Nov. 16, 2014
Teams: Green Bay (1-0) vs. RV/RV Vanderbilt (1-0)
Day, Date: Monday, Nov. 17
Tip-off time: 7 p.m. (CT)
Site: Memorial Gym (Nashville, Tenn.)
Radio: 560 AM & 95.9 FM
Viewing: SEC Network-Plus (online)
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased by calling 615-322-GOLD, visiting the McGugin Center ticket office or logging on to vucommodores.com.
After a hard-fought season-opening win over Belmont, the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team returns to the floor on Monday night to host Green Bay at 7 p.m. at Memorial Gym. The contest — which will be the first-ever meeting between the teams — marks the end to a quick two-game homestand for the Commodores. Here are a few storylines surrounding Monday’s game.
l Another positive start for the Commodores. Continuing a long-standing tradition of season-opening victories, the Commodores fought off feisty Belmont, 65-58, on Friday night at Memorial Gym. The victory enabled Vanderbilt to extend a pair of streaks: The Commodores have now won nine straight season openers, and more impressively, 29 straight home openers. But Friday’s win certainly didn’t come easily for the Commodores, who trailed 58-57 before closing the game with an 8-0 run. A three-point play by Rebekah Dahlman was a pivotal play during the late run. Morgan Batey finished with a team-high 15 points, and freshman Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau had an impressive Memorial Gym debut, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Marqu’es Webb and freshman Paris Kea added 11 points each for the Commodores.
l Scouting Green Bay. The Phoenix, coached by Kevin Borseth, have plenty of scoring weapons, as evidenced during their 94-66 season-opening win over Marquette on Saturday. Green Bay had five players reach double figures, including a team-high 15 points from freshman Allie LeClaire, who finished 7-of-15 from the floor. The Phoenix got a big boost from their bench, as the Green Bay reserves combined for 52 points. Four of the five players who reached double figures were not in the starting lineup. In addition to LeClaire, the other non-starters who reached double figures were: Ellen Edison (13 points), Jessice Lindstrom (12) and Sam Terry (11). The only starter who reached double figures was Mehryn Kraker, who scored 13. Green Bay outscored Marquette 48-18 in the paint.
l Sizing up the Series. This will be the first-ever meeting between Vanderbilt and Green Bay.
l Borseth Bio. The Green Bay head coach is nearing the 600-win plateau. He enter’s Monday’s game against Vanderbilt with 580 career victories. Borseth, who arrived in Green Bay prior to the 1998-99 season, has guided the Phoenix to 21 wins in all but one of his seasons with the team.
l History on their side. The Commodores have a rich history of non-conference success at Memorial Gym. Including last Friday’s 65-58 win over Belmont at Memorial Gym in the season opener, Vanderbilt has won 32 of its last 34 non-conference home games dating back to the start of the 2010-11 season. Vanderbilt went 8-1 at home during the non-conference portion of its schedule last season, including wins over Dayton and Wisconsin. The Commodores’ only non-conference home loss last season was an 82-77 setback against Marquette on Nov. 17.
l Roster news. Vanderbilt junior Heather Bowe will not be available for action while serving a suspension for a violation of university academic policy. Bowe is expected to be reinstated by the NCAA at the end of this semester. Bowe saw action in 27 games last season, including making 21 starts. She averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
l Gaining attention. Although Vanderbilt did not crack the preseason Top-25 rankings, the Commodores received votes in both the AP and USA Today polls. Inside the SEC, the Commodores are again projected for a strong showing, with the media predicting a fifth-place finish for Vanderbilt and the SEC coaches tabbing the Commodores for sixth place.