Vanderbilt blows by Lipscomb, 76-45
CHATTANOOGA (AP) — The Vanderbilt Commodores know tougher games are ahead in the NCAA tournament, and they believe they are prepared.
The second-seeded Commodores (25-7) beat Lipscomb 76-45 in the first round of the Midwest Regional on Saturday.
Coach Melanie Balcomb said her team appeared to be a little rusty in the first half after having two weeks off since winning the Southeastern Conference tournament.
“The first half we got out of what we do best. We have to realize we can’t do that from here on out. There are going to be teams that will be ready,” said Jenni Benningfield, who led Vanderbilt with 21 points and 21 rebounds.
Vanderbilt will play 10th-seeded Chattanooga in the second round Monday.
The Commodores had little trouble winning its ninth straight, continuing a hot streak that powered them to the SEC title.
The 15th-seeded Lady Bison (20-12), formerly in the NAIA, earned their first tournament berth in their first year of eligibility by winning the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Lipscomb’s Courtney Boynton said. “We’re glad we had this experience. We’ve gone so long watching it on TV.”
Ashley Earley added 18 points and Abi Ramsey had 15 for the Commodores, who held Lipscomb to 30 percent shooting from the field.
Boynton and Katie Beth Pate each had eight points to pace the Lady Bison.
Vanderbilt and Lipscomb, both located in Nashville, traveled about 120 miles here, and their fans followed.
After Lipscomb led 4-0, the Commodores went on a 20-3 run to go ahead by 13 early in the first half.
The Lady Bison trimmed the lead to five when Lynn Roller hit a 3 to cap a 10-2 run.
Vanderbilt quickly extended the lead to 10. The closest Lipscomb got afterward was 27-19 with 3:19 remaining in the first half.
The Lady Bison were tired in the second half, but they kept playing hard.
“We’re going after the same thing,” Benningfield said. “We knew they weren’t going to back down and they didn’t. It was really intense.”
After the Commodores went up by 24 with about three minutes left, the Vanderbilt fans yelled “Final Four” as the band played.
If Vanderbilt and No. 1 seed Tennessee keep winning, the two would play in the regional final for a spot in New Orleans.
Vanderbilt’s winning streak started after a 94-88 home loss to the Lady Vols on Feb. 15.