Lady Vols end Duke's home-court run
Associated Press
DURHAM, N.C. — With the game on the line and the ball in her hands, Candace Parker expected more company. When only one defender showed up to stop her, Tennessee's statement victory was all but certain — and Duke's long winning streak was history.
Parker's leaner with 22 seconds remaining lifted the No. 2 Lady Vols past No. 9 Duke 67-64 last night, snapping a 24-game home winning streak.
"I turned and faced (the basket) to see if there was" a double team coming, Parker said. "And they didn't come."
Parker led Tennessee (18-1) with 17 points and 12 rebounds, but briefly gave Duke hope with 3.4 seconds left when she missed the first of two free throws that would have iced it.
After she sank her second attempt, Duke (15-5) inbounded to Chante Black, and she hesitated while looking for sharpshooter Abby Waner. Her 65-foot heave at the buzzer harmlessly hit the rim.
The Blue Devils never led in the second half but tied it four times, with the last coming when Waner dribbled off Joy Cheek's screen and knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key over Parker.
That made it 64-all with 45.8 seconds left, and Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt made an easy decision to pound the ball inside to her biggest star.
"We knew we wanted to go inside to (Parker)," Summitt said. "When Candace is in the paint and demands the ball, she usually gets in pretty good position, but she has been more aggressive in getting to the rim and putting the ball on the floor."
No Blue Devils defender rotated to help Black in the paint, the Lady Vols calmly worked the ball to Parker, and her leaning basket put Tennessee ahead to stay.
The Lady Vols became the first visitors to win at Cameron Indoor Stadium since North Carolina did it two seasons ago.
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