Dec. 7, 2006

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Coach Summitt | N. Anosike

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Sidney Spencer scored 21 points, including two 3-pointers during a key second-half run, to help No. 6 Tennessee beat No. 21 George Washington 85-62 on Thursday night.

The Colonials (7-2) looked ready to end their winless streak against the Lady Vols (8-1), cutting the lead to four three times early in the second half.

After the last time, Spencer hit a 3 and Candace Parker scored to put Tennessee up 51-42. George Washington scored again, but Spencer made back-to-back 3s and another basket to start a 16-1 run that gave the Lady Vols a 67-45 lead with 8:49 remaining. The Colonials could not muster another rally.

Despite the win, Tennessee looked out of sync at times, and Parker struggled early.

Parker finished with 19 points, Nicky Anosike added 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Alexis Hornbuckle scored 14.

The Lady Vols had trouble guarding George Washington center Jessica Adair, who led the Colonials with 23 points. Kenan Cole had 14 and Sarah-Jo Lawrence 13 for George Washington.

The Colonials fell to 0-8 against the Lady Vols, including last year's loss in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

George Washington trailed the entire first half, but got within 32-28 with 3:13 left before halftime on an 8-0 run fueled by three baskets from Lawrence.

Tennessee responded with Spencer's 3-pointer that barely beat the shot-clock buzzer and a pair of free throws by Anosike.

Adair then scored twice in the final 1:16, before and after Parker's first basket since early in the half, to make it 39-32 at the break.

The Lady Vols had their biggest lead of the first half at 29-14 after the Colonials were in a hole early, 13-4.

Parker had a three-point play and a basket in the first six minutes, but went cold until a minute before halftime.

Tennessee outrebounded George Washington 40-20. Both teams had 17 turnovers.

The Colonials haven't beaten a Top 10 team since a win over then-No. 7 Rutgers in 1999.

George Washington had won three straight since a loss to top-ranked Maryland on Nov. 19, and the Colonials were off to their third-best start in school history.