VU WBB: Vandy 66, Auburn 61

After defeating Georgia and LSU last week at home, the Dores won their third consecutive game with a 66-61 victory over the Auburn Tigers in Auburn, Alabama. Tiffany Clarke led all scorers with 26 points. Jasmine Lister added 13 points and six assists, and Stephanie Holzer scored 10 points with eight rebounds.

Until a year ago, a trip to Auburn meant a game at Beards-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum, but now the Auburn basketball teams play in the sparkling new Auburn Arena, complete with a gigantic cage for the War Eagle, who watches over the premises with a wary eye.




Snack bar overlooking the court




The game turned out to be a rough-and-tumble, take-no-prisoners nail-biter. Nothing came easy for either team, and neither team ever established a double-digit lead.




With Auburn taking away Vanderbilt's three-point shooters, scoring had to come from the inside, and the 'Dores were aggressive in taking the ball inside whether off the dribble or feeding the post.




The aggressiveness paid off, with the 'Dores taking frequent trips to the free throw line and making their shots when they got there. For the game, Vanderbilt shot 91% from the free throw line (20-22). Jasmine Lister was a perfect 4-4 from the line for the game.




After driving to the basket, Christina Foggie passes to Stephanie Holzer for the assist.




Tiffany Clarke




Clarke shot 9 for 11 from the field, and 8 for 9 from the free throw line.




Some "assists" don't show up on the stat sheet. Elan Brown finds Clarke in the post. . . .




. . . . Clarke goes up for the shot, is fouled, and makes the free throws. No assist appears in the stat sheet for Brown, but without the pass, Vanderbilt doesn't get the points. Follow @wbbVandyMania




There weren't many uncontested shots in the game on either side, but a nice pass from Stephanie Holzer set up this one for Brown to tie the score at 26-26.




Holzer scored all of her 10 points in the first half, including 4-5 from the free throw line.




Tiffany Clarke




Elan Brown




Brown shot 4-for-4 from the free throw line.




Jasmine Lister




Another assist by Foggie, this time to Clarke, to give the 'Dores a 4-point lead at 46-41 midway through the second half.




With the victory, Vanderbilt improves to 17-5 overall, 5-4 in the SEC. Next, the 'Dores return to the road for a Sunday afternoon game in Starkville against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Game time is 2 p.m. Next home game will be Thursday, February 9 at 8 p.m. when Vanderbilt hosts the Tennessee Lady Vols.


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Photos copyright 2012 by Whitney D. for VandyMania.Com