SHERIFF DEFENDS RELEASE OF ALLEGED McKNIGHT KILLER

harvey, la.» The shooting death of a former NFL and USC running back in a New Orleans suburb was a “road rage” incident that began on a nearby bridge, a sheriff said Friday as he urged against a rush to judgment and defended his handling of the case.

Joe McKnight was shot Thursday afternoon in Terrytown, across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Authorities identified 54-year-old Ronald Gasser, who stayed at the scene, as the shooter and released him overnight, sparking criticism.

At a news conference Friday, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said the altercation that ended with McKnight’s death started on a nearby bridge — possibly when one of the two men cut the other off — and then proceeded into streets of the New Orleans suburb. He didn’t say which driver cut off the other.

Authorities said Gasser shot McKnight three times from inside his car with a semi-automatic handgun while McKnight was standing outside. Witnesses reported the two had been in an argument, the sheriff said.

Normand defended his handling of the case, saying the investigation was ongoing. No charges have been filed. Some protesters upset at Gasser’s release gathered outside the sheriff ’s office earlier Friday.

Cowboys’ McClain suspended

B arlington, texas» Dallas Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

The suspension is McClain’s third since the end of the 2014 season. He had a one-year contract this season.

Johnson leads World Challenge

B nassau, bahamas» Dustin Johnson birdied the final hole for a sizzling 6-under-par 66 and a share of the lead with Hideki Matsuyama at the Hero World Challenge.

Matsuyama, who has won three of his last four tournaments, shot a 67.

They were at 12-under 132, two shots ahead of Matt Kuchar and Louis Oosthuizen, who each shot a 67.

Tiger Woods, in his first competition in 15 months, shot a bogey-free, 7-under 65 and was six shots behind in a tie for ninth.

Nystrom leads Rams in blowout.

Ellen Nystrom led Colorado State women’s basketball to a 77-31 victory over Southeastern Louisiana.

• Kailin Davis scored 17 points for Air Force, but Vanderbilt beat the Falcons 75-49.

• Behind a career-high 21 points from junior Liv Roberts, the Wyoming basketball team beat Southern Utah 68-48.

• Brian Howard had a game-high 21 points and the MSU Denver men’s basketball team beat South Dakota Mines 73-54 at the Auraria Event Center.

• Sophomore forward Juwan Morgan’s team-high 18 points helped the No. 13 Indiana men’s basketball team post an 83-60 victory over SIU-Edwardsville.

West Virginia to face USC in final

B san jose, calif.» A goal by junior forward Michaela Abam in the 74th minute propelled No. 1 West Virginia to its first-ever NCAA College Cup final with a 1-0 victory over No. 6 North Carolina in women’s soccer.

• Katie Johnson’s goal in the 60th minute was the difference in No. 2 USC’s 1-0 semifinal victory over No. 2 Georgetown.

Footnotes.

Kentucky defeated Colorado State 24-26, 25-22, 25-10, 25-17 in the first round of the NCAA Division I women’s volleyball tournament. Stanford beat the University of Denver women 25-12, 25-22, 25-20. … Metro State defeated Tarleton State 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-22 in the second round of the South Central Regional of the Division II women’s volleyball tournament. … Colorado Mines’ women’s volleyball season ended as national No. 12 Angelo State won 25-22, 25-18, 18-25, 26-24.