Oklahoma
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt's High-Powered Offense Overwhelms Oklahoma in Top-10 Showdown
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (02/09/2026) — The No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores unleashed a stunning offensive performance on Monday night, decisively defeating the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners 102-86 in a highly anticipated matchup at Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt's backcourt duo of Mikayla Blakes and Aubrey Galvan combined for a staggering 64 points, powering the Commodores to a crucial late-season victory.
How It Happened: A Tale of Two Offenses
From the opening minutes, Vanderbilt established an offensive rhythm that the Sooners struggled to contain. Although Oklahoma scored the first basket on a Payton Verhulst three-pointer just seconds into the game, Vanderbilt's Justine Pissott immediately answered with a three of her own, sparking a 12-2 run that gave the Commodores a lead they would never relinquish.
Vanderbilt was relentless in the first half, pouring in 59 points to build a commanding 19-point lead by halftime. The Commodores shot with remarkable efficiency, particularly in the first 20 minutes, hitting 63% of their field goals and 47% from three-point range. This offensive explosion was a direct result of their ability to capitalize on Oklahoma's mistakes. The Sooners committed 21 turnovers, which Vanderbilt converted into 26 crucial points. In stark contrast to Vanderbilt's 35% shooting from deep, Oklahoma managed to hit only 8% of their three-point attempts, a disparity that proved insurmountable.
Despite the lopsided score, the Oklahoma Sooners showed resilience on the glass, outrebounding the Commodores 50 to 36. Forward Raegan Beers was a force in the paint, securing a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out late in the game. Sahara Williams also posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the team's struggles with ball security and long-range shooting. Aaliyah Chavez added 14 points but had a difficult night from beyond the arc, going 0-for-11.
Turning Point of the Game
The decisive stretch of the game occurred midway through the second quarter. With Vanderbilt already in control, a three-point play by Mikayla Blakes extended the Commodores' lead to its largest point at 51-25 with just over six minutes left in the half. This sequence crystallized the night's narrative: Vanderbilt's offense was firing on all cylinders, and Oklahoma had no answer. The Sooners' persistent turnovers and inability to match the Commodores' scoring pace created a deficit that was too significant to overcome in the second half.
Star of the Game: Mikayla Blakes
Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes was the undeniable star of the evening. The sophomore sensation was virtually unstoppable, pouring in 34 points to lead all scorers. She was the engine of the Commodores' offense, consistently creating scoring opportunities and putting pressure on the Oklahoma defense. Her backcourt partner, Aubrey Galvan, was equally impressive, scoring a career-high 30 points, with 17 of those coming in the explosive first half. Justine Pissott (16 points) and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (13 points, 9 rebounds) also made significant contributions for Vanderbilt.
What It Means for Both Teams
For the Vanderbilt Commodores, this victory improves their record to 23-2 and solidifies their position as a top contender in the SEC. The dominant offensive showing against a top-10 opponent sends a powerful message to the rest of the conference and the nation. It was a statement win that demonstrated their capability to outscore even the most formidable opponents.
For the Oklahoma Sooners, the loss drops them to 17-6 and highlights critical areas for improvement as the postseason approaches. While their interior strength and rebounding ability are clear assets, the 22 turnovers and poor three-point shooting were glaring weaknesses in this matchup. The Sooners will need to find ways to protect the basketball better and generate more efficient outside scoring to compete with elite teams like Vanderbilt down the stretch.