Sports briefs
UConn self-imposes penalties for violations
The University of Connecticut announced Friday that it is self-imposing penalties, including the loss of a scholarship for the 2019-20 season, for violations of NCAA rules by its basketball program under former coach Kevin Ollie.
UConn fired Ollie after a 14-18 season a year ago, and later detailed numerous NCAA violations it said were committed during his tenure.
The NCAA investigated and sent the school a notice in September detailing allegations that included unethical conduct by Ollie, who it said provided false or misleading information about video calls to a recruit from two former UConn stars, Hall of Famer Ray Allen and San Antonio Spurs guard Rudy Gay.
The NCAA characterized the violations as “a severe breach of conduct.”
UConn is hoping that by penalizing itself it can avoid any further sanctions from the NCAA, but says it understands that the Committee on Infractions can do as it sees fit.
Angels sign Allen
After seven seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Cody Allen is looking to rebound with a new team.
Allen and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a $8.5 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Friday.
The agreement includes $2.5 million in available bonuses.
A 30-year-old right-hander, Allen had spent his entire career with Cleveland and is the franchise’s leader in saves with 149. He struggled last season, posting a career-high 4.70 ERA while going 4-6 with 27 saves in 70 appearances. He split the closer’s role after Cleveland traded for Brad Hand on July 19. Allen was 2-2 with six saves and five blown saves his last 19 appearances and had only two save opportunities – which he converted – in his final 13 regular-season games.
Former Bengals QB dies
Quarterback Turk Schonert, who came off the bench and led the Cincinnati Bengals to an opening victory during their first Super Bowl season, has died suddenly near his home in South Carolina.
The Bengals were informed of Schonert’s death, which came on Thursday two days after his 62nd birthday.
Schonert relieved a struggling Ken Anderson and rallied Cincinnati to a 27-21 victory over Seattle in the 1981 opener. Anderson started the next game, and the Bengals went on to a 12-4 mark and reached the Super Bowl, losing to San Francisco.
Schonert played eight seasons in Cincinnati and one in Atlanta, starting 12 games overall with 11 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also coached with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Giants and Bills.
In college basketball
Anthony Cowan Jr. scored 20 points, and No. 19 Maryland won its seventh straight game, 75-61 over Ohio State on Friday night.
Bruno Fernando added 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting and had 15 rebounds for the Terrapins (16-3, 7-1 Big Ten), who shot 58.1 percent from the field. Aaron Wiggins and Darryl Morsell each scored 11, and Jalen Smith had 10. Maryland went 11 of 17 (64.7 percent) from 3-point range.
In the NHL
Josh Bailey and Cal Clutterbuck scored third-period goals, Thomas Greiss made 19 saves for the shutout and the New York Islanders moved into first place in the Metropolitan Division by beating the Capitals 2-0 Friday night in Barry Trotz’s return to Washington.
Trotz’s Islanders have won four in a row and 14 of their past 17 games to leapfrog the team he coached to the Stanley Cup last year. They held Washington under 20 shots and improved to 7-0-0 in the second half of back-to-back sets this season.