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MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NATIONAL
Arizona loss to Wisconsin leads to student riot
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TUCSON, Ariz. — Repeating a scene from 13 years ago, several hundred Arizona fans and Tucson police clashed in the streets late Saturday following the University of Arizona basketball team's loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA tournament.
Authorities said 15 people were arrested after fans hurled beer bottles and firecrackers at officers, who then used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. No officers were hurt, but three people who were arrested had minor injuries in the unrest that lasted more than an hour, police said. Meanwhile, officials at the University vowed to punish any students who participated in the fracas.
The clash began after crowds leaving bars and restaurants near campus filled University Boulevard after the game, Tucson police Sgt. Pete Dugan said. He said officers fired pepper spray, pepper canisters and pepper balls to try to get people to leave the business-lined thoroughfare. Arizona lost 64-63 in Anaheim, Calif.
"We've been training for this event for several months now," Dugan said. "It got a little rowdy and it got a little violent, but no businesses suffered any damage."
The melee resembled what happened in 2001, when police arrested 17 people after Arizona lost to Duke in the championship game. But in that clash, a student lost an eye after he was struck by a
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beanbag filled with lead birdshot fired by Tucson police and around 22 businesses suffered some damage.
In a statement, Dean of Students Kendal Washington White called Saturday's disturbance "disappointing" and said it was not reflective of the culture of the University of Arizona or Tucson.
Students clashed against Tucson Police officers on University Avenue on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz. after Arizona's loss to Wisconsin 64-63 in the West Region NCAA final.
"Our basketball team had a great season, and they exhibited exceptional class at every turn." White said. "They do not deserve the bad actions of these others."
White said all students who are found to have violated the school's code of conduct "will be held accountable."
Police brought in cruisers and a unit of officers with batons, helmets and face masks to block the street when people started tossing beer bottles, cans and firecrackers, hitting police vehicles and endangering officers.
Most of those arrested were cited and released, and one person was booked into jail. Dugan said.
A witness, David Kitaeff, told The Associated Press that the incident started innocently with people taking photos, but then "people got in cops' faces." He said fans were throwing drink cans at officers, whom he saw marching down University Boulevard.
A man confronts the line of advancing police officers as they try to disperse an unruly crowd of disappointed fans in Maingate Square on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.
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GOLF
Steven Bowditch, of Australia, poses with his trophy after winning the Texas Open golf tournament on Sunday in San Antonio.
Steven Bowditch gains first PGA tour victory
SAN ANTONIO — Steven Bowditch held on to win the Texas Open in windy conditions Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory and a spot in the Masters.
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The 30-year-old Australian bogeyed the par-5 18th for a 4-over 76 for a one-stroke victory.
"I'm over the moon. I really can't believe it," said Bowditch, who attempted suicide in 2006 and has fought depression throughout his career.
It was the highest closing score by a winner since Vijay Singh finished with a 4-over 76 in the 2004 PGA Championship, and the highest in a non-major since Fred Couples had a 5-over 77 in the 1983 Kemper Open.
"Every time I got out of check, looking ahead to the Masters and winning golf events and making my speeches before I was finished, I had to pull myself in check every time," said Bowditch, wearing a green shirt. "And it happened a lot today."
Bowditch, based in Dallas entered the week 339th in the world and had only two top-10 finishes in eight years on the tour. He won once on the Australasian circuit and twice on the Web.Com Tour.
"He's been a battler. He's gone through a lot in his life," said John Senden, a fellow Australian who won the Valspar Championship two weeks ago.
Bowditch finished at 8-under 280 at TPC San Antonio and earned $1,116,000.
Senden waited about an hour after his round to shake
"That last putt wasn't his best, but to finish it off he was as cool as a cucumber really," Senden said. "I'm proud to be his mate."
Bowditch's hand.
On the par-3 16th, he got up and down after missing the green. He pushed his drive on the par-4 17th, hit his approach on the green and two-putted, then pulled his tee shot left on 18, recovered with a shot to the fairway and reached the green in three.
Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays tied for second. MacKenzie shot 70, and Summerhays had a 71.
"I just drew back on some experience," Bowditch said.
Chesson Hadley and Ryan Palmer missed chances to get into the Masters through the top 50 in the world ranking. Hadley, the Puerto Rico Open winner, needed at least a sixthplace finish, but closed with an 80 to tie for 56th at 5 over. Palmer needed a top-three finish and had an 82 to also tie for 56th.
MacKenzie made a 13-foot birdie putt on the 17th to pull within a stroke of Bowditch, but the Australian tapped in from 2 feet for his birdie at No. 14 to push the advantage back to two.
Bowditch played the front nine in 3-over 39, making a double bogey on the par-4 fourth. He countered a bogey on the par-3 13th with a birdie on the par-5 14th and made three pars before missing a 3-foot par putt and settling for a bogey on 18.
Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe shot 75s to tie for fourth at 6-under.
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