Vanderbilt Outlasts Michigan In Thrilling Top Ten Showdown

On a brisk Monday afternoon at the Prudential Center, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for two of the hottest teams in women’s college basketball. The No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores, riding an unblemished 18-game winning streak, squared off against the surging No. 7 Michigan Wolverines, who had reeled off four straight victories and boasted one of the most explosive offenses in the country. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Vanderbilt had survived a furious Michigan rally to claim a 72-69 victory and remain undefeated at 19-0, tightening their grip on a potential 1-seed in the upcoming tournament.

For Vanderbilt, this wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. The Commodores entered the Coretta Scott King Classic as one of the nation’s premier defensive units, allowing just 57.6 points per game, and they wasted little time proving their mettle. The opening quarter saw Vanderbilt jump out to a 10-8 lead at the first media timeout, with Justine Pissott already making her presence felt by scoring five of the Commodores’ first 10 points. By the end of the quarter, Vanderbilt led 21-17, with Pissott tallying 11 points, three rebounds, and two blocks, setting the tone for what would become an epic battle.

Early in the second quarter, the Commodores unleashed a blistering 10-0 run, pushing their lead to 36-21 by the mid-period timeout. Their ball movement and outside shooting were on full display—Vanderbilt finished the first half 7-for-14 from deep, with Pissott draining three triples in the opening frame alone. While much of the pregame attention centered on SEC leading scorer Mikayla Blakes, the Commodores’ supporting cast stepped up in a major way. Pissott’s early scoring flurry and the steady hand of Aubrey Galvan, who would finish as the game’s top scorer with 20 points, powered Vanderbilt to a commanding 47-30 halftime lead.

But Michigan, a team averaging an eye-popping 88.6 points per game and outscoring opponents by over 30 per contest, wasn’t about to roll over. The Wolverines, led by sophomore guard Syla Swords and their leading scorer Olivia Olson, had been in this position before—down big at the break but never out of the fight. Michigan’s Achilles’ heel in the first half was their carelessness with the basketball. Despite averaging just 14 turnovers per game, the Wolverines coughed it up 11 times before halftime, leading to 17 Vanderbilt points off turnovers. The Commodores, meanwhile, looked comfortable breaking Michigan’s press and finding open shooters, repeatedly punishing the Wolverines’ mistakes in transition.

"We gotta prove it here. We don’t get a slip up if we want to stay in the hunt for a 1-seed," echoed the sense of urgency in the Vanderbilt locker room. And for much of the game, it looked like they would cruise to a statement win. Yet, as the second half unfolded, the narrative shifted dramatically.

Coming out of the break, Michigan looked more settled and determined. Swords caught fire, hitting three 3-pointers in the third quarter and sparking an 18-4 run that whittled the deficit down to single digits. Olson chipped in eight points during the stretch, and crucially, Michigan cleaned up their ball-handling, committing just three turnovers in the third quarter. As Vanderbilt’s offense sputtered—going scoreless for the final 3:48 of the third period—the Wolverines pounced. By the time the horn sounded to end the third, Michigan had closed the gap to 59-45, and the game was suddenly up for grabs.

The fourth quarter was a showcase of resilience and heart. Michigan, feeding off relentless offensive rebounding and stifling defense, tore off a 14-2 run to claw within two points, 63-61, with just under five minutes to play. The Commodores, who had led by as many as 19, found themselves on the ropes as the Wolverines’ confidence surged. Even as foul trouble limited Blakes—who finished with 14 points—Vanderbilt’s depth and poise kept them afloat. Galvan and Pissott continued to make key plays, with Galvan’s driving layups and Pissott’s rebounding and assists (14 points, eight boards, five dimes) proving invaluable.

Yet, the game’s final minutes were pure drama. With two minutes left, Michigan’s deficit ballooned back to eight, but Swords and senior guard Brooke Quarles Daniels responded. Swords knocked down a midrange jumper, and Quarles Daniels picked Blakes’ pocket for a breakaway layup. Suddenly, it was a two-point game again. After forcing a stop on Vanderbilt’s last possession, Michigan had the ball and a chance to steal the win. Olson found herself wide open at the top of the key, the game in her hands. Her three-point attempt, however, bounced off the rim and out of bounds, leaving the Wolverines just short. Vanderbilt corralled the rebound, and Galvan was sent to the line, making one of two free throws to push the lead to three.

With time expiring, Michigan had one last look. Swords, who had been so pivotal in the comeback, launched a desperate shot to tie, but it missed the mark. As the final buzzer sounded, Vanderbilt players embraced at midcourt, having survived one of their toughest tests of the season. The Commodores improved to 19-0, while Michigan dropped to 15-3, their four-game win streak snapped but their fighting spirit unbroken.

Statistically, the game was a clash of titans. Vanderbilt, the nation’s fifth-best three-point shooting team, hit 10 triples to Michigan’s six. The Wolverines, who usually dominate opponents with their transition offense and high scoring, were held to 69 points—well below their season average. The Commodores’ ability to force turnovers and convert them into points was a decisive factor, as was their composure in the game’s waning moments.

For Vanderbilt, the win not only preserved their perfect record but also sent a message to the rest of the country: this team is for real. With upcoming games against Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida, and Kentucky, the Commodores will look to keep their momentum rolling as the postseason looms ever closer. Michigan, meanwhile, will regroup and look to bounce back, knowing that their ability to fight back from adversity bodes well for the challenges ahead.

In the end, the Coretta Scott King Classic lived up to its billing, delivering a high-stakes, high-drama contest between two of the nation’s best. Vanderbilt’s blend of star power and depth carried the day, but Michigan’s relentless comeback reminded everyone why these two programs are among the elite. With tournament seeding and championship aspirations on the line, fans can expect plenty more fireworks from both squads as the season marches on.