Undefeated Vanderbilt Hosts Auburn in SEC Women’s Basketball Showdown

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores put their perfect record on the line Thursday when they host the Auburn Tigers in a Southeastern Conference women’s basketball matchup at Memorial Gymnasium.

Vanderbilt (19-0, 6-0 SEC), one of the nation’s last remaining undefeated teams, enters on a high after a tough 72-69 road win at Michigan on Monday. The Commodores have navigated a challenging SEC slate with narrow victories, including a 65-61 win over LSU and an 89-84 overtime triumph at Mississippi State.

Justine Pissott has been a key all-around contributor for Vanderbilt. Over her last seven games, she is averaging 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists, including a 22-point performance in a rout of Texas A&M.

Auburn (13-6, 2-4) seeks a season-defining upset to steady its conference campaign. The Tigers have dropped four of their last six, including a 97-36 blowout loss at Texas, but are coming off a 58-54 home win over Alabama last Thursday.

Guard Khady Leye led Auburn in that victory with 16 points and two blocks. She has been inconsistent of late, however, scoring in single digits in four of her last seven outings after a 16-point effort against the Crimson Tide.

The Commodores’ high-powered offense, which has scored 88 or more points in four of its last six games, will test an Auburn defense that has allowed an average of 73.5 points in its four SEC losses. Vanderbilt’s balanced attack features Pissott, Aubrey Galvan (20 points vs. Michigan) and post presence Sacha Washington.

Auburn’s path to an upset likely requires a dominant performance from Leye and a methodical pace to counter Vanderbilt’s transition game. The Tigers have shown resilience at home but are just 1-3 in true road games this season.

This contest opens a critical two-game stretch for Vanderbilt, which visits South Carolina on Sunday. Auburn returns home to face Oklahoma on Sunday.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST Thursday at Memorial Gymnasium.