|
Commodores Rally to Defeat EA Sports, 81-72 11-11-04 11/11/2004 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Senior forward Ashley Earley recorded a double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds and Vanderbilt overcame a halftime deficit to knock off EA Sports, 81-72, in its final exhibition game of the season Thursday night in Memorial gymnasium. Earley led four Commodore players in double figures and unofficially matched her career-high with 18 rebounds. Box Score Jenn Hall scored 16 points and Carla Thomas chipped in 15 points as three of VU’s post players combined for 50 of the Commodores’ 81 points. Sophomore guard Dee Davis added 12 points for the Commodores. EA Sports was led by former Florida guard Brandi McCain who scored a game-high 21 points. Courtney McDaniel had 15 points for EA Sports. Vanderbilt shot 51.4 percent in the second half and forced nine turnovers in the half to overcome a 38-34 halftime lead. VU started the second half on a 19-2 run to take a 53-40 lead. Thomas scored seven points during the run. A jumper in the lane by Katie Antony put VU ahead, 63-51, before EA Sports mounted its rally. McDaniel nailed a shot to pull her team within 63-58 at the 7:52 mark of the second half. Another basket from Hall extended Vanderbilt’s lead to 69-62 with 4:58 remaining, before McCain drilled a three-pointer and Tonya Washington scored on a fast-break pulling EA Sports within, 69-67. Hall and Earley each made back-to-back baskets to extend the lead to 73-67 with 2:28 remaining. Davis hit a free throw and nailed a three-pointer from the left corner to end EA Sports rally to preserve the win. Earley scored 13 points in the first half and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Commodores. EA Sports shot 50 percent from the field including 41.7 percent from behind the arc on its way to a 38-34 halftime lead. EA Sports led 15-7 before Vanderbilt closed within 21-20 with 9:58 remaining on a made free throw from Earley. Nicole Jules’ free throw was good to tie the game, 21-21, at the 9:03 mark of the first half. Vanderbilt took its first lead of the game with 7:51 left in the half on a lay-up by Jules. A basket from Thomas put VU ahead 27-24 with 6:41 on the clock, but EA Sports closed out the half on a 14-7 run to take the halftime lead. Vanderbilt forced 20 turnovers in the game and recorded 10 steals. VU made 12-of-15 free throws and shot 60 percent from behind the arc in the second half on its way to the win. The Commodores will now get ready for their regular season opener. Vanderbilt hosts defending Northeastern Conference Tournament champions St. Francis (PA.) next Friday at 6 p.m. in Memorial Gymnasium. |
