Vanderbilt, Mikayla Blakes can't overcome brutal start in SEC Tournament loss to Ole Miss – The Tennessean

GREENVILLE, SC — Vanderbilt women’s basketball was heading toward a blowout loss in the SEC Tournament.
Then Commodores coach Shea Ralph got herself ejected in the beginning of the fourth quarter over a foul call on star guard Mikayla Blakes, and No. 2 seed Vanderbilt started playing inspired basketball at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 6.
The Commodores went on a 15-0 run to bring the game within 15 points for the first time since the second quarter to make it a game down the stretch. But Vanderbilt (27-4), which trailed by 32 points in the third quarter, ultimately couldn’t make up for the abysmal first-half showing and fell 89-78 to to No. 7 seed Ole Miss (23-10) in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
The loss ended Vanderbilt’s hopes of earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Vanderbilt only scored six points in the first quarter, which is the second-fewest points scored in a quarter in SEC Tournament history. The Commodores hold the record of two points scored in a quarter at the SEC Tournament in 2016.
After Blakes shot 0-for-10 in the first half with only one point, the SEC Player of the Year scored 23 points on 8-for-17 shooting in the second half.
SEC Freshman of the Year Aubrey Galvan also didn’t make a field goal in the first half and only had one point. But she finished with 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting with four assists and four rebounds in the second half.
Vanderbilt started chipping away at Ole Miss’ lead and Mikayla Blakes hit her first field goals of the game. The Commodores outscored the Rebels 24-16 in the third to cut the lead to 65-41 going into the fourth.
Blakes scored 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting in the third, and Vanderbilt scored eight points off Ole Miss’ nine turnovers.
The Commodores opened the second half outscoring Ole Miss 9-2, and Coach Yo wanted timeout to end a 7-0 run. Vanderbilt cut the lead to 51-26 with 5:49 left in the third quarter. Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda scored six of those points on 3-for-3 shooting. Vanderbilt also scored six points off six forced turnovers in the third.
Vanderbilt managed to score 11 points in the second, but it also gave up 24 and went into halftime trailing 49-17. Ole Miss ended the quarter on an 8-0 run, and the Commodores didn’t score in the final 2:30.
Vanderbilt shot 17% from the field and Ole Miss shot 58%, and it scored 21 points off Vanderbilt’s 11 turnovers. The Rebels outscored the Commodores in the paint 28-6 and outrebounded them 23-17. Mikayla Blakes had one point at halftime and went 0-for-10 from the field. Justine Pissott led the team with seven points.
Vanderbilt had a better start to the second quarter, but Ole Miss went on a 10-0 run and Shea Ralph called timeout with 6:05 left in the second down 35-11. Mikayla Blakes still had not scored, and the Commodores were shooting 4-for-25 from the field and getting outscored in the paint 20-4.
Vanderbilt’s six points in the first were the fewest in a quarter this season, and it was the second-fewest points scored in a quarter in SEC Tournament history. The Commodores hold the record with two points scored in a quarter in an SEC tournament game in 2016.
Things didn’t improve for Vanderbilt offensively the rest of the quarter. Ole Miss ended the first on a 19-4 run over 6:39, and the Commodores only hit two field goals. Justine Pissott hit the second, draining a much-needed 3-pointer. Vanderbilt trailed 25-6 at the end of the first.
Pissott led the team with four points. Mikayla Blakes went 0-for-9 in the first quarter and Vanderbilt shot 2-for-18 as a team while Ole Miss shot 67% and scored 11 points off five Vanderbilt turnovers.
Vanderbilt couldn’t buy a bucket early and started off going 1-for-12 from the field. The Commodores contained Ole Miss for a bit, but then the Rebels went on a 7-0 run to take a 13-2 lead and Shea Ralph called timeout with 3:52 left in the first.
Mikayla Blakes started off 0-for-6 from the field. Sacha Washington scored Vanderbilt’s only two points. Ole Miss started the game shooting 6-for-8 with four points off two Vanderbilt turnovers.
Friday, March 6: 5 p.m. CT
Vanderbilt does not have any injuries. Sira Thienou was listed as a game-time decision in Ole Miss’ most recent game, but she did not play.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

source