Date: 12/19/2012 05:29 AM
NW–SportsMinute/287
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Sara Hammond scored 18 points as No. 14 Louisville routed Washington State 75-39 last night. The Cardinals, who had lost two of their previous three games, shot 46 percent compared to 32 percent for the Cougars. Washington State, coming off a 62-55 upset win over No. 20 Ohio State on Dec. 15, posted its lowest point total of the season.
PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) – Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel has dropped a bid to get a fifth season of NCAA eligibility and will focus his efforts on preparing for the NFL draft. Tuel tells The Seattle Times that he feels good about his chances for a pro career. The attempt to get Tuel a fifth year revolved around his injury-plagued 2011 season in which he broke a collarbone early in the opening game.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has emerged as the NBA’s early Rookie of the Year favorite. Lillard is averaging 18.8 points, best by far among the NBA’s first-year players, along with 6.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds and a labor-intensive 38 minutes per game. He is the only Blazer to start in all 23 games. Lillard has shied from the praise, saying his “main focus” is to keep trying to help Portland win games.
SEATTLE (AP) – The Seattle Seahawks have moved up a spot to seventh in the AP Pro32 NFL power rankings after a second straight 50-point game. Sporting News’ Clifton Brown says “Something special is brewing in Seattle, and it’s not just the coffee.” Seattle is preparing to take on the 49ers on Sunday knowing a win could give them a shot at the NFC West title.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
