NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mikayla Blakes scored 25 points as No. 2 seed Vanderbilt beat seventh-seeded Illinois 75-57 Monday night to advance to the Sweet 16 in the women’s NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009.
Vanderbilt (29-4) now is one off matching the 30-win seasons of the 1993 Final Four squad and the 2001-02 Commodores for most wins in program history. The Commodores will play No. 6 seed Notre Dame, a winner over Ohio State earlier Monday, in the Fort Worth 1 Region on Friday in their 15th regional semifinal all-time.
“This is what I came here to do, and to continue to do it, not just stop here, but for the upcoming years as well to be able to compete for championships,” Blakes said. “I feel like this is a step in the right direction for this program.”
Blakes just missed the first triple-double of her career. She checked out with 2:12 left with 10 rebounds and nine assists along with four steals. Justine Pissott scored 18 points, making four 3-pointers. Aubrey Galvan added 12.
Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph said it might’ve been her fault that Blakes didn’t get one more assist for the triple-double.