Vanderbilt (0-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Lipscomb (0-0, 0-0 A-SUN)
Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 • 11 a.m. CT
Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, Tenn. • SEC Network+ • Tickets
94.9 The Fan • Vanderbilt Athletics App • Live Stats • Game Notes • Game Program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The search for a second-straight bid into the NCAA Tournament begins Monday for the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team, as the Commodores are set to host Lipscomb in the 2024-25 season opener at Memorial Gymnasium. Tipoff against the Bisons is set for 11 a.m. and will stream live on SEC Network+.
Starting Five
>> Vanderbilt enters its fourth season under the direction of head coach Shea Ralph. The Commodores are 51-48 with Ralph at the helm and have made the postseason in two of her first three seasons, which includes last season’s bid into the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
>> The Commodores made their way back to the March Madness last season, as Vandy went 23-10 to earn an at-large bid into the 2024 NCAA Tournament. It was the first NCAA Tournament appearance for Vandy since 2014, as the Dores collected their first March Madness win since 2013 with a 72-68 win over Columbia in the First Four.
>> Coach Ralph comes into Monday’s game looking to become the first Vanderbilt women’s basketball head coach to win four-straight season openers to begin their career. Vandy is a perfect 3-0 in season-opening contests under coach Ralph. The Commodores picked up a 98-51 win over Kennesaw State in last year’s season opener at Memorial Gymnasium. The Dores average 85.0 points per game in the first game of the year under Ralph while giving up 60.3 points.
>> Vanderbilt is 24-5 at Memorial Gym vs. nonconference foes under Shea Ralph. The Dores went 9-0 at home against non-SEC teams last year, while Vandy has won 11-straight games against nonconference teams, a streak that dates back to the 2022-23 campaign.
>> Vanderbilt and Lipscomb will face off for the 19th time this Monday. The Commodores are a perfect 18-0 against the Bisons in a series that dates back to the 1977-78 season. Vandy picked up a 72-50 win against Lipscomb inside Memorial Gymnasium last season.
Game Coverage
Monday’s contest against Lipscomb will stream live on SEC Network+ via the Watch ESPN app, and Alex Gould and Kamera Harris will be on the call. Fans can also listen to Jake Lyman call all the action locally on 94.9 The Fan and on 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.
Education Day
This Monday will be Education Day at Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt will host several local area school students to help ring in the new basketball season. Fans can purchase tickets to Monday’s season opener by clicking the link here.
Returning Fire Power
Vanderbilt returns 78.4 percent of its scoring from last season as the Commodores bring back nine players from the 2023-24 roster. The group of returnees includes five players who started 10 or more games for the Dores a year ago, four of which started for Vandy during last year’s NCAA Tournament run.
Experienced Roster
Vanderbilt will be one of the most experienced teams in the SEC this season, as they have four players who have played in 90-plus games during their college career. That list includes Jordyn Oliver (113), Jane Nwaba (105), Sacha Washington (99), and Leilani Kapinus (95). The Commodores are one of four SEC teams that have four or more players who have played in 90 more collegiate games.
Watch out for Washington
Senior Sacha Washington was among 20 players named to the 2025 Cheryl Miller Award preseason watchlist, which goes to the nation’s top small forward. Washington is the first Commodore to be considered for the Miller Award. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, native had a career year in 2023-24, as she averaged a personal-best 12.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. She shot 52.6 percent from the floor, had a team-best 44 blocks, and started in all 33 contests. The 6-2 forward scored double-digits in 18 games, which included a career-high 33 points against Louisiana Tech. She pulled down 10 or more rebounds in 10 contests and had nine double-doubles last season.
Moore Production
Senior Iyana Moore comes into the 2024-25 season riding a seven-game double-digit scoring streak. The guard averaged a team-high 14.2 points per game a year ago. Her 17.6 points per game in SEC games ranked sixth in the conference last year. Her career-high 37-point performance at Kentucky was the most points scored by a player in an SEC contest last season.
One of the SEC’s Best
Senior Sacha Washington, 2024-25 season, is one of two SEC players who have collected over 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, and 100 blocks in their career, joined by Ole Miss’ Madison Scott. Washington became the 41st Commodore to score 1,000 career points during Vanderbilt’s NCAA Tournament run last season. She comes into the year having amassed 1,008 points, 720 rebounds, 108 blocks, and 105 assists in 99 career games.
A Tangible Improvement
Vanderbilt’s 23 wins this season marks an 11-win improvement from last year’s win total of 12. It was tied for the largest improvement in win total from year-to-year in program history, matching the 1983-84 team.
SEC Projections
Vanderbilt will be out to prove the preseason prognosticators wrong this year once again. The Commodores were selected to finish 10th in the SEC Preseason Media Poll and 12th in the SEC Coaches Poll. Vandy has finished better than projected in the preseason polls each year under head coach Shea Ralph. Last season, the Dores were picked to finish 13th in the preseason coaches poll and 14th in the preseason media poll, then went 9-7 in SEC games last season to finish in sixth place.
Scouting the Bisons
Lipscomb is coming into the 2024-25 season after a 17-13 campaign a year ago. The Bisons are entering Year 6 under head coach Lauren Sumski. Lipscomb was recently selected third in the ASUN preseason poll.
Seniors Claira McGowan and Bella Vinson were each named to the preseason All-ASUN team. McGowan is coming off an All-ASUN second team selection in 2023-24 after leading the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game. Vinson started in all 22 games she played last season before an injury prematurely ended her campaign. She shot nearly 40% from the field and averaged 11.0 points per game.
The Bisons averaged 67.9 points per game and shot 39.8 percent from the field as a team a year ago. Defensively, LU gave up 66.1 points per game to its opposition. Teams shot 38.6 percent against Lipscomb.
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