1. Keeler leads Cal Poly-SLO past UC Irvine 73-69 (AP)

AP - Lorenzo Keeler had 27 points, six assists and five rebounds as Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo rallied for a 73-69 victory over UC Irvine in the first round of the Big West Conference tournament Wednesday night.

2. Mavericks drop Nets to win 13th straight (Reuters)

Reuters - The Dallas Mavericks rallied after a stuttering start to extend their league-leading winning streak to 13 games with a 96-87 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.

3. Marion Jones signs with WNBA's Tulsa Shock (AP)

AP - Marion Jones hasn't lost much of her swagger.

4. Davies takes 1st-round lead at Australian Open (AP)

AP - Defending champion Laura Davies shot a 5-under 68 to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Women's Australian Open.

5. Westwood leading an English charge (AP)

AP - Lee Westwood is the leader of an English revolution in the world of golf as the highest-ranked player at No. 4 in the world and a two-time winner of the European Tour money list.

6. Lindsey Vonn falls in giant slalom (AP)

AP - Lindsey Vonn of the United States fell in the first leg of the final giant slalom of the season, opening the way for rival Maria Riesch to make up ground in the race for the overall title.

7. Roush satisfied with NASCAR action on Edwards (AP)

AP - Team owner Jack Roush said Wednesday he's satisfied with the penalty NASCAR levied against driver Carl Edwards for his intentional accident with Brad Keselowski.

8. Attorney: Pa. officers with Roethlisberger at club (AP)

AP - Two off-duty Pennsylvania law enforcement officers were with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Georgia nightclub where a woman accused him of sexual assault, and the two men didn't see anything inappropriate, an attorney

9. Grand jury may get Mayweather friend shooting case (AP)

AP - A prosecutor served notice Wednesday that a grand jury may hear evidence that an associate of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. shot at a man who police said argued with the boxer last August at a Las Vegas skating rink.

10. Ferguson lauds Rooney in 4-0 defeat of AC Milan (AFP)

AFP - Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney could match the 42 goals that Cristiano Ronaldo provided for Manchester United in 2008 after the England striker reached the 30 mark with a double in the Champions League humbling of AC Milan.

11. Rafael Nadal to prep for Wimbledon at Queen's (AP)

AP - Rafael Nadal will return to Queen's this year after he was unable to defend his title at the grass-court tournament in 2009.

12. Polish skier tests positive for EPO at Olympics (AP)

AP - The Polish Olympic Committee says cross-country skier Kornelia Marek tested positive for EPO at the Vancouver Olympics.

13. IAAF: Negotiations ongoing in Caster case (AP)

AP - The gender case of South African Caster Semenya remains unresolved after seven months, leaving her future in track uncertain.

14. Baker leads Iditarod at halfway point (AP)

AP - Satellite tracking shows three mushers have left Cripple, the halfway point in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

15. Juve, Liverpool seek Europa League salvation (AFP)

AFP - European heavyweights Juventus and Liverpool will both seek to rescue disappointing seasons when the first legs of their respective Europa League last-16 ties kick off on Thursday.

16. Guay of Canada wins super-G World Cup title (AP)

AP - Erik Guay of Canada produced a daring run to win the final race of the season Thursday and claim a World Cup title in the super-G.

17. Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies at 69 (AP)

AP - Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.

18. Boonen hits early season form with Tirreno stage win (Reuters)

Reuters - Belgian Tom Boonen burned off his rivals in a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico Thursday ahead of German Paul Martens and Italian Daniele Bennati.

19. Guerin: NHL should outlaw hits to head (AP)

AP - Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bill Guerin says the NHL must outlaw hits to the head.

20. Gilstrap done at Iowa State (AP)

AP - Iowa State coach Greg McDermott says senior Marquis Gilstrap won't return next season after the school's request for an extra year of eligibility was denied.

21. Rockies, Helton agree to 2-year extension (AP)

AP - First baseman Todd Helton and the Colorado Rockies agreed Thursday to $9.9 million, two-year contract extension through the 2013 season.

22. Reyes told to rest until thyroid normalizes (AP)

AP - All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes has been told to rest and refrain from athletic activity for 2-to-8 weeks until his thyroid levels normalize, another blow to the New York Mets before opening day.

23. Vikings players: Failed drug tests hurt image (AP)

AP - The agents for Minnesota Vikings players Kevin Williams and Pat Williams say negative publicity from their violation of the NFL's anti-doping policy has unfairly hurt them.

24. Casillas apologises for Real Euro exit, blames players (AFP)

AFP - Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas apologised Thursday for his side's elimination from the Champions League at the last-16 stage for the sixth consecutive season and said the players are to blame.

25. Silverdome is open for business again (AP)

AP - The Silverdome used to be a venue that welcomed everyone from the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Pistons to Pope John Paul II, Elvis Presley and WrestleMania III.

26. Boonen wins Tirreno-Adriatico second stage (AFP)

AFP - Belgian Tom Boonen of Quick Step won the second stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Thursday after a 165-kilometre ride from Rosignano to Montecatini Terme.

27. Wright leads Georgetown past top-seeded Syracuse (AP)

AP - Chris Wright scored 27 points and No. 22 Georgetown sailed past No. 3 Syracuse with an impressive second-half surge, beating the top-seeded Orange 91-84 in the Big East tournament quarterfinals Thursday.

28. No. 1 KU tops Texas Tech 80-68 to reach 2,000 wins (AP)

AP - Cole Aldrich had 12 points and 18 rebounds, and No. 1 Kansas became the third team to reach 2,000 wins by pulling out an 80-68 victory over scrappy Texas Tech on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.

29. Houston upsets Memphis 66-65 on last-second shot (AP)

AP - Aubrey Coleman scored 21 points, including a leaner in the lane with 5 seconds remaining, as Houston upset four-time defending Conference USA tournament champion Memphis 66-65 in the quarterfinals Thursday.

30. Man convicted in slaying of Broncos cornerback (AP)

AP - Suspected gang member Willie Clark was found guilty of murder Thursday in the drive-by shooting death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams after a New Year's Eve outing three years ago.

31. Rangers want young Elvis to stay focused (AP)

AP - One day, Elvis Andrus short-hopped a routine throw. The next, the Texas Rangers shortstop made an incredible play deep in the hole, getting a runner at first despite throwing with his feet off the ground while falling away from the base.

32. LeBron ready to return against 76ers Friday (AP)

AP - Cavaliers star LeBron James is tired of watching basketball and ready to start playing again.

33. Patrick sets NASCAR aside, refocuses on IRL (AP)

AP - Danica Patrick's stint in NASCAR is receding into her rearview mirror — for now.

34. Clottey aims to seize surprise world title chance (Reuters)

Reuters - The Cowboys Stadium stages its first big fight Saturday when Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO welterweight title against Ghana's Joshua Clottey.

35. Marquette hangs on to beat No. 10 Villanova 80-76 (AP)

AP - Lazar Hayward gave Marquette the lead for good with a 3-pointer with 1:51 to play, then added the clinching free throws with 3.2 seconds left, and the Golden Eagles went on to another close win, 80-76 over No. 10 Villanova on Thursday in the Big

36. Tomlinson visits Vikings (AP)

AP - LaDainian Tomlinson visited the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday to discuss joining Adrian Peterson in what would be a big-name backfield.

37. Jackson strong again, Diamondbacks beat Angels 4-1 (AP)

AP - With the uncertain status of Brandon Webb, newcomer Edwin Jackson's performance thus far this spring must be comforting for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

38. No. 15 Tennessee beats LSU 59-49 in SEC tourney (AP)

AP - Wayne Chism had 17 points and 10 rebounds and No. 15 Tennessee overcame its worst first half of the season to beat LSU 59-49 in the first round of the Southeastern Conference on Thursday.

39. AP sources: Woods likely to return at Masters (AP)

AP - Tiger Woods intends to remain out of golf at least until the Masters, two people with knowledge of his plans told The Associated Press on Thursday.

40. Tomlinson leaves Vikings, headed to Jets (AP)

AP - The Minnesota Vikings wined and dined LaDainian Tomlinson on Wednesday night, then spent much of Thursday meeting with the star running back in hopes of pairing him with Adrian Peterson in what would be a big-name backfield.

41. Pacquiao has perfect game plan for Clottey (AFP)

AFP - Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao puts his World Boxing Organization title on the line Saturday against Ghana's Joshua Clottey as they headline the first fight card at Cowboys Stadium.

42. Utah State's streak hits 16 with 84-60 victory (AP)

AP - Tai Wesley, Brian Green and Pooh Williams each scored 18 points to lead Utah State to its 16th straight victory, 84-60 over Boise State in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference tournament Thursday.

43. Yanks catcher Cervelli to wear special helmet (AP)

AP - Francisco Cervelli is choosing safety over style.

44. LeBron ready to return against 76ers Friday (AP)

AP - Cavaliers star LeBron James is tired of watching basketball and ready to start playing again.

45. Football Hall of Famer, TV star Olsen dies at 69 (AP)

AP - Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, who helped form one of the NFL's greatest defensive lines before embarking on a successful career in television, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 69.

46. Schwartzel takes lead at Doral (AP)

AP - Five birdies were enough to put Charl Schwartzel among the leaders at the CA Championship. No mistakes is what put in the lead alone Thursday on a rough-and-tumble day at Doral.

47. Rain suspends play at Puerto Rico Open (AP)

AP - Heavy rain forced the suspension of first-round play Thursday in the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open.

48. Man convicted in slaying of Broncos cornerback (AP)

AP - The group of Denver Broncos players arrived at the Safari nightclub to celebrate New Year's Eve and was whisked inside by bouncers. One of the dozens of people waiting in line to get in — an alleged Tre-Tre Crips gang member — took e

49. Iditarod racers go gourmet on trail (AP)

AP - Mushers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race take care of their dogs first when they stop to rest, massaging sore paws and serving up stews of hearty grub for their teams.

50. Crawford scores 29, Hawks beat Wizards 105-99 (AP)

AP - Jamal Crawford scored 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks avoided a three-game losing streak by beating the Washington Wizards 105-99 Thursday night.