TheSunNews.com: Sports

Coastal Carolina headed to NCAA tournament

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:21 EST

Technically the dance doesn't begin for another week, but Kristen Bauer and Co. put their shoes on Saturday.

Bauer's Chanticleers clinched the school's first Big South volleyball title since 1998, defeating rival Liberty 3-1 in Radford, Va., to book a trip to the NCAA tournament. Coastal (20-13) will learn its destination and seed next Sunday during the tournament selection show.

"We're on cloud nine right now," Bauer said. "We're thrilled to have beaten such a quality team in Liberty. To be a four seed and then to be going on is a dream come true."

Coastal Carolina football drops finale

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:28 EST

After Charleston Southern's game-clinching touchdown with 4:32 left, Coastal Carolina's mascot, Chauncey, began slowly walking toward the end zone of Buccaneer Field.

Before exiting the stadium and beginning the 200-yard procession to the locker room, Chauncey shrugged his shoulders, shook his head and threw up a hand in frustration. Even Coastal's most diehard fan couldn't stand to watch any longer.

Charleston Southern's Matt Bach returned an interception for a touchdown in the game's waning minutes to seal a 30-23 win over the Chanticleers in Saturday's season finale. Coastal (5-6) finished with a losing record for the second time in three seasons and has lost consecutive games to the Buccaneers (6-5).

Coastal Carolina runs past Voorhees

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:13 EST

Coastal Carolina men's basketball coach Cliff Ellis burned a timeout just 1 minute, 24 seconds into the second half of the Chanticleers' game against Voorhees College on Saturday afternoon at Kimbel Arena.

It had nothing to do with events of the game, and everything to do with the accomplishments of one player.

Joseph Harris, who is on the verge of setting the program's blocks record and on pace to set the Big South Conference rebounding record, notched his 1,000th career point with a free throw, and Ellis wanted the achievement acknowledged. "You don't burn too many timeouts for too many people, but this is one that deserved it," Ellis said.

Veteran Riggs back at the beach for Myrtle Beach 250

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:22 EST

It has been a decade since Scott Riggs last drove a Late Model stock car at Myrtle Beach Speedway.

While he'd rather be competing in today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series finale in Homestead, Fla., the 38-year-old with a touch of gray in his hair is back for today's Myrtle Beach 250.

"Fortunately I've been busy,'' said Riggs, who has 175 career starts in the Sprint Cup Series, about his absence from the track. "I need a job. I'm not racing right now. I figured it was a good place to come back. It's been a long time.

Column: Loss turns tide for this group of Clemson Tigers

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:25 EST

CLEMSON

From Dabo Swinney's Gatorade-soaked sweatshirt to the players singing of the alma mater on the tiger paw at midfield, there were signs everywhere Saturday at Death Valley that the celebration of Clemson's ACC Atlantic Division championship was as sweet as it comes.

Those tears of joy and smiles of bliss were just as much about Clemson's journey as they were about the victory over Virginia that clinched an outright title, one that sends the Tigers into the ACC championship game in two weeks.

Aera sports in brief

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:20 EST

Pro golf

Pawleys Island's Jeremy Pope and Murrells Inlet's Zack Byrd both failed Saturday to advance to the third stage of PGA Tour Qualifying.

Pope shot a 2-over 73 at Hombre Golf Club in Panama City, Fla., to finish tied for 39th at 3-over 287 after the final round of the second stage of Q-School. Byrd shot an even-par 72 at Callaway Gardens Mountain View Course in Pine Mountain, Ga., to finish tied for 61st at even-par 288.

Six elected to Strand Bowling Hall of Fame

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:31 EST

The Board of Directors of the Grand Strand Association of the United States Bowling Congress elected six bowlers for enshrinement in the Grand Strand Bowling Hall of Fame at its November meeting. The honorees are Marge Bosky, Veteran, Marilyn Dumas and Mike Hardee for Bowling Achievement, Karen Clevinger and Derrell Kicklighter for Meritorious Service and Larry Nowak, Honorary.

Marge Bosky of Myrtle Beach has bowled in the area for 27 years and was among the top 10 women bowlers throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.

Marilyn Dumas of Myrtle Beach became one of the leading bowlers in 1994 and has continued in the top echelon for the past 15 years. Her resume includes a 300 game, a 742 series and a one-year average of 201.

Golson's big night not quite a record

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:23 EST

According to the South Carolina High School League's Palmetto's Finest Record Book on schsl.org, Myrtle Beach quarterback Everett Golson's eight passing touchdowns against North Charleston on Friday night tied a state record for the most thrown in a game.

That is now known to be inaccurate.

Contrary to the SCHSL's record book -- which is updated to include some 2008 records -- at least twice a high school player in the state has thrown for nine scores in a game - Blythewood's Richard Mounce in 2006 and Summerville's Reid McCollum in 2007.

Rice emerging as big-play receiver for Vikings

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:31 EST

Brett Favre was on the sideline between possessions during a recent game, quizzing his receivers about what type of coverage they faced.

That's when another snapshot of Sidney Rice's increasing confidence became apparent to Minnesota's ageless quarterback.

"He goes, 'I was wide open,' " Favre said, recalling Rice's response. "I look at the picture on the sideline and I'm like, 'The guy was all over him.' "

France: Johnson's dominance fine for Chase

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:15 EST

NASCAR chairman Brian France wants Jimmie Johnson to be commended for his four-year run atop NASCAR, and not used as an example of why the championship format might be flawed.

Johnson heads into today's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway poised to become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive titles, all under the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format implemented in 2004. His dominance has made it easy for Chase critics to blast the system, which France called unfair.

"The only way fair to look at it is not to pick apart the format, but recognize excellence," France said Friday. "I don't think historians could have predicted how good they are. What I wouldn't want to do is take away from the accomplishment of Jimmie and his team. In this format, dominating four straight years is incredibly difficult to do."

Coastal Carolina notebook: Defense proves porous late in season

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:27 EST

CHARLESTON

For much of the season it appeared that Coastal Carolina's defense had improved after struggling in 2007 and 2008. Perhaps the unit showed its true stripes the last two weeks.

After surrendering 487 yards to Presbyterian last week, Charleston Southern shredded the Chants for 437, including 239 on the ground, in a 30-23 win Saturday.

State, local roundup: S.C. State eyeing playoffs

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:26 EST

Malcolm Long passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as South Carolina State beat N.C. A&T 28-10 on Saturday.

Long was 18-for-31 for 222 yards passing, with three interceptions. He threw touchdown passes of 12 and 49 yards to TreOliver Young, who had six catches for 123 yards.

The Bulldogs (10-1, 8-0 MEAC) closed out the regular season on a seven-game winning streak.

Westwood maintains lead in Dubai

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:18 EST

Lee Westwood maintained his two-shot lead at the Dubai World Championships after shooting a 6-under 66 Saturday in the third round.

The Englishman made six birdies to take his total to 15-under 201. England's Ross McGowan was second after a 66.

Westwood opened up a five-shot advantage over Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, his only remaining rival for the Race to Dubai. Should he win both titles, Westwood will receive $2.75 million and become Europe's No. 1 player for the first time since 2000.

Today's USC Game breakdown

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:10 EST

South Carolina (4-0) vs. Miami (4-0)

When | 6 p.m. (approximately)

Where | Carolina First Arena, Charleston

Fantasy football not just for fans anymore

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:49 EST

Fantasy and reality collided at the 1-yard line for Maurice Jones-Drew.

The Jacksonville Jaguars running back passed up a sure touchdown and took a knee before the goal line, helping seal a win against the New York Jets last Sunday. It also made thousands of frustrated fantasy football owners pound their heads against their laptops.

Jones-Drew knows how they felt. He cost himself a win in his own fantasy league.

NASCAR notes: McMurray, Ganassi reunite for 2010

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:15 EST

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Jamie McMurray feels right at home at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.

He should. He's been there before.

McMurray's ride for Roush Fenway Racing today will be his last after four years with the team. He signed this week with EGR, where he was reunited with Chip Ganassi, the owner who gave the driver his first Cup ride in 2002.

Johnson in line for fourth straight Cup title

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:15 EST

Mark Martin has lost to Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart - some of NASCAR's greatest drivers - in his frustrating bid for an elusive championship.

Standing in his way now? Jimmie Johnson, who takes a 108-point lead over Martin into Sunday's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Barring a total collapse, Johnson will be the one to send Martin to a fifth runner-up finish in the standings. In doing so, Johnson will become the first driver in NASCAR history to win four consecutive championships.

Busch wins title, Nationwide finale

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:31 EST

Kyle Busch made it a double dose of celebration, winning the Nationwide Series championship before completing a lap and capping his night at Homestead-Miami Speedway with his ninth trip to Victory Lane.

Busch held off a hard-charging Carl Edwards to win the 300-mile race, a fitting ending because the two NASCAR stars finished 1-2 in the final standings.

Team owner Joe Gibbs led the Joe Gibbs Racing team in a short prayer shortly after Busch won the race.

Box score

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:24 EST

C.J. Spiller scored a touchdown Saturday in his final game at Death Valley and No. 18 Clemson beat Virginia 34-21 on the day the Tigers wrapped up their first trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.

The Tigers (8-3, 6-2 ACC) won their sixth straight game, but had the Atlantic Division wrapped up as they kicked off thanks to North Carolina's 31-13 victory against Boston College.

Clemson will face Coastal division winner Georgia Tech in two weeks at Tampa, Fla.

LPGA Tour Championship shortened to 54 holes

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:18 EST

RICHMOND, Texas -- More rain on already saturated grounds at The Houstonian Country Club washed out play at the LPGA Tour Championship on Saturday, forcing tour officials to cut the season-ending event to 54 holes.

More than 1.4 inches of rain fell on the course from Friday morning until the decision was made to call off play Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Play was scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. today, a four later than originally planned. The cut will be made to the low 70 scores and ties, and a third round and final round will be played starting at 7 a.m. on Monday.