Leading Off

Her Level Best
Purdue guard FahKara Malone let fly after being fouled by Utah 's Leilani Mitchell (11) during their first-round NCAA tournament game on Sunday in West Lafayette, Ind. Malone, who missed this shot, finished with a team-high 17 points in a 66--59 victory over the Utes.

Strings Attached
Back in his native Japan , Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka signed autographs last Saturday during a workout at the Tokyo Dome , where he was scheduled to open the season for Boston against the A's on Tuesday.

High-Water Mark
Alain Bernard of France celebrated his world record in the 100-meter freestyle (47.50 seconds) at the European championships last Saturday in Eindhoven , the Netherlands. Wearing a suit made of a controversial water-repellent fabric that reduces drag (inset), Bernard also set a world record of 21.50 in the 50 free.