Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, successfully puts up a shot from behind the backboard as Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Lakers beat Thunder for 11th straight time

More than two decades ago, after Larry Bird made a shot from behind the backboard that didn't count in a preseason game, the NBA changed the rule on plays like that. Kobe Bryant was glad they did. Photo Gallery Available

Real Salt Lake's Robbie Findley, left, and Yura Movsisyan celebrate the goal that tied the game 1-1 in the second half during the MLS Cup championship soccer game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Seattle.

Real Salt Lake beats LA to win MLS Cup

They were railed and criticized for reaching the championship of Major League Soccer despite a losing record in the regular season. Photo Gallery Available

Cleveland Brown defensive back Eric Wright (24) is pursued by Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson after intercepting the ball in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Detroit. Wright returned the ball 47 yards.

Lions beat Browns 38-37 in Bad Bowl thriller

An ailing Matthew Stafford threw his fifth touchdown pass from 1 yard to Brandon Pettigrew, and Jason Hanson's extra point with no time on the clock gave the Detroit Lions a thrilling 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Photo Gallery Available

Johnson leads Purdue over St. Joseph's

JaJuan Johnson had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 7 Purdue to an 85-60 win over St. Joseph's on Sunday night in the Paradise Jam.

Dayton’s Chris Wright, left, and Chris Johnson, left, block Villanova’s Dominic Cheek during a Puerto Rico Tip-off tournament college basketball game in San Juan, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009.

No. 5 'Nova beats Ole Miss 79-67 in Puerto Rico

Scottie Reynolds scored 21 points, Corey Stokes added 18 and No. 5 Villanova beat Mississippi 79-67 on Sunday to win the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Photo Gallery Available

Murray State pounds NC Central 84-61

B.J. Jenkins scored 16 points, leading five Murray State players in double figures, as the Racers routed North Carolina Central 84-61 on Sunday night.

NC State edges Auburn 60-58

Tracy Smith's basket with 1.3 seconds remaining lifted North Carolina State to a 60-58 victory over Auburn on Sunday night.

Hightower gets 1,000th point as No. 7 LSU cruises

Allison Hightower scored 15 points, reaching 1,000 for her career, and No. 7 LSU routed Nicholls State 86-49 on Sunday night.

Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey, left, drives to the basket past Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, right, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Phoenix.

Stoudemire, Nash lead Suns past Pistons, 117-91

Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points and Steve Nash added 20 for Phoenix, then sat out the fourth quarter to watch the Suns rout road-weary Detroit 117-91 Sunday night for the Pistons' fifth straight loss. Photo Gallery Available

Kent State defeats Rochester 63-44

Rodriquez Sherman scored 15 points to lead Kent State to a 63-44 victory over Rochester (Mich.) on Sunday night.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb (5) looks for a receiver during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.

McNabb, Eagles beat Bears 24-20

Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles found a way to pull out a close win. They also hurt the Chicago Bears in the process. Photo Gallery Available

Albany holds off Robert Morris 71-66

Will Harris scored 22 points and Tim Ambrose added 15 points to lead Albany (N.Y.) to a 71-66 victory over Robert Morris in the third round of the 2K Sports Classic on Sunday.

New Orleans Hornets' Marcus Thornton (5) shoots over Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem (40) as Joel Anthony (50) defends in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Miami, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.

Haslem's jumper leads Heat past Hornets, 102-101

Dwyane Wade had 31 points, and Udonis Haslem hit a jumper with 15.4 seconds left to lift the Miami Heat past the New Orleans Hornets 102-101 on Sunday night. Photo Gallery Available

McPherson leads heading into LPGA final round

The sky cleared and Lorena Ochoa and Jiyai Shin were left with one day to settle their duel for LPGA Tour player of the year. 1258990252 Photo Gallery Available

Wells leads James Madison to 81-68 win over FIU

Julius Wells scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead James Madison to an 81-68 win over Florida International on Sunday night.

Smith's foul shots help Vols survive DePaul

Tyler Smith made two free throws with 13.7 seconds left, and No. 10 Tennessee held off DePaul 57-53 in the second round of the Paradise Jam on Sunday.

Dayton’s London Warren, left, and Kansas’ Jacob Pullen battle for a loose ball during a Puerto Rico Tip-off tournament college basketball game in San Juan, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.

Kansas State beats No. 18 Dayton 83-75

Jacob Pullen scored 26 points and Denis Clemente added 21 to lead Kansas State to an 83-75 victory over No. 18 Dayton on Sunday in the third-place game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. Photo Gallery Available

Miami beats South Carolina 85-70, wins Charleston crown

James Dews scored 22 points and Dwayne Collins added 17 points to go with 15 rebounds, leading Miami past South Carolina 85-70 in the championship game of the Charleston Classic on Sunday night.

Austin Peay edges Niagara 69-67

Marcel Williams scored with 3.5 seconds remaining to give Austin Peay a 69-67 victory over Niagara on Sunday in the Glenn Wilkes Classic.

Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Zach Bogosian (4) protects the puck from Tampa Bay Lightning center Jeff Halpern (11) during the first period of their NHL hockey game Sunday Nov. 22, 2009, in Atlanta.

Stamkos' tip-in gives Tampa Bay 4-3 OT win

Steven Stamkos scored his 15th goal at 2:56 of overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning their second straight win, 4-3 over the Atlanta Thrashers on Sunday. Photo Gallery Available

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