USA Curling's membership approved changes to the group's bylaws Saturday at its annual meeting in Minneapolis.

Included were provisions mandated by the U.S. Olympic Committee, which had said it could cut funding or end its ties with USA Curling if it did not make changes in the wake of poor performances at the past two Olympics.

The organization now will be overseen by a chief executive officer. The board of directors, which had been in charge, will shift to a policy-making and strategic planning role.

Other changes include recognizing USA Curling's responsibilities to elite athletes and the USOC in the administration of its high-performance program, and an effort to improve communication and interaction between the group and its members.

Nearly 86 percent of ballots cast supported the new bylaws. The Minnesota and Wisconsin curling associations approved them unanimously.

"It's been a long, difficult process," USA Curling President Jim Pleasants said. "But we've grown as an organization and have a better understanding of our need for policy governance. I think we've all come around to the view that this change will make us a better and more efficient organization."

RACHEL BLOUNT

Tyus Jones leads junior team

Three Duke-bound players — including Apple Valley's Tyus Jones — led the U.S. junior national basketball team in an 84-73 victory over the world select team at the Nike Hoop Summit on Saturday night in Portland, Ore.

Jones had 13 points, 10 in the final five minutes. Justice Winslow scored 16 and Jahlil Okafor had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the junior national team.

Associated Press

Gophers roundup

• Steven Reveles' RBI single in the 10th inning gave Nebraska a 3-2 baseball victory over the Gophers and a three-game sweep at Siebert Field.

• The host Gophers managed only two hits, but one was a two-run homer by Tyler Walker that led them to a 3-1 softball victory over Northwestern.

• The Gophers men's tennis team beat Michigan State 5-2 at the Baseline Tennis Center, while the women beat the Spartans 4-3 in East Lansing, Mich.

• The Gophers men's golf team finished third, two shots behind runner-up Iowa State, at Iowa's Hawkeye invitational. The Hawkeyes won the event. The Gophers' Jose Mendez placed third overall at 3-under 213.