Pro basketball

WALKER TRYING TO FIND RESOLUTION IN LEGAL MATTER: Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker's lawyer says he's trying to resolve criminal charges stemming from more than $800,000 in gambling debts to three Las Vegas casinos.

Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson on Thursday gave attorney Jonathan Powell until Nov. 30 to make a deal with the Clark County district attorney or take the felony case to trial in state court.

Walker, a Mt. Carmel graduate, was not in court. He faces three bad check charges stemming from allegations he failed to repay $822,500 of $1 million in casino loans between July 2008 and January 2009.

HORNETS FIRE SCOTT: The New Orleans Hornets fired coach Byron Scott and named general manager Jeff Bower as his replacement. The Hornets also announced that former New Orleans head coach Tim Floyd, who Scott replaced, will be one of Bower's top assistants.

Pro golf

WOODS DAZZLES DOWN UNDER: Tiger Woods lived up to eight months of hype Thursday by running off three straight birdies late in his round for a 6-under 66 that gave him a share of the lead in the Australian Masters.

Playing for the first time Down Under in 11 years, before an enormous gallery only seen at major championships, Woods putted for birdie on every hole until the last one. He pulled his drive into a tea tree, chopped out into the rough and took two putts from 40 feet for his lone bogey.

He was tied with Australia's James Nitties and South Africa's Branden Grace.

College football

NIU EDGES BALL STATE: Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish didn't appear rusty Thursday despite missing three games with a knee injury.

Harnish entered the Mid-American clash with Ball State early in the third quarter and went 9-for-9 for 60 yards and a touchdown as the Huskies claimed a 26-20 victory.

Northern Illinois (7-3, 5-1 MAC West) enhanced its postseason bowl prospects with a fourth-straight win while the Cardinals (1-9, 1-5) dropped their sixth game by seven or fewer points.

"I had no idea when I was going to go in," said Harnish, who had not played since Oct. 24 at Miami. "I felt like there was going to come a time when I was going to get some reps and some playing time and knock the rust off. I got that chance in the second half and I feel good."

Harnish hit wide receiver Marcus Lewis on a 6-yard scoring strike late in the third quarter for a 26-13 lead.

"We needed him to play," said Huskies coach Jerry Kill. "It was a chance to see what he could do and how he could play on his knee. We didn't want to go to Ohio (next week) and not have any time. We need to see what he could do, where he's at."

Women's basketball

GRIFFITH'S HANSEN HEADED TO IUSB: Griffith senior guard Lauren Hansen committed to take her talents to IU South Bend, signing with the Titans this past September. In Thursday's Times, Hansen's name was unintentionally omitted from a list of local players who have made college commitments.

Hansen averaged 7.3 points with 3.8 assists and 2.3 steals for the sectional champion Panthers last season.

Women's volleyball

VU'S BUKOWSKI RECEIVES HONOR: Valparaiso University senior setter Kim Bukowski has been named this week's recipient of "The People's Choice" honor on the Horizon League Network. Bukowski is currently spotlighted in the featured video on the HLN Web site via phone interview. The senior averaged 12.67 assists/set last week as the Crusaders swept both UIC and Loyola in a pair of crucial league matches.

Prep football

MERRILLVILLE REGIONAL TICKETS ON SALE: Merrillville High School will sell tickets for the Pirates' regional game against Mishawaka from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. today. Tickets are $6 apiece. Tickets for the game and a ride to Mishawaka via Merrillville's fan bus are $10 each. Use entrance "Q" at the school to purchase tickets.

Around the horn

Patrick Ryan will continue his efforts to expand Olympic sports in Chicago, even after the city lost its bid for the 2016 Games. Ryan was named chairman of the board Thursday of World Sport Chicago, the bid's legacy organization. The group is dedicated to increasing participation in Olympic sports among Chicago's children, and Ryan had promised that its efforts wouldn't end with last month's selection of a host city. ... Mike Tyson's run-in with a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport could send him to jail if he violated probation from a drug case in Arizona. A probation official from Maricopa County, Ariz., said Thursday that his office will start court proceedings if it's determined Tyson violated parole. The former heavyweight champ and photographer Tony Echeverria both claim they were struck during a Wednesday altercation. The photographer was treated for a cut forehead.