Hawks' Jason Collier dies of heart attack
ATLANTA, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier died Saturday morning at 28.
The team canceled its practice Saturday and has not released an official cause of death, but the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the seven-foot, 260-pound Collier died of a heart attack after experiencing chest pains.
His wife, Katie, performed CPR and called 911.
"Jason and his family are first and foremost in our prayers during this difficult time," Executive Vice President and General Manager Billy Knight said in a statement. "We will truly miss Jason's personality and his spirit, and he will be in the thoughts and minds of our team and organization forever."
The former Georgia Tech product was entering his third year with the Hawks after three seasons with Houston. He played 70 games last season, averaging 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds.
Collier was picked by Milwaukee in the 2000 NBA Draft. His rights and a draft choice were dealt to the Rockets in June 2000.
Ted Purdy takes the lead at Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Ted Purdy, who shot 7-under 65 Saturday, seized the lead after three rounds of the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas.
Purdy, the reigning Byron Nelson champion, is 18-under-par 197, two strokes ahead of Steve Lowery, Charles Howell III (67) and Harrison Frazar (68) at 16-under 199.
Wes Short Jr. (66) and Kevin Stadler (70) are tied for fifth place at 15-under 200.
Jim Furyk, a three-time winner of this event, shot a three-under 69 and is tied for seventh place with Geoff Ogilvy (67)at 15-under-par 200.
Scott Gutschewski (67), Phillip Price (68), Ryan Palmer (68), Jeff Sluman (66), Hidemichi Tanaka (68) and Shigeki Maruyama (72) are tied for ninth at 13-under 202.
Briny Baird, who led after the first two rounds, struggled to a 6-over-par 78 on Saturday and fell into a tie for 43rd place at 9-under 206.
Sorenstam stretches out at Palm Desert
PALM DESERT, Calif., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam has the lead by four strokes after three rounds of the Samsung World Golf Championship in Palm Desert, Calif.
Sorenstam shot a 6-under-par 66 on Saturday. After 54 holes, she stands at 15-under-par 201 and leads Gloria Park (68), who is 11-under 205.
16-year-old Michelle Wie, who struggled to a 1-under 71 in round three, is alone in third place at 10-under 206.
If Sorenstam wins the tournament on Sunday, it would be her fifth win at this event, her eighth title of 2005 and her 64th on the LPGA Tour.
Cristie Kerr (71) and Catriona Matthew (71) are tied for fourth place at 9-under-par 207. Pat Hurst (68), Marisa Baena (70), Sophie Gustafson (70) and Rookie of the Year and two-time winner this season Paula Creamer (73) are tied for sixth at 8-under 208.
Grace Park and Rosie Jones are 7-under 209.
Men's final at Moscow is set
MOSCOW, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Nicolas Kiefer and Igor Andreev won their semifinal matches Saturday at the $1 million Kremlin Cup in Moscow.
Kiefer -- the sixth seed, who also played in the final in 2001 -- beat qualifier Igor Kunitsyn, 6-2, 6-4. Andreev, the seventh seed, topped wild card Dmitry Tursunov, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2.
The 2005 Kremlin Cup champion will earn $142,000 on Sunday.
Bret Hull retires from the NHL
PHOENIX, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Phoenix Coyotes right wing Brett Hull announced his retirement Saturday before the game against Detroit.
The son of Hall of Famer Bobby Hull is the third-leading scorer in NHL history with 741 goals. He trails only his coach, Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801). In 1,269 NHL games, Hull has recorded 650 assists for 1,391 points.
Hull, 41, signed a two-year deal with Phoenix after spending three seasons with Detroit.
"I am very proud of what I have accomplished in my career, but at 41 I felt that it was time to move on," Hull said. "I am very fortunate to have played for some class organizations in Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. I love the game of hockey and I appreciate everything the game has given to me and my family."
Hull appeared in five games this season for the Coyotes with no goals and one assist.
