.

Deng chipped in with 14 points for Chicago while Derrick Rose added 13 as the Bulls won their third straight. The victory was a morale booster for the Bulls only a day after they lost Tyrus Thomas for up to six weeks with a broken arm.

Boris Diaw paced the Bobcats with 20 points, while Raymond Felton added 14 points and dished off a game-high 10 assists as Charlotte lost for the first time in three games.

COL FB: Cincinnati 47, Connecticut 45

CINCINNATI, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

No. 7 Cincinnati piled up a school-record 711 yards of offense Saturday to hold on for a 47-45 victory over Connecticut and remain undefeated.

The Bearcats (9-0, 5-0 Big East) were paced by backup quarterback Zach Collaros, who threw for 480 yards and a touchdown on 29-of-37 passing and rushed for two more scores while racking up 75 yards on the ground.

Despite Cincinnati's formidable offense, Connecticut (4-5, 1-4) came close to tying the game but a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter fell short and the Huskies suffered their third consecutive loss.

Collaros, who started in place of Tony Pike, found Mardy Gilyard on 12 passes for 172 yards. Armon Binns made five catches for 108 yards and a score and Jacob Ramsey ran for a team-high 91 yards.

Cincinnati's 9-0 start has matched the 1951 Bearcats team for the best in school history.

Jordan Todman mustered 162 passing yards and scored four touchdowns on 26 carries for Connecticut, sparking the team to 462 total yards.

COL FB: Nebraska 10, Oklahoma 3

LINCOLN, Neb., Nov. 8 (UPI) --

Ryan Hill's 1-yard, second-quarter TD catch and a stingy defense led Nebraska to a 10-3 victory over No. 20 Oklahoma Saturday.

The Cornhuskers (6-3 overall, 3-2 Big 12) became bowl-eligible with the win, their second straight, while the Sooners (5-4, 3-2) failed to score a touchdown in a game for the first time since 1998.

Zac Lee, who finished the game 5-of-9 for 35 yards, threw the pass that led to Nebraska's lone touchdown. Roy Helu Jr. carried the ball 20 times for 138 yards and Brandon Kinnie caught two passes for 21 yards.

Oklahoma's Landry Jones amassed 245 yards, but also threw five interceptions. Chris Brown rushed 12 times for 50 yards and caught three passes for 20 yards for the Sooners, who went down to defeat despite holding the Cornhuskers to 180 total yards of offense.

Matt O'Hanlon intercepted Jones's last-gasp effort to find a receiver in the end zone, sealing the win.

COL FB: Houston 46, Tulsa 45

TULSA, Okla., Nov. 8 (UPI) --

No. 13 Houston scrambled to a comeback win Saturday when Matt Hogan hit a 51-yard field goal with time expiring to defeat Tulsa 46-45.

Houston's Tim Monroe was in the right place to recover an onsides kick with 21 seconds left and the Cougars (8-1, 4-1 C-USA) trailing 45-43. Thanks to the play, Houston set up on its own 39 and quarterback Case Keenum hit clutch completions to James Cleveland and Tyron Carrier before Hogan kicked his 51-yarder as the clock ran out.

Keenum had a fabulous night for Houston, completing 40-of-60 for 522 yards and three touchdowns as the Cougars won their fifth straight. Cleveland pulled down 12 receptions for 167 yards and three TDs.

Tulsa (4-5, 2-3) lost for the fourth straight time.

G.J. Kinne connected on 19-of-25 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns for the Golden Hurricane, but threw two interceptions. He also gained 100 rushing yards and scored a TD on 16 carries.

NHL: Columbus 3, Carolina 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

Columbus beat Carolina 3-2 Saturday -- the 12th straight loss for the Hurricanes, whose goalie, Cam Ward, left with a leg injury 7 1/2 minutes into the contest.

Rick Nash's third-period goal proved to be the eventual game-winner. Nikita Filatov and Jared Boll also scored for the Blue Jackets, who have notched at least a point in five straight games, going 3-0-2 in the span.

But the story of the game was the injury to Ward, the 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

As he stretched to make a save on Nash in the first period, it appeared that Nash or a Carolina defenseman cut the netminder in the leg with a skate. Ward's blood spilled onto the ice, and he was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

I don't know any more now, Carolina head Coach Paul Maurice told reporters. I know (Ward) went to the hospital. I haven't gotten a call back. It's a significant injury.... There was a fair amount of blood on the ice.

Erik Cole and Tim Gleason each scored their first goals of the season for the Hurricanes (0-9-3), who continued a franchise-record losing streak.

NHL: Philadelphia 2, St. Louis 1 (SO)

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

A fourth-round shootout goal by the Flyers' Mika Pyorala gave Philadelphia a 2-1 overtime win Saturday over the St. Louis Blues.

Pyorala beat Blues goalie Chris Mason, who lost in the shootout after making a huge save on the Flyers' Scott Hartnell in the overtime period to keep the game alive. David Backes had the final shootout opportunity for St. Louis, but goalie Ray Emery made the stop and sealed the win for Philadelphia.

Hartnell scored in regulation time as the Flyers won their fourth straight game. Emery stood tall in the net for Philadelphia, making 30 saves in the win.

The Blues were paced by T.J. Oshie's goal as Mason played a stellar game despite the shootout loss, stopping 35 shots.

St. Louis lost for the fifth time in six games.

NHL: Washington 7, Florida 4

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

The Washington Capitals broke open a close game with five third-period goals Saturday in their 7-4 win over the Florida Panthers.

Mike Knuble made two goals and picked up two assists for Washington, while Tomas Fleischmann also tallied twice. Brooks Laich, Mathieu Perreault and Quintin Laing also netted goals for the Capitals, who won back-to-back games against Florida.

Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom picked up a pair of helpers while goalie Jose Theodore notched 24 saves in the Washington win.

The Panthers, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in nine games. They were paced by goals from Michael Frolik, Dmitry Kulikov, Michal Repik and Cory Stillman. Their goalie, Scott Clemmensen, allowed the seven goals on 32 shots.

Only 40 seconds after Perreault's first career goal tied the game at 3-3 at the 2:21 mark of the third period, Laing gave the Capitals the lead. Stillman answered, but Fleischmann put the Capitals back on top for good at 7:22 into the period.

NHL: Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 1

MONTREAL, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

Tampa Bay got a goal and an assist each from Ryan Malone and Alex Tanguay Saturday as the Lightning downed the Montreal Canadiens 3-1.

The Bolts dealt a blow to Montreal just over two minutes into the second period, regaining a two-goal lead at 3-1 when Tanguay blasted a shot off the post and rookie centerman James Wright drove to the net to pick up the puck, which was sitting just behind Montreal goalie Carey Price along the goal line.

At the other end of the ice, Tampa Bay's Antero Niittymaki stood tall in the net with 36 saves.

The Canadiens were led by Brian Gionta, who posted a power-play goal. Montreal took the loss after returning home from an emotional shootout win over division-rival Boston Thursday. The Habs lost for the fourth time in their last six games.

NHL: N.Y. Islanders 6, Atlanta 3

UNIONDALE, N.Y., Nov. 8 (UPI) --

The New York Islanders unleashed a display of firepower against the Atlanta Thrashers Saturday, with six players scoring in a 6-3 victory.

The Isles got goals from Matt Moulson, Blake Comeau, Sean Bergenheim, Andy Sutton, Josh Bailey and Jack Hillen while chasing Atlanta goalie Ondrej Pavelec.

Dwayne Roloson, meanwhile, had a good night in the nets for New York, making 31 saves.

The Islanders took control of the game by notching the final two goals of the first period. Bergenheim registered his first tally of the year at the 13:34 mark, and Hillen's first of the season came with 1:08 left in the initial period.

Comeau continued the assault just 22 seconds into the second period when he scored to extend New York's lead to 4-1.

NHL: Toronto 5, Detroit 1

TORONTO, Nov. 8 (UPI) --

Phil Kessel scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf, sparking Toronto to its first home win of the year Saturday, 5-1 over the Detroit Red Wings.

Kessel, who came to the Leafs in an off-season trade with Boston, scored to make it 2-0 Toronto when he gathered up a loose puck behind Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood and put an easy tap-in past the netminder with 26 seconds remaining in the first period.

Jeff Finger, Wayne Primeau, John Mitchell and Alexei Ponikarovsky also tallied for the Leafs, who raised their home record to 1-4-2 so far this season. Toronto goalie Jonas Gustavsson stopped 35 shots for the win.

The Red Wings lost to the lowly Maple Leafs for the third straight time and had their three-game winning streak snapped. Daniel Cleary got Detroit's only goal.

NBA: Boston 86, New Jersey 76

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Nov. 7 (UPI) --

The Boston Celtics responded to their first loss of the season by downing the winless New Jersey Nets 86-76 Saturday at East Rutherford, N.J.

Boston shook off its 110-103 setback to Phoenix Friday, tapping Rajon Rondo's 16 points and five steals and Paul Pierce's 16 points and seven assists to perk up late in the game and drop the Nets to their worst start in franchise history.

Helping out for the Celtics were Ray Allen, who scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, and Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, each of whom tallied nine points and combined for 21 rebounds.

Boston pulled away about 4 minutes into the fourth quarter when a pair of Allen baskets triggered an 8-2 Celtics run.

The Nets were led by Brook Lopez's game-high 23 points and Rafer Alston chipped in with 20 points and seven assists.

COL FB: Florida 27, Vanderbilt 3

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Nov. 7 (UPI) --

No. 1 Florida won its 19th straight game with a 27-3 victory over Vanderbilt Saturday, holding the Commodores to only 100 yards passing in Gainesville.

The Gators (9-0, 7-0 SEC) remained undefeated, posting only the third 9-0 start in school history, as quarterback Tim Tebow completed 15-of-20 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown and tight end Aaron Hernandez tallied seven receptions for a career-high 120 yards through the air.

With Florida holding a 13-3 early in the second half, Tebow capped off a 64-yard, 11-play drive with 1-yard quarterback keeper with 1:52 left in the third quarter. The Gators then took advantage of a Vanderbilt error when punter Brett Upson dropped to a knee after receiving a snap, giving Florida possession on the Vanderbilt 13-yard line. Tebow soon found David Nelson on an 8-yard TD to extend Florida's lead to 27-3.

The Commodores fell to 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the SEC with the loss, their sixth straight. Mackenzi Adams could muster only 100 yards on 13-of-29 passing and Vanderbilt was held to just 99 rushing yards.

UPI Sports Calendar for Sunday, Nov. 8

(All times Eastern)

-0-

NFL

Washington at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Houston at Indiana, 1 p.m.

Miami at New England, 1 p.m.

Green Bay at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Carolina at New Orleans, 4:05 p.m.

Detroit at Seattle, 4:05 p.m.

San Diego at New York Giants, 4:15 p.m.

Tennessee at San Francisco, 4:15 p.m.

Dallas at Philadelphia, 8:20 p.m.

-0-

Basketball

NBA

Philadelphia at Detroit 1 p.m.

Phoenix at Washington, 1 pm.

Orlando at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Portland, 9 p.m.

Golden State at Sacramento, 9 p.m

New Orleans at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

-0-

Hockey

NHL

St. Louis at Atlanta, 5 p.m.

Edmonton at Colorado, 8 p.m.

-0-

Men's Tennis

Valencia Open 500 at Valencia, Spain

Swiss Indoors Tournament at Basel, Switzerland

-0-

Women's Tennis

Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions at Bali, Indonesia

NHL: Boston 4, Buffalo 2

BOSTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) --

The Boston Bruins rebounded from two straight shutouts Saturday, using Zdeno Chara's goal and assist to down the Buffalo Sabres 4-2.

The Bruins were hungry for scoring after being shut out by the New York Rangers and Detroit in their two previous games, among three straight losses. But Chara, Marco Sturm, Mark Recchi and Byron Bitz all rippled the twine for Boston and Tuukka Rask made 28 saves in the win.

Steve Begin picked up two assists for Boston, which was ahead 2-0 after the first period on power-play goals by Recchi and Chara. The Bruins made it 3-0 just 1:22 into the second period when Bitz surprised Buffalo goalie Jhonas Enroth with a goal.

The Sabres were led by Derek Roy and Jason Pominville, who each scored goals. Buffalo lost for the second straight time after posting a 5-1-0 record.

NHL: New Jersey 3, Ottawa 2

OTTAWA, Nov. 7 (UPI) --

The New Jersey Devils stretched their win streak to five Saturday, using a pair of late goals to down the Ottawa Senators 3-2.

The Devils, who notched their eighth win in nine tries, got third-period goals from David Clarkson and Andy Greene to rally from a 2-1 deficit and stun the Senators in Ottawa as goalie Martin Brodeur made 19 saves.

Ottawa tumbled after coming off an overtime win over Tampa Bay despite goals from Milan Michalek and Brian Lee.

The Devils trailed by one to start the third but got a power play 3:03 into the period.

Clarkson took advantage of a power play by notching his fourth goal of the year at 4:38 of the third period, tying the game. And as Ottawa's Chris Campoli was serving a delay-of-game penalty, Greene scored the go-ahead goal at 7:20. Brodeur wrapped up the win by stopping all six third-period shots he faced.

COL FB: Utah 45, New Mexico 14

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 7 (UPI) --

No. 16 Utah blew open a 17-7 halftime lead with three third-quarter touchdowns en route to a 45-14 shellacking of New Mexico Saturday at Salt Lake City.

A 20-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Wynn to Sausan Shakerin, a 29-yard scoring scamper by Jereme Brooks and a 35-yard touchdown run from Eddie Wide pushed Utah's lead to 38-7 and led the Utes (8-1, 5-0 MWC) over the hapless Wolfpack (0-9, 0-5), who lost for the 13th straight time.

Wynn threw for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-28 passing, while Wide racked up 145 yards and two scores on 20 carries for Utah, winners of six consecutive games. Shakerin chipped in a touchdown on the ground and 100 yards on 16 touches.

New Mexico's top performer was quarterback Donovan Porterie, who connected on completed 15-of-32 passes for 186 yards in a losing effort.

Iverson reported out for personal matter

MEMPHIS, Nov. 7 (UPI) --

Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson has left the team to handle a personal matter, The Commercial Appeal reported Saturday.

The Memphis newspaper said Iverson was given permission to fly to Atlanta where he lives in the off-season. It wasn't known when the guard, who is in his first season with the NBA club, will return.

Iverson, 34, missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury. He has come off the bench to play in three games, a situation that led the nine-time All-Star to express dissatisfaction with his status.

He averaged 12.3 points and 3.7 assists in about 22 minutes in those three games.

COL FB: Ga. Tech 30, Wake Forest 27 (OT)

ATLANTA, Nov. 7 (UPI) --

It took Josh Nesbitt's 3-yard run in overtime Saturday to secure No. 11 Georgia Tech's 30-27 victory over Wake Forest.

Nesbitt's score came after Jimmy Newman booted a 34-yard field goal on Wake Forest's opening possession of the extra session that had put the Demon Deacons up 27-24.

Nesbitt finished with 54 yards rushing and two scores but had an off-day passing, completing just 4-of-14 for 51 yards and an interception.

Jonathan Dwyer had a game-high 189 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. Preston Lyons added a rushing TD in the seventh straight win for the Yellow Jackets (9-1, 6-1 ACC).

Wake Forest (4-6, 2-4) was led by Riley Skinner, who was 26-of-40 for 263 yards and two touchdowns.

Marshall Williams had 111 yards on eight catches and Devon Brown had seven catches for 62 yards and two TDs.