Former Edwardsville QB and Sakukis play at Illinois this week.

ISTANBUL • Kevin Durant scored 33 points and the United States beat Russia 89-79 on Thursday to move within two wins of its first world championship since 1994.

Mikhail Youzhny hit fewer aces and fewer winners, needed treatment on his right foot in the fifth set — and still managed to come back and beat Stanislas Wawrinka 3-6, 7-6 (7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in four

It's no secret Collinsville coach Mike Liljegren has lost a lot of sleep since becoming the head football coach for the Kahoks in 2003.

When • 6:30 p.m. Saturday

ST. LOUIS U. HIGH (2-0) vs. WEBSTER GROVES (2-0)

Football Rankings

TOWN AND COUNTRY • Like his teammates, St. Louis University High's Brian Bement simply refused to be denied Thursday night.

FISHING REPORT

NEW YORK • Whether it's starting a family or starting a business, Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams have figured out how to make life about more than hitting a fuzzy yellow ball.

It will cost you about $40 to watch the telecast of Mizzou's football game Saturday night against McNeese State, and the same price for their meeting next week against San Diego State, as the contests

Already having his best season, Matt Kuchar got off to his best start of the year Thursday in the BMW Championship. A mystery season for Tiger Woods took another unexpected turn.

TODAY

NCAA Tournament to open in Dayton

Cardinals at Atlanta, 6:35 p.m., Turner Field

STARKVILLE, Miss. • Cameron Newton threw two touchdown passes and accounted for 206 total yards to help No. 21 Auburn beat Mississippi State 17-14 on Thursday night in the Southeastern Conference op

Academic issues may plague North Carolina

Pooch punts

New England quarterback Tom Brady was in a two-vehicle accident near his home Thursday morning but was unhurt and hours later practiced as usual with his team in preparation for the Patriots' season o

DENVER • Chris Nelson was watching when Nick Masset looked down at the ground.