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Seven basketball schools leave Big East

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova announced Saturday they are leaving the Big East Conference for basketball.

A statement issued by the schools' presidents said they have voted unanimously to bolt the Big East -- the latest of 17 institutions to leave the conference since 2004.

"Earlier today we voted unanimously to pursue an orderly evolution to a foundation of basketball schools that honors the history and tradition on which the Big East was established," the statement read.

"Under the current context of conference realignment, we believe pursuing a new basketball framework that builds on this tradition of excellence and competition is the best way forward."

The Big East had already lost West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Louisville for football over the last 14 months.

Rutgers announced it would join the Big Ten, while Notre Dame -- a Big East member in all sports except football -- is also leaving to join the ACC.

Schwartzel posts 10-shot lead at Dunhill

MALELANE, South Africa, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Charl Schwartzel repeated his 8-under 64 from the second round Saturday at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, grabbing a 10-shot lead in South Africa.

Schwartzel smashed the event's 54-hole scoring record in the process, ending the day at 21-under 195 -- good for a formidable lead over Gregory Bourdy at Leopard Creek Country Club.

The South African came into the day tied for the top spot with Bourdy but began a hot streak with three straight birdies from the fifth hole and never looked back.

Bourdy stumbled to a 2-over 74 Saturday, giving him sole possession of second place at minus-11.

Sharing third at 10-under 206 were Branden Grace and Kristoffer Broberg (both 5-under 67s) and Steve Webster (70).

Holding sixth place at minus-9 was Keith Horne (68).

American Nyman wins men's downhill by 0.19

VAL GARDENA, Italy, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Steven Nyman of the United States edged Slovenia's Rok Perko to win Saturday's World Cup men's downhill at Val Gardena, Italy.

Nyman won his second career World Cup event with a time of 1 minute, 28.82 seconds, just 0.19 of a second ahead of Perko, who earned his first career World Cup podium.

"I've always believed I had the speed," Nyman said. "I hope to prove it throughout the year."

Erik Guay of Canada came in third with a time of 1:29.06. Overall points leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway took fifth in 1:29.27.

Svindal was among the early starters who had to contend with fog on the slopes. The mist lifted in time to give Nyman, Perko and the other late starters better visibility.

Dez Bryant questionable for Cowboys

DALLAS, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Dallas Cowboys listed wide receiver Dez Bryant as questionable for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh due to a broken finger.

Bryant practiced Friday, catching a few balls while wearing a modified glove to accommodate the digit he fractured in last weekend's win over Cincinnati.

Bryant said he would hold off on surgery as long as Dallas remained in playoff contention. He is the team's leading receiver with 1,028 yards and nine touchdowns over 13 games.

The Cowboys trail the Giants by one game in the NFC East and are also a game out of the wild card scramble.