NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Riding a three-game winning streak, the Vanderbilt women’s basketball program opens SEC play this week with a home-road split.
The Commodores (9-5) host Mississippi State on Thursday at 5 p.m. CT (SEC Network+) in Memorial Gymnasium in their last game of 2022 and celebrate the New Year by traveling to play No. 9 LSU on Sunday at 2 p.m. (SEC Network+) at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In Vandy’s last outing to close out nonconference play, sophomore forward Sacha Washington scored a career-high tying 23 points to lead the Dores to a 76-46 win over Alabama A&M. Graduate guard Ciaja Harbison added 18 points, a season-high eight assists and four steals.
Entering the week, Harbison ranked second in the SEC in points per game (18.8) and was tied for the SEC lead in assists per game (5.5). In the 11 contests she’s played this season, Harbison has scored 20 or more points five times, including games of 34, 31, 28 and 27 points.
Fellow graduate guard Marnelle Garraud entered the week tied for the SEC lead in 3-pointers made (35).
All nine players on Vandy’s roster are averaging at least 12.5 minutes per game and have combined for a total of 2,862 minutes played. Transfers Harbison and Garraud lead the way at 35.5 and 33.8, respectively.
Scouting Report
Mississippi State (11-2)
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series 36-23, including 19-5 at home. MSU has won the last eight meetings. Vanderbilt’s last victory over the Bulldogs was during the 2014-15 season in Nashville.
Redshirt senior forward/center Jessika Carter leads MSU in scoring (14.2 points per game) and rebounding (8.4). Junior guard JerKaila Jordan (12.1) and freshman guard/forward Debreasha Powe (10.8) are the other MSU players averaging double figures in scoring.
The Bulldogs are averaging 78.8 points and 44.2 rebounds per game. They have a plus-5.2 turnover margin, forcing 21.2 per game while committing 16.0. MSU averages an SEC-leading 12.2 steals per game.
MSU’s two losses came against South Dakota State (63-62) and Nebraska in overtime (73-65). Under first-year head coach Sam Purcell, the Bulldogs were projected to finish tied for fifth in the SEC Coaches’ Preseason Poll.
LSU (12-0)
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series 26-24, including 15-4 at home. LSU has won the last five meetings. Vandy’s last victory over the Tigers came in the 2016-17 season in Nashville. The Dores have lost 10 straight to LSU on the road. Vandy’s last…