Feb. 24, 2015
UPDATE ON THE DORES
RECORD: 14-13, 5-9
MOST RECENT GAME: Lost to Missouri, 54-51, on Feb. 22
LAST FIVE GAMES: 2-3
UPCOMING GAMES:
Feb. 26: host Auburn, 8 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
March 1: at Tennessee, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
The Vanderbilt women head into the final week of the regular season looking to gain some momentum for the upcoming SEC Tournament. The Commodores host Auburn on Thursday night in the final home game of the season, then travel to Knoxville to face rival Tennessee on Sunday. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for the Commodores, along with a recap of last week’s games:
LAST DANCE AT MEMORIAL
The last home game of the season — Thursday night against Auburn at 8 p.m. — will have a slightly different feel than most home finales at Memorial Gym. Usually, the Vanderbilt WBB program holds a special pregame ceremony as part of the Senior Night festivities. But this year, the Commodores don’t have any seniors on the roster — or even any seniors who serve as managers — so there will be a little less pageantry than normal. The WBB program will, however, recognize the senior members of the band, dance team and cheerleading team throughout the evening.
IN-GAME EVENTS
Thursday’s home game will also feature the following promotions/events:
l The WBB program will salute the YMCA’s programs and involvement within the community.
l At halftime, fans will be treated to a special performance by ‘Moves and Grooves’ — a locally-based dance team.
l When the starting lineups are introduced, the members of Vanderbilt’s starting five will each throw a T-shirt into the crowd.
l Other in-game promotions will include 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.
l After the game, the Vanderbilt players will throw miniature basketballs into the stands.
l 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: VU WINS AT FLORIDA, FALLS TO MISSOURI
The Commodores went 1-1 last week while playing a pair of SEC thrillers. Vanderbilt earned an overtime victory on the road againstFlorida on Thursday night, then suffered a 54-51 loss at home to Missouri on Sunday. In the OT win against Florida, sophomoreMarqu’es Webb scored the decisive basket with just over a minute to play in the extra session, and the Commodore defense held Florida scorelessthe rest of the way, surviving a last-season shot by the Gators. Rebekah Dahlman finished with 18 points for the Commodores, who saw a 12-pointsecond-half lead slip away but regrouped to outscore Florida, 7-6, in overtime. Morgan Batey had 17 points and a team-high five rebounds and freshman Rachel Bell added 15 points for the Commodores, who overcame a 10-of-20 performance at the foul line. InSunday’s loss to Missouri, Dahlman missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Tigers escaped with the win. The Tigers, who cameinto the game averaging an SEC-leading 7.4 three-pointers per game, went 8-of-25 from 3-point range. Vanderbilt’s Marqu’es Webb finished with 11points and 11 rebounds, but she was lone player to reach double figures in scoring for the Commodores, who suffered the loss despite winning therebounding battle, 34-26. Vanderbilt has now lost five of its past seven games..