Nov. 6, 2016
Vanderbilt-Union BOX 
Photo Gallery: HERE
Video highlights and coverage of the postgame press conference can be found below recap.
NASHVILLE – Vanderbilt’s highly-touted freshmen class is expected to make a big impact this season — and the group has certainly shined during the Commodores’ two exhibition games.
Paced by Erin Whalen’s game-high 21 points, the five Vanderbilt freshmen combined for 51 points on Sunday to help steer the Commodores to a 93-43 win over Union University at Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt, which had 10 players reach the scoring column, outscored the Division II Bulldogs 46-15 in the second half.
The game was the final preseason tuneup for the Commodores before they host Kennesaw State on Friday in their regular-season opener in a game that will mark the official debut of first-year head coach Stephanie White.
Whalen finished 10-of-17 from the floor in Sunday’s win, and she was one of four players in double figures for the Commodores. Junior guard Christa Reed had 19 points, freshman Kayla Overbeck had 16 and junior Rachel Bell had 10.
Whalen was the second freshmen to lead the Commodores in scoring. Last Sunday, Cierra Walker scored a team-high 19 points in Vanderbilt’s 97-63 exhibition win over Bellarmine. The Vanderbilt freshmen class combined 43 points in that game, despite the absence of Kaleigh Clemons-Green, who sat out with an injury. Clemons-Green was cleared to play this week, and logged 25 minutes against Union, finishing with seven points and four rebounds.
Vanderbilt owned a shaky 19-14 lead against Union at the end of the first quarter. But Vanderbilt outscored the Bulldogs 28-14 in the second quarter for a 47-28 halftime lead.
The Commodores then broke the game wide open with a dominating third-quarter effort. Vanderbilt opened the period with a 14-0 run, and went on to outscore Union 31-6 during the quarter to stretch the lead to 78-34.
Union, which advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight last year, was led in scoring by Chelsaa Bodiford with nine points. Fredi Nielsen had a game-high 12 rebounds.
The Commodores forced Union into 24 turnovers while committing only 11. Vanderbilt relied heavily on its 3-point attack in the first half, going 7-of-22 from behind the arc. The Commodores finished 9-of-27 from 3-point range for the game.
Vanderbilt will now turn its full attention to Friday’s regular-season opener against Kennesaw State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and ticket information can be found HERE or by calling 615-322-GOLD.