National Sports Briefs

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 7, 2011

Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO ó The federal case against Barry Bonds is now in the hands of a jury.
Closing arguments in the former baseball star’s 12-day trial wrapped up Thursday afternoon and the eight-woman, four-man jury went home a few minutes later. They’ll pick up with deliberations on Friday morning.
The major leagues’ all-time home run leader is charged with three counts of lying to a grand jury in 2003 and a count of obstruction for denying that he knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs and for saying no one other than his doctors gave him an injection.
If convicted on any of the charges, federal sentencing guidelines recommend a prison sentence of between 15 and 21 months, though Bonds’ punishment could be far less severe.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
SOUTH BEND, Ind. ó Notre Dame has asked for more talks with the Indiana agency that fined the school $77,500 for the October accident that killed a student filming football practice atop a hydraulic lift toppled by high winds.
The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the fine last month, saying the school ignored safety standards that could have prevented Declan Sullivan’s death. Winds were gusting to 53 mph on Oct. 27 when the 20-year-old junior from Long Grove, Ill., went up in the lift.
The school had until Thursday to accept the findings and pay the fines.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. ó Miami has reinstated linebacker Ramon Buchanan to the team, about three weeks after his arrest for allegedly committing battery on a police officer.
RETIRING
DENVER ó Longtime Colorado Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote plans to retire after 19 hard-hitting years in the NHL.
Foote has appeared in more regular season and playoff games than any other defenseman in franchise history and was a member of Colorado’s two Stanley Cup champions.
Foote’s 17th season with the team has been marred by injuries. The captain has been sidelined by a leg injury since March 16. He also missed time this season with a concussion.
TENNIS
CHARLESTON, S.C. ó Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki had to win two tiebreakers to defeat Zahlavova Strycova, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (9) in a stadium court match that lasted more than 21/2 hours. It looked nothing like the 56-minute, cakewalk Wozniacki enjoyed in Wednesday’s opening match.
NASCAR
FORT WORTH, Texas ó Kimi Raikkonen is testing well in NASCAR. So good, in fact, that he is already matching lap times with Kyle Busch, the owner of the truck the Formula One world champion will race.
Raikkonen did more testing Thursday in Rockingham, N.C., after two days earlier this week at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia attended by Busch.
NHL
NEW YORK ó Rob Schremp and Andrew Ladd scored 15 seconds apart in the second period, Ondrej Pavelec made 29 saves and the Atlanta Thrashers delivered a crushing blow to the New York Rangers’ playoff hopes with a 3-0 victory.
Eric Boulton added a goal for Atlanta.
Senators 3, Canadiens 2, OT
OTTAWA ó Filip Kuba scored 1:16 into overtime to left Ottawa past Montreal.
Bobby Butler had a goal and two assists, the second on Kuba’s drive from the point that got past Montreal backup Alex Auld. Michael Cammelleri drew Montreal even at 2 with 10.1 seconds left in regulation.
Jason Spezza also scored for Ottawa, and Craig Anderson made 26 saves.
NBA
CHICAGO ó Derrick Rose scored 30 points and the Chicago Bulls closed in on the top seed in the Eastern Conference by beating the Boston Celtics 97-81 on Thursday.
The Bulls’ 17th win in 19 games put them four games up on Boston and Miami with four to play and eliminated the Heat from getting the No. 1 seed.
The Celtics, who play the Heat on Sunday, still have a mathematical shot albeit a remote one.
But barring a collapse, Chicago will be the top seed in the East.
It’s another step for a team that expected big things after a major overhaul.