NEW YORK -- Nneka Ogwumike shot her way to the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award for the first time.The league announced Tuesday that the Los Angeles Sparks forward received 31 of the 39 first-place votes from a national media panel. She shot a league-best 66.5 percent from the field, the second highest mark ever. She averaged a career-best 19.7 points and 9.1 rebounds to help Los Angeles secure the second best record in the league.Its amazing, this is definitely a league with a lot of talented players, Ogwumike said. Its funny because you strive for doing something like this. You dont think of that as being your goal as youre playing, but its an honor to receive it.Ogwumike also set a WNBA record when she made 23 consecutive field goals during one stretch, including going 12 for 12 in a game against Dallas.This season has come together quite nicely and this award is reflective of that, Ogwumike said.New Yorks Tina Charles finished second and got the other eight first-place votes. She was followed by Minnesotas Maya Moore and Chicagos Elena Delle Donne in the voting.Ogwumike is the eighth individual to win the award over the past eight seasons.Its definitely a testament to the talent this league has, she said. Its always exciting to see different people win it. Everyone plays differently each year. To see players grow and mature and see the competition grow is definitely something to look forward to.Ogwumike is the third Sparks player to receive the award, joining three-time recipient Lisa Leslie and two-time winner Candace Parker.Ogwumike, who was also the AP Player of the Year, laughed when asked about the promise her sister Chiney made on Twitter that theyd get tattoos if Nneka won the MVP.She did not run that by me before she tweeted that, the MVP said. Maybe one of those temporary tattoos would be cool.She will receive the award Wednesday before the Sparks play the first game of the leagues semifinal series against Chicago.You always want to relish the moment and its going to be very special, she said of getting the award in front of the Sparks fans. We have some serious diehard fans who are loyal and incredibly supportive to share that with them. China Jerseys . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Stitched China Jerseys .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. http://www.cheapchinajerseys.net/ . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Cheap Jerseys Online . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Tuesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- NEW YORK -- Serena Williams begins pursuit of her 23rd Grand Slam title during night play at the U.S. Open. Her sister Venus also plays in the first round, during the day session.- SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Politics and protest aside, the San Francisco 49ers have a big decision to make. Coach Chip Kelly still hasnt picked a starting quarterback as the team heads into its final game before the regular season.- NFL preseason package: Division previews of NFC East, South, North, West.- STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Legends linger in college football. At Penn State, getting out from under Joe Paternos shadow and a child sex-abuse scandal is especially complicated.- EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Tyler OConnor takes over as Michigan States new quarterback, and he should have a chance to ease into the role when the Spartans open the season this week against Furman.- CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney starts the task of guiding the No. 2 Tigers back to the championship game, something hes worked toward since his team lost the title last January.- BALTIMORE -- J.A. Happ (17-4) triees for his 18th win when the first-place Blue Jays play the Orioles in a pivotal series in the AL East.dddddddddddd Ubaldo Jimenez starts for Baltimore, which trails Toronto by four games. Game starts 7:05 p.m.- SAN FRANCISCO -- In a matchup of NL West aces, the Giants Johnny Cueto (14-4) faces the Diamondbacks Zack Greinke (11-4). San Francisco is 1 1/2 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. Game starts 10:15 p.m.- LOS ANGELES -- With football not going so well, Tim Tebow takes a swing at baseball. The Heisman Trophy winner works out before scouts, trying a sport he hasnt played regularly since high school.- NEW YORK -- Ryan Lochte isnt saying whether hell return to Brazil to face a charge of filing a false police report over a gas station encounter during the Olympics.- Europe completes its Ryder Cup team, with Thomas Pieters, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer joining a squad eyeing an unprecedented fourth straight victory.- LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- The IOC says it may be forced to consider sanctions against Kenya after its national Olympic committee was disbanded. ' ' '