Sports in brief

COLLEGES

Orange stays unbeaten

Dion Waiters' 20 points off the bench paced another balanced effort as top-ranked Syracuse remained unbeaten with a 79-66 victory over host Villanova Wednesday night. The Orange (18-0, 5-0 Big East) took command with a 20-2 first-half run . . . Eli Carter scored 14 points and Dane Miller added 11 points and 12 rebounds as Rutgers crushed host Pittsburgh, 62-39.

Storm women win

Shenneika Smith had 17 points and North Babylon graduate Eugeneia McPherson added 16 points and four steals for visiting St. John's (11-6, 3-1) in a 70-58 win over Syracuse (12-6, 1-3) in a Big East women's game.

Cancer surgery for Curley

Tim Curley, the Penn State athletic director charged with failing to report an allegation of child sex abuse involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, has been diagnosed with a recurrence of lung cancer. Curley's wife, Melinda, said in a statement doctors had removed half of one lung after discovering a malignant tumor but neither chemotherapy nor radiation was required.

Griffin going pro

Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is headed to the NFL. Griffin announced that he is bypassing his senior season at Baylor to enter the NFL draft after a record-breaking college career. Griffin set or tied 54 school records while playing 41 games at Baylor over the past four seasons.

NBA

Nets fall to Nuggets

Danilo Gallinari scored 22 points, Arron Afflalo and Corey Brewer each had 19 points and Denver beat the Nets, 123-115. Jordan Farmar had 26 points, Anthony Morrow scored 23 points and Deron Williams had 16 points and 13 assists for the Nets. The Nets set a season high for three-pointers with 20 in 35 attempts.-- AP