Sports

Dubai -- Lee Westwood closed with two birdies in his final three holes Friday and has a 2-stroke lead halfway through the European PGA Tour's Dubai World Championship.

Nyon -- Spain has regained to No. 1 spot, displacing Brazil in FIFA's men's world soccer rankings, released Friday.

Los Angeles -- Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds Thursday in his first appearance of the season to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 108-93 win over Chicago.

Anaheim, Calif. -- Scott Niedermayer scored on the power play 52 seconds into overtime Thursday, giving the Anaheim Ducks a 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

New York -- Deon Thompson helped North Carolina build a 19-point second-half lead Thursday and the No. 4 Tar Heels held on to defeat 15th-ranked Ohio State 77-73.

Calgary, Alberta -- Kris Versteeg scored twice during a second-period onslaught Thursday, sending the Chicago Blackhawks sailing to a 7-1 win over Calgary.

San Juan, Puerto Rico -- Chris Johnson had 19 points and seven rebounds Thursday, leading No. 21 Dayton to a 63-59 win over 19th-ranked Georgia Tech.

San Juan, Puerto Rico -- Isaiah Armwood's late 3-pointer Thursday boosted sixth-ranked Villanova to a 69-68 win over upstart George Mason at the Puerto Rico Tip-off in San Juan.

Houston -- Lorena Ochoa, trying to rally and win her fourth Player of the Year title, grabbed the lead Thursday after one round of the LPGA Tour Championship at Houston.

Lexington, Ky. -- DeMarcus Cousins scored 27 points Thursday and fifth-ranked Kentucky survived Corey Allmond's 3-point shooting exhibition to defeat Sam Houston 102-92.