Sports Briefs: Thunder tries to end losing streak

Friday, Dec. 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

The Houston Aeros could be the last team the Las Vegas Thunder wants to face right now. But right there they are, on tonight's docket.

The IHL Southwest Division foes meet at 5 p.m. in the Summit as the Thunder plays its eighth of nine consecutive road games this month. The game will be televised on Prime Cable channels 1 and 48 on broadcast on KENO 1460-AM.

Las Vegas enters the game on a three-game losing streak and an 18-12-2 record. The Thunder is third in the Southwest standings with 38 points, three behind Long Beach. The Aeros are 18-13-1, just one point behind Las Vegas.

Las Vegas has had some problems with Houston this season. In their five previous encounters, the Thunder is 2-2-1.

The Thunder still is struggling with injuries. Out at least for tonight's game are Rhett Trombley (sprained knee ligament), Chris Dahlquist (dislocated shoulder), Jeff Serowik (strained chest muscle) and Kerry Huffman (lacerated spleen).

Las Vegas returns to the Thomas & Mack Center Dec. 26 and 27.

UNLV women triumph

Taneisha Gossett scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds Thursday night to lead the UNLV women's basketball team to a 70-54 victory over Fairfield in the Lady Rebel Roundup at South Gym. The win snapped UNLV's five-game losing streak. The Lady Rebels play Stephen F. Austin, a 80-63 winner over Minnesota, at 7 tonight for the title. Minnesota and Fairfield play at 5 p.m.

Hobson avoids jail

Former Boston Red Sox manager Butch Hobson agreed to enter a Rhode Island program for first-time criminal offenders and will avoid jail time for a cocaine possession charge. Hobson, 45, was arrested May 4 after Drug Enforcement Administration agents found 2.6 grams of cocaine in his shaving kit at a Pawtucket hotel. Hobson was in Rhode Island managing the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.

God can play

Providence plans no disciplinary action against point guard God Shammgod for missing a court appearance. An arrest warrant for Shammgod, 20, of New York, was issued Wednesday after he missed a court hearing in Attleboro, Mass. Shammgod was charged with driving to endanger after an accident last month at the Emerald Square mall in North Attleboro, Mass. "Shamm was involved in a simple traffic accident and inadvertently missed his court appearance time," coach Pete Gillen said in a statement issued Thursday. "Once he realized he missed the time, he rescheduled it, and we're confident this will be taken care of at that time."

Volleyball finals set

Stanford and Hawaii will meet Saturday in Cleveland to determine the NCAA Division I women's volleyball champion. Hawaii and Stanford met in the final in 1987, when Hawaii last won the championship. Stanford beat Hawaii in their only meeting this season, Nov. 2 at Hawaii. Stanford beat Nebraska and Hawaii defeated Florida in Thursday night's semifinals.