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Home > SECWB News & More! > SEC Teams > Vanderbilt > Vanderbilt: New Lineup, Same Result in Second Exhibition Win
Vanderbilt: New Lineup, Same Result in Second Exhibition Win
by LeAnne Harrington, SECWB.com
Posted: November 6th, 2007 @ 11:38pm
Coach Melanie Balcomb decided to start freshman Jence Rhoads at point in Monday night’s exhibition game, but the result was just the same as their prior pre-season tuneup: a solid win by Vanderbilt over South Carolina's NCAA Division II Anderson University by a score of 76-41. Vanderbilt was led in scoring by senior Liz Sherwood with 23 points, but it was the freshman point guard who proved why she was such a highly regarded recruit. In 27 minutes of action, Rhoads posted some solid numbers in her first collegiate start: 4 of 6 shooting from the field with 2 of those shots from behind the arc for a total of 10 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists against only two turnovers. With the exception of Rhoads replacing Merideth Marsh, Vandy’s lineup remained the same, with Sherwood, Christina Wirth, Jen Risper and Jessica Mooney getting their second straight starting nods. Sherwood seems poised to be a dominating inside presence for the Commodores this season, scoring her 23 points in only 24 minutes on 9 of 12 shooting from the field. She added 2 blocks and 2 steals to go with 6 rebounds. Risper also tallied 10 points and led all players with 5 steals. Vanderbilt shot over 50% from the field for the game, and all 13 Commodores saw playing time, with 12 scoring. Vandy forced Anderson into 28 turnovers, scoring 25 points off those turnovers, and notched 17 steals for the game. Coach Balcomb said she felt the team finished stronger and did a much better job defensively than in their first exhibition win. She stated: “Especially making adjustments in the second half, this was a much better effort than last week." The only glaring area for improvement seems to be in free throw shooting, where the Commodores shot only 57%.
Vanderbilt opens regular season play at home on Friday evening, November 9, against the University of Alabama-Birmingham. UAB, a Conference USA member, finished with a 19-13 record last season and made it to the second round of the WNIT. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Memorial Gym.
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