IN BRIEF

WINTER OLYMPICS

Vancouver organizers having snow hauled in

Snow is still being trucked and flown in to British Columbia's Cypress Mountain in an effort to get the Olympic venues ready for the Winter Games, which open Friday in Vancouver.

The first event scheduled for Cypress Mountain is women's moguls qualifying on Saturday.

The Vancouver weather has created problems for Olympic organizers. Although the venues at Whistler -- where the Alpine and Nordic events will be held -- are fine, warm weather has affected the Cypress Mountain venues.

"There's still snow being trucked and flown in to ensure we have enough contingency snow if the warm weather continues," said Dave Cobb, an official with the Vancouver organizing committee.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Two Sooners ticketed for shoplifting after win

Oklahoma freshman basketball players Andrew Fitzgerald and Steven Pledger were cited for shoplifting at a department store in Norman, Okla., just hours after the Sooners upset Texas on Saturday. Police spokeswoman Jennifer Newell said the players were ticketed for petty larceny and released.

Newell said the citation was written by a Dillard's security officer. Newell said Fitzgerald and Pledger were seen hiding shirts inside a blue plastic bag.

Pledger scored nine points in the 80-71 win over Texas. He averages 6.5 points per game. Fitzgerald averages 3.7 points per game.

Also: A federal judge in San Francisco green-lighted most of a lawsuit by ex-UCLA star Ed O'Bannon, who said the NCAA used the images of student-athletes without permission.

U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken denied the NCAA's attempt to have the lawsuit dismissed. Wilken has combined O'Bannon's case with that of former Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller, who filed a similar suit against the NCAA and video game maker Electronic Arts Inc.

Bridgette Mitchell and Keturah Jackson scored 12 points each, and No. 8 Duke routed No. 18 North Carolina 79-51.

Italee Lucas, a Centennial High graduate and the Tar Heels' leading scorer, had six points -- 10 below her season average -- and six turnovers.

MISCELLANEOUS

Sampras serves like old self in loss to Verdasco

Pete Sampras showed off that old brilliant serve. The rest of the retired star's game is lacking a bit these days.

Sampras hung tough against a top player 12 years his junior in the second set of his 6-3, 7-6 (2) loss to Spain's Fernando Verdasco in a 56-minute exhibition Monday night at the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif.

It was first exhibition match for the 14-time Grand Slam champion since he beat longtime American rival Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-3, 10-8, decided on a match tiebreak at Macau in October.

Also: The opening race of the 33rd America's Cup between two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland and American challenger BMW Oracle Racing was postponed because of unsteady wind.

The Dallas Stars activated center Mike Ribeiro a month after he injured his throat in a game against the New York Rangers.

Ribeiro was accidentally struck in the throat by the stick of New York's Christopher Higgins on Jan. 6.

Barry Almeida scored to give Boston College a three-goal third-period lead, and the Eagles held off a late charge from Boston University to win 4-3 and claim the 58th Beanpot hockey championship.

Former U.S. Olympic skier Jimmie Heuga, who won a bronze medal at the 1964 games and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis six years later, died Monday. He was 66.