NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tiffany Clarke scored 14 of her 24 points in the second half as No. 16 Vanderbilt beat McNeese State 82-71 Saturday in the season opener for both teams.
Clarke, who grabbed eight rebounds, made 9-of-12 field goals and a team-high six free throws.
Vanderbilt held a 41-39 lead to begin the second half and used a 23-9 run to push that lead to 64-48 with 11:57 left to play.
McNeese State cut the deficit to eight, 70-62, with 3:31 remaining. But Clarke scored four straight points for Vanderbilt, putting the Commodores ahead by double-digits, 74-64, and the game out of reach for the Cowgirls.