THE GAME WILL BE TELEVISED THURSDAY, NOV. 22, AT 11 AM ON COMCAST CHANNEL 27

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001

VU Sets Record with 102-83 Win Over Western Kentucky

The #3 Commodores shot a school record 71.4 percent from the field hitting 35-49 from the field, including 12-19 from 3-point range, for a 102-83 win over Western Kentucky in Bowling Green Wednesday night. All five starters scored in double figures as VU improves to 4-1; Western Kentucky falls to 0-4.

Jillian Danker hit one of her five 3-pointers 10 seconds into the game to give VU its first lead of the game. Western Kentucky went up 12-7 on the Commodores for its largest lead of the game at the 15:17 mark. Danker made another 3-pointer while Zuzi Klimesova and Chantelle Anderson each hit a bucket to tie the game at 14 with 13:39 remaining in the half. VU then outscored the Lady Hilltoppers 30-15 in the next 11 minutes giving Vanderbilt a 15-point lead. The Commodores led 46-36 at halftime.

The Lady Toppers never came within single digits for the rest of the game, while the Commodores built as much as a 28-point lead, 89-61, at the 4:51 mark.

VU outrebounded Western Kentucky 35-14 (21-6 at halftime) led by Jenni Benningfield with seven. Ashley Earley added six boards, followed by Klimesova, Anderson, Danker and Ashley McElhiney all with four apiece.

Anderson led VU scorers with 24, followed by Klimesova with 20, McElhiney and Danker with 15 and Benningfield with 11.

The Commodores totaled 32 assists with McElhiney tying a career high with 12. Klimesova totaled seven.

VU went 20-24 from the free throw line, including 18-20 in the second half.

VU's 12 3-pointers is the fourth-highest total ever by a Commodore team. The record is 15 vs. Oral Roberts in 1993.

The Commodores, who led the nation last season in field goal percentage, hit a blistering 71.4 percent which set a school record. The previous mark was 70.2 (40-57) set last season against Portland State and Kentucky. In the first game of the season, VU shot 65.5 percent from the field (38-58) against Eastern Kentucky which ranked fourth in the record book.

Natalie Powers led Western Kentucky with 30 points, including 23 in the second half. Kristina Covington added 23 points.