NASHVILLE, Tenn.  (Nov. 20, 2024) … Freshman Mikayla Blakes scored 22 points and dished out eight assists to lead four in double figures as Vanderbilt defeated Hampton 94-45 in women's basketball inside venerable Memorial Gymnasium.

In a first period that saw nine ties and five lead changes, Hampton came out of the gates and went toe-to-toe with the SEC Commodores. Le'Asia Foreman scored the first bucket of the game on a driving layup at 8:25 of the first period. After a Vanderbilt (5-0) jumper by Blakes, Arina Nikishina made a hook shot in the paint to put Hampton back on top 4-2 with 7:37 left.

A three-point play by Khamil Pierre gave Vandy a 7-4 lead with 6:18 on the clock, but Hampton responded with a three-pointer from CeCe Thomas to even the score at the 5:12 mark. Amaya Reaves went one-for-two at the line to put Hampton up 8-7 18 seconds later.

The teams traded buckets as Jenae Dublin scored both of Hampton's field goals in the next 59 seconds. Vanderbilt pushed the lead to 16-12 on a three-point play by Blakes with 2:38 left, but again Hampton answered with a bucket from Reaves and a three-pointer by Aisha Dabo to regain the lead 17-16 with 1:49 left.

Each team traded field goals as Dublin evened the contest at 21-all on a layup with 19 seconds left. Iyana Moore beat the first period buzzer with a layup to put the hosts up 23-21 after one.

The Lady Pirates scored the first bucket of the second period as Dublin had a jumper just 17 seconds into the period to even the game at 23-23. Vanderbilt scored the next 17 points to break the game open on a Blakes jumper with 4:19 left  for a 40-23 lead.

A Dabo 3-pointer slowed that run trimming the deficit to 40-26 with 3:53 remaining in the half. The hosts closed the first half on an 11-2 run to lead 51-28 at halftime on a layup by Leilani Kapinus.

Dublin and Dabo had 12 points apiece to lead Hampton. Dublin had six rebounds, Le'Asia Foreman had five boards and Dabo along with Amaya Reaves had four apiece.

Joining Blakes in double figures were Pierre who had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, Moore also had 12 points while Madison Greene added 11 for Vanderbilt.

Hampton returns to the friendly confines of the HU Convocation Center to take on Eastern Kentucky on Monday night at 7 p.m.