BASKETBALL

APPEAL FILED ON BEHALF OF SUSPENDED PACERS

The NBA players’ union filed an appeal yesterday on behalf of Indiana Pacers Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, and Jermaine O’Neal, who were suspended for their roles in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans last week. The union asked that an arbitrator decide whether there should be reductions in the suspensions handed out Sunday: Artest was banned for the season, Jackson for 30 games and O’Neal for 25.

Union director Billy Hunter called the penalties excessive, saying a suspension of about 35 games would have been more appropriate for Artest. The union also is considering taking the case to federal court.

Commissioner David Stern, who issued the suspensions, has sole discretion under collective bargaining rules over penalties for on-court behavior, and all appeals go through him, too. The union, however, asked in its one-page appeal that the case go to arbitrator Roger Kaplan.

Also yesterday, two fans sued the Pacers and the suspended players, contending they were injured in the brawl. John Ackerman and William Paulson are seeking unspecified damages.

BASEBALL

LEITER, METS EXPLORE ‘OTHER OPTIONS’

Stuck in their contract negotiations, Al Leiter and the Mets agreed yesterday to explore what general manager Omar Minaya called “other options.”

Minaya spoke Monday with the 39-year-old left-hander. The Mets have been trying to re-sign him, and a baseball official speaking on the condition of anonymity said last week that the sides were closing in on a one-year deal worth between $4 million and $5 million. Talks have stalled since, and the Marlins made an offer. In addition, Leiter had lunch with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who expressed interest.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SPURRIER TAKES OVER AT SOUTH CAROLINA

Steve Spurrier took over at South Carolina yesterday, returning to the college ranks after a three-year absence.

The former Florida coach replaces Lou Holtz, who retired Monday. Spurrier got a seven-year deal worth $1.25 million a season that could go over $2 million with incentives.

Spurrier led the Gators to a national championship in 1996 and six Southeastern Conference titles before abruptly resigning in 2001 to join the Washington Redskins. But he had little success in the NFL, going 12-20 before leaving.

BIG TEN TEAMS ACCEPT BOWL INVITATIONS

Three days after a dramatic conclusion to the Big Ten Conference race, many of its top teams accepted bowl bids yesterday.

Iowa (9-2) accepted a Capitol One Bowl bid, Wisconsin (9-2) an Outback Bowl berth, Ohio State (7-4) an Alamo Bowl spot, and Purdue (7-4) a spot in the Sun Bowl. The Hawkeyes, who are to play in their third straight New Year’s Day bowl, and the Badgers will face opponents from the Southeastern Conference.

Ohio State will face a Big 12 Conference opponent in San Antonio on December 29 and Purdue a Pac-10 team in El Paso two days later. Also yesterday, North Carolina accepted a bid to the Continental Tire Bowl on December 30 in Charlotte. It will face either Notre Dame or a team from the Big East.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

IOWA NOTCHES SECOND STRAIGHT UPSET

Junior guard Pierre Pierce hit a 25-foot jumper with 44 seconds left to lift Iowa over no. 15 Texas 82-80 last night in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.

Pierce then stepped on another player’s foot on the game’s final play and hurt his left ankle. He left the Lahaina Civic Center on crutches and was taken for X-rays.

Iowa (3-0) will face either no. 11 North Carolina or Tennessee in the championship game today. It was the Hawkeyes’ second straight win over a ranked team following a 76-71 victory over no. 12 Louisville in the opening round.

BOXING

HOLYFIELD APPEALS BAN

Evander Holyfield appealed the medical suspension handed out by New York boxing officials after his November 13 loss to Larry Donald at Madison Square Garden. The 42-year-old former four-time heavyweight champion lost a lopsided decision to Donald in the 12-round fight. Holyfield said he wasn’t hurt and shouldn’t be suspended.

FOOTBALL

NFL GOES FORWARD WITH SEATING EXPERIMENT

The National Football League, undeterred by the last week’s brawl between NBA players and spectators, will put fans on the sidelines this weekend to test a new premium seating program.

Four fans at the Minnesota-Jacksonville game will be seated 36 feet from the sidelines at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The NFL brought up the idea of on-field seats to its 32 teams in August and is testing it this season. The home clubs participating will choose the four fans on the field during the experiment. The seats would probably be in the corner of the end zone, away from the benches.

The league hasn’t decided how many fans would be allowed on the field or the price of the seats if the program is adopted.

SOCCER

DYANAMO KIEV BLANKS ROMA IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Playing in a snowstorm, Dynamo Kiev shut out AS Roma 2-0 on two late goals yesterday and needs only a tie in its final Champions League group game at Bayer Leverkusen to secure a place in the first knockout round. The result also eliminated the Italian club, which is confined to the bottom of Group B.

Dynamo stands atop Group B with 10 points, two ahead of both Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, who drew 1-1.

– Associated Press