The No. 8/6 Vanderbilt Commodores improved their record to 15-3 on the season as they defeated Kentucky 71-54 in their Southeastern Conference home opener Thursday night at Memorial Gym. The win evens the Commodores SEC record at 1-1.

The Commodores jumped out quickly as they began the game with a 19-5 run over the first six minutes. The Wildcats kept pace with Vanderbilt for the remainder of the first half and cut the Commodore lead to 13 at the break.

Vanderbilt continued to pressure the Wildcats in the second half and coasted to the 17 point victory. Chantelle Anderson led Vanderbilt with 33 points. In addition, Anderson recorded season highs with 10 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and 4 assists. Zuzi Klimesova added 18 points for the Commodores, who extended their Memorial Gym winning streak to 15 straight. SeSe Helm led the Wildcats (8-7, 1-2) with 14 points.

Vanderbilt returns to action Sunday afternoon as they host Ole Miss at 4;00 p.m. at Memorial Gym. The game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Southeast.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Jim Foster:

"The Defense is getting better. It has more variety, more purpose and more intensity. We have a chance to be a decent defensive team."

"I think our young kids got a lesson. Once you get in it, the SEC is a physical league. It is survival of the fittest. I expect our practices to get tougher now."

Vanderbilt Center Chantelle Anderson:

"I think this is my best game to date. I think I played strong for the most part."

"The biggest thing for me as a player is consistency. Once I get that, that will be good."

Vanderbilt Guard Jillian Danker:

"They're a typical SEC team. They are physical, aggressive and athletic. We've played some good teams and we just have to get used to it."

Kentucky Head Coach Bernadette Mattox:

(On Chantelle Anderson)

"We player her straight up. She is an All American player and she got her points...She is building on her game. Coach Foster is doing a good job building her career.