SPORTS - Thornton, Evans lead Kings over Warriors in OT (AP)

SPORTS - Thornton, Evans lead Kings over Warriors in OT (AP)

AP – San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin, above, dunks as TCU's Kyan Anderson looks on in the first half during …

By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson, Ap Sports Writer – 40 mins ago

SAN DIEGO – TCU was able to hang with No. 17 San Diego State for several minutes Saturday night, even taking a 23-16 lead thanks to five 3-point shots.

Then it started to go sideways for the Horned Frogs, who quickly gave up the lead and lost 83-73.

Jamaal Franklin had 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Aztecs, who clinched their seventh straight 20-win season.

James Rahon added 16, Chase Tapley 14 and DeShawn Stephens 13 for the Aztecs (20-3, 6-1 Mountain West). SDSU has eight 20-win seasons overall in 13 seasons under coach Steve Fisher, including last year's school-record 34-3 performance.

With No. 11 UNLV losing at Wyoming, the Aztecs regained sole possession of the conference lead.

Kyan Anderson had 22 points and J.R. Cadot 15 for TCU (13-9, 3-4), which lost its seventh straight to SDSU.

Coach Jim Christian said the Horned Frogs were undisciplined.

"There's not one thing. It's a bunch of things," he said. "It's disciplined stuff. We're just not being consistent and disciplined, especially on the defensive end of the floor. You're not going to be able to beat them."

Said guard Hank Thorns: "We just did not play a very good game. We had too many mistakes and it's hard to beat a good team like San Diego State when you play like that. It's hard to know how to fix it. We were trying tonight, but nothing seemed to work."

After shooting just 31.3 percent from the field in a 17-point loss at Colorado State and a two-point home win against Boise State, the Aztecs made 50.8 percent of their shots. Several nice dunks helped the Aztecs with the better percentage, including one when Franklin came flying in for a rebound and an impressive reverse slam that made it 39-31 in the first half.

SDSU outrebounded TCU 35-21.

"It did feel like we were back to normal," Franklin said. "We were actually running the ball and we weren't really relying on set plays. We just ran the ball, everyone contributed and we got open shots."

San Diego State overcame an early deficit to take a 46-39 halftime lead, and then outscored the Horned Frogs 12-6 to start the second half. Franklin hit a bank shot and Tapley had a layup and two free throws to open the half. Franklin hit a jumper, Tapley had another layup and Garrett Green a reverse slam dunk to push the lead to 58-45 with 16:10 left.

TCU made four 3-point shots in the first 7:15 to take a 23-16 lead.

The Aztecs tightened their defense and went on a 17-4 run to jump ahead 33-27 with 4:46 before halftime. Franklin started the run with a dunk and Rahon added a 3-pointer.

Stephens had three points during the run and had six more the rest of the half, including consecutive baskets for a 37-29 lead.

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SPORTS - Lance Armstrong rides on as doping allegations fall by wayside (The Christian Science Monitor)

SPORTS - Lance Armstrong rides on as doping allegations fall by wayside (The Christian Science Monitor)

AP – Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium round of the Qatar Masters tournament at the Doha golf club in Doha on Saturday …

By MICHAEL CASEY, AP Sports Writer Michael Casey, Ap Sports Writer – Sat Feb 4, 11:57 am ET

DOHA, Qatar – Former British Open Champion Paul Lawrie recovered from a penalty for dropping his ball on a marker to shoot a 5-under 67 Saturday and take a one-shot lead over Nicolas Colsaerts into the final round of the Qatar Masters.

Lawrie took advantage of calmer conditions at Doha Golf Course to make six birdies for an 8-under total of 136 after two rounds. The 43-year-old Scotsman birdied the 16th to move into a tie with Colsaerts and then added another on 18 to take the outright lead.

The tournament has been disrupted by wind all week, and organizers called off Friday's play and shortened the event to three rounds. Dozens of players had to stop after gusts of up to 35 mph moved balls and tossed signs. Conditions improved Saturday but it remained windy.

"I played very good again, hitting it beautifully tee to green," said Lawrie, who won the Andalucian Open in 2011 for his first win in nine years. "Anytime you play as solidly as that and hit a few putts in there it's a fair chance you are going to play well."

Lawrie's could have had an even bigger lead, had he not accidentally dropped his ball on his marker at the 10th green. Since it was unclear whether the ball moved, Lawrie was forced to take a one-shot penalty. The mistake was similar to the one by Ian Poulter during a two-way playoff at the Dubai World Championship in 2010, when his penalty essentially gave the title to Robert Karlsson of Sweden.

"I didn't see it and no one else saw it so you have to take the penalty and kind of kick on," Lawrie said. "It's one of these freak, stupid rules. ... It's like Poulter in Dubai, the same thing. It's one of those many rules that could do with changing a wee bit."

Playing in front of Lawrie, Colsaerts also birdied the 18th after a bunker shot that rolled within a foot of the pin to briefly take the lead. It was one of his six birdies on the day and came after he had one of his two bogeys on the 17th.

"I am playing very well even though I think I could have hit closer to some flags," the Belgian said. "I managed quite well, kept the ball in play and didn't do anything stupid."

Colsaerts, known for his big hitting, won his first European Tour title last year at the Volvo China Open and then finished fourth at the Volvo Golf Champions in January.

Peter Hanson of Sweden (69) and Ricardo Gonzalez of Argentina (67) were two shots off the lead. James Kingston of South Africa (69) and Simon Kahn of England (68) — who eagled his final hole — are three shots back with another 10 players, including Jason Day (72), Sergio Garcia (68) and John Daly (73), a further shot back. Third-ranked Lee Westwood (70) and fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer (70) are at 3 under.

Daly, the clubhouse leader when play was suspended, started strong with a birdie on the second but had three of his four bogeys on his front nine.

"I didn't hit the tee-balls as good as I did Thursday," Daly said. "But I hung in there. Some of those bogeys I made could have been doubles or triples just as easy."

First-round leader Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (75) couldn't match his nine-birdie performance from Thursday and was at 141.

Hunter Mahan and K.J. Choi failed to make the cut. Mahan finished at 149 after poor putting led to four bogeys on his back nine. Choi was just a shot off the lead Thursday but a 78 that included two double bogeys left him at 146.

Mahan, who made a 17,000-mile detour to play in the Middle East for the first time, struggled in the wind.

"I played awful today," Mahan said. "It just didn't happen today. I'm going to go home and I've got three more tournaments coming up and I've got to get ready for them."

___

Follow Michael Casey on Twitter at https://twitter.com/mcasey1

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SPORTS - Foyt released from Houston hospital (AP)

SPORTS - Foyt released from Houston hospital (AP)

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SPORTS - Wife of Yankees GM Cashman files for divorce (AP)

SPORTS - Wife of Yankees GM Cashman files for divorce (AP)

AP – Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis, left, passes off as he goes airborne past Sacramento Kings center …

– 56 mins ago

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Marcus Thornton scored 28 points and Tyreke Evans had 26 points and nine assists to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Golden State Warriors 114-106 in overtime Saturday night.

The Kings scored the first nine points in overtime to win consecutive games for the second time this season.

Dorrell Wright scored 24 points for Golden State, which made a season-high 16 3-pointers. Nate Robinson had 20 points, Monta Ellis scored 18, Klay Thompson had 16, and Stephen Curry finished with 11.

Salmons made a 3-pointer and Thompson scored inside on the next possession to give the Kings a 107-102 lead in overtime. A drive by Evans put the Kings up 111-102.

DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, the first 20-20 game for the Kings since Brad Miller did it on Jan. 14, 2009. Jason Thompson added 15 points and 16 rebounds, and John Salmons contributed 15 points.

Trailing by three points, Thompson made a corner 3, his fourth of the quarter, to tie the game at 102 with nine seconds left. Evans missed a long jumper with one second left to send the game into overtime.

Thompson and Robinson each had 12 fourth-quarter points when the Warriors outscored the Kings 26-15. They combined for Golden State's first 21 points of the fourth quarter when both Ellis and Curry remained on the bench. Ellis and Curry were also on the bench for much of the fourth quarter in Tuesday's comeback win over the visiting Kings.

It was the first time the Kings have scored 100 or more points in 15 games and only the third time all season that Sacramento has been in triple digits.

Thornton struggled with his shot in the first half, but made amends in the third quarter. The Kings guard made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points to energize Sacramento, who outscored the Warriors 34-22 and took an 87-76 lead into the fourth.

Thornton got going quickly in the third quarter, scoring 15 of the Kings first 24 points. His 3-pointer at the 4:51 mark put the Kings ahead 77-71.

The Kings are the youngest team in the NBA, at an average of 24 years, 347 days, and the Warriors are next, a mere two days older. Their youth was evident at times in a fast-paced game that had a combined 39 turnovers

Wright scored 19 points and Ellis had nine in the opening half when the Warriors took a 54-53 lead into the break. Cousins had 12 points and eight rebounds, Thornton scored 10 points, and Thompson added nine points and nine rebounds.

NOTES: The Warriors made eight of 12 3-pointers in the first half. . Wright exceeded his previous season high of 23 points with a baseline drive for a basket midway through the third quarter. . The lead changed hands 20 times in a tight first half where the biggest lead for either team was five points. . The Kings recalled second-year C Hassan Whiteside from the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League.

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SPORTS - Martin, 4 linemen make Hall of Fame (AP)

SPORTS - Martin, 4 linemen make Hall of Fame (AP)

AP – FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2005, file phot, New York Jets running back Curtis Martin carries the ball against …

By BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner, Ap Pro Football Writer – 1 hr 46 mins ago

INDIANAPOLIS – Curtis Martin has gone from the mean streets of Pittsburgh to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The star running back with the Patriots and Jets for 11 seasons was one of six players elected Saturday to the shrine. Martin once disliked playing the game, but used it to escape a neighborhood where his grandmother was murdered.

"When I get awarded something like the Hall of Fame, it's almost foreign to me," said Martin, the NFL's No. 4 career rusher. "This wasn't something I planned on doing. Football is something I did so I didn't end up jailed or dead.

"If you make up your mind to just do the right thing no matter what ... and you stick to it, which I did, this is how things can turn around. I feel as if my life turned around from what it used to be, and I think anyone has a chance."

Martin and four linemen were elected to the hall, along with one senior committee choice. He is joined by Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf, Dermontti Dawson, and senior selection Jack Butler.

Jerome Bettis, Cris Carter and Bill Parcells were among the finalists who didn't make it.

"I'm not even close to this position, I actually don't think I'd play more than four or five years without Bill Parcells," Martin said, indicating he will have his former coach present him for induction on Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.

A panel of 44 media members voted.

Martin made it for his consistency and durability, rushing for 14,101 and 90 touchdowns. He rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons, the first three with New England and the others with the Jets. The 1995 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Martin won the NFL rushing title in 2004 with 1,697 yards.

Doleman and Kennedy were sackmasters from the defensive line, Doleman at end and Kennedy at tackle.

Doleman had 150 1/2 sacks in his 15 seasons, mostly with Minnesota, and was one of the prototype agile yet powerful pass rushers who dominate the game today. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was fourth on the sacks list when he retired.

"I am totally blown away by this and humbled by it," Doleman said, adding his son, Evan, would present him for induction. "When they call your name, you're absolutely numb."

Kennedy was a force inside, both as a run stopper and in threatening quarterbacks. The 1992 Defensive Player of the Year made eight Pro Bowls, had 58 sacks — an unusually high total for a tackle — and spent his entire 11-season career with Seattle.

He waited by his phone to hear whether he'd made it after a six-year wait, and was happy he had the television on when the announcement was made.

"I thought I was supposed to get a call. I didn't get a call. I had to watch it on TV," Kennedy said.

"I am very excited right now."

Roaf spent enough time in his 13 seasons with New Orleans and Kansas City blocking the likes of Doleman and Kennedy. He played one season at right tackle, then the rest of his career on the left side, making 11 Pro Bowls. He made the All-Decade team for the 1990s.

"He possessed exceptional physical talent and a great work ethic," said Jim Mora, who coached in New Orleans for 11 seasons. "He was blessed with high quality character and a team-oriented attitude. He was a team leader, always positive, upbeat, and a fun guy to coach and have on the team. Without question Willie was one of my best and favorite players ever."

Dawson made seven Pro Bowls as the Steelers' center, that rare snapper who also could block defensive players one on one. He replaced a Hall of Famer, Mike Webster, and started for Pittsburgh for most of his 13 pro seasons.

"You never know what your career is going to turn out to be," Dawson said. "I knew I had big shoes to fill `cause it was my first year playing center. I never would have thought I would be in this position after my career."

"It is a great honor and because of being selected today, my phone has blown up."

Butler also played for the Steelers as a cornerback from 1951-59, picking off 52 passes, at the time second most in NFL history. But he was best known for his tackling skills.

"They told me I was good. I didn't know I was good," Butler said. "I never, ever, ever thought I would be here."

Guard Will Shields didn't get in — the only first-year eligible player to make the 15-man finals. Shields started all but one of the 224 games in his 14 seasons in Kansas City.

Bettis also fell short. He was the 1993 Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Rams who retired in 2006 after winning his only Super Bowl with the Steelers. He is the NFL's No. 5 career rusher.

Parcells coached the Giants to Super Bowl titles in the 1987 and 1991 games and also lost the 1997 Super Bowl with New England. He coached the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, too.

Carter is the No. 4 career receiver with 1,101 in 16 seasons with three teams.

Others not voted in were receivers Tim Brown and Andre Reed, defensive end/linebackers Kevin Greene and Charles Haley, defensive back Aeneas Williams, and former 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Jr.

The other senior finalist, guard Dick Stanfel, was not chosen, either.

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SPORTS - Parker's 42 powers Spurs past NBA-best Thunder (AP)

SPORTS - Parker's 42 powers Spurs past NBA-best Thunder (AP)

AP – Tournament-leader Spencer Levin acknowledges the crowd after making a birdie at the 17th hole during …

By JOHN NICHOLSON, AP Sports Writer John Nicholson, Ap Sports Writer – Sat Feb 4, 8:10 pm ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Spencer Levin remained in control in the Phoenix Open in front of the largest crowd in tournament history, shooting a 3-under 68 on Saturday to take a six-stroke lead into the final round.

The crowd of 173,210 in perfect conditions at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course broke the record of 170,802 set in the third round in 2008.

"It was fun for sure, but I was trying to focus, too," Levin said about the huge crowd and party atmosphere. "You don't get that too often, all those people cheering."

Levin, five strokes ahead after the completion of the second round Saturday morning, had four birdies and a bogey to reach 17 under. The bogey on the par-5 15th was his first since the opening hole of the tournament.

"I felt like I played solid," Levin said. "I felt like I was in control of my ball most of the day, and yeah, I'm pleased. I've never had a big lead like that starting the day, and I thought I played well. Overall, I'm pleased about it."

Webb Simpson was 11 under after a 68. At No. 6 in the world, he's the highest-ranked player in the field.

"I feel good, but my swing is just not really getting in sync," Simpson said. "I'm missing the ball left and right. I want to polish that up. But I made a bunch of good swings down the stretch that gave me a lot of confidence."

The 27-year-old Levin, remembered for a hole-in-one and 13th-place tie in the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock while still in school at New Mexico, is winless on the PGA Tour. He came close last year, losing a playoff to Johnson Wagner in the Mayakoba Golf Classic. Last week at Torrey Pines, Levin had a share of the first-round lead after a 62, but followed with rounds of 76, 73 and 72 to tie for 43rd.

"Hopefully, I can just stay calm, try my best and keep having fun," Levin said. "I'm going to try my best. That's all I'm going to do, and we'll see what happens."

Bubba Watson was seven strokes behind Levin after a 67.

"He's playing so good, you don't expect him to come back in the field," Watson said. "You're going to have to go chase him down."

Tour rookie John Huh also was 10 under after a 69.

Kyle Stanley was eight strokes back after a 69 as he tries to rebound from a devastating loss. On Sunday at Torrey Pines, he made a triple-bogey 8 on the final hole of regulation and lost to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff.

Jason Dufner, second last year after a playoff loss to Mark Wilson, shot a 68 to join Stanley, Chris Stroud (66), Greg Chalmers (67) and Ben Crane at 9 under.

Fan favorite Phil Mickelson was 8 under after a 67. The former Arizona State star won the tournament in 1996 and 2005.

"I'd like to be further up, but given where I was 27 holes ago, I'm in a really good spot," Mickelson said. "I'm starting to play some good golf, and I'm starting to get a little bit of momentum. I feel great with the putter."

Many players wore green clothing as part of title sponsor Waste Management's green-out at TPC Scottsdale. Rickie Fowler was one of the greenest, dressing in matching dark green shirt, pants, shoes and a green and white hat. Levin didn't follow the crowd, wearing a white shirt, visor and shoes and black pants.

After opening with rounds of 65 and 63, Levin got off to a good start Saturday with birdies on the third and fourth holes. He got up and down from the back fringe on the par-5 third, and made a 16-foot birdie putt on par-3 fourth.

He followed with eight straight pars, most tap-in putts after birdie misses, before two-putted for birdie on the par-5 13th to reach 17 under.

He bogeyed the par-5 15th after hooking his drive and having the ball bounce into the water that runs the length of the hole. Coupled with Simpson's birdie on the hole in the group ahead, that cut Levin's lead to four strokes.

"Kind of tugged that a little bit left," Levin said. "It wasn't that bad a shot, but if you hit anything in the left side of that fairway, it's probably going to go in the water. I didn't hit it where I wanted to."

Levin then saved par on the amphitheater par-3 16th after leaving his first attempt 5 feet short, holing a tricky sidehill putt. He then birdied the short, par-4 17th, blasting out of the right greenside bunker to 3 feet. On Friday, he eagled the hole when he holed out from the same bunker.

He was asked about playing with a big lead for the first time in his PGA Tour career.

"I tried not to think about it," Levin said. "I was just trying to focus on my game and my ball, and it worked out good today. I tried as hard as I could just to do what I did the first two days, and that's what I'm going to do tomorrow, too."

The start of play was delayed 15 minutes because of front after hour delays the first two days. Last year, frost and frozen greens delayed play nine hours during the week, forcing a Monday finish.

DIVOTS: The event has drawn 459,815 fans, starting with practice Monday. There were 77,053 fans Thursday, and 116,299 Friday. The tournament record for a week is 538,356, set in 2008. ... Defending champion Wilson, coming off a victory two weeks ago in the Humana Challenge, was even par after a 74.

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SPORTS - Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers wins MVP award (AP)

SPORTS - Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers wins MVP award (AP)

AP – Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers speaks after receiving the AP MVP Player of the Year during the inaugural …

By BARRY WILNER, AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner, Ap Pro Football Writer – 40 mins ago

INDIANAPOLIS – Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award in a landslide.

Rodgers earned 48 votes to two for New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Packers star is the first Green Bay player honored since Brett Favre concluded a run of three straight seasons as MVP in 1997.

"It means a lot to be recognized as a consistent player and contributing on my team," Rodgers said. "I think it's an award that relies on a player having the support of his teammates, obviously, guys blocking, guys running, guys catching, guys making plays. But I'm very honored to receive the award."

Rodgers received a standing ovation after his name was announced by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, the league's only four-time MVP. The award was presented on the "NFL Honors" primetime special Saturday night on NBC.

"We're all really excited to see you back on the field next year," Rodgers told Manning.

Rodgers led the NFL in passing with a 122.5 rating built on 45 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 68.3 completion percentage as the Packers went 15-1 and won the NFC North. The Packers were beaten by the New York Giants at Lambeau Field in the divisional round.

"People really count on me to be consistent each week, to play well. Knowing that my performance, the fact that I touch the ball every play, I have a direct impact on the game, the way I play," Rodgers said. "And if I'm playing consistent and doing things I know I'm supposed to do, we've been able to have some success because of it."

He joins former Packers Bart Starr, Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung as MVPs.

Rodgers is the third consecutive quarterback voted MVP, joining New England's Tom Brady (2007, 2010) and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning (2008, 2009).

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