Basketball
LAKERS SIGN RIDER: The Los Angeles Lakers signed free-agent guard Isaiah Rider, taking a chance on a talented player with a history of disruptive behavior.
ROCKETS INK TAYLOR: The Houston Rockets signed free-agent forward Maurice Taylor to a one-year $2.25 million contract, said his agent, David Falk.
The Rockets confirmed that they signed him but didn't disclose terms of the contract.
WNBA FINALS: The numbers are starting to favor the Houston Comets: one more victory, one more championship.
On Saturday afternoon they will be in a familiar spot — one win from their fourth straight title, a chance to remain the only champions the WNBA ever has known.
Tennis
HAMLET CUP: Swedes Thomas Enqvist and Magnus Norman reached the semifinals of the Hamlet Cup on Friday.
PILOT PEN: Monica Seles advanced to her fifth final of the year Friday, beating Nathalie Tauziat 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the Pilot Pen.
Golf
RENO-TAHOE OPEN: Brian Henninger matched the course record with a 9-under-par 63 to take a one-stroke lead Friday over Peter Jacobsen in the second round of the Reno-Tahoe Open.
U.S. AMATEUR: England's Luke Donald won the showdown of college golf's best players Friday, closing with birdies on two of the last four holes to beat Bryce Molder 1-up in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur.
COMPAQ OPEN: Kirsty Taylor backed up her runner-up finish in the British Open by shooting a 4-under-par 68 Friday and taking a one-stroke lead over Juli Inkster and Kathryn Marshall midway through the Compaq Open.
Olympics
SPEEDSKATING: Speedskater Chris Witty was on U.S. Cycling's final list of athletes submitted Friday to the U.S. Olympic Committee, indicating she survived a challenge for her roster spot.