Sports briefs for March 12, 2004

Friday, March 12, 2004 | 11:19 a.m.

Vin Baker, who was declared a free agent by an arbitrator Thursday, agreed today to sign with the New York Knicks.

A 32-year-old forward, Baker had the remaining two years and $35 million of his contract voided by his former team, the Boston Celtics, on Feb. 18 after he was suspended twice for violating his alcohol-treatment program. He has filed a grievance against the Celtics because he wants to get the contract reinstated. An arbitrator will hear the case next month.

Baker, an All-Star from 1995-98, chose the Knicks over the Miami Heat. He'll earn the prorated portion of the veteran's minimum salary of $1 million, or about $11,000 a game. Baker is expected to join the Knicks tonight in Philadelphia for their game against the 76ers.

The addition of Baker gives the Knicks depth as they fight for a playoff spot with 17 games left in the regular season. New York holds the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, where the top eight teams make the playoffs. Miami is ninth, one- game behind New York and a half-game behind the Celtics.

The NBA had blocked its other 28 teams from signing Baker until his case against the Celtics was resolved. Arbitrator Roger Kaplan ruled Thursday that the league's mandate violated the collective bargaining agreement, freeing Baker to sign with any club.

BYU issues penalties

BYU dean of students Vern Heperin kicked one player off the team and disciplined five others for violating the school's strict honor code policy. Three players were suspended until at least the spring semester of 2005 and two were placed on probation. Their names were not released. Police in Provo, Utah, received a complaint after an off-campus party in January from a woman who claimed to have been raped by several football players. The woman later told police the sex was consensual, but she had said she was raped because she was embarrassed and did not want to get in trouble for violating the honor code.

English pros arrested

Three English Premier League players were released from jail in Cartagena, Spain, after spending six days behind bars on charges of sexual assault. Keith Gillespie of Northern Ireland, Frank Sinclair of Jamaica and Paul Dickov of Scotland were arrested March 5 after three women told police the players had forced their way into their hotel room and assaulted them.

Petterson up by two

Carl Pettersson shot a 9-under-par 63 to hold a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Bobsledder killed

German bobsled driver Yvonne Cernota, 24, was killed today in Koenigsee, Germany, when her sled overturned in a curve, hit the wall and catapulted from the course in a practice run. Stefan Grandi, who ride in the sled, had life-threatening injuries.

UNLV routs Redbirds

Led by 57th-ranked Henner Nehles rally to win the No. 1 singles match, the UNLV men's team routed Illinois State 6-1 to improve to 5-3.

Owens hearing delayed

Terrell Owens' hearing to determine whether he can become a free agent was rescheduled until Monday. He expects a decision Tuesday.