Nashville, Tenn. — A mid-afternoon, mid-week basketball game isn’t necessarily going to bring out the biggest crowds, and that was true Wednesday when the Vanderbilt Commodores defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 81-68 at Memorial Gymnasium. But that didn’t stop the Commodores from playing with grit, and it certainly didn’t stop sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes from putting on a historic performance.
Blakes joined an elite group of nine NCAA women’s basketball players who scored 1,000 career points in 42 games or fewer. The list includes current Indiana Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell, who hit the goal in 41 games, and Caitlin Clark, who made it in 40. Blakes also became the fastest Commodore to achieve that goal since Chantel Anderson did so in 57 games.
Blakes is playing without a ceiling, Coach Shea Ralph told reporters following the game. “When you have a player with that level of talent and skill that also has a heart, a determination, and drive, and competitiveness … there’s a saying, right, ‘God doesn’t give you everything,'” Ralph said.
“He gave her a whole lot,” she continued. “He gave her everything.”
Blakes is operating with skill set beyond her years, Ralph added. “She’s not even 20 years old yet. Her life is just beginning, and we get to be part of it, and we get to witness her greatness,” she said.
“As a former player and a coach, you have to appreciate it,” Ralph also said. “You just have to appreciate her when you have a player with that level of talent, skill, and also has the heart and determination, drive, competitiveness and confidence.”
The game was a big one for Vanderbilt in more ways than one. Blakes walked away from the game with 28 of the Commodores’ 81 points and helped Vanderbilt record its first win over the Cavaliers since 2012. Vanderbilt forced Virginia into a season-high 18 turnovers and made 19 free throws, a season high.
“It’s exciting for sure,” the sophomore told reporters. “I think there is more to it. I want to do anything I can for this team to win. I’m happy I scored it, but we’re still in season, so I want more wins as well.”
Blakes’ teammate Sacha Washington, who nearly earned a double-double with 13 points and seven rebounds, was effusive in her support. “It’s a blessing just to have her as a teammate, but also more than that, as a friend,” Sacha Washington said. “Seeing that she’s achieving her dreams, it makes all of us happy.”