Tue Apr 1 21:51:42 2008

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Parker shoulders load for Lady Vols

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Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) - Candace Parker returned from injury in the first half to finish with a game-high 26 points as she led the Tennessee Lady Vols to a 53-45 win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the NCAA Tournament's Oklahoma City Regional Final at the Ford Center.

Parker, who suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the first half, knocked down 10-of-16 shots from the field for the top-seeded Lady Vols (34-2) as they moved onto the Final Four in Tampa, Florida and will face off against LSU on Sunday night. Alexis Hornbuckle, who hit a crucial three-pointer and a pair of free throws in the final minute, finished with 14 points for Tennessee which is off to the Final Four for the 17th time in program history.

The second-seeded Aggies (29-7) were paced by Takia Starks who tallied 12 points before fouling out, shooting just 4-of-16 from the field on the night. A'Quonesia Franklin added 11 points on 3-of-6 beyond the arc, followed by reserve Danielle Gant who posted 10 points.

Neither team made it to the free-throw line in the first half, but thanks to a 66.7 percent shooting effort from the floor in the frame, the Lady Vols slipped out to a 29-27 advantage at the break.

In the second half Tennessee, which had to wait for Parker to return from the locker room while getting treatment for her shoulder, made a total of just five field goals on 20 attempts, but this time the squad converted 12-of-16 at the charity stripe to lock up the victory.

Owners of seven national titles, Tennessee survived 17 turnovers and a mere two points from the reserves on the night.