Feb. 3, 2015
UPDATE ON THE DORES
RECORD: 12-10, 3-6
MOST RECENT GAME: Lost to Florida, 67-58, on Feb. 1
VU CURRENT STREAK: Lost two straight
UPCOMING GAMES:
Feb. 5: host Ole Miss, 7 p.m.(SEC Network-Plus)
Feb. 8: host Kentucky, Noon (SEC Network)
Feb. 15: at South Carolina, 11 a.m. (ESPNU)
Looking to make a late-season push, the Vanderbilt women (12-10, 3-6) have a pivotal week ahead, with the Commodores hosting Ole Miss on Thursday night and then welcoming No. 11-ranked Kentucky to Memorial Gym on Sunday. Numerous promotions are planned for both games — including the annual Pink Out game on Sunday — and the Commodores will be counting on strong fan support during these two key SEC games. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for the Commodores, along with a recap of last Sunday’s game against Florida:
SHOOT THE 3, MR. C!
Vanderbilt fans will get a double dose of basketball action on Thursday night. Along with the SEC showdown between the Commodores and Rebels, there will also be action at halftime, when several well-known mascots take the floor for a quick game of 5-on-5. The Vanderbilt mascot, Mr. C, will be among the participants, so be sure to root for him to grab game-high scoring honors. Others who are scheduled to play in the game include the Noshville Pickle, the Chick-fil-A cow and many more.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
A group of students from Eakin Elementary will get to take center stage before Thursday’s game as they perform the National Anthem.
THINK PINK
Sunday’s game against Kentucky will be the annual Pink-Out game, which is always one of the most special days of the season at Memorial Gym. Fans are encouraged to wear pink, and the Vanderbilt players will also be wearing special uniforms as the WBB program shows its support for the fight against breast cancer. Fans can pick up pick up pink shakers, foam fingers and spirit cards — all for free — at the marketing tables. Also, there will be two T-shirt tosses during the game during which pink T-shirts will be thrown into the crowd. Sunday’s game will feature the Kids Zone before the game (details below).
MORE TO COME
As the Commodores head down the stretch, there are several other promotions that Vanderbilt fans will want to have marked on their calendar:
l Sunday, Feb. 22 vs. Missouri, 1 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Day: Fans will receive a small gift as a token of appreciation for their support this season.
l Thursday, Feb. 26 vs. Auburn, 8 p.m. – Supporting the YWCA: The WBB program will salute the YMCA’s programs and involvement within the community.
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.
MOST RECENT GAME: COMMODORES FALL TO FLORIDA
Trailing by 15 points early in the second half, the Commodores mounted a huge comeback against Florida on Sunday, but ultimately fell short in a 67-58 loss at Memorial Gym. The Commodores sliced the Gators’ lead to five points near the midway mark of the second half, but Florida answered with a 9-1 run to pull away for good. Florida, which came into the day ranked fourth in the SEC in free-throw shooting at 69.1 percent, went 18-of-19 from the line (94.7 percent), including 15-of-16 in the second half. The Commodores, conversely, had 20 attempts from the line, but converted only 13 (65 percent). The missed chances at the foul line sabotaged Vanderbilt’s second-half comeback bid and enabled the Gators (11-11, 3-6) to leave Nashville with a victory over Vanderbilt (12-10, 3-6) for the second straight year. Vanderbilt sophomore Marqu’es Webb had her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds — season-highs in both categories — but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Commodores from suffering the loss. Rebekah Dahlman finished with 13 points and six assists for Vanderbilt. Freshman Rachel Bell had 12 points for the Commodores. Vanderbilt had just nine players available for the game. Freshman Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau could not play due to illness, and three others — Khalèann Caron-Goudreau, Kendall Shaw and Christa Reed — continue to be sidelined by injuries.