Women’s Basketball: Three takeaways from Vanderbilt’s win over Florida – The Vanderbilt Hustler

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No. 5 Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball (21-2, 7-2 SEC) worked hard Sunday for its 82-66 win over Florida (13-11, 1-8) at home. The team broke free from a slow start in the first half and played diligently to secure another SEC victory. Mikayla Blakes led with 30 points and 8 assists, while Justine Pissott sank 4 three-pointers. Here are three takeaways from this contest. 
After back-to-back losses ended their undefeated run, Vanderbilt looked like a team searching for its footing early against Florida. The Commodores, who spent much of the season playing from ahead, again found themselves chasing a deficit — a familiar problem from recent games against South Carolina and Ole Miss. That shift showed in the opening minutes, as Vanderbilt opened the game 2-of-10 from the field and 1-of-7 behind the arc in the first 5 minutes. Florida recognized the early instability, and at one point had the Commodores trailing by as many as 15.  
“We struggled massively in the first half,” head coach Shea Ralph said. 
Yet, how you start is not always how you finish. In the second quarter, Vanderbilt seemed to be gaining their well-deserved confidence back, with a momentum-driven 13-2 to cut Florida’s lead. The team rebounded more and tightened up on turnovers, trying to keep the Gators at bay. In the remaining half, defensive intensity picked up, offensive rebounds were secured and turnovers were limited — all signs of a team beginning to settle back into their identity as something special. As the game continued on, Vanderbilt looked significantly more composed and confident, setting up the tone for a stronger showing the rest of the way. 
Florida entered Memorial with motivation of their own. The Gators, too, were coming off back-to-back losses, both by 20 or more points, and looked determined to respond. They struck first and controlled the tempo for most of the opening half, leading Vanderbilt throughout. Led by star guard Liv McGill, Florida took advantage of early turnovers and pushed the pace in transition, turning quick stops into easy layups. 
But Shea Ralph and the Commodores were far from finished. Looking to change the rhythm, Vanderbilt adjusted their offensive approach — shifting the focus away from the perimeter and toward the paint. After opening the game shooting just 19 percent from three, the Commodores attacked the rim and generated higher percentage shots under the rim. That change paid off, as the Black and Gold took their first lead of the game and forced Florida to adjust defensively. By shifting how the Gators had to guard them, Vanderbilt began to seize control of the game and swing momentum in its favor. 
The old saying rang true in Memorial on Sunday: slow and steady wins the race. Vanderbilt trailed for nearly three quarters and yet never looked rattled as they worked their way back into the game. When the Commodores finally broke through in the third quarter, they did so with patience and control, putting distance between themselves and Florida without ever losing focus. 
Instead of rushing possessions or trying to erase the deficit in a single run, Vanderbilt deliberatively stayed composed. Offensive execution remained intentional, and the Commodores trusted their structure rather than speeding up the game unnecessarily. That measured approach allowed momentum to build naturally, and once Vanderbilt gained the lead, it could play its game. 
While trailing is never ideal, Ralph’s group took this game to show they can remain organized under pressure. The Commodores avoided careless turnovers and limited fouls by staying disciplined on both ends of the court. Blakes served as the clearest example of that patience and dedication.
“I’d run through a brick wall for this team,” Blakes said after the game.
After scoring just six points in the first half, she let the game come to her and closed with a dominant second-half performance, finishing with 30 points.  
Vanderbilt took it steady — and that steadiness ultimately decided the game. 
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