Dec. 29, 2012
LOS ANGELES — The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team closed out non-conference play with a seven-game winning streak, defeating USC, 74-56, on Saturday, December 29, at the Galen Center. The Commodores improved to 10-3, while the Trojans fell to 3-8.
As usual, Christina Foggie and Tiffany Clarke led the way. Foggie scored 28 points on 8-of-18 shooting and 7-of-11 from three. The seven three-pointers matched a career-high for the junior and were just one shy of the Vanderbilt record for threes in a game.
Clarke recorded her third double-double in the last four games, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The senior forward shot 10-21 from the field.
Jasmine Lister joined the pair in double-figures. A native of nearby Corona, Calif., the junior guard scored 11 and dished out six assists, while grabbing three steals playing in front of several family members and friends.
USC was led by 22 from Cassie Harberts. The forward scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Ariya Crook contributed 12 points for the Trojans, who have lost six-straight.
After Vanderbilt worked to an eight-point lead midway through the first half, USC worked it to one before taking tying the game, 20-20, with 6:27 left in the period on a free throw by Harberts. Clarke responded with a basket to push the lead back to two.
The teams traded baskets before the Trojans took their first lead, 25-22, on a three by Vaioletama with 5:24 to play. Harberts followed with a jumper to push the lead to 27-22. Scrhann hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to three before Foggie drilled a three to even the score up at 27.
The junior had a jumper to put the Commodores up 31-30, but Crook connected from three with three seconds left to put the Trojans up 33-31 at the break. The teams were close from the field, with USC shooting 46.2% and Vanderbilt shooting 45.5%. The squads were an identical 3-5 from three in the first period. Points off turnovers were a big advantage for the Trojans, as USC had 12 points off six turnovers, while Vanderbilt had just four points off nine USC miscues.
The second period was a different story, as it was all Vanderbilt.
VU opened the second half with a 19-6 run, taking a 50-39 lead. The Commodores built the lead mostly by securing the basketball, as Vanderbilt did not commit a turnover in the second period until there was just 7:25 left in the game.
In the second half, Vanderbilt outscored the Trojans 43-23, to pick-up its first win of the season when trailing at the half (at Western Kentucky). Foggie and Clarke combined for 29 of Vanderbilt’s points, while Lister added seven in the period.
In addition to sound offense, the Commodores played solid defense in the frame, as well. They held the Trojans to 33.3% (10-30) shooting, while forcing eight turnovers and scoring seven points off those miscues.
The Commodores open up SEC play on Thursday, January 3, when they host Mississippi State. Tipoff at Memorial Gym is set for 7:00 p.m. The game is Take a Kid to a Game Night and fans can receive one free youth ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. For tickets, call 615-322-GOLD or click here.
