Blakes Named Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week

The guard scored the game-winning basket in a 23-point performance against No. 15-ranked Tennessee

INDIANAPOLIS –Mikayla Blakes’ performance in the Vanderbilt women’s basketball win over No. 15-ranked Tennessee earned her U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week honors.

Blakes’ putback tip-in with 0.8 seconds left of the clock gave the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team a thrilling 71-70 victory over No. 15-ranked Tennessee at Memorial Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon.

The Somerset, New Jersey, native shares the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week honors with Nebraska’s Britt Prince. Blakes becomes the second Commodore to earn a national weekly award from the USBWA this season, as Khamil Pierre was selected to the Ann Meyers Drysdale National Players of the Week team back on Dec. 17.

Blakes’ 23-point performance helped the Commodores pick up their first win over Tennessee since the 2018-19 season, as Vandy ended an eight-game skid against the Lady Volunteers. Her game-winning tip-in came nearly 24 hours after her brother, Jaylen Blakes, hit a game-winning shot for Stanford to give the Cardinal a win at North Carolina.

Vanderbilt’s victory over the No. 15-ranked Lady Vols marked the Commodores’ first win against a ranked team since knocking off No. 15/21-ranked Florida, 63-59, back on Feb. 24, 2022, at Memorial Gymnasium. It is also the second time the Dores have beaten a ranked opponent in the Ralph era.

Blakes’ effort against No. 15-ranked Tennessee continues the freshman’s strong performance against ranked teams, averaging 19.7 points per game vs. top 25 opponents. The guard leads all NCAA freshmen in scoring at 20.2 points per game this season. Her 23-point effort vs. Tennessee marked her 11th game with 20-plus points this season, which leads all frosh nationally.

The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team returns to action Thursday, as the Commodores welcome in Arkansas to close out a brief two-game homestand. Tipoff from Memorial Gym is set for 6:30 p.m. and streams live on SEC Network+.

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