SAN FRANCISCO – UNLV’s Larry Croom scored two touchdowns, and UCLA linebacker Brandon Chillar returned an interception 56 yards for a score in the West’s 28-7 victory in the East-West Shrine game on Saturday.

Boise State’s Ryan Dinwiddie, the most efficient passer in NCAA history, passed for 109 yards and a touchdown. He was named the outstanding offensive player in the 79th edition of the annual all-star game featuring top college seniors from across the nation.

The West cruised to an easy victory in a convivial atmosphere, with each of its three quarterbacks leading one scoring drive – and the West even got a contribution from the most inspirational player on the charity game’s rosters.

San Jose State’s Neil Parry, who returned to football this season after part of his leg was amputated three years ago, was a co-captain of the West team. Parry played on special teams – and he made his first tackle since his comeback, bringing down Arkansas’ Lawrence Richardson on a kickoff return in the second quarter.

Fleury to rejoin Pens today

PITTSBURGH – Rookie goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will rejoin the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, just over a month since leaving to play for Canada in the world junior championships.

Fleury was expected to practice with the Penguins on Sunday, Pittsburgh general manager Craig Patrick said.

Fleury, the first pick in the June draft, got off to a strong start with the Penguins, winning or tying five of his first seven starts. His record slipped to 4-10-2 with eight losses in nine games, including two overtime losses, when he left following a Dec. 9 overtime loss to Vancouver.

In the championship game of the world juniors, Fleury’s attempted clearing pass banked off a teammate and into his own net for the winning goal in a 4-3 loss to the United States.

•The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed forward Craig Johnson off waivers from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

The 31-year-old Johnson had a goal and two assists in 30 games with Anaheim this season.

Eberharter wins downhill

CHAMONIX, France -Stephan Eberharter won a World Cup downhill in which Austria showed overwhelming strength Saturday by capturing seven of the top eight spots.

Norway’s Lasse Kjus was second and Austria’s Michael Walchhofer was third in the race in the French Alps. For the United States, Bryon Friedman tied for 10th and Daron Rahlves was 15th.

Eberharter registered his 26th World Cup victory, matching the total of countryman Franz Klammer. Klammer, a former Olympic downhill champion, won his races between 1973-84.

•Austria’s Renate Goetschl won her second straight World Cup downhill Saturday, moving into third place on the career list for downhill victories.

Goetschl sped down the forest-lined course in 1 minute 38.58 seconds. Teammate Michaela Dorfmeister and Germany’s Hilde Gerg shared second, 0.49 seconds behind.

Kirsten Clark of the United States was fourth, 0.59 off the pace, and teammate Caroline Lalive was fifth in 1:39.57. Lalive, a two-time Olympian, recorded her best finish since an accident last March that left her with broken ribs, a concussion and an injured right knee that required reconstructive surgery.

Venus shines in return

HONG KONG – Venus Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 7-5, 6-3 Saturday to win the Champions Challenge exhibition, her first tournament in six months after last year’s injury-ravaged season.French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero won the men’s final, beating Wimbledon champ Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4.

•Lindsay Davenport and James Blake led the United States to its second straight Hopman Cup title Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.

-By The Associated Press

The two combined for a 6-2, 6-3 win in the decisive mixed doubles. That gave the United States its third championship in 16 Hopman Cups, the most by any nation.

Davenport opened singles play with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Daniela Hantuchova. Slovakia’s Karol Kucera then came from 3-0 down in the third set to beat Blake 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5).

Blake, who teamed with Serena Williams to win the tournament last year, and Davenport dominated mixed doubles before a capacity crowd of 8,500.

Davenport, a former Australian Open champion, had 12 aces and beat Hantuchova in 51 minutes. It was Blake’s first singles loss in the tournament this year.

Slovakia advanced to the final when Australia, which finished first in its group, withdrew because of Alicia Molik’s foot injury. Belgium, also in Slovakia’s group, pulled out Wednesday because of a similar injury to Kim Clijsters.

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in the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 19.

Williams fell behind the 16-year-old Russian 5-1 in the first set before finding her rhythm and running off six straight games.

“Maria played so well and I had to find some answers out there, but more than anything I was trying to enjoy playing,” Williams said. “It’s been too long, too long. … It’s great to be back.”

Williams advanced to the final by beating Chanda Rubin on Friday. Sharapova downed Elena Dementieva in the semifinals.

Ferrero will next play at the Adidas International in Sydney, Australia, a warmup for the Australian Open.

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