PISTONS-MAGIC

Howard, Magic hold off Pistons 110-103

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Dwight Howard had 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic hold off Charlie Villanueva and the Detroit Pistons 110-103 Friday night.

Villanueva scored 22 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to get past the defending Eastern Conference champs, who led by 19 early and never trailed at all.

Matt Barnes had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Magic and Jameer Nelson also scored 18, with eight assists.

Orlando had lost 20 of 25 regular season games to the Pistons, including one earlier in the week.

The closest Detroit came on Friday night was 96-90 after a shot by Villanueva with about three minutes to play.

Ben Gordon finished with 19 points for the Pistons.

MSU-SIMON-REPLAY

MSU pres. wants to discuss replay with Big 10

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University president Lou Anna K. Simon plans to meet with Big Ten officials to discuss the conference's football replay system.

The meeting was to have taken place Friday on the MSU campus. But university spokesman Terry Denbow said the topic instead will likely be addressed during a December meeting of the Big Ten's Council of Presidents/Chancellors.

Simon is president of the group.

Associate athletics director John Lewandowski said before the meeting was called off that Simon wanted to "get a better understanding of how the replay system works."

Spartans coach Mark Dantonio in recent weeks has contacted Big Ten officials regarding certain calls and said Sunday he would contact them again regarding a disputed play at Minnesota the previous night. The Gophers won that game 42-34.

LIONS-INJURIES

Lions coach hoping Johnson, Smith can play Sunday

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz says he's optimistic that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play in Sunday's game at Seattle.

Johnson has missed Detroit's past two games with a sore right knee but has practiced all week. Smith, who injured a shoulder last weekend's 17-10 loss to St. Louis, missed Wednesday's practice but took part in workouts Thursday and Friday.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford was limited in practice this week by a sore right knee but is expected to play Sunday against the Seahawks (2-5).

Schwartz notes that the last time Stafford, Johnson and Smith all were healthy and played together was during the first half of the Lions' only win of the season: a 25-17 decision over the Washington Redskins on Oct. 26.

NORTH DAKOTA-MICHIGAN TECH

North Dakota beats Michigan Tech 4-2 in WCHA

HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) — North Dakota responded to its first loss of the season and a bye week by beating Michigan Tech 4-2 Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Playing for the first time since suffering their first loss of the season two weeks ago, the Fighting Sioux (5-1-1, 3-1-1 WCHA) got power-play goals from Jason Gregoire, Chris VandeVelde and Danny Kristo.

Evan Trupp also scored for North Dakota.

Brad Eidsness was solid in the nets, stopping 21 shots, including 12 in the second period.

Michigan Tech (2-5-0, 1-4-0) got as close as 2-1 on a power-play goal by John Kivisto in the second period. Eli Vlaisavljevich added a goal for the Huskies at 15:44 of the third.

Tech goalie Kevin Genoe stopped 37 shots.

TIGERS-MOVES

Tigers: OF Thames, C Treanor to become free agents

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have removed outfielder Marcus Thames (temz) and catcher Matt Treanor (TRAY'-ner) from the roster and both players are set to become free agents.

The team said Friday that Thames and Treanor must formally notify the club they want to become free agents before they become eligible to sign with other teams.

Thames, a Tiger since 2004, hit .252 last season with 13 homers and 36 RBIs in 87 games. Treanor played in four games before undergoing surgery on his right hip April 30.

The Tigers also announced Friday that infielder Michael Hollimon's contract has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo. The club purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Jay Sborz from the Mud Hens and reinstated right-hander Joel Zumaya and infielder Jeff Larish from the 60-day disabled list.