SEC Women's Basketball: Georgia Lady Bulldogs Defeats Vanderbilt Commodores 76-74

Teams: Georgia Georgia Vanderbilt Vanderbilt

ATHENS, Ga. (02/14/2026) — In a thrilling SEC showdown, the Georgia Lady Bulldogs upset the No. 5 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores 76-74 at Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday night. A late jumper from Trinity Thomas proved to be the decisive basket in a game that saw multiple lead changes and standout offensive performances.

How It Happened

Georgia jumped out to an early lead, building a 14-point advantage in the second quarter, largely thanks to a hot start from sophomore guard Dani Carnegie, who scored 18 of her 29 points in the first half. However, Vanderbilt closed the half on a 16-3 run to make it a tight contest. The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to pull away. Vanderbilt took a five-point lead in the fourth quarter before Georgia, fueled by Mia Woolfolk's 11 fourth-quarter points, mounted a comeback. The game came down to the final minute, with both teams trading crucial baskets before Georgia's defense secured the victory.

Turning Point

With 50 seconds remaining and Vanderbilt clinging to a one-point lead, Georgia's Trinity Thomas hit a mid-range jumper to give the Lady Bulldogs a 75-74 advantage. On the ensuing possession, Georgia's defense forced a turnover. Dani Carnegie was fouled and made one of two free throws, extending the lead to 76-74 with 22.2 seconds left. Vanderbilt had a final chance to tie or take the lead, but Sacha Washington's shot at the buzzer fell short, sealing the upset for Georgia.

Star of the Game

Sophomore guard Dani Carnegie was the catalyst for Georgia's offense all night, finishing with a game-high 29 points. It was her 12th game with over 20 points this season. Carnegie was instrumental in building Georgia's early lead and made crucial plays down the stretch. For Vanderbilt, SEC Player of the Year candidate Mikayla Blakes led the way with 27 points, with 19 of those coming from the free-throw line. Justine Pissott also had a strong performance for the Commodores, scoring 23 points, including five three-pointers.

What It Means

The victory is a significant one for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs, marking their first win over a top-5 opponent since 2021 and improving their overall record to 20-6. This win strengthens their NCAA Tournament resume and provides a major confidence boost as they head into the latter part of their conference schedule. For the Vanderbilt Commodores, the loss snaps a five-game winning streak and drops their record to 24-3. While a tough road loss, they remain one of the top teams in the SEC and will look to bounce back quickly as they continue their push for a conference championship and a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.