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  BOSTON (January 12, 2000 10:34 a.m. EST http://www.sportserver.com) 
- Two ex-Boston Celtics players have settled a lawsuit brought by a 
woman who says she was raped in  November 1997 at the home of forward 
Antoine Walker.

  Ron Mercer and Chauncey Billups agreed to pay the woman an 
undisclosed sum, the  Boston Herald reported Wednesday. But a third 
man who was accused, Walker's  housemate Michael Irvin, has not 
settled because he has no money, his attorney, Willie Davis, said.

  Walker, who did not participate in the alleged assault but is 
accused of walking through a bedroom while it took place, also is 
named in the lawsuit. He has refused to pay.

  U.S. District Court Judge Richard Stearns has granted a motion to 
dismiss the case, but did not enter final judgment.

  A lower court has ruled that Walker had no duty to stop the alleged 
assault, but that ruling was overturned in federal court last year.

  Walker has filed a counter-complaint against Mercer and Billups, 
but those records have been sealed.

  Walker's lawyer, Nicholas Theodorou, said, "Antoine continues to 
defend the case vigorously," but declined further comment.

  The woman said she was raped by Billups, Mercer and Irvin in a 
bedroom of Walker's Waltham home after meeting the players at a 
comedy club. She also said Walker entered the bedroom during the 
assault, but declined Irvin's invitation to have sex with the woman.

  No criminal charges were filed.

  Mercer and Billups now play for the Denver Nuggets.