NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a showdown of programs dealing with similar roster restrictions, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M meet on Sunday at noon (SEC Network) in Memorial Gymnasium.
The game highlights National Girls and Women in Sports Celebration Day and Alumni Day for Vanderbilt. A pregame fan fest will be held in the practice gymnasium.
Both the Commodores and the Aggies have been dealing with injuries that have limited their lineups this season.
Vandy (9-12, 0-7 SEC) lost three starters to injury before the season even began and is down to just eight available players. Texas A&M (6-12, 1-7 SEC) played with eight players or less for more than a month until freshman Janiah Barker (broken wrist) returned to the lineup last Sunday and led the Aggies to their first SEC win.
Graduate guards Ciaja Harbison and Marnelle Garraud have continued to play vital roles for Vanderbilt in their first and only season as Commodores. Harbison is averaging a team-high 18.4 points per game, which ranks No. 2 in the SEC, a team-leading 4.6 assists (fourth in the SEC) and team-leading 2.1 steals (fifth in the SEC). Garraud is averaging 13.9 points per game and has made an SEC-leading 57 3-pointers while shooting 40.4 percent from deep. Garraud ranks 15th nationally in 3-pointers made.
Sophomore forward Sacha Washington is averaging 9.9 points, a team-leading 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Washington’s blocks per game rank No. 5 in the SEC.
Ironwomen
Conditioning and stamina have been necessary constants for the Dores in the wake of their shortened bench.
Every available player on Vanderbilt’s roster is averaging at least 17 minutes per game, led by Harbison (36.1 minutes) and Garraud (34.7). Harbison and Garraud are the SEC leaders in minutes per game and rank 25th and 76th in the country, respectively.
Garraud, Washington and Yaubryon Chambers have started all 21 games for Vanderbilt while Jada Brown, Demi Washington and Bella LaChance have appeared in all 21 games.
Scouting Report
Texas A&M
The Aggies lead the all-time series 9-5. Vanderbilt is 3-4 against Texas A&M at home. The teams split last season’s meetings, with Texas A&M beating Vanderbilt in College Station in the regular season and the Commodores beating the Aggies in the SEC Tournament in Nashville. Vandy’s win snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series.
Barker is averaging a team-leading 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds for Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4 forward made her first appearance since Nov. 30 last Sunday and scored 24 points to help the Aggies beat Georgia 75-73. The offensive outburst hasn’t been the norm this season for A&M, which is averaging 52.5 points per game.
Head coach Joni Taylor is in her first season at Texas A&M after spending the last seven seasons as the head coach at Georgia.
Tickets: Students will continue to receive free admission to all home basketball games. In addition, single-game sales, mini-plans and group ticket options are available. To view the promotional schedule, click here.
