No. 17 Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Hosts Alabama State in Weekend Homestand

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 17-ranked Vanderbilt women’s basketball team begins a two-game weekend homestand on Friday, hosting Alabama State at Memorial Gymnasium at 11 a.m. CT.

This game marks the Commodores’ second of the season after they defeated Western Kentucky 87-49 on Wednesday, improving their record to 4-0. This is the fourth consecutive season Vanderbilt has started with four straight wins, a first in program history.

Under head coach Shea Ralph, the Commodores have a strong non-conference record of 53-19. At Memorial Gym, they enjoy a 34-3 record against non-league opponents.

The Commodores have also won 21 consecutive non-conference home games going back to last season. They enter Friday with a nine-game winning streak against non-SEC teams.

Historically, Vanderbilt has faced Alabama State twice under Ralph, winning both games. They won 94-42 and 88-42 in their previous encounters, maintaining a 3-0 all-time series lead against the Lady Hornets.

Friday’s game will be available for streaming on SEC Network+ with Alex Gould and Richard Hendrix providing commentary. Local fans can also tune into 94.9 The Fan.

Adding to the excitement of the homestand, Friday is Education Day at Memorial Gym, aiming to engage local school students with basketball.

Vanderbilt’s current AP ranking of No. 17 represents the highest since Week 15 of the 2013-14 season.

Sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes continues her stellar performance, holding a 23-game streak of double-digit scoring. She scored 28 points against Western Kentucky and has achieved 10 or more points in 36 of her 37 career games.

Alabama State enters the game with a record of 1-4 after falling to Faulkner University on Nov. 16. Junior Shamya Reid leads the Lady Hornets, averaging 10.0 points per game.

As Friday approaches, Vanderbilt’s players prepare to capitalize on their solid start and momentum against Alabama State.