NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team got career-high scoring performances from junior Sacha Washington and freshman Madison Greene, as the Commodores collected a 71-63 win over Louisiana Tech at Memorial Gymnasium on Sunday.
Washington registered a career-best 33 points in the win over the Lady Techsters. The 6-2 forward shot a blistering 75% from the field, as she became the first Commodore to score 30 or more points in a game since Ciaja Harbison’s 41-point performance against Texas A&M back on Jan. 29, 2023.
Greene also established a new career-high in points scored against Louisiana Tech, as the Columbus, Ohio, native tallied 17 points off the bench. Greene made a career-best three 3-point field goals in the victory, as she has now hit at least one 3-pointer in eight of her nine games played this season.
With the victory, Vanderbilt improves to 8-1 overall on the year. It is Vandy’s best start to a season since the Commodores opened the 2016-17 season at 10-1. Vanderbilt shot 44.6% from the field in the victory and forced Louisiana Tech into 24 turnovers, which turned into 27 points for the Dores.
Neither team held more than a four-point lead in the first quarter, as Vanderbilt led 19-16 after 10 minutes of play. Washington scored 11 of her 33 points in the opening frame, as she went 5-of-6 from the floor in the first period.
After Vanderbilt took a 23-18 lead early in the second quarter, Louisiana Tech knotted things up at 23-all with 5:26 left to play before halftime after hitting a trio of free throws. Vanderbilt went on a 7-0 run from that point to take a 30-23 advantage after back-to-back layups from Washington. Vanderbilt would go into the locker room holding a four-point lead at 30-26.
Vandy came out of the break on an 18-5 run to take a game-high 17-point advantage at 48-31 around the 4-minute mark of the stanza. The Commodores hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter, as Vanderbilt built a 13-point lead at 54-41 going into the game’s final stanza.
Vanderbilt maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the fourth quarter. The Dores had to withstand one final rally from Louisiana Tech, as the Lady Techsters pulled to within single digits in the closing minute before Vanderbilt pulled out the 71-63 win.
Head Coach Shea Ralph on the Win
“I’m really proud of our team today for picking up the win at home. I would like to see more consistency with our team throughout the game. We didn’t move as well on defense and our offense was stagnant in the first half. When we play consistently, we’re really tough. We figured out how to win today, and I will always celebrate that.”
Up Next
Vanderbilt will have a few days of rest before taking the court again.The Commodores travel up to Indianapolis this Thursday to take on Butler. Tipoff against the Bulldogs is set for 6 p.m. at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse and will stream on FloHoops.com.
Dore Notes
- Vanderbilt is now 8-1 this season, its best start since the 2016-17 season. The Commodores opened the 2016-17 campaign with a 10-1 record through 11 games.
- Vanderbilt moves to 3-1 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
- Vandy has now won seven-straight home games against non-SEC foes.
- The Commodores are now 21-3 at home against nonconference teams under Shea Ralph.
- Junior Sacha Washington recorded her 37th career game with double-digit points, while it is her 17th career game with 20 or more points.
- Washington shot 15-of-20 from the field versus Louisiana Tech. She is the first Commodore to attempt 20 or more field goals since Marnelle Garraud attempted 21 shots against South Carolina on Jan. 19, 2023.
- Washington established a new career best in steals with eight against the Lady Techsters.
- Freshman Madison Greene matched her career-high in scoring with 17 points against Louisiana Tech.
- Greene hit a career-best three 3-point field goals against Louisiana Tech.
- Jordyn Cambridge recorded three steals during Sunday’s game, bringing her career total to 273, which is fifth on the program’s all-time steals list. Cathy Bender (1979-82) is fourth with 277.
- Cambridge scored seven points versus Louisiana Tech, bringing her career-best 11-game double-digit scoring streak to an end.
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