Parker powers UT to Elite Eight trip

OKLAHOMA CITY — Producing unforgettable moments in this part of the country is becoming routine for Candace Parker.

She beat the boys in a slam-dunk contest, put on a show at the McDonald’s All-American game at the Ford Center and, Sunday, rescued Tennessee from elimination in a 74-64 win over Notre Dame. The Lady Vols will play No. 2 seed Texas A&M, which beat Duke earlier in the evening, in the Oklahoma City regional final Tuesday at 7.

The fifth-seeded Fighting Irish said they were much better than last January’s 24-point loss to Tennessee at home.

They were right, but that wasn’t enough to match Parker.

The junior tied a career-high with 34 points on 11-of-18 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds, almost single-handedly keeping the top-seeded Lady Vols in the game during a sluggish first half at the Ford Center.

Parker scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting in the first half. The rest of the team shot 5-of-22 from the field and made just one 3-pointer as Tennessee trailed 33-31 at the break.

Tennessee (33-2) took control quickly in the second half thanks to, of course, Parker.

Her rebound and putback cut Notre Dame’s lead to 37-35 and triggered a 14-0 run by Tennessee. Parker’s three-point play on the Lady Vols’ next possession gave them the lead. Her blocked shot, turnaround jumper and assist to Alberta Auguste while falling out-of-bounds during the run. ensured it was a lead Tennessee would never lose. Notre Dame (25-9) never got closer than eight points following Tennessee’s 14-0 spurt.

In the first meeting between these two teams, Tennessee bolted to a 30-10 lead and cruised behind seven Angie Bjorklund 3-pointers. But the Lady Vols struggled with their shooting early in Sunday’s contest and Bjorklund didn’t make a 3-pointer until 11:10 remained in the game.

Nicky Anosike helped keep Tennessee in the game with several open jump shots outside the paint, showing some rare range. She finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Notre Dame’s offensive standout, Charel Allen, couldn’t replicate her 35-point outburst in the second round against Oklahoma. She made just 2-of-9 shots in the first half and finished with 16 points as the message on Muffet McGraw’s forehead will remain for at least another year.

McGraw said Saturday that she felt Notre Dame’s winless mark against Tennessee — now 0-20 — was stamped on her forehead because she heard about the dubious distinction so much.

But Notre Dame is gone now, and McGraw can avoid the conversation during the offseason. Tennessee, meanwhile, is now three wins away from repeating as national champions.