Feb. 17, 2015
UPDATE ON THE DORES
RECORD: 13-12, 4-8
MOST RECENT GAME: Lost to No. 1/2 South Carolina, on Feb. 1
LAST FIVE GAMES: 1-4
UPCOMING GAMES:
Feb. 19: at Florida, 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 22: host Missouri, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 26: host Auburn, 8 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
The Vanderbilt women are coming down the stretch on the regular season, with just four games — including a quick two-game homestand that starts Sunday — remaining on the schedule. The Commodores, who are trying to position themselves for a 16th consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament, visit Florida on Thursday night, then come home for two straight games to close out their home schedule for the season. They host Missouri on Sunday and host Auburn next Thursday. Those two games will be big ones for the Commodores. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for the Commodores, along with a recap of last Sunday’s game against Florida:
OFF TO GAINESVILLE
The Commodores travel to Gainesville, Fla., on Thursday to face the Gators for the second time in the span of less than three weeks. Florida downed Vanderbilt, 67-58, at Memorial Gym on Feb. 1. Thursday’s game at the O’Connell Center will likely have an impact on the seedings for the SEC Tournament. The Commodores and Gators are tied for ninth place — along with Ole Miss — in the conference with 4-8 records. Each of those three teams are trying to avoid finishing among the bottom four teams in the SEC standings and having to play in the opening round of the SEC Tournament.
TWO MORE AT MEMORIAL
After visiting Florida, the Commodores return to Memorial Gym for two games that will close out the home schedule, hosting Missouri and Auburn. (Vanderbilt then finishes the regular season with a trip to Knoxville on March 1). Several promotions are planned for the final two home games:
l Sunday, Feb. 22 vs. Missouri, 1 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Day: The first 2,500 fans who arrive at Memorial Gym will receive a gift as a token of appreciation for their support this season. Fans are also invited to visit Kids Zone before the game for the final time this season. Kids Zone — located in the practice gym behind the main floor at Memorial Gym — features inflatables, face-painting, snow cones and more! The Zone opens 90 minutes before tipoff.
l Thursday, Feb. 26 vs. Auburn, 8 p.m. – Supporting the YWCA: The WBB program will salute the YMCA’s programs and involvement within the community. It will be the Commodores’ final home game of the season.
GIVE AWAYS
When the starting lineups are introduced at the remaining home games, the members of Vanderbilt’s starting five will each throw a T-shirt into the crowd. So be sure to make some noise when your favorite player is announced — you might just get a T-shirt from her! Vanderbilt fans can also look forward to several in-game promotions, including the T-shirt toss (thrown by cheerleaders during timeouts) and gold-shaker giveaways, along with free posters and wallet-sized schedules that are available at the marketing tables. After the game, the Vanderbilt players will throw miniature basketballs into the stands
SAY CHEESE
Vanderbilt fans can pose with — or post up against — large-sized cutouts of the Vanderbilt players at all home games this season. The 6-foot cutouts are located in the Southeast and North lobbies.
LAST WEEK: COMMODORES SUFFER ROAD LOSS TO SC
The Commodores played just one game this week, falling to No. 1/2 South Carolina, 89-59, on Sunday afternoon in Columbia, S.C. The loss was Vanderbilt’s fourth in the past five games, and dropped the Commodores to 13-12 overall and 4-8 in the conference. Vanderbilt hung with South Carolina early, and battled to a 15-15 tie after a layup by Rebekah Dahlman with 11:29 left in the first half. But the Gamecocks outscored Vanderbilt 31-12 the rest of the half, and the Commodores trailed 46-27 at the break. Vanderbilt then opened the second half with a 6-0 run to trim the deficit to 46-33, but SC responded with a 16-5 run to push the lead to 62-38, and the Gamecocks rolled home from there. Vanderbilt’s Rebekah Dahlman finished with a team-high 13 points, Marqu’es Webb added 11 and Paris Kea had 10. Tiffany Mitchell and A’ja Wilson had 20 points each for South Carolina.
