Vanderbilt advances after downing Middle Tennessee

Mar 19, 2012 - 12:25 AM Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Jasmine Lister scored 19 points to lead the seventh seeded-Vanderbilt Commodores to a 60-46 win over the 10th-seeded Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Memorial Gymnasium.

Elan Brown had 12 points and was a rebound shy of a double-double while Stephanie Holzer had 10 boards and came a point short of a double-double of her own for Vanderbilt (23-9). The Commodores will face second-seed Duke in the second round.

Kortni Jones led Middle Tennessee (26-7) with 12 points while Ebony Rowe had 10 points and 16 rebounds, including 14 on the offensive glass. Icelyn Elie also had 16 rebounds in the game and Shanice Cason dished out seven assists.

Vanderbilt was stifling on defense in the first half holding Middle Tennessee to only seven field goals in the first twenty minutes to take a 25-18 lead into the locker room.

Despite shooting only 37.0 percent in the second half the Commodores continued to extend their lead by turning in a 13-for-19 performance from the free throw line and keeping the Blue Raiders to just 33.3 percent shooting.

Despite bringing in fewer offensive rebounds (25-16) than Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt outscored the Blue Raiders 14-6 on second chance points.