Jan. 28, 2017
Teams: Vanderbilt (11-10, 1-7) vs. Florida (10-10, 1-6)
Day, Date: Sunday , Jan. 29
Tip-off time: 2 p.m. CT
Site: Memorial Gym (Nashville, Tenn.)
Radio: WNSR 560 AM / 95.9 FM
TV: SEC Network-Plus
Game Notes: Vanderbilt Game Notes (UF) 
l Florida Game Notes
The skid is over and the monkey is off their backs. Now, the Vanderbilt women hope to start stringing some wins together and making a strong run through the back half of their SEC schedule. The Commodores (11-10, 1-7) — who ended a nine-game losing streak and picked up their first conference win by beating Alabama 87-80 on Thursday night — will host Florida (10-10, 1-6) on Sunday with hopes of building momentum for February. Here’s a closer look at the game:
l Update on the Commodores: The Commodores are one of the most accurate 3-point shooting teams in the country, ranking third nationally at 40.9 percent. Those abilities were on full display against Alabama on Thursday night when the Commodores made 11-of-19 shots (57.9 percent) from behind the arc, including 8-of-10 in the first half. It was the fifth time this season, and the third time in the past four contests, that Vanderbilt has made 10 or more 3-pointers in a game. The Commodores are averaging an SEC-best 7.3 three-pointers per game. … Vanderbilt has been involved in a series of close games since the start of SEC play. Aside from a pair of double-digit losses to rival Tennessee, the Commodores’ other five SEC defeats have been decided by a combined 21 points (an average of margin of 4.2 points). In all five of those games, Vanderbilt was either in the lead, tied or trailing by three points or less entering the final minute.
l Jam the Gym / Diversity & Inclusion events: Sunday’s game is the annual Jam the Gym event at Memorial Gym, and tickets are just $1. Hot dogs and drinks will also be sold for $1. (For more info, call 1-615-322-GOLD) … The Commodores are also recognizing “Diversity and Inclusion” on the Vanderbilt campus this weekend. More information on the event can be found HERE.
l Mixing it up: Vanderbilt first-year head coach Stephanie White has used seven different combinations in the starting lineups this season, including three in the past five games. Ten of the 12 players on Vanderbilt’s roster have started at least one game, with Erin Whalen being the latest player to join the list. The freshman from Charlotte, N.C. earned the first starting assignment of her young career in the win over Alabama and responded with a game-high 22 points.
l The leader board: Vanderbilt is led in scoring by two players who are averaging double figures, with Rachel Bell scoring a team-high 12.1 points per game and Christa Reed averaging 10.2. … Marqu’es Webb is Vanderbilt’s top rebounder, and ranks among the SEC’s best, with 9.3 boards per game. She is averaging 10.0 rpg in conference play… Since the start of SEC play, freshman Kayla Overbeck has averaged 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, ranking second on the team in both categories.
l Erin Emerging: Freshmen Erin Whalen is getting into an SEC groove. The 6-1 sharpshooter from Charlotte, N.C., has averaged 14.7 points and 4.7 rebounds over the past three games after averaging 1.4 points and 0.8 rebounds in Vanderbilt’s first five SEC games. Making her first career start on Thursday against Alabama, she scored a game-high 22 points to fuel Vanderbilt’s 87-80 win. Whalen is shooting 46.1 percent (6-of-13) from 3-point range in the last three games and is shooting 42.3 percent from long range for the season.
l Without Walker: Cierra Walker has missed the past three games with a foot injury, which has temporarily interrupted her impressive freshman season. Walker leads the team in assists per game (3.3) and her assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3) ranks fourth in the SEC and 34th in the nation. Walker has made 30 three-pointers this season, which is tied for the team lead with Christa Reed.
l Hot and Cold: Here’s a look at some of the numbers the Commodores have compiled this season during their 11 wins compared to their 10 losses:
Points per game in 11 wins: 78.9
Points per game in 10 losses: 62.9
Field goal percentage in 11 wins: 45.9
Field goal percentage in 10 losses: 38.1
3-point percentage in 11 wins: 44.2
3-point percentage in 10 losses: 36.5
3-pointers per game in 11 wins: 8.6
3-pointers per game in 10 losses: 5.8
Free throw percentage in 11 wins: 78.4
Free throw percentage in 10 losses: 68.8
l Young guns: Vanderbilt’s touted freshmen class — Kayla Overbeck, Kaleigh Clemons-Green, LeaLea Carter, Cierra Walker, and Erin Whalen — continues to shine for the Commodores. The five-member class is combining for 33.8 points, 16.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game. The five players have accounted for 47.3 percent of Vanderbilt’s scoring, 40.4 percent of VU’s rebounds and 52.7 percent of the team’s assists. The five players are also accounting for 47.7 percent of the Commodores’ 3-pointers.
l Shoeless Stephanie: Vanderbilt head coach Stephanie White coached barefoot during the game against Alabama to help raise awareness for Soles4Souls. White also coached barefoot during practice earlier in the week. “Soles4Souls is such a wonderful organization, and we are excited about doing our part to promote and assist them,” said White. “My hope is that coaching barefoot will bring awareness to those who don’t have the luxury of wearing shoes every day. We want to encourage everyone to donate and support the Soles4Souls mission.” Donation boxes for Soles4Souls were available at the game. Soles4Souls is a not for profit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing.
l Overbeck on a roll: Freshman forward Kayla Overbeck has established herself as one of the top newcomers in the SEC. She has reached double figures in five of Vanderbilt’s past six games, and is averaging 11.0 points and 7.5 points per game in that stretch. Overbeck is shooting 55.4 percent from the floor for the season, including a team-best 54.0 percent since the start of SEC play.
l Among the best: Vanderbilt ranks third in the nation, and leads the SEC, in 3-point accuracy at 40.9 percent. … The Commodores are ninth in the country in free throws made (322) and 15th in free throws attempted (435). … Vanderbilt is fourth in the SEC in free throw percentage at 74.0. … The Commodores are 13th in the country in free throws made (304) and 23rd in free throws attempted (414). … Vanderbilt leads the SEC in 3-pointers made per game (7.3) and total 3-pointers made (153).
l Scouting Florida: Florida’s roster features one of the SEC’s most exciting players, Ronni Williams. The 6-0 senior forward is leading the conference in scoring at 18.3 points per game and ranks ninth in rebounding at 7.5 rpg. She also ranks fifth in the SEC in field goal percentage at 56.7 and 12th in steals at 1.8 spg. … Florida went 9-4 in non-conference play, then opened their SEC schedule with five straight losses before posting a victory at Georgia on Jan. 22. The Gators suffered an 84-75 road loss to Tennessee on Thursday night. … Florida ranks fifth in the SEC in scoring (72.8 ppg) and second in offensive rebounds (15.2 per game). … UF is next-to-last in the SEC in defense (allowing 67.8 ppg). … The Gators rank third in the SEC in FG percentage (45.7) but rank 13th in both 3-point percentage (25.9) and 3-pointers per game (3.4).
l Series History: Sunday’s game will be the 56th all-time meeting between the teams, with Vanderbilt owning a 33-22 lead in the series. … Florida has won three of the past four match-ups between the teams, including posting a 79-67 victory last year in Gainesville. … Vanderbilt has traditionally enjoyed favorable results against the Gators at Memorial Gym, where Vanderbilt owns a 16-8 all-time record against Florida. The Gators, however, have won two straight in Nashville and three of the last four. Vanderbilt’s most recent win over Florida at Memorial Gym was on Feb. 16, 2012, when VU earned a 75-69 overtime win.
l In elite company: The Commodores have several players who rank among the best in the SEC in multiple categories: Senior post player Marqu’es Webb ranks fourth in the SEC in rebounds per game at 9.3. She is second in the SEC in offensive rebounds (3.8 per game) and also ranks seventh on the conference’s career rebounding list among active players with 625. … Freshman Cierra Walker ranks fourth in the SEC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.4 and is 14th in assists at 3.3 per game. … Kayla Overbeck ranks 11th in the conference in rebounds per game at 7.1. … Vanderbilt has three players who rank among the SEC’s top-10 in career 3-pointers: Rebekah Dahlman (seventh with 118), Christa Reed (eighth with 102) and Rachel Bell (ninth with 101).
l Impactful Improvements: The Commodores are on the upswing in numerous categories under the direction of first-year head coach Stephanie White. Through the first 21 games of the season, Vanderbilt is averaging 71.3 points per game after scoring just 62.5 ppg last season. The Commodores are also making an SEC-best 7.3 three-pointers per game, compared to just 5.4 last season. Vanderbilt is converting 15.3 free throws per game this season after making only 11.4 last season.
l Ringing the Bell: Vanderbilt guard Rachel Bell is thriving in the up-tempo system that has been implemented by first-year head coach Stephanie White this season. Bell, a junior, leads the team in scoring at 12.1 points per game, and has reached double figures in 15 of Vanderbilt’s 21 games, including five of past six. She scored 10 or more points in seven straight games from Nov. 20 through Dec. 8, and averaged 15.3 points per game during that stretch.
l Last time out: Combining a hot-shooting start with a determined finish, the Vanderbilt women snapped a nine-game losing streak on Thursday night with an 87-80 victory over Alabama, giving head coach Stephanie White her first SEC win. After building a 20-point lead in the second quarter, the Commodores (11-10, 1-7) withstood a furious third-quarter charge by Alabama (15-6, 3-5) to notch their first victory since a win over Tennessee Tech on Dec. 18. The Commodores went 8-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half and finished 11-of-19 from behind the arc. Erin Whalen, who made her first career start, scored a game-high 22 points and Marqu’es Webb recorded her fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. Rachel Bell and Christa Reed added 15 points each, and Kayla Overbeck had 10 points and eight rebounds.
l Last year’s game vs. Florida: Facing a ranked opponent for the third consecutive game, the Commodores fell to No. 22 Florida, 79-67, in Gainesville, Fla., on Feb. 18, 2016. All five starters for the Gators finished in double figures, led by Eleanna Christinaki with 22 points. Ronni Williams added a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. For the Commodores, Marques Webb had 17 points, finishing 7-of-9 from the floor, and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Rachel Bell had 16 points for the Commodores, who trailed by two points at the half and stayed within striking distance throughout the second half but could never take the lead. Vanderbilt briefly tied the game at 47-47 on a 3-pointer by Minta Spears early in the third quarter, but Florida outscored the Commodores 12-6 the remainder of the period for a 59-53 lead. Vanderbilt got as close as four points on two occasions in the final 10 minutes, but Florida closed the game on a 12-3 run to hold off the Commodores.
l Looking ahead: After Sunday’s game, the Commodores are idle until they visit Kentucky on Feb 5.