Sports briefs for April 13, 2004

Tuesday, April 13, 2004 | 10:33 a.m.

Newspapers give up Earnhardt pursuit

Two Florida newspapers dropped their challenge Monday to a state law restricting access to autopsy photos that passed after the death of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt.

The Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, both owned by Tribune Co., sued in Broward County after a medical examiner refused to release the photos.

Newspapers sought access to the photos as questions arose over how Earnhardt died in the 2001 crash and whether better safety equipment might have saved him.

The papers voluntarily dismissed the case Monday, weeks before the 4th District Court of Appeal was scheduled to hear the case.

St. John's gets coach

Kansas assistant Norm Roberts was expected to be introduced today as the new St. John's head coach.

NCAA aids NFL appeal

The NCAA filed a legal brief in support of the NFL's appeal to keep former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett out of the draft. The NFL has asked the court to overturn a lower court ruling that said the league's rule that a player must be out of high school three years for draft eligibility violated antitrust law. A ruling is expected before the April 24 start of the draft.

Rebels face Arizona

One of the nation's top college programs, Arizona will play today and Wednesday at UNLV in hopes of shaking an early-season slump. The Wildcats are 16-14-1, UNLV 22-11. Games are 6:30 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Martinez milestone

Former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez became the seventh woman in the modern era to win 700 singles matches when she defeated Sun Tian Tian, 6-1, 6-0, in the first round of the Family Circle Cup at Charleston, S.C.

Ronaldo injured

Real Madric star Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the Spanish league, will miss up to two weeks with a left leg injury.