Morning Box Score: Bad Penalties Sink Hawks, College Basketball Roundup

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 31, 2010 4:09PM

Hockey

Sharks 5, Blackhawks 3: Antti Niemi was strong in his first appearance at the United Center since the Stanley Cup finals, stopping 26 shots and weathering a furious third period from the Blackhawks, to lift San Jose to victory. for a while the Hawks seemed to have the momentum on goals by Brian Campbell and Troy Brouwer scored 22 seconds apart. But a Joe Thornton deflection at 7:13 in the third period that got past Marty Turco proved to be the game winner. The winning and insurance goals were scored on San Jose power plays, and Hawks coach Joel Quenneville was upset with the calls after the game.

College Basketball

Youngstown St. 71, UIC 69: The Flames fell to 0-2 in Horizon League play with a tough loss against the Penguins. Youngstown State's Ashen Ward scored a game-high 26 points, while two free throws by Vytas Sulskis with 15.7 seconds left provided the margin of victory. UIC was led by Paul Carter's 19 points.

Cleveland St. 73, Loyola 55: Loyola fell to 0-3 in Horizon League play as Cleveland State thoroughly controlled the Ramblers, riding a dominating first-half to victory. Despite the Vikings not hitting a field goal the final 6:30 of the game, it was Loyola's most lopsided loss of the season. Loyola had no players score in double figures; Walt Gibler and Courtney Stanley each scored 9.