ATHENS, Greece – The United States women’s team won the inaugural 3-on-3 world basketball championship Sunday, beating France 17-16 in the final.
Notre Dame senior Skylar Diggins, Connecticut junior Bria Hartley and Stanford junior Chiney Ogwumike teamed with former UConn standout Ann Strother for the U.S. team.
The Americans went 9-0 but were pushed hard by Australia in the semifinals earlier Sunday, winning 19-18.
Diggins has helped lead the Irish to the last two NCAA women’s tournament championship games. Notre Dame lost both games, falling to Baylor last season and Texas A&M in 2011.
Serbia won the men’s title with a 16-13 victory over France. The U.S. men were eliminated by Serbia in the quarterfinals, losing 20-16.
AUTO RACING
Angola results
The Angola Motor Speedway had five races Saturday. Scott Coe won the modified race; John Gearhart captured the ABC Stock victory; Matt Morton won mini-stock; Bob Masters won front-wheel drive; and Eric Hoffman won the MCR dwarf cars feature.
BASSMASTER
Alabama man wins on Oneida Lake
Boyd Duckett won the Bassmaster Elite Series’ Ramada Championship at Oneida Lake in Syracuse, N.Y., edging Randy Howell by 6 ounces with a four-day catch of 62 pounds, 6 ounces. Duckett, the 2007 Bassmaster Classic winner from Demopolis, Ala., earned $108,700 and a spot in the 2013 Classic. Howell, from Springville, Ala., earned $50,000.
CYCLING
Illinois rider wins Pro Challenge
Christian Vande Velde won the overall title in the USA Pro Challenge, finishing second behind Taylor Phinney in the closing time trial in Denver. Vande Velde, the 36-year-old Garmin-Sharp rider from Lemont, Ill., won the seven-stage race a year after finishing second to Levi Leipheimer. Tejay van Garderen of BMC and Bozeman, Mont., was second overall – 21 seconds back.
FOOTBALL
No. 24 Boise State names starting QB
Joe Southwick was chosen to start at quarterback for No. 24 Boise State against No. 13 Michigan State when the teams open the season Friday in East Lansing, Mich. The junior will make his first career start after spending two seasons backing up four-year starter Kellen Moore, who started more winning games than any quarterback in major college football history. Southwick is 40 for 54 for 400 yards with two touchdown passes in his career at Boise State.
Arkansas State dismisses receiver
Arkansas State coach Gus Malzahn dismissed receiver Earl Lucas from the team for violating team rules. Lucas, a sophomore from Prattville, Ala., had 20 catches for 225 yards last season for the Red Wolves on their way to a 10-3 season and Sun Belt Conference championship. Arkansas State opens Saturday at Oregon.
GOLF
Europe adds to Ryder Cup team
Martin Kaymer of Germany clinched the 10th and final automatic place in Europe’s team to defend the Ryder Cup against the United States. Nicolas Colsaerts needed a top-two finish at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in Gleneagles, Scottland, to oust Kaymer from the No. 10 spot. The Belgian ended tied for 19th but could still be selected today as one of Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal’s two wild picks.
HORSE RACING
Around the tracks
In Oceanport, N.J., Closing Range held off Zucchini Flower by a nose in the $60,000 Twin Lights Stakes at Monmouth Park. Closing Range ran 1 1/8 miles on the turf course in 1:49.84. … In Del Mar, Calif., Dullahan overcame 6-5 favorite Game On Dude in the stretch to win the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar by a half-length, becoming the fourth 3-year-old to win the race. Dullahan ran 1 1/4 miles on the synthetic Polytrack in a track-record 1:59.54. …
In Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Love and Pride held off heavily favored Royal Delta by a half-length in the $600,000 Personal Ensign Invitational Handicap at Saratoga Race Course. Love and Pride ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.22. … In Inglewood, Calif., Betfair Hollywood Park officials told the California Horse Racing Board that they can’t commit to racing next fall.
PARALYMPICS
Pistorius set to run in London again
The Olympic rings have disappeared across London, and the Paralympic symbols hoisted in their place. Let the games begin – again. The familiar face of Oscar Pistorius and his even more recognizable blades have helped to take the Paralympic movement to the masses – with 2.3 million tickets already sold. The South African will be defending the three titles (100 meters, 200 and 400) won four years ago at the Beijing Paralympics, just weeks after becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics. The opening ceremony is Wednesday.
