The Commercial Appeal (2007-Current)

Today's Area Sec Game

Tennessee at South Carolina 6 p.m. CST at Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C., ESPN, WSMB-AM (680)

Cardinals Offering Ticket Breaks -- Team Trying to Keep Attendance Soaring

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals are putting single-game tickets on sale Friday, some at deep discounts reflecting the economic downturn. The Cardinals have exceeded 3 million in attendance 10 of the last 11 seasons, including all three years at new Busch Stadium. But for the first time, the team does not expect to sell that many tickets by opening day.

Commodores Launch Upset Over Host Lsu

Nation vanderbilt 75, (12) lsu 67

Digest

In the news Nutt going on tour

Golf This Week

PGA Tour Honda Classic

Hollins Turns to Veterans for Griz -- Buckner, Ross Earn Court Time by Showing What's Expected

LOS ANGELES - Old hand Greg Buckner's playing time has consistently hit double digits as he's logged as many as 26 minutes in a game over the past two weeks. Veteran Quinton Ross has sprung to his feet just as often as of late, and it's not because he's made more 3-pointers this season (25) than he made in the first four years of his NBA career combined (12).

Grizzlies End Losing Streak - Gay Pours in 35 to End Griz Skid at Eight

LOS ANGELES -- The Grizzlies lost starting point guard Mike Conley for the night, but refused to lose another game. Conley left the Grizzlies' 118-95 victory over Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night with a chipped tooth two minutes after the Staples Center contest began. But playing without their primary floor general didn't stop the Griz from amassing a season-high point total and displaying supreme offensive efficiency in ending an eight- game losing streak.

Lady Tigers Confident for Tourney -- Close Games Key to U of M Success

University of Memphis women's basketball coach Melissa McFerrin had simple, but straightforward, instructions for her team as it ended its workout on the UofM campus earlier this week while preparing for the Conference USA tournament in New Orleans. "I told them to pack for four days, I told them to bring everything they own," McFerrin said.

Manny, Dodgers Finally Agree -- With 2-Year, $45 Million Contract, Slugger Describes 'Great Meeting'

LOS ANGELES - The dawn of a rainy late-winter day brought a breakthrough in the stalemate between Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers. During a 6 a.m. meeting Wednesday at the Malibu beach house of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, the sides reached a preliminary agreement on a $45 million, two-year contract.

Bulldogs Beat Cold-Shooting Gators -- Strong Second Half Secures Mississippi State Win

Mississippi St. 80, Florida 71 STARKVILLE, Miss. - Perspiration triumphed over desperation Wednesday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

Mavs Rebound Against Spurs

Mavericks 107, Spurs 102 DALLAS - Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had to like what he saw this time.

Around the League / Shaq Blasts Magic Coach

MIAMI - Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal lashed out Wednesday at Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, his former coach with the Miami Heat. "One thing I really despise is a front-runner," O'Neal said. "I know for a fact he's a master of panic and when it gets time for his team to go into the postseason and do certain things, he will let them down because of his panic. I've been there before. I've played for him."

Qb Warner, Lb Lewis Staying Put

Both owners of Super Bowl rings, Kurt Warner and Ray Lewis are staying put in the belief they can add another NFL title to their resumes. One month after Warner nearly led the Cardinals to a comeback win over the Steelers in the Super Bowl, he decided to remain with Arizona. The 37-year-old quarterback agreed to terms Wednesday on a two-year, $23 million contract with the Cardinals, including a $15 million signing bonus and a $4 million salary for the first year: $19 million guaranteed.

Overton Embarrassed by Central -- Lady Wolverines Coach Benches Top 3 Players for Lack of Effort

Region 8-AAA Girls Central 59, Overton 31

White Shines for Rebels in Victory

Ole Miss 98, Arkansas 91, OT FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Terrico White scored 25 of his 29 points after halftime to lead Ole Miss to a 98-91 win over Arkansas in overtime Wednesday night.

Mitchell Girls Take Title in Blowout -- Mcgaughey's 39 Pace Btw Boys in Win Over Sheffield

Region 8-AA Tournament Mitchell girls 60, BTW 40

Small College Report

Rhodes Bobby Lessentine is resigning as women's soccer coach and coordinator of recreational services effective Friday to take over the women's soccer program at The University of Missouri - St. Louis.

No. 5 Tigers 69, Cougars 60 / Taking Control -- Dozier Comes Through When Struggling Tigers Need Him the Most

HOUSTON - The big lead was gone, the place was going crazy, and John Calipari had made up his mind. No way was senior Robert Dozier going back in this game, no matter the consequences. "I wasn't even going to play him again," Calipari said. "He was getting guards jerking balls out of his hands, missing layups, closing his eyes on drives. I said, 'We have to have a man out there.' "

Tigers Replay

As the game turned There were big runs by both sides in this game, the Tigers opening up a 13-point lead in the first half, then suddenly finding themselves trying to hang on just a couple minutes later. But this ballgame got really interesting with 9:40 to go, when Qa'rraan Calhoun made a long 3-pointer to tie it at 48, the first time Houston had pulled even. But Memphis responded like Memphis usually responds, with junior Shawn Taggart swishing a 15-foot jumper from the baseline . The Tiger...

Fast Blue Devils Deliver Nightmare for Sheridan

Class 6A State West Memphis 58, Sheridan 27