ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Latest on four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey dropping out of the 2017 race (all times local):2:45 p.m.An Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race official says four-time champion and cancer survivor Lance Mackey is hoping his withdrawal from next years race will give him a chance to take better care of his health so he can be ready to compete again in 2018.Race marshal Mark Nordman says Mackey has continued to struggle with hand circulation problems that were partly blamed for him scratching from this years nearly 1,000 mile race across Alaska.Mackey could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.He was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2001 and underwent extensive surgery as well as radiation treatment and the loss of his salivary glands.After returning to the sport he went on to become the only musher ever to win both the Iditarod and the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race in the same year. Its a feat he has accomplished twice.---2 p.m.Organizers of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say four-time champion and cancer survivor Lance Mackey has dropped out of next years nearly 1,000-mile race because of health reasons.Race marshal Mark Nordman confirmed the withdrawal to The Associated Press on Monday after the Iditarod Trail Committee announced it on its Facebook page.Mackey could not immediately be reached for comment. He started last years race, but later scratched because of health concerns.Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2001 and underwent extensive surgery as well as radiation treatment and the loss of his salivary glands. After returning to the sport he went on to become the only musher ever to win both the Iditarod and the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race in the same year. Its a feat he has accomplished twice. Cheap Jerseys Store . 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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley knew the Rams were in for a tough one against Providence, which had won the matchup of cross-state rivals six straight times.He didnt see this coming, though.Kyron Cartwright, who had made four 3-pointers all season, hit four of five from beyond the arc in the first half. The Providence point guard finished with 19 points and eight assists to lead the Friars to a 63-60 victory over No. 21 Rhode Island on Saturday.Thats sports, and thats the type of thing that makes coaches go gray and lose their hair, Hurley said after his team lost for the third time in four games. Four 3-pointers in seven games and he made four today -- all in the first half.Rodney Bullock scored 17 points for the Friars (6-2). Cartwright had 15 in the first half and Jalen Lindsey scored nine of his 13 points in the second, five during a 7-0 run that erased a seven-point deficit.My teammates were telling me, `You need to take those shots to open up the defense, Cartwright said. (And) we dont shoot the ball to not make it.Hassan Martin had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Rhode Island (5-3), which lost at unranked Valparaiso and Providence a week after falling to No. 1 Duke. E.C. Matthews scored nine points and went 1 for 8 from 3-point range, airballing a 3 with 2 seconds left with a chance for the Rams to tie it.Games like this might help us down the stretch, Martin said. `So you just tell everybody to keep their head up.The Rams led 47-40 with 12:15 left when Cartwrights arm appeared to catch Christion Thompson in the left eye. Thompson went to the court, flailing his arms in the air looking for a call, but the teams played on until Lindsey hit a 3-pointer to make it a four-point game at 11:00.Lindseys free throws brought the Friars within two points, and Ryan Fazekas scored on a fast-break goaltending call to tie it. From there, there were three more ties and kept the game within one possession until Lindsey hit a fallaway jumper with 43 seconds left to give Providence a 59-55 lead.ddddddddddddWe beat a tournament team today, Providence coach Ed Cooley said.POLL IMPLICATONSIt will be difficult for Rhode Island to stay in The Associated Press Top 25 after its stumbles.Hurley said he isnt concerned.The goal at the beginning of the season was to win the Atlantic 10 and play in the NCAA Tournament.Thats all still in play.We expect to have a long and great season. Nothings changed for us, he said. We lost two tough road games in a long season.BULLOCKS BOUNCE-BACKBullock scored a career-high 36 points against New Hampshire on Wednesday, but he missed all three shots from the field in the first half and had only three points on six free throws at the break.Cooley told him not to worry about the shooting and to try to make something happen with rebounding or defense.Somebody coming of a great scoring game like he did theres going to be a lot of attention on him, Cooley said. I thought he showed some definite grit in the second half.TIP-INSRhode Island: Martin hit all three of his 3-point attempts in the first half. ... Martin surpassed the 1,000-point milestone against Valparaiso on Tuesday. ... The Rams have lost nine straight to Big East teams.Providence: The Friars lead the all-time series 73-56, including a buzzer-beating victory last year in Kingston. ... 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