CLEVELAND, April 3 (UPI) -- Candace Parker scored 17 points Tuesday night in leading Tennessee to the championship of women's college basketball with a 59-46 win over Rutgers.
It was the seventh national title for the Lady Vols and their legendary coach Pat Summitt. Her first national championship came 20 years ago.
Tennessee concluded a 34-3 season by putting the defensive clamps on a team known for its defensive skills. Rutgers managed just 18 points in the first half while falling behind by 11.
Parker was named the Most Outstanding Player in the championship game, in which Sharron Bobbitt added 13 points.
The Lady Vols were held to a 35 percent shooting performance, but they dominated the boards and made 10 more free throws than did Rutgers -- which counted a shocking win over Duke in its achievements that led to the national championship game. The Scarlet Knights finished the year at 27-9.
Rutgers was led by 20 points from Kim Vaughn.
