NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Khamil Pierre set the Vanderbilt women’s basketball single-game scoring record on Saturday, registering 42 points in a 106-40 win over Evansville, as the Commodores improve to 10-1 on the year.
Pierre put on one of the most memorable performances in Vanderbilt women’s basketball history, as she posted 42 points, 18 rebounds, and eight steals in the win over the Purple Aces. Her 42-point performance set a new program record for most points scored in a single game, passing the previous mark of 41 points shared by Chantelle Anderson (Feb. 8, 2001) and Ciaja Harbison (Jan. 29, 2023).
Vanderbilt improves to 10-1 overall on the year, as the 66-point win over Evansville is tied for the sixth-largest margin of victory in program history. The Dores have now won 18-straight home games against nonconference foes.
The 42 points and 18 rebounds against the Purple Aces establishes career highs for Pierre in each category. Pierre’s combined 60 points and rebounds are the most collected by a Vanderbilt women’s basketball player in a game in program history. Her 42-point performance on Saturday also extends the 6-2 forward’s career-long double-digit scoring streak to 13 games dating back to last season. Pierre also registers her eighth double-double of the season, which is tied for the sixth-most in a season since 1999-00.
The Phoenix, Arizona, native got her day started with a bang, as she scored 20 points in the first quarter. Pierre’s performance in the opening frame on Saturday marked the most points scored by a Commodore in the first quarter in program history. Additionally, Pierre ties Marnelle Garraud’s program record for most points scored in any quarter, which was set on Jan. 16, 2023, in the fourth quarter at Arkansas.
Pierre is the third Commodore to score over 40 points in a contest, as she joins Chantelle Anderson and Ciaja Harbison. Anderson accomplished the feat twice as a sophomore during the 2000-01 season, scoring 40 points at Portland State on Dec. 23, 2000, and registering a then-school-record 41 points at Mississippi State on Feb. 8, 2001. Harbison matched Anderson’s 41-point performance nearly 23 years later, as she posted 41 points in a home win over Texas A&M on Jan. 29, 2023.
For Pierre, her eight steals against Evansville established a new career-high mark, while it is tied for the sixth-most steals in a game in program history.
The Commodores broke the century mark for the third time this season, as the 106 points are the most scored in a game this season. It is also the most points Vanderbilt has scored in a game since Nov. 25, 2019, in a 106-55 win at Tennessee State. The 106 points are the most points registered by the Dores at Memorial Gym since Nov. 26, 2010, when Vandy posted a 111-53 victory over Quinnipiac.
Reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, Mikayla Blakes scored 20 or more points for the seventh time this season with a 22-point performance against Evansville. The three-time SEC Freshman of the Week extended her double-digit scoring streak to 11 games to begin her Vanderbilt career. Graduate student Leilani Kapinus also posted a double-double in the win, as she pulled down a season-high 11 rebounds to go along with 10 points off the bench. It is Kapinus’ second double-double of the season, while it is the 13th of her career. Senior Iyana Moore’s 10-point effort pushes her double-digit scoring streak to four games. Moore’s 10 points moved into 38th place on Vanderbilt’s all-time scoring list with 1,025 points.
The Commodores shot 47.3 percent from the floor while holding the Purple Aces to 27.8 percent field goal percentage. The Dores forced Evansville into 36 turnovers, which is the most Vanderbilt has turned over a team this season. It tied for the sixth-most turnovers forced by the Commodores in program history. Vanderbilt outscored Evansville 54-3 in points off turnovers and outrebounded the Purple Aces 55-36, which led to a 40-9 advantage in second-chance points.
Khamil Pierre on Setting Vanderbilt’s Single-Game Scoring Record
“I’m extremely grateful for setting the scoring record today. If it weren’t for my teammates, I wouldn’t have gotten the open looks I had. I’m extremely grateful for them and celebrating this moment with them. It’s an honor, but again, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish (setting the record) without the work from my teammates.”
Head Coach Shea Ralph on the Win
“When you have a 10-day break, and your student-athletes have exams, and the holidays are around the corner, it can be one of the tougher times in the year to make sure you stay focused as a team and continue to get better every day. I’m really happy with the effort we had today. There were tons of contributions from several players. I thought it was a great step forward after a 10-day break, and I’m really happy for Khamil for having the day she had.”
Coach Ralph on Pierre Setting Vanderbilt’s Single-Game Scoring Record
Obviously, Khamil had a special game. When you have a player who can do the things she can do and plays the way she did today, it’s fun to watch and witness. I’m happy for her, for our team, and for the fans that came out today to watch. She makes things that are really hard to do look very easy. You don’t have games like that unless you have teammates who can support you, push you, and set you up.”
Up Next
Vanderbilt takes to the road on Thursday for the final time in 2024 as the Commodores head north to take on Dayton. Tipoff against the Flyers is set for 6 p.m. CT, and streams live on ESPN+.
Dore Notes
- Vanderbilt improves to 10-1 for the second-straight season
- It is the first time the Dores have opened back-to-back seasons at 10-1 since the 2003-04 and 2004-05 campaigns
- The Commodores improved to 31-3 at Memorial Gymnasium under head coach Shea Ralph, while Vanderbilt is now 43-13 against non-SEC teams overall in the Ralph era
- Vandy is now a perfect 7-0 against Evansville
- Today’s game marked the first contest between Vanderbilt and Evansville in over 30 years, with the last meeting taking place on Jan. 7, 1994
- Sophomore Khamil Pierre scored a career-high 42 points to set Vanderbilt’s single-game scoring record
- Pierre becomes the first in program history to score 20 points in the first quarter
- She is the second Commodore to score at least 20 in a quarter, joining Marnelle Garraud, who scored 20 points in the fourth quarter at Arkansas on Jan. 16, 2023
- Additionally, Pierre added a career-high 18 rebounds and a season-high nine offensive rebounds, marking the tenth game this season Pierre has led the team on the glass
- Pierre’s double-double marks her eighth of the season, which is the second-most collected in NCAA Division I this season
- The scoring outburst is the seventh game this season Pierre has scored 20 points or more
- Pierre’s record-setting performance saw the sophomore collect a career-high in steals with eight, which is tied for sixth-most in a game in program history
- Mikayla Blakes extended her double-digit scoring streak to 11 with a 22-point performance
- Blakes has scored at least 20 points in seven of 11 games this season
- Graduate Leilani Kapinus added her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, which is also a season-high in rebounds
- Senior Iyana Moore was the third and final Dore to score double-digits, adding 10 points while tied for the team lead in assists with three
- The team has scored 90 or more points in six of 11 games this season
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