BASKETBALL

Nearing conference title, Red Claws acquire big man

The Maine Red Claws picked up a 7-foot-2, 330-pound veteran center from the available player pool Thursday and waived swingman Rodney McGruder.

James Tyler, a native of North Carolina who finished high school in 2008 and has played overseas since, had been playing in Taiwan. He has also played in Iran, China, Peru, Serbia, Libya, Bulgaria, Lebanon and Romania.

McGruder, who attended training camp with the Boston Celtics, averaged 9.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 26 games with Maine.

The Red Claws (31-14) can clinch the top seed in the D-League’s Eastern Conference with a win against Westchester on Friday at the Expo.

COLLEGES

WOMEN’S LACROSSE: Southern Maine broke open a tie game with 11 straight goals to start the second half in a 16-7 victory over UMaine-Farmington at Gorham.

Lauren Lessard had five goals and an assist for the Huskies (1-5). Nicole Leplante added four goals, while Anh Nguyen had three goals and a pair of assists.

Ayla Allen scored three goals for the Beavers (0-4).

SOFTBALL: Union (4-6) scored in each of the final three innings to rally to a 3-2 win over Colby in the second of two games for the Mules (3-6) at Clermont, Florida.

The Mules got two runs in the first inning on an RBI double by Emily Schatz and an RBI single by Grace Farnkoff.

Earlier, Colby fell 5-1 to Lawrence (6-3). Robin Spofford went 2 for 2 with two stolen bases and a run scored for the Mules.

GOLF

PGA: Charley Hoffman took advantage of calmer afternoon conditions to take a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley after a wind-swept first round of the Texas Open.

Hoffman shot a 5-under 67 in steady 15 mph win at TPC San Antonio after gusts threatening 40 mph pummeled the morning starters.

Graeme McDowell withdrew after nine holes because of a left ankle injury.

• Tiger Woods donated $10,000 to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore to launch a scholarship fund honoring Charlie Sifford, the first black PGA Tour member, who died last month at age 92.

The need-based scholarships will support minority students with an interest in golf. Maryland-Eastern Shore is the nation’s only historically black university that offers a degree in professional golf management.

LPGA: Mirim Lee birdied all four par-5 holes and finished with a bogey-free 7-under 65 to take the first-round lead in the Kia Classic at Carlsbad, California. Yani Tseng, winless in 70 starts since her victory in the 2012 event at nearby La Costa, had a 66.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Frenchman Adrien Saddier opened with an eagle and added five birdies in a 7-under round of 65 to lead Englishman Daniel Gaunt by one shot after the first round of the Trophee Hassan II at Agadir, Morocco.

TENNIS

MIAMI OPEN: Second-seeded Maria Sharapova, 0-5 in the finals at Key Biscayne, was this time upset in her first match by wild-card Daria Gavrilova, 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Venus Williams began her 16th appearance at the event by beating qualifier Urszula Radwanska, 6-3, 6-2. Radwanska’s sister, Agnieszka, won, as did former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.

• Juan Martin del Potro, playing for the first time since Jan. 15, lost in the first round to Vasek Pospisil, 6-4, 7-6 (7). Del Potro had been sidelined with a lingering left wrist injury.

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