Sophomore star Mikayla Blakes scored 20 points to pace a balanced attack as the No. 7 Vanderbilt Commodores overwhelmed the Missouri Tigers 99-68 on Thursday night, January 8, 2026, at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, improving to 16-0 overall and 3-0 in SEC play—one win shy of matching the program’s best start ever.
- Final Score: No. 7 Vanderbilt Commodores 99, Missouri Tigers 68
- Records: Vanderbilt (16-0, 3-0 SEC), Missouri (12-6, 0-3 SEC)
- Location: Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tennessee
The Commodores shook off an early sluggish start—despite Blakes picking up two quick fouls and going 1-of-5 early—to dominate with depth and hot shooting. Justine Pissott led the first-quarter charge with nine points, helping Vanderbilt build a 27-23 edge after one. Missouri briefly grabbed a 35-34 lead in the second on a triple from Jayla Smith, but the Dores responded with a 14-2 run to close the half, taking a 48-37 advantage into the locker room.
Vanderbilt pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Tigers 51-31 over the final two quarters, including a dominant 31-point fourth where the bench emptied early. Five Commodores reached double figures, showcasing the team’s elite scoring prowess (now averaging over 85 points per game) against a Missouri squad that struggled to keep pace.
