LEADING OFF

Fallen Saint

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees helplessly watched the ball bounce away from him as he was sacked by Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware during the second quarter at the Louisiana Superdome last Saturday. Dallas recovered the fumble and went on to kick a field goal. Brees, who was intercepted once and sacked four times, fumbled again at the end of the game to seal the Cowboys' 24--17 victory, which ended the Saints' undefeated season.

Screen Play

Texas guard Dogus Balbay, a 6'1" junior, looked like a giant on the overhead screen at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as he sped upcourt against North Carolina last Saturday. The Longhorns went to 10--0 by beating the Tar Heels 103--90 before a crowd of 38,052 in the inaugural hoops game at the seven-month-old stadium. It was the first time since January 2002 that a team had scored 100 points in regulation against UNC, which fell to 8--3.

Moon Struck

Cavaliers forward Jamario Moon was clocked by Nets guard Devin Harris as Moon tried to score on a breakaway late in the fourth quarter in Cleveland on Dec. 15. Harris was ejected from the game for a flagrant two foul, and the Cavs held on to beat cellar-dwelling New Jersey 99--89.

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Photograph by Bob Rosato

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Photograph by Greg Nelson

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Photograph by Joshua Gunter/Plain Dealer/AP