No. 5 Vanderbilt pulled off a statement 86-70 win over No. 4 Texas in what was expected to be a tightly contested matchup. But it wasn’t just the upset that grabbed attention. It was Mikayla Blakes.

The NCAA’s scoring leader continues to raise the bar. She increased her scoring average to 26.2 points per game. She scored 30 or more points for the fourth straight game and the ninth time this season.

Her 34 points against Texas helped her to become the first SEC player in the last 25 seasons to record four straight 30-point games. It also marked her second 30-point performance against a top-five team this season.

Now, Blakes is the third player in the last five seasons with multiple 30-point games against top-five opponents, joining Caitlin Clark and Juju Watkins.

Her streak of 30-plus points in three straight games against AP-ranked teams also places her alongside Paige Bueckers as the only players to accomplish that feat in the last 15 seasons.

Looking at her numbers, it’s no surprise. Notably, Blakes is averaging 25.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. She is Vanderbilt’s go-to scoring option, often carrying a heavy workload and taking the biggest shots late in games.

But she’s more than just a scorer. She can create for teammates, all while her scoring, playmaking, and efficiency make her an offensive threat. And her game against Texas was the proof.

How Vanderbilt Took Control?

Vanderbilt started slow, trailing 7–4 early in the first quarter. Then the Commodores flipped the game. They went on a 14–0 run. They finished the opening quarter ahead 27–15. Vanderbilt shot 9-of-12 from the field in that stretch, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.

But the game wasn’t over yet. So they carried momentum into halftime, where the Commodores held a 47–30 lead. Blakes scored 15 of her 34 points in the first half. But, she wasn’t alone, as Galvan added 13 points of her own.

Vanderbilt pushed its lead to as many as 26 midway through the third quarter. Texas responded and cut the deficit to 11, but the Commodores stayed composed and closed out the win. Now Vanderbilt turns its attention to Georgia on Sunday. So stay tuned for another Blake's big night!

Read more at She Got Game!

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Joyita Das