Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball (18-7, 5-6 SEC) returned to Memorial Gymnasium to host Mississippi State (18-8, 5-7 SEC) nearly a week after falling to then-No. 4 Texas on the road. 

“I don’t have much to say today,” Ralph said. “It’s obviously disappointing to lose a game at home in that fashion.”

Vanderbilt found its groove in the last five minutes of the first quarter giving itself a 10 point lead. It went cold in the second quarter, however, shooting just 4-16 from the field staying in the game solely off the back of a 4-7 performance from behind the arc to give the ‘Dores a 31-29 lead at the half.

Despite a lackluster third-quarter performance, Vanderbilt finally found an offensive groove in the fourth. Sophomore Khamil Pierre collected 11 of the team’s 17 points, going 5-5 from the field. The contest then followed with two overtime’s before the game was decided. Vanderbilt ultimately dropped the contest 85-77 to a Mississippi State team that refused to concede.

First half 

The first six minutes of play showed an almost deadlock, with the two teams trading buckets on each end of the floor. At the first media timeout, Vanderbilt held a slim 12-6 lead on the back of an 8-0 run in the last minute of play. Pierre contributed 6 of those 10 points, followed by Mikayla Blakes with 4.

The ‘Dores continued to keep their foot on the gas with Pierre as the anchor. A Madison Green 3-pointer from the left corner had Memorial Gymnasium erupting with applause, and the momentum was fully in the Commodores’ hands. A 7-0 Commodore run was aided by the fact that Mississippi State shot an abysmal 20% from the field despite ample opportunities with 6’6″ Madina Okot matched up with 5’10″ Jordyn Oliver down low. The first quarter concluded with the Commodores holding a 19-9 lead over the Bulldogs. 

Despite a 10-point lead to open the half, a few traded shots and a 6-0 Mississippi State run brought the Bulldogs within 3. An unusual missed layup by Pierre and a rebound by Mississippi State saw a momentum shift. Ralph was able to regroup her team with a brief media timeout; but, the shooting woes continued for the Black and Gold. Vanderbilt allowed the Bulldogs to extend their run to 11 and surrendered the lead. The only bright spot in the second quarter was Madison Greene, who single-handedly kept Vanderbilt in the game with a pair of 3-pointers. Thanks to Greene, the Commodores owned a slim 31-29 lead headed into the locker room. 

Vanderbilt ended the quarter going just 4-16 from the field but 3-7 from beyond the arc. As previously mentioned, much of the credit for the lead belonged to Greene, as well as to Leilani Kapinus for forcing two critical turnovers.

Second half

The third quarter brought more of the same for Vanderbilt. On the offensive end of the court, despite scoring 15 points, Vanderbilt was unsettled and lacked productive sets. Once again, Greene kept Vanderbilt in the game, making a big 3-pointer. Blakes, despite shooting plenty, saw just one basket go in while others such as Aiyana Mitchell struggled to get easy makes under the basket. 

Meanwhile, Mississippi State worked the Commodores on defense for easy makes and putbacks. Their offense was highlighted by Okot having 16 points and 17 rebounds at the conclusion of the third quarter. A 12-2 run by the Bulldogs finished out the third period of play, putting Vanderbilt in a 5-point hole to enter the fourth. 

Vanderbilt’s offense woke up in the fourth quarter on the back of Pierre who scored 11 of the teams 17. Four straight field goals, two of which were from Pierre, gave the Commodores a 56-51 lead, and the momentum was back in their hands. A quick one-touch put back off an inbound by Pierre added to the lead and brought her game total to 19. Mississippi State remained relentless, though, never allowing the ‘Dores to gain more than a two-possession lead, and bringing it within 1 point with just over three minutes remaining.

Pierre took over the game in the final four minutes, collecting 5 points including a massive 3-pointer from the top of the arc. With just one minute remaining in the game, and Vanderbilt leading by 4 points, Mississippi State head coach Sam Purcell opted to take a timeout. The timeout worked in the Bulldog’s favor when they made a quick basket to bring the game within 2 points. It was now Ralph’s turn to take a timeout, undoubtedly setting up an offensive plan to avoid the trap and get a score on the board. 

Oliver inbounded the ball to Blakes, who carried it up the court, and Vanderbilt worked the shot clock town to 11 seconds when it decided to drive. Greene, however, was stripped of the ball on her way to the net by Denim DeShields. The turnover then turned into an easy made bucket for Jerkaila Jordan, who tied the game at 65-all.

Vanderbilt brought the ball up the court once again, but there was a jump-ball ruling when Pierre got tied up with a Mississippi State defender. After the call was reviewed the refs deemed the ball belonged to Mississippi State, giving the Bulldogs possession with just 19 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs worked the clock but were unable to score, which sent the game into overtime.

First overtime

The overtime period did not have an auspicious start for the Commodores. After losing the jump ball, Vanderbilt allowed the Bulldogs to score on their first possession. Then the ‘Dores turned the ball over twice in a row — one being a steal and the other a shot clock violation. Iyana Moore finally broke Vanderbilt’s scoring drought with a made free throw at the 2:06 mark. A big and-1 on the other end by the Bulldogs gave them a 3-point lead, however. Needing a basket, Moore came up with a steal that she turned into a 3-point play on an and-1 layup to tie the game.

With just over one minute left, Pierre went down with calf cramping which removed her from the game — replacing her was Mitchell. Mississippi State then brought the ball up the court and called a timeout with just 26 seconds remaining and a 2-point lead. Mitchell came up with a big time steal and with just one second left, Blakes made a jumper with one second left to send the game into a second overtime.

Second overtime

The second overtime period started with Mississippi State gaining a quick 4 points from two foul shots and a layup. Blakes quickly retaliated by making a 3-pointer and bringing her team within 1 point. The ‘Dores missed their next four field goals, giving the Bulldogs a 7-point lead with just under a minute and a half remaining. Ralph called a timeout to regroup her girls. The Black and Gold came up empty handed on the next possession, with a jumper by Greene rattling off the rim. Blakes picked up her fifth foul on the next play and exited the game. Going 0-7  from the field in the final four minutes, Vanderbilt dropped the hard fought contest 85-77 to the Bulldogs

Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball will next hit the road, playing Auburn on Feb. 16. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 3 p.m. CST.