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Tehama Tracker Sunday's results NFL 49ers St. Louis 27 34 Smith 21-31, 219 yards, 2 TD Crabtree 9 rec., 92 yards, TD San Diego Raiders 26 38 Palmer 28-43, 417 yards, 2 TD Heyward-Bey 9 rec., 130 yds, TD NBA New Orleans Kings 96 80 Monday's games TicketCity Bowl Penn State Houston 9 a.m. ESPNU Capital One Bowl Nebraska South Carolina 10 a.m. ESPN Outback Bowl Georgia Michigan State 10 a.m. ABC Gator Bowl Florida Ohio State 10 a.m. ESPN2 Rose Bowl Oregon Wisconsin 2 p.m. ESPN Fiesta Bowl Stanford Oklahoma St. NBA Warriors Phoenix NHL Sharks Vancouver 5 p.m. NBCSP On the tube MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL •4 p.m., CSNC—Virginia at LSU NBA BASKETBALL • 5:30 p.m., NBATV — Oklahoma City at Dallas NHL HOCKEY • 10 a.m., NBC — Winter Classic, N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia (Citizens Bank Park) SOCCER •7 a.m., FOX SOCCER—Premier League, Chelsea at Wolverhampton • 9:30 a.m., FOX SOCCER—Pre- mier League, Arsenal at Fulham DeMarcus Cousins demands to be traded SACRAMENTO (AP) — The Sacramento Kings and DeMarcus Cousins abruptly began to sever ties Sunday after the team said the promis- ing young center demanded a trade. Kings coach Paul Westphal released a statement before Sacramen- to hosted the New Orleans Hornets, criticizing Cousins' commitment to the franchise and excusing him from the team's game. He also confirmed that Cousins asked for a trade. ''Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction,'' Westphal said. ''As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life! As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results. ''Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public,'' Westphal continued. ''This is how it should be.However, when a play- er continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefi- nitely. ''DeMarcus Cousins has demand- ed to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight.'' When reached by phone, Cousins' agent, John Greig, said he wasn't informed of the Kings' decision until Westphal's announcement. He declined comment when asked if Cousins requested a trade. ''I have no idea what the Kings are doing,'' Greig said.''The fact that I'm just finding out about this announcement now speaks volumes about them.'' The Kings had been expecting big things from Cousins this season. They had been optimistic that he would show improved maturity after a strong rookie campaign that also had its share of temper tantrums and blow-ups. While the comical Cousins off the court never disappeared, the team expected its up-and-coming big man would learn to control his emotions. MCT photo Oakland Raiders wide receiver Louis Murphy (18) runs after a catch against San Diego Chargers defender Steve Gregory (28) Sunday. OAKLAND (AP) — Oakland was rallying, Denver was losing and the Raiders had the San Diego Chargers backed up inside the 1 midway through the fourth quarter. With the stage set for the Raiders to win the AFC West and end an eight-year playoff drought, Oakland's defense once again failed in what was a recurring theme in a disappointing season. Philip Rivers needed just four plays to drive the Chargers the length of the field, with his third touchdown pass being the decisive blow in San Diego's 38-26 victory Sunday that ended Oakland's play- off hopes. ''If you can't stop a team with everything on the line, you don't deserve to be a playoff team,'' defensive tackle Richard Seymour said. ''We didn't get it done. So this one hurts. It stings for sure. It's dis- appointing. It's frustrating.'' Oakland (8-8) went into the day needing a win and some help to make the playoffs. The Broncos cooperated with a 7-3 home loss to Kansas City, but the Raiders could- n't do their part by beating the Chargers (8-8). The Broncos won the division based on record versus common opponents. ''To find out it worked out the way you needed it to and to lose this one,'' quarterback Carson Palmer said. ''It's going to be a long offseason.'' The Chargers could only cele- brate playing the role of spoiler in what may have been coach Norv Turner's final game in San Diego. If this was his last game, he ended his tenure with an offensive master- piece as San Diego did not punt, committed just one turnover and gained 463 yards. ''It's special because a lot of people think there's nothing to play for,'' said Turner, who wouldn't address if he thought he'd be back next season. ''Every time you walk out of the locker room onto the field as a player or coach, there's a lot to play for.'' Rivers completed 19 for 26 passes for 310 yards and was at his best on a key drive in the fourth quarter after Oakland cut San Diego's lead to 31-26 with 9:37 to go. After Richard Goodman mis- handled the kickoff to force the Chargers to start from inside their 1, Rivers completed a 20-yard to Malcom Floyd, Mike Tolbert ran for 40 yards and Rivers threw a 43- yard TD pass to Floyd to make it a two-score game. ''It wasn't our goal to end their season, but it is kind of nice because we're going home as well,'' receiver Vincent Jackson said. Antoine Cason then intercepted Palmer with 4:36 to go at the San Diego 20 to seal the victory for the Chargers and provide a disappoint- ing finish to what had been a promising season for the Raiders. Oakland seemed in control in the AFC West after beating Chica- go 25-20 on Nov. 27 to improve to 7-4. But they lost four of their final five games, including squandering a late 13-point lead at home to Detroit two weeks ago to finish out of the postseason for the ninth straight year. The late-season collapse left first-year coach Hue Jackson fum- ing, saying he was tired of covering up for his players. Jackson also would not commit to whether defensive coordinator Chuck Bres- nahan would be back after the team allowed the third-most points in franchise history. ''At some point in time as a group of men, you go win the game,'' Jackson said. ''You can say whatever you want about coaches. You win the game. Here's your time to make some plays. We did- n't get them stopped and we didn't make enough plays.'' Palmer, brought in at midseason after starter Jason Campbell broke See RAIDERS, page 2B 12:30 p.m. CSNB 5:30 p.m. ESPN Sports ST. LOUIS (AP) — No apologies from Jim Harbaugh. Not even close. After the San Francisco 49ers had to make stops late to hold off the suddenly spunky St. Louis Rams in their regu- lar-season finale, their first- year coach was clear he defi- nitely did not have mixed emo- tions. ''I feel great,'' Harbaugh said after the 34-27 victory over a two-win team Sunday that turned out to be a lot more hard-fought than expected. ''I'm not going to come in here and be sad that we won.'' The 49ers (13-3) could use the bye week that comes with the No. 2 playoff seed in the NFC, with wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr. (ankle) and Kyle Williams (concussion) out for the finale. Running back Frank Gore sat out the second half with what Harbaugh vaguely described as ''something that was bothering him,'' although Gore said he was not hurt. ''It was a coach's decision, but I'm fine,'' said Gore, held to 9 yards on seven carries. ''I'm getting my body real fresh. We were up three touch- downs. I'm cool, I'm good.'' After beating the Rams for the second time in five weeks, 49ers players were happy to be getting a break. ''I'll sit back and watch the games. Let the games begin,'' tight end Vernon Davis said. ''My mind is about to go on a whole new phase, that's the way I see it.'' Record-setting kicker David Akers showed off a strong left arm to match his left leg as Michael Crabtree bamboozled defenders on a perfectly exe- cuted fake field goal that made it 27-10 in the third quarter. Crabtree appeared to be leav- ing the field but stopped just shy of the sideline and no defender followed. ''Kind of like I disappeared on the sideline, but I was 2 feet away, so it worked out,'' Crab- tree said. ''They didn't see me. I was just over there really just chillin', waiting on D.A. Chargers end Raiders playoff hope 1B Monday January 2, 2012 49ers hold off Rams, clinch No. 2 seed MCT photo San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith dives across the goal line to score on an eight-yard touchdown run in first-quarter action against the St. Louis Rams Sunday. (Akers) to throw me the ball.'' Crabtree caught scoring passes from Akers and Alex Smith for the 49ers, who led by 24 in the fourth quarter. Akers broke the NFL single- season field goal record last week and finished with 44, See 49ERS, page 2B Evans helps Kings beat Hornets 96-80 SACRAMENTO (AP) — Tyreke Evans had 27 points and Marcus Thornton scored 25 for the Sacra- mento Kings in a 96-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night. Playing without DeMarcus Cousins, who demanded a trade prior to the game and was told by coach Paul Westphal to stay home, the Kings ended a three game skid. Cousins was among several players who expressed frustration with the team's poor play after a 114-92 loss to the New York Knicks on Saturday. Asked during halftime Sunday if Cousins would be traded, Kings vice president of basketball operations said he would talk to the brooding center on Monday. ''He has to grow up,'' Petrie said. Tervor Ariza had 17 points for the Hornets, who have dropped two straight after opening the season with a pair of victories. Chris Kaman con- tributed 14 points and 15 rebounds, Emeka Okafor had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Carl Landry had 12 points. Evans shot 9 of 18 from the field, made 7-of-8 free throws and added four rebounds and three assists. John Salmons added 13 points for the Kings, who outscored the Hornets 58-40 in the second half. Evans provided a huge lift in the third quarter to help put the Kings ahead and also delivered in the fourth. With the shot clock running down, Evans made a 28-foot 3-pointer then followed with a dunk off a fast-break, putting Sacramento ahead 90-72 with 3:42 remaining. Hornets standout guard Eric Gor- don missed his third straight game. Gordon bruised his knee in the season opener and is still listed as day to day while the Hornets try to be cautious with him. Struggling on offense in the open- ing half when they shot 30 percent, the Kings got going in the third quar- ter behind Evans. The Kings point guard was penetrating inside for bas- kets and also made several perimeter shots in scoring 13 points. Evans received plenty of help from Salmons, who made a pair of 3- pointers and scored eight points as the Kings outscored New Orleans 30-18 to assume a 68-58 lead heading into the fourth. NOTES: Kings veteran Francisco Garcia made his first appearance of the season, starting the second quar- ter. He also opened the fourth quarter and hit a pair of 3-pointers to extend the Kings lead. Ariza scored 10 points to help the Hornets take a 40- 38 lead into halftime. Thornton scored 11 points for the Kings.