Parker injures knee in Vols' win

With Candace Parker's status in doubt, fans listening to Tennessee's 87-69 win over host Mississippi State on the radio Monday night had a few extra minutes of worry while waiting to hear Pat Summitt's postgame interview.

The coach of the second-ranked Lady Vols delayed her appearance for an update on the two-time All-America center. Parker crashed to the floor late in the game with a knee injury, putting Tennessee's national championship repeat hopes in doubt for about 15 minutes.

The news was worth waiting for, however. An evaluation found Parker's previously injured knee hyperextended but "solid."

"Phew," Summitt said as she hurriedly headed for the interview. "We dodged a bullet."

Two, in fact.

First the Lady Vols had to rally past the scrappy Lady Bulldogs, who have never beaten Tennessee but led 40-33 at halftime. It was the first time the defending national champions have trailed at halftime since March 3 against LSU in the SEC tournament, a stretch of 27 games.

Then they had 15 nervous minutes to wait after Parker fell under the basket clutching her left knee with 3:09 left while chasing a loose ball.

Trainer Jenny Moshak immediately iced Parker's knee and the Mississippi State team physician checked it over after the Lady Vols clinched their 11th straight win.

She will be listed as day to day going into Monday's game against No. 7 Rutgers.

Parker finished with a season-low 11 points. Her previous low this season was 13.

The 6-foot-4 junior has had two surgeries on the same knee. She had a torn anterior cruciate ligament repaired during her senior season in high school and had a second surgery her freshman year to resurface the bones, Moshak said.

Parker was not made available for interviews after the game.

Alexis Hornbuckle and Shannon Bobbitt scored 16 points each and the Lady Vols (21-1, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) won despite one of their poorest overall performances of the season.

Alexis Rack had a career-high 32 points off the bench for the Bulldogs (14-9, 2-6), who have never beaten Tennessee in 27 tries. Mississippi State coach Sharon Fanning is now 0-for-32 against Pat Summitt.

N. Dakota St. 86, WIU 62: Brett Winkelman and Ben Woodside combined for 41 points, and host North Dakota State (12-11, 6-6) beat Western Illinois in the Summit League.

James Washington led the Leathernecks (11-12, 6-6) with 19 points.

Austin Peay 72, EIU 52: Todd Babington scored a career-high 27 points to lead Austin Peay (16-9, 12-3 Ohio Valley) past host Eastern Illinois. Jon'Tee Willhite led Eastern Illinois (4-19, 3-12) with 12 points.