NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Mikayla Blakes poured in 35 points and the Vanderbilt women’s basketball team used a dominant first quarter to set the tone, cruising to an 85-60 victory over Alabama in a Southeastern Conference matchup Thursday night at Memorial Gymnasium.

A crowd of 6,657 watched the Commodores, one of the nation’s elite teams, improve to 26-3 overall and solidify their standing near the top of the conference. The Crimson Tide fell to 21-8, unable to sustain momentum from a recent road win at Florida.

The game was effectively decided in the opening 10 minutes. Vanderbilt came out scorching, hitting five 3-pointers and forcing seven Alabama turnovers to build a commanding 28-16 lead. Blakes, the dynamic junior guard from Somerset, New Jersey, was the catalyst, scoring 11 points in the period, including a deep 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

Alabama, which had shown resilience in close games this season, found no answer for Vanderbilt’s offensive versatility or defensive pressure. The Commodores’ 28-point outburst in the first quarter was followed by a 31-point third quarter, bookending the contest with periods of overwhelming execution.

Blakes was the standout performer, adding five assists and a block to her game-high point total in 37 minutes. She consistently broke down Alabama’s defense, creating shots for herself and others. Her backcourt partner, Aubrey Galvan of Deerfield, Illinois, orchestrated the offense with nine assists.

Sacha Washington provided a powerful inside presence for Vanderbilt. The senior from Lawrenceville, Georgia, scored 17 points, dished out seven assists and recorded two blocks, showcasing her all-around game. Justine Pissott added 11 points, all in the first half, as part of a balanced attack.

For Alabama, the offensive load was shared but insufficient. Jessica Timmons led the Crimson Tide with 16 points, while Ta’Mia Scott contributed 15. Karly Weathers added nine points and three assists. Alabama’s scoring was remarkably consistent but consistently outmatched, posting 16 points in each of the first three quarters before finishing with 12 in the fourth.

The most important sequence of the game underscored Vanderbilt’s control. Leading 45-39 midway through the third quarter, the Commodores unleashed a decisive 14-2 run. Blakes was at the heart of it, scoring or assisting on 10 of those points. The surge pushed the lead to 59-41 and extinguished any lingering hope of an Alabama comeback. Vanderbilt’s defense during that stretch forced three turnovers and held the Tide without a field goal for over three minutes.

Vanderbilt’s defense was a constant factor, recording 12 steals and seven blocks. They converted 19 Alabama turnovers into 28 points, while the Tide managed only 10 points off 11 Vanderbilt miscues.

The victory was Vanderbilt’s eighth in its last nine games, with the only loss in that span a narrow two-point defeat at Georgia. Alabama, which had won three of its last four, now looks to regroup before hosting Texas on Sunday.

Vanderbilt, which entered the game as a 10.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, will travel to face Tennessee on Sunday in its regular-season finale. The total score of 145 points fell just under the pregame over/under line of 144.5.