Dec. 6, 2010
Game Notes 
| Webcast, Live Stats & Twitter
Southern Illinois (1-5, 0-0 MVC) at Vanderbilt (4-3, 0-0 SEC)
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Venue: Memorial Gymnasium (14,168)
Radio: 560 AM
TV: None
Webcast: vucommodores.com
Series: Vanderbilt leads 9-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 18, 2009 in Nashville (Vanderbilt 90 – Southern Illinois 64)
Coming off two straight losses on the road, Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team will look to get back on track Tuesday when Southern Illinois visits Memorial Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. tip. The Commodores are 4-3 overall this season, while Southern Illinois is 1-5.
Vanderbilt is in the midst of a five-day stretch in which it plays three games leading up to the start of final exams. The Commodores will cap the stretch on Thursday when UT Martin visits Nashville. The UT Martin game will feature the infamous mascot basketball game at halftime.
On Sunday, Vanderbilt suffered a 70-65 setback at Denver, which spoiled the homecoming for senior forward Hannah Tuomi (Thornton, Colo.). The loss dropped Vanderbilt to 0-3 on the road this season. Last Wednesday, Vanderbilt lost 79-68 at Bowling Green. The Commodores’ 4-3 record is its worst since starting the 1998-99 season 3-5 overall.
The Saluki’s are directed by second-year coach Missy Tiber. Southern Illinois posted their lone victory over Austin Peay (76-64) on Nov. 28. Vanderbilt is 9-1 all-time against Southern Illinois and has won eight straight games in the series. The Commodores won 90-64 at Southern Illinois last season (Nov. 18, 2009). Tuesday will mark the first game between the two school in Nashville since Vanderbilt defeated SIU 77-47 on Feb. 4, 1997.
Tuesday’s game will air on 560 AM in Nashville with longtime play-by-play announcer Charlie Mattos on the call. Fans may also watch the game online by subscribing to All-Access on VUCommodores.com.
Last Time
Out Vanderbilt’s game at Denver was supposed to be a memorable homecoming for Colorado native Hannah Tuomi, but it ended up being anything but memorable as Denver handed the Commodores their third straight loss on the road with a 70-65 victory Sunday at Magness Arena.
The loss was the second in a row for the 23rd-ranked Commodores, who fell to 4-3 this season. Denver improved to 4-4 overall.
The Commodores were paced by Tuomi and Jence Rhoads, who each posted season highs in points. With a large contingent of family on hand to watch her first game at Vanderbilt in her home state, Tuomi scored 17 points and collected six rebounds. Rhoads added a team-high 19 points.
Vanderbilt’s loss added to the road struggles for the SEC on Sunday. Also losing on the road were Georgia, Florida, Kentucky and Ole Miss.
Vanderbilt was outscored in the paint 40-22 as Denver held the Commodores to a season-low 65 points. Denver shot 56.3 percent from the floor, while Vanderbilt shot 45.1 percent from the floor.
Balcomb One Win from 200
Vanderbilt Head Coach has 199 career wins in nine years at Vanderbilt. Balcomb will become the third coach to win 200 games at Vanderbilt, joining Phil Lee and Jim Foster.
Mascot Game Thursday
Vanderbilt will have its annual mascot game at halftime of Thursday’s game against UT Martin. The game features mascots from local Nashville teams and establishments. If you have a favorite local mascot you’d like to see featured in the game, please contact Allison Bradley in Vanderbilt’s marketing department by calling 615/343-0245 or by sending an e-mail to allison.bradley@vanderbilt.edu.
Road Blues
Vanderbilt has started the season 0-3 on the road for the first time since 1998-99 season when Vanderbilt lost at Oklahoma State, Mississippi State and Indiana.
Slow Starters
Vanderbilt remains over .500 with a 4-3 record, but the Commodores are unaccustomed to having three losses this early in the season. In fact, Vanderbilt’s record is its worst to start a season since starting 3-5 overall in 1998-99. Vanderbilt has lost two straight games for the first time since losing at Missisippi State (1/7) and at Kentucky (1/10) last year. Sunday’s loss at Denver marked the first time Vanderbilt has lost two straight non-conference games since losing to Notre Dame and at Iowa State during the 2008-09 season.
Rhoads, Tuomi Heating Up
Seniors Jence Rhoads and Hannah Tuomi have played their best games of the season as of late. Rhoads has averaged 16.5 points over the team’s last two games, while Tuomi averaged 15.5 points. Rhoads has scored in double figures in three of Vanderbilt’s last four games. Tuomi has scored in double figures in six straight games and is averaging 15.5 points and 6.2 rebounds over her last four games.
Lister Not Playing Like a Freshman
Freshman guard Jasmine Lister has not looked like a freshman this season. The 5-foot-4 Lister is one of two players to start every game for Vanderbilt this season and is the only player to score in double figures in every game.
Commodores Lighting it Up
Vanderbilt has been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the SEC this season. The team leads the league in field-goal percentage (49.2%), three-point field-goal percentage (43.9%) and free-throw percentage (69.2%).
Turnovers Costly
The Commodores rank 11th in the SEC in turnover margin (-0.1) and average more turnovers (18.7) than any other team in the league.
Foggie Has Scary Injury
Christina Foggie received a scare in Vanderbilt’s game at Bowling Green. The freshman guard was treated for a concussion after running into a screen. Foggie was placed in a neck brace and taken off the court on a spine board before spending the night at a hospital in Bowling Green. She returned home to Nashville the following day with athletic trainer Michele Loftis.
About Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois is 1-5 overall this season with its lone win coming Nov. 28 against Austin Peay (76-64). Vanderbilt has won eight straight meetings with the Salukis and own a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series. Thursday will mark the first time Vanderbilt has played SIU at home since posting a 77-74 win on Feb. 4, 1997. Vanderbilt is 3-1 all-time against SIU at home. Vanderbilt won 90-64 Nov. 18, 2009 at Southern Illinois.
SIU has struggled to score this year and is averaging 50.8 points per game. The team is shooting just 32.9 percent from the floor and 21.4 percent from long range. Sophomore guard Teri Oliver paces the Salukis with a 9.2 scoring average.
Against the Missouri Valley
Vanderbilt is 22-2 all-time against teams currently in the Missouri Valley. Southern Illinois is Vanderbilt’s most common foe in the conference with 10 meetings.