WOMEN’S TOP 25 Thursday’s other games

No. 2 Tennessee 65, Kentucky 40

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Even after a lopsided victory, Candace Parker did some self-diagnosis of what she believes is ailing the defending national champions. Sure, Tennessee weathered a sloppy first half and cruised over Kentucky. Parker was still predicting the team would get an earful from coach Pat Summitt this week in practice because the Lady Vols were outrebounded 36-28. “We’re trying to take steps, and I guess admitting you have a problem is the first step,” said Parker, who scored 23 points. “We know we need rebounds.” Parker was accepting some of the blame, but in Summitt’s mind, the All-American who Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell calls the best female player in the country — college or professional — needs to get some help from her teammates. “Sometimes we stand around and watch Candace Parker play and rebound,” Summitt said. “That’s something we have to get better effort out of, across the board.” Parker had seven rebounds and made 10 of 14 shots, one below her season-high for baskets in game. Twice, she put up a highlight-reel left-handed hook shot that the Wildcat defenders could only watch sail through the net. Things didn’t start out quite so easy for the Lady Vols (15-1, 3-0 Southeastern Conference). They had no assists and scored just a 27 points in the first half — their lowest total of the season.

No. 3 North Carolina 87, Boston College 59

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Freshmen Cetera DeGraffenreid scored a season-high 20 points, Rashanda McCants added 19 and North Carolina won its eighth straight. Jessica Breland scored 12 of her 18 points in the decisive first half for the Tar Heels (17-1, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). The nation’s highest-scoring team shot nearly 48 percent, held the Eagles without a field goal for more than 11 minutes and broke the game open by closing the half with 13 straight points as part of a 30-1 run that bridged halftime. Reserve Rebecca Miles had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Mickel Picco added 15 points and made three 3-pointers for Boston College (14-5, 2-2).

Vanderbilt 67, No. 12 Georgia 59

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christina Wirth scored 16 points and Hannah Tuomi added 14 points for Vanderbilt. Merideth Marsh chipped in 12 points and the Commodores ( 13-5, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) shot 52 percent from the floor. Tasha Humphrey and Megan Darrah had 17 points apiece for the Lady Bulldogs ( 14-3, 1-2), who had 20 turnovers. The Lady Bulldogs spent six hours Wednesday night in an airplane on the tarmac at Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport. The long night apparently carried over. It took Georgia more than nine minutes to get their first points against Vanderbilt. By then, the Commodores had built a 16-0 lead. Vanderbilt went ahead 38-21 at the half. The Lady Bulldogs got as close as 57-51 with 4:57 to play on a jumper by Humphrey, but Liz Sherwood quickly answered back with a layup for Vanderbilt.

No. 15 Old Dominion 86, VCU 66

NORFOLK, Va. — Jazzmin Walters scored six of her 12 points during a decisive run early in the second half and Old Dominion went on to easily beat Virginia Commonwealth. Old Dominion (13-3, 4-0 Colonial Athletic Association) has won nine straight against VCU and 28 of the last 29. Jessica Canady led Old Dominion with 15 points and Shahida Williams and Tiffany Green also scored 12.

Associated Press