SEATTLE — Fifth-year senior Mariella Fasoula hit the game-winner with 0.4 seconds left in overtime to propel Vanderbilt women’s basketball to a 76-74 win over Washington on Saturday.
Vanderbilt won both games at the Husky Classic inside Alaska Airlines Arena and improved to 9-3 on the season with one nonconference game remaining. The Commodores will look to extend their four-game winning streak when they welcome Columbia to Memorial Gym on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.
The Commodores, who trailed by as many as 14, earned their first win over a Pac-12 opponent since a 74-56 victory at USC on Dec. 29, 2012.
Fasoula was named tournament MVP as she averaged 16.5 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game. Freshman Koi Love earned All-Tournament honors with 18.5 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game.
Ice in her veins. 🥶@FasoulaMariella with the winner. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/d5qaBrGQmq
— Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) December 22, 2019
How it Happened
Vanderbilt jumped out to a 6-0 lead and held a 12-8 advantage before the Huskies got hot and rode a 20-6 run into a 28-20 lead after the opening quarter.
Washington (8-3) stayed hot in the second quarter, but the Commodores kept pace again. Vanderbilt closed to within 31-27 before the Huskies answered and went up 14, 45-31. But at the break, the Dores were within striking distance, 49-38.
Halftime adjustments slowed down the Huskies to start the third quarter and the Commodores quickly pulled within five, 49-44. The teams traded baskets for most of the quarter and Vanderbilt trailed 59-56 after three.
In the fourth, Washington held a 70-65 lead with 3:56 to go. A pair of freshmen, Demi Washington and Koi Love, each hit jumpers to pull within 70-69 at the 1:43 mark. After a defensive stop, Love hit two free throws to give Vanderbilt its first lead since the first quarter, 71-70, with 1:20 to go.
Washington regained the lead on the next possession, but Fasoula was fouled and made one of two to tie it at 72-72 with 26 seconds remaining.
Vanderbilt’s defense forced a wild shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
In the extra session, Vanderbilt’s defense did not allow a field goal. Washington managed just two free throws, but it was tied 74-74 heading to the final minute.
Fasoula drew a charge with 11 seconds left, and on the ensuing possession, she turned away from triple-team defense and scooped in the winner.
By the Numbers
Over the final 8:56 of game time (3:56 of regulation and overtime), Vanderbilt allowed just one field goal. Washington shot 51 percent from the field in the first half, but was held to just 24 percent in the second half and overtime.
Junior Chelsie Hall nearly finished with a near triple-double with 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, while freshman Koi Love notched another double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds as well as
Fasoula capped her MVP performance with 19 points and added five rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting.
Sophomore Jordyn Cambridge had four points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, while junior Autumn Newby added eight rebounds.
Notables
Vanderbilt’s nine nonconference wins are the most since winning 10 in 2016-17 … This was the first overtime game for the Commodores since Nov. 25, 2017 against Wisconsin in the Paradise Jam tournament … The last overtime win for the Commodores was March 3, 2016 against Georgia in the SEC Tournament … Vanderbilt improved to 2-1 against Washington with the other win coming in the 1997 NCAA Tournament en route to the Sweet 16 …Vanderbilt is now 21-9 all-time against the Pac-12.
On Deck
After the holiday, the Commodores will return home to conclude nonconference play against Columbia on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. Popcorn and drinks are $1. Tickets can be found here.
