Bettencourt, Wilson lead at Memorial

Matt Bettencourt ran off four straight birdies Saturday on the slick greens of Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, survived a few scary moments on the back nine and wound up with a four-under-par 68 for a share of the lead in the PGA Tour’s Memorial.

Two-time tour winner Mark Wilson had a 69 to match Bettencourt at nine-under 207, with a pack of major champions lurking, including Tiger Woods, who climbed into contention with a 68, leaving him four shots behind.

Cristie Kerr made a big jump into a tie for the lead with Kristy McPherson at the LPGA’s State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill., delivering a dominant showing before a late fade in the windy third round.

Bernhard Langer shot a three-under 69 in warm conditions to maintain a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Champions Tour event in Lakeway, Texas.

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BASKETBALL

Memphis officials meet with NCAA

The NCAA met with Memphis officials to discuss major violations, and the school must now wait at least six weeks for a ruling on whether its 38 wins from the 2007-08 season will count.

The most serious allegation taken up at the meeting was whether an unknown person took the SAT for a player.

The NCAA has said the athlete in question played for the Tigers for only the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament.

The only person who fits the description in documents obtained by the Associated Press is Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft after that season.

Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson had no comment as he left the four-hour meeting.

All Pacific-10 Conference point guard Nic Wise decided to return to Arizona for his senior year and forgo the NBA draft.

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MOTOR RACING

Kyle Busch wins Nationwide race

Kyle Busch raced to his fourth Nationwide Series victory of the year and ninth overall NASCAR win of the season, easily holding off Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards in the Federated Auto Parts 300 in Gladeville, Tenn.

Helio Castroneves beat Penske teammate Ryan Briscoe off pit row on the final stop and held on for the final 46 laps to win the IRL race at Texas Motor Speedway for the third time.

Tony Stewart lost his pole position and will start from the back of the pack for the Pocono 500 in Long Pond, Pa., after wrecking his car during practice. Jeff Gordon will start in the first spot.

Division points leader Nick Joanides of Woodland Hills won both races of the NASCAR ACDelco Super Late Model 40-lap twin feature races at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale. In the first race, Joanides held off repeated challenges by Rip Michels of San Fernando while in the second race Joanides took over the lead from Michels on the 18th lap.

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HOCKEY

Bettman: Four file to buy Coyotes

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says four prospective buyers have filed preliminary background applications to purchase the insolvent Phoenix Coyotes and keep the team in Arizona.

The interested parties include Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of baseball’s Chicago White Sox and the NBA’s Chicago Bulls; Howard Sokolowski and David Cynamon, co-owners of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League; and Las Vegas-based businessman John Breslow, who owns 3% of the Coyotes. The fourth prospective buyer requested anonymity.

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PASSINGS

Owens, 82, coached Huskies

Jim Owens, who coached football at Washington for 18 seasons, died at his home. He was 82. Story, Section A.