Love Says U.S. Didn’t Whine

Still glowing over a Ryder Cup victory, Davis Love III isn’t about to let European complaints of the 17th green celebration or boorish behavior by the Boston gallery spoil America’s great comeback.

“We didn’t cry when we lost two in a row,” Love said Wednesday at Pine Mountain, Ga., site of this weekend’s PGA tournament.

Love also accused the European team of purposely playing slowly to rattle the Americans, and said the excessive partisanship was no different from what was heard at Valderrama in Spain two years ago.

“They were poking umbrellas through the ropes trying to trip people going from tee to green,” Love said.

“If it had been even the whole way and one of us eked it out at the end, then maybe they wouldn’t be feeling so bad,” he said. “But they just got pounded into the ground on Sunday, and they’re embarrassed by it.”

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The American caddie for European Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia said he was attacked in a hotel bar after the tournament and had to go to a hospital with a head wound.

Jerry Higginbotham, sporting a black eye and bruised cheek, said several men taunted him because he was an American working with the European team.

“One of the guys had obviously had a bad day and had definitely had too much to drink,” Higginbotham said.

Police in Boston and Brookline, Mass., on Wednesday said they have no record of the attack.

Pro Basketball

The Chicago Bulls acquired center Chris Anstey from the Dallas Mavericks for a second-round pick in the 2000 draft. . . . The Sacramento Kings re-signed forward Corliss Williamson. Financial terms weren’t disclosed by the team, though the Sacramento Bee reported it’s a one-year agreement worth $3.5 million with an option on a second season at nearly $4 million. . . . As expected, Shandon Anderson, spurning a richer deal from Utah, left the Jazz and signed with Houston.

The Clippers, who had planned to train at College of the Desert, will begin training camp Tuesday at Southwest College.

Hockey

Darius Kasparaitis, the most physical defenseman on a Pittsburgh team better known for goal scorers, reached terms with the Penguins on a $3-million, two-year contract. . . . The Toronto Maple Leafs re-signed defenseman Bryan Berard to a two-year contract. . . . The Nashville Predators signed 18-year-old goaltender Brian Finley, the sixth overall pick in last year’s NHL draft, to a three-year contract. . . . Dave Gagner, who played for six teams during his 15-year NHL career, announced his retirement. . . . The Detroit Red Wings signed defenseman Jiri Fischer to a three-year, $2.9-million contract and released veteran wing Randy Burridge. . . . Carolina Hurricane General Manager Jim Rutherford made a last-ditch effort to sign all-star center Keith Primeau, but it’s unlikely Primeau will sign before Saturday’s opener.

Tennis

Martina Hingis of Switzerland defeated Amelie Mauresmo of France, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2, at the $6.7-million Grand Slam Cup at Munich, Germany. The world’s No. 1 player was competing in her first match since losing the U.S. Open final to Serena Williams.

In the men’s field, Tommy Haas of Germany defeated Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, 6-3, 6-2, to set up a quarterfinal with top-ranked Andre Agassi.

Miscellany

Othell Wilson has been accused of raping a student and was put on leave as basketball coach at St. Mary’s College at St. Mary’s, Md. Wilson is being held without bond.

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon lost his crew chief when Ray Evernham was released from his contract with Hendrick Motorsports.

Evernham oversaw the development of Gordon from a talented but raw rookie in 1993 to a three-time Winston Cup champion and winner of 47 races in five-plus seasons.

Goalkeeper Tom Presthus stopped a penalty shot in extra time as D.C. United beat Olimpia of Honduras, 1-0, in a quarterfinal match of the CONCACAF Champions Cup at Las Vegas.

Services for Keith Cowherd, who died of injuries from a speed truck accident last Saturday night at Irwindale Speedway, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix.