NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Graduate guard Ciaja Harbison scored 31 points, including the game-winning free throws in the final seconds of overtime, to lead Vanderbilt women’s basketball to a 72-71 victory over Lipscomb on Sunday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium.
Harbison finished 11 of 20 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line as the Commodores notched their second straight overtime win after beating Louisiana Tech 75-70 in their last outing on Dec. 8.
Senior Yaubron Chambers and sophomore Sacha Washington each recorded double-doubles for Vandy (8-5), which saw a 14-point first-half lead evaporate before recovering in the end to improve to 17-0 all-time against Lipscomb. Chambers recorded career-highs of 14 points and 12 rebounds while Washington scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
The already short-handed Dores were down to just seven players to start the game, with freshmen Ryanne Allen and Amauri Williams not available. Vandy played the final eight minutes with just six players after Chambers fouled out in regulation.
Harbison was clutch throughout the game. After Bella Vinson capped a 14-1 run by draining a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining in regulation to give Lipscomb a 59-57 lead—its largest of the game—Harbison hit a jumper to tie the game.
Lipscomb (5-6) turned the ball over with two seconds left and Vandy couldn’t get off a shot as the teams headed into the extra session knotted at 59.
Vinson gave Lipscomb its final lead at 71-70 on a jumper that rolled around the rim and dropped through with 13 seconds left in overtime. But Harbison was fouled on a drive to the basket and calmly sank both free throws with nine seconds left.
The Dores played strong defense on Lipscomb’s final possesion and Jalyn Holcomb’s last-gasp attempt didn’t draw iron.
The team traded runs throughout the first half. Chambers fueled a 17-2 Vandy run to end the half by scoring six points and grabbing two steals as the Dores entered the break with a 33-19 lead. Lipscomb scored the first nine points of the third quarter, but Harbison kept the Dores in the lead with an array of jumpers and layups. She scored 11 points in the quarter on 5 of 7 shooting.
But Vandy went cold from the field in the fourth quarter, allowing Lipscomb to stage its furious rally that Harbison finally halted with her jumper.
Vanderbilt forced 24 turnovers in the game and converted them into 19 points. The Dores won despite going only 1 of 17 from the 3-point line, committing 14 turnovers and giving up 18 second-chance points.
Aleah Sorrentino led Lipscomb with 21 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in overtime. Vinson scored 17 points and Holcomb had 12 points on 3 of 18 shooting.
Player Notes
• Harbison has reached double figures in scoring in six straight games. It was the second time she’s scored at least 30 points this season and fifth time she’s reached at least 20.
• The double-double by Chambers was the second of her career.
• Marnelle Garraud scored 13 points, marking the second time this season she’s scored in double figures in five straight games.
• It was the first time since Vandy defeated Texas A&M in the opening round of the SEC Tournament last season that two Dores have turned in a double-double in the same game.
• Bella LaChance tied a career high after leading the Commodores with four assists.
Coaching Couples
The game featured two of the married coaching couples in women’s college basketball. Vandy coach Shea Ralph has her husband, Tom Garrick, on staff as her associate head coach and Lipscomb head coach Lauren Sumski has her husband, Chris Sumski, on staff as her associate head coach.
Series history
Vanderbilt is 17-0 all-time against Lipscomb, including 10-0 at home. Before Sunday, their last meeting came in the 2017-18 season, a 92-82 home victory by the Dores.
Up Next: Vanderbilt hosts Alabama A&M on Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT (SEC Network+) in Memorial Gymnasium to wrap up nonconference play.
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.
