Fast Break
College basketball
Cougars tackle No. 24 Baylor
Washington State will face its second big test of the year tonight when 24th-ranked Baylor (6-1) visits in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 and will be televised by FSN.
The Bears, led by guard Curtis Jerrells (pictured above) at 16.7 points and 5.7 assists per game, are averaging 84.6 points per game. Last week they upset then-No. 14 Arizona State 87-78.
WSU (6-1) is coming off an easy 60-41 home win over Idaho State. Freshman Klay Thompson leads the Cougars in scoring at 12.7 points per game. Washington State leads the nation in field-goal percentage defense, only allowing opponents to shoot 30.7 percent.
Baseball
Maddux opts for retirement
Greg Maddux has thrown his last pitch.
The four-time Cy Young winner will announce his retirement Monday at the baseball winter meetings in Las Vegas.
Maddux, who turns 43 in April, ranks eighth on the career wins list with 355. He went 8-13 with a 4.22 ERA last season with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Maddux made three relief appearances in the playoffs for the Dodgers this year – he had a 0.00 ERA over four innings – and then filed for free agency amid speculation he would retire.
Friday, confirmation came from the office of Maddux’s agent, Scott Boras. Maddux, his family and Boras will hold a news conference at the hotel where the meetings are being held to announce one of baseball’s greatest pitchers is finished.
Last month, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti left open the possibility that Maddux would return for a 24th season in the majors.
College football
Carroll aims for title game
Carroll College has been here before. It’s all new for Lindenwood.
The top-ranked and defending NAIA national champion Saints (12-0) of Helena host No. 7 Lindenwood (11-1) of St. Charles, Mo., in a semifinal game at noon today, with a trip to the national title game on the line.
It’s the ninth straight year in the playoffs for the Saints, who have won five of the last six national championships. Lindenwood is making its first appearance in the semifinals.
Former Coeur d’Alene star Gabe Le leads Carroll with 1,036 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.