Lionel Messi makes history with five-goal game

Lionel Messi took his scoring prowess to yet another level on Wednesday, becoming the first player to net five goals in a Champions League game as host Barcelona thrashed Bayer Leverkusen, 7-1, to ease into the quarterfinals.

The defending champions already led 3-1 after the first leg and the three-time world player of the year put the result beyond doubt by scoring twice in the first half. Messi added three more after the break, and substitute Cristian Tello had two goals as the Spanish champions advanced 10-2 on aggregate.

“I can’t remember the last time I scored five goals, so I’m very happy,” said Messi, whose 49 career Champions League goals put him in a tie for fourth on the all-time European Cup list alongside Alfredo di Stefano. “It’s nice to score five goals.”

Messi is only the fourth player to score five goals in a European Cup match, and the first in more than 30 years. It was the first time in his career that he achieved the feat in any competition.

ETC.

Temple football to join Big East this fall

Temple will join the Big East Conference for football next season and all other sports in 2013, according to a person familiar with the decision.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the official decision had not been announced.

The Owls football program played in the Mid-American Conference last season; all other Temple programs, including men’s basketball, are in the Atlantic 10.

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Michigan’s football program might have violated a secondary NCAA rule.

Spokesman Justin Dickens confirmed that the school’s compliance department has been notified a rule may have been broken by receiver Roy Roundtree and linebacker Kenny Demens. The two posted messages on their Twitter accounts to congratulate a recruit.

Roundtree and Demens tweeted to linebacker Mike McCray of Trotwood-Madison High School in Ohio after the highly touted prospect decided to play for the Wolverines. NCAA rules prohibit messages being sent to recruits through social media from accounts affiliated with someone from the school.

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Former heavyweight champions Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir will fight May 26 in the main event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s card in Las Vegas.

Mir lost his belt to Brock Lesnar, who then surrendered his belt to Velasquez in October 2010. It will be Velasquez’s first fight since suffering his first loss, to new heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos in November.

The May card will also include a heavyweight bout between Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and former “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Roy Nelson, UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta said.

—Lance Pugmire

Time Warner Cable and the Los Angeles City Section have signed a five-year deal for distribution rights of regular-season and playoff events.

Time Warner Cable also reached a similar agreement with the San Diego Section. It allows Time Warner Cable to distribute all games and matches through cable television, Internet and mobile platforms.

Time Warner Cable signed a 15-year agreement with the CIF to broadcast state and regional championships beginning with the current school year.

The Southern Section has an agreement with FS West and Prime Ticket for its schools.

—Eric Sondheimer

Friday is the deadline for online registration for the Honda L.A. Marathon, which will be held March 18. After Friday, sign-ups will be available only in-person at Dodger Stadium, the marathon’s starting point, on March 16 and 17. Online registration is $155; registration at Dodger Stadium is $165. Details: lamarathon.com.

—Baxter Holmes