Yahoo! News: Sports News

Sports News

• 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.

  
  

• 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 East tournament quarterfinals.

  
  

• 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.

  
  

• 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.

  
  

• 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.

  
  

• 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 exception.

  
  

• Jets, S Pool agree in principle to 1-year deal (AP)

  AP - The New York Jets and safety Brodney Pool, whose career appeared to be threatened by head injuries, agreed in principle to a one-year contract Thursday worth $1.3 million.

• Cuddyer homers to lead Twins past Orioles (AP)

  AP - Michael Cuddyer homered, reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer had two hits and the Minnesota Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-3 on Thursday night.

  
  

• Magic roll past Bulls 111-82 as Rose sprains wrist (AP)

  AP - Vince Carter had 23 points to help the Orlando Magic pull away early and cruise past the injured Chicago Bulls, 111-82 on Thursday night for a season-high seventh straight win.

  
  

• Long Beach State eliminates Cal Poly-SLO 79-69 (AP)

  AP - T.J. Robinson had 18 points and eight rebounds and Larry Anderson added 16 points to lead Long Beach State to a 79-69 victory over Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in the second round of the Big West Conference tournament Thursday night.

  
  

• Juve in Europa League boxseat, Liverpool crash at Lille (AFP)

  AFP - Juventus assumed command of their Europa League last-16 tie against Fulham with a 3-1 first-leg win on Thursday, after beleaguered English giants Liverpool were beaten at Lille.

  
  

• 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.

  
  

• Kessel scores in OT for Maple Leafs (AP)

  AP - Phil Kessel scored at 3:33 of overtime to give the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.

  
  

• Federer, Nadal return to action in desert (AFP)

  AFP - World number one Roger Federer faces a potentially difficult path to the final of the Indian Wells hardcourt tournament, the season's first prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event.

  
  

• 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.

• UFC to show upcoming events in movie theaters (AP)

  AP - The UFC is headed to the big screen.

• 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.

  
  

• Patrick sets NASCAR aside, refocuses on IRL (AP)

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

• Vonn crashes, will still ski for overall title (AP)

  AP - Lindsey Vonn crashed and bruised her right knee during the World Cup giant slalom Thursday, but is expected to compete Friday in the super-G in an attempt to win her third straight overall title.