Notre Dame women’s basketball team announced the signing of three players Friday.
The No. 4 Irish, who open the season against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 7 p.m. Sunday at home, added forwards Natalie Achonwa and Ariel Braker and guard Kayla McBride.
“They’re going to change the way we do some things at both ends of the floor next year,” coach Muffet McGraw said in a statement. “We’re going to be able to be more aggressive on defense because we’re adding athleticism, length and speed, and on offense, we’ll look at ways that we can take advantage of the size that we’re going to have.”
Achonwa is a 6-foot-3 forward from Guelph, Ontario, who played for Canada’s National Elite Development Academy before it closed this year. Braker is a 6-1 forward from Grosse Pointe North in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., who averaged 12.3 points and 8.1 rebounds as a junior. McBride is a 5-11 guard from Villa Maria Academy in Erie, Pa., who averaged 17.3 points and 4.6 assists.
AUTO RACING
Hornaday captures 4th Trucks title
Ron Hornaday won a NASCAR-record fourth Trucks Series championship with a fourth-place finish at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.. The 51-year-old Hornaday started the race with a 197-point lead over Matt Crafton, and needed only to finish ahead of Crafton.
NHRA qualifying
Larry Dixon took a one-point lead over Tony Schumacher in the Top Fuel season standings, leading qualifying in the season-ending Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif. John Force (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also topped their divisions.
BOXING
Pacquiao, Cotto make weight
Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 144 pounds, his heaviest ever, while Miguel Cotto came in at the contract limit of 145 pounds for their scheduled 12-round fight tonight in Las Vegas. Pacquiao weighed 142 last year when he stopped Oscar De La Hoya. Cotto was the lightest he has been since weighing 145 pounds two years ago.
FOOTBALL
NFL news
Cincinnati receiver Chad Ochocinco was fined $20,000 and reprimanded by the NFL for taking a dollar bill onto the field during an officials’ review of one of his catches last Sunday. … Buffalo receiver Terrell Owens returned to practice Friday and declared himself ready to play in Sunday’s game at Tennessee. … The NFL fined Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler $20,000 for abusive conduct toward a game official during a home loss to Arizona last Sunday. Defensive lineman Tommie Harris has been fined $7,500 for punching Arizona offensive lineman Deuce Lutui.
