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ATLANTA - Reserve Gwen Jackson had 20 points and 10 rebounds as No. 2 Tennessee overpowered No. 9 Duke in the second half for an 89-68 victory Thursday in the ACC/SEC Shootout.
Kara Lawson added 19 points for the Lady Vols (9-0).
Tennessee led by nine at halftime, but pulled away by holding the Blue Devils (9-3) to two points in an 8-minute span of the second half. Duke, averaging 87 points entering the game, shot just 34 percent.
It was their first meeting since the Blue Devils' upset victory in the 1999 NCAA tournament that ended the Lady Vols' three-year national championship run.
Alana Beard led Duke with 18 points.
It was the first game of a doubleheader held in conjunction with the Peach Bowl on Monday. Tenth-ranked Georgia played Georgia Tech later Thursday.
Tennessee never trailed, and the score was tied just once. The Blue Devils got to 51-44 early in the second half before going cold. The Lady Vols scored 19 straight points, and after Duke closed within 15, Tennessee went on an 18-5 run to put it away.
The lead reached 82-54 in the final minutes before a meaningless spurt by the Blue Devils.
Duke's troubles were personified by reserve Monique Currie, who was averaging 14.5 points. She scored just seven points, shooting 2-for-14. She struggled mightily for most of the game, often throwing up wild shots while heavily guarded.
Sheana Mosch and Iciss Tillis scored 14 points apiece for the Blue Devils.
Michelle Snow had 12 points for the Lady Vols, and Shyra Ely added 11.
By KEITH PARSONS
AP Sports Writer
