Riley to leave LSU women's basketball program

• Advocate news services
• Published: Jan 6, 2009 - UPDATED: 6:42 a.m.

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Freshman guard Crystal Riley will transfer from the LSU women’s basketball program, head coach Van Chancellor announced on Monday.

“We wish Crystal all the best in her future endeavors both academically and athletically,” Chancellor said. “Crystal feels the best way to continue the development of her career is to do so at another university and we support her decision.”

Riley, a native of Arlington, Tenn., has been granted a full release by LSU. The 5-foot-5 guard averaged 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in six games this season.

MAINIERI TO BE HONORED BY AMERICAN ITALIAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME: LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri will be honored Saturday in New Orleans at the 24th annual American Italian Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the American Italian Renaissance Foundation.

The banquet, which begins at 6 p.m., will be held at the Napoleon Room of the New Orleans Hilton Riverside and Towers Hotel.

Tickets are $150 for regular seating and $200 for gold seating, and they may be ordered by visiting www.airf.org or by calling (504)-522-7294.

The American Italian Renaissance Foundation was founded by Joseph Maselli in an effort to increase knowledge and appreciation of Italian Americans’ contributions to Louisiana. The foundation strives to preserve and promote the Italian traditions by sharing its stories with the public through the American Italian Museum and Research Library.

Mainieri led LSU to the College World Series last season with a 49-19-1 mark that included an SEC-record 23-game winning streak.

LSU DIVERS COMPLETE TENNESSEE INVITATIONAL: The LSU diving teams wrapped up a successful trip to Knoxville, Tenn., for the Tennessee Diving Invitational, competing this time in the 10-meter platform.

Senior Niko Dalman led the way for the Tigers, registering his third top-10 performance of the meet. The two-time All-American earned fourth-place out of 22 competitors with a six-dive total of 303.75.

Freshmen Chelsea McCorvey and Matt Vieke each recorded top-15 finishes on the final day of the event.