US Women Win Basketball Gold

We're 'back on top,' boasts ecstatic LeBron James

(NEWSER) - The US Men's Basketball Olympic team pulled off a hard-fought victory to beat Spain 118-107 today to grab the gold medal. The US team has won gold every Olympics but three, including embarrassing defeats in 2004. "Much respect to Spain, but the US is back on top again," boasted player LeBron James. The US women's basketball team nailed gold yesterday. Spain brought on a surprisingly tough game after being trounced by the Yanks earlier in the competition. More»

Taurasi layup sparks surge to 97-57 victory

(AP) - With President Bush and the first family looking on, the United States women's basketball team began its quest for a fourth-straight gold medal with a rout of the Czech Republic. Diana Taurasi scored 13 of her 17 points in the first half to lead the US to the 97-57 victory in the opener tonight. The Americans got off to a slow start, trailing 13-2 after giving up layup after layup to the feisty Czech team. More»

T-shirt-wearing Toledo star can't compete in championship

(NEWSER) - University of Toledo basketball star Naama Shafir won't be allowed to compete in the upcoming European women's championship unless she shows more skin, the sport's European governing body has decided. Shafir, a point guard for the Israeli national team and an Orthodox Jew, wears a T-shirt under her jersey in accordance with Jewish modesty rules, and had requested an exemption from uniform rules, AP reports. More»

Aggies beat Notre Dame 76-70 for first title

(AP) - Danielle Adams scored 22 of her 30 points in a dominating second half and Texas A&M beat Notre Dame 76-70 on Tuesday night to win its first national championship. Texas A&M built an early 13-point lead with its aggressive defense, fell behind by seven in the second half, then rallied by pounding the ball inside to the 6-foot-1 Adams, who bulled her way to 9-for-11 shooting in the final 20 minutes. More»

Speed skating, hockey and Tanith Belbin makes Esquire list

(NEWSER) - If, like many, your interest in the Vancouver Games is lukewarm (kinda like the weather keeping the ski slopes snow-free), Esquire provides a list of the don’t-miss Olympic moments. Some highlights:

• Friday: Opening ceremonies. Vancouver’s spending less than half the $100 million Beijing did in 2008. Or you can rent Strange Brew.
• Saturday: See Apolo Anton Ohno go for a US-record sixth winter medal—as he and his fellow speed skaters sport the Stephen Colbert logo.