Feb. 22, 2018
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team (6-23, 2-13) got as close as 13 points in the second half but couldn’t overcome a Missouri (23-5, 11-4 SEC) team that shot a blistering 73 percent in the first quarter in an 83-68 road loss on Thursday night. Cierra Walker led the way with 17 points while Kayla Overbeck added five rebounds.
The Skinny
Date: Feb. 22, 2018
Time: 7 PM CT
Place: Columbia, Mo. (Mizzou Arena)
At the Top of the Charts
Points: Cierra Walker – 17 points
Rebounds: Kayla Overbeck – 5 rebounds
Assists: Chelsie Hall – 4 assists
Steals: Three with two
How It Happened
First Quarter: Missouri 35, Vanderbilt 17
Missouri’s Lauren Aldridge opened the game with three straight threes to help the Tigers to a 9-2 lead before a triple from Walker stopped the momentum. The Dores were successful when able to break the press and got wide open looks including two good-looking triples from Walker from deep range. With the Tigers leading 16-10 at the 5:28 mark, Rachel Bell drained a long jumper to cut back into the lead. Bell, who had 22 at Florida, closed the quarter with six points. Out of the media break, MU went on a 6-0 run and took a 25-12 lead forcing White to call a timeout to try and regroup, but the run ended up being 17-2 as the Tigers took a 35-17 lead heading into the second quarter.
Second Quarter: Missouri 50, Vanderbilt 33
Cierra Walker, who has been in a little bit of an offensive slump the last three games, broke out of it in a big way in the first half. She had four first-half triples and led the Dores at the break with 12 points but she couldn’t match the Missouri sharpshooters who shot a blistering 61 percent from the field in the first half led by Lauren Aldridge, who had five of Missouri’s nine three-pointers for a game-best 15 points. Chelsie Hall, who was scoreless in the first quarter, had six points in the second quarter, added a spark and was able to break the Missouri press with her speed. Points off turnovers were key in the first half, as the Tigers scored 16 points off eight Commodore turnovers.
Third Quarter: Missouri 69, Vanderbilt 49
Rachel Bell, who started the third quarter, responded with back-to-back triples on her first two trips down the floor and scored the first eight points of the quarter while VU held the Tigers to just one bucket through the first 3:30 of action. Missouri head coach Robin Pingeton called a timeout at the 7:30 mark and out of the break the Tigers scored a quick bucket but the Vanderbilt energy on defense was much better, which resulted in some good opportunities for Bell and Hall. The Vanderbilt bench was important as they outscored Missouri, 17-10, led by 13 points from Bell.
Fourth Quarter: Missouri 83, Vanderbilt 68
Vanderbilt used some timely three-pointers from Walker, Bell and Erin Whalen to get the Tigers lead down to 69-56 at the 7:47 mark, but it seemed as if each time the Dores cut into the lead, the home team hit a timely shot. With Missouri leading 76-60, the Commodores tried to make it a game but Missouri’s first half shooting was just too much for the Commodores to overcome. Despite allowing the Tigers to jump out to a big first-half lead, the Commodores clamped down in the second half but struggled on the glass, allowing the Tigers to outrebound them 43-19, including a 15-1 advantage on the offensive boards.
Inside the Lane
-Rachel Bell moves to No. 27 all-time with 1132 career points. She moved past Jence Rhoades with 16 points tonight.
-Cierra Walker recorded her 12th game in double figures with a team-best 17 points.
-Chelsie Hall picked up her 19th game in double figures and second consecutive with 10 points.
Up Next
Vanderbilt closes the 2017-18 home slate on Sunday when they host Arkansas for Senior Day. The Commodores will honor seniors Rachel Bell, Myka Dancy and Christa Reed in a postgame ceremony. Tipoff is set for 2 pm CT and will air on SECN+.
Upcoming Games
Feb. 25 – vs. Arkansas, 2 pm
Feb. 28-March 4 – SEC Tournament (Nashville, Tenn.)
All game times CENTRAL
Keep Up with the Commodores
For more information on the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team check them out on the website at www.vucommodores.com, Twitter at @VandyWBB, Instagram at @VandyWBB and on Facebook at Vandy Hoops.
