Pennsylvania Sports AP News

(AP) Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, including a late 3-pointer to give Philadelphia the lead as the 76ers rallied past the short-handed Nets 97-94 last night.

Lou Williams scored 18 points and Jason Kapono had 14 for Philadelphia, which rebounded from a 31-point loss to Boston three days earlier.

Brook Lopez led the Nets with 22 points and 11 rebounds while Trenton Hassell had 17 points and 12 rebounds. New Jersey fell to 0-6, the worst start in franchise history.

The Nets were without six players due to injury and had only a four-man bench. Even so, they led 73-65 with 1:51 left in the third quarter.

After Lopez tied the game at 92 with a pair of free throws, Iguodala made a 3-pointer to put the 76ers up with 2:03 left.

FLYERS-SABRES Carcillo, Emery lead Flyers past Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Daniel Carcillo scored twice and Ray Emery made 28 saves to lead the Flyers to a win over Buffalo 5-2 last night.

Chris Pronger had a goal and assist, and James van Riemsdyk and Darroll Powe also scored. The Flyers (8-4-1) have won three straight by a combined score of 17-5.

Emery improved to 5-1-0 in his last six starts.

Derek Roy had a power-play goal and assist, rookie Tyler Myers also scored with the man advantage for Buffalo, and Ryan Miller made 32 saves. The Sabres (9-3-1) have lost two of their last three after an 8-1-1 start.

PHILLIES-LEE Phillies pick up Lee's $9 million option

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up Cliff Lee's $9 million option for 2010.

The team announced the expected move on Friday, two days after losing the World Series to the New York Yankees. Lee's contract expires after next season, though general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is open to signing the star left-hander to a long-term deal.

Lee, 31, was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on July 29 for four minor leaguers, and quickly became Philadelphia's ace. Lee posted a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts for the Phillies, then went 4-0 with a 1.56 mark in five postseason outings, including 2-0 in the World Series.

Published reports have suggested that Lee might command a deal similar to the seven-year, $161 million contract the Yankees gave C.C. Sabathia.

T25-OHIO ST-PENN ST Pryor expects 'electric' crowd at Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — No. 15 Ohio State and its talented dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor visit No. 11 Penn State in a high-stakes Big Ten game Saturday. For Pryor, it will be his first game at Beaver Stadium since the western Pennsylvania native spurned Penn State last year to end one of the most publicized recruiting races in recent memory.

Nittany Lions fans haven't forgotten, and Pryor knows it.

He expects a "crazy atmosphere."

As if the annual grudge match between the 7-2 Buckeyes and the 8-1 Nittany Lions needed any subplots.

Both teams are 4-1 in the Big Ten and could use a signature win to solidify their credentials for a BCS bowl berth.

The game also will break their tie for second place in the conference, putting the victor in better position for at least a share of the Big Ten crown should unbeaten Iowa falter down the stretch.

T25-PITTSBURGH-SYRACUSE No. 14 Pitt tries to avoid Syracuse stumble

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Notre Dame, then West Virginia, with a possible Big East-deciding game against Cincinnati to follow.

No. 14 Pittsburgh hasn't met a Top 25 opponent all season. But the Panthers will end the season by playing nothing but teams that are ranked or are rivals.

First, there's Syracuse to deal with on Saturday, and the Panthers realize their remaining games won't mean nearly as much if they don't get past the Orange.

With so much to play for, the Panthers might be tempted to forget they were eight points down to Syracuse last season before rallying to win 34-24. Or that neither No. 4 Cincinnati nor No. 11 Penn State was able to run all over Syracuse.

The Orange may be in last place in the Big East, but records and rankings often matter very little when they play Pitt. The Panthers beat them 20-17 at home two years ago, and Pitt looked ready to be upset last season before outscoring Syracuse 18-0 in the fourth quarter.

VILLANOVA-RICHMOND Lots on the FCS line as Villanova meets Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Villanova football coach Andy Talley says he's not shying away from talking to his team about the implications of its game at top-ranked Richmond on Saturday.

The Wildcats (7-1, 4-1 Colonial Athletic Association) need to win to stay in the running for the league title — and would significantly boost their credentials for home games in the postseason if they can knock off the defending Football Championship Subdivision champs.

Richmond is unbeaten and has won 17 in a row. The Spiders see the game as a chance to clinch a share of the CAA title — and to avenge a 26-20 loss to the Wildcats last season.

ROETHLISBERGER LAWSUIT Roethlisberger's accuser in suit quits casino job

RENO, Nev. (AP) — The woman who filed a civil lawsuit accusing Ben Roethlisberger of raping her has quit her job at the Lake Tahoe hotel-casino where she claims the assault occurred in the NFL quarterback's penthouse room more than a year ago.

The woman had been working as a VIP host at Harrah's Lake Tahoe in July 2008 when she alleges the two-time Super Bowl champ for the Pittsburgh Steelers lured her to his room under false pretenses and forced himself on her. He was in town playing in a celebrity golf tournament.

Her lawyer, Cal Dunlap, said Friday she quit "because of the way Harrah's was treating her." He told The Associated Press he can't go into detail.

STEELERS-DEFENSE VS DEFENSE Tomlin motivates with Denver's No. 1 message

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The more coach Mike Tomlin keeps talking about it, the more agitated his players get.

Exactly the response Tomlin wants from his Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tomlin keeps referring to the Broncos as having "the world's best defense," a reference to Denver's spot atop the NFL team yardage statistics. He mentioned it during the weekly team meeting. Before practice on Wednesday. Before practice on Thursday. And he'll likely keep saying it until game time Monday.

By constantly reminding that the Broncos (6-1) are playing better statistically than the Steelers (5-2) are, Tomlin is trying to motivate both his offense and his defense. He wants his offense determined to prove it can move the ball, and his defense mad that it's no longer No. 1.

SLIPPERY ROCK-PENN ST BC-BKC--Slippery Rock-Penn St,0122

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Talor Battle had 16 points and 10 rebounds Friday night to lead Penn State to an 82-51 exhibition victory over Division II Slippery Rock.

Chris Babb added 12 points and Sasa Borovnjak 10 for the Nittany Lions, who were playing their first game since capturing their first NIT title last spring.

Michael Evans Jr. scored 20 points to lead Slippery Rock. Evans is in his first season at Slippery Rock after a redshirt season at Morehead State last year and playing at junior college the previous season.

Slippery Rock was slowed by 22 fouls, with five players whistled for three or more.

Penn State capitalized on Slippery Rock's mistakes and shot 15-for-23 from the line.

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