OSU tragedy ends in title

TONI YOUNG scored 25 points, Tiffany Bias added 17 points and 11 assists and

Oklahoma State ended a season marked by tragedy by beating James Madison, 75-68, on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla., to win the program’s first WNIT championship. Liz Donohoe notched her fifth straight doubledouble with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the Cowgirls (22-12) made it through the tourney without trailing in the second half.

Oklahoma State lost head coach Kurt Budkeand assistant miranda Sernaina Nov. 17 plane crash that also claimed the lives of pilot Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula.

Jim Littell, the Budke assistant who took over after the plane crash, said his team had promised in November to honor those who died.

SJODIN, TSENG LEAD KRAFT NABISCO

Sweden’s Karin Sjodin shot a steady 4-under 68 through heavy wind while chasing down top-ranked Yani Tseng, pulling even at 9-under 207 heading into the final round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Rancho Mirage, Calif., the LPGA Tour’s first major. The dominant Tseng proved she’s not unbeatable, showing visible frustration while posting a 71.

Louis Oosthuizen shot his second straight 6-under 66 to reach 17-under 199 and take a two-shot lead over Hunter Mah

an (65) after the third round of the Houston Open in Humble, Tex. Three-time major champion Ernie Els (69), who must win to qualify for the Masters, is 8-under.

POLICE HAD BEEN INVESTIGATING LEAF

Police in Montana arrested EX-NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf after a month-long investigation that culminated with Leaf breaking into an acquaintance’s home in Great Falls to steal prescription pain medication. Authorities believe Leaf may have broken into other homes in search of prescription drugs over the past 11/ years and

2 were asking those victims to come forward, said Central Montana Drug Force Commander Chris Hickman.

MARIA CAN’T SOLVE SERVE PROBLEM

Second-seeded Maria Sharapova lost her serve in the final game of each set and again fell short in a bid for her first Sony Ericsson Open title, losing to No. 5 Ag

nieszka Radwanska 7-5, 6-4, in Key Biscayne, Fla. Sharapova fell to 0-4 in Key Biscayne finals.