Oct. 30, 2016
Howell’s Photos 
l VU-Bellarmine BOX 
NASHVILLE – The new, fast-paced system that first-year head coach Stephanie White is implementing was on full display during Sunday’s exhibition game — especially in the second half.
Exploding for 59 points in the final two quarters, the Vanderbilt women rolled to a 97-63 victory over Bellarmine in the preseason contest at Memorial Gym. The victory came in White’s first game at the helm, although she won’t make her official debut until the regular-season opener on Nov. 11 against Kennesaw State.
Freshmen guard Cierra Walker scored a team-high 18 points in Sunday’s win and Rachel Bell added 16 for the Commodores, who saw six players reach double figures. Senior Marqu’es Webb finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting and pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds.
Raven Merriweather scored a team-high 14 points for the visiting Knights, who posted a 24-4 record last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Vanderbilt owned a 18-13 lead at the end of the first quarter, and stretched the advantage to 38-25 at the half. Bellarmine then pulled as close as nine points on two occasions near the midway mark of the third quarter before Vanderbilt ripped off a 15-5 run to close the period with a 69-50 lead.
The Commodores then dominated the final quarter, outscoring the Lady Knights 28-13 to finish the win.
Freshmen Erin Whalen and Kayla Overbeck both reached double figures, with Whalen finishing with 13 points and Overbeck adding 11. Christa Reed also had 11 points.
Vanderbilt shot 51 percent from the floor in the win, including 57 percent (12-of-21) during the final 10 minutes. The Commodores won the rebounding battle, 48-43, and forced 25 turnovers while committing 18.
Vanderbilt will have another exhibition next Sunday, hosting Union at 2 p.m., and then host Kennesaw State in the season opener on Nov. 11. Ticket info can be found HERE and by calling 615-322-GOLD.
