AP - Dale Earnhardt Jr. was leading halfway through the Daytona 500 on Sunday, five years after his father died on the final lap of the same season-opening race.

AP - Nathan Bilyeu scored 19 points and Dale Lamberth added 12 to help Missouri State upset No. 25 Northern Iowa 66-63 Saturday night.

AP - While Dale Earnhardt Jr. would just as soon forget last season, the lessons he learned have him anxious to start this season. Right now, his confidence is soaring.

AP - In at least one way, Dale Earnhardt may have been irreplaceable. Kevin Harvick, who stepped into his seat at Richard Childress Racing the week after the seven-time champion died in a crash during the 2001 Daytona 500, says no one has been able to replace Earnhardt as a voice for the drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup garage area.

AP - Mike Gansey scored 14 points and No. 11 West Virginia used a 13-2 second-half run to beat Cincinnati 66-57 on Saturday and remain the only unbeaten team in the Big East.

AP - Notre Dame has lost two Big East games in double overtime. Three more league games — all losses — were decided in the final 2 seconds. The losses are frustrating, but coach Mike Brey doesn't want to hear about the Fighting Irish (10-9, 1-7) being unlucky.