No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball delivered one of its biggest wins of the season Thursday night, taking down No. 4 Texas Longhorns women’s basketball 86-70 at Memorial Gymnasium. The victory marked Vanderbilt’s second win over a top-five opponent this season and solidified its status as a legitimate national title contender.
The Commodores came out firing and never let up, leading for more than 36 minutes of the game. Their 86-point performance was especially impressive against a Texas squad ranked No. 2 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Backcourt Brilliance
The dynamic duo of Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan once again powered the Commodores. Blakes poured in 34 points — her fourth straight 30-point performance — becoming the first SEC player in 25 years to achieve that feat. She shot efficiently from the field and beyond the arc, continuing her surge in the National Player of the Year race alongside frontrunner Sarah Strong.
Galvan added 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, continuing her standout freshman campaign. Fresh off a 30-point outing earlier in the week, she proved she can shine against elite competition. Together, the pair combined for 52 points and controlled the tempo from start to finish.
Holding Their Own Inside
While much of the spotlight was on the guards, Vanderbilt’s frontcourt answered the challenge against Texas standouts Kyla Oldacre and Madison Booker.
Sacha Washington led the way with 10 points and nine rebounds, battling effectively in the paint. Aaliyah Del Rosario provided valuable minutes off the bench, adding size, rebounding and rim protection. Though Texas narrowly won the points-in-the-paint battle, Vanderbilt claimed the edge on the boards, 40-37 — a key factor in the win.
A Contender Confirmed
After questions lingered following a January loss to South Carolina, Vanderbilt answered emphatically. Beating one of the SEC’s best teams by 16 points proved the Commodores can compete — and win — against the nation’s elite.
With elite guard play and a steadily improving frontcourt, Vanderbilt has all the pieces for a deep March run. The Commodores now head on the road to face Georgia on Sunday.
