Maine tops New Hampshire 68-60

DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Xavier Pollard’s jumper midway through the second half gave Maine the lead and he added eight of the Black Bears final 19 points to spark a 68-60 win over New Hampshire Wednesday night.

Maine held the Wildcats scoreless for almost three minutes down the stretch on their home court to secure the win. The game was the 184th meeting between the rivals. Maine holds a 117-67 advantage in the series, but New Hampshire swept both games a year ago.

Pollard finished with 20 points to lead Maine (4-16, 2-6 America East), with Ethan Mackey adding another 12 and Till Gloger 10.

New Hampshire (5-16, 3-5) had won three of its last four games coming into the contest after snapping a 13-game losing streak that spanned nearly three months. Chris Pelcher finished with 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the Wildcats. Frank Okeke added 11 points and Daniel Dion 10.

Lynch short with media again

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Beast Mode was Least Mode again.

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch abruptly ended his media availability ”“ again ”“ walking away from a throng of reporters while escorted by a member of the New Jersey State Police after about 7 uncomfortable minutes in which he answered just a few questions.

The elusive Lynch, who created a stir at media day Tuesday by talking for only 6 1/2 minutes, writhed in his seat and leaned his head back at times. A few dozen reporters, lined up as much as five deep, tried to ask questions during the players’ 45-minute availability at the team hotel.

Earlier this month, Lynch was fined $50,000 for not cooperating with the Seattle media. The NFL put that fine on hold, saying it would be rescinded if he complied with media obligations. During media day, Lynch returned to speak to Deion Sanders for NFL Network, to the Seahawks website, and to Armed Forces Network ”“ and acknowledged he was trying to avoid being fined by the league for not meeting his media requirements.

Agent Steinberg signs first new client

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Back in the agent business after a lengthy personal detour, Leigh Steinberg’s first new football client is, naturally, a quarterback.

Steinberg has signed SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert, the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert. Steinberg was Gale Gilbert’s agent and also represents SMU coach June Jones.

This is the first time Steinberg, the real-life inspiration for “Jerry Maguire,” has represented the son of a former client.

A powerful agent since 1975, Steinberg battled alcoholism and bankruptcy, and let his agent certification lapse. After getting sober and clearing bankruptcy, Steinberg was recertified by the NFL Players Association last fall and launched Steinberg Sports and Entertainment.

Former Lion Best suing NFL, Riddell

DETROIT (AP) — Former Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best is suing the NFL and helmet maker Riddell after concussion problems helped cut short his career.

The lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court on Tuesday. It alleges the league has been aware of evidence of mild traumatic brain injuries and the risk for its players for years, but “deliberately ignored and actively concealed” the information. It also accuses Riddell of making defective helmets and failing to inform the players of the long-term effects of concussions.