Sports briefs March 12, 2013
Football
San Francisco acquired wide receiver Anquan Boldin from the Ravens for a sixth-round draft pick Monday. Boldin, a star in Baltimore's run to the Super Bowl title last season, must pass a physical to complete the deal.
The Ravens announced the trade Monday.
Boldin had six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens' 34-31 Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.
The 32-year-old Boldin had said he'd consider retirement rather than leave Baltimore. But going to the NFC champions might change his mind.
A 10-year veteran, Boldin led Baltimore with 65 catches for 921 yards and four TDs in 2012. He was sensational in the postseason with 16 receptions for 276 yards and three scores.
- The Arizona Cardinals released running back Beanie Wells after four injury-plagued seasons.
A first-round pick in 2009, Wells showed flashes of the brilliance he had at Ohio State, but has only played one full season - his rookie year.
Wells eclipsed 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 2011, but was limited to eight games last season due to a turf toe injury. Last season, he ran for 234 yards and eight touchdowns as part of what was the worst offense in the NFL.
- The New York Giants allowed Victor Cruz to enter restricted free agency, placing a first-round tender on the wide receiver.
Team owner John Mara said the Giants will risk having Cruz agree to a contract with another club. New York has the right to match any offer. If the Giants allow him to leave, they will get a first-round draft choice as compensation.
The tender is worth $2.879 million for 2012 for Cruz.
Basketball
Gonzaga is no one-week wonder at No. 1.
The Bulldogs beat Loyola Marymount 66-48 in its first game as the nation's top-ranked team, then topped St. Mary's 65-51 on Monday.
Gonzaga received 54 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel. Duke, which received the other 11 first-place votes, moved up one spot to second after beating Virginia Tech and North Carolina last week. Indiana dropped one place to third after losing to Ohio State then rallying for the dramatic win at Michigan that gave the Hoosiers the outright Big Ten title.
Louisville jumped from eighth to No. 4 and was followed by Georgetown, Michigan, Kansas, Michigan State, Miami and Ohio State.
Spurs 105, Thunder 93: Tiago Splitter had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and host San Antonio snapped Oklahoma City's five-game winning streak.
Jazz 103, Pistons 90: At Salt Lake City, Mo Williams scored 20 points, Al Jefferson had 16 and Utah snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Detroit.
76ers 106, Nets 97: Spencer Hawes had 24 points and 10 rebounds and host Philadelphia beat Brooklyn.
Nuggets 108, Suns 93: Kosta Koufos scored a career high 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting to lead Denver at Phoenix.
Warriors 92, Knicks 63: At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Curry scored 26 points to lift Golden State past New York.
Bruins 3, Senators 2, SO: David Krejci scored the shootout winner and had an assist in regulation to lead Boston at Ottawa.
Kings 3, Flames 1: Dustin Brown scored two goals to help host Los Angeles beat Calgary.
Sled dog racing
Sled positioning trackers showed 2004 winner Mitch Seavey ahead of four-time champion Jeff King and last year's runner-up Aliy Zirkle, as he reached the checkpoint at Elim, 123 miles from the finish line of the Iditarod in Nome, Alaska.
- The Associated Press