Top Sports Stories (Mar 08, 2014)

Harden, Rockets roll Pacers for fourth straight win HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden and the Rockets were determined to make up for their most lopsided loss of the season when they got a second shot at Indiana on Friday night. Not only did Houston do that, but it handed the Eastern Conference-leading Pacers USA Today • March 07, 2014, 11:32 PM (PST)

USA Today

DeShields scores 22 as No. 13 UNC women top No. 8 Maryland 73-70 in ACC tourney GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina’s Allisha Gray barely got to play in her Atlantic Coast Conference tournament debut. She more than made up for it in Friday night in the quarterfinals, turning in a big performance that helped make Maryland’s final tri… FOX News • March 07, 2014, 9:20 PM (PST)

FOX News

Eyes Are Off the Court as the Knicks Finally Get a Win on It Basketball again felt like a backdrop for the Knicks on Friday. The team, one of the N.B.A. leaders in off-court distractions, was preparing for a game against the Utah Jazz, but the focus was instead on whether Carmelo Anthony might be headed to Chica… New York Times • March 07, 2014, 9:19 PM (PST)

New York Times

Cassel, Vikings agree on two-year, $10M deal One month after opting out of his previous contract, the QB is coming back for two years and $10 million. Matt Cassel will be back as the Vikings quarterback … but with a better deal. Cassel agreed to terms with the Vikings on a two-year contract Frida… Minneapolis Star Tribune • March 08, 2014, 5:19 AM (PST)

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Bucks’ O.J. Mayo Ejected for Punching Greg Stiemsma in Throat Milwaukee Bucks guard O.J. Mayo is likely going to be in trouble for this one. During Friday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Mayo was caught on a hard screen by Greg Stiemsma. Mayo was obviously upset about the screen, as he retaliated b… Bleacher Report • March 07, 2014, 10:36 PM (PST)

Bleacher Report

Report: Saints tell Sproles he won’t return; Moore released A person familiar with the situation says Darren Sproles has been informed that the Saints will release him if they are unable to trade him before free agency begins. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club’s… FOX Sports • March 07, 2014, 9:37 PM (PST)

FOX Sports

No. 2 Wichita State 32-0 after beating Evansville ST. LOUIS — No. 2 Wichita State is still perfect. Calm and collected, too, in a 32nd straight win. The top-seeded Shockers stayed unbeaten with an 80-58 romp over Evansville in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Valley tournament Friday. "I love h… FOX Sports • March 07, 2014, 9:37 PM (PST)

FOX Sports

Facing disaster, Mavs fight for win DALLAS — Other than some groans and a few fans shuffling for the exits, the sellout crowd at the American Airlines Center was almost silent with 4 minutes, 26 seconds remaining in Friday’s game. As the crowd sat in stunned silence during the ensuing t… ESPN • March 07, 2014, 11:22 PM (PST)

ESPN

WIAA team state wrestling: Merrill’s rally falls just short in semifinals MADISON — It was shaping up to be a perfect ending for the Merrill wrestling team. The Bluejays were storming back from a 19-point deficit to Bay Port with five weights left in the WIAA Division 1 team state semifinals Friday, and looking like the matc… Wausau Daily Herald • March 08, 2014, 12:14 AM (PST)

Wausau Daily Herald

PLYMOUTH SOUTH HOCKEY: Playoff run ends with loss to Canton PLYMOUTH – In his eyes, Mike McCosh believes he coached a team that didn’t lose a game this season. "There’s a big difference to me in getting beat and losing," the Plymouth South hockey coach said Thursday night after his team’s 7-1 defeat a… Milford Daily News • March 08, 2014, 12:14 AM (PST)

Milford Daily News