Feb. 5, 2007
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 15th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s basketball team, whose 76.2 percent shooting performance (32-of-42 field-goal attempts) led to a 91-51 win over Southeastern Conference rival Alabama on Sunday, are now the owners of an NCAA record for highest field-goal percentage in a single game.
“Once we got started, it was contagious,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Melanie Balcomb said. “We came out extremely hot, but I was most impressed with our shot selection. We took great shots throughout the whole game.”
Vanderbilt’s performance on Sunday bested a Dec. 18, 2001 shooting spree by Ohio. The Bobcats hit 33-of-44 shots (75 percent) against Tennessee-Martin.
Vanderbilt now holds three of the top 16 shooting performances in NCAA history. Vanderbilt’s previous school record came against Arkansas in 2003. Those Commodores connected on 72.5 percent (29-of-40) of their shots in a 76-59 win in Nashville — ranking ninth all-time in the NCAA.
A Nov. 21, 2001 showing against Western Kentucky ranks tied for 16th on the list. Vanderbilt made 35-of-49 field goal attempts for a shooting percentage of 71.4 percent. The Commodores led the nation in field-goal percentage in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
NET REWARDS
The Commodores rank as the SEC leader in field-goal percentage and three-point field-goal percentage. Nationally, they have held the No. 1 spot for long-range shooting for three weeks.
Even before Sunday’s game, Vanderbilt had turned in the nation’s best shooting performance this season by connecting on 44-of-64 field-goal attempts (68.8 percent) in December against Lipscomb.
The Commodores own all three of the top shooting performances in the SEC this season. Third-best on the list is VU’s league-opening 98-61 win over Arkansas that featured 61.7 percent shooting from the field (37-of-60).