NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Redshirt senior Mariella Fasoula’s 29 points and 11 rebounds led Vanderbilt women’s basketball to a commanding 80-46 win over Radford on Friday night at Memorial Gymnasium.
Vanderbilt led for all but 80 seconds en route to its first 2-0 start since 2014-15.
Preseason favorites to defend their Big South championship, the Highlanders led 5-2, but a three-point play by Newby sparked a quick 7-0 run and the Commodores never looked back.
It was a three-point advantage, 18-15, in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but the Dores scored 15 of the last 20 to close out the half and take a 34-22 lead into the break.
Vanderbilt only got stronger as the game progressed. The Dores outscored Radford 46-24 in the second half, and shot nearly 80 percent (11-of-14) in the final quarter.
By the Numbers
Junior Chelsie Hall and sophomore Brinae Alexander were also in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Hall also led the team with five assists, while sophomore Jordyn Cambridge finished with a team-high four steals.
Junior forward Autumn Newby was a presence inside throughout her 30 minutes of action with eight points and nine rebounds in addition to three assists.
The Commodores shot 53.0 percent for the game and finished with just 10 turnovers, while forcing 21 Radford miscues and holding the Highlanders to 32.7 percent shooting.
Notables
Fasoula matched her Commodore career high with 29 points … Vanderbilt improved to 2-0 all-time against Radford and 8-0 against the Big South … Commodores trailed for the first time this season, 3-2, for a total of 1 minute, 20 seconds, but regained the lead with 6:55 to play in the opening quarter and never looked back … Vanderbilt has won six of its last seven home nonconference games.
Up Next
Vanderbilt continues its five-game, season-opening home stand when it welcomes No. 5 Connecticut to Memorial Gym at 6 p.m. Nov. 13.
