31.   Steve Yzerman had a marvelous opportunity to extend the lead with six minutes left in the period during a Devils power play.

32.   The Astros, winners of six of their last eight games, extended their lead to two games over second-place Chicago in the National League Central.

33.   The Bruins extended the lead when Kapono grabbed two offensive rebounds off missed free throws by Gadzuric and converted them into baskets.

34.   The company said it will buy Cobra Gold Inc., extending its lead in the golf-products industry.

35.   The Dodgers extended their lead to five with two unearned runs in the fifth inning.

36.   The Devils had numerous opportunities to extend their lead in the second period, but they were denied by Richter, who was in midseason form.

37.   The Frogs led by as many as eight but never could extend the lead into one of comfort.

38.   The Mariners extended their lead off Beck in the seventh.

39.   The lead was extended a batter later on a hit by Tom Goodwin.

40.   The regions doing well in the high-tech development race, Moss says, are likely to extend their lead.