Date: 02/15/2013 05:29 AM
NW–SportsMinute/622
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
MORAGA, Calif. (AP) – Gary Bell Jr. scored 20 points and helped fuel a fast start to the second half that helped fifth-ranked Gonzaga take a stranglehold on the West Coast Conference race with a 77-60 victory over Saint Mary’s last night. Kevin Pangos added 18 points and Kelly Olynyk scored 17 for the Bulldogs, who have a two-game lead over the Gaels in the loss column after sweeping the season series. Matthew Dellavedova scored 19 of his 22 points in the first half; Stephen Holt added 17 for the Gaels.
SEATTLE (AP) – Chris Anderson had 15 points and four steals as Louisiana Tech won its 14th game in a row, 64-58 over Seattle last night. The Bulldogs shot just 38 percent from the floor – compared to 46 percent by Seattle – and made only 14 of 26 free throws. But they took advantage of 23 Redhawks turnovers, leading to 21 Louisiana Tech points. Brandon Gibson added 10 points for the Bulldogs. Seattle, which has lost four in a row, got 12 points from D’Vonne Pickett Jr., and 11 from Louis Green.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Portland guard Kevin Bailey scored a game-high 18 points as the Pilots held on for a 78-76 road victory over San Francisco last night. Ryan Nicholas added 15 points and Thomas van der Mars finished with 14 points and nine rebounds to lead the Pilots. The win snapped a six-game losing streak for Portland against the Dons. Chris Adams and Cole Dickerson finished with 17 points apiece for San Francisco. The victory evened the season series between the two programs.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Michael Harthun scored 19 points, Renado Parker added 16 points and eight rebounds, and Portland State snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 90-69 blowout of Southern Utah last night. Michael Harvey chipped in 13 points off the bench for the Vikings, who shot 52 percent from the floor, including 59 percent in the second half. Jackson Stevenett led the Thunderbirds with 26 points, and Damon Heuir had 14. Portland State now leads the all-time series 2-1.
HOUSTON (AP) – NBA Commissioner David Stern expects a concrete plan from Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson within the next two weeks, with the aim of settling the Kings’ future by mid-April. Johnson is trying to keep the Kings in his city rather than let them move to Seattle. Stern says “if the mayor follows through on what he’s told us, we’ll have it comfortably by March 1.” A Seattle group led by Chris Hansen and Steve Ballmer has reached an agreement to purchase the Kings and plans to move them.
SEATTLE (AP) – Felix Hernandez will make $27 million in the final year of his new $175 million, seven-year contract with the Seattle Mariners, which includes a conditional eighth-year option should he need elbow ligament surgery during the length of the deal. Hernandez also is receiving a $6 million signing bonus for the contract he inked on Wednesday, the largest deal for a pitcher in baseball history. The signing bonus is payable within 30 days of Major League Baseball officials approving Hernandez’s contract.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) – Vancouver Canucks center Manny Malhotra will miss the rest of the season. The 32-year-old Malhotra, placed on injured reserve, had no points in nine games this season. There was no reason given for the move, but Canucks President Mike Gillis said the club’s main concern is Malhotra’s long-term health. In March 2011, he sustained a serious eye injury when struck by a puck. Malhotra has 108 goals and 170 assists in 864 career games in 14 seasons in the NHL.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.