Sports briefs

COURTSTaylor's rescheduled hearing

probably will be put off again

Lawrence Taylor's hearing in a Rockland County court, originally slated for Thursday, has been postponed to June 24, but it is unlikely to occur even if a grand jury can hear evidence in the case before then. Ramapo police have charged Taylor, a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Giants, with third-degree rape and patronizing a prostitute. Taylor and his attorneys have insisted he did not have sex with anyone. Fired assistant sues ESPN

A former ESPN production assistant whose affair with broadcaster Steve Phillips led to their firings has filed a lawsuit against the sports network in Stamford (Conn.) Superior Court. Brooke Hundley, 23, says ESPN defamed her by firing her based on false statements to police by Phillips and by claiming she hadn't fully cooperated with its investigation. A spokesman for ESPN said it would fight the suit.

NFLAccuser: Ben had 'short temper'

The woman who accused Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her March 5 told Milledgeville, Ga., police that she didn't try to fight him off because he appeared to anger easily.

HORSE RACING

'Rachel' returning Saturday

Rachel Alexandra will run Saturday in the Grade II Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs . . . Rider Don Pierce and trainer Buster Millerick were voted into the Racing Hall of Fame by its historic review committee . . . Five tickets paid $552,535 from a $4.23 million Belmont Park Pick 6 pool. NBAStill No. 1 in diversity

The NBA again was the only men's pro sports league to get a combined "A" for race and gender from the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.