KNOXVILLE — Mikayla Blakes scored 34 points to lead the fifth-ranked Vanderbilt women’s basketball team to an 87-77 victory against in-state rival Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference regular-season finale for both teams Sunday.
Blakes, who also had six rebounds, four assists and two steals (but also six turnovers), scored eight points in a 12-2 run late in the third quarter for the Commodores (27-3, 13-3 SEC). Aubrey Galvan added 24 points and five assists, while Sacha Washington had 16 points and eight rebounds for the visitors at Thompson-Boling Arena, where a crowd of 12,037 was on hand.
Shea Ralph, who is in her fifth season as Vanderbilt’s coach, called capping the regular season with a win at Tennessee “really special” but said she “can’t wait to see what’s next” with March just getting started.
Kim Caldwell, in her second season as Tennessee’s coach, said the Commodores are a “phenomenal team” and deserving of their high ranking.
“You can’t have that many lapses against them and come away with a victory,” Caldwell said. “Especially in the third quarter.”