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The Madness continues: after dominating 15-seed High Point 102-61 in the Round of 64, 2-seed Vanderbilt faced off against 7-seed Illinois with a chance to reach its first Sweet 16 since 2009. For the second consecutive tournament matchup, the Black and Gold will enjoy the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd at Memorial Gymnasium.
This matchup features two young teams that have immense talent but lack experience on the big stage. Illinois, the youngest team in the NCAA tournament with an average age under 20, is led by a forward duo of sophomore Berry Wallace and freshman Cearah Parchment. Head coach Shauna Green believes these young pieces will provide freshness on the court, emphasizing that her squad’s youth gives the team more fuel and energy going forward.
Similarly, Vanderbilt is anchored by its backcourt, made up of sophomore Mikayla Blakes and freshman Aubrey Galvan, who play with a level of maturity and poise that is rare at their age. Blakes, this year’s SEC Player of the Year, leads all of Division I women’s basketball in scoring, averaging 27.1 points per game. Galvan possesses a special ability to facilitate and create plays at the highest level and has the decision-making of a signal caller with years of collegiate experience. Facing another young program provided Green and Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph an opportunity to exploit the opposing team’s inexperience.
The Commodores were strong right out of the gate, ending the first quarter with a 21-8 lead. All five starters got involved early on for Ralph, taking advantage of Green’s strategy to double-team Blakes. Meanwhile, Wallace missed each of her five shot attempts, totaling 0 points in the first 10 minutes. At halftime, the Black and Gold’s dominance remained as they held a 36-25 lead. Vanderbilt’s success continued throughout all four quarters, finishing with a 75-57 victory over the Fighting Illini.
Let’s take a look at key storylines that steered the Commodores to victory.
The game brought a physical battle between the Commodores and the Fighting Illini. Blakes was targeted early, being doubled almost the entire time she possessed the ball, while Aubrey Galvan picked up two fouls in the span of just seconds herself in the second quarter. Despite this, though, the Commodores stepped up, they challenged Illinois and matched their physicality. The Black and Gold drew several offensive fouls, and Aiyana Mitchell came through with a dominating block on Destiny Jackson. There have been times this season where the ‘Dores have failed to match the physicality of the other team in the first half, the most recent being their game against Ole Miss during the SEC Championship quarter final.
Still, though, the Commodores were able to find a balance between challenging Illinois physically and showing the pure technical edge they held over their opponent as well. It found success challenging the Fighting Illini inside the paint and then kicking it outside to its forwards and guards to go to work from beyond the arc.
Even when Illinois tried to speed the ‘Dores up and fluster them with a high press in the fourth quarter, that particularly targeted Galvan and Pissott, the ‘Dores continued to plug away on the inside with a Galvan layup on a fast break to maintain a 19-point lead.
Vanderbilt started its game with a less than desirable shooting performance: At the end of the first quarter it was shooting just 42% from three and 25% from beyond the arc. While those numbers improved in the second quarter with the ‘Dores shooting 38.5% and 50% from the field and three respectively, things really broke open for them in the third.
In the final four and a half minutes of the third quarter of play, the Black and Gold hit four consecutive 3-pointers, from Galvan, Blakes (2) and Pissott, to put it ahead by 19 points. It would end the third quarter shooting a scorching 71.4% from three and 60% from the field, bringing its game totals to 46.8% and 47.6%, respectively.
Vanderbilt would end its game going 11 of 26 from the three point line for 42.3% overall, standing in stark comparison to Illinois’ 3 for 23 and 13%. These triples were a difference maker for Vanderbilt, Illinois simply could not match the perimeter presence the ‘Dores possessed during the game and that directly resulted in the win.
Alongside Vanderbilt’s star-studded backcourt is 3-point specialist, Justine Pissott, who has played a pivotal role for the Commodores this season. The senior ranks No. 2 in 3-point percentage this season, shooting an impressive 42.3% from beyond the arc. Her quick-release and effecient shooting numbers create space for Blakes and Galvan offensively, with defenders needing to tighten up on Pissott on the perimeter. The Toms River, New Jersey, native has undergone hot and cold streaks all season, but in the Round of 32, was key to the Commodores’ decisive victory.
Pissott entered the halftime locker-room tied with Blakes for Vanderbilt’s leading scorer. She scored 10 points, draining 2 triples and snagging 2 boards in 18 first-half minutes. Green clearly placed an emphasis on closely guarding Pissott on the outside, which allowed for open driving lanes for Blakes. The senior also excelled from mid-range, knocking down multiple contested jumpers in the first half.
Her offensive firepower continued in the second half, scoring the first points of the half with a pullup jumper. When Illinois cut Vanderbilt’s lead under 10 midway through the third quarter, Pissott regained the ‘Dores momentum by draining a 3-pointer. Her ability to drain triples off the pass at a high rate gave the Commodores another elite offensive weapon. The Fighting Illini had trouble containing Blakes, Galvan and Pissott, as when they focused on the first two, the latter would make them pay.
She buried another corner deep ball late in the third to stretch the Commodore lead to 13. Pissott’s incredible playmaking skills were on full display as well, highlighted by a remarkable no-look assist Aiyana Mitchell at the beginning of the final period. The 6-foot-4 guard utilizes her height not only to shoot over smaller defenders, but to make tight passes to find open teammates.
Pissott finished with 18 points, efficiently knocking down 7 of her 12 shot attempts. She cashed in 4 of her 8 3-point attempts and added 4 rebounds. The senior clearly did not let the March Madness stage get the best of her, as she played with confidence and intensity from start to finish.
Everyone knows what to expect from Blakes and Galvan; Pissott is that x-factor that can elevate the group to new heights. As the tournament continues, many of these rosters feature more than 2 stars, and if Pissott is on like she was against Illinois, she will take on that role for the Commodores. Every successful basketball team needs a sharpshooter, and Vanderbilt’s success in the Sweet 16 arguably depends most on Pissott’s performance.
Vanderbilt will travel to Fort Worth, Texas, to take on 6-seed Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 Friday, March 27, with tipoff set for 1:30 p.m.
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