HARRISON, N.Y. [bar] Steve Stricker has given himself plenty of chances to win this year, but none quite as good as this.
A burst of birdies at The Barclays carried Stricker to a 6-under 65 and allowed him to zoom past K.J. Choi and into the lead Saturday at Westchester Country Club, the first time he has held the 54-hole lead in nine years.
Finishing it off for his first victory since 2001 won't be easy.
Choi overcame some errant tee shots on the back nine with a birdie-birdie finish to salvage a 70, leaving him only one shot behind.
IN OTHER GOLF NEWS
Lorena Ochoa leads by a stroke going into the final round of the Safeway Classic in Portland, Ore., after a pair of bogeys to wrap up her Saturday narrowed her lead over Sophie Gustafson.
Ray Stewart shot a 4-under 68 and will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Champions Tour's Boeing Classic in Snoqualmie, Wash.
David Carter of England remained in contention for his first PGA European Tour title, shooting a 1-over 71 on Saturday for a share of the third-round lead with Ross Fisher and Steve Alker in the KLM Open in Zaandvoort, Netherlands.
Colt Knost, who won the U.S. Public Links title in June, defeated Jhonattan Vegas 4 and 3 to advance to the finals of the U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in Daly City, Calif.
basketball
U.S. defense too much for Canada
LAS VEGAS [bar] The United States turned up the defense and turned away Canada.
The Americans held the Canadians to just two field goals in a dominant second quarter, pulling away for a 113-63 victory Saturday to remain unbeaten in the FIBA Americas tournament.
Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, equaling the second-best U.S. total in an Olympic qualifying game, and Michael Redd added 19, including five 3-pointers.
Kobe Bryant had 15 points, Amare Stoudemire 12 and LeBron James 10 points for the Americans.
WNBA playoffs
Silver Stars roll past Monarchs
SAN ANTONIO [bar] Becky Hammon had 20 points to lead the San Antonio Silver Stars to their first playoff win with a 86-61 victory Saturday over the Sacramento Monarchs.
Hammon finished 7 for 11 from the field to help the Silver Stars even the Western Conference series at 1-1.
IN OTHER WNBA NEWS
Anna DeForge scored 26 points to help the Indiana Fever defeat the Connecticut Sun 78-59 Saturday and tie their first-round playoff series at one game apiece.
college football
Arkansas player Harrison arrested
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. [bar] Arkansas defensive end Marcus Harrison was suspended indefinitely after being arrested late Friday night in Fayetteville on a felony drug charge and several misdemeanors.
The 23-year-old senior was driving near his apartment when an officer stopped him just after 11 p.m., according to a Fayetteville police report. The officer reported a strong smell of marijuana coming from the car when Harrison rolled down his window.
The officer reported finding one partially smoked marijuana cigar under the front seat of the car and another unsmoked cigar. Both tested positive for marijuana, according to the report.
track and field
Shot-putter Hoffa wins at worlds
OSAKA, Japan [bar] Reese Hoffa is unknown no more.
He won the shot put Saturday while training partner Adam Nelson took second for a 1-2 U.S. finish on the opening night of the world track and field championships.
Hoffa, who once donned a mask at a meet and called himself 'the unknown shot-putter,' gave the United States its sixth world shot put title in the past seven championships.
high school football
Texas standout fatally shot
HOUSTON [bar] A Texas high school football standout who orally committed to play at Oklahoma next year was fatally shot with a rifle after getting into a fight at an apartment complex, authorities said.
Police arrested a 19-year-old from Louisiana and charged him with murder.
Herman Mitchell, 17, died Friday of multiple gun shot wounds, Harris County Sheriff's Lt. John Martin said.
tennis
Blake, Kuznetsova Pilot Pen champs
NEW HAVEN, Conn. [bar] James Blake beat close friend Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-4 Saturday to win an All-American final at the Pilot Pen.
Top-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova won the women's title when qualifier Agnes Szavay retired with a back injury while leading 6-4, 0-3.
in other news
Marcus Giles, San Diego Padres second baseman, was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a left knee sprain Saturday.
Dave Concepcion had his No. 13 retired Saturday by the Cincinnati Reds, joining three Hall of Fame teammates and his Big Red Machine manager in the franchise's ultimate tribute.
Willie Eyre, Texas Rangers pitcher, will undergo Tommy John surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the 2008 season.
Street Sense held off Grasshopper to win the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course .
