Dec. 3, 2012
Scouting The Commodores
The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team (5-3) takes a two game win streak north up Interstate 65 to face Western Kentucky. The Commodores have been led the last two outings by senior forward Tiffany Clarke, who posted 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Vanderbilt’s win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Clarke is averaging 14.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 57.9% from the field (second in SEC). Joining Clarke in the starting five every game this season have been junior point guard Jasmine Lister and senior guard Elan Brown. Lister is averaging 11.8 points, 4.75 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game this season, while Brown is posting 6.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per contest. In the two most recent outings, that trio was joined by senior Gabby Smith and sophomore Kady Schrann in the starting lineup. Smith is posting 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, while Schrann is averaging 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Vanderbilt is also getting big contributions from a trio of freshmen – Kendall Shaw (4.6 ppg/3.4 rpg), Heather Bowe (4.1 ppg/4.1 rpg) and Morgan Batey (2.9 points/1.3 rpg). The Commodores have been without the services of Preseason First Team All-SEC selection Christina Foggie (15.7 ppg) for the last two games, while Shaw missed the Tennessee Tech game. Both are day-to-day.
Scouting The Lady Toppers
Western Kentucky (5-1, 3-0 Sun Belt) hosts Vanderbilt having also won two-straight against Louisiana-Monroe and Troy. The Lady Toppers are led by the duo of Alexis Govan and Chastity Gooch. A sophomore, Govan is averaging 20.7 points per outing and had 32 in the win over Troy on Saturday. Gooch is averaging a double-doule at 15.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. The sophomore notched 25 points and grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds against the Trojans. At 5-1, the Lady Toppers are off to their best start since 2005-06 under first-year head coach Michelle Clark-Heard, while their 3-0 start to Sun Belt play is the best open since 2007-08. Western Kentucky is 2-1 at home this season.
The Series – Vanderbilt vs. Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky is the most common non-conference opponent in Vanderbilt history, with Tuesday’s showdown marking the 33rd meeting between the schools. The Commodores hold a 20-12 advantage in the series, having won the last six straight. The first meeting came in Vanderbilt’s inaugural season of 1977-78 and was the fifth-ever game for the Commodores, who won the contest, 63-62. Western Kentucky got revenge later the year, taking an 86-76 win in Bowling Green. Western Kentucky’s most recent win came during the 2004-05 season, an 85-77 win at E.A. Diddle Arena. Vanderbilt’s current six-game win streak is the longest in the series. For a box score from the most recent meeting, see page 4.
On Deck – Hartford
The Commodores return home to host America East foe Hartford on Thursday, December 6. Tipoff at Memorial Gym is set for 7:00 p.m. Following that contest, Vanderbilt will have a 10-day layoff for final exams.
