IN BRIEF

SAILING

Judge rules to move America's Cup race

The America's Cup won't be sailed in the Middle East, after all.

Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, cannot host the contentious showdown between American and Swiss crews based on the 19th-century document that governs sailing's marquee regatta, a New York judge ruled Tuesday.

The decision by Justice Shirley Kornreich of the New York State Supreme Court is a blow to two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland, which picked the little-known Persian Gulf port for its February match against American challenger BMW Oracle Racing.

Kornreich said her decision was based on the stipulation in the 1887 Deed of Gift that the America's Cup cannot be sailed in the Northern Hemisphere between Nov. 1 and May 1, not on concerns by the Americans that RAK was unsafe due to its proximity to Iran.

The rare one-on-one showdown in massive multihulled boats now appears headed to Valencia, Spain, unless the bitter rivals can agree on another port that complies with the Deed of Gift.

Although Valencia is in the Northern Hemisphere, neither side objected earlier in the court fight to holding the best-of-3 series in the Spanish port.

TENNIS

Serena wins, Venus falls in WTA Championships

Serena Williams overcame Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 (6), 7-5 in the group stage of the WTA Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, Qatar, improving her chance of ending the year as No. 1.

The win gives her a share of the lead in the Maroon Group with Elena Dementieva, who rallied from a set and a break down to beat defending champion Venus Williams, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-2.

Victoria Azarenka made a successful tournament debut by defeating Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-3 to lead the White Group.

Also: Serena Williams is back on the U.S. Fed Cup team for the first time since 2007. Surprise U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin is also on the roster announced by the U.S. Tennis Association for the Nov. 7-8 final against host Italy.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Accidental shooting kills Hampton player

A Hampton University basketball player died from what police call an accidental shooting outside a nightclub in Hampton, Va.

Theo Smalling of Tampa, Fla., died Monday night, according to a university statement.

Police said the 22-year-old team captain was shot in the abdomen early Saturday in the parking lot of a nightclub after another man mishandled a firearm.

Police charged 21-year-old Dominique Devon Smith with reckless handling of a firearm. They could not say if he has an attorney. Police are awaiting autopsy results.

Also: Standout Israeli guard Nimrod Tishman is eligible to play for Florida. Coach Billy Donovan said the NCAA cleared Tishman, a 6-foot-5-inch freshman from Tel Aviv, Israel, this week. He already had been cleared to practice.

MISCELLANEOUS

UNLV men's golf team wins Wimberly event

The UNLV men's golf team won the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate in Las Cruces, N.M., shooting 6-under 278 in the final round for a 23-under 829 total.

The 17th-ranked Rebels beat Washington State by eight shots in the 17-team event, wrapping up the fall season with their second tournament title.

UNLV's Derek Ernst (1-under 70) tied New Mexico State's Timothy Madigan for the individual title at 9-under 204. Rebels freshman Kevin Penner was one shot back in third.

Also: The UNLV women's golf team, hosting the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown at Boulder Creek Golf Club, remained 12th in the 17-team field after two rounds.

With winds gusting to 40 mph, the Rebels shot 22-over 310 for a 30-over 606 total, 28 strokes behind first-place Arizona (2-over 578). The Wildcats' Sherlyn Popelka and Louisville's Sara-Maude Juneau shared the individual lead at 6-under 138.

UNLV's Therese Koelbaek (73) was tied for 15th at 3-over 147. The final round is today.

Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Johnson was carried off the ice on a stretcher after sliding headfirst into the end boards early in the second period a home game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Johnson was taken to a hospital for further observation, though a team spokesperson said he was alert and had full movement.

The Colorado Avalanche confirmed that backup goalie Peter Budaj has swine flu.

Budaj didn't accompany the Avalanche on their four-game road trip that began Tuesday night in Edmonton.

Wranglers goalie Michael Ouzas was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount, and center Shay Stephenson was suspended for one game for their actions in Las Vegas' home weekend series against the Alaska Aces.

The ECHL also suspended Alaska defenseman B.J. Crum for one game and fined him an undisclosed amount.