It's all about 'love' in WNBA

Katie Douglas and the Indiana Fever stole the spotlight -- under the moonlight -- from the New York Liberty in the WNBA's first outdoor game.

On a basketball court laid on top of the tennis court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, N.Y., Douglas scored nine of her 20 points in the fourth quarter, Tamika Catchings had 15 points and nine rebounds, and the Fever (11-11) beat the Liberty, 71-55, last night.

Even though the game was scheduled for a night start in hopes of avoiding the summer sun and heat, the game-time temperature was a steamy 87 degrees. The setting sun was only shining on one corner of the top level of seats, and there was a slight breeze blowing across the court.

"Probably the biggest thing both teams will have to be concerned about is making sure we stay hydrated," Catchings said. "Definitely trying to keep your body temperature low."

She also said playing in 90-degree heat was "street ball in a professional realm."

Since opening in 1997, the world's largest outdoor tennis-only venue has been the main stadium for the U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The game drew 19,393 to the 23,226-seat stadium. The attendance fell short of the team's Garden record of 19,563, achieved three times -- the previous time against Charlotte Aug. 11, 2002.

More pro basketball

The Los Angeles Lakers decided they wouldn't match Golden State's offer for Ronny Turiaf, meaning this former second-round draft choice will move up the California coast to play for the Warriors. The Warriors signed Turiaf, a restricted free agent, to a four-year, $17 million offer sheet last week. By rule, the Lakers had seven days to decide whether to match it.

• The Washington Mystics of the WNBA fired Tree Rollins as coach and promoted assistant Jessie Kenlaw to the position on an interim basis.

Hockey

Stephane Veilleux and the Minnesota Wild agreed to terms on a one-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing.

• Danish center Frans Nielsen agreed to a four-year, $2.1 million contract with the New York Islanders.

Tennis

Top-seeded James Blake struggled after a rain delay and was upset by defending champion Dimitry Tursunov, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the semifinals of the Indianapolis Tennis Championships. Tursunov, the third seed, will meet second-seeded Gilles Simon of France in the championship match today. Simon outlasted fourth-seeded American Sam Querrey, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, in other semifinal. Tursunov was leading Blake, 2-1, in the second set when rain forced a 32-minute delay.

• Serena Williams injured her left knee and pulled out of the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif. Williams retired from her match after losing the first set and falling behind in the second set of her semifinal against qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak. She lasted only 46 minutes before pulling out of the match trailing, 2-6, 1-3.

Swimming

Britta Steffen of Germany lowered her own European women's 100-meter freestyle record at the Magdeburg meet in Germany. This four-time European champion finished in 53.05 seconds, breaking her own record set April 22 at the German Championships by 0.15.

Soccer

Thabiso Khumalo scored both goals as the Riverhounds defeated the Bermuda Hogges, 2-0, at Chartiers Valley in the USL Second Division.

Horse racing

Gio Ponti took the lead in the upper stretch and held off a brief run by Colonial Turf Cup winner Sailor's Cap and a more determined effort by Court Vision to win the $750,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs in Providence Forge. The stubborn colt by Tale of the Cat stonewalled Court Vision's inside shot at the wire with Kent Desormeaux aboard to prevail by a neck in 2:02.22.

Wild Things

The Chillicothe Paints outlasted host Washington, 10-9, in 11 innings in Frontier League action. There were five lead changes and the Wild Things blew an 8-5 lead after the fifth.