Pace

Police figures show Detroit's homicide rate is soaring at a pace approaching that of 1974, when drug wars killed a record 714 people. Authorities said there were 525 homicides in Detroit through September, up 9.6% from a year ago. If the pace continues, the 1987 toll would be 700. There were 646 homicides last year.

Freddie Banks scored 20 points Tuesday night to pace the University of Nevada Las Vegas to an 83-65 victory over Stanford in the first round of the Chaminade tournament. The Rebels will meet North Carolina State today for the tournament title. The Wolfpack, with Chris Washburn scoring 22 points and triggering a 19-2 second-half spree, defeated Chaminade, 64-46, in the first game. UNLV (9-1) received 18 points from Anthony Jones.

Growth in non-financial debt slowed during the first quarter, reflecting smaller gains in borrowing by consumers, companies and governments, the Federal Reserve said. Non-financial debt, which excludes borrowing by banks, rose at a 6.5% annual rate during the quarter, the slowest in a year. In the fourth quarter, non-financial debt increased at an 8% pace. Household debt rose at a 10% pace in the first quarter after expanding at a 10.9% pace in the fourth quarter.

Robert Paterson scored two goals to pace the UC San Diego soccer team to a 5-0 victory over Loyola Marymount in nonconference soccer action Friday.

I am 100% for the U.S. soccer team to win and succeed, but having the game against Mexico at Foxboro Stadium is not the answer. When those amateurs stop playing like AYSO--"Just kick the ball and follow it up"--and learn control, one-touch passing, anticipation, vision, positioning, back-passing, changing pace and direction of the game to their advantage, then they will be pros and reach France '98. Otherwise, they can't win even if they play on...

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details. Sales of newly built homes slipped in December from the month before but were still up from a year earlier, the government reported Friday. New homes sold at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 369,000 units, down 7.3% from November but up 8.8% from December 2011, the Commerce Department said. The median new-home sales price last month was $248,900. Video: Experts discuss Southern California's housing market For all of 2012, the government estimates that 367,000 new homes were sold, up 19.9% from 2011.

NASHVILLE - The Dodgers are making efforts to reestablish their international presence but are becoming uncertain about their chances of signing their top targets from Asia. Talks with South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin are moving very slowly, according to General Manager Ned Colletti. And the Dodgers now think high school flamethrower Shohei Otani could remain in his native Japan instead of signing with a U.S. ballclub. The Dodgers bid $25.7 million to win a league-wide auction for the exclusive right to negotiate with Ryu, a seven-time South Korean league all-star.

A look at this year's home run leaders approaching the record of 70 set by Mark McGwire last year. THROUGH TUESDAY'S GAMES -- Mark Sammy McGwire Sosa Total 51 53 Saturday 0 0 On pace for 64 67 Games 130 128 1998 53 49 --