The No. 3 Vanderbilt Commodores improved their record to 7-1 with a 78-56 victory over Xavier tonight at Memorial Gym. The Commodores jumped out to an early lead that would grow to 14 points late in the first half. Xavier (2-3) cut the lead to 10 at halftime. The Musketeers continued their run after halftime and drew within 2 points midway through the second half. However, that is as close as Xavier would get as the Commodores regained momentum and pulled away for the 22 point victory. Junior center Chantelle Anderson led Vanderbilt with a season-high 27 points. Zuzi Klimesova added 18 points, while Ashley McElhiney had 15 for Vanderbilt. Xavier was paced by Amy Waugh and Reetta Piipari who scored 12 points each.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Jim Foster
(On having only seven fouls)
"Xavier is not the kind of team you foul a lot. They are content to stay outside and shoot three's. I think we played very smart defensive and were able to put a lot of pressure on their offense. Chantelle [Anderson] might have had the best defensive game of her career. I think our defensive intensity was good tonight. We've been picking up our energy ever since the Western Kentucky game."

"We a better rebounding team than we have been in the past. We're very active going for the ball. When you shoot as well as we're capable of and then can also put back your misses, that's a nightmare for opposing teams. I think tonight it really wore on them [Xavier] psychologically."

Junior center Chantelle Anderson
"My defense has been down right horrible lately. I approaced this game only thinking about how I could improve my defensive intensity. Playing well defensively really gives you more energy. I know that I can keep improving my defensive pressure, too."

Senior forward Zuzi Klimesova
(On Xavier's run in the second half)
"Honestly, I wasn't even nervous. I knew we just had to come back, and we did. We started making shots. On defense, we were running around like headless chickens, but once we settled down and started talking we were able to get back in our rhythm."