Man gets 2 1/2 years in basketball scheme

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Authorities say one of the leaders of a gambling ring that fixed a University of San Diego basketball game has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison.

U-T San Diego reports (http://bit.ly/THkH2i ) that 33-year-old Steve Goria received the sentence, the longest yet in the 10-defendant case, in federal court Friday.

In August he pleaded guilty to sports bribery, admitting he made $120,000 after betting on a February 2010 game that San Diego player Brandon Johnson was paid to influence.

The Toreros, favored by odds makers to beat Loyola Marymount by 3 1/2 points, lost 72-69 after squandering a late lead.

Johnson, one of four people awaiting a December trial including another former player and a former assistant coach, has pleaded not guilty.

Six of the 10 defendants have reached plea agreements.

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