ATHENS, Ga. — Vanderbilt fell 71-56 to No. 14/11 Georgia on Thursday in Stegeman Coliseum after a heavily contested back-and-forth affair.
Vanderbilt was led by Kaylon Smith who tied her career-high in points at 12. She also had four rebounds, four assists, a block and three steals.
A pair of Commodore baskets from Brinae Alexander and Smith put the visitors up prematurely over the Bulldogs. Georgia immediately responded and tied the game around the seven minute mark.
Neither team was able to create much separation with Vanderbilt’s biggest lead coming at six-points in the stanza. Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list nominees Que Morrison and Jordyn Cambridge closed the period with paint points for their respective teams.
The Commodores led 16-13 at the end of the first stanza.
The second period was much of the same with the teams going tit-for-tat in the opening minutes. Both teams went several minutes without scoring before the Bulldogs notched a jump shot to bring themselves within one of the Commodores.
The last basket of the half came by way of Mikayla Coombs just outside the paint area with two minutes remaining. Georgia took the three-point advantage into the break, leading 26-23.
The Commodores fell into a seven-point deficit twice, the biggest Bulldog lead of the third period, but battled to keep the opposition within single digits. Heading into the fourth, Georgia was in control 47-41.
A second-chance jump shot from the Bulldogs’ Reigan Richardson began the fourth period but Alexander responded shortly after with a second-chance jumper of her own. Seconds later, an electric 3-pointer from Iyana Moore positioned the Commodores within striking distance.
Another shot from Moore moments later brought Vanderbilt within two at 49-47 with just under eight minutes to go.
The Bulldogs were able to mount a 22-9 run to close the game, led by six points from Malury Bates and Javyn Nicholson down the stretch. The Commodores garnered points from Demi Washington, Cambridge, Sacha Washington and Alexander.
The game had several lead changes and four ties. Vanderbilt maintained the lead for 13:57 with its largest lead of the night being six points. Georgia’s largest lead was 18 points coming in the fourth period.
Vanderbilt forced 21 Georgia turnovers and notched 16 points off of those miscues.
Smith joined Alexander (13 points), Cambridge (10) and Demi Washington (10) in double figures for the Commodores.
Jenna Staiti paced the Bulldogs (17-4, 6-3 SEC) with 16 points, four rebounds, and an assist.
Vanderbilt (12-11, 3-6 SEC) returns to Memorial Gymnasium to host Alabama at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
