Top-Ranked Tennessee Cruises Past Texas

Top-ranked Tennessee raised a banner celebrating last season's NCAA title over their home court yesterday, then played like national championship contenders in a 92-67 win over visiting No. 21 Texas.

The Lady Vols (3-0) dominated inside, grabbed steals and forced turnovers. They finished with 42 points in the lane, 40 points off turnovers and 18 steals.

"We love to play fast, to make the rebound and control the boards," said Tennessee's Alexis Hornbuckle, who had 13 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

Candace Parker led the team, grabbing six rebounds and scoring 21 points, including Tennessee's first 11. Parker said she was excited to see the banner honoring her first national championship.

"Our class came in wanting to win a national championship, and to see the banner raised was an amazing feeling," she said.

The Lady Vols went on an 11-2 run that ended when Sidney Smallbone drove down the court to shoot a quick layup that spun on the rim before going in.

The basket put Tennessee up 41-18 for its largest first-half lead with 5 minutes 2 seconds to go, and the Lady Vols entered halftime with a 51-31 lead.

The Longhorns (2-1) got within 15 points twice before halftime on a free throw by Kathleen Nash and again on a basket by Brittainey Raven with about two minutes to play, but it was as close as they would get.

Texas never led and committed 30 turnovers.

"They shared the ball really well and obviously caused many, many problems for us with their defense," said first-year Texas coach Gail Goestenkors, who at Duke was 5-4 against Tennessee.

Raven finished with 18 points, Nash had 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Carla Cortijo added 12 points.

Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt, who earned her 950th win, said she was glad to see so much balance offensively.