*BOXING : Nikolai Valuev ended any hope of Evander Holyfield winning a fifth heavyweight title, narrowly defending his WBA title by majority decision on Saturday night in Zurich, Switzerland. The 46-year-old American started the fight brightly, moving around the ring to neutralize Valuev’s long reach advantage. The 7-foot Russian, the tallest and heaviest champion ever, struggled to close down Holyfield but began asserting his jab as the fight wore on. One judged scored the bout a draw, while the others had Valuev winning 116-112 and 115-114. Holyfield (42-10-2) was attempting to become the oldest heavyweight champion. He had not fought since losing a one-sided decision to then-WBO champ Sultan Ibragimov over a year ago.
*COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Iowa State has hired Auburn defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads as its coach. The 41-year-old Rhoads is a native of nearby Ankeny, Iowa. He spent last season with the Tigers after serving as Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator from 2000-07.
*GOLF : Anthony Kim matched the best score of the week with a 5-under 67, taking a one-shot lead when Jim Furyk found the water for double bogey on the 18th hole at the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, Calif. … Lee Westwood shot a 4-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead after the third round of the South African Open Championship in Paarl. Westwood made four birdies in a bogey-free round to reach 14-under 202, while overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France had a 72 and is tied for second with Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin (69).
*NHL : Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron, who missed most of last season with a concussion, left Boston’s 4-2 win over Carolina after a scary collision in the second period with the Hurricanes’ Dennis Seidenberg. Bergeron was helped from the ice with what appeared to be a head or neck injury. The Bruins also placed left wing Marco Sturm, who returned briefly Thursday night after missing 12 games with a neck injury, on long-term (minimum 30 days) injured reserve with a knee injury.
*BASKETBALL : Italee Lucas scored 10 of her 19 points in a second-half run that rallied No. 2 North Carolina past Illinois 68-59 at the Carolinas Challenge. Rashanda McCants had 15 points for the Tar Heels, who improved to 12-0 for the third time in four seasons. Jenna Smith led the Illini (4-7) with 20 points. … Melissa Lechlitner, Lindsay Schrader and Natalie Novosel scored 13 points each and No. 13 Notre Dame forced 31 turnovers in an 89-45 win over Loyola. … Former Eastern Michigan standout George “Iceman” Gervin, whose offensive grace made him an NBA legend, received an honorary bachelor of science degree during halftime of the Eagles’ game against St. Bonaventure. He played just 39 games at the school from 1970-72 but averaged 21.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.
*VOLLEYBALL: Megan Hodge had 16 kills and Penn State ended its perfect season with a second straight NCAA championship, sweeping Stanford 25-20, 26-24, 25-23. Penn State (38-0) won its NCAA-record 64th straight match since a September 2007 loss to Stanford. Stanford (31-4) became the first team to lose in the final three years in a row.
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EDITED FROM TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
