Vanderbilt (4-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Hampton (1-2, 0-0 CAA)
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 • 6:30 p.m. CT
Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, Tenn. • SEC Network+ • Tickets
94.9 The Fan • Vanderbilt Athletics App • Live Stats • Game Notes • Game Program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team looks to keep its perfect record intact Wednesday as the Commodores host Hampton in the second contest of a three-game homestand. Tipoff from Memorial Gymnasium is set for 6:30 p.m., and streams live on SEC Network+.
Starting Five
>> The Dores head into Wednesday’s contest at 4-0 on the year. Vandy is coming off an 81-52 win over Butler this past Sunday at Memorial Gym. Freshman Mikayla Blakes and sophomore Khamil Pierre each recorded 20-plus points in the same game for the second time this season in the win over the Bulldogs. Blakes scored a personal-best 29 points, while Pierre registered 24 points.
>> Vanderbilt is 27-5 at Memorial Gym vs. nonconference foes under Shea Ralph. The Commodores have won 14 straight home games against nonconference teams, a streak that dates back to the 2022-23 campaign. In total, Vandy is 36-13 against non-SEC schools in the Ralph era.
>> The Commodores and the Lady Pirates will meet for just the second time on the hardwood. The last time the two schools played one another was on Nov. 29, 1998, in Memorial Gym, where Vanderbilt picked up a 116-46 victory. The 116 points scored against Hampton that night are the third-most Vanderbilt has scored in a game, while the 70-point win is the second-largest margin of victory in program history.
>> Vandy is in the midst of one of its busiest stretches of the season, as the Commodores are playing six games over 13 days to close out November. Wednesday’s contest marks the third game in that stretch. Vanderbilt previously won at South Florida (62-49) on Nov. 14 and defeated Butler (81-52) on Nov. 17. The Dores still have a home game against Samford (Nov. 22) before heading to Palm Springs, California, to play in the Acrisure Classic, where they will take on Arizona (Nov. 26) in the first game and then California or Michigan State (Nov. 27) in the next round.
>> Vanderbilt enters Wednesday’s games at a perfect 4-0. The Commodores are among 66 undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division I. Vandy is seeking to open a third-straight season at 5-0, a feat that has never been accomplished in program history.
Game Coverage
Wednesday’s contest against Hampton will stream live on SEC Network+ via the Watch ESPN app, with Andrew Allegretta and Drew Maddux calling the action. Fans can listen to Jake Lyman locally on 94.9 The Fan and the Vanderbilt Commodores app outside of Nashville.
Gameday Information
Click the link here for the latest gameday information on entrance, construction, parking, and ticketing information at Memorial Gymnasium.
Sneakerhead Night
Show off your best kicks while cheering on the Dores this Wednesday vs. Hampton. Vanderbilt Athletics will be collecting new and gently worn shoes, with proceeds going towards Soles4Souls. Donations can be placed in the labeled S4S bins located near the marketing tables at Gates 1, 6, and 11 (ADA entrance). Fans can purchase tickets by clicking the link here.
Blakes Name SEC Freshman of the Week
Mikayla Blakes earned the first SEC weekly honor of her career as she was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Tuesday. The Somerset, New Jersey, native led all SEC freshmen in scoring during the week, putting up 22.5 points per game in a pair of Commodore wins. She is the first Commodore to be named SEC Freshman of the Week since Khamil Pierre, who captured the award a school-record five times during the 2023-24 campaign. Blakes becomes the fifth player to win the conference’s weekly freshman honor under head coach Shea Ralph, joining Pierre, Ryanne Allen, Iyana Moore, and Sacha Washington.
Pierre’s Streak
Sophomore Khamil Pierre enters Wednesday’s game on a seven-game double-digit scoring streak dating back to last season. It is the longest double-digit scoring streak of her career, as the 6-2 forward is averaging 16.6 points per game during the stretch.
Elite Defense
The Dores have been locking up teams and cleaning up the glass with high efficiency this season. Vanderbilt ranks 11th in the nation in points allowed at 47.0 points per game. The Commodores have held foes to 52 or fewer points in all four of their games this season. Vandy’s 22.3 turnovers per game rank 22nd-best in all of NCAA Division I, while their +11.0 turnover margin is 17th nationally. Vanderbilt is also holding teams to the 27th-lowest field goal percentage in the nation at 32.7 percent.
Blakes’ Big Night
Freshman Mikayla Blakes dropped a career-high 29 points in Sunday’s 81-52 home win against Butler. Her 29-point performance vs. the Bulldogs is tied for the fifth-most points scored in a game by a Vanderbilt freshman. She matches with Kady Schrann (vs. LSU, Jan. 29, 2012), Barbara Brackman (vs. Duke, March 13, 1982), and Harriet Brumfield (at Delta State, Feb. 20, 1982, and vs. Northwestern, Nov. 27, 1981).
Still Picking Up Votes in the AP Poll
The Dores earned 14 votes in this week’s Associate Press Top 25 Poll. It marks their third-straight appearance in the AP poll this season.
Double-Double Machine
Khamil Pierre ranks second in NCAA Division I this season with three double-doubles. She is one of 13 players to collect three or more double-doubles this season. Pierre is also among seven players in all of NCAA Division I who have posted a double-double in all but one game their team has played this season.
Historic Start
Freshman Mikayla Blakes has scored 15-plus points and collected at least two steals in each of her first four games to begin her Vanderbilt career. She is the first Dore since at least 2009-10 to open their Vandy career with four-straight games with 15-plus points and two-plus steals.
Putting Up Big Numbers
Khamil Pierre has been one of the nation’s most elite scorers and rebounders in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign. The Phoenix, Arizona, native is one of eight NCAA Division I players who are currently averaging over 19.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Scouting the Lady Pirates
Hampton comes to Memorial Gym with a 1-2 overall record. The Lady Pirates have dropped two-straight games, coming against Radford (65-55) and Norfolk State (62-53).
Sophomore Jasha Clinton leads the team in scoring at 12.7 points per game. The 5-8 guard has scored double-digit points in two games this season, and she leads the team with three 3-point field goals. Senior CeCe Thomas is also averaging double-digit points at 10.3 points per game.
The Lady Pirates are averaging 57.7 points per contest while giving up 60.7 points per game. Hampton is shooting 37.4 percent from the floor and 17.4 percent on 3-point field goals. Teams are posting a 42.1 field goal percentage against Hampton and 26.5 percent from behind the arc.
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