Daniels qualifies for Olympic Trials in breaststroke
FAYETTEVILLE — Sophomore Nikki Daniels of the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team became the 11th current and future Razorback to qualify for the United States Olympic Trials on Saturday when she earned a mark in the 100 breaststroke at the Razorback Aquatic Club’s Summer Invitational.
Daniels improved on her career best time for the long-course event by more than a second when she swam 1 minute, 11.67 seconds, cruising past the Olympic Trials standard of 1:12.19.
The Razorback contingent at the U.S. Olympic Trials includes Daniels (100 breaststroke), Liz Braun (200 backstroke), Chelsea Franklin (400 and 800 freestyle), Julia Kucherich (200 backstroke and 400 individual medley), Anna Mayfield (200 backstroke), Nicole Menzel (800 freestyle), Jillienne Schilling (200 backstroke and 400 individual medley), Haley Smith (200 back), Alison Templin (400 and 800 freestyle), Katie Whitbeck (100 butterfly) and Susanna White (50 freestyle).
The U.S. Olympic Trials are scheduled for June 25-July 2 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Levin takes one-shot lead at Memorial
DUBLIN, Ohio — Spencer Levin shot a third-day best 3-under 69 to move to take the lead at the Memorial Tournament.
Levin, who has shot an 8-under 208, will play in the final group today with Rory Sabbatini, who shot a 71 on Saturday and is one shot back.
Tiger Woods fell from one shot back of the lead entering the day to fourth place after shooting a 73.
Oklahoma City evens series against San Antonio
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 36 points in a scintillating final 7 minutes, Serge Ibaka added a career-high 26 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder evened the Western Conference finals at two games apiece by beating the San Antonio Spurs 109-103 Saturday night.
After seeing his team’s 15-point lead dwindle to four, Durant took over midway through the fourth quarter by scoring all 16 of the Thunder’s points during a span of just over 5 minutes to keep the Spurs at bay.
With All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook limited to seven points, Durant did almost all of the damage late to send the series back to San Antonio all square for Game 5 on Monday night.
Oklahoma City is trying to become the 15th team in NBA history to overcome an 0-2 deficit in a seven-game series, and the eighth to do it since 2004. The Thunder avoided an even trickier task by winning.
Only eight teams have ever overcome a 3-1 hole, and only two had done it while needing two wins on the road – the 1995 Rockets and 1968 Celtics.
Tim Duncan had 21 points for San Antonio, which had won 20 in a row before losing Game 3. Leonard added 17 points and nine rebounds.