IN BRIEF

HORSE RACING

Sidney's Candy earns San Vicente Stakes win

Sidney's Candy soared back into the Kentucky Derby picture Monday night with a victory over Tiny Woods and Classical Slew in Santa Anita's 69th running of the seven-furlong $150,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds in Arcadia, Calif.

Ridden by Joe Talamo, Sidney's Candy matched strides early with trainer Bob Baffert's Tiny Woods before leaving his rival 41/4 lengths behind, crossing the wire in 1 minute, 20.91 seconds. It was the second-fastest running in a race that has served as a proving ground for nine Kentucky Derby champions.

Tiny Woods, after chasing Sidney's Candy through fractions of 22.77, 45.50 and 1:08.62, held second by 13/4 lengths over Classical Slew in the field of seven. Baffert's other entrant, 5-2 second choice Quiet Invader, finished fifth.

Also: Oaklawn Park postponed the $250,000 Southwest Stakes because of freezing conditions in Hot Springs, Ark., putting off the Kentucky Derby prep race until Saturday.

COLLEGES

Lady Rebels' Smith nets MWC basketball honor

UNLV's Jamie Smith was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Week in women's basketball after helping the Lady Rebels to two wins.

Smith had 10 points and seven rebounds Wednesday in a 65-59 road upset of New Mexico, including a late steal and two free throws to seal the win. The forward then had 14 points, 15 rebounds (seven offensive) and eight steals in a 66-59 home win Saturday over San Diego State.

Also: Washington State athletic director Jim Sterk was hired for the same position at San Diego State.

Sterk had been the AD at Washington State since 2000. He also has worked for North Carolina, Maine, Seattle, Pacific, Tulane and Portland State, where he was the athletic director from 1995 until he took over at Washington State.

Sterk, 53, replaces Jeff Schemmel, who resigned in November after a university investigation determined there were irregularities in his reimbursement requests for travel.

Florida redshirt freshman defensive tackle Gary Brown was accused of misdemeanor battery in a dispute at a party near Gainesville, Fla.

Brown was charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery Sunday morning. According to an arrest report, Brown is accused of striking two women who were trying to kick people out of a party.

Nebraska added a year to the contract of football coach Bo Pelini and raised his base pay to $2.1 million per year. The deal keeps Pelini at the Huskers' helm through Feb. 28, 2015.

MISCELLANEOUS

76ers' Iverson returns from five-game absence

Allen Iverson returned to the Philadelphia 76ers after missing five games to be with his ill daughter, and he expects to play today against Miami.

Iverson returned to practice for the first time since Feb. 2. Iverson was voted an Eastern Conference All-Star starter, but skipped Sunday's game to spend additional time with his family. He said doctors are still not sure what is ailing his 4-year-old daughter, Messiah.

Iverson has averaged 14.4 points in 25 games since he returned to the Sixers in December.

Also: Seven years after leaving Manchester United, David Beckham faces the team that turned him into a global star for the first time when AC Milan hosts the three-time winners today in the Champions League.

The England midfielder never faced United during four seasons with Real Madrid.