Saturday, October 30, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

Vicky Hurst Tied For Lead At Hana Bank Championship

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Incheon, South Korea (AHN) – Don’t let her name fool you, Vicky Hurst is a popular player in South Korea and had a large following Friday when she shot a four-under par 68 to hold a share of the first round lead at the LPGA’s Hana Bank Championship.

Hurst whose mother is Korean though she was raised in the United States, performed well during her first round at the Sky 72 Golf Club’s Ocean Course. She had nines of 33-35 with just a single bogey and held a share of the lead with Song-Hee Kim.

Defending champion Na Yeon Choi and Amy Hung were a shot back with three-under par 69s.

Michelle Wie and Amanda Blumenhurst were among eight players at two-under par 70. The leaderboard was bunched up with 10 players at one-under 71, including Julie Inkster, Cristie Kerr and Brittany Lincicome.

Paul Creamer and Morgan Pressel were among a dozen players at even par 72.

Hurst was in the first group off and was greeted by chilly temperatures, with overnight lows near freezing. “It was really cold this morning,” said the second year player who is looking for her first win. “I just tried to hit fairways and greens, two putt and keep going and stay warm.”

She did better than that as she fashioned five birdies in her round and just a single bogey. “I played very consistently,” she said as she played in front of a large family contingent. “All my family is here, my grandparents, uncles and aunts.”

Wie played in the day’s most popular group as she was paired with the top two players in the world — Kerr and second-ranked Jiyai Shin. “There are a lot of people excited to see (Jiyai) Shin play and Kerr and hopefully me,” Wie said of the large gallery. “It was a lot of fun out there.”

Shin, one of the pre-tournament favorites, opened with a one-over par 73.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Suns Go To Warrick In Dominating Jazz, Avoid 0-2 Start

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Salt Lake City, UT, United States (AHN) – Reserve Hakim Warrick finished with a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, as the Phoenix Suns used a balanced attack in defeating the Utah Jazz 110-94 Thursday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

Steve Nash also had 18 points and dished out six assists for the Suns, who had six players scoring in double digits and received a huge contribution from their reserves.

The Suns bench outscored Utah’s reserves, 50-16.

The run-and-gun Suns reappeared Thursday, racing to a 27-22 lead after the opening quarter.

The Suns were up 58-42 at the break.

Phoenix, vcoming off a loss at Portland Tuesday in its season opener, held on the rest of the game.

Jason Richardson donated 16 points, while Hedo Turkoglu had 13 for the victors.

The Jazz, playing in their home opener, were paced by Al Jefferson, who logged 20 points and nine boards.

Paul Millsap added 19 to go along with 13 boards in the loss.

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Ben Crane Cards Second Round 64, Shares Lead At CIMB Malaysia

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Selangor, Malaysia (AHN) – Ben Crane, a winner in Milwaukee earlier this season, shot a seven-under par 64 Friday and is tied for the lead at the CIMB Classic at 11-under par 131.

Crane is atop the leaderboard with Pariya Junhasavasdikul, a 26-year old graduate of Purdue University. Junhasavasdikul plays the Asian Tour and was the winner this season at the Taiwan Masters.

He put together a 65 to match Crane’s 131 total at the Jones Mines Resort.

First round leader Ricky Barnes is at shot back at 132 with fellow American Ryan Moore. Barnes came in with a 69 while Moore followed his opening 64 with a 68.

Carl Pettersson was alone at nine-under, 133 after a second round 68. Adam Scott and Luke Donald were next at 134.

Pre-tournament favorite Ernie Els shot 68 and was tied with Rickie Fowler at 135, seven-under. Fowler recorded a 67.

The players were greeted by early morning showers then temperatures that pushed into the 90s with plenty of humidity. Crane didn’t mind as he went bogey-free on his way to the day’s low round.

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Nebraska Lands Top Prep Running Back Aaron Green

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

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Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Lincoln, NE, United States (AHN) – Nebraska got a boost in its offense after touted running back Aaron Green chose the Huskers over three other schools.

With the loss of primary kick/punt returner Niles Paul to graduation this year, Green is also expected to bolster the Huskers return game.

Green chose Nebraska over Texas, FSU and Cal.

This season, the star recruit from San Antonio (Texas) Madison High School has recorded 1,307 yards and 16 TD in eight contests.

Despite injuries during his junior year, Green still managed to rush for 1,133 yards and 11 TD.

In Nebraska, Green is expected to complement quarterback Taylor Martinez as he grows into his role with the Huskers.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Report: Seau`s Girlfriend Alleges Former NFL Star Shoved Her Into Wall

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

San Diego, CA, United States (AHN) – Junior Seau’s girlfriend told cops the former NFL linebacker grabbed her by the arm and shoved her into a wall in a recent incident, according to the police report obtained by TMZ.

The girlfriend told police the force was so violent it caused her to knock over their fish bowl. The fish reportedly survived.

One of the cops said he saw a small red abrasion on her right forearm and felt a raised bump on the right side of her head.

She also complained of back pain. Cops say the front of her shirt was ripped open.

The woman rejected the cops’ offer to get her an emergency protective order.

Seau, a former San Diego Chargers star who also went on to play for the Patriots, left the scene but called the woman’s cell phone while cops were still at the home. Seau spoke with police and denied striking his girlfriend.

Seau returned to the house and was arrested. Cops say they smelled alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot.

Tune in to TMZ on TV weekdays Monday through Friday (check http://www.tmz.com/tmztv/ for syndicated/local listings)

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

MMA Upset Of Year: Zoila Frausto Stuns Fujii To Win Bellator Crown

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

Shawn Krest – AHN Sports Correspondent

Hollywood, FL, United States (AHN) – Zoila Frausto sprang the MMA upset of the year with win over previously unbeaten Megumi Fujii to win the inaugural Bellator women’s title at Bellator 34, Thursday night in Hollywood, Florida.

Fujii appeared unstoppable in her march through the women’s 115 pound tournament, running her record to 22-0 with armbar submissions in her first two bouts, putting in a total of about 7 1-2 minutes of work to dispatch Carla Esparza and Lisa Ward.

Fujii had submissions in nine of her previous 10 bouts and 18 of 22 fights for her career.

Frausto was able to devise a game plan that choked off Fujii’s takedown and submission skills while allowing the underdog to take advantage of an edge in striking.

Frausto spent much of the early rounds crouching low and allowing Fujii to stalk her, looking for an opening to shoot. When Fujii closed in, Frausto landed solid kicks and punches to keep her at bay.

Fujii never even managed a takedown attempt until a minute and a half remained in the final round, and didn’t score a successful takedown until 30 seconds remained.

Frausto drew first blood late in the first round, landing a huge head kick that sent Fujii reeling backward. Frausto followed up with a right hand, then landed several solid shots on the cage.

After a cat -and-mouse second round, Frausto again hurt Fujii in the third with a right to the head two minutes in. Fujii began to show swelling around her left eye, and Frausto clinched the round with a big flurry of strikes in the final minute.

Fujii managed to tie Frausto up against the cage, but Frausto held her own against the judo expert and continued to land the harder punches. She sent Fujii backward with a one-two, followed by a low kick.

Frausto’s rights opened a cut over Fujii’s eye in the fifth round, as the heavily favored Fujii struggled to solve the puzzle Frausto presented.

Frausto earned a split decision, with scores of 49-46 and 48-47. Fujii got the nod on one card by a 48-47 score. AHN’s unofficial card had the bout in Frausto’s favor, 48-47.

Frausto moved to 10-1 with the win. She wasn’t even originally slated to appear in the Bellator tournament, but she earned a spot with a vicious knockout of Rosi Sexton.

The bout was supposed to be a pre-tournament showcase for Sexton, but the medical suspension resulting from the stoppage opened a spot for Frausto.

After a unanimous decision over Jessica Pene in the opening round of the tournament, she squeaked past Jessica Aguilar with a split decision in the semis.

“A lot of people said I couldn’t do it,” said Frausto. “I’ve been through so much. I deserve this spot. I worked so hard. “

In another championship bout, Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard earned a lopsided victory over season two tournament winner Alexander Shlemenko.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

HGH Probe Reportedly Includes Giants Outfielder Jose Guillen

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – San Francisco Giants outfielder Jose Guillen was scraped from the postseason roster after federal authorities informed MLB officials the player was involved in an investigation of performance-enhancing drug shipments, according to reports.

A New York Times report cited that several lawyers were briefed about the “matter” and spoke on the condition of anonymity Wednesday.

The report said Guillen was purposely left off the Giants roster in favor of Aaron Rowand after authorities told the league they were looking into HGH shipments shipped to the veteran’s wife in the Bay Area.

A San Francisco Chronicle report in 2007 tied Guillen to PED when it was alleged that he bought over $19,000 worth of HGH, along with other supplements in Florida from 2002-05.

MLB has not commented about the report in the Times or the matter of the investigation on Guillen.

Drug Enforcement and Administration agents are reportedly involved in the investigation.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

McDowell Rises, Kaymer Falls At Valderrama Masters

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Sotogrande, Spain (AHN) – Graeme McDowell fashioned a four-under par 67 Friday and leads at the halfway point of the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.

McDowell’s 135 total is seven-under par for two trips around the Club de Golf Valderrama. He holds a two-shot lead over Gareth Maybin who shot 68 and is in at 137.

Martin Kaymer’s bid to become the world’s top-ranked player took another hit Friday when he shot a three-over par 74 and is four-over for the tournament at 146.

He has to finish second or tied for second with no more than one other player to claim the No. 1 ranking on Sunday night.

If Kaymer doesn’t reach the runnerup spot, Lee Westwood will take over the top spot from Tiger Woods after this event.

Low round of the day went to Niclas Fasth of Sweden. He shot a six-under par 66 and was alone in third with a 139 total, three-under par.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Bruins Netminder Tim Thomas Off To Perfect 5-0 Start

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is just perfect. Despite his team falling to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the veteran is 5-0 and is fresh off his second shutout of the season after blanking the Maple Leafs Thursday.

He’s no stranger to shutouts and after he started a yoga-based physical regimen during the 2007 offseason-he’s been a staple in the cage for Boston.

Thomas was called back to NHL after a three-absence when playing for Jokerit (Finland) during the 2005-06 campaign. He had an NHL option written in his contract, and took over to become the Bruins starter.

He finished with 12-13-7 record, 2.77 GAA with a shutout, and was inked to a three-year extension.

During the 2008-09 season, he became the first Boston keeper to post two consecutive shutouts.

Thomas, also known as “The Tank,” is currently leading among goalies with a .981 save percentage, ahead of Pittsburgh’s Brent Johnson (.951.).

The 36-year-old boasts a 0.60 goals against average, and also was credited with an assist this season.

A winner of the 2009 Vezina Trophy, he’s already played 300 minutes and turned aside 153 of 156 shots for Boston this season.

With his statistics logged in the first month of the new season, now it’s up to the Boston offense to get going, while “The Tank” is full.

The Bruins (5-2-0) take on the Ottawa Senators (4-5-1) on the road Saturday. Boston is 3-0 on the road this season.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Mastroeni Lifts Rapids Over Crew In MLS Playoffs Opener

Posted: 29 Oct 2010 10:32 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Commerce City, CO, United States (AHN) – Pablo Mastroeni scored the game’s only goal, as the Colorado Rapids topped the Columbus Crew 1-0 Thursday night in the 2010 Major League Soccer playoffs opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

It was the first career playoff tally for Rapids captain Mastroeni, who slotted the ball in the 24th minute, scoring the eventual game-winner.

Mastroeni, the only remaining member from the Rapids team that last made the playoffs in 2006, was making a franchise-tying 16th playoff appearance.

With the win, the Rapids, who received the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, take a one-goal advantage into the second and deciding leg at Crew Stadium on Nov. 6.

Columbus finished second in the East in the regular season.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
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