TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Something about Alabama brings out the best in Sacha Washington.
The Vanderbilt sophomore scored a career-high 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome Alabama’s 3-point shooting as the Crimson Tide handed the Commodores an 88-70 loss on Thursday night in Coleman Coliseum.
Washington finished 11 of 15 from the field and 4 of 6 from the free throw line to exceed her previous best point total. As a freshman last season, Washington scored a career-high 23 points against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and equaled that amount earlier this season with 23 points against Alabama A&M.
Ciaja Harbison finished with 18 points and four assists for Vanderbilt (11-16, 2-11 SEC) while Marnelle Garraud had 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Garraud, who entered the night as the SEC leader in 3-pointers made, finished 4 of 6 from deep to push her season total to 76.
But Alabama (20-6, 9-4 SEC) was dialed in from distance from the start. The Tide made 16 of 36 from behind the 3-point line. Aaliyah Nye finished with a team-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Brittany Davis scored 16 points and Hannah Barber added 14 for Alabama.
The Tide jumped out to a 12-2 lead as Vandy started cold from the field and struggled with turnovers. Alabama expanded the advantage to 27-10 by the end of the first quarter while hitting five 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes.
Washington sparked a Vanderbilt comeback in the second quarter, muscling inside for baskets as the Dores cut a 20-point lead to single digits. Washington’s layup off a pretty assist from Harbison just before the buzzer capped a 9-0 run and pulled Vandy to within 40-34 at halftime.
Washington scored 12 points in the second quarter on 5 of 6 shooting. She completed two traditional three-point plays and grabbed three rebounds to finish with 14 points and six rebounds in the first half.
Washington started the second half with a basket inside to cut Vandy’s deficit to just four points. But the Tide found their rhythm from behind the 3-point line again, hitting six in the third quarter to take a 64-47 lead. Alabama continued to answer every mini-Vandy run in the final frame with shots from deep to beat the Dores for the ninth straight time.
Vanderbilt shot 25 of 54 (46 percent) from the field and was 14 of 18 (78 percent) from the free-throw line. Vandy had 23 turnovers, which the Tide converted into 34 points. The Dores scored 16 points off 14 Alabama turnovers.
Player Notes
• Washington scored in double figures for the 16th time this season and reached at least 20 points for the second time.
• It was also the fifth time this season the forward has reached double figures in rebounding on the way to recording her fourth double-double.
• It was the 21st and 20th time in 2022-23, respectively, that Garraud and Harbison have posted at least 10 points in a game.
Series History
Alabama cut Vanderbilt’s lead in the all-time series to 34-21. The Dores are 13-11 in Tuscaloosa.
Up Next: Vanderbilt will celebrate Senior Day when it plays host to Kentucky on Sunday at 2 p.m. (SEC Network+).
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.
