NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sophomore Sacha Washington scored a career-high tying 23 points to lead the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team to a 76-46 victory over Alabama A&M to close out nonconference play on Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium.
Graduate guard Ciaja Harbison stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, a season-high eight assists and four steals to give the Dores (9-5) a chance to celebrate Christmas on a three-game winning streak as they enter Southeastern Conference play.
Washington was 8 of 11 from the field and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line to match the career high she set last season against Alabama.
The Dores forced 27 turnovers, including 16 steals, and converted them into 31 points. Vandy was 23 of 25 from the free throw line and scored 34 points in the paint.
Alabama A&M made the first basket of the game before Vandy launched a 9-0 run in which four different players scored to take the lead for good. The Bulldogs (1-8), members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, hung around for the majority of the first 20 minutes before Vandy embarked on another 9-0 to end the half and enter the break with a 38-22 lead.
Washington led the way through the first 20 minutes with 13 points and Vandy forced 16 turnovers in the first half.
Washington continued to assert her advantage inside out of halftime, scoring five of Vandy’s first seven points to expand the lead to more than 20 points. The Dores used a 14-2 run at the start of the third quarter to pull away for good.
All eight players available for Vanderbilt scored at least five points and grabbed at least two rebounds.
Amani Free led Alabama A&M with 15 points and Amiah Simmons scored 11. The Bulldogs shot 38 percent (15 of 40) from the field overall.
Player Notes
• Washington has scored in double figures eight times this season, including in each of the last two games.
• Harbison has scored in double figures in seven straight games and nine times in the 11 games she’s played this season.
• Harbison has dished out at least five assists nine times in 2022-23 as well.
• Both she and Yaubryon Chambers contributed a season-best four steals also.
Series History
Vanderbilt improved to 3-0 all-time against Alabama A&M, with every win coming at home. The last meeting between the programs came in the 2011-12 season in Nashville, an 86-55 victory for the Dores.
Up Next: Vanderbilt begins Southeastern Conference play by hosting Mississippi State on Dec. 29th at 5 p.m. CT (SEC Network+) at Memorial Gymnasium.
Tickets: Students will continue to receive free admission to all home basketball games. In addition, single-game sales, mini-plans and group ticket options are available. To view the promotional schedule, click here.
