NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Making her first start of the season, senior guard Demi Washington scored a season-high 13 points and dished out a career-high six assists to help lead Vanderbilt to a 74-45 victory over USC Upstate on Tuesday night at Memorial Gymnasium.
Vanderbilt (6-3) forced a season-high 26 turnovers and converted them into 27 points to snap a three-game losing streak.
Vandy graduate guard Marnelle Garraud scored a game-high 16 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field, including 4 of 6 from the 3-point line. Sophomore Sacha Washington scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Demi Washington started in place of graduate guard Ciaja Harbison, who was not available to play. She finished a perfect 9 of 9 from the free throw line and had four of Vanderbilt’s 14 steals.
Freshman Jada Brown helped Vandy gain some separation in the first quarter with two 3-pointers, including one just before the buzzer for a 16-11 lead.
In the second quarter, junior guard Bella LaChance grabbed an offensive rebound and fed Brown for another 3-pointer that sparked a 14-3 run to end the half and give Vandy a 37-20 lead over the Spartans (1-5) entering the break.
The Dores didn’t let up in the second half. They ended the third quarter with back-to-back scores on fast breaks, the first coming on a pretty feed from Demi Washington to Sacha Washington and the second on a steal and layup by Yaubryon Chambers while being fouled. Chambers’ free throw to complete the three-point play gave Vandy a 59-33 lead.
Vandy’s advantage peaked in the fourth quarter at 70-37 on two free throws by freshman Amauri Williams.
All eight players available for Vanderbilt scored at least four points and played at least 15 minutes.
Turnover trend
Vandy has forced opponents into double-digit turnovers in every game this season. The season-best performance against USC Upstate is the fourth time the Dores have forced more than 20 turnovers in a game.
Player Notes
• Demi Washington set a career-high with six assists. She also finished with four steals, the third time this season s he has recorded multiple steals.
• Freshman Ryanne Allen has made at least one 3-pointer in four straight games.
• Brown has made at least one 3-pointer in three straight games.
• Garraud has reached double-figures in scoring in six games this season. She tied her season-high with four 3-pointers.
• LaChance finished with career highs of six rebounds and four assists.
• Sacha Washington has reached double-figures scoring six times this season.
Series history
Vandy improved to 2-0 all-time against USC Upstate. Their only previous meeting came in the 2011-12 season, when the Dores beat the Spartans 88-42 in Nashville.
Up Next: Vanderbilt travels to Johnson City to face East Tennessee State on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT (ESPN+).
Tickets: Students will continue to receive free admission to all home basketball games. In addition, single-game sales, mini-plans and group ticket options are available. To view the promotional schedule, click here.
