SEATTLE — Fifth-year senior Mariella Fasoula notched her fourth straight double-double while freshman Koi Love poured in a career-high 18 points to lead Vanderbilt to a 76-63 win over UC Irvine at the Husky Classic.
In a game that started just after 10 p.m. CT, Vanderbilt (8-3) won its third straight and eclipsed last season’s win total in just 11 games. The Commodores will have a quick turnaround when they take on host Washington at 6 p.m. CT Saturday. That game can be seen on Pac-12 Live.
How it Happened
It was a fast start for both teams. Vanderbilt posted its second-highest scoring opening quarter of the season and led 23-12 after a 10-2 run. But the Anteaters cut into the lead and trailed 23-18 at the end of the period.
UC Irvine (3-8) continued its run into the second half and took a 28-25 advantage with 6:36 left in the half.
From there, Vanderbilt scored 15 of the last 17 of the second quarter. Love had 12 points at the half to give the Commodores a 40-30 edge at the break.
The Commodores extended their lead to 58-45 after three quarters and never allowed the Anteaters within double digits in the fourth quarter. Vanderbilt, which finished with a season-high six 3s, led by as many 20 in the final frame.
By the Numbers
Fasoula finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high six blocks. She is the first Commodore with six blocks in a game in more than 11 years (Liz Sherwood vs. Mississippi State on Jan. 10, 2008).
Love, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, also added eight rebounds and six assists. She eclipsed her career high point total set in Vanderbilt’s last game when she finished with 17 and the game-winner against Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 15.
Five Commodores finished in double figures. Chelsie Hall finished with 11 points and four assists, sophomore Jordyn Cambridge had 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals while senior LeaLea Carter added 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Vanderbilt had 18 assists on 29 field goals and finished 29 of 66 (43.9 percent) from the field, including 6 of 14 (42.9 percentlea) from three.
Part woman. 👩 Part machine. 🦾
4⃣th straight double-doubles.
Career-high 6⃣ blocks. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/LVkgT2h4Ik— Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) December 21, 2019
Notables
This was the first all-time meeting between the Anteaters and Commodores … Vanderbilt improved to 3-1 all-time in Seattle, which includes two wins in the 2005 NCAA Tournament … Vanderbilt is 2-0 in road games in the United States this year and 8-1 overall in the U.S. this season .. Vanderbilt’s eight nonconference wins are the most since winning 10 in 2016-17 .. Vanderbilt has out-rebounded every opponent this season .. Fasoula has 10 blocks in the last two games.
On Deck
After the holiday, the Commodores will return home to conclude nonconference play against Columbia on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. Popcorn and drinks are $1.
