MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Vanderbilt women’s basketball stayed the course inside the Murphey Center on Monday night against undefeated Middle Tennessee. However, the Commodores’ fourth period rally fell short against the Blue Raiders, 55-46.
Jordyn Cambridge set a new career-high in points at 19 and came just one rebound shy of her second career double-double.
After falling behind early after tip-off, a three-pointer from Brylee Bartram put Vandy on the board around the six-minute mark in the opening period. The game proceeded in a back-and-forth fashion with small runs being made by each team. The Blue Raiders edged out the Commodores 16-10 to start.
A pair of made free throws from Yaubryon Chambers commenced the second period for the visitors and would be the tone of what was to come. The Vanderbilt defense stepped up to the challenge ahead of halftime and held the home team to only 11 points, the fewest of the contest. The Commodores made their way to the free throw line five times in this stanza while incorporating shots from long range and layups. Middle Tennessee entered the break only leading by three, 27-24.
A tough third period positioned the Blue Raiders with double the scoring output of the Commodores, 12-6.
Cambridge’s free throws brought the deficit within seven to begin the final period. From then both teams would go almost two-minutes without scoring before a Blue Raider layup from Kseniya Malashka. Kaylon Smith immediately answered with a jumper 10 seconds later. The Middle Tennessee lead began to swell down the stretch, but Vanderbilt was able to match the offensive output of their competitors, both teams scoring 16 points in the fourth.
The Blue Raiders were led by a trio in double figures – Courtney Whitson with 15 points, Dor Saar with 12 points and Malashka’s team best 17 points.
Vanderbilt returns to Memorial Gymnasium for a two-game home stand on Thursday, Nov. 18 vs. Tennessee Tech at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. vs. Jacksonville State.
