Sports briefs for December 30, 2003

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003 | 11:42 a.m.

UNLV's Sherry McCracklin was named Monday the Mountain West Conference's player of the week. It marked the second time this season McCracklin has won the award. It also marked the fourth time in six weeks that a member of the Lady Rebels team has won the award.

McCracklin, a 6-1 junior forward from Hazel Crest, Ill., is the nation's leading rebounder. She played all 40 minutes Sunday in a 62-51 victory against Mississippi State, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

McCracklin won the player-of-the-week award for the week of Dec. 1.

Philly jockeys walk

Jockeys refused to ride at Philadelphia Park in a dispute over payment delays the track blamed on the state's stricter rules for drug testing of horses. The test results used to take no more than three days, but now take up to eight, holding up payouts that range from $40 for a losing mount to $40,000 to the winner of the annual Pennsylvania Derby.

Kobe story tops list

The arrest and charging of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in a sexual assault case in Eagle, Colo., was voted the year's No. 1 sports story in a poll of editors and broadcast members of The Associated Press. Lance Armstrong's fifth consecutive Tour de France triumph was a distant second in the voting.

Reds sign starter

Right-hander Cory Lidle signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Lidle was 12-15 with a 5.75 ERA in 31 starts for Toronto in 2003.

Francis up to No. 4

Carolina Hurricanes captain Ron Francis tied Marcel Dionne for fourth place in NHL career points with his second-period goal in a 2-1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres.

Andretti's mother dies

Rina Andretti, matriarch of one of racing's most famous families, died at a personal-car home in Bethlehem, Pa. She was 90.