BICYCLING: Lance may lose French medal
Lance Armstrong faces the prospect of losing his Legion of Honor medal after French officials said they will start an inquiry following his admission that he doped during his Tour de France wins. Armstrong was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur in 2005, recognizing his seven consecutive Tour victories. The award was created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1820.
BASEBALL: Cuba slugs China in WBC
Jose Abreu hit a grand slam to help Cuba clobber China 12-0 in Fukora, Japan, and ensure it would advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic. Cuba next faces Japan tomorrow. Cuba’s win also means that Japan advances to the March 8-12 second round at Tokyo Dome.
In Group B, South Korea (1-1) was a 6-0 winner over Australia (0-2) to set up a crucial game today against Taiwan. Australia fell to 0-2. The Netherlands is also 1-1 after stunning South Korea, but must beat Australia today.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto, coming off knee surgery, said he will play for Canada. The team opens against Italy on Friday and will play the United States two days later.
NBA: Magic snap three-game skid
Arron Afflalo scored five of his game-high 26 points in the final 38 seconds, and the Magic snapped a three-game skid with a 105-102 victory over the Hornets. … Monta Ellis scored 34 points, Brandon Jennings added 20 points and 17 assists, and the Bucks beat the Jazz 109-108 in overtime. J.J. Redick scored 17 for the Bucks, including their first eight in overtime.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and the Trail Blazers handed the Bobcats their seventh straight loss with a 122-105 victory. … Corey Brewer scored 22 points and Ty Lawson had 18 in the Nuggets’ 104-88 win over the Hawks. … David Lee had 29 points and 11 rebounds and Stephen Curry added 26 and 12 assists as the Warriors snapped a four-game skid by outlasting the Raptors 125-118.
COLLEGE: Baylor star scores 50 points, dunks
Brittney Griner scored a Big 12 single-game record 50 points in her final regular-season game at Baylor — including her first dunk at home since she was a freshman — to lead the top-ranked Lady Bears (29-1) to a 90-68 victory over Kansas State. … Skylar Diggins scored 29 points as No. 2 Notre Dame (28-1) needed three overtimes to post a 96-87 victory over third-ranked UConn (27-3) to win Big East regular-season title outright for the second straight year.
NHL: Malkin returns as Penguins win
Evgeni Malkin, back after missing four games due to a concussion, scored in the third period to lead the Penguins to a 4-3 win over the Lightning. … Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward will miss six to eight weeks with a sprained knee ligament … The Maple Leafs traded forward Mike Brown to the Oilers for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft.