NW Sports from the AP

AP-NW–1st SportsMinute,389
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from
The Associated Press

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – Roberto Nelson had 19 points to lead
Oregon State to 95-53 victory over Illinois-Chicago last night.
Jared Cunningham added 16 points and five steals for the Beavers.
Daniel Barnes and Greg Travis had eight points each for
Illinois-Chicago. Oregon State took a 22-6 lead after nine straight
points by Nelson and led 45-21 at halftime. Gary Talton,
Illinois-Chicago’s leading scorer at 16 points a game, had just
four points.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Klay Thompson had felt a little bit more
like Golden State’s team manager lately than a first-round pick.
Not anymore. The determined rookie finally signed his contract
yesterday and practiced for the first time. The delay in his
signing came as the franchise protected some salary-cap room to
pursue free agents. Thompson, the Warriors’ 11th overall pick from
Washington State, averaged a Pac-10 best 21.6 points last season.

SEATTLE (AP) – The Seattle Mariners have signed 11 players to
minor league contracts with invites to spring training, including
infielder Luis Rodriguez and former San Francisco outfielder Darren
Ford. The Mariners announced their first wave of minor league
contracts yesterday. Along with Rodriguez and Ford, Seattle signed
eight pitchers: Matt Fox, Steve Garrison, Jarrett Grube, Sean Henn,
Josh Kinney, Jeff Marquez, Scott Patterson and Phillippe Valiquette
(val-ih-KEHT’). The M’s also signed catcher Guillermo Quiroz
(GEE’-ayr-moh KEER’-ohs).

SEATTLE (AP) – The Seattle Seahawks’ late-season roll continued
with a 30-13 rout of St. Louis, giving the Seahawks four wins in
their last five games. The latest victory Monday night again
featured Marshawn Lynch’s dynamic running. He had 115 yards and a
ninth straight game with a touchdown, tying a franchise record.
Getting to 6-7 and back into the fringes of the playoff talk has
been a remarkable turnaround after Seattle’s 2-6 start. But due to
Seattle’s one hiccup during this stretch, the Seahawks will likely
be left out of the playoffs even if they win out.

TUKWILA, Wash. (AP) – The Seattle Sounders and midfielder Mauro
Rosales have agreed on a long awaited multi-year extension after
the Argentinian’s breakout debut season in Seattle. The club
announced the extension on Tuesday night, but did not release
terms. Rosales was an overwhelming choice as Major League Soccer’s
2011 newcomer of the year and finished third in the league with a
franchise-record 13 assists in 26 league games.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-12-14-11 0531EST