Overtime

Football

Lack of rooms pose problem for Saints

A shortage of hotel rooms, caused by Hurricane Katrina victims who fled the New Orleans area, is the main obstacle to the New Orleans Saints playing three of their home games at Louisiana State University's Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., a school official said Friday.

The Saints reportedly are negotiating to play four games in San Antonio, where they have set up a temporary home since fleeing Katrina. One home game, against the Giants, already has been moved to the Meadowlands.

Bernard Boudreaux, chairman of the LSU Board of Supervisors, said negotiations are underway to have the Saints play three games in Baton Rouge.

He wouldn't discuss details about possible financial arrangements but said money is not the obstacle.

"The problem is, hotel rooms in this city and environs as far north as Shreveport are all saturated with refugees," Boudreaux told The Associated Press. "Nobody wants to kick refugees out of hotel rooms for football."

Boudreaux said the NFL has indicated it would need at least 260 rooms for the games.

- The Palmetto Dragons of Aiken will play host to the Georgia Patriots at 7 p.m. tonight in a Southern Football League National Division game at North Augusta High School.

It is a rematch of the season-opener for both teams, won by Palmetto 33-22.

Palmetto is 5-2, 4-2 in the National Division. Georgia is 2-4 in the division.

Admission is $7, or $5 for anyone bringing bottled water, to be donated to the Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Volleyball

USC Aiken splits pair in tournament

In Savannah, Ga., USC Aiken split its pair of matches on the first day of the AASU/Chatham Orthopaedics Classic.

The Pacers (3-3) opened with a 3-2 victory over Catawba, but then lost 3-0 to 14th-ranked Florida Southern.

USC Aiken middle hitter Mandy Gerolstein had 16 kills, three blocks and three aces in the Game 1 victory. Laura Williams had 10 kills and five blocks, and Katie Baker had 13 kills and two blocks.

USC Aiken takes on Florida Tech and Eckerd today as the tournament concludes.

Horse Racing

Clever Electrician repeats at Belmont

In New York, Clever Electrician won the $101,500 General Douglas McArthur Handicap for the second straight year, beating Papua by 1 lengths at Belmont Park.

It was the second win in five starts this year for Clever Electrician and trainer Bruce Levine, and the horse's first stakes win since last year's victory in the same race.

Boxing

Woods retains title against Gonzalez

In Sheffield, England, Clinton Woods retained his IBF light heavyweight title in his first defense, winning by unanimous decision over Mexican Julio Gonzalez.

Fighting in his hometown, Woods dominated the 12-round contest with his speed and sharp left jab. There were no knockdowns in the bout.

The judges scored it 117-111, 118-112 and 116-112. Woods, 33, improved his record to 38-3-1.

NHL

Veteran MacInnis retires from Blues

In St. Louis, Blues defenseman Al MacInnis retired after a 23-year career, citing the NHL lockout last season and not an eye injury that forced him out of virtually all of the 2003-04 season as the reason.

"I just felt that after not playing competitively for two years that I could not reach that level of play again," MacInnis said at a news conference. "It was strictly time."

MacInnis, 42, known for his 100 mph-plus slap shot, will remain in the organization in an operations and marketing capacity.

MacInnis won his only Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989.