Jordyn Cambridge gets triple-double as Vanderbilt wins first SEC Tournament game in six years over Texas A&M
Jordyn Cambridge passed the ball to Brinae Alexander as she has so many times. The two seniors who grew up playing together speak of having innate knowledge of where each other would be on the court. This time, though, it was Cambridge's 10th assist of the game, giving her a triple-double in the SEC Tournament opener against Texas A&M.
Vanderbilt women's basketball hadn't won an SEC Tournament game in six years. The Commodores ended last season early due to a lack of available players and got a new coach last April who hadn't recruited a single player on the roster. Half of last year's team transferred.
And yet, it was Vanderbilt who seized and early lead and never let up, leading nearly wire-to-wire in an 85-69 win over the Aggies at Bridgestone Arena.
Cambridge, a senior and Nashville native, scored 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to give the Commodores the win.
ONE LAST RIDE: Vanderbilt basketball seniors Jordyn Cambridge and Brinae Alexander embrace last ride in SEC Tournament
An early lead
Vanderbilt started off hot, going up 29-10 in the first quarter thanks to three triples and 14 points from SEC All-Freshman guard Iyana Moore. The Commodores' defense was stifling.
The second quarter wasn't as strong for Vanderbilt and there were long stretches where neither team made a field goal. But the Commodores' defense remained strong and guard Demi Washington hit a layup at the buzzer to take Vanderbilt into halftime with an 18-point lead.
Texas A&M chipped away at the lead throughout the second half, getting the deficit down to single digits multiple times in
SEC Women's Basketball Tournament 2022: Bracket, schedule, game times, TV info
Freshmen contributions
As the season has gone on, Moore and Washington have found their way into the starting lineup. Both started Wednesday's game the day after they were both named to the SEC All-Freshman team. Moore's scoring and Washington's post moves on offense and rebounding were both key for the Commodores.
Washington had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Moore had 18 points and six rebounds.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt women's basketball beats Texas A&M in SEC Tournament
