NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team set the program record for most points scored in a first half, as the Commodores cruised to a 98-51 victory over Kennesaw State at Memorial Gymnasium in the 2023-24 season opener.
Vanderbilt unleashed an offensive barrage over the first 20 minutes of play against the Owls and never looked back. The Commodores set the program record for most points scored in a first half by scoring 66 points over the first two halves en route to a 47-point victory. The 98 points scored are the most points Vanderbilt has scored in the Ralph era.
A total of nine Commodores scored in the season opener, led by junior Sacha Washington’s 16-point performance. Graduate student Jordyn Cambridge and junior Iyana Moore each took the court for the first time in 592 days after missing the 2022-23 season due to injury. The guards made the most of their return, as each player scored 11 points against the Owls. Cambridge also dished out a game-high seven assists and collected a game-best five steals.
Freshman Khamil Pierre and sophomore Justine Pissott each recorded double-digit points off the bench in their Vanderbilt debut, as Pierre tallied 14 points and six rebounds, while Pissott chipped in 12 points and led the team with three 3-point field goals. Pierre and Pissott were two of six Vanderbilt players who made their program debut against Kennesaw State. Freshman Madison Greene tallied nine points off the bench in her collegiate debut, while graduate student Jordyn Oliver and fellow freshman Aga Makurat each collected eight points in their first career start for Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt shot 47.0% from the field against Kennesaw State, while limiting the Owls to shoot 33.3% from the floor. The Commodores did not allow a 3-point field goal over the final two quarters of play, as Vandy limited KSU to just 25.0% from behind the arc.
The Commodores jumped out to a 31-8 lead after 10 minutes of play and never looked back. Vanderbilt held a 37-point advantage heading into halftime after scoring a program-record 66 points over the first two quarters. Vandy jumped out to a game-high 51-point advantage late in the third quarter, as the Dores opened the frame by scoring the first 14 points to take an 80-29 lead.
Coach Ralph on the Victory
“It was an awesome environment with Education Day and I’m really proud of my team with how we started the year. There is obviously some growth that we can have coming out of this game and I’m excited to look at the tape. I’m really proud of the way we came out and I’m so happy that we are healthy. We’re looking forward to turning around and playing again Thursday.”
Up Next
Vanderbilt returns to action this Thursday, as the Commodores hit the road for the first time this season to face UT Martin. Tipoff against the Skyhawks is set for 5:30 p.m. and will stream live on ESPN3 via the Watch ESPN app.
Dore Notes
- Vanderbilt moves to 3-0 in season openers under head coach Shea Ralph. Coach Ralph joins Melanie Balcomb as the only two Vandy women’s basketball head coaches to win three-straight season openers.
- The Dores scored 66 points in the first half to set the program record for most points in the first half.
- The 66-point outing in the first half against KSU is tied for the most points scored in any half in program history, matching the 66-point second-half performance against Quinnipiac on Nov. 26, 2010.
- The Commodores move to 2-0 all-time against Kennesaw State.
- The 47-point victory over KSU is the first 40-point win for the Commodores since picking up a 42-point victory over Alabama State back on Dec. 28, 2021.
- The 98 points scored in today’s victory marks the most points Vanderbilt has scored in a game under head coach Shea Ralph.
- Graduate student Jordyn Cambridge records her 33rd career game with double-digit points.
- Jordyn Cambridge recorded five steals in the win over Kennesaw State to move her into seventh on Vanderbilt’s all-time steal list with 239 career swipes. She is three steals away from passing Dee Davis (2004-07) for sixth on the list.
- Junior Sacha Washington scored 16 points to extend her double-digit scoring streak to three games dating back to last season. It is the 31st time that Washington has scored 10-plus points for the Commodores.
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