Seimone Augustus ran the gamut of emotions this weekend in Boston. Hoping to win the NCAA women's title with LSU, the nation's leading scorer and the Lady Tigers were ousted in the national semifinal Sunday night by Duke. Three days later, Augustus was back on top as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.

LSU's go-to player is going to the Minnesota Lynx.

Rutgers' guard Cappie Pondexter was selected second by the Phoenix Mercury. Duke's Monique Currie was the third pick taken by the Charlotte Sting. Baylor's Sophia Young was chosen by the San Antonio Silver Stars, and the Los Angeles Sparks took UCLA's Lisa Willis to round out the top five.

Lynx coach Suzie McConnell Serio said team officials had their minds made up about Augustus long ago.

"She just separated herself from the rest of her senior class," McConnell Serio said.

More basketball

Center Eric Boateng has decided to leave Duke after one season and plans to transfer after the spring semester.

A former Georgia Tech cornerback was sentenced to nine months' probation on felony drug charges connected to a marijuana-distribution ring. Reuben Houston, 23, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to charges of conspiracy and attempt to distribute 92 pounds of marijuana. He pleaded guilty after his June arrest.

Seton Hall was granted permission to talk to George Mason coach Jim Larranaga, who led the Patriots to an improbable berth in last weekend's Final Four.

New Kansas State coach Bob Huggins hired his first two assistant coaches, bringing in Frank Martin and Dalonte Hill.

Former UCLA coach John Wooden, 95, went home from the hospital after a bout of diverticulitis.

Wild Things

The Washington Wild Things signed left-handed pitcher Walt Novosel. The Pulaski, Pa., native was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 22nd round in 2003 from Ohio University.

Swimming

Jessicah Schipper of Australia captured her first world short course title, winning the 200-meter butterfly at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Shanghai, China. Schipper won in 2 minutes, 5.11 seconds, less than a second off the world record held by China's Yang Yu, who was third. Francesca Segat of Italy was second.

Auto racing

Clint Almquist, a mechanic on rookie Clint Bowyer's team, was suspended by NASCAR for a rules violation at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. NASCAR said Almquist didn't place racing fuel in the designated collection area on one occasion during Sunday's event. Almquist, who was placed on probation until June 7, won't be allowed to accompany the team this weekend to Texas Motor Speedway. Crew chief Gil Martin was fined $2,500 because NASCAR said he is responsible for Almquist's actions.

Don Gamble of Delmont has been named the new announcer at Jennerstown Speedway for the 2006 season.

Curling

The United States beat Germany, 7-1, and Scotland defeated Finland, 9-6, guaranteeing themselves spots in the medals round in the World Curling Championships in Lowell, Mass. Both are 7-2 in the 11-game round-robin series. Canada is third in the rankings but had its playoff plans slowed when Switzerland's won, 10-9. Four teams, each at five wins, are vying for playoff slots behind the leaders: Canada; Sweden, which beat Norway 8-5; Finland; and Switzerland.

Horse racing

The New Jersey Racing Commission is scheduled to hear testimony today regarding charges of drug possession and race-fixing involving a top harness driver at Meadowlands Racetrack in Trenton, N.J., and three others. The commission could decide to suspend or revoke the license of Eric Ledford, 35, the third-leading driver at the Meadowlands this year, who faces criminal charges of conspiracy to rig a publicly exhibited contest. Also facing possible suspension are a veterinarian and two employees of a stable owned by Ledford's father, Seldon.