IN BRIEF

CYCLING

Armstrong denies he stymied doping test

Lance Armstrong is defending himself against suggestions he misbehaved during a recent drug test in France.

The cycling great, hoping to win an eighth Tour de France title in July, said in a statement Tuesday that he did not try to evade a March 17 test in which, blood, urine and hair samples were collected and were ultimately found to be drug free.

France's anti-doping agency sent a report on Armstrong's behavior during the test to cycling's governing body and the World Anti-Doping Agency. At question is a 20-minute delay when Armstrong says the tester agreed to let him shower while his assistants checked the tester's credentials.

"I did not try to evade or delay the testing process that day," said Armstrong, who also lashed out at French doping authorities.

Also: Sacramento police arrested two men on charges related to the February theft of a bicycle belonging to Armstrong.

NHL

Former Canadiens GM eyes buying franchise

Former Montreal Canadiens general manager Serge Savard says he and a group of partners are prepared to buy the NHL franchise if it is put up for sale.

Canadiens majority shareholder George Gillett is seeking advice from financial firms in Canada and elsewhere about how he might maximize his holdings.

Gillett owns the Bell Centre, where the Canadiens play, as well as 80 percent of the team.

Also: The New York Islanders signed veteran forward Doug Weight to a one-year, $2 million contract extension.

In his first season with the Islanders, the 39-year-old Weight has recorded nine goals and 26 assists despite missing 29 games because of injury.

MISCELLANEOUS

Krishna leads Rebels to Indiana Invitational title

UNLV women's golf took home the team title and junior Natasha Krishna earned medalist honors at the Indiana Invitational on Tuesday, which was played under chilly conditions at Otter Creek Golf Club in Columbus, Ind.

UNLV ran away with team honors with a score of 931 that was good for a 13-stroke victory over Iowa State.

"Coming into the tournament we were the highest-ranked team in the event and we did what we were supposed to do, and we did it playing in some really adverse conditions," UNLV head coach Missy Ringler said. "I think it says a lot about the mental toughness of the team."

The win is the second of the season for UNLV.

Also:The UNLV softball team unveiled an all black wardrobe Tuesday when the Rebels (23-13) played Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz. The reigning NCAA champions defeated the Rebels 20-10 in the first game and 15-2 in the second game.

The teams combined to hit 17 home runs in the two games, with ASU blasting an NCAA single-game record of 10 in the first.

The leader of the International Olympic Committee's inspection team said members were "most impressed" by Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Games and the strong support they saw from the White House, City Hall and corporate boardrooms.

"We are leaving with a very strong impression that the bid is a strong one," said Nawal el Moutawakel, chairwoman of the IOC's evaluation commission.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has given its OK to a request by Churchill Downs to run under the lights.

Track official John Asher says Churchill Downs wants to "test the waters" with nighttime racing June 19 and June 26 -- both Fridays -- and Thursday, July 2.

Hall of Famer John Elway's son is leaving the Arizona State football program. However, Jack Elway plans to remain a student at the school

Sun Devils coach Dennis Erickson said Elway is "just tired of football and wants to do something else with his life."