The Tennessee Lady Vols beat LSU 47-46 in a low-scoring defensive battle against to advance to their 13th NCAA Championship.
Tennessee (35-2) trailed by one with seven seconds remaining when Candace Parker took an inbounds pass the length of the court and passed to an open Nicky Anosike under the basket. Anosike missed her shot, but Alexis Hornbuckle came up huge by hitting the putback with 0.7 seconds remaining for her only points of the night.
It was the second decisive bucket for Hornbuckle in as many games. She hit a 3-pointer that put UT ahead for good in the Elite Eight against Texas A&M.
This was the third matchup between Tennessee and the Lady Tigers (31-6) this season, and it was a grinder. There were a total of five points scored through seven and a half minutes of the game until both teams shook off nerves.
Parker seemed tentative at first after dislocating her left shoulder against Texas A&M. After starting the game 1-for-9, she would go on to make her next three shots and had 8 points at the half.
Both teams came out with more energy in the second half and were more physical with each other. There was a lot of contact all over the court and most of it was let go by the officials.
Parker finished the game with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Shannon Bobbitt scored 11 points and made the Lady Vols only three 3-pointers. Alberta Auguste chipped in with 10 points.
LSU’s Sylvia Fowles did all she could to prevent her team from losing in their fifth consecutive Final Four. She had 24 points and 20 rebounds, but a poor shooting night by LSU has them going back to Baton Rouge earlier than expected once again.
Tennessee will take on the Stanford Cardinal on Tuesday for a chance at their second straight title. Stanford was the first team to beat the Lady Vols this season as they won 73-69 in overtime in December. The Cardinal upset top-ranked Connecticut 82-73 before UT took the court.
Comments
shan commented, on April 7, 2008 at 10:18 a.m.:
I am so happy that the lady vols Toughed it out last night. I think that Shannon Bobbitt, Anosike, Hornbuckle, and Auguste contributes more now, Knowing that Candace is hurt they know that someone has to step it up. They also play good team ball, and I hope that they go on with good confidence and come fired up ready for Tuesday against Stanford because the lady vols deserve to win this and Pat Summitt deserves to win in too. Pat Summitt to me is an awesome coach. I pray and have faith that Candace's arm is straight before the next Game, but if not then the 4 others ladies I mentioned earlier and Bjorklund will have to dominate on Tuesday.
PS:I want to see Candace dunk before her college career ends so do your thang CP
CANDACE(#3)IS THE BEST !!!
Linda commented, on April 7, 2008 at 11:56 a.m.:
Tennessee needs to come out Tuesday night with "fire" in their eyes on Tuesday night because Stanford is on a mission. Sometimes they just don't seem "pumped up" for a big game and I want to see them excited and ready to claim the National Championship Title on Tuesday night. Candace is a great player but her team steps up and pulls her through sometimes. Play as a team and GO LADY VOLS.....we love you all!
Riri commented, on April 7, 2008 at 6 p.m.:
I think Tennessee toughed it out as well. The team is making a great effort to unify knowing that their star player is not at her best quite yet. Linda's right. They need to approach Tuesday's game as if it is there last... well because it ( for all the seniors anyway) They cannot sit and watch Candace play basketball. They have to play more like a team. When they get tired, they need to encourage each other!! I love you guys!! ....... LADY VOLS, YOU ROCK!!!
DO WHAT YOU DO BEST CP3. YOU KEEP MAKIN THEM 3- POINTERS SHANNON AKA LIL BIT. YOU KEEP SAVIN US IN THE LAST, FINAL SECONDS ALEXIS!! YALL GO GIRLS!!