NASHVILLE –  Lipscomb women's basketball played the first of back-to-back games against SEC programs with a Sunday contest against the Vanderbilt Commodores (10-1, 0-0 SEC).

A year ago, the Bisons took this same Vanderbilt squad to overtime, but fell in the extra period by one point as last second attempt to win didn't fall. This go around, the Bisons kept pace with the Commodores for most of the first half, but a commanding stretch to end the second quarter helped Vanderbilt cruised to their tenth victory of the year with a 72-50 final score. With the loss, the Bisons moved to 6-5 in non-conference play with two games left before ASUN competition begins in January. 

Lipscomb was led by guard Blythe Pearson, who logged a 12 point, 13 rebound double-double. Bella Vinson followed with 11 and Aleah Sorrentino also reached double-figures against the Commodores with 10. 

Both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes. Bella Vinson put the Bisons first bucket in on a three-pointer to take a 3-2 lead with 6:53 remaining in the first period. However, Vanderbilt answered with a 10-0 run to create separation as the quarter continued and would eventually take a 15-10 lead after the first ten minutes of action. 

The Bisons opened the second period with a five point spurt to even the score at 15 each, but Vanderbilt logged seven straight to take a 22-15. A few possessions later, a transition layup on a steal gave the Commodores a 29-17 lead at the 4:03 mark. 

Vanderbilt pushed their lead to as much as 18 in the first half, playing stifling defense and shooting efficiently to close the quarter. and half. Commodores point guard Jordyn Cambridge led all scores with 18 points in the first half, leading her team to a 39-21 lead at the break.

The Bisons shot 29-percent from the floor in the first half and were just 2-of-12 from deep. The Commodores outscored the Bisons in the second quarter 24-11.

Lipscomb put forth a promising third quarter effort, outscoring the Commodores 17-13. After being down by as much as 20 in the quarter, an 8-2 run to close it kept the Bisons within striking distance, trailing by 14 (52-38) with ten more minutes left to play. Bella Vinson led the way with eight in the frame on 3-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers. 

Vanderbilt halted any opportunity the Bisons had to creep back into the contest in the fourth, outscoring Lipscomb 20-12 in the final frame. They held the Bisons to 4-of-18 shooting in the final ten and a 1-of-9 from deep to seal a 72-50 win inside Memorial Gymnasium. 

HERD NOTES:

• The Bisons shot 29-percent from the floor on 19-of-64 shooting and went 6-of-28 from three-pointer range Sunday afternoon. 
• Blythe Pearson earned her first double-double of the season and fourth of her career.
• Three or more Bisons reached double figures for the seven times this season.
• Vanderbilt now leads the all-time series over Lipscomb 8-0, 2-0 during the Sumski era.
• The Commodores shot 42-percent from the floor.
• Vanderbilt entered the contest averaged just over 17 steals a game, but record just eight Sunday. 

UP NEXT: 
The Bisons will take the court next against the Kentucky Wildcats inside Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. CT. Continue to check lipscombsports.com and the team's social media accounts (@lipscombwbb on IG and @lipscomb_wbb on X) for the most up-to-date information on Lipscomb women's basketball.