“Lady Commodores” roll pass “Lady Razorbacks”

You have got to get up Earley to beat Vanderbilt

Bi-Lo Center – Greenville, GA

Vandy PG-Dee Davis directs traffic while being hounded by Arkansas's Kristin Peoples.

The defending SEC Tournament Champions from Vanderbilt jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead on a three-pointer by Caroline Williams who hails from Rockmart, GA. Arkansas responded with a tree-pointer of their own by Rochelle Vaughn making the score 5-3. Williams was feeling it early drilling her second three-pointer of the game putting Vandy up 8-3. It looked like it was going to be a long night for the “Lady Razorbacks” when 6-3 sophomore Carla Thomas powered her way inside to score another Vandy basket making the score 12-3.

After a Arkansas timeout the “Lady Razorbacks” got after it, a nice post up play by Sarah Pfeifer and a steal and score by freshman Brittney Vaughn cut the lead to 14-11. The “Lady Commodores” outstanding sophomore point guard Dee Davis did a nice job of pushing the ball up the court, her drive and basket gave Vandy a 17-11 lead.

Vanderbilt's Ashley Earley and Arkansas's Sarah Pfiefer waged a tough battle in the paint all day long.

Arkansas just would not go away a three-pointer by Sheree Thompson pulled them to within three 28-25 with 4:53 left in the half. A nice pass from Pfeifer to Danielle Allen made the score 30-28 with 1:38 left in the half. After Arkansas tied the game at 30-30 on a jumper by Vaughn, Vandy’s Katie Antony knocked down a nice little turn around jumper in the paint putting them back on top 32-30 with :58 seconds on the clock. The “Lady Razorbacks” had a chance to tie the game at the half when Thompson made a sweet spin move and hit Allen with a pass that went off of her finger tips as the horn sounded with Vanderbilt leading 32-30.

Arkansas got off early in the 2nd half getting a three-pointer from Vaughn to put the “Lady Razorbacks” in front 33-32. Carla Thomas is a real force inside and it was hard for Arkansas to match-up with her as she powered her way to another basket in the paint. Likewise Sarah Pfeifer from Arkansas is smaller but has that same toughness, her short jumper made the score 35-34.

Arkansas's Rochelle Vaughn looks to drive to the hole. She scored 20 points for the "Lady Razorbacks".

The “Lady Commodores” began to experience some early foul trouble when Davis and Thomas both picked up their 3rd fouls. With 14:55 left to play Abi Ramsey drained a three-pointer for Vandy to tie the game at 37-37. Ashley Earley from Vanderbilt continued to cause havoc inside for the “Lady Commodores” making a nice drive to the hole to score. That basket was followed up with a three-pointer by Cherish Stringfield giving the “Lady Commodores” a 44-38 lead forcing Arkansas to call a timeout with 11: 44 to play.

A baseline jumper by Arkansas’s Rochelle Vaughn cut the lead to 47-42. Earley and Thomas started dominating the paint inside as each scored to open up an 8 point lead 52-44 with just under 8:00 minutes to play. A sweet pull-up jumper by the “Lady Razorbacks” Melissa Hobbs closed the gap to 58-52 but then the “Lady Commodores went on a tear, a three-pointer by Williams opened up a 12 point lead as Vanderbilt went on to a tough 79-60 win to move on to the semi-finals against in-state rival Tennessee.

Scoring Recap

Vanderbilt

Ashley Earley scored a game high 21 points and also grabbed a game high 15 rebounds to lead the “Lady Commodores”. Dee Davis did a nice job of directing the team finishing with 14 points and 5 assists. Carla Thomas added 11 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Caroline Williams chipped in with 9 points (3 three-pointers) and 3 steals.

Arkansas

Rochelle Vaughn scored 20 points and grabbed 5 rebounds to pace the “Lady Razorbacks”. Sarah Pfeifer finished with 16 points and Melissa Hobbs chipped in with 6 points.