MURFREESBORO — Middle Tennessee’s Chris Mobley was one out from his second straight complete-game, allowing just an unearned run and striking out six to lead the Blue Raiders to a series-opening 6-1 victory over Dayton Friday afternoon at Reese Smith Field. The Blue Raiders (14-3) scratched across six runs on seven hits, including an RBI…

By CHUCK SCHOFFNER / AP Sports Writer In the ever evolving world that is the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, more change is on the way. And just about any coach will say it can’t happen too soon. As first-round games got under way this weekend, a new format was taking shape for 2005. Get ready…

By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS / AP Sports Writer CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Vanderbilt turned around its season after losing to Tennessee a month ago and hasn’t looked back. The 13th-ranked Commodores (24-7) have won eight games in a row, including the last four en route to the Southeastern Conference tournament championship. The title helped earned them…

By The Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Another 3-pointer came between East Tennessee State and a first-round upset. Tony Bobbitt hit a 3 from the left corner with 16.1 seconds left Friday, rallying fourth-seeded Cincinnati to an 80-77 victory over a team that keeps coming up just short in the NCAA tournament. Flashy point…

McMinnville resident and DeKalb County native Robbie Lillian Davis Knowles, 98, died March 14 at NHC.A retired florist and a member of the Church of Christ, she was the daughter of Pope P. and Era Emily Davis; and was preceded in death by her first husband, Reafer Vanderpool; second husband, Elbert Knowles; and daughter, Reva…

Terrell, Texas resident and Warren County native Richard Brown Hobbs, 56, died unexpectedly March 16 in Dallas.A truck driver and a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was the son of the late Millard C. and Georgia Hobbs; and was preceded in death by brother, Bill Hobbs.He is survived by daughter and son-in-law,…

Louis (Joe) Powell, 78, died March 17. An avid fisherman, bowler and hunter, he is survived by his wife, Marcia Powell; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Beth Powell; daughters and son-in-law, Glynda Boyd, Donna and Robert Willis; stepson, Charles Gandy; stepdaughter and spouse, Cindy Terry Murphee; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia Basham. He…

Rock Island resident and Cannon County native Elmer Lee Hollandsworth, 90, died March 16 at River Park Hospital after a short illness.A farmer, retired employee of Magnetek and a member of Emmanuel Church of Christ, he was the son of Ezekiel Josire and Cleo Beatrice Johnson Hollandsworth.He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Barnes Hollandsworth;…

Mt. Lebanon, Pa., resident and Van Buren County native Amolene Deaton Dobbins, 78, died March 15 at Manor Care Nursing Home in Bethel Park, Pa., after an extended illness.A retired florist and a member of Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, she was the daughter of Claude Elvin and Nora McBride Deaton; and was preceded in…

By SETH SUTEL / AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) — A pair of economic reports released Thursday signaled hope that the long dry spell in hiring could be easing, but economists remained cautious about the prospects of a full recovery in the job market. Another report showed a spike in energy prices. The Labor…