Memphis, Tenn. ? Memphis says it should keep the victories from the 2007-08 season which ended in the national title game after an internal investigation turned up no proof that a former men’s basketball player cheated on his SAT exam.

“Certainly, the University of Memphis should not suffer a financial penalty or vacation of records for the 2008 NCAA Tournament as a result of this allegation,” according to a report detailing the school’s investigation into NCAA allegations.

The report, released to The Associated Press and other news outlets Tuesday under a public records request, details Memphis’ internal probe into accusations that a former player allowed a stand-in to take his SAT. The report also looked into charges of grade tampering on behalf of the player.

Most names in the report were redacted by the school because of privacy concerns, but an attorney for former Memphis standout Derrick Rose has acknowledged that Rose cooperated with an investigation of similar allegations while still a student.

Rose, the overall No. 1 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and the rookie of the year, was the point guard for the Memphis team that lost to Kansas in the title game.

School officials argue that even if the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions believes a former player cheated, the program should not be penalized because the school was unaware of any wrongdoing.

“At this point, there is not sufficient evidence on which to conclude that (the player) knew or should have known that he was ineligible at the time of his participation in the NCAA championship,” the report says.

Memphis will present its findings to the Committee on Infractions on Saturday in Indianapolis. Former coach John Calipari, now with Kentucky, is expected to participate by phone.

The report released Tuesday says school officials have encouraged the player — whose name was blacked out — to cooperate with the NCAA investigation, but his “consistent response” is that he took the test and he already answered the same questions in 2007.

The report also says the school had no proof the SAT was fraudulent until notified by the Educational Testing Service that the player’s score had been canceled. That letter came May 5, 2008, after Rose’s only season at Memphis.

TENNIS

Sharapova ousted at French

Paris — Facing match point in the quarterfinals, Maria Sharapova was no longer focused on winning her first French Open title. She merely wanted to win a game. That she did. A weary, rusty Sharapova averted a shutout Tuesday but lost to Dominika Cibulkova, 6-0, 6-2, in the worst Grand Slam defeat of her career.

“I don’t really care about numbers,” she said. “It’s either a W or an L, and I prefer W. You know, if it’s 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, I mean, what’s the difference?”

Cibulkova’s opponent Thursday will be top-ranked Dinara Safina, who rallied to beat Victoria Azarenka, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

In men’s play, Robin Soderling came up with an impressive encore to his upset of top-ranked Rafael Nadal by beating Nikolay Davydenko. The No. 23-seeded Soderling swept the first five games and won, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, to advance beyond the third round at a major event for the first time.

BASEBALL

End near for Tiger Stadium

Detroit — What remains of historic Tiger Stadium will be demolished after the city rejected a $33.4 million proposal by a nonprofit group to preserve and renovate the old ballpark.

The Economic Development Corp. board voted 7-1 to authorize the complete demolition of the stadium. Detroit Economic Growth Corp. vice president Waymon Guillebeaux said the stadium will be leveled as soon as a contract is negotiated with a contractor.

Nats fire pitching coach

Washington — With the worst earned-run average and record in the major leagues, the Washington Nationals fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire and promoted Steve McCatty from Triple-A to replace him.

The Nationals, who entered Tuesday night’s game against San Francisco with a 13-36 record, have a 5.69 ERA. They’ve allowed the most runs (308) and recorded the fewest saves (eight) of any team in baseball.

Royals reinstate Soria

St. Petersburg, Fla. — The Kansas City Royals reinstated closer Joakim Soria and shortstop Tony Pena Jr. from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday.

Soria had been out since May 8 because of a right rotator cuff strain. Pena went on the DL May 2 due to a broken left hand.

Also, Sidney Ponson was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right elbow strain.

AUTO RACING

Long’s suspension upheld

NASCAR driver Carl Long says he has lost his appeal of a 12-race suspension and penalty. The National Stock Car Racing Commission denied Long’s appeal at a hearing Tuesday, the driver told The Associated Press. The commission isolated Long’s suspension to the Sprint Cup Series, meaning he can find work in one of the sport’s lower levels.

NASCAR moves case

Charlotte, N.C. — NASCAR on Tuesday moved Jeremy Mayfield’s challenge of his indefinite suspension to federal court, a move that could keep the driver out of his car another week. The notification came a day before a North Carolina Superior Court was scheduled to hear arguments pertaining to Mayfield’s suspension for failing a random drug test. NASCAR’s action automatically stayed that proceeding.

COLLEGE SOFTBALL

Washington wins NCAA

Oklahoma City — Kimi Pohlman raced home on a squibber back to the circle that Florida ace Stacey Nelson couldn’t handle, giving Washington the decisive run in a 3-2 victory for its first NCAA softball championship Tuesday night.

With the bases loaded in the third inning, Morgan Stuart tapped the ball a few feet in front of home plate, but Nelson (41-5) was unable to scoop it cleanly. That allowed the go-ahead run to score. National player of the year Danielle Lawrie (42-8) shut out the top-seeded Gators (63-5) the rest of the way. to clinch the title with a two-game sweep. Washington finished with a 51-12 record.

HOCKEY

Penguins stop Red Wings

Pittsburgh — Sergei Gonchar scored the go-ahead goal with 9:31 left in the third period, and Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves, lifting the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals. The Penguins won at home Tuesday night after losing twice on the road against the defending champions just as they did last year in the finals. Game 4 is Thursday night in Pittsburgh.

TV ratings improve

New York — Television ratings for the Stanley Cup finals are off to their best start since 2002. NBC said Tuesday that Games 1 and 2 averaged a 2.8 rating and 5 share. That’s up 17 percent from last year, when the first games on the network were Games 3 and 4. Versus showed Games 1 and 2 in 2008; the cable channel is broadcasting Games 3 and 4 this year.

NFL

Marshall escapes penalty

Englewood, Colo. — Brandon Marshall won’t face disciplinary action from the NFL over his latest arrest in a domestic dispute. League spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press that the Denver Broncos’ Pro Bowl receiver had been notified that no punishment was forthcoming as the result of his arrest in Atlanta on March 1 that stemmed from a fight with his fiance.

Burress tickets dismissed

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Former New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress can toss four traffic tickets he received in suburban Fort Lauderdale. A magistrate has dismissed them. Burress was ticketed March 1 on accusations of speeding and illegal lane change, improperly displaying a car tag and having tinted windows. His attorney Bradford Cohen said the tickets were dismissed Friday because the officer who wrote them didn’t supply information on how to pay the tickets.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NCAA responds to FSU

Tallahassee, Fla. — The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions responded Tuesday to Florida State’s appeal of sanctions from an academic cheating scandal, but kept its answer secret and gave the school 15 days to respond.

MU, Illinois series to end

Champaign, Ill. — Illinois and Missouri’s traditional season football opener in St. Louis will come to an end after 2010, the Champaign News-Gazette reports. Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther, who seeks an additional home game per season, said the schools might resume play at some point at campus venues.