Mikayla Blakes scores 30 in No. 5 Vanderbilt's comeback win over Florida

Commodores overcome slow start to defeat the Gators 82-66

Feb. 1, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Mikayla Blakes scored 30 points and led a third-quarter comeback as No. 5 Vanderbilt University defeated the University of Florida 82-66 on Sunday. The Commodores overcame a slow start, scoring just 10 points in the first quarter, to outscore the Gators 32-15 in the third quarter and pull away for the victory.

Why it matters

The win keeps Vanderbilt, one of the top teams in the SEC, in contention for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Commodores face a tough upcoming schedule with seven straight ranked opponents, so this comeback victory could provide momentum heading into that challenging stretch.

The details

Blakes, the SEC's leading scorer, struggled early with just 6 points in the first half. But she erupted for 14 points in the third quarter to spark Vanderbilt's rally. The Commodores also got strong performances from Sacha Washington, who scored 14 points, and Aubrey Galvan, who hit a halfcourt buzzer-beater in the third quarter. For Florida, Liv McGill scored 21 points and Me'Arah O'Neal added 22, but the Gators couldn't hold onto their early lead.

  • Vanderbilt scored a season-low 10 points in the first quarter.
  • Vanderbilt trailed 35-25 at halftime.
  • Vanderbilt outscored Florida 32-15 in the third quarter to take control of the game.

The players

Mikayla Blakes

The SEC's leading scorer, Blakes scored 30 points and sparked Vanderbilt's third-quarter comeback.

Sacha Washington

Vanderbilt forward who scored 14 points and shot 4-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Aubrey Galvan

Vanderbilt guard who hit a halfcourt buzzer-beater in the third quarter.

Liv McGill

Florida's second-leading scorer, McGill had 21 points in the loss.

Me'Arah O'Neal

Florida forward who scored 22 points to help the Gators build an early lead.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

Vanderbilt's ability to overcome a slow start and mount a dominant third-quarter comeback shows the team's resilience and scoring depth, which will be crucial as they face a gauntlet of ranked opponents in the coming weeks. The Commodores' success could hinge on whether Blakes can continue to lead the way offensively.