Nov. 26, 2006

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery 1  |  Photo Gallery 2 

Box Score in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Coach Summitt | A. Fuller

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Candace Parker and Sidney Spencer each scored 16 points and No. 4 Tennessee beat Middle Tennessee 88-64 Sunday.

The Lady Vols (5-0) built a big lead in the first half by shooting 63 percent - 21-of-33 from the field.

Parker left the game in the second half with a knee injury after falling on the court while several players were going after a loose ball.

She sat on the bench the rest of the game with her right knee wrapped in ice, but after the game she said it was not serious.

"I'm good," Parker said. "I just sat as a precaution."

The Blue Raiders (3-3) opened the season by nearly knocking off defending national champion Maryland but lost 80-76. They struggled to keep up with Tennessee.

Nicky Anosike added 13 points for the Lady Vols, and reserve Alex Fuller added a career-high 12 points while playing in front of high school coach Rick Insell, who now coaches Middle Tennessee.

Spencer was 4-of-6 from 3-point range. Parker added nine rebounds.

Chrissy Givens, who came into the game averaging 21.6 points, led Middle Tennessee with 26 points while freshman Brandi Brown had 12. Amber Holt, who was averaging 21.2, was held to eight points.

Middle Tennessee cut the lead to 19 at the beginning of the second half on Givens' 3 but could not get any closer.

After Parker went out with 13:18 left, Anosike scored six straight points to increase the lead to 71-41.

Insell coached several future Lady Vols, including Fuller, at Shelbyville High School and is now in his second year as head coach at Middle Tennessee.

The Blue Raiders were ahead 10-5 in the early minutes, but Tennessee started forcing turnovers and took the lead 14-13 on Alexis Hornbuckle's first steal and pull-up jumper.

The Lady Vols later pulled away with a 10-0 run fueled by baskets from Alberta Auguste and Parker off Blue Raiders' turnovers. Fuller capped it with a 3-pointer that made it 26-15 with 8:29 remaining in the first half.

Givens scored four quick points to trim it to seven with six minutes to go in the first half, but the Lady Vols reeled off a 9-0 run started by another 3 from Fuller. Hornbuckle finished it with a layup off another steal. She had nine points.

After Givens' 3 with 1:55 left, Tennessee scored the final seven points of the half to take a 49-27 lead into the break.