Bucknell makes first appearance in Top 25

The giant killer is now among college basketball’s big names.

Bucknell, the Patriot League school that has beaten some of the country’s premier programs the last two seasons, joined the Associated Press’ Top 25 men’s poll for the first time Monday.

“This is so neat for the school and everything like that. I won’t play it down because it’s wonderful for people to have that kind of respect for our program,” Bucknell coach Pat Flannery said. “At the same time, we have the kind of kids who can take it in stride to be ranked among that company.”

Bucknell moved into the poll at No. 24, two spots below another newcomer used to being among the ranked. Kansas, one of the big-time programs the Bison beat last season, entered for the first time this season at No. 22.

Duke was second with four No. 1 votes and 1,635 points. Memphis was third and Villanova, which beat UConn Monday night, fourth, and Gonzaga fifth as the top five was unchanged.

•A loss No. 1 for North Carolina sent Duke back atop the Associated Press women’s basketball poll.

Duke received 23 of 46 first-place votes from a national media panel and had 1,115 points – 12 more than No. 2 LSU. LSU was No. 1 on 20 ballots. North Carolina slipped to third after a 98-95 overtime loss to Maryland.

•Eddie Sutton was cited with driving under the influence after he was injured in a car accident, and the 69-year-old Oklahoma State basketball coach will take a medical leave for the rest of the season.

•Tennessee point guard Alexis Hornbuckle is out for the season after breaking her right wrist against Vanderbilt.

Tennis

Fletcher passes

Ken Fletcher, whose 10 major doubles titles in the 1960s included a mixed doubles Grand Slam, has died. He was 65. Fletcher died of cancer Saturday in Brisbane, Australia, Australian Tennis said in a statement.

•Karol Beck of Slovakia was suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation after testing positive for a steroid during last year’s Davis Cup semifinal.

•Top-seeded David Nalbandian withdrew from the Copa Telmex tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Miscellany

Lopez suspended

Steven Lopez, a two-time Olympic Taekwondo gold medalist and three-time world champion, was suspended for three months after testing positive for a prohibited substance from an over-the-counter vapor inhaler, USA Taekwondo said.

•Pete MacArthur scored off a rebound with 7:17 left to help Boston University beat Boston College 3-2 for its second straight Beanpot college hockey championship and 27th overall title in the tournament.

•Outfielder Adam Dunn agreed to a two-year, $18.5 million contract, four days before he and the Cincinnati Reds were scheduled for an arbitration hearing.

•New York Yankees pitcher Carl Pavano threw for about 15 minutes on level ground in Tampa, Fla., in his comeback from a shoulder injury.

•Lemon Drop Kid, winner of the 1999 Belmont Stakes, and trainer Neil Howard are among the new nominees to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame.