Parker runs Vols past Duke

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 women’s basketball 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 on Monday 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 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 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 to make the score 64-all with 45.8 seconds to play.

University High graduate Angie Bjorklund had 13 points for the Lady Vols (18-1), who won their eighth straight and became the first visitors to win at Cameron Indoor Stadium since North Carolina did it two seasons ago.

Black and Jasmine Thomas each had 13 points to lead Duke (15-5),which shot 44 percent and forced 23 turnovers but couldn’t overcome a 40-29 rebounding disadvantage.