UNLV’s Postseason Ban Upheld

Nevada Las Vegas has lost its appeal of a ban on postseason play handed down by the NCAA.

The decision means the season for the Runnin’ Rebels will end March 3 with a home game against Wyoming. UNLV will not be allowed to play in the Mountain West Conference tournament, even though it is the host school.

UNLV officials argued that current players should not have to pay for recruiting violations that go back to the recruitment of Lamar Odom in 1996 and 1997.

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Louisville president John Shumaker said in a letter to the school’s Board of Trustees that a decision on Coach Denny Crum will not come until after the season. Media reports had said a settlement package was already being prepared for Crum’s dismissal. . . . Wisconsin guard Ricky Bower was suspended for nine games and 34 practices after the NCAA ruled he had not received final approval for eligibility. Bower is averaging 4.4 points and 1.3 rebounds. . . . Rhode Island Coach Jerry DeGregorio will not travel with the team to Cincinnati for today’s game against Xavier after being hospitalized for exhaustion. DeGregorio, 38, was hospitalized Tuesday night, a day after he announced he would leave the troubled program at the end of the season.

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In Top 25 women’s games, Taru Tuukkanen had 19 points for No. 12 Xavier (22-2, 12-1 in the Atlantic 10) in a 63-50 victory over St. Joseph’s (13-12, 7-7) at Cincinnati. . . . Jackie Stiles had 31 points as No. 15 Southwest Missouri State (19-4, 13-1 in the Missouri Valley) was an 81-55 winner over Bradley (8-13, 3-10) at Peoria, Ill.