Post-Eastern Kentucky game notes

Nov. 19, 2008

Recap | Box Score | Quotes

Vanderbilt 80 – Eastern Kentucky 38
November 19, 2008 – Memorial Gymnasium
Attendance: 3,875

First Half Notes:
– Vanderbilt started the game on a 14-0 run in the first 3:26.
– The Commodore defense forced the Lady Colonels into five turnovers in the game’s first six minutes
– VU’s Christina Wirth scored 11 points in the game’s first six-and-a-half minutes on 4-5 shooting, including 3-3 from beyond the arc.
– The Commodores led 24-8 with 10 minutes to go in the first half
– Through the games first 10 minutes of play, Vanderbilt was 9-13 from the floor including 4-6 from three
– Leading 16-8 at the 14:28 mark, Vanderbilt went on a 21-2 run and led 37-10 with 5:21 remaining.
– Vanderbilt closed out the first half on a 32-10 run to lead 48-18 at halftime
– The Vanderbilt defense forced Eastern Kentucky into 16 first half turnovers
– The Commodores shot 18-29 (62 percent) compared to 6-21 (29 percent) for the Lady Colonels
– Vanderbilt held a 19-6 rebound advantage at the break
– Nine Vanderbilt players scored during the first half
– The 62 percent shooting is a season-high for FG percentage in the first half
Christina Wirth led all scorers during the first half with 13 points on 4-6 shooting
– Vanderbilt scored 25 points off of Eastern Kentucky’s turnovers during the first half
– Vanderbilt had 20 points in the paint compared to just four for EKU during the first half

Second Half Notes:
– With back-to-back three pointers from Wirth and Lauren Lueders, Vanderbilt expanded its lead to 60-20 with 14:54 remaining in the game
– VU outscored EKU, 32-20, in the second half
– Vanderbilt started the second half on a 23-6 run to lead 71-24 with 10:59 remaining. The 47-point lead was the largest of the game

Postgame Notes:
– With the win Vanderbilt improves to 3-0 while Eastern Kentucky drops to 2-1
– Vanderbilt head coach Melanie Balcomb improves to 149-52 at Vanderbilt. Balcomb will aim to get her 150th Commodore win Friday night at East Tennessee State.
– Eleven Vanderbilt players scored in the game and all 12 players that dressed played
– Eleven Vanderbilt players played at least 10 minutes
– Vanderbilt’s stingy defense held Eastern Kentucky to just 32 percent shooting (15-47 FG) for the game
– Eastern Kentucky committed 27 turnovers while Vanderbilt had 13
– Vanderbilt registered 37 points off of EKU turnovers
– Vanderbilt tallied 34 points in the paint while EKU had eight
– Vanderbilt recorded double digits in steals for the second time in three games (10 tonight, 13 vs. Western Kentucky)
– The Commodores shot a season high (29-56) 52 percent from the field for the game, including 9-25 (36%) from downtown
Christina Wirth led all scorers with 16 points on 6-9 shooting, including 4-5 from three in 24 minutes
Jennifer Risper posted a solid floor game with nine points, eight rebounds, two steals and two assists in 25 minutes.
Hannah Tuomi and Jessica Mooney tallied 12 and 11 points in only 14 and 19 minutes, respectively. Mooney added a team-high three steals in the win.
– Vanderbilt has made 25 three-pointers in its first three games of the 2008-09 season
– Freshman Tia Gibbs posted a career high three assists