Sports briefs

COLLEGESCatholic schools meet on leaving Big East

Representatives of the seven Catholic schools leaving the Big East Conference to form a basketball-first league met Friday in New York to continue laying groundwork for exit negotiations. The schools released a joint statement announcing they have retained Proskauer Rose LLP and Pilson Communications, Inc. to advice them on legal and media rights strategies. St. John's, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Marquette, Villanova, Providence and DePaul last month announced plans to form a basketball league that eventually will consist of 10 to 12 teams.

Dowling to compete in field hockey

Dowling College will begin field hockey next fall, the school said. The team will compete as a D-II independent. Kim Hannigan, who guided the Southampton High School girls team to the Long Island championship this past season, was named coach.

Manziel spurs Cotton Bowl rout

Johnny Manziel ran for two touchdowns and threw for two as No. 9 Texas A&M routed No. 11 Oklahoma, 41-13, in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. Manziel set an FBS bowl record with 229 yards rushing on 17 carries and completed 22 of 34 passes for 287 yards.

NBA

Bulls dominate glass and top Heat

Carlos Boozer scored 27 points as the visiting Bulls beat the Heat, 96-89. LeBron James scored 30 points for the Heat, which was outrebounded 48-28 . . . Chris Paul had 30 points and 13 assists and Blake Griffin added 24 points as the Clippers beat the Lakers, 107-102, despite 38 points by Kobe Bryant. Dwight Howard added 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who cut an 18-point deficit to two before the Clippers held on.-- AP