CANCUN, Mexico — Senior forward Yaubryon Chambers finished with her first career double-double, but Vanderbilt was edged near the buzzer in a 65-62 loss to Northern Iowa on Friday to conclude the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
After Ciaja Harbison tied the game with a driving layup with 30 seconds remaining, UNI’s Emerson Green drained the game-winning 3-pointer from the left wing with 0.5 seconds to go to send the Commodores (5-3) to their third straight loss.
Chambers scored 10 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Vandy (5-3), which placed four players in double-figures scoring. Harbison finished with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists, Sacha Washington scored 12 points and Amauri Williams had 11 points and four rebounds in 10 minutes of action.
The teams traded big runs to open the game.
Vanderbilt shot out to a 13-0 lead before UNI (3-3) answered with a 16-2 run. Marnelle Garraud drained a jumper at the buzzer to put the Dores back in front 17-16 after one quarter.
Vandy and UNI went back and forth throughout the second quarter to set the tone for the remainder of the game. Vandy freshman Jada Brown knocked down a 3-pointer to force a 32-32 tie at halftime, and the Dores held a 48-46 lead entering the final quarter.
Grace Boffelli’s layup put UNI ahead 62-58 with two minutes remaining before Vandy rallied to tie the game on Harbison’s basket. But Green’s 3-pointer sent Vandy home from Cancun without a win after falling to No. 13 NC State on Thursday.
The game featured nine ties and 15 lead changes. Vandy was limited to just 4 of 20 (20.0 percent) from the 3-point line.
Boffeli scored 15 points and Maya McDermott added 10 for UNI, which missed 10 free throws.
Up Next: Vanderbilt returns home to host USC Upstate on Tuesday at 6:30 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.
