UCLA shoplifters apologize

Coach slaps three with suspensions

Three UCLA basketball players detained for shoplifting at three high-end stores in China publicly apologized Wednesday before coach Steve Alford announced they were being suspended indefinitely.

Freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley won’t be allowed to suit up, practice or travel with the team while the university sorts out the circumstances of last week’s incident in Hangzhou, China.

“These are good young men who have exercised an inexcusable lapse of judgment and now they have to live with that,” Alford said.

Ball, Hill and Riley took turns apologizing while also thanking President Donald Trump for intervening on their behalf with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The players returned Tuesday after Chinese authorities withdrew the charges.

President Trump suggested Wednesday that three UCLA players owed him public thanks after their release from confinement and return home. “Do you think the three UCLA Basketball Players will say thank you President Trump? They were headed for 10 years in jail!” the president tweeted.

District men

Penn State (3-0) remained unbeaten with a 70-57 defeat of visiting Montana (2-1). The Grizzlies made it a game early and trailed by only five, 34-29, at halftime. The Lions were led by forward Lamar Stevens with 25 points. Shep Garner and Josh Reaves added 12 points each in the Lions win. ... Host No. 24 West Virginia (11) made quick work of the American Eagles (0-2), 98-64. Guards Jevon Carter and Daxter Miles scored 22 points each for the Mountaineers in the win.

District women

Penn State passed its first road visiting test Lady of the Lions season, (3-0) as toppled the Marshall (1-1), 80-65. Freshman Kamaria McDaniel poured in a career20 points for her first career double-figure scoring game.