European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 3, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The stars and stripes March 3,1992 Page 28 Marty Clark reaches around a clan a Mitchell Butler in scramble with a clan a Rod Zimmerman and Dukes Cherokee Parks Bottom. Blue devils efficiency finally subdues Bruins by Jerry Crowe the los Angeles times los Angeles a top ranked Duke was Ripe for an upset sunday at Pauley Pavilion but no. 4 Urcla could not reach High enough to pick off the Blue devils. Instead the Bruins walked away with a third consecutive loss. Duke playing without one of its Best players and trailing at halftime for the first time this season made 58.6 percent of its shots during the second half dominated the last three minutes and Defeated the Bruins 75-65, before a record Pauley Pavilion crowd of 13,023. If the game said a lot about Urcla As Captain Gerald Madkins had suggested last week that it would it said As much see other College basketball games on Page 26 about Duke 23-2. A it says they re no. 1,�?� Urcla coach Jim Harrick said. In front of a crowd that had looked Forward to this game since last summer the defending Mcaa champions overcame the absence of Grant Hill their no. 3 scorer and no. 2 rebounded who was Back Home after suffering a sprained ankle during practice tuesday. And they overcame a Urcla team that was determined to turn things around after consecutive losses to notre Dame and us. The Bruins Shon Tarver suffered a a trained ankle and had to leave the game using the first half. To us Edney fell hard on his Tailbone and had to leave during the second. Mitchell Butler bit through his lip and needed stitches to close the Cut. Don Maclean also required stitches a for a Cut in his right knee. Despite 26.8 percent shooting the Bruins 21-4 led at halftime 29-24. Duke shot 33.3 percent during the half and took one offensive rebound. After halftime however the Blue devils were More efficient opening the second half with a 12-4 run led by senior Center Christian laettner who finished with game highs of 29 Points and 13 rebounds. A we just did no to execute Down the stretch a said Maclean who finished with 20 Points and 10 rebounds. Sandberg surpasses Bonilla Mesa Ariz. Apr Ryne Sandberg became the highest paid player in baseball history monday when he agreed with the Chicago cubs on a multiyear contract Extension his agent said. The 32-year-old second baseman who would have been eligible for free Agency following this season already was signed for 1992 at $2.1 million. Sandberg an All Star for eight consecutive seasons set a deadline of March 1 see Page 21 for More baseball news for a contract Extension then extended it 24 hours As talks progressed. The negotiations concluded monday with the agreement announced at a news conference near the cubs training base. A the is the highest paid player in baseball a said Sandberg a agent Jim Turner. Currently the highest contract by average annual value is the $29 million five year contract agreed to on dec. 2 Between outfielder Bobby Bonilla and the new York mets. Details of Sandberg a new Deal were not immediately available. Sandberg hit .291 last season with 26 homers and 100 Bis becoming the first second baseman to drive in 100 runs in consecutive seasons since Bobby Doerr of the Boston red sox in 1949 and 1950. His 104 runs scored gave him six 100-run seasons and three in a Row the first cub to achieve that feat since Billy Williams from 1964-66. Bird returns Sparks celtics Bostons Larry Bird defends against Dallas Terry Davis in Boston sunday. Boston apr fantastic. Sensational. Amazing.�?�. There were hardly enough superlatives to describe the return of Larry Bird from a two month Layoff sunday night after he led the Boston celtics to a 101-91 Victory Over the Dallas Mavericks. Playing his first game since dec. 30, when he was forced from the lineup with an inflamed nerve in his Back Bird had 26 Points 13 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes. A the was fantastic a Boston coach Chris Ford said. A the carried us in the first half and then he helped us win it in the  a Bird and turnovers beat us a Dallas coach Richie Adubato said. A we had a Chance but Bird was sensational. Unfortunately for us he came Back  a we came in Here geared for Larry but apparently it does t matter How you gear Tor Larry Quot said Donald Hodge who led Dallas with 19 Points. A i Felt All right it was Good to get Back a Bird said casually. A i just came to play. I did no to expect anything special. When you sit out that Long you re going to be a Little Rusty. I had a lot of time to see other Aba games on Page 26 practice in the last couple of weeks but you never know until you get out there. A once i got going and got into the flow i Felt that i Hadnot even been out. I Felt i could go up and Down the court with the Guys. I was bumping and banging and got some rebounds and from then on i thought i could do just about  Bird hit nine of 16 Field goal attempts and All seven free throws. The 35-year-old Veteran took charge in the third period sparking the celtics to ust their fourth Victory in 12 games. He Tiad seven Points seven rebounds and Ive assists in the Quarter then returned briefly in the final period narrowly missing his first triple double of the year. Boston broke away from a 59-59 tie in the decisive third period outscoring the Mavericks 19-9 to take a a 78-68 advantage into the final Quarter. Given a standing ovation when introduced Bird threw up a Brick on his first shot but quickly settled Down. He scored seven Points while playing eight minutes and helping Boston to a first period  sports dodgers audition brother act a Page 21canucks humiliate flames 11-0 a Page 22couples beats love in playoff a Page 22elliott collects Lascar win Page 25 after a rest Bird returned in the second period after Dallas went on a 14-2 run for a 3,9-29 Lead. He had 10 Points and passed for two baskets As Boston went on an 18-5 surge to go ahead 47-44. However the Mavericks scored four Points in the closing seconds for a 48-47 advantage at halftime. Reggie Lewis scored 22 Points for Boston which improved its Home record against Dallas to 12-0