Live Updates: Lady Vols at Vanderbilt – Memorial Gymnasium

Pre-Game:

The scene is set at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee, as the Lady Vols prepare to face off against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Both teams are coming off competitive wins in their respective recent games, and the rivalry between Tennessee and Vanderbilt always ensures high-intensity action.

Coach Kellie Harper’s Lady Vols are looking to maintain their momentum in the SEC after an impressive win over Mississippi State last weekend. On the other hand, Vanderbilt, under Coach Shea Ralph, is eager to establish themselves as a tough opponent at home, particularly against a team with the pedigree of Tennessee.

The crowd is buzzing as both teams take the court for warm-ups. Fans fill the seats of Memorial Gymnasium, with a fair number of Tennessee supporters making the trip down I-40 for this in-state SEC battle.

First Quarter:

9:30 PM ET – The game begins! Tennessee wins the opening tip, and the Lady Vols quickly push the ball down the floor. Jordan Horston, Tennessee’s standout guard, is handling the ball well, looking to set the tone early.
9:32 PM ET – Vanderbilt strikes first with a strong finish at the basket by forward Nia Pippen. The Commodores take a 2-0 lead early on.
9:34 PM ET – Horston responds for Tennessee! She drives through the lane and finishes with a quick layup, drawing a foul in the process. She makes the free throw, and the Lady Vols are up 3-2.
9:36 PM ET – Vanderbilt has come to play. Guard Marnelle Garraud hits a three-pointer from the corner to give the Commodores a 5-3 lead. The fans in Memorial Gymnasium are fired up!
9:38 PM ET – Tennessee’s defense tightens up. Zaay Green is active on the perimeter, getting a steal and racing the other way for a fast-break layup. Lady Vols lead 6-5.
9:40 PM ET – Fast-paced start to this one! Vanderbilt gets a quick bucket from forward Koi Love in transition, but Tennessee quickly answers with a three-pointer from Tess Darby. The Lady Vols regain a 9-7 lead.
9:43 PM ET – The Commodores respond with an excellent inside move from Pippen again, who powers through to tie the game at 9-9. Both teams are showing strong offensive efficiency early on.
9:45 PM ET – A timeout has been called by Vanderbilt’s Coach Ralph as Tennessee has gone on a small 4-0 run. The score is now 13-9 in favor of the Lady Vols.

Analysis: It’s clear from the early minutes that both teams are prepared for an intense battle. Tennessee’s offense has been led by Horston, but Vanderbilt has shown strong execution in both transition and half-court sets. With momentum swinging between both teams, it’s shaping up to be a high-scoring affair.

Second Quarter:

9:50 PM ET – After the timeout, Vanderbilt’s defense tightens up. They’re forcing Tennessee into difficult shots, and Garraud has made a great defensive play on Green, forcing a turnover.
9:52 PM ET – The Commodores capitalize on the turnover. Pippen gets another easy basket in transition, and Vanderbilt has tied the game at 13-13.
9:54 PM ET – The teams continue to trade baskets. Horston hits a mid-range jumper, but Vanderbilt’s Love answers back with a three-pointer from the top of the key. Commodores up 16-15.
9:57 PM ET – Coach Harper calls a timeout as Vanderbilt’s defense is starting to frustrate Tennessee’s offense. The Lady Vols have missed a couple of open looks, and the Commodores are making them pay with quick strikes on the other end. The score is 18-15, Vanderbilt.
10:00 PM ET – Tennessee gets back to business with a strong drive from Horston, who draws a foul and heads to the line for two. She makes both free throws to tie the game at 18-18.
10:03 PM ET – Vanderbilt’s Pippen has been a force in the post tonight. She gets deep position once again and scores on a nice turn-around jumper. Commodores back in front, 20-18.
10:05 PM ET – Tennessee’s defense is starting to create some opportunities for the offense. Horston snags a defensive rebound and pushes the ball quickly down the court. Zaay Green finishes a fast-break layup to tie it up at 20-20.
10:07 PM ET – The Lady Vols have stepped up their defense, with Green and Darby forcing back-to-back turnovers. Darby connects on a three-pointer off a fast break, giving Tennessee a 23-20 lead.
10:10 PM ET – A quick 6-0 run for Tennessee has them leading 25-20. Coach Ralph calls another timeout as the momentum has shifted in favor of the Lady Vols.

Analysis: Tennessee’s defensive pressure and ability to convert turnovers into points have been the difference in this quarter. Vanderbilt’s offense has slowed down a bit, and Tennessee has capitalized with key contributions from their leaders, Horston and Green.

Halftime:

The first half comes to a close with the Lady Vols leading the Vanderbilt Commodores 28-22. Tennessee’s defense has tightened up, and the team has managed to weather the early storm to pull ahead. Jordan Horston has been the standout for the Lady Vols, contributing both offensively and defensively, while Vanderbilt has struggled to find consistent offensive rhythm after their fast start.

Key Stats at Halftime:

Tennessee: Horston – 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists. Green – 8 points, 2 assists. Darby – 3 points, 2 rebounds.
Vanderbilt: Pippen – 10 points, 4 rebounds. Love – 5 points. Garraud – 3 points, 3 assists.

Third Quarter:

10:35 PM ET – The second half begins! Both teams are taking the court with renewed energy. Vanderbilt is trying to regain control, but Tennessee’s defense continues to disrupt their offensive flow.
10:37 PM ET – Horston with another strong drive to the basket, drawing a foul. She heads to the free-throw line and converts both shots to extend Tennessee’s lead to 30-22.
10:40 PM ET – Vanderbilt responds quickly with an excellent play from Pippen, who grabs an offensive rebound and puts it back in. Commodores trail 30-24.
10:42 PM ET – Tennessee continues to dominate on the boards, with Horston grabbing a crucial rebound and pushing the pace. Green finishes off a fast-break layup to make it 32-24.
10:45 PM ET – The Lady Vols are starting to impose their will. They’re controlling the glass and finding open shots in transition. Darby hits a three-pointer from the wing, extending the lead to 35-26.
10:48 PM ET – Vanderbilt’s offense is stagnant. Tennessee’s defense is locking down, and the Commodores are struggling to get good looks. The crowd is starting to quiet down as the Lady Vols have built a double-digit lead.
10:50 PM ET – Another basket for Tennessee, this time from Green, who cuts through the lane for a strong finish. Lady Vols up 37-26.
10:53 PM ET – Vanderbilt is still trying to fight back, but Tennessee’s offense is firing on all cylinders. Horston, who has been a dominant force all night, gets an easy layup to push the lead to 39-26.

Analysis: Tennessee has seized control of the game with their defense and transition play. Vanderbilt has been unable to score consistently, and the Lady Vols’ ability to get easy baskets off turnovers and rebounds has been key.

Fourth Quarter:

11:10 PM ET – The final quarter begins with Tennessee holding a commanding 41-28 lead. Vanderbilt needs to make a big run if they want to get back into this game.
11:13 PM ET – Pippen for Vanderbilt continues to work hard inside. She converts a strong post move to make it 41-30, but time is running out for the Commodores.
11:15 PM ET – Tennessee keeps pushing the ball up the floor. Zaay Green hits a jumper from the elbow to extend the Lady Vols’ lead to 43-30.
11:17 PM ET – Vanderbilt is struggling to find answers. Tennessee’s defense continues to suffocate the Commodores’ offense, and the shots just aren’t falling for Vanderbilt.
11:20 PM ET – The Lady Vols have controlled the second half. Horston hits another mid-range jumper, and the lead is now 45-32.
11:23 PM ET – The Commodores’ frustration is evident. Tennessee has been playing excellent defense all night, and it’s become clear that Vanderbilt’s chances of a comeback are slim.
11:25 PM ET – Final minute of play, and the Lady Vols are comfortably ahead. The crowd is beginning to filter out of Memorial Gymnasium as the Commodores’ chances for a win dwindle.

Final Score:

Tennessee 47, Vanderbilt 34

Post-Game Analysis:

Tennessee secured a big road win against Vanderbilt with a strong second half performance, finishing with a 47-34 victory. Jordan Horston led the way with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Zaay Green contributed with 12 points and 3 assists. The Lady Vols dominated on the defensive end, forcing several turnovers and converting those into easy points in transition.

Vanderbilt struggled to get their offense going, particularly in the second half, where they were outscored 19-12. Nia Pippen was the lone bright spot for the Commodores, finishing with 14 points and 6 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Tennessee’s balanced attack.

With this win, Tennessee improves to 16-4 on the season and 6-2 in SEC play. They’ll look to carry this momentum forward as they head back home for their next matchup.

This type of live coverage provides a comprehensive look at how the game progressed, key moments, and performances from both teams, capturing the flow and excitement of a basketball game while providing insight into the action.