Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (03/22/2026) — Led by a masterful, near triple-double performance from Mikayla Blakes, the Vanderbilt Commodores secured a decisive 75-57 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini on Sunday at Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt never trailed after the opening minutes, using a barrage of three-pointers and efficient offense to control the game from start to finish in front of 4,440 fans.
How It Happened
Illinois opened the scoring with a Cearah Parchment layup just 24 seconds into the contest, but that 2-0 advantage was the only lead the visitors would see. Vanderbilt's Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda answered with a 26-foot three-pointer at the 8:30 mark of the first quarter, and the Commodores never looked back. An 11-0 run that stretched into the second quarter, capped by a Justine Pissott pullup jumper, extended the lead to 23-8 and established a dominant tone.
The Commodores' offense was relentless from long range. Pissott connected on a deep three with 1:29 left in the first to make it 19-8. Illinois attempted to keep pace, with Berry Wallace hitting a three-pointer in the second quarter, but Vanderbilt always had an answer. Pissott drained another three at the 6:32 mark, and Blakes closed the half with a stunning 29-foot step-back jumper to give Vanderbilt a commanding 36-25 lead at the break.
Vanderbilt put the game away with an offensive explosion in the third quarter. Pissott continued her hot shooting, hitting a 30-footer at 5:26. The definitive stretch came minutes later, as Aubrey Galvan and Blakes combined for four three-pointers in less than two minutes. A trey from Blakes at 3:43 was followed by another from Pissott at 3:07, and Blakes connected again at 2:18 to push the lead to 58-39. By the time Blakes hit a 17-foot jumper to end the quarter's scoring flurry, Vanderbilt held a 60-41 advantage.
Turning Point
The game's pivotal moment occurred midway through the third quarter. With Vanderbilt leading 45-33, the Commodores launched an overwhelming aerial assault that Illinois could not withstand. The run began with an Aubrey Galvan 28-foot three-pointer at the 4:11 mark. Just 28 seconds later, Mikayla Blakes hit a 30-footer. Justine Pissott followed with a 28-foot three of her own, and Blakes capped the sequence with another deep shot at 2:18. This 13-4 run, built almost entirely on three-pointers, transformed a solid lead into an insurmountable 21-point margin in under two minutes of game time.
Star of the Game
Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt
Mikayla Blakes was the undeniable engine for the Vanderbilt offense, falling just a single assist short of a triple-double. She finished with a game-high 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists. Blakes was lethal from all over the court, but her playmaking set the tone, as she consistently found open shooters like Pissott (18 points) and Galvan (12 points). She was directly responsible for a significant portion of Vanderbilt's scoring, showcasing a dominant, all-around performance.
What It Means
For the Vanderbilt Commodores, this victory is a powerful statement. Their offense, which shot 44% from the field and an impressive 42% from three-point range, proved to be overwhelming. The performance reinforces their status as a formidable team, especially on their home court at Memorial Gymnasium.
For the Illinois Fighting Illini, the loss highlights a challenging night on offense. The team struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 30% from the floor and 13% from beyond the arc. While Berry Wallace delivered a strong individual effort with 18 points and 9 rebounds, and both Cearah Parchment and Jasmine Brown-Hagger added 12 points, Illinois was unable to match Vanderbilt's offensive efficiency and firepower.