Naismith Award finalist Chantelle Anderson scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the No. 6 Vanderbilt Commodores improved their record to 22-5, 8-3 in the Southeastern Conference by defeating Louisiana State 77-60 Thursday night at Memorial Gym.

Both teams took advantage of good scoring opportunities early in the game and shot over 50 percent as the Commodores took an early lead at 13-8. However, the Lady Tigers went on a 10-0 run midway through the period to take a five-point lead at 18-13, their largest advantage of the contest. The Commodores responded with a run of their own, 23-8 to the end the half, to retake the lead and a expand it to 10 at halftime. Vanderbilt continued their momentum to start the second half as they came out of the break and expanded their lead to 19 points with 10 minutes to play. The Commodores continued to pressure the Lady Tigers down the stretch and closed out the 17 point victory.

Anderson led the Commodores with 23 points while seniors Zuzi Klimesova and Jillian Danker each added 14 points. Jenni Benningfield had a game-high ten rebounds for the Commodores. LSU (13-9, 6-5) was paced by Aiysha Smith's 23 points.

The Commodores will return to action on Saturday as they travel to Knoxville for a rematch with the Lady Volunteers. Vanderbilt won the first matchup of the national powers, defeating Tennessee 76-59 in Memorial Gym on February 2. The game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. CT tip and will be broadcast on Fox Sports South.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Jim Foster:

"We had a lot of baskets from people creating their own shots tonight. I liked the way we took care of the ball. I love the fact that we only had five turnovers."

Vanderbilt Guard Jillian Danker:

"They were coming at us and lanes opened up. We were able to find those lanes and get to the basket for easy scores."

Vanderbilt forward Jenni Benningfield:

"We used what they gave us. We moved the ball and found the open shooter and made those shots."

Vanderbilt Center Chantelle Anderson:

"We are playing with a lot of toughness and playing well together. We have to keep up our intensity to continue to get better every game."

LSU Coach Sue Gunter:

"We didn't have an answer for them on the boards tonight. Their offensive rebounding was really the difference in the game. We wanted to get out and run, but if you can get the ball, you can't run transition."

"I don't know of a better balanced team in the country than Vanderbilt. Coach Foster has done a great job with his team and there isn't a weakness in their starting five."