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US routs
China 94-61
BERLIN (AP) -- Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers made the most of their World Cup debuts to help the United States rout China in the opener of the tournament. Clark had 14 points and 11 assists while Bueckers also scored 14 points as the Americans topped China 94-61 on Friday.
It was the first of likely many times that Clark and Bueckers will play together in the U.S. backcourt over the next decade for the senior national team.
The U.S. women have Saturday off before facing Italy on Sunday and the Czech Republic on Monday.
Sabalenka
advances
NEW YORK (AP) -- Aryna Sabalenka fought through a tough third-round test at the U.S. Open, keeping alive her hopes of a third straight title by beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4.
The No. 1 seed was pushed in a second set that lasted 54 minutes -- a minute longer than her entire previous match.
Jessica Pegula also advanced to the fourth round to keep alive the chances of a third straight meeting between Sabalenka and Pegula on the final weekend.
Engelbert
to retire
(AP) -- WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is retiring at the end the year, bringing to a close her seven-plus years at the helm of the league and a stewardship that has been transformative and at times tumultuous. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Engelbert’s decision on Friday.
Engelbert, who turns 62 in November, is the second-longest tenured WNBA president or commissioner. She helped negotiate a lucrative collective bargaining agreement this past spring that resulted in the league’s first set of million-dollar player salaries. Along with the financial gains, however, turmoil, tension and a strained relationship with players also have been a part of her tenure.
Hall of Fame
panel trimmed
(AP) -- The Pro Football Hall of Fame is overhauling the selection process by eliminating a separate category for senior players, cutting the selection committee nearly in half and returning to in-person meetings.
The Hall announced the new procedures that were approved by the Hall of Fame board following discussions with Hall of Fame staff, members and people on the selection committee.
The changes will be in place for the Class of 2027 and come after the voting process came under heavy scrutiny for the most recent class, when six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick failed to get enough support for induction.
Rams prepare
to travel
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Rams’ entire roster will travel to Australia for their regular-season opener next week. Coach Sean McVay still isn’t sure whether unretired defensive tackle Aaron Donald will play, however.
The Rams were initially equivocal on whether Donald would make the long trip for the NFL’s first international game in Australia. The 35-year-old superstar only ended his retirement last weekend and rejoined the Rams after 2 1/2 years away. McVay said the Rams still haven’t decided whether Donald will suit up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground alongside Myles Garrett, but Donald has clearly made significant progress in his return to game shape.
Smith sued
over project
(AP) -- NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith is being sued by a Native American investment company over claims that the former Dallas Cowboys running back and his business partners misappropriated a $2.5 million loan that was supposed to fund a wind farm project in Texas.
Kituwah LLC claimed in a lawsuit filed this week in Delaware that 4 13 Solutions used the money to repay an investor from previous dealings with Smith’s company. Kituwah’s attorneys said Smith misrepresented efforts to secure a U.S. Department of Energy loan that would have triggered repayment to Kituwah.