sports in brief

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Oct 5, 2008

Local & state: K-State tennis starts strong at Hoosier Classic

Kansas State's Mariya Slupska and Antea Huljev each improved their season-high singles win streaks to three on Friday during the first day of action at the Hoosier Classic. The Wildcats also captured two wins in doubles play at the IU Tennis Center.

Slupska, a freshman from Kiev, Ukraine, beat Myriam Sopel of Indiana, 7-6 (4), 7-5, while Huljev beat Joanna Craven of Purdue, 6- 4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-5).

Kansas State continues play at the Hoosier Classic today and tomorrow.

Kansas soccer beat Texas Tech 2-0 Friday afternoon at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex.

Junior Monica Dolinsky and freshman Emily Cressy recorded goals, while the Jayhawk defense held the Red Raiders to just four shots.

Kansas improves to 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, while Texas Tech falls to 6-4-1 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

NFL: Jaguars to play Sunday night with depleted secondary

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without half their starting secondary against Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

Safety Reggie Nelson (knee) and cornerback Drayton Florence (groin) will miss the game, coach Jack Del Rio said Friday.

Deion Branch will start for the Seahawks on Sunday against the New York Giants, eight months after the veteran receiver had reconstructive knee surgery.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Branch and Bobby Engram passed their tests of three consecutive practices this week. Both receivers will make their season debut at New York.

Top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be lost to the New Orleans Saints for two to four weeks with a right knee injury.

The defensive lineman from Southern California has a medial meniscus tear. He left Thursday's practice after hearing what he said was ''kind of a click" in his knee.

Brian Westbrook was a full participant in practice for the first time in two weeks on Friday and appears likely to play Sunday when the Eagles host the Washington Redskins.

Baltimore Ravens starting cornerback Samari Rolle underwent neck surgery this week and will be out at least a month.

Rolle suffered a stinger in a Sept. 21 win against Cleveland after intercepting a pass.

Justin Gage may be out for the second time in three games for the Bears on Sunday when they travel to face the Baltimore Ravens.

Former football star Lawrence Phillips has been sentenced in Los Angeles to 10 years in prison after being convicted of assault with a deadly weapon.

The sentencing Friday had been repeatedly delayed while he dealt with another case.

The 31-year-old Phillips was convicted two years ago on seven counts. He has been jailed since he drove onto a field near Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and struck three people with his car.

College football: Wisconsin band under investigation

The University of Wisconsin marching band has been suspended indefinitely while allegations of hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual misconduct are investigated.

The band won't play Saturday during a nationally televised football game between the No. 18 Badgers and No. 14 Ohio State at Camp Randall Stadium.

The university made the announcement at a hastily called news conference Friday night, saying the behavior is consistent with conduct that put the band on probation in 2006.

Mike Leckrone, band director since 1969, said he made the decision and it was the first time in his tenure the entire band has ever been suspended and prevented from playing at a game.

Tennessee will start Nick Stephens at quarterback tonight against Northern Illinois.

Coach Phillip Fulmer announced Friday that Stephens will replace starter Jonathan Crompton for the Volunteers (1-3), who are off to their worst start in 14 years.

Basketball: Smith leads Shock to 2-0 lead in WNBA finals

Katie Smith scored 22 points and the Detroit Shock built a big lead in the first quarter, then hung on to defeat the San Antonio Silver Stars 69-61 Friday night and take a 2-0 lead in the WNBA finals.

Game 3 in the best-of-five series is Sunday at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., where Detroit will try to wrap up its second title in the last three years.

Deanna Nolan and Kara Braxton added 12 points each for the Shock.

The Miami Heat are giving Shaun Livingston a second chance at an NBA career.

The free agent point guard signed a two-year contract with the Heat on Friday, the first significant step in what he hopes is a comeback from a serious injury to his left knee 19 months ago.

Florida coach Billy Donovan signed his six-year contract extension Friday, 16 months after he returned to Gainesville following a brief stint with the NBA's Orlando Magic. The deal is worth more than $19.5 million before incentives.

From staff and wire reports