Feb. 4, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Strong offensive execution led the 22nd-ranked Commodore women’s basketball team to a 66-58 win over Florida, Thursday night at the O’Connell Center.
The Commodores shot over 50 percent (26-of-51, 51 percent) for the first time since their Jan. 3 Southeastern Conference opener against Ole Miss.
VU point guard Jence Rhoads led all scorers with 14 points while playing the entire 40 minutes. Lauren Lueders had 13 points and seven rebounds. Merideth Marsh and Jessica Mooney each added nine, with Tiffany Clarke adding eight on the day before her 19th birthday.
Florida, who came into Thursday’s game with no player averaging more than 10 points per game, had two in double-figures as Azania Stewart and Sharielle Smith each had 13 points. Stewart also had five blocks.
The first half featured six lead changes as the Commodores and Gators traded baskets. The Commodores finished the half on a 9-3 run to take an eight-point advantage into halftime.
Vanderbilt’s largest lead of the game (17) came on a Lueders three that made the score 57-40 with 5:35 to play. Florida called its final timeout with just under three minutes to play and would get no closer than the final margin of eight.
Vanderbilt returns home to Memorial Gymnasium for a nationally televised game against No. 5 Tennessee on Monday, Feb. 8. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast by ESPN2.
Tickets for the I-40 rivalry are available at vucommodores.com or by calling 615-322-GOLD.
