Bobbitt leads Tennessee women to halftime lead in title game

TAMPA — Candace Parker and Candice Wiggins got the headlines, but it was 5-foot-2 point guard Shannon Bobbitt who paced Tennessee to a 37-29 lead over Stanford at halftime of tonight's national championship game at St. Pete Times Forum.

Bobbitt hit a pair of threes in the opening three minutes, scoring 13 points by halftime, outscoring both Wiggins (10) and Parker (7). Vols center Nicky Anosike added 10 points, outplaying Stanford's Jayne Appel, who had seven.

Tennessee led 21-15 with eight minutes left in the half, but extended the lead to 11 on Bobbitt's third 3-pointer. Stanford got a buzzer-beater from Jillian Harmon to cut the lead to eight at the half.

Stanford, which knocked off No. 1 seeds Maryland and Connecticut to reach the final, was playing in its first championship game in 16 years, while Tennessee is looking for its eighth national title and second in as many years.