IN BRIEF

GOLF

Optimistic Mickelson: Cancer caught early

Phil Mickelson had reason for optimism Thursday when he said doctors think they discovered his wife's breast cancer early.

Amy Mickelson, 37, who learned of the breast cancer last week, went through extensive testing this week.

"We have a wonderful team of doctors helping us, and it is believed that we caught this early," Mickelson said on his Web site. "We are anxiously waiting for a number of test results that will help guide us in the best possible direction."

Mickelson has taken an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour.

Also: Vijay Singh shot a 6-under-par 64, leaving him a stroke behind Woody Austin, Tim Clark and Steve Stricker after the first round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Fort Worth, Texas.

Anders Hansen eagled his 17th hole in a 7-under 65 that gave him a one-stroke lead after the first round of the European Open at Ash, England.

North Carolina State's Matt Hill made three birdies on the homeward nine holes to win the NCAA Division I golf title at Toledo, Ohio.

BASKETBALL

Kentucky countersues fired coach Gillispie

Kentucky countersued fired men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie, claiming it doesn't owe him pay because he never signed a contract.

The employment dispute escalated when the university filed a lawsuit one day after Gillispie filed a claim, asking for $6 million in back pay, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and court costs.

Also: Southern California forward Marcus Johnson has been granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA, but he must sit out the first two games of the 2009-10 season. Johnson averaged 3.1 points and 1.8 rebounds last season.

A judge in Lebanon, Ohio, has found former UNR star Kirk Snyder not competent to stand trial and ordered that he be force-fed. The judge said Snyder has rejected medications and food. He has been hospitalized twice.

Snyder, 25, was charged with aggravated burglary and felonious assault after a March break-in at a neighbor's home.

Hawaii hired Dana Takahara-Dias as its women's basketball coach. She succeeds former UNLV coach Jim Bolla, who was fired in April and has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit.

MISCELLANEOUS

Borel will have mount in Belmont Stakes

Jockey Calvin Borel will be back on Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes if Rachel Alexandra isn't entered.

Chip Woolley, who trains the Derby winner, said he'll wait until Rachel Alexandra's co-owner, Jess Jackson, decides whether to run his Preakness-winning filly in the Belmont.

Also: Western Nevada was eliminated from the JUCO World Series, losing to Howard 11-3 in Grand Junction, Colo. The Wildcats (48-13) finished third in the double-elimination tournament, with both losses against Howard (62-1).

Lance Ray, a Sierra Vista High School graduate, went 3-for-4 with a solo home run for Western Nevada. Travis Feiner, a Cimarron-Memorial graduate, went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and was 12-for-19 with three home runs in the tournament.