TAMPA, Fla. — Though bruised and braced, an injured left shoulder hardly prevented Candace Parker from hoisting that championship trophy on high for one last time.
Parker scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help Tennessee capture its eighth NCAA women’s basketball title with a 64-48 victory over Stanford (35-4) on Tuesday night. The Lady Vols also became the first repeat champions since Connecticut won three straight from 2002-04.
“It’s been an emotional last three days, obviously, just rehabbing my shoulder,” Parker said, “but it was all worth it to win an eighth national championship.”
The Associated Press player of the year will leave the Lady Vols (36-2) with a year of eligibility remaining, but has accomplished one of her goals by winning multiple national titles.
“You know, it’s funny because some players don’t get one, and I’m fortunate enough to have two,” Parker said. “It’s that simple. It’s that simple.”
Parker also became the fourth player to win back-to-back most outstanding player of the Final Four honors. She joined Connecticut’s Diana Taurasi (2003-04), Tennessee’s Chamique Holdsclaw (1997-98), and Southern Cal’s Cheryl Miller (1983-84).
Stanford’s loss ended Candice Wiggins’ remarkable run through the NCAA Tournament. She scored 14 points and finished with 151 over the six games — the fourth-best total in tournament history.
Sheryl Swoopes holds the record with 177 points, when she led Texas Tech to the championship in 1993.
TENNESSEE 64, STANFORD 48
STANFORD (35-4)
Pedersen 2-7 3-4 7, Appel 6-13 4-10 16, Hones 2-5 0-0 5, Wiggins 6-16 0-0 14, Gold-Onwude 1-2 0-0 2, Pierce 0-0 0-0 0, Donaghe 0-0 0-0 0, Pohlen 0-2 0-0 0, Cimino 0-0 0-0 0, Clyburn 0-1 0-0 0, Harmon 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 19-49 7-14 48.
TENNESSEE (36-2)
Parker 5-10 7-11 17, Auguste 3-7 1-2 7, Anosike 6-11 0-1 12, Bobbitt 4-12 2-2 13, Hornbuckle 1-7 4-5 6, Bjorklund 0-5 0-0 0, Smallbone 0-0 1-2 1, Baugh 3-4 2-2 8, Fuller 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-56 17-25 64.
Halftime — Tennessee 37-29. 3-point goals —Stanford 3-11 (Wiggins 2-5, Hones 1-2, Pohlen 0-1, Clyburn 0-1, Pedersen 0-2), Tennessee 3-9 (Bobbitt 3-8, Bjorklund 0-1). Fouled out —Appel. Rebounds — Stanford 36 (Pedersen 10), Tennessee 38 (Parker 9). Assists — Stanford 8 (Appel, Hones 3), Tennessee 6 (Hornbuckle 3). Total fouls —Stanford 21, Tennessee 14. A — 21,655.
