Feb. 10, 2015
UPDATE ON THE DORES
RECORD: 13-11, 4-7
MOST RECENT GAME: Lost to No. 11/12 Kentucky, 82-68, on Feb. 1
LAST FIVE GAMES: 2-3
UPCOMING GAMES:
Feb. 15: at South Carolina, 11 a.m. (ESPNU)
Feb. 19: at Florida, 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 22: Missouri, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)
Fans of the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team had plenty of chances to see their favorite team up close and personal during the past two weeks, as the Commodores hosted a three-game homestand at Memorial Gym. But during the next two weeks, Vanderbilt fans will have to admire their team from afar. The Commodores — who have an open date on Thursday night — will travel to South Carolina on Sunday to face the No. 1/2-ranked Gamecocks, and will then visit Florida on Feb. 19 for a rematch with the Gators. The Commodores don’t have another home game until Feb. 22, when they host Missouri. Vanderbilt will then host Auburn on Feb. 26 in the final home of the season. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for the Commodores, along with a recap of last week’s games:
BIG CHALLENGE
The Commodores will travel to hostile territory on Thursday night when they visit Columbia, S.C., to face the No. 1/2 Gamecocks, who are undefeated at home this season. The Gamecocks suffered their first loss of the season on Monday night, falling on the road to UConn, 87-62.
TWO MORE AT MEMORIAL
After visiting Florida on Feb. 19, the Commodores return to Memorial Gym for two games that will close out the home schedule. (Vanderbilt finishes the regular season with a trip to Knoxville on March 1). Several promotions are planned for the final two home games:
l Sunday, Feb. 22 vs. Missouri, 1 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Day: The first 2,500 fans who arrive at Memorial Gym will receive a gift as a token of appreciation for their support this season. Fans are invited to visit Kids Zone before the game. 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.
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. It will be the Commodores’ final home game of the season.
GIVE AWAYS
When the starting lineups are introduced at the remaining home games, 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.
LAST WEEK: COMMODORES BEAT REBELS, FALL TO CATS
The Commodores posted a 1-1 record this past week, earning a dramatic 58-54 comeback win over Ole Miss on Thursday andthen dropping an 82-68 decision to No. 11/12 Kentucky on Sunday. During the game against UK, the Commodores used a season-high 20 pointsfrom Rebekah Dahlman to stay within striking distance of the Wildcats for much of the way. Vanderbilt trailed 32-31 at the half and was down only 62-56 after a pair of free throws by Marqu’es Webb with 8:29 left in the game. Kentucky, however, pulled away down the stretch, using a continual stringof free throws to fend off Vanderbilt while closing the game on a 20-12 run. Morgan Batey and Heather Bowe scored 12 each for Vanderbilt, andfreshman Rachel Bell had eight points and a team-high six rebounds. On Thursday, the Commodores posted one of their most memorable wins ofthe season, overcoming a 16-point second-half deficit to beat Ole Miss, 58-54. Kristen Gaffney scored the go-ahead basket with six seconds left andMorgan Batey added a pair of free throws to seal the victory. Vanderbilt outscored the Rebels 34-14 over the final 13:24 to flip a 40-24 deficit into thefour-point victory. Freshman Rachel Bell finished with a team-high 16 points and Batey added 14 for the Commodores. Bell scored 13 of her 16 pointsduring the final 14 minutes to fuel the Vanderbilt comeback, including hitting a pair of key 3-pointers during the surge. This week, Vanderbilt is idle onThursday, and then visits No. 1-ranked South Carolina on Sunday.