Nov. 28, 2010
Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Season Stats | 
Highlights | Press Conference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 24/22 Vanderbilt held off a feisty Princeton team to claim the 12th Annual Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament with a 74-68 win on Sunday at Memorial Gym.
Although the lead changed hands just one time in the game, the Commodores (4-1) were unable to create much separation from Princeton (3-2), which seemingly had an answer for every Vanderbilt run.
“I like to give the other team credit when credit is due,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Melanie Balcomb said. “I think they’re a very good team. I think they’re extremely well coached. They beat USC for a reason. We didn’t’ take them lightly and they were ready to play with a lot of confidence. We came out real strong with a lot of energy on our home court and then they made a run and they stepped it up. They played that way for the rest of the game and maintained it.”
Vanderbilt clung to a three-point lead at the half before scoring the first four points of the second half to open up a seven-point lead, 33-26, with 18:59 to play. However, the defending Ivy League champions would go on to outscore Vanderbilt 18-10 over the next seven minutes to take their first lead of the game, 44-43, with 11:59 to play.
The Commodores would regain the lead following a pair of free throws by Tiffany Clarke with 11:33 to play. Clarke’s free throws began a 10-0 run for the Commodores, who extended their lead to seven, 53-44, with 9:15 to play in the game.
Vanderbilt’s nine-point lead would be cut to two, 57-55, with 5:46 to play following an 11-4 run by Princeton.
Vanderbilt would answer with a 10-2 run of its own to take a 67-57 lead with 2:57 to play, but the Tigers were not finished yet. Princeton would score eight of the next nine points to pull within three, 68-65, with 1:24 to play. Following a three-pointer by Christina Foggie, which put the Commodores back up by six with 57 seconds to play, Princeton’s Addie Micir answered with a three of her own to pull Princeton back within three.
After a free throw by Jence Rhoads put Vanderbilt up by four with 30 seconds to play, Princeton missed three shot attempts, including two three-pointers on the ensuing possession before having to foul Vanderbilt’s Stephanie Holzer.
Vanderbilt was paced by Tournament MVP Hannah Tuomi, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. Jasmine Lister also added 15 points and Tiffany Clarke had nine. Lister and Clarke were part of the All-Tournament Team, which also included Princeton’s Addie Micir, USC’s Christina Marinacci and Quinnipiac’s Felicia Barron.
Princeton was paced by Micir, who scored 20 points, which included six three-pointers.
With the win, Vanderbilt improved to 24-0 all-time in its annual Thanksgiving Tournament. In total, the Commodores are 41-1 all-time in home tournament games.
In the first half, Vanderbilt built a 12-3 lead to open the game behind Tiffany Clarke’s six points in the first 4:09 of the game. However, the Commodores were unable to stretch their lead past nine as the Tigers pulled within six, 18-12, with 7:58 to play, despite shooting just 4-of-13 (30.8%).
Princeton would cut it to one, 25-24, with 2:26 to play in the half before the Commodores would score four of the final six points to take a 29-26 lead into the locker room.
USC defeated Quinnipiac 78-59 to win the consolation game played before Vanderbilt’s game.
Up next, Vanderbilt will play at Bowling Green on Wednesday night.
All-Tournament Team
Felicia Barron, Quinnipiac – sophomore, guard
Christina Marinacci, USC – sophomore, forward
Addie Micir, Princeton – senior guard
Jasmine Lister, Vanderbilt – freshman guard
Tiffany Clarke, Vanderbilt – sophomore forward
MVP
Hannah Tuomi, Vanderbilt – senior, forward
