Friday, February 23, 2007

(2) Tennessee 75, Arkansas 68, OT

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- When Pat Summitt's Tennessee team trailed upset-minded Arkansas by nine points in the second half, the winningest coach in the game didn't panic.

She called her team together in a timeout, adjusted strategy and watched her second-ranked Volunteers go on a 10-0 run and eventually a 75-68 overtime win, Summitt's 939th as a coach.

"We figured out a way to win," Summitt said. "When this team puts its mind to it, they can be a great team."

Candace Parker scored 29 points and Alexis Hornbuckle added 12 points for the Vols. Hornbuckle made four straight free throws late in the extra period that sealed the win. Tennessee (26-2, 13-0 Southeastern Conference) extended its winning streak to nine.

Arkansas (18-11, 3-10) has lost eight in a row. The Razorbacks' previous two losses were by a combined 48 points.

Tennessee trailed 45-36 with 7:19 to play in regulation before switching to a full-court press and forcing three straight turnovers to take at 46-45 lead.

"We're Tennessee. We've been Tennessee for the last 33 years," Summitt said. "Every team in the country wants to beat us every night they play us. Nothing changes."

Arkansas coach Susie Gardner said the momentum swing was huge.

"There were a couple of situations where they were pressing us and we had some key, key turnovers back-to-back," Gardner said. "But we kept hanging around and found a way to get it into overtime, so I'm pleased with our effort."

Tennessee led 62-59 with less than 15 seconds left in regulation when Arkansas was forced to foul Bobbitt. The 5-foot-2 guard missed the front end of a one-and-one and Arkansas rebounded. Dominique Washington's 3-pointer missed, but the ball was knocked back to her for an open 3-pointer to tie it at 62. Parker's long shot at the end of regulation rimmed out.

Bobbitt had 15 points for Tennessee. Parker was virtually unstoppable inside, scoring 21 points after the half, including the first four of overtime as the Vols took the lead for good. Parker also had 17 rebounds and four blocks.

"We showed a lot of poise in this game," Parker said.

In overtime, the Vols took advantage of a tired Arkansas team that played without second-leading scorer Donica Cosby, who was suspended.

Washington scored 21 points -- all on 3-pointers -- for Arkansas. Tanisha Smith added 13 and Lauren Ervin 11.

The Razorbacks had 25 turnovers, including 10 by point guard Brittney Vaughn.

Arkansas' up-tempo game in the first half seemed to baffle the Vols. The Razorbacks took an early lead and maintained it. They were ahead 25-23 at the break.

"In the beginning of the game, there was an obvious commitment to go at us," Summitt said. "I expected that. This is one game I was very concerned about."

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