Sports briefs for February 11, 2005

Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | 10:23 a.m.

Fan pleads no contest for Auburn Hills brawl

A basketball fan who walked onto the court during a November brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons, pleaded no contest today in a Rochester Hills, Mich., court to violating a local ordinance against entering a performance space.

Auburn Hills prosecutors recommended no jail time for Alvin Shackelford Jr. when he is sentenced March 16. The charge is punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine.

Shackelford, 21, was hit by Indiana Pacers forward Ron Artest after approaching the player on the court during the Nov. 19 melee at The Palace.

Charlie Haddad, 21, who also pleaded no contest last month to the same charge, is to be sentenced the same date.

First final for Mirza

Sania Mirza scored a big victory before a home crowd today, beating eighth-seeded Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-4, 7-6 (4) at the Hyderabad Open in Hyderbad, India, to reach her first WTA Tour final. Mirza, who is not seeded, will play Ukraine's Alyona Bondarenko for the title Saturday. Bondarenko advanced to her first final in a walkover in the other semifinal. Second-seeded Anna Lena Groenefeld of Germany hurt her right knee while teaming with Martina Navratilova in doubles Thursday.

Glazer's bid clear

The British government today refused to block the takeover bid of the Manchester United soccer club by Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer, leaving the matter to the world's richest soccer team. Glazer has renewed his $1.49 billion bid after his first offer was turned down. Man United fans have pledged to fight the takeover, and a militant fan group issued threats to Glazer on a Web site. Fans fear he will raise ticket prices and sell Old Trafford stadium.

Fast start for Force

Seeking his record 14th Funny Car driving championship, John Force got the NHRA season started at Pomona, Calif., with a track-record 4.697 pass as 329.26 mph in his first qualifying run. It tied the second-quickest run in NHRA history, matching the mark he set at Chicago in October. Teammate Eric Medlen was second. Other top qualifiers were Tony Schumacher in Top Fuel and Mike Edwards in Pro Stock.

Oswalt signs

Right-hander Roy Oswalt and the Houston Astros avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $16.9 million contract.

Bloom wins again

Jeremy Bloom, the U.S. moguls champion who unsuccessfully tried to keep his football eligibilty at the University of Colorado, defeated Canada's Marc-Andre Moreau today in Naeba, Japan, to claim his fifth consecutive World Cup moguls title. Bloom leads the overall World Cup standings after 10 of 12 events.