Sports Briefs

Track and field

The Portland State track and field team had a nice week at the 2007 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Championships. Junior Caressa Sims set a school record in the hammer throw with a mark of 183-feet, 8 inches in her first throw, shattering the former record of 177 feet, 11 inches set in 2006. Junior Trevor Rollinger won the 400-meter hurdles for his third straight season, clocking in at 52.58 seconds.

Nine PSU athletes earned all-conference honors on the final day, with Idaho State winning the 2007 women’s team title with 140.5 points and Northern Arizona winning the men’s title with 155.5 points.

Warriors on the ropes

Golden State’s chaotic style has nearly spelled its demise, as the NBA’s lovable underdog faces a 3-1 hole in its second-round series versus the Jazz. Launching three pointers at will propelled the Warriors past Dallas, though the 39 triples Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis and company hoisted in Sunday’s 115-101 loss all but ended this epic postseason run. Derek Fisher’s pivotal14 fourth-quarter points and Carlos Boozers’ monster 34-point, 12-rebound performance has Utah one victory away from the Western Conference Finals.

Fantasy Baseball Update

It’s no secret every true sports fan is also a fantasy baseball junkie. Here are the latest happenings in baseball’s cyber world.

Who is hot: J.J. Hardy, shortstop, Milwaukee Brewers–In his last 10 games, the hardy boy has amassed five jacks and 15 RBI.

Who is not: Ryan Howard, first base, Philadelphia Phillies–Hitting a pathetic .204 with only six home runs, Howard is a far cry from his success last year. Not to mention he just went on the DL with a left quadricep strain for the next two weeks.

On the shelf: Jim Thome, designated hitter, Chicago White Sox–The slugger has been out with a strained rib cage and should return by the end of this week for the slumping Sox. Before his injury he was hitting .340 with five homers and 10 RBI.

Pick me up: James Shields, starting pitcher, Tampa Bay Devil Rays–The fireballer has been blowing away batters, holding a 3-0 record with a 3.10 ERA and 49 strike outs. He is a must-pick in any fantasy league.

Suns even up series 2-2

The Phoenix Suns evened up their Western Conference semifinal series with the San Antonio Spurs with a come from behind 104-98 win Monday night.

Steve Nash was again excellent with 24 points and 15 assists to lead Phoenix, which erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Amare Stoudemire added 24 points and nine boards for the Suns, who return to Phoenix for game five Wednesday.

The Spurs wasted solid efforts from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Parker led the Spurs with 23 points, while Duncan chipped in 21 points and 11 boards.

The game turned physical late in the fourth when Robert Horry flagrantly fouled Nash and was ejected. During the scuffle, the Suns’ Raja Bell was also assessed a technical foul. Bell finished the game with 12 points and helped harass Manu Ginobili into a 3-14 shooting night.