Vanderbilt Routs High Point in NCAA Tournament Opener

Mikayla Blakes scores 30 points to lead Commodores to dominant win

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:24am

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The second-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores routed No. 15 seed High Point 102-61 in the opening round of the women's NCAA Tournament. All-American Mikayla Blakes scored 23 of her 30 points by halftime to lead the dominant Vanderbilt performance.

Why it matters

Vanderbilt's decisive victory over High Point showcases the Commodores' strength as a top seed in the tournament and their potential to make a deep run. Blakes' standout performance further cements her status as one of the top players in the country.

The details

Vanderbilt came out firing on all cylinders, building a 55-29 lead by halftime behind Blakes' hot shooting. The Commodores continued their dominance in the second half, outscoring High Point 47-32 to cruise to the 41-point victory.

  • The game took place on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Mikayla Blakes

An All-American player for the Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team.

Vanderbilt Commodores

The second-seeded women's basketball team from Vanderbilt University that routed High Point in the NCAA Tournament opener.

High Point

The No. 15 seed that was defeated by Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament opening round.

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What they’re saying

“All-American Mikayla Blakes scored 23 of her 30 points by halftime as the second-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores routed No. 15 seed High Point 102-61 on Saturday night to open the women's NCAA Tournament.”

— TERESA M. WALKER, Associated Press Writer

The takeaway

Vanderbilt's dominant performance over High Point showcases their status as a top contender in the women's NCAA Tournament, with All-American Mikayla Blakes leading the way with a stellar 30-point outing.