CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from Austin Peay and secure a 75-65 victory Wednesday night at the Winfield Dunn Center, remaining undefeated on the young season.

In a game characterized by sloppy ball-handling, the Commodores leaned on a career-high 26 points from sophomore guard Mikayla Blakes to overcome 20 team turnovers. The Governors capitalized on those miscues, scoring 22 points off turnovers, but could not match Vanderbilt’s offensive firepower, particularly after halftime.

Vanderbilt took a 38-33 lead into the break after a back-and-forth first half. The Commodores then seized control in the third quarter, outscoring Austin Peay 25-18. The period was defined by a decisive 10-0 Vanderbilt run, fueled by Blakes and fellow guard Aubrey Galvan, which stretched a narrow lead to a comfortable double-digit advantage from which the Governors never recovered.

Galvan, a freshman, provided a crucial secondary scoring option, finishing with 18 points. The Commodores also controlled the interior, out-rebounding Austin Peay and blocking six shots. Sacha Washington recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Aiyana Mitchell just missed one with 10 points and nine boards.

Austin Peay was led by Kyra Perkins, who scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds. Veronaye Charlton facilitated the offense with 13 points and four assists, and Ines Gnahore added 11 points and six rebounds. The Governors struggled from beyond the arc, making just 6 of 24 three-point attempts, a key factor in their inability to keep pace.

Despite the win, Vanderbilt’s performance was marred by its 20 turnovers and a 15-for-25 showing from the free-throw line. Austin Peay committed 14 turnovers of its own and was ultimately undone by Vanderbilt’s superior efficiency, as the Commodores posted an offensive rating of 101.5 compared to the Governors’ 89.7.

With the victory, Vanderbilt improves to 3-0. The Commodores will travel to face Western Kentucky on Nov. 19. Austin Peay falls to 1-1 and will host Indiana State on Nov. 16. The announced attendance was 1,178.