NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Marnelle Garraud posted a team-high 19 points and added seven rebounds Thursday to lead four Vanderbilt women’s basketball student-athletes in double figures as the Commodores defeated Arkansas 78-70 at Memorial Gymnasium.
Ciaja Harbison contributed 16 points, eight assists and four steals, Sacha Washington recorded 16 points and eight rebounds, and Ryanne Allen finished with 12 and six, respectively to help Vandy improved to 11-14 on the season and 2-9 in the SEC.
Their efforts helped offset the performance of Makayla Daniels, who ended the contest with 31 points for the Razorbacks (18-8, 5-6 SEC). Chrissy Carr chipped in with 18 points, and Erynn Barnum added 12 and seven rebounds as well.
Vandy opened up the first significant advantage of the game with a 12-2 run highlighted by multiple baskets from both Washington and Bella LaChance, going ahead 18-9 with just over four minutes left in the period. The Razorbacks cut that lead to just one with eight unanswered points late in the first and early in the second period, but Garraud and Allen responded with 3-pointers 30 seconds apart as the Commodores would remain in the lead, 37-32, at the half.
Arkansas used 3-pointers from Carr and Daniels to go up for the first time since the opening minutes of the contest, 47-46, with just under four minutes left in the third period. Harbison’s 3-point play, however, sparked a 9-2 run to close the quarter as the Dores entered the final 10 minutes with a 55-49 lead.
The advantage grew to as many as 10 for the Commodores in the final period after Harbison’s driving layup with five and a half minutes to go, but the Razorbacks made one final push and trailed by just two, 66-64, after Barnum put back a missed shot with two and a half minutes remaining. Garraud was able to convert a layup and Washington followed with an offensive rebound and a layup on Vandy’s next possession to help seal the victory.
The Commodores shot 48.2 percent from the field and outrebounded the Razorbacks 37-31. Arkansas connected on just 41.9 percent from the floor overall, shooting 38.1 percent in the final quarter including going just 1 of 8 from 3-point range.
Player Notes
• Garraud now leads the team with 18 games scoring in double figures, having accomplished the feat in each of the Dores’ last nine games.
• Harbison—who tied a season high in assists—was credited with five or more in a game for the 50th time at the collegiate level.
• It was the 25th occasion since the start of the 2021-22 season that Washington has posted a double-digit scoring total.
• Allen posted her first game in double figures since scoring 14 points in a Dec. 8 win at Louisiana Tech.
• LaChance matched her pervious career-high scoring total after finishing with seven points, which she last accomplished in Vanderbilt’s first meeting with Arkansas this season.
Series History
The Dores lead the all-time series with Arkansas 27-11, which includes taking 16 of 18 match-ups in Nashville. It’s the second time in as many years under the direction of head coach Shea Ralph that Vandy has defeated the Razorbacks at Memorial Gymnasium.
Up Next: The Commodores travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, to take on Tennessee Sunday at 1 p.m. CT.
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.
