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Show StatesmanSports Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008 Page II Clemens denies use of steroids to lawyers WASHINGTON (AP) — Roger Clemens' most meaningful denial of drug use so far was also the most wellguarded. The star pitcher gave a sworn deposition for about five hours to congressional lawyers behind closed doors Tuesday, addressing his former personal trainer's allegations. And this time, Clemens was under oath. "I just want to thank the committee, the staff that I just met with. They were very courteous," the seven-time Cy Young Award winner said, wearing a pinstriped gray suit instead of a pinstriped New York Yankees uniform. "It was great to be able to tell them what I've been saying all along — that I've never used steroids or growth hormone." Tuesday's deposition was the first time Clemens faced legal risk if he were to make false statements. Home run king Barry Bonds, another player linked to steroid use, was indicted in November on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for telling a grand jury in 2003 that he didn't knowingly take performance-enhancing drugs. In the ID months since former Senate majority leader George Mitchell released his report on drug use in baseball, Clemens strongly and repeatedly denied what his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, said — in statements by his lawyers, in a written statement, in a video statement, during a taped TV interview and in a live news conference. Clemens spoke Tuesday with staffers from the same House panel that — after the Mitchell Report came out — asked the Justice Department to look into whether 2002 AL MVP Miguel Tejada lied when he told committee investigators in 2005 that he never took performance enhancers. FORMER NEW YORK YANKEES PITCHER ROGER CLEMENS, CENTER, accompanied by his attorneys, Lanny Breuer, left, and Rusty Hardin, departs the offices of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, where he gave several hours of closed-door testimony to committee lawyers about alleged use of illegal steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in professional baseball. AP photo Aggie women readyfor game at Hawaii ByERIN WADSWORTH staff writer . THE MIAMI HEAT'S SHAQUILLE O'NEAL prepares to pass against the Portland Trail Blazers. AP photo O'neal on the • MIAMI (AP) —Shaquille O'Neal is prepared for the Miami Heat to trade him, a confidant of the 14-time AllStar center told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. O'Neal's associate, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal anything publicly, indicated a move could be imminent. "Shaq thinks something will happen," the associate said. The Miami Herald reported earlier Tuesday that the Heat are in "serious and ongoing" trade negotiations with the Phoenix Suns, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel said the deal could occur "within 48 hours." A Heat spokesman said the team had no comment, and several Suns officials didn't immediately return phone calls from The AP. The Herald report said the Suns would send Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami in exchange for O'Neal, who is averaging a career-low 14.2 points and has been sidelined for the past two weeks by a lingering hip injury. When asked last week about another report that a Shaq trade was possible, Heat coach Pat Riley said, "Not true." But when the Los Angeles Lakers struck a deal with Memphis last week for 7footer Pau Gasol and instantly strengthened their lineup, there's been constant speculation about how other Western Conference teams would respond. And a Shaq-to-the-Suns deal would certainly create plenty of buzz. It isn't known if O'Neal — who has two full seasons remaining after this one on his $100 million, five-year contract — would welcome a trade. It also isn't known if the Heat would seek to add guard Smush Parker, who's been on the inactive list for months because of an unresolved legal issue, to the deal. Fresh off a six-game losing streak, the Utah State women's basketball team now looks to best the University of Hawaii in Honolulu Thursday. The Rainbow Wahine, along with head coach Jim Bolla, will host the Aggies in their own Stan Sheriff Center. Remaining at 8-13 ovrrall and 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference, Hawaii fell to Utah State early in conference play. 55-48. "We had some wins going into the game," Aggie head coach Raegan Pebley said. "We had a little bit more momentum. But 1 think we've got confidence going in against Hawaii. We know we can beat them. And we actually did beat them, not just play with them." Utah State's most recent loss came in the first of a four-game away schedule against the University of Nevada 75-55. Major defense mistakes factored into this loss, Pebley said. But the team has been shown their mistakes and has taken the necessary steps to remedy pitfalls, she said. The Aggies began conference play strong, with a 2-0 record, but have since fallen to 2-6. Led by senior guard Taylor Richards and her assists record, Utah State currently sits on a 6-14 season. Despite recent setbacks, the team is hungry for a win, Pebley said. "I feel like we've come into the last two practices refocused," Pebley said. "We know it's going to be hard doing it on the road at Hawaii, but our team is really motivated. I'm happy with that." Boosting a team's morale after mul- tiple losses can be difficult, but Pebley said she offers her team a view of how to improve. Focusing on controllable elements of the game and how to transition these essentials from a loss to a win can help the team retain enthusiasm, Pebley said. Coincidentally, the Aggies' last game ending in victory happened to be against Hawaii. Defense was the hallmark of the game, aiding Utah State in 33 turnovers. Senior forward Jenny Gross brought home 11 points, while Richards banked 10 to seal the win. Hawaii boasts senior forward Tanya Smith, WAC player of the week for Jan. 28, and senior center Iwona Zagrobelna, who scored a game-high 18 points against the Aggies in their last meeting. The Aggies hope to triumph over the entire team on Thursday, upping the stakes for Hawaii through defensive and offensive means. Road travel becomes troublesome for the team academically beginning in February, Pebley said. Between Feb. 1 and Feb. 16, the Aggies will be attending three days of class, placing strain on academic standing. "We've "ot a lot of academic obstacles," Pebley said. "Them getting their degrees is the number one priority, and we're going to make sure of thai." Following Thursday's game, the Aggies head to California to face Fresno State University and San Jose State University. Nevada will then make its way to the Spectrum to face Utah State on'Feb.21. •erin.wiuis\vorth(a}(igginnul.usu.t'du Across the Street from Campus ;;;:£- " '""' Private Bedrooms and* Bathrooms *w-:-'-'*J^ 19 CLARKSBURG 677 EAST 600 NORTH each Bedroom BRJESLAW 679 EAST 600 NORTH Large Closet - Vacuum Fully Furnished f Apartment : ^ $ ; Modern Kitchen Facilities Cable TV with Jacks in^ •. each Bedroom .... . ; STONELEIGH • 67s EAST 600 NORTH HILLSIDE MANOR • 676 EAST 600 NORTH • Living Room with TV, DVD & VCR -3?3£' : '•" • Private Parking - No ^ 4 Hassles '^ • Central Heating and Air .,•; Conditioning ~™M-"*'.'•* . • High Speed DSL Internet Service in each Bedroom] • Phone in Apartment, and Bedrooms :/t\'.V£$&h'-'r. 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