Women's Basketball Cruises to, 98-51, Victory of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 12/10/02
Commodores use 24-0 first-half run to blow game wide open

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Vanderbilt women's basketball team was able to rebound from a difficult seven-point loss to No. 6-ranked Purdue last Saturday, as it defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 98-51, on Tuesday night at Memorial Gymnasium. With the win, the Commodores move to 5-1 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 3-5.

Vanderbilt was relentless from the start, as senior guard Ashley McElhiney hit a three pointer 15 second into the game to give the Commodores the lead. The Panthers knotted the score up at 3-3 following a three pointer by guard Anne White. The 3-3 tie would be the closest the Panthers would get the rest of the game.

With the Commodores nursing an 11-7 lead less than four minutes into the game, they kicked their offense into overdrive. Vanderbilt went on a 24-0 run over the next 9:19 to take a decisive 35-7 lead. The Panthers would end the long scoring drought following a free throw by center Maria Viall.

Sophomore guard Abi Ramsey had the hot hand during the stretch, as she knocked down three three-point field goals. Ramsey set a new career high for points and three-pointers in the first half alone. She finished the first 20 minutes of the contest with 15 points on five three pointers. Her previous high was 12 points, which she had at Vermont back on December 22.

Vanderbilt went into the locker room with a convincing 56-13 lead. The Commodores 43 point lead was the highest halftime margin in Vanderbilt women's basketball history. Vanderbilt largest lead following the first half was previously 40, which was against Towson State back on February 21, 1995.

Vanderbilt shot lights out in the half, as it went 17-for-29 from the field for 59 percent. The Commodores also knocked down nine of its 13 three-point shots. Wisconsin-Milwaukee was only able to manage three field goals, as it shot 14 percent from the field.

The Commodores kept things going in the second half; however, they only outscored the Panthers by a 42-38 margin. Vanderbilt shot 61 pecent in the second half on 17-for-28 shooting. For the game, it shot an incredible 60 percent from the field.

McElhiney had a solid night overall for the Commodores, as she finished with eight points and 10 assists. Her 10 assists gives her 507 for her career moving her to No. 2 on the Vanderbilt all-time list. To become Vanderbilt's all-time leader in assists and pass Ginger Jared (1993-96), McElhiney only needs 10 assists.

Senior center Chantelle Anderson was the game's high scorer, as she poured in 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field and 8-of-11 shooting from the stripe. Ramsey cooled down in the second half, but still finished the game with 18 points. Forward Jenni Benningfield chipped in with 17 points and six rebounds.

Forward Kimberly Becker was the leading scorer for the Panthers, as she finished with 14 points. Viall also chipped in with 13 points, as the Panthers finished the game shooting 34 percent from the field.

The Commodores return to action at 2 p.m. Sunday, as part of a double-header with the men's team, when they take on in-state rival Austin Peay at Memorial Gymnasium. The Commodores have owned the all-time series against the Lady Govs, 10-1. The last time these two teams squared off was during the 1990-01 season, which Vanderbilt won 111-60 in Nashville.