LeBron James saved the U.S. from what would have been a stunning loss.

James’ layup with 8 seconds left was the go-ahead basket Saturday, and the U.S. Olympic team that’ll soon head to the Paris Games escaped with a 101-100 win over South Sudan in London, rallying from a 16-point deficit to avoid perhaps the biggest upset in the program’s history.

South Sudan, the African nation that gained its independence just 13 years ago and is about to play in the Olympics for the first time, led for more than half the game and had a chance to win at the end. But Carlik Jones’ runner off the glass missed with about 4 seconds left, and the Americans survived.

“I’m going to be honest: I like those better than the blowouts,” James said as he walked off the court. “At least we get tested.”

Bronny done for summer after promising games

Bronny James was a spectator on Saturday after the Los Angeles Lakers determined that they have seen all they need out of the NBA’s most talked-about rookie.

He finished Summer League on an upward trajectory after a dismal start, scoring 25 points on 10-of-21 shooting over his final two games. That included making 3 of 8 baskets from 3-point range after going 0 for 15 in his first four games.

WNBA

Agunbowale, Clark lead way past Olympic team

Arike Ogunbowale set the WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Caitlin Clark made the most of her All-Star debut as the WNBA team beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109.

It was the second consecutive win for the WNBA All-Star team over the Olympians. The All-Stars also won in 2021 led by Ogunbowale, who was MVP of that game.

That loss was the only one that the Americans had in 2021 en route to winning their seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal. The U.S. hopes for the same results in Paris later this month. No team in the world could match the depth or talent that the WNBA All-Stars had.

Gray is 1st to win twice at all-star weekend

Allisha Gray turned WNBA All-Star weekend’s opening night into her own show.

The Atlanta Dream guard had a historic evening, becoming the first player to win both the 3-point and skills competition in the same year on Friday.

“It’s very cool,” Gray said. “Now I get another $55K in my pocket.”

Baseball

Saints rack up hits while beating Mud Hens

The St. Paul Saints notched 19 hits on Saturday night in Toledo during their 11-3 victory against the Mud Hens. All nine batters had a hit, and seven had a multi-hit.

St. Paul started the scoring with a single to right from Wynton Bernard that turned into a score on a triple from Anthony Prato. Toledo had two runs in the second inning, then waited while the Saints pushed their lead to 10-2. In the ninth, both teams added a run.

GOLF

Wannasaen opens a 3-stroke lead in Dana

Chanettee Wannasaen opened a three-stroke lead in the Dana Open for Children, shooting a 5-under 66 at Highland Meadows.

A day after finishing with an eagle to take the outright lead, Wannasaen birdied the par-5 18th to reach 16-under 197. The 20-year-old Thai player won the Portland Classic last year for her lone LPGA Tour title.

CYCLING

Pogacar is just 2nd to win 5 mountain stages

Tadej Pogacar equalled one Tour de France mark on Saturday and will likely match another on Sunday.

Yellow jersey-holder Pogacar edged defending champion Jonas Vingegaard at the top of Col De La Couillole to win the 20th and penultimate stage and add even more seconds to his considerable lead.

It was a fifth stage victory this month for the two-time champion, who stretched out his arms as he crossed the line before holding up his fingers to signal his number of wins.

The only other man to have won five mountain stages in one Tour was Gino Bartali in 1948.

BRIEFLY

NASCAR >> Riley Herbst saw an opening and made it pay off with a trip to the Xfinity Series victory lane at the Brickyard.

— From news services