Sports in brief

GOLF

McIlroy eyes No. 1 ranking

Rory McIlroy is one round away from taking over the No. 1 ranking in the world from Luke Donald. McIlroy made two par saves on a windy back nine at PGA National and finished with a birdie from the bunker for a 4-under-par 66, giving him a two-shot lead over Harris English and Tom Gillis in the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Five players were within four shots of the lead, a group that includes PGA champion Keegan Bradley, the former St. John's star who shot a 68. Tiger Woods is nine shots back after a 69.

TENNISFed beats Murray in Dubai

Roger Federer edged Andy Murray, 7-5, 6-4, to win his fifth Dubai Championships title. The second-seeded Federer didn't drop a set all week and kept Murray off balance much of the match. The win was Federer's fifth title in seven tournaments and his 72nd overall. The 16-time major singles champion improved to 7-8 against Murray, outplaying the 24-year-old from Scotland with a mix of powerful ground strokes, drop shots and the occasional serve-and-volley. -- APCOLLEGES

McCaskell free throw wins it

Kwasean McCaskell hit a free throw with 6.5 seconds left to lift Nassau CC to a 70-69 win over top-seeded Sullivan CC in a Region XV semifinal at Monroe College. Tim Johnson led the Lions (21-10) with 16 points. Nassau plays Bronx CC in the final Sunday at 2:30.

Puwalski keys Dowling win

Kelly Puwalski had 18 points for Dowling in a 70-53 win over LIU Post in an ECC women's basketball semifinal at Queens College. Dowling (21-6) plays the winner of the District of Columbia-St. Thomas Aquinas in the final Sunday at noon.