National Digest

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Streak snapped AMES (AP) — Craig Brackins scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Iowa State crushed Colorado 70-42 on Wednesday night, snapping a six-game losing streak. The Cyclones held the hapless Buffaloes to a Big 12 record-low nine points in the first half. Iowa State (13-11, 2-7 Big 12) led by as much as 36 and cruised to their 17th victory in 18 home games against Colorado (9-14, 1-8). Badgers win MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Joe Krabbenhoft tied a career high with 16 points, helping Wisconsin run its winning streak to three games with a 69-52 victory over struggling Iowa on Wednesday. Jason Bohannon added 15 as the Badgers (15-9, 6-6 Big Ten) continued their recent rebound from a six-game losing streak. Jake Kelly scored 17 for the Hawkeyes (13-12, 3-9). Hawkeyes guard Jeff Peterson appeared to hurt his right leg after slipping in the second half. UNI sails CEDAR FALLS (AP) — Jordan Eglseder had 17 points and nine rebounds as Northern Iowa got back on the winning track with an 81-55 win over Southern Illinois Wednesday in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Panthers (18-7, 12-2) took control early against the Salukis (11-14, 6-8). Drake falls TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Hot-shooting Jay Tunnell scored 25 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead Indiana State to a 69-57 victory over Drake on Wednesday night in the Missouri Valley Conference. Rashad Reed had 15, Jordan Printy 11 and Harry Marshall 10 for the Sycamores (6-19, 4-10), who shot 51 percent overall. Jonathan Cox had 15 points and eight rebounds to pace Drake (15-11, 6-8). Josh Young had 13 and Josh Parker 10.

SWIMMING BEIJING (AP) — Olympic champion Michael Phelps apologized to Chinese fans for what he called his “regrettable behavior” after he was photographed with a marijuana pipe. Phelps spoke via the Internet on a video that appeared on Chinese-language Web sites. The Chinese-language newspaper Southern Metropolis Daily said the Web sites had received the statement from automaker Mazda, which is reported to be paying Phelps more than $1 million to endorse the car brand in China. Last month Phelps was back in Beijing — where he won a record-breaking eight gold medals — to do commercials and endorsements for automaker Mazda. Like most of his major sponsors, Mazda is apparently sticking with Phelps as a spokesman. However, the Kellogg Co. has cut ties with Phelps, saying it had made a business decision not to extend his endorsement contract. The cereal and snack maker said Phelps’ behavior was “not consistent with the image of Kellogg.” Chinese papers have followed the Phelps controversy closely, dubbing it “marijuana gate.” CYCLING DENVER (AP) — Lance Armstrong scrapped his much-publicized plan to set up an independent drug-testing program because of high costs and nearly impossible logistics. When the seven-time Tour de France winner announced his comeback, he said he wanted to prove he was clean by getting anti-doping expert Don Catlin to test him and post the results online. But after months of negotiations, both sides realized the program wasn’t workable this year. Instead, Armstrong is set to announce Thursday that he’ll post test results from cycling’s international federation and his own Astana cycling team on his Web site, www.livestrong.com Armstrong began his comeback last month in Australia. He’ll race next in the Tour of California, which starts Saturday. He also has announced plans to ride in the Tour de France this summer. HOCKEY MONTREAL (AP) — Hockey great Guy Lafleur was ordered to stand trial in April on a charge of obstruction of justice. Lafleur was charged last year after he testified during son Mark’s bail hearing on various charges, including uttering death threats, forcible confinement and assault. The 57-year-old hockey star agreed to supervise his son and ensure he abided by a court-ordered curfew. It was later revealed the elder Lafleur drove his son to a hotel to spend time with a girlfriend. Authorities issued a warrant for Guy Lafleur’s arrest, triggering a media frenzy that Lafleur said humiliated him. His lawyers argued the warrant was illegal and the case should be dropped. The trial is scheduled for April 16 and 17. Lafleur filed a $2.8 million lawsuit against the police and the Crown over the warrant. GOLF KAHUKU, Hawaii (AP) — The LPGA Tour announced a 10-year agreement with Golf Channel, making the network the tour’s exclusive cable home beginning in 2010. The agreement, which LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens called “groundbreaking,” establishes the tour as the only stand-alone U.S. women’s professional sports organization to receive a rights fee agreement for domestic broadcast coverage. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed. With the deal, Golf Channel in 2010 will become the exclusive cable home for all of the major tours, including the PGA, Champions, Nationwide, European and Canadian tours. Golf Channel has televised numerous LPGA events over the past 14 years, including the Solheim Cup since 2005 and the LPGA Championship since 2006. The LPGA HealthSouth Disney Classic was the first U.S. golf tournament televised by the network when it launched in 1995. SOCCER SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — David Beckham equaled Bobby Moore’s record for most appearances by an England player other than a goalkeeper. Beckham replaced Stewart Downing in the 46th minute of an exhibition game in Spain on Tuesday. That gave him 108 appearances for his country, second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125. The 33-year-old midfielder moved from the Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan on loan in January, looking to stay in shape and win a spot on the national team. The loan expires March 8 but Beckham hopes for a permanent transfer. He is looking to improve his chances of playing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa if England qualifies. MLS commissioner Don Garber gave AC Milan a Friday deadline to work out a transfer deal for Beckham.