Sports Digest: VU women's bowling team knocks off defending national champs

Pro basketball

PIERCE LEADS CELTICS PAST PACERS: Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutive points to pull away and beat the Pacers 94-87 Friday night.

E.C. Central grad E'Twaun Moore added four points, a rebound, an assist and a steal as the Celtics matched their longest winning streak of the year.

Danny Granger scored 21 points for Indiana, which had beaten Boston twice this season -- both times by more than 10 points.

Pro football

MANNING, IRSAY INSIST THEY'RE ON SAME PAGE: Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay say there are no hard feelings between them.

The two issued a joint statement, saying they've had a great relationship based on respect and trust since 1998. They said they had a long talk Friday after a week of comments that suggested a rift had developed.

Manning went public this week with his frustration over the firings of coach Jim Caldwell and others after the Colts' 2-14 season. And Irsay on Thursday called Manning a "politician" who shouldn't have aired the dirty laundry.

The two say they are committed to maintaining their close relationship and working through any challenges. The Colts must decide by March 8 whether to pay Manning a $28 million bonus or risk losing him to free agency.

POLIAN TO HOST SHOWS ON SATELLITE RADIO: Former Colts President Bill Polian is joining SiriusXM radio as a regular host.

Polian will make his debut on the satellite network's NFL Radio channel on Monday night, and also will host a show on Wednesday and next Friday. He will be joined by former NFL quarterback Jim Miller as his co-host. In addition to his work during Super Bowl week, Polian will regularly host shows on the channel in the offseason.

EMERY GETS SECOND INTERVIEW FOR BEARS' GM JOB: Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery got his second interview Friday for the Bears' vacant general manager's position.

Emery and New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, who was interviewed a second time Thursday, are the finalists. The announcement on who gets the job could come as early as next week.

Women's bowling

VU STARTS KUTZTOWN INVITE WITH 5-1 MARK: Top-ranked Valparaiso University finished 5-1 Friday during the first day of the Kutztown Invitational in Reading, Pa. The Crusaders downed defending national champion Maryland Eastern Shore 797-790 and are second in the tourney.

Local golf

CHILI OPEN TODAY: Creekside Golf Course and Training Center in Valparaiso will host the Chili Open from 1 to 3 p.m. today. The event is free. Trial use of the indoor simulators and outdoor-heated driving rang plus chili and snacks will be available. If weather permits, a Closest to the Pin contest will take place on No. 9. Entry fee is $5. For details, call Rich Frey at (219) 476-1876.

Local basketball

K OF C FREE THROW CONTEST SUNDAY: The Nativity of our Savior Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest will be held Sunday in the main gym at Portage High School East. The doors will open at 9 a.m., with the contest starting at 10 a.m. For details, call Gilbert E. Spisak Jr. at (219) 628-3816, or visit www.kofc9114.org.

Around the horn

The LakeShore USBC Tournament starts with singles and doubles play at 1 p.m. today at Stardust II. Team play begins at noon Sunday at Hobart Lanes. ... Kyle Stanley made more than enough birdies Friday to offset one big mistake, giving him a 4-under 68 on the South Course at Torrey Pines and a one-shot lead in the Farmers Insurance Open. ... A day after Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in four compelling sets, Novak Djokovic dug deep to overcome Andy Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 in the Australian Open semifinals on Friday after 4 hours, 50 minutes. Defending champion Djokovic will face Nadal in a third straight Grand Slam final on Sunday. ... Outfielder Juan Pierre has agreed to a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The 34-year-old hit .279 with 50 RBIs and 27 steals for the White Sox last season. ... The U.S. women's soccer team qualified for the London Olympics with a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica. ... NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the recession has helped build TV audiences for NFL games. Speaking on CBS' "60 Minutes," to be aired Sunday, Goodell says of nearly 60 million people tuning in to watch last Sunday's conference championships, "People want to feel part of a group ... and right now during these difficult times, they can turn on free television and watch the greatest entertainment that's out there."