In a thrilling second-round matchup at the SEC Tournament, Vanderbilt emerged victorious over No. 18 Tennessee with a final score of 84-76 on Thursday, thanks to standout performances from freshman Mikayla Blakes and Iyana Moore. Blakes spearheaded the effort with 24 points, while Moore chipped in with 23 points and four 3-pointers.
This season, Vanderbilt has defeated Tennessee twice, marking the first occasion in series history. A previous win on January 19 came with a dramatic 71-70 finish, as Blakes secured the victory with a late putback with only 0.8 seconds remaining.
The victory pushes Vanderbilt, now 22-9 in the season, into a quarterfinal showdown against the formidable No. 1 seed South Carolina, ranked fifth nationally. The two teams encountered each other most recently on February 23, with South Carolina claiming an 82-54 victory.
Thursday’s game started on a strong note for Vanderbilt, initiating a formidable 17-5 lead. Tennessee, undeterred, clawed back with a significant 12-2 run in the second quarter, eventually overtaking the lead at 32-31.
Vanderbilt regained dominance with a double-digit lead by mid-third quarter, even as starter Khamil Pierre contended with foul trouble, picking up her third. A 13-0 scoring spree culminated with Blakes executing a skillful scoop shot, extending the score to 56-42. During this critical phase, Blakes contributed nine vital points.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Vanderbilt maintained momentum by making their first four shots, significantly increasing the margin to 71-51. Despite a few shaky moments involving seven turnovers and two missed shots near the end, the Commodores secured 7 of 8 free throws, ensuring their lead remained comfortable.
Pierre delivered an impressive performance, logging 16 points and an astounding 15 rebounds. Blakes’ efforts marked her 19th game of the season with at least 20 points.
For Tennessee, Ruby Whitehorn led the team with 14 points, while Samara Spencer, Talaysia Cooper, and Jewel Spear each added 13 points.
