NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If any team needed a weeklong break, it was Vanderbilt women’s basketball.
The shorthanded Commodores have been playing with just eight active players on the roster for most of the season. Vanderbilt (9-9, 0-4 SEC) will return to SEC play after a bye week to face Arkansas (14-3, 3-1 SEC) on Monday at 6 p.m. CT (SEC Network) at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
Every Vanderbilt player in the lineup is averaging at least 18.3 minutes per game, led by Ciaja Harbison (36.0) and Marnelle Garraud (34.5). The graduate guards transferred to Vanderbilt for their final college seasons and have been playing integral roles for the Dores in multiple ways.
Entering the week, Harbison ranked second in the SEC in points per game (19.3) and third in assists per game (4.9). She was fourth in the SEC in total points (289) despite missing three games with an injury.
Garraud is averaging 13.1 points per game and is tied for the team lead with Harbison in steals (31). Garraud entered the week leading the SEC in 3-pointers made with 47 and ranked eighth in the conference in 3-point percentage (39.8).
Sophomore forward Sacha Washington is averaging 10.1 points and a team-leading 7.6 rebounds per game, which ranked ninth in the SEC at the start of the week. The 6-foot-2 Washington’s 136 total rebounds was No. 6 in the SEC, and she was tied for fourth in total blocks (28) and seventh in blocks per game (1.6).
Scouting Report
Arkansas
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series 26-11. The teams are tied 8-8 when playing in Fayetteville. Vanderbilt won last year’s meeting in Nashville. The Razorbacks have won three of the last four against the Dores.
Arkansas is off to its best start in SEC play since 2005-06 after beating Missouri 77-55 last Sunday.
The Razorbacks are averaging 76.9 points per game, with four players in double digits scoring—redshirt senior forward Erynn Barnum (15.6 ), sophomore guard Samara Spencer (15.0), senior guard Makayla Daniels (13.3) and redshirt senior guard Chrissy Carr (11.5). Barnum entered the week leading the SEC in field goal percentage (62.7).
Redshirt freshman guard Saylor Poffenbarger is averaging a team-leading 7.9 rebounds, which ranks fifth in the SEC, while scoring 9.8 points per game.
The Razorbacks lead the SEC in 3-point attempts per game (26.8) and rank second in makes (8.5) while shooting 31.8 percent from deep.
