CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Hornets, buoyed by a first-round playoff sweep of Miami and progress in their battle for a new arena, withdrew their application to the NBA for relocation to Memphis, Tenn., on Wednesday. Hornets co-owner George Shinn said the fan turnout for Friday night's Game 3 against the Heat played a part in his decision. A capacity crowd of 22,283 saw the Hornets win 94-79. Charlotte's only other two sellouts this season had 4,000 fewer fans because the Hornets had tarps over the ''least desirable'' seats until the playoffs. ''As much as the Hornets are an asset to the community, this community has been an asset to the Hornets, and this team belongs to the fans of Charlotte,'' Shinn said in a statement. The Hornets applied with the NBA in March to move the team to Memphis. The Vancouver Grizzlies also applied to move to Memphis, and the NBA said it would evaluate both applications and decide which team, if either, would move. Former NBA All-Star center Jayson Williams would risk losing $60 million if he attempted a comeback after missing the last two NBA seasons with a severe leg injury, his attorney said. Williams, 33, who has recently dropped hints about a comeback, has not played since breaking his right leg and injuring his right knee in a collision with New Jersey Nets' teammate Stephon Marbury on April 1, 1999. Michigan basketball coach Tommy Amaker dismissed guard Maurice Searight for ''violation of team policies.'' FOOTBALL Texas Tech running back Shaud Williams will appeal coach Mike Leach 's decision to attach restrictions to his release from a football scholarship. Williams, who wants to leave Texas Tech, was told by Leach last week that he won't be released from his scholarship unless he agrees not to transfer to any other Division I-A school in Texas, any other team from the Big 12 Conference or the University of New Mexico. JURISPRUDENCE Cleveland Browns draft pick Jeremiah Pharms was arrested on charges he was the triggerman in a drug-related robbery last year. The former Washington linebacker was released yesterday on $250,000 bail in his hometown of Sacramento, Calif., where he was arrested Tuesday night by detectives from Seattle. Prosecutors said Wednesday that his blood was found in a car used in the robbery near the Washington campus in March 2000. Police questioned Fred Miller and Zach Piller of the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday about a weekend barroom fight they are accused of starting. Detectives talked to the offensive linemen, but no arrests were made. MOTORSPORTS Mike Beam , crew chief for Ricky Craven , was fined $5,000 and suspended for two races by NASCAR for not having dated seat belts in Craven's Ford Taurus. SOCCER The Penn State women's team has signed three players to letters of intent: Lindsay Bach of Rochester, N.Y.; Sophia Hiler of Minnetonka, Minn.; and Amanda Lentz of Plymouth, Mich. TENNIS Two Spanmiards, Joan Balcells and Alberto Martin , advanced to the quarterfinals of the $500,000 Mallorca Open tournament in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Balcells ousted fellow countryman Felix Mantilla 6-4, 6-2, while Martin ousted Galo Blanco 6-0, 4-6, 6-2. Second-seeded Thomas Enqvist 's comeback from shoulder and foot surgery hit a snag when he lost to Jiri Novak 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 in the second round of the BMW Open in Munich, Germany. Third-seeded and defending champion Franco Squillari defeated Christian Vinck 6-2, 7-5. Yugoslav teen-ager Jelena Dokic breezed into the third round of the Betty Barclay Cup in Hamburg, Germany, beating Barbara Rittner 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Patty Schnyder of Switzerland became the first player to reach the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 upset of third-seeded Conchita Martinez of Spain. OFF THE FIELD San Diego State University should keep its ''Aztec'' identity, but do away with inaccurate depictions of the historical ruler Montezuma that are considered offensive, a committee suggested. Terry Holland is stepping down after six years as Virginia's athletic director to become a special assistant to the university president. Bucknell will eliminate its wrestling program in 2002 as part of a plan to comply with Title IX. Bucknell also will eliminate funding for men's rowing, which is not an NCAA sport.