Jan. 28, 2018
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt couldn’t withstand strong second and third quarters from Texas A&M on Sunday, as the Commodores fell to the visiting Aggies, 91-67, in SEC action.
Here’s how it went down at Memorial Gym:
THE SKINNY: Vanderbilt railed by just three, 17-14, heading into the second quarter, when Texas A&M brought renewed energy. Thanks in part to Chennedy Carter’s 17 first-half points, the Aggies outscored the Commodores 25-14 in the second period to lead at half, 42-28. Vanderbilt showed more life early in the third, but Texas A&M kept pouring it on to win the period 32-19 and inflate its lead.
TURNING POINT: The Commodores looked to stage a run early in the third quarter, as a Cierra Walker 3-pointer sliced what was once a 16-point Texas A&M lead to 46-34 at the 8:05 mark. But the Aggies quickly regained control, reeling off five straight points. They outscored Vanderbilt 28-13 the rest of the way in the third.
IMPACT PLAYER: Texas A&M guard Chennedy Carter. The Aggies’ freshman entered Sunday averaging 20.8 points per game and was a difference-maker against Vanderbilt. She had 11 points after one quarter, 17 at half and finished with 28 points, five rebounds and five assists to lead an impressive offensive effort for Texas A&M.
STARTLING STAT: 26 – Texas A&M’s points off turnovers. The Aggies benefited greatly from Vanderbilt’s mistakes on Sunday, amassing 26 points off 20 Commodore turnovers.
WHAT IT MEANS: Following a heartbreaking 77-75 loss at Alabama last Sunday, Vanderbilt drops its third straight SEC game. The Commodores have not beaten Texas A&M at Memorial Gym since the 2013-14 season.
WHAT’S NEXT: Vanderblt travels to Oxford to face Ole Miss on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.