Dec. 2, 2017
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| Press Conference
NASHVILLE – Erin Whalen came off the bench with 12 seconds left and nailed two crucial free throws late in the game as Vanderbilt women’s basketball team fended off pesky Iowa State, 77-74, in the Big 12/SEC Challenge at Memorial Gym on Saturday afternoon.
The Skinny
Date: Dec. 2, 2017
Time: 3:00 PM CT
Place: Nashville, Tenn. (Memorial Gym)
Records: Vanderbilt (3-6), Iowa State (3-4)
At The Top of the Charts
Points: Rachel Bell – 19 points
Rebounds: Autumn Newby – 14 rebounds
Assists: Chelsie Hall – 6 assists
Steals: Four with 1
How It Happened
First Quarter: Iowa State 22, Vanderbilt 18
Iowa State opened the game with a 7-0 run as the Dores went 0-3 from the floor to open the game but back-to-back treys from Rachel Bell and Christa Reed quickly got it back to a one possession game and stopped the Iowa State momentum. As has become the norm over the last several games, the Commodores and Cyclones engaged in a back-and-forth affair. Cierra Walker provided a nice spark off the bench in the first quarter making several big time hustle plays and nailing a trey to keep the game within one possession. Iowa State was able to put a little distance between the teams with the last five points to close the quarter with a four-point advantage.
Second Quarter: Iowa State 38, Vanderbilt 33
An Iowa State bucket out of the quarter break gave them the last seven points but a 5-0 Vanderbilt spurt, highlighted by a trey from Cierra Walker kept the game within a possession early. Chelsie Hall had the early highlight reel with some fancy passing and rebounding culminating with a bucket underneath as the Commodores took a 27-24 lead at the 5:50 mark. The Dores used a 9-0 run to take the lead but Iowa State wouldn’t go away and with Bridget Carleton leading the way with eight points in the quarter took a 30-29 lead out of the media timeout. The Cyclone used a pair of treys to take a 36-31 lead and took a 38-33 lead into the halftime break.
Third Quarter: Vanderbilt 62, Iowa State 57
Vanderbilt trimmed the Cyclones lead to just two-points on a jumper from Rachel Bell but the visitors from Ames wouldn’t go quietly but the lead was just two possessions for the majority of the quarter. Rachel Bell tied the game at 47 with a triple and the Dores took a lead on a trey from Cierra Walker. The Commodores outscored the Cyclones 29-19 in the quarter and used an 8-0 run sparked by two huge triples from Cierra Walker and Christa Reed to take a 58-50 lead and force the Cyclones to take a timeout as the home team took a lead into the final quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Vanderbilt 77, Iowa State 74
Vanderbilt extended its lead to a game-high 10 points, 69-59, on a put back from Christa Reed at the 5:32 mark but the Cyclones used a 7-0 spurt to trim the lead to three-points before Rachel Bell completed a three-point play to keep the lead with the Commodores. With their lead at 72-70, Iowa State used a bucket in the lane to tie the game with 1:47 left. Chelsie Hall delivered the go-ahead bucket with a drive to the basket and a pair of free throws from Erin Whalen sealed the Commodore victory.
Inside the Lane
-Today was the fourth meeting between Iowa State and Vanderbilt with the Commodores owning a 2-1 record entering the contest. Today’s game was a part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Vanderbilt was hosting and participating in the Challenge for the first time.
-Iowa State is the only Big 12 opponent on the Vanderbilt schedule but is one of five power five foes on the Commodore non-conference schedule.
-Cierra Walker set a season-high in three-point field goals with four in the contest. She’s hit seven 3-PT FG’s over the last two contests.
-Cierra Walker set a new career-high with eight rebounds.
-Chelsie Hall tallied a career-best six rebounds in the contest.
-Autumn Newby tallied her third career game in double figures and second consecutive with a career-high 14 rebounds
Stat Of The Game
The Vanderbilt bench held a 24-7 advantage against the Cyclones. In the last two contests, Vanderbilt’s bench has outscored its opponents, 47-19.
Up Next
The Commodores hit the road to take on No. 4 Louisville on Thursday Dec. 7. Tipoff is set for 6 pm CT from the KFC Yum Center!
Next Five Games
Dec. 7 – at Louisville, 6 pm
Dec. 16 – vs. Memphis, 6 pm
Dec. 19 – vs. NC State, 5 pm
Dec. 21 – Belmont, 12 pm
Dec. 28 – Lipscomb, 7 pm
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.
