In brief: Summitt speaks on ending rivalry

It’s been three months since Pat Summitt decided to end the annual series between Connecticut and Tennessee that has been a staple in women’s basketball for years.

The Hall of Fame coach finally talked about her decision as she was watching the U.S. women’s basketball team train in New York on Saturday.

“I didn’t think this was going to hurt women’s basketball,” Summitt said. “I haven’t had the feeling that the whole nation’s going to miss it. I think Tennessee fans and Connecticut fans and a lot of basketball fans look forward to that game because of the rivalry and the length of it and the type of competitive games we’ve had over the years.”

Connecticut had signed a contract to extend the annual game through the 2008-09 season, but Tennessee declined to extend the series.

Summitt doesn’t see that decision changing anytime soon.

“I’d never say never, but I wouldn’t think so,” she said.

Now, the only way UConn and Tennessee will play again is if they meet in the NCAA tournament.

Connecticut leads the series 13-9, although Tennessee has won the last three meetings, including a 70-64 victory in January that featured a dunk by Lady Vols star Candace Parker. Tennessee went on to win the national championship last season.

“Jury selection begins this week in the $10 million sexual harassment lawsuit against New York Knicks president Isiah Thomas, who is accused of improper behavior involving a since-fired team executive.

Anucha Browne Sanders, a former Northwestern basketball star, is seeking reinstatement to her job and hefty damages after spending five years with the storied franchise.

In the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan and also names Madison Square Garden and MSG chairman James L. Dolan, Browne Sanders said she endured unwanted sexual advances from Thomas until the team dismissed her in January 2006.

“Chicago Sky guard Armintie Price was named the WNBA rookie of the year, and Dan Hughes of the San Antonio Silver Stars was honored as the league’s top coach.

Price, who was drafted third overall out of Mississippi, started all 34 games and finished third among first-year players in scoring (7.9 points per game) and assists (2.9 a game).

Hughes, whose Silver Stars won seven more games in 2007 than the year before, becomes the second coach in league history to be named coach of the year award more than once, joining former Houston Comets coach Van Chancellor, who won from 1997-1999.

“Tony Parker scored 23 points and France defeated Germany 78-66 in Madrid, Spain, moving closer to a berth in the quarterfinals of the European basketball championship.

Dirk Nowitzki led Germany with 28 points.

Gymnastics

Liukin grabs silver at world meet

Nastia Liukin fell short of an individual gold medal again.

Maybe the Chinese can give her one of theirs.

China won three of the five event finals at the world gymnastics championships in Stuttgart, Germany, bringing their stash of gold to five – and there’s still another day to go.

Liukin was edged by teeny Ksenia Semenova of Russia on the uneven bars, one day after a fall off the balance beam spoiled any chances of winning the all-around title. Semenova won the gold by .050 points, forcing the American to settle for silver for a second straight year.

Alicia Sacramone won bronze on vault, adding to the silver she won last year. The American men built on their solid showing at worlds, with fourth-place finishes by Kevin Tan on still rings and Guillermo Alvarez on floor. Sasha Artemev was sixth on pommel horse.

Miscellany

Doctor Dino wins Man o’ War

Doctor Dino concluded a two-race visit to the United States with a head victory over Sunriver in the $500,000 Man o’ War, the richest of three Grade 1 stakes at Belmont Park in New York.

Doctor Dino, a 5-year-old bred in France, finished third in the Arlington Million last month.

“Four Salem-Keizer pitchers combined on a three-hitter as the Volcanoes took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 Northwest League baseball playoffs, defeating the Tri-City Dust Devils 2-0 in Keizer, Ore.

Waldis Joaquin pitched six innings, fanning seven batters and walking one in the win.

“Olly Barkley scored 18 points to lead England to a 28-10 win over the United States in a Group A match in the Rugby World Cup in Lens, France.