Jan. 13, 2015
UPDATE ON THE DORES
RECORD: 9-7, 1-3
MOST RECENT GAME: Defeated No. 14/15 Mississippi State, 78-62, on Jan. 11
UPCOMING GAMES:
Jan. 15: host Alabama-Huntsville, 7 p.m. (SEC Network-Plus).
Jan. 18: at Georgia, 1 p.m. (SEC Network-Plus).
Jan. 22: host Arkansas, 7 p.m.(SEC Network-Plus)
After posting an impressive 78-62 win over previously unbeaten and No. 14/15-ranked Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon, the Vanderbilt women’s basketball will now be looking to ride the wave of Memorial momentum for several more days. Two of the Commodores’ next three games will be on their home floor, including a non-conference game against Alabama-Huntsville on Thursday night and an SEC showdown against Arkansas on Jan. 22. Sandwiched between those two home dates is a road trip to Georgia this weekend for a Sunday afternoon game against the Lady Bulldogs. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for the Commodores, along with a recap of Sunday’s win over Mississippi State:
STEPPING OUTSIDE THE SEC
The Commodores don’t often face a non-conference foe this late in the regular season, but that will be the case on Thursday night when the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers visit Memorial Gym. Tickets for the 7 p.m. game can be purchased by calling 615-322-GOLD, visiting the McGugin Center ticket office or logging on to vucommodores.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Vanderbilt fans will want to have these two dates circled on their calendars: Jan. 22 and Feb. 8. Both will be be special days at Memorial Gym, as the Commodores do their part to help with national initiatives. First, the Commodores will participate in the “We Back Pat” campaign for their Jan. 22 game against Arkansas. The “We Back Pat” program — named in honor of former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt — is a week-long initiative focused on bringing awareness and recognition to The Pat Summitt Foundation and the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. On Feb. 8, when Kentucky visits Memorial Gym, the Commodores will host their annual “Pink Out” game, as the Vanderbilt WBB program join forces with teams from all across the country to help fight breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game, and the Commodores themselves will participate in the initiative by incorporating pink into their color scheme for the game.
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ANCHOR DOWN, WE SALUTE YOU
Vanderbilt will host Fan Appreciation Day on Feb. 22 when the Commodores face Missouri at Memorial Gym. More details on the event will be available soon, but for now, just make your plans to be in the building as we thank you for your great support!
KIDDING AROUND
Vanderbilt’s younger fans can burn off some pregame energy at the Kids Zone for all remaining Sunday home games this season. The Kids Zone — located in the practice gym behind the main floor at Memorial Gym — features inflatables, face-painting, snow cones and more! The Zone opens 90 minutes before tipoff for each game.
GIVE AWAYS
When the starting lineups are being introduced at home games this season, the members of Vanderbilt’s starting five will each throw a T-shirt into the crowd. So be sure to make some noise when your favorite player is announced — you might just get a T-shirt from her! Vanderbilt fans can also look forward to several in-game promotions, including the T-shirt toss (thrown by cheerleaders during timeouts) and gold-shaker giveaways, along with free posters and wallet-sized schedules that are available at the marketing tables. After the game, the Vanderbilt players will throw miniature basketballs into the stands
SAY CHEESE
Vanderbilt fans can pose with — or post up against — large-sized cutouts of the Vanderbilt players at all home games this season. The 6-foot cutouts are located in the Southeast and North lobbies.
AND THAT’S A VANDERBILT VICTORY!
After suffering defeats in each of their first three SEC games, the Commodores got back on track in a big way last Sunday, upsetting No. 14/15 ranked and previously unbeaten Mississippi State, 78-62, at Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt junior Morgan Batey tied her career-highwith 18 points and also pulled down 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Heather Bowe and Rebekah Dahlman added 17 points each and Rachel Bell had 12 for the Commodores (9-7, 1-3), who shot 62 percent from the field and were 33-of-42 (78 percent) from the foul line. Vanderbilt did not attempt a three-pointer in the second half and was just 1-for-3 from 3-point range for the game. But the Commodores won the battle inside, outscoring Mississippi State 34-26 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle, 37-31. the Commodores built a double-digit lead midway through the first half, stayed in control for much of the second half, and then fended off a Mississippi State comeback bid by closing the game on a 14-4 run over the final 4:03 after the Bulldogs had trimmed the deficit to six points.