Sports Shorts

Ortal Halevy, Haifa's rising rugby star, was selected this weekend by the Israel Rugby Union as player of the year in the local women's league. "I have no idea how I got so many votes," said Haelvy modestly, after winning the honor. (Amir Shoam)

Jasmine Thomas scored 18 points and the ninth-ranked Duke Lady Blue Devils captured its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 2004 by beating North Carolina State 70-60 yesterday. Karima Christmas added 13 points for the top-seeded Blue Devils (27-5). They forced 23 turnovers and out-rebounded the Wolfpack 46-32 in claiming their sixth ACC title and first since winning five in a row from 2000-04. The Blue Devils were in the final for the third time in ACC coach of the year Joanne P. McCallie's three seasons, but had been stopped by powerful No. 1 seeds the last two years. This time, they held the No. 1 seed - and took full advantage. (AP)

Gilboa/Galil gave Maccabi Tel Aviv no trouble on its home court, as the basketball powerhouse ran away with a 93-81 win. Thanks to Netanya's upset of Jerusalem Saturday night, Maccabi extended its league to an insurmountable four games. The other three home teams last night also won their contests. Rishon Letzion opened with an 18-1 run to drub Hapoel Holon 93-74. Afula broke open a one-point game in the final period to blow away Ramat Gan 101-80. And Ashkelon held up the 7-point first quarter lead it built up to prevail over Nahariya 85-74. (Haaretz Staff)

Darius Miller and Eric Bledsoe had 14 points apiece and No. 3 Kentucky withstood a Florida comeback with a 74-66 victory yesterday, completing an 18-0 home season and likely cementing its hold on a top seed in the NCAA tournament. On the day the freshman-dominated Wildcats (19-2, 14-2) honored their seniors, it was a sophomore - Miller - who had the hottest shooting hand for the Wildcats. Miller was 5-7 from the field, including three 3-pointers. (AP)