AP-NW–SportsMinute/411 Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 points and 10 rebounds and the Portland Trail Blazers held on for a 116-112 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last night. The Blazers have won seven of their last eight games and they’ve dropped just two games at home this season. Portland clung to a 114-112 lead with 13.4 seconds left and padded it with Wesley Matthews’ foul shots. Paul missed a 3-point attempt as time ran out.
ST. LOUIS (AP) – Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds he’ll be ready for the St. Louis Rams’ season finale at Seattle. The eighth overall pick of the draft has missed the last two games. Earlier in the week, coach Jeff Fisher said Austin was improved. Rookie safety T.J. McDonald also did not practice yesterday because of illness, and running back Daryl Richardson (hamstring) was out after being limited Wednesday.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – For most of his career, Jon Ryan’s task was to change field position with booming punts. And then the Seattle Seahawks decided they wanted Ryan to pull back and use hang time and directional punting to take away the danger of giving up long returns. Entering the season finale against St. Louis, the Seahawks have allowed only 25 punt return yards on 16 returns this season. They’re on pace to set an NFL record for fewest return yards allowed in a 16-game season.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Marques Tuiasosopo is looking to get Washington back to a level it hasn’t reached since he was the star quarterback more than a decade ago. Tuiasosopo leads the Huskies into the Fight Hunger Bowl against BYU tonight as interim coach after a whirlwind month that started with coach Steve Sarkisian leaving for Southern California. Tuiasosopo moved up to lead the Huskies in their bowl preparation against BYU.
IRVING, Texas (AP) – Jon Kitna will earn $53,000 to serve as the Cowboys’ third-string quarterback for one week – and he plans to donate that money to the Seattle-area high school where he’s now a coach. Kitna told The Dallas Morning News of his plans Wednesday. The 41-year-old Kitna was running the scout team at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash., when he heard about Cowboys starter Tony Romo’s injury. He’ll suit up Sunday as the backup to Kyle Orton if Romo can’t play.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.