Vanderbilt (5-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Samford (2-4 0-0 SoCon)
Friday, Nov. 22, 2024 • 6:30 p.m. CT
Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, Tenn. • SEC Network+ • Tickets
102.1 The Ville • Vanderbilt Athletics App • Live Stats • Game Notes • Game Program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team closes its three-game homestand Friday as the Commodores take on Samford. Tipoff from Memorial Gymnasium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT, and streams live on SEC Network+.
Starting Five
>> The Dores enter Friday’s matchup a perfect 5-0 after Vanderbilt collected a 94-45 victory over Hampton at Memorial Gym Wednesday night. Freshman Mikayla Blakes scored a game-high 22 points to extend her double-digit scoring streak to five games, while sophomore Khamil Pierre had 15 points and 12 rebounds to post her fourth double-double of the season. Vanderbilt broke a 23-23 tie early in the second quarter by using a 51-7 run over the spanned through the second and third quarters and gave the Commodores a commanding 70-34 lead before claiming the 49-point victory.
>> Vanderbilt is 28-5 at Memorial Gym vs. nonconference foes under Shea Ralph. The Commodores have won 15 straight home games against nonconference teams, a streak that dates back to the 2022-23 campaign. In total, Vandy is 37-13 against non-SEC schools in the Ralph era.
>> The Commodores enter Friday’s games a perfect 5-0. Vandy is among 53 undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division I. Vandy is seeking to open a second-straight season at 6-0. The last time that happened came during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 campaigns.
>> Vandy and Samford will meet for the fifth time on the hardwood this Friday. The Dores own a perfect 4-0 record against the Bulldogs, with all four games taking place in the Music City. The last meeting came on Nov. 10, 2022, with Vanderbilt posting an 81-51 win.
>> Vandy is in the midst of one of its busiest stretches of the season, as the Commodores are playing six games over 13 days to close out November. Friday’s contest marks the fourth game in that stretch. Vanderbilt previously won at South Florida (62-49) on Nov. 14 and defeated Butler (81-52) on Nov. 17 and Hampton (95-45) on Nov. 20 at Memorial Gym. The Dores close the stretch in Palm Springs, California, where they’ll play in the Acrisure Classic to take on Arizona (Nov. 26) in the first game and then California or Michigan State (Nov. 27) in the next round.
Game Coverage
Friday’s contest against Samford will stream live on SEC Network+ via the Watch ESPN app, with Alex Gould and Richard Hendrix calling the action. Fans can listen to Jake Lyman locally on 102.1 The Ville and the Vanderbilt Commodores app outside of Nashville.
Gameday Information
Click the link here for the latest gameday information on entrance, construction, parking, and ticketing information at Memorial Gymnasium.
Friday Night Flicks
Lights, camera, action! Take a photo on the gold carpet and visit the Kids Zone hosted in the practice gym. It will be available when gates open until halftime. There will be free popcorn distributed while supplies last. Fans can purchase tickets by clicking the link here.
Pierre’s Streak
Sophomore Khamil Pierre enters Friday’s game on an eight-game double-digit scoring streak dating back to last season. It is the longest double-digit scoring streak of her career, as the 6-2 forward averages 16.5 points per game during the stretch.
Elite Defense
The Dores have been locking up teams and cleaning up the glass with high efficiency this season. Vanderbilt ranks sixth in the nation in points allowed at 46.6 points per game. The Commodores have held foes to 52 or fewer points in all five of their games this season. Vandy’s 25.0 turnovers forced per game rank 22nd-best in all of NCAA Division I, while their +11.4 turnover margin is 15th nationally. Vanderbilt is also holding teams to the 29th-lowest field goal percentage in the nation at 33.5 percent.
Still Picking Up Votes in the AP Poll
The Dores earned 14 votes in this week’s Associate Press Top 25 Poll. It marks their third-straight appearance in the AP poll this season.
Double-Double Machine
Khamil Pierre ranks second in NCAA Division I this season with four double-doubles. She is one of three players nationally to collect four or more double-doubles this season. Pierre is also among seven NCAA Division I players who have posted a double-double in all but one game their team has played this season.
Historic Start
Freshman Mikayla Blakes has scored 15-plus points and collected at least two steals in each of her first five games to begin her Vanderbilt career. She is the first Dore since at least 2009-10 to open their Vandy career with four-straight games with 15-plus points and two-plus steals.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Samford comes to Nashville on a two-game winning streak with home wins over Fisk (112-61) and Montevallo (87-71). Overall, the Bulldogs are 2-4 this season and are still searching for their first win over an NCAA Division 1 opponent.
Emily Bowman leads the way for Samford as 6-5 center averages a double-double at 13.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Bowman has collected four double-doubles this season and is coming off a 13-point, 10-rebound performance in the win over Montevallo. Freshman Claire Johnson is averaging 11.5 points per game off the bench to round out Samford’s double-digit scorers.
The Bulldogs are averaging 73.2 points per game while giving up 80.8 points per contest. Samford is shooting 41.0 percent from the field and is connecting on 30.0 percent of its shots from behind the arc. On defense, the Bulldogs hold teams to a 43.7 percent field goal percentage. Teams are making 30.3 percent of their 3-point attempts against Samford this season.
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