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Larkins leads North Carolina over Tennessee

Dec 4, 2006 - 4:53 AM CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- North Carolina's depth overcame a stellar performance by Tennessee's Candace Parker.

Erlana Larkins scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the second-ranked Tar Heels to a 70-57 victory over the fourth-ranked Vols.

In moving to 8-0, North Carolina had to withstand a 27-point, 10-rebound effort from Parker, Tennessee's 6-4 sophomore standout.

The Tar Heels' second-half shooting was the difference, as they hit 59 percent (16-of-27) to break away from a 30-30 tie.

North Carolina fought off several Tennessee rallies, building its third 10-point lead of the half on a basket by Larkins for a 59-49 lead with 4:41 to play.

Shannon Bobbitt hit a 3-pointer for the Vols 24 seconds later, but point guard Ivory Latta buried four straight free throws to push the Tar Heels' lead to 63-52 with 2:48 to play and Tennessee never got closer than 10 the rest of the way.

Latta scored 12 points and Camille Little added 11 and nine rebounds to help Carolina hold a 43-33 edge on the boards.

Parker was the only player in double figures for the Vols, who shot 36 percent (21-of-58) for the game.