'Dores win opener, 86-55

Nov. 11, 2011

Box Score | Quotes | media_icon_photogallery.gif Russell’s Photos | camera.gifHighlights | camera.gifPostgame Press Conference

The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team used an impressive shooting night to score an 86-55 victory over Alabama A&M in its season opener. The Commodores improved to 1-0 on the season, while the Bulldogs fell to 0-1.

Guards Jasmine Lister and Christina Foggie led the way for Vanderbilt with 22 and 18 points, respectively. Lister added seven assists, while committing no turnovers. She was also 4-of-6 from 3-point land.

Three other Commodores were in double-figures. Tiffany Clarke picked up 11 points, while grabbing seven rebounds. Freshman Maggie Morrison had an impressive collegiate debut with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds. Junior Elan Brown narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Alabama A&M was led by 25 points and eight rebounds from Whiquitta Tobar. Shundray Davis added 13 points and nine rebounds. Outside of their two guards, the Bulldogs did not get much scoring output, as no one else on the squad recorded more than five points.

Morrison’s play was especially important to Vanderbilt Head Coach Melanie Balcomb, as her team was without junior guard Gabby Smith (concussion, day-to-day) and saw freshman guard Kady Schrann roll an ankle late in the first half.

“(Having Morrison) helps because I like being able to move Lister to the two-guard and having Maggie at the point to distribute,” Balcomb said, before adding Scrhann could have returned had the necessity presented itself.

Balcomb was also pleased with how her team handled the Alabama A&M 3-2 zone defense, which the Commodores did not expect to see.

“You saw tonight that when we go slow, we’re pretty good shooters. We started off shooting six-of-10 from three and they had to go to man,” said Balcomb.

The Commodores shot 48.5% from the field, including 45.0% from three. Size and depth both proved to be a factor, as Vanderbilt outscored Alabama A&M in the paint, 38-28, as well as off the bench, 23-9.

Vanderbilt nearly doubled-up on the Bulldogs in the first half, taking a 45-23 lead into the break. Three-point shooting helped open up the lead, as the Commodores were 7-10 from beyond the arc. Lister was an impressive 6-7 from the field, as well as 3-3 from 3-point range in the frame.

The Commodores face a quick turnaround, as they take the floor again on Monday, November 14 against Western Illinois. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gym.

wbbcelebration111111.jpg