BIMINI, Bahamas – It came down to the final seconds for the second straight night for Vanderbilt, and for the second straight night it did not go the way of the Commodores in a 69-65 defeat to Seton Hall in the consolation game of the Junkanoo Jam on Friday.
Senior Mariella Fasoula and freshman Koi Love each had a double-double at the Gateway Academy Gym in Bimini, but Vanderbilt fell to 5-3 on the season.
How it Happened
Fasoula scored 11 in the opening frame but Seton Hall (5-3) used a 7-0 run to break an 8-8 tie and held onto a 21-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Pirates extended their lead to 27-18 before Vanderbilt battled back with an 11-2 run to tie the game at 29-29 with just over three minutes remaining in the half. But Seton Hall scored seven of the last nine to take a 36-31 lead into the locker room.
Once again, a huge third quarter vaulted the Commodores into the lead. A 16-6 run gave Vandy its first lead since the first minute of the first quarter 47-44 with 3:08 remaining in the quarter. Sophomore Jordyn Cambridge buried a 3 at the buzzer for a 54-48 lead heading into the final stanza.
Seton Hall scored the first seven points of the fourth to regain the lead. The Commodores briefly went ahead 60-57 after a 3 from Kiara Pearl and a fastbreak layup from Cambridge with 6:10 to play. But the Pirates scored eight of the next nine to go up 65-61.
Vanderbilt continued to fight and Cambridge was fouled with the Commodores down 66-63. She made one free throw and on the second attempt Love was fouled on the rebound. She made one to pull within 66-65 with 20 seconds to go.
But Seton Hall made two free throws and Love missed a jumper on the ensuing possession allowing the Pirates to ice it from the line.
By the Numbers
Fasoula finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Love notched her second career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Cambridge filled the box score again. She added 11 points, four assists, five steals and seven rebounds.
Junior Chelsie Hall scored nine points, had four steals and dished three assists.
Vanderbilt finished 26 of 63 (41.3 percent) from the field, while Seton Hall was 27 of 66 (40.9 percent). The Commodores had 16 steals, but had 29 turnovers to the Pirates’ 23.
Notables
One night earlier, against Rutgers, Vanderbilt led after three quarters and was within one in the final minute before falling 62-56 … The Commodores trailed by as many as nine before regaining the lead … Vanderbilt is now 0-1 all-time against Seton Hall … The Commodores have lost two straight for the first time this season … Vanderbilt played without leading scorer Brinae Alexander who was injured Thursday.
On Deck
Vanderbilt returns to historic Memorial Gymnasium for a pair of home games beginning Dec. 5 against Tennessee Tech (7 p.m.). Following a 10-day break, the Commodores host Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 15 (3 p.m.).
After two home games, the Commodores will travel to Seattle, Washington, to take on UC Irvine (Dec. 20) and Washington (Dec. 21) at the Husky Classic.
Dores Fall to Seton Hall by Vanderbilt Athletics on Exposure
