Vanderbilt Commodores guard Mikayla Blakes made history yet again on Sunday, delivering a performance that left college basketball fans in awe. While guard JuJu Watkins has dominated headlines with her incredible freshman season at USC, Blakes took things to another level by breaking a record she set herself just a couple of weeks ago.
Mikayla Blakes Sets NCAA Freshman Scoring Record
Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes erupted for 55 points in the Commodores’ 98-88 victory over Auburn, shattering the same NCAA Division I record for most points scored by a freshman in a single game that she set herself on Jan. 30 against Florida. She shot 15-of-28 from the field and an impressive 23-of-24 from the free throw line.
Following her latest feat, Blakes’ season scoring average climbed to 21.8 points per game. If she continues at this pace, she could become one of the most prolific scorers in SEC history.
The Commodores’ freshman guard has proven to be an offensive powerhouse, consistently delivering big performances when her team needs her most.
Blakes Leads Vanderbilt in 15-Point Comeback
Vanderbilt trailed Auburn by 15 points in the fourth quarter, but Blakes sparked a dramatic rally to force overtime. With seven seconds left in regulation and her team down by three, she drew a foul on a three-point attempt and calmly sank all three free throws, sending the game into extra time.
Determined to avoid another heartbreaking loss after falling to Mississippi State in double overtime just days earlier, Blakes took control. She carried Vanderbilt across the finish line, scoring 30 of her 55 points in the final six minutes of regulation and overtime.
Following the game, Blakes emphasized how happy she was to help her team win.
“I just wanted to do what my team needed me to do to win. We lost in double overtime in our last game, and I told my team that we weren’t going to do that again,” the guard said. “We didn’t want it to happen again, and one thing we lacked in our game against Mississippi State was our effort.”
The debate over who deserves the NCAA Freshman of the Year Award has intensified in recent weeks, with UConn’s Sarah Strong emerging as a strong candidate. However, Blakes’ recent performances have made it impossible to overlook her.
WHO ARE THE BEST PLAYERS IN WOMEN’S HOOPS? CHECK OUT OUR TOP 10 PLAYERS
Strong posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds in UConn’s recent victory over South Carolina. Still, Blakes’ record-breaking night may have given her the current edge in the conversation.
Looking ahead, Vanderbilt faces a tough test against South Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 23. Given how Strong performed against the defending national champions, all eyes will be on Blakes to see if she can rise to the occasion again.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
