Sports in brief

COLLEGE FOOTBALLNewton's father: Pay for play?

A former Mississippi State player who worked with agents says Cecil Newton told him it would take anywhere from $100,000 to $180,000 for his son, Cam, to sign a scholarship with Mississippi State.

Kenny Rogers told ESPN Radio in Dallas yesterday that when he and Cecil Newton met with two MSU coaches at a hotel in Starkville, Miss., last Nov. 27, one of the coaches said, "No, no I don't want to hear that," when Cecil Newton asked about the payment for Cam Newton to attend Mississippi State.

Cecil Newton has denied any wrongdoing and says if Rogers solicited money, he did it on his own.

Cam Newton eventually signed with Auburn, where the school says the quarterback is eligible to play. Newton is a leading Heisman Trophy contender.

Tar Heels cut ties with tutor

North Carolina formally has broken ties with the tutor linked to the ongoing NCAA investigation of its football program.

In a letter dated Nov. 5 and released yesterday, athletic director Dick Baddour informed Jennifer Wiley of Chapel Hill that the university had learned she provided "impermissible extra benefits" to players, including about $2,000 in travel expenses this year.

The school also said five people - including former Tar Heel and current Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks - provided "impermissible gifts of cash and jewelry and impermissible assistance" with travel and entertainment expenses. Nicks, who left Chapel Hill for the NFL after his junior season in 2008, was said to have provided $3,300 in benefits.

UConn tops Pitt

Jordan Todman ran for 222 yards, including 4 on a key fourth-down conversion with 21/2 minutes left, and host Connecticut beat Pittsburgh, 30-28, to bring the Panthers (5-4, 3-1) back to the pack in the Big East. UConn improved to 5-4, 2-2.

NBACeltics defeat Heat again

Ray Allen hit his first seven three-point tries and finished with 35 points, Paul Pierce added 25 and the Celtics led throughout a 112-107 win over Miami, beating the Heat for the second time this season and handing them a second straight home loss. LeBron James had 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but Dwyane Wade was held to eight points, shooting 2-for-12 from the field, for Miami.

COLLEGE HOOPSKentucky freshman ineligible

The NCAA ruled Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter permanently ineligible to play for the Wildcats, though the school will appeal. The NCAA said the 6-11 Kanter received benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club basketball team in Turkey.

GOLFTiger shoots 69 in Australia

Tiger Woods opened defense of his Australian Masters title with a 2-under-par 69 and was four shots behind the early leaders at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne. - AP