Freshman Mikayla Blakes is rewriting history at Vanderbilt and isn’t slowing down. The phenom guard recently shattered her scoring record, meaning she has now set two NCAA freshman records before she’s even 20 years old.
While the SEC is full of immense talent in women’s basketball, Blakes is giving the Vanderbilt faithful something to believe in. The women’s team hasn’t advanced to the second round of March Madness since the 2012 season, but that might be changing sooner rather than later.
Mikayla Blakes Giving Hope to Vanderbilt Fans
Blakes delivered an unforgettable night, scoring 55 points in Vanderbilt’s 98-88 overtime victory against Auburn on Feb. 16. She shot an efficient 15-of-28 (53.6%) from the field and set an SEC record with 23 made free throws.
Her scoring feat tied her for ninth place in NCAA women’s basketball history for most points in a single game. She now shares this milestone with Patricia Hoskins of Mississippi Valley State, who recorded 55 points twice during the 1988-89 season.
Blakes’ historic night also cemented her name in the record books as the second NCAA Division I women’s player to notch multiple 53-point games in a single season. She first set the mark on Jan. 30 when she dropped 53 points against Florida, setting both NCAA and SEC true freshman scoring records.
Since 1999-00, she is one of only four Division I players to achieve multiple 50-point performances in a single season.
Vanderbilt’s Season Outlook
Vanderbilt currently holds a 19-8 overall record and is 6-7 in SEC play. The team has shown resilience throughout the season, and Blakes’ stellar performances continue to elevate their postseason hopes. With her ability to score at an elite level, Vanderbilt remains a serious threat in conference play.
Looking ahead, the Commodores are set to host Dawn Staley’s No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday.
ANCHOR DOWN: A Breakdown of Mikayla Blake’s 55-Point Performance
With three games left in the regular season, it’s crunch time for Blakes and the Commodores if they want to make their first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearance in more than a decade.
Even if Vanderbilt fails to make the “Big Dance,” if Blakes decides to return to Nashville for her sophomore season, the Commodores could be looking at a generational talent.
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