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Home > SECWB News & More! > SEC Teams > Vanderbilt > Vanderbilt Rolls Over UAB
Vanderbilt Rolls Over UAB
by LeAnne Harrington, SECWB.com
Posted: November 10th, 2007 @ 12:51am
Source: View Box Score
The Vanderbilt Commodores began their 2007-2008 campaign in fine form, rolling over the visiting University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers by a score of 92-51 in front of 3,797 fans. Vandy was paced by senior center Liz Sherwood and sophomore guard Merideth Marsh with 13 points apiece. Other double figure scorers were Christina Wirth with 12 points, and seldom used reserve Amy Malo added 10 in 16 minutes of play. Freshman Jence Rhoads got the starting nod at point guard, tallying 5 assists while committing only 1 turnover. Sherwood also pulled down 9 rebounds.
UAB drew first blood when Diamond Rogers hit a three only 9 seconds into the game, but it was the only lead the Blazers had for the night. Rogers led all scorers in the game with 23, but she was the only double-digit scorer for the outmatched UAB squad. Vanderbilt led 45-14 at the half, and the game was never in doubt for the 17th ranked Commodores. Every Commodore played at least 5 minutes, and each player scored. Vandy forced UAB into committing 24 turnovers, and scored 24 points off those turnovers. Vanderbilt was ranked #10 in the nation in assists last season, averaging 18 per game, and it looks like the Commodores are going to pick up just where they left off. They had 18 for the night while holding UAB to a total of 6 assists for the game. The only glaring area for improvement was in the Commodores' free-throw shooting; Vandy hit only 58.8% of their shots from the charity stripe, shooting 10 of 17 from the line. In a game like this, it didn't make much difference, but rest assured that Coach Balcomb will want that percentage to rise dramatically before Vanderbilt gets into their conference schedule.
In my opinion, the three most notable Commodore performers of the night were Merideth Marsh, Jessica Mooney and Jennifer Risper. Marsh played like a woman on a mission; with Rhoads starting at point, Marsh seemed set on getting the most out of her time on the floor. Marsh’s 13 points came in only 17 minutes of play, and she added 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. Jess Mooney is a lightning-fast guard who is dangerous in the open court. She applied non-stop pressure on the ball and her speed gives opponents fits. Jen Risper may be the most complete package on the team this year, if tonight’s game is any indication. This 5’9” guard did it all: she played solid defense, showed good court vision and has immaculate timing on her passes. Risper is not afraid to take it to the hoop against taller defenders, and her quickness usually makes them pay. Risper totaled 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 22 minutes of action.
The Vanderbilt Commodores next face Furman on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 11. Tipoff is set for 2pm CST at Memorial Gym.
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