oklahoma.theinsiders.com By Joe Wallace Date: Feb 27, 2003

Villarroel scores a career-high 31 points against in the Sooners' 74-69 win over Missouri

NORMAN, Okla. - Someone didn't give Oklahoma guard Maria Villarroel the memo it was senior night.

Villarroel, a junior from Margarita, Venezuela, stole the show and scored a career-high 31 points as Oklahoma claimed sole possession of fifth place in the Big 12 after their 74-69 win over Missouri Wednesday night in Norman.

"It's fun to play on senior night. I told Maria to have a career night for me and she did," said senior Theresa Schuknecht.

Missouri came out smoking in the first half, hitting 10 three-pointers en route to taking a 42-38 halftime lead, but the Sooners hit 16 free throws in the second half and outscored the Tigers 36-27.

"It is definitely a huge win," said Oklahoma Head Coach Sherri Coale, whose Sooenrs improve to 8-6 in Big 12 play while Missouri falls to 7-7. "Probably my favorite part about this is the fact we never faltered during the first half when they could do no wrong."

Schuknecht, one of two senior starters for the Sooners, didn't have a bad night herself. The transfer from Arizona State grabbed 15 rebounds, scored 11 points and blocked five shots in her final home game as a Sooner.

Kate Scott, a little-used senior from Overland Park, Kan., started and played just one minute, and Stephanie Simon were also honored during senior night festivities. Simon, a forward from Clinton, had her senior season end last month when she sufferd an injury to her right knee.

"Every time a senior class graduates they take a big chunk of your identity with them," said Coale. "Sometimes seniors go and they take a bunch of points, assists and rebounds and sometimes they don't. They're always felt. They always take something with them when they go. These are three very, very special kids. Sometimes stars need a little glue in between them and these guys have been it."

Oklahoma will finish the regular season on the road with games at Oklahoma State (Saturday) and Texas (next Wednesday).

The Sooners are now 17-10 overall this season.

www.iowastatedaily.com By James McKenzie Daily Staff Writer February 27, 2003

The skyrocketing prices of gasoline are having a muted effect on local transportation.

Gas prices are nearing $2 per gallon in parts of the nation. However, Iowans have seen significantly lower prices.

The rising gas prices are connected to a possible war with Iraq, which could restrict oil shipments from there. Iraq holds the world's second largest proven oil reserves, second only to Saudi Arabia.

Some filling stations in Ames are finding ways to reduce consumer costs.

Bill Wheelock, manager of Wheelock Sinclair, 105 E. Lincoln Way, keeps prices low by using non-Middle Eastern petroleum.

As of Wednesday, Wheelock's mid-grade (ethanol-enriched) gasoline was $1.56 per gallon while local Kum & Go stations were charging $1.69 per gallon for the same grade of gasoline.

Wheelock said Sinclair's refineries are in Wyoming, which means Sinclair stations escape some of the costs that come along with Middle Eastern oil. This also means Wheelock's gas is up to 13 cents per gallon cheaper than some of his competitors.

Another company using non-Middle Eastern products is Citgo. Citgo Petroleum gets its petrol from its parent company, Petroleos de Venezuela, according to Citgo's Web site.

Venezuelan petroleum is keeping Citgo's prices low. On Wednesday, prices were $1.57 per gallon for mid-grade gasoline.

Another factor is Iowa tax incentives on ethanol-blended gasoline. Ethanol, a fuel additive that can be made from corn byproducts, helps support Iowa farmers, burns cleaner and shaves a few cents off prices, according to the State of Iowa Web site.

Sinclair and Citgo's ethanol prices are 2 cents lower than standard gas, but places like Kum & Go and BP range from 3 to 5 cents lower than standard-grade gas.

Even with prices at near-record highs, Wheelock said business remains constant.

"People might complain about the prices, but they keep driving," he said.

All but two of CyRide's vehicles use diesel fuel, but the system is still feeling the effects of gas rate increases, said Bob Bourne, director of CyRide.

"Fuel costs are up 25 percent since last October," he said. "A bus usually uses about two and a half gallons [of fuel] per hour... so costs are up about 60 cents an hour."

Bourne said ridership has increased as much as 35 percent but cannot be directly attributed to the rise in gasoline prices. Other factors increasing ridership include making all routes free for students and winter weather, he said.

An overall effect is yet to be seen, Bourne said. CyRide ran under budget during fall semester and, therefore, had a surplus of funds coming into the spring semester, he said.

This gave CyRide a cushion for going over budget on fuel in the spring.

The cushion may not last if prices continue to rise, Bourne said.

"We haven't seen a budgetary impact yet," he said.

-- CNN contributed to this story.

www.theage.com.au Thursday 27 February 2003, 17:05PM

Oil prices have surged to their highest level since the Gulf War and could easily surpass $US40.00 a barrel, analysts said.

"Crude stocks are low and when you get problems in a major producing region such as Venezuela and potential problems in the (Persian) Gulf, another huge producing region, there is only one way prices can go," Commonwealth Bank of Australia chief commodity strategist David Thurtell said.

Overnight oil prices hit a new post Gulf War high of $US37.90 ($A62.63) a barrel, up $US1.84 and within reach of the record $41.15 hit in October 1990.

London Brent crude gained 76 cents to $33.08 a barrel.

Driving prices higher was a United States government report revealing a big drop in winter heating fuel stocks as the Bush administration continues to prepare for a possible war against Iraq.

As parts of the US endure a colder-than-normal winter, supplies of heating oil in the week to February 21 fell 3.9 million barrels to 36.1 million barrels, a 33 per cent deficit from a year ago.

The crisis in Venezuela, a major supplier to the US market, has also placed pressure on US inventories.

"It has been a fairly cold winter in the US and that has led to a big demand for heating oil," Mr Thurtell said.

"The problem with that is a big source of supply to the US has been Venezuela and there has been a strike in Venezuela."

Mr Thurtell said that on top these "real" elements impacting oil prices, the market had factored in the possibility of war against Iraq.

"Potentially there is a huge disruption of shipping in the Gulf.

"That is the fear factor and you have those real factors."

Despite expectations that oil prices will strengthen in the short term, shares in leading Australian oil and gas producers Woodside Petroleum Ltd and Santos have reacted indifferently.

At 1503 AEDT, Santos was one cent firmer at $5.83 while Woodside had slumped 22 cents to $10.64.

"It (Woodside) may have something to with their looming production gap but it is hard to know (why the stock has fallen so sharply)," Deutsche Bank energy analyst John Hirjee said.

www.gopbi.com By Joe Capozzi, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, February 27, 2003

JUPITER -- When the University of Miami's Adam Ricks grounded out in the first inning, it might have been the most exciting play for the Marlins in their 5-1 victory Wednesday.

It might have been the only play that shortstop Alex Gonzalez made in his two innings, but it was his first action with the Marlins since May 18, when he dislocated his shoulder while trying stop a Barry Bonds base hit.

"He looked like he hardly touched the ball,'' manager Jeff Torborg said of Gonzalez's smooth play Wednesday.

At least for now, Gonzalez won't be making any diving plays. The Marlins don't want him to take any chances.

"I feel like 97 percent, not 100,'' Gonzalez said. "I don't have any pain in my shoulder. I worked hard in the off-season. I've come back to spring training and will look to play the whole season healthy."

After missing most of last season, Gonzalez, 26, is on pace to be the Marlins' opening-day starter. But his comeback is about more than an injury.

The native of Venezuela has been trying to rebound from a slump that started after he appeared in the 1999 All-Star Game -- he has hit.233 since.

While he struggled offensively, he also committed 75 errors from 1999-2001 -- including 26 in 2001, a major-league high for shortstops. But he made only three last year in 199 chances before he went on the disabled list.

"In the six weeks he was playing, Alex was the best-fielding shortstop in the National League," Marlins infield coach Perry Hill said.

Gonzalez had surgery July 23 after a failed rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League team. The Marlins hoped he could return after he went on the disabled list in May, but it was too painful for him to swing a bat.

"He's worked his tail off,'' Torborg said. "He tried to do it without surgery, but couldn't get it done. He had to start over."

Gonzalez is expected to bat eighth. He hit.225 (34-for-151), with two home runs and 18 RBI last season.

"He doesn't mess around on how he plays defense," Torborg said. "The other part will take time."

joe_capozzi@pbpost.com