Nov. 14, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | 
Highlights | Postgame Press Conference | 
Green’s Photos
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Stephanie Holzer did not look like someone who was playing in her first collegiate game on Sunday. The 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman, who missed last season due to injury, came off the bench to score 20 points and grab 11 rebounds in just 19 minutes as Vanderbilt posted an 80-55 season-opening win over Howard at Memorial Gym.
Vanderbilt (1-0) won its 25th straight home opener and fifth straight season opener thanks in part to a first half in which the Commodores shot 64 percent from the floor, while making 8-of-11 three-pointers. Meanwhile, Howard (0-2) shot just 29 percent from the floor in the first half as Vanderbilt opened up a 27-point lead at intermission, 49-22. The 49 points were the most by the Commodores since scoring 52 against Tennessee State on Dec. 20, 2009.
Howard opened the game with a 4-3 advantage before the Commodores went on a 13-0 run to take a 16-4 lead with 15:02 to play in the first half. Vanderbilt would add to its lead behind the play of Holzer, who scored 11 straight points for the Commodores at one point in the first half, which triggered a 16-3 run for Vanderbilt.
Holzer finished the game 5-of-6 from the floor and 10-of-11 from the charity stripe. Holzer also had three blocked shots and two steals to go along with one turnover.
“Where (Stephanie) did a really good job was on the defensive end, getting deflections, blocked shots, rebounds,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Melanie Balcomb said. “On offense she’s just really starting to get a good feel of what we’re doing. She was extremely efficient in her time tonight, on both sides of the floor.”
In addition to Holzer, three other players scored in double figures for Vanderbilt. Freshman guard Christina Foggie scored 13 of her 14 points in the first half, while fellow freshman guard Jasmine Lister scored 13 points and junior guard Angela Puleo, a transfer from Georgia added 11.
All four players were playing their first career games for the Commodores. Add freshman Tori Jarosz’s free throw to the mix and newcomers scored 59 of Vanderbilt’s 80 points.
The Commodores started two freshmen guards – Foggie and Lister. Vanderbilt was without the services of senior All-SEC guard Jence Rhoads, who strained her hamstring in Vanderbilt’s final exhibition game and is listed as day-to-day.
Vanderbilt will return to the court on Thursday when the Commodores host Samford at 7 p.m. CT.
