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Slideshow - UConn Women versus Vermont

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• UConn Women versus Army at Noon at XL
• Houston Taking Steps To Get Out Of Auriemma's Doghouse - TheDay.com
• Basketball Star Swin Cash Raising Money For McKeesport Youth Projects - ThePittsburghChannel.com
• In a bad year for sports, Arizona thrived (Diana Taurasi) - East Valley Tribune
• Hamilton keys Pistons surge - USA Today
• Allen focuses on world issues - Boston Globe
• Sub role tougher on Curry than Gordon - Chicago Tribune
• Sunday's NBA games:
  • Ben Gordon, Bulls: 25 points
  • Kevin Ollie, 76ers: 0 points
  • Rudy Gay, Grizzlies: 16 points
  • Ray Allen: Celtics: 19 points

Men's Alumni - Update - Denham Scores 11 For Canada

As reported on TheStar.com on August 29th - Full story

Jermaine Anderson of Toronto had 17 points Wednesday as Canada's men's basketball team moved one step closer in its quest for a berth in Beijing with a 97-80 win over Mexico.

Montreal's Juan Mendez added 15 points for the Canadians, who improved to 3-3 at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament, from which the top two teams earn tickets to the 2008 Games.

Six Canadians scored in double figures in the lopsided victory, with Levon Kendall of Vancouver adding 14, Carl English of Patrick's Cove, N.L., finishing with 12, and Toronto's Denham Brown and Olu Famutimi adding 11 apiece.

Conlon Nets Job With Barnum Financial

As reported on New Haven Register on August 29th - Full story

Former University of Connecticut basketball star Maria Conlon has swapped her sneakers for a business suit, joining Barnum Financial Group as a financial services representative.

Conlon, 24, recently began working at Barnum, an office of MetLife located at 6 Corporate Drive, selling a variety of services, including life and health insurance and mutual funds. She previously was an assistant coach of the Southern Connecticut State University women’s basketball team, which won the Division II national championship title earlier this year.

"It’s just a great opportunity for me to give back to the community," said Conlon, who lives in Milford. "It’s really helping people in many different ways, helping them achieve their goals."

A New Calling For Donny Marshall

As reported on The Day on August 28th - Full story

Someday don't be surprised to find a familiar name playing on the senior pro golf tour.

Teeing off, Donny Marshall.

Yes, Marshall, a former UConn basketball player, wants to attempt to join the PGA's Champions Tour when his career winds down as a television analyst for Boston Celtics' broadcasts.

Marshall, 35, revealed his intentions Sunday after jokingly being asked if he planned to turn pro following his second Ahmad Rashad Celebrity Classic victory, combining with ex-college teammate and close friend Ray Allen.

“I'm going to wait until I'm 50 and then I'm really going to make a run for it,” Marshall said. “Actually, jokes aside, I really am going to make a run for it. ... It will be fun.

“I see Jim Thorpe and guys like that, coming from other sports. It's just a great lifestyle. You get that competitive feeling back. There's ups and downs. That's what sports and athletics are all about. I miss that part of it and golf gives me that.”

If you think that sounds far-fetched, then you don't know Marshall.

Women's Alumni - Update

Games of August 28th:

• Ashley Battle: 33 minutes, 1-6 FGs, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 points for the Liberty in a 71-70 loss to Detroit. Detroit wins the best of three series 2-1.
• Swin Cash:37 minutes, 4-9 FGs, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 8 points for the Shock in a 71-70 win over New York. Detroit wins the best of three series, 2-1.

Ben Gordon & Chicago Bulls Talk Contract

As reported on HoopsVibe.com on August 26th - Full story

Ben Gordon, 24, is about to embark on the final year of the four-year rookie contract he signed with the Bulls in 2004 after getting drafted out of Connecticut.

"The Bulls have an opportunity to extend my contract with them this summer," Gordon said yesterday. "So I’m hoping something gets done and I won’t have to wait another year to see what’s going to happen. I’ve done everything possible I could have done to help my team get to the playoffs, and I think it’s up to them right now to see if they want to make a long-term commitment."

Also:

• Gordon Looking for Contract - RealGM.com
• Home Turf For UConn Duo (Donny Marshall, Ray Allen) - TheDay.com

Women's Alumni - Update

Games of August 27th:

• Nykesha Sales: 35 minutes, 3-6 FGs, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 7 points for the Sun in a 93-88 loss to Indiana. Indiana wins the best of three series, 2-1.
• Asjha Jones: 43 minutes, 10-18 FGs, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 21 points for the Sun in a 93-88 loss to Indiana. Indiana wins the best of three series, 2-1.
• Ann Strother: Did not play for the Fever in a 93-88 win over Connecticut. Indiana wins the best of three series, 2-1.

Also:

• Taurasi, Phoenix hold off late Storm surge to advance - The Sports Network

Report: Delle Donne Commits To UConn

As reported on Courant.com on August 27th - Full story

Elena Delle Donne, considered the top player in the Class of 2008, has made a oral commitment to play at UConn.

Multiple sources said today that Delle Donne, a 6-foot-5 guard from Ursaline Academy in Wilmington, Del., has informed Geno Auriemma of her plans. Delle Donne did so after saying she was taking the summer off from basketball and recruiting in order to re-engerize herself.

Delle Donne becomes the fourth player to commit to UConn joining 5-10 guard Caroline Doty of Germantown, Pa., 6-3 center Tiffany Hayes of Florida and 6-4 center Heather Buck of Stonington, The Courant's player of the year and the state's Gatorade Player of the Year last season.

The Huskies still have one scholarship available for next season and are waiting to hear from Chelsey Lee, a 6-3 forward from Florida

Also:

• All things considered, Delle Donne found perfect fit - DelawareOnline.com
• Prize recruit Delle Donne picks UConn - philly.com
• DelleDonne chooses UConn - Norwich Bulletin
• DelleDonne: It's UConn - DelawareOnline.com
• Prize recruit rebuffs lady Vols for rival Connecticut - GoVolsXtra.com
• Delle Donne: Yes to UConn -- Top women's recruit commits - JournalInquirer.com
• Delle Donne chooses UConn over Tennessee - USA Today
• Two-time Register MVP Buck commits to play for the Huskies - New Haven Register
• Stonington's Buck to play basketball at UConn - Norwich Bulletin

Stonington's Buck Headed To UConn

As reported on TheDay.com on August 25th - Full story

Stonington High School all-state center Heather Buck said Saturday morning she has made a verbal commitment to UConn.

Buck sent the following e-mail to several state media outlets:

“I have made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Connecticut.  I will realize my childhood dream to play basketball at UConn for Geno Auriemma.  Although I had thought at the outset that I would make official visits before making a choice, but I feel comfortable in my decision and do not think they are necessary. During the past two years, I have met an impressive group of coaches; I have toured campuses, and visited gyms. This recruitment process has taken me places that I had only dreamed of."

Also:

• Tough Choice Becomes Easy - TheDay.com
• Heather Buck selects UConn - Norwich Bulletin
• Huskies add new recruit - ConnPost.com
• Buck Orally Commits - courant.com
• Virgiia women will face UConn - DailyPress.com

Women's Alumni - Update

Games of August 26th:

• Sue Bird: 36 minutes, 7-16 FGs, 1 rebound, 6 assists and 21 points for the Storm in a 95-89 loss to Phoenix. Phoenix wins the best of three series, 2-0.
• Diana Taurasi: 31 minutes, 7-14 FGs, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 20 points for the Mercury in a 95-89 win over Seattle. Phoenix wins the best of three series, 2-0.
• Kelly Schumacher: 13 minutes, 0-1 FGs, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 point for the Mercury in a 95-89 win over Seattle. Phoenix wins the best of three series, 2-0.
• Ashley Battle: 15 minutes, 1-3 FGs, 2 rebounds, 2 assists ad 2 points for the Liberty in a 76-73 loss to Detroit. The best of three series is tied, 1-1.
• Swin Cash: 35 minutes, 6-12 FGs, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 14 points for the Shock in a 76-73 win over New York. The best of three series is tied, 1-1.

Games of August 25th:

• Nykesha Sales: 21 minutes, 2-8 FGs, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 points for the Sun in a 78-59 loss to Indiana. The best of three series is tied, 1-1.
• Asjha Jones: 25 minutes, 3-4 FGs, 0-0 FGs, 5 rebounds, 0 assists and 6 points for the Sun in a 78-59 loss to Indiana. The best of three series is tied, 1-1.
• Ann Strother: 2 minutes, 0-2 FGs, 0 rebounds, 1 assists and 0 points for the Fever in a 78-59 win over Connecticut. The best of three series is tied, 1-1.

Games of August 24th:

• Swin Cash: 23 minutes, 2-7 FGs, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 points for the Shock in a 73-51 loss to New York. Detroit trails the best of three series, 1-0.
• Ashley Battle: 13 minutes, 3-5 FGs, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 6 pints for the Liberty in a 73-51 win over Detroit. New York leads the best of three series, 1-0.
• Diana Taurasi: 32 minutes, 8-18 FGs, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 22 points for the Mercury in a 101-84 win over Seattle. Phoenix leads the best of three series, 1-0.
• Kelly Schumacher: 17 minutes, 1-5 FGs, 2 rebounds, 0 assists and 2 points for the Mercury in a 101-84 win over Seattle. Phoenix leads the best of three series, 1-0.
• Sue Bird: 34 minutes, 4-8 FGs, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 12 points for the Storm in a 101-84 loss to Phoenix. Seattle trails the best of three series, 1-0.

Games of August 23rd:

• Nykesha Sales: 47 minutes, 8-17 FGs, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 25 points for the Sun in a 93-88 win over Indiana. Connecticut leads the best of three series, 1-0.
• Asjha Jones: 47 minutes, 9-22 FGs, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 20 points for the Sun in a 93-88 win over Indiana. Connecticut leads the best of three series, 1-0.
• Ann Strother: Did not play for the Fever on a 93-88 loss to Connecticut. Indiana trails the best of three series, 1-0.

Also:

• Status of Catchings, Jones clouds playoff picture - wlfi.com
• Will Jones Play? Shootaround Decision - courant.com
• Nike Puts Women Back on the Pedestal (Diana Taurasi) - The New York Times
• Taurasi's talk all about playoffs now - EastValleyTribune.com
• Area players strive for WNBA supremacy (Swin Cash, Ashley Battle) - PittsburghLive.com
• Sales leads Sun to 93-99 win in 3OT - USA Today
• Phoenix's Taurasi set to rise for playoffs - USA Today

Ray Allen, Donny Marshall win Celebrity Tournament

As reported on NorwichBulletin.com on August 26th - Full story

Former UConn men's basketball teammates Ray Allen and Donny Marshall teamed up to win the Ahmad Rashad Celebrity Golf Tournament Sunday at Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug with a 14-under score.

Allen and Marshall, who won $30,000, finished four shots ahead of two groups at 10-under par, Alfonso Ribeiro and Scott Burrell, and Ed Moses and Randy Smith.

Also:

• Bulls' Gordon looking for new contract - LoHud.com
• Gordon shows his Mount Vernon pride - LoHud.com
• Donyell Marshall supports 'Nothing But Nets' program - Cleveland.com
• Canada betting on team effort in las Vegas (Denham Brown) - TheGlobeandMail.com