In Brief

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Suspension-plagued Xavier
snaps three-game losing skid

Tu Holloway scored 21 points, and No. 14 Xavier ended a three-game losing streak with an 87-77 victory over Southern Illinois on Sunday in the seventh-place game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.

Before a sparse, morning crowd on Christmas Day, the Musketeers won for the first time since Dec. 10, when they beat Cincinnati in a game cut short in the closing seconds by brawling and mayhem on the court.

This was the first three-game losing streak for Xavier under coach Chris Mack and first since the 2007-08 season.

Mark Lyons had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Musketeers (9-3). Andre Walker and Travis Taylor added 13 apiece for Xavier, which made 36 of 48 free throws. Walker also had 10 rebounds. The Salukis (3-8), losers of three in a row, were led by Dantiel Daniels with 22 points.

Southern Illinois drew to 68-64 at 8:45 after a 3-point play by Daniels, but an 8-1 run gave the Musketeers a 9-point cushion. Holloway's two free throws with a minute to go gave the Musketeers their largest lead, 83-69.

Holloway finished 14 of 15 from the line. He took just six shots from the field, making three, including 1 of 2 3-pointers. He also had seven assists.

Also: Rodney McGruder scored a career-best 28 points, and Kansas State used a big first-half run to beat Long Beach State 77-60 and win the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.

McGruder finished 10 of 11 from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. He also went 6 of 7 from the line.

Will Spradling added 17 points for the Wildcats (10-1).

Larry Anderson and Casper Ware each scored 17 points for the 49ers (7-6).

The Wildcats went on a 29-13 run for a 38-22 lead with 2:27 left in the first half. McGruder had eight points, including two 3-pointers, during the surge.

HOCKEY

Maple Leafs' Wilson gets
sought-after contract extension

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson has gotten his Christmas wish.

Two days after hinting on Twitter of his desire for a new contract, Wilson said the team has given him an extension.

"'He came! He came!' Remember saying that as a little kid? Well he did: I got a new Red Ryder BB gun and a contract extension!" Wilson tweeted Sunday morning.

The team did not immediately respond to an email seeking confirmation. Wilson tweeted Friday that what he wanted for Christmas was a new contract from general manager Brian Burke.

"This Xmas could be better if Santa stuffs a certain piece of paper in my stocking. whatcouldthatbe," Wilson posted on his Twitter account.

The 56-year-old Wilson is in the final season of a four-year contract. The Leafs are sixth in the Eastern Conference with 40 points. Toronto has not made the playoffs in three previously seasons under Wilson, who is 119-120-42 with the Leafs.

Wilson, a defenseman as a player, was selected by the Leafs in the 1975 draft.