Nov. 24, 2017
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vanderbilt took a 76-75 lead on a pair of free throws from Rachel Bell with 1:42 left in the contest but a three-point play from Syracuse’s Tiana Mangakahia sealed an 84-78 win for Syracuse in the fourth game of the Paradise Jam. Rachel Bell tallied a career-high seven triples en route to a game-best 31 points for the Commodores and tied the Paradise Jam record for three-pointers in a game with a career-best seven.
The Skinny
Date: Nov. 24, 2017
Time: 3:30 PM CT
Place: Washington, D.C. (Davis Center)
Records: Vanderbilt (1-5), Syracuse (5-0)
At The Top of the Charts
Points: Rachel Bell – 31 points
Rebounds: Autumn Newby / Christa Reed – 6 rebounds
Assists: Kaleigh Clemons-Green – 6 assists
Steals: Three with 1
How It Happened
First Quarter: Syracuse 16, Vanderbilt 14
Vanderbilt opened up the first quarter strong, taking an early 7-4 lead behind five early points from senior Rachel Bell forcing the Cuse to call a timeout. The Cuse came out of the timeout and scored four unanswered to take an 8-7 lead forcing White to take a timeout. Rachel Bell was a very key piece in the first half with 14 of the Commodores 33 first half points.
Second Quarter: Vanderbilt 33, Syracuse 32
The second half was a grudge match from the outset as the teams matched each other bucket for-bucket for the majority of the quarter The Commodores were helped by outstanding play inside from Kayla Overbeck. The California native tallied six points in the quarter and posted a season-best 10 points on the afternoon but Bell who had a game-high 14 points at the break on 4-of-6 shooting from long range helped the Dores to a 33-32 lead at the break – the second consecutive game the Commodores have lead at the break.
Third Quarter: Syracuse 63, Vanderbilt 59
Vanderbilt scored the first five points of the half but the Cuse scored the next five and tied the game at 41 at the media timeout. Syracuse used a 12-0 run over 1:55 to take a 49-41 lead at the 5:57 forcing White to call a timeout to help the Commodores regroup. The Dores used a bucket underneath from Overbeck to end the run and Bell added her fifth trey of the night to cut the lead to three points at the 5:04 mark but the Cuse used a 6-0 run to extend its lead to nine points – it’s largest of the game. The last two minutes of the quarter were a three-point fest as the team’s nailed triples on a combined seven of the last 10 possessions as Syracuse took the lead into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Syracuse 84, Vanderbilt 78
Bell opened the quarter with a triple to give her a season-best 22 points and counting but more importantly it cut the Syracuse lead to one point but the hot shooting Cuse were able to extend their lead but it was just a two possession, 69-64, with just 1:30 off the game clock. The Commodores made it interesting in the final 5:13 of the contest. Trailing by seven, Christa Reed converted an old-fashioned three-point play to cut the lead to four and then five points from Bell including a trey gave the Commodores their first lead since the 7:52 mark of the third quarter. The teams played chess, as much of the game was, and the lead was never more than two possessions down the stretch but Syracuse went 4-0 from the charity stripe down the stretch to seal the victory.
Inside the Lane
-Today was the fourth meeting between Vanderbilt and Syracuse. The Commodores have won each of the last three meetings although the teams haven’t played since the 2003-04 season. This is the second neutral meeting between the teams, the teams also met in Hanover, N.H. in the Dartmouth Classic in 1983-84.
-This weekend’s tournament is part of the 2017 Paradise Jam that was relocated to Washington D.C., when hurricanes devastated the Virgin Islands. All tickets sales will be donated to support the Virgin Islands. #VIStrong
-Syracuse is the first of three teams from the ACC the Commodores will face this season. In addition to Syracuse, Vanderbilt will take on Louisville and NC State this season.
-Vanderbilt donned new shooting shirts in tonight’s game to bring attention to the social injustices in our country. The team each picked a word to describe their “why” and the back said “Standing For Justice” #AsOne
–Rachel Bell‘s 14 first-half points were the most for the senior this season and any Commodore player in the first half. Bell tied her career-best with 31 points and had a career-best seven three-pointers just one shy of the Vanderbilt single-game record of eight.
-Vanderbilt lead at the break for the second consecutive game
-For the second consecutive game the Commodores won the battle of the boards, 44-41.
– Rachel Bell tied the Paradise Jam single-game 3-point record with seven made 3-point field goals in the contest.
Stat of the Game
Commodores had assists on 29 made field goals in today’s contest with six of those coming from Kaleigh Clemons-Green who tied her career best with six assists.
Up Next
The Commodores close action at the Paradise Jam on Saturday when they take on Wisconsin at 12:00 PM CT from George Washington’s Davis Center.
Next Five Games
Nov. 25- vs. Wisconsin, 12:00 PM^
Nov. 29 – at St. Louis, 7 pm
Dec. 2 – vs. Iowa State, 3 pm*
Dec. 7 – at Louisville, 6 pm
Dec. 16 – vs. Memphis, 6 pm
^- Paradise Jam (Washington, D.C.)
*-Big 12/SEC Challenge
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.
