Sports in Brief: Rick Brunson acquitted of sexual assault charges

Former Temple star and Chicago Bulls player

Rick Brunson

has been acquitted of charges he sexually abused a massage therapist at a fitness center in Vernon Hills, Ill.

Lake County Judge James Booras made the ruling Friday, saying prosecutors couldn't "meet the burden of proof required" to convict Brunson.

Brunson, 42, had been charged with attempted criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery, and domestic battery. He had been a candidate to become an assistant coach at Temple before his arrest last June. Jalen Brunson, his son and a highly recruited point guard, will attend Villanova.

Defense attorney Dennis Berkson says now that Rick Brunson has been acquitted, he hopes to "go out and restore his name." Prosecutors say they're disappointed in the ruling but respect the judge's decision.

Brunson played for eight NBA teams between 1997 and 2006. He's been an assistant coach for college and pro teams, including the Bulls and Charlotte Bobcats.

NFL Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still is asking for prayers for his daughter, Leah, who's had a setback in her fight against cancer. The 5-year-old girl was hospitalized May 5 to start the process of getting a stem cell transplant. The 4-to-6-week process involves high doses of chemotherapy. Still, a Camden native and Penn State graduate, posted on social media that Leah "hit a pretty serious complication," with chemotherapy affecting her liver. "They caught it early so hopefully it gives the doctors a better chance of stopping it from getting aggressive," Still posted.

GOLF Steven Bowditch shot a 4-under 65 on Saturday in the AT&T Byron Nelson to take a 2-stroke lead and leave hometown favorite Jordan Spieth 6 shots back heading into the final round in Irving, Texas. On a mostly sunny day that started with the second straight three-hour delay because of earlier rainfall, Bowditch got to 13-under 195. The Australian won the Texas Open last year in San Antonio for his lone PGA Tour title.

Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark shot a 4-under 67 to take a 2-stroke lead in the third round of the Irish Open at Royal County Down in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.

For the second straight year Temple junior golfer Brandon Matthews has been named to the Division I PING All-Northeast Region team. The teams from the six regions were announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Matthews placed in the top 10 in 11 of the Owls' 12 tournaments this season. He established a new school record for season stroke average (70.9) while tying school marks for consecutive wins (three) and career wins (eight).

SOCCER Arsenal won a record 12th FA Cup title Saturday with a dominant, 4-0 victory over Aston Villa in the final at Wembley Stadium in London. Theo Walcott volleyed home a shot in the 40th minute to put defending champion Arsenal ahead.

- Staff and wire reports