Strong second half powers VU, 69-44

Dec. 22, 2012

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NASHVILLE – Heather Bowe recorded a career-high 14 points and 12 rebounds to power the Commodores past the College of Charleston Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym, 69-44.

Vanderbilt (9-3) overcame a sloppy first half to outscore the College of Charleston (4-5) 40-23 in the second half, while also dominating the glass, 29-19 and 52-38 for the game. The Cougars outrebounded Vanderbilt 23-19 in the first half.

The 14 points and 12 rebounds for Bowe gave the freshman from Eau Claire, Wis., her first career double-double.

Tiffany Clarke’s 15 points and 10 rebounds mark the second double-double of the season and 14th of her career. Clarke was 6-of-12 from the field.

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The two double-doubles from Bowe and Clarke marked the first time since Feb. 16, 2012, that two Commodores recorded double-doubles in the same game.

Christina Foggie was the third Commodore in double-figures, as she finished with 12 points, four assists and four rebounds. Overall, 11 different players donning the Black and Gold scored on the afternoon.

As a team, Vanderbilt shot 43 percent (25-of-58) from the field and 81 percent (17-of-21) from the free throw line. Vandy’s defense stifled the College of Charleston all afternoon, as the Cougars shot just 25 percent (17-of-67) from the field, 15 percent (3-of-20) from three-point range and 43 percent (7-of-16) from the charity stripe.

Megan Fischer and Latisha Harris each scored 10 points for the Cougars. Harris also had a team-high eight rebounds.

As the second half wore on, Vanderbilt started taking advantage inside, as the Commodores dominated the paint, 42-14 for the game.

The Commodores used an 11-0 run late in the first half to head into the locker room with the momentum after a sluggish start, 29-21. During the run, Foggie and Clarke fueled the Commodores as they combined for all 11 points.

Foggie led all scorers with 10 first half points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field. She also chipped in a team-high three assists and a steal. Clarke had six points and six rebounds.

Both teams struggled from the field, as Vanderbilt shot 35 percent (12-of-34) and College of Charleston shot just 29 percent (8-of-28). The Commodores forced 12 Cougar turnovers, while also outscoring College of Charleston 18-6 in the paint.

Fischer led the Cougars with eight points in the first half.

Vanderbilt will return to action on Saturday, December 29, when they travel to Southern Cal (3-5). Tipoff at USC’s Galen Center is set for 4:00 p.m. CT.