In brief: Crosby set for long-awaited return to ice

NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby will make his season debut today against the New York Islanders, his first game in nearly a year since being sidelined with concussion-like symptoms.

Crosby hasn’t played since taking head shots in successive games in January against Washington and Tampa Bay.

The 2007 NHL MVP spent the last 10 months undergoing a painstakingly thorough rehabilitation. He has been practicing with the Penguins since training camp and was cleared for contact six weeks ago.

• On the ice: Chris Higgins scored 2:18 into overtime to lift the Canucks to a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in Vancouver, B.C. Henrik Sedin also scored and Cory Schneider, replacing an injured Roberto Luongo for a second straight game, made 28 saves for the Canucks. … Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen and Brad Stuart staked Detroit to a three-goal lead, and the Red Wings held on for a 4-2 victory over the Ducks in Anaheim, Calif. … Patrick Marleau had a hat trick, Thomas Greiss stopped 35 shots and the San Jose Sharks beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 in Denver.

Lady Bears show dominance over Irish

Women’s basketball: Brittney Griner had 32 points and 14 rebounds while Baylor (4-0) established itself as the clear No. 1 team for now with a 94-81 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame (3-1) in the preseason WNIT championship game in Waco, Texas.

• Virginia stuns No. 3 Tennessee: Chelsea Shine scored 18 points, including a key basket in overtime, and host Virginia (4-0) stunned No. 3 Tennessee (2-1), 69-64.

• Texas A&M coach earns 600th win: Kelsey Bone had 20 points and 13 rebounds to help Texas A&M (4-0) handle Mississippi State (3-1), 93-47, at College Station, Texas, and get Aggies coach Gary Blair the 600th victory in his career.

Tar Heels cruise to home-opening win

Men’s basketball: John Henson had 18 points and 14 rebounds to help top-ranked North Carolina beat Mississippi Valley State 101-75 in its home opener at Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Tar Heels (3-0) never trailed the Delta Devils (0-3).

• Tennessee State upsets South Carolina: Robert Covington scored 16 points and Jordan Cyphers came off the bench to add 12 to lead Tennessee State (2-2) to a win over South Carolina (1-2), 64-63, its first victory in 24 tries against a Southeastern Conference team.

• Knight, Sutton lead Hall of Fame class: Bob Knight and Eddie Sutton, coaching rivals and longtime friends, led an eight-member class inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City, Mo.

Knight and Sutton were joined at the Sprint Center along with three-time Naismith Award winner Ralph Sampson of Virginia, former Michigan star Cazzie Russell, North Carolina standout James Worthy, St. John’s star Chris Mullin, and contributors Joe Vancisin and Eddie Einhorn.

Nadal, Federer advance at ATP finals

Tennis: Rafael Nadal toiled for nearly three hours before beating Mardy Fish of the United States 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (3) at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, while Roger Federer also needed three sets to win his opening match.

Defending champion Federer began his quest for a record sixth title at the season-ending event by defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

Park holds on for first LPGA tour win

Golf: South Korea’s Hee Young Park won the LPGA Tour’s season-ending Titleholders in Orlando, Fla., for her first tour victory, closing with a 2-under 70 to hold off Paula Creamer and San Gal by two strokes.

Edwall, Wash., resident Wendy Ward finished with a 9-over 279.

• Frazar wins wet Pebble Beach Invitational: Harrison Frazar won the rain-soaked Callaway Golf Pebble Beach (Calif.) Invitational by a stroke when Cameron Tringale missed a 2-foot par putt on the final hole. Frazar closed with an even-par 72 to finish at 9-under 279.

Lulay leads B.C. Lions to Grey Cup

Football: Travis Lulay threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns as the B.C. Lions earned a trip to the Grey Cup with a 40-23 win over the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL West Final in Vancouver, B.C.

• The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will face the Lions in the Grey Cup after knocking off the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 19-3 in the CFL’s East Division final in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Chris Garrett led the Blue Bombers with 190 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Phillies make deal for Wigginton

Miscellany: The Philadelphia Phillies acquired utilityman Ty Wigginton and cash from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a player to be named later or cash.

• Miami will not play in bowl game: Miami is not going to a bowl this season, self-imposing a ban that school officials say was “necessary” in response to an ongoing NCAA investigation into the university’s compliance practices.

Miami became bowl-eligible on Saturday, beating South Florida 6-3 for its sixth win of the season.