NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mikayla Blakes scored 27 points and Aubrey Galvan added 16 points and 11 assists as No. 8 Vanderbilt opened its season with a 112-53 victory over Lipscomb on Monday. To watch the video click here.
The Commodores pulled away with a 19-2 run in the second quarter and led by 39 at halftime. Vanderbilt turned 27 Lipscomb turnovers into 39 points and finished with 19 steals.
Blakes, a preseason All-American, added nine rebounds and six assists. Madison Greene scored 19 points, Georgia transfer Mia Woolfolk had 15 and Aiyana Mitchell added 10. Vanderbilt shot 60% from the field and 35% from 3-point range.
McKayla Miller led Lipscomb with 16 points and six rebounds. Tess Wiczek added 10 points and seven rebounds.
Vanderbilt entered the season with its highest preseason ranking since opening at No. 3 in 2001. The Commodores reached the Sweet 16 last season for the first time since 2009.
Blakes was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year last season, Galvan earned freshman of the year honors and Shea Ralph was named coach of the year.
Vanderbilt hosts Queens on Wednesday. Lipscomb visits Butler on Thursday.
