NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 5, 2002) — Sixth-ranked Vanderbilt scored nine of the first 11 points and never looked back as it rolled to a 77-62 victory over No. 25 Penn State.

Zuzi Klimesova and Chantelle Anderson combined for 42 points as the Commodores (13-3) scored more than 70 for the 15th time in 16 games this season. Anderson made eight of 12 field goal attempts and finished with 22 points. Klimesova was nine-for-14 and added 20 points.

Penn State (9-6) got 21 points from guard Kelly Mazzante and a game-high 11 rebounds from Rashana Barnes but fell behind early and got no closer than six points over the final 37 minutes.

Playing a nationally ranked opponent for the third time in four games, the Commodores shot 56.9 percent from the field (29-51) and crafted a sizable edge in rebounds, 34-27 before a season-high crowd of 9,712 (the 10th largest in program history) at Memorial Gymnasium. The Commodores and Lady Lions had met twice previously at Memorial, most recently Jan. 27, 1994, and both times PSU had left with a victory.

Vanderbilt made its first eight shots and nine of its first 11 — as well as its first three free throw attempts — as it jumped out to a 23-10 lead with 11:09 to go in the first half.

The Commodores’ lead grew to as many as 20 points, 39-19, after a basket by Klimesova with 4:20 remaining in the first half. At halftime they were in front 47-28. Penn State’s point total was its lowest of the season for the opening 20 minutes. The Lady Lions got within 12, 52-40, on a basket by Jessica Brungo
with 15:26 remaining, but Vanderbilt answered with a 22-9 run over the next 10:50.

Klimesova also had seven rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot and a steal as she scored in double figures for the 14th consecutive game. Ashley Earley and Jillian Danker each contributed 10 points. Early, a freshman making her third consecutive start, scored her 100th point of the season when she made a running jumper with 12:38 to play. She tied Klimesova for the team lead in rebounds with seven of her own.
Ashley McElhiney finished with four assists and moved past Donna Harris for eighth place on VU’s list for career assists with 381. Jade Huntington is seventh with 402.

Vanderbilt’s next contest is 7 p.m. Monday at home against the University of Louisville.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Jim Foster:

"We made (Kelly) Mazzante work hard (for her shots). We wanted fresh bodies on her. She is a talented kid and we did a good job on her. They are a talented team."

"The offense on the team will take care of itself. We have good shooters. We are finding ourselves defensively."

Chantelle Anderson:

"I was motivated by last year when I didn't do anything (at Penn State) and we lost on a last second shot."

Jillian Danker:

"We wanted to make it tough on Mazzante. We knew she was going to get numbers, but we wanted them to be very hard to get."

Penn State Head Coach Rene Portland:

"Actually, I don't think Vanderbilt is like other SEC teams. They are a lot like us, and a very talented team."

Kelly Mazzante:

"In big games like this, when teams are focusing on me, other people have to step up and score, but our baskets weren't falling."