Sports briefs: France knocks of Spain in European basketball semifinal

Published: September 20, 2013 5:59 pm
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basketball • France ended Spain's reign as European basketball champion Friday in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with a 75-72 overtime victory behind 32 points from Tony Parker and set up a final against Lithuania. Two-time defending champion Spain led by 14 points at halftime, but Parker led France's comeback after the break.

Marc Gasol led Spain with 19 points and nine rebounds, and Rudy Fernandez added 17 points.

Lithuania reached its first final since winning the title 10 years ago by beating Croatia 77-62. Jonas Maciulis led Lithuania with 23 points. The championship game is Sunday.

Newman wins pole in record time

auto racing • Ryan Newman turned a track record lap of 136.497 mph to win the pole at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and headline a top 12 loaded with Chase drivers for Sunday's race.

Chase for the Sprint Cup championship drivers filled 10 of the top 12 spots Friday. Kasey Kahne was second, Jeff Gordon third and Kurt Busch was fourth for what will be the second Chase race. Joey Logano qualified sixth, Kevin Harvick was eighth, series points leader and last week's winner Matt Kenseth was ninth, and Greg Biffle starts 10th. Jimmie Johnson is 11th and Kyle Busch 12th.

Martin Truex Jr. starts fifth the same week he found out NAPA was dumping sponsorship of his Michael Waltrip Racing No. 56 car.

From wire reports

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