OKLAHOMA CITY — Candace Parker of Tennessee, the consensus best player in women’s college basketball, sustained a dislocation of her left shoulder Tuesday night but returned with a gutsy performance and lifted Tennessee back into the Final Four.
Twice in the first half, Parker left the final of the Oklahoma City Region after her shoulder came out of the socket. She played the final 10 minutes 39 seconds of the game and was clearly bothered by the injury. Still, she made one crucial play after the next as the Lady Vols defeated Texas A&M, 53-45.
It remains to be seen whether the shoulder problems will affect Parker in the Final Four, where the Lady Vols will face Southeastern Conference rival Louisiana State on Sunday in Tampa. The Lady Vols (34-2) have lost to L.S.U. twice in their last three meetings, including this season in Knoxville.
After Parker returned with 10 minutes 30 seconds remaining, Texas A&M drew ahead, 40-36. Parker had seemed limited when she re-entered the game, but she began to assert herself as the Lady Vols fell in danger of losing. She made a free throw, an alley-oop basket and two more free throws as Tennessee regained the lead for good at 43-42.
Parker hit another two free throws, grabbed a rebound, then flicked a pass to Alexis Hornbuckle after nearly losing the ball.
Hornbuckle hit a 3-pointer with 48.8 seconds left to stretch the Lady Vols’ lead to 48-43.
Parker finished with 26 points and was named most outstanding player in the region. She had played spectacularly early in Tuesday’s game, scoring 18 points in the first 14:41 as Tennessee built a 27-21 lead.
Then, with about four minutes remaining in the first half, Parker reached in and stole the ball from the Texas A&M forward Patrice Reado.
Her left shoulder seemed come out of the socket, leaving Parker in agony.
She left the game at the 3:50 mark, but returned less than a minute and a half later. Then, with 15.9 seconds remaining in the half, Parker again grimaced in pain and grabbed her left shoulder. She headed to the dressing room.
Earlier in the N.C.A.A. tournament, in a game against Purdue, Parker’s right shoulder became dislocated. Team officials have attributed the subluxations to loose jointedness.
Parker did not join the Lady Vols as they returned to the court for the second half. Tennessee led by 29-27 at the break but did not score for the first five and a half minutes of the second half as Texas A&M briefly took the lead at 31-29.
The Lady Vols appeared uncertain, stagnant with Parker, standing around, not attacking or defending the basket assertively.
Parker reappeared on the bench with about 14:30 remaining, wearing a protective sleeve on her left shoulder.
But she sat there for several minutes before re-entering the game with 10:39 left and the score tied at 36-36.