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/ SPORTS / MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
USA BASKETBALL
Championship starts strongly for US team
ISTANBUL — Kevin Durant's shooting and Kevin Love's strength sent the United States to a 2-0 start in the world championship.
Durant scored 22 points, Love added 10 points and 11 rebounds off the bench,and the Americans beat Slovenia 99-77 on Sunday in an opening-round game.
Playing a rare early game, the U.S. players stalled after a quick start. But Durant came through with a basket when ever they needed it, and Love always seemed to be around the ball — even when a Slovenian player tried holding his arm so he couldn't get it.
Rudy Gay finished with 16 points for the Americans (2-0), while Russell Westbrook and Andre Iguodala each had 11. Durant shot 8 of 13 before sitting out the fourth quarter.
Bostjan Nachbar scored 13 points for Slovenia (1-1), which had an enormous edge in the stands but not enough to match the Americans on the court.
Slovenian fans, many dressed in green shirts, lined the streets outside the arena some 90 minutes before tipoff. They filled large areas throughout the arena, and stood and roared when the Slovenians came out for pregame warmups.
The Americans made eight of their first 11 shots from the field and led 23-11 after one quarter, then suddenly went cold in the second.
The Americans face Brazil on Monday night, then have an off day before their final two games in group play.
Associated Press
Men's and women's teams aim for a title
CROSS COUNTRY
Both squads begin season this Saturday with a goal to make it to NCAA Nationals
BY LAUREN NEWMAN
inewman@kansan.com
The men's and women's cross country teams are eager to get the 2010 season started. This season on the men's team there are plenty of young runners who are looking to get a jump-start on their season in their first race, the Bob Timmons Classic. Sophomore runner Josh Baden, who was red-shirted his freshmen year, has lofty aspirations for the team as a whole.
"I have pretty high hopes this season, and as a team we have been working pretty well together," he said.
He continued to express his
excitement for the first race at Rim Rock Farm. The team's main goal is to make nationals this year, even though that is still far away. The competition at the first race is more focused
"I am very excited to wear the uniform," Muñoz said. "As my first college opener, I want to have a fun first race and be running up in the front of the pack whether that is with our guys or the other competitors."
"I have pretty high hopes this season,and as a team we have been working pretty well together."
been possible with the help of the coaches and the other runners on the jayhawk team," he said.
As for his first collegiate race of 2010, his thrill to run overshadows his nerves.
Freshman Jose Muñoz feels that the shift from high school to being a division one athlete in college was a big change. Muñoz is from a small town named Rio Rico in Arizona and preparing for this season was a new challenge for him.
upon different individuals and not about the various teams present. Baden is also interested in seeing where the men's team will stand after its first collegiate race of the season.
The women's team is just as hyped for its first race as the men's team. Sophomore runner Tessa Turcotte has one year of experience under her belt and felt a little more prepared for this upcoming season. The training
JOSH BADEN Sophomore runner
"I have been trying to make it a smooth transition, and it has
process for her was a bit different, though, because she spent the summer at home in New Mexico. Turcotte trained by herself but said that motivated her more. As for this upcoming race and season she is as enthusiastic as the men's
team.
"I expect to do well at my first race and for the girls to go to nationals," Turcotte said. "It's kind of the team's goal, but we look at it as knowing we're going to nationals."
The team morale seems to be upbeat and higher than ever this season.
"Our tempos have been up and our work outs are more strenuous than they were last year," Turcotte said.
Adam Buhler/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Edited by Abby Davenport
Austin Russing, left, and Zach Zarda, right, finish a race at last year's Bob Timmons Invitational.
PGA
cup for a birdie and his first win of the year.
Kuchar well set for Ryder Cup victory
The timing could not have been better. Kuchar moved to the top of the FedEx Cup standings by winning the first playoff event, putting him in the running for the $10 million prize. It also gives him a shot of confidence with the Rvder Cup a month away.
Tiger Woods closed with a 67 to easily qualify for the second round of the playoffs next week outside Boston.
PARAMUS, N.J. — Matt Kuchar is not going to the Ryder Cup without a victory this year.
Kuchar never looked as though he were going to win Sunday at The Barclays until Martin Laird three-putted from inside 25 feet on the final hole of regulation. On the first playoff hole, Kuchar hit a shot that caught enough of the slope to roll 30 inches from the
Associated Press
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