Sports briefs for May 6, 2005

Friday, May 6, 2005 | 10:16 a.m.

Rookie shoots course record

Richard Finch, playing in his ninth European Tour event, shot a course-record 63 to lead the Italian Open by three shots halfway through the second round.

The 27-year-old rookie followed a 3-under-par 69 Thursday at Milan's Castello di Tolcinasco with a 63 to lead on 12-under par from fellow Englishman Paul Broadhurst and Gregory Havret of France, the former course-record holder.

Nehles invited to singles tournament

After missing out on last year's event because of a broken hand, UNLV men's tennis star Henner Nehles has earned an invitation to the 2005 NCAA Singles Championship to be held May 25-30 at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in College Station, Texas. The top four players in each of the NCAA's eight regions receive automatic bids and the senior from Duisburg, Germany, earned his berth from the Mountain Region. Named the 2005 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and All-MWC for the third time in as many years, Nehles currently holds a 28-8 overall record, including a torrid 19-5 mark at the No. 1 dual position.

The singles tournament will take place May 23-28 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga., following the conclusion of the team event (May 19-22). Gantcheva received one of 32 at-large spots to what is college tennis' final tournament of the year. The native of Sofia, Bulgaria, currently stands 31-7 overall and is ranked 34th in the nation after peaking at No. 21 earlier this spring.

Court dismisses case against Red Sox fans

Two Boston Red Sox fans who scuffled with New York Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield during a game last month won't be charged after a court dismissed the case for lack of evidence.

The clerk magistrate said there was no probable cause to charge Christopher House and Matthew Donovan with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Union, league talking again

The NHL and the players' association met for just over three hours in the first round of labor negotiations in two weeks.

The sides will get together again in Toronto today, as previously planned, and already have two bargaining sessions scheduled for each of the next two weeks.

Both sides declined comment until today when this week's talks wrap up.

Joe Thornton had Canada's other goal, and Mike Knuble scored for the United States.

Georgia Tech guard will go pro, won't hire agent

Georgia Tech point guard Jarrett Jack entered his name in the NBA draft, but he won't hire an agent and is still torn about whether to return for his senior season with the Yellow Jackets.

Jack's decision will allow him to work out for NBA teams, giving himself a better idea of where he would be picked in the June 28 draft.

Air Force coach resigns for Richmond job

Chris Mooney stepped down after one season as coach at Air Force to take the open coaching spot at Richmond.

Mooney, an Air Force assistant for four years before taking over the top job, will be introduced Friday at Richmond as the replacement for Jerry Wainwright, who left last week to take over at DePaul.

-- Sun wire services