Sports News

ATLANTA, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Devin Hester and Roscoe Parrish scored special team touchdowns Friday night, giving Miami a 27-10 win over Florida in the Peach Bowl.

DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Bryon Russell's two free throws put Denver in front with 33 seconds remaining Friday night and the Nuggets held on to down Philadelphia, 97-92.

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Deron Williams scored 18 points Friday night in leading No. 1 Illinois to a convincing 67-45 win over 17th-ranked and previously unbeaten Cincinnati.

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Peja Stojakovic scored 26 points Friday night and Sacramento used a big third quarter to defeat Utah, 109-102.

IOWA CITY, Iowa, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Pierre Pierce helped hold St. Louis at bay down the stretch Friday night as No. 18 Iowa downed the Billikens, 67-58.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Rashard Lewis scored 27 points Friday night and Seattle overcame a big game from Emeka Okafor to defeat Charlotte, 103-97.

MEMPHIS, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Stefan LeFors rallied eighth-ranked Louisville in the second half Friday night to a 44-40 win over No. 10 Boise State in the Liberty Bowl.

SEATTLE, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Tre Simmons scored 18 points Friday, boosting No. 16 Washington past California, 81-67.

EL PASO, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Sam Keller threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Rudy Burgess with 44 seconds to play Friday, giving Arizona State a 27-23 win over Purdue in the Sun Bowl.

BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce scored 26 points Friday and Boston halted a three-game losing streak with a 108-103 victory over Washington.

NASHVILLE, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Marion Barber rushed for 187 yards Friday to help Minnesota down Alabama, 20-16, in the Music City Bowl.

NASHVILLE, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Marion Barber ran for 187 yards and a touchdown Friday and Minnesota turned back a late challenge to down Alabama in the Music City Bowl, 20-16.

NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees Friday signed free agent first baseman Tino Martinez.

CINCINNATI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Jon Kitna will start at quarterback Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals play at Philadelphia.

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The San Antonio Spurs won their fourth straight game Thursday, a 114-80 rout of Portland.