Published Wednesday, March 10, 2010 12:06 AM

SPORTS IN BRIEF

Wire reports

North Texas earns bid to NCAA Tournament

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Josh White's shot from near the free-throw line with 22 seconds remaining gave North Texas a 66-63 win over Troy on Tuesday night in the Sun Belt tournament title game.

Troy (20-12) rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half, but the 5-foot-10 White's shot broke a 63-63 tie and sent the Mean Green (24-8) to the NCAA tournament.

Brandon Hazzard drove to the basket trying to tie it in the final seconds, but Shannon Shorter blocked the shot and it went out of bounds off Troy. White was fouled with 2.9 seconds remaining and made one free throw. After he missed his second attempt, Troy's Michael Vogler missed a desperation shot from midcourt.

Edwards on probation for reckless driving

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carl Edwards has been placed on three weeks' probation by NASCAR for intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski's car during last weekend's race at Atlanta.

NASCAR president Mike Helton said Tuesday there are two separate issues: the wreck itself, and the fact that Keselowski's car went airborne.

He says NASCAR is reviewing why the car left the track, and adds that NASCAR will meet with both drivers and their car owners to "clean the slate."

On Sunday, Edwards returned to the track after an earlier wreck with Keselowski. Edwards then caused a crash that sent Keselowski's car airborne.

Astros rock Santana; Harden so-so for Texas

Johan Santana struggled in his first game since August, allowing four runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Tuesday in Florida.

Kaz Matsui hit a solo homer for the first of four straight hits in the first inning off Santana.

Brett Myers gave up two runs on four hits in three innings, and Pedro Feliz added a two-run shot for Houston.

In Arizona, Rich Harden breezed through the first two innings but never finished the third in his second outing with the Texas Rangers.

Harden gave up four runs on two hits in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out four, walked three and threw a wild pitch in the Rangers' 8-8 tie with an Oakland Athletics split squad.

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