By Jason Shoot
Former Havre standout Loree Payne had her bid to join the USA Basketball women's World University Games team cut short by tendinitis in her right foot.
Payne, a junior shooting guard who was instrumental in the University of Washington's run to the Elite Eight in last year's NCAA Tournament, was one of three finalists for the 12th and final roster spot on the national team that was to be determined following practice sessions Wednesday.
Lindsey Yamasaki of Stanford outdueled Wisconsin's Tamara Moore for the final roster spot.
She will join Cardinal teammate Cori Enghusen, Vanderbilt's Chantelle Anderson and Ashley McElhiney, Clemson's Chrissy Floyd, Oklahoma's Caton Hill, Tennessee's Kara Lawson, North Carolina State's Carisse Moody, Colorado's Jenny Roulier, Louisiana Tech's Ayana Walker, Oregon's Shaquala Williams and Purdue's Shereka Wright on the team.
The team will be coached by University of Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder and East Carolina University's Dee Stokes.
University of Washington spokeswoman Susan Reed said Payne's decision was based on potential effects the injury may have if she didn't rest her foot.
"It's not serious right now, but if she continued to play on it, it could get serious," Reed said. "There was no need to further aggravate it."
The Huskies do not expect any long-term adverse effects from the injury, Reed said.
The national team will compete in a four-team round-robin tournament in China against teams from China, Australia and Canada before heading the World University Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 22-Sept. 1.
