briefs.nov24

Els closes gap at Australian Open

GOLD COAST, Australia -- With three late bogeys, Ernie Els slipped into a share of second place Friday, one shot behind Scott Laycock after two rounds of the Australian Open.

The two-time U.S. Open champion bogeyed the 14th, 15th and 18th holes.

Els, Rod Pampling and Geoff Ogilvy were at 6-under-par 136, right behind Laycock, whose 66 Friday left him at 7 under.

Els and Pampling both shot 70 Friday, while Ogilvy carded a course-record 65 at the Greg Norman-designed Grand Golf Club.

Els started with six consecutive pars before bogeys at the 7th and 8th dropped him to 3 under. He recovered by making birdies on Nos. 9, 10 and 13 and an eagle on the par-5 12th with a putt from the edge of the green.

Laycock took the lead after holing an 87-yard wedge on the 10th and he closed with a birdie on the tough par-four 18th.

Pampling got to 9 under overall before a double-bogey on the 11th.

Another Australian, Grant Dodd, equaled Ogilvy's record round in fading light to move into fifth place at 5 under.

Five Colorado offensive players on Big 12 team

DALLAS -- Five Colorado offensive players were named to the Coaches All Big 12 Conference's first team Friday, the same day the Buffaloes piled up nearly 600 yards in their 62-36 upset of No. 2 Nebraska.

No. 14 Colorado, which wrapped up the Big 12 North title Friday, led the conference with eight first-team players selected by Big 12 coaches.

Running back Cortlen Johnson, tight end Daniel Graham, kicker Jeremy Flores and offensive linemen Victor Rogers and Andre Gurode made the first team on offense for Colorado.

Fourth-ranked Oklahoma had five players on the first team: offensive lineman Frank Romero, defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, interior lineman Tommie Harris, linebacker Rocky Calmus and defensive back Roy Williams.

No. 5 Texas, which beat Texas A&M 21-7 Friday, had four players on the first team: offensive lineman Mike Williams, receiver Roy Williams, defensive lineman Cory Redding and defensive back Quentin Jammer.

Nebraska had three first-teamers, including quarterback Eric Crouch, who went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season in Friday's loss to Colorado.

Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas combined for 40 of the selections on the first, second and third teams.

Running back Ricky Williams was Texas Tech's only first-team player.

Perryville girls win own tournament

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Lady Pirates captured their own season-opening basketball tournament Wednesday night with a 55-49 victory over North County.

Perryville won the three-team tournament with a 2-0 record.

Sophomore April Lorenz led Perryville with 21 points. Emily Amberger added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Both Lorenz and Amberger were named to the all-tournament team along with teammate Amanda Nuyt.

-- From staff, wire reports